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"Caught a pervert." Shen He could only sigh, handing over his bank card to the attendant. "Count in the underwear you just wrapped up too. Does this kind of thing happen often?"
"Unfortunately, yes, sir." The attendant accepted the card and muttered, "This is a high-end boutique. Each item costs thousands. Lately, we've had more weirdos showing up."
"With so much foot traffic here, thieves still dare to make a move?" Shen He raised an eyebrow. "Didn't that guy get caught right away?"
"Only recently," the attendant explained, loosening up after seeing Shen He's calm attitude. "Before, they'd cover their faces, grab a few pieces, and bolt into an alley. The police would show up too late. But nowadays, more people are stepping up. My younger brother's in high school—he bought a full bodysuit just to patrol the streets, calling himself a 'Guardian-in-training.'"
Shen He didn't say much.
He watched as customers outside returned items under the public gaze, some even smiling proudly, as if they had just done something heroic.
A performance art enthusiast in a tight costume was posing for pictures near the store entrance. Shen He could already imagine that photo going viral online, probably inspiring a flood of imitators.
It wasn't what he expected—but it was one of the Guardian Initiative's unexpected positives.
"Let's go." Shen He slung a large shopping bag over his shoulder and extended his arm. "Come on, Jeanne. We've got more to pick up."
They were still only halfway through their shopping list—today's haul was mostly lingerie.
Jeanne gently squeezed his arm and leaned in, whispering, "Let's not make a scene like that again."
"Alright," Shen He chuckled and nodded. "But you still have to model the set for me when we get home."
"You really act like a kid."
Though she pouted slightly, Jeanne ultimately gave in to his teasing gaze, blushing in quiet surrender.
They didn't run into any more incidents after that.
A few shopkeepers shared that petty crime had actually shifted to other areas—probably due to the Guardians' local presence.
Shen He noted it mentally.
Everywhere he went today, the Guardians' influence was changing lives—quietly, steadily.
At noon, Shen He and Jeanne stopped at a café.
Truthfully, he didn't care for coffee—it needed too much cream or sugar to be palatable. He preferred the subtle fragrance of tea.
But Jeanne loved it.
"It's so peaceful here," she sighed softly over a cup of bittersweet brew.
"It is," Shen He agreed. "Whatever crisis may be simmering behind the scenes, this world still holds pockets of calm."
"That's not quite right," Jeanne murmured. "Even in my time, in the midst of war, I could still see peace."
Shen He studied her face.
There was something rare there—nostalgia, tenderness. Something ancient in her expression.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Just..." Jeanne hesitated under his gaze. "It feels like... no matter the era, humanity always clings to warmth."
"Warmth, huh?" Shen He gave a half-smile.
A classic Saint's answer. Only someone warm could notice warmth in others. Some people only ever feel the world's cruelty.
But yes—across time and space, humanity yearned for order, for connection.
He glanced outside.
A Guardian in street gear was chasing laughing children across the plaza. Shen He's heart swelled slightly.
Heroes weren't omnipotent gods. They couldn't fix everything.
But they stirred something in ordinary people—something that kept society believing in hope.
Now it was Jeanne's turn to gaze at Shen He.
Maybe she hadn't even noticed—but her eyes shone with awe.
Shen He was growing.
Maybe it was that growth that pulled Jeanne closer, unknowingly.
By the time the two returned to the Virtual Reality Company headquarters, dusk had fallen.
They hadn't been home all day—and complaints came pouring in.
Violet was practically pouting flames. Even Ryougi Shiki wore a rare cold expression, though she herself wasn't sure why.
Luckily, Shen He came bearing gifts.
Jewelry for Violet. An elegant kimono for Shiki. High-end cat food for Huahua—the white Persian raised under Ryougi's indifferent supervision.
That name—Huahua—always reminded Shen He of a certain pair of siblings from an anime he once loved.
But today's outing wasn't just about shopping.
Shen He had formulated a full project in his mind.
A new initiative.
"You're all aware that more and more people are imitating the Guardians," he said at the boardroom meeting. "While it may look inspiring on the surface, it's dangerous. Guardians go through rigorous training—even they're not invincible. Ordinary people trying to act heroic could easily get hurt or cause chaos. We need to guide this movement before someone gets killed."
The proposal: a public hero engagement project, encouraging small, community-based actions—under supervision, with structure.
The face of the initiative?
Spider-Man.
No one better represented street-level heroism and genuine compassion.
Shen He wanted to steer public perception, establish clear limits, and turn the company's support into positive PR. That way, if something did go wrong, the backlash wouldn't fall squarely on Guardians.
Spider-Man was perfect. The guy would literally stop mid-battle to help a grandma cross the street.
The Virtual Reality Company moved swiftly under Shen He's leadership. Every department followed his outline, refining logistics.
Shen He, meanwhile, threw himself into learning how to lead.
Managing a company of this scale wasn't a hobby—it demanded skill, judgment, and strategy. The wrong tone or unresolved disagreements could sink morale.
But even buried in meetings, Shen He never ignored his responsibilities at home.
When word came that Nanali's bandages could be removed, he dropped everything and headed straight for the castle.
The halls were full of people.
Even Accelerator (One Side) had been dragged here by Misaka Mikoto—though he loudly protested the "nuisance."
"Take off the killing intent," Shen He warned Lelouch as they waited. "Don't scare your sister."
"I know," Lelouch muttered, face pale.
Only Nanali could make him this rattled.
He'd changed a lot lately—outmaneuvering Cornelia, the newly assigned governor of Area 11, using his Geass to manipulate Britannia's court, even killing with his own hands.
But around Nanali, he was still just a big brother.
"I'll give you a tip," Shen He said, pulling out a photo. "Stare at this picture and repeat her name 100 times. Calms the mind."
"…Thanks." Lelouch accepted it, then blinked. "Wait, why do you have Nanali's photo?"
But Shen He had already slipped into the room, flowers in hand.
Inside, everyone was gathered—Misaka Mikoto, Euphemia, even the two Shikis.
"Nanali," Shen He said softly, laying the bouquet nearby and sitting beside her bed, "we all came to see you."
"Thank you, Brother Shen He." Nanali smiled, but her eyes kept flicking toward the door.
"Lelouch is here too," Shen He added, brushing a hand over her hair. "He's just... freaking out outside."
"It doesn't need to be such a big deal," Nanali said, a little embarrassed. "I've already stood on crutches. Dr. Gutai said I'm healing fine."
She still called the doctor "Gutai," mishearing "Chasing Soul of the Netherworld"—his real codename.
He didn't care.
Names were trivial to him.
Gutai checked Nanali's legs, nodding. "The bandages can come off. You'll need rehab, but it's progressing well."
Lelouch burst in then, frantic. "Nanali—your brother did it."
No seats left—he knelt at her bedside and grabbed her hand.
The promise he'd sworn years ago was finally coming true.
Soon, she'd live like any other girl—standing on her own, walking in peace.
"I never doubted you," Nanali whispered.
Her smile bloomed, sweet and radiant.
But Shen He noticed something behind it—something sad.
He glanced at Euphemia, but she seemed genuinely overjoyed.
"Alright, move it," Gutai snapped, waving his hands.
The doctor's orders cleared the room. Even Shen He backed away.
Everyone watched, holding their breath, as the bandages peeled away to reveal pale, slender legs—fragile, but glowing with health.
Nanali's face flushed as everyone stared.
Still, she placed her feet gently on the floor. The moment she felt contact, a ripple of cheers erupted around her.
She beamed.
It wasn't just the joy of standing again.
It was the overwhelming warmth of so many people who cared.
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