Tornadoes For Sighs

-Chapter 21-
The Vultures

TATSUMAKI THINKS SHE WILL TRACK DOWN EVERYONE WHO SHE HURT AND HURT THEM SOME MORE. Apologizing was difficult. She didn't want to apologize because it was hard and she sucked at this.

Tatsumaki sat at her marble island. Kizashi was doing something unnecessary by the stove but whatever. She had some makeshift emails to send.

To Fubuki:

You are my hero. You're quite talented. I understand that I am controlling. You were right.

To Zombieman:

You are my hero. You are my friend. I understand you love me. You were wrong. I was wrong as well. Let's continue to be friends?

To Daruma:

You are my hero. You are my sibling. I understand I was being horrible. I am your sister before I'm a hero. You were right.

To Atlas:

You are my hero. You are my dad. I understand that I am ungrateful and wasn't listening. You were right.

"What do you think? They're scheduled to send at 6 a.m." Tatsumaki said and pushed the laptop towards her mom. "I think it's okay."

She read over them, face open and excited at first and now she was slightly confused. "Tatsumaki," Kizashi said with disbelief. "These are barely 3 sentences long. This is an apology?"

Tatsumaki stopped biting her nail. "I think it's perfectly reasonable."

"You have to explain yourself. This feels… empty."

"You don't get it." Tatsumaki laughed, nervously.

"Oh?"

"I would rather mop the ocean and sweep the beach than do this. Maybe after I separate sugar from salt. If I added what happened, why it happened or what my thought process was, it would be a dissertation I don't want to type out. My hands are small."

Kizashi was thoughtful. "Explaining the action doesn't excuse them. You know that right?"

Tatsumaki had never… thought of that.

"There isn't any glory in apologies. But things don't get better until it's said. The more you keep your feelings in, the more you'll feel left out." Kizashi continued.

"But you don't want me to explain why I did it. Why tell me to keep it short but say what I need to say?"

Kizashi smiled and was patient with Tatsumaki. "They want to know how you're going to fix it. How sorry you are. This doesn't show you're sorry. This just shows how you can type. And your hands are fun-sized."

Tatsumaki grimaced. They never thought they'd get the apology. This… is what they want. They're going to be distant, just like before the apology. They want Tatsumaki to know she's wrong and steer clear of her. She couldn't impose.

At first, she wanted to put sugar and honey in the cracks of their walls — or the corners of their rooms — so they'd get ants. Then she wanted to explain before and now she didn't. She did what she did. She'll apologize. They just have to accept it or cast her out or do both, simultaneously.

Kizashi squeezed her wrist. "Hey now, do what you need to, as long as you own up to it. You're very smart, you'll get it. Apologize right, on your own time. With the words 'I'm sorry'. This time, when you start over, you can treasure them properly."

"So annoying. I'll do it. If I feel like it." Tatsumaki snapped the laptop shut and sighed.

She took a nap with Zenko. They laughed at a famous comedian's viral video then attempted to learn how to play the piano on her laptop. It was pretty funny. The twins wandered in and Tatsumaki felt like taking a breather.

Later on, she sat on a beanbag chair Badd insisted on getting. After all the nagging and complaining, she felt like a hypocrite for sinking into the cushion. It felt heavenly and she will never leave.

Tatsumaki munched on her mandarine, wondering if letters were better for apologies. She wanted to see Saitama but she was terrified of what she thought of that kiss she shared with Zombieman. Has he seen it? Was he jealous? Was he going to explode? Is he going to punch Zombieman? Or worse, did he not care?

Daruma wandered in a minute ago and just stared at her, sitting on the counter.

She was irritated and broke the silence. "Do you want something? Are you going to sit here and make things weird?" asked Tatsumaki.

He studied her with piercing scrutiny. "It's my fault? I just want snacks."

Tatsumaki crossed her arms. "Stupid kid. Hmph."

He ate for a little while. She did too. They shot each other unsure looks.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay. Let's cut to the chase, dandelion head. I apologize, from somewhere near my spleen because I scared you. Didn't listen. Invalidated your feelings. It wasn't cool. You were probably traumatized and were emotional."

"Thank you—"

"I am the only person standing between certain death at times. It's my job to keep everyone's family. I won't neglect you. Call me out when you feel hurt. We'll reach a compromise and the issue will be dealt with. Okay?" She shot him a desperate and pleading look.

"Okay?"

Daruma looked down at his snack. "I thought I went too far. The moment brought out some strong reactions."

"Thought so." Tatsumaki grimaced.

Daruma crinkled the empty plastic bag and smoothed it out again. "You stayed… so I know you care. And you're different. I won't be shitty and do that again." He cleared his throat. "I won't."

"I won't be shitty to you either," Tatsumaki smiled, feeling lighter than she did before.

"I thought I'd see your fiance… thrive. He's a joke. At least to the online community. I don't know why." He shot her a slide glance. "Did you cheat on him?"

She rolled her eyes and threw an orange peel at his face. "Shut up. It's complicated."

"How complicated?"

"Complicated enough…" She gave him a steely look when he poked at the topic again. He dropped it so she said, "I was worried about my fiance. He's in City Z."

"Have you called him?"

