Thank you to: red1111; Kala-Warrior18; gomt8; GrimmaulDee; DARTH SAI; FlorLove152; Crownwell; Linden-Furaito; Ballroom Ritz; Peanut Butter Rainbow; xxyangxx2006; justme2134; Abysmal Omega; ; priceless22; lxFocuslx; Bad Mr. 7 and spuddymuffin for the follows!
mariarosa: Thank you so much! Ah, I'm blushing like mad here.
Kala-Warrior18: Thank you sooo much! Omg! I'm so glad you like her! Seriously, my face is like a freaking tomato here!
Lightningblade49: I shall take that as a compliment! I always pictured Saitama's and Genos' situation as a family dynamic.
Peanut Butter Rainbow: Thank youuuu! Ahaaa! You're too sweet!
Xxyangxx2006: Why, thanks! Ooh, I have quite a few things up my sleeve for my Mitchan as far as job hunting. Just you wait!
Crownwell: Thanks! I figured since Saitama is lazy, he isn't going to want to say Mitsuki's full name all the time. I don't know. You'll have to wait, won't you? Wink wink.
Chapter 4: Best Friend Incoming
A ringing next to my ear woke me from my sleep. Irritated, I ignored it, snuggling closer to the warmth that was to my left.
"Mitchan." Saitama's breath tickled my ear. I groaned and swatted at him.
"Go away, Saitama-san." I buried my face into his shirt, gripping his sleeve.
"Mitchan, your phone is ringing. You should answer it." Saitama shook my shoulder. Sighing, I lifted my face and turned towards my phone, glaring at it with intense dislike. I let go of Saitama's sleeve and rolled over, looking at the screen to see who was calling me at 8am in the morning. My best friend's name flashed across the screen in green. All of the color left my face as I stared at the phone, dread filling my chest.
Gulping, I picked up the phone and flipped it open, "H-hello?"
"MITSUKI WAKAHISA, DO YOU MIND TELLING ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" My best friend's voice screeched on the other line, causing me to flinch and pull away from the phone. Saitama turned towards me, hearing the yelling before getting up and heading towards the kitchen.
"Aiko-chan, calm down. It's too early for you to be yelling this loudly." I said, trying to get her to lower her voice. I rubbed my eyes, suppressing a yawn.
"Don't tell me to calm down, woman! I came to visit my beloved best friend at her apartment and you know what I find?! NO FUCKING APARTMENT! Instead I find a bunch of rubble where her apartment is SUPPOSED TO BE! How long has it been like this?! Why didn't you tell me, Mitsuki-chan?!" Aiko lamented, adding in sniffling for a dramatic effect. Guilt ate away at me and I bit my lip.
"I'm sorry, Aiko-chan. I meant to tell you, I swear. It's just...things have been so crazy lately that I haven't had the time. Plus I didn't want to bug you with my problems since you have your own issues with your family." I explained, fiddling with a stray string on the blanket. Aiko sighed.
"Oh, sweetheart. You could never bug me. You know that. Where are you staying now?" She asked. I stiffened, unsure on how I was going to explain Saitama's and my living arrangements.
"Mitchan, where did you put the bowls? I want rice." Saitama walked over to me, pouting. I stared up at him, wide-eyed. "Mitchan." He waved a hand in front of my face.
"Who was that? Mitsuki-chan, was that a man's voice?! Are you staying with a man?!" Aiko cried out. I blanched and stuttered.
"U-uh...U-um...Well..." I coughed to clear my throat but Aiko cut me off.
"He called you Mitchan. He's your boyfriend, isn't he?! How dare you not tell me such juicy news!"
"N-no, he's not my boyfriend! He's just a roommate! A roommate!" I insisted, sitting up and shooing away the bald man in front of me.
"Uh-huh, sure." Aiko replied, doubt coloring her voice. I whined, pouting. "Whatever you say, Mitchan. Regardless of what you say he is, I want to meet the man you're living with." She stated. I started to object but she cut me off again, "NO objections! We're meeting. Why not at that cute little cafe near your old apartment in an hour?" I couldn't argue back and agreed, hoping that I could convince Saitama to come with. "Great! See you soon, darling!" Aiko made kissing noises and hung up.
Letting out a loud sigh, I dropped the phone down next to me, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Who was that, Mitchan?" Saitama asked, still standing in front of me. Glancing up at him through my eyelashes, I let go of my nose.
"My best friend, Aiko Oshiro. She wants to meet at that cafe, what's it called? The one near my old apartment? Umenohana* Cafe. Anyway, she wants to meet us both there within an hour." I bit my lip, praying that he would agree to come.
