Live A Hero Chapter 1 Episode 5: To the Starting Line

We pick back up to someone yelling, and suddenly Akashi is picked up and flown into the sky. He asks what's happening as he coughs and tries to keep up with this turn of events, and it turns out Ryekie has come to help. He tells him he's done well and to leave the rest to them. You either refer to Ryekie by his hero name, real name, or say a hero has come. Justice has flown in and scooped out Akashi from the water and hovers high in the sky for a moment, then flies over to your location to set Akashi down.

 

Akashi is doing about as well as can be expected, breathing hard and commenting that Justice is late before nothing that he's finally here. Justice just comments on seeing the both of you again as he recognizes Akashi from the restaurant earlier. He apologizes for being late but says you guys can relax and leave things to them. You take note of Justice using a plural form and ask who else is around, and Procy turns up in his hero outfit complaining that Justice had been boozing it up late and sleeping in his bar until a while ago. And as soon as he got the emergency alert, he dragged the bar owner (ie Procy) along with him, causing Procy to ask what kind of hero is he.

 

Narration describes Procy as a tiny hero decked out in gold, less than half of Justice's size and using a flying saucer to talk to him at eye level. Procy then starts talking about how the job this time doesn't seem to be paying much, so he can't bring himself to get motivated. Justice just laughs and tells Procy to deal with it since lives matter more than money and that heroes do charity work because that's their fate and duty. Procy is amused as he calls him a dope as work should be profitable, but he still understands what he means all the same. Narration describes Procy as talking like an old man, and as you look at him you recognize him from before. You either say so out loud, point out he really is tiny, or call him cute and try to pet him. In A, Procy is a bit taken aback by you as he asks who you are. He also asks if you came to his store before, though he doesn't remember seeing you there. In B, Procy gets offended and demands to know who you are. In C, Procy is shocked as he demands that you stop touching him so casually before asking who you are.

 

Anyways, Justice is pleasantly surprised as he asks if you're acquainted with Procy and comments on the coincidence. Procy quickly denies knowing you and asks about Justice knowing you in turn. Justice describes you as the brave Observer who fought alongside him earlier, so Procy realizes that you're the one he had been talking about earlier in his store. He stares at you as if fascinated. You either awkwardly ask what he wants, comment on him also saying he's met you for the first time, or pet him again. B has an extra line with him being put off and asking why you look so sad. C gets a different extra line where he gets mad and tells you to stop touching him, denying he lets his guard down so much.

 

Procy starts commenting on how you were fighting together with Akashi, then asks if you were fighting without putting it on broadcast. Akashi is surprised as he asks about that, then says that heroes do livestream their battles. You start putting together why Akashi couldn't take the Kaibutsu down, and Procy sighs as he takes it as confirmation. He comments that Akashi actually did really well under the circumstances and is alive through a miracle. There aren't random bystanders to watch and you didn't start broadcasting the battle after all.

 

The Kaibutsu roars from wherever it is, and Procy says the explanations will have to wait. He asks HQ if the camera is ready, and a flying drone about the size of a regular flying bug flies in recording the area. Akashi's suit and bat fix themselves up as a result of this, and he expresses his surprise. Procy explains that getting Views from viewers fixed up his equipment, and that heroes fight by allying with views. You say you understand now why heroes fight on camera and mention remembering hearing something about this before.

 

Akashi doesn't have anything to say, and Procy announces that the signal is live and the Operator(s?) are on standby, so they can get to work. Justice is impressed by Independent Heroes (Self-Employed Hero Union) and their tiny drone camera and remote command system is already in place. Procy reminds him to not destroy the thing since it's expensive, and in the off chance it does get destroyed, he's dumping the comp bill onto Justice's agency. Justice just roars as he charges the Kaibutsu, his lightning illuminating the area as he and Procy proceed to battle. Akashi is surprised, then asks them to let him join in. You are taken aback by this and tell him he needs to rest.

