Chapter 028 - Escape

I awoke in Saitama's arms, feeling both secure and comfortable. We are now in a dark alleyway, surrounded by the broken and battered bodies of what had once been mafia goons. His arms wrap around me protectively.

I am still groggy from the alcohol, and I can't help but laugh at the way his sunglasses slip on his nose.

"You are awake," he says without looking at me. His eyes are trained in front of us as if he is expecting someone dangerous to appear at any moment. Ha! Someone dangerous, huh? What I'm feeling right now is what's dangerous.

And so, I reach for Saitama's sunglasses and fix them on his face. I giggle. "It looks better that way," I say.

He looks exasperated at me. "Fubuki, I don't think you are a good drinker," he says. "Also, look around."

I don't want to. I just want to stare at him. "Fubuki."

"Okay," I say.

And yet, I snuggle against his neck again, breathing in his scent. He still smells like soap, but there is also the smell of garbage in the alleyway. I don't care either way. I just want to stay in his arms.

"Fubuki," Saitama admonishes.

Without a choice, I look around. I have seen these scenes before, in movies and TV shows. It looked okay on screens, but the reality is far different. The smell of the alleyway permeates the area. There is the glint of metal from a discarded blade, and the goons who tried to attack us before are all lying unconscious on the floor.

I giggle as I tighten my arms around Saitama. "Are they still alive?" I ask. I am still lightheaded.

"Yes," he says. "But can you get off me now? You are already awake."

"I'm still a little dizzy," I say. Although, I think it's a lie. "What happened?" I ask instead.

He looks at me and winces. "I had to fight. They said they will not pay and that, this is just a bait to call on your sister."

"Oh! You had to protect me?" I say, blushing. There is a surge of gratitude that wells up from within me. "Thank—"

"No," he cuts me off. "They attacked me, and you are clinging onto me, so I had no choice."

This time, I am the one who grimaced. Yet, his warmth is very distracting, so I snuggle closer and close my eyes.

"Hey, don't go back to sleep! I am not your futon!"

Then, he walks from the alleyway and into the bright street. My eyes hurt, so I bury my face in his chest.

"Hey, Fubuki!" he calls.

I ignore him. The helicopter is hovering over us. I ignore it too. A hero comes forward, probably an A-class. I don't know. I just want to stay right where I am.

"My name is Hideo, one of the A-class heroes," a male voice says. "I applaud you for saving a woman from danger. I think you deserve a reward."

"A reward?!" Saitama exclaims. "What kind of reward?!"

I press my palm against his chest to make him realize I am not happy with his reaction.

"Here, take this."

Saitama puts me down, and he receives the small bag that A-class Hideo is giving him. I rub my eyes. Saitama's hand is still around my waist while my left hand clutches the back of his black suit.

Saitama opens the bag with his teeth, and two shiny coins fall into his palm.

"What is this coin?" he asks. I peer at it. There is a leaf on the edges and the logo of the Hero Association.

"That's a symbol of justice," A-class Hideo says.

"This ain't money."

"No amount of money can match the symbol of justice."

"You are correct… but right now, it's money that I need..." he complains.

I laugh at him. "It's okay, Saitama," I whisper.

"Why—"

But his sentence is cut off when I tiptoe and press a kiss on his right cheek. "Thank you for carrying me. Now, bring me to my apartment that way. I am still sleepy."

"I am not your—"

This time, I press my fingers on his lips. I smile at him. "I will pay you later," I whisper.

He freezes, and my smile widens. Then, the moment is interrupted when a figure appears from above. I recognize it almost immediately.

It's my sister, Tatsumaki. "Hmmph! You are still weak, Fubuki!" she insults. She lands next to me and raises her brows as I pull myself closer to Saitama.

She grabs Saitama's arm and screams at him. "Hey! Why the hell are you touching my sister?! Just because a woman is drunk, you can't touch her any way you want! You pervert! Maniac! Deviant! Weirdo! Freak!"

I look at Saitama. He seems confused as well. "Ah-uh..."

"You idiot!" Tatsumaki shouts at him. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me? I was fighting a monster and had to rush here! If you were not such a pervert, I wouldn't have been forced to come here!"

"Wait a minute!" Saitama protests. "I didn't do anything!"

"Of course you did!" she screams at him, her hands on her hips. "Look at the way you hold Fubuki!"

"That's not what happened!" he argues.

"Then, what does this mean?" she points at his hand, which is still around my waist. "You are holding her as if you own her!"

I cover my face to hide the blush creeping up my face. Is that what it looks like? That Saitama owns me? I squeal and my cheeks are getting hotter than ever.

"That's not true!" he yells.

"It is!" she insists. "And if you don't stop doing this now, I'll break your arms and legs!"

"I'm not hurting her!"

"Then let go of her!"

Saitama obeys and releases me. My body collapses onto the ground. I groan. Right, why am I still weak? I can't even handle a couple of glasses of alcohol.

Tatsumaki sighs loudly. She takes a cell phone from her pocket and starts dialing someone.

"Hello? Yes...yes...no, no problem at all..." She talks into the phone for a while before hanging up. "Fubuki, get up," she orders.

I stand up slowly. I really am still dizzy. I feel like I could faint again anytime soon.

"You are going home," she says.

"But–" I start.

"No buts," she scolds me. "You are too weak to walk alone in the streets."

I frown. "But—"

"I will take care of you," Tatsumaki says.

I look at Saitama, asking for help, but he just shakes his head. Annoyed, I say, "I am serious about paying you five thousand yen. You just need to bring me home. And I mean, your apartment in city Z."

Tatsumaki frowns at me. "Do you think that anyone—"

Saitama suddenly lifts me off the ground. I almost squeal in victory. "I will bring you to the apartment. Just don't forget the payment," he says.

I smile, and he looks away. I wrap my arms around his neck and say, "You will have it. Now, let's escape."

And so, we run away from the scene with me in his arms, and I can vaguely hear my sister's call of protest. But when the vibrations of Saitama's run become too much for me, I close my eyes.