E S P E R

Rules

Disagreement with my boss. He was being a fucking twat.

I chose to internalize my frustration and walk away. If not, I'd have started swinging.

Though it hasn't been a consistent stay, I've been on this hellsite for 11 years now.

She was at an impasse. She wanted to meet with her sister. But she didn't want it to devolve into a shouting match as usual. Despite her usual behavior, she didn't actually enjoy getting angry at Fubuki.

She just felt that she was holding herself back by hanging with those weaklings.

Or at least that's what Tatsumaki said out loud. It was more like she was worried that Fubuki would end up losing someone close to her. Fubuki was so much stronger than them. She fought monsters far greater than anything they could handle. One day, someone is going to die.

And she refuses to let Fubuki experience that kind of pain.

But perhaps she was going about it the wrong way. And it wasn't Saitama who changed her mind. Even if their fight had let her get rid of a lot of pent up rage.

No, it was surprisingly enough, Bang.

She respected the old geezer. He was, in many ways, a Grandfather she never had. Though she had never really talked to the man personally. Until the night before and by pure chance at that.

They had exchanged a few words and maybe, just maybe, Tatsumaki got a few drinks in and spilled her heart out to the man. She had been just sober enough to retain his words. And because of that, she decided to change tact. It achieved the same outcome, but hopefully it wouldn't come across nearly as insulting.

She stood in front of Fubuki's door, hands in the pockets of her dress.

She glanced up at her younger sister.

"You . . . need to get stronger, Fubuki."

She inhaled sharply, almost cringing at what she was about to say.

"Because if you hold yourself back by hanging with them . . . you won't be able to protect them. If they're so precious to you, you need to get stronger. And I know . . . I know you've gotten stronger. But it's not enough."

"Not until you reach at least S-Class."

She had said something she had never admitted out loud before. The fact that she had faith in her sister. That she believed she could be amazing.

My Tatsumaki follows the manga more than the webcomic. Because of that, she's more prone to showing people her kindness and is on far better terms with the people around her, especially Fubuki and Genos.

And slowly, but surely, Saitama is worming his way into her heart as well.

She had noticed it. Bald- Saitama had been staring off into space more than usual lately. Sure, he had always been a bit of an oddball and she still couldn't really read the guy, but ever since the fight with Garou, she'd noticed his eyes had a bit more depth to them. A bit more emotion.

Something that became apparent during their fight a few weeks back. It was when she had started really studying him. Because when someone stronger than you appears, you tend to give them the respect they deserve. Sure, on the outside, she acted like it was a fluke. That she wasn't trying.

But she wasn't an idiot. Saitama was stronger than her.

Maybe even stronger than Blast.

Thus, it troubled her. The way he acted. Now that she knew he was truly strong . . . a lot of his actions in the past started to make sense. When you were strong, a whole new set of problems would come your way.

The most notable one being.

What if I'm not strong enough?

She didn't know if that was the origin of his dilemma, but sometimes, when she glanced his way, his expression reminded her of herself every time she looked in the mirror.

A hint of self loathing. And regret.

But whereas she hid her sadness with rage and bitterness, he seemed to hide it with indifference.

Therefore, Tatsumaki did something she never thought she'd do. Something that, if Fubuki saw it, she would never let her live it down.

She approached Saitama when she saw him on the street, not even bothering to float. She was shorter than him, but that was fine. She wanted to meet him as herself, not as a hero.

"Hey . . . Saitama" she said, still getting used to using his name. "Want to . . ."

Crap. What did he even like? Didn't Genos ramble on and on about the man's interests?

She racked her brain, trying to think of anything the man might like and then it hit her.

". . . check out the local market with me? I heard things are on sale and I can help carry a lot of stuff with my powers."

Why was she trying to be friendly? Well. Blast had told her to never rely on anyone else.

I see some new people. So, like this post for a starter!