Marvel: Superman Strength in a World of Heroes

『Kamen Rider』: Carl-sama, I've been wondering...

『Kamen Rider』: What do those hypnotized people actually see when they look at Shiroko?

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone at the table, Yuji Itadori, Tsunade, and even Shiroko herself, turned their eyes toward Carl with curiosity.

After all, they still remembered Nobara Kugisaki's dramatic reaction. Everyone was quite interested in what Shiroko looked like from a "normal person's" perspective.

『Carl』: Since you all want to know, take a look.

Carl took a sip of juice, then calmly activated his hypnosis.

『Carl』: There you go. Look now.

『Kamen Rider』: Wait... that's it? Already?

『Kamen Rider』 blinked in surprise. He hadn't felt a thing.

Instinctively, he looked at Shiroko, and froze.

Gone was the half-human-sized spider. In her place now sat a girl straight out of a manga: pure white hair, delicate features, and eyes gently closed as if in serene sleep.

Tsunade and Itadori both gasped in awe.

Even Shiroko herself stared, stunned.

『Shiroko』: Whoa! Is that... me? That's how I look?!

『Shiroko』: I'm gorgeous!

Everyone crowded around her admiringly, except Carl, who continued eating his wagyu beef like nothing happened.

After all, he had already seen her true form many times in his past life.

This was merely her appearance post-divinity.

Suddenly, Shiroko seemed to remember something.

『Shiroko』: Oh! Juka wanted me to take some pictures before... If I use this form, they'd look amazing!

『Shiroko』: Carl-sama, can I take some photos like this?

『Shiroko』: Will I show up looking like this on camera?

Her golden eyes sparkled with hope.

『Carl』: No, you won't.

『Shiroko』: Huh? Why not?

『Carl』: This is hypnosis, not transformation.

『Carl』: I didn't actually change your appearance, just altered how others perceive it.

『Carl』: Physically, you're still the same as before.

『Shiroko』: Aww... I see...

Just then, Carl smirked.

『Carl』: But I do have a shapeshifting ability.

『Carl』: I can make you look exactly like the illusion, permanently, until you want to change back.

『Shiroko』: Really?! You can?!

『Shiroko』: Why didn't you use it from the start?

Carl smiled again but didn't answer.

Truth was, he hadn't had this ability until a moment ago. But as Shiroko asked the question, the system granted him a new power, [Shapeshift Technique].

This allowed him to change the appearance of any living being or object.

Carl simply looked at her and said:

『Carl』: Done.

『Shiroko』: Already?! Let me test it!

She opened the chat group's camera function and snapped several pictures, some solo, some with the group.

When she saw the photos, her manga-like form captured perfectly, her eyes grew misty with joy.

『Shiroko』: It's so beautiful! Thank you, Carl-sama!

She quickly returned to eating her teppanyaki. No way she'd let it go cold.

The meal lasted over an hour. When it was finally time to pay, the cashier checked the bill several times before finally announcing:

『Cashier』: That'll be 922,386 yen.

『Yuji Itadori』: WHAT?!

He had been planning to foot the bill, since this was his world and Carl's group had come to help.

But over 900,000 yen?

He didn't have that kind of money lying around!

『Carl』: I got this.

Carl pulled out several crisp ¥10,000 bills. Normally, he would've just used a card, but in this world, his cards wouldn't work.

So instead, he used the chat system to exchange some of his points for cash.

Given the quantity and quality of food, and the appetites of Carl, Yuji, and Shiroko, 900,000 yen wasn't that surprising.

It only cost Carl about 80 points.

For someone with hundreds of thousands of points, this meal was like buying a ¥5 popsicle.

The cashier checked the bills and, satisfied they were real, handed over the change.

『Cashier』: Thank you very much! Please come again!

The group stepped outside.

『Yuji Itadori』: Thank you so much, Carl-sama. I really appreciate it.

『Yuji Itadori』: I was supposed to treat you all...

『Carl』: Don't worry about it. It's no big deal.

『Kamen Rider』: Yeah, don't sweat it. Carl-sama's a rich man. He's got points to spare!

『Yuji Itadori』: Still, thank you again...

Just then, Yuji's phone rang. It was Fushiguro.

『Yuji Itadori』: Sorry, let me take this.

He stepped aside to answer the call. A few minutes later, he returned, looking apologetic.

『Yuji Itadori』: Um... Carl-sama, the school needs me to head back now.

『Carl』: That's fine. We've finished our meal, and it's about time we left too.

『Kamen Rider』: Yeah, I've got things to do as well.

The rest nodded in agreement.

『Yuji Itadori』: I'm really sorry. Next time, I'll treat everyone to something even better!

『Carl』: No worries. Safe travels.

『Everyone』: See you again soon!

Yuji waved goodbye and ran off toward the subway.

With their host gone, Carl and the others also said their farewells and returned to their respective worlds.

Back home, Carl sank into the plush sofa.

The sun had already set. Evening had arrived.

But he had already eaten, so no need for dinner.

He glanced over at Tony Stark, still lounging in the villa.

All in all, it was a satisfying day.

Good food. Good friends. And now,

Time for a well-earned rest.