Agent Kyoko

Kyoko picked up the paper cup of hot coffee and took little sips. Her adorable appearance left the Young Police Officer beside her staring. Her earlier bright smile, with its hint of maturity and touch of allure, had pierced straight through his heart. His pulse raced and his breathing quickened, and he had already decided which kindergarten their children should attend.

"Sorry for the trouble, but could you pull up my training results from the system?"

Kyoko's soft, gentle voice snapped the Young Police Officer out of his daydream. He scratched his head sheepishly, blushed, and nodded frantically. "J-j-just... just a moment! I'll get them right away!"

With that, he fled toward the Control Room next door, looking for all the world like an inexperienced boy suddenly confronted with his first love.

An almost imperceptible gleam flickered in Kyoko's eyes. Certain specialized knowledge that came with her psychic powers really was useful. The results of this little trial left her very satisfied.

As she thought, her gaze drifted toward Josen beside her. "Chief~ Uh..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Quite the femme fatale." Josen planted a hand on Kyoko's head, single-handedly suppressing his subordinate before she could get up to any mischief. "You're not thinking of using the psychic powers I gave you against me, are you, Kyoko?"

"I only just got psychic powers! Can't I be a little excited?" Kyoko struggled free of Josen's large hand and pouted. "But this doesn't make sense. They're called psychic powers, but they're really scientific principles developed through in-depth analysis and study of men. Combined with my natural beauty, they shouldn't have absolutely no effect on you, Chief!"

"Chief, don't tell me you aren't into women? Ow..."

Josen landed a solid chop on her forehead. Kyoko clutched the reddened spot with tears in her eyes, a picture of tearful beauty that would have tugged at anyone's heartstrings.

Fortunately, no one else was around just then. Had even one or two males been nearby, they probably would have turned into her protectors on the spot and charged at Josen with bloodshot eyes.

"Don't try that routine on me. Slander your superior like that again, and I'll sue you for defamation before you know it." Josen dusted off his hands, as though recalling how that blow had felt. "The results aren't bad. At least you can take a hit much better now."

"What do you mean?" Kyoko immediately went on alert. She carefully covered her chest and demanded warily, "Chief, did you enhance me because you wanted a convenient punching bag? I'll never submit!"

"...Put those dark thoughts away. Besides, you're nowhere near ready to be a punching bag." Josen shook his head in exasperation. "All right, I've got things to do, so I'm leaving. As for you, don't forget to clean up the mess you made."

Kyoko frowned in displeasure. "What do you mean, the mess I made..."

"Senior Kyoko!"

A shout brimming with testosterone rang out from beyond the door, and Kyoko felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

"I brought you the data you wanted!" Sweat beaded on the forehead of the Young Police Officer in charge of the Training Ground, and his voice trembled slightly. "M-may I ask... are you free tonight?"

"Uh..."

Kyoko's scalp prickled. At last, she understood what Josen had meant by her mess.

She instinctively looked back, but Josen was nowhere to be seen. Her vision went dark.

The helpless young policewoman pressed a hand to her forehead and laughed awkwardly. She had no choice but to face reality.

A moment later, a fiery onslaught of advances swept over her. The novice Black Widow seemed to handle it effortlessly, but inside, she was trembling.

I'll never test my psychic powers on a coworker again! (Sobbing)

Having confirmed that Kyoko had adapted well to the character card's abilities, Josen left the police station in satisfaction.

Strictly speaking, Black Widow Natasha wasn't a superhero suited to head-on combat. But as a support, her utility and versatility were unquestionable. Giving her abilities to Kyoko, his deputy, couldn't have been more appropriate.

An electronic screen on the ground floor of a commercial building was broadcasting the midday news.

"...According to reports, three Wolf-level Monster incidents occurred in J City this morning. All three were successfully repelled by the recently active C-Class Hero Mumen Rider. Although Mumen Rider suffered serious injuries in the process, his popularity and latest hero approval rating have risen rapidly. At this rate, he has a strong chance of competing for the number-one position in C-Class."

"...We now interrupt this broadcast with breaking news. Moments ago, the Tiger-level Monster Indebted Thug, who attacked A City's shopping district, was defeated by the combined efforts of A-Class Hero Smile Man, B-Class Heroes Cry Man and Skyrocket Good Kid, and C-Class Heroes Angry Man and Mysterious Mask. Citizens at the scene are now eagerly taking commemorative photos with the heroes..."

Yes, that was right. The chief of the Special Affairs Section had clocked out early yet again and was hunting for food on one of Z City's few food streets.

Looking at the hero news plastered everywhere around him, Josen grew thoughtful.

If he ever had character cards to spare, helping heroes with modest strength but noble souls become stronger would be a good option.

For one thing, heroes whose potential had originally been limited would be able to contribute more. For another, just imagining something like S-Class Hero Mumen Rider was exciting.

Those who gather firewood for others must not be left to freeze to death in the wilderness.

Likewise, in this world, justice alone must never be betrayed.

"Hot dogs on sale! Cheap and delicious! Only available to the first hundred customers! Come get yours!"

"Hot dogs on sale..."

The voice nearby brought Josen to a halt. He had been about to step into a rather nicely decorated Western restaurant for lunch, but when he looked toward the sound, he saw a young man wearing a white chef's uniform and hat, pushing a food cart and loudly hawking his wares.

"Hot dogs on sale? I'm hungry anyway. Give me one."

"I'll have one too."

"Can I buy two? Great, then I'll take two."

Perhaps because it was lunchtime, the calls drew in the people nearby, and business was quite good.

Josen waited until the customers surrounding the cart had dispersed before stepping forward. "I'll have a hot dog too, Saitama. Why have you changed jobs again?"

"Oh, it's you, Josen." Saitama deftly accepted the money Josen handed him and took a box containing a hot dog covered in cheese and sauce from beneath the cart. "The boss at my last part-time job closed up shop, remember? I took some usable supplies from the rubble in place of my wages, but you still need money for things in life, so I had to find another part-time job."

"Well, keep at it." Josen took a bite of the hot dog. The springy sausage and nicely balanced sauce tasted surprisingly good together. "This is unexpectedly tasty. Give me another one."

Saitama smiled as he took out another hot dog. "Sure. Thanks for your business."