Another one!

By Marika's golden thighs, how the hell am I going to get out of this?

Yuha once again praised the Good Doctor for giving him such minute control over his body, for otherwise, instead of the stoic badass he was trying to pass himself as, he'd be a whimpering, sweating mess.

"So, my dear consort—"

Oi! Only Marika gets to call me that!

"Who shall serve as your ambassador~"

Why are you asking me?! I've just been sprouting bullshit up till now. How should I know—

"I'll do it!"

The crowd gasped and Yuha, blinking, turned to look as well.

"You—"

"Hello, sir," Steven said with a wry grin. "Fancy meeting you again so soon, eh?" and despite the man's easygoing smile, Yuha could see the man's pupils dilated with fear.

"Mmh? And who might you be, little bee?" Shivara asked behind Yuha, voice sultry as she stepped close to him and placed her arms upon his shoulders, laying her head atop of Yuha's.

M-m-mommy! The feeling of the woman's body flush against his with her breasts enveloping the sides of his head? It was more pleasant than it had any right to be.

Fubuki growled and—

Yeap. She could pass for an angrier version of her sister right now! Please aim your mind bullets to the Queen Fubuki-sensei! I'm innocent. Innocent, I tell you!

Steven chuckled and, passing his briefcase to a wide-eyed coworker next to him, reached with a hand and undid his black tie and shrugged off the top of his black suit, leaving him in a white button-up shirt and the suit's bottom half.

"You are more right with that moniker than you realize, Queen Shivara," the bold office clerk said. "For I'm no great hero like sir Yuha there, merely the head of the department of public relationships." The man nodded as Yuha's eyes widened. "An important position, mind you, but one of little importance when compared to warriors such as you, my lady, or the heroes of Yuha's caliber."

"Mmh~"

Clearly he wasn't the only one who could spin a web of bullshit or whom had realized what the Queen's buttons were.

"And so, if you'll have me, I offer myself as the surface's 'ambassador'."

"Mmh," the Queen mused on Steven's offer, still not removing her head from Yuha's hair. "Husband to be, do you know this man?"

I didn't even know he existed before today!

"Yes," he said instead, with a serious tone and a tiny nod. "And although our time together has been shorter that I would have liked, he is a good man," he offered and Steven seemed to puff up at the praise.

"Is that so? Mmh…Oh well, I guess you will do then," she said and with a sigh, unwrapped herself from around Yuha. "But…"

Both Yuha and Steven tensed.

"But?" the hero asked and the Queen, still behind him, raised an arm, the finger visible from the corner of his eye as she pointed at the clerk.

"Why did you remove your outer garments, little bee?"

Steven crossed his arms and stared defiantly at the Queen.

"Cause, the way I see it, my lady, there are only two possible outcomes to this. You either intend to torture me."

The group of Subterraneans behind the woman growled and a note of wonder entered Shivara's voice.

"You would doubt my word?"

Steven shrugged.

"In all honesty? Not really, my lady, for if sir Yuha trusts you, then you are more than likely good people in truth."

Ahh, great, my bullshit coming back to bite me straight away. Great!

"But it pays to be pragmatic about those things."

"I see…" the Queen mumbled. "And the other reason?"

Here the clerk smiled.

"Well, in the case you're honest with your words, I will still spend a week underground and in an unfamiliar place and my suit is expensive and the tie a gift from my wife, and so…"

The Queen chuckled.

"Silly little bee. Very well. You will do. Step forth and we will be off." And with that, Shivara darted forth and planted a quick chaste kiss on the sides of Yuha's cheek before spinning around and sashaying towards the hole.

"I'll kill her!"

"No! Mistress, wait! Please! Don't create a diplomatic incident!"

"Arghh!"

He pointedly did not look towards the frothing esper, glancing instead at the approaching clerk.

"So, a 'lowly office worker', huh?"

Steven had the good grace to smile sheepishly and rub the back of his neck.

"W-well, sir—"

At his glare, he coughed.

"Yuha. Compared to a hero such as you, what are we normal humans but lowly peons?"

He shook his head.

"I might have power, Steven, but power alone, a civilization does not make. Or more importantly, keep it functioning. No. You are more important than you realize," he said and offered his hand for the brave man to grasp.

Steven clasped it.

"You're a good, brave man, Steven."

The clerk snorted.

"Hmf, you flatter me, Yuha. But I have no fear."

Wait.

"Why?"

Don't tell him.

