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 Chapter 1 - Sign
 
 
 The metropolis of Sternbild.
 The waterside city of commerce, the construction of which required mobilization of cutting edge technological skills, has undergone a rapid industrial and commercial development and growth in recent years and become a center of industry and international trade. Towering in the middle of it is the Justice Tower with the colossal goddess statue symbolizing the city of justice, and the skyscrapers of the seven giant enterprises form a circle around it.
-The heroes that protect peace. Don't make me laugh.
+And so I'm the watching the view from a window on one of the floors of the Apollon Media's skyscraper. To say the truth though, the only things visible from here are the blue sky, white clouds, and advertising blimps moving so slowly they seem more like balloons. Far away one can also barely make out some blocks of buildings of Sternbild's suburbs.
-At this very moment criminal acts both big and small are occurring in every corner of this city. And yet  since there's been no dispatch they are simply sitting in this posh bar drinking beer and soft drinks and snacking on pastries, salami and cheese.
+If I were to come closer to the window then I'd see the center of Sternbild looking like a particularly detailed miniature model, but sadly, that's not possible.
 Why? Well, that's because Alexander Lloyds, my boss and the executive manager of Apollon Media's Hero division, is currently sitting proudly right between me and the window, tapping his desk with a pencil to show his irritation even more obviously. He's trying to mentally strong-arm me.
 
 I think it's been a while since anyone looked at me this coldly. Look, I have some years behind me, you know. My daughter is pretty big now. She's at the age when she could come to Sternbild where I work even alone. I've been also feeling this generation gap with the young folks lately. Take actresses for example. I tend to like the ones I see in a dream, so when still at Top Mag I tried to chat about them with the young workers once in a while. But increasingly often whenever I went “That actress is great, isn't she?”, the answer I got was “Who's that?”. And as for their fad favorites, I've heard some of the names, but I have no idea what they look like.
-Among them Antonio Lopez just now shamelessly exposed his naked torso in front of still underage Pao-Lin Huang for some reason and showed off his NEXT power. Wearing an expression of innocence Pao-Lin Huang inquisitively studied Antonio Lopez's naked form.
+There's other stuff that makes me feel my age, too. Like whenever I overdo it with eating in the evening, even a little bit, I always have an upset stomach the next day. Okay, having an upset stomach after gorging myself on fatty foods is my own fault, so fine. But just the other day I had some noodles at midnight and the next morning was just painful....Well, okay, they were all slippery and easy to eat, so I kinda got into it and kept adding second and third and so on helpings and ended up eating four packets of them. That could be the reason.
 Whenever I overdo it with drinking, I get a hangover. When I was younger I could drink until I couldn't remember anything anymore, but the next day I was always as fresh as a daisy. Now I'm forced to think about the next mornings, so I'm drinking less than I could. I'm much more settled down than I used to be.
 I think my food selection has shrunk down, too. Or rather, I just don't try out new foods very much nowadays. Until a few years ago I could easily walk into a shop or a restaurant I didn't even know, but now I just stick with the few I'm familiar with. I'm used to them, true, but it kinda feels almost like a protective ritual. By the way, my daily diet is now mostly fried rice and hot dogs. What? Not balanced enough? Well, it's none of your business, so there!
-With a look of curiosity Pao-Lin Huang tapped Antonio Lopez's chest twice. It made a clanging noise resembling the one you get when you strike something solid.
+Oh yeah! There's also a lot more musicians that I don't know nowadays. I mean, I often can't tell if something is some artist's name or song or what. Uh, wait. This isn't just because I've gotten older, right? Yep, I'm sure it isn't!
-Antonio Lopez possesses a NEXT power that allows him to harden his body, but I've never really seen him use his power in any meaningful way during the Hero TV broadcasts. I don't know if it's because he's unwilling to actually do something himself, or because he doesn't know how to use his power in practical context, but his power is - much like his existence as a Hero - borderline irrelevant.
+
 Then there’s TV. Lately I've been talking to my TV more and more and it actually worries me quite a bit. Like when I watch my premium Mr. Legend disks - and I watch them every day as a part of my daily routine - I often catch myself shouting “Cool!” non-stop, or when I occasionally watch a quiz show I try to beat the contestants and keep yelling the answers out loud.
 But the most damning piece of evidence is the fact that I manage to talk this long about nothing but my age. What I’m trying to say is that a certain someone calling me an old man actually makes sense, kind of.
 
 Anyway, the point is that even though I'm a mature adult I'm here, stuck before my boss and unable to do anything. I'm screwed. I dunno why, but he is pretty mad for some reason.
 I mean, I haven't done anything that could make somebody angry with me, right? All the damage that happened is repairable, the statue incident got resolved, and the boy responsible for it got taken in by the police after I talked to him. I'd like to think that I fulfilled my professional duties to their full extent there. ...Okay, I guess I do have some idea of why he's mad.
 It's a habit I've had since my Top Mag days, but when I get excited about the citizen safety or the capture of criminals I sometimes just stop caring everything else. I guess this time I caused slight – okay, some - damage to the city, too. This habit is also why I got the nickname “The Crusher For Justice”.
-Karina Lyle, who until now was sitting quietly with her legs crossed, suddenly spoke. Thinking she meant them, Pao-Lin Huang and Antonio Lopez both turned around and gave her a morose look.
+Yeah, this makes sense. I guess Mr. Lloyds is mad because of the damage costs. In that case I should bow my head and go along with him while I'm here, huh.
 
 Just as I open my mouth to break the ice, Mr. Lloyds brings up a totally different topic.
-With that Karina Lyle reached for her juice and made a sip through the straw.
+
 “I told you, didn't I? That you're supposed to be Barnaby's second.”
 
-“He looks and acts cold, but then he suddenly goes “I wish to get to know you better”. He has this mystique around him, and the more I see of him the more arousing he seems, that Handsome.”
+Huh? Barnaby? ...Oh, well, yeah.
-After this proclamation Nathan Seymour winked at Karina Lyle. Am I supposed to understand that from the point of view of a man of homosexual persuasion like himself, that creepy and repulsive newcomer Barnaby Brooks Jr. is also considered an acceptable game?
+
 “Well, I know, but my body just moved on its own and-”
-Ivan Karelin, curled up in one corner of the sofa, said tonelessly in a low voice.
+
 “I can't believe you. You just left him there.”
-One would think the fact that Ivan Karelin knows Barnaby Brooks Jr's background should have captured the others' interest, but spoken by somebody lacking self-confidence his words failed to reach anyone's ears and vanished like mist in the empty space before his eyes.
+
-“But you know, this is the first time I've ever been invited like this! I'm kinda nervous.”
+Oh. That, huh.
-Said Pao-Lin Huang, clearly enjoining herself. Why does she refer to herself with a male pronoun is something I don't understand very well at this point. My guess would be that it's youthful indiscretion, or maybe a sentiment resembling admiration of the opposite sex.
+Just as we arrived on the scene, we made a tiny mistake and me and Bunny ended up in the stone statue's giant hands. I activated my powers straight away and got myself out, but Bunny went all "It's a waste to use mine here," or something like that and asked for my help. But I put capturing the criminal as my top priority, left Bunny inside the stone statue's fist, and went after the criminal. Somehow or other, it looks like this is why Mr. Lloyds in a bad mood now.
-Suddenly the King of Heroes, Keith Goodman, who until now has been elegantly enjoying his tea, spoke.
+
 “That was because he didn't want to activate his powers.”
 
 As I begin talking Mr. Lloyds leans in and, while looking me straight in the face, keeps harping on.
 
-With that Keith Goodman made an odd gesture with his hands. Once again, his bizarre conduct went uncommented.
+“Then you should have forced him to activate!”
 
 “Uh...”
 
-Nathan Seymour, Antonio Lopez and Karina Lyle responded in turn. What would the citizens think if they knew this lot is responsible for their safety?
+“He's an inexperienced Hero, so your role is to support him!”
 
 “Whaat?”
 
 “You're a veteran, so aren't you supposed to provide mental support?”
 
 “Uh...”
 
 It is as you say, Mr. Lloyds. But once the mission is on, shouldn't I be focusing on the citizens safety and the capture of criminals? I should, huh?
 Or so I think in my head, but obviously I can't say this to my boss.
 
 “If you can't do even this much, then we have no reason to employ you. The only thing you have going for yourself as a Hero is your experience, you see.”
-Me and Bunny arrived to the bar, where the welcome party is supposed to be held, a bit late.
+
-It is as I predicted. The moment he heard about how the others are waiting for him, Bunny agreed without any protest. He may look ridiculously tough and unapproachable, but I knew the human relations with his seniors worry him. I can read him like an open book.
+“!”
 
