Caspian had underestimated both the weight and constraint brought by his foreknowledge. All he wanted was to spend time with his current and future lovers. Yet here he knelt behind a rusted sign, Genos looming protectively, waiting out the eleven minutes while their faces possessed his thoughts.
He still hadn't found time to see Mosquito Girl, unsure if she truly accepted him being with others after their summer festival encounter. Then there was Tatsumaki. Their bond had solidified, but her relentless Hero Association workload left little room for meet ups. He wished she would take a break soon.
As for Suiko, their last fiery kiss and locked gaze when he left the dojo days ago convinced him they were a pair.
Suiko made him think of Yuta. Too much time had passed since he had seen her. He couldn't tell where they stood. Had his teasing gone too far last time? She vowed to settle things with him later. But never did. If she wouldn't come to him, he would have to go to her.
Like how he needed to go search those two facilities in order to find Wavygyaza. She remained a mystery to him. He barely remembered her. A villain? The idea almost made him laugh, thinking of Mosquito Girl's introduction. No matter. Villain or hero, he would protect and love her anyway.
Then his thoughts turned to a woman he still hadn't met. Though he wouldn't have to wait much longer. She would come waltzing right up to his doorstep any day.
The six gave him pause. This world had shed its fictional skin. And ranking them now as favorites like some twisted character popularity poll left a bitter aftertaste. It also closed the gates to another commensurate connection.
Might as well indulge his avarice a little further.
Believing there is room in his heart for one more, equally loved by him, required no stretch. For the number seven heralds perfection and completion. So why not let it sanctify this last place in his heart?
The image of a woman with long, wavy hair blossomed in his mind.
Getting too full of myself, aren't I? My dream is far from the finish line and yet I wish to increase the distance. I'm sure this won't backfire…
"Eleven minutes, King. Your bowels just cost ten people their lives!"
"Master! Look out!"
Caspian returned to reality right as G4's sword hurtled toward him. However, the blade never reached its mark, shattering in half as Genos delivered a powerful punch.
Genos then pulled back his fist, blue bolts of energy sparking across his silver arm. He drove his body forward, his arm shooting out, detached from his shoulder but connected by a cable, propelled by four rocket boosters. His fist smashed into the machine's face, culminating in a powerful explosion. G4, unable to react in time, went flying backward as Genos' arm retracted, reattaching to him.
"There's one more thing I should tell you."
Before Genos could respond, G4 soared into the air using its back thrusters. The machine god didn't hesitate, its massive foot plummeting down toward Genos.
Dust and concrete erupted into the air from G4's attack.
"What did you wish to tell me?" Genos asked, straining to hold up G4's foot as it pressed down, attempting to crush him.
"My intuition says you should ask the Doctor about them."
"You mean—"
Caspian held up a hand. "Don't mention any specific names. I'll see you later."
"Understood."
The last thing Caspian saw before leaving was Genos bursting through G4's foot, unleashing a storm of blows against its chest.
"Emergency evacuation warning. A robotic weapon is rampaging near Central Park in M-City. All nearby residents are advised to evacuate as soon as possible! The disaster level is Tiger! There is a possibility it could reach Demon!"
King should've just about made it to his apartment by now.
Caspian continued down the street, passing multiple people who hadn't fled the area — waiting for natural selection to show them the door out.
It wasn't hard to find King's apartment complex. The building stood out like a sore thumb. A towering, dark grid of windows that overshadowed any nearby building.
Caspian craned his head up as he bent his knees repeatedly. This should be enough force for that height. His body flew straight up, blazing past the many floors until he reached the one he was targeting. He landed on the balcony without a sound, the faintest brush of air the only sign of his arrival. In front of him, a glass door stood ajar, black curtains swaying gently in the breeze.
He continued into the room where he saw King sitting, game controller in hand, facing the television, which displayed the colorful start screen of a unique game.
"They put so much work into the openings of the 'Heartthrob Sisters' series. I can barely contain my excitement."
On the television screen appeared a girl with bright-blue-colored twin tails of average proportion. "Input your name, Big Brother!"
"My name, huh? It'd too embarrassing to use my actual name. I wonder what I should choose."
Caspian leaned forward. "Just use King. It's easier to get immersed in these types of games if you pick a name you associate with."
"That's true. I'm still not sure about using my hero name. I mean, having someone call me 'Big Brother King' is just…"
King's head snapped back toward him. "Huh? Caspian?!"
"Thanks for leaving the window open."
"We're on the 22nd floor." King stood stumbling backward. "C-Come on, man. We're not that close. You can't just come in here uninvited!"
Caspian glanced back at the television. "I have a feeling your opinion may change soon. An interesting choice of game."
"Input your name, Big Brother!"
King's expression morphed into one of horror.
He must be dying inside right now. Caspian held up the 'Battle Robot Galgangal' game case he had grabbed off the table toward King.
"Hey, we can play this, or I can watch you play. It doesn't matter either way. And don't worry about the dating sim. I've played many. They definitely helped me through some rough patches when I was younger."
King's mouth opened and closed several times, whatever he had planned to say or do stifled by Caspian's words.