 

Procy also tells Akashi he needs to sit down for a while and asks how he intends to fight while so beat up. His suit and bat have been fixed, but that doesn't mean the damage he took was healed too. He tries to get him to stop, telling him he'll give some first aid later, but Akashi argues he'll never be able to stand it if he leaves things partway through, whether it's a game or a battle. He balls his fists as he staggers back up, then brings up how in baseball, you get cycled to the bench if you strike out. If you're up against someone with a great batting average that you can't win against, you can back out (I guess? I don't know that much about baseball.). But Akashi says that if you're up against someone you don't feel you're out of your league with, then he can't accept leaving without trying. He knows he's being selfish, but he asks to take responsibility for his actions. Procy is sympathetic, and Akashi pleads to be let into battle. You call his name.

 

Justice starts laughing loudly as he wards off one of the Kaibutsu's attacks. He approves of Akashi's stubbornness and strong belief that he says could bite into stone, and he calls it Akashi's justice. Justice agrees to let him fight to see his justice in action, but he also tells him that he'll kick him off the field if Akashi looks about ready to collapse in the fight. Procy sighs at this, but agrees to play along. He smiles even as he complains about how it's like he's looking at his past self, and how he can't just abandon him now. Procy then proceeds to swing his hammer at the Kaibutsu's tail end.

 

Akashi is touched by the other heroes' words, agreeing and thanking them. He steps forward, rolling his shoulders as he gets ready with his bat. Justice then starts to address you, asking what you'll do as the Operator who transformed Akashi. You either shrug and say fine, or you say you'll fight with him. Akashi is happy to hear so and thanks you. Procy nods as he tells everyone to get going, with Akashi saying he'll do it and Justice saying they're ready to go as the episode battle starts. The story continues after that.

 

Things pick up at the Kaibutsu's defeat, roaring its death cries as it looks up before dissolves into rising light. In its place are the people it ate, flat on the ground. They slowly awaken, and after they process that they've been saved they start cheering in joy. Justice dramatically shouts about how justice has won as he declares his name, which prompts more cheering from from those who were saved. You either shout your cheers or be more relieved as you say you guys won.

 

Procy sighs about not getting paid much for this, muttering to himself as he rolls a rainbow crystal in his hand. After a moment to dwell on that, he turns back to you and Akashi, saying you guys won safely and that you both did well. Akashi is tired but glad he won. Justice tells him that the whole planet (which has apparently unified into one single nation) is sending him their thanks, so he should give a little something for their support. Akashi however starts freaking out at being told how many people are watching as he attempts to say something at all. The stress gets to him as he faints, causing you to yell out to him in alarm while Procy sighs about him forcing himself. Procy then tells Justice to stop posing for the camera and help carry Akashi back to his shop to get fixed up.

 

Time skips a bit as the scene shifts to some other street as you guys make your way to Procy's business, and Procy starts talking about how a hero's suit and weapons are referred to as Parallel Weapons. These are things pulled from a parallel world that do not originally exist in this one. He explains that if there isn't someone in this world recognizing that something Exists, it'll disappear from here. Narration then describes how Akashi is being piggybacked here to this certain alley, to some stairs going down in a mixed residential and business building in some business district.

 

Procy explains that in your battle earlier, what you guys lacked was people watching as you only count as one person. That meant that Akashi's suit was unstable and that he was unable to manifest enough power to fight well. You think on the fact that you were the only witness to Akashi's fight, and Procy says that's all he can understand and explain to you in terms of theory. At this point he announces that you guys have made it to his store.

 

Procy opens a door that has a sign with Heroes Guild - Earth Camp written on it, then calls out to someone named Gomeisa that he's back. The place itself is described as a stylish pub. You ask about this being Procy's business, express your amazement at how nice it is, or comment that it is that place you saw before. B gets an extra line with Procy being pleased and saying you should become a regular if you like it, offering a discount.