"Both of us?" He repeated, staring blankly. I nodded, twirling my hair. He stayed silent for a couple of seconds before answering in a flat tone, "No." Saitama began to walk away but I lunged forward, clutching onto his leg.
"Please, Saitama-san! She just wants to meet you!" I begged as Saitama began dragging me across the futon.
"I don't have the money for a cafe." He said, walking with me clinging to him with ease.
"I'll pay for it, Saitama-san! Just please come! I'm begging you! If you don't come, Aiko-chan will kill me!" I wrapped my legs around him as well, using my full weight to try and slow him down. I was failing miserably. Saitama finally glanced down at me with his usual blank expression.
"You're gonna pay for it?" He inquired, scratching the back of his neck. I nodded furiously. He sighed, "Fine. I'll go." I smiled and hugged his leg, tightly.
"Thank you, Saitama-san! You'll like Aiko-chan! She's really nice." My smile faltered when Saitama looked away from me, his ears red. "Saitama-san? You alright?" I reached up to tug on his shirt when he gripped my hand to stop me.
"Please...get off my leg." He whispered. I tilted my head, puzzled and was about to ask him to repeat himself when I spotted a slight tent in his pants. My breath hitched and I felt my cheeks and ears burn in embarrassment. I let go of his leg quickly, falling onto my back with a thump and crawled away to my bag of clothes. I grabbed a dress and ran into the bathroom, leaving Saitama to deal with his little...issue alone.
(CUT!)
Within 30 minutes, Saitama and I were walking towards Umenohana Cafe. I was dressed in a light pink dress with black flats, my hair half up, half down and light make up on while Saitama was dressed in a pair of jeans, an Oppai sweatshirt and sneakers. We walked in silence, side-by-side. I glanced at him in my peripherals, biting the inside of my lip. He was staring straight ahead, his hands tucked into his sweatshirt and was slouched over slightly.
Thinking back to earlier this morning, a blush came upon my cheeks again and I toyed with my hair.
"S-Saitama-san." I called him.
"Ah?"
"I'm...um...I'm sorry about earlier this morning. I didn't mean to do that." I waited for his response. He shrugged, still staring straight ahead.
"Don't worry about it." Saitama yawned and didn't say anything after that. Nodding, I turned away from him and kept walking. The streets were pretty bare except for a few early birds. I took my phone out of my purse and looked at the time:
8:55am
We were almost to the cafe and Aiko should already be there. 'At least we won't be late.' As I was putting my phone away, I hear my name being called.
"Mitsuki-chan!"
Looking up, I spotted Aiko standing not too far from us, waving. Her jet black hair was cut short, framing her face and she was wearing dark Capri pants with a blue blouse and matching shoes. I waved back, a smile pulling at my lips. She started jogging over to us and I left Saitama's side to meet her.
"Mitsuki-chan!"
"Aiko-chan, it's great to see you agai-FUCK!"
Instead of running into a hug like I had anticipated, Aiko pulled her fist back and connected it to my nose. I squatted, holding it and groaned.
"What the hell is it with you people and my nose?!" I looked up at her with teary eyes, "Aiko-chan! What was that for?!" She glared down at me, her hands on her hips and humphed.
"That's for not telling me that your apartment got destroyed and for moving in with a man!" She turned her nose upwards, crossing her arms. I stood up, still holding my nose and scoffed.
"I said I was sorry, didn't I?! That's not a reason enough to punch me in the face!" I glared at her, trying to rub the pain away. Aiko sniffed and continued to glare up at the sky. Rolling my eyes, I turned to Saitama, who had been watching us with a blank expression. "Saitama-san, is my nose bleeding?" I walked back over to my roommate and removed my hand to show it to him.
He turned towards me, taking his hand out of his pocket and taking a hold of my chin. Saitama moved closer to examine my nose, causing my cheeks to heat up from feeling his breath on my face. I averted my eyes, staring down at his Oppai sweatshirt.
"You're fine, Mitchan." Saitama said, letting go of me. I nodded and stepped back, fiddling with my hair. A snicker came from the left of us. Turning my attention towards my best friend, I saw her watching Saitama and I with a knowing smirk on her face. My blush deepened and I scowled at her, making her smirk grow more.
"Come on, let's go." I said, pulling on Saitama's sleeve.
"Wait, Mitsuki-chan! You haven't introduced us yet!" Aiko yelled at me, holding out her arm to stop us from passing her. Puffing out my cheeks, I turned to her.