Steven's eyes shone with mirth as his voice rose.

"For Heaven Piercing Perfect Zero is here! I have no doubt you will win and make the surface world proud!"

"Oho?" the Queen said from somewhere behind the wide eyed Yuha. "So, that's your hero name, husband? A bit of a mouthful and with strong connotations, but we'll see if you can prove worthy of it. Come, little bee."

Steven nodded and let go of Yuha's arm.

"Wait! What—"

"Just a gift from one good man to another," Steven said, voice low as he passed him and the surrounding crowd started muttering, discussing Yuha's…or rather 'Perfect Zero's' revealed name. "Do us proud, Zero. Farewell for now."

And with that, just as quickly as they'd appeared, the rest of the Subterraneans retreated underground with Steven in tow, leaving behind only the two princesses.

Yuha turned towards the pair. "Err, Kisha and Nisha, was it?"

"Yes."

"Mmh~ That's right cutie."

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

"S-so, what will you be doing until my…fight with your mother?"

Kisha shrugged and crossed her arms.

"Exploring. Keeping tabs on you."

Huh. She's a blunt one, isn't she? Not even trying to keep up pretenses.

"Oh yes~! Exploring," the brunette purred, pinning him under a gaze that left Yuha feeling like a gazelle facing a lion. "Experiencing the culture of the overworld~"

Yeah. Nope!

"Ah…is that right?" he said instead and felt a bead of sweat travel down the sides of his head. "And…have you given any thoughts as to where you'll be staying—"

"One of us must stay with you," the white-haired beauty said. "It's on the terms."

"Or both~"

"As for whom that one will be. We leave that up to you," Kisha continued.

Nisha let out a depraved giggle.

Yeah, if the Kidakagash lookalike is speaking the truth? No way you're staying with me, Nisha. Cause, and I can't believe I'm saying this after the shit I got up too with Rei-sensei and Marika, I fear for my chastity!

But still, that left the question of whom to entrust the other one to.

No way would he let the Association in general handle her. There were so many ways that could backfire. And besides, despite the girls looking weak at first glance, he doubted they were so in truth. His Ki-sense confirmed it. While the twins were not as strong as their mom, anyone trying to get handsy would be in for a nasty surprise.

And so…

On paper, at least. King would be an excellent choice. And while the man, despite his own inadequacies and self doubts, was of stout moral character…The issue of strength, or rather lack of it, remained. And so, unfortunately, he was out.

Bang would've been an excellent choice as well. But, he was living with the man, and if he chose him, then it would be essentially as if Yuha chose to 'hog' both of the sisters, putting him back on square one.

Tatsu…

He imagined Best Girl's reaction to all this and shuddered.

Y-yeah! Best not add more to mommy's workload. Yes. For that reason and no other!

But that left Yuha with little choice and—

"Oi! Rookie! What the hell is going on here?"

A slasher grin spread across Yuha's lips for the briefest of instants, making both of the girls blink in confusion, no doubt wondering whether they had imagined it.

But just as quick as it'd come, it was gone.

"Excuse me, ladies, I must confer with my senior for a few seconds as well as pass on the preliminary peace treaty to someone higher up the chain."

Kisha nodded, and uncrossing her arms, waved a hand.

"You may do so."

Haughty Ojou-sama? Oh, if only my heart wasn't taken already.

Spinning around and smiling, Yuha made for his Senpai. "Ah! Metal-Bat, sir! Just the man I was looking for!"

The black-haired youth that rather reminded him of Josuke blinked.

"Eh?"

Tatsumaki pinched the bridge of her nose as she floated in front of the sheepish-looking man, even as Fubuki continued to pace at the edges of the clearing with a frantic Lily trailing after her.

"So."

"So."

She glared at the Idiot and her distant fuming sister both.

"I can't leave you alone for five minutes without you stumbling into another mess, can I?"

The Idiot had the audacity to grin as he looked up at her, his cheeks darkening. "Maybe I need someone strict and firm to discipline me in order to learn?"

She felt her cheeks flush at the unsubtle innuendo and huffed as she re-crossed her legs, a small fleeting smile forming as her Idiot's eyes immediately tried to catch a glimpse. But she wouldn't make it that easy for him.

"Hmf! Maybe you do," she said instead, and then her voice turned serious. "But be that as it may…Why shouldn't I fly down there and uproot the whole miserable lot and be done with them once and for all?" she growled and Yuha's eyes widened. For a moment she feared she'd scared the man and went a tad overboard but then—

"Bloodthirsty mommy is hot!" Yuha panted.

