NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12
Extra Case File 12 Looking for Wild Flower
The red combat suit flowed away from his body, finally converging into the V-Commander on the wrist after a flash of light. Feeling refreshed after the battle, Ash twisted his neck back and forth, making a creaking sound that made people feel numb all over.
Even though I prefer sitting to standing and lying down to sitting whenever possible, moderate exercise is still necessary.
“After all, the exhilaration from fighting alongside heroes and powerhouses is really something else! It really makes me stand proud!”
Apart from this, there’s no reason for me to stay.
“Suggestion: Given the tight fit of the Time Fire armor, the likelihood of Cure Yell spotting your pride marks in battle is—”
“No need to calculate that!”
Super AI has its perks, but because it’s too smart, it can be overly direct. There is still a noticeable difference between artificial and human hearts.
“I didn’t expect you to forget me so easily just by being fooled a little. Even though that sword seems powerful, I am simply too naive… Just like who?”
Memory-specific loss meant Ash could still recall his friends’ past battles but often forgot their names. The Ultra Man who daily changed into a red form and ended up in trouble, along with his guileless alter ego—they were both called?
“Based on your description, it is most likely Ultraman Zeta and his human host, Hayato Sakai.”
“Oh, Ous.”
Ash clenched his fist on his right palm with a look of realization.
Though he could not remember their names, certain mannerisms stuck with him deeply.
“Correction, it’s Hayato,” V-ReX corrected Ash’s arbitrary nickname for the other individual.
“Never mind, whether it’s Ous or Ooz, change back first. Your current form can be easily spotted,” Ash patted V-ReX’s metal head, signaling it to revert.
“Roger,” As soon as Ash jumped off, V-ReX’s form rapidly shrank. Without altering its mechanical structure, the built-in mass conversion system within the mechanical dinosaur instantly shrunk the entity proportionally until it was about the size of an action figure that could rest comfortably on Ash’s shoulder.
“Grr—”
Less articulate in smaller form, V-ReX roared at Ash before hopping in the direction of the clinic.
“Well, it’s already noon. Where should I go to eat something?”
I’m starting to get hungry now. I wonder if there’s McDonald’s or curry rice around….. Huh?
After deactivating the Time Fire transformation, a strong melody began ringing from Ash’s pocket.
“Dú-dú-dú-dú-dú-dý!~”
In a burst of energetic dance music, his legs moved instinctively even before his brain caught up, spinning and jumping in sync with each beat to create a passionate Samba.
Before he realized what was happening, his hand was holding a phone up mimicking a gun pointed at the sky. He was almost ready to say “Fire!”
“Huh, this thing hasn’t been updated in ages, why does Earth’s rhythm work here too?!”
He tried to cover up the embarrassment of dancing by himself with some quips while desperately scanning the surroundings for any witnesses.
If necessary, he might have to execute some ‘A-level erasures’.
After confirming he was alone, Ash pulled out his phone.
“Hello, is this Dr. Ash?”
The vibrant voice came from the other end of the line. Ash remembered that this must be Wild Flower’s younger sister, now a college student, Wild Flower Kotori.
“It’s me. What’s up, Miss Wild Flower?”
Kotori’s voice on the phone sounded weak and hoarse, as though she had just barely survived something dangerous.
“What happened?” Ash pondered the possible scenarios: Kotori arguing with her elder sister Wild Flower over taking medicine, then seeking comfort; or perhaps she had a cold.
“My tongue still feels bitter and tingly after tasting the medicine you gave my sister.”
“Why is it still like this? What should I do?”
With tears welling up, Kotori described her condition: saliva dripping from her protruding tongue onto the table.
“This sugar didn’t seem to help at all.”
“White granulated sugar isn’t enough. You should take your sister’s specialty refined fructose.”
Following a series of footsteps heard through the phone, Ash couldn’t help but comment on how young people nowadays lacked resilience.
A muffled sob came from the line shortly after:
“Dr. Ash… Sister ran out somewhere right after taking the medicine, and forgot to take her sugar packet… Could you make more sugar?”
“No can do.”
That sweet syrup took hours to mix by hand. It wasn’t easy to make in large quantities.
“Eh?! Don’t tell me…”
No way, I don’t want to die a shameful death like this, being tormented by my sister’s medicine!
“There’s no helping it. Nansy Juice, despite its bitterness, is good for the health. Tough it out for yourself.”
“No! Save me, Dr. Ash!”
“Sibling bonds indeed run deep. That scatterbrained trait truly runs in her family,” Ash muttered to himself after hanging up.
He rapped V-ReX’s head for confirmation.
“V-ReX, look for where Wild Flower is now.”
Ash was intrigued by Wild Flower’s sudden departure. He had specifically instructed her to stay home and recover, promising to check up on her regularly. Those unwilling to heed doctor’s orders would face “consequences.”
“She was spotted at the café in the Liuye district of Baoshi city, apparently meeting someone.”
“Going out partying so soon after recovery? She sure thinks herself invincible,” Ash thought incredulously. Was she dismissing her improved condition?
If so, then he would have to teach her a lesson in responsibility.
“No, it’s not the usual party. According to the data I’ve compiled from local call logs, it seems more like a casual gathering among friends or classmates.”
V-ReX swiftly searched the entire Earth’s database, showing surprisingly worldly wisdom beyond his owner’s understanding.
“A casual meeting with classmates and friends? She sure knows how to let loose.”
In Ash’s world, classmates were nonexistent, and neither were close female friends. Unlike those struggling with mundane things, the world he craved involved technological wonders, heroics, and dark thrills—a stark contrast.
Despite invitations from other worlds for similar events, Ash found them unappealing after the first attempt. To him, engaging in these uninteresting affairs was less worthwhile than scrolling through his phone or imagining a battle.
“Regardless, you will surely find her when you arrive.”
“Works for me. I’ll check it out.”
Ash walked the opposite way from his clinic, only to return soon after. Staring into V-ReX’s eyes, the AI processed the intent but couldn’t decipher it completely.