Chapter 22

New Years Eve.

Snek woke bright and early that day. It would be the last time he would be in the apartment for God knows how long. He won't be able to enjoy the view from the balcony as well. Yet, despite the brisk morning, he stood outside and took in the city. "Here we go again," he muttered to himself.

Then, he felt a presence. Lingering behind him, he turned and saw Drax up as well! "Hey? A little early for you, isn't it?"

He shrugged his shoulders and came to stand next to Snek, the kid was silent as he looked over the city. "Has mom said anything about us going to live at Garou's house?" he asked.

Snek shook his head. "She's been quite about it. I think it's a lot to take in for her. Give her time, she may come around to it yet. Besides… I'm a little nervous myself."

"Nervous? Over what?"

Snek decided to have a seat on the balcony, Drax joined him as he tried to find the words. "I'm worried… your mom may not like the other version of me." Snek confessed. "I am not the most… appealing being to be around, I'm not the best looking either. But… I don't know if she is going to love me as much as she does now."

Drax froze to the confession, but then gave a half smirk. "Really? You think mom is that shallow!?" he demanded.

"NO!" Snek protested. "I don't think she's shallow at all! I am just concerned though that… I may disgust her. I know I wasn't comfortable to even be around me when I became the serpent creature…"

"I said you looked cool, I've only seen photos, but now, I get to see the real thing! I can't wait!" said Drax.

Snek laughed as be brought Drax in closer to him. "You are going to have one weird ass stepdad!"

"No, I'm going to have an awesome weird ass stepdad!"

#

He spent the rest of the day packing a few things. He would take more bed sheets with him, the pillows the twins made for him definitely had to go back into his room. And a photo he recently got of himself, Angela and Drax. When satisfied he tucked it all into a suitcase and took one more look at the apartment. Angela was waiting for him in the living room. "You're going to miss it aren't you?" she asked.

He thought it over for a moment. As wonderful as the place was, he didn't mind where he was going. "Honestly, I could take it or leave it. It's the people within that matter more." He said.

Angela wept slightly. "Oh Snek…" she embraced him as he returned the hug. "Tomorrow, you get to see the real me… I hope you're ready for it."

"I'm sure I will be. So… see you tonight?"

"Yeah." He whispered. The two shared a passionate kiss before he took his leave.

Snek decided to get a head start and head to Garou's house. It was three in the afternoon. He would help them set up for new years and ensure Amai has his items in order. Yet along the way, he was thinking. Everything that happened ever since he switched with Sweet Mask, it all occurred so suddenly. How, why? He wondered. Of all the times to run into Angela again, it was now. Not to mention, there was something about Drax. Snek saw a lot of himself in him, but wondered… he shook his head of the thought. If that was the case, Angela would have told him that night when they went out for dinner, wouldn't she? Or did she spare his notions of being a hero over that of being a father?

"I don't even have the guts to ask her…" he said to himself.

"Well as I live and breath… Snek!" Peering to his left, he saw Fubuki. "Wow… since… wait, that whole thing with Amai, it's true!?"

"No, Amai is wearing the best make up available and I'm completely CGI, what the hell do you think?!" Snek snapped back.

She took a seat across from him. "I nearly forgot you looked like this."

"You and everyone else. Don't worry, I'll be more recognizable by tomorrow."

Fubuki was confused. "What do you mean? Do you turn back into the serpent tomorrow? How do you know?"

"Part of the punishment for Amai. Garou ate a monster soothsayer, when he speaks in a confusing riddle. It makes a prediction. The power is a hit and miss, but this one worked. When two days of 31 pass, only October and December have 31 days. So after tonight, Amai returns back to normal, I become the serpent again."

"Oh…" she said awkwardly. "That explains the suitcase."

"So what brings you here?"

"I went to pay my sister a visit, needless to say how that went." She muttered.

Snek smirked. "Yeah, Tatsumaki can be a little hard to handle at times, no doubt with her as your sister… it can be challenging."

"I love her dearly, but she is always telling me what to do, how to live my life!"

"She wants what's best for you. Older sisters like to ensure their younger siblings are taken care of, and know they can take care of themselves. I think she wants you to see that, you need to take care of yourself and not rely on your Fubuki Group."

"We're a good organization!" she protested.

"Yeah, so what?"

She paused. "What do you mean so what?"

"So what if you are a good organization, big deal. Are you really stronger for it? Or is it the only reason why you are strong?"

"Who the hell gives you the right to ask me such a thing!"

"You're talking to the former lowest ranking A Class Hero sweetheart! I didn't have an organization to depend on. I depended on my own skills and me. I didn't form a legion around me to get to where I am. You got the power in you to go farther than any one else in your 'organization' have you? You got into A Class, good for you. That's where the big boys play. So what now? Do you keep going to your group to ensure your status? Have you gotten any farther?"

Her face flushed with red. "Coming from the former hero who is only a hero now because he's a monster!"

"I freely admit that," Snek said as he leaned back in his chair. "If I wasn't the creature I became, I know where I would be. Class A Rank 37. I would still be there, hell I would even drop in the ranks since you made it in and Saitama. I know I am nowhere near your league with the way I am now, I am not even suppose to be in A Class with what I can do as a mere human being. I know if I were to ever be cured of this, I couldn't do nearly half the heroics I am capable of as the serpent. Why do you think I stayed the way I was despite the fact there is a cure!" he snapped.

Her face went pale. "There… is a cure?"

"A machine can suck out the monster bio energy out of me. One shot, I can be rendered human again… But I won't want it made. Nor do Max and Suiryu. We have seen it nearly kill Garou and his family. We won't let that happen again."

Fubuki was at a loss for words, just as the train came to a stop. "This is my drop off. Later Fubuki, think about what I said." He grabbed his bag and walked off the train.