"Aiko Oshiro, Saitama-san. Saitama-san, Aiko Oshiro." I introduced them to each other quickly then started walking again. They shook hands, saying the usual greetings before following me. Finally reaching the cafe, we sat down at an outside table with me sitting in between Aiko and Saitama. Shifting through the menu, I looked over to Saitama. "Saitama-san, what are you thinking about getting?"
He shrugged, resting his chin on his hand. Giving him a gentle smile, I asked if he wanted me to order for him. Once again, he shrugged and scratched the back of his neck. Pursing my lips, I returned to my menu.
"So." Aiko started, "How did you two meet?" I released a sigh and turned the page in my menu before answering.
"We met when my apartment was destroyed and now he's letting me live with him until I can find a job and move out."
"More like she forced herself into my house." Saitama grumbled to the right of me. Aiko burst out laughing as I glared at him. He avoided my gaze, picking at a piece of lint on his sweatshirt.
"That sounds so like Mitsuki-chan!" Aiko cackled, holding her stomach and smacking the table. The other patrons stared at us in annoyance and confusion as Aiko continued to hit the table with her palm.
"It's not that funny, Aiko-chan." I pouted. "Please stop, you're creating a scene." A waitress was already making her way over to us and Aiko wasn't stopping so I kicked her in the shin with the ball of my foot.
"Ouch!" Aiko grabbed her leg and held it close, rubbing the red spot.
"Are you guys ready to order?" The waitress asked, smiling. She pulled a notebook out of one the pockets of her apron and clicked her pen.
"Yes!" I grinned up at her and ordered for all three of us, ignoring Aiko's glares of pain. Turning back to my friends, I noticed Saitama staring at me. "What?" He shook his head, turning away.
"Saitama-san! Do you know about Mitsuki-chan's little quirks already?!" Aiko blurted out, still glaring at me. I stared at her disbelief.
"Which one?" Saitama answered. "The one where she plays with her hair when nervous or the one where she likes to cling to warm things at night?" Aiko's lips pulled into a Cheshire cat like grin as the waitress returned with our drinks and headed back inside the cafe before returning with our food.
A blush dusted my cheeks as I stared softly at Saitama, who was biting into his bagel. 'When did he become so observant of the habit with my hair?' I bit my my lip.
"Ooh, somebody's observant. Are you sure you're just roommates, Mitsuki-chan? You're sharing beds, it seems." Aiko teased, poking my hand with a long nail. "I assume she's already clung to you, Saitama-san." My face heated up more when Saitama nodded, taking a sip of his green tea.
"My warming pillow was destroyed." I mumbled under my breath, turning away and picking at my sandwich dejectedly. "And it's a small apartment. There's not enough room for another futon so we have to share. It's not like I have a choice." I felt a tug on my sleeve and I looked up at Aiko. She signaled towards the cafe, mouthing "bathroom" to me.
Nodding, I got up and excused the both of us from the table, heading towards the women's restroom. Once there, Aiko gripped my arm and pulled me into a stall, locking the door behind her.
"What's the deal, Aiko-chan?!" I demanded, pulling her hand off my arm and rubbing it. She smiled at me and leaned in close. The smell of the croissant she was eating wafted into my nose mixed with her caramel cappuccino. I stayed rooted and stared back at her, our faces so close that if one of us made the slightest movement we would kiss. "What?"
"You like him, don't you?"
Scoffing, I turned my head away from her. "No. I haven't even known him that long, Aiko-chan. Don't be stupid." I made to leave the stall but Aiko stopped me, blocking the door with her arm.
"Nuh uh. I know that look you were giving him, Mitsuki-chan. I've been your best friend since middle school, remember? I know that look." Aiko countered, still smiling. I scowled at her, getting annoyed at how true her words were starting to sound. Whenever I started crushing on someone in school, I would have this "look" as Aiko would say. It would be a mix of admiration and like I wanted to jump their bones right that second. "Ooh, the famous Mitsuki Wakahisa scowl. Sooo scary." She giggled. "Come on, admit it, love. You like him. Even just a little." Aiko prodded, tapping the door with her nails.
Releasing an irritated sigh, I scowled at the floor before mumbling, "Fine. I think he's kinda cute."
"What was that?" Teasing me, Aiko cupped her ear and leaned in closer, her smile widening.
'She loves getting a rise out of me, this woman.'
"I said he's cute, okay?!" I repeated louder, covering my now beet red cheeks. Aiko pulled back and crossed her arms, the air of victory around her.
"Thought so. You're so easy to read, sweetie."
"You're so easy to read, sweetie." I mocked her, sticking my tongue out at her. Aiko rolled her eyes.
