#saroja

You're lucky to spend time with your hear, Kaede. HIT and his sister are going to be at the ball. I wish I could go, but tickets were sold out and underaged guests need an adult with them. Maybe next year.

Kotetsu: I can bring a plus one, you know.

Barnaby: Usually, but it's too late now. Everything fancy to wear has already been bought or rented for the day. Don't worry, Saroja, I'll be sure to buy tickets for you and Kaede next year.

Saroja: (happy) You mean it? Thank you.

Barnaby: Don't thank me yet. There's a chance Thomas may not come to the ball next year.

I know how you feel, Saroja. What I time for me to be down with bad case of food infection, all because of one bad piece of sushi. I was hoping to go because Agnes will be there.

Kotetsu: But you see her everyday at work.

Antonio: That's just it. That's work. This is casual. (suddenly groans in pain) Uhh...

Take it easy, Antonio. The doctor said you need to rest for a couple of days. You're not gonna get any better by complaining all the time.

Antonio: I know.

Kotetsu: Just relax, buddy. Just watch the parade on TV or something.

Antonio: Or the ball, since that's gonna be on TV, too. (groans in pain) Oh... I'll call you back. (hangs up)

Is he going to be okay? Maybe we should check up on him on the way.

Either that or we should notify his next-of-kin... I'm just kidding. We'll check on him.

Kotetsu: I should check up on him. Maybe even spend the rest of Justice Day with him.

Barnaby: (laughing) Nice try. You're still going. The announcement they're making there actually involves you.

Kotetsu: So, you should be coming with me.

Barnaby: As much as I like to see the look on your face, I already promised these kids I would take them to the fair and the parade.

Kotetsu: (in defeat) Oh boy.

Muramasa: You'll be fine. Besides, we already have your tuxedo cleaned and pressed and your ride will be here very soon.

>Reluctantly, Kotetsu goes to the bathroom to get dressed.

>A little later, Keith and Nathan arrived.

(this was the only picture I could find) We're here! Is he ready?

Barnaby: He's getting ready now.

A Happy Justice Day to you all!

Nun: Thank you.

Saroja: Hey, guys! You think you can ask He Is Thomas to give me an autograph for me? I'm a HITer. That's what me and his fans call ourselves.

Nathan: We'll see what you can do, sweetie.

Kotetsu's voice from the bathroom: Okay, I'm ready.

Muramasa: Come on out, you're ride's here.

>Kotetsu comes out of the bathroom.

Okay, here I am.

Mattia: I think you wore that some time ago. But did you have to bring the flowers?

Kotetsu: They came with the suit.

Muramasa: It's true. They're plastic.

Kotetsu: I don't dress fancy often. Are you sure you want me to go to the ball?

Nathan: Don't be like that. We know you'll love it. Especially this one.

Keith: So, shall we be off?

Kotetsu: Seeing as I don't have a choice now.

Barnaby: So, we'll see you later?

Kotetsu: If I don't die of awkwardness.

Muramasa: Just enjoy yourself there.

>With that, Kotetsu, Nathan, and Keith get into Nathan's car and drive off to the Mayoral Mansion.

>At the Mayoral Mansion, the Justice Day Ball was now beginning. Kotetsu, Nathan, Keith, and many other guests, including Ryan, Dragon Kid, Magical Cat, He Is Thomas, and Ruby, waited in the wings until the Mayor's assistant comes in.

Assistant: The grand hall is ready. Let the Justice Day Ball begin.

>In the ballroom, it was completely decorated with ice sculptures of the Goddess and her Crab, golden flowers and streamers, and a buffet table on the side. There were also TV monitors showing the route where the parade was to take place as well as the Spring Fair and many other places where the celebrations were taking place. On a stage at the end of the hall, the Mayor was at a podium with Agnes and Alexander Lloyds.

Welcome, everyone! Happy Justice Day! We are so thrilled to have you here tonight. Please, enjoy yourselves. Don't worry about the parade, we won't miss it.

And don't forget, before the parade, we have a big announcement.

This announcement refers to a very special guest we have here tonight.

>For some reason, Kotetsu can feel that Lloyds's eyes were on him.

>Throughout the night, Kotetsu mostly hung next to the buffet table watching his fellow heroes interact. Nathan (as Fire Emblem) and Keith (as Sky High) were just talking with some people from Helios Energy, Ryan was talking with someone Kotetsu recognized as one of Sterbild's famous movie directors, Dragon Kid and Magical Cat were posing with some fans, and Thomas and Ruby were talking to Carlotta about Ruby becoming an intern at Jungle to be more closer to her brother.

