A different type of hero [ST: Souta]

"You got a phone call. It's from Elise Von Eisenberg."

Taizen fumbles around with a pen, finishing up one section of the demanded work he was ordered to do so. Getting ready to work on the computer, he received a call, and was told that it was from the girl. He looks at the phone with a very slight raised brow, as if he was surprised at this. It's been a few days since that visit, and he was at least expecting a couple of weeks. Maybe 2 to 3 weeks max, but to hear from her this fast was a bit...well, can't deny that she had spunk. Perhaps 'manic energy' was a better descriptor for what she had, contrasting her serious yet affable demeanor. He reaches for the phone and accepts the call.

"Hideyoshi here. Is this Eisenberg I'm talking to?"

"Can you please meet me at Tokyo's Hospital at nine o clock in the morning? I want you to hear my answer to your offer, and make a statement."

Taizen can only softly nod his head in agreement. "Hmmm...Suppose this is related to the offer, though it's odd to organize it in this form." he gently taps the pen on his desk. "Seems like a bit of a hassle to organize immediately. But I'll try to arrange my schedule to meet you there. I would guess you would like to speak more of it over there, so I'll leave it at that." He says goodbye and hangs up, resting his hands over his back of the head. "Hmm. Kids these days sure think fast." His half closes glare reached to the ceiling, deep in thought. Why tell him at the hospital? True, she has a close connection to medicine overal, but why there? "What are you planning, Eisenberg…" He muses to himself.

[The Next Day]

Early. It was too damn early. He could only do much with his morning preparation. Why must work be early. Why must her meeting be this early. If she were to say that it would take place around 1 PM, then he could use this time to set up a coffee, make himself a nice breakfast, all of the required necessities for a clear mind. Such are the simple desires of a government employee, he thinks to himself as he hops on the train. Station Schedule seems to be alright, but he usually prefers to take the train earlier. Sometimes he gets lucky and gets a seat, other times he just stands in place. Seems he was blessed today. Must be a good sign for what is about to happen. He sits there, looking through his phone, dressed up in a more formal appearance than when he last met Elise. The only signs of his usual apathetic nature was the hairstyle, something that most government works usually don't have. And, of course, the novelty t-shirt of the day hiding beneath his dress shirt.

...Hmm. Tokyo Hospital. What happened there? It seems to be a bit too specific. Does Mrs. Von Eisenberg work there per chance, or has done any notable cranial surgeries there? Is she using that as her platform to determine her choice? Perhaps. This was a more public that he would have liked. A simple 'yes' or 'no' over the phone would have sufficed, but hey, kids love to make a show out of everything these days. Can't blame them. Anyone else stationed there related to her, maybe? He recalls a hero working there from time to time on loan, Witch Doctor is what they call her. Perhaps its related to her? Or is it related to their chat? What did they mention that caused her to choose this specific place? Was it involved with their discussion about the Semper Fi incident? Were there any specific people who were connected to her that would cause her to pick this place? He can only think to himself so many questions, but at the end of the day, he just doesn't know. If he had a mind reading quirk, that could be useful to extracting info...hmm. He swipes at his phone as the subway train continues on its path towards his destination. He'll find out soon enough.

Arriving at the destination, he looks at his phone. It's almost 9. A bit earlier than the required time, but he has a sneaking suspicion that she also arrived early. He looks around the entrance to the hospital. Nowhere in sight are any of the Eisenbergs, so perhaps they are inside. Maybe he'll find her in front of the waiting room...unless she got herself a special room. Seriously, all this effort where he could have just gotten it over the phone. He can only shake his head in bemusement as he enters the hospital, where upon the first thing he sees is Elise talking with the reception. Adjusting his glasses, he walks up to her. "Hello there, Eisenberg. Fancy meeting you here. Have I arrived early?" he says as a joke, while continuing to speak in his usual bored tone. Taizen adjusts his blazer, finding it a bit more stuffier than usual. Perhaps he has an aversion to hospitals, who knows. It's hard to read this man when the only expression on his face is as |=\ . "Odd place to pick for us to meet. Have you or your mother worked here before, perchance?" He asks her, hoping to get an answer out of her odd request.

