Granted, earlier she had held back somewhat because Fubuki was pinned under him, but that compressed telekinesis was not something just anyone could shrug off. Rei Ao not only shrugged it offhe acted like he didn't even feel it.
She couldn't help wondering who or what he really was. She'd never heard of any hero like him in the Association, let alone among the S-Class.
Seeing her sister at a loss, Fubuki couldn't help but smile. She forced herself to stand, stumbling toward the bathroom:
"Before long, I'll surpass you, Sis."
"Huh?"
Tatsumaki blinked, about to ask more. But Fubuki had already gone inside, and soon enough, Tatsumaki could see from the light that two silhouettes were merging again.
"???"
Tatsumaki endured the most agonizing period of her life, waiting until she saw Rei Ao and Fubuki sitting calmly in front of her once more. Her face went red, then pale, then red again. Finally, she demanded:
"So your name's Rei Ao, right? Who are you exactly, and what trick did you pull to fool Fubuki?"
She used a challenging tone, but Rei Ao remained utterly calm.
"You're Tatsumaki, Fubuki's big sister. Why assume I tricked her? Didn't she say plainly that I'm her man? Don't you trust your own sister's words?"
Fubuki wasn't surprised that Rei Ao heard what she told her sister, but that last sentence made her expression dim slightly.
"I'm not distrustful of her!"
Tatsumaki protested at once.
"Sis, you're not distrustful of me,"
Fubuki replied with a bitter smile.
"It's just you see me as too weak. You want to decide everything for me, so I won't get hurt."
"I'm just trying to protect you!"
Tatsumaki shouted, upset. It pained her to hear Fubuki's accusations.
"Why can't you understand my good intentions?"
"Then have you tried understanding my feelings, Sis?!"
Fubuki's own emotions flared. Sensing the tension rising, Tatsumaki clenched her teeth, then abruptly turned her head away.
"Hmph, who cares about you. So annoying!"
She spun around, prepared to leave, but Rei Ao stepped in her way.
"So, do you two just storm off every time you fight before even having a proper argument?"
""
They both stared at him, puzzled. In truth, that was exactly their pattern every time.
"Any problem with that? We're sistersthis is between us. Let me go!"
Tatsumaki bristled, but Rei Ao shook his head and sighed:
"No matter the conflict, you've gotta get it all out in the open. Skipping the argument entirely doesn't solve anything."
"Let me help."
He grinned slyly, having thought up a rather underhanded idea.
~~~
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Chapter 596: Tsukuyomi, Misunderstanding, and Finally the Trade... (Bonus Chapter)
In the Living Room
""
Tatsumaki and Fubuki faced each other without a word, the silence rife with awkward tension.
Meanwhile, Rei Ao sat off to the side, cracking seeds and observing them with great interest.
"Hey! Let us go already, you bastard Rei Ao!!!"
Tatsumaki might be staring straight at Fubuki, but she was yelling at Rei Aobecause right now, both she and Fubuki were completely immobilized.
All they could do was remain face-to-face, forced to look at each other. This was Rei Ao's doing. They had tried to break free, but it was impossible.
"Stop shouting. Can't you see I'm helping you two?"
Rei Ao waved a hand dismissively.
"Hurry and talk it out while you have the chance. I'm here tosnackI mean, help."
"???"
Tatsumaki ground her teeth. He's obviously just enjoying the show, she thought bitterly. She was plotting ways to escape his hold when Fubuki suddenly spoke up.
She asked:
"Sister, can you tell me why you've always looked down on me so much? Why are you so opposed to me getting stronger?"
""
"You know," Fubuki continued, "I hate the way you belittle meyour condescending attitude and your dismissive looks."
She couldn't hold back anymore; the words came pouring out like water through a broken dam.
"We share the same psychic powers, right? Then how come you can bask in the limelight while I'm always branded the 'little sister of the S-Class hero Terrible Tornado'? Am I only ever going to be your accessory?"
Fubuki shot Tatsumaki with a pained, accusing look.
""
Tatsumaki froze at Fubuki's outburst, stunned by her little sister's raw, honest feelings.
"So you created the Blizzard Group"
Tatsumaki's voice came out hoarse.
"That's right," Fubuki said passionately. "I formed the Blizzard Group because I wanted to climb higherso that you'd finally acknowledge me and stop looking down on me!"
""
For a moment, Tatsumaki didn't know how to express her feelings. Finally, she just said quietly:
"Fubukiyou misunderstood me."
"Misunderstood? Misunderstood what, exactly?"
Fubuki let out a bitter laugh.
