The criteria for selecting a T-shirt vary from person to person. It could be the color, the pattern, or the “it feels good on the skin!”, etc.

Then, has there ever been a T-shirt that proudly depicts the appeals in words?

“Unsurprisingly, it exists, if it’s in Mucchiland.”

「What is this, a shichūhikimawashi[i] punishment?」

Underneath his scowling face, the words, “It feels good on the skin!” was written. The mascot of this land, “Mucchi,” is drawn next to the letters.

Rintaro was overwhelmed by the urge to take off his clothes as soon as possible because of such bad taste.

Due to an unfortunate accident, Rintaro Kuriyama got water all over his head. Naturally, he had no change of clothes with him. He had no choice but to buy a limited-edition T-shirt at a store in the Mucchiland for 700 yen per piece, a price that seems like a dream come true.

「Aniki, it doesn’t suit you at all, ssu!」

「Thank you, Samecchi. That is the highest compliment you can give me.」

The shirt of Samecchi, who walked side by side with Rintarō, also had the same snobbish character print. It was a pair set that was the result of a vicious commercial scheme where you could buy a two-piece set for 10,000 yen.

Though, if you think about it, each clothing in the set is not cheap.

「Ehehe…… it’s the same one as aniki’s. We look a bit like lovers, ssune?」

「Yeah, it might look like that in about five years.」

The two of them are wearing the same shirt and walking hand in hand. They look more like brother and sister or father and daughter than lovers.

Rintaro lightly brushed Samecchi off and placed a hand on her small head. Her height, which is two head shorter than Rintaro, is just right for him to pat.

The girl, who still could only be described as a child, blushed and smiled shyly. Although the shirt was an unexpected expense, it was not a bad deal considering that it bought a smile for Samechi.

There was a shadow, watching from afar.

She is Kenmochi Minato, aka Swordminas, the long-haired, tall maiden. She patted her head enviously, as if she were a little girl in a toy store. Then, she let out a soft sigh instead of the self-mocking words she was about to spit from her lips.

Minato had been timid since childhood, probably due to her parents’ strict upbringing, and ran away as soon as she saw bigger adults. In addition, she was extremely well-developed, and no one in her age group could boast of being taller than she was.

As a result, Minato has never experienced a “pat on the head” in her entire life.

For her, who is the second tallest person in the Ark Dominion after Beurion, the leader of the Hundred Beasts Legion, it was a dream come true.

Children’s wish to grow up quickly, will come true one day.

Just like that, no, even more than that. Minato wishes to be small.

Of course, no matter how much she stroked her own head, that wish would never come true.

「……What am I doing……」

『It is time to close the park……. Please don’t forget your belongings…….』

An announcement was made in Muchland, announcing the end of the dream. The sun slowly stretched its thin shadow and eventually disappeared into the western sky.

………………

…………

……

Director Morikuni Ittetsu, the first hero, who contributed to peace in Japan for half a century. His sudden resignation shocked all of Japan.

Starting with the thin-headed Chief of the General Staff, all of the heavyweights under the Morikuni regime were dismissed or transferred.　

According to the information provided to the media, it was announced that he was resigning because he “fought well and forced the mysterious beings to retreat from the battle at Haneda, but caused a great deal of damage”. At the same time, Masayuki Kazami, 51 years old and with a career spanning 30 years, was appointed as his successor.

「Director Kazami!　What is your policy for the future of Hero Headquarters!」

「Well… even if I talk about the future, there is also the trend of enemy organizations, so I can’t generalize…」

「Chief Kazami! What do you think about the great loss since the beginning of Hero Headquarters!?」

「Hmmm… I’ll make a comment on that at a later date as soon as the report is finalized.……」

「Director Kazami!　What are your thoughts on how to deal with the heinous mysterious Death Green, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the series of incidents!」

「Well…… I haven’t received the detailed documents at hand, so it’s hard for me to say……」

Although he had attracted a great deal of public attention as the successor to Morikuni, who had been absolutely unshakable, Kazami was as unreliable as a willow tree swaying in the wind.

In front of the Asagaya Hero Headquarters, which was packed with the mass media, stood a flamboyant woman. A bright red shirt peeked out from the chest of her black suit, and the words “Chief of General Staff” danced on the staff ID card hanging from her neck.

「Nfufufu! Finally, finally my spring has come, wa~! Justice needs me, Komorodo Utako, nodesuwa!!」

Utako, who had carefully applied her makeup to protect herself from the media, laughed loudly  so that the reporters could hear her. However, none of the reporters who were flocking to the hot new director pointed their cameras at her.

