Chapter 80

1.

“Hmph…”

Late in the evening, a sigh escaped Hina’s lips.

It was a sigh heavy with relief that the day had passed without incident, yet filled with exasperation at the mountain of paperwork that showed no signs of diminishing.

The light sources of Gehenna Academy were gradually turning off one by one as the day ended, but the lamp in the Guidance Department office where Hina remained still showed no signs of going out.

This was a scene she had grown all too familiar with through her frequent late nights.

“…Hiro is probably waiting.”

Looking out at the darkened window, her thoughts turned to her friend who had recently begun staying at her place.

Though she had sent a message already, she was sure he was anxiously waiting for her. Her friend, who clung to her every morning when she left for work expressing his sadness and reluctance to let her go, looked quite adorable when she thought about his “true identity.”

“Hmph…”

Thinking about her secret friend that she couldn’t openly talk about with others, Hina let out a small smile.

“I need to finish this quickly.”

Muttering to herself, Hina looked back down at the documents.

She sighed again as she looked over the contents.

The paperwork dealt with damages and restoration requests resulting from the Onsen Development Division’s recent terrorist activities. It was originally an issue that should have been addressed by the Demon Beast Division, but it seemed to have been mistakenly submitted here.

But even if we pass it on to the Demon Beast Division, they probably won’t accept it.

After all, Makoto had made a scene about every document I sent, claiming they were schemes or interference.

…This is why I’m stuck working late every day.

“Hmph…”

Letting out another sigh, Hina set the document aside. This was not something she had the authority to decide.

At some point, she’d have to meet with the director of the Demon Beast Division to hand over the compiled documents.

She knew the director was just as busy as she was, but what could be done? If she handled it herself without consulting, it would only cause unnecessary trouble for both of them.

“…”

Hina instinctively began to rub her furrowed brows, trying to relieve some of the fatigue.

It seemed she wouldn’t be able to continue working today. After all, she had just finished nursing Silk and then came straight to work.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

It was simply due to the overwhelming amount of work. There was too much to do – so much that she couldn’t even tell if she was in the Demon Beast Division or in a document hell.

Large scale incidents and their aftermath were always exhausting.

To make matters worse, she also had her own responsibilities that couldn’t be neglected, leaving Hina with no time to rest.

Starting with the restoration of Abidos, managing Gehenna’s security, and numerous other tasks that the “normal” Guidance Department wouldn’t handle…

“…And I also have to prepare the Eden Treaty.”

The peace agreement between Gehenna Academy and Trinity Academy.

This agreement signified the reduction of hostilities between the two long-standing rivals and marked a declaration of reconciliation.

It was an agreement destined to cause confusion and unrest.

Still, Hina had no choice but to push forward with the Eden Treaty.

“Too exhausting…”

The abnormal state of Gehenna’s security, the never-ending conflicts between the two academies, and the resulting explosive increase in workload.

Though she managed to keep going thanks to her superhuman stamina and mental fortitude, she was finally reaching her limit.

With constant disputes from various internal and external sources and intense media scrutiny, it was an exhausting situation. With the usual workload also increasing during these circumstances, her limits were arriving much sooner than expected.

I want to rest… No, I want to retire…

She wanted to pass on her position as director and peacefully finish out her third year.

Maybe it was because of the recent ‘Steel Serpent’ incident? Or because she had nearly lost Silk? Those feelings were driving her to take even more drastic actions.

“…”

Hina looked up at the ceiling of her now familiar, quiet office. She used to finish work while the ceiling was still lit by natural light, but when had that changed? When did she become so accustomed to this dimly lit roof?

Just as she was lost in thought…

Ring!

An unpleasant sound interrupted her musings.

It was a notification on her phone indicating a message had arrived on MomoTalk.

Reaching over, Hina picked up her phone from the desk and brought it close to her face.

The moment she checked the message, her expression became one of confusion.

[Hiro: I’m bored, let’s hang out~]

“?!”

Hang out here?!

Why would he come to me when he’s bored?

It would be much more fun for him to go out and explore instead of coming to see someone as boring as me.

“…”

Still, despite this, she couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips.

It was a troubling message, but seeing Hiro’s message somehow made Hina’s lips curl up in a small smile.

Still smiling faintly, Hina continued staring at Hiro’s message when…

Thud!

A loud sound came from the office window.

Was it a bird or insect that had collided with it? Turning her head, Hina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What, what is that? How did you…?”

There, sticking to the wall, was Silk waving at her while wearing a mask.

