Location: Naruhata Apartments, Unit 203.
Time: 06:00 AM.
The alarm didn't beep. Kaito Arisaka didn't believe in jarring noises.
Instead, the Sunrise Simulator lamp on his bedside table gradually brightened from a warm amber to a soft white, perfectly mimicking a dawn cycle.
Kaito opened his eyes.
He wasn't lying on a thin futon. He was lying on a Simmons Beautyrest Black mattress—the kind usually reserved for five-star hotels. The sheets were 1000-thread-count Egyptian cotton, cool against his skin.
Above him, the ceiling vibrated slightly.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Koichi Haimawari, the tenant in Unit 202, was doing his morning burpees.
Kaito didn't frown. He reached for the remote on his nightstand and pressed a button.
Hiss.
The custom-installed acoustic panels on the ceiling—disguised as minimalist art—activated their active noise-canceling frequencies.
The thumping sound vanished instantly, replaced by the soft hum of the high-end air purifier in the corner.
"Peace," Kaito whispered.
He sat up, stretching his neck. This was why he worked.
This was why he laundered money. Not for power, but for the ability to turn a ¥30,000 apartment into a personal sanctuary.
He walked to the kitchen.
The exterior of the building was rotting wood, but Kaito's kitchen counter was polished black granite.
He placed a cup under his De'Longhi PrimaDonna espresso machine.
Whirrr. Drip.
The smell of freshly ground Arabica beans filled the room.
Kaito took a sip. It was perfect. Smooth, rich, with the right acidity.
"This is life."
He walked to his wardrobe. Inside, ten identical suits hung in a row.
They looked like off-the-rack polyester to the untrained eye—camouflage for a salaryman—but they were actually tailored from breathable, high-performance wool blends that resisted wrinkles and regulated temperature.
He dressed efficiently.
Kaito checked his reflection in the full-length mirror.
"Average," he approved. "Boring. Professional."
He grabbed his leather briefcase (Italian leather, understated branding) and walked to the door.
Kaito opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.
The smell of the building hit him—old wood, damp trash, and cheap cooking oil. The contrast was sharp.
Inside Unit 203 was a paradise of logic and comfort. Outside was the chaos of the real world.
Kaito adjusted his glasses.
"Time to manage the MHA Homelander Version."
------
Location: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Floor 52.
Time: 08:45 AM.
Ding
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
The offices of the Captain Celebrity Agency (CC Corp) were a testament to excess.
The walls were lined with gold records, magazine covers, and a life-sized statue of the Captain made of actual bronze.
It was tacky.
But it paid well.
"Good morning, Arisaka-san!"
Makoto, the receptionist, beamed at him. She was holding a stack of fan mail.
"Good morning, Makoto," Kaito said, his voice calm. "Has the floral arrangement for the Mayor's wife been sent?"
"Yes! Just like you ordered. White lilies, not roses. She's allergic to roses."
"Good. And the apology gift basket for the owner of the noodle shop the Captain destroyed yesterday?"
"Sent by courier this morning. Along with a voucher for a free photo op."
Kaito nodded. "Excellent work."
He walked past the reception desk.
The main operations floor was already buzzing. Phones were ringing. Interns were running around with garment bags. Tanaka, the Operations Director, looked like he was about to hyperventilate.
"The insurance company is on line one!" Tanaka shouted, holding a phone away from his ear. "They say they won't cover the 'Sky-Dive Entrance' stunt!"
Kaito placed his briefcase on his desk—a clean, organized island in the storm.
He picked up his headset.
"Transfer them to me," Kaito said calmly.
Tanaka slammed a button.
"This is Arisaka, Logistics," Kaito said into the headset. He didn't wait for the insurance agent to speak. "I am looking at Clause 4, Section B of our policy. It states that 'Aerial Maneuvers necessary for rapid deployment' are covered. The Captain wasn't sky-diving for fun; he was deploying rapidly to a cat rescue situation. The timestamps on the distress call confirm this."
He paused, listening to the agent sputter.
"Yes. We have the timestamps. I can email them to you. If you deny the claim, we will have to review our exclusivity contract with your firm. I believe All Might's agency is looking for a new provider."
Silence on the other end. Then, a sigh.
"Thank you," Kaito said. "Have the check processed by Friday."
He hung up.
Tanaka stared at him with wide eyes. "You... you threatened to leave them?"
"I leveraged our market position," Kaito corrected, opening his laptop. "It's standard negotiation."
BAM.
The double doors to the executive suite flew open.
