Debut Battle (1)

"Aigoo, Woojin, you idiot. You got lost again on your way to see me?"

Baek Yuha flashed her signature bright smile as she sidled right up to Kim Woojin.

"I told you, this is Building B, not A. You needed to go up one more floor."

"Uh... yeah, you're right. Must've mixed it up."

"See? This is what happens when I'm not around. I can't stick to you all day long."

"Hey, it's not like it's always—"

"Hehe, Woojin, you're blushing~"

As if to flaunt their closeness, she chattered on about trivial nonsense with him for a good while. Only then did Baek Yuha's gaze finally shift to the figure behind him.

Han Sua stood there quietly in his shadow, as if she were invisible.

"So, when did you two get so chummy?"

Baek Yuha steered the conversation with a casual smile.

"I had no idea."

At her words, Han Sua flinched ever so slightly. Kim Woojin stepped forward as if to shield her, hurriedly picking up the thread.

"Just ran into her on the way and helped out a bit. Looked like there was a ton of stuff to sort inside."

"Oh... really?"

"Yeah. And turns out Sua and I actually click pretty well. Honestly, she seemed kinda scary at first... guess you shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

Woojin turned to her with a beaming smile. Han Sua couldn't even meet his eyes, just hanging her head.

"Uh, y-yeah..."

She even stuttered.

"...I see."

Baek Yuha's voice had sunk without her even realizing it. The way Woojin was covering for Han Sua rubbed her the wrong way.

"...Good for you. Next time, the three of us could hang out. Sound fun?"

Despite her words, she barely glanced at Han Sua as she closed in on Kim Woojin. She needed a mood boost—something to shake off this damp heaviness.

"Woojin. Wanna head home together later? I'll make something tasty for dinner..."

"Ah, sorry. Can't today."

He glanced at his smartwatch and shook his head apologetically.

"Got something else going on..."

"..."

Poke. Poke. The sharp needle stabbed deeper into her chest.

But Baek Yuha kept smiling. She just nodded nonchalantly.

"Okay? Guess it can't be helped. Or I could wait for you."

"That'd be fine, but... ah, I really gotta go now."

"Huh? Wait a sec—"

Beep! Beep!

The alarm blared from his smartwatch, and he waved a hasty goodbye. He turned to leave but paused, then flashed Han Sua a bright smile and a wave too.

"See ya, Sua? Had fun today."

Poke. Poke.

"Y-yeah... see you."

Han Sua just ducked her head shyly again.

Han Sua. This isn't like her at all.

Why's she acting all demure when it doesn't suit her?

"Yuha, I'm off? Catch you later?"

"...Yeah. Bye, Woojin."

He gave Baek Yuha a friendly wave too before vanishing down the hall.

The space they left behind fell into a stark, heavy silence.

Baek Yuha waved limply after him, then slowly turned.

"...Han Sua."

Still smiling.

"If you wanted to get close to Woojin, you could've just told me first."

Her voice was soft and measured.

"I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠know him better than anyone. He's so precious to me. I could've given you the rundown ahead of time. Too bad, huh?"

"...Ha."

Han Sua let out a disbelieving scoff. Gone was the meekness from moments ago—she was back to her usual arrogant self.

Just one person's absence had flipped her attitude like a pancake. She shot Baek Yuha a sidelong glare, looking frustrated, like she had words bottled up inside.

After staring for a long moment, Han Sua brushed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠past her.

"Know him best."

Her gritted whisper cut through the air like shards as she stormed off—in the exact opposite direction from where Kim Woojin had gone.

"..."

Left alone, Baek Yuha's eyes dulled, losing their spark as she stared blankly at the classroom they'd just left.

Until the urgent pager at her waist erupted in a shrill alarm.

The moment I left Yoram Academy, I bolted into action. It wasn't highlighted as crucial, but today involved something with Yuha too.

Before regression, it was just a blip in the news. A gang of villains trying to rob the bank for cash, caught by Flame Mist... I think? There might've been more to it, but anyway.

Bank heists were a dime a dozen, and back then Yuha was already in hot water from the Red Mask incident, so it barely made waves.

Good thing I intervened this time and got her past Red Mask smoothly. Now I just need to keep that momentum going.

Didn't expect to bump into Yuha right after the utility room, though...

