Chapter 58: Marked by Tarsumaki.
....
The reason Tatsumaki showed up at this exact moment was simple.
After finishing a mission, she decided—purely out of "concern"—to check on her younger sister. But when she arrived at the office of the Fubuki Group, she found it empty.
Instead, sitting on the desk was a file labeled:
B-Class Hero,"Crimson Rider."
The word "Rider" immediately caught her attention.
Ever since she became an S-Class hero and issued that high-value bounty, countless people had come to her with fabricated "clues" about a black-armored rider. Every single one of them had been exposed and beaten.
Over time, her already limited trust in people had worn down to almost nothing.
She stopped entertaining informants entirely and decided to find the black rider herself.
Out of pride, she never revoked the bounty. She let it hang in every Hero Association branch, firmly believing that one day, she would find that black rider and personally tear the notice down.
So when Fubuki left to meet this so-called "Crimson Rider," Tatsumaki immediately grew suspicious.
Was someone targeting her sister?
Their relationship wasn't a secret. Fubuki already had A-Class level strength and commanded the Fubuki Group. On top of that, Tatsumaki's reputation as an S-Class hero acted as a powerful deterrent.
Normally, no one dared to mess with her.
But now—
It seemed someone finally had the nerve.
And that was something Tatsumaki would never tolerate.
Her protectiveness toward her sister, her only remaining family bordered on obsessive.
So she set off immediately.
The moment she arrived outside Kihara's house.
She heard it.
That outrageous line.
"Introduce your sister to me as my girlfriend."
Her temper snapped instantly.
After years of pride and dominance, how could she tolerate a mere B-Class hero speaking so shamelessly?
If not for maintaining a composed image in front of her sister.
She would've already turned him into a human ping-pong ball.
"S-Sister!?"
Fubuki's face darkened the moment she saw her.
Behind her, the members of the Fubuki Group shrank like quails, not even daring to lift their heads.
Unlike Tatsumaki, who solved everything with overwhelming force, Fubuki excelled in social situations.
She knew Kihara's words were just a deliberate joke—a way to make her back off.
But she understood that.
Tatsumaki didn't.
If her sister actually attacked him, forget recruitment—he'd probably hold a grudge and directly challenge her for the top spot in B-Class.
"Fubuki," Tatsumaki said coldly. "Take your people and leave. I'll handle this."
"No!"
Fubuki stepped forward, spreading her arms to block the way.
Tatsumaki's eyes sharpened.
"You think I don't see through him? He's trying to use you."
"Even if he is, that's my business!" Fubuki shot back. "You have no right to interfere! You're an S-Class hero, bullying a B-Class hero like this, aren't you ashamed?!"
She stood her ground firmly.
If you want to touch him—get past me first.
Tatsumaki trembled with rage.
But in the end, she restrained herself.
With a cold glare, she threw out a single sentence:
"Kid… I'll remember you."
A violent gust of wind erupted as her small figure shot into the sky.
Within seconds, she vanished beyond the horizon.
Only then did Fubuki turn around, frustration written all over her face.
"What was that supposed to be? Couldn't you reject me in a normal way? Why drag my sister into it?!"
Kihara rolled his eyes.
"Lady, how was I supposed to know your sister would show up? I thought you brought her to pressure me."
"I would never do something like that! She followed me on her own!"
Being targeted by someone as petty and powerful—as Tatsumaki was a massive headache.
Kihara sighed, then spoke plainly:
"I have zero interest in your number one spot. My goal is S-Class. So stop coming after me—I don't need more trouble."
Bang!
He shut the door without hesitation.
Fubuki almost laughed in anger.
If she hadn't protected him just now, would he still be acting this tough?
"Lady Fubuki," one of her subordinates spoke up, "this guy really doesn't know what's good for him. Should we start suppressing him tomorrow?"
"No."
Fubuki rubbed her temples, clearly exhausted.
"You're not necessarily a match for him. I'll handle this myself."
Her tone turned serious.
"And remember—no one in the group is allowed to trouble him privately."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Alright," she sighed. "Let's head back. We still have plans to organize."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Z-City.
"Have there been fewer monsters lately?"
"I heard there's a lunatic hunting them nonstop for three weeks."
"Heh… interesting."
On the back of a giant rooftop billboard, four flamboyantly dressed figures in white-and-gold uniforms overlooked the city.
"Juga, the Monster Association wants us to deal with this 'Crimson Rider.' What's your plan?"
A refined-looking man with round glasses smiled.
"Send monsters after him. They're just expendable anyway—humans turned into tools. Better them than risking actual kaiju against S-Class heroes."
"You really do love kaiju, don't you? Hey, Chise—how many kaiju cores have you collected?"
"Three."
The quiet, dark-skinned boy replied.
"Only three? At this rate, how long will it take to wipe out humanity…"
The red-haired youth kicked the railing irritably.
The only girl among them frowned.
"Hebi, can you calm down for once?"
"Come on, Mujina," another said lightly. "That's just how he is."
If Kihara were here, he'd immediately recognize them.
The villain group from the Gridman universe:
Kaiju Eugenicists.
For reasons unknown, they had revived within the Monster Association, secretly aiding monsters while collecting scattered kaiju cores across cities to prepare for humanity's destruction.
At first, they couldn't understand why such a powerful organization stayed hidden underground.
Until they used their ability—Instance Domination—to evolve a kaiju core into a complete monster… only for it to be instantly annihilated by an S-Class hero.
Only then did they realize.
This world contained monsters far more terrifying than anything they had imagined.
Back at home, Kihara had just dealt with one headache.
Only to unknowingly attract another.
Right now, he was focused on something else entirely:
Minami Yume.
After spending time with her, he realized just how severe her mental state was.
Her behavior constantly flipped back and forth, like her brain was fighting itself.
One moment she'd reject something as troublesome.
The next, she'd happily go along with it.
She clearly struggled with communication, yet forced herself to act outgoing, hiding behind a fragile mask.
Even Kihara felt this was… difficult to handle.
At this point, he was seriously considering borrowing Eirin Yagokoro's medical expertise.
"…Or maybe…"
He muttered, half-serious.
"Should I just try electrotherapy first?"
....
Thank you for reading.