I need to find her. I know she is out there, somewhere, and I'm going to find her. She's in danger; I have to save her.
My father doesn't believe she even exists. No one does, really. They all think I'm crazy. But I know she exists. I know she's out there, and I'm going to save her. I'll record everything down in these tapes, so I have something to give her when we meet.
I don't care about Saikou Corp or Akademi anymore. I'm no longer the Student Council President. They're all dead to me now.
My twin sister… is a real person. She is somewhere in the world. I will search every city if I have to. Heck, I'll even go to every island. I'll trek through the mountains, I'll go underground. She's out there somewhere, and she's waiting for me. I'll save her, no matter what.
The eighteen year old girl stared down the monster in front of her, clutching her suitcase. A boy around her age had taken it down with a few hits.
"Wow, that's impressive," she told the boy. "How'd you do that?"
"Training," he replied. "I'm an upcoming hero."
"A hero…" the girl's eyes went wide. She stepped back, mind lost in thought. Other members of the public were also in awe.
"Hey, I've seen that guy before," one person said.
"Yeah," one replied. "I saw him in City F! He's really strong!"
"And that girl is familiar, too…" another person commented, gazing at the girl.
Taking down monsters that easily… the girl thought. I could use power like that.
Today, while searching for my sister in City B, I encountered a monster. It nearly killed me. But a man appeared and saved me. He told me that he's an upcoming hero.
A hero… I should do that. I should become a hero, and then I'll be able to save my sister. But I'll need to train a lot. I'll need to contact that man again; he knew a lot. What was his name again…?
"You don't know what you're getting into."
The girl grinned at him, approaching him behind the train station. "Sure I do. I want to be a hero."
"It's a dangerous job," the boy shook his head.
"There's someone I have to save," the girl replied. "This is something I have to do. Let me train with you."
The boy gritted his teeth. "Fine… if you're so interested… but don't say I didn't warn you."
The girl grinned, shaking his hand. He avoided eye contact with her.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"... call me Blast," he huffed.
I got in contact with the man, his name is Blast. He was pretty hesitant at first, but I told him the world needs more superheroes, people willing to fight monsters. So now we're training together. I'm a little nervous, though I won't tell him.
I got to save someone's life recently. I guess I'm inspiring other people, which is a good sign. Still no luck finding my sister, though…
My 25th birthday is coming up soon… I suppose that's when I'll make my debut as a real hero.
"Wow, they've done it again!"
"Blast and Traveller are so awesome!"
The world's most powerful superheroes stared at the large monster they had defeated. With their combined strength, it hadn't stood a chance. Once again, the city was safe. People cheered and clapped for the heroes.
"Wow, that was even easier than last time," Traveller told Blast. "I guess we really are getting stronger…"
Blast nodded, trying to hide his blush. "Yeah, we are."
"Excuse me, Miss Traveller! Mr. Blast!"
The two glanced down at a somewhat short, middle-aged man. He had what some would call a butt-chin, and greying black hair.
"I'm a really big fan of yours," he told the two. "Someday, I'd like to form an association featuring heroes like you two! A hero association!"
"Ah, really?" Traveller raised a brow.
"Indeed!" the man nodded. He sweat-beaded. "I, uh, just don't have the necessary funds at the moment…"
"Then create it when you do have the funds," Blast told him.
"Oh, thank you for the encouragement!" the man bowed. "You two are so thoughtful!" He offered a hand. "My name is Agoni. Such a pleasure!"
For a while now, Blast and I have been training together. He's an aloof man, but I think I understand him well enough. We work together well too. Monsters don't stand a chance against us.
I haven't really told him about my sister yet. Guilty as charged, for a few years I think I'll try out this hero thing with Blast. It's going pretty well. The media has been giving us a lot of coverage. The people love us.
Ironic. When I was still with Saikou Corp, still Student Council President of Akademi, my father wanted me to dominate the world. He told me I would never get anywhere once I left. That man really didn't know me after all.
"KEEP HER STEADY!"
The scientists surrounded the young, trapped esper. She tightly gripped the bars of her prison cell, teeth gritted.
"Record everything," another scientist said. "Her powers are coming out."
Green energy surrounded Tatsumaki's arms. She peered up at the scientists, body trembling. The white laboratory began shaking as well.
