There were so many other ways Genos expected it to end. But this wasn't one them. Resigned to this outcome, Genos charged up his arms and took aim at the one target he really did not want to blast. In a matter of seconds it was reduced to ashes. Looking at the charred remains of the monster, the cyborg turned to around to focus his eyes.
"My sensors no longer detect any life signals Sensei."
Showing an accomplished grin, Genos wanted praise. But what he got was a gentle flick to his forehead from the older man.
"Oi, Genos remember I told you that I want you to rely less on your..uh.. attachments to win fights. You gotta build up your combat skill." With his finger planted firmly in his nose, Saitama turned toward home. He then said, "But anyways, good job."
Genos beamed to himself. Filled with admiration. He was happy he recorded that into his system's database for inspiration down the road. Also to write down later.
The actual stressed point of the mission was to not destroy any buildings. They said they wouldn't but then again when had they ever not destroyed any structures? Neither of them even knew why they lied to themselves. That part of doing the job was inevitable. But even when the buildings were burned down to the ground everyone (despite knowing Genos' power) still blamed it on "Caped Baldy".
"Wahh! That bald scoundrel has destroyed yet another building!"
Just imagining what the civilians will whine about made Saitama laugh inwardly. Pondering the same thing, Genos ground his synthetic teeth.
Somewhere far off the distant sound of a helicopter's whipping blades slicing through the wind beat. It was most likely the Hero's Association's cleaning crew, Then sun hadn't quite set, but by the time they got back to their apartment, the sky was transitioning to darkness. Turning on the light upon arrival, Saitama and Genos proceeded with their night regime. Genos cleaned and prepared for tomorrow's breakfast, and Saitama showered, brushed his teeth and prepared their futons.
While waiting for Genos to finish whatever he was doing in the kitchen, Saitama pondered the day's events. He and Genos as a team had progressed so immensely. Ever since he had pushed back his feelings of fear for Genos realizing he was a horrid teacher and leaving, Saitama truly wanted to teach him something. He paid attention to things the Genos would do during fights that would ultimately lead to him getting ripped to sparking pieces and tackled those habits one by one. As a teacher, he wouldn't consider himself too crappy. But in areas like "Friendship" and "Being Open" he couldn't find It within himself to become engaged.
Despite having some kind of reassurance that Genos would stick with him, Saitama still didn't want to get really intimate. He felt that the moment he did, he would somehow mess up the bond. There were times where he had many emotions to express to the cyborg but he didn't because it most likely would not make a difference.
And Genos probably seemed to notice the constant lines that Saitama had drawn for himself. He was marking his territories and uncharted grounds. Conversations topics to avoid, things not to think about, things that were better left suppressed and private.
There was a darker and needier side of himself that Saitama dare not reminisce of, the way he was before he met Genos. Those years spent alone and-
Saitama pinched himself.
He could think of other things.
Steadily seasoning the ingredients he would need the next morning, Genos went through the motions of making each item and storing it in the refrigerator because of the limited space. Countless times he had offered to knock down the wall into the apartment next to their own to make a bigger living space. Since the entire building was deserted it would have been easy. But each time his Sensei would say "no." One day he planned to send his Sensei on a sales hunt and remodel the apartment during that time. But not quite yet.
Pondering his Sensei, Genos couldn't help but smile as he thought about the last six months. They were actually training. Even though he was a cyborg, Genos had gotten to experience an artificial kind of fatigue. Mostly his system overheating due to extended exercises and exertion. Each time he hit a certain limit, he would have to shut down. Eventually, each time that happened his data on what was happening would increase and expand his system's endurance. In a way it was kind of like exercising with an organic body. He loved every second of it. Even when his arms would fall off from the screws, nuts and bolts wearing down, or when his self cooling system malfunctioned, he would just make the minor repairs or grab the needed appliance that Sensei would have ready in a bag.
But what he really wanted to do was to do more things with his Sensei.
They already did a lot of things together, but he wanted to have more discussions with the older man. He had realized that there were certain things that Saitama did not want to talk about. Whenever these subjects were breached, he would immediately switch subjects or, go do something else. Yet that didn't really bother Genos. What bothered him was the rare and barely noticeable show of emotions that Saitama would- for a moment- let flash through his eyes.
