Tornadoes For Sighs

-Chapter 11-
Bug Me More

WHEN TATSUMAKI BOOKED A ROOM AT CARAVANSARY HOTEL, SHE WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE.

Tatsumaki realized how annoyed she would be during Hero Appreciation Day with her full powers intact. During events where she competed with weaker folks, she liked sealing away her abilities. She still won and savoured that feeling like nothing else.

How she loved seeing the weak flounder even when she held back. But she wasn't morally repugnant so she helped people win and inspire them.

It felt like High School when she sealed away 90% of her powers. The Norogami High School students came close to a near-death experience when she got angry. Tatsumaki hadn't learned to control her powers but only to seal them away, which didn't help anything.

But no. That was last night.

Now, in Tatsumaki's hearts of hearts, she wanted to sleep but no one gave Tatsumaki what she wanted, huh? Over the past couple of minutes, three idiots came to her hotel room to disturb her. It was the morning.

Tatsumaki needed rest, recuperation after the destruction and chaos talking to people put on her psyche. When sealing her powers away, she lost her famous ominous 'green glow' as people called it. Maintaining the seal was a walk in the park but tiring.

"Tornado of Terror-sama!" A loud, invading voice called into Tatsumaki's room, banging on her door. "Tornado of Terror-sama! Oh my god, please be Tornado of Terror-sama!"

"I was clear the last three times, please, I don't want room service this early in the morning." Tatsumaki groaned.

The employee banged even harder. "This is serious! There's been a vampire in City B! I don't know why or how they exist but now they're coming to take revenge on us humble people."

Tatsumaki just woke up. She felt gross. Why was the employee so loud?

Tatsumaki sat up. "Ma'am, vampires don't exist. Please don't bother me so early in the morning about impossibilities."

"I beg your pardon." The employee demanded.

"Then beg."

Gasp!

Tatsumaki sighed. "Or go away or eat tons of garlic or better yet, eat a silver spoon," Tatsumaki suggested, covering her head with the fluffiest pillow known to man.

The employee gasped again. "But this is serious! People are dying, here! Can you take this seriously?! You're S-Class, rank 2? Can we depend on you? Are we wrong for this? I saw Buddha's topknot, right then and there!" she panicked through the door. "I'm gonna die! I don't have enough merit to be reborn."

Tatsumaki opened the door. "I'm heeere, I'm here." she sighed, looking at the employee's stupid face. The female employee looked like a piece of meat being thrown to the wolves, smacking her jaw.

Suddenly, the employee stopped as if fear and darkness swallowed her voice. "Oh my god! You're a VAMPIRE!" screamed the employee, voice cutting Tatsumaki's bones.

Tatsumaki recoiled at the volume of the idiotic assumption. She wasn't a vampire. Yeah, she was pale and didn't sleep, so her eyes were bloodshot but she wasn't a monster! The employee collapsed to her knees, moaning miserably with tears.

Okay. That was weird and I'm going to sleep it off, Tatsumaki decided. I'm going away now… Or not?

Tatsumaki caught all the eyes staring at her expectantly in this tiny, dry, congested hallway. Everyone was there. Employees, old men, young women with children were huddled together. Most had varying expressions of horror, worry or sobs. Many employees gaped at her like lost lizards in their atrocious green uniforms and brown shoes.

They crowded her room entrance like she was the only light in an abyss. Tatsumaki blinked to get the fatigue from her eyes.

"What happened?" Tatsumaki asked.

A stout woman with a crisp suit and tie pressed forward through the group without much issue. "Tornado of Terror-sama, there's a monster attack outside of our hotel! I'm the head manager. We got everyone from their rooms up to your floor. The entire population of the Canvasary Hotel is here." she said with a grave expression.

Those fucking donkeys heroes hadn't come to help City Z. Those lazy fucks.

"Had none of my hero colleagues come?" Tatsumaki asked through gritted teeth.

"Some S-Class are… unresponsive. The rest… they're all afraid of the apparent mosquito outbreak outside. Opting out because of the mosquito outbreak." the manager explained, scratching her arm concernedly.

"Darling, that's a seasonal issue. Who's afraid of a little mosquito, losing a little blood?" Tatsumaki chuckled.

A small wave of apprehension rolled over the mob.

"All of you?" she guessed. Sad.

"These mosquitoes are… different." the manager coughed. "They strip all life of flesh and blood. It's terrifying."

Oh. The smile melted off Tatsumaki's face. So the outbreak was serious?

This hotbed crowd was pretty foolish. If their enemy was a mosquito, people shouldn't crowd together. Mosquitos were attracted to Co2 emissions and can sense body heat. Both of which were very detectible in a condensed area like a damn hallway.

"I broke employee protocol by announcing you were here at our residence but we need your help!" She spoke quickly, her gaze guiltily glued to her open-toed heels. "It's dangerous."

"It's something you'd find in hell, Tornado of Terror!" A teen bowed at Tatsumaki's feet cried. Nods and murmurs of agreement were heard, their eyes blown wide.

"Well, little grasshoppers and citizens, heroes are willing to walk into hell for you on purpose," Tatsumaki smirked.

They cheered. Admittedly, Tatsumaki would go through walls of fire for them. It was worth seeing the stars swirling in their eyes, sweet sighs of relief singing their praises. It warmed Tatsumaki's insides like a hot bowl of soba Atlas used to make.

Citizens, Tatsumaki realized belatedly, were coal, weak and frightened. She didn't want to ridicule the weak, they were as helpless as babies. Maybe she wasn't a god or something but she could help and that was just as good as any diety at the moment.

"Just saying… All S-Class heroes were C-Class at one point," Mumen Rider's words rang out. Maybe some people were weaker than C-Class and for once, that was okay.

When Tatsumaki got outside, she expected the whole routine of going there, defeating the monster— yadda, yadda, the people are safe, hurray— but no. Something else entirely greeted her. The sky was overcast, gray with silver hues interrupted by graphite tones. It set a gloomy, mysterious mood that didn't chase away concern.

Incessant humming replaced the city's breathing. The sound ran her eardrums ragged. This was the busiest street in CIty Z… no one was here.

What happened to everybody? The city's downtown core was deserted. Normally, everyone hastened someplace, carrying a story, a briefcase or a conversation. People marched about frantically in this metropolitan fort, proudly wearing suits.

Now it was quiet and sombre. Almost like something really bad happened.

The monster Tatsumaki saw was a large, large normal guy with buff arms. The monster had the face of a bucket.

Tatsumaki questioned what the world spat out.

Why was everyone still afraid? This was pretty tame compared to high-level monsters Tatsumaki normally dealt with. These civilians were exaggerating about the monster's strength.

"Hey, bucket head, where the fuck is your mop? Go home, buddy, you're creeping my people out." Tatsumaki called out.

The bucket head man twisted around to face her with an affronted gnarl.

Every movement of his was a lesson in fluidity. His thick muscles strained in his tight jeans and a beige polo shirt. Even his sneakers were tight. He wouldn't look like a monster if it hadn't been for the blood staining his arms. It's like he was dipped in crimson neon paint but the iron she smelled couldn't fool anyone.

