-20 years ago-
It was warm, the faint whirring of a small fan filled the living room space downstairs where a husband and wife sat together on the couch. Despite it being late evening, it was still extremely humid. A bead of sweat rolled down the males forehead, sighing in discomfort.
As they were watching a game show on television, the heartbreaking sounds of a young child sobbing and sniffling were heard from upstairs in the family home.
"I'll go see to him, dear".
The mother of the little boy got up from her seat beside her husband and hurried up the steps to her son's room. The brunette gently peered at her child around the open door before stepping in.
"Saitama, baby, what's the matter darling?".
She padded over to his bed and sat down at his side. Lifting him from his bed covers, she then placed him gently on her lap, hugging him close, rocking him. She hated seeing her son so upset. Just seeing him cry made her want to cry too, feeling him tremble in her arms. The male sniffled again as he tried to talk, tears still rolling down his slightly plump cheeks.
"Mama, my countdown still hasn't started... Is it broken? Or do I not get to have a soulmate?".
Having just put her five year old son into bed minutes ago, the question had come rather unexpectedly to the young woman. What had made him think of it? He had asked the same question before, but the answers never seemed to appease him.
Her hazel coloured eyes glanced upon his small wrist. True enough, the countdown still read the same as the day he had been born.
-:-:-/-:-:-
She lightly took his wrist into her hand, lifting it gently, leaning her head down to meet it half way, pressing a kiss to where the numbers would be.
"I'm sure it will start soon, dear. It just means your soulmate hasn't been born yet. Big age gaps aren't too uncommon so there's nothing to worry about. Your father had to wait 4 years before he saw his counter start because I'm 4 years younger than he is".
The little male looked up at his mother through his black bangs with shimmering brown eyes, eyelashes dark and thick with tears.
"What do each of the marks mean again?".
"The first 3 are years, months and days, then you have hours, minutes and seconds. It's accurate right down to the second. Once you see your soulmate, you'll never want to lose them. You'll love them with every ounce of your heart, just like how daddy and I love each other".
A big bright smile grew on the boys face. He was excited to meet his soulmate. With his mother talking about love, it made him giggle.
"I hope I don't have to wait too long to meet them. I'm gonna protect them and take real good care of them, just like how daddy does for you. I'll be the best soulmate ever!".
She placed her hand on his head, stroking her son's hair affectionately before lifting him to her chest and pecking his nose, a beautiful smile at her lips.
"Sweetie, you'll be such a wonderful soulmate. You'll make them very happy, I know you will. I love you so very much".
Saitama wrapped his arms around his mothers neck, nuzzling and hugging her tight. He would definitely do his best.
"I love you too, mama".
-19 years ago-
"Mama! Mama!".
The little boy scrambled up from playing in the sand pit, dusting off tiny particles from his bare knees and shorts. Now 6 years of age, little Saitama panted as he dashed from the play area and over to the bench that his mother was sat on.
She heard her son calling for her as she spoke to a friend who was seated beside her on the park bench. The two females stopped their chit chat and looked up as Saitama approached them.
The little boy came to a halt at his mothers side, tugging on the hem of her skirt excitedly, a huge bright smile beaming.
"What ever's the matter, sweetheart?".
"Look! My wrist started tingling, and when I looked, the numbers appeared!".
He thrust his arm out towards her to show her his countdown. Both women leaned in to take a closer look. His mother could feel herself smiling wider as she watched the numbers ticking down.
19:3:22/2:18:44
Excitement swelled within her chest, happy for her little boy.
"Then that means your soulmate was just born! You're 6 years older than them, Saitama, that's so cute! Well, your official countdown has begun, dear. You get to meet your soulmate in 19 years, 3 months and 22 days, in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 9, 8, 7 seconds!".
She was terribly thrilled for her son, to see that his soulmate had just been born. It meant that someone was finally out there for him.
"They'll have the exact same numbers on as you, so they'll get to watch it count down with you somewhere. Oh Saitama, I'm so pleased for you darling! We'll have to show your father when he gets home later and celebrate! Hmm, you'll be around 25 years old when you two meet. That's a good age. Your school work won't get interrupted. I can't wait to see them! I bet they'll be perfect".
"Yeah! I'll have to write their birthday down so that I know when I meet them to take them a present as well! I'll be counting down every day!".
Seeing her little boy this happy about finally having a soulmate really made her day. She couldn't wait to tell her husband. They could rest easy that someone was now out there, just waiting for him to enter their life and vice versa. Saitama would get his happy ending.