Tornadoes For Sighs
-Chapter 17-
Grapes
LATER THAT DAY, TATSUMAKI FLEW OVER TO CITY Z.
She entered Saitama's neighbourhood, sunglasses on, her dark skinny jeans tight.
Tatsumaki normally didn't wander through the Ghost Town but she was procrastinating. So hard. She couldn't avoid him forever.
Tatsumaki didn't know how to force Saitama into seeing Badd and Zenko. They were such insanely good, sweet kids— they deserved to meet their idol.
Tatsumaki had her money, Bearded Worker's help and she had her purse with professional pictures of Badd and Zenko. She got a great photographer —the Matsuri chick— and the photos came out beautifully. Badd stood still and he didn't scowl that badly. They looked cute, Tatsumaki had a family portrait and she got emotional manipulation to get what she wanted.
Now she had to see him to use the bargaining chips. Tatsumaki wore sunglasses just to hide the fear in her eyes. Not that she'd show the idiot.
So being at Saitama's tiny, brown front door was a surrender. The painted balcony was a clean light azure but the concrete walls were dirty.
There stood the cyborg with sharp eyes, beautiful Viking-gold hair, bulging biceps… Why was he here? It was Saturday.
Saitama and Genos scheduled their meeting for Tuesday. Saitama was supposed to reject him. Saitama was supposed to put on his big boy pants and quit entertaining Cyborg's fantasies.
"What are you doing at my sensei's home?" Cyborg demanded.
Tatsumaki grimaced. She thought he got melted down at an auto-body shop and became… a fork or something. He looked hopeless and he's fine now? Here? Today?
Cyborg lugged his body in front of the door. "You are unwelcome at the moment. Sensei and I have serious business to attend to."
"Maybe I'll give you time to jerk him off later but for the moment, I need to talk to him. Go!" she barked.
"Can't you return another time?"
"You leave. I don't want you here. I've had enough psychobabble for a lifetime."
Genos didn't leave. He took this preposition as a challenge.
"Sensei will not appreciate me exterminating you. He seems attached," Cyborg said, gearing up for a fight. His functions whirred.
Attached? To her. That confused her. Attached…
"I will inform Sensei of your childish provocations and your trespassing. I need to train with him."
"Seriously?" Tatsumaki lowered her sunglasses. "What the hell would you tell him?"
"Sensei should expect property damage and the scent of singed green hair."
Tatsumaki was getting a migraine. She's going to remove herself before she catches the stupid. Cyborg looked better with all of his parts but too bad he lost his damn brain. Screw this. She didn't have to suffer this abuse!
Tatsumaki levitated. "You suck. I'm leaving because I want to. Not because you told me to, fork boy. I will not forget about this."
Cyborg nodded then faced the door and released a loud-ass exhale. "Sensei!"
The locks clicked and the door whined as it swung open, only slightly. A crouching, paranoid Saitama revealed himself. He looked… anxious and slightly bothered, thin eyebrows slanted over his sharp eyes.
"You actually showed up," Saitama said. "Uh…" He paused, fumbling for a word, a name.
"It's 'Genos', Saitama-sensei." Genos supplied eagerly.
Car Parts suited him better, in Tatsumaki's opinion. What the hell was a "Genos"?
Saitama looked uncomfortable. "Can you not call me sensei?"
"Master!"
"Not that either!"
Saitama finally looked at her, questions on his face.
"I'm more important." Tatsumaki hissed and charged inside.
Feeling petty, Tatsumaki shot a dirty look at Genos with her tongue out. Genos was confused. It was glorious… If only Aimi had this defeated expression. Wait. WAS AIMI HERE?!
Dropping her purse on the kitchen counter, Tatsumaki flew around the apartment, looking for signs of another parasite! There were no heels or tennis shoes, no shampoo and conditioner, no new pairs of wine glasses.
She couldn't smell perfume, only stale matcha tea. Did he boil tea to get rid of Aimi's presence? He might as well throw salt over his shoulder to keep her away.
Saitama's laptop sat on the desk. Maybe Saitama was video messaging Aimi? When she looked at the screen, there was no app, just this short article headline.
Tonbokiri Family Restaurant Attacked by Disgruntled Neighbours In Protest of Marriage in City W. Look at the damage that had been done over a…
Tatsumaki stopped reading, angry. Why would a restaurant be attacked by neighbours over a marriage? That makes no sense.
Saitama didn't look windswept in the wake of Aimi, face bright with confidence and a surplus of affection. Saitama looked unsure and dead inside. Tatsumaki was almost always blank-faced or "stroppy" as Zombieman put it and didn't have a good personality. Could she change that sad face?
Half comfortable, Tatsumaki sat on Saitama's black computer chair, looking as innocent as possible. She didn't… She wasn't snooping. So what if she sniffed his pillow and sifted through his papers? Aimi wasn't here. She sunk into the fake leather, sated.
Saitama awkwardly led Genos to the main room.
Genos didn't comment on the gaudy furniture or the cramped space, instead, he peered at it like an interesting sanctuary. Was he picturing himself on the futon, watching anime and the Disaster Channel with Saitama, the way Tatsumaki did?
Saitama rubbed his hands together. "You could sit mostly… anywhere you want. I guess… I'll make you a drink. Do you take oil?" Saitama joked.
Genos blinked. "Oil? Oh. No."
Saitama nodded and Genos just stared at Saitama intently, in this stretched silence. How awkward can these two get?
"Is tea good for you? I only buy matcha." Saitama said.
"Do you drink tea in order to benefit from vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium? Matcha detoxifies effectively and naturally. Matcha boosts metabolism and burns calories. It also enhances moods and aids in concentration. Do you exclusively purchase pure matcha from one source?" Genos asked in a rapid-fire way.
"No, I just like—"
"Can I watch you make it? I must find the brand. I will benefit, most definitely."
"Hey, lay off, it's just tea, you weirdo. It's not rocket surgery or brain science," said Tatsumaki.
Genos looked offended. "Are you referring to neuroscience or rocket engineering? Otherwise, you are in dire need of education on those subject names."
Tatsumaki's eye twitched. She'll swing him through an entire block. "I'll have you know—"
"You could watch me make tea." Saitama blurted, speeding off to the kitchen in order to evade a fight. Genos followed.
Ten minutes later, Tatsumaki, Saitama and Genos were seated at the table. None of them touched their cups, though. Tatsumaki sat beside Saitama, across from the cyborg.
Tatsumaki glared at Genos. Why couldn't Saitama give her all his attention? Genos intruded on them. She just wanted to see Saitama and look at what happens, the sky falls and brings her a braindead tin box like Genos.
"Go home after your drink. I'm not looking for disciples." Saitama told Genos sternly. "Wait— you're back in one piece?"
Genos nodded. "Yes, my body is mostly mechanical. As long as there are parts, repairs are quick."
"You're an odd one."
Genos sat up taller. "What kind of parts do you use, Master?" Genos questioned Saitama with a straight face.
"Don't use any."
"Then what about the skin-coloured armour on your head?" Genos pointed shyly.
"Yeah, that's my skin."
Skin-coloured armour on his head. Ha! HA! That's the best thing she's heard all week! Saitama glared at Tatsumaki when she muffled a chuckle.
Genos brought a hand up to his chin, calculating the odds. "But that would mean you're bald despite being so young."
Saitama exploded. "So I'm bald— what's your problem?!" he demanded.
Genos's eyes shone with disbelief. "Me? You'll listen to my problems?"
"No thanks, I'm good," Saitama said bluntly, the picture of misery. Tatsumaki nodded emphatically.
And Genos ignored them. Genos began sombrely. "Actually, four years ago, when I was 15, I was still a real human being—"
"Did you hear what I just said?" Saitama asked.