She flushed and stretched an arm, and a spectral limb formed and smacked the Idiot on the back of his skull.

"I already told you! Not out-loud and not in public!"

The man didn't even have the decency to feign being hurt, scratching instead at the sides of his head. "But we are not in public? We're in Bang's property?"

She sighed and facepalmed.

He…he is a work in progress…Yes…

A-and by that she meant teaching him how to be a hero and nothing else! Yes!

"As for your question mo—" at her glare and rising arm, he coughed. "Tatsumaki." She nodded. "Cause the Association has already agreed to the preliminary terms and performing war-crimes, no matter how hot it might be, is just not the done thing?"

"M-m-mommy!"

She slapped him on the head in reflex.

"Hey!" only for Yuha to complain. "That wasn't me!"

Tatsumaki blinked, and indeed, that hadn't been his voice. She frowned, for the voice had come from within Bang's Dojo.

But then who—

Yuha shook his head. "Godspeed, Charanko. Godspeed, you brave, brave fool. It would seem I was wrong about you."

She cocked her head and Yuha, catching it, elaborated.

"It would seem that my senpai has encountered Kisha and revealed himself as a very cultured brother in arms!"

Tatsumaki stared.

She slowly raised an arm and pinched her nose again.

"Yuha."

"Yes?"

"I will work you to the bone this whole week. I hope you know that. Me and Fubuki both."

"That's what I'm counting on, mommy!"

Another spectral slap echoed through the clearing.

"What did I just say?"

"Sorry mommy!"

She groaned.

The Idiot was incorrigible!

The brief time Nisha had spent above ground so far had been nothing like what she'd been expecting.

For part of their mission had been to test the purity of the words and intentions of the 'earthlings'.

And yes, perhaps she overdid a bit with her flirty act…but then again, it wasn't entirely, or even for the most part, an act. That's just how she was!

So, how was she to know, or be blamed for the fact that 'Perfect Zero' was in fact that much of a good man as he portrayed himself as? Said man immediately 'noping' out of having to deal with her.

…and yes, it hurt her pride a tad to have such a fine physical specimen all but blatantly turn her down and choose her bookworm of a sister!

And speaking of said sister. Nisha, hand on the ground outside of the house, winced.

"So, you're telling me you've achieved nothing of import and are your usual useless self, then?"

She puffed her cheeks.

"Hey! Stuff it you shut in! How is it my fault that I ended up meeting the two pure men above ground in a row?! After all, mom told us that most overworlders were scum!"

"Hmf. Excuses. As usual."

Nisha growled and her hand dug deeper into the dirt.

"Oh yeah? And what of you then, smartypants?!"

At her sister's answering huff, Nisha's eyes narrowed. Imagining and all but seeing her brat of a sister throwing her white-locks over her shoulder in a dismissive gesture.

"I'll have you know that I've already gathered valuable intelligence—"

"Oh yeah? Like what? The number of books and libraries they have—"

"As a matter of fact? Yes. But not just that. From my preliminary research, I've found that 'Perfect Zero's' words to be, for the most part, true. Most of the surface's protectors do, in fact, seem to be, as good as the adversary portrayed them to be…If a bit quirky."

She snorted.

"Its true!" Kisha argued. "Just because your intelligence gathering efforts suck doesn't mean mine have to do so as well." Why you little— "And, I'll have you know I've succeeded in another area you failed as well~"

For a scant few seconds, Nisha's brows furrowed. Trying to understand what her idiot of a sister meant and then her eyes widened. And even if it smarted somewhat fierce that Kisha of all people succeeded, it was still a boon for them, for it would mean that the 'hero' and his words were not to be trusted.

"So, Perfect Zero is not the paragon of moral purity he portrays himself as, eh—"

"No. You misunderstand, sister. As usual. Our future King continues to be a courteous and perfect gentleman and is focused on training for his match with mother, as any warrior should. No, instead, one of his…companions? I think? Has acknowledged my beauty and is trying to court me…I think."

Nisha facepalmed. That was what her sister was proud of? She sighed. Why did she expect anything better from her? Still, baby steps.

"Really? How so?" she asked, voice kind. Trying to be supportive and encouraging. For if nothing else, even if the rest of their mission seemed to be a failure. Which granted was a good thing and what both of them and their mom had hoped for. If it meant that the bookworm started venturing out of her cave…It would at least be something!

