Utaha's line of thinking wasn't strange at all.
The admiration for strength is ingrained in the DNA of most people.
It's just that in peaceful times, it's mostly suppressed.
The sudden emergence of monsters and supernatural powers has completely released this gene.
If Utaha lived in the era before monsters appeared, a time ruled by money and power-
She would most likely choose a partner she personally liked.
After all, as a beautiful high school student who found fame early as an author, she wasn't short of money herself.
Simply put, "I have my own bread, I just need love."
But now it's different.
Increasingly powerful monsters are appearing, even alien monsters capable of destroying planets have emerged.
In such an environment, what good are money and power?
Strength is what truly matters!
Didn't you see how the Hero Association's people practically wanted to kneel before Lott after Frieza spoke in the chat group?
In such an environment, when Utaha chooses a man now, she definitely won't be as love-brained as in the original work, simply picking someone she likes.
She will definitely choose someone she likes, but who also has the ability to protect her.
As for whether the other person is a scumbag... that's a secondary factor.
Bang was a scumbag in his youth too.
But no one saw his women complaining.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you alright?"
Tomoya Aki caught up, panting heavily.
"T-Tomoya-kun, you're here too?"
Utaha's attitude towards her reader was still quite good.
Previously, if no one else was around, she might have called him 'Aki-kun' out of courtesy for being her loyal reader, but noticing Lott out of the corner of her eye, the words changed to 'Tomoya-kun' as they reached her lips.
"I-I happened to be passing by, saw you here, senpai, and rushed over."
Tomoya Aki took several deep breaths before barely recovering, seemingly not noticing the change in how Utaha addressed him.
After casting a fearful glance at Lott not far away, he whispered:
"Senpai, let's go quickly, th-that person is here."
However, Utaha showed no intention of leaving, saying calmly:
"Why leave? We're all from Shuchi'in Academy, we can even go to school together."
Tomoya Aki's eyes nearly popped out through his glasses.
'Was Kasumigaoka-senpai hit on the head or something?'
'Go to school together?'
'Wasn't she afraid?'
"Passing by?"
At this moment, Genos also heard Tomoya Aki's words and glanced over:
"Weren't you in the train car too? I saw you climbing out of it just now."
"Ah, well..."
Tomoya Aki was momentarily speechless.
He couldn't very well say he ran away in fear upon seeing the monster and only came back after confirming the Junior Centipede was dead, could he?
That would be too embarrassing.
A flicker of disdain appeared in Utaha's eyes.
If Tomoya Aki had simply run away upon seeing the monster, she wouldn't have thought much of it.
After all, that was most ordinary people's reaction.
But trying to act tough and lying about it, that was disgusting.
However, out of consideration for Lott and the others present, and the fact that he had bought her books after all-
Utaha didn't unleash her sharp tongue.
"If I remember correctly, you're all students of Shuchi'in Academy, right? If you don't mind, shall we go together?"
Fubuki spoke up, breaking the silence.
Everyone turned their attention to Fubuki. Saeko, who had a red mark on her cheek from Lott's kiss, asked curiously:
"Fubuki-san, are you going to Shuchi'in too?"
"Yes,"
Fubuki nodded, "Our Blizzard Group has accepted a commission from the Principal to take over the security duties at Shuchi'in Academy from Iaian, Bushidrill, and Okamaitachi... who were killed... no, who died in the line of duty."
"Huh? But the difference in strength is huge, isn't it?"
Tomoya Aki blurted out without thinking.
The three previously responsible for Shuchi'in Academy's security were all disciples of Atomic Samurai.
Ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th among A-Class Heroes.
While all members of the Blizzard Group were B-Class Heroes.
In Tomoya Aki's view, the gap was just too big.
But he said this without engaging his brain at all.
Fubuki's eyes widened, so angry her chest hurt.
If it weren't for the Blizzard Group's serious lack of funds, she wouldn't want to be a security guard for these second-generation brats!
Utaha's expression shifted from faint disdain to outright disgust.
Even though Fubuki hadn't defeated the Junior Centipede, she was still her savior after all.
Even though Tomoya Aki had bought Utaha's books before and offered a few compliments-
In Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart, how could he possibly compare to Fubuki?
The master of awkwardness, Tomoya Aki, finally sensed the uncomfortable atmosphere and shut his mouth.
"Cough! If no one minds, I can call for a car to pick us up? All together?"
Fubuki took out her phone, changing the subject.
But to be honest, she wasn't too keen on having her subordinates bring out the group's Mazda.
It was too embarrassing.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the train to school alone.
"Can't you fly?"
Lott looked at her with a 'are you kidding me' expression.
'An Esper needing to ride in a car?'
'Wasn't that as absurd as a Demon Lord needing to ride a horse instead of teleporting?'
Fubuki's face instantly turned bright red, "I... I can fly a few hundred meters, but it's not enough to get to Shuchi'in Academy..."
Compared to her sister, Tatsumaki, her telekinesis was indeed a bit... lacking.
"If you don't mind, I can carry you, Fubuki-san." Saeko suggested, turning her back towards Fubuki.
"Well... th-then, I'll trouble you..."
Even though being carried by a girl she wanted to recruit, who was several years younger, was a bit embarrassing-
Fubuki felt this option was still more acceptable than having their beat-up car show up.
As a transmigrator, Lott naturally knew what Fubuki was thinking.
But his emotional intelligence wasn't as low as Tomoya Aki's.
As he turned to prepare for takeoff using Flight Technique, Lott noticed Utaha and casually reached out a hand:
"Want a ride?"
Looking at the offered hand, Utaha's fair face flushed.
Pursing her lips, she barely managed to suppress her wildly beating heart and managed a nod.
Just as Utaha tried to walk behind Lott like Fubuki did.
Unexpectedly, Lott reached out and directly scooped her up into his arms.
Immediately, Utaha's face turned even redder.
'A-A princess carry?'
"Your legs are nice."
Lott's gaze lingered for a few extra seconds on her shiny, reflective stocking-clad legs.
"...Th-Thank you."
The usually sharp-tongued Utaha felt her face was about to drip blood.
If it were usual at school, and any of her admirers dared say such things to her-
She would have verbally ripped them to shreds long ago.
"Senpai..."
At this moment, Tomoya Aki felt like Professor Kayneth from the Planet Holy Grail, with a green light shining above his head. (T/N: Green above head means being cuckolded in Chinese.)
Lott thought he was overthinking it.
For someone to be cuckolded, the woman must have belonged to him at some point.
Since this guy never had her in the first place, so how can he be cuckolded?
In other words, he doesn't even qualify to be the cuckold.
Holding Utaha, Lott, followed by Saeko carrying Fubuki, swiftly departed.
Tomoya Aki instinctively looked towards Genos.
"... Want to die?"
Genos shot back an icy glare, scaring Tomoya Aki half to death, before following Lott's path, using Flight Technique to catch up.