If anything, this was starting to interest Taizen. It appears as if Elise was making an initiative, making the first move so to speak. He's usually in control in these sorts of situations, and yet he has no idea what is about to happen now. To be on the receiving end of a one-sided conversation...it feels intriguing, to say the least. Would be a damn shame if she placed all this effort just to publicly say no to the offer right in his face...although now that he's thinking about it, it sounds like the sort of thing she would do.

The choice of clothing should have been a huge hint for what was about to happen. A casual attire would have implied that it would be a simple quick meeting in the hospital, as a sort of way to give herself some courage in determining her answer. It seems to make the most logical sense. But no, since the last time he met her a few things have changed. One: her hair has been cut. Two: she was wearing a doctor's coat. Curious and curiouser. He only recognized her due to the hair color, if he were to be honest. Taizen can only muse on this sort of thing as she starts to talk to him with her usual casual yet serious tone.

Ah. So it comes down to this. This sounds a bit more personal, Taizen notes to himself. Here she was, earlier discussing about the importance of separating one's emotions from the job...and she picked this place. The place where her mother works. The place where she once worked. The place where her father worked. The place where her father died. A lot of connections roaming around in this place. Is this perhaps a sort of test for herself, to put her theory of separation to the test? If she can actually do what she preaches? He notes as she loses her calm facade, becoming more somber over this detail. Of course she did, her father died here. Anyone who has some semblance of human emotion would feel this way. "I see…" he muses softly, walking alongside her to the elevator. "His work was phenomenal in the medical field according to some departments... it was a shame to have him go this soon." he didn't know the man himself, so it would be rude to try to claim he himself had some sort of connection to him. Just keep it tact and short. Keep it professional.

"Hmm?" Entering the elevator, Elise asks him a simple question: what he thinks a hero is. "Legally, or what I personally believe?" He thinks about it. " A hero is nothing more than a legalized agent who works under the field of protecting the people. Take that as you will." He turns his head at her. He doesn't make a note of whether or not he personally believed it, Elise will probably pick up on that. She goes on how the answer, no matter what he said, would have been different due to societal changes and new views. Perhaps it was painted by new sorts of media, or the uprising of quirks made it more 'fantastical' that the only way to have it make some semblance of sense were to just...put them on a higher position. "Suppose heroism could also be blamed by icons such as Omegaman and western media outside Japan...but you have a point." Being different from the others, huh? Is this a perceived notion or was it born out of the public ridicule? He can only stare at her as she went on. "Well, a lot of people, not just kids, think that. Can't blame them. If they have power they would want to use it in some capacity." He notes down as she laughs a bit.

Arriving at an office (presumably either her mother's or some spare one given for this occasion, seeing the label on front), she continues on, discussing her recent thinking about being labeled a 'hero' and how she could go on this. As she does this, he looks around. Seems a bit quaint for an established brain surgeon, but some research papers were around highlighting her work. "Leaving behind one goal for another, interesting. Some would call that realistic, others would call that cowardly. Interesting." Though he couldn't help but slightly chuckle at the notion of preventing casualties. He turned his head to make sure she didn't see it, but the slight audible sound could be heard.

He was alerted to the map on the tap, along with some papers. She talks about her decision, on her stance on accepting the offer, and her goals in life. To see herself place a sort of restriction on herself, a test of sorts, in order to make herself accept the offer was a bit unheard of. He can only show slight bemusement at her insistence of using this soldier, someone she herself badly wounded under self defense and saved, as a test is a bit insensitive despite the overall beneficial goal. He himself was nothing more than a tool in this time, he's being used as the messenger to get all the proper paperwork in set for her little show. A bit ballsy for a teenager...no, it's the expected amount of guts to expect from her.

Her goals and intentions stated, with her wanting to make a public show of it, Taizen can only nod and cross his arms, thinking about it. He looks at Elise for a while, and after a moment, he simply sighs. "So that's what you want. A way to help without impediment. Abuse of power under justification. I see." He looks at the papers and the map, all detailing the soldier's misfortune. He thinks about the failed procedures, and how she herself has confidence in herself to do what many have called impossible. He looks at her. "If this works as intended, your family will receive more praise throughout the community. You would be part of the complex staff, and you would have more resources to continue aiding people. If you botch this up, not only will you have a harsh stain on your record, but you will give your family a negative stigma. Previous doctors have failed, and yet they didn't receive this much attention. Doing it live only serves as an amplifier. Failing live on television, stream...you will be treated as the dog of the medical field, someone whose ego got the best of them. Succeed, and you will be called the shining star of the next generation." He can only adjust his glasses as he says this, looking at Elise.