There wasn't a speck of blood on his beige shirt. Just his arms were coated in blood.

"I wanna use the rest of you to clean my streets of scum and sumbitches who don't belong. So bucket head, where's your mop?" she asked.

The bucket head opened his mouth to start his monologue. She didn't want to hear it. She had better mysteries to solve. This idiot wasn't mysterious anyway, just weird.

"Listen bucket head, it's MY house and you hurt my house, interrupting my fucking beauty sleep. You didn't get my permission. I will shit fury all over you, yeah." Tatsumaki promised.

His nasty smirk was almost audible. "I forgot about what I did. This comes from mosquitos and people I killed," he answered simply. His tone gleamed with recognition. "Ah. You're the little green school girl. I don't believe in your strength. It gives me questions."

Tatsumaki compressed the window frame of a nearby car. It shattered. She lifted the shards to make a whirlwind of razor-sharp clear blades. They whirled faster than the speed of sound. She loved this part. Everything spun, round and round, while destructive and magnificent.

Tatsumaki will make him regret the day he was born!

"Well, bucket head, you OBVIOUSLY didn't listen to my explicit instructions of getting the fuck out of my house." Tatsumaki roared.

"Such a tiny girl in front of me without inborn fear or an alluring aura. Still confuses me how you could defeat me, Caramon Injury!" he announced theatrically.

"You wanna bleed confusion instead?" Tatsumaki threatened with a cockeyed simper on her face.

"You want a piece of me?" the abnormity challenged, eager for a battle.

"No! I want two pieces of you. I'll shred you in pieces then make you bow—"

Rudely, harkening noises enshrouded her.

Tatsumaki instinctively whirled a tornado of glass around her person, shredding any menace that dared. A damned beehive buzzed in her ear. She couldn't escape the sonic disturbance. The papery sound made her skin crawl and her back arch due to her cringing muscles.

The sound eventually subsided. Between the churning glass and the insect's murmurs, she finally picked up on screaming. While the sound was a nuisance, the sight Tatsumaki saw was worse.

A shadow of black circled Caramon Injury like a cloak of death. It vibrated and pulsed and sighed. It ravaged every part of the monster's fleshy, blood-filled muscled limbs. All this… with the desperation of an actual vampire.

What was City Z? How could it go from the soft ambience with a pink glow to this monstrosity overnight? God! Tatsumaki can't raise kids here. This was insane! Dr. Gray would have to let her move their kids elsewhere—

Then the screaming stopped and the mob of thieves shot away faster than Tatsumaki could pursue.

"Whoever's fucking with the mosquitoes! You goddamned coward! Come out and fight me! I know those bugs aren't smart enough to purposely target humans with blood! Come out, come out and play!" Tatsumaki shouted in all directions.

Tatsumaki just wanted to get the monster who controlled the mob. The source… The mind control should only extend to mosquitoes. She hoped.

Tatsumaki didn't have her phone. Fuck! Bearded Worker had to know something. Tatsumaki needed the news or to investigate on her own. He couldn't keep her in the dark.

Caramon Injury's mummified remains fell lifelessly. He died because of bugs. Tatsumaki chuckled a bit, all nervous. Caramon Injury didn't have any energy or chi… People hummed a certain frequency when they were alive. He didn't.

Wow. Someone died because of a pack of mosquitoes and lost lots of blood.

Caramon Injury looked like a dry, broken cracker. He was sucked dry of all moisture. His leathery skin stretched over his obvious bones. Gross. She shuddered.

All of his blood was gone. It was like a vampire plagued the city. Anything with blood was at risk. That's why no one went outside. Only dumbasses would leave their residence.

Tatsumaki put up an invisible barrier around the hotel. Whatever's sucking all the blood of City Z was good. But no matter, Tatsumaki was better.

Tatsumaki scurried inside, eager to catch the villain terrorizing her territory. Some civilians cheered at the sight of her, recognizing her despite the bed hair and her… plainness. She needed her clothes! She forgot them at Dr. Gray's home.

Anyway, Tatsumaki didn't notice that people weren't looking too hot, breathing hard. At least nine people had bloody noses, fat lips, discoloured skin around their bruises. Tch. C-Class heroes came back to HQ with scars worse than this.

"Did the monster outside do this?" Tatsumaki asked the crowd.

Anyway, none of the injured answered until this sour-faced guy elder coughed under his wisp of silver hair.

"No. The thugs and good for nothing mafia assaulted and mugged us when at our lowest. You heroes did nothing. Stupid, useless money-pinchers." he spat. "In my day, heroes stood for something and meant more. They helped because they wanted to help, not because of the coins. My heroes were tough, always there. You young ones slack off."

Tatsumaki slacked off? Hell no.

"So what if the monster population increased? People steal from their neighbours, crime out of the roof. Probably a smuck stealing from my shop now." he lamented. "You promised you'd take care of City Z. Nothing's changed. You don't care about small things like us. Well us small things need help. You think you're too good for small jobs like social work or thugs. I need help. What are you gonna do about it?" he demanded.

"I just got here," Tatsumaki said softly.

"Pfft. Young ones always have excuses. No solutions—"

"Yeah, wait a minute," Tatsumaki folded her arms. "I'm doing what none of you started. I just got here. Don't decide anything for me. I don't slack off nor lose. You're wasting your breath if you tell people I do. I chose City Z. I don't care if the old folks or young blood burned it to the ground in the past. I'm here to clean it now. And that's what you measure me by. I just got here."

"And you've come for no reason. All heroes have done nothing for me. My house is gone, my city is spoilt and we pay you in our tax dollars for no results."

"The screwed up world has seen an increase in monsters. While you focus on your life, I focus on the lives of everyone across all 26 cities, so wait a minute. I'm gonna be there, everywhere." Tatsumaki clicked her tongue. "I can't give you what you want, but I'll give what everyone needs. I don't lose, so watch me!"

Tatsumaki turned around to charge to the front desk. "Hey, you." she barked.

It was an employee named Eito. Eito had innocently curled hair, braces that never fit his teeth. His early twenties' body was strapping and young. He was surprisingly forward. He had stars in his eyes when she set her fiery determination on him. Just to prove a point.

Tatsumaki saved Eito from a monster attack. He was late and she vouched for him at his workplace; Caravansary Hotel.

During the past month and a half, she rested here whenever she worked in City Z or avoided Fubuki. Which was a lot, based on how familiar Eito acted with Tatsumaki? Ever since Eito's rescue, he's had an infatuation with her. He confused graciousness with affection.

But he was willing to help her, so there was an upside to the many, many downsides— like him proposing all the time.

"Hey, Tornado-chan, marry me," Eito chirped happily despite his black eye.

Tatsumaki had a withering glare which he chuckled at. "I'm getting married! Understand that!" she hissed.

He shrugged, looking like he didn't understand the language.

She cast a look at the injured men. "Understand this, I will defeat this monster but help you all. If your homes are overrun by idiot thieves, stay at this hotel."

Tatsumaki looked back at Eito. "Give them three meals a day. When they get home, I promise I'll get those thieves."

Eito's eyes lit up. "Such financial abandonment. We all love you, Tornado-chan! You're so sympathetic to their situations. Though they were mean." Eito grinned apologetically.

