It was obvious that most students applying for leave never really read the "Leave Regulations," or even if they did, they didn't fully understand them.
A nearby Anti-Skill officer sighed. "That's probably why she believed some rumor or another. Kids that age always like testing their luck."
"Don't worry," the officer added, "we've already contacted her parents through her school. She can just call Filly and explain everything later."
"…Huh." Kobayashi was momentarily speechless. He had been expecting a big, dramatic case, but it turned out the request was resolved effortlessly.
"So… in situations like this, just calling the police would've worked," he muttered.
With that, Kobayashi and Toumi simply hopped into the officer's car and headed home.
Yomikawa Aiho was at home playing a game. Without even turning her head, she casually asked, "How'd it go? The request is done, right?"
"Yeah…" Toumi muttered, unable to hide her mild disappointment.
By the time they arrived at the apartment building, Filly, the client,t had already called to say that she'd contacted her friend, so the request was officially completed.
Yomikawa had clearly been informed ahead of time, which explained her calm demeanor.
"Lucky break. Using the Anti-Skill system, we located her in no time," Kobayashi said.
He was actually pleased with the outcome. After all, his main goal had been to maintain the "hero" image he'd fabricated.
Now, taking emergency calls for help had been validated—witnessed by Anti-Skill officers, and the request was resolved smoothly without him doing much investigative work. A total success, Kobayashi's little "white lie" operation had paid off.
Over the next few days, more and more requests came in. He answered every call diligently, responding to each with care.
By his tally, he had:
• Helped six people find lost items.
• Guided a first grader safely home.
• Mediated disputes between two unarmed groups twice.
• Rescued ten cats stuck in trees.
"Why are there so many cat rescues?" Toumi couldn't help but complain, glancing over Kobayashi's notes.
She had long since lost interest in these trivial requests. After following Toumi a few times, she'd rather stay home or visit Dr. Sakurai than run around for minor errands.
"Who knows," Kobayashi said, "and there were over a dozen cases where the cats had already left before I got there, I didn't even record those."
"…So many pointless people," Toumi muttered, rolling her eyes. She wasn't the type to care about a cat stuck in a tree.
Kobayashi closed his notebook. "Well, looking on the bright side, at least these requests come from good intentions. So far, no one's called with false reports."
"Probably because they feel sorry for teasing you," Yomikawa Aiho commented. "You take every call seriously and actually respond."
As Academy City's current "hero," Kobayashi was gaining attention. People started recognizing him on the streets—his plastered limbs and wheelchair made him visually unforgettable.
Most citizens hadn't cared much about a teenage "hero" in news reports. But seeing him actively helping others in real life changed their perception.
Even if his deeds were minor, the stark contrast of a seriously injured "disabled" kid performing good deeds made them all the more remarkable.
The public didn't know about the underground Black Moon Tech training grounds, so Kobayashi's image remained entirely positive.
Walking along, people even greeted him as a "hero." It wasn't formal, just friendly teasing, but it showed how much his reputation was growing.
Initially, Yomikawa-sensei didn't approve of him running around. Even doing good deeds, Anti-Skill officers and the city's discipline committee could handle such work—he wasn't essential.
But she soon realized that Kobayashi's activity boosted his reputation and solidified his image. The requests weren't dangerous either, so she let it slide.
It also gave him a chance to familiarize himself with Academy City's layout.
Both Yomikawa and Toumi noticed that while Kobayashi was notoriously bad with directions, practice helped him learn fixed routes.
With Anti-Skill officers discreetly tracking him, there was no risk of him wandering into an unusual place.
So they decided to let him run errands freely, a part social practice before school, a part route familiarization.
Checking the time, Kobayashi set his phone on the table and headed toward the kitchen.
"I'll prepare dinner. Toru, keep an eye on the calls for me."
Despite his busy "work," Kobayashi insisted on cooking to avoid Yomikawa-sensei deploying her electric rice-cooker techniques on him. He wanted to prepare three meals for the household.
Toru exhaled dramatically. "Fine, go ahead…"
Watching him enter the kitchen, she pushed his phone away, clearly annoyed.
"I really just want to turn it off…"
"He'll get mad," Yomikawa warned. "He takes this very seriously."
"I just don't get Kobayashi," Toumi muttered. "Spending all day tied up with these random little tasks… what's the point?"
"He probably has his reasons," Yomikawa said.
Given her understanding of him, she didn't think this unusually mature boy acted without purpose. She just didn't know hitrue intentionno, as she wasn't a mind-reading esper.
Considering his past and experiences, even wanting to help others genuinely made sense.
Helping others brought a strong sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction, a natural positive reinforcement.
Not that I'm that noble or selfless…
In the kitchen, Kobayashi silently chuckled at the conversation outside.
If it weren't for all these chaotic events, his original plan had been to live a quiet life, enjoying his Level 3 abilities.
I wonder when Shokuhou Misaki will finally sort out Talent Workshop…
Kobayashi thought quietly to himself.
(End of Chapter)