"This really is a dream, isn't it? This is far too absurd."
"Impossible… impossible." Sol shook his head quickly, forcing the thought away. He carefully pulled back the covers. His shoes were gone, but his socks were still on.
"At least I wasn't stripped naked…" he muttered, letting out a breath of relief. The tension returned almost immediately. The moment he shifted, a sharp pain flared from the wound on his abdomen.
"I really overdid it," Sol thought with quiet regret.
His gaze swept across the room, searching for exits. Windows, doors, vents, anything that could serve as a way out. Just then, Tornado, lying on the sofa, turned slightly. The hem of her T-shirt lifted, revealing a smooth stretch of pale skin at her waist.
Sol froze instantly, even his breathing stopping.
"If she catches me looking…" He pictured her furious expression and felt a chill run down his spine.
He eased himself out of bed, moving with extreme care. The moment his foot touched the floor, a faint creak echoed.
Tornado frowned in her sleep. Her green curls fluttered slightly.
Sol's heart pounded as he held his position, not daring to move an inch.
A full minute passed before he confirmed she was still asleep. Only then did he continue, inching toward the door with exaggerated caution.
"Just get out first," he told himself.
He was one step away from the doorknob when a lazy yet dangerous voice sounded behind him.
"Where do you think you're going, Rookie?"
Cold sweat soaked his back. Sol turned slowly.
Tornado was already floating in the air, her green curls drifting as if stirred by an invisible force. Her eyes were half-lidded with sleep, yet filled with killing intent.
"G-Good morning, Miss Tornado." Sol forced a stiff smile. "I just wanted to use the restroom."
She narrowed her eyes and drifted closer, looking down at him. "You slept in my bed all night and plan to leave without even saying thank you?"
"Well… about that…" Sol's mind raced. "Thank you very much for taking care of me. I just didn't want to disturb your rest."
"Hmph!"
A surge of green energy wrapped around him and flung him straight back onto the bed.
"Ah… that hurts…" Sol grimaced, clutching his wound. When I stop holding back, I'll make you pay for that.
Tornado floated beside the bed, arms crossed. "The doctor said you need at least three days of rest. Stay put. If you try to run around, I'll throw you out the window."
Sol noticed the slight flicker in her eyes. She did not sound as confident as usual. Something was off.
"Miss Tornado," he said carefully, "why are you taking care of me? Shouldn't I be at the Association's medical center?"
"Shut up!" Her curls flared. "I just don't want the Association to lose another S-Class hero. It's not like I wanted to take care of you!"
A classic response. Sol had already guessed as much.
So they chose to hide it.
Even though everything had been his own doing, a faint warmth stirred in his chest.
He looked at her floating figure, then slowly sat up straighter.
"Miss Tornado, thank you."
"Huh?" Her hair bristled. "What kind of nonsense are you saying?"
"Thank you for not handing me over to the Association." Sol met her gaze. "I have a rough idea of what was written on that note."
He had planned to use this incident to purge the Association's corruption, but things had not gone that way. Now, he would have to proceed more carefully.
Tornado's face paled. The air around them seemed to tighten.
"You… you remember everything?"
"I only remember the monster saying something about injecting me," Sol replied, feigning confusion. "But waking up here, it's obvious someone helped cover it up."
Her shock shifted into irritation. She darted forward and grabbed his collar.
"Idiot! Why would you say that out loud?"
Sol struggled to breathe but pressed on. "I just wanted to thank you. If the Association found out…"
"Enough!"
She released him abruptly and turned away. The tips of her ears turned red.
"I didn't do it for you. It's just that those people in the Association are annoying."
Sol raised a brow, studying her. He had not expected this side of her.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped, flustered. "Since you already know, stay where I can see you. From now on, you follow me everywhere."
Sol blinked, then let out a faint, helpless laugh. "Miss Tornado, isn't that a bit excessive?"
"What's excessive about it?" she shot back, hands on her hips. "I'm the second-ranked S-Class hero. What I say goes. Or do you plan to turn into a monster and attack the city?"
Sol looked at her small figure, calculating silently.
Being watched would limit his movements, but it could also serve as perfect cover.
"Fine," he said with a sigh. "But I need to go home first and get some clothes."
"No."
Her answer was immediate.
"You'll just use that chance to run."
She floated to the wardrobe and pulled out several pieces of clothing with her psychic power, tossing them onto his lap.
"Wear mine for now."
Sol stared at the clothes, clearly too small, and his lips twitched. "Miss Tornado… don't you think this is a bit inappropriate?"
"Hmph." She looked away. "It's better than walking around naked."
He picked up a T-shirt with a cartoon design and compared their sizes. He was nearly twice her height.
"This won't fit."
"Stop talking and just wear it, or don't!" she snapped, then grabbed a pair of sweatpants and tossed them over. "These might work."
Sol checked the length. At best, they would pass as shorts.
"Thank you, Miss Tornado."
He glanced up at her. "Could you step out for a moment?"
"Huh?" Her hair flared again. "Do you think I want to watch?"
She spun around and floated toward the door. "Call me when you're done."
The door slammed shut behind her.
The moment she left, Sol's expression shifted. He immediately used mental communication to send orders to Muzan and the others, summoning them to gather here tonight.
===
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