My Scumbag System Chapter 508: Yes, Emi-sama
Previously on My Scumbag System...
The roaring crowd's applause was still echoing in my ears as I exited the arena, the subsequent hallway a welcome balm of quiet after the electrifying contest. The air within was noticeably cooler, a stark contrast to the energy storm that had engulfed the main stadium, as I made my way back to our staging area.
"Twenty minutes until the next match," Braxton informed us, leaning casually against the wall, his expression a familiar mix of boredom and amusement. His gaze swept over each of us as we entered, assessing any visible injuries. "Does anyone require immediate medical attention, or are we all just going to tough it out like the resilient lot I know you to be?"
"I'm alright," I replied reflexively, even as a sharp pain in my ribs suggested a couple might be fractured.
Natalia scoffed beside me. "You're far from alright. Your ribs look like they're attempting to sculpt themselves into a modern art piece."
"Quite the poetic description. Perhaps you should consider a career in greeting cards once this Hunter gig doesn't pan out."
She playfully punched my shoulder, an action that somehow intensified the ache in my ribs. "Enough talk, sit down. Emi needs to examine you before the next round begins."
I complied, primarily because attempting to argue with Natalia when that particular glint appeared in her eyes was as futile as trying to swim through solid concrete. She guided me to a bench along the wall, practically pushing me onto it.
The preparation room buzzed with the residual energy of our recent victories. In a corner, Raphael was practicing shadowboxing, his knuckles still sporting traces of blood, but his grin was nothing short of gleeful. Hikari lazily circled her flail, regaling anyone within earshot about her defeat of a particularly troublesome Sentinel. Juan had already stretched out on another bench, eyes closed, his fingers shuffling cards in a continuous, almost meditative motion, as if seeking to calm himself through the rhythmic repetition.
Braxton moved amongst us, tending to injuries and dispensing his unique brand of encouragement, which typically involved comments like, "That was almost not pathetic," and "Next time, try not to flirt with death."
Natalia hovered nearby, an anxious and strikingly attractive guardian hawk as Emi approached. Her blue hair had begun to escape its braids, and her healing aura pulsed gently around her hands, like a soft, rhythmic heartbeat.
"How severe is it?" she inquired, kneeling before me.
"It's not—"
"She took a direct hit to the ribs from Reyna," Natalia interjected. "Plus, whatever Julian inflicted, not to mention absorbing enough electricity to power a small city."
Emi's eyes widened in surprise. "You absorbed all that lightning? Satori, that's… that’s not how your Aspect is meant to function."
"Perhaps I'm just exceptionally gifted," I quipped, winking.
"Or perhaps you're just an idiot," Natalia countered under her breath.
"The two are not mutually exclusive," I retorted.
Emi placed her hands delicately on my injured ribs, eliciting a hiss through my teeth. Her healing aura radiated from her fingertips, permeating my shirt and sinking into my skin. The sensation was peculiar, akin to cool water flowing through overtaxed muscles, alleviating inflammation and mending bone.
"Three fractures," Emi announced, her voice shifting to the professional tone she adopted during healing. "One is nearly a complete break. What were you thinking, taking hits like that?"
"I was thinking I needed to secure the win."
"You need to survive to achieve victory," she countered firmly.
"Mere details," I mumbled.
Natalia emitted a choked sound, likely of exasperation. "This is what I have to contend with. This… this suicidal overconfidence is astounding."
"You secretly enjoy it."
"I tolerate it," she corrected, though the corner of her mouth twitched upwards.
Skylar materialized silently beside us, her knives already cleaned and returned to their sheaths. "What did you say to Julian?" I asked her. "I've never witnessed someone transition from tactical composure to outright murderous rage so swiftly."
A slow, predatory smile spread across Skylar's face. "I merely hinted that his mother might be rather interested in learning about certain… activities he partook in during last year's spring formal."
"That was all?"
"Oh, and I might have also mentioned that I'm aware of the contents concealed within the false bottom of his desk drawer."
I let out a low whistle. "I'll make a note to never cross you."
"It might be too late for that," she replied sweetly, patting my cheek before gliding away to attend to Juan.
Emi's healing continued its subtle work on my ribs. The acute pain gradually subsided into a persistent ache, then a strange tightness, as if my body was undergoing an internal reconstruction. I observed her face as she focused—the slight furrow between her brows, the way she unconsciously bit her lower lip in concentration, the faint moisture beading at her hairline.
I could detect a slight tremor in Emi’s hands during her work, though whether it stemmed from the energetic drain or sheer focus, I couldn't ascertain. The soft, pale green luminescence of her Aspect pulsed in steady rhythm, bathing my injuries in waves that felt like cool water soothing scorched skin.