"Ha. I can't relate to injuries but I know the damage of monsters. It isn't pretty nor fun."

"It's rare to see the rich taking care of the poor," he commented. "Caravansary Hotel is famous for homing the heroes who come to City Z."

Tatsumaki nodded, knowing that reality all too well. "I know the pay's awful here and your manager doesn't treat you well. Why do you stay?" she queried, leaning forward. "Did the hotel promise you a future?"

"No. The Hotel promises everyone. We're all a family here. We just… know each other and belong. It's like reading a book," Eito finished sweetly. "I can't read you but, if you want, the pleasure's all mine."

Tatsumaki grimaced. "You'll have crossed a line for good. I'm already getting married. I can't even remember your first name."

"It's Eito. You make me smile," he said, smiling.

"Why do you smile so much?" Tatsumaki asked him.

"You."

Flattered, Tatsumaki smirked back. "Actually, why do you smile? What's your secret?"

"To always have a meaningful smile… it seems like something would happen to me." He looked at her with admiration. "Aside from you, dick cheese heroes always stay in this hotel! I already got a black eye from Blue Fire. Kiss it better."

"You wanna sequel to your black eye? Leave me alone, kid." Tatsumaki sighed. "And get a doctor. I know Blue Fire's lame and gross and stupid but you're lucky to have gotten off with a black eye after venting your spleen out."

"Why do you assume it's my fault?" he squawked.

Tatsumaki shot him a look like, is it not? He surrendered. "Fine. It was but he was looking for you. He looked suspicious. I defended your honour," he stated, a bit sheepish.

Tatsumaki gazed at him for a second. "I'm sorry you got hit for me. It's good that you have a smile. Smiles fade into sneers or worse, nothing at all. Keep your joy. I have a lot of honour, so it's a big job." She leaned over the desk. "You could come to my wedding."

He nearly melted."Wow! I'll shave my head to get in with the theme. Maybe I'll be the groom with a ring."

"Maybe." Tatsumaki smiled, deciding to humour him. "Maybe, Eito-san."

He melted while Tatsumaki looked at the injured men. I know it's not my fault or problem but why wasn't I there keeps on running through me. Tch, Tasumaki thought sullenly.

This was also the second time that heroes abandoned a city just because it was so "hard". Those stupid whores. When she sent in the report about defeating the giant, she didn't know how to chew out her colleagues. She couldn't text fast enough. The buttons hurt the pads of her fingertips.

The S-Class heroes didn't show up though hundreds of people must have died. The Hero Association became one long commercial for money-hungry asshole heroes who care more about public image than saving others.

Maybe Mumen Rider was right. He's a damn lame-ass tricycle but he was getting at something. Something was wrong but she couldn't pinpoint just what was wrong.

Was justice constant? Was Tatsumaki making a change? Would being at the Hero Appreciation Day be appropriate if, in the grand scheme, the heroes have done nothing?

Tatsumaki's suppressed feelings of helplessness came out. Suddenly, she was haunted by her former decisions. Everything was crumbling like pastries and she wasn't even hungry for disaster.

Tatsumaki didn't have her good clothes and she looked like an S-Class mess. Yeah, she brushed her hair but she looked horrible. She was happy that nobody could see her. The ones who saw her just assumed she was a lost teenager.

Tatsumaki couldn't levitate and didn't want to, so she took to the streets, calling out the worst things. Walking around the empty neighbourhoods while she searched for her enemy. The big boss. Numero uno. Tatsumaki'll win. It's tradition or fate but every time, the standoff ends the same.

Did the monster want to rumble, go some rounds?

Tatsumaki put ALL of the thugs in their places, too. Many of them were terrified. She gave bruises out like gifts. When she finally got to the ghost town without any luck, she hadn't found the source. Tatsumaki passed skeletons, corpses of animals and birds. There was a dark cloud of fluttering mosquitoes prowling the streets.

On a loop, the disaster announcer woman said, "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION WARNING. THREAT LEVEL: DEMON. NO RESIDENT IS TO GO OUTSIDE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. I REPEAT, NO CITY Z RESIDENT IS TO GO OUTSIDE…"

None of those rules applied to Tatsumaki. She might as well change at Dr. Gray's house then defeat the monsters.

When she turned up at his apartment building, Dr. Gray didn't answer the door. The knocks got nowhere. She manipulated the locks with telekinesis and invited herself in.

"I'm home," she called out, pretending to expect an answer.

Greeted by the dim emptiness, she couldn't resist it.

"Welcome back, Zuzu," Tatsumaki whispered to herself.

Standing there in his intimate space without speaking to him was odd. She just needed to tell him that she would manage to lie during the game show. That they'd never have to speak ever again.

But no one was there. The TV offered some chatter, colours shining onto the table covered with a milk carton, a bowl of finished food and a black bag of trash. His curtain fluttered while everything seemed a bit sad.

Tatsumaki didn't know he had a laptop or why he had this many documents and papers splayed around lazily. She leafed through them, spotting green doodles of people in action.

The drawings were pretty good. A little basic compared to the manga she's starred in. Her heart was warm and touched that he used a green pen. Why? She didn't know. Tatsumaki pressed a finger on the drawings, laughing softly. Cute.

Sometimes kids would get friendly comic book versions of the fights the top ten heroes won. Her comic books were quite colourful and less bloody. Many paragraphs of swears were removed, much to her sadness.

Tatsumaki looked up, attracted by the word "mosquito" heard from the TV. Maybe the news channel had some info. She watched an interview patiently.

"What could be the cause of the massive mosquito outbreak this year? We ask Mr. Kafetch, a mosquito expert who has written several books on the subject." the anchorman said.

Mr. Kafect smiled. "Thank you for having me. Well, let me come right to the point. These mosquitos belong to an entirely new species." A pause. "Therefore, I know nothing about it."

"Get out!" the anchorman growled.

What an asshole.

The idiot Mr. Kafetch coughed. "Ah, excuse me. Now let's take a look at the areas most likely to be hit hardest by the outbreak."

A lulling voice caught her attention. "Man City Z's in their path—"

"Heya, spring bean." Tatsumaki waved happily while he wilted, frowning at her.

"We interrupt this program for breaking news. A large swarm of mosquitos has been sighted in City Z. Mummified remains of attacked farm animals have also been found. If you encounter a swarm of mosquitos, flee immediately." the anchorman said seriously.

Tatsumaki dropped the papers then looked at him. "We've gotta go kill that thing."

"Nope. Why do you come here?" he asked, standing awkwardly like he hadn't expected her. He hadn't.

Tatsumaki smiled, trying to make something meaningful happen between the two of them. It was… easy to have a smile hanging from ear to ear around him.

"Your home… It's a defensible place, far away from others," she said at last.

"It isn't anymore," he mumbled.

Ignoring his comment, Tatsumaki got a good look at him. He was fully clothed— which was good and bad. He looked bad. His polo shirt was a murky gold paired with brown shorts with no pockets. He could at least do up the top three buttons. What if he gets shirtless again? Did she have to dress him up? She didn't want another accident!

