Event Story – Heroes with Dirty Faces, ch.4

[kozvme]

 

Gray: Ah... No, I don't quite get it myself...
Lately I've been having blackouts... or, rather, it's as if something is taking over my body...
When I come to my senses it's morning... if I'm doing something at night, I don't feel tired at all...

Jay: I see. That explains it...
Were you going to see Victor to talk about that?

Gray: ......

Jay: Why are you hiding? If you're trying to be considerate of meー

Gray: I- It's not about that...
Uhm... Please don't worry about it... Really...

Jay: Gray...

ーA few days later.


Lily: Congratulation for making it back, Jay! ♪

Jay: That hurtss!?
Instructor L- Lily... I really appreciate your kind words. Thanks to you I'm even more fired up now.

Lily: Did I hit you too hard? Sorry. You're officially back, so I thought this much would be fine.

Jay: Ahahah... That doesn't mean I souped-up, though.

Lily: Enough jokes now... Are you okay? It came to my attention that you got right back into work mode as soon as you were reinstated.
I heard you're being overburdened with media coverage, on top of your regular duties, right? You were asked to appear on commercials, too.

Jay: That's right. Now that the problem has been solved, the reason for my leave-of-absence and why I kept it a secret has been made public, but...
We started getting calls from all over, after that. The Public Relations Department was thrown into utter confusion... I might have been too naive.

Lily: Well, it's only natural that not only the fans but the media as well would blow things out of proportion if the Super Hero was in such poor shape that he considered retirement and then returned... I'm sure the Public Relations Department was prepared for that.

Jay: That doesn't mean I did anything amazing, though... Rather, Victor's help was vital to my return, as well as everyone else's.
Well, as long as they're happy I'm fine with that. I must roll up your sleeves and redouble my effort.

Lily: ? Why the long face, then?

Jay: ... That's...
... No. My face may have indicated how much I wanted you to listen to me.

Lily: Did something happen?



Jay: That's... Nothing gives me greater pleasure than my recovery and seeing everyone happy about it.
But... it appears I've been in touch with my son a little too much during this period I was off duty.
Being unable to call him whenever I feel like it or not being able to make promises with him again is weighing on my mind much more than I thought.

Lily: Makes sense...

Jay: Not to mention I couldn't keep my promise to have a picnic and play catch with him because of all the fuss pre-reinstatement.
In spite of all the negative experiences, I made him feel lonely again... I am truly ashamed of myself.

Lily: What did your son say?

Jay: Well... When I apologized to him, I also confessed that I was in a bad condition, and instead of getting angry, he was happy I recovered.

Lily: What a kind child.

Jay: Yeah. And that's what pains me the most.
To think not that long ago he used to act all chidish with me, tell me that I'm an idiot, get angry at me...

Lily: So you think... he bottled up those emotions to make you happy?

Jay: It's even worse if that were the case...

Lily: Right. It truly is painful when they do not open up to you.
So complicated...

Jay: ......

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