-We entered the bar, went up the stairs, and found the other Heroes waiting for us in the party space there.
+My fists clench.
 "The only thing you have going for yourself is your experience," he says? But it's an amazing thing to have! By collecting experience and living through success and failures people hone their minds and bodies and become experts in their fields. Experience is the most precious asset one can get in life.
-I called out to them and rushed to their seating spot.
+And anyway, Mr. Lloyds looks like he's a decade or so older than me, so why doesn't he understand that there's nothing more important than experience!?
 But Mr. Lloyds just keeps lecturing me, paying no mind to my feelings.
-Upon seeing me Rock Bison disapprovingly raised his voice.
+
 “Try thinking a little. Try to create an environment that would lessen the pressure on Barnaby, for example.”
 
-I attempted to lighten the mood with a small joke, but Blue Rose reacted with a tone colder than her NEXT powers.
+I can't do anything to make his work any easier, you know. I dunno why, but Bunny-chan is already being treated like royalty.
 And what the hell does he mean by "lessening the work pressure"? Work is work, and that's it. Lots of pressure, little pressure, I've never thought about stuff this way in the first place.
 
 “Are you listening”
-As I was puzzling over how to break the ice, Sky High got the ball rolling.
+
 “Uh...yeah. Yes.”
-Thanks, Sky High! Yeah, that's right, this is how you start things. Figures that the King of Heroes would handle both the work and private stuff with no problem.
+
-“Ah, right.”
+“If you understand, then get to it!”
-I answered while playing cool.
+
 “Excuse me, but get to what?”
-Fire Emblem assumed the role of the top batter.
+
 “It's your role to think of something, correct?”
-I'm the one who'd set up this welcome party, so to bring in some excitement I interjected with a voice louder than I'm used to. The answer I got was a few claps from a couple of present people.
+
 “Uh, could you be so kind and help me come up with something?”
 
-“Good evening, Handsome. I'm Fire Emblem, real name Nathan Seymour. I may not look it, but I'm actually Helios Energy's-”
+“Why are you asking me?”
 
 “Then at least give me a hint.”
-As Fire Emblem was cheerily introducing himself, Bunny cut into his speech. Uh, Bunny-chan, I'm getting a real bad feeling about this?
+
-Everyone froze, but Bunny simply continued.
+“You're not in a quiz show. You are a Hero yourself, so you should understand the situation better than me. Now that we're done here, leave.”
 
-“Oh, I see...”
+Asking anything more would be probably a waste of time. Resignedly, I leave Mr. Lloyds' office.
-Fire Emblem said morosely.
+
 Lessening the pressure on Bunny, huh...
-Bunny's manner of speaking promptly shut everyone up and the atmosphere suddenly got rather heavy.
+I mean, I don't understand a thing about how his thinking works. Well, fine, I guess being a newcomer surrounded by more experienced Heroes and having to compete with them for points can be pretty harsh. Back when I was a new Hero I tended to get a bit too excited during missions, and every time I stood out too much the older guys got all jealous, I think.
 When I think about it, the human relationships around you can be pretty damn stressful, yeah. In fact, they're always stressful.
-To soften up the air I quickly interjected.
+Uh, but wait. It's Bunny. Is he even capable of feeling stress from stuff like that? But on the other hand they say don't judge a book by its cover, so...
-“Just as expected from the textbook honors student! You're always prepared, aren't you? Come on guys, next!”
+...Aaahh, I don't understand anything anymore!
-Call it life experience or whatever, but Rock Bison got the hint and quickly moved to stand before Bunny.
+Thinking too much is a pain, so I'll just get to know him and then we'll get along. It will be the fastest solution anyway. Yeah, that's it.
 
 
-But at that moment Bunny held up a hand, stopped him and said.
+Having made my decision I hurriedly set out for the training center to make arrangements with the other companies' Heroes.
 (…)
 The real self of Sky High, the brightly shining, freely flying King of Heroes, is Keith Goodman, a smiley, all-around nice guy with bright blond hair and blindingly white skin and teeth. He's a guy with a pretty weird vocabulary and sometimes, like when he's thanking people, he tends to repeat himself. I guess it could be because he just wants to share his feelings so much, but I kinda think that if you say something once it's already understandable enough.
 Also, he has a dog named John and it looks like he dotes on it to a ridiculous extent. If you ask him anything about it – just a single question - then he'll launch into a non-stop John-talk and tell you ten times more than you ever wanted to know. One then regrets asking him anything in the first place.
 But yeah, Sky High is a good guy and I've never seen him get angry at somebody or whine about something. The guy resembles a clear blue sky.
-Bunny's merciless attitude left everyone speechless. This is bad, this is bad... The atmosphere just keeps getting heavier. And with Rock Bison the only thing he allowed him to say was “okay”.
+
-Rock Bison whispered in my ear.
+My best friend, veteran Hero Rock Bison, is Antonio Lopez: a brawny guy whose body is the only thing he can be proud of.
 Uh... When it comes to him there's nothing else to talk about, so that's it. Next.
 
 The fire wielder Fire Emblem is actually Nathan Seymour, a guy with the heart of a young maiden. The combination of brown skin and bright pink buzz cut makes for a pretty shocking look. He's young, but considering he already works as Helios Energy's owner it seems like he's pretty capable. He often wears rather expensive clothes and accessories, so I guess his appearance is important for him. Speaking of which, I heard a rumor that he worked as a model at one famous perfume company's fashion shows at one point. He's a company owner, and since he also appears in advertising as a Hero and a model, I guess he's the type that likes to show off. Or maybe he gets off from being watched... Yeah, I think I should stop there.
 
 The idol Hero Blue Rose is in reality a completely average high-school girl, the kind you can see anywhere. Name's Karina Lyle. She often frets about her hair and mani...muni..., uh, nail decorations, so yeah, it's pretty obvious she's a young girl. On the other hand, every time I see her she always looks peeved off. Girls look cuter when they're smiling, you know. This old man - uh, mister - is totally sure about it!
 Also, I can't say I like her speech and conduct as a Hero very much. Put a criminal before her and she turns tail and runs, and that's her special move “Cutie Escape”... Seriously, what the heck.
-But at that moment Bunny, completely indifferent towards the people around him, casually announced.
+“Special technique”, my ass! Special moves are there to capture criminals, so they gotta be like “Pow!” and... Well, I can talk about this for hours, so we'll get to it later.
 
 Dragon Kid, aka Pao-Lin Huang, is that small girl dressed in a yellow track suit. Unlike Blue Rose she doesn't really care about make-up, accessories and trinkets, and is always busy with her training. A hard worker.
 She's very young, but I heard she lives away from her parents, who are still in her homeland. I'm sure she misses them very much, but she never shows it. Looking at her passionate training zeal and the way she fights at the front line, one can't help but think that she's a very admirable and brave kid.
 I live away from my daughter myself, so her circumstances hit kinda close to home and sometimes it kinda pricks me in my chest. Let's keep it a secret, though.
 
-“Nonono.”
+Huh, is that all for today? There should be one more, but...
-As I was freaking out about how to smooth the whole mess up, someone behind me spoke up, words sharp like an arrow.
+Oh, there he is. Partially hidden from view, practicing his throws with a tiny shuriken. Origami Cyclone, aka Ivan Karelin.
 When he's in his suit he is all “de gozaru” and looks more like a jester, but - surprisingly enough - without his mask he's quite a hunk. Despite his showy appearance he isn't very social and sometimes it's a bit hard to guess what he's thinking. Occasionally I see him hide away somewhere where nobody can hear him and mumble some sutras or whatever to himself. Anyway, he gives off this aura suggesting it's better to just stay the hell away, so I've been avoiding him until now.
-Blue Rose, whose store of patience has apparently run out, openly glared at Bunny.
+I'm starting to think some more social interaction may be a good idea from now on. I may get to know what they are like better this way.
 
-“What's up with that attitude!? We're here because you said you want to get to know us!”
+I hurriedly gather them together and tell them I want to throw a welcome party for Bunny, the new Hero.
 
 “We've never had a welcome party before. Why now all of the sudden?” Fire Emblem asks, tilting his head.
 
-“Excuse me? I said no such thing. In fact, it was you, wasn't it? Who was it that said you wish to get to know me in person?”
+“Well, ya see, my company's Bunny...er, Barnaby, he said he'd like to hang out with you, his more experienced colleagues. He won't ask you guys himself, though.”
 
-The clashing conversation threw everyone in confusion. Well, of course it had to end this way... Obviously.
+“Handsome said that? That Handsome?”
-“What's the meaning of this, Mr.Wild?”
+
 “Yeah. Look, it doesn't have to be anything big. Can you all spare a hour or two?”
-Sky High and Fire Emblem's words felt like an interrogation.
+
-As I was searching for something to say, Bunny spoke up once again and ended all the conversation at once.
+Everyone is looking pretty sour, but I half-force them into agreeing and tell them the name of the bar, the address and the meet-up time.
 