"I wanted to make sure things were okay with you. And I broke my phone. So. I don't regret choosing you because he's fine." Tatsumaki shrugged. "I was harsh. For the past couple of years."

Daruma winced, shame colouring his cheeks. "Me too."

"I'm happy you brought Mom over. She's… not so bad. You just wanted the family together," Tatsumaki admitted.

"I'm sorry I kept you from your fiance," he responded.

"That was me. If I wanted to, I could've just… flown there. I didn't want to deal with the world." Tatsumaki rolled her shoulders. "We're both in disasters, you know."

"So, what are you going to do, now?" he questioned, face brightening.

"Hmmm. Show him I support him. Uncomplicate the situation."

"How?"

Tatsumaki grinned, feeling alive and lovely. "Help me with something ridiculous."

###

Tatsumaki was dressed in the ugliest, best outfit she's ever worn. At least, Saitama should think so; she wasted six hours and listened to Daruma vent about paint and sing to the radio. Sae joined them and it was fun. She liked her brothers and she convinced her brothers to adore Saitama just as much as she did.

When Tatsumaki got to City Z, it was raining. The puddles weren't a bother because she was floating anyway. She wore an oversized black hoodie to hide her special outfit.

Genos was outside, beside a rusted mailbox. He was a block away from Saitama's apartment. She peered at him, an eyebrow quirked. Why wasn't he with Saitama?

Tatsumaki passed him without acknowledging him.

He zoomed in front of her. She nearly impaled him with the rolled-up banner she carried. His expression changed. He looked pensive— not in the usual stick-up-his-ass way.

"What? You afraid your joints are going to rust?" she sneered.

"Tornado of Terror… Master is busy." Genos said.

"He's never too busy for me." Tatsumaki snapped. "If you're slouching at home then how will you help the civilians? I came here to get him off of his ass and come to the city with me. For the clean-up."

Genos looked to the side, teeth gritted.

"What?" prompted Tatsumaki.

"The people of City Z do not deserve him."

This was unlike Genos. He was staunch in his desire to serve Saitama and Saitama wanted to help people. Every hero knows they are saving good people and bad people when they destroy a Mysterious Being. Heroes never get appropriately thanked for saving lives; how can you properly thank the hero without sacrificing your life? Will civilians do that? No.

Tatsumaki was sticking to City A. Saitama could have this place. Besides, City Z was filled with countless monsters. City Z deserved the strongest hero ever. This place begged for a saviour.

So Tatsumaki asked, "What do you mean?"

He clenched his fists. "They continue to boo upon seeing him. Despite what he has done for them. He is not getting recognized for his efforts. It is not logical."

"People… suck. That's obvious. He doesn't get recognized properly. You knew that before. Why all the distrust and dislike for the people?"

Genos told her what happened over the past three days.

The Hero Association called Genos to deal with the meteor instead of Saitama, which was stupid but not unexpected. Metal Knight couldn't care less about being a team player or saving human life. Then the idiot population of City Z and the media demonized Saitama for the meteor doing what meteors do after he destroyed it. Tank-Top Tiger and his idiot brother Tank-Top Black Hole called Saitama a fraud and accused him of cheating. There was this wild conspiracy belief that he took the credit for S-Class heroes and HQ let him get away with it by rewarding him. They weaponized the angry mob of idiots looking for someone to blame and made a crowd just chant "give up" being a hero.

Tatsumaki stared at him in shock. "You and Metal Knight MOVED UP IN THE RANKS?! But Saitama stayed in C-Class?" Tatsumaki demanded.

Metal Knight went from S-Class rank 6 to 5. Genos from S-Class rank 17 to 16? Ridiculous. Saitama was only at rank 5 of C-Class? She wanted to bang her head against the wall. He single-handedly faced a Dragon-level situation and they just made him a scapegoat?!

Genos looked down. "Yes. It is unfair."

Tatsumaki was shaking with the effort to not mess up the city even more. She wanted to— she wanted to do something to protect him from the industry, from the crowds, from the internet trolls who don't believe in him.

So she decided to murder Tank-Top Tiger and Tank-Top Black Hole and skip helping City Z recover because this was ridiculous. This publicity stunt was just a tactic to rookie-crush and also distract civilians from the clean-up process. Disgusting. It made her skin crawl and she's never wanted to hold Saitama more.

She sighed and they moved under an eave, watching the rain make everything wet and depressing. She came to cheer Saitama up based on the little comments Daruma has shown her. She didn't think there was more hate piled on top of that.

"They don't deserve Saitama. I'd reckon no one does." Tatsumaki whispered.

She tried to get the emotion out of her voice. Maybe betrayal doesn't do well for the vocal cords. The indignity of all of this burning in her stomach, eating away at her little confidence in humanity.

"We must cherish him more. This is ridiculous. They will pay!" Tatsumaki pledged.

She marched into the downpour but Genos stopped her again. This time, she pushed him away. He was pinned against the wall.

"What is your damage? I'm going to go comfort to him and you're being annoying. Stop!" she growled.

Genos exhaled harshly when she released him. "He is currently talking to Aimi. They are in the midst of a disagreement."

What? Aimi was in his apartment. The hotel and then his HOUSE?! Oh my god. Oh my GOD, Tatsumaki internally screamed.

