(Hikari POV)

I sat on the couch with Sarah, hanging out at her place. She owned a small little apartment and often let me crash here for any reason.

In this case, Sarah had called me over. Apparently she had a rough night, and as we watched the Super Live channel on the television I quickly realized why.

"The Masquerade Ball hosted by Killian Stromford was attacked last night." The reporter stated. "The attack resulted in two casualties, two seemingly new villains who seemed to have been killed by the other villains in a clash. Police is currently investigating their identities."

"Once again, another villain incident occurring against Stromford Industries has occurred." The reporter continued. "But it seems we finally have a name to the one behind these attacks."

"Introducing herself as Mother Wasp, she's described to be a long-haired blonde with gray eyes." The reporter explained. "A report from Stromford Industries reveals she's actually a former employee named Aurelia Gardenia."

"There are also witnesses that claim there was another villain as well who assisted Mother Wasp, stated to be wearing a maid outfit." The reporter concluded. "We warn everyone to be a lookout on these two new villains. That is all of the news of last nights incident we know of."

"Three." Sarah grumbled. "How did no one notice him?"

I looked over to Sarah. She was a cute girl who hid most of her looks with her disheveled hair, thick glasses, and hunched over position. No one who met her would ever suspect who she truly was.

For when she donned the costume, she became the amazing Stellar! The Hero of Hope! My idol!

Ahem, excuse me.

And I somehow got the honor of getting to know her and learning of her secret identity. And all of that started with me impulsively fighting a villain who threatened my job, boss, and crush.

I had planned on taking the normal, long application route to becoming a hero but that kind of kickstarted things off.

And now, to the public, I'm known as Foxfire!

The-

I don't have a cool nickname yet...

But one day!

"I can't believe I let him get away again!" Sarah groaned, holding her head in her hands.

"It's okay, it's okay." I consoled her, lightly rubbing her back.

"I can't believe the Administration hasn't put him in the official villain list yet!" Sarah protested. "They even put this Mother Wasp in already!"

"I'm sure they'll put him in." I replied. "I mean, he's escaped you four times now? Has anyone done that before?"

"Only two in my five years." Sarah grumbled. "And both of them required multiple heroes to take down. They need to realize that Ski Mask will be the next one!"

Sarah is someone who always does her best no matter what it is. Whether it is college work, hero work, or anything else. She's a bright ray of sunshine that inspires people, part of why she is the Hero of Hope.

But at the same time, she's also incredibly stubborn. And recently her stubbornness has been shown in full force with this so-called "Ski Mask".

I personally don't think he's as big as a threat as Sarah says, but I've also come face to face with him only once. Unlike Sarah, who he's successfully evaded four times before. So for all I know maybe he is very dangerous.

But I think the real danger is his servant, the one in the maid outfit. He knows how to play a hero because innocents are our first priority. Which just means he isn't stupid.

Combine that with some incredible luck and a powerhouse of a servant that somehow rivals the Hero of Hope in strength, and that's where the problem lies.

So once you get the maid out of the way I don't think it'll be too difficult. Unfortunately that maid is incredibly strong.

"I need to train more. Get stronger." Sarah stated. "To where I can outclass that stupid maid."

"How will you train?" I wondered. "You can't exactly go and use the gym, you'd just break everything."

"I'll figure something out." Sarah replied. "Maybe someone in the Administration has an idea. Speaking of which, how is training with your mentor going?"

I have gotten the honor of being trained by Firefly, another fire related superhero. He's been retired for a while, but still decided to help train me and my power. I greatly appreciate his help.

"It's going well." I smiled. "I still can't control my power that well though."

"You'll get it, I'm sure of it." Sarah turned towards me with a smile.

"Thanks Sarah." I smiled back.

Sarah stood up, stretching. "I should go and start figuring it out now."

"Already?" I asked. "You just dealt with the incident last night."

"Crime never stops." Sarah grinned. "And neither can I."

I sighed in amusement, shaking my head with a smile as I stood up as well. "Alright then. Good luck. I'm going to head out, do a few errands. See you later?"

"See you later." Sarah put her hand in a fist. I gave her a fist bump, and then we both exited the apartment and went our separate ways.

I walked on the sidewalk, not really with a clear destination in mind as I was trying to think about how I could improve myself as a hero. I'm not doing bad, but I can always strive to do better.

That's what Stellar does!