"Ha. Weren't you just disregarding and distrusting everything I said not too long ago? Tell me why I should believe this is some misunderstanding."
""
Tatsumaki bit her lip and lowered her head. It was the first time she realized that her attempts to protect her sister had become Fubuki's nightmare. Still, she never intended it that way.
Seeing Tatsumaki all clammed up, Rei Ao decided to speak for her:
"I suspect your sister is just trying to protect you."
"Protect me?"
Fubuki repeated in a puzzled tone. That's what she calls this behavior?
"Your sister has experiences you don't know about, right, Tatsumaki-san?"
Rei Ao asked with a sly grin.
"!!!"
Tatsumaki's body stiffened, trembling at his smile.
"How do you know about that?! Don't tell me you're from Tsukuyomi?!"
"No need to panic. I know what I know, but I'm not part of the Tsukuyomi group," Rei Ao soothed.
"Hm?"
Even Fubuki noticed her sister's reaction: the mix of fear and anger when she mentioned "Tsukuyomi." It was jarring to see her incredibly powerful sister so shaken. Could there really be events in Tatsumaki's past that Fubuki knew nothing about?
"Sister, what's Tsukuyomi? Don't hide it from me. Pleasetell me everything! At least let me understand how you truly feel!"
""
Once convinced Rei Ao wasn't from Tsukuyomi, Tatsumaki's agitation subsided, and she became subdued. After a brief pause, she began to talk:
"Tsukuyomi is an organization that researches people with psychic abilities. When I was little, they captured me. In that placeI was subjected to gruesome, inhuman experiments at the hands of a group of female researchers."
Remembering it all made her tremble. Her fingernails dug into her palms, drawing blood as hatred welled up.
"Back then, I honestly thought death would be better"
"This"
Fubuki gaped. She'd never imagined her indomitable sister could have endured something so horrificor that Tatsumaki had, in childhood, been treated like a lab rat for psychic research.
"Sis"
Tatsumaki's face looked bleak as she continued:
"That was when I realized human connections were worthless. I stopped trusting people.
Using psychic power is dangerousI dreaded the day Tsukuyomi might set its sights on you. So long as I can't locate them and wipe them out, I can't relax."
Tatsumaki would never allow her sister to suffer the same soul-crushing experiments she had.
"Sister"
Tears glimmered at the corners of Fubuki's eyes. She finally understood Tatsumaki's real intentions. Twisted though her methods might be, she could forgive it all.
"Why didn't you just tell me"
"I didn't want to"
Tatsumaki turned her face away, realizing only then that she could move again. Rei Ao must have loosened his hold. But before she could react, Fubuki lunged forward, hugging her tight.
"Wahhh!"
Rei Ao chose that moment to clap his hands, effectively interrupting what should have been a heartfelt, emotional scene.
"See? Talking things out is the best way to settle conflicts between you two, right?"
He grinned, as though expecting credit for his grand mediation.
"Hmph! We could've resolved it on our own without you around!"
Tatsumaki huffed, tilting her chin defiantly. Still, Fubuki wiped her tears and gave Rei Ao a grateful look:
"If it weren't for you, I might have spent my whole life misunderstanding my sister."
""
Tatsumaki felt a bit humiliated, but she couldn't deny it was true. Without this bizarre "accident," both sisters, hindered by their own pride and unspoken concerns, might never have genuinely opened their hearts to each other.
"Don't expect a thank you from me!"
Tatsumaki snapped, still playing tough.
Rei Ao merely chuckled.
"No problemsince, before long, you'll be crying because of me. Anyway, Fubuki, let's finish up our last bit of business. Time for you to accept that power andbeat your sister Tatsumaki until she's in tears."
~~~
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Chapter 597: Battle of Sisters! Mikoto Misaka's Despair...
On a Vast Wasteland
"Fubuki, you're sure you want to challenge me?"
Tatsumaki hovered in midair, looking down at her younger sister. Hearing that Fubuki wanted a fight left her annoyed.
After all, she was an S-Class hero, while Fubuki was just B-Classthe gap was obvious to anyone. Why was her sister provoking her despite knowing their difference in power? Was it all because of some offhand remark from that man over there?
Who's the real close one here?!
Tatsumaki was on the verge of losing it.
She shot a fierce glare at Rei Ao, who stood off in the distance. He merely waved at her calmlyand, meanwhile, began broadcasting live.
[Ding! Rei Ao (Group Admin) has started a live stream!]
Frieren: "Oh, is this the aftermath, or is it just getting started?"
Yatogami Tohka: "Started what?"
Frieren: "Well 'the act of making love,' obviously."
