The Spandex Dilemma
In this world, humans are either born with abilities or awaken to them. I don't know about other countries, but in Korea, anyone with abilities is legally required to register with the state. They even offer hefty rewards for reporting unregistered ability users—it's that aggressive about management. Yeah, I get it, born and raised in Korea myself: preemptively identifying and controlling potential threats. What a pain in the ass.
But getting busted right in front of two state-certified heroes? That was the problem.
"Jinwoo?"
Nova's eyes sparkled with eager anticipation at my affirmative reply.
"...Is it like Seoha said?"
Flare's gaze, meanwhile, had lost all its prior warmth, now burning with hostility like she was about to breathe fire.
Hey, how does Nova know about your powers?!
Makina's panicked eye-contact question from the side just made the whole situation insane.
Looking back, using Restoration to heal Nova had been a rash call. Once I'd decided to go full villain, I should've hidden my powers to the end—no traces allowed. But honestly, at that point, villainy wasn't even on my mind yet; I cooked up the plan at home later. Plus, it had barely been a day since possessing this body—I was still emotional. Who could've guessed I'd nearly die to a villain so soon after arriving? And Nova had risked her life to protect me. I couldn't just leave her broken like that. Anyone else, maybe, but my lifesaver? No way.
I hadn't expected her to bring it up directly, but I don't regret it. Even if I could go back, I'd make the same choice.
...Whew. Stay calm, Kang Jinwoo.
I chose this path, took the action—now I had to clean it up myself.
Collecting my thoughts, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Yes, that's right. I have a healing ability."
"You...!"
I grabbed Makina's hand as she startled and yanked my sleeve, reassuring her.
"So you really do have a healing ability...!"
Nova's face lit up with joy at my answer, while Flare's darkened even more. Deep furrows creased her brow as she asked in a chilling voice,
"As far as I recall, there's no Kang Jinwoo on the registered healer list. Don't tell me... you're unregistered?"
"Yeah, well... pretty much."
"Are you insane?"
True to her intense hatred of criminals, Flare's pressure hit like a truck the moment she learned I was unregistered. If we'd been facing off as hero and villain right then, she might've punched another hole in my side.
"C-Calm down, Jua...!"
Nova finally grasped the gravity and tried to hold her back, but Flare's sharp glare stayed locked on me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead a million times over from the sheer malice.
"Kang Jinwoo, failing to register an ability on your own is straight-up illegal—a crime. Depending on your answers...!"
"Eek! Jua! Calm down! We're inside a building!!"
"......"
Thankfully, our last encounter paid off—she glanced around and barely reined in her flames. Even if I was unregistered, starting a fight here and collapsing another building would've gotten her in hot water with the Association this time.
"...My apologies. I got a bit worked up."
"No, uh... it happens."
Nova couldn't hide her feelings if her life depended on it, but Flare, you too? Might as well advertise you're Hero Flare. Facing an S-rank hero's intimidation head-on as civilian Kang Jinwoo—not villain Sigma—had my skin crawling.
"So why haven't you registered your ability?"
Her tone was calm now, but the wariness cut like a blade.
Logically, I could've snapped back: Who the hell are you to interrogate me? They were just civilians without hero suits. I might've bluffed past Nova alone, but with Flare glaring daggers? No dice. Botch this, and she'd launch an investigation with her S-rank pull—way more headache.
Better to bullshit my way through here.
"...First off, I only awakened recently."
Not wrong—I'd just possessed this body and discovered my powers. Sudden awakenings weren't common around here, but they happened.
So I spun a tale: Felt a strange sensation from my desperate wish to help the injured Nova, realized the awakening only after getting home.
"Jinwoo..."
Nova bought it wholesale, her face filled with pure emotion. Good.
"......"
Flare? Still suspicious as hell. Just let it go already—it's not like it'll kill you. Suspicion has limits; this was pathological.
Maybe sensing my vibe, she nodded reluctantly.
"Fine, if that's your story, we'll go with it for now."
"Haha... thanks for believing me."
"But separately—hasn't it been nearly a month since you awakened? Plenty of time to report to the Association or local office. Why delay?"
"Y-Yeah, with power like yours, you'd rank at least A-grade."
Nova eyed me curiously too. A bit pressuring, but I'd prepped for this.
"It's embarrassing."
"...Pardon?"
"What'd you say?"
Both blinked, uncomprehending. I repeated helpfully.