Even in her confusion, Hina moved toward the window and unlocked it. Silk entered the office as if it were second nature to her, then discarded her mask and rushed toward Hina as Silk turned back into Hiro.

“Hina! Be my toy!”

“Wha-?!”

In an instant, the delicate-looking girl managed to approach Hina with monstrous strength and lifted her up by slipping her hands under her arms.

As if holding up Simba in The Lion King.

“What are you doing?! Put me down immediately!”

“Nope!”

Seeing Hina’s flustered expression after being suddenly lifted into the air, Hiro’s face lit up with cheerful delight. Grinning widely, Hiro hugged Hina tightly and began petting her hair.

With their bodies completely pressed together, Hiro held Hina like one would hold a beloved doll and sat down on the couch, continuing to spoil her.

“H-Hiro?! What is the meaning of this sudden…!”

“Hahaha. Hina, my cute thing. I’m not letting you go.”

“C-Cute? What… What are you saying?! Stop this right now!”

“No.”

Though Hina struggled against the suddenly overwhelming sense of embarrassment and unease, she couldn’t break free from Hiro’s grip, which seemed stronger than usual.

In the end, unable to overpower him, she had no choice but to endure having her head and scalp smelled, her limbs squeezed, and other similar indignities.

“Hah. This is paradise.”

“No, it’s not! Put me down right now!”

For Hina, these were incredibly embarrassing actions, causing her to redden her face in protest. However, Hiro only hugged her even tighter, finding her reactions endlessly adorable.

Soon, Hiro buried his face in Hina’s shoulder and released a warm breath.

“Aahh…!”

The warm breath grazing her throat caused Hina’s body to tremble, and she unintentionally let out a soft, throaty sound. She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.

But the sound had already echoed loudly throughout the office. Even Hiro, who had been forcibly teasing Hina, paused in his actions and fell silent.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence ensued. Their faces grew increasingly red.

When Hiro’s grip on Hina began to loosen, Hina gently turned to look at his face.

Despite the situation, she couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“…What? Why are you flustered?”

“Well, you know…”

After causing all this trouble, why would he be the one to become flustered?

It seemed like Hiro hadn’t intended to go this far.

Though he had boldly taken action, he now showed a hesitant response due to the unexpected situation that arose.

Seeing this side of Hiro, Hina secretly found him rather cute.

“…So, why did you suddenly do this?”

Of course, she didn’t voice this thought out loud.

In response to her question, Hiro hesitated momentarily before nodding slightly and answering hesitantly.

“Umm, well…”

“What is it?”

“…I’ve just been feeling a bit… unsettled.”

“Unsettled? What do you mean by that…?”

Could it be that day?

“Not that day… But lately, I’ve been feeling strange sensations in my body. It’s like something’s about to happen, tickling me, and I’ve been feeling unbalanced. That’s why I came here…”

“…”

Listening to Hiro’s somewhat pitiful explanation, Hina had to close her eyes tightly.

Why is he so darn cute and problematic? It’s frustrating.

‘Calm down, calm down…’

Hina remained silent, collecting her thoughts.

So, because he was alone at home and feeling unsettled to the point of experiencing bodily sensations, he came to find and accost me?

…Setting aside the question of why he came to me specifically, at least I understand the reason.

But still…

“Why have you been feeling unsettled?”

“…I don’t know.”

Saying this while hugging Hina tightly again, it seems Hiro’s restlessness was genuine.

‘…I wonder if his claim of not knowing is true?’

Judging by his reaction, he probably has some idea but doesn’t want to say it.

Seeing Hiro display such a vulnerable side for the first time was strange, yet somehow uplifting.

Was it because he usually came across as so reliable? Or was it the feeling of being trusted that made her happy?

…I don’t know.

“Let’s go home. Hiro.”

“Huh? Hina, didn’t you still have work to finish?”

“Well, I was already too tired to continue. We’ll have to continue tomorrow, I guess.”

“…Is that so?”

Though his tone suggested consideration, there was a noticeable undertone of joy.

With a small smile, Hina took Hiro and headed toward her home.

…Of course, they’d probably have to spend another night together, given Hiro’s restlessness.

“By the way, Hiro.”

“Hmm?”

“…Could you put me down? How long do you plan to keep carrying me?”

“I’m going to keep carrying you.”

“…”

Thus, Hina (Director, 17 years old, and Hiro’s senior) ended up returning home while being held like a doll by Hiro.

2.

Spider Sense.

Here, I call this power ‘Super Sensing.’

This ability is undoubtedly the most outstanding among all my powers, no exaggeration.

To put it a bit dramatically, this ability is like my lifeblood.

