Your True Heart (5)
"Kyaaah! H-Help me…!"
In a certain street in S City, a sharp scream suddenly echoed through the middle of downtown.
A woman who had collapsed on the ground could only stretch out her hand helplessly toward the villain snatching her bag and running away.
"No…! My money…!"
"Euhahaha! That's why you should've hidden it better!"
The villain running at full speed turned his head back and let out a snickering laugh.
People around rushed over at the cry for help, but all they caught was empty air.
The villain's legs, transformed with rabbit-like elasticity, were leaping dozens of meters in a single bound.
"Don't worry! Lord Rabbit will make good use of this money… Huh?"
The guy, who had been gleefully mocking her, suddenly let out a dumb groan.
Despite kicking his legs furiously, the scenery around him showed no sign of moving past.
Only then did he slowly lower his head downward.
Before he knew it, he was frozen in midair, flailing his legs desperately while his body remained still.
"Huh? W-What's this… Aaack!!"
-Thud!
The villain plummeted to the ground in an instant, followed by a massive boom and a cloud of dust billowing up.
"How vulgar."
A disgusted voice came from midair.
A deep purple suit that revealed her well-trained figure. Han Sua, Psyche, stood tall in the air as if stepping on an invisible platform.
She then moved forward lightly, stepping as if climbing stairs.
She shot a contemptuous glare at Rabbit, who had passed out with his eyes rolled back in an awkward pose.
"F-rank villain Rabbit, identified."
The police, arriving late, slapped several handcuffs on the unconscious guy's arms and legs before tossing him into the transport vehicle.
They turned to Han Sua and bowed their heads.
"Thanks to you, we can finally breathe easy. This guy's been causing trouble around here nonstop. He has 31 prior convictions. We were at a loss on how to catch him…"
By now, a crowd had gathered around.
The woman who got her bag back tearfully thanked Han Sua over and over.
"Thank you, thank you…! How can I ever repay this kindness…?"
"It's fine. It's just what a hero does."
At her nonchalant words, "oohs" of admiration erupted from the watching citizens.
Han Sua's lips twitched involuntarily.
No one noticed.
"I should get going now. I have to patrol another area. Well then…"
She waved lightly and soared into the sky again, walking through the air.
Once out of sight, a sleazy smile spread across her face.
Lately, Han Sua had been living very satisfying days.
Unlike her gray past, now she truly believed herself to be a real hero.
It was ironic that the man who planted that belief in her was currently the worst villain around.
She started humming unconsciously and pulled out her smartphone.
The screen soon displayed "Hero Minor Gallery."
She tapped the compose button familiarly and began typing her usual post.
- She's kind to citizens and has the best villain capture record lately. Honestly, her face is the prettiest too. Objectively, no one can deny it.
"Hehe."
She continued her secret hobby.
Though Kim Woojin had discovered her shameful side, after her exploits in the training raid incident, Psyche's fans in Hero Minor Gallery had surged.
Before, her overwhelming background as a chaebol heiress and cold impression had made her less popular, but now even that was accepted as part of Psyche's charm.
Praise posts for Psyche were easy to find in the gallery now.
Compared to the old days when she used fluid clone jutsu to praise herself, it was a thrilling change.
Blending in and posting one among them? No one would ever know.
Soon, notification icons piled up at the top bar.
The great response today made Han Sua's face bloom into a grin.
But when she checked the comments, her expression soured.
⋯ ⋯ ⋯
"Argh… It's that headbutting dinosaur again…"
Han Sua's mouth drooped at the endless emoticon spam.
As she browsed more posts.
Spotting a familiar name, she clicked the title without thinking.
Nothing special. Just a video of her rival, Flame Mist, taking down a villain.
The sight of the burned villain was simply satisfying.
The debate over "overkill" was what was truly surprising.
As she scrolled comments, a good idea struck, and she typed away.
A satisfied smile curved Han Sua's lips as she confirmed her comment.
Thinking of Flame Mist naturally brought someone else to mind.
Just like that, her face turned sulky, lips pouting.
-What are you doing? No reply yet to the text she mustered courage to send last night.
"…What the hell is she doing?"
***
"Hey, your outfit…"
"Ah… This…?"
Yuha glanced down casually.
"It's a bit hot…"
"Hot…? Anyway, come in first."
Perplexed, I shoved Yuha inside and shut the door.
Only after closing it did I scold her.
"No matter how hot it is, what's with those clothes? What if someone sees?"
"I dunno… Maybe I have a fever or something…"
"Fever…?"
Her voice sounded languid somehow. Now that I looked, her cheeks were flushed red. Her whole body was drenched in sweat.
