The group said their goodbyes and left, leaving the apartment quiet once more.
Tatsumaki finally switched off the television, which she had barely been paying attention to, and floated back to the dining area. Looking at the neatly arranged table, she spoke stiffly.
"You should head to the Hero Association too. The backlog of paperwork is practically a mountain."
"Mm," Sol replied as he walked toward the door.
Tatsumaki watched his departing figure. After a brief hesitation, she called out.
"Sol."
He stopped and turned around.
"I want to eat at that new sushi restaurant tonight." Her eyes drifted away as she tried to sound casual. "I heard it's really good."
Sol studied her for a couple of seconds before nodding.
"Okay. I'll pick you up after work."
A faint smile appeared on Tatsumaki's lips before she quickly hid it. She waved him away.
"Got it. Hurry up and go. And don't forget to sign all the important documents."
After Sol left, Tatsumaki floated through the living room, picked up the rainbow jellyfish plush from the sofa, buried her face in it, and quietly muttered,
"...Idiot."
...
Hero Association Headquarters, Executive Office.
Sol sat behind the spacious desk as a holographic display projected an endless stream of reports awaiting his approval. The documents ranged from defense level adjustments across multiple cities, recruitment evaluations for new heroes, resource allocation, and analyses of recent monster activity.
Beside him, Child Emperor's holographic projection delivered a concise report.
"The underground pipeline reinforcement project in City G is now 70 percent complete. The new alloy significantly reduces damage from monsters below Demon level. The next phase of construction requires your approval for its energy allocation."
At the same time, Psykos connected through a communication channel.
"Sol, monitoring of God's residual energy field has remained below the safety threshold for the past three months. However, our reconnaissance eye network detected a small concentration of abnormal energy along the edge of the western continent. Mobile units have already been dispatched. The detailed report has been forwarded."
Sol rapidly reviewed the reports, his crimson eyes moving across charts, figures, and technical analyses at a speed far beyond ordinary comprehension.
Every so often, he raised a question or issued a correction, his calm voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Approve City G's energy allocation. However, require the engineering department to submit the complete fatigue test results for the new alloy."
"For new hero recruitment, prioritize combat capability and psychological evaluations. Reduce the weight given to flashy but impractical talents."
His instructions were direct, efficient, and precise, allowing the enormous organization to function smoothly.
Throughout the day, staff members entered with documents requiring physical signatures. Every employee treated Sol with the utmost respect, speaking carefully and moving with quiet professionalism.
Outside his office, several S Class heroes passed by.
Flashy Flash merely gave him a brief nod before continuing on his way.
Zombieman occasionally stopped by to report the latest progress in his research into immortality before quietly leaving again.
Since Sol's return, the entire Hero Association Headquarters seemed to possess a renewed sense of stability. Even while simply sitting behind his desk handling paperwork, he projected an invisible sense of order that reassured everyone around him.
Later that afternoon, Sol headed to the training facility.
Inside the massive training complex, Yuji Itadori and his two companions were undergoing specialized training.
Rather than ordinary physical exercises, each program had been specifically designed around the unique properties of cursed energy, with technical support provided by the Hero Association.
Yuji Itadori sweated heavily inside a custom gravity simulation chamber while Superalloy Darkshine stood outside with folded arms, enthusiastically shouting,
"That's it, young man! Feel your muscles roaring! Break through your limits under overwhelming pressure!"
Elsewhere, Megumi Fushiguro trained inside an energy control chamber.
Child Emperor monitored the fluctuations produced whenever Megumi summoned his shikigami and provided technical advice.
"Try stabilizing your energy output within this frequency range. It should reduce unnecessary energy loss."
Nearby, Nobara Kugisaki sparred with a female hero who was teaching her more efficient methods of generating power.
Gojo Satoru suddenly appeared beside the observation railing with a strange drink in hand, watching the training below with his usual carefree smile.
"Wow, the training here is both brutal and incredibly scientific. Looks like trusting everyone to Sol was definitely the right decision."
Noticing Sol's arrival, Gojo grinned.
"Yo. Finished with work?"
Sol nodded as he looked over the three trainees.
"How are they progressing?"
"They're all highly motivated." Gojo took another sip of his drink. "Even though our power systems are different, the path to getting stronger is pretty much the same. Oh, by the way, know any great dessert shops around here? I've already visited the few I found."
"Sweet Planet, Commercial District B7."
"Perfect, thanks."
Gojo quickly made a note of it before glancing back at the training area.
"Well, you're busy, so I'm going to keep exploring."
The moment he finished speaking, he vanished from sight.
Sol observed the training for a while longer, gave a few instructions to the technical staff overseeing the program, and then quietly left.
He had no intention of interfering unless necessary. As long as everything continued according to plan, there was no need.
After wrapping up the day's work, Sol checked the time and instantly appeared outside the Hero Association Headquarters.
A short distance away, Tatsumaki floated out of the building, apparently having finished her own work.
She spotted Sol waiting almost immediately. Her emerald eyes brightened ever so slightly before she quickly composed herself and floated over.
"You're on time," she remarked. "Finished dealing with the paperwork?"
"Mm. Everything important is done."
"Leave the rest to Child Emperor and Psykos," Tatsumaki said with a faint smile, repeating the same advice she had given that morning. "Let's go. The place is probably crowded by now."
The two walked side by side toward the commercial district as the setting sun stretched their shadows across the street.
Staff members and heroes they passed respectfully stepped aside, bowing as they watched the Hero Association's two strongest figures continue on their way. Hidden beneath their admiration was a quiet curiosity about the subtle yet unmistakable atmosphere between them.
===
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