I am not allowed to feel anything.
For as long as I can remember, I've never been allowed to feel emotions.
I pretend to be cool and apathetic when I'm around other people, but on the inside, I feel everything.
It's just as bad as it sounds. But this is my destiny, and this is my choice. I choose this life.
My father was just like me when he was a child. Cool. Apathetic.
Passionate.
He told me that one day, I will inherit Saikou Corp. That someday, I will be on top of the world.
And he is correct. One day, I will be the most powerful being on Earth. I will protect my denizens as the greatest hero to ever live. No man, monster or otherwise will get in my way. Especially none of those Yanderes. I will stop them all.
That is what I have to live for.
Goddess stepped out of her helicopter, arriving at the school she needed to protect.
I will find you, Yandere, she promised. You will not live much longer.
Ayano made her way through the crowd of students. Many of them smiled and nodded at her, respect in their eyes. After all, she had just been promoted to Class S. The school now had two S Class heroes under its belt.
Behind her was Taro Yamada, head bowed. The two walked in silence. And then a girl came walking over to Ayano.
"Yan-chan," she said, her voice void of emotion. "I haven't seen you for a while."
Ayano glanced over her. Who was she again? Ah, right, Kuu Dere, one of her 'friends'. She had almost completely forgotten about her existence.
"Yes," Ayano said, quickly walking away. She did not want to waste time speaking with someone as useless as Kuu Dere.
"Where are you going?" Kuu asked in a deadpan, following her. "Ayano, did you hear about Midori?"
Who was Midori again? Irrelevant.
"Ayano," Kuu reached out. "Why are you-"
"Students of Akademi," a voice was heard over the loudspeaker. "A whole-school assembly will be held in the gymnasium very soon. Please begin heading over there now."
The students began milling their way over to the gymnasium. Ayano moved ahead, Taro still keeping behind her. She managed to lose Kuu in the crowd as she approached the gym. Chairs were placed across the wooden gym floor, facing the stage at the front. The students seated themselves in the chairs, directing their attention at the stage. Whispered conversations carried rumours. Ayano heard 'Student Council' and 'Goddess' mentioned quite a few times. She realised the assembly would be worth paying attention to.
A few minutes later, the Student Council appeared on stage. Kuroko Kamenaga raised her hands, settling the students down. Everyone eagerly watched the stage.
And then she appeared. Dressed in the red and white Student Council uniform, a girl made her way up to the stage. Her long, silver hair and silver eyes were a dead giveaway. She was tall and powerful, emanating the strength of an S Class hero as she stood behind the podium.
Megami Saikou, AKA Goddess. The Student Council President.
"Students of Akademi," Megami boomed. "First off, I would like to announce that I am officially returning as your Student Council President. I'd also like to apologise for my lengthy absence. I cannot discuss the details of this absence, but I can assure you that I kept your well-being in mind. As many of you are aware, this school and our city have been under attack. Just recently, the Monster Association was living underneath us, and there was also the man known as the 'Hero Hunter' roaming around. Thankfully, both of these threats have been handled in a timely manner. However, I'm aware that our school has suffered some losses. I was absolutely devastated to hear about the lives lost, and I vowed to myself I would never let it happen again.
She clenched a fist over her heart. "That's why I will be installing new measures to protect our school. Bodyguards will be situated at all entries and exits to the school. Security cameras will be located around the school. And there will be no tolerance for suspicious behaviour." She paused. "Students, I don't mean to alarm you, but it has come to my attention that there is a dangerous person on school grounds."
Everyone began chattering, anxiety quickly spreading.
"But don't worry!" Megami raised her arms. "I will protect you. I will find this person, and I will stop them no matter what. So there's no need to fear, my fellow students. I am here, and I will keep you safe."
The students began to cheer. Ayano did nothing. Instead, she glanced at her phone.
Her plan was falling into place.
As the students were leaving the gym, a voice caught Ayano off-guard.