 

In any case, Procy wonders where that kid went since he made sure to order him to stay in the front if he left him to watch the place. He yells for Gomeisa again, and this time he gets a response saying he's coming, but this gets cut off by the sounds of plates breaking further inside. Procy just sighs as he puts a finger to his forehead when he hears the crash. Eventually, heavy footsteps pound out as Gomeisa that one waiter from the train lumbers out, apologizing and saying he was making the 3 o'clock snacks inside. He gets described as being about three meters tall (~9'10), and you either express surprise at how big he is or comment that you think you saw him on the train.

 

Procy sighs again as he said he did tell him there were snacks to be made at 3, but he didn't mean 3 AM. Gomeisa takes notice of you and Akashi as he asks who you are while noting that he knows who Ryekie is. He quickly welcomes you to the establishment, introducing himself as a waiter of the place and giving his name with an innocent smile. You either are a bit taken aback as you greet him back, comment that he speaks funny since he keeps randomly throwing desu into his sentences like he doesn't know how to use it, or call him cute. B has Procy tell you that Gomeisa always talks like a baby and that his homeworld apparently only speaks its own language. C instead has Procy step in to tell you to not flirt with or impede Gomeisa's job. There are people who come to hit on Gomeisa, but this isn't that kinda store.

 

In any case Procy turns to Gomeisa and demands to know what he'd have done if a burglar came in. He's not going to stop him from eating, but he's already told him multiple times to stay in the front. Gomeisa apologizes and says he'll remember next time, sadly curling up like some plant wilting. At this point, Huckle walks up and notices Procy is back, explaining that he was having Gomeisa talk with him or something. You are surprised to see him and note that he's left the hospital.

 

Huckle greets you, noting he hasn't seen you since the thing with the Kaibutsu, glad that you look alright. Procy is surprised to see Huckle here, and Huckle says they seemed to have just missed each other. He asked Gomeisa to let him wait around until Ryekie came back. Since he just got discharged he didn't have the stamina to walk all the way, and he asks Procy to go easy on Gomeisa. Procy sighs that he can't be mad if Gomeisa was tending to a customer and apologizes for yelling at him. Gomeisa says he isn't concerned at all about it, which Procy says is a problem in itself, but lets it go. He tells Gomeisa to make some tea for you guys.

 

Akashi wakes up at this point, looking around and asking where he is. He then winces and says his dominant arm got grazed. You call out to Akashi and observe he's awake now, and Ryekie laughs as he tells him he should be fine after a little sleep. Such is the power of youth! Akashi is shocked that Justice carried him on his back, then mumbles about how embarrassing that is. Procy tells Gomeisa they have someone injured, so he should go help him. Gomeisa panics a little at this and tells Akashi to come to him. He doesn't wait for him to do so as Akashi protests that he can walk on his own when Gomeisa picks him up.

 

Gomeisa points out that Akashi is hurt all over, but he's glad none of his wounds are deep. That means the secret medicine from his planet will work fast, and he moves to put it on right away. Akashi tells him to put him down since he finds being carried in his arms embarrassing, though Gomeisa just carries him further inside. When Gomeisa gets started with the medicine, Akashi yells about how much it stings, which carries on for some time.

 

Some time later, you wonder how Akashi is doing and guess he seems to be sort of better, and/or you comment on how surprisingly pushy Gomeisa is. Procy wonders if Gomeisa really did use his secret medicine, saying that it really works well, but it also feels like being pressed with a hot iron. Huckle comments on how bad that sounds and asks if it's okay to let Gomeisa handle that. Procy shrugs and says that while Gomeisa is unreliable, he is a specialist when it comes to healing wounds and recovering energy. You ask about this and/or ask if he's a doctor.

 

Procy tells you that Gomeisa isn't a doctor. Instead, he has a body that's like half plant and has lived with plants all his life. More specifically, he has the ability to transfer energy he's photosynthesized to someone else. He's always full of energy, so using it to heal someone else is a quick and easy job for him. You go oh and comment on how wide the galaxy is to have such mysterious beings living in it.