"Although we had to pinch pennies, my family and I lived a peaceful and fairly happy life. But one day, a crazy cyborg went out of control and attacked our town. The Insane Cyborg… Most likely a failed body modification generated an irregularity in his brain. He destroyed everything in sight. Parks, schools, buildings, my house. He even took my family's lives. Miraculously, I survived but being only a weak 15-year-old, I was alone and at the end of my strength in a ruined town. That's when Doctor Kuseno happened to pass through. Doctor Kuseno, a scientist for justice, was on a mission to stop the destruction caused by the rampaging cyborg. I asked Doctor Kuseno to perform body modification surgery on me. That is how I was reborn as a cyborg who fights for justice. I promised Doctor Kuseno that one day I would terminate the evil cyborg."
Saitama nodded, eyes half-lidded. "I see—"
"It's been four years since that day. I'm now 19 and I've been wandering from town to town eliminating evil. The number of monsters and criminal organizations I have destroyed are too many to count but I have been unable to find any clues about the Insane Cyborg and have become increasingly frustrated and restless. I find myself chasing a virtual image of that cyborg whenever I square off against my enemies. Then, last week when that mosquito monster appeared, I let my concentration slip. I was convinced I could not lose to anything but the rampaging cyborg, so I neglected to even analyze the data of my opponent and rushed to confront her. The result, as you know, was that an opponent with immense strength bested me. If you, Master Saitama, had not been in the area, I would've undoubtedly been destroyed. Master, you saved my life. My life that was once saved by Doctor Kuseno has now been saved again by you, Master Saitama. I feel the weight of that responsibility. I must not die before destroying that cyborg. And to do that, I must continue fighting evil as a righteous cyborg. Until he appears before me one day. I need to get stronger! Last week, when I saw your punch, I knew I had to study under you as your disciple. If only I could be as strong as you, Master Saitama! I have an old enemy to defeat, and the battle is not for me only—"
Tatsumaki didn't particularly mind the long story (she could check out at will and she's been worn down by ALL of the horribly long Hero Association meetings) but Saitama looked ready to die. Genos continued yapping despite Saitama's twitching furrowed brow. Saitama's leg bounced against the floor, bumping into Tatsumaki's knee.
Genos hadn't noticed Saitama melting. He got more passionate and mouthy.
"It's for my hometown, and for Doctor Kuseno too. I realize I am still inexperienced. But right now, I need enormous power so I can eradicate the greatest of evils! Doctor Kuseno is—"
Saitama cracked. He slammed his hand on the stable, a crack in the air. "Enough! You idiot. Shorten it to 20 words or less!" he shouted, voice bouncing off the wall.
Genos was shocked. "Master—"
How did the table NOT break?! It was as strong as his superhero outfit. Wow! Anyway, 20 words or less. Saitama said that to her, multiple times Rude!
"He's an air-head. Can you repeat it? He totally didn't catch anything." she asked innocently. She batted her eyelashes like a seductive idiot.
Genos glanced at her and said, "I was not conversing with you. He asked if he would like to hear my problems, not you."
Tatsumaki gasped. Tatsumaki wanted to rip out every wire in Cyborg's stupid body!
Genos pointedly shifted his attention to Saitama. "Master, here's the short version: Please teach me the way to become strong like you," Genos said loudly.
Genos's eyes burned with intensity, his mind hungry for instructions and secrets. Tatsumaki felt his devout resolve. Will Saitama reveal his secrets?
Saitama's face was sharp and pronounced, his muscles a bit more defined. Her mouth watered and she couldn't stop tracing those lines with her eyes. She… She could just reach out and touch them, the muscles, the power.
"Genos…" Saitama said, his voice deeper than usual. Her spine tingled.
"Yes!" Genos said.
"How old are you?"
"19."
"So young…" Saitama's eyes smartened. "I'm sure you'll surpass me in no time."
Genos's voice was fragile yet strengthened by hope and anticipation. "Do you mean that?"
"I'm 25 now, but I was 22 when I started training in the summer. Sure, I'll teach you but it won't be easy. Can you handle it?"
Genos vibrated with happiness, a little smile transforming his face. "Yes, sir!"
Genos looked better… younger when he smiled. It was a gift after what Genos had been through. He didn't deserve to be cheated by Saitama. Genos was certain and desperate while Saitama couldn't eat a sandwich properly. Saitama couldn't teach people. He just gave off that vibe.
Tatsumaki elbowed Saitama and growled in a whisper, "You were just talking out of your ass, weren't you? You don't want a disciple, I do—"
"Shhh!" He held a finger up to her lips.
Tatsumaki froze. He's… almost touching… my lips, Tatsumaki thought.
Her attention was split between Saitama — almost — touching her face and how Genos was right there, observing them with his creepy cyborg eyes. Saitama hadn't moved and now they were looking at each other.
Tatsumaki swatted his hand away. His hand hung there, suspended, twitching, and she couldn't take the look in his eye anymore. He looked like he wanted to do something risky but maybe Tatsumaki could be projecting. He looked like he was considering something.
"W-Where are your gloves? You have to have your superhero outfit on." she blurted, as it was the only cohesive thought floating around her brain.
He slowly lowered his hand, recollecting his neutral energy. "I forgot! They're in the kitchen. I'll… I'll go—"
"No. Sit," she said firmly, quieting his protests. "Stay by me."
Tatsumaki didn't want to stop being in his orbit. Tatsumaki brought the gloves over and dumped them in his lap. He put on his gloves and wriggled his fingers.
Tatsumaki clapped enthusiastically. "Now you look proper. You just need more class."
"Thanks," Saitama said derisively.
She grinned.
"Master," Genos's eyes glowed an intense yellow. "Object approaching at high speed— It's here!" Genos announced.
The ceiling collapsed as this object kicked through the balcony window and the wall. The powdery dust and the shadows parted to reveal an ugly green thing with long-ass teeth and spikes clawing at Saitama.
"Yukaga! My name is… huh?" The monster mantis began but his name was never revealed.
Saitama got rid of it in one punch. Green fluid washed the wall and it was decapitated. "Pay for my ceiling!" Saitama ordered.
The fluid also got between her toes. Zenko will be devastated when she sees her nail work fucked up by some low-life wannabe monster innards.
There were probably more waiting to destroy Saitama. Well, now Tatsumaki wants the pleasure of making them go extinct.
"There are two more outside," Genos announced quietly.
Tatsumaki zoomed over the balcony to discover Saitama had already pummeled them. The two small monsters looked like upside-down gophers. Their upper bodies were buried in the concrete.
"Don't bust people's ceilings!" Saitama scolded.
Saitama sounded uncharacteristically upset but then again, someone just broke into his house, bled all over his clean apartment and had goons standing outside to finish the job.
"Can't you guys just come through the door?" Saitama complained.
Suddenly, Saitama was pulled into the ground. His head was still visible, like a bean sprout. Something yanked him by the legs into the concrete. Such a tug would've killed a normal man.
"M-Master!" Genos moved forward.
The ever so laid back Saitama shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I kinda feel like a… bamboo shoot."
"Elevated energy levels detected!" A monotone robotic voice droned.
Tatsumaki traced the voice of the foot thumper. It was something Metal Knight could probably spit out of his factory after months of careful planning, part assembling and testing.
A gigantic steel robot crashed onto the scene in metal armour. It had spiked shoulders, shining, polished metal limbs and beady blue eyes under its sterling helmet. Not to mention it was HUGE! Four or five times Tatsumaki's height. Damn, is that the Insane Cyborg Genos griped about?
Flashes of blue lightning danced across the street, more dirt caught in suspension. Tatsumaki could plant a whole forest with how much dirt was in the air. She couldn't see Saitama or Genos. The visibility was low.