"...But you know this already. Thats why you want to make it public...Haah. Vey well." He pulls out his phone, preparing for the multiple phone calls, when he looks at her again. "It'll take a while to amass the right people, but we can use nearby stations to get the required publicity. You really want to do this right now, I'm presuming. You seem prepared for it."

The pride of someone is nothing to be trifled at. It can make people do many things. Muster enough courage to do things one could consider impossible. Perform dangerous procedures to save a life. Put one's own reputation just to promote one’s own agenda. Sacrifice one line of career for another. Succeed or fail, one cannot stop someone once they place their pride along the line. All this organization, all this preparation, all this legal work...it’s nothing short of impressive for someone around that age.

A bit too much pride in herself, if you ask him.

“Hmm. Metal. Seems like something that can hamper progress in healing.” He makes note of that. If she can do this, it’ll be a massive breakthrough for similar people with quirks like this. No wonder she wants to make a big show of it. Think about it, if you were the young teenager who had a breakthrough in the field of cranial and brain surgery, you’ll be beloved by all...a bit too beloved. Hence the security. He may have to put in a word for at the very least one quirk user to survey outside the hospital, maybe one inside or on the roof. Although with what he claims about UAs training, might be a moot point if she’s targeted. He couldn’t help but wonder about these kids having what paramounts to military training. A bit overkill, maybe necessary considering what they re up against. Abbadon, thunders group, Eternity...it’s all a hassle to deal with. He ll have to make sure it doesn’t seem too obvious on the importance of this surgery...something that's against them since it’s being shown live. Maybe they can play it off as a special report. Maybe use that ego to their advantage. “Prodigious daughter of famed surgeon performs her first surgery.” Make everything but the man s situation and quirk open. He’ll let the station know that. They’re usually a sucker for that kind of thing.

“For this situation, considering the hospital is allowing you to use it, quirk usage should be allowed. Nevertheless, I’ll make sure.” He looks at the reports. The mans family. This is the more difficult part, so let’s do that first: Getting their permission. He nods at Elise and starts dialing. The process went as expected. A concerned mother. Confusion. Aggression towards publicly showing his surgery. Slight Hope at a chance of recovery. Resignation and compliance. He mentions a Dr. Von Eisenberg for the man s surgeon. She might act differently if he told her that it was Elise, a teenager. A few minutes pass, with back and forward replies, with him reassuring her. Finally, the woman gave her permission, and he tells her that a different department will speak back to her shortly for the paperwork.

He looks back at Elise. “The first and most important hurdle has been passed. It’s all on you now from this moment on. You hold the fate of someone’s son here. I hope you know what you’re doing.” He glares at her and starts to walk off and exit the hospital, calling up the rest of the required things. Once all that has been sorted out, with the guards and station, he calls up Elise and lets her know, with him resuming to the hospital once the time has come to start the surgery. Truth be told, he’s a bit interested in how she does this. This clone ability might be useful at the complex. Time to see it in work.

"Wh-what?! Seriously? She's that young?!"

Everything has been set. In order to gather enough attention, the main broadcasting station NHK has been contracted to stream the event. Under certain rules, they were allowed to broadcast this special event to their channels with no interruption. To do so, only 2 cameramen are allowed to broadcast the surgery, with up to 5 reporters in the rows watching it. This is to assure that the least interference from the outside can happen during the surgery, although once the surgery has been completed and Elise's team leaves the sanctuary of the room, they might be assaulted by the multiple of extra and lower station reporters outside the hospital. Guards are out there making sure they don't disrupt normal hospital hours, with more on the roof covertly inspecting the skies in case. Some extra doctors well versed in their fields were allowed in the audience, with Taizen being allowed as well. He sits next to a young looking woman with shades on her head, somewhat confused at the person preparing the surgery. She has a badge on that had her ID and NHK on it, meaning she was one of the reporters selected to check out the surgery. Taizen can only side glance at her and slightly shake his head as the others shushed her. They're gonna eat her alive if she fails this surgery.