"Come on, now, child," a scientist offered her some candy. "It's okay. You're doing very well."
Tatsumaki accepted the candy, taking a deep breath. As she chewed on the candy, she began to relax.
"Good," one of the scientists crossed his arms. "Take down as many notes as you-"
He was interrupted by a horrid scream. A siren began to blare.
"What's going on?!" the scientist demanded.
"A monster has broken in, sir!" another scientist yelled, clutching their notes. "We need to evacuate immediately!"
The first scientist scowled. "Dammit. We don't have time to deal with this! We-"
CRASH!
The wall came tumbling down. Standing there, of course, was none other than the aforementioned monster. It appeared to be some kind of large dog, surrounded by fire and lighting. It barked furiously.
"Stand back!" the scientist bellowed. "Everyone, evacuate immediately!"
Tatsumaki clutched the bars of her cell again. "Hey! Get me out of here!"
"Use your powers, girl!" the scientist told her.
"But…" Tatsumaki trailed off. The scientists were already leaving.
I-I don't know how to use my powers, Tatsumaki thought. What am I supposed to do?
The monster appeared before her cage, saliva dripping from its jaws. Its eyes glowed dangerously.
Help me… Tatsumaki shivered, closing her eyes. Please…
BOOM!
Tatsumaki slowly opened her eyes. Two adults were standing before her: a man with spiky black hair and a cape, and a woman with long, silver hair and a dress.
Tatsumaki's eyes were huge. Who are these two?!
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "Man, another easy kill. I swear the monsters are getting weaker."
"Don't take it for granted," the man told her.
"Come on out, kid," the woman turned to Tatsumaki instead, opening her cage.
"You're an esper, aren't you?" the man asked Tatsumaki, eyes narrowed. "Next time, use your powers to protect yourself. People won't always be around to save you."
Tatsumaki clenched her fists. They're right… I have to protect myself.
I'm glad I left Akademi before the murder case occurred, caused by a member of the taboo family, the Aishi family… my father's own political dramas. He spent time with some… interesting figures, my father. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone. Eventually, he didn't let me get involved with it after a while either.
"GIVE ME YOUR MONEY!"
Saitama grunted as the older student slammed him into the wall. They were behind the school, outside the view of any teachers or other students. Only dead trees and abandoned playgrounds surrounded them.
"I don't have any," Saitama said.
"Don't lie," the other student growled, getting into his face. "I know you've got some! Give it to me, now!"
"What do you need it for?" Saitama asked.
"None of your business!" the student shouted, holding up his fist. Saitama realised he didn't have much of a choice. He wasn't strong enough to fight back, and didn't have the confidence to cry for help. So he dug into his gakuran pocket, pulling out his few yen coins. He offered them to the other student.
"That's all?" the other student scoffed.
"Sorry," Saitama looked away. "Just… use it for something good. Okay?"
"Whatever, trash," the student growled, snatching the money. "You should be thankful I-"
He was interrupted by the sound of a crash, and the screams of students. They were all running away, crying for help.
"What the Hell is going on?" the boy demanded, narrowing his eyes.
Saitama suddenly stumbled away, dropping his school bag. "Uh…"
"What's wrong?" the other student demanded. He then went dead still. Behind him was a large, hulking form, teeth in rows, a stench that could rot the nostrils. A monster.
"Heh heh heh," the monster growled, raising its claws. "Tasty humans!"
"AH!" the boy screamed, falling over and dropping the money. The monster towered above him, showing its long, sharp claws. More yen coins spilled out of the boy's pocket, spilling all over the place. Some rolled into the drain and disappeared.
"No!" the boy whimpered. "I-I need that for my little brother's lunch!"
"Too bad for him," the monster chuckled. "You get to be my lunch instead!"
Saitama furrowed his brow, standing up again.
He needs the money for his little brother's lunch… he thought. That makes sense. Dammit! I can't let him get hurt. His little brother needs him!
Saitama grabbed his school bag, racing towards the monster. He held his breath.
"Let him go!" Saitama shouted, chucking his bag at the monster. Of course, it did nothing but make the monster angry at Saitama instead. The monster turned and roared at him, raising its claws.
