Chapter 282 Hand-Holding?!

The American Dome is the largest stadium ever built in America. This is also a historic monument for a lot of people since it had been built before superpowers appeared in the world. Well, it was more like a relic, but people still use it for beast battles or superhero tournaments from time to time. The American Dome had stood the test of time, and despite the fact that its use changed over the years, it still held true to its name as the American Dome. Before, some of the Olympics were held here. And now, it is used to hold events for superheroes and beast battles. There's no better stadium than the American Dome, or at least in America there's none.

Just like any other day, the American Dome was filled to the brim with people. The superhero soccer had just finished for the night, but the people who were in their seats didn't move an inch at all. Their eyes were fixated on the middle of the field where a historical fight would take place. Even though they had to pay extra just to reserve their spot for the next event, they did so without thinking twice. And those who couldn't pay for their seats were paid for by none other than Jack Michael aka Star Spangled who is the number one superhero of the country.

"It's my best friend who's going to fight so I'd like it if you all support him." He announced it a couple of hours ago.

Of course, this prompted most people to not pay for their seats for the next fight, causing Jack Michael to almost pay for every seat. But then again, paying for the entire stadium itself is just chump change for him. That's why he was bold enough to offer something like that.

"Star Spangled said it himself. It's his best friend who's going to fight White Mist!"

"Really? I wonder if his best friend is strong. Isn't White Mist the current title holder of Beast Master? He's never lost in the Official Beast Tournament, right?"

"Yeah, but who knows? It's Satr Spangled's best friend we're talking about here. He should be strong right?"

"If he's not strong, then Star Spangled wouldn't announce something like that. You do know how it works in the field of superheroes, right? Connections, connections, connections."

"That said, how strong could he be?"

"I'm guessing he at least has a fighting chance of beating White Mist on a bad day. If not, then this fight wouldn't even be possible."

"Or maybe this is all just White Mist's ploy. He probably wanted to make a bang before, you know, the Official Beast Tournament happens."

"This fight is probably in place to push him up the popularity rankings."

"Whatever it is, I'm not complaining though. I got free seats and I could watch White Mist's battle. My son's a die-hard fan of White Mist and there's no way we're missing something like this for free."

"That's right! White Mist is the strongest IN THE UNIVERSE!"

The reporter continued to go around the American Dome, interviewing anyone he came across so they'd have more air time during the special event. Both White Mist nor his challenger have not arrived yet, but there were a couple of performances held on the field while everyone waited for the fight. The people couldn't be any more excited.

"Wha~ there's so many people. Our seats by the front seat, right?" Ash screamed at Satoshi. The surroundings were much louder than expected. Even Ash's scream could barely be heard from the crowd.

"WHAT?!" Satoshi screamed back even though he heard Ash properly. "YES!" He responded.

Ash's mom, Dahlia Grey, was there as well. The group consisted of the Midoriyama Duo, Emma, Aira, and the father-daughter duo that is Yukine and Shiroi. This was the first time Yukine (Shiroi's dad) met the Greys, that's why he was surprised that the dad, Jean Grey, was actually Star Spangled's best friend. He could somehow relate to Jean Grey though since he too is best buds with the number one superhero— of Japan.

"I'm going to buy some drinks, do you want something, Satoshi?" Emma had to cup her hands on Satoshi's ears and whisper so he'd be able to hear him.

"I'll go with you." Satoshi blurted out before he even thought about his words.

A second later, the spectators started flocking towards them, asking the Midoriyama Duo for their autographs before they even reached their seats. The husband and wife obliged, as per usual, and they told everyone to just head to their seats first.

Shiroi found it the right time to stash Satoshi from the group. Without further ado, she grabbed Satoshi by the hand and dragged her from the crowd that continuously grew around his parents. "Let's go, we might miss the fight." Shiroi smiled. Had she realized that she was holding Satoshi's hands, she'd have blushed right then and there. But she was too preoccupied with the thought of spending alone time with Satoshi that she forgot to sweat out the small details.

"A- eh?!" Satoshi's face reddened with embarrassment but he didn't let go of Shiroi's hand. He bit his lips, hoping that Shiroi wouldn't react to his exclamation. It didn't even occur to him that Shiroi probably didn't hear what he said. The crowd was noisy after all.

When they got out of the audience area, the two found themselves in a hallway filled with stalls upon stalls of food, drinks, and souvenirs. There was even a stall that sold goldfish scooping as if there was a festival going on. Satoshi found it weird, but he didn't ask the stall owner any questions.

By the time Shiroi realized that she was still holding Satoshi's hands, it was already too late. They'd already walked a considerable distance from the exit and a lot of people had already seen them walk together with their hands intertwined. Holding hands is weird enough for them as it is, but letting go after being seen by a lot of people would be even weirder.

'Haah~! Satoshi's going to think I'm weird. I just grabbed him by the hand and then... and then... ughh~ what am I even doing? What is he thinking right now? Do I look all right? Maybe he'll find me weird. Uuuu~' Shiroi panicked in her mind but she put up a poker face so Satoshi wouldn't read her expression.

Satoshi also had the same notion. That's why he didn't let go. And even when he tried to unclasp his hand from Shiroi, she still held on to it, that's why Satoshi had no choice but to oblige. Shiroi wasn't the only one panicking in her mind. Satoshi was panicking as well, and his panic was twice as worse as Shiroi's.

"Eh? Shiroi? Satoshi? What are you two doing here?" Someone called out of the blue.

It was none other than Kitamura Ayano, superhero name Eye Goddess. Apparently, she too flew over to America for a mission. Then the announcement about White Mist's fight was broadcasted and she just had to see it.

"Oh, is this a date? Sorry if I'm interrupting." Ayano put her palm on her lips in a mocking manner as she 'ho-ho'ed like an old lady.

Shiroi and Satoshi responded with silence. They were too embarrassed to admit anything, and their hands still touching each other were not helping with the situation at all!

"By the way, who are the two people behind you? I swear I've met the purple-haired lady before... but the red-haired one... hmmm..." Ayano then continued.

Based on what she said, apparently, there were other people behind them. Her comment made Shiroi and Satoshi turn around.

Standing behind them were Emma and Aira who were both casually licking candy apples. Emma casually raised her hand as a greeting while Aira handed one candy apple to Satoshi.

"Emma? Aira?!" Satoshi exclaimed. His shock made him let go of Shiroi's hand. And in his shock, he apologized to Shiroi before grabbing her again by the hand.

"EH?!" This time, it was Emma's turn to feel flustered.

That's right, Satoshi, who had inadvertently let go of Shiroi's hand, grabbed Shiroi's hand again after apologizing.

"Are you flirting with each other?" Aira asked in a monotonous tone, grabbing Satoshi's other hand as if that was the normal thing to do in that situation (To those who had forgotten who Aira was, she is the red-haired child who can see through the future. She was rescued by Satoshi and Crispwisp at chapter 175)

"Why are you shocked to see me? I was the one who brought all of us here, remember?" Emma teased. "Don't mind Aira and I and just go on with your date." Emma continued, gesturing with her hand as if she was shooing them away.

"AH! I remember you! You're that girl who was riding the White Lion defending the Dimensional Portal, right? I also met you at that time, how could I forget." Ayano called out. "In any case, do you two want anything? It's my treat."

Before Ayano could react, Aira grabbed her by the hand after hastily finishing the candy apple she was eating (she already handed her other candy apple to Emma before she grabbed Satoshi's hand). Now it looked like Satoshi had three girls with him, and Emma couldn't help but laugh at him as she trailed behind the group.