She spoke softly to the patient. Is she amping herself up? The cameraman were getting ready to get the right away to start recording. Some reporters were asking the other doctors invited to view on their opinions on Elise's operation. Meanwhile, the one next to Taizen can only gawk with an interested view. She has the right topic to write down on this: 'Prodigy revives patient from medical hell,' or 'Patient dies in Tokyo Hospital due to mishandling.' She's struck gold here, thank god they chose her. Taizen looks at his phone at a message he received. He invited the man's mother to come watch, but she declined, instead waiting on the ground floor of the hospital. Perhaps she did it so she wouldn't overtake the tense atmosphere of the surgery, or maybe she didn't want to see someone accidently kill her child at worst. It's better that way, he supposes.

The surgery has started. Elise alerted her team and both the physical and virtual audience and began her operation. The cameramen started up on recording, as the tension in the air started to grow thicker. The invited doctors can only look and compare some of their moves on paper alone, as if it were disrespectful to speak outloud. The reporters were jolting down potential angles coupled with their impromptu interviews with the doctors. Meanwhile, the young reporter kept asking Taizen about what that thing is and what the other thing is. How the hell does he know? He's just here to check her skills and judge her. It's like a test to determine if she really is fit to work in the project.

Some issues arose later. He hates to admit it but he was kinda glad it happened, it was getting a bit boring around here. Seems they finally reached that issue many other brain surgeons were having issues with: the metal. Or was it copper? Either way, it was serving as a roadblock for Elise's team. She needs to overcome this in order to prove her worth, and she continues on with no noticeable fear on her. The cameramen were picking up on some of the assistants agitation, but the image of a stoic and calm professional was being held up at a tense time as this. Of course, the doctors started to murmur. He made sure to suggest the hospital to invite one of them that previously failed if they were available. One of the more recent ones were nearby, and as such they were allowed in. He can only look with a sort of resigned stare on his face as Elise reached the same issue as his team did.

However, the next move managed to evict a lot more noise from the audience, especially the more impressionable reporter who started to 'ooooh' right next to Taizen's ears. He appears slightly more impressed seeing her quirk in action. That precise control is quite handy for what they need for the project. The other doctors and reporters started to murmur in confusion , with some of the doctors being kinda annoyed and impressed at the same time. The one doctor who failed last time looks surprised and a bit angry that this teenager managed to overcome this obstacle that he couldn't. Another doctor is asking if this is even sanitary.

But whatever things they say or complain...they cannot deny the results. The patient's vitals were improving, with more gawking from Taizen's neighbor. Sooner or later, the patient returned to the world of the living, with the surgery being a success. Taizen can only show a slight smirk on his face as a sign of great admiration for the impossible task being demolished live on television. All the reporters are going wild with their note taking, while the reporter next to her can only look at her with such awe and excitement. The world has witnessed a miracle. To them, they have seen a new rising star in the field of medicine and a worthy successor to the Von Eisenberg family. To Taizen and the department, they found a good warden. To the reporter, she found some juicy ass news. To the doctor...he found his replacement.

As the team settles after the surgery, Elise goes back to the office to relax. Taizen can only look at her, and then asks the reporter lady in his direction, "Excuse me, um…"

"Oh, It's Mao! Tanashi Mao!" She looks at him with an excited look. This irritates him.

"Hmm. Anyway. Follow me...hmm?" he looks aside and looks at the doctor looking in Elise's general vicinity. "Do you have some free time, sir?"

"...If I must."

He slowly heads to Taizen's direction. Taizen looks at the reporter and tells her. "Write down everything she says unless I tell you not to." She can only look at him with sight confusion as he leads them to Elise's area. She appears to be relaxing and preparing herself for the crowd on the ground floor, with all the swarming reporters and tabloids asking for her word. "Well done, Eisenberg." He says while 'knocking' the door. He lets the reporter lady walk in alongside the doctor. "These folks have something to ask you."

The reporter lady asks the usual stuff. How did she do this, when did she learn this, where she learned this, anything else [up to you, espy, don't mind you taking control for this part] but the person Taizen was more interested in hearing was the doctor. He can only look at Elise and say something, something he didn't want to:

"...How did you know about the metal?"

The doctor seems a bit satisfied with the answer, and yet he couldn't help but feel as if there was something more. And yet the way she was able to discuss her 'findings' on the metal 'shell' of sorts made him somewhat impressed...but at the same time he was more afraid. This next generation soon will outweed the old, and he's not quite sure if he's fully accepting of that. Taizen can only stare at Elise making up a long story about the potential cause of the metal, while sidestepping the potential problem of revealing the nature of the man's quirk. If anything, all this techno blabber is making him a bit sympathetic to the lost reporter, who continues to write down in a futile attempt to write a story. Out of the trio, the doctor understood most of the medical terms.