"HELLO, TOKYO!"
Captain Celebrity—Christopher Skyline—strode into the room.
He was a mountain of muscle, American charisma, and blindingly white teeth. He was wearing his full costume.
His golden cape swished behind him, catching the air conditioning draft perfectly.
"Hiroto!" CC boomed. "Where is my protein shake? The vanilla one! And did you see the news? I'm trending! #CaptainSavesTheDay!"
"You're trending because you landed on a Toyota Prius," Kaito said, not looking up from his screen.
CC froze. He turned to Kaito.
"Suit! My man! The Prius was empty! It cushioned my fall!"
"It belonged to a school teacher," Kaito said, typing. "We bought her a new one. A Lexus. She's thrilled. She tweeted about how generous you are."
CC's face lit up. "She did? A Lexus? That sounds expensive, but... generous! I like that! Good call, Suit!"
CC marched over to Kaito's desk. He leaned down, resting his massive hands on the surface. He smelled of expensive cologne and ozone.
"So, what's the plan for today? Parade? Talk show? I feel like punching something for the cameras!"
Kaito spun his ergonomic chair around.
"Today," Kaito said, checking his tablet, "You are doing a 'Safety Inspection' of the Bay Area industrial district."
"Inspection?" CC frowned. "That sounds boring. Where are the fans?"
"The fans will be watching via drone livestream," Kaito lied smoothly. "We are framing it as 'Captain Celebrity Protecting the Worker.' It plays well with the demographic aged 25-40. Blue-collar appeal."
CC considered this. He struck a pose. "Captain of the Working Man. I dig it. Do I get a hard hat? A gold one?"
"I have already ordered a gold-plated hard hat," Kaito said. "It is on the helicopter pad."
CC grinned. "You think of everything! I love this guy! Give him a raise, Tanaka!"
CC swooped out of the room, cape billowing.
Kaito watched him go.
He wasn't annoyed. He wasn't suffering. He was controlling a very expensive, very powerful asset.
'He's happy. The polls are up. The money is flowing.'
Kaito took a sip of his coffee.
'Work is easy.'
-----
Time: 11:45 AM.
The office was quiet during lunch. Kaito was enjoying a bento box—grilled unagi over rice—at his perfectly organized desk.
"Excuse me."
The voice was cool and sharp.
Kaito looked up, his expression mild and polite.
Standing there was Sir Nighteye. The famous sidekick of All Might, wearing a grey suit tailored with precision. His eyes behind the glasses were scanning the room, landing on Kaito.
"I am looking for Arisaka Kaito," Nighteye said.
Kaito set his chopsticks down. He stood up and bowed at a perfect 30-degree angle.
"I am Arisaka. It is an honor, Sir Nighteye. How can I help you?"
Kaito kept his heart rate steady. He projected the aura of a helpful employee.
"I am conducting an audit for the HPSC regarding the Captain's support gear expenses," Nighteye said. "There are some large transfers to a holding company called 'Aegis'. I need to verify the recipient."
"Ah, of course," Kaito said, nodding smoothly. "The gym initiative."
"Gym?" Nighteye raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. 'Captain's Fitness Fortress'," Kaito explained, his tone dry and bureaucratic. "We are acquiring old warehouses in Naruhata to convert them into hero-themed gyms. We use a holding company to prevent the property prices from spiking. If sellers knew Captain Celebrity was the buyer, they would triple the price."
It was the perfect boring explanation. Greed and corporate strategy.
"I see," Nighteye said. He stepped closer. "May I see the zoning permits? Just to verify."
"Certainly."
Kaito reached for his ID badge to unlock the secure file cabinet.
"Here, let me check the clearance on your badge," Nighteye said, reaching out.
It was the test. Foresight.
Kaito didn't flinch. He didn't hesitate. He knew exactly what Nighteye would see.
Kaito handed the plastic badge over. His fingers brushed Nighteye's hand.
Contact.
Nighteye's eyes dilated for a fraction of a second.
The future of Arisaka Kaito played out in his mind for the next hour.
* Minute 10: Arisaka finishes his unagi.
* Minute 20: Arisaka makes a tea.
* Minute 45: Arisaka reads a digital manual about maritime insurance laws.
* Minute 60: Arisaka goes to the bathroom to wash his hands.
Nighteye blinked.
The vision ended.
It was the most aggressively boring hour of human existence he had ever witnessed.
There was no tension. No secrets. Just a salaryman living a quiet, efficient life.
Nighteye handed the badge back, his suspicion evaporating completely.