"Come here," Tatsumaki said, making the come hither motion. For once, without smack, he did. "Lean down," she ordered.

He hunkered down, humiliating her a bit when he matched her height. She fixed his buttons. Tatsumaki smoothed out the wrinkles and patted his shoulder.

She moved away, appraising her work. "All better." she nodded.

"Really?"

"Positive. You look decent."

"I'm wearing clothes. I'm already decent." he motioned to his top button, water sloshing in his watering-pot/elephant thing. "Why'd you do that?"

"It's not proper to have your buttons undone," she murmured.

"Hm. If I had a tie, would you do it up?"

"Well, duh, I can't have you looking messy."

He buried a hand in his face. "I don't think I need this drama this early in the morning."

"Hah?" Tatsumaki narrowed her eyes. "Isn't it normal to see the face of your beloved this early in the morning?"

He gestured between the two of them. "You don't have to keep up the guise of you know... this relationship."

"Of course not," Tatsumaki folded her arms. "it's only my reputation, my job and my livelihood that's on the line."

He held his watering elephant can to his chest. "You joking now?"

"Never," Tatsumaki cleared her throat. "I know you care about making ends meet and not living everyday life. You aren't tied down by anything. Your horizons go on forever. And dear me, I leave when I'm asked to stay. It's frustrating. Ha. We have the same habits."

He sucked air through his teeth. "I severely doubt that."

"I know you don't like relationships but if you want to get hotpot dinner and have a long term committed relationship when we die, seventy years of marriage, we'd never have to see each other again." she offered slyly. "Here's the catch, I'm a serial monogamist. You'd have anything except for the pain. I'd probably take on the moon, too."

After saying what she truly felt, with stupidity and honesty, she realized, belatedly— it sounded like a proposal.

He just stared out of the balcony door for the longest time until he hummed thoughtfully. "No wonder the sky was black this morning and the wind blew from the east," he said seriously.

"Asshole! It was a wonderful day. The sky's gray!"

"Oof. Even worse." he scratched his chin. "70 years? That's a long while."

"Happier times pass much faster than sad times. So you won't even notice."

"So I'll spend centuries, being immortal, if I say yes to that dead proposal?" he reasoned.

"There's a reason I'll always call you Dr. Gray. I'm a catch," Tatsumaki smiled graciously. Then her voice got low and dangerous. "Besides, I don't plan on handing you over to anyone until one condition is fulfilled. Quit being a spoilsport!"

"You should quit!" he called back.

No one believes it but Tatsumaki gives everything until she doesn't have anything left to someone special.

She'd show such a rare, relaxed expression instead of her resting bitch face. She'd have this single-minded gaze directed at them. She'd have their voice consuming her, little by little. She'd try to ease their minds with all her heart. She'd make them amateurish bento and got happy when they're returned empty. It hasn't ever happened but that's okay. Tatsumaki would stop picking fights because her special person would get worried than angry at her for being reckless.

Tatsumaki didn't have to ever get pulled in or pulled forward. She's a little much for everyone. She'll step back and quit overstepping her boundaries.

Tatsumaki paused, fangs sinking into her windpipe. The one who needs to quit is me, isn't it? None of this is real. I'll go back to being normal…

"Yeah." she turned away. "I'll be lying during the game show and say you're sick during the damned Hero Appreciation Day appearance. You won't hear from me."

He nodded curtly. "Okay."

Her mouth fell open. "Just okay?"

"You are giving me what I want. This is no place for you. Hurry up and go home." he shooed her away.

Tatsumaki knew he was blunt. That's the way he was… but why did that hurt? That's weird. Suddenly, her "normal" had become lonely.

"You could've said that a bit nicer, don't you think?" Tatsumaki said.

"Nicer? I wasn't nice?" he squinted.

"Ha. I was lying. Got it. I'll go home. I'm going to get my stuff. You go on and do whatever you do."

Surprisingly, he brought her clothes inside from the balcony where they were left yesterday. It was sweet.

Dr. Gray gave her a slight smile, one of peace. "Don't return." he nodded.

"Wasn't planning on it," Tatsumaki sneered, hiding the hurt with hostility. "Let me finish this news watching, to defeat the things outside. I need information until the outside world is fixed."

"So… What's wrong outside? Aside from the mosquito outbreak?" he asked.

Tatsumaki smirked. "Nothing big. The big boss is too scared to come to me so it's tiny."

He jerked a thumb behind him, gesturing to the balcony. "I'm going to water my cactus," he said as if he wasn't listening.

Newsflash, he wasn't and he left. When he looked at Tatsumaki, his eyes were like glass beads.

Watching the news helped nothing. Tatsumaki scowled. These idiots knew nothing. She also knew nothing but she wouldn't be this stupid!

Tatsumaki was just annoyed, glaring at his form on the balcony. Did he care about anything?

Dr. Gray's acting like Tatsumaki didn't exist. Tatsumaki thought they were doing better. She tasted the sugar coat and the apples burst in her mouth. Why was there an unconditional war between them?

He treated the cactus better than her. He's already so nice to something so unkind.

Tatsumaki hadn't heard from him, which was good for a little until she heard a loud bang. The Ghost Town had always been silent. So hearing action made her antsy.

When she got to the balcony, she inhaled a large cloud of lingering bug spray. No sight of her egghead. Where was he?

Did it matter that he could get sucked dry by a mosquito? Pfft. NO! She studied the gloomy city. Right?

He wasn't on the balcony, she cursed, not anywhere. He could die. She felt responsible. Nothing bad should happen to him unless it's by her hand.

Tatsumaki lifted a suitable chunk of cement, contemplating leaving for him. Well, she hasn't had a good fight, yeah. When she'll defeat the idiot mosquitoes, she'll need a shield from the blood. A definite one. She grabbed Dr. Gray's red umbrella and she hopped onto the cement block.

Tatsumaki was a good height above ground and happily able to move. Ah. She loved her powers. She was flying but in a different way.

Tatsumaki cruised along until she got close enough to the source of chaos.

She recognized the scenario instantly. Fuck, nausea bubbled in her stomach. She needed to vomit. Even the rubble couldn't hide how fucked up this was.

There was a blonde man and this human/mosquito hybrid thing. All at this odd standstill. This bitch looked like a huge bug. Nearly twice the size of Tatsumaki. A psycho beauty with an insane amount of spines and ridges and edges.

This was the humanoid thing commanding the mysterious plague of insects.

Her gross mosquito head was over her dainty human-looking face with bristles poking out at odd places. She had an alabaster white exoskeleton with bands of darkness over the hard-looking armour. Her hooked limbs were bent at odd angles. She had extra legs and lines everywhere. Fuck her antennae and the gross abdomen hanging at the small of her back.

And were those wings?! What fresh hell is this?

A rather voluptuous bitch ruined the day she was spending with Dr. Gray.

Tatsumaki was so inclined to be envious. She looked so young— like a child. School kids rush her onto the school bus. Not to mention she wasn't feminine. She didn't need to wear a bra most days. A monster hit her chest, and she complained that he hit her boob but he said, "No, I didn't. You don't have any!". She's been waiting for humble mountains to grow out.

