Three days had passed since the massive cleanup at Sora’s place. In other words, today was finally the day of the Takoyaki Party. As usual, I was lounging around my room.
“Aaah...”
It wasn't as if I’d spent the last few days in total idleness. I’d been looking for a part-time job every single day, but finding someone willing to hire a guy with such a questionable background was proving difficult. It really drove home how incredible Masao Shimogaki had been for consistently finding me work.
“What am I going to do from here on out...?”
Whenever I had a moment of peace, my thoughts naturally drifted toward the future. Not just the matter of a job, but what I actually wanted to do with my life.
“...”
I wanted to be a Hero.
On that day, I had definitely felt that desire. Even now, that feeling hadn't wavered. However, I found myself questioning the concept once again. What exactly was a Hero? Was it a profession I wanted to enter to earn a living, or was it the act of saving people that I craved?
The image of the Hero I wanted to become hadn't fully solidified yet. Still, whenever I closed my eyes, I could still see the back of the person from that day.
“...No, stop. This isn't helping.”
If I kept brooding like this, I’d just fall into a slump. For now, I needed to focus on the task at hand and move my body.
I checked the clock; it was just past two in the afternoon. I still had four hours until the appointed time.
“Right, shopping.”
Sora had messaged me yesterday saying she’d already prepared the Takoyaki Maker and the basic ingredients. Everything was set, but I wanted to pick up a few extra things to make the party more festive. At Sora’s suggestion, we were each supposed to bring some unique fillings we wanted to try, so I needed to contribute something.
I hadn't settled on anything specific yet, but I figured wandering around the supermarket would spark an idea. While I was at it, I wanted to restock my own groceries.
“Mmm! What a gorgeous day.”
When I stepped out of the apartment building, a brilliant, clear sky greeted me. The air held the characteristic warmth of spring, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms. It was perfect walking weather. Normally, I would have taken the bus, but today I felt like savoring the atmosphere, so I decided to walk to the supermarket.
“It’s so peaceful.”
I could hear children laughing in the distance. Even the strangers I passed seemed to have a certain softness in their expressions. Perhaps it was just the power of the weather. It wasn’t that the world was silent; rather, the various sounds of people going about their daily lives felt comforting. This succession of calm, tranquil moments—this was what people called peace.
Savoring the gentle flow of time, I took a slow, hour-long stroll until I reached my destination.
“Now then, what to get?”
First, I tossed the bargain items I needed for myself into the basket, then turned my attention to the main mission: takoyaki fillings. Sora said she had the octopus, and when I’d checked her fridge during the cleanup, I’d seen cheese and sausages.
I didn't want to make anything intentionally disgusting, but most of the "safe" options were already accounted for.
“This is tough. I’m drawing a total blank.”
Since I’d never actually been to a Takoyaki Party before, I had no frame of reference. I paced the aisles of the supermarket for several laps, humming in deep thought.
“...Maybe something sweet?”
My eyes landed on the value packs of chocolate in the snack aisle. They probably wouldn't pair well with traditional savory batter, but if we used pancake mix instead, we could probably make something decent.
Chocolate and pancake mix. I added those to the basket along with some cookies and frozen berries before heading to the register. I wasn't sure what would actually taste good, but with this variety, we were bound to hit on something delicious.
I paid for the items, packed them into my reusable bag, and stepped out of the store.
“Alright, mission accomplished.”
It was a bit different from my original plan, but I felt like I’d made some solid choices. My mood buoyed by the successful shopping trip, I decided to walk back as well.
Basking in the warm sunlight while strolling really did feel wonderful. I wanted to enjoy the warmth a little longer, so I secretly used my Ability to keep the inside of my bag chilled. That way, I didn't have to worry about the food spoiling or the chocolate melting.
My errands were finished. All that was left was to head home, and I still had plenty of time. Since I’d just be sitting around with nothing to do if I went straight back, I decided to take the long way home.
A calm, warm daily life—peace. In this era, the luxury of nothing happening was the greatest treasure of all.
That was likely why, in these chaotic times, it was inevitable that such peace would be short-lived.
WUUUUUUUU—!!!!
A high-pitched siren suddenly shrieked from the alarms installed throughout the town. It wasn't just this neighborhood. Further away, and even in the distant reaches of the city, the same sirens and warnings were beginning to echo.
“What’s happening?!”
As if answering my shout, a warning broadcast began to blare from the street speakers.
『A large-scale Ability Terror attack is currently underway across the entire Capital!! All residents, please follow the instructions of nearby Heroes and evacuate to the designated shelters immediately. I repeat: a large-scale Ability Terror attack is currently underway across the entire Capital!!』
An emergency of undeniable proportions.
I was about to run toward the center of the commotion to find out more, but the source of the anomaly appeared right in front of me.
A black circle about two meters wide suddenly manifested in the air. From within that circle, three humanoids stepped out. However, they possessed no flesh; they were metallic from their skeletons to their outer plating. To make matters worse, their right arms were fitted with integrated firearms.
『Lifeform detected. Commencing—』
“Factor Release: Steel Kaijin Iron!!”
Before the machines could finish their sentence, I activated my Ability. My right fist turned into hardened steel, and I drove it ruthlessly into the lead robot’s head.
『Threat Level updated. Determined capture is impossible. Eliminating.』
The robot collapsed to the ground, motionless, its head completely crushed. On the bright side, they were easy to break. On the dark side, it seemed they were no longer going to hold back.
The remaining two units leveled their muzzles at me.
『Eliminating. Eliminating. Eliminat—』
“Factor Release: Freezing Kaijin Tundra.”
My breath turned white. The moisture in the air froze instantly, reflecting the light like glittering dust. Moments ago, I had been enjoying the warmth of spring; now, this small pocket of space was colder than the depths of winter.
“Individually, they aren't that strong.”
The two robots stood frozen, their muzzles still aimed at me, now encased in thick blocks of ice. I tapped the surface of the ice, but the machines inside didn't respond.
“Just what are these things?”
They were enemies, obviously. But they weren't typical. Based on the broadcast, these things were popping up all over the Capital. This wasn't a crime committed by a lone individual with an Ability. This was an act of Ability Terror orchestrated by a powerful organization.
“But who...?”
The Syndicate known as Dark Matter had been dismantled. Masao had said the remnants didn't have the power to rebuild. That left only one possibility: the rise of a new organization.
“The ones manufacturing the Kaijin Genome... is it them?”
The Kaijin Genome was reportedly being circulated throughout society. According to Masao, a new organization was behind its production. These robots were likely their handiwork as well.
“What a pain in the ass...!”
Just to be safe, I shattered the robots along with the ice. After reducing all three units to scrap metal, I set my grocery bag down and turned back toward the path I’d come from.
At this rate, our Takoyaki Party would be ruined. If this situation wasn't resolved quickly, Kokoro would undoubtedly force herself to the front lines, even if it meant risking another major injury. She would fight.
Because she was a Hero.
“Factor... Release...!”
I was a civilian. The "correct" choice was to run away and leave the fighting to Kokoro. But if I ran now, I would never be able to call myself a Hero again. More importantly, I couldn't ignore an enemy that tried to steal the smiles of the people who had been looking forward to today.
The path I wanted to walk—the Hero I aimed to be—was someone who would stand up to protect those smiles.