"Registering means becoming a hero, right? Me, squeezing into skin-tight spandex, yelling about justice? I'd die of shame first!"
"W-What are you saying, Jinwoo?!"
"Kang Jinwoo, do you even realize what you're saying?!"
The two pro heroes shot up, faces red, demanding answers. Whatever. You might be fine with it, but that mortifying getup? Hard pass.
"We can't just let that slide, Jinwoo!"
"Apologize to the heroes risking their lives on the front lines—right now!"
They looked ready to grab my collar; Makina even pinched my hand. Didn't look, but she was definitely pissed. Sorry, Makina—people have preferences. Spandex is a no-go, dead or alive!
"Haa... Kang Jinwoo. You..."
Flare sighed deeply, sinking back into her seat. The fiery intimidation vanished, replaced by inexplicable exhaustion.
"Registering doesn't mean you have to be a hero."
"Oh? Really?"
She pinched her brow and explained.
"Abilities vary—some suit combat, some don't. Yours is healing, so you'd work in medical or research, treated like gold by the state."
"Ah, well..."
"Now what's the problem?"
Flare looked utterly done, frowning.
I scratched my head sheepishly.
"I just wanna lounge at home?"
"...What?"
"Ahem, didn't wanna advertise, but I've had good luck with crypto and lotto lately. Wanna idle my life away—no need to work. Registering means getting dragged around; too annoying."
Flare's gaze iced over instantly.
"I get where you're coming from, Jinwoo, but you have to register if awakened. It's the law."
Nova pleaded earnestly, genuinely worried for me. Those pure eyes tugged at my conscience. Ugh. Formal registration meant weeks of training crap. But cornered like this, I couldn't flat-out refuse...
"Fine, fine. I'll self-report. Soon."
Verbal promise to escape, plan later with Makina—
"Yay! Great decision, Jinwoo! Let's go register now!"
"...Huh?"
Nova's sunny cheer derailed me.
"Perfect timing—we're heading to the Association anyway. We'll vouch; speeds things up."
Flare nailed the coffin shut, standing.
"Wait, hold on! Right now? I haven't even finished eating!"
"No can do—Association's closed weekends. Gotta be today."
"Monday then!?"
"It's been a month already. Delaying more just hurts you."
No room for reply—they flanked me. Logical, but felt suspiciously emotional. My spandex rant? Or the lounging bit? Whatever—I trudged out like a lamb to slaughter, heroes on either side.
Damn, site scouting turned into strutting into Hero Association HQ.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Makina, watching, finally cracked, turning away in stifled giggles.
You little punk! Your partner's getting hauled off and you're laughing?!
But if they drag me like this, trouble. Cause a scene with the minions on standby?
Then—
BOOM—!
A massive explosion echoed.
"Kyaaah!"
"Villain! It's a villain!!"
Screams erupted; I blinked in confusion.
Villain? Haven't told the minions anything.
Makina shook her head—nope, not her.
Not me, not her... real villain?
"Villain?"
Flare's face hardened. Her prior escort vibe gone, faint heat radiated from her.
Nova looked rattled but bit her lip, steeling into hero mode.
"Jua, explosion's from the west shopping district! Possible casualties!"
"Got it. Kang Jinwoo!"
She glared, but no intimidation—just urgent orders to a civilian.
"Take your sister and evacuate now. Once it's over... you know. Be at the Association by Monday—or I'll come get you myself!"
"Y-Yes! Definitely! Stay safe!"
I inwardly cheered, acting desperate.
"Jinwoo, you must! I'll contact you later! Evac safe—no injuries!"
Nova fretted even now, then dashed off with Flare toward the blast.
Contact? She doesn't have my number... Anyway, just us and Makina left in the privacy room.
Screams and crashes as BGM, I finally burst out laughing.
"Paha... hahaha! Never thought I'd owe a villain."
"Yeah. Lucky break, Jinwoo."
Makina popped up from behind, shrugging casually—no tension, just relief.
"Home?"
"Yeah. Exhausted. They drained me pointless."
"Tell me about it—thought I was done. Home, crash... zzz."
—Grrrooowl.
My stomach roared mid-sentence. Right—Nova interrupted before the feast; barely touched it.
"...Gotta eat first. Ramen at home."
"Two eggs."
"You'll still be hungry?"
"Hmph, my stomach."
"Fine, fine—growing girl needs fuel."
"Eek, quit treating me like a kid!"
I ruffled her hair, pulling out the warp device.