"For real… If you don't believe me, touch and see…"
"Touch? Where…?"
"Anywhere…?"
Yuha replied in a puzzled tone.
If she had a fever, there was one obvious spot to check. I placed my hand on her forehead.
It was pretty hot—she really seemed to have caught a cold.
Disciplinary action wasn't enough; now her body's wrecked too. Superhumans don't get sick easily.
Something was definitely up.
"Anyway, put some clothes on."
"Why… We're alone, what's the big deal…"
Yuha tilted her head, not getting it.
"We used to bathe together before… What's with now…"
"Is it the same as back then? We were kids. This is different."
"…Have I changed?"
"Huh?"
Her dazed voice made me reflexively ask back.
Changed? No way. She looks just like before… Wait… back th…en…?
"…"
I found myself scanning the Yuha in front of me.
A strange shift in perception hit me late.
For "just like before," those curves were way too pronounced. She used to be flat as me…?
"Changed my ass."
I couldn't even look straight and averted my eyes.
"Hurry and get dressed. If you wander around half-naked with a fever, it'll get worse."
"…Hmph."
Despite her grumpy tone, she shot me a slight glare.
She gathered the scattered clothes from the floor and put them on. Short dolphin pants and a gray tank top—not much difference, but better than nothing.
I handed her some warmed water as she sat.
She scooted right next to me and leaned her head on my shoulder.
Her hot body heat seeped through my skin.
"What're you doing?"
"Just… Feels more comfy here."
"Move your head? It's heavy."
"No way…"
"Jeez…"
She shook her head stubbornly, burrowing deeper instead of pulling away.
I sighed.
Couldn't nag a patient.
"If you're sick, you should've said so."
"…"
"Since when?"
"…Yesterday."
She answered primly.
Yesterday—after that video went up, huh.
Probably stress or something bad happened. Her villain encounter and sudden sickness.
No need to bring up discipline here. Might backfire.
Change the subject first.
"Got any worries lately?"
"Worries…?"
"Yeah. You haven't talked much about that stuff. If there is, wanna share? I might help, y'know."
Spilling worries lightens the load.
But Yuha just fidgeted and shook her head.
"Uh, um… None…"
Her reaction convinced me otherwise.
Something's there. Need to know what to help her recover.
Hm?
"…"
A thought flashed by, and I clamped my mouth shut.
A simple, surefire way to peek into Yuha's heart.
'Hypnosis… Should I try now?'
Perfect timing—I'd felt the need lately.
Escaped the alley and bank by luck, but no guarantee next time.
Needed a failsafe against a murderous Yuha charge.
This could be the chance.
Of course, not like with villains or Han Sua— no mind-scrambling.
Just light suggestion. That should be fine.
"…"
I decided.
Yeah, do it. Just hear her worries. No harm.
Issue: Would it work? Failed first try on similar-skilled Han Sua.
Only succeeded after exposing her gallery antics to rattle her.
Normal Yuha? No chance.
But weakened like now? Maybe.
"…"
I subtly slipped one arm behind my waist, out of her sight.
Snapped my fingers faintly, silently.
Snap!
Puppet Show used on target…
Got it. I relaxed only after seeing the alert.
Easier than expected. Timing her weakness from illness worked.
Felt guilty—a lot—but no choice.
"Ung…? Woojin, why'd you go quiet all sudden…?"
"Huh? Oh, just thinking for a sec."
I shook my head casually.
Good, no suspicion.
Her state unchanged from before hypnosis.
As said, light suggestion only. Be more honest with emotions, a tad more impulsive—that level.
Just coax out shy secrets. No deep psyche dive.
This much… maybe forgivable.
"Really nothing? Fine if you don't wanna say."
"Worries…"
Anyway, I asked again.
If she shakes head, I'd drop it. Means she truly doesn't want to.
"Actually… There is one."
Lost in thought, she finally nodded slightly.
I inwardly cheered and urged her.
"Wanna share a bit? Might ease the stuffiness."
"…"
She lifted her head, staring silently.
Her green eyes swirled with emotions.
That gaze felt laced with resentment and grievance—
Thud.
"Huh?"
I blurted blankly.
Suddenly, I was on the floor staring at the ceiling.
Yuha, who pushed me with a finger, bolted up.
She staggered atop me, plopping down.
Feather-light weight, soft skin warmth transmitted through thin fabric.
"…Yuha?"
Squeeze.
No answer. She just stared hungrily, like prey.
Her thighs clamped my waist harder.
No escape, it warned.
What the hell? I said share worries, why this…?
Finally, Yuha slowly spoke.
"…What's your deal with Han Sua?"