"Come on. Better get back to the table before your boyfriend wanders off." She emphasized the word boyfriend, smirking as she stepped out the stall, leaving me a flustered and blushing mess.
"He's not my boyfriend!" I shrieked at her, following close behind as she laughed.
After we finished our food and drinks, we paid the tab and wandered off into the city, window shopping. Aiko and I were mainly the ones talking as Saitama meandered in front of us, not paying attention to the conversation. That is, until he noticed a sale sign on one of the grocery stores across the street from us. Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, his eyes widened and he turned to look at me as if asking for permission.
"Ah? You don't have money for the cafe but you have money for a sale?" I asked, jabbing my thumb towards the store.
"The cafe wasn't a necessity. But groceries are! Plus veggies will be cheap!" Saitama rebutted. Aiko snorted next me and watched us with amusement. Sighing, I rubbed my temples.
"Fine, fine. Go on. We'll be there in a minute." I relented. His face lit up like a kid at Christmas and he bolted across the street and into the store at full speed, leaving behind a dust trail.
Coughing and waving away the dirt in the air, Aiko turned to me, "He has a thing for sales?" I nodded and we began crossing the street, following after my roommate.
"Yup. He's an all around cheapy cheapskate." I let out a chuckle as we stepped inside the grocery store, looking around for the familiar bald head. He was eyeing edamame bags, comparing one to another. "It's kinda cute." Leaving him to it, Aiko and I strolled around the store until Saitama was done shopping. Right as we stepped outside, Aiko's phone sounded off.
"Oh, hold on. That's probably Jirou." She answered it, stepping away from us. Her voice changed, going from her usual teasing to a sickly sweet tone. As Aiko talked to her husband, Saitama came up to me, digging through the grocery bags.
"Here, Mitchan." He handed me a box of Toppo, a pink color dusting his cheeks. "For paying for my food and drink at the cafe. I wasn't sure what kind of candy you liked but they were on sale." I smiled widely, taking the box from him and looking at it. It was the strawberry flavored kind.
"Thank you, Saitama-san. I love strawberry." I patted his head softly as Aiko walked back up to us, stuffing her phone into her purse. He shifted the bags on his arms and smiled back at me.
"Sorry, guys but I gotta head back home. Jirou's having trouble with the baby." Aiko chuckled.
"Aw. What's going on?" I asked, pouting that my best friend had to leave already. It was only 11am and we barely were able to see each other due to the distance and her being a mother.
"Apparently the baby won't stop fussing and crying no matter what Jirou does. My poor husband. He's never had any luck with kids." Aiko adjusted her purse and went to give me a hug. "I'll text you later, okay?" She squeezed me tightly before turning to Saitama. "It was nice meeting you, Saitama-san. Take good care of my girl here. She may be a pain but she's a sweet kid nonetheless." Aiko ruffled my hair, earning a few protests from me.
Saitama mumbled a "bye" as Aiko walked away, leaving us alone again. Turning towards my roommate, I beamed at him.
"Let's head back home. We need to put the groceries in the fridge before they spoil."
We hurried to the apartment where I took the bags from Saitama and began putting the groceries away. Instead of heading into the living room, Saitama stood behind me, his eyes boring into my back.
"Mitchan."
"Hmm?" I responded without turning around, carefully placing the eggs inside the fridge.
"How did you meet Aiko-san?" Saitama inquired. I paused and shifted to face him.
"Um...we met in middle school." I answered, remembering his 20 words rule. He stayed silent, his eyes still on me as if wanting me to continue. "I accidentally hit her in the face during a dodge ball game and completely knocked her out. We've been friends since." I thought back to memory, smiling fondly.
"She wasn't mad that you hit her in the face?" Saitama quizzed, tilting his head to the side. Sometimes, the bald man could be so goddamn adorable.
Shaking my head, I turned back to the fridge and resumed to putting the groceries away. "Nope. She thought it was fucking hilarious that such a puny kid knocked her unconscious."
A chuckle came from behind me. Glancing over my shoulder again, I saw Saitama hiding behind his hand. Blushing, I smiled softly at him as he lowered his hand and looked at me with a smile.
"You are kinda puny." Saitama teased. The smile fell from my face within an instant. Pouting, I whirled back to the fridge and slammed the door shut rougher than I should have. I got up and stomped over to living room, plopping down on the mat. Saitama shuffled over to me and patted my head. "Don't be mad, Mitchan. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"
Glaring up at him, I huffed, "You're only apologizing cause you want me to cook you dinner later." Saitama shrugged and chuckled again.
Jerk.
A/N: Umenohana means plum blossom