Encounter in the Shadows

I walked down the hallway alongside Yuha, matching her pace.

"I told you not to come because this might happen."

"Ehehe…"

Yuha laughed sheepishly. We'd just barely escaped the swarm of people who'd mobbed us. Heroes in modern society were practically all-purpose entertainers. Especially Yuha—she was riding high on popularity right now. Of course things would go nuts when an idol showed up right in front of everyone. Our plan to slip away quietly had gone off the rails from the first step.

"I just wanted to boost your spirits, Woojin."

"Who asked for help… Never mind."

I quickly bit my tongue as a flicker of hurt crossed Yuha's face. I appreciated the sentiment, but this was her problem—she overprotected me way too much. Hero instinct or whatever. Back then, it had only fueled my inferiority complex, but not anymore. Still, sometimes I wondered if she didn't go overboard.

I definitely felt like a celebrity now… but could I even make proper friends like this?

"So, who were they?"

"Who?"

"Those girls standing next to you at the entrance ceremony. They kept glancing your way. Figured you might know them."

"Nah…? Strangers. Probably just because we were next to each other."

"I see. But what's with that bracelet on your arm? Haven't seen it before."

"This? Saw it on the way and bought it on impulse. Why? Doesn't suit me?"

Yuha seemed extra curious today. I masked my jolt of nerves and played it cool. Luckily, it didn't stand out design-wise. Until I activated it, it looked like any ordinary bracelet.

She shook her head, looking genuinely disappointed.

"Nah, it suits you great. Didn't know you had that kind of taste… ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I would've bought it for you if I'd known."

"Just a whim. It'll be gathering dust in my room in a few days."

"Oh…"

I shook my head firmly to dissuade her. As if I had that kind of taste. Truth be told, I was still a bit embarrassed wearing accessories like some pretty boy.

Yuha, still wearing that wistful expression, asked, "Can I drop by the general department sometimes?"

"Aren't you busy? The hero department's curriculum has to be way tougher than ours. No need to…"

"Pfft, it's nothing. And it's right next door anyway."

If I said no because I hated the attention, she'd get hurt again. I couldn't stand seeing that look.

"If it's just for a bit…"

I nodded vaguely. How often would she actually come, anyway? She'd probably forget after a few times.

A thought suddenly struck me from her words.

"Then can I visit the hero department sometimes too?"

"Huh? Uh?"

Modern society revolved around heroes, not the powerless. Yoram Academy was no exception. That's where future incidents would erupt, where key figures gathered. I needed to scout it at least once. Using Yuha as an excuse would let me come and go freely—perfect for me. Plus, I was honestly curious.

"Can't always make you come to me, right? I wanna check it out too…"

"Ah, no, that won't work."

Yuha shook her head vigorously. I blinked in confusion.

"Why not?"

"Just… no. Anyway…"

"…?"

She wouldn't meet my eyes—something was definitely up. It was weird seeing the girl who always grinned like that act so off-kilter. It threw me more than her.

"Ugh, fine. I won't go."

I threw in the towel.

"Jeez. At least explain why. 'No civilians in the fancy hero department' or something?"

"N-no, it's not…"

Yuha flinched, mumbling. That's when I realized my screw-up. My voice had come out sharper than intended. Habits were scary like that. The self-loathing idiot from my past life still gnawed at me. Gotta watch it.

"…Kidding."

I rambled to smooth things over.

"Just curious, y'know? About how you spend your days there…"

"Really…?"

Yuha's lashes fluttered up as she peered at me.

"It's not that different, really… but if that's why, then sure…"

She twirled her hair, sighing in relief.

Good. Permission granted, one way or another.

"I thought maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

"N-nothing."

"Oh, by the way, gotten close to any other heroes?"

I smoothly shifted topics—this was the real point.

Yuha tilted her head, her expression oddly nuanced.

"Other heroes…? Who…?"

"Y'know, other hero department students. Like Snow White, or Psyche, for example…"

But she pouted, looking dissatisfied at my casual probe.

"…Maybe I should just say no."

"What? You can't take it back after saying yes!"

"Dunnooo."

What was with her today? Her mood was all over the place.

Snow White, the saint. And Psyche. Two heroes who'd drawn attention even before enrollment, alongside Yuha—apparently dubbed the top three of Year 1. They were also key players in future events. A connection would make things easier. But her reaction? No dice. Not close—seemed more like rivalry.

Guess I'd start from scratch.

-Beep!

A familiar pager tone buzzed from Yuha's waist. She, who'd been sticking close, made a pouty face full of reluctance.

"Don't wanna work…"

"Come on. If even you act like that, what hope do us normals have?"

"Ughhh…"

I teased her playfully, and she replied in a voice dripping with lingering attachment.

"Can I come over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to your place this weekend?"

"You just roll around in my bed and do nothing else."

"Who just rolls around…!"

Yuha protested with an indignant look.

"I do your laundry and cook dinner—forgot that?"

"…Right."

I nodded awkwardly. But that wasn't "playing"—she kept finding chores to do. Even when I said I'd handle it, she was stubborn as hell. At least I managed the dishes. Did she really see me as that unreliable? Couldn't even trust me with laundry and dinner?

It said plenty about how pathetic she must've thought I was. She was too kind to show it, though. Time to change that image, even a little…

"…Whatever. I'm coming anyway."

She declared it like a fact, grabbing the choker at her neck. Like my bracelet, it stored her suit. A bit more girly in design, though.

A mechanical whir followed, and blue-and-white suit enveloped her body.

