Chapter 118: Making BabiesAuthor: Geraint
Lying sprawled on the living room floor were Toru, Momo, Himiko, and Kyouka — all breathing heavily after a morning workout session with Ichika, training hard for the upcoming sports festival.
Nejire brought them some cold drinks.
"Are you guys okay?"
"Damn! That bastard Ichika really pushed us to the limit!" Kyouka growled, still catching her breath.
"Haha… Ichika did the same to me two years ago. The guy doesn't know when to stop. I couldn't move for days after that training," Nejire recalled with a tired smile.
"Ichika-kun is such a meanie! He made me run while dragging a tire — it was so heavy!" Toru complained.
Nejire glanced around. "Anyway, where are the others?"
"Reiko and Yui went back to their rooms," Toru sat up, "but Kendo's still out there running with Ichika. She's caught up to him stamina-wise — she's amazing."
In the park, Kendo panted heavily, trying to keep up with Ichika sprinting ahead.
"I-Ichika! How much longer do we have to run?!" she gasped.
Ichika glanced back. "Huh? Kendo? You're still here? You should be with the others. I'm just warming up — now I'm going full speed."
"Eh?!"
"You should head back. I know you've got the best stamina among you girls, but I'm on another level."
"I… I won't lose to you! I want to be a hero!" Kendo declared fiercely.
Ichika grinned. "Haha! I like that! Let's run another fifty kilometers!"
"What?!"
"I'm not letting you quit now!"
He grabbed her wrist and sped up, dragging Kendo along.
"Waaahhh! Wait—"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Ichika—Kyaaaah!"
Meanwhile,
Hatsume Mei arrived at the Might Inn, hopping out of a taxi and excitedly pressing the entrance gate's doorbell.
Ring Ring!
Yes? Welcome to Might Inn. What's your business?
"I'm looking for Ichika. Is he here? I want to talk to him."
Father? He went out running. Might be back later.
"Oh, that's unfortunate... but can I see his workshop? He said I could visit if I have time."
...
Hatsume Mei, right?
"Yes, that's me! How do you know?"
Father told me about you. Come in, have some tea while you wait.
Click!
The gate slid open and Mei stepped inside.
"Thank you!"
Roboco led her to the workshop.
"Wow! This is amazing!"
Mei eyed the holographic device designs on the table.
That's my father's new invention — a support item using nanotech. It transforms pro heroes into their costumes.
"Haha! That guy's really amazing!"
When La Brava saw Mei fiddling with a prototype, she quickly warned her.
"Hey! Don't touch those! Some of his prototypes have nasty side effects. He's always creating weird stuff."
"I decided!"
"Hey! Are you listening to me?!"
...
Suddenly Mei blurted,
"I can't wait to make babies with him!"
...
The room fell silent. La Brava's jaw dropped. Roboco's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Girls popped out from everywhere — Toru and Nejire from behind the couch, Himiko from under the table, Momo and Kyouka behind the computer.
"Why are you all hiding?"
Belfast appeared, carrying a tea set.
"Of course she's talking about inventions."
Ichika entered, carrying Kendo passed out on his shoulders.
"Eh?"
He quickly cleared the misunderstanding.
"This is Mei, from support department. She came to ask about my inventions."
"I see…"
Momo checked Kendo's condition.
"Is she okay?"
"Ugh… I don't want to run anymore…" Kendo groaned.
"Momo, help her get to her room?"
"Nejire, please help me."
"Yes!"
They carried Kendo away.
"I warned her, but she didn't listen," Toru grumbled.
Mei approached Ichika eagerly.
"Ichika! Please teach me about your new devices!"
"Sure, but I gotta take a bath first. Ask Roboco or Hecker for now."
Ichika peeled off his wet shirt and left the room.
Night fell. Toru and Momo sat outside, watching stars.
Mei stepped out.
"Huh?"
"You guys are here. Sorry, I just wanted to rest my head." She sipped a can of coffee, then stood with them, gazing at the sky.
Toru and Momo were quiet.
"You know, everyone calls me a genius, but after meeting Ichika, he's on another level. His knowledge goes beyond me. I tried my best to learn today but there's so much to catch up to. That guy's ridiculous."
"Yes…" Toru murmured.
"I'm still learning about components and matter, and there he is, making new elements. Ridiculous!" Momo added.
Toru sighed. "Ichika-kun's already working as a pro hero at his age. When will we catch up?"
"Nope, take your time."
Ichika appeared beside them, sipping latte.
"Kyaah!" Toru screamed.
"Ichika! Stop appearing suddenly!" Momo scolded.
"I came to check on Mei. Found you two here."
...
He took a sip and sighed.
"Never compare yourselves to me. Even I have a ton of problems. Don't rush like I did — my starting point was hell. I had no choice but to survive. Don't try to be like me, or you'll die... not once, but thrice. I nearly passed on many times."
"You're too reckless! You turn into a musclehead in fights."
"Haha! I just like fighting strong opponents."
Ichika laughed; Toru pouted.
"Moo, Ichika-kun!"
The next day,
Mirko patrolled alone.
"This is boring."
At a park, she spotted a young couple arguing loudly, drawing anxious looks from passersby.
"You said you love only me! Then why were you with that girl from work yesterday?! Are you cheating?!"
"I'm not! She's just a friend! We were talking about work!"
"Liar! You promised no cheating!"
"Shut up! You two are disturbing everyone! Take it elsewhere—"
Mirko grew irritated and stepped between them.
"Who's this deviant old hag?" the girl sneered.
"No. 5 Hero... Mirko!" the guy gasped.
"Huh? Did you say something, kid?"
Mirko and the girl glared fiercely.
"Ara, I heard female heroes stay single until they're old. I feel sorry for you, old hag." The girl smirked.
"Huh?!"
Veins popped on Mirko's temple; fury filled her eyes.
"Oh, looks like I hit a nerve. Poor you. This is between me and my boyfriend — stay out of it."
Mirko snapped.
"Using violence against me? I'll scream and get you in trouble! Aren't you a Pro Hero? You're hitting a civilian!"
The girl smiled condescendingly, making Mirko more frustrated.
Mirko let go; the girl dropped to the ground.
"I'm telling you, I don't care about your romance drama. Just scram and settle your issues at home!"
"Hmph!" The girl turned cold.
The guy bowed deeply to Mirko.
"Sorry about her! Please forgive her! She's just angry. Really sorry!"
"Tch! You don't have to apologize to that old hag. She's got no romantic experience—she won't understand us."
Mirko's annoyance grew.
"I have—ugh."
She stopped, shivering.
"Th-this chilling aura…"
Turning stiffly, she saw Ichika in adult form, smiling.
Whistle~
"Finally, Rumi... we meet again."
Mirko paled, creeped out by his appearance.
"T-that form…"
Ichika stepped forward; she fled.
"Gyaaaaaaaah!!"
"It's been a long time since we were both in this form!"
Ichika stopped before the couple, staring at the girl.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mirko's boyfriend."
The guy went silent; the girl's jaw dropped.
"If you can't keep the peace here, I'll exile you overseas."
"Oh, can you really do that?" The girl nervously tried to keep her tough act.
Ichika pulled bills from a wormhole, tossing money above like rain, shocking her.
"Try me... I can exile your entire clan, including your boyfriend."
The girl turned pale, sweating.
The couple kneeled, begging for mercy.
"WE'RE SORRY!! PLEASE FORGIVE US!"
"Understood. Take this as a warning. I'm watching you."
Ichika dashed after Mirko.
"Rumi!!"
(To be continued.)
(A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.)