And some bug bitch had full D-cups?! Why does a bug have bigger boobs than Tatsumaki?!

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!" she shrieked, her voice echoing. "YOU DON'T NEED TO SUCK THAT MUCH BLOOD FOR YOUR BOOBS, MOSQUITO BITCH! YOU SUCK SO MUCH, LIKE LITERALLY! YOU GODDAMN PARASITE. YOU WON! DIE!"

And this Mosquito Girl didn't even have legs because the bulky, muscular blonde tore then off. He was fast. He nonchalantly tossed her legs to the ground after swivelling to face Tatsumaki.

The two idiots (bug bitch and blonde metal guy) stared at her. It was soundless as they took in her appearance. Surprisingly, none of them got low and worshipped her ass or surrendered. They looked like she was an intruder. Like she interrupted something.

Tatsumaki didn't. She just got the party started. She will defeat scores of these bugs then kick that blonde's ass if he got in the way.

He had locks of beautiful Viking-gold hair, sharp eyes a-fire with passion and a concrete jaw. His olive-toned skin and piercings that made his less than ritzy clothes look okay. Those brown boots, plain jeans and beige shirt with cut-off sleeves didn't impress her.

He seemed like a normal, dishy guy. That's where the normal it ended.

The silver, mechanics of his body became apparent when she swooped in closer to confront him. The bulging biceps were all metal. He had an amputated arm and there was no blood. His supposed veins, venules, arteries were replaced with wires and flashes. And he was a cyborg.

If the cyborg's the only one here and Dr. Gray still hadn't shown yet, that meant he was strong. The explosions she heard earlier came from him.

He was handsome but deathly annoyed. Dangerously irked.

The blonde's eyes twitched, staggeringly gold. "How did you get here, little girl?"

Tatsumaki aura burned lethal cytosine. "Who the hell are you? Blowing up the streets in my town! Not to mention, you hadn't killed this bitch! Apologize and leave this to me!" she waved her arms. "Go! Or you'll perish along with busty bug bitch here, too."

He set his concrete jaw. "No. This is my fight." He turned his back on her. "I will eliminate her soon. Please stand by. I will return to you to your mother. Your tantrum helps me recognize the severity of the situation. However, be quiet. She will target you if you draw attention to yourself."

First, he turned his back on her. An ultimate show of disrespect. No one turns their back on worthy opponents. No-one turned their back on Tatsumaki. Second of all, he reckoned her as a child! She wasn't seven years old. And third, he told her to shut her mug!

Her! Tornado of Terror, rank 2 S-Class hero, her! She'll destroy the bug then make him go extinct.

The murder was thinly veiled in Tatsumaki's voice. "Listen here you stifling little shit—"

"Tch. I don't have time for a town's little girl," Mosquito Girl purred, her voice smokey and seductive.

Shit. Tatsumaki forgot about her. LITTLE GIRL?!

Mosquito Girl floated overhead the city's buildings despite Tatsumaki's curses and objections. Wriggling insects collected in the sky's milky gray clouds like a blemish.

Mosquito Girl risked darting away, not to escape but to regroup her numbers. Why did she demand the blood so much? What was the gain?

"Impossible. You cannot escape me," Cyborg declared in his gravelly, low voice.

Unceremoniously, the mosquito colony was blown to shreds by his robust robotic weaponry. The powerful detonations of sparks did nothing to lessen the bitch's numbers.

The bugs were everywhere. So ubiquitous, it made Tatsumaki's head dizzy with wrath.

But he didn't give up.

As if performing an exotic dance, the mosquito twirled, gliding elegantly. The way she moved beckoned Tatsumaki's attention until a massive shroud of dark mosquitos surrounded the bitch.

It resembled a cacoon of death that wouldn't stop growing. It cast an adumbration on them while that horrible noise never faded; only intensifying.

This shell of pests weaved around each other to form a protective ball around Mosquito Girl.

Watching him diagnose the situation, being all serious despite Mosquito Girl's inherent weakness, satisfied Tatsumaki. She wanted to work with him. Be hers.

He was the only robot who didn't freak Tatsumaki out. Metal Knight, Child Emporer's spider legs and Drive Knight made her skin crawl but him, be hers.

Tatsumaki had a feeling this wasn't the end of Cyborg and her. Especially if he could move like that. He wasn't S-Class top 5 material but he could hold his own. She'll leave this to him and step in then take him to HQ.

Besides, Dr. Gray didn't want anything to do with Tatsumaki. Fubuki didn't either. Plus, Tatsumaki wanted a student since she was barred from the academy.

The Cyborg needed guidance. A way not to lose an arm. Tatsumaki found Cyborg in City Z, willing to take action— that deserved thanks. She sneakily collected the amputated arm with her telekinesis and settled it on her concrete platform. Metal Knight will need this if she'll get the Cyborg fixed up.

Ignoring Tatsumaki, the Cyborg's hand flared up, a whole rupture of yellow glowing energy.

"Get back here, dammit! You and I aren't done yet!" A familiar dork yelled.

Dr. Gray's sandals slapped against the concrete as his finger was on an aerosol can of… mosquito spray? The agitated fool's eyebrows were twisted together, as his teeth were locked together.

It's the most worked up she's seen him. He looked dumb and unaware. She wanted to scoop up her jogging poker-faced bastard baldy acquaintance and haul him back to safety but she paused, shaking her head. She didn't need to do that.

Dr. Gray halted to a stop and spat. "It's in my mouth! Pft. Pft." he spluttered, trying to get the poison out of his mouth. Too late, it's in his brain. "You little—"

Anyway, why was he here? He was chasing a mosquito. How pathetic!

He stopped, absorbing the situation. "Huh? What's that squirming over there? It's… mosquitoes?" He looked dismayed, making a soft scared noise.

"You over there." The Cyborg's smooth voice called out. "Evacuate now. Take her with you."

The Cyborg pointed to Tatsumaki.

"No, why don't you take him with you and scram!" Tatsumaki yelled. "I don't like either of you. You're lowering my I.Q and pissing me off."

Cyborg stared at her with disbelief and "I don't understand" written all over his stupid pretty boy features. Not to mention the "are you shitting me" twitches of annoyance sprinkled in between.

Good.

Why'd the Cyborg have to underestimate Tatsumaki? She was a hero and he seriously needed her help. He needed to evacuate. She's fine.

"Oi. Zuzu?" Dr. Gray waved over. "You see those mosquitos? Go to safety."

"Don't tell me where to go. Besides, you seem scared. Leave. I'm recruiting," she informed him.

"Just go home," he said forcefully.

Tatsumaki stuck out her tongue. "The battlefield is my home," she said, all nonchalant. "And any combat is where I belong. If you can't kill one stupid mosquito, how the hell will you kill that bug bitch?"

The "are you shitting me" twitches were on Dr. Gray's face too.

"You know each other?" the Cyborg said, eyes flickering between Tatsumaki and Dr. Gray.

Dr. Gray looked off to the side. "Wish I didn't—"

Cyborg cut Dr. Gray off and focused heavily on the large swarm. "There is no time to talk. Evacuate now. That swarm is conscious. If it senses you, it will immediately attack."

