'You done, boss?' One of my boys asked.
'Yep.'
I exited the building as fast as humanly possible.
Not because of the fight.
Not because of the criminals.
But because that fat bastard blew me a kiss.
The memory alone sent chills down my spine.
Some things…
You can't unsee.
'You guys can go,' I said. 'I'm heading home.'
'You sure?' The other one asked. 'We can walk you back. We didn't really do much today.'
I waved them off.
'I need some alone time.'
Mostly to emotionally recover from that kiss.
'Alright then, boss.'
They waved and walked off.
I looked up at the night sky.
Nothing.
Just darkness and city lights.
No stars.
'Sigh. Can't even look at the stars in this world.'
Back when I was a hero, whenever things got rough, I'd look up at the night sky.
The stars reminded me of something important.
No matter how lost you feel…
You're never really alone.
Which helped.
'…Guess I'll stop by Hina's place first.'
Under the glow of the streetlights, I walked quietly through the city.
The cool night breeze brushed against my face.
It helped calm my thoughts.
Honestly…
I could've handled that situation better.
Back then, my party members would always stop me when my temper got out of hand.
Now…
I only had myself.
And this world was fragile.
A lot more fragile than the one I came from.
I couldn't afford to lose control.
As I entered Hina's neighbourhood, the streetlights gradually disappeared.
The road turned dark.
Pitch black.
'Wow.'
'Budget cuts hit this place hard.'
Luckily my vision worked fine in the dark.
One of the perks of being an overpowered hero.
I knocked on the door.
*Knock knock*
'Hina, it's me.'
The door swung open immediately..
Hina stood there looking worried.
'Thank god you're okay!' She said, placing a hand on her chest.
'I sorted your debt.' I said.
She blinked.
'You…what?'
'You're free from them. Your only debt now is with me.'
Her eyes widened.
'Thank you, you don't know how—'
I raised my hand.
'No need. It was transactional.'
'Bu-'
'It's late.' I said, already turning away. 'I'm heading home. Talk later.'
And I started walking.
When I'm emotional…
I prefer not to talk to people.
I only came to tell her the problem was solved.
Mission complete.
Just as I was leaving, I heard someone shout.
'Hey! Wait up!'
I turned.
'…Need something?'
Saki stood there.
Her bokken was strapped to her back like some kind of low-budget samurai.
'I'm heading that way too.' She said. 'Let's walk together.'
'Sure.'
——————————-
Under the starless sky, a man and a girl walked silently.
No romance.
No dramatic music.
Just the sound of crickets.
And footsteps.
Eventually, we stopped in front of an apartment building.
'This is my stop.' Saki said.
She hesitated.
'Can I ask you something?'
I nodded.
'What was that earlier? She asked.
'That thing you did.'
'My knees just… gave out.'
'It felt like I had to obey you.'
'Presence.' I answered.
'Presence?'
'It's like when a normal person meets someone way out of their league.' I said.
'Like meeting a billionaire.'
'Or a heavily tattooed guy at night.'
'…You just instinctively behave.'
She fidgeted nervously.
Then blurted out—
'Could you teach me?'
She immediately blushed.
Ah.
That line.
It reminded me of someone.
A long time ago.
——————————
'I want to be just like you, hero!' His eyes sparkled. 'Could you train me?'
The old mage burst out laughing.
You want to be like him?' The old man said. 'Kid, this idiot can't do anything without us.'
I glared at him.
'You want to fight, old geezer?!'
———————————
I looked back at Saki.
'Why do you want to learn?'
She clenched her fists.
'For Hina.'
Her voice trembled.
'You said it yourself.'
'I'm just a kid.'
'I couldn't do anything to protect her.'
'I just stood there.'
Her voice cracked.
'I want to change that.'
That look.
I'd seen it before.
I once promised myself…
I'd never take another disciple.
Too much trouble.
Too much responsibility.
But she reminded me of someone.
And…
A little bit of my past self.
I pointed at her bokken.
'You like swords?'
She nodded.
'Tell you what.'
'If you can beat me in swordsmanship…'
'I'll teach you.'
Her eyes widened.
'R-really?!'
'Yeah.' I said. 'But I won't go easy.'
She smirked.
'Like hell I need you to!'
There were still tears in her eyes.
But the sadness was gone.
Good.
Right now she wasn't strong enough.
But if she kept getting knocked down…
Maybe someday she would be.
'Let's see how long that determination lasts.'
I handed her a piece of paper.
'Come here if you want to be humbled.'
She looked at the address.
'My house.'
It had a dojo.
Perfect training ground.
She struck a dramatic pose.
'Hah! Sounds like YOU"RE the one who's getting humbled!'
She pointed.
'I'll be there tomorrow afternoon.'
'Prepare yourself!'
'Sure.' I nodded.
She turned and jogged toward her apartment.
'Bye, bastard!'
'Bye.'
I watched her leave.
Something about her felt…
Familiar.
'…Deja vu maybe.'
Then I turned and headed home.
What an eventful night.
———————————-
[Next morning]
'Good morning, Kasumi.'
'Gu-guido moningu, Ku-reiji san.'
I sat down.
Kasumi was smiling brightly while doing her work.
Suspicious.
'What's got you smiling this early?' I asked.
She turned to me with a huge grin.
'Because I don't have anything after school today!'
'Do you remember your promise?'
Ah.
That promise.
'Yeah.'
I nodded.
Although I also had to meet Saki later.
'Can someone else join too?' I asked.
'Are you two friends?' She asked.
'No.' I said.
'We just met.'
'She wants to learn something from me.'
'But only if she can beat me in a fight.'
'Oh.' She let out. 'Where are you meeting?'
'My house. I have a dojo.'
'THEN I'M DEFINITELY GOING.'
Immediate answer.
No hesitation.
'Sure,'
'When do you need to be back home?'
'…Around 6pm.'
'Then want to eat dinner at my place too?'
Her eyes sparkled.
'R-really?!'
'Yeah.'
Suddenly…
She looked like she was ascending to heaven.
Light pouring down.
Peaceful expression.
Angelic aura.
I stared.
'…So are you eating dinner or achieving enlightenment?'
She snapped out of it.
'D-dinner.'
'Then after school we'll go buy ingredients-'
There she goes again.
Still ascending.
'Kasumi.'
No response.
'Kasumi.'
Still glowing.
'Sorry Kasumi, but heaven isn't taking you today.'
I grabbed her shoulders and gave her a light shake.
She snapped back to reality.
Mission accomplished.