While trying to make sense of the falling dominoes of events, Fubuki reconsidered and concluded that she must recruit Caspian into the Blizzard Group, given his vast network of connections.
She even resolved to overlook his earlier remarks and actions. 'Anything for the Blizzard Group!' she chanted in her head. However, she had trouble overlooking those three women and their relationship with him… she couldn't recall the last time she dwelled on the notion of romantic relationships, but Mosquito Girl's preposterous comments had forced her to drudge up those long buried thoughts.
Even without Mosquito Girl, Yuta, and Suiko, today had already been one whiplash after the other. With no end in sight either as the ground quaked right before a fight erupted between Sonic and the two A-Class heroes.
Fubuki pushed herself up from the sidewalk and peered through the gap between Caspian and Genos. A group of monsters is attacking?
Her eyes drifted upward, past the giant six-eyed cat-like monster's face, where three other peculiar monsters stood atop it.
"Grizzly Nyah… how did you tame her, Boros?" Caspian asked.
"I did not tame her. She joined willingly!"
Caspian's muttering followed. "Yeah, that makes sense…"
"Y-You know these monsters?" Fubuki asked as her head snapped toward him.
Caspian ignored her, causing a faint annoyance to rise in her heart.
"I see you recognize Grizzly Nyah, our group's latest addition." Boros leapt down from Nyah, his landing fracturing the pavement.
Group!? The faint annoyance within her evaporated faster than it had come. This monster couldn't actually be planning to steal her latest recruit right from under her, could it?
A bout of movement caught her eye from the left. Sweet Mask had raised his arm, halting Blue Fire, who had shifted his focus to attack the newcomers.
Blue Fire cried out, "Why are you stopping me? These monsters match the reports! They've been traveling city to city, causing mass panic as they parade around like humans." He pointed upward. "Not only that, but that seaweed one matches the description Golden Ball and Spring Mustachio gave after this monster beat them silly when they came to investigate this very neighborhood."
Sweet Mask remained silent, his focus locked on the monsters ahead.
Fubuki turned her attention back just as she caught a slight motion atop a light pole. Sonic flickered away, disappearing from the area.
I couldn't track his movements. Why do all these powerful individuals gather around Caspian?
"Is he a hero? His speed shows promise," said Boros, motioning downward. Grizzly Nyah obeyed as she lied down on her stomach, allowing the strange pink monster with blue spots and the kelp creature to jump down, landing on either side of Boros.
"No, Sonic isn't a hero, but he's a great guy," Caspian said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you survived Kombu Infinity. How did you escape her hold when she razed that portion of the neighborhood?"
Who is this 'her?' Is she the petite one with curly hair mentioned before?
Genos jolted. "Master, you cannot be serious! That ninja is an unhinged stalker!"
His words fell on deaf ears, as only Fubuki herself spared him a glance.
"M-My luck has been quite good," Kombu Infinity said, shuffling behind Boros.
Boros stepped aside, revealing Kombu Infinity. "What are you hiding from? This is the man I have been telling you about, the other member of our New Dark Matter Thieves."
"No!"
Fubuki shouted without thinking, drawing the gaze of everyone present. The pressure of their attention caught her off guard, but she wouldn't back down. Instinctively, she looped her arm around Caspian's and squished her chest against him.
Though a second later, she startled when Caspian's arm gyrated against her breast, skimming the edge of her nipple through the fabric.
Heat rushed to Fubuki's face as she cursed her over sensitive breasts for sending shivers of warmth through her body.
"H-He's already a member of my Blizzard Group!"
"What are you stuttering for?" Caspian turned his head enough for her to notice the slight upward curve of his lip. "Is something the matter?"
"Silence!" Fubuki snapped, her eyes darting around, worried others might notice what was happening between her and Caspian. Thankfully, everyone else's attention remained fixed on the yawning Grizzly Nyah.
Her gaze dropped, and she froze when she noticed his arm seemed motionless — yet she could very much tell it wasn't.
"Is what the human female says true Caspian?" asked Boros.
"I haven't agreed to join any group yet."
"There is no need to deny it." Boros' expression shifted to one of understanding. "I was foolish. Now, I see from her actions that she is one of your mates, someone you progenerate with. I understand why you would not want to go against her."
Caspian nodded. "Thank you for understanding."
Fubuki clenched her teeth so hard she feared they might shatter. Not only had this Boros character infuriated her with his absurd assumption, but Caspian had agreed, out loud, in front of all these heroes! How could she face them now without her face burning scarlet? It took every ounce of her willpower not to unleash her full strength and destroy the duo for this wrongdoing.
"Master, who are these creatures?"
"What? How haven't you met them yet? They live right next door!" exclaimed Caspian.
Genos frowned. "I am away training most days."
A moan threatened to escape Fubuki's throat. Caspian watched the others while his arm worked — each deliberate rotation stoking flames of pleasure she wished would never end.
"Everyone…" Sweet Mask, who had remained silent for quite some time, cleared his throat and stepped forward. "We all need to find a place to sit down and have a conversation."
Hearing such a thing allowed her to simmer down just enough to contemplate. Sweet Mask wants to have a conversation with monsters? That goes against everything my Blizzard Group has uncovered about him. C-Caspian!
Fubuki's teeth sank into her bottom lip as Caspian's gyrating motions hastened — unnoticed by others. She stiffened her knees, refusing to let her body betray her. Showing weakness was intolerable, least of all to him. She also needed to cement his place in her Blizzard Group, not this laughable 'New Dark Matter Thieves' group.
Boros raised his arm. "I know the perfect place for a conversation." Without waiting, he started walking.
The two monsters beside him hurried after him, while Grizzly Nyah curled into a ball and drifted to sleep.
Following that, Sweet Mask, Blue Fire, and Genos trailed after them.
Thankfully, or perhaps not, Caspian stopped his lewd motions as the others departed. Even alone with him now, she maintained her grip. With Boros having abandoned his recruitment attempt, she wouldn't risk him reconsidering should he notice her separated from Caspian.
Fubuki stayed silent at his side, her blizzard of emotions slowly settling within her.
"Are you alright?"
"Miss Blizzard!"
Eyelashes and Mountain Ape called out from behind.
No! My Blizzard Group members can't see me like this, but I can't let go or else I'll lose!
She kept her arms locked around Caspian who smirked at her predicament.
This bastard!
"Unhand her!" Eyelashes yelled.
Fubuki left with no other choice turned around, pulling Caspian with her, and adopted a haughty expression.
"I am fine and have apprehended him. You two may return to base."
Eyelashes and Mountain Ape frowned.
Mountain Ape stepped forward. "Are you sure Miss Blizzard?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. Are the two of you okay?" She shot a sharp glare toward Caspian.
Eyelashes tilted his head and asked, "Why wouldn't we be?"
"Do neither of you remember what happened?"
The two of them shook their head.
Mountain Ape clenched his fist. "Don't worry Miss Blizzard we will tell all the other Blizzard Group members about this apprehension."
No!
Eyelashes and Mountain Ape dashed away, disappearing down a different street.
"My image is ruined…"
"I'm sorry about attacking them, but as you can see they are unharmed. There's no reason for you to overreact."
"Overreact?"
¤ ¤ ¤
Several minutes later, an exhausted Fubuki and energetic Caspian met up with everyone else.
"Boros…"
"Yes, Caspian?"
"Why exactly did you choose my apartment room?"