Behind the Mask

Baseball with a Baby Kaiju?

Emi was a striking creature. A vivid pink hue covered her round, chubby body. Her cheeks were rosy, and a small beak-like mouth opened and closed as she looked around.

Her feet were clawed like her hands, and they made soft padding sounds on the metallic floor as she walked over. I thought she was more cute than menacing, with a smooth, almost glossy texture to her skin that reflected the lair's light. Her wings were small and stubby. Bright orange ears fin-like protruded from the sides of her head. Despite her size, which was still gigantic compared to me, she seemed more playful and less threatening than her mother.

She also looked nothing like Kenji.

I turned to glare at him. "That's your kid?" I asked.

He nodded, seemingly proud of Emi. "Yep," he beamed.

My jaw dropped, and I let go of his hand. "Did you...and Gigantron...?"

His eyes widened. "Oh God, no," he quickly shook his head.

"I don't see how possible it would be with your size," I said, frowning. "Did you do it as Ultraman? Is that even possible?"

"Ami!" he yelled. "Emi's adopted."

"Adopted?"

"Yeah, her mom was in an accident a year ago with the KDF. I found Emi before she even hatched," Kenji explained, smiling fondly at the giant pink baby.

"Hatched," I repeated.

He nodded.

"You've had them for a year," I said, turning to the large Kaiju.

Gigantron growled softly, and I took a step back.

"They're usually on Kaiju Island," Kenji said just as Emi stretched her hand to him. He took it with a huge grin on his face. "But Emi imprinted on me when we just met. Basically, she saw me and thought I was her mom. She can't stay away for too long so sometimes; I bring her back here."

"Is that normal?" I asked, frowning.

He shrugged. "My life is anything but normal," he said.

Emi walked over to a corner of the room and picked up a small Ultraman action figure. It was one that Chiho also owned. She turned around and charged toward me with such force that I thought she was going to tackle me. I staggered back, preparing for the impact but instead, she stopped right in front of me, bouncing on her clawed feet, the toy stretched out toward me.

"She likes you," Kenji said, his voice soft.

"Um, hi," I greeted, taking the toy.

Emi smiled widely and I took a huge breath. She looked like she was about to pounce on me and squeeze me in a tight hug. I wasn't sure how I'd react.

"Thank you," I said, staring at the toy.

She let out a happy cooing sound and bounced away. Her mother let out a groaning sound that shook the lair and Kenji grinned.

A lot of people had normal boyfriends.

Me, on the other hand...

My boyfriend was a famous athlete, a superhero, and a Kaiju girl dad.

"Wow," I said, watching her play with a rubber ball.

"Are you overwhelmed?" Kenji asked and I felt his touch on my shoulders. "I'm sorry, I know this is a lot to take in at once."

I bit my lip and nodded. "I'm fine."

He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. His scent filled my nose, and I felt his breath on my cheek. My heart skipped a beat as his tongue flicked across my bottom lip. My hands slid up his chest and tangled in his hair.