Chapter 53: The High-Spec PonAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
After two months and two weeks of non-stop work and countless sleep-deprived nights, Ichika had finally completed Roboco's body.
"Hahaha... Finally!"
He laughed triumphantly, dark bags under his eyes, now in his adult form. Wearing oily gloves and a white coat that made him look more like a pharmacist than an engineer, Ichika looked completely satisfied as he admired the humanoid robot body before him.
She was beautiful—just as her AI daughter had requested. Fair skin, amber eyes, long brown hair… Her appearance was incredibly human-like. However, her black mechanical arms and white legs revealed her robotic nature.
Ichika had also given her a voluptuous figure, sculpting her female form with impressive detail. Her well-toned synthetic skin looked so realistic that anyone who saw her might mistake her for a human.
Her body sat on a chair, legs crossed, arms resting on the armrests. Multiple cords were plugged into her back and wrists—part of Ichika's diagnostics and final tests.
"Roboco, try to speak."
The robot's lips moved slightly as she attempted to produce sound.
Aaah~ Eeehh~ Iiihh~
Her voice echoed slightly, still robotic in tone.
"That's enough."
Ichika circled something in his notebook.
"Okay, open your eyes and look at me. Tell me if everything is clear."
The robot slowly opened her eyes, revealing brilliant amber irises. She scanned the room, then looked at Ichika.
I can see. Father's hair is really pink.
"Roboco, I told you—it's a curse."
Ichika checked another item on his clipboard.
"Now, move your arms. If you can, try to stand up and move your legs."
Roboco wiggled her fingers, then raised her arms. Slowly, she stood up, carefully balancing on her legs.
Ichika jotted down more notes—but suddenly:
Kyaaaah~
Roboco lost her balance and fell forward. Ichika quickly caught her.
Huh...?
She paused, a strange signal pulsing through her circuits. Feeling the warmth of his body, she instinctively wrapped her arms around him.
Father...
Ichika, overcome with a wave of parental affection, gently hugged her back and patted her head.
"What a strange robot daughter..."
One week later...
Outside the new Hero Public Safety Commission building, Gentle knelt with tears in his eyes, holding a National Hero License card in his hands. La Brava stood beside him, also crying.
"You did it, Gentle! I'm so happy for you!"
"This is all thanks to you, La Brava."
"Of course! I'd do anything to help you pass!"
Gentle turned to Ichika, eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Falcon. Thank you so much for giving me this chance."
Ichika gave him a thumbs-up and grinned.
"No problem! You're not Gentle Criminal anymore. From now on, you're the Gentleman Hero—Mr. Gentle. You earned it with your hard work."
Ichika recalled how he manipulated the Hero Public Safety Commission into letting Gentle take the exam.
"Thank you," Gentle said, bowing.
"Just don't make the same mistakes again—and try to work with others. I'm looking forward to seeing how you change."
"I promise. I won't let you down, Lord Vader!"
...
A beat of awkward silence.
Pffffft!
"Hahahahaha!"
The two burst out laughing, while La Brava stood to the side, squinting at them.
"Boys... really…"
Ichika turned to her, suddenly remembering something.
"Oh, that's right! I have someone to introduce you to."
He stepped aside and revealed someone who had been hiding behind him.
Ta-da!
Roboco stepped forward, wearing a pink biker jacket with red stripes. Her lower body featured inverted chaps—covering only what needed to be covered.
"Roboco?" La Brava blinked, stunned. She hadn't even noticed her behind Ichika.
Manami-chan!
Roboco's eyes teared up as she recognized her.
La Brava ran forward, hugging her tightly.
"Finally! We can meet in real life! You're not just my friend—you're my best friend!"
Manami-chan… that's kind of sad…
Roboco's expression dimmed, realizing she was La Brava's only friend—due to her shut-in NEET lifestyle.
Then Manami-chan, would you go shopping with me? I need to buy clothes… but I don't understand fashion since I'm a robot.
"Shopping? Of course!"
La Brava beamed with excitement.
Okay then, let's go!
"Yay!"
The two girls raised their fists in celebration and headed off to the shopping district, arms linked.
Gentle turned to Ichika with curiosity.
"What about you, Falcon? Aren't you going to apply for a Pro Hero license? You could easily manipulate your identity."
"Well, same as always," Ichika said with a shrug. "Spread my influence, grow my businesses. Most of the money I earn goes directly to charity. If we want to stop villains, we need to address the root causes of why people turn into villains in the first place."
He looked up at the sky.
"I want to start with children—give them brighter futures. I also want to improve the 'Quirk Counseling' system. There's a lot I still need to build to improve civilian life."
Gentle was awestruck. Ichika's approach was far more proactive than just beating up villains. He was solving the cause of crime, not just the symptoms. It inspired him deeply.
Ichika sighed, still gazing up.
"I want to be sandwiched between Rumi's thighs."
Gentle blinked.
"Huh?"
"Nothing!" Ichika coughed. "As for the Pro Hero License... I'm still thinking about it."
"You'd easily rank near the top. You're strong enough."
"I used to hate Pro Heroes. I always considered myself more of an Anti-Hero. Becoming one now, after everything I've done—including acting like a villain in front of them—wouldn't that make me a hypocrite?"
"I mean... same could be said about me."
"No, you're more like a prankster than a villain. If pranksters were considered villains, then every mischievous kid pulling pranks would be one."
"Now that I think about it… Falcon, you're a child, right?"
"Yep. Ten years old."
"They weren't even supposed to arrest you."
"Well, I can turn into an adult. Maybe that's why they were confused about whether they should."
"Hahaha! Yeah, good point."
The two walked together, chatting casually as they followed after Roboco and La Brava.
(To be continued.)A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.