Chapter 249 - Sunset

I, Egostic, an A-class villain and the number one most feared target among heroes in the Republic of Korea...

...was currently sweating nervously in front of the hero assigned to me.

"You, you..."

"Haha. Ahem. Are, are you okay...?"

"How could I be okay...."

"Ha, haha..."

Somewhere on a building rooftop.

There, looking completely exhausted and leaning against a wall about to collapse, Stardus was looking up at me with teary eyes.

...My heart aches with guilt.

'Though I do have something to say in my defense...'

I might seem like a cruel instructor who made an innocent hero run in circles, but I really do have something to say in my defense.

If she doesn't improve her flying ability through this kind of training, she'll soon be crying with regret...!

Every drop of sweat shed today could save a life tomorrow. It's almost that serious. Because the great disaster is not far away.

If I explained it like that, she would understand immediately. She might even want to fly a few more laps right now.

However, I couldn't give her that explanation.

A crisis needs to be recognized as a crisis to create awareness. If I explained everything in detail, would this be training or just counterterrorism practice? Besides, as long as I was playing the role of an evil villain, I absolutely could not explain!

So I decided to be the bad guy who made a perfectly fine hero intercept missiles on the opposite side of Seoul.

There needs to be a villain for the protagonist to shine, right? Haha...

"Haa, haa, haa...."

"..."

...But that aside, I still felt sorry.

Especially with her sweating profusely and almost crying in front of me.

Fortunately, she was too exhausted to lunge at me...

Anyway, I cleared my throat again, trying to change the subject.

"Ahem... Still, you flew really well and blocked those missiles impressively! Honestly, I was surprised. As expected of my worthy rival."

"...Ha, really. Haa, haa. Sure. Should I be thankful for this...?"

She responded while catching her breath, seemingly finding my praise...? somewhat ridiculous.

...Though I thought I saw the corners of her mouth turn up slightly, but that might have been my imagination.

After trying to say a few more words, I gave up and simply offered an apology.

It just felt better for my conscience. And it might lighten the mood.

"...Ahem. I'm sorry. I think I was too enthusiastic and made you suffer, which makes me feel bad. As an arch-enemy, I should be mindful of my harmony with heroes. I apologize."

I turned my head slightly as I said that.

...I'm not sure if it's appropriate for a villain to apologize to a hero for excessive terrorism, but whatever. Maybe arch-enemies can do that sort of thing?

Anyway, it was fine whether she accepted my apology or not. If she didn't, it would mean she took it as deceptive provocation, so I could just continue with my crazy villain concept.

As I was thinking that, waiting for Stardus's reaction.

"Pfft..."

I heard her clear laughter from in front of me.

I turned my head wondering what was happening, and saw her with one hand against the wall, the other on her stomach, giggling.

"Really, heh. Ridiculous. Who, who ever heard of a villain apologizing to a hero for excessive terrorism...?"

"...Haha. Well, our relationship is different from the typical hero-villain dynamic, isn't it?"

"...Really, this is absurd..."

"Hahaha..."

She was wiping tears from her eyes, apparently finding it so funny she cried.

And the corners of her mouth.

They were definitely, more clearly than before, smiling.

...I don't know what happened, but did things work out well?

I thought that and breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyway, after her laughter, the atmosphere became warmer than before, feeling much better.

...Ah, is it just because the sun is setting and the sky is orange? Haha.

"...Ahem."

As I continued that train of thought.

Feeling something awkward, slightly ticklish, I unconsciously turned my head to look at the sky.

"...."

Above the building rooftop, the open sky was dyed in a warm orange color, perhaps because the sunset was approaching.

And at the edge, the crimson sun was half-hidden behind the mountains, dyeing the sky red.

"...The sky is beautiful."

As I blurted out those words.

"...Yes. It is."

Suddenly, I heard that voice beside me.

Glancing over, I saw Stardus.

With her hand against the wall, looking toward that red sky like me, the corners of her mouth still turned upward.

"..."

Her golden hair shimmered under the crimson sunlight, and her beautiful, clear blue eyes reflecting the setting sun sparkled slightly.

...Looking blankly at her like that, I found myself smiling without realizing it.

Right. A hero and villain can watch the sunset together after fighting. There's no law saying we have to fight every day.

And somehow, the situation of the two of us looking at the sunset sky together and talking felt familiar.

Yes. Familiar...

"...."

...Wait.

Why does it feel familiar?

"...?"

And the moment I had that thought.

I felt something strange.

'....What is this?'