"You are not the target," The robot told Genos then looked at Tatsumaki, who floated a couple of metres away from the both of them.
Genos tensed, sizing up the robot. Genos knew it was the Insane Cyborg, too! He's probably too traumatized to think rationally! What if he blew up the whole street? He better not scorch the block!
"Eh, Zuzu, what's going on? I can't see!" Saitama called out to her.
She ignored him and scowled at Genos. "I'm doing this. Go."
"No." Genos glared at Insane Cyborg. "He's my opponent. Help Master," Genos ordered calmly.
"Tch. Your "master" can handle this with his left thumb. You can't."
Genos glared at her defiantly.
"Fine! Have it your way, I'll just pick up the pieces along the street. I hope you die." Tatsumaki spat. She gets what she wants; a successful brawl and a dead toaster.
Genos better leave little scraps for his funeral. She doesn't want to defend Genos or Saitama for the shit they get themselves involved in! This wasn't her responsibility and they were equally infuriating! Saitama was just hotter than that idiot Genos.
"You're in the way!" The Insane Cyborg punched where Tatsumaki and Genos stood and bickered.
Tatsumaki escaped, watching the cracks in the pavement chase her shadow. She didn't want to do anything for Genos. She honestly wished he got knocked out. One swipe. That would solve all their problems.
Genos and Insane Cyborg traded punches and blows. Sadly, Genos held up very well, blocking every hit with a resounding clang and whoosh of high-speed air.
Then another one showed up, again! Tatsumaki groaned as a man-tiger humanoid appeared. She just wanted to talk to Saitama.
The monster's beefy arms hung like weapons and his huge upper body was barely contained by the furry shirt. He had a gold belt with a lion-head buckle while he stood with a slight hunch, tail swishing side to side.
His spiked teeth and red eyes were unnatural. Especially that halo of shock white hair, an untamed mane. His ruff was huge and unkempt.
"It would appear you're in what they call a 'tight spot'," The lion thing roared with laughter. He looked over to the middle of the street. "Well done, Ground Dragon!"
Ground Dragon shot out of the concrete. "It complicates things if they put up a fight," Ground Dragon complained, focusing on Tatsumaki.
Tatsumaki could easily squeeze these two into sausages. That ground dragon will be airborne as a pink mist. The street was flooded in tornadoes, lime green energy swirling. She was going to end this easily. All the bricks and rocks and dust cast a shadow over the three enemies. DIE! Tatsumaki enveloped the mole in her green powers.
"Guys," Saitama drawled, smacking his tongue. "Don't be so destructive! We're near my house!"
And that killed any —already limited, almost non-existent— motivation to deal with his issues. This was the dick those kids adored?
Ground Dragon fell to the ground as her jaw dropped. Destructive?! DESTRUCTIVE! Here she was, trying to help his bamboo-looking ass and she was being loud? Fuck him and his ungrateful dick. Tch.
Tatsumaki stomped away from the fight scene. Tatsumaki just wanted to talk to him and this shit occurs! Like she had a headache, she was nearing her period because changing birth control methods sucked and now this?! She didn't want to fight. It was hard enough keeping her powers under wraps. Hormones just fucked with her.
Tatsumaki leaned on his building, annoyed. She could destroy the monsters but she wanted to see Genos dead and Saitama annoyed by conflict.
The lion looked confused and the Ground Dragon kept on wheezing, blood pouring out of his mouth. He looked like a bobby pin. He collapsed to his knees.
"Master!" Genos yelped in alarm.
"You dare look away?" The Insane Cyborg took a running start, each step wobbling earth's mantle. "Quite courageous!"
The punch Insane Cyborg threw did nothing, Genos evaded it easily. Instead of running away, putting some distance between him and the metal psycho, Genos pressed a bomb to Insane's Cyborg's chest. The explosion made her eardrums crackle and the yellow, orange and red glow nearly blinded her eyes.
Still, Insane Cyborg jumped out of the flames, most of his armour melted away. Underneath were layers of… muscle? Insane Cyborg still had human components. Blegh.
Anyway, the fireball Insane Cyborg nearly landed on Genos but Genos pushed away. Insane Cyborg's body landed waist-deep in the concrete, extinguishing himself. Putrid-smelling smoke blasted in every direction, blanketing the street in a black veil.
Genos popped out of the black cloud, his black pants and navy cut off shirt perfectly fine.
"I am the pinnacle of the House of Evolution's science. I am Armoured Gorilla!" Armoured Gorilla cleared the smoke that shielded his presence, his big body jerking as he attempted to free himself. "Your attacks have no effect!"
"The "House of Evolution"? What does it want with my master?" Genos asked.
"It is none of your business," Armoured Gorilla stepped out of his self-made crater, crawling like a gorilla. "And it is our rule that any who oppose us be eliminated without fail. I must destroy you."
He was 500 pounds of thick steel and impenetrable rage. His beady blue eyes were heartless and calculating. His robotic rasp was flat and straightforward. The House of Evolution worked for this.
"Hey, jerk-off!" The lion gnashed his teeth together, brows twitching. "What's with that look?"
Saitama yawned. "Being underground keeps you cool, but at the same time, it's nice and warm. I'm sleepy. Could you get lost?"
Tatsumaki felt the lion's sheer exasperation with Saitama. Maybe Saitama got targeted by so many monsters because he pissed them off!
The lion laughed drily. "I see I need to teach you your place. Listen up! I'm gonna slice your eyes out with these! Then we'll see if you resist."
The lion's nails were millimetres away from giving Saitama's brain a massage. The lion was crouched down low, like a predator.
"The Beast King never lets anyone off easy." The lion purred.
Maybe Saitama was fucking with them. He probably didn't take these fights seriously. God knew she didn't. Saitama nodded and easily rose out of the ground. Saitama acted as though he emerged from a sand prison instead of a brick one.
"Well, enough fooling around. If you wanna apologize, now's your chance," Saitama told the two monsters.
Silence came from the two enemies.
"You guys smashed my ceiling!" Saitama added, fists curling up.
"Hmm. Fine," The lion stood at his full height. "Then behold the true power of the Beast—"
"Aw man," Saitama groaned. "I got dirt in my special place."
"Hey, are you listening?" The lion demanded.
"Let me just shake this out." Saitama comically proceeded to shake out dirt from his belt buckle while the two monsters watched and waited.
"You done?" The lion urged.
"One sec."
Tatsumaki hadn't witnessed a situation so mesmerizingly ridiculous as this one during a fight. Never.
He caught her staring. Instead of commenting on her red face and intense attentiveness, Saitama took a moment to warn Tatsumaki. She shot into the air where nothing could touch her. For once, it actually felt good to just watch a good fight without being bored. She was still pissed, though.
Saitama finally set his belt in place. "I'm done."
"Okay, then behold the true power of the Beast King!" Beast King belted.
Beast King's nails grew a foot long and his mane looked sharper than darts. The veins on his arms were like slithering snakes.
"Lion Slash!"
The house across the street was sliced into five pieces. Atomic Samurai had made a cameo in Beast King.
Beast King and Saitama fought like they were dancing. Saitama dodged clumsily and Beast King scratched chunks out of the street with his scooping movements.
They moved around in circles until the pig and frog-like monsters were sliced in three.
"Outta my way, pissants," Beast King roared. "Such is the law of the jungle! And you're next!"
Beast King levelled up, his flesh and brawn swelling. He ripped his shirt when flexing. Tatsumaki had only ever seen Tank-Top Master do that.
"Wait! Don't kill him yet!" Ground Dragon protested.
Beast King didn't listen. "Lion Slash! Meteor Power Shower!"
Beast King's claws were everywhere at once. The blur of white and yellow hurt her eyes. The slashes were too fast for Tatsumaki's eyes to follow yet Saitama kept up with it all.
