One Punch Man: Heroics Start with Dual Kamui

Chapter 163 163: The Monster Research Society

At a moment like this, Shinji knew better than to reveal that he already recognized Psykos. She had no idea who he was at the present time, and if he slipped up by saying something strange, she would only take him for a fool.

So he kept quiet, glanced up at her once, then lowered his head and continued eating as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Boros also recognized Psykos, but he remained silent as well.

The quiet stretched until Psykos finally spoke halfway through her meal. "You're the alien who transferred here today, right?"

Her words were directed straight at Boros.

"That's me," Boros answered, his tone flat.

"Do you intend to wipe out humanity?"

The question was brutally direct.

"...No. I have no such thought." Boros gave a small shake of his head.

"What a shame~," Psykos murmured, then she said nothing further. After finishing her bento, she rose and left the room by herself.

"A human who wants to exterminate humanity. So that's what she used to be?" Boros muttered, turning toward Shinji with a puzzled expression once she was gone.

"She isn't acting of her own will. She's under the influence of some unknown entity, and that's what twisted her this way. She wasn't like that originally. I came to this timeline precisely to uncover the truth behind it," Shinji explained patiently.

"An unknown entity? You mean something even you don't know?" Boros asked immediately.

"Yes. And not only that, there is a chance its strength surpasses mine," Shinji replied with a slow nod.

"Is that so? Then this just became interesting." Boros's eyes gleamed with interest.

Even if facing a being stronger than Shinji was beyond his current reach, Boros had no intention of standing still. There were ways for him to continue growing in power. Still, before any of that, there was a certain someone he first needed to find.

...

School ended a little after three in the afternoon. Apart from a few students who stayed behind for cleaning duty, the rest were free to leave.

Most did not go straight home, though. Instead, they hurried to cram school.

For Shinji and Boros, cram school was meaningless. Shinji's extraordinary memory and sharp insight made studying effortless, while Boros had never studied Earth's subjects at all. Since he would only remain in this timeline for half a year at most, there was no reason for him to waste time with such things.

With nothing else pressing after school, Shinji decided to move forward with his plans. He and Boros made their way to the faculty office.

"Teacher, I'd like to establish a club. Could you tell me what I need to do?" Shinji asked directly.

The supervising teacher, who also served as their homeroom teacher, looked at him calmly. "What kind of club do you want to start? Normally, you need at least three founding members and an application form. Once it's filled out, I'll submit it for approval."

"Monster Research Society," Shinji replied without hesitation.

In Psykos's memories, it was his sudden appearance before her that inspired her to create the Monster Research Society. This time, however, he intended to take control of the situation. He would establish it first, then invite her to join. He refused to allow the outcome in her memory to play out unchanged, so he had to alter the course here and now.

"Monster Research Society."

The name itself was unusual, yet the teacher did not comment on it. A student who kept company with an alien was not someone who could be considered ordinary anyway.

"Alright then. Go write your application, and make sure you have three names. Without that, it won't be approved," the teacher reminded him.

"Got it." Shinji nodded.

Just as he and Boros were about to leave, a familiar figure entered the office.

Psykos.

She barely acknowledged their presence, brushing past them on her way to the teacher's desk.

"This is my withdrawal application for the Paranormal Research Society." Her tone was heavy, and the gloom on her face was impossible to miss as she handed over the form.

"Alright, I'll take care of it," the teacher replied gently. He gave her a worried glance. "Psykos, have you been unwell? Or did something happen? You don't seem like yourself lately..."

"It's nothing."

She shook her head and refused to elaborate. Without waiting for further questions, she turned to leave.

As she did, her eyes flicked toward Shinji for the briefest moment, then darted away just as quickly. She kept her gaze straight ahead, clearly unwilling to idle.

Her mood was written all over her. She had dropped all polite speech even with her teacher, and she hadn't spared her classmates so much as a glance.

Shinji wasn't bothered in the least. Instead, he seized the chance and spoke up immediately. "Since you've left your old club, why not join ours instead?"

From what he had just witnessed, he knew this was the exact moment Psykos had fallen out with Fubuki. The reasons were straightforward enough. First, Fubuki and the Paranormal Research Society had rejected Psykos's belief in exterminating humanity. Second, Fubuki had gone so far as to forcibly seal her psychic powers with a kiss.

"...Sorry. I'm not interested." Psykos's reply was cold, a far cry from the person she would eventually become.

But Shinji had no intention of letting it end there. He gave her a small, knowing smile. "Don't you want to wipe out humanity? I think you might find the Monster Research Society... appealing."

Before he could finish, Psykos suddenly stepped forward and seized both his hands, gripping them tightly.

It was like something inside her had been switched on. Her face lit with excitement, her entire demeanor transforming in an instant.

"You mean you accept my ideals?!"