#705 Father and Son Want a Superhero

After we went through the farm graduates’ letters, I got the urge to try something new.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about something.

My kids.

I want to spend more time playing with them, be more attached to them, and create core memories that will stay in their hearts even when they grow up.

But, I’ve realized that there’s something missing in this world, something I feel is necessary.

“Hey, Platy...”

“What is it, Dear?”

“Why are there no heroes in this world?”

“What are you talking about?!” exclaims Platy while she feeds Junior and Norito. “It’s typical for you to say something outrageous, but this time it’s even more absurd. Can you please elaborate?”

“Junior and Norito need heroes too!”

“Don’t they have you as their hero?”

If that were true, it would make me incredibly happy.

It would mean my life had meaning. But this is different.

“If you’re referring to something else...do you mean those recognized worldwide? I mean, a hero could certainly be a hero-hero, but even the Demon King or S-rank adventurers could be considered so due to the level of admiration they receive from people.”

That’s true.

But that’s still not what I’m seeking. The hero I’m longing for isn’t so practical.

“It’s the hero that gives color to one’s childhood memories. That kind!”

“Okay...?”

Platy stares at me with a puzzled expression as if to say, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I can’t blame her for not understanding.

This stems from my own childhood experiences.

I must tell the whole story from the beginning.

When I was still a child in my world, my greatest admiration was not for celebrities... 

It was for the superheroes on our television screen.

They would come to visit us every Sunday morning without fail and show us their heroic figures.

With their superhuman powers, indomitable spirits, and magnificent finishing moves, they would defeat villains week after week and demonstrate the presence of justice to us children with big dreams.

Those heroic figures are etched in our memories, sparkling brightly.

Childhood is the most memorable time for everyone!

The superheroes who gave color to those times remain the most special heroes in our hearts!

Heroes who would visit children every Sunday morning...

“I want those heroes to visit Junior and Norito too!”

“Uh-huh, sure...”

Don’t sound so disinterested, Platy.

It’s important for us boys!

Our eldest child is growing up and understanding words and things.

That reminds me of my own childhood and how I was fascinated by those superheroes, including the pure excitement I felt back then.

For a father like me, it’s a dream to support superheroes alongside my children every Sunday!

Some series have been running for decades, too.

To see the latest version that captures children’s hearts and understand the changes in the times while reminiscing about the heroes that were special to me when I was once a kid myself!

As a child-at-heart, I’ll use the economic power I acquired as an adult to buy the toys I couldn’t afford back then!

Then, I’ll say it’s “for the kids” to justify it!

I’ll collect everything; cards, medals, even watcheeeeeeeeees!!!

Anyway, I want to do all of that as a parent.

Unfortunately, I got married and had children in a different world.

But that itself is not the problem.

There are no TVs, let alone shows to air in this world. Naturally, there are no children’s superhero shows, and certainly no superheroes causing a commotion in them.

“Can’t we introduce superheroes to this world...?”

I slump my shoulders in disappointment, and Platy looks at me, utterly dumbfounded.

As the feeling of having my hopes rejected threatens to shatter me...

Wait.

How have I been living in this different world until now?

That’s right. I create what doesn’t exist.

I’ve created crops, homes, and various tools with my ideas and my comrades’ help!

Who needs a superhero? We can just make one ourselves!!!

With my own hands, I will create Sunday-morning Superheroes in this world for the sake of my adorable children!

All right, it’s decided!

“Platy, help me out! Let’s create superheroes together!”

“Are we going to manipulate the world from behind the scenes?”

At first glance, it sounded like a villain’s line.

* * *

After explaining in detail for about an hour, I finally succeeded in conveying my intentions to Platy.

“In other words, there was a definitive picture story in your world, the kind every kid would watch.”

“Yes, exactly.”

Explaining anime and tokusatsu series accurately would become tedious with all the principles and such, so I skipped over that part.

“So, you want to show that to our children in this world too?”

“Yes! It’s every boy’s dream!”

Please, let us fathers and sons have dreams!!!

“...Haha, I guess there’s no helping it. Men are always like children at heart, no matter how old they get.”

“Y-Yeah...!”

“Going along with such a man is what it means to be a woman with character! All right, I, Platy, the world’s greatest potion compounder, swear that we will bring forth a superhero in this world too!”

Oh, Platy!

What a wonderful woman you are!

I’m so glad I was able to marry you!

“...Okay, let me hear about the specific features of this superhero who will fulfill children’s dreams. Nothing can take shape without that.”

She makes a good point.

My visual representation of a superhero is...

“...They wear a belt.”

“?”

Platy tilts her head.

“But belts... don’t everyone wear them?”

“No, not that!”

We definitely don’t share the same image here...!

“It’s a special belt! Superheroes use it to transform their ordinary selves! In other words, it’s a transformation belt!”

“Transformation belt? How does a belt do that?”

“Like... You can blow wind on it or embed a medallion, memory, or some kind of device...”

“And how does that change your body? What’s the principle behind it?”

“Er...!”

That’s a no-no question, Platy!

“Besides, why do you have to change your body? Can’t you just fight in your normal form?”

And that’s a no-no statement!

You’re not getting it! Superheroes can only truly unleash their full fighting potential when they transform!

It’s the transformation that adds flair, captivating children and taking them to a world of dreams!

And let’s not forget, the transformed hero can also be turned into iconic merchandise, such as plastic action figures!

Due to manufacturing limitations, figures of the actors before transformation wouldn’t sell well!

“I see... I think I get the gist of it.”

“I think I get the gist of it.” 

That’s a declaration of someone who’s given up on understanding.

“So, besides the ability to transform, are there any other characteristics that superheroes have?”

“They ride motorcycles.”

...Well, maybe we don’t have to be so fixated on that.

Nowadays, fewer and fewer superheroes ride motorcycles, and there are even those who drive cars around.

Besides, the difficulty level will skyrocket if we try to introduce motorcycles in a different world. Let’s put that idea on indefinite hold.

“And then... And then, as for a superhero’s characteristic...”

Hmm, what was it again?

It’s surprisingly hard to pinpoint common characteristics among superheroes who have been around for decades.

There are already dozens of them.

But among them... Ah, I remember.

Many superheroes have something that often becomes a hot topic among fans. Not all of them, but it’s a common trait.

“Many superheroes are unemployed!”

“...”

The moment she heard that, Platy’s expression changed bitterly like never before.

“Unemployed superheroes...? Can we...really show that to children?”

“Don’t worry! It’s totally fine!”

Because you see, protecting peace on Earth is the most important job for superheroes!

Trust me!