Once she stopped with most of the technical terms, Mao had more of a fighting chance to use this info in her story. This kind of speech she can use for some flavor. Taizen can only look at her writing down the majority of what Elise says, while glancing at the quiet doctor competempting himself. Seems to be that he isn't really paying attention to what she's saying about the unity of quirks and medicine...or maybe he is. Perhaps he's taking it more as a personal attack. Perhaps he's thinking about who gave this girl the right to act this superior than him? She just got lucky, that's all. If she had to do it all over again, she would fail. it was a fluke, just damn rookie's luck. No, not luck, this was all planned. It was her mother who did this, she didn't do anything. At least, that's what he could be thinking about. Maybe he's taking it in stride, thought Taizen to himself.

The act of using Quirks on the field...would someone call it cheating? Why then? Wouldn't anyone who wants to save someone use their quirk to do so? Would using one's own power be considered a sort of 'easy way?' If it were up to Taizen to decide, the answer would be no...and yes in a way. Yes in that it is the easy way, there's no denying it. No one can claim that their powers can be a lesser substitute for normal medicine if used in the right direction. But to use it together in unity to advance, well that is how most things advance. You take a few things and mix up some stuff in them to make them better, and sometimes it takes combinations of other concepts to make them better. You don't need a degree to understand that of all things. Elise just seems to be the kind of person to actually attempt it, instead of leaving it on the testing table. Her slime might be useful for certain inmates if used correctly...he'll have to ask her just how potent it could be and if it can be separated.

"True. The fact that you saved that man doesn't change the fact that you had a huge risk in using your quirk during that surgery." He makes note of in the open, hoping for the reporter to pick up on it. "It takes a lot of control and precise movements to even attempt to risk it. But perhaps later on you can use this as a stepping stone of sorts to advance the field of medicine." Some more positive publicity wouldn't hurt, the kid earned it. Might give her a bigger ego, though. As he says this with his usual half-assed expression, the doctor looks at him, and for a second he could have picked up a small sneer.

Mao seems a bit disappointed in being unable to interview the man, but Elise has a point. Currently, even the mother is trying to get some visiting time, and it's better to leave any official interviews once he manages to stabilize and talk more. But she still was satisfied with what she received, and shook Elise's hand for her cooperation. She took out her camera and took an impromptu photo, grinning as she starts to head out. Taizen looks at her with mild bemusement. If this is how one reporter acted, he wonders how the rest will. The doctor can only look at Elise, and then turn away as he follows the reporter.

Taizen look at Elise discussing her plans on the overall treatment, giving her the usual bored face. But he won't lie in saying he was a bit impressed. "Indeed you did. Suppose you did fine enough with the pressure placed upon your shoulders. Even with your skills." He places his hands inside his pockets. "A man today had the chance to remain stagnant or even dead, and now he is on a bed presumably talking to his mother once more thanks to the power of quirks. The media will eat this up. Seems you got what you wanted." He looks at the door. "But that's just the first step, you know that right? What's upcoming will be more difficult for you… and for all of us at the project. More dangerous 'patients,' more unwilling ones, you may need to get physical. With this new publicity, you have effectively placed a bullet on your person. You could even get injured to the point where your previous hospitalization seems like a joke. Knowing that, are you still willing to continue forward with the offer?" he looks at her, somewhat knowing the answer already. After all, she told him eariler. He's just here to reaffirm that.

On the ground floor are a multiple of reporters and tabloids wanting to get access to the man's room, as well as an interview with Elise. They will have to wait for the official press release to get anything concrete. The lucky reporter Mao can only try to sneak out of the populated front door, having already gotten the scoop of a lifetime. She can't help herself but laugh about it.

"Yup. You're now the hottest topic on local media right now." He glances at his phone, with the chat open. "Several posts and comments on NHK's website for its streaming services are floored with countless people witnessing your claim to the world. Some I'm guessing aren't the friendly type. We made sure to keep this hospital safeguarded, you can trust us on that. Any low level thug could try to enter the hospital and they'll be swarmed by the media, alongside guards watching from afar aiming at them. Even large-time threats would have to think about their chances when attacking this place at such a highly populated time. The thing one has to worry about are the 'insane' ones, which is why we have more guards on standby. Would be a waste to lose you here and now." he states matter of curtly. "Same goes for your patient. I would recommend moving him to a different place, but you already thought of that. Nevertheless, I'll let you know if we can dispatch some guards during the transfer."