"I'm off then? Go straight home, no detours…"

"Ah, Yuha."

I grabbed her just as she was about to wave goodbye. She blinked quizzically.

"Yeah? What?"

"Your patrol today. Pay a little extra attention to A District…"

"Woojin saw some scary news again?"

She brushed it off casually, like it was nothing.

"Worried?"

"Not that… Ugh, fine. Go."

"No need. I'm Flame Mist. Most villains bolt at the sight of me."

She shrugged, oblivious. My offhand warning fell on deaf ears, as expected.

"Woojin."

She called my name.

"Yeah?"

"It's great going to the academy together. Right?"

"…"

I was at a loss for words. I could tell she meant it—pure joy.

Such simple happiness. But even in my past life, I could've given her this much.

"…Yeah."

I forced the words out through stiff lips.

She nodded like she'd known, smiling.

"Hehe, knew it. See you tomorrow~"

Flames erupted from her palms as farewell. Using them as thrust, she rocketed into the sky.

I stared blankly at the spot she'd vanished from. Only after a long moment did I turn away.

Time for my own work.

I pushed through the crowd. My smartwatch buzzed incessantly on my wrist.

The skills I'd gained after killing the Doctor were proving quite useful. Surveillance cameras swiveled away, passersby brushed off shoulder bumps without a second glance. I'd worried about wearing this pitch-black suit everywhere, but this made it worthwhile. Even the Hero Management Bureau wouldn't track me easily.

Technically, not "newly acquired," though. I glanced at my reflection in a shop window.

At least it treated me like an important person. The skills listed under the Authority caught my eye—all ones the old Marionette had favored in my past life. And now I could use them all. Maybe years of being right beside her, watching and feeling it, had rubbed off.

Lucky break for me. Awakening an Authority didn't mean instant mastery. Most superhumans spent time after awakening honing and developing their skills. That's partly why Yoram Academy existed.

Of course, my proficiency was still low… but expecting perfection would be greedy. Practice makes perfect.

The Doctor's schedule had vanished after I killed him. Seemed like events tied to highlighted memos or people got deleted upon resolution. The Thirst was building back up, but still manageable. Body degradation had more leeway. Overuse of the Authority sped it up, but crises could be averted… by building ties with the saint for treatment. I'd need to approach her anyway.

First things first, though.

I slipped out of the crowd, climbing alleys until darkness settled in. I activated the bracelet, donning the suit. Then an unfamiliar alert pinged.

The moment had arrived. Knowing the future didn't solve everything. Hero Management Bureau, police, Hero Gallery—none heeded my warnings. Even Yuha just got happy I worried. Thank god the Doctor's surgery worked. Nothing as hollow as the knowledge of the powerless.

Had to handle it myself. It was my responsibility anyway. And to keep Yuha's head safe.

"Alright then…"

If the alert popped, he or someone connected was nearby. I scanned around. My sharpened superhuman senses caught a commotion from a dim, reeking alley ahead.

I advanced silently, shadows cloaking my steps. Finally, the filthy scene unfolded—a crime ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just beginning.

"P-please… spare me…"

"Heh heh, the more you beg, the cuter you get. Right?"

A hulking brute in a red wrestling mask pinned a woman against the wall, licking his lips sloppily. He gripped a massive cleaver like a Chinese sword in one hand.

That was Red Mask. Fitting name. On closer look, not a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mask—his skin was exposed tissue. A transformation-type superhuman? Useless-looking, but whatever. Time to end it.

I stepped forward without hiding my presence.

"Don't worry, yeah? You'll get to taste the beauty of disassembly too… Who the hell are you?!"

Red Mask tensed at my approach, staring blankly. The woman's fleeting hope drained into a dazed stupor.

Made sense. A black-clad figure emerging from an alley at night wasn't exactly hero material.

"What the fuck are you? Don't interrupt my art—scram while I'm being nice…"

I ignored his growl. No need for chit-chat.

"Red Mask. Strangle yourself to death."

-Snap!

I flicked my raised finger lightly. The sound echoed too loudly in the dark alley.

"What? Heh, no dice. You're one crazy bast… Huh?"

His smirk froze. Then the anomaly hit.

Red Mask halted abruptly, dropping his cleaver limply. His trembling arms rose to his own throat.

He yelled in shock.

"Wh-what…?! Wait… Gack…!"

"…"

No need for words. I just savored the spectacle like fine art.

His thick hands coiled around his neck like serpents, squeezing viciously.

"Guh… Hack… Krrk…!"

Animalistic gurgles filled the alley. He'd gripped so hard his red face turned blue. Hilarious irony.

His massive frame twitched perilously, then collapsed limply.

-Thud!

He lay still. Alerts bombarded my wrist.

Just -7%? Disappointing. Nothing like the Doctor. Lowly D-rank villain, I guess.

I grumbled lightly, then checked the woman. She'd long passed out, eyes rolled back, foam at her mouth.

…Better than dying, anyway.

…Perfect.

I inwardly cheered. Another memo cleared. Killed Red Mask before his first murder—no spree, no backlash on Yuha. The chains binding her from the semester's start? Gone.

Satisfaction swelled. Job done. Time to go.

"Turn around slowly."

I froze. Slowly, I turned.

The voice dripped hostility—from above. The alley glowed like daylight from flames wreathing her hands.

"Better give up on running, villain."

A familiar yet alien voice pierced my ears like a needle. The hero streaked in like a comet.

Flame Mist gazed down coldly.

"Unless you want to burn alive."

Her eyes held no warmth, no kindness.