"Ayano Aishi," it was Megami Saikou herself. The Student Council President was staring her down. It was not a heated stare, but it would give any normal person chills down their spine. Three sharply-dressed bodyguards surrounded her. Their expressions were as stone cold as Megami's.
"President," Ayano greeted, bowing. Taro vanished into the crowd, giving the girls space. "How can I help you?"
"I see you've been promoted to S Class," Megami responded. "Come with me to the Student Council room. I'd like to have a meeting with you."
Ayano nodded. "Of course, President."
She followed Megami to the Student Council room. She recognised it immediately, remembering when she had received Megami's threatening video message on a computer after the alien attack on City A. Was Megami still suspicious?
The bodyguards stayed at the door. Megami sat down at the head of the expensive table, in a lush, red chair. Ayano sat on the other end, facing her down. They sat in a tense silence for a few moments.
"Miss Aishi," Megami finally spoke. "I must congratulate you on your position. You are strong - definitely strong enough for an S Class hero. You've proven your worthiness."
"Thank you," Ayano said, politely.
"However," Megami put her hands together. "I'm sure you remember my message from a while ago, don't you?"
Ayano nodded.
"You aren't off the hook just yet," Megami responded. "I know you are hiding something. I know there is something dangerous about you. You couldn't have been in the Monster Association for no reason. You're planning something."
Ayano fake-gasped. "What do you mean?"
"You can't play tricks with me," Megami said, standing up. "I am no fool, Aishi. As soon as you make one mistake… your existence will be no more. I will show the world what you really are."
"You're wrong about me," Ayano told her. "I just want to be an ordinary hero!"
"Do you?" Megami asked, coldly. She sat back down. "Very well then. If you can prove to me that I'm wrong about you… then I will let you be. But in the meantime, I'm watching you."
"I understand," Ayano nodded.
As she left the Student Council Room, Ayano understood what she needed to do in order to get Megami wrapped around her little finger.
"Megami-sama," she stopped, turning to face the Student Council President. "If I can prove my innocence to you… will you let me join the Student Council? I'll be of great use to you, I assure you. I'm an S Class hero, after all."
Megami's expression remained stone-cold. And then she nodded.
"Very well, Miss Aishi," she said, offering a hand. "If you can prove it… I'll consider letting you join the Student Council."
Ayano nodded, shaking her hand in return. "Of course."
Info-chan glanced at her newest message from Ayano.
Ah, trying to join the Student Council, are you, Yan-chan? she grinned. I can help with that. You'll look so good, no one will be able to tell you and Megami apart. She'll have no choice but to recruit you.
She began posting anonymous messages on Akademi's social media page.
Finally, an Akademi S Class hero that will do some good for our school.
Comments began flooding in.
What do you mean?
Info-chan smirked.
Goddess has been away for quite a long time, hasn't she? She wasn't there during the meteor attack, when our entire city was nearly destroyed. She wasn't there for the majority of the Monster Association business. And she wasn't there to protect anyone who died. But do you know who was? Yan-chan. Yan-chan was there to protect us.
You're right…
But even Yan-chan couldn't save all of us!
Info-chan continued to type.
But she saved our town, single handedly. She actually went into the Monster Association to save us. Without her… imagine how many students would've died. Can't you tell who's the better hero here?
Comments began flooding again.
They're right! Yan-chan is way better!
Yan-chan! Yan-chan!
Info-chan leaned back in her chair. Honestly, the work took care of itself.
"Looks like you're having fun."
She scowled, glaring at Shiromi leaning against the wall.
"Get out," she snapped.
"You're no fun," Shiromi giggled. "What're you up to this time?"
Info-chan bit her lip. "Why do you need to know?"
"Because I know how much you hate the Hero Association," Shiromi replied, winking. "Kind of ironic that you're working alongside a hero, huh?"
"I wonder how the whole school would feel learning all of the rumours about you are true," Info-chan said, smirking. "That you and the rest of the Student Council can't be trusted. That you're using them."
"No one in this school can be trusted," Shiromi retorted. "And we're all being used, aren't we? We're slaves to SaikouCorp."