She collected herself before Genos saw how badly she was affected. She couldn't dry-heave because of the stress of this. No. No. She refused! It was not a good look.

They're together. Again!

But then again, she kissed Zombieman and Saitama could've seen that. Of course, Aimi and Saitama seem to look at each other like they were about to kiss. She can't stop Saitama from being in a relationship. She can be the homewrecker… or the home improvement? Her worst nightmare is that they hug and rock side to side or that Aimi holds his hand or something.

"What are they discussing?" she finally asked Genos, as neutral as possible.

"Aimi had believed the accusations in the blogs. She doesn't agree Metal Knight and I did an adequate job at protecting the civilians. She is certain he did not play a big part. However, she is angry Master didn't take cover."

Tatsumaki was shocked out of her nightmare of them kissing. There was no dirty futon. "They're at odds?" she sputtered.

"Yes. I believe you should not go there."

"Crazy because I'm going there now."

"Tatsumaki," Genos said firmly. He was expressing something like worry now. She didn't know for who. "I believe you are making the wrong decision." he finished.

"There is nothing new about that. I don't know what's going to happen but it can't be that bad."

"You have been wrong before."

"I'm not the only person in that club," she retorted. "Were they kissing at any point? Are they kissing now? I know you can see and hear that. So. Tell me."

"I am not at liberty to say—"

"Car Parts," she groaned.

Tatsumaki sighed and closed her eyes. The image of Aimi and Saitama embracing was vivid and danced in her view. Damn it. She saw it better this way. She glared at Genos again. She was so angry with Saitama, herself and Genos for not telling her.

"Tell me," she said again because this was a matter of life and death. So what if she sounded a bit gentle?

Genos's eyes widened and he scanned her whole body. She was tired, weary, careworn and needed something to hold onto.

"I just need to know what I am walking into," she added.

Genos gave in, being useful for once. "No. They have not done anything intimate."

Tatsumaki gave him a small smile. "Since Dr. Gray is your master… I won't ever let anything like this happen to you."

Genos arched a brow. "I can protect myself or Master shall."

Tatsumaki smacked him on the arm. "I'll be there. On your side. I won't try to pawn you off anymore."

Genos scowled. "You tried to sell me?"

"No. I tried to get you another Master." Tatsumaki grinned at him. "I won't anymore. So. You're welcome."

She'll be there for Saitama too. She wanted to march into his apartment, kill Aimi and let Saitama watch her guts fly against the wall. She wanted to kiss him until he forgot his name. She wanted Saitama to be happy. She couldn't take this opportunity away from him. She cursed and slumped against the wall, the banner between her legs. Her self-control was under attack.

About a minute later she decided she wanted to be happy and she won't lose to Aimi because she put her money on him. She just couldn't move from the wall. She can't be cruel or immature. She had to make the choice.

In the end, she didn't have to. Aimi scurried past Genos and Tatsumaki, clutching her bag. Water stained her pant legs. They watched her go. Four people in suits followed after her.

Tatsumaki didn't look at Genos for answers. She zoomed off to Saitama's apartment door. Then she was too afraid to go inside. She stood at the door until it swung open.

"I knew you were out there. Come in." Saitama leaned against the door frame.

Tatsumaki looked up at him and all of the guilt body slammed her.

If she came to him earlier, Saitama wouldn't have been demonized. The Tank-Top idiots wouldn't have ganged up on him. He would've gotten credit if she backed him up and set the media straight. She kissed Zombieman. He had to know. She was a part of the world that hurt him. She hated that. Aimi wouldn't have been here before her.

"Why did Aimi run away?" she blurted out. She had to know.

He narrowed his eyes. "Why do you know Aimi was here?"

"Did you invite her? She was close to crying when she left. She looked less than perfect. So why?"

"Why do you want to know?"

Tatsumaki's hands curled up. "Why not? The media also probably caught you and Aimi together. And it'll— I mean, I just. Why not?" Tatsumaki stomped.

Saitama looked at her for a second then his shoulders dropped, the fight gone. "She wanted me to stay away from the danger. She thought everyone was being too hard on me because she thinks I didn't punch the meteor."

All this ugliness crawled up her body and she shuddered. Stupid fucks in a stupid world with stupid fucking consequences. She hated the people who taunted Saitama. She hated the idiots in S-Class who didn't show up. She couldn't do much more than glare at her shoes.

She fucking sneezed. It shocked them out of their trance of just looking at each other. Her cheeks reddened.

"Bless you, Zuzu," he said. He gestured to the banner. "What are all of these things? Are you really cold? Lemme get tea."

"I'm not sick." Tatsumaki guaranteed then laughed drily. "Maybe I am because I came here."

"Why'd you come here? I thought you'd be with the zombie or your family," he said off-handedly. There was no edge but his eyes were sharp. Maybe he added "family" to make his comment more indifferent. She felt it like a stab all the same.

"Well, that's amazing because I thought you'd be with Aimi. I was right." Tatsumaki hissed. "You guys must've had an amazing conversation."

"Genos told me the dude was at your place." Saitama shrugged.

"Genos has loose lips. He told me Aimi was here." she rushed out. "He gets awfully chatty when he talks about traitors and idiots who violate our deal. You aren't supposed to be meeting with other girls! Especially ones who had an entourage following her."