"You ought to receive some rest now," she whispered, her attention remaining fixed on her task. Her fingers delicately smoothed the edges of the bandage she had applied, ensuring its snug fit against my skin. "The act of healing draws upon the energy of both participants, and your reserves will be crucial for the upcoming match. I can sense your profound exhaustion." "Understood, Doctor," I replied, my tone softer than intended. Observing her earnest care for me made it unexpectedly difficult to maintain my usual aloof demeanor. Her gaze briefly lifted to meet mine, and I noticed the faint trace of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's 'Yes, Emi-sama' for you, patient," she corrected. I let out a startled cough, the sound hoarse in my throat. "Where on earth did you pick up that way of speaking?" "Akari has been instructing me in confidence-building techniques," she confessed, a subtle blush coloring her cheeks and lending her a youthful appearance, despite the perspiration on her brow from the healing exertion. "She believes I'm overly kind for my own well-being." "Now that is a truly frightening prospect," I remarked, picturing Emi employing Akari's particular brand of audacious persuasion. "Pray tell, you haven't adopted her strategies, have you?" "Only the effective ones," Emi assured me, though a mischievous spark in her eyes suggested I had good reason to be concerned. The door to our preparation area burst open with a force that made the frame shudder. As if conjured by my thoughts, Akari made a grand entrance, with Hikari following closely behind like a formidable, silent shadow. Having been excluded from the initial event, they had been observing from the spectator's section, yet Akari seemed entirely unfazed by her spectator role. The soft clinking of her chains accompanied each deliberate step, a sound I was growing to associate with impending trouble. Her golden eyes scanned the room with the practiced skill of someone assessing every detail—potential exits, vulnerabilities, tactical advantages—before finally resting on me with evident interest. "Admirable job of not expiring," she commented, her tone laced with casual sarcasm as she settled onto the bench beside me with an air of effortless belonging. Her movement was fluid and intentional, bringing her close enough that our shoulders nearly brushed. "Although that final lightning display was quite the exhibition." "Spoken like someone who ensnares people with chains for a profession," I retorted. "Only the fortunate ones," she purred, leaning nearer, and I detected the alluring scent of her perfume—a blend of floral and spicy notes, likely commanding a price far exceeding my monthly stipend. In fact, it probably surpassed the cost of my entire wardrobe. The fragrance was clearly designed to be memorable, to leave a strong impression, and judging by her watchful gaze upon my reaction, she was fully aware of its effect. I sensed a tangible shift in the atmosphere before I could comprehend its meaning. The temperature next to me plummeted, not figuratively, but literally—a noticeable drop that caused goosebumps to prickle my skin where Emi's comforting warmth did not extend. Delicate patterns of frost began to materialize on the metal bench separating us. "Akari," Natalia stated, her voice emanating a chilling authority, each word precisely enunciated, conveying a latent danger akin to a concealed blade. "Do you not have other commitments?" "This spot seems quite suitable," Akari countered, completely indifferent to the encroaching cold. She stretched gracefully, her uniform top riding up slightly, revealing a sliver of tanned skin that, intentionally or not, commanded attention. "Unless Satori desires my presence elsewhere?" The question lingered in the air, pregnant with unspoken implications that I deliberately chose to disregard to ensure my continued safety. Before I could offer a response, Celeste appeared in the doorway, her silver-white hair perfectly styled despite the surrounding disarray. Her gaze took in the scene—myself seated on the bench, Emi tending to me with medical supplies, Akari positioned closely at my side like an overly affectionate feline, and Natalia radiating an icy aura sufficient to frost nearby metal. "Am I intruding upon something?" she inquired, her perfectly arched eyebrow raised in a manner suggesting she already knew the answer. "Yes," Akari responded, making no effort to conceal her amusement. "No," declared Natalia and Emi in unison, their voices overlapping. "Merely some post-battle recuperation," I interjected, attempting a casual tone while inwardly questioning the comedic turn my life had taken. "How is the audience responding?" Celeste traversed the room with an elegant, measured gait that made her appear as though she were gliding. "They are absolutely ecstatic. Your performance is trending globally. The VHC's public relations department is experiencing a coordinated frenzy." "Regarding what? We achieved victory legitimately.""Mainly because you managed to absorb enough electricity to take down a small herd of elephants, and then, to top it all off, you blew a kiss at the camera," she stated flatly, her periwinkle eyes betraying a flicker of frustration. "My sister is likely experiencing a complete meltdown in her private viewing box."
"Excellent," I responded with a wide grin. "Think of it as a little present."
Celeste let out a sigh and shook her head, though a subtle smile began to form on her lips. "You are utterly incorrigible."
"That appears to be the prevailing opinion."
Emi’s hands finally released their grip on my pulsating ribs, the gentle luminescence of her healing aura gradually receding. "This is the extent of my capabilities for the moment. Your condition is stabilized, but you are far from fully recovered. Avoid any direct impacts to your torso during the next match, or I will personally halt your participation."
"Understood, Commander," I replied, offering a mock salute.