Ai Hayasaka: ""
Rei Ao: "It's over now."
Frieren: "Over, huh? Then why stream?"
Sakurajima Mai: "Who said a stream always has to be that sort of content, you lewd-minded elf?"
Sui: "I think I see Fubuki. That woman facing herwho is she?"
Bibi Dong: "Looks tensemaybe an enemy?"
Akame: "A monster?"
Yomogawa Ayame: "Fubuki's world does have monsters."
Akame: "But that woman's clearly human. Monsters are usually weird-looking."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Doesn't rule out the possibility of a human-form monster."
Rei Ao: "What Shinoa said is correctsome monsters look human. But that woman's Fubuki's older sister, Tatsumaki, the #2 S-Class hero in their world."
Mikoto Misaka: "Older sister? Seriously? Fubuki looks way more mature than that 'Tatsumaki.' Kinda flipped."
Saeko Busujima: "Just goes to show you can't judge by appearance."
Megumi Kato: "Wait, if they're sisters, why are they glaring at each other?"
Erica: "Exactlythey look like they have some deep grudge."
Stella: "Huh? Didn't you notice Fubuki's trade details? She wanted greater power to surpass her sister."
Stella: "Rei Ao and she 'finished,' right? That means he gave her power!"
Kasuga Hijiri: "Ohhh, I get it. Now Fubuki's trying to defeat her sister."
Miyuki Shiba: "But why is she so set on surpassing her sister?"
Rei Ao: "Simple. Tatsumaki is extremely gifted, and Fubuki feels stuck in her shadow, wanting to prove her own worth."
Rei Ao: "I'm guessing someone here can relate @Yukinoshita Yukino, am I right?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: ""
Miko Yotsuya: "Hmm, if that's the case, it must be a lot of pressure."
Mabel: "Oh, yes! Now we get a show! Popcorn and soda at the ready!"
Tohru: "Is she okay?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Don't mind her. Mabel's always beenlike that."
"Big Sis, I said I'm challenging you!"
Fubuki stared up at Tatsumaki. Taking a deep breath, she used her psychic power to wrap her body, lifting herself into the air until she was at eye level with her sister.
"Hm?"
Tatsumaki was surprised. Up until recently, her sister's psychic skill wasn't strong enough for flight.
"You got stronger?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Fubuki smiled faintly. She felt a newfound clarity and unprecedented psychic strengthall thanks to Rei Ao.
"Hmph. If you insist, I'll show you what real power is."
Even though they had aired some grievances, Tatsumaki was still firm on her role of protecting Fubuki. This time, she'd demonstrate the enormous gap between them. She casually unleashed a wave of telekinesis at Fubuki, assuming it would be more than enough to take Fubuki down.
But
"?"
Tatsumaki blinked. Despite her telekinetic hit, Fubuki barely budged.
"What the?"
"Ah."
Fubuki's lips curved into a smile.
"Big Sis, underestimating me comes with consequences."
She raised her hand and, in a seemingly calm space, whipped up a fierce whirlwinda spiraling tornado aiming straight for Tatsumaki.
"!!!"
Tatsumaki's eyes narrowed. Impossible. How did Fubuki's power get this strong? She ramped up her psychic output to neutralize the gale.
"Fubukiwhat did you do?!"
"I told you, don't underestimate me!"
The psychic battle began in earnestvery intense. The ground shook repeatedly.
Mikoto Misaka: "Whoa, they're seriously going at it! Rei Ao, why aren't you stopping them?"
Rei Ao: "Why should I? They need to fight it out to vent their feelings. And don't worry, they know their limits."
Mikoto Misaka: "You call that 'knowing their limits'?!"
Ai Hayasaka: "Are theyreally human?"
Rei Ao: "Psychics are still humans, you know. If psychics aren't human, Misaka, half your classmates in Academy City aren't human either."
Mikoto Misaka: "Who are you calling a non-human?!"
Rei Ao: "Heh."
Frieren: "By the way, Misaka, weren't you dealing with your clones? How's that going?"
Mikoto Misaka: ""
At the mention of that, Misaka's spirits sank. She'd already destroyed several labs, but the deeper she dug, the more stifled, oppressed, anddesperate she felt. She was far from stopping the experiments. The chat group was a small haven for her to escape reality; she didn't want her negativity to spill over and trouble everyone.
Frieren: "Eh? Why'd she go silent? Did I say something wrong?"
Yuzuriha Inori: "Possibly."
Mikoto Misaka: "No, it's not your faultit's my own issue."
Rei Ao: "Feeling down because you realized you can't handle it alone, hmm?"
Mikoto Misaka: ""