"That entourage runs her website."

He's defending her?!

She wanted to hurt him, too. "She wants to hold HQ accountable for the mess you, Genos and Metal Knight made. They obviously saw everything you did. You met up with her and the cameras know. What the hell, man?"

"You kissed him and the cameras know."

Tatsumaki cringed. He knew. He knows. Now they're being weird and staring at each other in the doorway. She couldn't explain. She wanted to deny, deny, deny. She couldn't explain this away. Some evil part of her wanted him to be jealous like she was.

He was right in her face, breathing down at her like a deranged hyena. So she fixed her jaw, ignored the right thing to do and looked at him, challenging.

"Well, you were not supposed to jeopardize the fake engagement first! People think we're fighting and that I messed up first! My likeability points went down by 0.9 points. And then you fanned the flames by Aimi coming here! Damn it!" She pushed his chest. "Come on, do better!"

Saitama sighed. "Did you come here to yell at me?"

Tatsumaki paused. She didn't. That wasn't the point. The whole world was mad at him but… she was just jealous.

"Do you…" Saitama started.

She looked at him, hopeful, willing, begging for something.

He looked away.

The tension faded.

She breathed out slowly and stormed past him. Talking to him will get rid of this restlessness. No more of this stomach-clenching tension of a thunderstorm.

He sat against the wall.

"You. Do you have x-ray vision?" she questioned.

Saitama's brows shot up. "No, why do you think that—"

"You're weird, okay? Keep your eyes shut. Shut."

He sighed and obeyed. She got to work. She unrolled the banner and unpacked her water-proof bag. She set two cartons of eggs down and tried to move quickly. Her stomach felt like it was filled with Morinaga Salt Candy and balloons. She almost wrung out her wildly curly hair but she didn't have time.

"Dr. Gray." She said. He twitched, about to open his eyes. "Don't you dare! Okay, open your eyes."

She wore a shirt with his face on it. It had Saitama's skin tone and that simple look on his face when he couldn't answer a question. She donned his colours: yellow, white and red. She wore red gloves. She wore a red skirt and a yellow shirt. She hated yellow so much, it was so much tackier than green. Green was majestic, yellow reminded her of— whatever.

She had the nerve to make a banner. Daruma was pretty good with a brush so she delegated the task but watched every stroke and dictated where it would go with how much pressure. She wanted this to be perfect.

She sat across from him and gave him the egg carton. He was confused about the gift but opened it.

Tatsumaki made him art. With Daruma's help, she drew 24 different faces and wrote encouraging words on the shells. A gruff businessman with a mole saying "Good job". A little girl with a missing tooth thanking him. A housewife laughing about how the debris got her into gardening.

"Zuzu…" He breathed at the display, obviously shocked.

She cleared her throat and fixed her posture. "I believe owe it to everyone around me to make them the best versions of themselves. Some therapists said I value hyper perfectionism."

"You do." Saitama looked at the egg carton and picked hers up. She was frowning, stern on her egg. "Why all of this?"

Tatsumaki rolled her eyes. "When people work hard, I want to be by their side and see how they do it. Thank you for saving everybody and being excellent." She pointed to the banner. "I mean it. I'm your fan. Don't give up. Don't quit being a hero."

He sat there, a gentle smile on his face. She thought she lost that. It looks like the sun had risen in his eyes.

She picked at her red leg warmers. "When I went to summer camp with Fubuki, some kids made fun of her developed figure at summer camp. When we went hiking, I used my skills to make them stop. I got every spider I saw, rolled them into a ball, not crushing their gross legs and dropped it onto the kids. They were disgusted. They also deserved it. Then Fubuki managed to get like 4 or five spiders off, as much as her powers could. She barely had control."

One corner of his mouth tipped downwards. "Are you saying City Z deserved the meteor?"

Yes— no… "No. I'm just saying… I'm saying. Fubuki managed to get at least half of them off by whacking their legs and shaking their shirts. Well, her minions did. One bully was worried a spider egg was in his ear, the whole summer."

"You're devious," he commented.

It was quiet while she basked in the small hap

"Did they stop… harassing her?"

"No, you brussel sprout." Tatsumaki laughed. "They continued bullying her. All summer."

Saitama nodded like that made sense. She saw a flash of pain and she'd rather rip off her arm than see it again.

"You know… some people never learn. And they're bastards. Of course. People aren't going to always be grateful or thank you. I know how much of a good person you are. I know so don't worry." she shrugged.

Saitama caressed the egg she handed him with furrowed brows. "They weren't very nice. They should've taken their anger out on the meteor. And those two brothers were rookie-crushing."

"Of course those attention-seeking bobbleheads couldn't just let it alone. It happened. No one died. I think it's a win. You beat a freaking meteor and they just— dismissed it."

Saitama's face brightened. "It's over now. And these eggs are enough. I have fans."

"Dr. Gray!" Tatsumaki balked at him. "You don't deserve public humiliation. None of that. I was busy and I should've been there. I talk back! You were alone. The world can't— Aimi just can't do that. Now that I'm here, you won't be forgotten. When you get more successful and they're all laying at your feet, I will laugh with Genos."

