Takeru naturally didn't know about what happened afterward, nor was he particularly interested for the time being. As long as it didn't affect him and his own, he wasn't planning to take proactive action unless, like today, it happened right in front of him.
After the three of them had lunch, they took the train together back towards the apartment.
Actually, where Takeru lived wasn't far from where Ebina lived… less than fifty meters apart, just in different apartment buildings.
In fact, Takeru had seen Ebina going to school alone many times before.
"Ebina, my home is right here, room 303. If anything comes up in the future, you can come find us. Also, let's go to school together next time!" Arriving at the base of the apartment building, Takeru said to Ebina.
"Really?" Hearing Takeru's words, Ebina spoke somewhat unconfidently.
"Of course, we're friends, aren't we? By the way, just call me Takeru from now on. It's settled!" Hearing Ebina's words, Takeru gently patted her shoulder and said.
"I... I understand!" Feeling Takeru's familiar gesture, Ebina became even more bashful, but she still nodded earnestly.
After saying goodbye to Ebina, Takeru waved to her, then took Miu back home.
"Mou, alright, Onii-chan, that mysterious person was you, wasn't it?" As soon as they got home, Miu pulled up a forum post and showed it to Takeru.
"And also, I could smell a strange odor on you just now, which was from those monkeys too, right?" Miu stared intently at Takeru.
"I really can't hide anything from you, can I? But Miu, you absolutely must not tell anyone about this, understand?" Seeing Miu's expression, Takeru could only shake his head helplessly.
"See! I knew it! Onii-chan, you're a superhero!" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu exclaimed excitedly.
"I'm not as powerful as a superhero, nor am I as eager to help as one." Hearing Miu's words, Takeru just shrugged.
"Hehe, so Onii-chan, can you tell me what really happened?" Having confirmed it was Takeru, Miu excitedly hugged his arm.
"Alright, I'll give you a simple explanation, but you have to promise never to tell anyone, okay? Especially about that stuff I gave you to drink before." Seeing Miu's look, Takeru knew he had to give her a proper warning.
"Eh? Does drinking that make you a superhero? Am I a superhero now too?" Hearing Takeru mention it, Miu got excited again.
"You're thinking too far ahead. That's just a simple body-enhancing medicine, and its effects are very limited." Seeing Miu's excited fantasies, Takeru poured cold water on them directly.
"Oh, is that so?" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu pouted, but she wasn't particularly disappointed. Just that one enhancement had already made her feel reborn. She didn't feel unsatisfied. The most important thing was knowing that her big brother was an extraordinary person.
"To put it simply, by chance, I obtained some special items that made my body stronger. At the same time, I learned that this world is going to undergo deeper changes. As for what those changes are, I'm not too sure myself, but they'll likely cause some disasters for Earth."
"And from now on, every once in a while, I'll be going out. The duration is uncertain, but I'll basically be back within three hours."
Looking at the curious Miu, Takeru thought for a moment and told her some things, but not everything. He just wanted to make her stay alert.
"So, does that mean when you went out last week, it was for this reason too?" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu immediately remembered last Sunday.
"Mm."
"So, besides Onii-chan, there are other people who have also obtained these things?" Quickly, Miu connected this to the club activities Takeru mentioned before.
Since Takeru said he was going for club activities last week, and Umaru confirmed it, that means Umaru might not be an ordinary person either...
Following this line of reasoning, Miu stared blankly at Takeru, suddenly feeling as if the world had become somewhat unfamiliar...
Takeru hadn't expected Miu to connect so many dots. He simply reiterated during their conversation that she should be more cautious and, if anything strange really happened, she must leave immediately...
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. After saying goodbye to Miu, Takeru headed towards a nearby park where everyone had agreed to meet.
When Takeru arrived, Yukino, Umaru, Taihei, Yui, Ui, and Rikka were already waiting.
"Good morning, everyone!" Seeing everyone, Takeru smiled and waved.
"Takeru, you're here!" Seeing Takeru, everyone smiled.
"Good. Since you're here, Takeru, that just leaves Hikigaya." Seeing Takeru, Yukino stated directly.
As for Yuta, it seemed he was going out with his mother and sisters today, so he couldn't make it.
The group chatted briefly, and soon, Hachiman jogged over. Seeing everyone waiting for him, he scratched his head sheepishly.
He had actually left home early, but Hachiman's little sister felt that since her brother had finally made friends, he should at least dress up a bit and wear something presentable before leaving the house. That's why Hachiman ended up being slightly late.