"Eira, Eira... Eira!"

After three calls—three full calls—Eira finally responded slowly.

Honestly, for a nearly two-meter-tall man covered in muscle, his booming voice alone could reach two rooms beyond the tea lounge. Add that uniquely effeminate tone—why couldn’t some people hear him?

Shirley just didn’t get it.

"Ah, sorry... I was busy."

Eira’s coffee cup jolted in her hand. Only then did she snap back, her expression flickering.

"Busy? What’s wrong?"

"It’s about my husband. We just got married."

Eira gestured vaguely, holding up three fingers—three short months.

"Newlyweds already having issues?"

Shirley rested one arm on the table like any woman would, gently propping up her head. She leaned in, eager to hear gossip only women loved.

Truthfully, if Eira didn’t mind such things, she might’ve felt a little disgusted—even explosively so—by this burly man’s flirtatious pose.

"Our relationship’s fine. It’s just... communication problems."

After a hesitant pause, Eira lifted her head. Her timid look was childlike.

"Communication? Do you have social anxiety?"

Shirley smiled slightly.

"I can talk to you fine. But with him... I don’t know how to start a proper conversation."

"Seriously? You’re married! Isn’t this worse than when you were dating?"

If anyone had social anxiety, Shirley believed it was Eira.

Void Blade: ranked among the world’s top twenty Heroes. A wildly popular star, yet no one had seen her face. Her deep blue helmet hid everything, leaving only silver hair spilling out. Twin-colored glass shielded her features.

That overwhelming mystery. A chilling personality sharper than an iceberg. Her silver form-fitting suit, the twin tech blades in her hands—photon blades that sliced any matter in half. That was Void Blade to the world.

"No, we never dated. I barely know his hobbies."

Eira sighed regretfully.

"No way, honey! Are you joking? Why marry at all?"

"Family pressure. We had no choice."

Eira should’ve kept it secret. But with someone who knew her true self and still treated her kindly—this was a real best friend.

"Scary. Doesn’t he like you?"

"Hmm... he might like me a little. Okay, fine—he really enjoys taking advantage of me in bed and around the house."

Her feelings for him were like a blank page.

His? Like a Husky left alone at home.

"Like what?"

"A Husky."

Eira adored that pet. But her apartment banned dogs.

"Heh heh, be glad he doesn’t act like a Poodle~"

Okay, that joke was a bit crude. That legendary beast that mounts anything—sky, earth, even air.

"Poodle? Those fluffy, woof-woof little dogs?"

Eira blushed suddenly, eyes lighting up with excitement. Who’d imagine this icy Hero loved fluffy things? So cute~

"Not that kind. But I’m glad you like them... Anyway, you’re worried about talking to your husband?"

"Yeah. I’m scared I’ll hurt him."

Her personality wasn’t her choice—just something she couldn’t fight.

That’s why Eira felt so ashamed and flushed now. Compared to him, his passionate nature defied common sense.

"How about trying a date? Since you don’t hate each other and lack experience, start with shared hobbies. Adapt, explore—give it a shot~"

Shirley’s thick fingers pressed together. She pursed her rosy lips into a smile.

"Hmm... I could try."

A date? Something married couples did.

Eira nodded, meeting Shirley’s hopeful gaze.

"See? Even if it wasn’t your choice, you can start now. Enjoy what you missed in your youth~"

"Ah, it feels weird."

"Do you even share hobbies?"

Shirley asked naturally.

"Hobbies?"

Eira tilted her head—a first glimpse of her airheaded charm.

As they chatted, the tea lounge door burst open. A silver twin-tailed girl bounced in, waving a freshly drawn crayon picture.

"Mommy! Uncle Shirley! I finished~"

Her radiant smile and soft aura made this little girl utterly adorable.

"Really? Let me see."

Eira knelt on one knee to meet Vivian’s eyes. She took the drawing, handling it carefully by the corners.

The sketch was simple—just a child’s doodle. To self-important artists, it meant nothing. A man with messy hair and a lazy grin. A woman with silver hair and indifferent eyes. A child with silver twin tails.

They held hands, smiling freely.

"Ah~ Vivian, this is a masterpiece~ Can I have it~~"

Shirley beamed.

"Uncle Shirley’s great... but this drawing’s not for sale."

Vivian shook her head firmly.

"Oh dear, that’s a shame. But you’re right—it’s priceless~"

"Yeah. Priceless."

Eira raised the drawing high. Sunlight from the window bathed it.

For some reason, staring at Zeming’s figure in the art made her smile feel truly happy.

"What’s he doing now?"

The child was their common ground. That would never change.

...............

..............

"Bastard! Take one more step and I’ll blow every bomb on me!"

Zeming flung open his coat, revealing rows of battery bombs strapped to his chest. Gangsters froze before him.

"Y-you! Stay calm, kid! Life’s still beautiful!"

One, two, three, four... counting down meant nothing. Their high-tech gear had already lost. Seeing Zeming’s explosives, one thug tossed his detonator into a bank trash can.

The numbers were humiliating.

Small fry next to a giant...

"Teacher, calm down!"

Yunhu Li said behind his mask.

"Don’t stop me! This is my will! I’ll prove my strength!!!"

"You’re not proving anything, Teacher. You’re getting us killed."

Evelith shook her head slightly. Her tight suit and dyed hair looked stunning, but fear pinned her to a corner. She fiddled with a game console to distract herself.

"You damn beast!"

The beefy gang leader growled. The situation was bleak.

A bomb-strapped lunatic locked all doors and windows. One hostage. Two D-rank Heroes trapped inside.

"Teacher, that’s enough————LET US OUT————"