Caspian sat cross-legged at the low lacquered table, his posture the exact opposite of Sweet Mask's flawless poise. He just couldn't get comfortable sitting on his feet. Sunlight spilled gently through the shoji panels, golden beams angling across the tatami. And overhead, a paper lantern cast a warm effulgence over his meal set.
A meticulous spread, no doubt. Small ceramic dishes lined the center — grilled fish, pickled vegetables, miso soup, and folded tamago. Each plate arranged with exacting care.
He'd never been to a restaurant like this, so he was looking forward to coming here today. And not only as a means distract himself from yesterday's aftermath.
"Thanks for lunch." Caspian brought a chunk of grilled fish to his mouth. The crispy skin gave way with a satisfying crunch, releasing the scent of charred cedar and sea salt. "I have a couple of important matters I need to make known to you."
"Our goals for today align. Should we make her wait elsewhere?" Sweet Mask asked, nose crinkling at Do-S' love-struck expression.
Whether Do-S faked her current state mattered little. He felt certain his matchmaking attempt would succeed in the end. The fact she wore a kimono instead of her usual dominatrix gear — that was a sign… of some kind.
His thoughts then drifted to a question. Would his will be the reason for these various pairs to couple up? Uncertain. Shadow Ring and Genos had found each other before he'd ever considered playing cupid. Same with the pair seated before him.
Time would reveal the truth…
"You're not worried your 'Monster Princess' might flee the moment she's out of view?"
"Irrelevant. Tell me of these 'important matters,'" said Sweet Mask with a strained smile.
Caspian popped the last pickled vegetable into his mouth. "First: your secret. Someone at the Hero Association has uncovered it."
He scrutinized their reactions. Sweet Mask's veins bulged along his neck, eyes flickering blood-red — an expected response. The idol missed the curious clarity in Do-S' stare, too consumed by his own personal struggle.
"Explain. Who?"
"The Director of Operations Office #2, McCoy."
Sweet Mask's knuckles whitened against the table's edge before he mastered himself.
Caspian continued. "He's known for quite some time. By analyzing your background information on his own, he put the pieces together.
But there's more to it than that.
Why do you think you were made the Association's advisor and public face? And how you established those upper-class connections?
Imagine what happens when your true identity is exposed at the right moment. A scandal that will devastate the Hero Association itself."
Sweet Mask's question came through clenched teeth. "What does he gain from ruining me along with the Association?"
"You'll be hunted..." He drank his miso soup in one measured sip. "...by a new group, the Neo Heroes. Once they claim your head, they'll gain favor with both the higher-ups of society and the public."
Caspian's gaze sharpened. "You understand, don't you? McCoy plans to join the Neo Heroes; and use your downfall as his stepping stone to power."
The black-lacquered table screamed as it splintered under Sweet Mask's grip. Cracks forked out like lightning across its surface before a fist-sized chunk erupted near his fingers, sending shards skittering across the tatami.
Bad call.
"My poor Sweety~—" Do-S' hand had barely grazed his shoulder when his other fist blurred toward her face with clear intentions.
Only for Caspian's palm to intercept it mid-air. Resulting in pressure waves which rattled the shoji doors in their frames and sent various utensils flying away.
For a fractured second, he saw it. A wet glint in Do-S' widened eyes, the tremble of her bottom lip — before she schooled her features back into that familiar, love-stricken pout.
Was that...?
Veins crawled across Sweet Mask's face, his bloodshot eyes nearly bulging. Caspian could sense the idol stood on the edge of losing control.
"She's on your side. And having people on your side is something you'll be grateful for, and hopefully not one day too late."
He didn't release his hold on the fist while Sweet Mask's whole body shook as he fought back his monstrous side.
Ten seconds…
Thirty seconds…
One minute…
Sweet Mask's features returned to normal. "I'm fine now. Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Caspian withdrew his hand. "Alright, now let's move on to the other matter. I wish you for both of you to join the group I'm putting together."
"I-I would love to join a group with him~. What's it called?" Do-S asked, marking the first time she's spoken directly to him.
"The Carbonated Alliance."
¤ ¤ ¤
"Wake up, Sweet Mask, Do-S! It's only been five hours!"
Sweet Mask's eyes snapped open. His vision locked forward on the familiar yet now somehow more dreadful sight.
Caspian stood across the restaurant's reserved room, sleeves rolled up, gesturing toward a whiteboard; originally intended for his teachings. Now marred by erratic diagrams, wild scribbles, and arrows that spiraled like the thoughts of a conspiracy theorist barely holding it together.
A damp sensation on his left shoulder stole his concentration.
He looked over, slow and rigid.
Do-S had curled up beside him, head resting against his shoulder like it belonged there. Her jagged, wide mouth parted just enough for a glistening strand of drool to pool on his robe.
Sweet Mask had too much on his mind to waste another second getting upset. It almost felt like she wanted to push his buttons.
"Do-S!"
Caspian's voice cut across the room like a slap.
The 'Monster Princess' jolted upright. "Huh? Oh~?" she yawned, stretching like a cat. "Thanks for the shoulder, Sweety."
Doubts about her 'love-struck' condition being genuine grew.
Caspian clapped his hands once. "So. How do the two of you feel now about joining?"
Do-S leaned into him again. "I'm in. But you already knew that when you said he and I would be partners."
He felt her smirk against his shoulder.
"And you?"
"You still haven't explained what the 'Carbonated Alliance' even is…"
The fact Caspian had danced around any genuine answers for the past five hours grated on him. He'd fallen asleep for a portion of it, thankfully.
"Some things are better understood in motion." Caspian raised his finger in realization. "I just remembered I have plans for tonight.
Well, I'll see the two of you soon. Later."
Sweet Mask's brain short-circuited as Caspian walked away.
This wasn't how today was supposed to unfold. His entire purpose had been to instruct and mold Caped Baldy into the 'Ideal Hero.'
"Cheer up, Sweety. He's right. Some things are better learned in 'in motion~.'"