Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 8

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 8

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Handsome Character A: “You’re quite the interesting little lady, aren’t you... Nobody’s ever talked to me that way before.”

Akira: ......

Handsome Character B: “I’m the one who’s been in love with her all this time. Back off.”

Akira: ......

Heroine: “If you never intended to stick around, you shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up like that!”



Akira: (Whispering) ...Hey, Brad.

Brad: (Whispering) No talking during the movie.

Akira: I know, I know... But take a look around. For how popular this movie supposedly is, there’s hardly anyone here.

Brad: (Whispering) You still need to be quiet.

Akira: There’s no action or suspense or anything, and I can’t follow the plot...

Brad: ...There’s certainly competition and psychological warfare, though.

Akira: What? Where?

Brad: The two guys are fighting over the heroine, are they not?

Akira: ...? And what about that counts as a competition?

Can’t some Oscar-lookin’ dude swoop in to save the crying heroine or somethin’?

Brad: ...That’s not a romance movie plot. In fact, that’s about the furthest possible thing from it.

Akira: What’s wrong with someone like Oscar starring in a romance movie?

Brad: ...Be quiet and watch. You’re disturbing the other patrons.

Akira: ...Fine.

———



Waiter: Here is today’s fresh fish poire with herbed vegetable shellfish sauce.

Brad: Thank you.

Waiter: Please enjoy.

Akira: Man, this looks great! Not much of a portion, though.

Brad: This restaurant focuses on making food visually appealing as part of the experience.

Akira: Huh. The romance-o-meter isn’t reacting at all, though.

With it bein’ just the two of us, I feel like someone’s gonna question my manners and I won’t be able to enjoy the food at all.

Brad: You’d be able to eat without worrying about that if you were always mindful of your manners.

Akira: Ngh...

Brad: I was thinking that they had improved somewhat, but I suppose you’ve still got a ways to go.

Akira: Hey! I’ve gotten a lot better! I even tied my tie perfectly!

Brad: Do you want to be praised for something like that?

Akira: Tch... No way.

...Moving on. What was so special about that movie, anyway?

Brad: ...I believe it was the clever way the psychological descriptions of the characters were portrayed. I also enjoyed the way the acting enhanced the story.

Akira: You think? I didn’t understand a single thing about it.

If they were gonna fight over a heroine, I wish they’d done some sparring or arm wrestling or something to decide the winner.

Brad: ...That’s simply your own preference.

Akira: Then lemme ask you, Brad: Do you think that kind of movie is romantic?

Brad: Generally speaking, I can understand why the movie was classified as a romance. However, whether or not someone actually feels it qualifies as “romantic” depends on the person.

Akira: That makes no sense...

And in the end, the device didn’t make a peep the whole day - not during the movie, not on the drive over, and not at this fancy restaurant.

Brad: It would appear so.

Akira: What about you? Is there any place you can think of where you might feel a spark?

Brad: Oscar did recommend a place to me.

Akira: Oscar did?

Brad: Indeed. He apparently did quite a bit of research last night.

———

←Chapter 7 | back to masterlist | Chapter 9→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 9

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 9

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——The Previous Night——



Oscar: Hmm......

Brad: I’m back.

Oscar: If they want to see the night sky, then perhaps climbing to higher ground would be best...? But then camping gear would be required...

Brad: Oscar...?

Oscar: Oh, welcome back, Brad-sama.

Brad: Might I ask what you’re reading?

Oscar: Oh, this... While I was walking around a book shop, I noticed this magazine that features romantic locations and scenarios, so I purchased it.

However, as I started to read, I realized the content is quite difficult to understand - much more so than a regular book.

Brad: Is that so?

Oscar: Yes, but it seems that visiting the ocean at night qualifies as a romantic experience. Why don’t you and Akira try going tomorrow?

Brad: Are you sure it doesn’t specify going in the summer? I imagine the beach would be quite cold this time of year...

Oscar: You’re right... The sea breeze would likely be unbearable...

I apologize for providing you with poor information, Brad-sama.

Brad: Don’t worry about it.

Even if it’s cold out, you can still hear the waves at night, so it could still be considered romantic.

I’ll try taking him if there’s time. Thank you, Oscar.

Oscar: Y-You’re welcome! Good luck!

———



Akira: ......

Brad: ......

Akira: Man, it’s freezing...

Brad: ...The breeze is strong.

Akira: This probably is romantic and all, but it’s too cold out.

If Oscar were here, he’d definitely freeze and try to curl up to stay warm.

Brad: I could see it.

Akira: Hey, Brad? There’s somethin’ I’ve been wanting to ask you.

How was Oscar able to so easily charm all his fans like that? He doesn’t understand romance either, so I woulda thought he’d struggle like I did.

Brad: ...I have a guess.

Oscar doesn’t mince words.

And I believe it’s precisely because he doesn’t provide lip service that his honest, earnest feelings drive straight into the hearts of his fans.

Moreover, it’s likely that the fans that came to see him support him because they’re charmed by his character.

Akira: That makes sense. The fans that came to see us became our fans in the first place because they love us.

But then why weren’t you able to pull it off?

Brad: As the number of fans increases, their desires also diversify.

It seems I wasn’t fully able to understand that at the time.

Akira: You mean that everyone likes a different part of you? Like one person might like your appearance, another might like your whole “efficiency” deal, and another might like how you’re naggy?

Brad: Those feel like very pointed examples, but yes.

