Is she waving me over?
When Wavygyaza entered Cafe & Restaurant Togus, she heard the usual gasps and squeals of recognition. And then along the wall of the cafe, she spotted a hand motioning toward her. Two women sat on the opposing side of the booth: one with short, spiked hair blocked her view of whoever was waving.
She stood in full view of the public now. Ignoring the gesture or causing a scene might stir up unnecessary backlash and damage her reputation.
Wavygyaza plastered a masterfully faked smile on her face as she nodded and greeted several fans as she made her way toward the booth.
That fake smile, polished, practiced, and never faltering — warped the moment she spotted Fubuki, the 'Blizzard of Hell.'
She had to check several restaurants before finding this one actually reopened after the monster attack on S-City. And, of course, it had to be the sister of that woman.
Wavygyaza forced herself to keep a cool head. Was it really fair to lump Fubuki in with her sister? Plus, everyone in the cafe had their eyes glued to her every move. All she needed to do was say hi and—
"No need to stand there. You can sit with us." Fubuki scooted in and patted the cushion seat. "We hadn't expected you to recover so quickly."
That licentious little psychic spread word of the incident so quickly. If the media catches wind, I'm finished. Should I bribe them?
"Thank you." She settled into the booth.
Wavygyaza had no other option but to down and make a deal for their silence. Only four people she knew of had knowledge of the incident, and she would make sure it stayed that way.
She hadn't forgotten the creep from the park, either. Oblivious as he was, she'd already served him justice.
"Delayed? For how long? Hey, answer me. Lin Lin? Broth—" The bronze-skinned woman glared at her phone before tucking it away, then turned her sharp blue gaze to Wavygyaza. "You look great after the work done on you. It's nice to meet you officially. I'm Suiko."
Wavygyaza's fingers curled into the frills of her dress beneath the table, her polite smile strained under the weight of Suiko's pointed mockery.
"You're too kind. I'm pleased to meet you, too."
When Wavygyaza planned to say more, a young waitress appeared beside the booth, practically bouncing in place as she clutched her notepad. Her wide eyes sparkled the moment they landed on Wavygyaza, her voice a touch higher than intended.
"C-Can I take your order?"
She opened her mouth, about to speak, but Fubuki spoke first. "She'll have an extra large plate of fries and a couple glasses of water."
The waitress gave a nod, promptly jotting down the order before turning and walking off. Wavygyaza blinked. Why did the waitress not confirm if that was what she really wanted?
Her focus shifted back to Fubuki, who seemed pleased with herself, as if what she did was deserving of praise. Then, her attention wandered to the quiet woman that had the tallest high ponytail she'd ever seen. A woman whose demeanor was serious and stern. One who wouldn't possibly stoop as low as her two companions.
The white-haired woman ended her streak of quietness. "I am happy to meet you. My name is Yuta." Her lips curled up. "It is good Fubuki ordered for you or else I would have. Us three are aware of what your body needs after all that it has endured."
A dark shadow cast over Wavygyaza as she leaned forward, nudging her head for the three women to do the same.
Once they had complied, she spoke in a tone that dripped with icy resentment. Though on the outside, her expression was all warm smiles and practiced charm. "Enough. Tell me the price of your silence. And you have to get your sister to stop spreading word on the subject."
Fubuki, Yuta, and Suiko exchanged unreadable looks.
Wavygyaza's resentment grew the longer she waited for them to name their price. She was once again placed in a helpless position. If it had been some random onlooker without proof, their word wouldn't carry weight. But if the S-Class Rank 2 Hero started spreading it around without a care for their own reputation, then everything she'd built, her image, her influence, her standing, would…
"Price you say?" Fubuki grinned and clasped her shoulder. "Ah!" She let out a pained cry, shaking her hand.
Serves you right.
"Sorry. My body temperature is super hot, even at rest."
Wavygyaza lied on both counts. She wasn't sorry at all, and her body, thanks to Doctor Kuseno, usually stayed cool at rest. But heightened emotions could make her burn hot.
"Here," said Yuta, sliding her glass of ice water across the table.
Fubuki grasped the glass and let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."
Wavygyaza watched rejoicing at her victory against one of these twisted sisters.
¤ ¤ ¤
Tatsumaki soared through the sky. Ahead, Z-City Ghost Town came into view.
Her journey was nearly over.
She had a bone to pick with that mosquito, fleeing the city so she could get to Caspian first.
Tatsumaki hadn't been able to chase her down immediately. As many monsters still crawled through the city, and she had to wipe them out first before beginning her pursuit.
Her eyes dropped to her phone, where a blinking crimson dot marked the target's location.
In less than a minute, she would catch up and reprimand Mosquito Girl—
Then it hit.
A sharp signal pierced her mind.
Fubuki took damage.
She stopped mid-flight. Anger, annoyance, and worry merged into one. She spun around and rocketed back toward S-City, moving faster than ever. Whoever caused that pain was about to regret it.
Tatsumaki didn't believe Fubuki had done something reckless again, like hurting herself again. They'd spoken before she left the city, and everything had seemed fine.
As she raced back, it didn't even occur to her to check in with Fubuki mentally. Her emotions drove her forward; singular and sharp in purpose.
Retribution.