A Shadow's Start of Silent Struggles [Solo]

For the past couple of days, Miyami was stuck in a silent battle. One that seemed to have a very straightforward conclusion at first glance, but in reality had no easy solution. Such a hard problem, and one Miyami had no idea how to tackle. It was an interesting dilemma for someone like her. So what was the issue then? It was easily summed up in one very simple sentence:

A thief who was beginning to have second thoughts about being a thief.

Now this was not as easy as just dropping her role as small-time crook and going legit. It was never easy. The girl was forced into crime for a reason. It was not like she could just declare her retirement from villainy and then go home. Hell, the poor girl had no real home to return to! Her mother was dead, and the asshole stepfather that killed her was behind bars. However, he had been very vocal in stating just what happened that night. The news that he and his two buddies were attacked by the girl's skeletal summon had been let out, and by now must have spread a fair bit. Even if it was years ago, Miyami did not trust that everyone would have forgotten it. And seeing as he was a (now former) cop who had buddies all over, it was more likely that people would be more quick to listen to his testimony over hers (at least, that's what the girl believed. No one would believe that the girl had trouble controlling her quirk. As far as anyone was concerned, Miyami had illegally used her quirk. Sure it was self-defense, but people were more likely to see her as a runaway crook than an innocent victim who was dealt a bad hand. She doubted turning herself in would be so simple, or end well for her for that matter.

But why now? What had happened to make Miyami want to get out? While the girl was never a fan of the thief life, it was something she had learned to accept and tolerate in order to survive. So what had happened to finally make her yearn for more, to want to do better? It was simple, really. Angel. Ever since she met the winged heroine, Miyami could not stop thinking about her. Everything about the girl was stuck in Miyami's mind. Her angelic voice, her nice hair, her alluring eyes, her soft lips. It was intoxicating, in the best way possible. Miyami could not remember the last time she felt this much joy. Probably back when both her parents were alive and her life had not yet gone to shit was the closest thing to this. It was clear that Miyami had finally found happiness, and it was in the one she had fallen in love with.

But it was not just joy Miyami felt whenever she thought about Angel. She also felt guilt. Immense guilt for still being a villain while her lover fought for such noble and just reasons. It was unfair to lie to Angel, to tell her that she had quit the thief life when such a thing had not yet happened. Miyami was trying to change. She was doing her best. But it was not a change that could happen overnight. She could not just leave her villain life behind and not expect those that she had met to at least wonder and look into what happened to her. Miyami did not want any trouble to come follow her. But most importantly, she did not want any danger to show up at Angel's door. She did not want Angel and her family to be put in any possible danger just because the two had connected so deeply on an emotional level.

I have to keep them safe. No matter what! I don't care if I end up having to approach Ishtar and ask for a damn wish! Whatever happens to me, I can't let anyone know about and possibly try to come after Angel and her family! They shouldn't have to deal with any trouble because of me.

For many nights, Miyami was kept up by these thoughts on what to do. She needed to come up with a plan. She wanted to try and change. She wanted to become worthy to be with someone as nice and good as Angel. And she wanted to find a way to cut herself off from crime in a way that would not come back to bite her hard. It would not be easy. Miyami did not even know if it were possible to succeed. But she needed to try! If not for her own sake, then at least for Angel. For her mother and aunt. Whatever happened, they at least deserved to live happily and without any drama from criminals Miyami had begrudgingly associated with.

For the first step, it would be trying to undo as many of the wrongs as she could possibly manage. Such as the things she stole. That lavender ring from the store she and the Painter had tried robbing. As beautiful as it was, Miyami knew it did not belong to her. She did not deserve such a treasure. So at nighttime, Miyami got her black hoodie and mask to return to the scene of the crime. Naturally, she did not wish to turn herself in, as that would not do much to help her try and make up for the things she had done. Can't do much good from behind a prison cell. Still, she felt bad that she could not do this in person. It would have made the whole thing feel more sincere.

Seeing as there was no way of entering the now closed jewelry store without breaking in, the girl opted to just leave the ring inside a small box in front of the door. Once the owner or one of the employees went to open the store in the morning, they would find the box taped to the front door, along with a typed message.

I'm sorry I stole this from your store, and I'm even more sorry I didn't return this sooner. I'm gonna try to do what I can to make things right. Hope you have a nice day.

Okay, it wasn't much, but at least it was a start. Time for step two. Slowly cutting ties with all criminals and villains she had ever known, in a way that would not make them antagonize her. The very first group of criminals would be the ones she had first met while on the run. The Iron Maidens, the small-time gang of female outcasts who had pitied her enough to take her in. Wanting to avoid questioning and any unnecessary drama, Miyami waited for the perfect opportunity to sneak into the run-down warehouse the gangster girls called home. Fortunately, Miyami had spent enough time with them to know when it was safe to go in and make her move.

So once again, the girl got her hoodie and mask, sneaking in like a shadow, making no noise and leaving no unnecessary trace. The only thing that would alert the Iron Maidens of anyone ever having come here to begin with was the fact that Miyami's tiny corner of the warehouse was now empty. In place of the very few clothes and objects Miyami stashed away in the small space was a box with a note taped on top. This time, the note was handwritten to confirm to the others that this was no hoax, that it really was from Miyami.

I think it's finally time for me to move on and chase what I'm after. No need to worry about me. I've been doing okay and will hopefully continue to do so. Inside the box beneath this note is as much money as I could get for you all. I split it evenly and labelled it so everyone gets a fair bit. Thanks for everything you girls have done for me. I'll never forget the kindness you've shown me. I hope that someday, all of you find true happiness. Stay awesome, Iron Maidens \m/

-Silent Shadow

And with that, it was time to head out and move on. One group down. Time to think of who to cut away from next. Miyami wanted to be careful, to not be too hasty with this. It was best to plan things out carefully, to ease her way to separation from the others. It was best to not act suspicious or draw attention to herself. No, this had to be done with absolute care and precision.

I don't care how long this takes. I just want to make sure there's no trouble headed Angel's way because of me. The path may be long, but this is something I gotta do. And I need to do this, no matter what. I won't let anyone stop me!