Akira: That means you just gotta find the one common thing they all like, yeah?

Brad: ...If such a thing existed, we likely could’ve avoided this situation entirely.

Akira: ......

Jack: “Emergency, emergency!

Eclipse has appeared in the vicinity of Olive Avenue. All Heroes in the area should make their way over at once.”

Akira: Eclipse appeared?!

Brad: They’re close...

Akira: Let’s go too, Brad!

Brad: Agreed.

This is Brad Beams of South Sector. I’m heading to Olive Avenue.

Jack: “Roger that... I will inform the Heroes on patrol.”

Brad: Let’s go, Akira.

Akira: Yeah!

———

←Chapter 8 | back to masterlist | Chapter 10→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 10

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 10

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Akira: Tch, Eclipse brought a whole crew with ‘em!

Brad: It appears the Substance has already been recovered. Thanks to that, they aren’t paying attention to us.

Akira, I’m going to charge in and take back the Substance. Think you can keep up?

Akira: Hah, no problem! That’s what I’m best at.

Brad: In that case, I’ll be counting on you.

Ping!

Akira: Uh...

Brad: What are you doing?

Akira: N-Nothing!!

———



Brad: ...We managed to take back the Substance and drive back Eclipse, but we failed to achieve our original goal.

Akira: ......

Brad: I suppose that romantic something isn’t so easily found.

Akira: ......

Brad: You’ve been quiet. Are you that upset that Jay and the others came in to take over pursuing Eclipse?

Akira: ...I don’t care about that.

Brad: Then what is it? You’ve been unusually quiet since our fight ended.

Akira: What’s wrong with me being quiet?

Brad: ...If it really is nothing, then fine. But it’s only natural that I’d be curious why you’re acting differently than usual.

Akira: Erm...

(Whispering) ...ound it.

Brad: Speak up.

Akira: ...I found it.

Brad: Found what?

Akira: The romance thing.

Brad: Did you now?

Akira: When you think about why our fans love us, it’s because we’re Heroes, right?

They’re all counting on us and rooting for us...

And the thing they love the most is seeing us fight to protect the city and their livelihoods. At least, that’s what I think.

Brad: I see...

I was stuck only thinking about how to best answer their desires, but I bet you’re right.

That’s a great observation, Akira.

Akira: (whispering) ...I wasn’t even trying to notice, though...

Brad: ...?

Akira: You know what that means... Fight me at the Valentine’s LOM, Brad!

I’m gonna show off by taking you down and set every heart in the stadium ablaze!

I’ll take every single one of your fans for my own!

Brad: ...You’re on. But I won’t hold back.

Akira: You better not! Victory will be mine!

Brad: I’m looking forward to this.

———

←Chapter 9 | back to masterlist | Chapter 11→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 11 (Final)

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 11

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Announcer: And now, we’re headed for this event’s climax!!

Yes! It’s the one-on-one battle between Akira Otori and Brad Beams!

Brad: Hah!

Akira: Take this! Uraaaah!



Announcer: Whoa, neither of them are giving an inch! The sparks are flying, adding flair to this fight!

Brad: Nice dodge. Normally that would’ve been a direct hit.

Akira: Hehe, I’ve gotten stronger, too! Don’t think I’m the same kid I used to be! ♪

Brad: Indeed you have.

Akira: Wipe that smile off your face! I’m gonna hit you with my brand new move!

Brad: ...Don’t tell me. Then I’ll know it’s coming.

Akira: Knowing won’t make a difference if you can’t avoid it!

Brad: Then let’s dance.

Akira: Let’s do this! Voltage max!!!

———



Akira: Next person!

Akira's Fan B: U-Um, I was so impressed by you. I don’t even know how many times my heart went crazy!

Akira: Thanks a bunch! I lost the fight, though...

But next time I’ll show you a win, so I hope to have your support until then!

Akira's Fan B: Of course! Oh, by the way, I’m getting married next week!!

Akira: Oh, right! Congrats, I hope you have a happy marriage!

Akira's Fan B: Thank you so much!

Akira: Next—

Brad: That was the last guest.

Akira: Oh, hey Brad.

Brad: I received a call from Dr. Nova. It appears everyone who came to see our LOM has been cured of Romantic Rampage Syndrome.

Akira: For real?!

Brad: The medicine is also looking promising, so those who couldn’t be here today should also be cured within the week.

Akira: Phew, that’s a relief...

Will: Looks like Akira’s performance at the LOM went well.

Oscar: I didn’t think their battle would be so lively.

Will: It certainly was impressive! ♪ My hands were getting all sweaty just watching them.

Akira: I ended up losing... and I couldn’t land my new move, either...

Brad: Your skill and power still both need work.

Akira: ......

Brad: But it was a great match.

Akira: Oh...

Just you watch, Brad! Next time, I’m comin’ out on top!

Brad: ......

I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Ping!

Will: ...Huh? Did the device just go off?

Oscar: Hm? I didn’t hear anything. Besides, the fans have already left.

Akira: Hey, what’re you two doing? Hurry up and get changed so we can go celebrate a job well done! ♪

Will: Sure thing!

Oscar: Where should we go, Brad-sama?

Akira: Hot dogs are always good, but let’s go for sushi this time! [1]

Brad: Then let’s call ahead. I’ll bring the car around.

Akira: Hell yeah, I’m gonna eat my fill! Voltage max!!!

———

[1] You probably already know that sushi happens to be Brad's favorite food. :)

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