First off, I need a way for transportation. Stellar has her flying, which is super convenient and quick. Frostbolt will create ice bridges and ramps that he'll slide on. My power can't really be used for traversal ways, so I need to figure something out.

I paused as I heard the sound of a loud engine. I turned, seeing some random dude decide to try and start impressing people by revving up his motorcycle engine and doing a wheelie.

Okay, to be fair, that wheelie is impressive. And the motorcycle is cool-

Motorcycle! I can afford it, can't I? I should have enough from the superhero job plus my waitress job. Then I won't need to be carried by Stellar everywhere!

I really do appreciate her help but those fanfictions are...something else. And don't even get me started on the art.

I found myself approaching Corey Cafe when the doors opened a familiar face exited. I felt myself smile as I saw that familiar blonde hair and red eyes.

"Jason~!" I greeted.

"Hey there, Hikari." Jason grinned. "Is my favorite waitress getting on shift? Damn, I should've come a little later."

I fought the blush down as I heard his words. Such a smooth talker, as usual.

"No, I just happened to be passing by." I giggled. "And then I saw you. What're you doing?"

"Just had a small cup of coffee, now I'm going to take a walk." Jason replied. "Maybe make a few stops, we'll see."

"Really? Would you mind if I joined?" I asked.

"Not at all." Jason replied.

We started to walk together, side by side. I had to fight back the urge to simply jump with joy as I somehow found myself in this situation with him.

You did good, Hikari!

"Where's Sophie?" I asked.

"I somehow convinced her to stay home." Jason chuckled. "Needed a little fresh air. Not from her, but she's a little clingy."

"I mean, other than the eccentric uncle who else does she have?" I wondered.

"No one." Jason stated.

We continued to talk as we walked, eventually finding ourselves passing through Champion Park. As we walked through, Jason paused as he looked over to the center of the park where construction currently was.

"So that's where the Miracle statue is being made." Jason commented.

"Yeah, it is." I replied. "You like Miracle?"

"Yeah." Jason said, staring at the construction. He then turned towards me, a cute little smirk on his handsome face. "He's my favorite hero. But that's a secret between you and me, okay?"

He proceeded to wink at me, once again making me flustered. I nodded with a thumbs up as I tried to not say anything stupid.

We continued to walk for a little while longer, eventually getting onto the topic of family. I told him a little about mine before it was Jason's turn.

"Well, you know about my eccentric uncle and Sophie." He stated. "Only one other person is here in the city, and that's Gabriel."

"Gabriel?" I wondered, the first time I've heard him speak that name.

"My...younger brother." Jason replied. "Speaking of which, I need to go check on him. Big part of why I left the apartment for the moment. Would you like to join?"

He's asking me to join?! Is this a meeting the family flag?!

"Of course." I smiled.

Oh my goodness?!

"Alright. Follow me." Jason nodded.

We walked for a little longer before finding ourselves in front of the hospital. I paused, realizing the implication. I can only hope that his brother is alright.

I followed him through the repeating white hallways until we made it to his destination. Jason quietly opened the door for me, closing it behind us as we entered.

We walked over to the bed, where a small, young blonde boy laid. He was completely unconscious, and seemed to be about ten years old.

"Is he...?" I muttered.

"He's in a coma." Jason replied. "Hopefully one day he wakes up."

How terrible...for that to happen to someone so young...

"I'm so sorry." I whispered.

"It's okay." Jason replied. "I didn't bring you here to garner sympathy. I'd just rather...not come alone."

"I can imagine." I nodded. "Is it...okay if I ask what happened?"

"Apparently it was some sort of mugging incident." Jason shrugged. "We got mugged, he got injured, and he hasn't woken up since."

"Apparently?" I noticed his odd choice of words.

"Right..." Jason sweatdropped. "...I don't really mention this to people, but I don't have any memories further than a year ago."

"You have amnesia?" I lightly gasped.

"...something like that." Jason nodded. "So I don't actually remember. That's what I've been told."

Jason looked back up at me. "But he still seems to be fine, so let's go walk a little more, shall we?"

"If you'd like to." I bashfully replied.

We walked for a little longer before Jason said he should probably go back before Sophie comes and drags him back. And then I watched him walk away, a smile on my face.

...I both hate and love crushes, damn it.

It'd be so much easier if he only looked at me.

Well, time to go get a motorcycle~!