Anyway, it was a privilege, watching someone as clueless as Saitama punch Beast King into a puddle of organs. The unimpressed Saitama set his sights on the snivelling little mole Ground Dragon.
17 emotions went through the mole's ugly expression.
Now the monsters realized Saitama's actual power level. Tatsumaki's gone through it herself and it was a dangerous, humbling experience.
Ground Dragon burrowed in the subterrene as quickly as his little broken arms could dig him.
Tatsumaki was ready to call it a day and walk away but Saitama jumped underground like that was an option. Tatsumaki didn't hear him or see him for 20 seconds. The road rippled away from one epicentre where Saitama emerged.
Tatsumaki flew down to him, a slight scowl on her face. They were face to face and he sighed. "That fight was slow and they broke my house," he grumbled.
What did he classify as a fun fight? She didn't want to be around when he did have that battle. Everything about him was… interesting. God. That thing in her heart is growing, pulsating.
"You're dusty," she whispered.
Tatsumaki brushed some of the dust off of his shoulders. Saitama's shoulders were so firm and taut. God. Did the rest of him feel this way— BAD! No! No. Don't think about it! Keep the temptation in.
"I was helping you and the water bottle over there." Tatsumaki rolled her eyes, pulling back reluctantly.
Saitama tilted his head. "You'd have upended my block with overkill. I was falling asleep." he hummed, closing his eyes and remembering the sensation of being buried. "It was peaceful."
"That seemed like a torture method. Weirdo."
"Hey, you should try it. I recommend it."
"I kinda have this thing called an I.Q, so no. I'm good," she muttered under her breath.
Tatsumaki scanned the damage spanning across the street. "You have a target on your back. You're putting yourself in dangerous people's eyes. Do better."
He smirked, leaning close to her face. "Oh now you're worried about me?" His voice was smooth and warm, dripping down her back like honey.
Was he teasing her? Why did that tingling feeling shoot up her spine?! Why did she care that he knew that she cared about him?! This was so embarrassing! The sudden gentleness in the air was too much!
"Gah!" Tatsumaki ducked so he couldn't see her face. "Be grateful SOMEBODY cares enough! God!"
"Answer the question or be eliminated," Genos said loudly, catching their attention. "Your choice."
Genos and Armoured Gorilla were at the tail-end of their fight. Genos's hand/weapon was pointed at the bruised, battered and burnt Armoured Gorilla slumped against the wall. His huge arms and legs were ripped off.
Genos, believe it or not, survived this one pretty well. Boo! She wanted to curse at his casket.
"It is you who will be eliminated. You fool." Armoured Gorilla said as Saitama and Tatsumaki got close. "I am the third most powerful fighter in the House of Evolution. At your power level, you will never beat the Beast King, the second most powerful. You will be destroyed."
"Is this who you mean?" Saitama asked, dangling Beast King's eye like a freaking yo-yo.
He tossed it away. When… did… he get it? Ugh. Nevermind.
"Apparently so," affirmed Genos.
Armoured Gorilla hummed, thinking vigorously about something. Then his eyes got wide and he started running his mouth. "Look, I'm really sorry! I'll tell you everything, just don't kill me!"
Armoured Gorilla's tough, robotic voice disappeared and so did his loyalty. Wow. Tatsumaki whistled with amusement. That was quick. Loyalty doesn't mean anything, huh.
"What the—? What happened to your robot voice?" Saitama asked.
"Sorry, I was just trying to sound cool." The gorilla ducked sheepishly.
Tatsumaki folded her arms. "I think you sounded perfectly intimidating. I was impressed," Tatsumaki said lightly.
"Th-Thank you?" Armoured Gorilla said unsurely.
"Was." Tatsumaki leaned in. "Then you and the walking jalopy burnt my streets again and attacked MY guy. Tell me why. GET TO THE POINT!" she shouted with a stomp of her foot.
Armoured Gorilla cowered and spilled. "Long ago, there existed a brilliant young scientist. By dint of his astonishing genius… he was able to make a number of contributions to human knowledge. Eventually, however, he became disillusioned with the world. Though constantly showered with praise for the subtlety of his mind… none of his ideas or theories ever received the slightest support from the scientific community. "We should not be striving to advance civilization… but rather the artificial evolution of humans as a species." That was the only dream he had ever had. But not a single person came forward to help him fulfill that dream. Thereafter, he devoted himself to research. It was only after 70 that his efforts began to yield results. First, the scientist regained his youth. Next, he began cloning himself. He named his laboratory the House of Evolution… and together with his clones… he conducted countless experiments with animals to create new species. Eventually, his experiments shifted to humans subjects—"
"This is taking too long!" Saitama complained. "What's this got to do with me? You're just tryin' to act cool again! Just get to the point!"
"My master is a busy man. Summarize it in 20 words or less." Genos advised, imparting Saitama's words of wisdom. He catches on quickly, huh.
"I— I'm sorry." The gorilla apologized with a stammer. "So in other words, my boss has become very curious about your body."
"WHO?" Tatsumaki shrieked and the gorilla flinched.
"I'm not interested in dudes," Saitama said clearly.
"I think you misunderstood, master," Genos said. "He plans to use your body, which surpasses normal human limitations… for his research of evolution."
Dr. Gray, as if I'd let him touch you, Tatsumaki scoffed. She scrutinized the scared gorilla. "Your boss is a dead man."
Armoured Gorilla nodded a million times. "A-And I agree. He's in danger."
"Anyway," Genos continued, tone serious. "If we don't do something, I'm sure he'll try again. We cannot allow him a free hand. Our move should be to attack him."
"Sure, let's go," Saitama said.
"Okay."
And Saitama took off, Tatsumaki floating behind him.
"Now?" Genos asked.
Yes now. She had a boss to imprison. The sooner, the better. Saitama and Tatsumaki can literally talk. Alone. If those dickwads ruined her photos. Ugh.
"Yeah. There's a sale tomorrow." Saitama said, flapping the flyer he snagged from some supermarket. "Can't do it then."
Tatsumaki gasped. Betrayed. "You're so shallow! This is about justice, not purchases!" Tatsumaki shouted. "And Car Parts, don't come."
"I'm right beside you, don't yell." Saitama winced.
"Master!" Genos hurried to catch up to Saitama, who walked fast despite being late all the time.
She'll catch up. Genos was going to be tricky. He was deifying Saitama and had the propensity for reckless violence.
Scoffing, Tatsumaki stayed behind, studying the Armoured Gorilla. "How will you get up?" she questioned. His arms and legs were ripped off.
Armoured Gorilla averted his gaze. "I'll figure it out."
The Alis Association and the House of Evolution test on living beings or people with special abilities. The House of Evolution created special abilities while the Alis association just tests on those who were born with them.
God. This was getting her in a bad, pissy mood. What the hell was wrong with these scientists? They go after Tatsumaki then Fubuki and her school and now they target Saitama? Why couldn't they just let her live?!
Tatsumaki glowered at her bare toes. Armoured Gorilla was a victim, truly, even if he messed up the street. She didn't want to blame him for his boss's actions.
"By the way, your story was cool. My fiance has no appreciation for the art of storytelling." Tatsumaki shrugged.
"You're marrying… that," Armoured Gorilla eyed Saitama's flapping cape and bald head getting farther and farther away.
"Yeah. No one man should have all that power."
His eyes widened. "You plan to take it from him? Impossible!"
"It's lonely at the top," Tatsumaki whispered. "I think I'm the only one who understands that it sucks. Since I'm also one of the big guns."
People… treated her differently, distantly and she's probably made it worse. She was proudly a show-off. In Saitama's case, he deserves none of the consequences of… strength.
"The pursuit of power is just as dangerous as having it all." Armoured Gorilla nodded like he understood. "Congratulations. That's very lucky, the engagement."
