Chapter 913: with translation of chapter title

NO．36：Strategy

In the Jidong language, the character pronounced 'suo' sounds like the character pronounced 'jiang'.

Neihai Jiang actually got this name from the Inner Sea Toy Manufacturing Plant where Yuan Gu Ying'er once worked.

Although they also received the 4S Ultraman series-exclusive: the quotas for human character designs in the Transformers mirror-universe style.

——using the color scheme of the mirror-image horizontal cannon and the Turbo tail paint for the character design, and being friends with Yuta, whose character design is "the traveler flying over the mountain".

But in fact, he met Xiang Yutai in April of the year when the TV story began.

In other words, they had only known each other for a few months.

So in the early part of the story, Neihai Jiang appeared not so brotherly.

He arbitrarily founded an organization based on a hot-headed impulse, and after encountering setbacks he also did not decisively take responsibility for rallying the team.

He even once, when Liuhua, Qian, and others went out to play, encouraged the worried Yutai to tail Liuhua together, and after discovering that Qian had already left early, he suggested splitting up.

Perhaps it's because of the underlying code 'Everyone likes Xintiao Qian' that Xintiao Qian set for the world, still in effect, or perhaps because he truly had a crush on her, which is why he initially blurted out: 'a girl perfect in talent and appearance, both talent and beauty, the embodiment of a miracle'—such fervent yet somewhat embarrassed description.

But that's all in the past now.

Unique people can deepen their feelings in a short time, for example, a certain alien who entered Aomo's sight through persistent pestering.

Neihai Jiang probably isn't that unique, but unique events can likewise promote connections between people.

Shared hardship is undoubtedly the most effective shortcut; unlike a certain fellow special-effects crew member who also shares the Utsumi surname and is a curveball national savior, when similarly faced with the villain's temptation, Neihai Jiang ultimately ended up in the dream world created by Xintiao Qian, clearly rejected her, and chose to return to reality.

Once this step is taken, he distinguishes himself from other beings still shrouded in the underlying logic.

Becoming a life that defies the creator, standing together with Xiang Yutai, he is worthy of his identity as the initiator of the Ultraman Alliance.

But his heart still inevitably feels wistful.

He feels wistful that even after the whole crisis has passed, he hasn't managed to play any role.

This wistfulness is understandable.

In fact, in another world unknown to him, within the anime 'Electric Light Superman Ultraman', which has countless ties to their experiences, there is a boy whose position in the events is similar to his.

Likewise a member of a two-boys-one-girl trio, likewise not chosen by Ultraman as a human host, likewise once had a crush on another girl.

That boy is named Machang Yiping, and although he has all the aforementioned labels, he is also a frequent black-tech expert at Tsuburaya Productions.

He developed various weapons for Ultraman that could be turned into actual aid, and their effect is far from negligible.

By contrast, the similarly positioned Neihai youth, because he exists in the same dimension, cannot be called a design expert.

Thus whenever a battle is about to begin, he lacks the ability to intervene and can only watch.

Relying only on a few cheering shouts, there is undoubtedly no sense of participation.

Although he pulled together the 'Ultraman Alliance', this delicate three-person team, and although he could to some extent adjust the mental state of the most important combat power Hibiki Yuta/Ultraman——

——but is that enough?

Although Neihai Jiang doesn't know how the outside observers are pointing fingers at him, adolescent boys and girls instinctively pursue something special.

The most direct manifestation of this pursuit is the reaction when encountering a clothing clash.

Especially when it comes to the attire prepared for certain important occasions, identical styles are simply intolerable.

That's precisely why Neihai Jiang comes to this clothing store.

Likewise, whenever he looks back on that past experience, he feels immense wistfulness.

15——no, after that incident was resolved, he is now a 16-year-old boy.

He always longs for a 'non-daily' event to liberate everyone from what appears to be a free campus but is actually a dull, boring life that binds everyone.

And it would be best if he himself were the protagonist.

To stand out, to attract attention…… exactly, just like Yutai.

As a high school student who deeply loves special-effects works and greatly enjoys using the 'Ultraman series' as examples, Neihai undoubtedly envies his friend's situation.

Even though that series of events actually had Ultraman directly taking the hit, and the friend's treatment as the unconscious first-generation Ultraman human host is not exactly a thorough thrill!

But for him, a lover of special-effects… especially an Ultraman fan, it's equally hard to refuse!

But so what if that's the case?

He couldn't possibly play an evil role in the Ultraman series, go off and snatch brothers' transformation devices, let alone nowadays, when the world has been saved today, Ultraman has already left.

Although he and another member of the Ultraman Alliance still remember everything.

But the person most deeply involved, Yutai, on the contrary, forgot everything just like the other residents of this city.

