Kapitel 492: CH. 515: Finale
A sense of instinct warned Asahi that an attack was on its way. As the said attack tore through the upper half of the Hero Association headquarters, massive pressure surrounded his barrier. It was as if a giant claw was trying to squeeze him. The Vaccine Man Asahi fought would be crushed into a ball of flesh in his position.
A Dragon-Level Disaster was a joke to Tatsumaki.
Asahi's barrier caved ever so slightly under pressure, but his willpower continued to fuel its durability. "You look hotter when you're angry. I mean way hotter."
If Fubuki heard him right now, she would be in awe. Few had the audacity to flirt with Tatsumaki, let alone her enraged version. Her barrier, however, blocked every sound to prevent any interference.
"You're annoying me." Tatsumaki amplified the output, still keeping her psychic force away from Fubuki. "Fubuki, stop whatever you're doing."
She wasn't a fool. Asahi stalled for time for Fubuki. Although the barrier prevented her voice from reaching Fubuki, her emotions traveled through their psychic bond.
"Huh?" Fubuki paused momentarily but refused to look away from the dagger. A determined look remained on Fubuki's face, unlike the one who cowered in her presence. "I'm so close."
Meanwhile, cracks formed on the surface of Asahi's bubble as Tatsumaki's relentless pressure started showing its effect. She was sharpening her assault on one area now. However strong his willpower may be, he couldn't compete with the woman who had honed her psychokinesis ability for twenty-eight years.
"Hey, Tatsumaki. Do you love Fubuki?"
Tatsumaki wasn't prepared for his privy question. As if imagining her answer, her frown eased, and a small smile appeared on her face. "Do you need to ask?"
She usually wouldn't confess her deep affection for her sister, but something compelled her to talk more. It was baffling for Tatsumaki, who rarely socialized or tried to connect with others. His high charm certainly yielded a positive effect on her.
"What about others? Is there anyone else you like? Um, like boyfriend or girlfriend?"
"Why are you asking irritating questions? Just stop resisting and drop dead, pervert."
"Ouch, that hurt."
Tatsumaki went silent and slowly stretched the crack in his barrier, hellbent on ending him for insulting her.
Asahi glanced over to Fubuki. A dim layer of turquoise psychic energy covered the busty esper. The energy funneled into the dagger, and sand filled the glass container on the dagger's handle. The Dagger of Time floated from her hand and shook as if ready to unleash its time-bending powers.
"She learned to manipulate mana."
Like all the other worlds, Klyscha incorporated the mana system into this world to make things easier for everyone. As time passes, more people will come into contact with mana. But Fubuki will forever remain the first.
Tatsumaki glanced at Fubuki. Her younger sister was laser focused on the dagger, her eyes brimming with resolution. She wasn't the Fubuki Tatsumaki saved from bullies or the Fubuki who banded with a bunch of weaklings to start a faction.
"Stop!"
Tatsumaki stopped trying to pry open Asahi's barrier and dashed for Fubuki. She banged a fist on the barrier while trying to blast it with her psychic energy. From what she learned, the barrier created by Asahi had limited durability. Tatsumaki struck it as fast as she could with explosive attacks.
Fubuki grabbed the dagger from the air and turned to Tatsumaki. The petite Esper paused, and the psychic sisters silently stared at each other.
Fubuki's mind turned into a mess. The sorrow of possibly never seeing Tatsumaki came out as a drop of tears.
"I'm sorry… Tatsumaki."
Fubuki wanted to do so many things before transforming into an old lady on the verge of death. To criticize Tatsumaki and free her from the curse of self-reliance Blast left on her. She also wanted to become an S-Class and stand side by side with Tatsumaki at the top of the Hero Association. She hadn't even dated a man yet because of Tatsumaki's persistent probing into her personal life.
All her unfulfilled desires surfaced as she held the dagger. She didn't let them stop her.
"What are you doing?!" Tatsumaki screamed and tried to rip the barrier. Fubuki was trying something dangerous, and had to be stopped. Thus, she raised her output further, shaking the entire city like the tremors of an earthquake. The barrier still wouldn't budge. "Argh, this piece of junk shit!"
Fubuki wiped her tears and looked at Asahi, who was watching their interactions in fascination.
'I'll ask him to help Tatsumaki in exchange for fixing the mess he made.'
She gripped the dagger tightly and activated the heaven-defying ability of the Dagger of Time. The sand overflowed and swirled around her like a storm. The wind buzzed in her ears as the world slowly did a rewind. She observed the whole place, including herself, as if she were a distant observer. Tatsumaki returned to her previous location. The last scene was her past version starting an argument with Asahi while the city burned.
Then it all ended.
She opened her eyes to the clear, spectacular view of City-A. She was back on the Hero Association with the devil standing by her side. Her legs buckled as she stepped back from the edge and fell on her back.
"Ugh."
Asahi made a small gasp. "You? What happened to you? Why did you turn old all of a sudden?"
Fubuki brought up her hands. Her shriveled skin lacked any vitality. Those arms looked like branches of a withering tree. She became ancient—the realization stirred her from the inside. She turned over and shrank into the fetal position. The price of saving the entire city was unbearable.
She silently cried while apologizing to Tatsumaki and her subordinates.
Asahi couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She didn't exactly turn old since their current location was his dream. He brought her here to see her reaction to her old version. It looked like he overdid it. She broke down, crying as she recalled her life that slipped past her hands. The decision was hers, and so were the regrets born from it.
(My love, you're torturing her…)
'Um… It was a little prank.'
(Little…)
A poke on her cheek didn't stop her tears, so he rubbed her head. She cried even more as if the warmth compelled her, and pushed his hand away.
"Go away. Sniff, leave me alone."
"Cry after you wake up."
"Wake up?" She revealed her face and stared at Asahi's cheeky smile. "What do you mean by wake up? Am I sleeping?"
Asahi flicked her forehead, and the nightmare ended.
***
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