She guides him around the hospital, as if she was looking for a specific place to show him. She appears a bit nervous over the newfound attention she gardened. Taizen can only follow her while looking around, making sure no one suspicious were nearby. No one really knows what can strike behind a corner. Flashing her badge, they're given access to the room, where within lies the worried Mrs. Watanabe and the man himself. The man that caused this grand show. In a way, Taizen has him to blame for the majority of his day(s?) being stuck here in a hospital.

Elise greets the duo, with Mrs. Watanabe gently greeting back. Daichi can only stare at her, somewhat tired but more awake than he has ever been for the past few months. Taizen nods at Watanabe, slightly waving his hand at her since he was the one who invited her here. Elise does the usual song and dance, giving them her apologizes for the circumstances of this event. Watanabe looks worried as Daichi continues to face in front of him with a half-closed gaze. Taizen just places his hands in his pockets, not saying much. No need to make the obvious more obvious.

Watanabe can only muster her apologizes to Elise, thanking her for saving her son. As she raises her head, she continues on. Daichi remains silent, but from the way he stares at her, it was obvious he was paying attention to every single word she was saying. Soon he will be moved to a safer location, with no one around to threaten him or his family again. Thunder could find out later, but for now they're safe. Until the next transfer. And the next. And the next. They will only be safe for a short amount of period until he recovers and fully relocates. A life filled with running away. But...it's curious, really. Her words made him slightly move his head. Here he was, the man who was ordered to kill her, who she shot as well, and she was treating him as if he were nothing more than a friend. No, a friend was too much of a strong word...there was no bad blood between them. The moment as enemies has passed, they were simply doctor and patient. He couldn't help but face her direction in confusion and gratitude.

"..." Daichi can only think about her statement involving the press release. Obviously, his mother was fussing a bit about not wanting to show their faces during then, after all he's still a target. It makes logical sense. They also won't disclose his quirk to the public. More protection. He can only remain silent as she continues, finally ending with her asking for how he's feeling.

"...Fine." he simply states. Some more silence on his end as his mother talks with Elise. The usual questions involving his rehabilitation, and how long it will take and/or cost if any. As this goes in the background, Daichi continues to think. She did all of this, risked making herself a target...for him. He can't believe that. And now, he's being protected by her. He can't believe that. This is all too much, it feels as if he might cry. No tears come down, he's too tired for them. As Elise and Taizen start saying their goodbyes, they were stopped.

"Wait." Daichi faces them. "...I don't know if this is the right move. I'm not sure if I'll regret it later. But...please, let me speak during the press release."

His mother starts looking at him as if he were crazy, fearful for her son's life. Taizen looks a bit bemused. "Didn't you hear what your doctor said? It's better that wa-"

"I know. I know..more than 5 months I've been on this bed. Thinking. Always thinking. Back then. I had no choice, I told myself. I did it. I got what I deserved. Now I'm here lying on this bed once more, thinking. Now with a choice." he says softly, trying to exert himself to speak more. "...I want to speak during the press release."

"Daichi!" Watanabe can only exclaim in shock at her son.

"It's okay, mom. Don't worry." He looks at the two once more. "Please. I want to be there."

Taizen looks at Elise, then at Daichi. Thoughts run through his head.

He finally responds with a sigh.

"...Are you stupid."

Awkward silence fills the room.

"No. Just...no. Look at yourself. You're bedridden. You can barely move, let alone your head. You're panting just trying to sit up straight and even talking. Even on a wheelchair, you're useless, you'll just pass out in the middle of it. It'll be stupid just to wheel yourself out in the open." he says matter of fact. Daichi's face seems to waver a bit.

"...So then. A compromise." He looks at Elise. "We'll stream the press release here. Do you think that's plausible?" he looks at Daichi, who regained that courage he just showed. "What about you, Dr. Von Eisenberg? Do you mind?"

