One day later.
Torrance, California. SDN Office, waiting room.
My hands were stuffed in my hoodie's pockets as I sat on the red seats. Comfortable, if you didn't try leaning back that is.
Suited people passed by, giving me judgmental looks—Like I was the weird one for not wearing a costume, or like they'd seen me somewhere before.
I was annoyed, but I didn't dwell on it.
Until the TV started talking about me. Red ticker scrolling across the bottom:
NEW SDN HERO CONFRONTS BULKTILE. BRUTAL FINISH SPARKS DEBATE.
"SDN hasn't posted an official name yet, but netizens are calling him: Reckless."
"Who's reckless!" I shouted. A shiver ran through my skin, followed by a dark force-wave that shut the screen off with a pop.
The receptionist paused her typing and looked over; Frightened eyes mixed with a forced, polite smile.
'Shit. That could've been bad. I don't have money to pay for a TV.'
After yesterday's events, Brainbook and I swapped numbers. She told me to come here today to join up. Said she'd strike a good deal so I could earn solid money.
Oh, and one important thing I figured out: I've been mistakenly assuming I was a full year before the show—When in truth I'm only five months.
'But it shouldn't be much of a problem.'
I discovered that after I mentioned the Phoenix Program to Brainbook, which she openly shared that it's a program that just recently started recruiting, scheduled to start activities in July.
'I recall there was a comment about the previous Z-Team leader quitting just after two or three days. Then soon after Robert showed up. So that will be the heads-up.'
As per her advice, she recommended me to Blonde Blazer, the Torrance downtown LA branch manager. B.B. used to work here but now handles more behind-the-scenes stuff.
'Brainbook 'is actually older than I thought, but somehow doesn't age much... These hero worlds are confusing.'
Anyway, since Blazer manages the program, I have to meet her here and see how it goes.
'Not gonna lie, I'm kinda nervous.'
"Push?" The receptionist called.
"Miss Blazer is ready for you."
Fuck.
I swallowed hard.
'It's time to meet her. The girl I've desir— Admired so much before. Will she hate me? No, there's no reason to. But maybe she has some soul-sense power—I'm overthinking.'
"Mister Push?" she called again.
"I'm coming!"
.
.
"Push!" Blonde Blazer opened the door of her office. Her wide-hips-small-waist-breasts trio welcoming me.
"Or should I say Wreckless? Come on in."
I had to look up to even see her face. The girl was tall. A strand of golden hair fell onto her hypnotic eyes, pulling me into an azure trance.
I was speechless. My heart jumped to my throat.
'Shit. She can't hear my heartbeat, can she?'
I watched her move inside, her hips swaying. She gestured at the chair across her desk. Relaxed. Like she'd done this before.
I clicked the door shut.
"So… Push." She leaned on one arm against the table. "The way you finished Bulktile was impressive…" the other hung loose to her side, "But it could've been handled better."
I took my seat, still processing the fact that she'd been standing right next to me.
"B.B talked a lot about you—"
She kept talking, her voice candy to my ears. But all I could focus on were her powerful legs. Crossed. Her chest raised, compressed—there were definitely guns being held there.
'Damn. She's like a supermodel with a roleplay kink.'
"—First. We need to rebrand you before the next viral clip calls you 'Limb Reaper'. SDN has stylists, let's make 'Push' official and positive."
'She's rambling about marketing?'
The files on her desk caught my eye. Research, analysis, notes.
'She's invested.'
"Base pay's decent for recruits, but bonuses scale with mission success, performance, public impact, and team synergy. B.B. pulled strings for you, so higher starting rate."
Her eyes moved up. I used the window.
'No cleavage. But there's definitely a lump.'
"Yeah, yeah. That's great."
"—where did you hear about the Phoenix Program?"
I almost jumped. But smoothly flowed into my eyes closing technique.
"It's not even fully launched." She finished.
Blazer watched my reaction. I gave her nothing.
'The queue. It's time.'
I dropped my shoulders and put on a sad façade.
"...Back at the orphanage. Zone 3." I grabbed my shirt. "The Kaiju hit our block. We were running and I... I saw you."
My voice trembled. "My family didn't make it. But that's not— that's not the point I'm trying to make. I'd never told anyone about my powers. Ever. But when I saw you I just thought..." A hesitation. "...if I become someone, maybe I'd have a shot with you."
"..."
Silence. She didn't speak.
'Mandy. The thing about her is that she's way too righteous. She can never push away someone who's drowning. And that leaves cracks, cracks that even an ill-intentioned guy might slip in.'
Blonde Blazer walked to her seat, fingertips grazing the desk.
'Good thing I'm a good one.'
She sat, then spoke:
"That's... sweet. And brave."
Elbows on the desk. Eyes on mine.
"The Program's for people who want to change. If that's you, we're glad to have you."
'So she's deflecting.'
"But it's not easy, we believe in second chances, not free passes—"
"Do you remember me?" I cut in.
She stopped mid-gesture. Her jaw tensed.
"...I saw a lot during that attack too." She held her composure. "You've got an impressive power. Learn to…use it right, and I promise you'll find the right person for you."
I looked straight into her eyes.
"Can't it be you?"
Her body jolted. Eyes widened.
'Was I too direct?'
Her gaze drifted.
"Oh, w-well. I do try to keep things professional. But… who knows,"
'No. I was right, she can't drown me.'
Her eyes went back at me. "Right?"
The silence ran longer than she was comfortable with. So she stood and moved to the door.
"First mission soon! Let's go get you suited up!"
'...I'd felt anxious walking in. Even a little frightened. But after talking to her I finally realized that she wasn't someone to be feared…'
I got up and followed, watching her yellow cape sway uselessly to reveal the blue high-cut piece sinking deep into the glossy, skin-tight fabric of her ass.
'...or maybe I was just thinking with the wrong head.'
Either way, one thing was clear.
"Hey…" She said without turning. "You can call me Blazer."
We'd gotten closer. Even if only a step.
.