Without this ability, I would have been crushed by some random bullet in a battle against enemies long ago, blind to its approach.

That’s why I always aimed to fully master this ability and trained it continuously for more than three months.

As a result, among all the powers I possess, ‘Super Sensing’ has grown the fastest and became the most prominent.

Going beyond simply enhancing the five senses, it awakens a sixth sense, allowing me to ‘feel’ what others cannot see or hear.

However, the true power of this ‘Super Sensing’ isn’t just in enhancing the senses. Those who understand will know,

The true power of Super Sensing is its ability to warn you of dangers coming in the future, a predictive ability akin to ‘precognition.’

But because of that,

I realized this trembling feeling I’m experiencing right now isn’t due to my Super Sensing. This unsettled sensation is clearly…

“…Hulk?”

It feels similar to the way I imagine a certain hero would feel.

Like the sensation of unspent power bursting out from within the body.

Of course, Hulk refers to emotion rather than power.

In the early hours of the morning while Hina was asleep, Hiro went outside and picked up a rock from the park ground.

Gripping it with one hand and applying “some” force…

Crack!

The rock shattered with ease.

This isn’t the strength gained through regular training.

Could this be the result of suddenly acquiring superpowers? It’s a strange feeling.

It’s like when too much water is suddenly poured into a jar, and the jar can’t hold it all.

The sensation of not being able to control my own power.

Recalling the vision I saw just before fainting.

And the sensation of something slowly ‘restoring.’

“…Could this be a growth event?”

I laugh in exasperation and take a step.

I find myself jumping higher and faster than before.

It’s now beyond the level of Captain America. Is it at Thor’s level yet?

“…Hmph.”

It’s a good thing for me, but it feels strange.

For some reason, my Super Sensing seems to be tingling, as if whispering.

It’s like saying, “We’ve given you some rest, now it’s time to use you properly.”

Since I’ve gained this power, there will be a moment to use it.

That’s the feeling I’m getting.

“Fucking hell…”

It’s quite a lamentable situation.

3.

“Hahaha.”

A flat, monotone laugh echoed through the building.

The low-pitched, mechanical sound clearly indicated that the one laughing wasn’t human.

The individuals in the same room, heads bowed, waited in obvious tension for the man’s laughter to subside.

And when the laughter finally ended with an abrupt “Clunk.”

Everyone present couldn’t help but tremble.

Not a man, but not exactly a mystical creature either.

A menacing aura so overwhelming was directed at them.

“Truly admirable, isn’t it?”

The voice that followed was perfectly calm.

Despite its calm tone, everyone present could only listen silently to the man’s words.

“This dull life of mine has been given so much vitality and purpose.”

The voice was calm, yet it carried evident rage.

No, not just rage—it was brimming with a murderous intent, a palpable seething vibration as if recalling an archenemy.

The owner of the voice—the chairman of Kaiser Corporation, known as ‘President,’ laughed lowly again.

“Silk, Silk, Silk……”

The repeated resonance was like reciting the name of a long-standing rival.

“Kaiser never forgets a debt. We repay kindness twofold, and revenge tenfold. That’s the principle and wisdom that has allowed us to survive until now.”

In this harsh and cutthroat society, the wild world where only the strongest survive.

The very reason Kaiser has managed to endure till today lies in this relentless determination and madness.

Therefore.

“This time will be no different, will it, Director?”

President looked down at the man before him—more accurately, the male automaton.

The man, once an executive of ‘Kaiser PMC,’

Now a stripped-of-title man who was visibly trembling in fear despite his robust physique.

The man, trembling with fear for his life, spoke.

“O-of c-course…! Mr. President!”

“Excellent. Please see to it with utmost certainty. You will be leading this operation.”

“Yes, yesyesyes! I’ll take full responsibility!”

President, having said that, lifted his head.

Through the front glass window, he could see the ‘weapon’ being actively produced at this moment.

“Silk always appears to punish evildoers.”

Then.

“I shall personally manufacture evildoers to bring about your fall.”

He viewed the Steel Serpent that had troubled Silk.

From that scene, President gained inspiration.

The power of a formidable individual. And the aggregation of such power.

To create a ‘monster’ that surpasses even the elite forces of the SRT.

And with that monster, to continuously torment Silk and ultimately strangle the life out of her in a wretched manner.

President’s objective was simple.

“The beginning, now. Silk.”

To bring down Silk, the city’s hero.

And finally, to consume this city for himself.

Just thinking about this grand dream made President place his hand on his chest and let out a low laugh.

“I shall cast you into hell.”

At this quiet declaration, all who heard it trembled.

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