Chapter 6: Going Out Together
Author: Geraint
(MC's POV)
Late at night in the orphanage, I sat in a kneeling position alongside Rumi in front of the caretaker.
Rumi didn't have anywhere to stay for the night. She lives in Hiroshima and had come to Osaka for a school trip—but then she chased me all the way here to Musutafu.
I bet her hero school's going to scold her after this.
I asked the caretaker if Rumi could stay the night. She agreed, though she looked suspicious when I explained that Rumi was just a high school girl I met on the street who had gotten lost. I told her I was only helping.
After giving us both a furious glare, she finally left the room.
Rumi, now alone with me, looked around my room with curiosity.
In this orphanage, I have my own space. It includes a bedroom, kitchen, living room, dining area, and even a bathroom with a shower and temperature-controlled bathtub.
My room's simple but well-equipped: a personal computer, laptop, widescreen TV, the latest PlayStation, all connected to the internet. I've got a full set of appliances—air conditioner, washing machine, microwave oven—and even two refrigerators for different purposes.
My bookshelf is filled with manga and study books on various subjects. And yes... I also have that kind of book hidden on the shelves. Which is why I don't let the other kids in without permission.
Everything I own was bought with my savings from bounty hunting and bodyguard work. Last I checked, I still had over 699 million yen in my bank account. Rich people would rather hire me than wannabe pro heroes. My skills are legit. There are only a few heroes I respect—All Might being one of them.
I headed into the kitchen.
"You must be hungry from all that running. What do you want for dinner?"
"You can make anything, Ichika. I'm not picky," Rumi replied.
Given her rabbit traits, the first ingredient that came to mind was—
"Then curry... with lots of carrots."
"Oh! I like that a lot, Ichika!" she said with a thumbs-up.
"Okay then, wait here."
I turned on the TV to keep her entertained.
While cooking—chopping onions, potatoes, and carrots—I stood on a stool to compensate for my small height.
"Ichika! Can I borrow your bathroom? I'm all sweaty."
"Sure. It's right behind you."
I pointed to the bathroom door.
"Please relax and make yourself at home."
"Thank you, Ichika!"
She rushed off.
"Wait! Don't forget your towel!"
I pulled a clean white towel from my cabinet and tossed it to her. She caught it.
"Thanks!"
She disappeared into the bathroom.
"Wow! Amazing! Your bath is even better than mine back home in Hiroshima! Are you really an orphan?"
"Yeah, I am. Feel free to use it."
I smiled and went back to cooking.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Someone knocked on my front door.
"Yes?"
"It's me, Ichika."
It was the caretaker. I opened the door.
"Here."
She handed me a bag with clothes.
"You probably don't have anything that fits her. These are mine. I'm too old to wear them now, so she can have them."
"Thank you..."
"Go to bed early. No funny business."
"Yes..."
"Goodnight."
She left.
I went to the changing room and placed the clothes in a basket.
"Rumi! I left a change of clothes for you. The caretaker said you can have them!"
"Oh, thank you! I'll thank her tomorrow."
I served dinner on the table and waited.
When she came out of the bathroom—
"Dinner's ready. Let's eat while it's still hot—Pffffft!"
I choked in surprise.
"Ichika, these clothes fit me, but they look kinda strange."
"Rumi... that's..."
She was wearing a bunny girl costume.
(Img<<<)
Caretaker!! What kind of clothes did you give her?! Wait—isn't that yours?!
"But I kinda like it! It's easy to move in. The design's like my hero costume, but slightly different. I could send bad guys flying in this!"
She kicked the air.
"What do you think, Ichika?"
I clutched my forehead.
"Don't ask me..."
"Anyway, I'm starving. Can we eat now?"
"Sure. Let's eat."
We sat and ate together.
Burp!
"Ha! That was delicious! Thanks for the meal, Ichika!"
"Yeah."
I cleaned up the dishes.
Later, in the bedroom, I told her I'd sleep on the floor, but she refused. Instead, she dragged me into bed, saying there was no problem since I was just a kid.
I gave up. I was too tired to argue.
Morning
"Ugh..."
I felt like I hadn't slept. Rumi had turned me into a body pillow. She'd locked me in a chokehold multiple times through the night.
I couldn't forget the softness of her chest—even though her muscular arms were scary strong.
I carefully escaped her grip and got up.
Opening my laptop, I searched for contact info for Rumi's hero school. I called and told them she ended up in Musutafu after an incident in Osaka. They said they'd send someone to pick her up later today.
I started making breakfast.
"Good morning, Ichika!"
She greeted me with energy.
"Morning," I replied, sipping milk tea while checking news about last night's incident.
"Ichika! Let's have a match to stretch our bodies!"
"No. You're going back to Osaka today. I already called your school. They're sending someone this afternoon."
"Ehhh?! But I still have something to settle with you!"
"There's nothing to settle."
I threw her a clean towel.
I couldn't deny it—she looked stunning in that bunny costume, and I was captivated.
"Go wash your face first."
"Okay, Ichika!"
She headed to the bathroom.
"As I expected, I love your bath! It's better than mine in Hiroshima."
"Yeah, yeah... Since you're supposed to be on a school trip, I'll show you around the city until your ride gets here."
She burst out of the room, excited.
"Really?! Let's go somewhere! And how about we have that match?! I really want to fight you!"
"Are you serious? You want to spar with a child?"
"I'm serious, Ichika! The moment I saw you, my rabbit instincts said you're strong—stronger than most pro heroes, even rivaling All Might!"
...
"You have this blazing aura... just like Captain Falcon. I even suspected you were Captain Falcon. But since you're a kid, I guess that's impossible. That's why—I challenge you to a fight. To confirm it."
This girl's dangerous.
Her instincts are scarily accurate.
I am Captain Falcon—but that's a secret.
"You're imagining things, Rumi. Now hurry up and get changed. We're going out."
"Okay... but why do you look so nervous?"
"Must be your imagination again..."
I looked away.
(To be continued.)