An explanation and an apology (rewrite)

Natural-born espers were exceedingly rare in this world.

Most espers thought highly of themselves, and Fubuki was no exception.

She had always wanted to be number one, to stand at the pinnacle of this world.

But...

That woman, Fubuki's own older sister, Tatsumaki, the strongest esper, had become her greatest obstacle.

"If I hadn't had a sister like her, I wouldn't have spent my entire life never once coming first..."

At Bai Ye's home, Bai Ye, Fubuki, and Genos sat around the table.

Clearly, Fubuki was giving Bai Ye a proper explanation and apology.

"So when I rose to rank one in B-Class, I had an idea... I would stay in that position and lead all the heroes below me in B-Class, using the strength of a team to surpass my sister, who always worked alone."

Fubuki honestly explained her thinking, revealing the reason behind everything she had done all this time.

"The Tatsumaki you mentioned is the S-Class Rank 2 hero, [Tatsumaki of Terror], correct?"

Genos asked.

"That's right."

Fubuki nodded.

"If she's S-Class Rank 2, then surely you should at least put that plan into practice at A-Class Rank 1."

Genos asked in confusion, "Even if you aren't as powerful as your sister, as a hero who has firmly held the top spot in B-Class for so long, aiming for A-Class Rank 1 shouldn't be out of reach."

After all, the gap between B-Class Heroes and S-Class Heroes was far too vast. Even if she really brought every B-Class Hero into her organization—excluding Master Bai Ye, of course—trying to surpass the S-Class Rank 2 hero, [Tornado of Terror], that way would be little more than an imaginary victory.

"No... you're underestimating A-Class."

Fubuki shook her head, her expression growing somewhat grave. "With my abilities, I could indeed reach the upper ranks of A-Class, but becoming number one is absolutely impossible."

"The S-Class Hero [Atomic Samurai] has three disciples: [Iaian], A-Class rank two; [Okamaitachi], A-Class rank three; and [Bushidrill], A-Class rank four. None of them have advanced to S-Class because they can't surpass [Sweet Mask], A-Class Rank 1."

"There's no shortage of monsters who defy all reason in this world," Fubuki said solemnly. "My sister, Sweet Mask, King, and [Blast] are all monsters among monsters..."

"..."

Genos nodded slightly. In his eyes, his master was also a monster among monsters.

After joining the Hero Association, he had gained an even clearer understanding of just how powerful Master Bai Ye was.

The Hero Association naturally had records of Dragon-level disasters, especially the most recent one, which had been caused by Vaccine Man.

And now... Vaccine Man obeyed Master Bai Ye's orders every day, just like a disciple.

He was a Dragon-level monster, an opponent not just any S-Class Hero could defeat alone.

"In my current situation, it's difficult to climb any higher through my own strength alone. That's why I created the [Blizzard Group]."

With her head lowered, Fubuki spoke earnestly. "I was wrong to offend you earlier. I was too desperate to secure my position as B-Class rank one, because it's the only place where I can be number one. When I realized that you, having risen to B-Class rank four, threatened my position, I decided I would either recruit you or crush you. I'm truly sorry..."

As she spoke, Fubuki kept her head bowed and her hands resting on her thighs, looking thoroughly humbled.

"Then you won't try to crush other newcomers anymore, right?"

Bai Ye promptly asked, "If you can change that, I can accept your apology."

"I... I won't do it again. I hope you'll accept my apology..."

Fubuki promised.

"Then that's fine. You're still a good kid if you can admit your mistakes and mend your ways."

Bai Ye felt reassured. "There's nothing wrong with establishing the Blizzard Group, as long as you don't force people to join through violence or suppress them. If everyone joins willingly, it wouldn't matter even if the entire B-Class roster belonged to your group."

"Yes..."

Fubuki nodded obediently.

"As for your insistence on staying at B-Class rank one, that's your own business. I won't comment on it."

Bai Ye said calmly, "And I won't compete with you for that position, either. I'll just keep moving up, so you don't need to worry about me threatening your standing in the first place."

From a normal person's perspective, Fubuki should have advanced to A-Class long ago.

Staying at B-Class rank one offered no real advantage over advancing to A-Class, aside from satisfying some inexplicable sense of pride and claiming an imaginary victory.

But that was Fubuki's personal business, after all, so Bai Ye had no intention of criticizing her harshly over it.

"I..."

"Ding-dong-"

Fubuki parted her lips slightly, about to say more, only to be interrupted by the sudden ringing of the doorbell.

Immediately afterward, Saitama opened the unlocked door.

Vaccine Man followed Saitama inside.

"Bai Ye, I'm pretty much done sparring with Vaccine Man. I'm here to challenge you again."

Saitama looked confident, apparently convinced once again that he had what it took.

Was that... the S-Class Hero Saitama?!

At the sight of that unmistakable bald head, Fubuki immediately recognized Saitama and was utterly stunned.

She had never expected another S-Class Hero to come calling, let alone one who seemed so familiar with Bai Ye.

And... wait, Vaccine Man...?

Fubuki recognized that name, too.

He was the perpetrator of a Dragon-level disaster, the Dragon-level monster who had appeared recently. Supposedly, Saitama had defeated him, though some said Saitama and Bai Ye had defeated him together. She had certainly believed the former; otherwise, she would never have dared come looking for trouble with Bai Ye in the first place.

But hadn't that Dragon-level monster, [Vaccine Man], been defeated? He was still alive? And he was even dropping by Bai Ye's home like a neighbor paying a visit?!

The arrival of Saitama and Vaccine Man dealt another shock to Fubuki's brain.

"Y-you really are Vaccine Man...?"

Fubuki couldn't help asking him.

Vaccine Man had just suffered several consecutive defeats and was feeling miserable.

"That's me. What about it?"

Vaccine Man already had a rather menacing face, and his losing streak had left him seething, making both his expression and his tone less than friendly.

That vicious expression and glare instantly frightened Fubuki, draining some of the color from her face.

Vaccine Man wasn't in the mood to deal with this woman who had come from who knew where. Instead, he turned to Bai Ye and asked humbly, "Could you give me some money? I want to buy a game so I can get some extra practice."

Losing repeatedly to Saitama had left Vaccine Man deeply frustrated. He was just a mere bald human!

"?!"

And now, seeing a mighty Dragon-level monster asking Bai Ye for money so meekly, Fubuki found it utterly unbelievable. Once again, her understanding of the world had been thoroughly upended.