Thump, thump—
Tatsumaki kept dropping sugar cubes into her coffee.
Fubuki sat directly opposite her.
Her eyes darted around as she continuously stirred the coffee in front of her.
To the side of the two sisters.
Aokiji leaned back comfortably in his chair, eating pastries one after another, and said to the nearby waiter:
"The cream puffs are good, bring two more servings. And a few more of this bread... You want an autograph?"
"Alright... I didn't bring a notebook, so sign on your clothes?"
"That's fine... but this spot on you is a bit prominent, it's hard for me to sign."
Tatsumaki glared at him fiercely, full of oppressive presence.
She also scared away the coquettish waitress.
Tatsumaki said irritably:
"You dragged us here, why are you the only one eating?"
"Chew, chew..." Aokiji kept chewing, and at the same time said, "Because your two issues are very easy to solve."
"I find it strange, one of you is a sis-con, and the other is even more sis-con, yet you manage to have such a strained relationship. That takes some talent."
Tatsumaki and Fubuki both took a sip of coffee uncomfortably.
They genuinely cared about each other, but hearing it stated so directly made them feel a little shy.
"I'm an outsider, so it's not appropriate for me to dictate your sisterly relationship. I'll just share my views from an observer's perspective. How you decide is up to you."
"First, Fubuki."
Aokiji leaned lazily against the back of the chair,
Slowly stating his opinion:
"Your talent is actually pretty good, but it's not enough when facing an overly strong older sister. You've been overprotected since childhood and are unwilling to accept it. You hope your sister acknowledges your efforts and choices, and at the same time, you want to break free from being merely a 'protected person' and be able to protect your sister..."
Fubuki's beautiful emerald eyes trembled, staring at Aokiji in surprise.
She herself was somewhat confused about her inner thoughts.
Yet, he could accurately summarize them?
Tatsumaki, uncharacteristically, listened quietly.
When she heard 'protect your sister,' the corner of her mouth subtly curved upwards.
"Next is you, Tatsumaki." Aokiji took a sip of coffee.
"Your talent is too high, your strength too great. You're used to handling everything by yourself and don't trust or expect anything from those around you, even your own sister. You believe your sister only needs to stay under your protection, and that being a hero is both dangerous and won't yield any results..."
Tatsumaki wore a matter-of-fact expression.
She didn't think there was any problem at all.
"These are roughly your thoughts and demands, right?" Aokiji concluded.
Fubuki finally spoke: "...More or less."
Tatsumaki crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair: "Are you done talking? What then?"
"Then? You negotiate amongst yourselves."
"Huh?? You blabbered on and on, and in the end, you want us to negotiate ourselves? What does that mean?!"
Tatsumaki slammed the table in displeasure, questioning him.
Aokiji maintained his posture, tapping his fingers on the table and saying:
"As I said, I'm an outsider. It's not appropriate or helpful for me to make demands regarding your family matters. I'm just saying what you're too embarrassed to say yourselves."
"Your thoughts and demands are all based on your own perspectives, and none of them are completely reasonable."
"To get along harmoniously, there must be mutual compromise."
"Negotiation, no matter what level, is the art of compromise."
"Just like me, didn't I also compromise?"
Aokiji pointed to himself.
Then pointed at Tatsumaki.
"To get you to stop bothering me, I had to spend time bringing you to Fubuki, didn't I?"
"Heh—" Tatsumaki scoffed disdainfully, "I don't feel any compromise from you, only constant provocation!"
"That's a different matter."
Aokiji threw the freshly served cream puff into his mouth.
He turned to Fubuki and said:
"I'm right, aren't I? Your demands seem more reasonable than Tatsumaki's, but considering the objective factor of combat power, they can't be fully achieved either."
Fubuki rubbed her fingers on her coffee cup.
After a long period of thought, she said with a hint of helplessness: "Aokiji is right... Sister, let's talk properly."
She sounded a little nervous.
In Fubuki's usual impression,
her sister was never the type to have a proper conversation with anyone.
But Tatsumaki's behavior today was truly unexpected, so she mustered her courage to speak.
Fubuki's anxious yet hopeful gaze made Tatsumaki feel a little dazed.
She and Fubuki, when did they start to stop talking to each other?
Instead, they chose to confront each other with silence, stubbornly clinging to their own ideas.
Until today, when a turning point arrived.
Tatsumaki glanced at Aokiji next to her, who was eating three cream puffs at once.
It was actually this guy who brought about the change... "Since it's Fubuki and I negotiating, you have nothing to do with it, right?" Tatsumaki dismissed him ungratefully, waving her hand in disdain.
"Go, go, big dog, go find somewhere else to play."
Shrugging, Aokiji didn't mind:
"You two chat slowly, just don't bother me again."
Then he stood up, went to the counter, packed another serving of cream puffs, and left.
The cream puffs here are really delicious (chew~ chew~)
Not long after, the waitress walked to Tatsumaki's table: "Hello, that gentleman said you would be paying the bill."
Crack—
A crack appeared in the cup.
Tatsumaki looked at the bill with a dark expression.
Snap—
The coffee cup completely shattered.
How many pastries did that guy eat?!
Fubuki and I didn't even have a bite!!
For Tatsumaki, paying the same bill a hundred more times was nothing.
But it was just so annoying!!!
————
The wind was calm, with no Monsters appearing.
Aokiji walked down the street, holding a large bag of cream puffs, feeling a bit regretful.
He had just thought of a way that might advance the progress bar, but there were no Materials.
The news broadcast on the commercial big screen in the plaza,
was still about the meteor Tatsumaki had brought down earlier.
"…What secret does this meteor hold, which suddenly changed its trajectory, entered the atmosphere, and then mysteriously left immediately?"
The host used her words to create a mysterious atmosphere.
Then she raised her hand towards her side.
"Please welcome the famous Astrophysicist to answer our questions!"
The screen image changed.
A hunched, balding old man cleared his throat and said solemnly:
"I don't know!"
"…"
"If you don't know, why are you on the show?!" a passerby on the street complained.
Other passersby who were also watching began to discuss.
"I saw it too earlier, the meteor was right above our city, it looked so scary!"
"Could it be a Monster attack?"
"How could there be such a strong Monster? Besides, don't we have heroes!"
"Exactly, especially that hero named Aokiji, he's incredibly strong! Have you seen that video online where the ocean was frozen? He did it!"
"I really want to see it with my own eyes. If I could shake his hand, I wouldn't wash for a month!"
"Heh, that's amateur hour. I haven't showered in two months."
"You met him??"
"No, I just don't want to shower. If I could meet him, I'd definitely pounce on him for a passionate hug!"
Aokiji silently walked into a nearby supermarket and bought a hat to wear.
No wonder those idols aren't keen on fan meetings.
"What boring news!" The boy carrying a baseball bat said impatiently.
"It's making me late to pick up my sister from school, damn it!"
Metal Bat was about to run towards his sister's school,
when he saw Aokiji walking out of the supermarket.
"Why are you here, Aoki..."
"Shhh—"
Aokiji instantly moved in front of him, covering Metal Bat's mouth.
He didn't want such an enthusiastic hug.
...
(Throw some stones)