"Waaah... I'm not human... I'm a monster."
Carrie couldn't accept it. She had always believed that even if she wasn't a complete person yet, she could make up for what was missing and become whole one day.
But now, she felt herself drifting further and further away from being human.
When her powers weren't that strong, she could still lie to herself—tell herself she was just a bit different from others. After all, there were others like that before.
But powers that grew too strong… those no longer belonged in the realm of ordinary people. They were more like what her mother used to whisper about—demons, witches, unnatural beings.
Was her dream of being human going to end here?
Carrie stumbled deeper into the forest, wanting to cry alone and escape from everything.
Monsters couldn't be friends with humans. She was destined to hide away in the mountains, living in darkness and solitude.
But before she could take another step, Barry grabbed her hand. His grip was firm and unyielding—there was no breaking free.
"I'm a monster! Just a monster! Please, let me go!"
Carrie turned her face away in despair, not wanting him to see her ugly side.
But Barry had seen far worse.
"Carrie, don't do this. You're human. Without a doubt, you're human. You're a hero among people. So what if you're a little stronger, a little more destructive? That doesn't change who you are."
"That's not human! That's a monster! Do you even know what a monster is?"
"Oh, I know," Barry said, as half his body shed its human disguise, revealing golden straw and gleaming white bone underneath.
"H-Huh?"
Carrie gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her mind went blank. This couldn't be real. It couldn't.
"So what? Doesn't that make me a monster too?"
Barry activated his power of rebirth, his body returning to human form before her eyes. Then, softly, he said, "Or maybe… like this."
Around them, faintly glowing butterflies filled the air. A soft white halo of light shimmered between them, radiating warmth.
"W-What are you?" Carrie stammered. "Are you human… or a monster?"
Watching Barry's ever-changing form, her thoughts spiraled.
"If you want to see yourself as a monster, then I'll be one with you. But if you see yourself as human, then I can be human too—your guide, your guardian angel. Of course, if you ever fall and become a rampaging beast of destruction…"
He smirked. "Then I'll be the hero who stops you—your Ultraman of justice."
Flames erupted around them as Barry transformed into Ultraman Oga, his body radiating fiery power.
"So, Carrie," he said as he turned back into his usual self, "what's your answer?"
He didn't push her. He simply waited. The choice was hers.
Carrie fell silent, lost in thought. A hundred emotions ran through her mind, but strangely, she didn't feel afraid anymore. Instead, for the first time, she felt safe.
No matter what she chose, someone would stand by her. Maybe… that was the answer she'd been searching for all along.
After a long pause, her gaze hardened with resolve. She took a deep breath and spoke softly.
"I want to be human."
"What? Too quiet—I couldn't hear you!"
"I—" Carrie shouted from the depths of her lungs, "I want to be human!"
Her voice echoed through the still forest.
Barry smiled and nodded. "That's the spirit. Good. Let's get you home."
They walked out of the woods together, back to where the car was parked.
Along the way, Carrie nervously asked about how she should live from now on. Barry told her to live normally—and if she ever felt her magic power get strong enough to lift a car, she should call him right away.
He'd rush over immediately to… release some energy—no, no—to help her calm down.
After all, Barry was a good guy. You couldn't use bad words for him.
---
Night fell.
It was time for people to rest—to sleep off the fatigue of the day and restore their strength.
Then tomorrow, they'd wake refreshed and ready to face new challenges.
The cycle continued, day after day, until death.
And in that cycle, dreams—sweet or nightmarish—never failed to visit.
Fall into a dream… fall into a dream…
---
The next morning, sunlight poured over an elementary school filled with the children of wealthy local families.
Among them was a little girl named Emma.
Class was in session, and all the kids were listening attentively.
As one of the top students, Emma sat upright at her desk, looking like a serious little adult.
Today was special—especially for Emma.
Because she was about to receive yet another medal.
Emma was confident. She'd already collected plenty of awards, and today would be no exception.
Their teacher, Mrs. Ellis—a cheerful, chubby Black woman—stood at the front of the class, announcing loudly,
"I'm proud to announce that the first-place winner of this essay contest is…"
Her eyes fell in Emma's direction. Emma smiled knowingly and puffed up her chest, holding her head high like a proud little swan about to bask in applause and admiration.
Say it! Say my name!
"…Barry Oga!" Mrs. Ellis paused for effect, then clapped enthusiastically. "Let's all give him a big round of applause!"
What?!
The world came crashing down.
Emma's proud little smile froze and crumbled.
As the classroom erupted in cheers, Mrs. Ellis handed a large gold medal not to Emma—but to her desk partner, a black-haired boy with dark eyes.
Emma's legs trembled beneath the desk. She glared at him, breathing hard, anger boiling inside.
Why? Why?! WHY?!
How dare you take my prize, you annoying little black-haired brat! You've sealed your fate!
A murderous thought surged up—but then, suddenly, a chill ran through her. The killing intent vanished, replaced by fear that made her legs quake.
It took her a long moment to calm down, the rage settling into bitter frustration and burning jealousy.
And then Mrs. Ellis spoke again, twisting the knife even deeper.
"Barry's essay is titled 'My Father, the Governor.' Let's give him another round of applause!"
Clap clap clap!
"Thank you! Thank you, everyone—thank you, Mrs. Ellis, my parents, and all my classmates!"
Barry stood up, showing off his shining medal and giving his acceptance speech.
"Now, Barry Oga will read his winning essay for us. Everyone, listen carefully and learn from his example."
"Ahem… My father is a great man. He…"
Mrs. Ellis smiled proudly, clearly pleased with her brilliant, humble student.
But one person—once the class's star pupil, and still a top student now—was gritting her teeth so hard it hurt.
Mrs. Ellis—why?!
I'm the real No. 1 in this class!
This… this was an insult.
A brutal, unforgivable insult to Emma herself!