Kaito then turned to Fubuki, feigning a first meeting.
"You must be Tatsumaki's younger sister—Hellish Fubuki, the top-ranked B-Class Hero, right? I've heard much about you."
Fubuki's expression instantly shifted into something complicated.
She hadn't expected to run into King, the S-Class Rank 7 Hero, here—let alone that the legendary "Strongest Man on Earth" would be so... approachable.
"You… Hello, Mr. King."
Fubuki tried to maintain her composure, but the slight tremble in her voice betrayed her nerves.
"I didn't expect to meet you here."
Saitama, stuffing a pastry into his mouth, mumbled through the crumbs,
"You two know each other? That's great. Now that King's here, why don't you tell him about your 'Fubuki Group' invitation too?"
Fubuki's face turned pale.
Invite King to join her organization?
That was like asking a tiger to join a housecat club!
Kaito glanced at her expression, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips.
This visit was turning out far more entertaining than he had expected.
"Saitama, how was the game console I gave you the other day?"
Sensing Fubuki was still too intimidated by his identity to talk casually, Kaito turned his attention back to Saitama and naturally seated himself across from him at the coffee table.
Saitama perked up instantly. He tossed aside his manga and beamed.
"It's awesome! I've been practicing like crazy every night. My fighting skills are on fire now!"
He pumped his fist, eyes gleaming.
"My Ryu can unleash three Hadoukens in a row!"
Kaito chuckled lightly and reached into the inner pocket of his trench coat, pulling out another game console.
"How about a match, then?"
"Alright!" Saitama leapt to his feet and scrambled at the TV cabinet.
"Wait, lemme find the console…"
Fubuki sat quietly to the side, her emerald eyes swirling with confusion.
She watched the effortless interaction between the two men, her mind in turmoil.
Why… why is S-Class King chatting so casually with a B-Class loser like Saitama?
And from how familiar they seem… they're already friends?
Even more baffling—King didn't show a shred of superiority.
He treated Saitama like… an equal?
Soon, Kaito and Saitama finished their match.
As expected, Saitama lost. Badly.
"Ahhh! How could this happen!"
Saitama clutched his head in frustration.
"I clearly landed three Hadoukens in a row!"
Kaito burst out laughing, his fingers dancing over the controller.
"Another round?"
"Bring it on! I'm not afraid of you!"
Saitama seized the controller, eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Fubuki looked on, lips tightening.
Her slender fingers twisted the hem of her skirt, something stirring inside her—
Envy.
I want to join too…
She stole a glance at King—at Kaito—his full attention locked on the screen.
His face, with those three striking scars, didn't lose an ounce of charm; if anything, it lent him a dangerous allure.
And his hands—those long, slender fingers moving with such precision on the controller—reminded her of a pianist performing a fiery concerto.
Eventually, after losing thirty straight games, Saitama collapsed onto the floor, soul practically floating out of his mouth.
"Why… why can't I win…"
Just then, he noticed Fubuki still sitting nearby and called out in annoyance.
"Hey! How long are you gonna stay?"
Fubuki, sipping her green tea, lifted her chin haughtily.
"None of your business."
Saitama glared at her, ready to snap back, but Kaito cut in just in time, steering the conversation elsewhere.
"Saitama, are you going to the Hero Gala next week? The one organized by the Association?"
"Gala?!"
Saitama shot upright, eyes wide.
"There's a Gala?! Since when?!"
Kaito thought silently: Sure enough…
Once again, the Association had "forgotten" to notify this bald demon king.
Fubuki let out a faint snort, adjusting her skirt with elegant fingers.
"The Hero Gala only invites A-Class and S-Class Heroes. Each S-Class Hero is allowed one guest."
She paused deliberately, shooting Saitama a sidelong glance, her red lips curling into a mocking smile.
"A B-Class nobody like you, naturally, isn't on the guest list~"
She even covered her mouth daintily, letting out a string of bell-like giggles.
Saitama immediately fired back, "You say that like you're not in B-Class! Were you invited too?!"
Fubuki's smile froze on her face.
Indeed—while she was the top-ranked B-Class Hero, she still hadn't received an invitation.
A visible flush crept up her cheeks, coloring even the tips of her ears.
Saitama turned casually to Genos.
"Hey, Genos. Did you get an invitation?"
The blond cyborg immediately straightened his posture.
"Yes, Teacher. But I consider such social events meaningless, so I had no plans to attend."
"Don't!"
Saitama grabbed Genos by the shoulder, eyes wide.
"You have to go! And you have to take me with you!"
Then, he turned back to the now crestfallen Fubuki with a smug grin.
"So now it seems… there's only one person in this room who isn't qualified to attend the gala~"
Fubuki wilted.
It was as if a dark cloud had formed above her head.
No—being a psychic, there really was a tiny rain cloud hovering there.
And it started to drizzle.
Kaito spoke up at just the right moment, his voice calm and composed.
"I happen to have a plus-one invitation, and I hadn't decided who to bring yet."
He looked toward Fubuki, his voice low and magnetic.
"If Miss Fubuki is interested, I'd be happy to take you along."
"R-Really? Lord King?!"
The gloomy cloud above her instantly vanished with a gentle poof.
Fubuki lit up like the sun, clasping Kaito's hand excitedly—completely oblivious to how the sudden movement pressed her ample chest into a revealing cleavage.
Kaito smiled faintly, feeling the soft warmth of her touch.
"If you don't mind, I'll come pick you up that day, and we'll go together."
"How could I trouble Lord King!"
Fubuki shook her head vigorously, her silky dark hair swaying with the motion.
"At that time—no, I'll come to your house a day in advance! That way we can go together."
Her inner abacus was already rattling furiously.
If I arrive early, not only can I lock in the invite before anyone else tries anything, I might also get the chance to grow closer to this mysterious S-Class Hero…
Maybe even see my sister—Tatsumaki.
Tatsumaki was always ridiculously overprotective of her, but Fubuki rarely got to see her sister face to face.
The thought alone made her heart beat a little faster.
She snuck a glance at Kaito's perfectly chiseled side profile—then suddenly realized her hand was still clutching his.
She let go as if electrocuted, a bright blush blooming across her face.
"Then it's settled," Kaito said smoothly, withdrawing his hand as though he hadn't noticed her embarrassment at all.
He turned to Saitama.
"You and Genos should come too. I'm sure there'll be plenty of good food at the gala."
Saitama perked up instantly.
"It's a deal!"
Fubuki watched the three of them—Kaito, Saitama, and Genos—laughing and casually chatting.
A strange emotion stirred in her chest.
For the first time… she felt like she might have been accepted into this strange little circle.
The thought filled her heart with a quiet warmth.
And without even realizing it, the corners of her lips lifted into a genuine smile.
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