"Zuzu, it's okay—"

She pinched his thigh. "Listen. I didn't want to go overboard and do it my way. If you want to, we could take legal action against the Tank-Top brothers. We could also hunt down the participants in the mob and chase them out of our city. I proposed moving the bigger chunks into their parking lots, making a stone forest. They're environmentally friendly and they can suck on rocks when they have a complaint about you. Or, or, we can go door to door—"

She was so caught up on her rant she didn't notice how Saitama reached out to her collarbones and suddenly asked, "A collar?"

His finger was warm against her skin. His hands were so big. She swallowed. There was a way to fall deeper in love, huh.

"Only dorks wear things with collars. And you're a dork. I wanted to represent you." she hurried the words so she didn't just collapse into a heap of love. It was corduroy.

He played with it for a moment. "Oh."

"Your hero get-up has a collar."

"Yeah. You calling me a dork?"

"No," he said quietly.

She looked at him once again. This was nice. They were ignoring what happened. This was nice. A sort of itching, masochistic curiosity raced across her body.

She couldn't help it! "Aimi was crying when she left. What's going on with her? And you?" asked Tatsumaki.

He dropped his hand and the mood changed. Her knees dug into his calves and they were face to face, rain pouring and he looked just past her.

"Dr. Gray," she pressed.

He indulged her. "She was supposed to come with me, to City Z. There were a lot of victims of Mysterious Beings attacks and many heroes avoided City Z. I wanted to take my place here. She didn't. The minute I turned 18, the day we were supposed to leave, she said she was going to continue with uni. Then I waited here for her but she continued her education. The thought of asking someone for money pushed her into law school. I didn't want to join her."

Tatsumaki pressed her lips together. So… they did date. He waited for her in City Z until he was 22… Did… they long for each other? Will they reconnect in their 30s? Does his hand belong to Aimi? Was Aimi's hand still for Saitama?

He could hold Tatsumaki while he waited for Aimi. He looked so nice under the thunder. The reasons Aimi should reunite with Saitama were endless.

"The drama comes in because she thinks I'm a victim of the hero industry and she's trying to save me from it. She finds this industry too dangerous. Now she's building a case for them to dismiss me as a hero. Legally. Somehow. She's meeting with architects."

"Architects?"

"The ones who do research in libraries."

"Archivists."

"Yeah, those! And she announced I'm her next project and the Hero Association better watch out for the stunt they pulled." Saitama tilted his chin, expression pained. "She was afraid to come here… A lot of the regret she felt was fear."

Tatsumaki sighed and rubbed her eyes. "You're supposed to explain everything to her."

"She doesn't care."

"Well. Dr. Gray." She turned the carton towards him. "These eggs… are your biggest fans. You won't lose our support."

"Yeah," he said, expression blank.

They plunged into awkward silence. She never wanted to betray him or feel so betrayed by him. Tatsumaki fidgeted. "And the thing about Zombieman—"

"I get it. You guys kissed." Saitama said archly.

"Well, yes but that's not and the paparazzi bastards—"

"I just didn't think the cameras would get it or people would be this mad."

"It doesn't make a difference because I need to explain myself. I want to be honest."

"Why weren't you honest with me, then? I didn't think you guys were together. Why not just get him to fake-date you? Then we'd avoid this mess."

Her left eye twitched. Mess? He thought they were a mess? Every moment they had was a mess?

"What mess do you mean?" Tatsumaki asked slowly.

"He's being cheated on and you're catching flack. It seems that way. So. Why not?"

He thought she was dating Zombieman? "I'm not with him—"

"You don't have to hide it anymore."

"Well, maybe since he wasn't being impossible like you are right now, what an excellent offer!"

"Okay. If you and zombie-guy were okay, why'd you approach me? All that time was wasted—"

"Wasted?" Tatsumaki erupted. "Nothing here was wasted or misconstrued. Look, baldy, I'm trying to explain myself. I need to tell you right now—"

Saitama nodded, his mild tone frustrating her more. "I know all I need to know."

"We were never together. Plus— you went to that hotel with Aimi. Hotel?! Is this because you don't care or because you're jealous?"

"Should I care?" Saitama said. He sounded so indifferent it hurt.

She wanted to shout, "Yes!" but the words sank in. Should he? She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of looking like a fool! Did he care? Was he mad right now that she kissed Zombieman? Was he angry that he got pulled into her schemes and mess? Was this a competition of who could make Tatsumaki look confused and bad?

She was holding her breath again. "Do you even want to care?"

The words broke into the air like it wasn't meant to be said.

She was clear on her stance with her thoughts. Saitama was not giving her anything. He was acting like all of this was alright. Like he had nothing to do with this? For the whole weekend, she felt like dog shit and he thought they wasted time together?

Saitama looked bored again. "Maybe we should stop this charade. Maybe if we come clean about the engagement then the media will stop hurting your image. Maybe they'll quit targeting our families."

"That's the last thing I care about. How long were you waiting to bring this up?" she yelled. She couldn't hold down the hurricane of emotions.

Because it's not fucking fair that he's quitting when things are tough. He's barely gotten the hang of celebrity life and he's already intimidated. Also, he started this shit show!

"Is your family in City W? With the restaurant?" Tatsumaki dared asking.