 Alright, now the only thing left is Bunny.
-Everyone's eyes focused on me. They probably realized I'd lied to them.
+To meet him I head for the Apollon Media, but just when I get near the entrance I spot Bunny, just leaving the building. I‘m about to call out to him, but then my thoughts hit full stop.
 There's just no art or skill in simply calling out to somebody. I'm gonna call him on his phone instead and I'll see what face he makes when he gets a call from me.
 
-Rock Bison's angry roar nearly ruptured my eardrums.
+I hide behind one of the griffon statues that decorate the stairs leading to the building and dial Bunny's phone.
 As he is descending the stairs Bunny seemingly notices something (probably the incoming call), pulls out the phone out of his pocket and looks at the display. At the same time there I am, hiding behind the statue, peeking at Bunny's actions and grinning from ear to ear.
 The next moment, however, Bunny just lets out a weary sigh and puts the phone back into his pocket.
-“And so you lied?”
+That jerk, does he think I can't see him!?
-Dragon Kid asked in return.
+
 “Hey! Don't just ignore me!”
 
 As I yell out I momentarily lean out from behind the griffon. Bunny glances at me and utters a single sentence.
-Bunny and Blue Rose looked disgusted as they spoke almost in unison. Why yes, you are quite right.
+
-But here Sky High, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere around him, cut in.
+“Please do not make yourself difficult.”
 
-At Sky High's air-headed question Rock Bison just curtly spit out.
+That's it. And then he just briskly proceeds to descend the stairs, looking completely unruffled.
 Bunny, what's your problem? It was supposed to be a light joke, but this guy just doesn't play along. Flustered, I jump to the bottom of the stairs and stand before him. And I openly sulk a little.
-Trying to somehow calm the situation down, I spoke up carefully.
+
 “You're just not cute at all, Bunny-chan.”
-Unfortunately, these words just further fueled the fire. Blue Rose, unthinkingly freezing her glass at a rapid pace, snapped.
+
 “I believe I've told you not to call me—”
-Snow crystals and cold air started forming around her, as if to keep the others away. Yeah, I know we're rivals. But this was supposed to be a party without all that stuff...
+
-But then, true to his intentions as always, Bunny spoke up.
+“Rejoice! From now on—”
 
-And having said that he briskly descended the stairs.
+“If you'll excuse me.”
 
 “Wait, listen to me!”
 
 I catch up with Bunny, adjust to his walking pace, and inform him about our business.
-Fire Emblem and Blue Rose announced in turn and rose from their seats. I shook my head trying to calm everybody down, but at this point I could no longer find any words to mend our relationship.
+
 “We're going to have a dinner together right now.”
 
-Even normally gentle and docile Origami and Sky High were getting ready to leave. Only Dragon Kid, probably feeling it's a waste to walk away from all those snacks at the table, was desperately trying to hold them back.
+“I knew you would say that. I have matters to attend to.”
 
 What? Hey, wait a sec! Your senior is inviting you, you can't just reject him!
-Yeah, I know it's me who'd lied to gather everyone here, but why do they all have do be such dour stiffs!? Yeah, we're rivals, but we all share the same feelings of wishing to keep our city safe, so aren't we kinda in the same boat!?
+Oh shit, the idea that he may say no hasn't even crossed my mind until now. This is bad. I've already told everyone about it. They're gonna be so pissed if the main guy doesn't show up! I absolutely have to bring him to the party, because otherwise they are gonna bite my head off.
 
 “It won't take long. Can you spare—”
 
 “I cannot.”
 
 “But everyone's there already!”
 
 At that Bunny suddenly stops and turns around.
 
 “...What?”
 
 “Well, you're new here and they said they wanted to get to know you in person. You don't have to stay long or anything, but please come with me.”
 
 A spur of the moment lie. I’d told the others that Bunny wished to befriend them, but to Bunny I just said the exact opposite.
 Bunny thinks for a moment and lets out a quiet sigh.
 
 “I don't have a choice, do I. If they insist.”
 
 Oh, you're okay with it? Alright! It was just something I came up without giving it any thought, but it seems it's turning out pretty well. Yeah, I know I told them all completely different things, but if they think that the other party wants to befriend them then they won't be so reserved and they'll get to know each other quicker. Everything is gonna be fine!
 A great plan, if you ask me!
 
 
 
 (Interlude: Yuri Petrov)
 
 Heroes that protect peace. Don't make me laugh.
 At this very moment criminal acts both big and small are occurring in every corner of this city. And yet, since there's been no dispatch they are simply sitting in this posh bar drinking beer and soft drinks and snacking on pastries, salami and cheese.
 
 (…)
 
 Among them Antonio Lopez has just shamelessly exposed his naked torso in front of still underage Pao-Lin Huang for some reason and is currently showing off his NEXT power. Wearing an expression of innocence Pao-Lin Huang inquisitively studies Antonio Lopez's naked form.
 
 “Huuh...”
 
 “So, what do you think about my flesh?”
 
 With a look of curiosity Pao-Lin Huang taps Antonio Lopez's chest twice. It makes a clanging noise resembling the one you get when you strike something solid.
 Antonio Lopez possesses a NEXT power that allows him to harden his body, but I've never really seen him use his power in any meaningful way during the Hero TV broadcasts. I don't know if it's because he's unwilling to actually do something himself, or because he doesn't know how to use his power in practical context, but his power is — much like his existence as a Hero — borderline irrelevant.
 
 “Wow. So that's what it turns into. I've never seen you do it without your suit before.”
 
 “Well, yeah. Come on, try and punch me. Here, some on!”
 
 “No thanks, I think I'd just hurt myself.”
 
 “Don't be shy, come on!”
 
 Pao-Lin Huang deserves respect. Being able to play along with Antonio Lopez's brain-dead farce without batting an eye is a considerable feat.
 
 “This is stupid.”
 
 Karina Lyle, who until now has been sitting quietly with her legs crossed, suddenly speaks up. Thinking she meant them, Pao-Lin Huang and Antonio Lopez both turn around and give her a morose look.
 
 “Yeah?”
 
 “Why do we have to throw a welcome party for that rookie?”
 
 With that Karina Lyle reaches for her juice and makes a sip through the straw.
 
 “Why not?”
 
 That was Nathan Seymour.
 
 “He looks and acts cold, but then he suddenly goes 'I wish to get to know you better'. He has this mystique around him, and the more I see of him the more arousing he seems, that Handsome.”
 
 After this proclamation Nathan Seymour gives Karina Lyle a wink. Am I supposed to understand that from the point of view of a man of homosexual persuasion like himself, that creepy and repulsive newcomer Barnaby Brooks Jr. is also considered an acceptable game?
 
 “I don't know about the mystique... To say the truth, I know who he is.”
 
 Ivan Karelin, curled up in one corner of the sofa, mutters tonelessly.
 
 “In the Hero Academy that I used to attend, he was a ridiculous magnet for attention.... Unlike me, whose results were poor, his were extraordinary. There wasn't a single person in the whole campus who didn't know about him...”
 
 One would think the fact that Ivan Karelin knows Barnaby Brooks Jr's background should have captured the others' interest, but spoken by somebody so lacking in self-confidence his words fail to reach anyone's ears and vanish like mist in the empty space before his eyes.
 
 “But you know, this is the first time I've ever been invited like this! I'm kinda nervous,” says Pao-Lin Huang, clearly enjoying herself.
 
 Why does she refer to herself as a male is something I don't understand very well at this point. My guess would be that it's youthful indiscretion, or maybe a sentiment resembling admiration of the opposite sex.
 Suddenly the King of Heroes, Keith Goodman, who until now has been elegantly enjoying his tea, decides to voice his thoughts.
 
 “Don't worry. This is the first time we've ever gathered all together like this, in preevate.”
 
 “Yeah.”
 
 Why won't anyone say something about his pronunciation? Normal people say “private”. Are they afraid of hurting the King of Heroes' feelings, or have they simply given up at this point?
 
 “So I think today is a wonderful chance for us. Let's have fun! And let's enjoy ourselves!”
 
 With that Keith Goodman makes an odd gesture with his hands. Once again, his bizarre conduct goes uncommented.
 
 “Right.”
 
 “If the King of Heroes says so...”
 
 “I know, but still...”
 
 Nathan Seymour, Antonio Lopez and Karina Lyle respond in turn. What would the citizens think if they knew this lot is supposed to be responsible for their safety?
 ...Granted, the masses are stupid. As long as they are protected, they probably don't care who does it. Nevertheless, ensuring the true peace for this city plagued by crime is impossible for these fools brandishing their lukewarm heroism.
 
