The Greatest Talent
...Strange ceiling. It wasn't the dull, gray walls of the orphanage I had grown so accustomed to, but a luxurious, pristine white. For a moment after opening my eyes, my brain felt sluggish, and I wondered why I was here. But soon enough, the memories of what happened before I fell asleep came rushing back. I had been... tickled by Shadow. All under the guise of an entrance test for Justitia. In the end, I couldn't hold out and had passed out.
"So, this is Shadow's house...?"
I was in the home of the Pro Hero I admired most. Under normal circumstances, I would be jumping for joy, but considering the worst-case scenario, I couldn't just be happy. Had I... failed Shadow's test? I remembered hearing her say "one last minute," but I’d blacked out immediately after. If Shadow had carried me all the way from Yuti to here... maybe she really did bring me home to make me into a body pillow, just as she’d said.
"You're awake, Sihyun."
As my gloomy imagination spiraled, the only person who could provide an answer—Shadow herself—appeared, carrying a tray. On the silver tray in her hands was a bowl of yellow, appetizing porridge that gave off a savory scent, making my empty stomach growl loudly.
"It's egg porridge. You haven't eaten all day, Sihyun, so please be satisfied with this for now."
"Is this... did you make this yourself, Shadow?"
"I did."
I looked back and forth between Shadow and the porridge, then, while still sitting up, I bowed my head deeply.
"Thank you! It looks absolutely delicious!"
A home-cooked meal made by Shadow? I might be the first person, fan or fellow hero alike, to ever taste her cooking! Hehe.
"...Is that all?"
"Hm? Ah! Oh, I'm the type who doesn't put salt in porridge."
While salty porridge is tasty, I’d grown used to bland food, likely a habit from my past life. Back then, even if I cooked for myself, I’d get scolded if I used too much salt. ...Because it was "bad for my health." Though, I think being hit with a leather belt was probably worse for my health.
"No, not salt..."
"Pepper?"
"Forget it. Wait a moment, Sihyun."
She sat on the chair beside the bed, scooped up a large spoonful of porridge, and blew on it to cool it down. It would have been normal to refuse and say I could eat it myself, but for various reasons, I just stared at her blankly without a word. I was a little tired, and honestly, I wanted to be fed by Shadow. Hehe.
"Say 'ah'."
"Aaaah."
The soft, savory flavor spread throughout my mouth. There was no aggressive, stimulating taste, but that was exactly why it was so comforting—a flavor I could eat to my heart's content.
"Eat slowly, Sihyun. We have plenty of time."
"Okay."
In this moment, I could forget my worries about Justitia and my abilities, and just enjoy this warm, peaceful time.
"It was really, truly delicious. Honestly..."
Seeing that I had finished the entire bowl, Shadow reached out and placed her hand on my head. I flinched at first when her hand touched me, but I soon relaxed under her gentle touch.
"Sihyun."
"Yes...?"
"I assume you already know, but this is my residence."
"As I thought, it is..."
A topic I had been trying to avoid. Had she been waiting for me to finish the porridge before bringing it up? I could feel her kindness even in such small details. It was a shame... a real shame, but it couldn't be helped. At this point, I wasn't even sure if Shadow had been affected by my pheromones, and regardless of the details, it was a fact that I hadn't passed the test.
"I'm ready for it!"
"Excellent."
I opened my arms wide, waiting for her embrace. Did she say she was going to use me as a body pillow? Shadow is kind, so... it probably won't be a bad thing.
"Hmm?"
Shadow, who had been dazed for a moment, tilted her head once, then opened her arms and hugged me tightly. I could feel her body heat, her firm yet soft physique. Were Pro Heroes always this reliable? I had never doubted it, but now I had strong confirmation. In a moment of crisis, if I were held in these arms, I wouldn't have to worry about anything. Truly.
"Sihyun. Have you been missing human touch?"
"A little."
"I see. If it's a product, it's always open for Sihyun, so feel free to lean on it whenever you like."
"Hehe. That's nice."
Beep, beep.
We had been hugging for several minutes when the sound of her phone signaled us to pull apart. If the phone hadn't rung, how long would we have stayed like that? ...Probably a long time.
Click.
"Sihyun. I am a woman who always keeps her promises. Whether the opponent is a villain or a hero."
"...You did say that."
Shadow, having turned off her phone, stared at me blankly once more. I thought I was prepared, so why did I feel so frustrated? If I had just held on a little longer, just a little more, I could have been recognized by her and attended Justitia. Was I... really not qualified to be a hero? With an ability like this, I suppose it couldn't be helped. I was going there to become a public villain anyway...
"I'll do my best as a body pillow!"
"I'll take you to Justitia tomorrow, so get some sleep early tonight."
We shouted at the same time, and our eyes met. Shadow looked puzzled, and I felt the same.
"...Did you want to be my pillow, Sihyun? I won't stop you, but..."
"No, no, that's not it! I... didn't I fail the test?"
Like the hands of a clock, Shadow's head began to turn slowly. She rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, before nodding as if she had realized something.
"Ah, so that's the misunderstanding you were under."
"Misunderstanding...?"
"Sihyun, you passed the test brilliantly. You succeeded in holding out for exactly five minutes."
I blinked a few times, and as if that weren't enough, I rubbed my eyes with my hands. Even after all that, the Shadow in front of me didn't disappear. This wasn't a dream; it was reality. I finally realized that I had truly passed the test.
"It was practically an unreasonable test, so thank you for complying without a word. You were truly impressive, Sihyun."
"Uuu... Ugh."