>Out at the Blockus Spring Fair, things were in fully swing. Barnaby and the others were taking in the sights, the booths, and the food. In a dressing room at the start of the parade route, Blue Rose was getting ready for when the parade begins with her friends (still not knowing that she's Blue Rose) in the next room. In an open-air cinema, Ivan was watching a film documentary about past Justice Day celebrations with some of his old classmates, including Edward Keddy with special permission from the prison and is being watched by the police. Not too far from them, Subaru with parents and his friend, Rodrigo, were also watching.

>Back at the ball, night was now arriving. Kotetsu looks at the monitors as everyone was now ready for the parade to start.

Kotetsu: (to himself) They sure look like their having a good time.

>The clock chimes to let everyone know the parade would begin soon.

Lloyds: It's time. Everyone, come gather. It's time for our announcement.

>Then, one of the servers came to Kotetsu.

Server: Excuse me, I was asked to tell you to join the others on stage.

Kotetsu: What for?

Server: It's for the announcement. That's all I've been told to tell you.

>With that, Kotetsu follows the server to the stage where the Mayor, Agnes, and Lloyds were waiting while Kotetsu puts on his mask.

Agnes: (unimpressed) Do you really have to wear that? Everyone knows who you are.

Wild Tiger: Why not? I still like it.

Lloyds: Just take the damn thing off already. We need you to look dignified.

Kotetsu: (taking his mask off in defeat) Okay, okay.

>As everyone, including OBC cameramen with the cameras rolling, gathered at the stage, Lloyds goes to the podium and begins the announcement. The announcement was now being broadcast all over the city, including the fair where Barnaby and the others were.

Lloyds: Ladies and gentlemen, as of last night, the Justice Bureau has just named me the new CEO of Apollon Media. Which mean, the Hero Division will be in need of a new head. At first, I thought about asking Benjamin Jackson to take the job, but he turned it down. But after giving it a lot of thought and me and the Bureau have come to an agreement. We have decided to give the position to someone who knows Heroes and NEXT better than anyone. Someone who's been on the field and knows how they think. Someone who showed that no matter what may happen, power or no power, the heart of justice will never fade, a lesson well known for Justice Day. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present my successor... Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, Wild Tiger.

>Kotetsu was speechless as everyone in the ballroom applauded. Out in the rest of the city, everyone was cheering Kotetsu Even Barnaby and the others saw it.

Barnaby: (impressed and smiling) Who would have thought of that?

>At Antonio's house, he nearly chocked on his on his water with his medicine when the news came.

Antonio: Well, talk about your lucky break.

>Back at the ball, Kotetsu was ushered to the podium.

Kotetsu: (still reeling) I don't understand.

Lloyds: You said you wanted to still be involved with the heroes, even without your powers. We're giving you that chance... Fair warning, we're not taking no for an answer.

>Lloyds steps aside to let Kotetsu speak. Kotetsu did not know what to say. He was looking at the people, but then, he notices something shining bright out the window. Despite it being the city and the ballroom was brightly lit, the full moon could be seen clearly... He knew Yuri and Mr. Legend were watching as well... He finally knew what to say.

Kotetsu: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not usually one for speeches, especially since this got me by surprise, but I think I can make something up. When I was only 10, I was inspired to become a hero by my hero, Mr. Legend. Since then, I trained until I managed to get my big break. Then, my wife, Tomoe, got sick. Before she died, I promised her that I would continue being a hero. And I did just that, But then, my powers started to decline, and now, they're gone. I don't know if they'll ever come back or not, but I knew I still wanted to keep my promise. And now, thanks to everyone, I might still be able to do so. So if I must become the new head of the Hero Division, I will do so. I will come being a hero, though, it will be different kind of hero. (At least until they decide to make a Tiger & Bunny 3 or a movie.) Thank you all for your support.

Mayor: Ladies and gentlemen, the new Head of Apollon Media's Hero Division, Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, Wild Tiger!

>Everyone, not just in the grand hall, but all over Sternbild, and even in Oriental Town, were applauding and cheering so loudly that you could hear it all the way on the moon.

>Then, the fireworks go off and the parade begins. Everyone watched as on a float, Blue Rose and her friends perform their songs.