"Xiao Xi, Garou, you're finally here~~"
In a corner of the playground, a group of little boys in short-sleeved shirts had gathered. When they saw Garou and Xiao Xi running over, one handsome boy folded his arms across his chest and gave them a sunny smile.
"We've been waiting ages for you!"
"Yeah, you're the only ones we were waiting for!"
"Everyone's here. Let's get started!"
"..."
Garou looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering for a long time on the face of the little boy leading them.
He didn't really recognize him, but instinctively felt some resistance to talking to him.
But a voice in Garou's mind told him that this was Tacchan, his best friend.
"...Tacchan?"
-Oh, I remember now. His face still looks unfamiliar, but the name Tacchan... He's the popular kid in class. Everyone loves playing with him, unlike me. I'm gloomy and don't have many friends... Huh? Wait...
"Yep!"
Before Garou could finish that train of thought, Tacchan nodded firmly.
He stepped forward and enthusiastically grabbed Garou's hand, pulling him into the center of the group. "Today, you get to play the Hero, 'Justice Superman'! Does anyone object?"
"Of course not!"
"Garou's the best person to play the Hero!"
"Let's get started!"
"..."
Everyone responded just as enthusiastically, as though they had always given Garou the most important role, the Hero.
"I'm... playing the Hero?"
Before Garou could process it, Tacchan had already assigned everyone their roles.
"I'll play the police chief! Xiao Xi, you play 'Justice Superman's' girlfriend. Suneo, Nobita, you play the unlucky passersby being chased by the Monster. And you, Gian, go play the Monster! Everyone else can be extras playing passersby!"
"Okay, okay!"
"The Hero's girlfriend? How embarrassing~~"
"I'm the best at playing the Monster!"
"..."
By the time Garou came