 The fate demands a new justice that would take their place.
 
 
 
 
 
 Kotetsu Kaburagi
 
 
 Me and Bunny arrive to the bar where the welcome party is supposed to be held a bit late.
 It is as I’d predicted. The moment he heard about how the others are waiting for him, Bunny agreed without any protest. He may look tough and unapproachable, but I knew the human relations with his seniors worry him. I can read him like an open book.
 
 We enter the bar, go up the stairs, and find the other Heroes waiting for us in the party space there.
 
 “Sorry, sorry.”
 
 I call out to them and rush to their seating spot.
 
 “You're late, Kotetsu!”
 
 Upon seeing me Rock Bison disapprovingly raises his voice.
 
 “Well, you know. I needed to dress up, since I'm meeting you guys.”
 
 “You? This doesn't have to do anything with you. The one who's important here is Barnaby.”
 
 I attempt to lighten the mood with a small joke, but Blue Rose reacts with a tone colder than her NEXT powers.
 
 “Sorryyy.”
 
 Okay, I gotta get them acquainted before my lies catch up with me. Uh, so what should I do first...
 Sky High gets the ball rolling when I’m still puzzling over how to break the ice.
 
 “Mr. Wild, let's start by introducing ourselves, shall we?”
 
 Thanks, Sky High! Yeah, that's right, this is how you start things. Figures that the King of Heroes would handle both the work and private stuff with no problem.
 
 “Ah, right,” I answer while playing it cool.
 
 “Alright, then allow me to go first.”
 
 Fire Emblem assumes the role of the top batter.
 
 “Right on!”
 
 I'm the one who's set up this welcome party, so to bring in some excitement I chime in with a voice louder than what I'm normally used to. The answer I get is a few lonely claps.
 Uh, not much of an excitement here. I just hope they won't find out about my lies...  Well, this is the first time they're all together like this, so they must be pretty nervous. Yeah, let's take it slowly for now.
 
 “Good evening, Handsome. I'm Fire Emblem, real name Nathan Seymour. I may not look it, but I'm actually Helios Energy's—”
 
 “Owner, I believe.”
 
 “What?”
 
 Bunny cuts neatly in, right into Fire Emblem’s cheery introduction. Uh, Bunny-chan, I'm getting a real bad feeling about this?
 Everyone freezes, but Bunny simply continues.
 
 “I already know, there is no need to tell me.”
 
 “Oh, I see...” Fire Emblem says morosely.
 
 Come on, Bunny, where's your courtesy? So what if you already know? This is the first time you two are talking in private, so you should hear him out to the end.
 Bunny's manner of speaking promptly shuts everyone up and the atmosphere suddenly grows rather heavy.
 Oh shit, at this rate they're gonna find out about my lies!
 To soften up the air I quickly interject.
 
 “Just as expected from the textbook overachiever! You're always prepared, aren't you? Come on guys, next!”
 
 Call it life experience or whatever, but Rock Bison gets the hint and quickly moves in to stand before Bunny.
 
 “Okay...”
 
 Go for it, Rock Bison!
 But at that moment Bunny holds up a hand, stops him and speaks.
 
 “No need.”
 
 “What?”
 
 “I have already investigated everything there is to know about you.”
 
 “Oh. You have.”
 
 Bunny's merciless attitude leaves everyone speechless. This is bad, this is bad... The atmosphere just keeps getting heavier. And with Rock Bison the only thing he allowed him to say was "okay".
 Rock Bison whispers in my ear.
 
 “You know, this guy is nasty.”
 
 Yeah, he is.
 
 ...Nonono, I'm not supposed to agree with you! At this rate my work on lessening the work pressure on Bunny will all go to waste!
 
 “Nah, he just feels awkward here. I mean, he's standing before the senior Heroes he admires so much, so no wonder.”
 
 Alright! Nice save, if you ask me! Let's keep it up!
 
 But at that moment Bunny, completely indifferent towards the people around him, casually declares.
 
 “Well, I am leaving.”
 
 Eh? You're leaving? Already?
 
 “Huh? Now wait a sec, Bunny!”
 
 “I knew this would turn out to be a waste of time.”
 
 Oh no! This isn't how it's supposed to go!
 
 “Nonono—”
 
 As I’m freaking out about how to smooth the whole mess up, someone behind me pipes up, words sharp like an arrow.
 
 “What's wrong with you!?”
 
 Blue Rose, whose store of patience has apparently run out, openly glares at Bunny.
 Oh wow.... Hey, hold on. Calm down, okay? Take it easy. Okay?
 
 “What's up with that attitude!? We're here because you said you wanted to get to know us!”
 
 Ah. She said it.
 
 “Excuse me? I said no such thing. In fact, it was you, wasn't it? Who was it that said you wished to get to know me in person?”
 
 “What?”
 
 The clashing conversation throws everyone in confusion. Well, of course it had to end this way... Obviously.
 
 “What's the meaning of this, Mr. Wild?”
 
 “Oh yeah, you said that Handsome wanted to meet us.”
 
 Sky High and Fire Emblem's words feel like an interrogation.
 As I’m searching for something to say, Bunny speaks up once again and ends all the conversation at once.
 
 “And you told me the same in reverse.”
 
 Everyone's eyes focus on me. They've probably realized I lied to them.
 
 “Er, well, that's...”
 
 “Kotetsu!”
 
 Rock Bison's angry roar nearly ruptures my eardrums.
 
 I'm done for. At this point I'm not getting out of this one. There's no choice but to spill the beans right here and now.
 
 “Well, I just thought that Bunny's work would be easier with everybody getting along, so...”
 
 “And so you lied?” Dragon Kid asks in return.
 
 “....Well, yeah.”
 
 “I am astonished.”
 
 “You're the worst.”
 
 Speaking almost in unison, Bunny and Blue Rose wear a look of disgust.
 Why yes, you are quite right.
 But here Sky High, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere around him, cuts in.
 
 “Please hold on a second. I don't understand a thing here. What are you talking about?”
 
 At Sky High's air-headed question Rock Bison just curtly spits out.
 
 “I'll explain later.”
 
 Trying to somehow calm the situation down, I choose my words carefully.
 
 “Can't we use the occasion and befriend each other anyway?”
 
 Unfortunately, this just fuels the fire further. Blue Rose, absentmindedly freezing her glass at a rapid pace, snaps.
 
 “Befriend!? Are you stupid!? We're rivals!”
 
 Snow crystals and cold air start forming around her, as if to keep the others away. Yeah, I know we're rivals. But this was supposed to be a party without all that stuff...
 But then, true to his intentions as always, Bunny makes his announcement.
 
 “Well, if you'll excuse me.”
 
 And having said that he briskly disappears down the stairs.
 Aaahh, wait! Bunny!
 
 “Huh, this sucks.”
 
 “I'm going home.”
 
 Fire Emblem and Blue Rose announce so in turn and rise from their seats. I shake my head trying to calm everybody down, but at this point I can no longer find any words to mend our relationship.
 
 “I have to polish up my shurikens.”
 
 “And I have to walk John.”
 
 Even normally gentle and docile Origami and Sky High are getting ready to leave. Only Dragon Kid, probably feeling it's a waste to walk away from all those snacks at the table, is desperately trying to hold them back.
 
 And so my scheme crumbled to dust.
 Yeah, I know it's me who'd lied to gather everyone here, but why do they all have to be such dour stiffs!? We're rivals, sure, but we all share the same feelings of wishing to keep our city safe, so aren't we kinda in the same boat!?
 
 
 (...)
 
 
 
 
 Yuri Petrov
 
 Everybody has changed into their Hero selves in their own ways.
 Everybody, including myself.
 Of course I'm not affiliated with such vulgar organizations as commercial enterprises, so I change into my suit in my secret room, mine alone, which is connected to my home through a secret underground tunnel. I share the need to keep my identity concealed, so when changing it is necessary to be exceedingly discreet.
 When I put on my mask I cease to be myself and transfigure into a different, sublime existence. I embody justice itself.
 
 Well then, let's see if they will be able to resolve this abstruse incident.
 Show me what you can do.
 
 
 
 
 Kotetsu Kaburagi
 
 “What the hell, today's just one disaster after another!”
 
