Chapter 78

1.

“…Did you really come here to rest?”

When Iroha woke up from her nap, it was about an hour later.

Immediately afterward, Iroha couldn’t help but be greatly shocked.

Once from realizing she had really taken a nap in this situation, and again seeing Silk still deeply asleep even after she had woken up.

“Huh, I didn’t know life would give me experiences like this.”

Even more surprisingly, Ibuki was sound asleep on her body—precisely on her chest and stomach—as if they had become very close.

When had they started sleeping like this?

Both Ibuki and Silk were so innocently lost in dreamland that their charm made Iroha involuntarily stare blankly.

“Um… nom nom…”

Ibuki muttered childishly in her sleep, whereas Silk slept silently without making any noise at all.

It was a curious sight no matter how many times Iroha looked at it.

No, perhaps “rare” would be a better word.

While thinking about this, Iroha smiled faintly. Then her gaze fixated on a particular part of Silk’s body. On a part of her anatomy that was especially protruding, drawing the eyes naturally.

“Hmm…”

What does having big…

How big do your breasts have to be to serve as a pillow?

Even for a child, the weight of the head isn’t light, yet her shape remains perfectly maintained. Is it because of the suit she’s wearing? For someone like Iroha, who’s never had large breasts, this remained an unknown piece of information.

…

Let’s stop. I’m starting to feel sorry for myself.

“…That said, I should wake her up now.”

It wasn’t because time was running late. Rather, leaving Silk to sleep here any longer felt burdensome.

Mostly because even while learning how to relax, one couldn’t simply keep sleeping, right?

…Why did she come to learn this from me in the first place?

‘Was I rumored to be that lazy outside?’ Iroha shook her head thinking that that didn’t seem quite right.

After all, even if things seem lax now, I’m still the city’s hero. I may not know everything about this person but that idea doesn’t fit somehow… Or maybe Ibuki just told her.

For some unknown reason, the sense of familiarity between the two seemed far from ordinary.

Was there someone Ibuki had immediately approached calling them “sister”? It doesn’t come to mind right away. It had taken her some time to get close to Ibuki herself even though they were now close.

Silk seemed a little enviable.

Iroha felt genuinely annoyed by that.

“…Is this the feeling called jealousy?”

While contemplating this, Iroha laughed quietly.

Some part of her inner self wanted to get revenge on Silk—someone who had stolen Ibuki’s heart—or perhaps her playful spirit took over, leading Iroha to flash a sly smile and lift her hand.

Then, she quickly targeted Silk’s side with a deft jab.

-!

Only the attempt was made.

“Hieek…?!”

“Ah, it’s Ms. Iroha. You startled me.”

“Eh, eh, how… how did you…?”

Iroha’s hand was stopped before it could reach its target.

By none other than Silk’s hand, her own intended goal.

“It’s just that I have a really good sense. I could feel it.”

“…”

Iroha could only look at her hand, now held captive, in astonished bewilderment.

‘It’s unbelievable.’

…Hadn’t she definitely been sleeping just now?

How did she notice and react that quickly?

Her calm response, quick judgment, and the fact that she had moved only her hand without waking Ibuki, who was still sound asleep on her chest, were enough to deepen Iroha’s astonishment.

“Hmm, I guess I fell asleep without noticing. For some reason, this hideout is unbelievably comfortable. I want to visit occasionally.”

“…”

“Would it be okay to stop by from time to time when I have time?”

…What are you talking about?

Why are you doing this to me?

Iroha screamed inwardly.

…

…

…

“I’ll be going now. See you again next time.”

“Goodbye.”

“Great big sister! Come play with us again!”

“Sure, Ibuki. We’ll play together next time.”

“Hehee, okay!”

After sharing a few more words about resting, Silk bid her farewell, claiming she had business to attend to.

It seemed like she simply understood how uncomfortable Iroha felt and was considerate, though it was a bit strange. Nevertheless, she was still the kind-hearted hero.

With a faint smile, Iroha waved and saw her off, like Ibuki. Though the idea of her coming back was shocking, it wasn’t an altogether unpleasant experience.

“Well. I’m off.”

With that final word, Silk launched a web and disappeared instantly from the building.

Watching her vanish high into the sky so quickly, Iroha and Ibuki could only gape.

“Woaaah!”

“Such speed…”

While realizing the difference between seeing things on screen and witnessing them in real life.

“Shall we go back now, Ibuki?”

“Uh-huh!”

And thus we finished our unexpected meeting with the hero and returned to the Many Devils building as usual.

But, Iroha didn’t know.

Or rather, it took her a while to perceive.

“Makoto-senpai! I just met an incredible big sister!”

“…Incredible big sister? Hehe. Who is that?”

“Silk? She said we should call her that.”

“Sshhh. Could her name be ‘Silk’?”

“Eh? Makoto-senpai, how did you know? You’re amazing~!”

“Hheehee. This body is quite smart. So, Ibuki, do you remember where you met Silk?”

How pure Ibuki was.

And also how obsessive Makoto could be.

“The hideout! I was playing with Iroha-senpai!”

Ah. That’s trouble.

I should have told her to keep quiet.

“IROHA!!!!!!!!!!”

