Chapter 7: Age is Just a Number
Author: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
In a playground park where children were laughing and playing, Rumi sat on a swing, looking incredibly bored. She stared at the sky, watching clouds shaped like carrots.
"Looks delicious..." she mumbled.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Ichika arrived, carrying a bag with two boxes and two drinks with covered cups and straws.
"Ichika, why did you take so long? I'm bored to death. We should've had a match instead!"
"No!"
Ichika sat on the swing next to her and opened the bag. He took out one of the boxes, revealing several delicious-looking takoyaki dipped in different sauces.
"Here."
He handed Rumi a box and one of the drinks. The two of them sat there eating, watching the children play.
Suddenly, Rumi noticed something strange. The children around the park were the same age as the little boy sitting beside her. Some played in the sand, others ran around playing tag. One boy cried as his mother cleaned him after a fall. They were acting like typical kids.
But Ichika, sipping his drink after eating takoyaki, seemed... different.
"Hmmm~ Not bad," he said, satisfied.
Rumi realized he behaved nothing like a normal child. It felt like she was talking to an adult man. He was far too reliable for a kid.
"Uhm... Ichika?"
"What is it, Rumi?"
"How old are you?"
SipSip
"I'm currently seven. Actually, I'll be eight in two months."
"You really are just a kid!"
"That's what I've been telling you, idiot!" Ichika snapped.
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"There's no one else here but you!"
"What?! Let's take this outside, you little twerp!"
"We are outside, you idiot!"
"You—!"
"Wait, Rumi. You've got sauce on your mouth."
Ichika quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped her face.
"Now let's fight, Ichika!"
Rumi jumped to her feet, taking a stance.
Suddenly—
Ring!Ring!
Ichika's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and answered.
"You mean Usagiyama? She's here with me at the playground."
Murmur...Murmur...
"Wait, you're nearby?"
Murmur...
"Okay, we'll wait here."
Murmur...
"No problem."
He hung up and pocketed the phone.
With a smug grin, he turned to Rumi.
"Sorry, Rumi. Time to go home."
"What?! I'm not done with you yet!"
A car pulled up in front of the playground. Two people in professional uniforms stepped out.
"Huh?"
They approached and grabbed Rumi.
"Usagiyama-san! How did you get all the way out here? We need to return immediately."
"Sensei! Wait! Let me fight him first!"
She struggled against them.
"Bye-bye, Rumi~" Ichika waved casually.
"You little—!"
The two adults pushed her into the car and closed the door.
"Thanks, kid," said the driver, waving.
"No problem. Please take care of her."
"Yeah."
They drove off.
Ichika sighed, scratching the back of his head.
"Well... that's unfortunate. I actually wanted to hang out with her more... but I guess that's it."
Thinking about their age difference, he muttered:
"Age is just a number... and I'm an adult in this child's body."
He walked home alone.
(MC's POV)
A week later...
"Kacchan!"
Bakugou lay sprawled on the ground after I beat him again.
"Ichika-san, that was too much!" Izuku said, shaking him.
Bakugou had tried to surprise-attack me from behind. Thinking he was an assassin, I instinctively knocked him out without holding back.
"Sorry... I'll be more careful next time."
Bakugou twitched.
"Damn you, Ichika...!"
"Oh, he's back!"
Clap clap clap.
I clapped, impressed.
He reminded me of Rumi—so energetic.
"Ichika!"
A familiar voice called my name.
"Ugh... don't tell me—"
I turned and saw Rumi, drenched in sweat and panting in her school uniform.
"Ah, Ichika!" she pointed at me.
"Rumi..."
"Gyaru girl?" Izuku asked.
I gave him a thumbs-up.
"Not bad, Deku! You're up to date with modern slang."
"Hehehe... it's not like that," Izuku said, flustered.
"Deku, why are you happy about that?" Bakugou muttered coldly.
Rumi smiled brightly.
"Anyway, Ichika! Let's finish what we started! Let's fight!"
"We didn't start anything, silly head."
...
There was a moment of silence.
"Haaa!"
Rumi lunged at me with a barrage of kicks. I dodged effortlessly.
"Wow! Ichika-san's amazing! He's going toe to toe with an older opponent!" Izuku was excited.
"Tch!" Bakugou looked annoyed.
As Rumi kicked, her skirt flipped up.
I jumped back, startled.
"Rumi! Why are you wearing a bunny girl costume under your uniform?!"
"Bunny girl costume?" Izuku tilted his head.
"What?! I thought it was underwear!" Rumi said.
"It's not, idiot!"
"Then what is it? Pajamas? I wore it when we slept together that night!"
"Huh?"
Parents nearby overheard and were shocked.
"Did she just say that?!"
"She seduced a kid! Call the cops!"
I panicked.
"It's a misunderstanding! Nothing inappropriate happened! She's a hero trainee—it's her costume! Please, don't misunderstand!"
But the parents still glared at us.
I quickly went behind Rumi and pushed her out of the park.
"Sorry, Deku! Bakugou! We've got something urgent. See you later!"
"Y-Yeah..." Izuku waved.
We escaped to the orphanage.
The kids saw me dragging her to my room.
After turning on the AC—
"Ah~ Your room's the best! It's so comfy I wanna live here."
...
I took out cake slices from the fridge and served iced tea.
"Hey, Rumi. Why'd you come back? How did you even get here?"
After a sip of tea, she grinned.
"Did you think you could escape me, Ichika? I ran all the way here just to see you again!"
Seriously?
"You ran? Hiroshima's far!"
"No problem! I trust my legs!"
She looked proud.
"What about your parents? Aren't they mad?"
"They cried tears of joy after I told them I wanted to see a boy in the city. I don't know why, but they sent me off happily."
My cheek twitched.
They probably thought their delinquent daughter finally found love—but she only came to fight me.
"I'm not in the mood to fight. But I have another idea."
I showed her a PlayStation controller.
Hours later...
We sat on the couch playing a fighting game.
"Take that!"
Rumi moved around excitedly.
I dodged and landed a combo.
"Even though you're a beginner, I won't hold back!"
K.O.
"I win!"
Yawn.
She yawned, clearly sleepy.
"Sorry... lemme nap a bit."
"Huh—?"
She suddenly rested her head on my lap and fell asleep.
"Hey—"
z Z Z...
...
I sighed and turned off the game.
Switching the TV to the news, I frowned.
[News: Hero Association passes stricter laws against illegal and uncertified heroes.]
"So... this is because of me."
In this world, even saving others can lead to punishment if you're unlicensed.
I looked down at Rumi's sleeping face.
...
I smiled and gently brushed her long white hair.
"Let's see what they can do against me."
(To be continued.)