"As for those two, their injuries weren't serious, and they're cooperating fully with the interrogation now. I’ve also received reports that Batz has returned to his usual calm self, likely because the Demonic Sword’s influence has faded."
"I see...! That’s a relief...!"
A few days had passed since the incident. Yugo and the others had gathered at the cafe, which had just finished repairs and was set to reopen the following day. They were listening to an update from Jinba, who was privy to the details of the aftermath.
Hearing the status of Sanga and Batz directly from him, En’s expression softened with relief. She leaned in as he continued to explain what lay ahead for them.
"Sanga has a record, but given that he was coerced into helping and has been cooperative with the investigation, he should be released before long. Batz, however... he was the primary perpetrator of the robbery, so prison time is unavoidable. We also need to monitor him to ensure the sword’s influence is truly gone. He’ll remain under the Security Force’s supervision for the foreseeable future."
"I see... I suppose that’s only fair..."
"But maybe that's for the best," Yugo added. "The person who gave him that Demonic Sword might try to silence him, but he’ll be safe as long as the Security Force is keeping an eye on him, right?"
"That was part of the reasoning behind the decision. However, the true motive of the mastermind—the Hooded Person—remains a total mystery. They might have exploited Batz's negative emotions to manipulate him, but even so, there were surely plenty of better candidates available. We still don't know why they chose Batz specifically."
"Knowing that someone like that is still lurking in this city... it’s a bit frightening," Fee admitted, his voice laced with unease.
"The Security Force is doing its utmost to track them down," Jinba said, thumping his chest reassuringly. "We intend to give it our all to ensure a second or third Batz isn't created."
One incident had been resolved, but a new darkness lurking behind it had emerged. Just as a somber mood began to settle over the group, the Master emerged from the kitchen carrying an impressive spread of food.
"All right, all right, that’s enough talk about the incident! You’ve all done so much for me. Consider this a reopening celebration—eat until you’re full!"
"Whoa...! Is it really okay!?"
"Of course! It's thanks to Melt-chan and the rest of you that this shop and En are safe. Consider this my way of saying thanks!"
"Yay! Awesome! Well then, don't mind if I do... Let's eat!!"
Melt reached for the feast—pizza, fries, and other delicacies—with a beaming smile. She happily tucked into the food, her cheerfulness instantly dispelling the lingering gloom. As she ate, the Master turned to Jinba.
"Jinba-san, when Sanga is released, please tell him to come here. Once he and Batz are out, I intend to hire them. They might be rough around the edges, but they’re good men who care about their friends. I can't just leave them be."
"...Understood. I'll be sure to pass that along."
Jinba nodded firmly to the Master, who had offered to look after the very men who had caused him so much trouble.
Watching the Master bow his head in gratitude, Melt called out to En.
"That's great news, En! The three of you can be together again!"
"Yeah! ...I'm going to work hard. I'll work hard so that when Batz comes out, I can go pick him up with Sanga and tell him that he has a place here!"
"That's the spirit! I'll be rooting for you, En!"
Yugo gave a thumbs up to En as she vowed to make a fresh start for her friends.
Looking at how things had unfolded, it seemed they had reached a happy ending despite the many twists and turns... but there was one person who was visibly radiating fury.
"Yugo... just what do you think you're doing, trying to end things on such a sentimental note? Have you forgotten that my communication device is still missing?"
"Gah!? A-An!?"
With a vein throbbing on her forehead and her fists clenched, Anhel tapped Yugo's shoulder, her words dripping with rage. Overwhelmed by the literal flames of fury burning in her eyes, Yugo desperately sputtered out excuses.
"N-No, look, I'm sorry! But they said they'd return it once the investigation is over! Don't be so mad, okay? Please?"
"How can I not be mad!? If you hadn't let it get stolen in the first place, we wouldn't be in this mess! As punishment, I'm deleting the Rocket Transformation Function from Blaster’s arms!"
"Whaaaaaat!? Wait, hold on! I haven't even performed a Rocket Drill Kick yet! Please, just give me a little more time!"
"There's no point in keeping such an unstable function! Besides, if you want to fly, you should put the rockets on the back, not the arms!"
"Well, maybe logically, but... it’s about a hero’s aesthetic, you know? It's hard to explain..."
"...Oh, is that so? You don't want me touching Blaster? Fine. I guess I’ll just have to do 'this and that' to Fee instead."
"Ueh!?"
As she spoke, Anhel snatched Fee by the shoulder and pulled him toward her. She pinned him with one arm while he let out a startled yelp, patting his head with her free hand as she glared at Yugo.
"Now then, I wonder what I should do to him? Since I can't tweak Blaster, I'll just have to give him plenty of 'affection' in your place. Get ready."
"Awawawa...! B-Brother, save me...!"
"Stop! Stop! I was wrong! You can delete the Rocket Arm function! I'll get the communication device back as fast as I can! Just please, leave Fee out of this!!"
The screams of the Clay brothers and the laughter of the onlookers echoed through the cafe.
And so, the incident concluded with a neat punchline. Amidst a faint lingering unease and a mostly jovial atmosphere, it felt very much like the ending of a Tokusatsu program.
...Yes, if it had ended there, it would have been a perfect episode.
But the story did not end there. It wasn't time for a new tale to begin with a cheerful smile. The continuation—an unnecessary epilogue, or perhaps a deepening of that lingering dread—was about to fall from Jinba’s lips.