Saitama blinked. "Yeah. They've gotten vandalized and shut down halfway through the month. They've been "afloat" because of your fans visiting but affected because our haters attack it. Also, the community hates our relationship." He winced.

"Is it the community… or you?"

"The community hates it—-"

"I don't believe you."

"Zuzu," he said, tired.

"What do you think? Do you want to end this all? You'll stop being rankled by societal dissent and keyboard cowards. Is that what you want?!" she yelled. "Fine! Fine!"

Genos burst inside, looking very much annoyed. He wasn't shivering but there was a bit of a tonal change in his whirring. His mechanics were protesting in the rain.

"It would take you five years to rust in the rain. Couldn't you have waited a minute?" Tatsumaki bellowed.

"My human side insisted on coming inside. I don't care for rain. Master doesn't either." Genos said and moved to the side, holding the door open. "I think it's time you leave."

She grit her teeth. Damn it. She didn't want to leave. What a cop-out! Genos was trying to protect his Master from her. She shrugged her hoodie back on then a thought took hold of her soul and didn't let up.

She grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked it so they were face to face. "Please don't parade around with Aimi as soon as I give the update on social media. I'll do it on Monday. Alright? I don't think— I don't think it's fair."

She wondered if he was tired of trying to get rid of Tatsumaki while she mentally begged him to be hers. She couldn't fight that so she sighed, pushed him away and stepped back.

She left.

She exhaled and leaned against the railing. She got it now. She missed important things in the apologies; the "I miss you", the "I'm sorry" and the "come back to me". At least that's what Kizashi meant.

Saitama couldn't care less about continuing this.

She made the trip to City W later that same day. It wasn't raining in City W. It was peaceful, tranquil and balmy breezes danced around her. There was a fallen cherry blossom (even though it was way past April).

She sighed. She had to talk to Saitama's parents eventually and just tell them that she's going to save his image and give Aimi to Saitama.

She shook out her curls. She's due for another haircut, seriously. She wanted Saitama to accidentally run his fingers through her hair or reach out and apologize because he couldn't help it.

Despite being incognito and the street being almost empty, a group collected around her. There were mostly salary women in open-toed heels and boring, colourless hairstyles. She was surprised they didn't bring up her scandal. Well, they were from a paper printing company. Would they have time to explore that gossipy world?

Gobs of women left until three or four were left, chattering away about Tatsumaki's diet and how cool she was.

"Oh Tornado of Terror! My husband stopped spending all of his money on merch. I'm getting your autograph and not telling him. I love you but he was obsessed. Ah! I'm glad I met you!" The woman said, laughing.

Tatsumaki grimaced. Maybe she should've turned down some photoshoots that were risky. About to respond but stopped. The woman's pupils disappeared and her easy expression fell blank.

"Call Flashy Flash, Tornado of Terror. Someone wants to meet him before it's too late." Her soft pitch switched out for a robotic, scolding tone.

Flashy Flash. His wife. She hadn't spoken to him since that show. He acted like God's answer to humanity but he deserved to see his wife. Why was this random woman telling her this in City W?

Then the rest of the women spoke, voices unified. "We're watching, Tornado of Terror. Watch for the Alis Association's rebirth. We'll meet soon, pet."

Her powers flared and the five women were dangled in the air. Their book and bento bags crashed to the grass. Dr. Raegan sent them. He was back.

She wanted to crush their spines and twist their legs until they snapped off their pelvis like a plastic doll. They were working with him!

She looked around. All life went off as normal. People were watching. Fuck. Fuck.

They snapped out of it and jerked their limbs when they realized their feet couldn't touch the ground. Thankfully none of them screamed.

"I saw a spider. Trifling thing. I wanted to save you guys. So funny!" Tatsumaki laughed as naturally as she could manage.

They were shocked that Tatsumaki was squeamish around spiders. She wasn't. Ugly spiders the size of huge cars made her pause but they were always furrier than she expected. Sometimes their hair was longer than hers, which was gross.

After she explained that, some of them laughed and relaxed.

She thought about their laughs when asking them to visit the most harassed restaurant in the area. Adachi To Siawase was the name.

The restaurant would've looked good had people not attacked it. The windows were boarded up and cracked. It was worse than the red graffiti. A badly written slur about women was directed towards her. Being called 'Christmas Cake' doesn't hurt. Assholes. The flowers were uprooted but the leftover petals were strewn about.

She glanced at the half a dozen men who were hired to fix this. They were unsure and stared at the mess they were paid to clean. This was her fault.

"Are you being interrupted by me? Should I move?" Tatsumaki queried. She had to know if they sided with the idiots who vandalized Adachi To Siawase.

The lead window repairman said, "The family has called us to finish the job. This time, they told us to wait."

Tatsumaki lifted a brow. "How many times have you been called?"

"This is the third time."

Tatsumaki felt charitable. She couldn't take another step on the path of acrimony and distrust Saitama's parents walked on. She stacked all of the debris and specks of glass in the metal containers. She wanted to cleanse this antagonistic space and make it prettier.

They were shocked. She did their jobs for them and they probably didn't expect a small, slightly drenched petite woman in a hoodie to complete their tasks in seconds. Well, she did have the hoodie up and it obscured her face.

