My SuperVillain System: Building Legion of SSS-Ranked SuperHeroines
Chapter 61 - Why do heroines have their memories intact? (1)

Chapter 61: Chapter 61 - Why do heroines have their memories intact? (1)

CLANG!

The bowl that Lira had been collecting from the left table hit the floor with a sharp, cracking sound that echoed through the tiny shop, scattering fragments across the tiles.

Lira stood frozen—paralyzed.

Her breath caught in her throat, eyes wide, pupils dilated. It wasn’t just surprise. It was terror. Horror.

As if she’d just seen a nightmare claw its way into waking reality.

Her trembling hands hovered uselessly in the air, the ladle still clutched loosely in her fingers. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came—only a short, broken exhale.

Her legs locked in place, every muscle stiff with an old, instinctive fear.

All because her eyes were fixated—on the door. On him.

Cruxius.

A cold shiver ran down her spine like a blade.

For a moment, time peeled away, and she was no longer in her curry shop—she was back in that place, in that moment, staring into the same eyes that had once looked back at her while she choked, clutching her neck. Eyes she never wished to see again.

And then—she blinked.

The mask fell back into place. Her expression, though pale, smoothed into calm. The hands that trembled found steadiness.

She bowed slightly, never once looking at him.

"...Sorry. Bowl fall."

Her voice was soft. Too soft. And without another word, she turned and disappeared into the kitchen, her footsteps quiet—but the air around her felt as if it had shattered along with the bowl.

’....’ Cruxius said nothing aloud.

But something—something unspoken—had just rippled through his mind.

"Woah, golden light—mph!"

Suddenly, Cruxius heard a little girl’s voice. Looking down, he saw her clasping her hand over her mouth, as if stopping herself mid-sentence after seeing something.

Her eyes glowed with curiosity and awe as she looked up at him, making him smile. He knew exactly which golden light she meant.

"Pardon me, ladies. I just wanted to eat something. May I enter?"

Cruxius placed one hand on his chest and gave a slight bow to both the old woman and the little girl. They looked at each other, confused by such a gesture, yet somehow understanding his inner nobility.

Also, both were ladies, not just an old woman and a little girl.

"Ahem. Fine, gentleboy. You may enter," the old woman said, giving one last glance toward the kitchen where Lira had vanished. She stepped aside to let Cruxius in. He nodded and slowly entered.

Following behind him were two women—Ytrisia and Darithi.

Or at least, that was what both the old woman and child had expected.

However, soon after, more people began entering. Men in black suits, wearing sunglasses despite the night, and even women dressed the same.

One. Then seven. Then ten. Eventually, over a dozen of them filled the shop, occupying every seat.

’!’

"Oh my," the old woman muttered.

Seeing so many people—and the young man calmly taking a seat and opening the menu—made her heart brighten. Finally, there were customers in this rundown shop.

"Grandma, why are there so many people?" Neuril, seeing the shop full for the first time, looked up and asked.

The old woman leaned close and whispered something.

"What!? They’re customers!?" Neuril yelled, loud enough to draw the attention of the others. A soft chuckle escaped the man shrouded in golden light.

Neuril instantly clasped her mouth again and looked toward her grandmother. Both nodded.

Instead of leaving the shop, they hurried toward the kitchen.

With so many people, they had to help Lira—both to feed the customers and fill the shop’s long-empty wallet.

---

Inside the narrow kitchen, the air smelled of turmeric and garlic. Lira stood behind the counter, motionless, staring at the wall as if it might swallow her whole and let her disappear.

The curtain parted.

The old woman stepped in first, followed closely by Neuril, her apron already tied in a crooked knot behind her.

"They’re waiting, child," the old woman said hastily. "There are more customers than we’ve seen in years. It’s time to get cooking."

Lira didn’t move.

"No," she said, her voice flat and cold. "I’m not serving them."

The old woman blinked. "You’re... not serving?"

"I said no." Lira turned sharply, her eyes fierce. "Especially not him. And the rest? I don’t know who they are. I don’t care. But I’m not feeding that kind of crowd."

Neuril shrank a little at the edge of the room, confused and unsure.

The old woman folded her arms slowly. Her face didn’t shift, but her voice grew firmer.

"Why, Lira?"

"I cannot tell."

"Listen, you brat. This shop lives on the edge of breath and prayer. And Neuril’s enrollment fee at the academy is due. 180 GC."

Lira flinched as if struck.

180.

The tightness in her chest returned. Her hands, though clenched, began to tremble again.

"But I—" she started, then stopped. Her voice was fraying. However, as she looked toward the little blonde-haired girl standing at the edge, she realized that she should focus on her little sister rather than care about that monster.

"Fine." She nodded before moving towards the kitchen, tying the apron as she moved to cook the food, clearly confused: ’Why is he here?’

---

After 15 minutes of waiting, finally, all the meals were prepared as Lira and Neuril both moved and started to slowly approach the outside to place the bowls.

However, at the door of the kitchen stood two of the women’s bodyguards, giving a bow as they offered their help, which Lira accepted.

Nearly all the guards and drubbel had taken their food except for one seat where, looking for a moment, Lira hesitated. Even the guards seemed to be busy with their food, not helping her deal with carrying the prepared dish to that seat.

"Big sis, give me the bowl; I will help him!" Neuril barged in as she tried to move towards that particular seat while holding the bowl. However, before she could move further, Lira stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"Stop!" And do you mind being overwhelmed? she mistakenly voiced her words loudly, clearly attracting the gazes of everyone, including Cruxius, whose gaze met hers—chill.

His face was embedded in her mind, lips trembling as her jaw clenched. Yet with her trembling hand, she moved towards his seat, holding the bowl before placing it on his table.

"..Here, your order," she added, before slowly trying to turn away from there.

However—

"Lira.... do you remember me?"

’!?!’

Came his voice, firm enough to make her body flinch as she seemed to fall into a trance.

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