…………

The temporary Hero Headquarters in Asagaya was very busy with the new regime. A helicopter had just arrived at the temporary heliport. Then, the new Chief Kazami received a report from the scene. The report is read out by Victor Ranger Commander Samejima Asaka, who belongs to the Tokyo Headquarters.

「Especially in eastern Japan, the movements of various underground organizations are becoming more and more active. We believe that the reorganization of the Hero Organization is an urgent necessity.」

「I see, so that’s how it is. Then, where should I stamp?」

「Then this document and… here please」

Because of his unreliability, the new director was already being called a “daytime lantern weathercock” by the staffs.

As Kazami was stamping away, the door to the director’s office was opened with a bang. A woman dressed in a black suit and red shirt slips in.

With her regal bearing and smile filled with a strange confidence, she was Komorodo Utako, the new Chief of General Staff.

In contrast to Kazami, she was aggressive and beautiful to look at, and she did not have a bad reputation among the staff.

――――Except for her character.

「Oh my? Commander Samejima is also here, desuwane. What a coincidence, desuwaa」

「……Excuse me.」

「Please wait, Commander Samejima, aren’t we in the same generation? It’s true that I’ve gotten a lot better, but I don’t care about that kind of thing, fufufufu!」

Asaka Samejima and Utako Komorado are classmates who both graduated from Hero School 10 years ago.

While Asaka was always good at everything she did and had excellent grades, Utako had a one-sided rivalry with her. While Asaka had won the top position at the age of 17, Utako, who was only a few years older than Asaka, was determined to be the next in line for the top position.

With her tenacity and ease, Asaka was appointed as an assistant to the director about three years ago. She immediately aspired to join the General Staff, and forcibly pushed her way to get her ass into the position.

Of course, it was impossible to use a person who had nothing to offer except her guts, but the Operations Staff had no choice but to keep Utako on their side.  As a result of the dismissal of all of her superiors, the position of Chief of Staff was moved up to her.

In other words, Utako’s rise to the top was not due to her ability, but merely the result of bad luck. However, Utako’s nose was growing longer and longer without seeming to care about such circumstances.

「Nfufufufu! With the young, beautiful, and talented me (me), it seems like the secret society Ark Dominion will be a crumpled up in a month, desuwa!」

「Yes, I have high expectations for you, Komorodo-kun. I don’t know much about the field from my position at the Intelligence Analysis Office after all.」

「Leave it to me! Nfu!」

Utako is unusually pushy and was called “small and annoying” when she was in hero school. Director Kazami, who has low presence, is probably incapable of stopping her rampage.

Asaka stifled a loud sigh and turned to leave the director’s office. As Asaka was about to leave the director’s office, a “small and annoying girl” stopped her at her back.

「Please wait, Commander Samejima! I also have an important report for you!」

「……What is it?」

As Asaka asked with an almost blank expression, Utako answered with a thump of her flat chest.

「The Operations Staff has prepared a new member for your Victor Ranger team. Their personal colors are “red” and “green.」

As Asaka’s eyebrows twitch at Utako’s elated words, which are spun with the same manner as if she were singing. She is also dissatisfied with the fact that the appointment of a Victor Ranger under her management was done without her consent.

But more than that, it contained words that Asaka could not miss.

「Red……? Isn’t Victor Red Kurenai-san……?」

「He can’t be used so he has been demoted…… to the Ondokawa branch in Iwate!」

Asaka, who normally does not show emotion on her face at all, looked at Utako and her eyes widened. Seeing Asaka’s surprised face, Utako smiled with satisfaction.

「The helicopter should have just arrived to pick him up, desuwa.」

As Asaka hurriedly opened the window of the Secretary’s Room, the helicopter had just flown outside.

A short-sleeved man leans out from a bright blue jet helicopter, which must be an aircraft of some sentai. The man, who was supposed to be living in an apartment in Shimotakaido, was calling out his roommate’s name in a loud voice.

「Asaka-san! Asaka-saaaaaaaaan!!!!!」

「Kurenai…… san？」

As soon as Asaka and Retto’s eyes met, the jet engine burst into flames and the helicopter accelerated. The helicopter disappeared into the northern sky in a flash, with Kurenai Retto on board.

As Asaka was stunned, Utako was fluttering her handkerchief as if she was saying goodbye.

---

[i] parading a criminal through town before their execution (Edo period)​

<90: Northern Wind and Thighs
92: New Victor Ranger Kai, Return>