Tatsumaki yawned while Dr. Gray reacted oppositely. His eyebrows jumped up and he turned blue. Weak motherfucker.

"Seriously? That's bad." Dr. Gray whispered, pointing behind him. "Zuzu, we gotta get—"

A loud, hideous laugh assaulted Tatsumaki's ears.

A massive wave of mosquitos stormed the streets. It weighed down on her like an anvil. The mass pulsed, pressing against falling skyscrapers, shattering windows and invading all the buildings.

Tatsumaki unconsciously popped a barrier around herself. Internally stressed that she couldn't sense Dr. Gray or Cyborg in the flurry of movement, noise and sudden blindness. She couldn't even sense him.

Where was the pea brain guy?

The world ignited in a fiery explosion. Red amber and deep orange flames simmered the heat, burning everything with intensity. The black smoke was like ink and floated above Tatsumaki like a bad thunderstorm.

The buildings were charred and blackened. Ashes everywhere. The burnt smell stuck in her lungs.

Oh. God. This Cyborg didn't play around. Maybe there's a reason why Cyborg wanted them both to leave. He'll make a good addition to her squad despite the messes he made. He left the same amount of damage she did in City F. Which was good and bad.

Tatsumaki thought she'd turn to toast in her barrier. Few. Uncurling from under her red umbrella, she checked Cyborg. He was completely unphased, not a hair singed. If metal had hair...

"... Since you spoke, I thought you would have at least human-level intelligence. But you were just a bug." The cyborg clenched his steaming fist. "You brought all the mosquitos together into one, easy-to-burn swarm. When I spotted you, I confirmed there were no living beings within 500 metres, so I should have been free to fire away…" Cyborg flinched, eyes widening. "Wait, that guy might have—"

"Man, you saved me, you're amazing." Dr. Gray said with audible amazement. "What was that just now? You totally made them bug out. Ba-dum-dum-tsh."

Her feet were a lot less heavy. The air held hostage in her lungs his out. He's alive. Stuck it out. Tatsumaki flapped her arms to get attention. "Dr. Gray! I'm here, you're here. We're here."

His name came out of Tatsumaki like a gasp, weakness, too.

"I knew you'd still be here." Dr. Gray waved to Tatsumaki. "Couldn't see you in the swarm, though."

Now I see ALL of you, Tatsumaki gulped. His beautiful torso was there once again. Actually, all of him was exposed. In the nude. His basalt skin was marred by streaks of ash but he was otherwise fine.

He didn't have hair anywhere else. He wasn't hairless but… but— wHY DID SHE HAVE TO KNOW THAT? He's naked! His muscles were lacquered and aquiline and— oh so pretty. His sculpted thighs, lean calves, broad chest and dipped collarbone were pretty.

Tatsumaki wanted to avoid this! The buttons! The buttons! Where are his buttons?!

"Oi. Zuzu, why aren't you laughing? Did you not get it?" he tilted his head, jerking forward.

It drew attention to his— Tatsumaki covered her eyes. Oh, GOD! It's printed on her eyelids, too.

"PuT IT AWAY!" she begged. "We're not even married yet!"

The fleshy, long— oh fuck, why does she feel like a teenager again— Stop thinking about it! Stop thinking about it!

"My humour? Huh? Oh, I was just trying to make a joke about the mosquitos being bugs and…" he faltered when high-pitched laughter invaded the scene.

Tatsumaki's eyes snapped open. The Mosquito Girl greeted the three.

Now Mosquito Girl was back and redder than ever. Crimson. All the blood she absorbed must have boosted her immune system response or something. She had her legs back. Her white hair was replaced with muted salmon curls that swished around her hairy-ass face.

And her ass and boobs were bigger, too! Oh, the humanity!

Mosquito Girl had fewer bristles and sharper, pointed edges as she grinned maniacally at them.

"Idiot. I no longer need the little ones. I mean," Mosquito Girl lashed her out razor-sharp blades hand.

It was like viewing Atomic Samurai in combat. The concrete building burst into pieces, reflecting the cut she made. Not only was Mosquito Girl uglier but more powerful too. A power increase.

"Look at how strong I've become!" Mosquito Girl boasted, her wide eyes so wide, nearly popping out of her face.

That psychotic smile perturbed Tatsumaki. Should Tatsumaki step in? It wasn't her battle but… Cyborg didn't look too hot. Or in control. Control… That's something Tatsumaki always had in battles; the iron upper hand.

Mosquito Girl's movements were too unpredictable to follow. She sliced Cyborg, tossing him into the air like a ragdoll.

Yeah, Mosquito Girl could rough Cyborg up but Tatsumaki claimed him. Nobody hurts what's hers. Ever!

Cyborg's centre was exposed, all his working parts falling out of place. This build-up of energy seemed like… Something a bomb would do. Was he going to blow up his entire body?!

Tatsumaki got concerned.

Mosquito Girl dove down, following Cyborg in his sad, navy descent.

Dr. Gray stepped forward just as Cyborg and Mosquito Girl collided. Before impact, his open palm smacked Mosquito Girl's face. Tatsumaki barely squeezed her eyes shut as a rush of sediment and air pushed against her face.

"Mosquitos… suck!" Dr. Gray said slowly, insanely pleased by the sound of it.

Mosquito Girl's chatter quit, Cyborg's explosions quit and Dr. Gray hummed peacefully. The fight was over. Yeah.

Assuming it was fine, Tatsumaki cautiously wrenched an eye open and scanned the scene, past the risen dust and annoying boulders.

Well, that's gross.

Mosquito Girl was another grisly, imbrued stain on multiple building walls. The bitch's boobs provided the largest bloodstain Tatsumaki witnessed in a long time.

Only Dr. Gray did this. The sunlight on the gore made her stomach roll. Where did that sunlight come from anyway? Oh.

Above her humble head, the sky was split. The clouds parted as they do in Amai Mask's shitty movies and the clear blue revealed that everything was okay. A saviour has appeared.

The berth was split widest over Dr. Gray's head.

He disturbed the sky once again with a simple slap. Just how fast and how hard did he hit her? How much force? Tatsumaki gulped. Who is Dr. Gray? And what has he done to get this strong?

A hand waved in front of her face, snapping her into the present. "Earth to Zuzu, let's leave."

Tatsumaki flinched, backing away. "Don't get close when you're indecent!" she snapped, super flustered.

And his hand was scary. What he was capable of was scary. And naked. Naked and scary. She's never felt so intimidated in her life. Not even when she was tested on in the Alis Association.

Not wanting to face him, Tatsumaki landed beside Cyborg. He didn't look so good. Cyborg laid twisted and helpless. Despite all his injuries and malfunctions and lost part, he held his chin up to look for something. She crouched, about to reach out to pet his hair.

"Hold on!" the Cyborg shouted. "Please tell me your name!" he ordered.

Dr. Gray stopped walking away. "Oh. It's Saitama."

Tatsumaki forgot Dr. Gray's name. Her heart skipped a beat. Which she ignored.

"I'd like to be your disciple." the Cyborg declared staunchly.

"Oh. Okay," Dr. Gray said lightly. Then he stopped. "Huh?"

Tatsumaki cleared her throat. "Cyborg, you want to know my name?"

