HeroXJourny

The heavy studio door shut behind them, muffling the chaos of the audience's lingering reactions.

Arthur slung an arm around Gwin's neck with a sharp grin, "Man, that was embarrassing," he snorted, "I can't believe she thought that bath video was going to work."

Gwin chuckled along, twisting to jab a finger at his chest with playful force, "That 'Glamourbitch' should've known better than to show a husband and wife's alone time to the world, though love…" She tilted her head, "How'd you know about her fake arrest stats?"

Arthur's coy smile widened, "Minor benefit of prison is that criminals love gossiping about different heroes. Her name came up a lot when it was about bribes… but I don't need to verify my claims since there will be villains who'll back up my statement—eventually."

"How scandalous," Gwin replied.

"I know," Arthur shot back.

Their laughter echoed within the backroom, until Miles voice cut through with a silent, "Thank you. Both of you."

They turned.

Miles stood a few paces back, head bowed, fists clenched at his sides. His shadow hands slithered around his torso, "I know I said we wouldn't talk about our pasts. That it was 'personal'."

A bitter chuckle escaped him, "Truth is, I just didn't want to give you ammunition to use against me later."

Gwin's slight frown deepened, "Best buddy… you actually thought we'd betray you?"

"We've known each other for more than a week," Miles said flatly, finally meeting their eyes, "You think bonds formed this fast last? Once the exams are over—"

Arthur's backhand snapped Miles' head to the side. Before he could react, Gwin mirrored the strike on his other cheek.

"Idiot, I thought we cleared this up on the first day," Arthur growled, grabbing Miles' face to force eye contact, "You're stuck with us. That means we are friends."

"Besto friendo!" Gwin hooked an arm around Miles' neck, yanking him into a headlock with a playful tug, "You really think we're gonna ghost you after this? We are the misfits."

Miles blinked, "Wait, you—you want to stay in touch? After… everything?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Yes, dumbass. I was planning to add you guys to my contact list so we can message each other."

Gwin gasped dramatically, her hands flying to her cheeks, "Oh no. Oh no no no." She seized Miles' wrists, "Best buddy… have you never had real friends before?"

His silence was answer enough.

Arthur exhaled through his nose, "Unbelievable." He flicked Miles' forehead, "First thing after the exams: we're getting you fixed up to get some style in there. Then hit the arcade."

Gwin cheered, her voice bubbling with excitement, "And manicures! And karaoke! And—"

"No singing," Miles and Arthur deadpanned in unison.

Laughter bounced off the hallway walls as the trio rounded the corner…

… and nearly collided with Jackie, leaning against the exit door.

"Cute," he sneered, "Too bad it won't survive the finals."

Arthur's fist ignited with blue flames, the heat radiating as he rapidly approached.

Jackie's smug grin only fueled the fire, until Miles' shadow tendrils wrapped around Arthur's arm, yanking him back with a forceful tug.

"Not here," Miles muttered.

Jackie laughed, brushing past them with deliberate slowness, his shoulder knocking against Arthur, "Doesn't matter what happens next. I will make sure you have one hell of a time here, Demon Child."

The tension hung thick in the air, until the door swung open again, where Violet and Joseph stepped out, ready for their turn in the spotlight.

Violet's red scarf was tied tighter than usual, her gaze flickering toward Gwin for half a second before she looked away.

Joseph, meanwhile, gave Arthur a nod as he passed.

---

Team 3 settled into the viewing room's plush chairs, surrounded by the other remaining teams.

The large screen flickered to life, showing Glamourbabe smile as she introduced Team 6 with a flourish, "Let's give a warm welcome to our second-ranked team!"

The audience cheered, a wave of enthusiasm.

His smirk was razor-sharp as he leaned into the mic, "Who's ready for some real heroes to be interviewed?"

Glamourbabe giggled, her demeanor noticeably brighter than it had been with Team 3, "Oh, LightningEdge, you are a gift from the heavens! Tell us, future number one, what do you hope to accomplish?"

"A legacy. My father was a hero. My grandfather was a hero. Each one became the number one Hero and created their empire. But I'll be the one to surpass them all. And be the greatest hero on this planet." Jackie respond.

The crowd ate it up, their applause a roaring tide.

Then came the real ambush, but for someone else.

The screen cut to a slow-motion replay of Violet's desperate fight against Armageddon's gravity crush, her struggle etched in every frame. But then, the footage changed, zooming in on the jagged, acid-scarred flesh along her jawline, a stark revelation.

"Ivy, darling, you've been my sidekick for a long time, and I believe it's time you share your story," Glamourbabe cooed, "This injury… it's quite distinctive. Care to share how it happened?"

Violet's fingers twitched toward her scarf, but her voice was steady, "Yes, ma'am, it was from a villain named Stalker back in the day."

Glamourbabe's eyes gleamed, "Ladies and gentlemen, can you guess who Stalker's identity is?"

The screen flickered again to a younger Gwin at fifteen, wearing a horrific costume as she laughed at a burnt-face Violet, who was crying uncontrollably.

The audience gasped.

Gwin stiffened in her seat, "She had that video but didn't use it against me."

But the damage was done. The approval ratings for Team 3 dipped slightly as murmurs of "psycho" and "unstable" rippled through the crowd.

Glamourbabe wasn't done.

"And Hope," she purred, turning her attention to Joseph.

"Your grandfather was Empire Gold, yes? The hero whose death Nameless caused?"

The screen replayed the same damning footage she'd used against Arthur—Empire Gold's brutal end at Kaizer's hands.

Joseph didn't flinch, "It was an accident," he said simply, "One Nameless has spent years atoning for."

Glamourbabe blinked, "But surely you hate him? After what he—"

"I did." Joseph's voice was calm, "Until I judged him for myself." He met the camera's gaze head-on, "Nameless isn't the monster you want him to be. He's my rival, not my enemy."

The approval ratings jumped, a sudden surge of support.

Glamourbabe's smile turned brittle, "Well! Isn't that… noble of you!"

---

Back in the viewing room, Arthur let out a slow breath, "Huh."

Gwin elbowed him, "You owe him now."

Miles watched the screen, "It's backfiring on her."

Arthur smirked, his eyes narrowing, "Of course. People are starting to take note of how she's conducting the interview. The more emotional manipulation she does, the more we're seen as martyrs. And she probably realized that as well, so after this, she'll most likely go back to normal. But sadly, the damage has already been done."