False Report

"What do you mean?"
After that news report, I try to explain as best as I can what had actually happened, about the fight, Tarou's victory, and Neptune's last second arrival.
"That's what happened!"
"Huh, why would they show this then?"
"THAT'S MY QUESTION!"
"They're usually accurate... Did they mess it up this time?"
"I don't kn-"
"Oh dear! Tarou must be a mess right now! Tell you what, I'll go make some cookies and cakes, and tomorrow you can take them and eat them with Tarou, how does that sound? It might cheer him up!"
"...I guess, sure."
'I'll need to ask him about this anyway. How did this happen...?'

Mom started baking and soon had the treats made, ready to be delivered the next day.
"Here they are, when you go see him make sure to cheer him up, he's probably feeling down if he also saw that report."
I quickly answer, as I pondered what I'd say to him.
"I'll do what I can."

...

I decided to take an early nights rest, and was now ready to check on Tarou, remembering to bring the treats along. After some walking, I was at the entrance to his house, ringing his bell without hesitation.
"Who is it?"
"Kazu here! My mom made some treats and I wanted to share them with Tarou."
"Oh, how sweet of you two, hold on, I'll be right there."
It doesn't take long before Tarou's mom opens the door.
"Tarou is in his room right now."
"Got it, thanks."
I make my way over and open his door, seeing him sitting on the bed watching TV.
"Hey."
"Oh, Kazu, hello."
"My mom made some stuff to share with you."
"Yo, that's cool!"
"I'm also here to talk to you."
"...What about?"
"I think you know."
"Yesterday's reporting of the fight?"
"Are you ok? I can't believe they could have gotten it that wrong, how could that happen?!"
"Yeah, I'm ok, don't worry. I was ready for this."
"Huh? What do you mean you were ready? Did you know this was gonna happen?"
"Ah."
'Ah? Was he supposed to not mention it?'
He stays silent for a little bit, taking a deep breath before speaking again.
"It's you, so it's fine.
...Yeah, he mentioned this would happen."
"He mentioned? Who did?"
As soon as I say that, it flashes into my mind.
'Tarou and Neptune were talking...'
"ARE YOU TALKING ABOU-"
"Neptune, yes."
"He forced you to do this? To give him the credit?!"
"No, he just... Let me start from the beginning.
After we went to grab her, he mentioned he overheard some things."
"Some things?"
"Yes, about my joining Little Heroes. That I wasn't gonna make it, so he said he'd help me, in exchange for that."
"Help you? Not gonna make it? That's not possible, you were for sure gonna make it! Why didn't you confirm with Gaia first?"
"I DON'T KNOW! Ok? I panicked, I really wanted to get in, and if I hadn't agreed to it then, he mentioned time was running out so...
To be honest I wasn't doing that much either, so he was probably right..."
"There's no way. You gotta tell Gaia! She'll tell you I'm right, I'm sure of it, and she'll definitely want to know Neptune did such a thing!"
"No way! If that's actually true then... I would have fallen for such a dumb trick, all because of my... Fear, I guess, which might cause them to reconsider! So I can't."
"Reconsider?"
"Oh, yeah. I got a call some time ago, I got in"
"You did?"
"Well, Gaia called and she seemed excited about it, and kinda spoiled that she had good news, so, it can only mean one thing, right?
I'm going to go to HQ soon to hear about my results."
"What about your reputation, people will think you're a clumsy fool because of that."
"Don't worry, I'll repair and build up my reputation the hard way, slowly, little by little."
'There's no way that happened, if he got in, it was by his own merits, there's no doubt of that in my mind... But why would Neptune lie then if that's the case... What would he want out of this, just credit?
...I need to tell Gaia.'
"I'm coming with."
"Huh? Are you just going to tell her?"
"No, I just want to come support you is all. At the end of the day, I'm still your friend."
"...Ok. I could use it too. Heh, I'm still a bit nervous..."
'I'm sorry, it has to be done.'

...

A few hours pass and it's time for Tarou to get his results, I accompany him to the HQ, and there we meet up with Gaia who, just like Tarou said, is quite enthusiastic.
We make our way to the training grounds where Thunder is waiting, along with a line of two people, likely other candidates. We wait until our turn finally comes.
"Next is... Snowball, the last one in the list, come here.
We're proud to inform you that you've made it, congratulations! Being stuck doing this may suck, but at least this part of the job is actually good, I love getting to be the first to meet new workmates!"
"I made it. I MADE IT! Coach, I did it!"
"Wow, I'm so proud! But Thunder, please refrain from such comments next time."
"Right..."
"Congrats man."
"Alright, come join us Snowball, I'm giving an official tour of the HQ to the new people. You guys can wait here."
'Perfect.'
"Wow, an official tour! This is amazing!"

Thunder's group soon leaves, leaving me alone with Gaia.
"Heh, excited about a tour just because it's 'Official', he probably already forgot I gave one to you guys days ago."
"Gaia, we need to talk."
"Hm?"
At first she looks at me with a smile, but after noticing my seriousness, she too takes up a serious look.
"What's going on?"

...

"So, that's what happened. Can you help? Was it true? Was he about to be failed?"
"Hold on. First, to answer your question I have no idea, I'm not part of the group that looks after who succeeds or fails to join Little Heroes."
"But didn't you assign Thunder to it?"
"I assigned him, sure, but I'm far too busy to keep tabs on that, you DO remember that I'm here to make sure everyone gets back in shape right? So that this area gets under control, remember?"
'Damn it.'
"Fine, but what about the rest of what I told you?"
"I was getting to that. Neptune would have the leverage to recommend people to succeed, sure. But he wouldn't be the one making any final decisions. Besides, why would he want to do that? That would be a bit strange, you know?"
"Well, I do realize that it's weird, but it happened!"
"...Hm.
Are you sure you're not just trying to help out your friend? That would be very sweet of y-"
"NO, I'm telling you the truth! Please believe me!"
"Wow. I admit that it's hard to go against that when you beg like that, but you have no evidence of it, you know? And you ARE accusing a fairly respected hero who did bring in Light Show yesterday.
But most of all, the motive is just not there, what are you suggesting, that he loves the credit being his or something?"
'...She's right, I do have no evidence...'
"Now, if you had some sort of evidence of that, anything at all to prove your point, that would be a lot more helpful. After all, if I were to do as you wanted with no proof, I'd be doing no one any favours, and if it did happen to be as you said, he'd also realize we were onto him, and likely change up strategy.
Accusations without proof will just muddy the water."
"I see..."
"Kazu, don't worry, Tarou will be fine, you don't need to protect him this much. Though I will admit that was extremely sweet of you, and I will cherish this memory forever."

She talks, with a wide smile in her face, but I barely pay attention to what she says, quickly forgetting it, instead too focused on the plans ahead.
'Evidence, something to prove I'm right...

...Or, something to prove Neptune isn't good.'