1.55 – Gathering Flowers

He felt energy rise up within him. This ability didn’t have a charge meter in the corner of his vision, like the momentum power had, but it was still tangible when he felt the energy flow into him.

The starting pistol sounded, and Aiko aimed her rebar right at Nathan’s chest. It started extending, but the energy and heat from it were immediately siphoned into Nathan as he dashed forward to meet her. She looked at him, confused, as her rebar didn’t grow just like she had expected, but then she cursed and rushed forward to close the distance as well.

Ten feet away, she made a wide arc with her rebar. Nathan jumped and transferred some of the energy towards the weapon, crumbling the part that he touched into dust. Before he could think about stepping closer, however, the whole bar shifted and a new part swung out from where he destroyed the end of the staff, hitting him right in his abdomen. He was sent a few feet sideways with an oomph, falling behind Aiko before quickly scrambling back up on his feet. Thankfully, the bounds were quite the distance away. They were in the center of the ring, circling each other.

“This will not be like the first time we sparred, Nathan. Not gonna be that easy.”

He clicked his tongue, siphoning some of the energy from Aiko herself. “We’ll see about that. Is that a threat or a promise? I was hoping I’d fight someone difficult for change.”

She spat on the ground before throwing her bar away. It dissipated into dust the moment it left her hands.

The problem with Aiko was that she was far more enhanced by her Z cells than usual. Her ability must have improved her physical attributes more than normal, because even though Nathan had a cheat, she wasn’t someone to scoff at.

He dodged a punch, moving her arm to the side with his wrist, just to realize she didn’t stop. Pain exploded in his nose as she shouldered him into his face, throwing him on the ground.

She landed atop of him, summoning her rebar and then she tried to lock his arms under it. She was sluggish, though. His ability was having a visible effect, and she didn’t appear as strong as Nathan knew she was.

And apparently she didn’t have a clear head either, the lack of heat affecting her thinking as well, though Nathan never thought of her as the brightest. She was a fun and loyal person. Not a genius. Locking his arms away when she just saw him dissolve the weapon twenty seconds earlier. Really?

He bit on his lip. Fuck this.

His ability satiated, he pointed both of his palms up as he tried to defend, and released almost all of the stored heat all at once. A great burst of fire-shaped energy burst into life with a thunderous crack, blinding him.

It only lasted a moment, but when the white finally started receding from his vision, and the blur dissipated, he saw the scorched body of Aiko lying almost at the feet of the spectators. People moved into action as they went to check her medical status.

Fuck. Did I do that?

That felt… strange. He didn’t want to do that. Not to such an extent. He expected to throw her away, maybe singe her a little, but this was… far out of the ordinary.

If it was anyone else, and not Aiko who was so enhanced by her Z-Cells, then it could have ended in a catastrophe. He sat up, looking at the medics who walked around Aiko. From where he sat, he could see her lift her arm and give them a thumbs up.

———————

“You seriously used all of it? Are you crazy?” Minato walked to and fro, biting on his nails. The medics forbade him from going to the infirmary with Aiko, and the man became so nervous that it was uncharacteristic, though Nathan liked to see that he cared to this extent. It was a change from his usual care-freeness.

“She’s going to be fine, Nathan. Stop twirling your thumbs as if you damaged her for life.” Alicia smiled gently, as if scared any remark could hurt him.

Honestly, he didn’t feel that bad about hurting her. Yes, he did feel a bit regretful, but Aiko was made of tougher stuff, and it was a fight after all. He resolved himself to not hold back. It was just the fact that he wasn’t used to the extent of the new power was all.

At least this power didn’t destroy the all-durable clothes of their suits. Aiko would definitely kill Nathan if it did.

“I know, Alicia. Aiko will probably laugh at it and tell me that she’ll beat me the next time.”

“Yeah, sounds like her.” Alicia smiled, running a hand through her hair. For the fact that they spent so much time in these costumes, Nathan still couldn’t get enough of how Alicia looked in hers. The white, pink and black all mixed together to a combination that enhanced Alicia’s gorgeous visage to an unprecedented level. If only they could…

Catching himself, he swallowed, and brought his mind to a different topic. Get your mind out of the gutter, Nathan. You already spent your time with her in the morning.

Nathan wondered for the tenth time whether he should tell her of the fact that her brother was watching, but ultimately, he decided against it. She was up next, and any distractions would only hinder her focus. He’d tell her later.

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If they both won, only one of them could advance into the finals. His next match would be against Alicia herself, and although his abilities should work against her well, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of uncertainty. She was far too strong to be underestimated.

Minato walked around them, probably trying to go to the infirmary for like the fifth time, as if asking them once again would mean that they would let him inside. It was all that Minato could do, really, so Nathan understood. His match wasn’t even that important anymore.

Should I feel more regretful?

“I know that face,” Alicia said, holding his shoulder. “You are deciding whether to blame yourself?”

“Maybe,” he smiled awkwardly. “I was the one who-”

“If it was me in her place, I’d be happy that you used everything you had against me. I think we would all feel that way if we fought someone much stronger, right?”

“Maybe. I keep overthinking it. And Minato’s walking makes me wonder.”

“You’d be the same if I got hurt by him. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand.”