Cyborg looked at her seriously. "No."

He was so sure and certain, an edge of appalled disgust there too. What a rejection.

Tatsumaki gasped. "Y-You should! I would have finished that bug off in no time then I would pass on my knowledge to you."

"You could do better? You did nothing so taking action is more favourable."

"Why's that a question? I'm a cut above you because I don't have any cuts." Tatsumaki rolled her eyes. "ANYWAY, why aren't you screaming your head off? You've just lost like 90% of your motor and gross functions. You should be traumatically pleading for my help."

"I do not need your help. I sincerely want to become stronger." Cyborg declared, all serious and shit.

As if Tatsumaki couldn't help this dweeb. No one's ever wanted to be her disciple! Ever! They'd think she was too mean or bratty or whatever the hell but still. Why does he get a disciple, he doesn't even have a hairline?!

Cyborg looked at Dr. Gray. "He is now my master. I want to meet him next Tuesday after my restorations are complete to not hinder my training."

Tatsumaki glared at Dr. Gray, who stared at the building dumbly. "Man. This is why I don't keep paintings in my house." he sighed, picking his ear.

God, why would you say something like that? Tatsumaki shuddered. "You want that bonehead as a master? Instead of me?!" Tatsumaki demanded.

"You have seen what he could do. I will surpass him," he stated confidently.

"I also know what he can't do. He's borderline stupid. And you are sloppy! There was a lot of needless damage! There might be someone squatting in these houses. You burnt my streets. I was gonna make this place a bed town. There could have been a cat or something. Wildlife and they're dead." she sighed, face-palming.

"A vast majority of the wildlife has been exsanguinated due to the monster attacking the animals due to the residents taking shelter," Cyborg informed her.

"Since when?"

"Since yesterday in the evening," he confirmed.

Oh, the bastard was lying. So no gray cats wandered around. He lied to her! Dr. Gray whistled, ignoring her bullets for eyes.

"Hey cyborg, is your brain full of bolts and loose screws? You owe us. Is this how you treat the people you nearly murdered?!" Tatsumaki glared. Car Parts flinched. "You're lucky I'm fucking awesome that we survived the blast."

He pointed his chin up, defiant and rude. "I miscalculated," he stated blandly.

Way to minimize the problem, asshole. Whatever. She saved his mechanical arm so it can't be too hard to put him back together.

Tatsumaki sighed. "Even though you're being a brat, if you want me to, I could get one of my guys to fix you up. I'm not too keen on leaving someone alone and broken." Tatsumaki grit her teeth. Even him.

"It's expensive." Cyborg dismissed. Dr. Gray snorted.

"Expensive?" Tatsumaki's eye twitched. "Shut the fuck up, you!" she yelled at Dr. Gray.

"Your concern is cute but I do not want anyone getting ahold of my technological implants. Besides, I could not burden a little girl with such a task." he dismissed.

"Hah?! Who you calling kid? Want me to leave you like this, scattered around, Car Parts? Maybe somewhere in the ass beating you took, you lost your dick too."

"Car Parts? Yo, don't be rude. You're close to falling—" Dr. Gray meandered closer, holding her arm.

She jostled in his grasp, hand hitting his upper thigh. It may as well have been a fricking brick wall with how much that muscle stiffened. She almost touched his—

Tatsumaki jerked backwards. For some reason, her back foot hadn't hit the brunt concrete. She was falling into the deep abyss. But something pulled her out.

It was hard to centre herself as Dr. Gray steadied her body. "Stay sharp. Don't get distracted," Dr. Gray said unconcernedly.

"You're too sneaky like a damn spider." She ripped her hand away. "You know what, I'll get me a disciple. None of you realize my teaching potential. I need some experience teaching since no one thinks I can do it."

Both Dr. Gray and Cyborg shot exasperated looks at her.

"Because you can't." Dr. Gray deadpanned.

Tatsumaki glared at both assholes. "Hah?! Eh, I'm 28! Don't look down on me, Car Parts, stupid baldy needing dr. gray shampoo to get the shit out of your head! You know what Car Parts, you don't deserve help from my colleagues. You're just a little twerp who doesn't know quality from bullshit. I mean, how can I clean up City Z if you bastards make it dirty like this! Fuck!"

"You are 28 years of age and you conduct yourself like this. You never grew up. That gets old. It's better to be alone than in bad company." Cyborg tsked.

Cyborg was so dead. She had a moment or two to inhale before he would get the worst verbal beating of his life! Then she was carried away, annoyingly picked up like a child. That was horrible.

After a twenty-minute lecture on both parts, Tatsumaki felt humiliated. She just wasn't good with anyone. Kids, adults, old people. She wanted to help them. No one wanted to see how she could be nicer! She was capable of teaching people. She was good with kids, right?

She could be nice? Car Parts killed her. And she couldn't look at Dr. Gray. However, the umbrella she stole from his apartment covered his nether regions.

"Eh, Zuzu, you have bubbles forming at the sides of your lips." Dr. Gray said. "You're being quiet, now. What's wrong?"

Tatsumaki finally exploded. "I would have fucked him up! You wouldn't be able to find any of his bolts and screws! But literally, he has a screw missing! And he didn't want my people to heal— fix him! That useless vegetable peeler!"

"It's okay. He'll be fine."

"No, you're fine. He wants you as his master."

He raised a shoulder. "I don't think he's serious. Many people offer but don't check-in. I'll never see him again."

Tatsumaki huffed, folding her arms.

Waving away her disgruntled grumbles, he glanced at her legs pointedly. "Why aren't you floating, now? You nearly fell into that chasm."

Tatsumaki laughed. "Pfft. It's not like I would die. I seal away 99% of my powers so I don't have accidents. An earthquake here, an accidental psychic frequency output that fries people's eardrums. The usual nuances that accompany big crowds."

"You've only been using 2% of your… powers? Disturbing fact in a sea full of them." he mumbled. "You're strong."

No, at the moment, Dr. Gray was strong. He should have burned down during that blast. He didn't keep a shirt button. He slapped a bug-woman-thing into the building and she exploded. Tatsumaki wanted to fight him someday without him holding back. At all. She would never forgive him if he held back.

Tatsumaki swallowed. "You're strong." she started with narrowed eyes. "You've always been using a percent of your strength. Don't fucking say I'm the one who's disturbingly strong right now." she snapped. "Don't be a damned cheat, hypocrite."

She shuddered at the bloodstain on the building wall. He killed an S-Class monster with one slap. Creepy.

He watched her face closely from behind the umbrella. "You afraid of me?" he asked impartially.

"Be gentle, you could hurt someone else," she advised. "Don't touch my cheeks. Ever. You could break my cheekbones."

Dr. Gray nodded, oddly nice. His face was kind. Her thoughts were mush because Dr. Gray was alongside her, naked with only an umbrella to shield him. With a great view, his body line was great. He had good muscle to body proportions. His legs were so slender. His pecs are tight and his balance is great.

Despite not seeing anything, Tatsumaki remembered it and her face burned. Everything felt hot. She can't believe he's playing her knight in shining armour and she was a damsel in distress. He saved her… often. She didn't like that.

