"Pepper, I told you—it's not what you think. Why won't you believe me?"Tony spread his hands in exaggerated helplessness.
"Don't even start. If you hadn't been acting like you usually do, how could I possibly have misunderstood?"Pepper's cheeks flushed as she realized she'd jumped to the wrong conclusion. Still, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, she wasn't about to admit defeat in front of Hayashi. (Perhaps some strange maternal instinct? Or maybe just stubbornness.)
Tony, watching Pepper cradle Hayashi so protectively, felt an unexpected pang of jealousy."Alright, the kid's fine now. You can let go of my assistant anytime."
"Oh, oh…" Hayashi nodded politely, attempting to slip free from Pepper's arms—only for her to hug him even tighter.
Pepper, watching Hayashi's blank little nod, found herself completely charmed. Why on earth would she want to let go? He was simply too adorable. (Attractive people are "cute" by default; the less blessed get called "funny-looking.")
"Hey, Hayashi, ignore your Uncle Tony. How about I take you shopping for some proper clothes? Just look at what you're wearing."Pepper slid effortlessly into the role of doting big sister.
Hayashi's current outfit—something out of a children's fairy-tale cosplay—might have looked quaint to some, but to Pepper, who lived in a world of designer labels, it was practically a crime. Still, she admitted privately, with his face, he could probably wear a potato sack and still turn heads.
It's the same principle as this: handsome men could shovel manure and make it look like an elegant sport, while less handsome men could play golf and somehow make it look like manual labor.
Moments later, Hayashi found himself whisked into Pepper's car under Tony's watchful eye. After all, how could he refuse such warmth and enthusiasm?
Once they were gone, Tony turned to business."Jarvis, create a complete identity for our visitor from another world—Hayashi. Make it airtight so no one can trace him. Also, open the lab. I need a new model for the reactor in my chest."
"Understood, sir," Jarvis replied.
"Oh, and—create a file for Hayashi. Record every ability we know so far. Lock the access so only I can read it."
"Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, Hayashi was about to face his first "crisis" since arriving in the Marvel universe.
In a bustling shopping mall, Pepper was leading him through a maze of stores."No, Sister Pepper! I am not wearing that—I'm a man!"
Hayashi stared in horror at the frilly skirt dangling in front of him. He tried to resist, but it was hopeless. From the moment they'd stepped inside, Pepper had marched him straight into the women's section. His early hopes of escape were dashed—her grip was iron.
"It's fine, Hayashi," Pepper cooed. "Just try it on. I promise I won't buy it, and I won't tell a soul. Come on—don't break your sister's heart."
Then, with the skill of a seasoned drama queen, she dabbed at the corners of her eyes and sniffled theatrically.
Hayashi, though he could see right through the act, found himself wavering. His resistance crumbled."Alright… but only this once. And you're not allowed to tell anyone."
Regret hit him instantly. What had possessed him to agree? Pepper's eyes lit up like fireworks, and he knew he was doomed.
Before he could protest, she whipped out several outfits she'd clearly had in mind all along. His stomach sank at the sight of them. Still, a promise was a promise.
"You don't have to worry," Pepper assured him sweetly. "I told the staff to give us privacy—no one else will see."
With a resigned sigh, Hayashi trudged into the fitting room, silently praying she might have a change of heart. She didn't. Each time he peeked out, she was waiting, beaming encouragement.
A few minutes later, he emerged in the skirt.
Pepper froze. The overhead lights glinted off his blue hair; his delicate features and pale skin seemed even fairer against the crisp white fabric. And the faint blush on his cheeks from sheer embarrassment only made him more striking.
"Oh my God," she breathed. "That's beautiful."
Before he could bolt, she discreetly snapped several photos."Alright, I'll go change into the next one."
Hayashi vanished back into the changing room faster than an Olympic sprinter.
An hour later, every outfit had been tried on. Hayashi felt his dignity had been permanently eroded. Under his stubborn insistence, Pepper finally agreed not to make him wear a skirt out in public. She settled for buying him a set of masculine clothes and a few more unisex outfits.
Even so, in anything he wore, he looked more like a charming tomboy than a man—his face simply betrayed him.
After clothes shopping came a spree for daily necessities. Hayashi suggested they could have everything delivered if Tony just made a call, but Pepper refused. "The best things are the ones you choose yourself."
So they wandered. And wandered. Two bodyguards trailed behind, arms piled high with bags that had been swapped out more than once.
Two hours in, even with Hayashi's inhuman slime stamina, he was flagging. The bodyguards looked ready to mutiny. Pepper, meanwhile, was glowing with energy.
"Great Sage," Hayashi muttered inwardly, "why am I this tired when I'm supposed to have super endurance?"
"Answer, host: statistics show 90% of men tire quickly when shopping with women. This is unrelated to physical fitness."
Hayashi sighed. So it was inevitable.
"All this for daily necessities? How did we end up with so many random things? Yep… definitely a woman. No brakes whatsoever."
Pepper, finally noticing his worn-out expression, leaned down."Sorry, Hayashi. I got carried away. Next time, tell me when you're tired, okay? Don't keep it to yourself."
"It's fine, Sister Pepper. As long as you're happy. I'm a man—I shouldn't complain about being tired."Hayashi forced a grin, doing his best to rally.