"You want to be first, silly boy?" the monster cackled. "Very well!"
Crap… Saitama thought, going pale.
Just as the monster was about to attack, a woman appeared out of nowhere: long, flowing silver hair, a large hat, a peach sundress. With one wave of her hand, she decapitated the monster. Its head fell into a pile of green blood. She turned to a starstruck Saitama, offering him a hand.
"Whoa…" Saitama accepted her hand. "Who are you? How did you do that… ?"
"Training," the woman replied, smiling. Despite the gruesome murder she had just commited, she seemed calm and complacent, making Saitama feel the same way. He felt… relaxed around her.
"What are you…?" Saitama asked, eyes wide.
"I'm a hero, kid," the woman said, putting a hand on her suitcase. "Call me Traveller."
"Traveller…" Saitama repeated. He blinked. "Traveller, one day… can I be a hero just like you?"
"Of course you can," Traveller nodded. "I just do this as a hobby, kid. But who knows? Maybe you'll take it more seriously than me."
Saitama nodded eagerly. "Yeah! One day, I'm gonna be a hero!"
I suppose I feel kind of bad for my little brother, Ichirou. He was only nine when I left. Though, knowing my father, he would've planned for this. He always saw Ichirou as a backup, after all. That's just the way he works.
Well, Ichirou's not a kid anymore. In fact, he got married recently. Probably an arranged marriage, knowing my father. And now, his wife is pregnant. Pregnant with my nephew or niece. A niece/nephew I'll never meet. A niece/nephew that will live the same fate as their father…
Oh well. Well, Blast and I have been dating for years now. We've even discussed marriage. Though, I don't think I could commit myself to that. Not when I'm still looking for my sister. This relationship won't last forever…
And... another thing. I don't know what it is, but… this hero stuff is starting to get a little dull. I can defeat all monsters in one punch. Either they're getting weaker or I'm getting too strong… whatever the case, I'm bored as hell. I want a good fight again. But that's probably not going to happen anytime soon.
Bleh, been feeling sick as well recently… what's gotten into my system? Surely not what I think it is…
Blast and Traveller sat by the ocean, watching the tide crash into the sand. The sunset covered the sea in a gentle, orange glow.
"Nature really is beautiful," Traveller spoke, resting her head on her knees. "That's what's been so great about being a hero and doing all this traveling. I've gotten to see the world."
Blast nodded. "I suppose. There are some lovely views out there."
The two sat in silence for a moment. Traveller put a hand on her stomach.
"You should know, Blast," she said. "I'm pregnant."
"That so?" Blast asked, casually.
"Yup," Traveller said.
There was another silence.
"We're going to be parents, then," Blast commented.
"Yeah," Traveller breathed out, deeply. "We are."
Something feels wrong… I don't know, I should be happy, but I just keep getting these bad feelings. And I know it's not morning sickness.
… are you really out there, sister?
"Look at his eyes," Traveller spoke, holding Blue in his bundle of blankets. She was lying in the hospital bed, Blast standing beside her. "He looks just like you."
Blast gazed over his son, a rare smile appearing on his face. "He does."
"He'll be as strong as you too, I'm sure," Traveller said. She handed Blast the baby wrapped in blankets. "Amazing how nature can create such a thing."
Blast nodded, still staring down at his son. The baby cooed at him.
"This is what happiness feels like, I suppose," Blast said. He grinned. "You, me, and Blue. We could settle down and have a peaceful life. The world won't bother us. Even if we have to leave our hero lives behind… I think we'll be fine."
Traveller didn't respond, and continued to stare at her son.
I've made a mistake.
I got carried away in my romance with Blast. Our relationship resulted in a child, our son, Blue. I'd never imagined having children, not even when I was young. Maybe because I knew that if I had children at Saikou Corp, they'd just end up being corporate slaves. I couldn't do that to my children.
I still haven't found my sister yet, and I haven't made much progress over these past years, not since I officially debuted as a hero when I was 25. That's the reason why: being a hero, going around and saving people, has been keeping me away from my goal. I can't go out and find my sister if I'm always fighting monsters.
And I certainly can't find my sister if I have a son to look after.
Why did I have my son? The thought of being forced to stay and home and care for a kid… I just can't do it. And plus, my sister is waiting for me. I still have a long journey to go to find her.
