Chapter 034 - Heartbeats

Even if Saitama thinks it's hilarious, I am still embarrassed about my look-alike stuffed toy. My cheeks are still warm as we continue to walk, so I distract myself by looking around as we make our way to the amusement park–everywhere I look, people are laughing and enjoying themselves under the bright sunshine. The smell of cotton candy hangs in the air, and I can even hear the gleeful screams of children.

We join the throng of people walking toward the amusement park entrance. I steal a glance at him as I pay for my ticket. He has no complaints so far. Thankfully, the ticket price is not too expensive, or else Saitama has already escaped me.

When we enter, I feel a thrill as I travel my eyes around. It really is full of bright, colorful lights and loud music! I am in awe! The music might be a bit raucous and upbeat, but it's perfect for the surrounding atmosphere. Like outside, they also sell stuffed toys here, but each design is mainly related to the park theme.

"What should we do first?" Saitama asks.

I whirl towards him, pleasantly surprised at his question, so much that I beam at him. He looks away from me, though, while scratching his cheeks again.

"Let's wander around the area until we find something," I answer.

"People are buying stuffed toys. Should you get one, too?" he asks again.

Oh! Is he buying one for me? The realization makes me blush. "Ahm... If you want..." I mutter.

"What is wrong with you again?" he asks. He taps at my reddening cheeks and asks, "Is blushing normal for you?"

I purse my lips. "Of course not, stupid!"

He pulls back from me. "So, are you going to buy one or not?"

My shoulders drop. Oh! I thought he was going to buy one for me. A bit disappointed, I respond, "Maybe later. I don't feel like getting one anymore."

And so we continue walking around the amusement park until we come to the area for couples. Most of them are holding each other's hands. They are also so free with their touches, and I see one or two couples kissing each other on the benches.

I blush as I glance at Saitama's hands. This atmosphere... Maybe he will want to hold my hands too?

No! I scream inwardly. Don't be greedy! I should be happy already that he came with me here. I glance at his free hand again as he walks forward. But it wouldn't be so bad if I did hold his hand, right?

"Oh! They are selling cotton candy!" he exclaims, which surprises me. "I wonder how much that is."

"I will buy one for you!" I suggest a little too loud.

"Huh?" he asks, turning towards me. "Why would you do that?"

"I just have one tiny request..." I murmur.

He looks suspicious. "I can't go to another place again. I am busy," he rejects.

"It's not that," I mumble. I raise my hand towards him. "All you... ah... need... to do is... h-hold m-my h-hands," I say, stuttering from the embarrassment.

"Oh, that's all? That's no problem at all."

He raises his hands and is about to hold mine when a loud roar fills the air. We both look up at the source of it and see a giant monster flying above us. It is enormous and has red eyes that glow a sinister light.

"This place is an eyesore!" It screeches. "Even now, as a monster, I still hate this place!"

"Oh, a monster," Saitama says. "Time for battle."

He withdraws his hand, and I look longingly at it. He almost holds my hands! This fucking monster!

I close my eyes and take deep breaths. I must not let my emotions take hold of me. However, when the creature howls, my meditation is broken. Even before Saitama attacks it, I focus my eyes on the beast while letting my energy flow out of me and envelop me in a protective cocoon.

I feel a surge of power flow through me as I imagine pummeling the monster because of being a distraction in my moment with Saitama!

My anger rises again, and then, I use my psychic power to pummel it to the ground, just as I imagined it. I continue throwing rocks at it. Even the benches the other couples use are uprooted from the ground and used to smash against the infuriating monster!

Within a matter of minutes, the creature is felled and annihilated, and the only sounds that can be heard are my deep, heavy breaths and the claps from the bystanders.

"Oh!" I exclaim as if being brought back to reality. I straighten my back and smile awkwardly at the people around me. I temporarily forgot myself. I hope I did not appear like a monster.

"Wow! You look feral, Fubuki!" Saitama praises me as he walks closer to me and claps his hands.

"Fe-Feral?" I ask, paling at his description. That's not the description I was going for.

"I'm impressed."

"Y-you are?" I balk. If he is, I guess it doesn't matter as much if I look ferocious. And so, I smile, relieved that he sees it in a positive light. "Thank you," I say.

"Since the monster is gone, should we continue with our date?"

"I think I want to take a break in a cafe first. That took out a couple of my energy."

"Ahm…" he starts, looking anxious. "Can we just go to a nearby bench instead?"

"You don't have to buy me anything. I just need to take a quick rest."

"If that is the case, then let's go!"

Suddenly, he takes hold of my hand, and my heart feels like it has stopped—the same as my brain. He pulls me with him because my body's not working properly anymore.

And did he just say 'date' earlier? Is he aware that we are on a date?! I didn't buy him cotton candy, but he still wants to continue? And now, he is holding my hands!

And so, my temperature has grown too hot, which is definitely not normal. "Ah, Saitama..." I whisper, too weak and too confused to fight back the emotions. "Can you please make me rest from time to time? You are too much."

He turns towards me. "Too mu—" he starts but pauses when he sees my state. "You are so red!" He touches my forehead and exclaims, "And you are burning! Are you sick, Fubuki?"

"No," I whisper. I walk towards him and lay my ear against his chest. "It's because of you. You are making me feel like this."

Then, I sense his heart thumps a bit faster. I look up at his face. He looks embarrassed while looking away from me.

Did I just make his heart beat a little faster?!