Hero For Lust

A couple of hours later, the Council of Swordmasters' meeting ended as the last traces of sunlight lingered.

Atomic Samurai was the first to leave, his mind lingering on Caspian's odd arrival and abrupt departure.

Could a C-Class Hero really have defeated a Demon-level threat? Did Bang see something in him that I missed?

"Master! The meeting ended early this time. Usually, the sun has long since disappeared." Iaian's voice carried from the entrance gate ahead.

Atomic Samurai watched his three disciples approach.

"Is something wrong?" Okamaitachi asked.

Atomic Samurai's eyes passed over them. "Did any of you notice anything unusual?"

Iaian frowned. "Yes, some bald man with an unpleasant attitude showed up looking for Yuta, but we sent him away."

"And he left without trouble?"

"We told him she wasn't here. It's not like we knew where miss Yuta was either. As she's always off training nowadays. Far more than she ever did in the past." Okamaitachi added.

You slipped past my A-Class disciples… You're untrusting of others. What kind of man are you? Next time I see you, I'll have you cut an apple.

"Seems the three of you need tougher training." Atomic Samurai grinned, chewing on the stick in his mouth. "Do you agree?"

Iaian, Okamaitachi, and Bushidrill exchanged looks before shouting in unison, "Yes, Master!"

A pair of footsteps originating from the mountain stairway broke up the high-spirited atmosphere.

Patience would have done you well today.

"Miss Yuta!" Okamaitachi waved. "You missed a visitor today."

"It was quite a surprise," Bushidrill added.

Atomic Samurai noticed Yuta's expression shift at the word visitor.

"Who?" Yuta asked.

"Didn't catch his name. Some bald guy in a yellow jumpsuit," said Okamaitachi.

While his three disciples might have missed Yuta's subtle flinch, it didn't escape Atomic Samurai's sharp gaze.

"I see. If you will excuse me, I would like to head in and rest."

Okamaitachi nodded. "Of course. Have a good night."

Iaian, Bushidrill, and Atomic Samurai gave her a friendly nod as she passed.

As his disciples began chatting among themselves, Atomic Samurai kept his focus on the sound of her retreating footsteps. After a moment, he caught fragments of her muttered words slipping out.

"He had the… To waltz into these sacred grounds… Whatever plans he's made… Just... I'll show you tomorrow…"

Atomic Samurai's lips curled. To think I'd see the day little Yuta became smitten with a man. Good luck, C-Class… is he still C-Class?

¤ ¤ ¤

By the time Sweet Mask wrapped up his publicity tour in W-City, night had already fallen over the metropolis.

To the public, he had left in a dark limousine, but once outside the city limits, he exited the vehicle, donned nondescript clothing, and sped toward his destination.

Now, he eyed the scene from a dark alley, just beyond the reach of the streetlights and building lights illuminating the stretch of street ahead.

What's so special about this 'House of Takoyaki?'

Using his connections to access the city's camera footage, Sweet Mask had reviewed recordings from times that aligned with reported sightings sent in to the Hero Association. Thanks to this, he discovered Caspian had visited this place multiple times.

Why here, instead of one of the many takoyaki shops in Z-City? Either the takoyaki was transcendent in taste, or there was a deeper reason.

A line of people gathered outside the shop, its popularity evident even in its modest location. This pointed to the former, that the takoyaki was transcendent, but Sweet Mask would wait until he uncovered something, anything.

At the serving window stood a dark-haired man with glasses, swiftly taking orders. His voice called them back as he scribbled them down, multitasking with practiced ease.

Sweet Mask pressed himself against the brick wall of the building he was peeking around when a woman appeared, carrying out a large food order.

A female insect-type monster? A mosquito… no, definitely a fly. The average person would think it's just a costume.

But to Sweet Mask's sharp instincts, it's clear she wasn't a human.

This revelation only raised more questions. Was Caspian befriending and gathering non-humans? For what purpose? Sweet Mask trusted his gut, which told him Caspian wasn't evil. So, what was the reason? What was he missing? Could she be Caspian's woman? But then there was his mysterious relationship with Tatsumaki. A womanizer?

Sweet Mask's spiraling thoughts caused a brief lapse in focus. During that moment, a pair of crimson eyes locked onto him unnoticed. The female monster stared, her head tilted slightly, as if studying him with curiosity.