Perhaps it's also quite convenient……

Just like most special-effects heroes hide their identities and cover up their deeds, returning to everyday life is truly too convenient.

For these high school students, if everyone still had memories it would be the most troublesome, and if their identities were exposed, there would be all kinds of high school experiences that no matter how they tried could not be handled.

But even so!

Occasionally, occasionally they still can't help but fantasize.

Fantasizing that if someone remembered, how great that would be; if life underwent a huge change; if they also awaited their own extraordinary event, from then on embarking on an adventure—no matter what!

I also really want……

"Is it with Ultraman Access·Flash?"

"Wah wah wah ah!"

A sudden sound from beside him nearly made him lose his footing; as he hastily turned his head and looked around, he only saw the doubtful gazes of the people nearby, and that male voice from just moments ago, so close at hand, seemed merely an illusion.

But just then, the next second, that low male voice sounded again: 'Wow, you can actually hear my voice?'

"Don't treat me as an illusion, don't put on a freaked-out expression; I have a suggestion: at times like this, pretend you didn't hear any abnormal sound, even pull out your phone or earphones, act as if you're communicating with someone, and then nobody will stare at you strangely."

"……"

"Yes yes, well done, you actually have quite the potential to be a special-effects protagonist, Mr. Neihai."

"But in the Ultraman series, only evil aliens would look for humans like that, right?!"

This can't be? Do I really have to let you fly a plane and crash into me, then I talk with you on your deathbed, just to seem like an Ultraman?

That voice spoke calmly, then after he took a deep breath, preparing to retort, he added: 'But I really am not an Ultraman.'

So you really are an evil alien, huh!

Your prejudice is too deep; clearly there are many kind aliens who have interacted with humans.

Someone who murmurs in that low, pond-like voice in others' ears is definitely not a kind alien!

Um… should I say thanks for the praise?

Ah, no need to thank… wait! Who the hell are you?! This situation couldn't be because I stayed up late gaming last night, could it?

How long did you stay up?

I only went to sleep at six.

That's basically pulling an all-nighter, right?

Yeah, right… so who exactly are you?

This is quite a special question, after all my race is prone to prejudice; let me think… ah, have you heard of Oubu and Zeta? Like an existence such as Guga?

That's still an evil alien, right?

They also have a friendly side, don't they?

I think you're more like a Jiri Ailuode.

I never expected to experience two vicious slanders in one day; I feel a bit hurt.

Uh… no problem, right?

Although he hadn't realized why the other could catch every joke, hearing the other's slightly low tone, Neihai subconsciously felt a guilt of having hurt a friend.

I'm really hurt, it's just like being sliced by an Emelium cut.

Emelium cut… what the heck, getting hit by Sai Luo's light beam is already too deep? And why is this such a vivid metaphor, as if you really got hit by him.

I was indeed hit, though I wasn't aware of it at the time.

What the hell is 'not being aware' supposed to mean!

Just like Jie De controlled by Belia.

Really? You're not just making this up, are you?

Of course it's true, but are you still going to buy clothes? Do you want me to give some advice?

How do you know I want to buy clothes… and you can still give advice?

Of course, my advice is so good that even people who dislike me can't help but agree! Let me take a look……

Take a look? What are you looking at?

You probably want to buy something a bit more formal, like for autumn-winter transition, and then meet someone of the opposite sex?

Wah! You, how did you figure that out!

It's just basic observation, Mr. Neihai.

I don't want you to do anything; I'm just asking if you're willing to trust my fashion sense.

Can it really make even those who dislike you agree?

Of course, and it's also affordable.

"「Real… really affordable…」 A high school sophomore whose pocket money isn't considered freedom gulped his saliva with a gudong sound."

Well then, let's give it a try?

OK~ Let's head toward the clothing store to the front-left!

——

Meanwhile, on the other side, a silver-haired youth whose fashionable attire attracted the gazes of countless young girls was still wandering back and forth in front of the clothing shop downstairs.

Where did that guy go…

After a moment of hesitation, the knight who had put on the recommended outfit and come out of the changing room was a little anxious.

Just a few minutes out of sight, and that dangerous guy had actually disappeared like that?

I really shouldn't have changed into this outfit!

Excuse me, sir, would you like this set packed up, or would you prefer to put away your original clothes?

The clerk came over to inquire, but seeing the other's fierce gaze, he said: 'Why do I have to buy this outfit!?'

Um… but this outfit really suits your temperament, I thought……" The clerk's words were cut off by the other's murderous look, and he cautiously asked, "Are you not satisfied?"

……

Turning his head to glance at the nearby full-length mirror, Naito clicked his tongue again.

Pack this set!