When I came to my senses, I was crying in her arms. Was it because it was finally confirmed that I would enter Justitia? Or was it because I had been recognized by the hero I loved so much?
"If it's you, Sihyun, I'm sure you'll be able to make it through Justitia. Perhaps... you might even become the greatest hero, surpassing even me."
"...A hero?"
"Yes. Didn't you say that being a hero was your dream?"
Ah, ahh. I think I did say something like that...
"W-well, actually..."
I told Shadow everything about the conversation I’d had with Cathy. The fact that I couldn't be a hero because of my ability. That the reason I wanted to enter Justitia was to train to suppress my powers and become a state-sanctioned villain. She listened to me silently, then held my shoulders and gently pulled me away from her embrace.
"Sihyun."
"Yes..."
"You can do it."
Her words were filled with strong conviction.
"Even while being subjected to what was essentially torture, you... you firmly carried out your own will."
"That is clearly the greatest, strongest talent a hero can possess."
"So, you can do it. You can become the greatest hero, surpassing not just me, but even Chronos."
I felt as if the world were expanding. The limitation I had set for myself—the vague feeling that I couldn't be a hero. The cowardice that had followed me since my past life... it felt like it was crumbling away.
"...I only endured some tickling, though?"
I still wanted to deny it until the end, trying to squeeze out any excuse, but...
"I doubt you can call that mere tickling... I was the one doing it, and it was a high-level sensory torture that would have made even a high-ranking villain give up."
Pat, pat.
"The fact that you, Sihyun, endured it without any proper training is truly an incredible feat. Have confidence in yourself, Sihyun."
To deny it any further would be an insult not to myself, but to Shadow. Someone had finally started to believe in me this much; I couldn't fail to live up to her expectations.
"I will! I'll become the greatest hero...!"
"Excellent."
"U-um, Shadow."
"Be quiet while I'm bathing."
"Yes..."
Bubble, bubble.
I thought we had finished on a heartwarming note, so how did it end up like this? Watching Shadow’s back as she washed her hair, I submerged myself in the bathtub up to my chin.
'Shadow... she has so many small scars on her skin.'
I had been forcibly dragged into the bathroom because she insisted that a great hero must always maintain cleanliness. At first, I kept refusing, saying I could go in alone, but I couldn't overcome the difference in our strength. The only saving grace was that I didn't feel any sexual desire toward Shadow. She had a beautiful face and breasts as large as melons; there wasn't a single part of her that wasn't attractive, but my respect for her far outweighed any immediate carnal desire. Furthermore, once I saw the large and small scars on her skin, I couldn't possibly harbor such thoughts.
That was the weight a Pro Hero carried. Each scar likely represented a life she had saved.
"Sihyun, come out of the tub now. I'll scrub your back."
"I-I can do it alone... I'll go."
"You're quick to judge."
Splash.
The moment I stood up in the tub, it felt as if Shadow's gaze swept over me from top to bottom. A small frame barely over 150cm, sporting ridiculously large breasts. Chubby thighs and hips that were embarrassing to even call a hero's. ...I'm so ashamed. I'd never had any proper training, so it couldn't be helped, but still.
"Wait here a moment."
"Hm?"
Shadow stared blankly at my waist, then disappeared somewhere through the shadows. I was left alone in the large bathroom, bewildered, but she reappeared a few seconds later, and I let out a sigh of relief. ...Shadow's cheek looked a little swollen, but maybe it was just my imagination.
"Sihyun, you really are like a sheep."
"A sheep?"
After the inexplicable incident passed, Shadow gently washed my hair.
"Yes. You're white and fluffy, so you're cute."
"...My friends all said that too, am I really like a sheep?"
"Yes. A six-month-old lamb, at that. I'm sure the meat would be tender, too..."
"S-Shadow, that's scary when you say it like that!"
"Hehe. It seems there's a ridiculous rumor going around that Shadow eats people."
After exchanging a short joke, she fell silent and began washing every inch of my body. From my arms down to my legs. I managed to protect my front by insisting I do it myself, but... it was the most embarrassing moment of my life.
Whirrr.
"Sihyun, I will help you with your commute for the time being."
"Won't I be going into the dormitory?"
"No. The dormitory you were supposed to enter is closed for urgent construction. Cathy is looking for a good place in various ways, so wait with peace of mind."
...So that's how it was. I didn't even know how to thank Cathy. First, I'd start by buying her something delicious with my first paycheck after becoming a great hero. Yes, yes.
"Then, will I be living with you for the time being, Shadow?"
"Yes. Do you have a complaint?"
"How could I! If anything... I feel a bit relieved."
"Relieved, not anxious?"
"Yes! If I live with you, Shadow, I feel like I'll have a lot to learn, and... I feel like you'll protect me no matter what happens."
"I will protect you unconditionally. Unconditionally."
"Thank you, Shadow!"
Things were going so well that I was actually getting anxious. Is this the happiest moment of my life? Hehe.
"A special admission student?"
The pile of documents that had arrived just a few dozen minutes ago. For me, who was working late into the night for Justitia, the contents were nothing short of a nightmare.
"Ha... This isn't even funny. In a place where all sorts of renowned heroes are gathered, with just this kind of ability?"
The ability written in the document was the common, dime-a-dozen ability to gain the favor of women. It wouldn't have been strange to reject her immediately, let alone consider her a special admission student, but since Shadow Mistress and Aces were listed as the guarantors, I couldn't just ignore it.
"I will... see for myself and judge."
Crunch.
I threw the document with the two-character name "Sihyun"—a name that had become rare these days—roughly onto the desk, then focused on other paperwork again. Waiting for tomorrow to come.