I was shocked. Guess taming Han Sua took longer than planned. Still, it seemed to go okay? She snapped out of it quick and pulled herself together.

Even as a rotten villain, she's got that hero facade. Surprisingly resilient mentally? Might not fully submit in one go. I'll need to tweak her dreams periodically.

For now, I'll let Han Sua follow her original path—scheming, extracting info, whatever. I ordered her to report any new orders or schedules to me, so I can handle variables as they come.

"Almost there."

I twisted my bracelet to don the suit and scanned the bank area. I prowled the dim back alleys for a bit.

Finally, I spotted a crew of villains lurking in the shadows, plotting away.

Ah, shut up. I dismissed the pop-ups. No need to memorize names of disposable small-fry villains.

Armed with guns, they hadn't even awakened proper Authorities. Half-baked like me, in a way. If I hadn't killed the Doctor, they might've ended up as artificial superhumans someday.

Sorry about that.

"So, as planned... Who the hell are you?!"

I stepped out boldly, no stealth. The plotting goons whipped up their guns, going on high alert.

No chit-chat. I snapped my fingers.

Snap!

Their fierce glares, fingers itching on triggers, went blank and vacant. I approached the limp group.

"What were you planning?"

"Rob... the bank... steal the cash..."

"With just guns? The guards inside are tight security."

"Bribed 'em... ahead... they promised a cut if successful..."

So that's it. Bold of them to plot so openly in the alley.

"Guns just for show, then?"

They shook their heads.

"Kill any interferers... practice shooting for fun..."

I curled my lip. Scratch the sorry. Villain evil has nothing to do with power strength.

Good—eases my conscience. Was worried they might have extenuating circumstances, but these are perfectly vile. Lucky.

"...Perfect."

Originally, this heist was minor small-fry chaos. But I'll amp it up—make myself the mastermind, stage it perilously close for the public.

That'll skyrocket praise for Yuha stopping it.

Just the humble beginning. She'll rise faster, higher than before. No pain, no scars.

I grinned.

"Take your time, Yuha."

I've paved the flower road ahead.

"Don't move!!"

"Resist and I'll blow your head off! Kuhaha!"

I stormed the bank with my brainwashed crew. Gunfire popped like fireworks, deafening.

The peaceful bank turned to pandemonium in seconds. I ordered shots skyward only—blind bullets unlikely to hit unless cursed luck.

Innocent civilians and staff screaming wouldn't know that.

"Get down, get down!"

"I said don't move!"

I sauntered in late among the shouting villains, steps deliberate. Had to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠imprint on the public: I'm leading this.

Behind the counter, a reserve cop sneaked for his pistol. Snap.

"Guhk, kuh...!"

The cop dropped his gun with dazed eyes, then choked himself. He foamed, eyes rolled back, and collapsed with a thud.

"Kyaaak!"

"W-what do we do...!"

Screams erupted everywhere. Sorry in my head—he'd just pass out. All done by wakeup.

Nice threatening show, though.

"I did say not to move."

My dry, emotionless voice echoed through the mask. All the scarier for the lack of feeling.

"Well, credit where due—one brave soul. Respect."

Should save him from reprimand later.

The bank went deathly quiet. I strolled leisurely to the counter, tossing a big money bag from the villains.

"Fill it with cash in one minute. Delay or tricks..."

Dry warning again.

"Execute one hostage every ten seconds."

"H-heek...!"

A pale teller stumbled to the vault. No real intent to take cash—my leisure bought time for him.

Checked my watch. Hmm, not yet? Hero of justice due soon.

Boom!

"Argh!"

A pillar of fire engulfed the entrance. Crimson flames licked everywhere.

I grinned, oddly pleased. Speak of the devil.

Thud, thud...

A hazy silhouette approached through the blast, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠past flung villains. Green eyes fixed on me amid the blaze.

A familiar voice rang low and cold.

"Sorry, but I'm in a shitty mood today."

Yuha's tone was icier than usual. Man, I never get used to this. We just parted smiling.

"Perfect timing—I need to blow off steam."

...Huh?

"We're acquainted, right... Villain?"

Her glare burned fierce. Cold sweat beaded down my back.

Unexpected dilemma.

...Why's she in a bad mood?