 

Huckle starts talking to you since there's something he wants to discuss while Akashi is being treated. He brings up that he saw your battle broadcast, and you did very well for such a sudden fight. Having said that, a problem has occurred because you got into a battle, and he tells you it's important as he asks you to listen to him for a bit. Narration takes over to do some exposition, and about 150 years ago the Earth Sphere Alliance had put up a plan to oppose Kaibutsu by bringing in heroes from other planets. But at the same time, the idea of having Observers with their unknown abilities to fight could not get any absolute support. The arguments was that there was no way to disprove Observers would bring world destruction. Due to that, the Alliance was created to register both Heroes and Observers who would support them as Operators with the idea that both parties would control the other. Those who act without being registered will either be given forms to fill out to register, or they'll be severely punished by their rules as a prevention measure against destruction.

 

Huckle says that while they have asked you verbally to help, they're concerned what others might think. If you ever happen to use your abilities somewhere no being watched by a hero agency (re: superpower management organization) and end up accidentally causing collateral damage, you might be straight up arrested. It's not just you either, as Akashi also risks being arrested with you. Speaking of which, Akashi comes back at this point and says you guys are in some deep crap. You say you didn't know and ask if you've been written up.

 

Huckle tells you that if you two never use your powers again, you won't need to worry about the papers. But now that you've understood how to use your power, would you and Akashi be able to promise to never take part in battle again? You don't have an answer to that, and Akashi says he doesn't know. Now that he knows he can do something about Kaibutsu, he might go ask an Observer he can rely on to transform him and fight if things get dangerous. Huckle then has a suggestion for you. He's already talked to you about it earlier, but he asks if you guys would be interested in joining Parallel Flight. You are shocked or resigned at the subject being brought up again.

 

Akashi is shocked at the idea of joining a hero agency, and Huckle says they're a government approved genuine superpower management organization, or agency as most people call them. If you contract with them, you won't be served papers as Huckle will be able to take on all responsibility. Once you two have formally registered, you'll be able to act as a Hero and Hero Operator. Huckle's already talked to you about it already, but he says there's a certain amount of danger involved with the job so he won't force you guys. This is only ever a suggestion. You say you see and that this has some logic to it.

 

Akashi voices his thoughts about still being in school and needing to think about his place of employment. Huckle realizes he hasn't introduced himself to Akashi at this point, so he gives his full name of Huckle Darlens and describes himself as the representative of Parallel Flight. Akashi introduces himself back. Huckle then says they don't want to limit Akashi's later job options, so he suggests he work as a hero with them on a part time basis, some days a week. He looks in his bag or pockets for papers about the work conditions and payment and gives them to Akashi. Akashi takes a moment to look over the docs, then voices his shock at how high the pay is since nowhere else in the area compares. You say it was the same for the papers you were given.

 

Huckle laughs as he says that's the market price for their business, and he hopes you guys will take it as a sign of him promising to not make you guys do anything bad. If there's any danger that involves you guys, he and Ryekie will do what they can to protect you. Ryekie smiles and nods from the side. Huckle asks again if you guys will join his agency, and you either promptly agree, acquiesce if he's going to push so hard, or ask him to keep his word.

 

Huckle thanks you for doing so, and Akashi says he'll join too. He admits to not knowing much about things when it comes to heroes, but if he can protect people then that's what he wants to use his power for. Plus he just got fired and all, so this is some good timing. Huckle thanks you both, saying that it's reassuring to have you both on. Ryekie excitedly welcomes you both on board, and Procy comments that the job can be harsh but he encourages you two to work hard at it. If you feel like shooting the breeze, he invites you guys to come over. He can probably give you a good deal on drink prices.

 

Gomeisa cheers and suggests you all do your best together. Procy questions him about the together part and tells him that you guys are a different business organization. He turns back to you and tells you that he and Gomeisa are also heroes, so they'll cooperate with you where they can. Huckle says the contract can wait until daytime since it's so late. Once the process is done, Huckle says he as an Observer will be in charge of training you while Ryekie will be in charge of training Akashi. When he brings up the other employees in the agency, he admits Mokdai as cameraman is the only other person. He'll give a proper introduction of him tomorrow, but for now, it'll be his pleasure to work with you guys. And so the the curtain rises on your new careers as the episode ends.