Chapter 051 - Dependencies

Saitama looks at me with confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asks.

I let out a frustrated groan. How can he not understand?

"Every time you show up, I become dependent on your strength instead of building my own! I hate it! I hate that I can't defeat this monster on my own!" My voice rises with each word until I'm practically screaming at him.

Saitama takes a step forward and places a hand on my shoulder. "Fubuki, getting stronger doesn't mean isolating yourself from others," he says. "We all have our own strengths and weaknesses."

I shake off his hand angrily. I know he is only repeating it from some anime, probably from King.

"I don't need your advice! Just leave me alone," I snap, before turning away from him to face the monster again.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Saitama asks, frustration creeping into his voice now, too.

I ignore him and activate my psychic ability again, determined to defeat this monster no matter what.

"I'm not stubborn. I just refuse to rely on your strength!" I retort, my hands trembling as I keep my ability active.

"You think getting stronger means doing everything on your own?"

"Yes! That's exactly what it means!" I shout back, refusing to back down.

"Oh, okay," he says. "I will still help, though."

I charge towards the monster again. It swings its claw at me, but this time, I'm ready. If I can't use my arms, then I will use my abilities. And in quick activation of psychic energy, I deflect the blow and counter with a strike of my own.

"You can't beat me," the monster growls.

But this time, something is different. Instead of feeling powerless and helpless like before, I feel... empowered. It feels as if his presence is giving me hope, just like how a hero should be.

The fight seems endless, but eventually, with one final push, the monster falls defeated.

I did not kill it though, in fear that it will regenerate and become stronger. I need to call the Hero Association to imprison it somewhere.

"Are you okay?" Saitama asks.

I nod, but before I can say anything, I collapse to the ground in exhaustion.

"Hey, Fubuki? Fubuki?"

I lay on the ground, panting heavily as the adrenaline from the fight slowly fades away.

"Shut up. I hate hearing your voice."

"Looks like you're not fine," he remarks.

"I'm just too tired," I whisper, looking back at him.

He grins, the first time I really see that expression on his face. "Okay, we should get you home then," he says.

I shake my head stubbornly. "I can't go home yet."

"Why? The monster is still alive, but it will die soon."

"I need to call the Hero Association and have them take this monster away before it regenerates."

Saitama looks at the unconscious monster lying in front of us. "Why don't we just kill it?" he suggests.

My eyes widen in shock. "No! Because if we kill it, it will only regenerate and become stronger!" I protest.

"Stronger?"

"Yes, probably, dragon level or more."

"That might actually be a good thing!" Saitama says with a hint of excitement in his voice.

I give him an incredulous look. "You can't use that monster as your personal training dummy!"

Saitama shrugs nonchalantly. "Okay fine, wait, let me just message Genos."

He pulls out his phone and starts sending a message while I try to catch my breath.

Suddenly, he places his hands on my back and behind my knees, then he lifts me.

"I can walk on my own," I protest, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

Saitama just shakes his head and continues moving towards City Z.

"You just said it yourself. You are too tired."

I huff in annoyance but don't argue any further. As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. My body feels heavy and I can barely lift a finger, let alone walk.

*******************

When we arrive at the apartment, Saitama sets me down. I lean against the wall and groan. I need to take care of my injuries.

Saitama disappears into the kitchen before returning with a first aid kit and some water.

"Let me take care of those wounds," he says, gesturing towards my injuries.

"Do you know how?"

"Ugh, you can just instruct me."

"Just hand that over," I say. I should have gone directly to the hospital. I will be well taken care of there.

And so, I reluctantly lift up my shirt to reveal deep scratches on my stomach and arms from the monster's sharp claws. Saitama cleans them with antiseptic and bandages them up based on my instructions.

"At least you can follow instructions."

"I've had a little practice."

"From nursing people?"

"No, from taking care of my own injuries when I was starting as a hero."

As he finishes up with my wounds, I can't help but admire his muscular arms and hands that are surprisingly gentle as they tend to me. Suddenly realizing that I'm staring, I quickly look away and feel heat rise to my cheeks.

"Thanks for your help," I mumble awkwardly, trying to distract myself by admiring my newly bandaged wounds.

The door abruptly swings open, and Genos enters with an old woman behind him.

"Master Saitama, are you injured?" Genos asks. "I've brought a doctor, as you instructed."

"Thanks Genos, but it is Fubuki who got injured."

Genos clicks his tongue as if it is a hassle to bring a doctor, just for my sake.

"How was the monster?" I ask when the old woman starts inspecting my recently bandaged wounds.

"It is classified as a demon level threat, but it will soon become dragon level if left alone. It requires immediate confinement."

"If you will only allow me to fight it..." Saitama begins.

"No, Saitama-sensei. You will destroy our planet," Genos cuts him off.

"I will stop if it comes to that!" Saitama argues back.

"No, you should find another planet first to do that!" Genos retorts. "And if it's become stronger than a dragon level, then we won't know how to confine it anymore."

The two continue to bicker and, despite myself, I find myself laughing at them — which somehow makes them stop.