Haruka was staring at the cardboard box beside her, her eyes shining with a crazy idea. She raised one corner of her mouth in a small smile and whispered to herself:
"I've thought of something… it might seem silly, but… oh well."
She dashed toward the box, pulled the red curtain off the window, and grabbed a pair of scissors from the guild tools. She sat on the floor and began working quickly, wrapping the curtain around her back like a cape, cutting and shaping the cardboard with light and fast movements.
On the other side of the hall, Eimi tried to stay calm in front of the knight, whose face had twisted with anger.
She said in a shaky voice, stepping back slightly:
— Please, sir… could you leave quietly? There's no need to cause trouble.
He stepped closer, speaking mockingly:
— Don't you understand? You're supposed to be grateful to me… a girl like you won't find better than a royal knight!
Eimi screamed in fear and pain:
— Please… leave me alone!
He grabbed her roughly:
— If you don't want to come with me, we can do it now.
He clutched at her clothes, trying to tear them.
This time, she didn't hesitate. In a sudden flash, she gathered water in her hands and launched a water ball at his face. He stumbled back, screaming, but his anger only deepened, and his features became uglier.
— You will regret this!
Then he grabbed her hair forcefully and yanked her toward him.
Eimi cried out in pain, tears gathering in her eyes:
— You're hurting me… leave me alone!
The man arrogantly said:
— How dare someone like you insult me? I'll beat you well, then kill you, and make you an example for—
Suddenly, without any warning…
BOOOOM!!
A massive strike hit the man's face, sending him flying out of the guild, smashing the door as he went, and landing unconscious outside.
All eyes turned to the source of the strike…
It was someone dressed in red, wearing a cardboard superhero mask, only their eyes visible through two small holes.
The figure stood confidently, striking a strangely heroic pose, and shouted in a deep voice:
— I am… Justice Man! I have come to fight injustice and make this world a better place!
People gasped; some stifled laughter, others didn't understand what was happening. Even the second knight, who hadn't expected this, froze in shock, then suddenly raised his hand and summoned a fire vortex toward this "madman" pretending to be a hero!
But before the flames could reach him, he moved lightly. Spinning in a swift, sudden motion, he leapt forward and delivered a powerful punch to the second knight's face, sending him crashing outside next to his companion.
Both knights fell together…
Eimi stared in astonishment, her hand still on her hair, shock written all over her face.
"Haruka…?!" she whispered, eyes wide.
She stared at him in disbelief:
— H-Haruka?! What… what are you doing?!
Meanwhile, Haruka screamed inside her head:
"What the hell am I doing?! This is way more embarrassing than I thought… but still, it's fun! I feel all my anger melting away with every punch I throw!"
Then she smiled.
She remembered her childhood, watching superhero cartoons and always imagining herself as the hero who saves others. And today… she had the chance, even if it was in a funny way.
She jumped in front of Eimi, extending her hand to protect her, and said in a fake deep masculine voice:
— Don't worry, my dear lady! I will not let this villain harm you any longer!
Then she turned toward her, speaking in a dramatic, exaggerated tone, with a funny masculine voice:
— Don't worry, my lady… Justice Man is here!
— I will not allow injustice to prevail, and I will take down anyone who threatens the innocent!
She then prepared for the upcoming battle…
— And now… it's judgment time.
To be continued…