By the roadside, the young man who was about to step into the street suddenly collapsed. He fell to the ground, his eyes filled with fear.
Finally, he glanced inside the coffee shop, then lowered his head, driving away curious onlookers, and hurriedly left.
Inside the coffee shop.
Haruto squeezed her hand and said seriously, "Mafuyu-chan, don't look at me, I'm just helping to warm your hands."
Mafuyu felt her initially cold hands starting to warm up. She hesitated for a moment but didn't pull away. Although she always resisted Haruto's advances, deep down, she didn't entirely reject them. Sometimes she simply had too many worries, combined with her own shyness.
After all, she wasn't the type to shamelessly not care about anything.
Once the waiter brought the coffee, Mafuyu asked, "Haruto-kun, how's that situation going lately?"
Haruto took a sip of his coffee and asked in surprise, "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"
Mafuyu hesitated before answering, "Actually, Shizuka is the one who wants to know. She's a bit worried."
She wasn't sure if that was okay to say. Once Hiratsuka knew, a regular person with no defense mechanisms would naturally feel uneasy all day.
Of course, she might not be worried for herself but for others—her family, friends, colleagues, and her lovely students.
Haruto thought for a moment and said, "I have an idea."
"What idea?"
Mafuyu looked at him curiously.
Haruto replied, "Hiratsuka-sensei is overthinking. She doesn't do anything all day and just finds things to worry about. Maybe we should suggest she rest at home or recover there."
"No violence allowed."
Mafuyu dismissed the idea, saying helplessly, "You really want to hit Shizuka? She'll be furious if she finds out."
"Not trying to hit her, just offering a simple solution."
Haruto continued, "I've been remembering a few things recently, and my superpower has grown stronger again."
"Really?"
Mafuyu gripped his hand, shocked.
"Yes." Haruto held Mafuyu's hand, gently squeezing it. "So, I could actually ask her to help me, just to give her something to focus on other than worrying."
Mafuyu remained silent, her expression indicating she understood what he meant. Oddities were not something ordinary people could face. It was a territory forbidden to humans.
The longer you lingered there, the more you would be corroded by an unknown aura and eventually die.
Then, you would transform into a monster.
Haruto still couldn't give his superpower directly to others. It was as though he was a power bank, while others were devices that needed charging.
By touching someone, he could temporarily transfer "power" to the "device" but the "device" couldn't sustain that power on its own.
Hence, even when given, there was a strict time limit. The stronger the superpower, the shorter its duration.
For example, superpowers to fight monsters or teleportation required strong bearers.
In fact, Haruto always said he wasn't a good person, which had two meanings.
First, abandoning his human body and fully controlling his superpower.
Second, in the future, he might give superpowers to others, turning them into disposable tools for battling oddities.
He knew that when the time came, he wouldn't need to force anyone. Many people would flock to him, begging for superpowers.
Which was the same as sending them to their deaths.
Now, the situation had changed again.
Haruto had grown stronger in one sense, and in another, he had remembered some things that allowed him to control his superpower more effectively.
He just needed a human test subject.
In terms of overall quality, Hiratsuka might not be the most extraordinary, but she could convince him.
"Of course, it's just a suggestion."
Haruto glanced at Hiratsuka, who was approaching, and said, "There won't be any danger. Alright, Hiratsuka-sensei is here, let's go."
Hiratsuka walked over with small steps, looking at them with a half-smile. "Are you two holding hands?"
Mafuyu quickly pulled her hand away as if she'd been shocked, her face turning red.
Haruto didn't mind, turning to Hiratsuka and casually saying, "Is your blind date over?"
"It's over."
Hiratsuka sat next to Mafuyu, raising her hand to push back her hair, looking distressed. "I'm already feeling miserable, and you're here rubbing salt in my wounds."
She clutched her chest and gritted her teeth. "Don't push it too far!"
Hiratsuka sighed softly, saying, "The men I meet on dates are getting worse and worse."
Haruto replied nonchalantly, "You could consider someone younger. Younger people have better health, and after marriage, they're less likely to get divorced due to the lack of coordination between husband and wife."
Before he finished speaking, he felt pain in his leg.
Haruto said, speechless, "Mafuyu-chan, why are you stepping on me?"
Mafuyu glared at him, embarrassed. "Stop talking nonsense."
Who was talking nonsense?
Everything he had said was true!
Lately, there had been too many examples of marital disharmony. Even though Hiratsuka had turned twenty-nine a few months ago, her regular exercise meant her body was still full of energy.
So, it wasn't impossible that this quiet cutie was feeling lonely at night!
Hiratsuka blushed slightly, then crossed her arms, glaring at Haruto with disdain, waving her fist threateningly. "You'll get punched for talking nonsense."
"You can't beat me."
"Oh, you're brave to say that. Let's go to the gym together, then!"
Haruto looked at her with disdain. "As long as you loosen up a little, many excellent men will be interested."
Hiratsuka raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"Please don't misunderstand, I'm not talking about myself. I prefer younger people."
Under the table, Haruto moved his leg, pinching the one that had been kicked, then leaned forward slightly and reached out his hand.
"Hmm~"
At the same time, Hiratsuka's face flushed red, and she gritted her teeth, glaring at him. "Let go of me!"