Ultraman Any Key: Qiming

Chapter 450, Section 446: In the Mountains: Are you hiding something from me? (Seeking monthly votes)

That evening, Kishida returned home again.

Although he was exhausted from all the previous experiences, the poison gas monster was finally defeated, and the heavy weight that had been pressing on his heart for so many days was finally lifted.

But he was still brainstorming, and his abundant thoughts prompted him to take out a pen and start writing in his diary.

[When I learned that Ms. Akane was actually an alien who came to Earth with the intention of invasion, I was very conflicted.]

But after confirming with my own eyes that she was alright, I found that my first thought was 'thank goodness,' and this emotion made me realize my true feelings.

[In front of the Flying Swallow II, I talked a lot with Miss Qian. I told her that I didn't mind her past and only wanted to create a bright future with her.]

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, we both think it's better for her to live on Earth as a human from now on. I will keep this a secret.

Having written this far, Kishida turned to a new page and began writing again.

Of course, I will defend Qi Ming's secret to the death. Right now, all I can think about is him and the past. It's a miracle that a human can become Ultraman.

When I recall each monster attack, I imagine how Qi Ming, the team member, secretly watched us fight in the Flying Swallow, then transformed and stepped forward when we were about to fail, helping us time and time again, saving the world time and time again.

I was still thinking, maybe I never actually met Qi Ming in the Land of Ultra.

[That day, when the sea base was under Dr. Yujima's control and about to self-destruct, and we were being hunted down to the prison by the Zuluk aliens, was the first time Qi Ming and I met.]

He easily broke free of his cage and faced the Zuluk aliens, routing their previously rampant evil.

【…】

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The next morning, in the Victory Team's command room.

Kishida arrived at the command office early, wanting to see Qi Ming.

But Qi Ming didn't come to work this time. Yesterday, Tregear was badly injured by the Phosphorous Monster, and he went to comfort people.

Jugglus Juggler and Carmilla were not there either.

Yamanaka felt this was a golden opportunity.

Qi Ming was not there, nor were Jugglus Juggler and Uesaka, the two trusted confidants Qi Ming had recruited.

Now, everyone in the command room is a long-time team member with whom Qi Ming had fought before he arrived. They are his close comrades-in-arms, and he can speak freely with them!
Yamanaka patted him on the shoulder: "What's wrong? Are you feeling conflicted knowing that your sweetheart is from outer space?"

Kishida: "It's alright. Yesterday, Ms. Akane and I talked for a long time, and we confirmed our feelings for each other... Actually, not all aliens are bad people. Isn't Ultraman a kind of alien too?"

Yamanaka nodded: "That makes sense. By the way, while Qi Ming is away, let's check our intelligence."

His sudden shout attracted everyone's attention. Huimei asked curiously, "What information?"

In the mountains: "Isn't everyone curious about why Qi Ming always disappears inexplicably at crucial moments, and what his powerful secret is? This is obviously abnormal, so why isn't anyone mentioning it?"

He pointed to Hanaijiro, who was swaying on the round table: "For example, this little animal is obviously not a creature that can be discovered through 'archaeology'."

Everyone was at a loss for words, their expressions turning strange for a moment. After exchanging glances, they began to try to remain calm.

Saijo Nagi coughed. "I think it's alright, nothing serious..." Yamanaka asked curiously, "Lieutenant, aren't you the one who hates supernatural phenomena the most?"

"Last time at the Delta Space Station, we went to chase that disc-shaped creature aboard the Flying Swallow II, but Qi Ming returned to Earth before us. He was terrifying, like a ghost."

"Didn't you also find it strange and illogical at the time, and say you would investigate it thoroughly, but nothing came of it afterward?"

Why was there no follow-up?
Soon, Saijo Nagi witnessed Qi Ming's transformation and his fight against Goroki, and learned his identity, which made things clear to her.

To keep it a secret, she would naturally downplay these things and not mention them herself, so Yamanaka and Kishida gradually forgot about them.

Saijo Nagi: "Of course I investigated... I later carefully searched the cabin of the Flying Swallow II and found traces belonging to Qi Ming's team."

"He really did secretly hide in the cabin and come back with us. It was a false alarm, so there's nothing to say about it."

The mountain dweller asked suspiciously, "Why did you do it secretly?"

Seeing that Saijo Nagi, who wasn't good at lying, was about to run out of steam, Huimei quickly chimed in: "Team member Qiming probably just wanted to scare us. Isn't he always been the kind of person who likes to play pranks? If you keep being so suspicious, he'll get his way."

Kishida also said, "Yamachu team members, we, the GUTS team, believe in science and must base our thinking on reality."

After thinking about it, Shan Zhong felt it made sense: "What about that time in Basera? Team member Qi Ming disappeared the whole time again."

Dan Moroboshi replied without batting an eye, "It's because I sent him to evacuate the citizens."

Yamanaka: "During the Ligadron and Zhongbai incidents, he disappeared for more than an hour. What a coincidence!"

Huimei has a very strong mentality: "I also investigated this at the time out of curiosity. Team member Qi Ming went to a noodle shop to eat ramen. I guess he is good at predicting things and knows that this matter can definitely be resolved smoothly, so there is no need to worry. Isn't team member Qi Ming always like this?"

Yamanaka then raised many more questions, but others offered explanations.

They either said they were with Qi Ming, or that Qi Ming's actions were completely reasonable.

At this moment, Staff Officer He Zhi, who happened to be passing by outside, listened for a while and then came in: "We have investigated the identity of Team Member Qi Ming. He was indeed born and raised in China and is a 1,000% Earthling. There is absolutely no problem with that."

Even the staff officer came out to clarify, and with so much public opinion, Shan Zhong couldn't help but shift his suspicions from Qi Ming to himself.

He nodded slowly: "I see. It seems I was overthinking it."

After all, it's impossible for everyone to gang up on me!

Thinking about this, Yamanaka realized he had made a big fuss. With his doubts gone, he happily went to the toilet.

The moment he stepped out, the expressions of the team members, who had just been serious, suddenly became very strange.

Kishida lowered his voice: "How much longer do we have to keep this from the Yamanaka team?"

Dan Moroboshi: "I believe that the member of the Yamanaka team is an honest young man, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, let's keep it a secret for as long as possible."

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This is the third update today, with over 7,000 words. I'm asking for your monthly votes at the end of the month!

(End of this chapter)