 I hurry to the location where Apollon Media's transporter should be waiting for me. I pass a deserted street, run down a long staircase and finally see the transporter parked on the highway road.
 Suddenly I spot Bunny, who's arrived before me and is about to enter the vehicle himself. Refusing to be beaten I flusteredly rush in and get inside the transporter just one touch away from him.
 Inside the transporter there's equipment that allows us to change quickly into our suits. Neither me nor Bunny say much as we get into the machine, grasp the handles and assume the spread-eagle position. The machine then automatically starts scanning mine and Bunny's bodies, identifying and measuring everything, and then adjusting and setting up our Hero suits according to the newest data and coordinates.
 First come the leg parts. Then the arm parts get snapped in, and then the shoulder parts. The suits' parts are made of special reinforced elastic rubber, so during the setting process they get tightly adjusted to our bodies to ensure a perfect fit. After that the only thing left is to put on our helmets and then we are done.
 
 Alright, finally a dispatch!
 I remember Agnes saying something about how the stolen thing costs several hundred million sterndollars, so what the heck is it? There isn't much stuff that costs so ridiculously much.
 
 Having changed into Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr., me and Bunny get off the ramp and catch Agnes' transmission through the speakers inside our helmets.
 
 “The perpetrator is still on the loose! Make sure to retrieve the Statue of Justice!”
 
 Wait a sec! The Statue of Justice!?
 
 “But that's-!?”
 
 Every single day I watch the premium disks of the legendary hero, Mr. Legend, without fail. The one scene I especially like is where Mr. Legend gets the Statue of Justice back all by himself after it got stolen by a gang of robbers. Are you telling that the Statue of Justice that Mr. Legend once so bravely saved is now gone!?
 
 “Yes, it's the symbol of peace that Mr. Legend once retrieved from a gang of vicious criminals. Do you understand what its loss means for us? It means we've lost the trust placed in Heroes by the citizens. You have to retrieve it, understand? You have to!”
 
 You don't have to tell me. How dare they steal something so sacred!? I swear on my Hero honor that I'll get it back!
 
 I quickly saunter over to our bike waiting in the back of the transporter and get into the navigator's seat. Bunny straddles his own saddle, starts the sidecar and opens the transporter's door. Without wasting a single moment Bunny then sharply twists the throttle and makes the sidecar soar onto the highway.
 (...)
 
 (T&B start to pursue Robin Baxter)
 
 Mario, flying high above in his helicopter, notices the two of us and raises his voice.
 
 “And so the new pair enters the stage! They've got the power of coordinated teamwork on their side but will they make the arrest!?”
 
 You betcha! Dunno about the teamwork part but just you watch, I’m totally gonna catch that guy!
 I fiddle with the inner control panel near my ear, adjust the camera feeding the video on the internal monitor inside my helmet and zoom some two hundred meters before me. The escaping roller-skate criminal guy shows in perfect clarity.
 
 “Oh, I see him.”
 
 Bunny immediately makes a curt comment from his rider saddle.
 
 “Please refrain from taking any unnecessary actions.”
 
 “Yeah, sure. Just hurry up and catch him.”
 
 Maybe he’s annoyed at my comeback or something but Bunny twists the throttle and the bike picks up speed. The speedup catches me off guard and throws me back sharply.
 
 “Hey, what’s the big idea!? You could’ve warned me at least!”
 
 “There is a construction barricade up ahead. I am splitting us up.”
 
 “Wha?”
 
 I reflexively move my eyes to the road ahead and realize there’s a yellow line of road barriers on the highway, restricting the traffic.
 
 “W-Wa-!”
 
 But the next moment Bunny reaches for the control panel and separates our joined bikes into two.
 
 “Uwaaaa!”
 
 Rattled by my sudden state of independence I desperately grip the handlebars and try to stabilize myself. Holy crap, I’m gonna hit those barriers!
 I wing it and go for a wheelie and jump over them, missing them by a hair. Somehow still in one piece, I manage to land.
 
 “That was way too close!”
 
 But my feeling of relief is short-lived because I then realize there’s a swath of road cones on the road before me. I grip the handlebars in panic and wobble right and left to dodge the cones while Bunny lightly cruises past me and careers down the highway. A split second later a different bike suddenly bursts onto the same road. Seemingly crawling on all fours and with her ass stuck out in the air is Blue Rose, the Hero riding the bike. Me, Bunny and Blue Rose start vying for the lead and engage in some kind of a bike chase.
 
 “Out of the way!”
 
 Blue Rose spits out at us over her shoulder and her bike gains speed as she shortens the distance between herself and the criminal.
 
 “This is bad. Our points!”
 
 Following this brief utterance Bunny speeds up too, to keep up the pace. One HeroTV highly manoeuvrable helicopter swoops down near us and Mario fans up the flames with gusto while the cameras capture our three-man bike chase up close.
 
 “Blue Rose, Barnaby Brooks Jr. and Wild Tiger... Who will reach the suspect first!?”
 
 Mario’s exited commentary seems to provoke the other two and they step up the chase, unwilling to give the opponent even a single inch.
 Geez, what the hell are they doing!? We’re supposed to catch the criminal! This isn't a speed race!
 I twist the throttle and hurriedly close the distance between us.
 
 “Now’s not the time for a car chase!” I yell.
 
 At that moment both Bunny and Blue Rose slam on the brakes and stop their bikes. Thanks to this I overtake them in a flash and take the lead.
 
 “Huh?”
 
 Feeling confused I look before me and what do you know, the road just ends there. Yeah, now that I think about it, there were those construction barricades, weren't they. Which means...the road isn't finished yet.
 
 “Waaah!”
 
 And since I just picked up speed so nicely, it dawns on me that I won’t be able to brake in time. I jump off and land on the ground, abandoning the bike in the process. My newly riderless bike barrels on full speed, plunges into the chasm and disappears from sight into the river below.
 Blue Rose’s stunned mumble reaches my ears.
 
 “But how!?”
 
 Still kinda out of it after my near escape I realize that something’s off. To get here I must have passed the criminal too, but the only other person near the highway drop-off now is one old lady.
 
 “Wha?”
 
 Confused by the weird turn of events Mario pipes up.
 
 “The suspect is nowhere to be seen! Where did he go?”
 
 Yeah, what the heck is going on? But before I can make heads or tails of it Blue Rose draws from behind and starts ranting at us.
 
 “It’s your fault I lost him—!”
 
 Yeah, because it’s totally our fault... Is she for real? And seriously, what’s going on here? I don’t understand shit.
 For now I just call out to the granny who’s for some reason loitering all by her lonesome on this unfinished — and for the ordinary people very much closed — highway.
 
 “So... Granny, why are you here?”
 
 “Huh? But I was just over there...”
 
 Granny points somewhere past the drop-off. ...Like, that “over there”? I dubiously point at the faraway shore and address the granny again.
 
 “There?”
 
 “Right.”
 
 Like hell I’m gonna believe something that stupid. This granny is decrepit, so how in blazes would she get all the way here from the opposite river bank? Could it be some evil plot to deceive us!?
 ...Wait, gotta calm down. She looks like a nice granny and not like someone who’d be in cahoots with a thief. And anyway, it obvious that the criminal simply vanished even though there’s no place to run or hide here. Where the heck did he go? A stunt like this is impossible unless the guy can teleport or something.
 ...Hn? Teleport?
 That’s it! The guy is a NEXT or has some kind of a gadget and he probably just teleported to the other side. But wait, then how do you explain the granny?
 Hnnn...uhhh...Sooo...what the hell?
 
 Okay, let’s go over it again. Me, Bunny and Blue Rose got the dispatch order, found the criminal escaping with the stolen Statue of Justice and started pursuing him on the highway. We passed the road construction barriers and entered the part of the highway still under construction, with no other roads connecting to it. The highway’s very high up; jump from it and you’re dead meat. The thief vanished at the end of the road, with no escape routes to be seen anywhere.
 What the bloody hell is it all supposed to mean?
 
 
 
 —Little did we know that the events of this day would become the greatest arrest in the entire Hero business history.
 
 
 
 
 Chapter 2 – Hope
 
 
 Barnaby Brooks Jr.
 
 (while pursuing Robin Baxter; Robin tries to escape towards the amusement park)
 
 The amusement park in question features a colossal Ferris wheel and roller coasters, a haunted house hidden in the gigantic tree monument, the largest game center in Sternbild, a wide spectrum of all kinds of restaurants and a plethora of various entertainment facilities. It is the largest theme park in Sternbild.
 And here is yet another point that doesn't make sense at first glance.
 The question is 'why'?  Why would a robber, who is trying to escape, intentionally choose a route where he has no chance of escaping attention? The established tactic would be to choose an escape route away from the public gaze, but in this case...
 At that moment Blue Rose starts her bike a quickly sets out back towards the original road.
 
 “Bye!”
 
 Undaunted by the failure I get on my bike to head to the amusement park, but then Wild Tiger suddenly straddles the seat of my bike right behind me.
 
 “...What are you doing?”
 
 “Give me a ride.”
 
 “What?”
 
