Chapter 031 - Training in City Z

The morning air is crisp and cool, and the abandoned city is serene and peaceful. I smile as I jog, my breathing steady—I am loving these early mornings.

But then, I hear a strange noise. It is a deep, rumbling sound that is familiar. I stop in my tracks as the noise gets louder. I feel a chill run down my spine. It surely is a monster.

I look around, the sound is coming from the shadows. This time, my heart races in anticipation. It's been a while since I last encountered a monster alone.

Finally, I spot it—a huge, hulking creature, at least twice my size. It has a strange, dark hide and two massive horns that curl on top of its head. Its eyes are yellow and glowing. If I will give it a rank, this monster won't be over demon level.

I take a deep breath and step forward. "You have some gall to show yourself to me!" I warn. "Do you even know me?!"

"Fubuki of Blizzard group," the monster answers, its voice hoarse and deep. "I've come for your pretty head."

Suddenly, the monster roars. I cover my ears, but at that exact moment, the monster lunge at me, its enormous claws outstretched. I leap back, but not quickly enough. The monster's claws rake across my arm, leaving a gash. Thankfully, it's a minor wound, or else my sister will soon be here.

Yet, that doesn't mean that it's not painful. It also doesn't mean I don't get angry at the attack. And so, I grit my teeth and focus my energy. I summon my psychic, feeling my body tingle with power. In quick succession, I unleash a blast of energy that sends the monster flying and hitting a building behind it.

I smirk. Lately, it's been easier to control and call up my psychic. Is it because of my regular jogging?

I shift my attention to the monster, it is standing up, its eyes blazing with rage. My lips turn up. Am I making it angry?

With a roar, the monster lunges toward me. This time, I am ready. I focus all my energy and send another–more powerful–blast of my psychic.

The monster tries to evade, but I control its trajectory, and the pure energy hits the monster right in its chest, making a small hole. The monster groans, a look of surprise on its face, before it stumbles backward and falls to the ground, utterly defeated.

Despite the sense of victory, it comes at a cost. I am exhausted, and my body is aching from using the ability twice. True, I can defeat it by efficiently using my energy, but right now, that's not the goal. I need to learn how to maximize my output. That way, I can become stronger.

And so I walk back to Saitama's apartment, my legs shaking. One victory, and I am already like this. I smile weakly. Seriously, there is still a long way to go.

***********

Going out of the bathroom, after bathing and treating my wounds, I find that Saitama is already back. He is sitting in front of the television, an intense concentration on his face as he races King in a video game.

I dry up my hair and place the towel back on its hook. Then I sit beside Saitama. However, the instant I do, I feel comfortable with his nearness. The longer I watch their game, the sleepier I get.

Giving in, I rest my head against his shoulder.

"Too tired to fix the futon," I mumble, my eyes closing as my body relaxes against him.

"Hey, Fubuki, I won't be able to control this if you lean your head on me."

However, I am no longer listening to him. I am dozing off, even if I can still hear their voices, but it's like I am on a different plane from them.

"I think I should go," King suggests.

"No, wait, one more game!" Saitama insists.

"Well, your girlfriend is flirting and asking for attention."

"I'm not!" I mumble.

However, I interlace my arms against Saitama. With this sense of security, I can't help but be drawn to him. This apartment may be tiny with almost bare walls, yet it gives off a warm feeling.

"Hey, wake up!" Saitama says as he shakes my shoulders.

I sit up, my eyes focusing on him. "I defeated a monster earlier," I share, out of topic.

"Instead of sleeping, why don't you try this game?" King suggests, also out of topic.

"Hmmm?" I ask, my head leaning to one side.

"Ah! I know!" Saitama interjects. "Whoever loses will buy the groceries tomorrow."

"I am not stupid," I say. "Your bet is too unfair." My head feels too heavy for my shoulders. I really need to sleep this exhaustion off.

"Then, how about the loser will buy the winner a meal from a family restaurant?"

My eyes suddenly open. Is he referring to a date?!

"Okay," I whisper.

I crawl and take the controller from King's hand. I slap my cheeks to wake myself up and concentrate on the screen.

"Do you know the rules?" King asks.

"Whoever reaches the finish line first wins, right?"

King nods, and I make sure that my sleepiness is at bay. After the countdown on the screen, I start to move my fingers. After that loss against Saitama's team in video games, I begin to play from time to time. And now, I am more familiar with the feel of the buttons beneath my fingers. It is responsive, and my movement matches whatever is happening on screen.

Soon enough, I overtake Saitama, and he can't catch up to me anymore due to panic. Reaching the finish line, I laugh. "Seems like you will buy me a meal, Saitama!"

He grimaces. "Just fries, right?"

"Why would I eat fries only?!"

"Then you will order the kid's meal?"

"I am not a kid!"

"Aren't you on an eternal diet? You count your daily calories, right?"

"I can make an exception for tomorrow. Besides, don't you know? Meals with fewer calories in them are more expensive than those high calories food that you eat a lot?"

"I don't think a family restaurant has those types of meals. We can just prepare our food here."

"No way! Besides, they can specially prepare their customers' meals."

"Specially prepared?" he swallows. "How much does that cost?"

"It depends on the restaurant. But usually, you can get a meal for at least 1000 yen."

"At least 1000 yen?! That's a lot of money!"

"It's not expensive. Hmm, I should order a 2000 yen meal. I can have my cheat day from time to time." I turn my attention to him and smile. "I am looking forward to it, Saitama."

"What is wrong with you?!" he complains.

"Be patient, Saitama-shi," King whispers in his ears. "She is just flirting with you."

Hearing it, my cheeks redden, and I snap at them. "A win is a win! So tomorrow we will go!"