"Thank you, Arisaka-san," Nighteye said, his voice losing its edge. "Your paperwork seems... impeccable."
"I try to be thorough, sir," Kaito said with a polite, weary smile. "If I make a mistake, the Captain yells. I prefer the quiet."
Nighteye actually chuckled—a rare, dry sound.
"I understand completely. Managing a hero like that must be exhausting."
"It pays the rent," Kaito shrugged.
Nighteye adjusted his glasses. He looked at Kaito one last time and saw nothing but a tired, diligent worker.
"I will note the Gym Initiative in my report. Good day, Arisaka-san."
"Good day, sir."
Nighteye turned and walked out of the office.
Kaito watched the elevator doors close.
He sat back down. He picked up his chopsticks.
He took a bite of the unagi.
'Predictable,' Kaito thought calmly. 'He was looking for something. He found an accountant.'
He chewed slowly, savoring the eel.
'Perfect camouflage.'
-----
Time: 02:15 PM.
Location: The Rainbow Bridge.
Kaito was in the passenger seat of the agency support vehicle. Tanaka was driving.
They were escorting Captain Celebrity to the "Safety Inspection."
The radio crackled.
"Warning! Villain activity reported on the North Span! Trigger suspect!"
"Turn it up," Kaito ordered.
Ahead of them, traffic ground to a halt.
High above the bridge, Captain Celebrity was already diving.
BOOM.
A massive shockwave rattled the car windows.
Kaito looked up.
A man transformed into a giant, spiked pufferfish-human hybrid was rampaging on the suspension cables.
The Trigger drug had turned him into a biological wrecking ball.
Captain Celebrity slammed into the creature, grappling with it in mid-air.
"CITIZENS! STAY BACK!" CC yelled, his voice booming without a microphone.
The villain thrashed, its spikes carving gouges into the main support cable.
PING.
A sound like a gunshot echoed across the bay. A strand of the main cable snapped.
"The cable!" Tanaka screamed. "If that snaps, the bridge twists! The cars will slide off!"
Kaito unbuckled his seatbelt.
"Stay here," he told Tanaka.
"Where are you going? It's dangerous!"
"I need to get a better angle for the drone footage," Kaito lied.
He stepped out of the car. The wind was fierce, smelling of salt and gasoline.
He walked to the railing. He looked up.
The cable was unraveling. The tension was too high. Within ten seconds, it would snap completely.
Captain Celebrity was too busy holding the villain to notice the structural failure.
Kaito adjusted his glasses.
He didn't need to fly up there. He didn't need to be strong. He just needed to be precise.
Kaito looked at the fraying steel wire.
Target: Tension Cable 4-A.
Action: Restore molecular bonds. Increase tensile strength by 500%.
Kaito raised his hand, pretending to shield his eyes from the sun.
He snapped his fingers.
Snap.
It was silent. Nobody heard it over the wind.
But the effect was instant.
FWIPP. CLICKK
The unraveling steel cable didn't just stop fraying; it reversed.
The metal strands wove themselves back together in a blur of motion.
The bridge stopped shaking.
"Huh?" Captain Celebrity looked at the cable. "Did I hallucinate?"
The villain took advantage of the distraction to headbutt CC.
"Oof! You want to play rough?" CC grinned. "TAKE THIS PUNCH"
He punched the villain straight down into the bay. A massive geyser of water erupted.
The crowd cheered.
Kaito lowered his hand. He smoothed his wind-blown hair.
He walked back to the car.
"Did you see that?" Tanaka asked, wide-eyed. "The cable held! I don't how is it done!"
"Japanese engineering," Kaito said, closing the car door. "Very reliable."
He pulled out his tablet.
"I'm updating the press release. 'Captain Celebrity prevents bridge collapse.' It's good for the brand."
-----
Time: 07:45 PM.
Location: Naruhata District.
The sun had set.
The neon lights of the city reflected in the puddles on the street.
Kaito walked home. He had his jacket slung over his shoulder. The air was cool.
He stopped at a high-end grocery store near the station. He bought a bottle of imported sparkling water and a package of premium Wagyu beef.
He wasn't suffering. He was going to cook a steak.
As Kaito turned the corner toward his apartment building, he saw them.
Three men. They were blocking the entrance. They wore leather jackets and had the jittery, aggressive energy of Trigger users coming down from a high.
"Hey! Suit!" one of them shouted, stepping forward. He had a metal pipe. "Toll road. Pay up."
Kaito stopped.