 “Don't 'what' me! My bike's at the bottom of the river!”
 
 Is that some kind of a joke!? Why do I have to ride ass to ass with this old man?
 That said, if I leave him here it may create an impression that I'm incapable of proper teamwork, which in turn could damage my name.
 
 “Alright. Please hold on tight.”
 
 “Yeah, yeah, just get moving already!”
 
 I bite back the impulse to retort and start the bike.
 
 During our ride I turn my attention towards the Hero TV broadcast projected on my internal monitor inside my helmet, analyzing the robber's body movements and peculiarities. The robber is clearly choosing crowded places, as if trying to attract as much attention as possible. He also seems to like provoking the Heroes and Hero TV camera crew.
 Does it mean he has a reason to believe that despite being all alone he can elude this number of Heroes?
 
 (…)
 
 (after Dragon Kid struck Rock Bison instead of Robin)
 
 Could it be that Dragon Kid attacked Rock Bison and ignored the robber intentionally so she could handicap her rival?
 No, it's not possible.
 In order to ensure fair competition Hero TV strictly forbids its Heroes to engage in any actions intended to hinder the other Heroes' attacks and maneuvers. Moreover, it is unlikely that a child as earnest as Dragon Kid could take part in such calculating and mercenary conduct.
 But in that case, what in the world...
 
 
 (…)
 (Mario:) “Just what happened there!? We saw Sky High attack the robber with his winds, but for some reason the one struck by his attack was Sky High himself!”
 
 This is the second time this unusual phenomenon happened and now I'm able to formulate a certain hypothesis.
 Could it be that the robber...
 
 (…)
 (observing the way Sky High uses his ability to fly to his advantage)
 
 Yes, there are things that only the King of Heroes can do. Unless I surpass even Sky High's results, the King of Heroes crown will remain beyond my grasp. I figured it won't be completely easy.
 Well, no matter. Feel free to watch me, because the time to show my skill will come soon enough. Regardless of who stands in my way, I will win the point race and I will take the throne.
 
 (…)
 
 (Mario:)“The robber is still on the loose...”
 
 There is a reason why Rock Bison got struck by Dragon Kid's attack.
 There is a reason why Sky High got locked inside the cage.
 There is a reason why Blue Rose and Fire Emblem got caught in each other's attacks.
 
 I'm close, but there is still something missing...
 
 I busy myself mentally arranging and sorting the recent chain of events and before long we finally reach the amusement park grounds.
 To make up for the lost time I start scanning my surroundings and searching for the target, but then the man next to me suddenly speaks up.
 
 “Ah, there he is!”
 
 I look to where Wild Tiger is pointing and sure enough, the robber is there, hiding behind a pillar of one of the nearby attractions. Wild Tiger reaches for his wire shot.
 I quickly place my hand on his shoulder to stop him.
 
 “Please wait. You promised me you won't do anything unnecessary.”
 
 “Huh? I did?”
 
 I can't believe you. We exchanged one promise just a few minutes ago and you are already breaking it.
 
 “Seriously, you are...”
 
 A man that cannot be trusted.
 
 After my words Wild Tiger turns towards me and radiates agitation.
 
 “Then what should we do? It looks like he's a pretty nimble guy.”
 
 “No matter how fast he is, it should not be enough to avoid us when we are activated and have him in a pincer attack.”
 
 In the corner of my vision I can see Origami lining up oddly to strike at the robber hiding behind the pillar. Pulling several shurikens out of his pocket he resolutely throws them at the robber, but the man easily evades them all and subsequently takes his leave, looking wholly unruffled. Origami himself on the other hand is now standing completely still, rooted to the spot in astonishment.
 Tiger finally breaks his silence and quietly murmurs.
 
 “A pincer attack, huh...”
 
 “I will have you follow my instructions, okay?”
 
 Probably dissatisfied with having to follow the plan of a newcomer such as myself, Tiger falls silent once again.
 
 
 (…)
 
 Upon noticing my presence the robber goes still and stares at me instead.
 
 “I suggest you give up now.”
 
 “So this time it's the newbie guy, huh.”
 
 Enjoy feeling superior while you still can.
 This construction frame is made of single steel beams, with no other possible footholds. In this situation...
 At that moment the roller coaster carrying Tiger arrives with a loud clanging noise and he yells at the top of his lungs.
 
 “Hey! The newbie's not the only one here!
 
 Tiger activates his Hundred Power in mid-air and lands on the opposite end of the steel beam. Just as I planned, we're now in position to catch the robber in a pincer attack.
 The beam shudders a little when Tiger lands on it and the robber, losing his balance for a second, momentarily loses his concentration.
 
 “Uoh!?”
 
 Using that small time window I activate my Hundred Power and rush at him.
 
 “Now!”
 
 The steel construction provides a poor foothold. Tiger and I are blocking both ends of the beam. There should be no escape routes here.
 Then I see the robber's eyes flash blue once again.
 Fine. If you can escape even from this situation, then I want to see it for myself!
 
 With my speed amplified hundredfold I head straight for him, refraining from blinking so I don't miss anything, not even a split-second change.
 
 
 (...)
 
 
 The robber, wearing a look of triumph, calls out to Rock Bison while mimicking his earlier words.
 
 “Hey, you okay?”
 
 I see. So that's how it is.
 Observing the chain of maneuvers between Sky High, Rock Bison and the robber finally gave me the proof sufficient to confirm my hypothesis and therefore finish my whole analysis.
 I promptly contact Agnes.
 
 “Ms. Agnes, this is Barnaby. Can you hear me?”
 
 “What is it?”
 
 “I have a request.”
 
 “Request?”
 
 “Yes. I would like to relay a certain announcement to all Heroes currently engaged in the pursuit. Can I ask you to open all the communication channels so we could hold a discussion?”
 
 “What is that announcement?”
 
 “I will tell them a certain key secret concerning the criminal.”
 
 “Secret? ...Okay, fine.”
 
 After a couple of moments the communication channels open and Agnes speaks up.
 
 “Everyone, Barnaby has something to tell you. The lines will stay temporarily open for now.”
 
 “This is Barnaby speaking. I have isolated the criminal's power.”
 
 “What!?”
 
 I hear a noise of confusion as all Heroes start talking at once. Without missing a beat I continue.
 
 “It appears that his power is location conversion.”
 
 “Location conversion?”
 
 I hear Origami repeat the words almost like it is his first time hearing them.
 
 “He is able to switch locations with any person within his field of vision.”
 (…)
 “And this is where I would like to ask you all for one thing.”
 
 This time it is Blue Rose's displeased voice that drowns out my words.
 
 “I don't care! I don't have to listen to you!”
 
 As I glance on my internal monitor I see Blue Rose, clearly unwilling to hear out my suggestion, start firing at the robber with her freezing liquid guns.
 (…)
 “Ah, sorry...”
 
 “What the heck are you doing?”
 
 “But...”
 
 Dragon Kid turns around sheepishly and one can see that the robber is not on the spot where Blue Rose aimed her attack. Instead of him there is a single female visitor, crouching low on the ground. Shocked, Blue Rose goes stock-still.
 Had Dragon Kid not repelled Blue Rose's attack, the ice projectiles would have struck the civilian and it would have caused something that can't be undone.
 Meanwhile the robber keeps switching places with people in the crowds and is now gradually getting farther away. At this point the state of affairs no longer allows his capture.
 It seems that watching the incident has finally made the Heroes realize the meaning of my words. Attacking him means endangering the citizens he is using in his location conversion. In other words, as long as there are people within his field of vision one has to be exceedingly careful when doing anything. Moreover, today is a holiday and the amusement park is packed with visitors. The grounds are full of possible targets for location conversion.
 
 Reckless pursuit will most likely end up in failure.
 I need to formulate a strategy that would allow me to suppress his power...
 
 
 
 
 Chapter 3 – Mistake
 
 
 Good thing it was just a mistake.
 After that Bunny jerk had nearly kicked my head in I was wondering what the hell's wrong with him, but how I was supposed to know that the robber NEXT's power is con...canve...something location, anyway. I don't really understand it, but I guess he basically switches places. Then it makes sense why none of the Heroes have managed to hit him so far and why they ended up striking each other several times.
 That Bunny, it looks like he's got one hell of a brain for a newbie.
 Back during our first mission he was all about appearance patterns and whatnot, so I was kinda wondering if he's just there to sightsee the things around him, but yeah, now I get that he only acts after thinking it through.
 I might have been blaming him a bit too much, I guess. It's not like I was wrong or anything, but maybe I overdid it little. Yeah.
 
 It’s at that moment that I hear Bunny's voice through the internal speakers.
 
 “I suggest we exercise utmost caution in order to avoid harming the civilians. Keep in mind that we are Heroes and our role is to protect them.”
 