At the ear-splitting outcry, Iroha slapped her forehead. Iroha desperately wanted to go home.

2.

“It’s been a while, Hoshino-senpai.”

“Where did you come from? You startled me.”

The next place I visited was Abidos.

I still hadn’t properly greeted anyone yet, and I had to retrieve the shield I’d left in the countermeasure committee meeting room.

More importantly…

“What do you think?”

“Huh? What do you mean ‘where did you come from’?”

“Do you think it’s okay for me to reveal my true identity to everyone in the countermeasure committee?”

“Haa… I get it, I get it. Stop coming here out of the blue with questions like that. You’re breaking my heart.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Shall we go to sleep together?”

“Exactly what are you talking about, Hiiro?”

“It’s my current hobby. Also, it is rest time, after all.”

“Hey, what does that have to do with sleeping together? Why are you acting so strangely today?”

“Because I’ve been a little bored lately. I just got a bit excited to meet an old friend after so long.”

“Hey. That’s a pretty cute thing to say there, Mr. Hiiro?”

I clamped my mouth shut.

More importantly, I hoped for a prompt reply to my question.

Gazing at Hoshino with that intention in my eyes, she shrugged just like I had before and said:

“Hmph. What’s the point of the old man’s opinion? I think you’ve already made your decision.”

With that, Hoshino emitted her usual lazy chuckle.

“Tch. You’re observant in all the wrong ways…”

“Hey, is that any way to talk to your senpai? This old man is still a senpai, you know?”

“Ah. Since you’re not exactly opposed, I will reveal it then.”

“Yeah, our juniors are all good kids.”

I gave a casual nod.

Not out of laziness to answer, but because I already knew.

The countermeasure committee members are famous in the circles where Earth players frequently discuss the theme “If you were to become a student in Kiburatos,” with Abidos often coming up as an example.

They’re good kids. Brave and skilled.

It’s just that their environment wasn’t the best.

“Since I was planning to reveal it anyway.”

“….Thank you. Never thought I’d get such a high evaluation. Hmph, it’s rewarding to work hard!”

She said with that. So we headed towards the committee member’s meeting room.

Still wearing my mask.

That way, I arrived familiarly at the familiar meeting room door and waited.

I was a little excited and yet also nervous about the reactions I’d get after opening this door. Though it wasn’t the first time I was deliberately exposing my identity, it always made me nervous.

In the world of superheroes I’m part of –– I can say proudly now –– there’s this motto, isn’t there?

– Do not advertise your true identity.

– It harms the anonymity of a superhero.

Famous lines frequently spoken by ‘Spider-Man’ who has always been my inspiration.

So, I used to always stay behind the veil of ‘anonymity,’ you know? Because a single person who punishes evildoing will inevitably be crushed under the weight of society’s darkness when faced with the truth.

Hence, revealing one’s true self is always an impossible task without immense resolve.

Because the truth has always been a great weakness for me.

“Hmm…”

“What’s wrong? You’re nervous or something?”

When I sighed, cutting off my thoughts, Hoshino asked in surprise.

Well, isn’t it obvious? Isn’t it surprising enough?

“I’m still a person and I do get nervous.”

“…After defeating that building-sized monster?”

“Is that similar to this?”

“I-i-is it though…?”

Hoshino awkwardly chuckled.

Then,

The door slid open, and familiar faces greeted us.

Ayane standing in front of the whiteboard,

Serika eyeing the door direction with a stern expression,

Shiroko flicking her ears with a disinterested yet shining gaze,

Nonomi giving a cheerful nod with a bright smile.

As soon as the door opened, all their eyes turned towards us.

The meeting was interrupted, fell silent for a moment, and just as Serika’s reprimand was about to ring out,

“Hoshino-senpai! You’re late…”

“…”

“Eh? Eeek…?!”

“Silk…?”

Everyone from the countermeasure committee reacted identically upon seeing a familiar someone through the door.

A shock.

Followed by surprise.

And silence.

They could only helplessly watch as a girl walked into their meeting room, her eyes wide as she tried to comprehend the situation.

There was no one who could stop her.

Or, more accurately, it was impossible.

“Long time no see, everyone.”

Eventually, the voice that echoed through the mask was one…

One they all knew well, belonging to a certain girl.

“…”

“…”

Just how shocked were they? They still couldn’t snap out of it.

The countermeasure committee kids were frozen in the moment of shock.

When I glanced at Hoshino in confusion, she burst out laughing with a “puhuhu.”

Seems like Hoshino had anticipated this situation.

‘This person?’

Though the Silk persona was well-known, I hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

As I sighed deeply and shook my head, I realized there was only one thing to do: pull them out of their shock.

How?

Like this.

I lifted my hand and removed the mask.

And with a familiar smile, I addressed their stunned gazes, now widening their eyes further.

“Surprise?”

“K… !!”

“No way, Silk was Hiiro?!”

“Haaahaaaah?!?”

“…Huuuh!!”

As expected, the reactions came pouring out.

Some lost their words, some were aghast at my identity, some screamed out of sheer bewilderment, and another was so shocked they started hiccuping.

It was nerve-wracking and frightening but…

…Their reactions were definitely unforgettable.

This must be dopamine.

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