"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked curiously.

She snapped out of her staring spiel. "To the ugly person, being stared at is an act of cruelty," she coughed. "It's in second place to Hero Appreciation Day and game shows."

He rolled his eyes. "Why do you go to events?"

"Heroes are… light. The light that floods the world doesn't come from the sun. The light is much brighter when people stand with heroes." she said, quoting what Lady Shibabawa told her.

He watched her, quiet and still. "You know, when the menace clears from your face, it's nice."

"Whatever." Tatsumaki rolled her eyes.

The silence went on, Tatsumaki sighing at the burnt town. She wanted to make this place better. To make her feel better, she peeled ashes off of buildings. The soot danced in creative loops and circles, making it easy for someone to be dazzled. All the patterns were divine and captivating.

Bored on the walk back, suspended cement chunks in the air in a straight path and jumped from chunk to chunk.

"Where'd you learn that?" he asked, spotting her just in case she'd fall. She won't.

"You know you become creative when the neighbourhood kids avoid you alongside your baby sister," Tatsumaki chuckled, jumping from cement step to step. "You know how you talk to yourself in your head 'cause there's no one else? Kinda like that."

When she looked back, he peered back with such startling focus, it was hard to look at him. His eyes were liquid, filled with dark light.

"What?" she glared.

"You talk as if no one's there. Like it's just you. That I'm not here."

"Cause it always is like that. No one is usually here. And you won't be, too." Tatsumaki snorted.

He halted to a stop. Tatsumaki groaned. "Yeah. Keep up. Hmmph. I'm giving you what you want. I won't return."

"I shouldn't have said that—"

"Whatever. You think I'm used to two-sided things?" she shrugged. "Tch. I don't like anybody. I know their body language, so I don't have to read their minds. Isn't it better to be prepared to know what they'll say?" She tapped her temple. "I'm always thinking."

"That isn't a conversation." he pointed out.

"Heh. You're stupid. It's all talking into empty space. No one ever listens," Tatsumaki said.

The slight ache in her side subsided. It's the way she's always been, alone. She shouldn't expect anything. She'd feel existential dread that anyone enjoys her. She will survive. Wherever she went, she left a pile of enemy carcasses. In everyone else's, they leave a bunch of allies. Their ambition is paltry. She liked it like this.

"Hey, I'm useful. Don't talk to an empty space. I'm around." he assured her.

Yeah, useful enough to be reborn as a heater in a desert, you idiot fuck, Tatsumaki rolled her eyes.

"I stopped caring who comes and who doesn't." Tatsumaki shrugged. "Conversations aren't much. And you're not around."

"Do you really have no one else around?"

Who'd want to? She wasn't enjoyable. She knows that much. She didn't take care to not ruin the atmosphere. Who could ever stay?

"Who could ever leave me, darling?" she asked with a seductive smile.

He ignored her smile and looked at her seriously. "Have you asked someone to go with you to Hero Appreciation Day?" he asked.

She kicked the dirt. "I tell them to come with me. I don't ask. That's weak." she looked at him accusingly. "You probably don't want to hear my voice."

"I didn't say that." he protested.

"You've said it once. It was enough, you know. I got the message."

Even if she asked or told them, people don't care or come. It'd be nice if someone asked Tatsumaki. It'd be nicer if they didn't ramp up her expectations then bail. Everyone feeds off of one another and no one had substance. But people were relying on her. She had to suck it up.

Tatsumaki sighed then turned away. "Would you like to accompany me to the Hero Appreciation Day event? It's tomorrow."

"No," he said bluntly.

No? Tatsumaki gasped. What the hell?! She walked right into that bullshit.

He patted her shoulder then walked ahead. "Aren't we going to the game show, too?"

She didn't expect that, staring at him stupidly. He said 'yes' twice. Maybe he had substance. She caught up, trying to form words that wouldn't come. At all.

He tapped her forehead as if scolding her. "No more talking to empty spaces."

Tatsumaki ignored her happiness though... it wouldn't leave.

Tatsumaki looked away. "You better not sink yourself in sake when we get there to any of the places, okay? I mean, there will be a flower garden around me and people will say my name countless times. You have to show you're a capable guy but it probably won't be obvious because I'm too outstanding."

"Eh. I think I'll be fine."

"No, my fans see me as some dream to stay away from. They will eat you alive… like baby spiders or ghosts. And I have to show Atlas and Kizashi that marriages don't start from lies."

He looked at her, bewildered. "That's what happened with us."

Tatsumaki produced a sharp fox's grin. "That's all in the past. Our shadows will overlap and I'll be like air."

"You say that but you never tell the truth."

"Hey! You're the one who doesn't say anything straightforward. Don't lump me in with you." she paused, looking at him through the corner of her eye. "You'll really be there?"

Dr. Gray glanced at her then patted her head. Ruffling it up. "Don't look like that. I'm around."

She felt festive. Was she afraid to be near him, all close and defenceless? No. Not really. His spirit and body was stronger than the ocean. If she collided with him straight on, he'd stay calm and unperturbed.

And he wasn't bad to look at. And to think they met by accident. And it was her choice to remain in contact. Sigh (contently). He wasn't bad.

Tatsumaki nodded, catching him looking at his hand for a little while. "What's wrong?"

"Eh, nothing," He dropped his hand quickly, walking on. "I hate bugs," he said eventually.

"I respect fireflies because I glow like one. Bugs are annoying but eh. My foster father says that snails are the strongest animal. It carries its home." Tatsumaki shrugged. "I like that."

"Me too… I like that."

Snails were self-reliant and kept any assholes away. Plus, they wrecked Fubuki's garden. The garden Fubuki refused to let Tatsumaki into. If Tatsumaki couldn't see the garden then Fubuki couldn't either. It's petty but who cared?

Tatsumaki clapped her hands. "We faced mosquitoes today. You got a disciple, too."

"Involuntarily—"

"You still got one!" she snarled. "Be quiet."

He grumbled about that.

Tatsumaki cleared her throat. "As I was fucking saying, I know bugs are a bother but you… you could bug me more. We'll be spiders who just got married. Newlywebs." she cackled at her pun. "I'm hilarious."

"You're too willing to say these things," he said, amused.

"Huh? Why wouldn't I be? I am hilarious."

"That's not what I meant." he murmured but didn't offer corrections.

"Tch. I am knowledgable and perceiving," Tatsumaki tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I know you're my choice in a dark room. I'll know how to find you in that dark room. That's what I meant."

He paused, eyes widening a bit. "Do you say these things to just anyone?"

Her eyebrow popped up. "No. Why?" she queried. He's acting weird. Did she say something wrong?

Instead of elaborating, he loosened his shoulders, slightly exasperated, slightly amused. "Well… Zuzu, have you eaten today?"

Then he asked everything necessary.

###

-End Chapter-

A/N- Hahaha. Ovidae here. I hate school. High school sucks too much. But this chapter marks the start of change. Saitama deadass gets naked a lot. It's impressive and scary. Now Tatsumaki has entered the realm of curiosity and realizing he's kind of attractive. He is. And oh, Genos baby. I love him. :)

*A bed town is where families settle down to raise kids