Tatsumaki tilted her head. "Maybe. I want to eat takoyaki at the wedding. It's my foster father's favourite food," Tatsumaki admitted, her voice strained. She steeled herself and blinked away any emotion. "Anyway— whoever's making you do this… testing on you and holding you down, just… run away, make something good for yourself. They… They can't keep you forever. In a cage. Alone. Scared. Weak."
"It's not a bad life…" Armoured Gorilla sighed as if he was resigned to the control, the fear, the manipulation.
"A golden cage is still a… cage," she said sharply, ignoring the stinging in the back of her throat. "You got a mind that could bend steel. And you could jump really high too. Tell me you'll do something good. You are meant for so much more than being a mindless slave," she said quietly, almost pleading with her eyes.
"I'll try," he said. Truthfully.
Tatsumaki smiled wetly, relieved. Good. Good. Her heart stuttered then soared. At least he'd make something out of himself.
Soundlessly, Saitama popped up beside her. "You coming or not?" Saitama asked.
Startled, she turned to him and met his gaze. It was like a rope tying them. "You— I. I'm… doing something… Like."
Her gaze skittered down to his chin. Her chest is too achy and tight and ugh, damn it! Damn emotions. Through this messy pool of ideas, she didn't want to show him anything.
Tatsumaki balked at Saitama's bad timing and shut herself off. She could just feel all of her walls coming back up with spikes on every brick. Her face was probably puffy and her voice had a guttural roll. Weak.
"I'm questioning Armoured Gorilla here so I'm going to need you to get all the way off my back about leaving for a location we don't know about yet," she snapped.
"Yo, Zuzu, you don't have shoes and… Something's in your hair." Saitama reached for her hair and pulled back with an interesting sound. "It's a tooth. I'm surprised it didn't pierce your skull."
"That's so gross!" Tatsumaki cried, shoving Saitama's chest. "It's all YOUR fault! I'm getting my shoes, washing my hands and getting an umbrella because bitch ass monsters keep raining on us. This is ridiculous! Is there anything else on me?"
"Yeah, yeah, your bad attitude," Saitama joked.
She shoved his chest again, risking her wrist bones.
"Genos, we'll be out in five minutes. Zuzu's being fussy," he informed the nearby cyborg.
"Fussy?! I just don't want to be covered in the organs of the deceased! How would you feel if you found a tooth in your hair?!"
Transfixed, Saitama glared. "You said that on purpose, did you?"
All the annoyance she felt switched out for the levity humour brought. She laughed.
"No. I didn't, I seriously didn't," Tatsumaki snorted. "What a happy coincidence and a hairy situation. Get it, because you don't have hair?"
"Whatever." Saitama led her inside. "C'mon, brat. You'll be fine."
Genos had extracted the location of the House of Evolution. Tatsumaki had a feeling Saitama shot Armoured Gorilla dirty looks because he caught her all emotional. She's never had a guy shoot dirty looks because of her.
###
Tatsumaki had called Badd and Zenko, saying she was having "date night" with Saitama. Badd didn't care but seemed disgruntled with the prospect of eating leftovers.
Tatsumaki hated doing missions in the forest. There were ghosts, Mysterious Beings and now shady ass clones. The haze of humidity and the bugs floating around made for a sticky, gross experience running through the forest or in her case, flying through the forest. She probably swallowed a fruit fly or two.
She flew. Saitama ran comically fast and Genos was good at following their lead. The rims of her sunglasses dug into her cheekbones and her hair whipped behind her.
"I didn't think we'd be running the whole way," Genos told Saitama.
"How else are we gonna get there?"
"I was sure you could fly or something," Genos admitted.
"Humans can't fly, you know," Saitama said then looked at Tatsumaki. "Except for Zuzu."
Duh. Only the greats like her can fly.
There were rocks up ahead. She hoped the eco-terrorists didn't punch through them. Saitama and Genos were devastating to the environment.
The two men hopped up the massive rocks like they were small stepping stones. She knew they were S-class material. Well, Saitama was beyond S-class. Was… he Blast's son? No, Blast was handsome. Well, Saitama is handsome too. Was Saitama Z-Class and Blast's son? No. But maybe? Blast was a grown man when she was saved, he probably has a family—
"It's amazing that you are never late. You are a true hero." Genos complimented.
"Actually, I hardly ever arrive on time," Saitama responded.
Tatsumaki blinked. Saitama was just EVIDENTLY not suited to lead anyone ever. She was never late. People who were late didn't need jobs or disciples. She's bewildered.
Before she could lecture them, they saw a tall ass stone structure with straight lines carved into it. It was slightly discoloured by green and beige from the wild-life and weather erosion it faced.
They landed on the platform. She took off her sunglasses and rested them on her head. Damn.
"This is the place Gorilla told us of," Genos said.
Tatsumaki clicked her tongue. "I wish they tried harder to maintain it. It'd be beautiful if they actually treated it like a house."
"It's the company's name. Not a descriptor of the building."
Offended, Tatsumaki pointed her closed red umbrella at Genos. "How the fuck do you know if people don't live there? People live in houses. Ergo, it's a house."
Genos bristled. "That is not how it works—"
"So this is the house of evolution." Saitama interrupted smoothly. "One, two, three, four, five, six… Looks like it's about eight stories high."
Tatsumaki pointed at its top floor. "Yeah. Dr. Gray, wanna race to see who could get to the top the fastest?"
Saitama looked enticed by the challenge. Tatsumaki set her sunglasses and the umbrella on the ground. She was faster? She thinks. No, she knows. She could be at least Y-Class or something. Then Genos blew the structure up. Again! What the actual hell! Tatsumaki shielded herself from the blast. The hot surge was annoying because of the consequences.
"What was that all of a sudden?" Saitama asked Genos when the flames died down.
Genos looked pleased with himself. "Yes, I decided it would be most efficient to destroy them all in one swoop," Genos explained casually.
Tatsumaki knew the real reason he blew up the building; seeing Saitama and Tatsumaki getting along was too much. Jealous motherfucker! He just didn't think.
The greenery and tall building were gone. Instead, there was a huge dent in the forest. No more birds chirping or buzzes of insects, only the scent of ashes and dead masonry. Saitama's umbrella was destroyed. She caught a floating piece of red water-proof fabric. Why did he do that?!
"Well, that's true but… we could have at least seen what the bad guys had in store for us," Saitama said softly. "That was kind of mean."
"What's with you and destroying nature?!" Tatsumaki shouted, getting all up in Genos's face, well as much as she could manage with her small build. "You have no consideration for anyone else that you work with! That's the second time you nearly blew us up! Some student you are. The next time you do that, I'll kill you."
"Sure," Genos said dismissively then walked around her to scan the field.
Tatsumaki chuckled. "You're a little low on the food chain to be cheeky. The next time you fuck up and you're scattered along the floor, I'll gather your scrap metal and sell you for one, singular grape. I don't even eat purple grapes. But— but I'm really craving grapes, I'll speed up the inevitable." she smiled sweetly. "Watch out."
Tatsumaki was ready to pummel him but no, Saitama yelled; "Hey, look, there's a basement!"
Saitama found this rectangular hatch. He reached for it then peeled the metal back the way one opened a sardine can. The stale musty air pushed up, smelling like erectile dysfunction.
Scoffing, Tatsumaki jumped inside, finding that there was a long-ass hallway with lights barely illuminating the path. Their steps echoed and their voices hung in the still air.
It was kind of dull, walking through. At least Saitama and Tatsumaki fell in step, arms brushing ever so often. However, Saitama was supercharged with excitement.
"The basement is huge! I'm getting kind of fired up," Saitama told the indifferent Tatsumaki.
