"We need you to act as a bodyguard for this young man for a short"-
"Sorry. No. I'm an assassin. Not some wimp's entourage. It's not in my job description." The blond shook his head, turning the chair away again.
"I know it's not your usual duty, but he's in huge danger currently, and we were hoping that an assassin would know better than anybody how to avoid getting assassinated." Taishiro continued to explain. He was faltering a little bit, however, and it wouldn't be long until he had lost his audience completely. It was time for Kirishima to step up and steal the show.
"Please," he begged, pulling down his mask and taking off his sunglasses, "I've gotten into some big shit and I need protection until it all blows over. You might not kill anybody, or you might have to kill a few, but if I live long enough for this all to blow over, I promise I'll be indebted to you for as many days as I still stand."
The blond stared at him for a long time, ruby on ruby, trying to figure out his motives. Taishiro looked a little disappointed that Kirishima had disobeyed his orders so quickly, but the redhead ignored it. He had more important things.
"Surely you want to do more than just kill, right?"
At this, the blond laughed the sort of laugh that was filled with the cockiness and attitude of somebody praised since birth.
"You think I do this because I have some kind of duty to the world, don't you? I do it because I'm good at it."
"So, you're saying that you wouldn't be good at this?"
"That's not what I'm saying at all! I'd be great at it. I'm great at everything."
"Then prove it. Come work for me."
The blond huffed. "Fine. I'll work for you. I'm not a coward."
"We'll see about that." Kirishima smirked. He had captured the upper hand from the most dangerous weapon in the world, and he was damn proud of it.
He stuck out his arm for a handshake, which the blond took, still caught up in what he felt was a win.
"I'm Kirishima Eijirou. It's a pleasure to work with you."
"Bakugou Katsuki. And I doubt it'll be the same for me."

•••

"How did you do manage that?" Taishiro asked when the pair finally left Bakugou's hideout. They had spent about an hour in there, going over the game plan.
"I'm an actor, Taishiro." Kirishima stated, making sure his mask was still tight on his face. "I have to get to know people in order to act as they would, and cocky, full of themselves kinda guys are easy to figure out."
"If I'm being honest, I didn't think you could be so manipulative."
"I didn't either, but my life is on the line here. Other lives too. My integrity means nothing compared to that." Kirishima declared.
"You've grown quite a lot since I met you." Taishiro put his hand on Kiri's shoulder.
It was true, but mostly because Taishiro had been at his side for as long as his career had flourished. Taishiro had MADE him who he was. After his parents had died, he took Kirishima in, treated him like his own, and helped him pursue his dream. Taishiro had been the only one Kirishima could trust with the secret he had uncovered.
At least...for now.