Fubuki's departure

It was a weekend afternoon.

On a lake outside Z City, two figures, one old and one young, lay back in a small boat wearing short sleeves and beach shorts. Both wore oversized sunglasses and held fishing rods, enjoying a leisurely afternoon of fishing.

They were none other than Bang and Josen.

When monsters weren't running rampant, these two were probably among the most idle people in Z City.

Especially after Josen mastered Instant Transmission, his efficiency at slacking off had been improving by the day.

Often, the moment Kyoko looked away, he would use Flying Thunder God to zip from his office to his apartment for an afternoon nap.

Sure enough, unless you experienced it yourself, you could never understand the Fourth Hokage's joy.

Saitama's latest part-time job had been working the register at a supermarket. Apparently, though, a monster had reduced it to rubble yesterday, and the owner had fled to another city with his family overnight. So Saitama was back to his usual state of unemployment.

Since the owner had fled too quickly to pay him, Saitama had dug some usable goods out of the rubble as his wages. For once, his fridge was full, and he was enjoying a rare stretch of comfortable living.

Just a little earlier, Saitama had brought ingredients along for their picnic on the lawn at noon. He hadn't stayed to fish with them because he still had training to do that afternoon.

"Say, Josen."

"Hmm?"

Bang adjusted his sunglasses and reached out to check his utterly motionless fishing rod, then picked up a chilled drink from the folding table. "How come that little girlfriend of yours with the great figure hasn't come to see you these past couple of days?"

Josen: ?

"You mean Fubuki? Z City has been ridiculously peaceful lately. She probably got bored and went home." Josen turned to glance at the teasing old man and said irritably, "I'm warning you, don't go spreading that around. If word gets out, I'll sue you for slander."

"I know, I know. I was young once, too."

Josen rolled his eyes. "...You don't know jack."

Just as he was about to explain the potential danger lurking behind Fubuki, a sharp voice came from the sky. "Super Police Josen, Silver Fang Bang. To think that A-Class heroes like you would be so lazy."

Just as in the original story, Bang's Hero Name had been confirmed as "Silver Fang." What had changed was his position in the Hero Rankings. Thanks to Josen's connections and Lanny's strong recommendation, Bang had entered the Hero Association at A-Class Rank 34. Rather than being an obscure, ordinary B-Class hero as he had been in the original timeline, he now occupied the bottom of A-Class alongside Josen.

Not that it made much difference to an old man with plenty of money and free time.

"That voice..."

Josen adjusted his sunglasses just as Bang had and tilted his head toward the voice. The first thing that entered his view was a pair of long legs in black stockings, their edges gilded by the sunlight.

The two A-Class heroes, one old and one young, took off their sunglasses almost simultaneously. After scrutinizing the sight with a critical eye for a while, Josen finally raised his hand. "I have a question."

"Nobody comes through here all day. How did you find us, Fubuki?"

Fubuki pointed a finger toward Z City. "I just ran into a passerby who was out jogging. I'd seen him at your place before. He told me."

"..."

The corner of Josen's mouth twitched. To think she had run into him even under those circumstances. This world really was far too small.

"I came here to-"

"I'm not joining. Not interested. Suit yourself."

"..."

This time, Fubuki was the one left speechless.

I hadn't even finished speaking, and you hit me with three rejections in a row! When have I, Fubuki, ever had to put up with this kind of treatment?

Fubuki lowered herself until she hovered near the boat. "Hmph. I know what you mean. I came this time to say goodbye."

"Oh?" Josen chimed in. "Your sister finally told you to come home?"

"How did you know? Uh..." Fubuki turned her face away, trying to hide her faintly flushed cheeks. "That's not it. I've simply gotten tired of this lousy place. Besides, someone has already contacted me about joining the Fubuki Group. I'm only leaving temporarily to assess the new recruit."

"During my time here, I've also realized that rather than seeking partnerships with powerful heroes who've already made a name for themselves, I should focus on ordinary heroes who want to get ahead. If I draw out their potential, they can become the backbone of the team, too!"

Fubuki brushed aside the bangs over her forehead, her gaze growing exceptionally resolute.

"Super Police Josen, just you wait! The next time we meet, my Fubuki Group will definitely make you see us in a new light!"

"Of course, milady." Josen nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at grain. "Have a safe trip. I won't see you out, milady."

"You..."

Fubuki gave a light huff and flew off into the distance, her entire body wrapped in pale blue psychic power.

After a while, Bang withdrew his gaze. "She really left."

"What else would she do?"

Josen suddenly sat up and gave his line a tug. A crucian carp weighing over five pounds was hauled straight out of the water without the slightest chance to resist, tracing a graceful arc before landing squarely in the bucket beside him.

Bang fell silent for a moment, then puffed out his mustache in shock. "Hey, hey, hey! Using psychic powers to fish is going too far, isn't it?"

Without a change in expression, Josen baited his hook again and cast it far out. "Oh, give it a rest. Which eye of yours saw me using psychic powers? Where's your evidence? That's skill."

"Skill, my ass! Then how do you explain the fish landing straight in the bucket?"

"I was born with superhuman strength!"

"You're cheating!"

"And you've still caught nothing."

"..."

Z City, evening.

A taxi stopped outside an upscale café. The door opened, and a fair calf emerged from beneath a skirt, a transparent pink high heel coming to rest on the ground.

"Take care, miss."

"Thank you."

After paying the fare, Kyoko nervously took a couple of deep breaths. Her carefully made-up little face looked even prettier as she glanced at a tall figure by the floor-to-ceiling window. She gently patted her chest below her exposed collarbones, giving herself encouragement.

Come on, Kyoko! You can do this!

Then she strode resolutely toward the entrance.

"Chief!"

"Oh, you're here?"

Josen put down his magazine, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Kyoko in makeup. "We're off the clock now. Just relax."

"O-okay, Chief."

Josen gave his bashful subordinate a puzzled look. There was no trace of her usual combative attitude, when she complained to him and rolled her eyes without the slightest hesitation.

He called a server over to take their order. Before long, all the dishes had arrived, and the two began chatting as they ate.

"So, Kyoko, do you crave power?"

"Crave power? Why would I crave power?"

"..."

Looking at his bewildered subordinate, Josen found himself at a loss for words.

By now, Kyoko had relaxed quite a bit. She eyed Josen suspiciously. "Chief, did you ask me out specifically because you have something to tell me? Stop beating around the bush and just say it."

"Then I'll get straight to the point." Josen nodded and stopped dancing around the subject. "Kyoko, you know I have psychic powers, right?"

"Of course. Z City's rising star, the unbeatable Super Police Josen. Of course I know." Kyoko nodded, a hint of anticipation creeping into her eyes. "But I've only seen those censored videos on the news. I've never actually seen you in action in person, Chief!"