So… I have to make a choice. I wouldn't consider Blast to be great-single parent material, but he's more stable than me, anyway.
I'm sorry, Blast. I know you wanted a domestic life. I know you wanted a happy family. But that's just not going to work with me. My hero name is 'Traveller' for a reason, after all. I'm travelling all over the world… to find my sister.
And to my son, Blue... I know you'll hate me. But that's fine. I have to move on from people anyway. But still… I wish the best for you.
This is the end of my hero career, once and for all. Traveller is no more. Now, it's just me, a civilian looking for her sister. The people will miss me, sure, but there'll be heroes in the future that will take my place. Maybe they'll even outperform me.
That reminds me, the guy who wanted to start a hero association… how's he going? Maybe I'll donate some money to him to help him get his thing going. It's the least I can do.
Speaking of things finishing, this will be my last tape as well. These things just have too many memories on 'em. I need to move on to the next part of my life. So, this is former hero Traveller, former heir to Saikou Corp, former mother… signing off to live her new identity. Goodbye.
Saitama wasn't sure why, but he couldn't get an uneasy feeling out of his system.
City A had become almost completely deserted for some reason. Not even any of the regulars were around. Saitama was perched on his balcony, staring down at the dead city. For the first time in a while, he felt… lonely. He hated that feeling.
"Sure is empty out here."
Saitama didn't react as a woman sat next to him. She was tall; taller than him for sure. She had long, silver hair, covered by a large white hat. She wore a simple peach sundress and grey boots. A gold pendant was around her neck. Her skin had been sunkissed and wrinkles were across her skin, yet, she still looked fairly young.
"Yeah," Saitama stared at the woman. She was strangely familiar; he'd definitely seen her before, somewhere. "Do I know you from somewhere…?"
The woman smiled, adjusting her hat. "Maybe. That's what a lot of people say."
Saitama shrugged. The two sat in a strange yet comfortable silence.
"I know what it's like, you know," the woman said, after a while. "Having to deal with overwhelming strength. At first, it's great. Nothing poses a threat to you. The world loves you. And yet… it's just all so boring. There's no thrill anymore. You don't have any reason to care."
"Yeah," Saitama nodded. "I don't know… that's why it's just a hobby to me. I'm a hero for fun, after all."
The woman nodded. "Of course." She looked away. "I gave up being a hero years ago, you see, not only to find my sister, but also because it was boring. It also meant leaving my lover and my son behind. But I couldn't stay with them. I'm not cut out to be a parent."
"I guess you just have to get away sometimes," Saitama replied. "Still, it's kind of an asshole thing to walk out on your kid like that."
"I know," the woman bowed her head. "But I couldn't force myself to stay there. That life drained me, Saitama."
There was another silence between the two.
"Wait, so who exactly are you?" Saitama asked, making a face.
"Are names really that important?" the woman smiled. "After all, you hate being referred to by your hero name."
Saitama shrugged. "Fair enough."
"Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to get out there and be a hero again, Saitama," the woman said. "I can't do it anymore. The world needs more people like you."
She stood up, hair flowing behind her.
"By the way," she stared down at the younger hero. "Call me Traveller."
Wow, these things are dusty… I haven't touched these for sixteen years, so fair enough, I suppose.
I realise after listening to my old tapes, I said I wouldn't record any more of them. But I don't know. Suddenly I'm feeling nostalgic for these old things. So here I go.
I'm 50 now. Some would consider that old. It has been 32 years since I started looking for my sister. I haven't made any progress, but I'm not giving up. I know she's still out there. She's still waiting for me.
It's going to be hard to find my sister, now, though. Some monster is currently taking over the world and killing everyone. She's related to that Aishi family, it seems. Luckily, there's a hero who's strong enough to take her down, so I'm not worried.
I wonder how Blast and Blue are faring. Maybe they'll make an appearance. Blast has been the teacher of my niece Megami. He cares about her, obviously. Though I don't think she's alive anymore.
Well, humanity is going to take another hit, but we're humans. We'll get back up again. That's our nature, after all.
And as for me? I'm going to keep searching. My journey's nowhere near from over. In fact, maybe it's just begun.