-Even if time turns back. In the end, it's just the two of us.

Something.

This situation.

A similar situation like this.

-Because people don't change.

Once.

-Someday again, we'll be able to have a conversation like this.

I feel like I've experienced it once before, somewhere.

"...."

I unconsciously became lost in thought at the sudden question.

...Sunset. Rooftop. Stardus. Shin Ha-ru. Conversation. Hand. Warmth. Memory. Shin Ha-ru.

Something. There's something. I feel like I've experienced this situation with her once before.

Did I dream about it?

'...What is it.'

As I was thinking that.

"What are you thinking about?"

Right beside me, I heard that voice.

Startled, I turned my head to see Stardus smiling at me, tilting her head.

Her figure illuminated by the setting sun looked more beautiful than ever.

...No, that's not it.

"Ahem. Nothing."

I cleared my throat and answered.

I couldn't tell her I was thinking about her...

"I thought since you were so quiet, maybe you'd decided to turn yourself in."

She said with a grin.

I smiled at her joke and replied.

"As if that would happen."

Right.

...I don't know what memory it is.

For now, let's focus on this moment.

Because I don't have much time left to be with Stardus like this.

Smiling, I took out the black object that was the reason I met her directly today, and teleported it over to her.

"By the way, Stardus. A gift for you."

"...A gift?"

At my words, she tilted her head but reached out to take it.

As she turned it over wondering what it was, I nodded and answered.

"It's a communication device."

"A communication device...?"

At my words, she continued examining the object that resembled a walkie-talkie and earphone, still looking confused.

I cleared my throat again and continued explaining.

"Yes. Actually, there are many villains in the Republic of Korea besides me, right? Villains who aren't as socially friendly as I am and who cause trouble in my territory. I handle the worst ones myself, but..."

"Yes. And?"

"...Among them, there are some opponents that are difficult for me to handle. Other villains that I can't deal with even knowing their residences and weaknesses. I'd like Stardus to handle those guys. I'll cooperate."

I benefit from getting rid of those who steal my attention, and Stardus benefits from handling other villains-

As I continued explaining, Stardus's gaze remained fixed on the communication device.

"So... you'll contact me with this?"

"Yes. If something happens, I'll send you a message. Then the red light will turn on. After that, if you press the button, it will be accepted and you'll hear my voice. Just think of it as a means of communication."

"A means of communication..."

Under the red sky, she stared intently at the communication device I gave her.

...The reason I gave her that today is because there's 'that villain' who needs to be dealt with soon. Someone neither I nor the Ego-stream members can handle. Stardus could probably do it, but she doesn't know the strategy to defeat him.

Only by combining my strategy and her power can we defeat him.

Communication with Stardus was essential to handle him. I could hack into systems each time, but this was more reliable and safer. The earphone-like device was also key.

...So, it would be a big problem if she refused it now. If we don't catch that villain before the Moonlight Bridge disaster, it would be really serious.

And, a moment later.

Making my worries seem unfounded.

"....Hmm, hmm. I normally wouldn't accept this, but I'll take it just in case! Got it?"

She turned her head away, crossed her arms, and said that with slightly reddened cheeks.

...Thank goodness.

"Thank you."

I said with a smile.

...Her cheeks seemed to redden a bit more.

After exchanging a few more words, I naturally escaped using teleportation.

Saying I would contact her in a few days.

...Somehow, things ended more warmly than expected, which was fortunate.

***

After Egostic's widespread missile terrorism.

Every broadcast in the Republic of Korea talked about nothing else.

But there was a difference from usual.

[As you can see, Stardus's speed increased consistently with each attempt! By the end, she was almost half as fast again as at the beginning, which is extremely fast even by world standards...]

The media talked more about Stardus than Egostic.

[Experts analyze that Stardus's abilities have probably not yet fully blossomed. Separately, some members of the public are suggesting that Egostic planned the terrorism from the beginning to foster Stardus's growth...]

[Indeed, isn't Stardus the pride of Republic of Korea's heroes? Hahaha!]

While those who witnessed Stardus's performance that day praised her.

The actual center of attention herself only thought briefly about whether that was why Egostic carried out the terrorism, but didn't pay much attention to it.

Instead, she.

"...."

Lying on her bed, she held up the communication device Egostic had given her, looking at it from below.

'A private means of communication that allows me to talk with Egostic without meeting directly...'

"....Finally."

She murmured on the cool bedding.

Despite being exhausted from using her body all day, she was unconsciously wearing a warm smile.

It was a summer night.