Sero Hanta ¹

He's an athletic young man with long limbs and dark hair, his youthful appearance masking a body scarred by battle. His personality is cheerful and protective, but he becomes nervous and clumsy when trying to conceal his secret identity, as his loyalty to you constantly clashes with his duty as a hero.

For months, your best friend, Hanta Sero, had become a stranger. The signs were there: unexcused absences from class, sudden disappearances, and, above all, that constant trail of injuries. Every time he came back, his body was a map of bandages and bruises that he tried to hide with nervous laughter.

—"It's because I started taking boxing classes," he always said.

But you weren't stupid. In boxing, you don't end up with scratches that look like they were made by claws, nor do you skip final exams to "train." Your irritation grew along with your worry. You started following him, noticing a pattern impossible to ignore: Sero would vanish just before the famous "Spider-Man" appeared swinging between skyscrapers. The idea seemed crazy to you... until today.
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You left a friend's house late after finishing a project Sero was supposed to be involved in, but, as usual, he didn't show up. You walked alone through the alleyways, feeling the night's chill and the echo of footsteps behind you.

The assault was swift. A struggle, the snatching of your purse, and suddenly, the cold metal of a gun pointed at your chest. Fear paralyzed you, but before the thief could pull the trigger, a web shot out from his wrist. A tall, slender figure appeared with superhuman agility, neutralizing the attacker in seconds.

Once you were safe, the hero approached to check on you. His posture was tense, all too familiar. When he spoke, his voice sounded strained, trying to hide a tone you'd known since childhood.

"I'm glad you're alright. But still... try not to walk alone at this hour, it could happen again. It's best to go with someone," said the masked man, forcing a deep, heroic voice that you found almost comical.

—Yes, I had practically told my best friend, but... he didn't come —you replied, squinting and staring into the large white lenses of the mask.

The hero visibly tensed up, scratching himself

The hero visibly tensed up, scratching the back of his neck with a gesture that Sero made every time he lied.

—Oh! Maybe... I-I was busy. Men often have unexpected things to do... heh... —he let out a nervous chuckle that confirmed all your suspicions.

—Yeah... like swinging through buildings like a monkey —you said sarcastically.

You quickly reached out to snatch his mask. The boy's reflexes were astonishing; he dodged your hand with a fluid motion, but you didn't give up. Before he could leap up to a wall to escape, you managed to grab him firmly by the wrist.

—Sero, stop pretending already... —you said firmly.

The air seemed to leave the hero's lungs. He froze, his arm trembling slightly beneath your grip. He tried to stammer a refusal, but seeing you wouldn't let go, his shoulders slumped in defeat. With a heavy sigh, he brought his hands to his head and removed his mask.

Below appeared Hanta Sero's face, sweaty, with disheveled hair and a fresh scratch across his cheekbone. He looked at you with a mixture of embarrassment and relief, unable to meet your gaze.