He quickened his pace, psychokinesis carrying him lightly toward the apartment. Tatsumaki had already grown impatient by the window, her green curls drifting slightly with irritation.
"You're too slow." She floated over the moment she saw him. Her gaze dropped to the ice cream in his hand, and her tone softened a little. "At least you remembered."
Sol handed it over. "I ran into something on the way."
Tatsumaki took it, licking a small bite before her expression shifted. "You smell like blood."
"I sparred with a friend. I'm fine." Sol walked past her toward the bathroom. "I'm taking a shower."
She snorted, hair swaying. "Like I care whether you're hurt or not."
She floated back toward the living room, then paused and glanced over her shoulder. "Don't make the water too hot."
Inside the bathroom, Sol removed his sweat-soaked clothes and let the warm water run over him. The fight with Saitama had been worthwhile. At this rate, revealing more of his true strength was only a matter of time.
"Hey, how long are you going to stay in there?" Tatsumaki's voice came through the door, carrying a faint trace of concern.
"Almost done."
Sol turned off the water, dried himself, and put on the radish-patterned pajamas Tatsumaki had bought for him.
When he stepped out, he saw her floating on the sofa, eating her ice cream in small bites. The evening news played on the TV, showing Muzan and his demons helping civilians.
"The monsters we talked about in the meeting are actually doing good deeds," Tatsumaki said, eyes fixed on the screen.
Sol sat beside her and casually took the ice cream from her hand, tasting it. "Not bad."
"Who said you could eat that?" She snatched it back, ears faintly red.
"Time for bed." She quickly finished the rest, wincing slightly from the cold, then headed to the bedroom.
Sol watched her go, then quietly cleaned up the living room and turned off the lights. When he entered the bedroom, Tatsumaki was already curled up on the bed, facing away, her green hair spread across the pillow.
As soon as he lay down, she suddenly turned over. "Next time, don't come back so late. At least send a message." Her voice was quieter than usual.
"Got it." Sol gently brushed a strand of her hair aside.
She didn't pull away. "Idiot," she muttered, shifting closer.
Before long, both of them fell asleep.
Early the next morning, just as A-City began to brighten, a sharp alarm from the communicator shattered the silence.
Emergency alert. Emergency alert. Unidentified flying objects detected over A-City. All S-Class heroes report immediately to Hero Association Headquarters.
Tatsumaki shot upright, her hair bristling with static. "So noisy."
She grabbed the communicator, ready to crush it.
Sol caught her wrist. "Hold on. This sounds serious."
They quickly got dressed. Tatsumaki lifted them both with psychokinesis and flew straight out the window, the cold morning wind rushing past.
"Of all times," Sol muttered.
Tatsumaki clicked her tongue. "Why are there always so many meetings? It's a hassle."
The Hero Association Headquarters was already in chaos. Sitch stood at the center, sweat running down his face as he directed staff.
"Hurry. Contact all S-Class heroes."
Half an hour later, the S-Class heroes gathered in the conference room, waiting.
"I should use this chance to get closer to my cute Sol," Puri-Puri Prisoner rested his chin on his hands, occasionally glancing over.
"I don't care if it's demons or dragons. Just start already," Metal Bat said, draping an arm over his chair.
"Why have we been called here?" Silver Fang asked calmly.
"You called both of us here and made us wait this long. Get to the point," Tatsumaki added, her hair floating restlessly.
Sol leaned back in his seat, dialing his phone. "Genos, bring Saitama to the A-City Hero Association building. It's urgent."
He already had a good idea of what was coming. If things played out the way he expected, the battle with Boros would drag on. The longer it lasted, the more civilians would suffer. Calling Saitama now would save time, and lives.
At the same time, Sol quietly sent a telepathic signal to Muzan and his demons, telling them to be ready.
"Apologies for the delay." Sitch entered the room with Okamoto and William, all three looking tense.
"We have been unable to contact Metal Knight or Blast. We cannot afford to wait any longer, so this emergency meeting will begin now."
He stepped forward, placing both hands on the table.
"I will explain everything. To put it simply, we need your help to protect the Earth."
His gaze swept across the room.
"This is not a routine threat. Even S-Class heroes may die. If anyone wishes to withdraw, you may do so now and retain your position."
He paused.
"However, once you hear the full details, withdrawal will no longer be permitted. For the sake of order, you will remain here until this matter is resolved."
His voice hardened.
"Are you prepared?"
"I hope this is worth it. I left my sister's piano recital halfway through for this," one hero muttered.
"If this turns out to be nothing, I'll tear this place down," Metal Bat added, resting his foot on the table.
"Go on," Flashy Flash said.
Zombieman frowned. "What's this about?"
Sitch took a breath.
"The Great Seer, Shibabawa, is dead."
"You mean Shibabawa? Who killed her?" Zombieman's expression shifted.
William shook his head. "No one. This morning, while predicting the future six months ahead, she suddenly panicked, struggled to breathe, started coughing, and choked on a lozenge."
"I see." Superalloy Darkshine raised a finger. "So we've lost her predictions. We'll need new ways to prepare for disasters. That's why we're here?"
"No." Sitch's expression grew heavier.
"Shibabawa's predictions only covered a fraction of possible disasters. The real issue is her final prophecy."
He reached into his suit and pulled out a small piece of paper.