 I can hardly believe my ears. That Bunny, who until now had been thinking only about himself, just said the citizens should come first. What made him change his mind in such a short time? Could it be that he's taken the words of his senior, which would be me, to heart!?
 What's up with that guy? Smart-ass as hell, but what do you know, he can be unexpectedly docile too!
 Oh boy, I am impressed! That's right, this is the most important thing about being a Hero. Looks like he's finally starting to get what being a Hero is all about!
 
 Suddenly a female voice starts speaking, the sound echoing across the whole theme park.
 
 “Attention, visitors. A robber with NEXT powers is currently at large on the theme park grounds. Please refrain from taking independent actions and follow the instructions of the park's personnel.”
 
 The park's employees appear and start directing the visitors, the masses of people moving in all directions.
 I push my way through the crowds and rush to the inner part of the park where Bunny is standing.
 
 “I got you wrong, you know. Of course you care about the citizens—”
 
 Just when I start talking Bunny interrupts me, sounding like he's been expecting this talk since the very beginning.
 
 “Please don't misunderstand.”
 
 “Huh?”
 
 “I am saving the image of Hero TV.”
 
 W h a t ? The image of Hero TV?
 
 “Also, after this the other Heroes are going to stay away. It's a chance for me to arrest the target single-handedly.”
 
 “Whaat?”
 
 ...How can he.
 ...I thought I finally found something good about him.
 ...'A chance to arrest' means he's still doing for himself, doesn't it.
 ...It was the thing that touched my heart the most today.
 ...Give me back my moment of happiness!
 
 Stunned, I breathe a sigh and address Bunny.
 
 “You think about some petty things.”
 
 “You should be grateful, you know. My success will give you a chance to shine as well.”
 
 It's not like I want to stand out, you hear? I'm not like you.
 
 Or so I think inside, but lacking any strength to pointlessly argue with him I decide to keep it to myself.
 
 “Yeah, yeah, thank you very much.”
 
 Maybe annoyed by my random answer, Bunny presses his lips into a thin line. Guess in his own way he's lost the will to argue too because he gives no further response and moves onto the next topic.
 
 “The problem is that we have used up our powers. We have to work out a plan of what to do until they recover...”
 
 “I've got a good idea then.”
 
 “Denied.”
 
 “You haven't even heard it!”
 
 “I can tell it's nothing good.”
 
 “The hell!? And whose plan was it that has caused us to be stuck without our powers in the first place!?”
 
 At my biting remark a look of frustration crosses Bunny's face. Bunny may have a snide answer for everything, but there's nothing he can say here, can he.
 
 “You yourself agreed with me then.”
 
 “Like hell I did. As far as I'm concerned we shoud've been all 'Pow!' and 'Boom!' and so on!”
 
 “I do not understand a thing you are saying.”
 
 “It's all about power, get it!?”
 
 “I cannot expect much strategy from somebody who operates on nothing but his most basic instincts, can I.”
 
 “And I can't follow your egg-headed plans!”
 
 With our feelings peeled naked me and Bunny clash our masks and, with our foreheads pressed together, glare straight at each other.
 
 It always ends like this. When we open our mouths to talk, we end up arguing.
 
 Maybe she got sick of watching us fight, because at that moment Agnes' irritated voice cuts in.
 
 “What are you doing!? How can you argue at the time like this!?”
 
 Nobody argues because they just love it so much! If she wants us to stop, then she should do something about Bunny's sharp tongue!
 But Agnes, completely ignorant of my sentiments, continues her report.
 
 “The Bureau of Justice just gave us their report. The criminal's name is Robin Baxter. He's internationally famous as a particularly vicious thief. He is wanted in several countries, but so far he hasn't been arrested even once. He managed to escape every single time.”
 
 The details about Robin Baxter and his history gets displayed on our internal monitors. Once he stole a huge painting displayed at the gallery during an international exhibition, other time it was gold and silver from some ancient ruins, or a huge amount of banknotes from one ridiculously posh casino. No matter how tight the security, it's never scared Robin off. In fact, the more security the better because the more people chase him the more people he can switch with.
 (…)
 “So enough of your stupid arguments! Try it again and you'll be penalized!”
 
 “...Yeah.”
 
 “...Yes.”
 
 Both me and Bunny accept Agnes' warning without any objections. Yeah, she's right. What we must do now is to capture Robin, and this is one point where our interests are the same.
 
 
 (...)
 
 “We've paid the entrance fee, you know!?”
 
 We've got no way to tell our real intention to all the visitors here, so claims like this are pretty much unavoidable. I walk closer to the man to prevent any more trouble, but then he turns to me and jeers.
 
 “Just hurry up and catch him already!”
 
 You know, I really don't need you telling me this, because I'm already doing everything I can. That's what I inwardly think, but Heroes are supposed to be on the citizens' side, so gotta stay nice. Okay, keep calm, just keep calm.
 
 (…)
 
 (after Barnaby said that he's going to set a trap for Robin and left Tiger behind)
 
 Robin throws a glance at me and, not looking particularly bothered, shamelessly spits out.
 
 “And now it's the mohawk suit, huh.”
 
 Having said that he gets on his inline skates and starts gliding down the main street.
 
 “What, you wanted Bunny-chan instead!?”
 
 Paying no heed to my yelling, Robin is now disappearing deeper and deeper into the park area.
 Shortly afterwards however he gets lost in the narrow passages, drops his speed and stops completely.
 Not too far ahead of him is an open service entrance and beyond it a number of police cars, their red lights flashing. He is surrounded.
 
 Great! I've cornered him.
 But at that moment Bunny suddenly materializes from somewhere near the entrance and closes it. Having completely blocked the escape route, he turns to me.
 
 “You called?”
 
 And so here we are once again, with Robin caught between me and Bunny.
 I slowly start inching towards Robin.
 
 “Just give yourself up already, will ya? It's a waste of calories.”
 
 Bunny is now moving too.
 
 “You have nowhere to run, Robin Baxter.”
 
 “Hmph, you guys really are dunces!”
 
 “Who are ya calling a dunce!?”
 
 It's you who's a dunce! We know what your NEXT power does, so the rest will be a cakewalk! I'm not so stupid to get fooled by the same trick twice!
 I activate my gadget, hook the wire over a steel structure overhead, jump with all my might, swing over to where Bunny is standing and land right beside him. Then, before Robin can blink I hook Bunny's arm with mine, link them firmly together and show us off to Robin.
 
 “See!? What's wrong? Try switching with us now, why don't ya! Come on, just try! Hahaha!”
 
 The best plan ever, if you ask me! If he tries to switch with either Bunny or me, then he'll get caught by either Bunny or me. He's done for this time!
 
 “Uh-huh. Yeah, you really are a dunce.”
 
 Then Robin — without activating his power or anything — simply turns back towards where I used to stand and skates away.
 
 “Huh!? Aren't you gonna switch!? Huh!?”
 
 With my best plan ever in tatters I suddenly feel totally exhausted and limply slump down. To add insult to injury, Mario then decides to pop up with his commentary.
 
 “Tiger & Barnaby have shown us how close they are, but the criminal is still on the loose!”
 
 It's not like I was trying to show anything! I just.... Ah, to hell with it.
 
 “So... Are you going to let me go?”
 
 It's Bunny's quiet murmur. He is standing still as a statue, his arm still linked with mine. Flustered, I hurriedly let go of his arm and attempt to crack a joke, but Bunny's tone is terribly cold.
 
 “What kind of a plan was that supposed to be?”
 
 “Er, well, I just thought he'd try to switch, so...”
 
 “That was a kindergarten level of strategy. Did you seriously think it would fool him?”
 
 I have nothing to say in my defense.
 
 “At this rate they are going to change the channel.”
 
 Whaat? Channel? He's thinking about that stuff even now?
 
 “Look, you. Getting on TV is not why we're doing this.”
 
 I try to grab Bunny's hand, but this time he simply shakes me off and starts walking.
 
 “Yes, of course.”
 
 At Bunny's attitude my anger reaches its boiling point.
 
 “Hey! Do you even understand what you did back there!? What were you thinking, moving like that!?”
 
 Yeah, he was going after Robin then, but that's not how a Hero should behave. Confused and panicking people were falling down around him and he just ignored them. And then he himself pushed over one employee and had I not caught them he could have injured them.
 
 “The citizens' safety is our—”
 
 But when I start speaking Bunny turns around angrily and spreads his hands, as if challenging me.
 “It was you yourself who told me to corner him.”
 
 
 (…)
 Dammit, he's forcing me to waste my energy!
 
 
 
 
 
 Chapter 4 – Complete
 
 
 (Barnaby Brooks Jr.)
 