Info-chan tch-ed. She saw what should've been her reflection in a monitor. A disformed figure was there instead. It was barely visible; humanoid, but alien.
She almost fell over. What was she staring at?
The figure, despite being faceless, pierced into her soul.
"The Armageddon is near."
"The Hero Association is failing."
The group of Hero Association executives sat around a table, wearing deep scowls.
"Although Goddess has returned, she has copped a lot of flack," Sekingar spoke up, putting his hands together. "People are dissatisfied with her lengthy unexplained absence."
"There is nothing we can do about that," Sitch replied. "Her absence was kept under wraps by Saikou Corp. If we want them to keep sponsoring us we need to listen to their demands."
"But we can't keep relying on Goddess forever, right?" McCoy, another executive asked. "The Monster Association issue put a big thorn in our side. The Association doesn't look very good right now. Saikou Corp might leave us. Goddess might leave us."
"But we did deal with the threat, didn't we?" another member asked.
"Yes, but look at how much loss we suffered," McCoy continued. "So many heroes and innocent people - gone. The families of those lost aren't very happy with us. Neither is the general population. It's not hard to see why they're all dissatisfied."
Chatter arose again.
"And don't forget to mention the rumours," McCoy smirked, almost deviously. "Goddess dislikes men, doesn't she? And the majority of S Class heroes are male. A new female S Class hero has joined recently, but that doesn't change the odds."
"And half of City Z was destroyed," a City Z branch worker agreed. "Most heroes living there have all been relocated to the apartments in City A."
"Including that Caped Baldy character," Sekingar said, frowning. "He's still controversial, isn't he?"
"At least the new S Class hero is quite popular," Sitch spoke up. "Yan-chan. She's famous for a few things. She helped quite a bit in the Monster Association attack."
"But surely Goddess can bring things together, right?" another worker asked. "She's Goddess! She can pick up where we left off."
McCoy smirked to himself, tapping his fingers together.
Perhaps it's time the Hero Association was put to a stop, he thought. We'll be needing… something better.
A boy eyed the meeting from his hiding spot, brushing his blue hair out of his eyes.
Alright, Goddess, he thought. This is my chance to overtake you.
"GODDESS! GODDESS!"
"YAN-CHAN! YAN-CHAN!"
The students of Akademi were divided. Now that two S Class heroes were tied to their name, they couldn't decide which one they liked more. The students were split into groups on the school courtyard, shouting at each other, thrusting posters into the air, and screaming insults.
"Goddess was one of the first S Class heroes!" some screamed. "She's been there since day one, and never let us down!"
"Where was she during the Monster Association attack?" others screamed. "Or when the meteor was going to kill us all? Or when students were dying?!"
"Not like Yan-chan could save every student!" the Goddess supporters screamed.
"But at least she was there!" the Yan-chan supporters argued.
The arguing grew louder and louder. "GODDESS!" "YAN-CHAN!"
("I personally think Metal Bat is the best…" one student muttered. "Am I the only one…? Okay…")
"This is getting ridiculous!" Aoi roared, glaring at the students. "What's with these idiots?! Don't they know who their Student Council President is?"
"Allow me to take care of this," Kuroko said. She took a step forward, breathing in. "Stu-"
"Students of Akademi!" Megami boomed, silencing the students immediately. She took a few steps forward, many mixed eyes gazing upon her. "Do you think that fighting over trivial matters is going to fix anything?"
No one responded.
"At this dire time, we can't be in conflict," Megami told them, waving a gloved hand. "We must be in allegiance! And we will stand strong, together."
A student looked like he was about to protest, but shrunk down once he saw Megami's bodyguards wielding large machine-guns.
Ayano emerged from somewhere, shyly waving at the students. The Yan-chan supporters began cheering.
"Yes," Megami raised her hands, more people cheering. "United we stand!"
And divided we fall, Ayano thought, staring up at Megami.
Saitama had mixed feelings about his new apartment.
After his old one had been destroyed in all the Monster Association drama, he had been forced to relocate. Thankfully, the Hero Association had bumped him up to A Class, so he was allowed to live in one of their apartments.