Hmph. This was as mundane as taking out the trash. Tatsumaki rolled her shoulders with a yawn. "You want this. You do all the work. I get the boss. In and out. Quickly." she grunted.
Then Tatsumaki gets to talk to him and voila, the kids are happy and he doesn't feel useless.
"Sure but you never know what you find."
"You find the same shit. Nothing's new," Tatsumaki spat. "The same creeps do the same wacky experiments on humans. All they needed was therapy or human company if they were poor. Isn't that tragic?"
"I've never gone to therapy. If I wanted to lie on a couch for an hour, I'd do so at home 'cause my old man is a thera—"
"What?" Tatsumaki frowned. "But you don't have a couch."
"At my parent's home. My dad's a therapist—"
"And you turned out like this?" Tatsumaki said, stunned. He was a totally depressed and isolated person. His parents didn't pick up on that?!
"Therapists cause problems too," Saitama shrugged.
Genos suddenly skidded to a stop, clenching up his fist. "I sense living beings deeper in."
Duh. Obviously. There was no way monsters would live in the building Genos blasted to smithereens. Nothing's that easy. Tatsumaki was pretty spot-on about these things.
"Master, two of them are approaching!" Genos informed them.
Down the abyss, the lights extinguished in pairs, broken glass shattering continuously like a song. Tatsumaki's ears whined at the strange noises.
"Oh, heere we go!" A vociferous cry of exhilaration caught her attention.
Something big like a rhinoceros vaulted down the wide corridor. The large monster had thick, disproportionate wrists and a small, ugly face. "There are three. Which one is it?" it said.
"The right one!" A small voice said.
"In that case, you don't need the one on the left," The monster laughed sinisterly.
Tatsumaki's heart stopped. She was on the left. With GENOS! Saitama tugged her body to his chest and caught her, pulling her out of danger. She bristled. She could do that herself! Herself! Meanwhile, the monster bodychecked Genos into the concrete.
"Genos?" Saitama asked.
Anyway, Genos hung from the wall. Genos's ass stuck out at an uncomfortable angle. Hell, didn't Genos hear what the freak said? His computer-brain didn't work fast enough?
Genos wasn't responding, probably knocked out. She plucked Genos out of the wall and propped him against it. This was what she instructed C-Class heroes not to do; rush into fights and get hurt. Genos groaned and she face-palmed. Stupid. Stupid. Imbecile.
On the positive note; "Maybe that grape will come sooner than I thought," Tatsumaki mused.
She ignored Saitama's shot a disapproving look her way. He was looking at her like she was the asshole. She's been telling Genos how he can't handle conflict and now she's the asshole for predicting the future?! She was a prophetess.
Tatsumaki eventually gave into Saitama's concerned expression and she sighed. "You focus on the fight, I'll make sure he's alive." she dismissed him. "Go get fired up. Woo-hoo."
Saitama nodded then shamelessly looked up at the towering creature with a beetle-like exoskeleton.
"I am Carnage Kabuto! We got a combat experimentation room. Let's do this in there." The monster said.
"You turned Genos into a piece of modern art." Saitama sounded angry. "Fight's on!"
The monster snarled. Genos was an imbecile who constantly lost fights but he was also a grown-ass man who made his own bad choices. Tatsumaki only babysat Zenko and Badd.
Tatsumaki didn't want to miss any action. This was the only time Saitama organically invited her into his hero world. She couldn't miss a thing. Anticipation was alive under her skin. The expression in Saitama's eyes was concerned but also a little hot and unhinged, like a campfire that had one too many logs added to it.
If he wanted to, Genos could go outside, recover in the burnt dirt and breathe in his failures like incense.
So, Tatsumaki followed Carnage Kabuto and Saitama into the combat experimentation room. Carnage Kabuto was a tiny, insignificant ant in a room this big with all-white tiles. It seemed pure and bright, like a second heaven, but scientific and restrained with all the cameras.
Tatsumaki didn't feel safe. But she was always in control. In control. Here, where details were magnified and emphasized, watching Carnage Kabuto hurt her head more than her eyes. He was proof of the boss's unstable, experimental genius.
She needs to lay down. This took ALL OF HER ENERGY.
Carnage Kabuto had all these wrong parts. A human voice, an animal's bloodlust, thick skin, large spikes on his arms and legs with a large horn on his head with gross wings stapled to his back. Not to mention he stood eternally hunched over like his arms weighed too much.
He was like a hundred yards away from Saitama and Tatsumaki but she still felt dirty, knowing she's similar to him. She was tested on, experimented on, aberrant, unnatural. It felt bad. Really bad. Fuck.
And the white walls made the light harsh. This was why she made her house dark and black, she hated all-white rooms! They gave her anxiety. Breathing exercises failed her. Fuck. Fuck! Suck in more air, body, damn it. Come on! It's not like she's been breathing her WHOLE FUCKING LIFE! Get it together, Aihara.
"Zuzu, you okay?" Saitama asked. He noticed she was on edge of something.
"I don't wanna be involved."
Finding her actions odd, he pulled his brows together, crouching a bit. "You don't wanna fight? For real?"
"Ju-Just Hurry up or I'll finish this." Tatsumaki snapped, voice an octave higher. "Carnage Kabuto doesn't deserve to get touched by any Espers. He's embarrassing to science."
"Embarrassing to science?" Carnage Kabuto made a sound in the back of his throat that wasn't quite yet a growl. "Girly, don't worry, I'll be coming after you."
"Promise?" Tatsumaki deadpanned, settling a far away enough distance from the two. "I'm here for your boss." Maybe he's connected to Raegan.
"In here, I'm the boss." Carnage Kabuto chortled uncontrollably.
Carnage Kabuto caught Saitama checking out the ceiling. "Pretty big, eh. It's the biggest room in the facility. This is where they make us fight to test our combat abilities. Well then, let's start the killing."
A set of explosions and meaningless attacks sounded off. She knew Genos was alive and blasting much to his own detriment. Even as Genos sparked across the room and did all these beautiful leaping attacks, none of them affected Carnage Kabuto.
Genos rolled across the room like a ball, leaving a trail of fumes and Saitama caught him. He jerked a couple of times then slumped.
"He got me," Genos said.
No shit. Genos's heaving pants and failing machinery louder than his words. Saitama worriedly set Genos down. Carnage Kabuto looked so pleased with himself and Tatsumaki was tempted to join the fight just to smack him.
"Let me," Genos struggled to stand and speak, "take him…"
"Your face is all cracked. Don't push yourself," Saitama instructed the supine cyborg.
Regardless of all the fat beatings he took, Genos shot a huge fireball capable of burning down a city. It was glorious and furious.
Unsurprisingly, Genos was impressive but he wasn't enough. Carnage Kabuto beat the odds and blew on the fireball. He shot the fire back at Saitama and Genos, reversing Genos's attack.
"With his breath? Impossible." Genos cried out.
The wave of flames washed over them for a few seconds. When it was over, Genos's hair was a goddamn afro, coiling and big… Just wow.
"Genos, you okay?" Saitama questioned, sounding troubled.
"Y-Yes…"
"No, you're not. Look at yer head." Saitama's mouth hung open until Carnage Kabuto cackled again.
Carnage Kabuto was good. Objectively and terrifyingly so. Genos survived something big. Carnage Kabuto was a worthy opponent to Genos. A Demon-level threat with his superhuman strength and speed.
"You've gone and gotten my hopes up," Saitama said in that attractive voice again.
It's obsessive but she tracked his voice from the flat to slightly nasal disembodied phases it dips through. Now, he was sensuous and insistent. His expression was sharp and full with a confidence Tatsumaki wanted to taste and a grace she wanted to feel.
So dreamy…
"What's the hold-up? Let's go." Carnage Kabuto whined. "Bring everything you've got."