Oh for god's sake. Taizen can only look at her with what amounts to a "are you serious" expression, even though outward it remains the same stagnant unchanging rock of an expression it usually is. She responded to him really quickly. Almost like she banked on it. Either way, no reporters means Daichi wouldn't be hounded. He was mainly thinking of keeping him in this room while Elise and a feed from it meets the media, but this sounds a lot more interesting. Watanabe seems worried, but complies to the offer as Daichi seems more ready to go. No one is unaware of how risky this is. Just having even a face on screen is enough to make people wonder, let alone speak out about his purpose during that event.

The two leave the room, with him sighing. Elise seems pleased in herself, admitting to the possibility of him refusing to keep silent was part of the cards. After asking Taizen to set up the stream, he adjusts his glasses and looks at Elise. "...Eisenberg. Remember this. You aren't in control. At the end of the day, despite all of your achievements, you are the same as everyone else. The cards are stacked in your favor, but it won't be long until someone or something knocks them down. Don't expect this amount of leeway during your employment in the project. Act out of line and you will be reprimanded." He stares at her, then pulls out his phone to prepare the stream. "You should go get prepared for your little show." And with that he starts walking away, calling up the proper people to get this little event underway.

Time passes. An official member of the medical branch has been invited to begin the press release. Many reporters including the previous one were chattering among themselves, waiting to hear what she would say. Taizen stands in the background, with his glasses lowered and arms crossed. He has a headset in case of any problems arising near Daichi's area. He made sure to place some guards outside his room, just to be safe. Elise waits for everyone to settle in to properly start.

Emotional manipulation. The media is well known for this. Lots of rumors spread around claiming this and that are rampant in today's society. Elise was just one of the people affected by it. One can consider what she's doing right now a sort of karmic payback. Throwing it on the other side: why would claim someone who just saved someone's life is a killer, a collaborator with a known criminal? From the surface, no one would be that idiotic to try to claim that, not in the moment at least. As time passes, perhaps more theories will form, but for now it would be the end of someone's career if they would just go up and deny all of this good will she's displaying to the world. Perhaps Daichi's statements will tip it even further.

Some people asked for how she did it, while others wrote down her statements as gospel. All Taizen can do is make sure the system's all set up, and when he gave the signal, she reached for the remove and turns on the feed. Daichi is propped up in a sitting position, with the nurse to his side. Elise asks if he can hear her. "...Y-yes. I can hear you."

Reporters start asking a lot of questions. Daichi mostly nods or shakes his head. Questions such as the semper fi incident, his employment, how it felt like while unconscious, all the other details. Daichi had to wait until most of them got it out of their system, with some people trying to calm them down. Taizen had to wonder what exactly Daichi is going to do.

"...Um...well." Daichi struggles to think of the words he wants to say. Before the press release, he thought about it. What he wanted to do. Why he decided to speak. "It-it...Yes, I was employed within that camp, and was ordered to do so. Erm, most things back then were a blur, but I along with others were ordered to eliminate those on site...something I wasn't sure why i followed. Perhaps...money? illusion of protecting people from quirk users? I don't know. I was scared, mostly." More reporters clamored up, Taizen continues to stare in silence. "Quirks...they harm people. That's what I was told. That's what I saw as a kid. But...I was saved by one. Throughout these months...it was just...me. No one else. Trapped and unable to say anything. A quirk saved me from that. I don't know how to put it in any other way." He's really pushing himself just to say this, Taizen notes. The nurse tells him to relax, and he stops to breath. "...The person who sent me to this state was a quirk user…and the one who saved me, the person who I was ordered among others to shoot on sight...she too was a quirk user." He seems on the verge of tearing up, with dried eye ducts making sure he won't. "On that bed, I felt everything. I felt all other attempts...I felt the metal in my head preventing anything...I can't say how much I'm so thankful for her. I know I'-i'm risking myself here just b-by showing my fa-face, but...I don't know. I wanted to say that. I thank you all and apologize that I can't answer anything else."

Taizen has a raised eyebrow. Did that idiot mention the metal in his head? Did he just let slip about his quirk. He looks at Elise, who probably has that concocted story in her head ready to use. Problem is, will it work again against a larger crowd? Or will it require another thing to make sure nothing major comes out of it? Already, some of the reporters are murmuring. The mass is a fickle being, they're ignorant of most things but as a group they tend to pick up on the smallest things. "Lets see how you do here, Eisenberg…" He mutters under his breath.