Tatsumaki shot them a carefree smile. "I wish to speak to the owners of this establishment. Is the family inside?"

They nodded.

"Go ahead. They're discussing whether or not to continue." One of them said then hesitated and looked over his shoulder. "Be careful. They're… er, persistent."

Tatsumaki nodded. "They have to be."

Hello, they run a business and they've been terrorized for the past 6 months because of her.

"No. If they want you gone, they'll do it," he told her then went to work. Some of the other men agreed.

Tatsumaki blinked. What? Saitama's wholesome— well, traditional family didn't do hit pieces. No way. She can deal with parents. She's an adult too. She steadied her heart and walked inside.

The establishment was urbane, a hidden cove of elegant decor and high ceilings with wondrous smells whirling in the air. She could imagine people chatting, without care, laughing heads were thrown back and backs relaxing into the comfortable green chairs. They weren't. The place was empty. The waiters sighed at the floor.

She got to the middle table and guessed they were the owners. They looked so high-class. They were beautiful, even the men. In conservative fashions that don't go out of style they wore knitted collared shirts, delicate fabric that was spilled onto their bodies and pretty jewels dotted their collarbones and hung off of their wrists.

Odd. They did… look good for a family near bankruptcy. Were those pearls from Mikimoto?

The middling man stood, height altitudinous and a clean-cut bespoke suit. "How can I help you?" he said.

His voice was soft like velvet, floating like a feather. He wore golden rimes with stars as jewels. He had flaxen hair and hollow cheeks. His face shape… was familiar.

"We're pleased to have you. I'm the head chef." He smiled, so inviting. "Iesada."

She pulled her hoodie down. They gasped. All those welcoming faces vanished. They knew she wasn't a customer. Now she was the asshole hero who sunk their business.

The man with a scar across his eyebrow lifted the shades that obscured his face. He had the angriest look. The two women who stood glared, catlike eyes threatening. The only one who didn't react was a seated woman with a sharp fountain pen and a bored expression.

Iesada frowned. "You must leave. We are having a meeting. They will escort you out. We need not more destruction. Come again another time."

Two burly waiters listened to Iesada and surged forward to capture her. They were terrified but tried to obey the best they could. She raised her hands in surrender. She was being as non-aggressive as possible.

Tatsumaki cleared her throat. "We need to have this dialogue wherein I explain myself. I won't cause trouble."

Small murmurs whirled through the air. There was a skeptical and hostile shine to their narrowed eyes. "Are you…" Iesada asked.

"I am Tornado of Terror. Tatsumaki. I was engaged to Saitama. I want to make peace and stop the media maelstrom. I apologize."

She wanted to bow but her pride didn't let her. She was sorry but she'll never bow for anybody.

The man with the scar laughed, guttural and mean. What a plummy, annoying tone. "Apologies mean nothing. Leave before we get the authorities involved." He jammed his hands into his pockets.

Tatsumaki drew in a long breath, consciously keeping her hands at her side. "Leave? The engagement is over."

He shoved his hair back, away from his face. "Tell me something I don't know, sweetheart."

Now she was mad. "Look here, you have to know that I'm taking full responsibility and have to absolve Saitama of any of my mistakes. My guys will take down the articles, contact the news channels and quiet the chatter on social media. This had been a whole misunderstanding between Saitama and me!"

The seasoned woman who had been passively glaring put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest. She had short white hair that let her diamond earrings glitter. "We've done all that and more but there's more chatter. Maybe it's a testament to how much public interest had been pivoted and stuck on your apparent betrayal. You claimed you loved him yet you cheated on my nephew. Do you understand what you made us look like?"

The formerly silent young woman with flowing mahogany hair and a deep neckline turned to Tatsumaki. "He's already on the lowest rung in society and now it's coming back to us. He cannot afford himself. Now, what is he going to do? You've ruined my cousin's life."

Tatsumaki winced. "You're being dramatic. Strong and wrong. Excessive."

"Excessive? Do you think I'm starting my acting career? That I'm a liar? You're a leech and you don't even know." The seasoned woman demanded.

A leech? Me? You are 10 years past your expiry date. Do you really want to waste time calling me names? Tatsumaki thought.

Iesada was frowning but all the rest of the vultures started shouting. They were all abrasive and sarcastic. After a barrage of yelling, the man with the scar said, "I'm getting a drink." and stalked away.

"You're his fiance and you've disgraced him. Nobody will forget any of this for years to come. You are a stain for all of us! You are not one of us." The bag of wrinkles — Saitama's aunt — said.

The man with the scar came back again. "You dated and almost married him but you couldn't stop meeting with that rotting corpse. I didn't know you'd dip into necromancy. Disgusting." He crunched an ice cube and drained his glass a second later.

Saitama's cousin flipped her hair and said, "I cannot wait until we sue you all."

This is what Saitama had to deal with? These assholes were upper-middle-class barbarians who deserved to be locked in a wine cellar and forgotten for years. She wanted to explain everything but these neanderthals didn't deserve any of it.

"You will never get your hands on our family heirloom or our money! Harlots never deserve nice jewelry. Just another one coming after our fortune. Even if you tricked him, you would have never made the will!" Saitama's cousin dramatically wrapped her arms around her middle and whimpered. "Our fallen ancestors would roll in their graves. I can hear their cries trying to get us away from the slut!"