Saitama stood. When Saitama fearlessly walked up to Carnage Kabuto, his cape flapped. She had to get closer. This fight will be big and epic. She settled beside Genos… to protect him. Not to see how Saitama's calf muscles flexed a bit.
"Oh, I see it. I see it. You're supposed to be strong." Carnage Kabuto mocked.
Saitama responded sharply, "Don't disappoint me now. You're this place's ultimate weapon, right? You're clearly not the same as the guys from this morning. Look at you, just oozing with confidence."
Saitama got close enough to smell Carnage Kabuto's musk of death.
Carnage Kabuto disappeared. She blinked and he was running across the wall then basically transported behind Saitama, winding up for the punch of the century.
When the moment finally built up, Carnage Kabuto abruptly fled to the wall farthest away from Saitama and the fight. He flapped his nasty wings as fast as he could with sheer panic on his face like a coward.
"What are you doing?" Saitama asked Carnage Kabuto calmly. "Oi."
The silence stretched on. "You BASTARD. How the hell did you get that strong?" Carnage Kabuto demanded.
Ah, Carnage Kabuto was intelligent. He hadn't even attacked or underestimated Saitama, who left himself wide open with that goofy expression.
Tatsumaki was a groomed hero with an eye for talent yet she hadn't detected his true strength until a while into knowing him. Carnage Kabuto figured it out after a couple of minutes. Then again, Tatsumaki was horribly biased.
Saitama's face got heavenly and handsome. "So you wanna know too? Okay, fine. Genos, you listen carefully too."
Tatsumaki hadn't asked but she was curious. Everything about Saitama was mysterious… if not a bit mythical.
"I'd like to know too." Some random beat up guy in a suit said.
Oh! Tatsumaki recognized him. He was the one who got hit by glass and was dragged like a ragdoll by Carnage Kabuto. Was he a victim? How'd he get here?
"Who are you?" Tatsumaki asked sharply, slipping in front of Genos. Maybe he was a Demon-level enemy who could transform. Maybe he's fought and had a humanoid husk…
"I'm Genus." he introduced himself. It rang no bells.
"Well fine," Saitama accepted the limping man's introduction. Since he didn't react, Tatsumaki didn't either.
"Listen up. First, what's important is to make sure you stick to this intense training regimen. Listen Genos. You just have to keep doing it. No matter how hard it gets. It took me three years to get this strong. One hundred push-ups! One hundred sit-ups! One hundred squats! Then a 10-kilometre run! Every single day!"
Saitama looked so serious, bull-like and proud. Like he said the secret to immortality. The three others, who were in search of strength and actual effective advice were fucked if they followed this guy anywhere.
"And of course, make sure you eat three meals a day. Just a banana in the morning is fine. But the most important thing is…" Saitama paused, building the non-existential suspense, "to never use the A.C or heat in the summer or winter so that you can strengthen the mind,
"In the beginning, you'll wish you were dead. You might start thinking, "What's the harm of taking a day off?" but for me, in order to become a strong hero, no matter how tough it was… even if I was spitting blood, I never stopped. I kept doing squats even when my legs were so heavy they refused to move. Even when my arms started making weird clicking noises… I kept doing push-ups! A year and a half later, I started to notice the difference. I was bald... and I had become stronger!
"In other words, you gotta train like hell to the point where your hair falls out! That's the only way to become strong." Saitama clenched his fist, looking real pleased too. "The guys that are fooling around with the "new human race" and evolution junk will never make it this far. Humans are strong because we have the ability to change ourselves!"
"W-What?!" Genus stuttered.
Tatsumaki couldn't help nodding along to his story. If only he could tell this speech to the newbies who pass the Hero Examination Exam she's going to attend with Amai Mask. He'd fire them all up or… embarrass himself.
"Master… you are so… FULL OF CRAP!" Genos yelled, standing up in a rage. "That is nothing but standard strength training. And it's not even that intense!"
"Hey now, I'm strong and I haven't done it. Cut him a break," Tatsumaki snapped, defending Saitama, who looked confused.
"Be quiet!" Genos shouted. "I— I have to get stronger. I didn't ask to study under you just to hear jokes! Master Saitama, your power is clearly stronger than what you'd get from just training your body. We want to know your true secret!" Genos insisted.
"Genos," Saitama started delicately. "You may not believe me, but that's really all I did."
"See fork boy," Tatsumaki stuck out her tongue. "Stop insulting him… Just think about it… he got b-bald doing that—" Tatsumaki snickered. "It's ookay."
"Zuzu."
"Hey, I'm on your team!" Tatsumaki claimed, killing her laughter. "I'm all for squats. And hair loss."
"Oh yeah?" Carnage Kabuto asked. "If you don't wanna tell us your secret, so be it."
Ominous cracking sounds and pops sounded off like bullets. The bleeding glasses nerd stepped backward. "Stop! You'll go on another rampage," warned Genus.
Alarms went off, blaring red and making her head hurt.
"I bet you aren't aren't stronger than me anyway," Carnage Kabuto boasted.
He was… changing. Levelling up. He somehow broke out of his beetle-like shell. His horn grew into the size of a rapier. His muscles expanded, morphing from an even mud brown to this deep purple with cracks of this plasma green colour.
The entrance closed, trapping them inside.
"But since you pissed me off… I'm gonna annihilate you!" Carnage Kabuto released an animalistic growl. "Carnage mode!"
Saitama pulled out the flyer he so adored. "Zuzu. Can you hold onto this? I don't wanna lose it."
Tatsumaki raised a brow. Weirdo with no memory, Saitama. Nevertheless, Tatsumaki grabbed the flyer and folded it carefully.
The room went from a clinical white into this red and black cyberspace. Carnage Kabuto's hazardous neon green skin and crimson eyes were really highlighted in the dark.
Carnage Kabuto said, "When I get like this, I lose control for a whole week… and my lust for death cannot be quelled! After I kill you, I'll head into town and go on a killing rampage until next Saturday! If you are indeed a strong hero then try and stop me!"
And they fought.
Carnage Kabuto didn't play games, throwing the yellow dot that was Saitama around. He was a relentless demon, serving blows and breaking walls.
Saitama wasn't in danger but watching this was worse than seeing Zombieman getting his ligaments torn up, blood everywhere like a crime scene and Fubuki stubbing her toe.
Tatsumaki didn't like seeing Saitama in danger despite knowing he could handle it. He really could. Saitama was getting pummeled and wasted. Even the weird Genus figure got this evil glint in his glasses. It was as if a father were watching a son further his own legacy.
"That means that today is… BARGAIN DAY AT THE SUPERMARKET!" Saitama cried, his eyes wide and fanatic.
Saitama punched through Carnage Kabuto as gallons of green blood rained down.
Carnage Kabuto's rampage lasted about a minute. He couldn't even cry out because… his upper body was gone. Carnage Kabuto's corpse was three metres away from Saitama, who landed on his knees and began freaking out.
Woah…
Saitama screamed hysterically, holding his head in disbelief. "I screwed up!"
For a man to scream like this over a sale, she knew he was insane. His morals and priorities were screwed up. He cared more about missing a sale than a Demon-Level threat rampaging for an ENTIRE week. Saitama was… something else. Really, something else.
A sale was more significant than saving countless people… Weird. Tatsumaki pursed her lips. "He's so weird."
"Master is not strange. Do not insult him. He accomplished more than you have."
Not that she could ignore Dr. Dray's obvious strength, hearing the truth stung. Tatsumaki lifted a brow. Did Genos think he'd surpass… Saitama? The knowledge that nobody can surpass Saitama will make fork boy's life hell. Genos should just give up. Tatsumaki scoffed. Everyone should just give up.
Before Genos could retaliate, she sighed. "Come on Car Parts, let's go to the sale or else he won't stop screaming like a goddamn loser."