He pulled back in a flash, pressing himself flush against the wall. How does this keep happening!?

Where had all these powerful beings come from, ones capable of seeing through him? No, he needed to focus on a different angle. Sweet Mask seized it: they were gathering around one man, Caspian. Why were the strong drawn to him? Even the 2nd Rank S-Class Hero seemed unable to resist.

Every time Sweet Mask investigated anything involving Caspian, he was left feeling more clueless… and weaker.

If even such powerful monsters would follow him… Could he become a symbol beyond my original expectations?

Sweet Mask wouldn't delay any longer. Tomorrow, he would meet Caspian face to face and have a long-overdue discussion.

¤ ¤ ¤

Lying in the grassy field outside her dojo, Suiko stared up at the clear, starry sky. She had always felt fortunate that the light pollution from Y-City never reached here.

But her mind wasn't on the sky. Ever since Caspian left earlier that afternoon, she had been in a daze.

Suiko had never been one to shy away from anything, always wearing a sturdy mask of confidence and carefreeness. Yet today, she had let it all crumble in front of someone else. This experience had, in fact, warmed her heart. Caspian hadn't shied away from her emotional outburst. Instead, he had pulled her closer, holding her tight.

Speaking of alcohol, she hadn't expected her 'Drunk Tiger' technique to affect her so strongly. She knew it would make her more irritable after using, but not… that.

The entire ordeal left her feeling pent up. She had planned to give him her first time today, but he had held back, asking her to wait until she wasn't intoxicated. That meant more to her than she could put into words, but it didn't magically erase her craving to be with him. That was why she had come out here — to clear her mind and collect her thoughts.

Some time had passed since she stepped outside, but by now, she had decided she didn't want to wait days or weeks to see him again. Not to mention, Yuta was clearly trying to get closer to him… The thought of Yuta and Caspian together led her down a train of thought she'd never imagined. It made her question her feelings, her values, the future she had always envisioned. Yet, surprisingly, she didn't feel jealousy or hurt at the idea of him being with Yuta. In fact, she wouldn't mind sharing him with her—

"That's crazy… Isn't it?" Her voice carried through the crisp night air.

Suiko exhaled, her fingers digging into the soft grass. "Caspian… Tomorrow, I'll show you how I feel. And also the decision I've come to about Yuta…" Her voice trailed off as she drifted to sleep beneath the twinkling sky.

¤ ¤ ¤

Time continued its ceaseless march as midnight drew ever closer.

Beneath the House of Takoyaki, a hidden metal door blended seamlessly into the laboratory's wall, leading into a well-lit corridor. The hallway contained three doors: one on the left, one on the right, and one at the far end. These were the living spaces of Dr. Genus, Armored Gorilla, and Mosquito Girl.

If one entered through the left-hand door, they would find Mosquito Girl perched on her plush bed, bathed in her laptop's electronic lambency. She had scoured many forums, absorbing a vast array of terminology that would prove invaluable.

"Done." She snapped the laptop shut, plunging the room into darkness. Not that it mattered. Her eyes cut through the blackness as easily as daylight.

"That monster in human guise watching us earlier... I can't place his motive. We've served disguised monsters before. Yet his scent... distinct from the others. Almost like his human facade was actively suppressing his true nature."

Her powerful sense of smell had surprised even Dr. Genus and Armored Gorilla before, when she pointed out just how many monsters lived inside W-City under the noses of the humans.

Mosquito Girl voiced her thoughts aloud, a habit she had developed ever since completing her transformation. This change did not bother her, or any of the others. Whether it was her insatiable desire to be with Caspian, to breed with him, or even this high-strung energy that had her swaying back and forth on the bed felt natural. Yet, she still couldn't grasp or figure out how to use the faint but raging source of power that pulsed behind her navel.

Was this power normal? Was her behavior normal? She didn't know, and she didn't care. As long as Caspian loved her, nothing else mattered.

"Caspian still hasn't come to visit me since I saw him with that woman… Tatsumaki." Mosquito Girl smirked, her crimson eyes gleaming in the dark. "But this is still good. He deserves many strong and beautiful mates… One day, we will each bear many of his offspring. That day could be tomorrow, yes? After all, I need to set a good example for her and those who will follow by getting impregnated first."