She blinked. "You're on thin ice," Tatsumaki warned. She sent a pulse of energy that shoved glasses off their shelves and broke light bulbs.

"How dare you?!" Saitama's aunt demanded.

"With ease." Tatsumaki glanced at the cousin. "Do not call me a slut."

"I'm telling you what you are. Want more labels? I have many ideas." she sneered, hiding behind her mother. She frantically pretended she didn't shriek and checked for glass shards in her precious mini skirt.

"I was never dating Saitama!"

Saitama's aunt rolled her eyes. "You are delusional. We cannot save you."

"Seriously. It was a ploy, it was a scheme! Wasted time!" Tatsumaki spat.

The vultures stopped picking at her corpse and stared at her.

She brought her shoulders down from her ears. She had to look like the bad guys to them. They already hated her. Saitama had to save face. It wasn't his fault the restaurant was failing. Saitama never wanted anything to do with this mess and she should've listened to his refusals to be involved.

Tatsumaki had to make these lies big but believable. "I promised him money and when he said 'no', I ran to the media. I bothered him and announced I was his fiance… because I was selfish." she admitted and shook out her balled fists.

The way their jaws dropped one might've thought they looked dislocated. Except for the seated woman. She continued writing in cursive. She paid no mind to Tatsumaki or the hectic situation.

"He wants Aimi. I wanted to improve my image. I found out he was a hero situated in City Z, an underserved and unprotected area. I wanted to get more work. I prioritized being perceived well… instead of your son." She met Iesada's gaze. "Your restaurant shouldn't have been targeted. I'll quit associating with your son. So you can stop hollering and harping. Such nasal voices."

Iesada wet his lips. A line between his thin brows. "How can you lead people on like this?"

"I didn't care about the then invisible consequences." Tatsumaki scowled at them. "I hurt Saitama but now I choose to stop. Let Saitama live. He still thinks of you vainglorious rats. It sucks and I want you all to back off."

"Back off?" Iesada stepped forward. "You're lecturing me about my son?"

"You don't claim him. So I came here to apologize about the restaurant but you guys should've done better."

"Enlighten me," Iesada said. "There is some pressure but it isn't anything he can't handle. He was raised to handle it."

"You threw him away now he's lost and sad. He isn't useless! He's a good person. He saves everybody he comes in contact with without them knowing. He just needs support and respect."

Iesada shifted, his shoulders dropping. He hesitated then surged on bravely. "Is… he feeling okay? Is he eating? Do you know if—"

The seated woman glanced at him, full of ice and warning.

He stopped then frowned at her. "Saika—"

Saika held up her hand. Iesada closed his mouth after a long sigh.

The room went cold.

Saika commanded the room with a single move. If someone saw her in a cafe, they'd probably think of her all day. She was pale and her cool, nearly translucent skin was smooth like Marmor. She had a devastatingly symmetrical and beautiful face. Some age showed but in a graceful way between stylish waterfall braids. The rest of her hair was tied in a chignon. Her eyelashes were razor-sharp and her lips were blood red.

She had a red velvet necktie, adding some flair to her pantsuit.

She reminded Tatsumaki of… Saitama when he got serious. He was tanner but he had that face, that aura.

That was his mother.

She had to get through to both Iesada and Saika. "I know I'm doing it wrong but you're doing it wrong too," Tatsumaki whispered. "Not being good at dealing with him is one thing but refusing to learn is another. How long do you expect him to continue this self-sacrifice thing? It's sad. He just wants to be happy. He's being true to himself."

Saika huffed a small laugh, amused.

She stopped and glared at her. She found this funny?!

Her lashes swept up and she feigned innocence. "No. Carry on." Saika said nonchalantly to everyone, eyes frigid.

"No. What's so funny?" Tatsumaki demanded.

Saika finished writing her sentence and nearly stabbed through the paper when she made the dot. She unclenched her jaw then steepled her hands with a grimace. "This family is a symbol and we live our truths. We value perfection over excellence. He has attained neither yet he attests he will find purpose outside of our walls. Ridiculous."

Saika went back to writing, her disapproval like a pressure on Tatsumaki's throat.

"Families don't determine what you should achieve in life." Tatsumaki began carefully.

Her pen slapped against the table with force and she finally acknowledged Tatsumaki.

Her stormy gaze was raked with disdain. "I do not believe you have correctly identified our family. You don't know our family, who we are," she said sternly. "My fatuous cousin-in-law Agoni was inspired by Saitama saving his child and made the Hero Association. He betrayed me and expanded his business hellscape without my permission. He regrets it."

Tatsumaki's jaw dropped, nearly dislocated.

A goddamn pack of dogs, they were.

###

-End Chapter-

ovidae here: yeah. another one coming up.

Vocab

Christmas cake: A slur. If you're an unmarried woman over 25 in Japan, you can be called a Christmas cake, referencing the pastries that can't sell after December 25th. So. Yeah. Don't use it. Offensive.

Siawase: a term used to praise food and "happiness" is the true meaning. Girls usually use the word.

Kokochi Mikimoto made the first cultured pearl and his brand is a Japanese luxury pearl and jewellery company. They're beautiful. Gosh. Wanted to include him here.