Chapter 29 : That Stupid Smile

Kana Fujimura hated a lot of things.

Group projects. Authority. People who thought power made them better.

But lately, the thing she hated most… was a smile.

That stupid, infuriating smile. The one plastered on the face of the helmet-wearing freak who had no right to look that content while being so useless.

He was in the paper again.

"Unregistered hero helps stop petty thief!"

A blurry photo—Satoru standing next to a crying woman, handing back her bag. Helmet dented. Gloves torn. And that dumb, quiet grin like it was the best day of his life.

Kana tossed the paper across the room.

> "What an idiot."

Her mom called from the kitchen.

> "Something wrong?"

> "Just reading trash."

> "You shouldn't waste time on things you don't like, sweetheart."

> "I'm not wasting time. I'm observing a disaster."

She didn't admit she'd cut the photo out later. Didn't admit it was already folded into her sketchbook.

---

At school, she overheard classmates whispering.

> "Did you see that clip? That helmet guy's kind of cool."

> "He's quirkless, though."

> "Still, gutsy."

Kana leaned back in her chair.

> "He's not cool. He's pathetic."

Everyone paused. She went on.

> "Risking your life with no chance of winning? That's not brave. That's stupid."

A beat of silence. Then one kid muttered, "Maybe. But he still helped."

She didn't reply. Just clenched her pencil until it cracked.

---

That evening, on her way home, she spotted him.

At the park.

Kneeling beside a fallen bike, helping a kid fix their chain. His helmet sat beside him. Hair messy. Sweat on his brow.

Still smiling.

He waved goodbye as the kid pedaled off, then noticed her watching.

> "Evening, Kana."

> "You've got dirt on your face."

> "Adds character."

> "Adds loser."

> "Still smiling, though."

> "Why? You think being laughed at is worth it?"

> "I don't do it for the laughs."

> "Then what? Pity? You want people to feel sorry for you?"

> "I just want to help."

> "Nobody asked you to."

> "Someone has to want to first."

She stared at him. Then at the grease on his fingers. The scraped-up armor. The quiet confidence in his voice.

It wasn't a show. It never was.

> "You're such an idiot."

> "Takes one to know one."

She turned and walked away. Didn't look back. Didn't stop thinking about that stupid smile.

---

Satoru's notebook entry:

> "Kana observed during park assist. Interaction: hostile tone. Subject increasingly agitated by public praise. Emotional response unclear—possible projection? She still watches. Still talks. Still cares."

He underlined it. Then smiled.