He looked at his Wagyu beef. He looked at the thug.
He sighed. Not a sigh of despair, but a sigh of a man whose dinner plans were being delayed by idiots.
"I live here," Kaito said calmly. "Move."
"Make me," the thug sneered, raising the pipe. "Give me the wallet, or I break your legs."
Kaito looked at the pipe. Rusty.
He adjusted his glasses.
Clink.
The belt buckle on the second thug disintegrated. His heavy jeans, weighed down by chains, dropped to his ankles.
"Whoa!" He tripped, falling face-first into the third thug.
It was a comedy of errors. A slapstick routine orchestrated by a God.
Kaito walked past them while they were entangled on the ground, cursing and groping for their glasses.
He didn't even look back.
"Have a nice evening," Kaito said.
He walked into the building.
Location: Unit 203.
Time: 08:30 PM.
Kaito locked the door.
Click.
He walked into his sanctuary. The soundproofing was active. The noise of the street vanished.
Kaito took off his shoes and stepped onto the plush rug.
He walked to the kitchen, unpacked the Wagyu beef.
Kaito seared it perfectly in a cast-iron pan. Medium rare.
NOM-NOM-NOM
He ate his steak. It was delicious.
GLUG-GLUG. GLUG-GLUG
Katio took a sip of the sparkling water.
"Ahh. That hits the spot"
BURP
"Excuse me"
He opened his laptop to check his bank account.
[Balance: ¥45,000,000]
He smiled.
Kaito looked up at the ceiling. The faint vibration of Koichi next door was completely silenced by the acoustic panels.
"Let the world burn," Kaito whispered, taking another bite of steak. "I'm comfortable."
------
SQUEAK. SQUEAK. SQUEAK.
Koichi Haimawari's knuckles brushed the floor for the thousandth time. His thighs burned like they were being pressed by hot irons.
The air in his room was thick, smelling of sour sweat and the lingering grease from a cheap convenience store bowl he'd finished an hour ago.
"Lower," a gravelly voice rasped.
THWACK.
A rolled-up sports newspaper caught Koichi across the back of his head. He stumbled, his knees hitting the thin, stained tatami with a dull thud.
"I'm trying, Master!" Koichi wheezed, wiping salt-sting from his eyes.
Knuckleduster sat on a milk crate in the corner, his shadow stretching long and jagged across the peeling wallpaper.
He looked like a pile of scarred leather and bad intentions. He took a drag from a cigarette, the cherry glowing a dim, angry red in the shadows.
"The guy next door," Knuckleduster grunted, gesturing toward the wall shared with Unit 203. "He's back. Didn't even hear the stairs groan when he walked up."
Koichi sniffed.
Between the smell of his own exhaustion and the damp wood of the building, there was a faint, sharp scent of citrus.
It was a clean smell, one that didn't belong in a Naruhata slum.
"It's just Arisaka-san," Koichi said, pushing himself back into a crouch. "He's probably just tired from his job. Master, look at this."
Koichi glanced at the crisp, white envelope sitting on his low table. It looked like a clean bandage on a dirty wound. 'Rent increase. Fifteen hundred yen. This Aegis Management company is really squeezing us. I'm going to have to pick up more shifts at the convenience store.'
"He's got no fear, that one," Knuckleduster muttered, blowing a cloud of grey smoke toward the ceiling. "Met him in Roppongi today. Most salarymen cross the street when they see a guy like me. He didn't even blink. Just threw his trash away and kept moving."
"He's just professional, Master," Koichi argued, his legs trembling as he reset his stance. "He works in a high-end agency. People like that don't have time to be scared of every guy in a trench coat. And besides he didn't even see you here."
Suddenly, the music started.
BOOM-CHACK-BOOM-CHACK.
The floorboards vibrated. Kazuho was practicing her routine in her unit.
To Koichi, the noise was just part of the evening—the chaotic soundtrack of people trying to survive.
"Step! Turn! One-two!" Kazuho's voice muffled through the walls.
Koichi didn't care about the acoustics. He just focused on his breathing, trying to ignore the burn in his lungs.
"Focus, kid," Knuckleduster growled, raising the newspaper again. "The world doesn't care if you're tired. It only cares if you're fast enough to stay alive."
SQUEAK.
Koichi slid again.
Outside, the neon lights of Naruhata flickered, reflecting in the puddles.
Inside, it was just sweat, cheap rent, and the rhythmic thumping of a neighbor who wanted to be a star and a quiet professional guy.
~~~~~
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(9 Advanced Chapters)