Chapter 31: Rumi's ReasonAuthor: Geraint
(MC's POV)
I arrived in Shizuoka Prefecture in the middle of the night and decided to stay at a hotel. Feeling guilty for leaving Dad behind so suddenly, Roboco advised me to call him so he wouldn't worry.
Lying on the bed, I dialed his number.
"Hello, Dad!"
"FALCON!!!"
His shout blasted through the phone and hurt my ears.
"Calm down! I'm just staying in a hotel in Shizuoka, near my birthplace."
"You just suddenly left like that!"
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry, Dad, but I'm worried about Rumi."
I could hear him sigh on the other end.
"She called me this afternoon at the office. Her old phone broke, and she can only send you messages now."
"Huh? Broken? Why didn't she tell me?"
"She asked me not to. Said she didn't want you calling her an idiot again."
…I worried for nothing.
"That idiot."
"...What's wrong?"
"Father is afraid Rumi's being unfaithful. He reads too much Netorare manga online. I saw it in his browser history."
"Oi! Roboco! Not again!"
"Ichika, you really shouldn't read that kind of stuff. You're still a child."
"Roboco!"
"Ufufu..."
"Anyway, Dad, just let me know if you want me to buy you something."
"I want the latest high-spec video card for games!" Roboco said sweetly.
"No!"
"Anything's fine. Just come back quickly, or the Hero Public Safety Commission might find out."
"Don't worry. I already have some people infiltrating that agency. They better enjoy their time while it lasts—I'm going to tear it down."
"Ichika, are you really going through with this? If they find out, you'll be labeled a criminal!"
"I already showed you all the evidence of their corruption. They sacrifice people from society's underside to keep the hero image spotless. I'll expose them for what they are."
"You're trying to bring down hero society!"
"No, not entirely. You and Rumi are the reason I won't. This world still needs heroes. I'm just bringing down the rotten parts so we can rebuild something better. I'm not out for blood. Think of it like buying out a corrupt company and shutting it down. No casualties. But to do this, I need more resources. Hating Pro Heroes hasn't changed anything. That's why I've decided—this sh*tty brain of mine is going to bring real change."
"Watch me, Dad."
"...Ichika..."
"It's past midnight. You should rest for tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Goodnight, Dad."
I ended the call and dropped my phone onto the bed.
Closing my eyes...
"For now, I need someone who was affiliated with the Commission to strengthen our evidence."
"Father! I found someone: Tsutsumi Kaina, a.k.a. Lady Nagant. She's a former Pro Hero turned assassin who killed her superior. She's in Tartarus Prison now."
"Can we bail her out?"
"...Probably not."
"Then we'll plan a breakout. But not yet."
I decided to take a nap.
"Goodnight, Father."
"Goodnight, daughter."
The next morning, I got ready and stepped out of the hotel. I yawned while walking through the sunlit streets.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Father. There's a café nearby."
"Let's buy new clothes before meeting Rumi."
Inside the mall, I took off my sunglasses. I noticed a few ladies glancing at me and whispering:
"Isn't that guy a hunk?"
"My, how handsome!"
"I want a boyfriend like him!"
"He must be a celebrity or something."
Meanwhile, the guys walking with their girlfriends looked visibly irritated.
"Stop staring at him!"
When I passed by a gym equipment shop, I paused.
"Hm?"
Curious, I went inside.
"Welcome to our shop!" a saleslady greeted me cheerfully.
I went straight to the barbell and dumbbell section. She tried to sneak a look at my face.
"Oh my, you really are handsome. Are you from around here?"
"Tokyo," I replied, still browsing.
"Oh! You came a long way!"
"Is this the heaviest weight you've got?"
I grabbed a barbell with multiple plates in my left hand and lifted it effortlessly.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't recommend it with your—Wait! That's over 200 lbs per side—Huh?!"
Her jaw dropped.
"Got anything heavier?"
Twitching, she called over some ripped dudes who helped load the barbell with 1290 lbs total.
"Try this."
"Okay…"
Still with one hand, I picked it up easily.
Everyone stared in shock.
"Do you have a super strength Quirk?!"
"Nope. My Quirk is spoon bending. With one finger."
"…Huh?"
"I'll buy it. Ship it to this address."
After purchasing the gear, I went to the clothing store. When I came out, I had a new black coat and brown sunglasses.
I danced like evil Spider-Man in front of the mall. People laughed.
Then I headed to the café and ordered breakfast.
While drinking my latte and nibbling on a pancake…
"Have you found her, Roboco?"
"Still scanning the city's security cams."
Suddenly, the bell rang. Someone walked in—and I froze.
It was Rumi, in civilian clothes. She wore a white long-sleeved shirt, cream pants, a brown belt with a gold buckle, and cream-colored heels.
"Rumi?"
"Huh?"
She looked my way. Her rabbit ears twitched—excellent hearing. I quickly looked away and sipped my drink.
(Has she noticed me?)
She tilted her head in confusion, staring. Just then, someone else entered.
"Mirko!"
"Oh, Ryukyu! What are we eating today?"
"Anything you want. My treat."
Ryukyu had chin-length blonde hair with a headband, a fringe covering one eye, sharp yellow eyes with slit pupils, and jagged teeth. She wore a red jacket, white shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots.
Rumi took a carrot from her pocket and chomped down on it.
"Mirko…"
Ryukyu raised an eyebrow. The manager stared at the loud crunch.
Rumi's always had that habit—snacking on carrots. I usually scold her, then peel and cut them into fries to feed her properly.
"Never mind…"
Rumi kept munching.
Then—
"Mirko, you've been acting strange lately. Are you seeing someone?"
Rumi choked.
"Ugh!"
She hit her chest and swallowed.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
"I always see you get anxious when your phone rings. You never answer."
Rumi blushed.
"That's…"
"You look suspicious, hiding your phone like that. You're not cheating, are you?"
My heart sank—but I trusted Rumi.
"I'm not! Is that what you think?!"
She stood up, flustered. Relief washed over me.
"Am I wrong? You're always hiding something."
"It's just… whenever I break my phone, he calls me an idiot. His voice haunts my dreams!"
"I see. How many phones have you broken now?"
"…Twenty-one, including his."
"…What about your current one?"
"I sent it to the repair shop. They said it's hopeless."
"That makes twenty-two."
"Noooo!"
"…Idiot."
"Stop it! Spare me!"
Rumi collapsed on the table, depressed.
Guess I'll have to build her a phone that can survive a war.
I stood and approached them.
"Yo!"
They glanced up.
"Huh?"
"He was eavesdropping!" Rumi frowned.
"Yeah. What do you want?" Ryukyu glared.
I raised my hands.
"Wait! I don't mean any harm. I just—"
BOOOOOM!!!
An explosion shook the city.
Rumi and Ryukyu jumped to their feet.
"Let's go, Mirko!"
"Yeah!"
They rushed outside.
"Yare yare… such misfortune."
I moved to follow, but the café manager grabbed me.
"Wait! You haven't paid yet!"
I handed him a 10,000 yen bill.
"Cover those two as well. Keep the change."
I turned to go—but he stopped me again.
"Sorry, we don't accept tips."
"Ah, come on! I'm in a hurry!"
He gave me the change, and I ran outside.
"Thank you for coming!"
(To be continued…)
A/N: Japan etiquette. I'll fix my mistakes later.