The faint killing intent behind him made Ryuuto's neck prickle.
He didn't even have to turn around—only one person would try something like that.
Susan.
Of course she'd found him. The moment she did, she went invisible and threw a sneak punch, hoping to make him pay for overhearing her earlier conversation.
Too bad for her, Ryuuto wasn't just fast—he was Ryuuto.
Her fist cut through empty air, balance lost, and she almost smashed into the railing.
He moved in a flash—literally—and caught her by the waist before she could fall.
Her body was invisible, but that gentle warmth against his hand wasn't.
"The one who attacks from behind is usually the villain, y'know,"
he said lightly, teasing.
"You were eavesdropping! You're the villain here!"
"Eavesdropping?" Ryuuto smirked. "I was just admiring the view. Can I help it if you were part of the scenery?"
With an indignant huff, Susan reappeared, her face already a shade too pink for someone trying to act mad.
"You were listening! I said all that embarrassing stuff, and now you're pretending you didn't hear it. I—I was just making it up anyway! So don't take it seriously!"
"So what you're saying," Ryuuto said, feigning innocence, "is that you don't want to be my girlfriend?"
"Yes! I mean—wait, that's not—!"
He laughed. "Then it's settled."
Her flustered expression was priceless—like she'd swallowed all her own words and was trying to decide whether to spit or choke on them.
Ryuuto couldn't help himself; he leaned in closer.
"You know," he murmured, "you're cute when you get all defensive like that."
And before Susan could retort, he kissed her—softly, deliberately.
Even though Katie Dee was standing right there.
The young girl yelped and turned away, hands over her eyes.
"Sensei! You're totally setting a bad example!"
Ryuuto and Susan broke apart, coughing awkwardly.
Susan tried to recover with dignity, but her face was still glowing.
"Is everything… resolved?" she asked finally.
"Yeah," he said, stretching his shoulders. "Devil Island's gone. The injection project's dead too. Magneto's carrying the blame. I'd bet the official reports call me a demon while the tabloids paint me a hero. But that's how it works here in the States—when the people lose faith, the politicians lose their throne. Capitalism's a strange kind of battlefield."
"Ryuuto… are you really only eighteen?"
"Want me to show you proof?"
"Proof?"
"My ID."
She groaned. He grinned.
"I am eighteen. Just... a little more mature than average. Makes it easier to protect you, doesn't it?"
"You're impossible…"
"C'mon," he said, grabbing her hand. "Let's hit the city. I'll buy you something nice."
They descended the tower, side by side.
"There's no point," Susan said, glancing at her uniform. "I can't wear normal clothes. They don't turn invisible with me."
"Then I'll buy some for Katie Dee," Ryuuto said casually.
Susan nearly tripped on the stairs.
"You—! That's not funny!"
He chuckled, unbothered. "Relax. You could wear them off-duty. I doubt I'll need you to turn invisible every five minutes when I'm around."
As they reached the exit, he suddenly asked,
"Wait a second—how come you can make our clothes invisible, but not your own?"
That froze her.
"Uh… I—I never really thought about it."
"You mean," Ryuuto said slowly, "you could've done it all along?"
A few seconds of silence. Then, with a spark of realization—
"Oh! I remember why!"
"Please phrase this carefully. You're about to sound indecent."
"No, no—it's not like that!" Susan protested. "It's just… ordinary clothes tear too easily in combat. The suits made of unstable molecules are durable, breathable, waterproof—practically indestructible. I got used to only wearing this uniform."
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow.
"So you can make your clothes invisible after all?"
"Of course I can! If I can make your clothes invisible, it'd be weird if I couldn't do mine!"
"Good. Then we're going shopping."
While Ryuuto led the flustered woman and her still-embarrassed student toward the city's shopping district, Magneto was miles away, listening to Mystique's trembling report.
"So… he destroyed Devil Island himself?"
"Yes," she said quietly.
Magneto sighed, folding his arms.
"I thought he stood for the people's freedom. Turns out he only stands for his own. He'll sacrifice anyone, innocent or not, if they get in his way."
"Then what's his true plan?"
"Probably to expand the X-Men," Magneto murmured.
Mystique nodded. "That's what it looks like."
But Magneto was wrong about one thing.
Expanding the X-Men was just a side quest.
Ryuuto's real mission—the one that kept him awake at night—was to grow stronger.
To fulfill every system challenge. To crush the enemies waiting beyond the horizon.
He wasn't here to play the hero.
He was here to ascend.
And at that very moment, the so-called "Red Mirage" was standing in front of a lingerie shop, eyes half-lidded, contemplating whether to step inside.
"...This is getting complicated," he muttered.
[Ding! New Subquest Unlocked — Shopping with Susan Storm]
[Reward: Mental Fortitude +5]
"...Shion, I hate you."
[Heh~ You'll survive, Host~]
....
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