Chapter Text
🌊Chapter 5 — The Swell of the Arenas
Y-City had changed its look for the tournament.
Colorful banners hung from buildings, giant screens blared the faces of favorite fighters. The crowd vibrated like a human tide, dense, buzzing, ready to engulf anything that entered the ring.
She, her dark blue hair gathered in a high bun, advanced between Atomic Samurai and Genos. Civilians instinctively moved away from them, half-feared, half-fascinated.
"This circus is ridiculous," grumbled Genos. "Glory has nothing to do with strength."
"Civilians need them," she replied calmly. "Heroes are their spectacle... and their hope."
Atomic Samurai gave a brief glance, sketched a thin smile.
— You understand better than many here.
The arena's stands were finally revealed. An immense circle of stone and steel, the stands packed, the ground marked with the scars of past battles. The air already vibrated with shouts and thunderous music.
She felt her inner ocean beat in rhythm with the crowd. No fear. Not yet. More like a thrill of anticipation.
A bump of shoulders made her stagger slightly.
— Oh, pardon, mademoiselle !
She turned around. In front of her stood a bald man in a beige tracksuit, with a neutral face and half-asleep eyes.
- You are… ?
— Ah, me? “Charanko,” he said with disarming seriousness.
Genos's eyes widened.
- Master…
Saitama raised an eyebrow.
— Shh. We shouldn't say it too loud, should we?
She blinked, amused despite herself.
— So you are a fighter…
— Yeah, well… I'm participating for… uh… free noodles.
She laughed softly. The seriousness of the arena had just cracked due to an absurdity, and it felt good.
A murmur rose in the stands. The giant screen had just displayed the face of one of the favorites.
Shiny black hair, sculpted torso, dazzling smile. Suiryu.
He greeted the crowd with a nonchalant gesture, his dark eyes sweeping over the assembly.
When they met hers, she felt a shiver run down her spine. Not fear. Not hostility. Something else. As if the sea itself were holding its breath.
Suiryu held his gaze longer than was appropriate. A slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Him," Atomic Samurai whispered in his ear. "He's your first potential opponent."
She did not answer. The water within her had begun to dance, impatient.
👉 To be continued...