Ultraman: It turns out this is the easy mode.

Saki stood by the river, her eyes filled with anxiety as she looked at the sky—she really wanted to go home! But two hundred years had passed, and the capsule that summoned Machina had fallen into the seabed and could not be found. The way home seemed to be completely blocked. Even if she had enough lifespan, the thought of being beaten to death by her family when she returned made her both anxious and aggrieved.

After much deliberation, Saki decided that perhaps she should talk to the GUTS team about the situation. She meant no harm; she just wanted to summon Machina to take her home. But this thought was quickly overshadowed by another worry: what if she summoned Machina and was immediately mistaken for an enemy by Storm One, and instantly killed with some D4 ray? That would be the end of her!

Saki knew Machina all too well. It wasn't some evil monster at all, but a "spaceship" that had come specifically to protect her and take her home! Machina's "vigilant mind" held absolutely no malice; its mind was only focused on protecting her. It would even rest at night with the sunset, being incredibly docile. Furthermore, Machina was exceptionally intelligent, possessing an excellent memory. It could see through enemy attack patterns and, during battle, would learn their moves and skillfully evade them, never intentionally causing trouble.

Its body is entirely designed for escort and self-defense: its brain's "morphing system" allows it to transform into a flying machine for easy space travel; its "Magina armor" is a "reflective shell" made of a special alloy, capable of withstanding not only the punches and kicks of gigantic aliens but also deflecting superphoton laser beams; its "enhanced heart" can beat normally on any planet, and its "energy tank" can provide energy for hundreds of years, so there's no need to worry about endurance. Even if it encounters danger, Machina's "cosmic claws" can tear apart skyscrapers, and the "rocket nozzles" on the soles of its feet allow it to travel safely in space. But can these abilities withstand the D4 rays of Storm One?
Saki grew increasingly terrified. To her, Machina wasn't just a means to return home, but a family member. If her summoning led to Machina being destroyed by a powerful weapon like the D4 ray, she would never forgive herself. But if she didn't summon Machina, she didn't know how much longer she would have to stay on Earth—would she really have to wait until the end of time?

"How can I contact the GUTS team..." Saki muttered to herself, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt. She remembered hearing that Storm One and the GUTS team were ruthless towards malicious aliens and monsters, but relatively reasonable towards non-threatening beings. The problem was, Machi appeared in a gigantic monster form; how could she convince them that it was just a "spaceship" escorting her home, and not an enemy coming to destroy her?

Saki sighed, suddenly feeling a little envious of those with martial prowess—at least when they revealed their strength, others were willing to listen to their explanations and would politely understand the situation before taking action.

But what about herself? Besides waiting, it seemed she could do nothing. Even initiating contact risked bringing Machina to her death. She looked up at the darkening sky, her inner turmoil deepening: how could she safely summon Machina while convincing the Victory Team and Storm One that she meant no harm? This question weighed heavily on her, making it hard to breathe.

Saki's worries about contacting the GUTS team and summoning Machina home had long been forgotten by Choi and Asuka—for the two of them at this moment, this rare date was the most important thing, and the air was filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

They strolled through the small shops along the street. Asuka couldn't tear herself away from the cute trinkets in the shop windows, so Choi Myung patiently accompanied her. In the end, he secretly bought the rabbit doll that Asuka had glanced at a few times and placed it in her hands. Asuka's eyes lit up like stars, and she was even cuter than the doll itself when she held it. Later, they went to the food street. Choi Myung was worried that Asuka would feel uncomfortable if she ate too much cold food, so he replaced her ice cream with warm red bean soup. He then ate a skewer of grilled meat himself, and the two shared it, taking turns eating. Occasionally, some sauce would splatter on the corners of their mouths, which they would wipe away with a smile, their affectionate and natural interactions evident.

Asuka herself was aware that she had some minor psychological issues. She used to always put on a tough front, afraid of revealing her vulnerable side. But whenever Choi Myung was around, that tension would instantly vanish. She could act cute without restraint, express her affection without reservation, and even be happy for half a day over a small thing, just like an ordinary girl. Like now, she was holding a rabbit plushie in one arm and linked arm with Choi Myung's in the other, humming an off-key tune, her steps light and rhythmic—completely unlike her usual strong-willed self.

Choi Myung understood Asuka's changes, but he never brought it up. After all, he wasn't exactly "normal" himself—accustomed to clashing head-on with aliens and monsters, he always carried an aura that kept strangers at bay, even carrying over a dozen weapons when going out on dates. Compared to ordinary people, his life was inherently "abnormal." Yet, this "abnormality" inexplicably became harmonious when he was with Asuka. He didn't see Asuka's dependence as a burden; instead, he felt grounded because he could be her "source of security." Asuka, in turn, didn't care about his weapons or his cold, hard demeanor; instead, she found Choi Myung particularly reliable. Like now, the two walked along the streets at dusk, the setting sun casting long shadows. There was no threat from aliens, no destruction from monsters, only the warmth of each other's company.

Choi Myung looked down at Asuka beside him, who was smiling with her eyes crinkled, and couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair: "Want to go buy another cup of milk tea?"

"Yes! I want bubble tea, 30% sugar!" Asuka nodded immediately, her eyes full of anticipation.

"Okay, whatever you say." Cui Ming smiled and agreed, taking her hand and walking towards the milk tea shop.

That's life, isn't it? There's no such thing as "perfect" or "normal." The important thing is to find someone who accepts each other's imperfections and together creates the kind of life you want. For Choi Myung and Asuka, things are good as they are now—with each other by their side, they can peacefully enjoy moments of tranquility. Even if they encounter various troubles in the future, as long as they face them together, there's nothing to be afraid of.

Anyway, Choi Myung and Asuka had a great date.

Saki has also made a decision!

Let me explain to the Victory Team!
He wanted TPC to agree to let the cosmic monster come and take him home.

TPC does have a good reputation. (End of Chapter)