"This is it," he told Ayano, as they stood in front of the large, fairly tall apartment building. She had been exploring the ruins of the Monster Association with him to find some of his old stuff. They had found his microwave, King's gaming console… and that was it. So they had to make do with what they had. At least the new apartment was bigger.
And then something annoying got in the way.
Saitama sighed, staring at all of the robots in front of his new place. Apparently, they were defense robots or something or the like, owned by some hero called… Metal Knife, was it? They seemed to be haywire, since they were going after Ayano, guns blazing.
"ANALYSIS CONFIRMED…" the robots beeped. "NOW INTERCEPTING MONSTERS… ACTIVATING DEFENSE SYSTEM LEVEL 1…"
The robots charged towards Ayano.
"What's with these things?" Saitama asked, punching the robots into oblivion. "I think they're glitched or something."
"READJUSTING SETTINGS…" the robots beeped, reforming themselves. "SYSTEM LEVEL 4."
The robots now had machine guns, all aimed at Ayano. Their clawed hands reached out, slamming into the ground. Ayano moved out of the way, a flash of red following her.
"When appliances go haywire, the best solution is to usually…" Saitama held up his fist, "... give them a good smack!"
He slammed his fist into the robots, destroying them all. Before long, the ground was littered with parts.
"Is HQ going to be okay like this?" Saitama asked. "Talk about being careless…"
Ayano followed Saitama as they approached the apartment building. A group of men wearing suits got in their way.
"Metal Knight's defense robots!" they shouted. "What happened to them?!"
"I don't know," Saitama shrugged. "I was just walking to the entrance, and-"
"Each of them costs more than nine billion!" the men shouted. "Sir, ma'am! Do you know what happened to them?"
Saitama shrugged. "I don't know. I was just there, and they exploded."
"What?!" the men demanded. "You were there! You have to tell us in more detail!"
"He is correct," a deep voice boomed. "The robots suddenly exploded for some reason."
The voice belonged to none other than King, his expression foreboding. The men gasped.
"Mr King, sir!" they shouted. "If we knew you were coming, we would've prepared suitable arrangements! What business do you have here today?"
"Wait a second, the girl!" another man shouted. "She's the newest S Class hero, Yan-chan!"
The men turned their attention to Ayano. Saitama ignored them, walking over to King.
"The game I borrowed…" he held out the console, "it's broken…"
"It's okay," King said, taking the console. "I came 'cause I thought we could play that new fighting game as a house-warming party."
"No way," Saitama retorted. "You always go all-out, even on newbies."
"What the Hell?!" the men uttered to themselves. "He's having a man-to-man conversation with King!"
Some A Class heroes that had been spying on Saitama gasped.
"That new guy…" they muttered. "He's on good terms with two S Class heroes…? Who the Hell is he?!"
"Kencho."
"Fubuki."
The two leaders of the Blizzard Group glanced at each other.
"Are you staying, or are you going?" Fubuki asked, staring down the young man.
"I will stay for the meantime," Kencho informed her. "Until you get over Saitama, that is."
"We still need him," Fubuki told him.
"You think we do, but we don't," Kencho huffed.
"Would you rather have your sister recruit him instead?" Fubuki asked, narrowing her eyes.
Kencho laughed. "Please. My sister would never recruit a man."
Sweet Mask glanced at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes had gone red long ago, and his skin was covered in veins.
He was a monster just barely holding onto his humanity. But he was fine with that. He knew he was not the worst monster to roam the planet.
No, that girl Ayano Aishi was much worse. And he would be the one to kill her.
Another season, another cover…
Welp that's the first chapter of season 4! Megami is finally in the story (well, at least without anyone holding her back now), and trust me, she's going to play a pretty important role here, so I hope you're excited for her interactions. Plus, there'll be a few new characters as well. This is the season that brings things all together. Hope you are excited. :D Next chapter is a little filler-ish, but it does have the psychic sisters (and Kencho…..). See you then!