The nerd was flabbergasted and bewildered.
Genos snatched the flyer out of her hand, unfolded it and presented it to Genus. "I'm pretty sure he's upset about this." Genos declared evenly.
Rude. Tatsumaki stuck out her tongue and waltzed over to a helpless and miserable Saitama. Genos was hot on her heels.
"Master, the store closes at 10:00 p.m." Genos informed the distraught Saitama. "That is about four hours away. If we really hurry, we can make it."
Saitama scrambled to his feet, face cleared of agony. "I'll make it if I hurry?" he asked hopefully.
Genos nodded fiercely. "Yes."
"Let's go, Genos!" Saitama exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Yes, Master!" Genos said, reinvigorated.
Genos was more than eager to follow Saitama. He offered an oath of fealty and service to a chosen master like Saitama. And she couldn't even get a disciple? She was amazing. Okay maybe not that amazing but how did he, the most anti-social, hermit person ever get a disciple?
Saitama punched a gaping hole in the wall. Sunset spilled inside while they took off. Without her. She felt like the third wheel, again!
Genos and Saitama just… clicked. It was easy for them. She followed Saitama around for days and even drew up contracts that he didn't read. It was different with Genos. Saitama actually showed his emotions around Genos within a day and invited Genos inside of his apartment.
Should she even ask Saitama for a favour? Both Genos and Aimi have his attention and she… she didn't. She sighed.
Suddenly, a cool whish of air enveloped her space, nearly knocking her over. An arm caught her. Of course. Saitama. Who else treats her like a domino?
"It's rare to see you this distracted. Oi! Oi, Zuzu? You listening? Let's go." Saitama whispered.
Tatsumaki watched Saitama suspiciously and wrenched her arm away. "Where's your little disciple?" she sneered.
"We're not like that." he shrugged.
"Sure." she rolled her eyes. "He adores you. You're halfway there."
He lifted a sculpted brow. "Why're you moping?"
"I'm NOT moping! I'm not going with you. My leg hurts. My clothes are burnt. I'm tired. I'm going to stay, scope out the area. Get more info for the report. Can you believe I didn't get the bad guy? First time I failed—"
"Zuzu, you're bleeding," Saitama said quietly. "You know you're tiny, you lose some and that's it. You're done."
"Don't be dramatic— oh." She looked down. Yeah.
There were sliced lines on her thighs and legs. One of Carnage Kabuto's spikes must've gotten her when she jumped in that hallway. She lost focus. What? Her.
She glared at the colour that pierced through her black jeans. In her fit of rage, Tatsumaki ran over and kicked the monster's foot. Carnage Kabuto, seriously?! I have to GO places, TAKE pictures AND STILL HAVE MY BLOOD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I'M ALWAYS DEALING WITH BS! Tatsumaki screamed inside of her head.
"Zuzu. Stop." Saitama's voice cut through her and her body halted.
Oh. She looked down. Pain throbbed all over her lower limbs and pain shot up to her hip bone. She was… kicking Carnage Kabuto without even realizing it and yeah, that hurt. She collapsed to the floor.
WHY did she think that was a good idea? And now Saitama watched her with an unreadable expression. Tatsumaki can't walk on this foot at all and she'll be damned to be carried. She slammed her fist on the ground. Again and again. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! She'll make a whole scarf with the red flags she's seeing. She can't look at him or she'll fall into him again.
"Zuzu… This place isn't good for you."
"I'm fine." she huffed so he could just leave. "Go away. I'm okay."
He shook his head lightly. "You should know when to ask for help." he sighed.
"Heh? Help? I don't need you to help me at the moment. I think I'm in optimal condition with NO difficulties—"
"Yeah, you kinda do," Saitama said like a promise. "Let's go."
She gave him her most mutinous glare.
Did he just— … They stared at each other for several taut seconds. She knew Saitama was a furnace of barely contained intensity but he's never made a poignant statement like "you kinda do need me". She was already a disaster of hungry impatience and he had to say things like that. Stupid, stupid man.
The job wasn't done and she didn't even finish the mission— what kind of hero was she? Was she just an experiment who never recovered? She's been leaving things unfinished! Damn it. She slammed her hand on the floor. One wrong slip and she'd be just like Carnage Kabuto. She didn't even get to see the scientist in charge of this debauched scientific lab. Everything came back to science and the Alis Association. Her past was catching up and she's not too fast anymore. Now she's growing a bit more raw with exposed emotions and he has that look in his eye—
Saitama just suddenly scooped her up to give her a piggyback ride.
"You jerk!" She smacked the back of his head but he was locked on. Tatsumaki fought his flexing back that was soft —too yielding— and how he was something warm taking her weight.
"I'm hurt and you're grinning? This is a crisis." She smacked his arm. He probably didn't even feel it but it gave her satisfaction.
"I bet the store has lots of medical stuff on sale. You need it."
"I don't need anything! The mission isn't finished— what'll I tell my bosses?" she growled.
He shrugged. "Screw 'em."
"Screw 'em? Reality doesn't work like that. I don't work like that. I'll complete it all. You have enough. I don't! I never! Why do I have to leave? It's my report and my career and my— I have to push on, let me be a hero—"
"Hey, hey, Zuzu— you don't have to turn into a machine to be a good hero. It hurts," Saitama's voice went soft, the words said on a sigh.
She kicked her legs. "I have to! I can be. I should be!"
He was quiet for a while, just waiting for her fight to die down. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
"About. WHAT?"
"You're trembling. The job will make it worse."
She peeled her sleeve back. Goosebumps and the occasional quiver. Signatures of the House of Evolution. Now she's exposed. And he felt that and sensed this weird knot of mental anguish in her brain.
Now she was aggravated. "Fine! God. Let's go. Let go or I'm walking back." she said in a voice unused to being denied. She was already disembarking. "I can fly y'know!"
"You're spoiled." he relented. "Let me do this and help you home. You're barely upright."
Her teenage brain translated it as "Let me spoil you," and damn… that didn't happen outside of manga. Saitama was so soft and… she didn't want it to end so she cautiously gripped his shoulders, not wrapping her arms around his neck because that, that was desperate. Tatsumaki wasn't desperate. Never. She didn't need help from him and have that neediness lurking in her mind. He could literally hear the click of her throat when she swallowed.
"You should slap the first person you see in the mirror, loser." Tatsumaki whispered petulantly, managing to sound normal again. "Rude."
She felt more than heard the snort he made. She felt the leftover vibrations. Did she ever have the upper-hand around him? She's slipping. He wasn't letting her go. Blood could be soaking into his yellow hero get-up and he still carried her. Close.
Genos watched them for a moment, curiosity flooding his eyes.
Saitama dipped, almost as if he took a tumble then recovered. She shrieked and instinctively held on like a distressed koala.
"Sorry, sorry. I tripped." he apologized a bit sheepishly.
"YOU did that on purpose!"
"Now that's now true."
Despite her misgivings, it was easy between the two of them. Tatsumaki just slumped into his hold. She could take advantage and break the moment, ask him to meet Zenko and Badd but being held, the wind blowing in her hair felt too good.
There were lots of medical things sold. Even lip chap was on sale. Her lips were too dry to ask him anything, so, she just kept quiet. She felt better. How dare Saitama do that? It's making her slip.
###
-End Chapter-
A/N- Ovidae here sorry. Haha. Awkward. I've been gone for a while, ahaha. Welp. Here the chapter is. Also I didn't know where to fit Tats in these situations.
It's quite spectacular when strong people break down but like it's impossible to incorporate tats into fight scenes. Sorry bout that.
Vocab
Throwing salt means to ward off evil spirits. Tats implied Aimi was a demon lol.
also I'll be editing these chapters later on. :)