A beautiful figure walked gracefully towards them.
Her coach's attire—a combination of red and white that somewhat resembled a school uniform—paired with a tied-up ponytail, gave off a youthful and lively vibe. But when looking at her face and expression, there was a gentle softness reminiscent of the girl next door.
Xia Yan felt that Yamaguchi Hiko looked even prettier than she did in the TV series—no wonder she had Gen completely captivated. Women who could make an Ultraman fall for them truly were all quite extraordinary.
The group of little kids swarmed around Hiko, all talking over each other to recount what had just happened.
Hiko quieted down Menda Tōru and the others' commotion. Having a rough idea of the situation, she turned her gaze to Xia Yan, who was now standing before her:
"And you are, sir?"
As she asked, a trace of suspicion rose in her mind.
She remembered Gen-kun once saying that his family and friends had all lost their lives in a disaster, leaving him all alone. As for what disaster, seeing how distraught he was at the time, she hadn't pressed for details. Later, apart from everyone at the gymnasium, she never heard him mention any other friends.
So, who was this person before her now? Moreover, his attire was rather odd, especially the shoes on his feet.
Unconventional… geta sandals?
Hiko wasn't entirely sure, and the look of suspicion on her face grew even stronger.
Seeing this, Xia Yan didn't pay it much mind. He wasn't shiny gold; it was perfectly normal for a stranger to be wary. After thinking it over and preparing his lines in his head, he put on an expression of delighted recognition:
"You must be Hiko! I'm a friend of Gen's. You can call me Xia Yan."
"Huh? Sir, you…?" Hiko's face showed astonishment.
However, Xia Yan didn't give her much time to think. Looking at Hiko without a hint of social anxiety, he spoke with a familiar, nostalgic air:
"Gen's always bragging to me about how gentle and beautiful his girlfriend is. I didn't believe him before, but now that I've seen you, I'm actually a bit envious of him."
Given the critical situation at hand, Xia Yan had no choice but to leverage the relationship between Hiko and Gen for now.
As he spoke, a somewhat emotional expression played on his face, though inwardly he was secretly observing Hiko's reaction.
Noticing the clear delight on her face, he continued:
"To be able to marry such a virtuous wife—that guy Gen really is someone to be jealous of."
The simplest way to quickly get close to someone is to pretend to know a friend of theirs. When that person is someone they have feelings for, the effect is even more potent. This is how most 'homewreckers' come about.
Sure enough, after hearing Xia Yan's words and processing them, Hiko's face immediately flushed slightly red, and she gradually became flustered.
Although her relationship with Gen was ambiguous, it had never been officially defined. And Gen, whether unintentionally or deliberately, always seemed to evade her hints.
This left Hiko in a constant state of uncertainty. Now, suddenly hearing from someone else that Gen consistently regarded her as his girlfriend, along with the pleasant surprise, she subconsciously let her guard down against Xia Yan.
"Ah? This… Gen-kun and I, actually…"
Hiko's expression was one of great embarrassment, and her speech even became halting.
Before she could finish her sentence, Menda Kaoru delivered another assist from the side: "Big Sister Hiko, so you're Brother Gen's girlfriend! I never knew."
Meanwhile, Menda Tōru, as if having figured something out, cried out in a loud, exaggerated voice full of realization:
"Aha! It must be that you and Brother Gen kept it a secret from us, planning to get married quietly without giving us any wedding sweets!"
The little kids gathered around Hiko, hearing something as exciting as a wedding, immediately had their eyes light up and joined in the clamor:
"Then I want to be the best man!"
"Big Sister Hiko, me too!"
"I heard there's lots of candy at weddings! Big Sister Hiko, I want extra!"
Something that wasn't confirmed at all was being talked about by the kids as if it were settled fact.
Hiko heard it all, her heart feeling as sweet as honey, and she showed no intention of refuting their words.
However, the kids' commotion still left her feeling a bit overwhelmed. Coupled with a woman's natural sense of reserve, the more she listened, the more flustered and annoyed she became. So, planting her hands on her hips, she put on a stern face.
Looking at the two siblings making the most noise, Hiko raised her hand and gave each a gentle knuckle-rap on the head:
"Kaoru! Tōru! Have you two finished all your training for today?! Go do it now!" The kids instantly fell silent. Menda Kaoru and Menda Tōru, holding their heads, seeing Hiko's anger, didn't dare utter another sound.
The two siblings, heads hung low, left dejectedly. The other kids, sensing the situation was turning sour, simply scampered off after them.
Even so, there were still occasional hushed whispers and mutterings.
Probably before long, the entire gymnasium would know about this.
Seeing this, Hiko felt somewhat helpless, though she didn't try to stop the children. Instead, she seemed to think of something pleasant.
A smile involuntarily reappeared on her face.
Then, noticing someone was still beside her, she spoke with a hint of apology in her tone:
"Sorry for the unsightly scene, Mr. Xia Yan."
As she spoke, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression showing a touch of anticipation as she pressed further:
"That… did Gen-kun really say that?"
Hiko pretended to be nonchalant, but in truth, her heart was already brimming with joy.
"Of course!" Xia Yan affirmed firmly, though inwardly he did feel a tiny twinge of guilt.
Forgive me, Gen. Just this once.
But they liked each other anyway. If this could help break the ice in their relationship, perhaps Gen would even thank him.
Of course, that wasn't the key point right now. Xia Yan shifted the topic: "By the way, is Gen here?"
Currently, Magma Seijin and the twin monsters were still lurking somewhere on Kuroshio Island.
Danger could erupt at any moment. Who knew when Magma Seijin would control the twin monsters to attack and submerge Kuroshio Island again?
Before that happened, Xia Yan wanted to activate his panel completely as soon as possible.
Hiko snapped out of her shy state, her face showing a hint of apology: "Gen-kun already went to report to the MAC team yesterday."
"How about this, Xia Yan-san, please come with me."
"I'll help you call the MAC team to see if we can reach him."
Saying this, she gestured towards another area, then turned and led the way.
Xia Yan followed behind Hiko, but his heart couldn't help sinking. He hoped there was still enough time.
Gen had already gone to the MAC team. Next, perhaps Magma Seijin would control the twin monsters to attack and submerge Kuroshio Island again.
The uncertainty here was too great, as the TV series never specified the exact timing of the attack.
'Looks like I'll have to think of a way to make Gen come to Minami Gymnasium, whether he wants to or not.'
Lost in these thoughts, Xia Yan followed Hiko into an office.
Most civilian communications at the time still used landline phones.
Entering the room.
Xia Yan immediately spotted a middle-aged man with his rear end sticking up in the air as he lay sprawled on the floor.
Just then, he took aim with his finger and flicked a glass marble.
Click-clack—
The marble bounced a few times on the floor before rolling straight over and stopping right at Xia Yan's feet.
?
The atmosphere fell silent.
The middle-aged man was the gymnasium director, a playful soul who never grew up. At this moment, he didn't feel the slightest bit awkward.
Looking up and seeing Hiko, he even grinned and waved at her, issuing an invitation: "Oh, it's Hiko! Want to come play?"
"..."
Hiko glanced at Director Ōmura lying on the floor, rear end in the air, then back at Xia Yan, whose face was a picture of bewilderment. Feeling utterly embarrassed, she could only force a strained smile.
I don't know him, really!