 
 I'm wasting my energy.
 
 I have already consciously decided to avoid interacting with him, but he keeps coming with odd accusations and false pretexts, and against my better judgment I keep responding.
 Until now I have never had much trouble controlling my emotions. No matter what was happening before my eyes, I always kept an objective perspective and could analyze the situation in a fraction of a second, uncovering the advantages and disadvantages and consciously choosing my further actions.
 Ever since I lost my beloved family, emotions have ceased being something that is necessary. They weren't something I needed in order to live, and in fact were more of a handicap to me. I got rid of the unnecessary affect and rationality started ruling my life. Back then it was the only way I could protect myself from the pain and emptiness caused by the loss of the people I had loved.
 With time however I have learned how to make the best of those rules and managed to achieve a complete mental tranquility.
 
 Or so I thought.
 That man, Wild Tiger, currently stands before the gate to my emotions that have been locked until now. Whether I like it or not he will wrench it open and then he will plunge his hands inside without any sense or decorum.
 
 I am not worried about whether his actions are being carried out with any ill intent or not. That's not where the problem lies. It's just that this simple, pure truth threatens to destroy the rules I have been cultivating for many years.
 And the result? Again and again I engage in these futile arguments with him, lose sight of my targets, waste what little time I have in my life like some people waste water, and eventually exhaust myself both mentally and physically.
 I don't intend to make any excuses for myself, but the fact is that this partner is driving me crazy and currently I'm operating on less than half of my normal ability and potential. Thanks to this - even though it's the crucial time shortly after my debut - the two of us have so much trouble capturing somebody who is ultimately just a single robber.
 
 Granted, he's hardly something that gives trouble to us alone. The man in question has been pursued by eight Heroes in total at the same time, yet he's still free.
 
 (…)
 
 Observing the situation at hand, I had developed an analysis showing what needs to be done for his capture.
 The first problem we are facing is his NEXT power. As long as he's able to use it as he pleases, the incident cannot be resolved in a satisfying manner.
 I called a conference.
 
 It's clear that attempting to catch him in a traditional way while participating at the point race at the same will only result in repeating the previous mistakes and patterns. Therefore there's no choice but to temporarily suspend the point race and make everyone work together for the same goal.
 And this is where I proposed a plan how to restrict his scope of movement.
 First, all the visitors will have be gathered at a single open location that can be observed in its entirety from above. Then the human traffic in the nearby facilities must be cut off from his field of vision, hereby suppressing the way he can use his NEXT power.
 My suggestion was constructive and the Heroes have uniformly agreed to suspend the point race for the time being.
 
 (while watching as his instructions are being put into action, Barnaby recalls his another visit to amusement facilities and how it eventually ended)
 
 Had I returned home faster...
 Had I refused to go with Maverick....
 Had I been less selfish and said nothing about being alone all the time...
 Maybe my family would have lived.
 During the last twenty years I've gone over a myriad of hypotheses. Obviously, no matter how hard I think, no good conclusion can ever appear. The only thing it was ever good for was relieving the sense of entrapment I occasionally found myself in....
 
 As I am watching the gigantic tree of the amusement park, I catch myself thinking these thoughts. Alright, enough of this. I know this bad habit of mine. No matter how much one sentimentally broods over his memories, the hard truth is that they are nothing but empty and sterile vestiges of the long gone past.
 
 It is at this moment that I spot a single human silhouette, carefully peering down from the upper part of the tree.
 It's Robin.
 I immediately shout a warning towards the gathered crowd.
 
 “Everyone, stay completely still!”
  (…)
 Why is he still so composed? In this situation his NEXT power should be useless and there are no escape routes.
 Could it be that my plan still has some hole in it?
 
 But then Wild Tiger, standing by my side, bristles in irritation and glares at Robin.
 
 “That bastard...”
 
 Tiger suddenly shifts, looking ready to jump at any second. Fearing that he may do something unnecessary and ruin my laboriously established plan I grasp him by the nape of his neck and, putting more force into my tone, speak to him.
 
 “Stay with me.”
 
 “What? What?”
 
 Dragon Kid and Blue Rose dart across the open space, gathering people into its center.
 
 “This way, hurry!”
 
 “Everyone, please don't move!”
 
 Most likely confused by the situation, Tiger, looking stupefied, starts asking people passing by.
 
 “What's going on?”
 
 Fire Emblem promptly provides a biting answer.
 
 “You really are a dummy, aren't you? We're currently isolating this area!”
 
 I swear, you are slow when it comes to everything. Back during the conference I explained everything in detail, but clearly not in detail enough for you to understand.
 After hearing Fire Emblem's answer, Tiger asks once again. Apparently he's still unable to comprehend the point.
 
 “So?”
 
 At this Fire Emblem's face goes blank in astonishment, but Rock Bison chimes in from the side.
 
 “If we gather everyone here, then his switching will get tied down to this place. Got it?”
 
 To make doubly sure, Sky High then piles down on Tiger as well.
 
 “Then Mr. Wild, the only thing left to do will be figuring out how to catch him.”
 
 “Huh. You guys are smart.”
 
 No, they aren't! It's just that you are stupid!
 Weren't you listening when I was explaining everything? No, listening isn't the problem here. Frankly, I'm impressed that someone whose brain has so much trouble rapidly processing the strategic details has been able to work on crime and accident scenes for so long.
 
 (…)
 
 The boys shouts “Dad!” upon seeing that his father is alright, rushes over to him and the two hug, feeling joy over their safe reunion. Watching them reminded me of a certain scene from my own early life.
 
 My fourth birthday.
 Working in the field of robotic engineering, both of my parents were exceedingly busy people. As the result I was often staying home completely alone. However on that day my parents did something that they normally never did and took a day off for my sake. Dad then gave me a toy robot as a birthday present.
 I was happy.
 Even though the actual amount of time we could spend together was small, I knew I was loved and had no reason to feel lonely.
 But then came that one Christmas day...
 During my early childhood I obviously had no idea that those days won't last. Everything just felt ordinary.
 I think there are some things that people are unable to realize as long as they are happy. They don't realize that their happiness can't last forever. Also, they don't realize that, when one day they inevitably lose that happiness, no matter how much they regret things, beg for a miracle, or cry, those once gone will never return.
 
 I am glad these two are safe. Had his father died, this kid would have experienced what I already know. It's hard to believe how much losing your family when you are young can hurt. I know what it's like, and there's no need for him to know it too.
 
 I turn to the father.
 
 “Please be so kind and stay near your son. To him, you are the only father he has. You mean a lot to him.”
 
 “Yes.”
 
 Tiger, who is standing nearby, speaks up. A look of wonder crosses his face.
 
 “You...like kids?”
 
 “Excuse me?”
 
 “I mean, it's because of that kid that you...”
 
 I give no answer. I have no intention to give one, either.
 This isn't something that can be fully understood after one simply explains it. Moreover, I'm certain that if I speak about it with this man, he will thoughtlessly come barging into my personal territory.
 
 “And in the afternoon, you...”
 
 In the afternoon? What does he mean?
 ...Ah, yes, the girl from the skate rink. Speaking of which, he thanked me then for some reason. Why in the world would he...
 
 But then Wild Tiger's features slacken and he addresses me with an air of familiarity.
 
 “It's just, uh... It's unexpected and....”
 
 “There is no special meaning to it.”
 
 Correct, there really isn't. Besides, he should take a good look at himself. He keeps talking about how Heroes are there to save people, but when I do save someone he looks all mystified and says it's "unexpected"... Seriously, the things he says and the things he actually does do not mesh together.
 
 (…)
 In the subsequent silence Tiger suddenly lets out a loud “Gah!” and for no particular reason simply collapses into a heap. I guess his brain tissue probably just couldn't take the overload.
 (…)
 
 Tiger stares at me with a stunned look.
 
 “What? What's wrong?”
 
 “Please stay here!”
 
 “What? But we're a duo!”
 
 Unblinkingly, I gaze directly into his eyes.
 
 “I will capture the criminal, you hear? I will!”
 
 Maybe he can feel my determination, or maybe he is simply unable to find any words to respond with. Whatever the reason, after hearing my words Tiger falls completely silent.
 Refusing to waste any time I slide down my mask and head towards the roller coaster.
 
 (…)
 
 (after listing several factors of Robin's capture, including Barnaby's correct analysis of his personality)
 
 But by sharpening my power of concentration into a single point I succeeded in arranging all the necessary factors into one fraction of a second. It was like pulling a single thread through the eye of a needle.
 I open the communication channel on my PDA and announce the result.
 
 “It's over. Confirming Robin Baxter's capture.”
 
 At that very moment the holographic timer on my empty suit strikes zero....