The average person wouldn't notice.
But Genos did. He noticed the subtle shift in Saitama's body tension. The way he sometimes froze, or how his fingers would sometimes flinch. Or just the slight way his eyes would narrow only a tiny fraction of a centimeter.
That wasn't the only thing that Genos noticed about the older man. There were so many things that should phase the man but doesn't. He did ask about that at some point. Genos paused to remember...
"Sensei don't let their words get to you. Even if they never see how great you are I-"
"Genos... how many times do I gotta tell you that none of that stuff matters?"
Leaning over the railing of the veranda of their apartment,Saitama rubs his now bare hand across his neck and over his scalp. He then blew his hot breath into the cold air to watch the steam rise. He eyes lazily followed the puff to the faint stars in the sky. There was no moon out.
What a shame.
Genos however was intrigued
"Saitama Sensei, why is it that you hardly ever retaliate at their scorn?"
"Because it isn't always worth the effort."
"Even when they throw things at you after a hard battle?"
"That's what washing machines are for."
"But sense-"
"Genos" Interrupting the cyborg, Saitama turned to him and looked him square in the eyes. With his face serious and not the usual dead-pan, He continued,
"Things could be worse. Things can always be worse. Heck, things have been worse. But all of that is
nothing Genos. It is nothing." Exhaling with a huff, Saitama softened his expression and paused for a beat. He then went back into the apartment to discard his dirty and ruined suit.
Genos turned off his in eye recorder; he will write down the entire affair later.
The hidden poignancy that resided within the man was something that Genos wanted to expose and help but alas he could not. Anytime that he had even tried to get closer to Saitama failed. He was just pushed away. But he can't just drop it. For some reason he can't leave the man alone for long periods of time willingly. It just makes him anxious. Genos was well aware that he also served as a distraction for the older man for whatever dilemma lay beneath. For now though, he will wait.
Finishing the last of the preparations, Genos wrapped it and put it in the fridge. Removing his apron, Genos reached for the light switch, he paused when he heard a brief, muffled grunt from the other room.
A mosquito? He thought.
" Sensei do I need to set up the mosquito screen? Has the mosquito swarm returned?"
"Uh. No Genos it's fine,"
Walking into the room, Saitama rubbed his arm. Genos sat down across from him.
The soft ticking of the clock filled the comfortable silence. Most nights were like this. They would both sit in silence and let their thoughts swim in circles. Only the soft ticking of the clock only seemed to emphasize this.
Saitama yawned and stretched his arms above and behind his head. Then interlocking his fingers, he let them linger there for a few seconds.
"Genos. I'm going to hit the sack. You should too. It's late."
"Yes sensei. I am truly happy that you put so much consideration into my well-being. That is an admiral trait that you display, and I hope one day everyone will realize that. But as a cyborg I have a power cell that can run for days on end; it can probably run at full powe-"
"DUDE!"
Genos stopped midway. Oops. Eyeing his sensei, Genos noticed the man rub his hands together and tuck them under his legs. Checking his heat scanners, He analyzed that the reading was below room temperature. Had the heater broken? He thought.
"Sensei if the room is chilly I can sleep in here with my heaters on, I don't want you to catch a cold."
" Nah, it's okay. Go sleep in your room." Saitama simply replied. It of course was kind of cold. But Saitama didn't want Genos to waste his energy on him. That would be stupid. He really didn't want anyone to waste their energy or time on him.
Yawning again, Saitama left it at that and unrolled his futon.
Genos understood what that meant.
At some point within the last few months, Saitama had given Genos his own room that was formerly the older man's. Since he had more possessions, that was something he felt Genos needed. And that was the only decent gift he could give the kid. That part of the aurgument in itself had somewhat convinced Genos to accept.
But Genos had noticed another habit of the older man's.
Whenever he seemed upset or otherwise down about something, he would inconspicuously send Genos off to do something. But at times like these, he would subtly ask him to go to his room.
Eyeing the older man worriedly he turned toward the hallway. When he was sure his sensei was settled, He turned off the light.
As Saitama drifted off into sleep, he rubbed at the slightly throbbing area the had pinched earlier.
It hurt.