By this point, Sonic and Genos had almost circled the entirety of Z-City Ghost Town.
"Quit running and get down here!" Genos shouted, firing off an incineration blast.
Does he take me for a fool?
Sonic, currently latched onto the side of a building, gracefully bounded onto the next, gripping a window ledge and avoiding the fiery blast that obliterated the top half of the structure he had just left.
"Hah! Do you think I'll land down there so you can use that leaf technique!?"
"Quit spewing nonsense!"
Sonic ignored him, altering his movement style as Genos' incineration blasts licked at his heels.
Further down the street, Sonic spotted a group of people gathered, one of them wearing an all-too-familiar yellow jumpsuit.
I won't fall for your traps this time!
¤ ¤ ¤
Caspian concluded that Mosquito Girl's transformation had brought with it an unforeseen and wonderful side effect. She seemed dead-set on aiding him in his quest to have a harem.
This thought was further cemented given the fact she had somehow not only convinced Suiko but even Yuta, who, the last time he saw her, had tried to kill him when he mentioned a similar idea.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if something unnatural was at work. How could a relationship like this progress at such a rapid pace? But the thought was dismissed — he wasn't in his old world after all.
During this situation, he stole glances toward Fubuki without her notice, but could discern nothing beyond her evident surprise at each statement.
Caspian sought to speak with Fubuki after revealing Wavygyaza's existence when Mosquito Girl had asked him, but then, with impeccable timing, Sweet Mask and Blue Fire arrived.
Following their arrival were several explosions, drowning out Fubuki's mumbling in response to the Rank 1, A-Class Hero's presence.
The explosions' approach silenced everyone. Eyes snapped to the far end of the street, where the noise's source closed the distance at a high speed.
What is Sonic doing?
Caspian watched as Sonic leap-frogged through the air from one side of the street to the other, using the buildings on the right and overpass on the left as a means to avoid touching the ground.
A blink later, Sonic arrived, flipping through the air before landing atop a light post. After which he looked around at everyone below with a raised chin.
"Hmm. You've gathered quite the crowd today, Caspian." Sonic held up several shurikens in his hand. "No amount of meat shields can save you this time."
"Such killing intent…" Fubuki muttered.
Blue Fire took a step forward. "What did you say?"
He appeared ready to unleash his flames at any moment, while an unamused Sweet Mask glared up at Sonic nearby him.
Rushed footfalls reverberated from Sonic's path, yanking every eye toward their source.
"This ninja has lost his mind," Genos said, pointing up a Sonic as he came to a stop in front of Caspian.
Caspian remained silent, tracking how Genos' focus slid past his shoulder to lock onto Mosquito Girl.
Before he could say anything, Mosquito Girl stepped forward. "It's Genos… right? Uhm, I'm very sorry about how I treated you the last time we met…"
Genos paused, shot a glance at Caspian, then spoke, "Apology accepted. I know you're one of his most treasured people."
"That's great! You're every bit the kind and understanding person he told me of," Mosquito Girl said as she leaned herself up against Caspian.
Fubuki, still seated on the cracked sidewalk, her legs folded beneath her, looked up with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "You've even got connections with an S-Class Hero?"
Genos shifted his attention to Fubuki. "I am Master Caspian's disciple."
"D-Disciple? Why, why is an S-Class Hero a B-Class' disciple?"
"I see." Genos nodded, his mechanical eyes narrowing. "So, you came to 'newbie crush' my master, but have already fallen for him instead."
That type of humor Genos… Caspian groaned internally.
"Alright, I've watched enough of this show," said Sweet Mask, his voice cutting through the air. "Caspian, I have important matters I must discuss with you."
Caspian had wondered how long it would be before Sweet Mask's patience ran out. He focused on the man, who stood with his hands in the pockets of his dark pants, his upper torso adorned with a deep purple blazer over a light gray scarf and a white, open-collared shirt. This outfit was one Caspian vaguely remembered seeing him wear once before.
"I see you finally cut your hair," Caspian remarked.
"Yes, it was ab—No, that is of no importance at the moment," Sweet Mask snapped, his brows scrunching together in irritation. "As I was s—"
"Oh! I saw you in the alleyway yesterday, that's where I know you from!" Mosquito cried as she pointed toward him.
Not surprising that he'd investigate W-City.
Sweet Mask sighed. "Now—"
"All of you have the nerve to ignore I, 'Speed-o'-Sound Sonic?' None of you will leave this place in one piece!"
Veins bulged on Sweet Mask's face. "Who is this buffoon!?"
"Before I deal with you and your disciple, I'm going to wreck this pretty boy's face," Sonic hissed, lowering himself into a crouching position atop the light pole, his hand gripping the hilt of his blade.
Caspian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Hey! We're going to head inside. Have fun out here!" Mosquito Girl's cheery voice drifted from behind. Caspian turned to see Yuta and Suiko being pulled away by Mosquito Girl toward his apartment complex.
Blue Fire didn't waste the opportunity. "What was that about 'none of you leaving in one piece'? I will not allow you to run your mouth any longer. Prepare to be reduced to ash."
Caspian readied to rescue Blue Fire from himself once again, but before anyone could burst into battle, the surrounding buildings and cars shuddered violently.
"Master, something very large is approaching!" Genos shouted.
Everyone looked around, their attention drawn to the large plumes of debris flying into the sky as the entity approached.
That's not something I expected…
A thunderous voice flooded the area. "Haha! Caspian, I had hoped to run into you today!"