"Jealous, are we?"

She snorted. Of a baby's first attempts at romance? No. Not really.

"But fear not! I'll regale you with my wondrous achievement! For the human brought me flowers!"

Ah right, she'd heard of that, overworlders, when desiring to court one another brought banquets of flowers to one another…Which was foolish, cause everyone knew that the way to a girl's heart was with a banquet of gemstones!

Primitives…

"Mmh! Is that so? So, you plan to reciprocate, sister dearest?"

"Hmf! Of course not! He's too weak. Although…"

"Although?"

She could sense Kisha's hesitation.

"What does he mean when he calls me 'mommy' and asks me to 'step on him'?"

Nisha blinked.

No way am I explaining kinks to the brat!

"I…I have to go!"

"Sister?"

She terminated the connection and stood back up, making her way back inside the batting hero's home, her shoulders slumping with each step she took.

"Ah! There you are!" the excited ~treat~ of a youth said as he bounced up to her with a smile.

But sadly, his smile held little to no hints of lust within. Instead…

The man came to a stop in front of her, staring up at meeting her eyes as he raised his arms. Arms which held—

"I was right! There were more pictures up in the attic, but Zenko had hidden them for whatever reason. Look!" the hero all but demanded as he brought the pictures even closer to her face, forcing her to take a whimpering step backwards. "My sister. Isn't she just the cutest~!"

Deep underground, within the center of her realm, Psykos, took gasping, panting breaths as she lay bent over on her throne. Sweat dripping down her brow while beside her throne, a discarded syringe lay.

The visions, even with the help of her boosting serum, remained the same.

But doubt continued to gnaw at her gut.

No matter. In less than a week, she would have her answer as to the…being's nature.

And all it took was a few whispered words to Shavira…

Oh no doubt, no matter the outcome, the Subterraneans would be useless to Psyko's plans afterwards, but no matter.

All the visions show him losing and being removed from the board so…So, why do I harbor doubt still? He can't grow that much stronger in a week, can he?

If the worst came to pass…

Well.

She would have to intervene herself, wouldn't she?

Preparations would have to be made…

She'd been blind.

She'd been blind before her 'death' but now, she at last had eyes with which to see.

And what she saw sickened her. Made her stomach churn and threaten to empty itself.

"No more…"

One of the cackling tag alongs paused, hands on a struggling human child.

"Eh? You say something, failure?"

Her hands clenched. And the memory of the fire dimmed. Instead, being replaced by the words of 'Perfect Zero' whom had once again made the news, what with the man having apparently all but single-handedly forged peace between the humans and the Subterraneans.

"Everyone can be a hero! No matter their past!" That's what he'd said, or something close to it, hadn't he?

She closed her eyes and took a breath, her heart quaking and her limbs trembling. And yet…with her decision, a weight felt as if it'd been lifted from her shoulders and a smile spread across her lips.

"I said no more!" she shouted.

"E-Eh?"

And before the peon could do more than blink, she moved. Snatching the child from the monster's grasp and coming to a stop a few paces away.

"Y-you bitch! Do you have a-any idea—e-eh?"

Behind her, the monster exploded into pieces of gore.

Gore, which she let splash against her back as she smiled at the child blinking up at her.

"Are you ok, little one?"

"E-eh?" the child's eyes widened and for an instant she feared he would cry, but, that was to be expected, she was, in truth, a monster, and she suspected that Perfect Zero would chide her. 'For a hero should expect no thanks for doing what is right!' No doubt, something along those lines would be the man's words.

"Un!" the child nodded at last and flushed her a brilliant smile, which made her heart dance with joy and then the little one hugged her. Hugged. Her!

"T-there there…" she said, squirming as she patted the child's head. "N-now, run along little one, it's not safe around here."

"Un! Thank you, nee-san!" the child said and dashed off.

Mosquito girl stood on her feet with a smile.

That felt…That felt good.

An angry lion's roar echoed from somewhere behind her, and her face set in a determined scowl.

I've made my choice. And now…to fight for it!

Yuha lay on the ground, panting, and yet with a radiant smile on his face.

For Tatsu's and Fubuki's harsh training made his blood sing with joy!

And he didn't know if he'd be ready for his match with the towering Queen, but he'd give her the fight of her life at least.

He blinked, for something was buzzing.

Reaching just so, he retrieved his smartphone and glanced at the new message.

King wanted to meet tomorrow.