Hero For Lust

Early morning of the next day.

Caspian stood in a cramped living room inside one of the apartment complexes lining one of the many abandoned streets, with an unconscious young man draped over his shoulder. The man's dark blue Kung Fu suit, edged with white trim, hung loosely on his limp frame, shifting slightly as Caspian surveyed the space. A moment later, he walked over to a couch wedged into the corner of the small living room and unceremoniously tossed the man onto it.

"Let's hope you're more grateful than that blonde samurai." Caspian eyed the man a final time before he made his way to the door. "I should head back home. Today is..."

¤ ¤ ¤

Separating Z-City from Z-City Ghost Town was a chain-link fence that stretched high, topped with coils of barbed wire that glinted under the morning light. Rust clung to its metal frame, a sign of neglect, but the warning signs remained clear. 'KEEP OUT!'

Unfortunately, this would prove troublesome, as the entrance gates of the fence had been removed, seemingly torn away by brute force. It was clear whoever, or whatever, did this had grown tired of opening and closing them.

"You're here. Let's move into the target's base."

Before the gate stood a woman with her arms crossed, her presence commanding attention. With her unblemished countenance, mint-green eyes, and chin-length dark green hair styled into a sleek bob with a fringe, she was no doubt a woman who turned heads wherever she went. Not to mention the dark royal-green, form-fitting V-neck dress that hugged her buxom frame.

Two suited men approached her. On the left was a tall bulky man with a big chin, while on the right was a man of average height and building with exceptionally long lower eyelashes.

"If he shows even a little resistance… You know what to do." The woman's cold voice echoed.

The two men responded in an instant.

"Yes, ma'am!"

"We'll teach him not to act cocky ever again!"

The woman turned and began striding into the abandoned neighborhood, her eyes lingering for a moment on the damaged portion of the fence where the gate would have been connected to. "Let's go."

"Yes, miss Blizzard!" Both men shouted.

¤ ¤ ¤

"Master, you have been promoted to B-Class Rank 5," said Genos, standing at the kitchen sink as he washed the dishes.

Caspian, seated cross-legged and staring out the window, turned his head back. "What? Are you sure? I haven't been doing anything."

"How could that be? If that's the case, perhaps someone within the Association took notice of your great deeds and is pushing your rank forward."

"Hmm, there's at least one person I can think of who would have the sway to do that," Caspian said before turning back to the window, his shoulders slumping as he let out a sigh.

Whoever that may be… I must thank them for not being blinded by rumors or appearances. But why does Master seem so troubled?

Genos' gaze sharpened as he said, "Doctor Kuseno was very grateful for your generosity in funding my latest batch of repairs and upgrades, but I need to discuss what the Doctor and I unc—"

What terrible timing for a high-speed object to be approaching. Genos spun to face the apartment's entrance. This speed isn't human… a monster?

He glanced back at Caspian, who had taken out his phone and was peering down at it. Master's mood isn't in a good place. I should handle this.

As he walked down the hallway, Caspian's voice stopped him.

"Do your best, Genos."

"I will!" 

Genos continued forward, opening the door and stepping out into the outer hall lined with doors.

Do my best… of course. And this is a great opportunity to test the performance of my new parts.

"Come out!" Genos commanded.

A figure landed at the end of the hall, where the outer stairwell sat off to the right.

"So, it's you, the ninja stalker. What do you want?"

Sonic took a step forward. "Bring Caspian out. I know he lives here."

"You've wasted enough of mine and my master's time, haven't you?"

Sonic took another step closer, hands at his sides. "Get out of my way," he said. "I am Caspian's fated rival. Today, I'm going to settle things with him, so step aside."

"Fated rival? Know your place. Take another step, and you'll be eliminated." Genos raised his palm toward Sonic.

"You're the one who's going to be eliminated, sidekick," said Sonic, producing several shurikens from behind his back. "There won't be a lucky gust of wind to save you this time."

"What utter drivel are you spouting?"

¤ ¤ ¤

Why has this fence faced such mistreatment?

Yuta had left at the break of dawn and finally reached the outskirts of Z-City's Ghost Town.

She had spent her journey deliberating on her words, yet the right ones never came to mind. Why had Caspian traveled all the way here? She realized the only way she would get answers was by confronting and questioning him calmly… unlike last time.

With this in mind, she had yet to take a single step forward when a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Why am I not surprised to find you here lurking around Caspian's home?"

Yuta spun on her heels and spotted Suiko, her spiky hair framing a cheeky grin, hands casually resting behind her head.

"I am not. You misunderstand. I should ask what you're doing here. Have you been stalking me?"

"What's with you?" Suiko rolled her eyes. "Still won't admit you're interested in him? And here I am, willing to share him with you."

"Share him!? Are you out of your mind?"

Yuta's emotions churned, something she had planned to avoid. But once again, this 'sharing' nonsense resurfaced.

Suiko shrugged. "Who knows? But my heart knows what it wants. Maybe you should try being more open-minded about the three of us."

"I won't hear any more of this 'three of us' nonsense!" Yuta turned and stomped forward.

"After bursting out in anger, she runs off once again. Kind of like how you've been running from that 'fight' you promised we would have."

Suiko's trailing words brought Yuta to an abrupt halt, her teeth gritting in frustration.

Yuta turned back once again.

"Talk about indecision. You keep presenting your ample backside to me, and yet you have the audacity to say you're not interested in the three of us being together."

Before Yuta could lash out in confusion and anger, an unfamiliar woman's voice rang out. Yuta, who hadn't sensed anyone else, felt her heartbeat ascend.

"Mind if I cut in? I've been listening to the two of you talk about Caspian... And I just have to say. This is perfect! I finally get to meet two more of my sister-wives!"