A/N: You have spoken, and we have heard. So, a few things before we start. Yes, we know that we need to start having Saitama show an interest in the women. Yes, the harem is big, but there is still plenty of room in the apartments. No, Swim won't join the harem, but she will be a student. Lastly, what the kombu sisters have been doing is indeed hypocritical. Thing is, there's a saying that we've yet to arrive at for them. 'What goes around, comes around.' Now, let's get to the story.
Morning came for the human, cyborg, and many monster women inside the City-Z abandoned district, each room with their own usual way of starting the day. Though even that can't happen without something weird happening.
-The Kombu Room-
The room, formerly bare of anything, now had quite a variety of items, which had been collected during their times wandering the abandoned district, strewn about in each of the four corners of the room. One corner each for each inhabitant.
In one corner was a fragment of any little girl's dream: a giant pile of stuffed animals of various sorts. Some were in good condition. Some in poor condition. Still, each were loved. There was also a sewing kit next to a bag of tattered clothing.
In another corner was a carefully organized mix of workout gear and hero figurines.
A third corner was centered around videos and books about martial arts.
The final corner consisted of cookbooks and various...dubious reading material that looked like they belong in the room of a perverted shut in.
At first glance, all of it together in the same room didn't quite make a lot of sense. However, if you truly knew the room's occupants, you'd realize that it all makes sense.
Speaking of occupants...
Suspended in the middle of the room by many strands of kombu was what looked to be a giant cocoon made of different colored seaweed. A cocoon containing the four inhabitants-
"What the-? GET YOUR HEAD OFF THOSE, KI!"
"Morning~"
"WAH! STOP DROOLING ON MY LEGS MIDORI!"
"*Snrk* Is it time for breakfast?"
-Which was now shaking violently as the four inside woke up and began to argue. A few moments later, the cocoon flopped to the floor, the kombu composing it retracting towards their respective owners.
"Can you please stupid using my breasts as your pillow?!" Nori snapped at Ki, her face becoming as red as her hair from anger and embarrassment.
"I'm not." Ki denied with a smile that didn't fool anyone. "We all shift around in the hammock. My head just keeps being pushed there for some reason." She laughed as she brought her arms up to shield herself from Nori's flailing punches, leaving two others two their own arguement.
"Why can't you sleep on Ki's legs?" Kogane asked Midori in a huff.
"She nearly crushed my head while moaning in her sleep." Midori shrugged before smirking up at Kogane. "And you're the one who keeps curling them in on yourself each night. You used to sleep with your arms and legs dangling outside because it was so cramped. Why is that?"
"BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON YOU USED TO SLEEP NEAR KI, YOU PERVERTED PART OF OUR OLD SELF!" Kogane snapped as she stretched Midori's cheeks with her hands.
"Oh, lie yoor innoshent in all dis?" Midori slurred out through Kogane's abuse to her cheeks. "Who wav moaing out Shaitama's name in dere sweep when I wubbed your lehg lass nigh?"
Kogane's whole body stiffened as she blushed up a storm before averting her eyes.
"And let's not forget about you, Nori." Ki brought up with a grin before lifting up one of Nori's breasts, making the redhead bite back a moan. "You nearly suffocated me between these things a few times in your sleep while giggling Saitama's name."
"W-w-w-w-what?!" Nori stuttered out before turning away and cupping her scarlet face, earning a laugh from Ki. The laugh died down after a moment before she released a sigh.
"Let's face it." she said to the three of them. "Somewhere along the line, somehow, it's happened. Whether it's just a part of us, or with all of our beings." She looked at them with a kind smile, a tint of red appearing on her cheeks.
"We've all fallen for Saitama."
The three of them all stared at her, their faces blank...before slowly morphing into resigned smiles.
"Yeah. You're right." Midori sighed while casting a side glance at nothing. "It's kind of hard not to fall for him after all that he's done for us. Letting us live."
"Letting us stay here." Kogane added while hugging herself.
"Convincing others not to kill us." Nori finished with a grin.
"Exactly." Ki nodded. "And honestly, it's been a lot of fun." She turned to Kogane. "You've been training alongside Beast Queen and Mizuki."
"And maybe that new girl, Newtina, if she feels up for it." Kogane said with a hopeful laugh while Ki turned to Midori.
"You're training under a Class-S hero and martial artist."
"I love knocking Charanko around. I won't deny or apologize." Midori snickered.
"And you with your sudden interest in sewing." Ki continued while looking at Nori.
"I gotta get clothes that are my size somehow." Nori huffed with a smile, a smile coming to the others. "Wouldn't have to if you guys didn't keep hiding clothes my size for amusement." she grumbled the last part.
"Let's not forget you with all those cookbooks somewhere in that little pit of perversion." Kogane chuckled. "Trying to work your way through Saitama's heart through his stomach?"
"Maaaaybe~" Ki sang.
"And...that secret ingredient?" Midori asked with a grin, which was slowly matched by Ki.
"Secret ingredient?" Nori asked Kogane, who could only shrug.
-Vaccine Woman-
Poisonous smog was being blown about by the wind.
Brown and withered grass for miles.
A river of black sludge flowing bubbling ominously.
Filth and garbage and all sorts of toxic things everywhere you looked.
And in the dead center of it all, taking in all this horrid pollution...
"YAHOOOOOOO!"
Was a certain overly ecstatic pollution eating monster.
"So much waste, and it's all for me~" she sang as she skipped around, picking up anything within arms reach and devouring it on the spot. From whatever spot was cleared during her feeding frenzy, a healthy green patch would appear and spread. Trees would spring from the ground and grow as tall as buildings. Flowers would sprout and decorate the landscape with their natural beauty. And to finish it off, the river of black sludge was swiftly being sucked down Vaccine Woman's eager maw, leaving nothing but crystal clear water flowing.
"Ahhh~" Vaccine Woman sighed in relief as she pat her swollen stomach before releasing a belch. "Pardon." she giggled before looking at the area around her, leaving her body to quickly absorb her meal. "Earth as is should be. Clean, healthy, and free of all those nasty pollutants. And..." She sat up and gazed down at her slim and far more voluptuous form, her hands lifting her bigger and heavier tits. "A massive boost in both my power and body!" She stopped and let her breasts free, allowing them to bounce as she gazed up in thought. "I wonder if Saitama'll like them."
"Indeed, I do."
Vaccine Woman blinked before gasping as a pair of red gloved hands came up from behind her and began to squeeze her boobs.
"S-Saitama?!" she yelped with a blush as he gently fondled her tits, making her squirm and moan.
"Seems you've been working hard, Vaccine Woman." he said in a low appreciative tone, his eyes scanning the area. "Cleaning up the earth and making it beautiful again."
"Eh?!" she gasped before turning away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Th-Thank you! I'm glad it makes you happy."
"Yeah." he said before holding her close and whispering in her ear. "But it pales in comparrison to you."
Steam began wafting out of her ears at his words.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I got you a present."
"A present?" she asked in a pant as he let go and stepped back, his cape held up by one arm to block the view behind him.
"TADA!" he said in a grandoise tone as he brought his cape down, revealing two gigantic mounds of what looked to be milky white pudding.
"What...What are those?" Vaccine Woman asked while tilting her head in confusion.
"Don't just stand there." Saitama spoke up while slapping her ass, making her jump and walk forward. "Enjoy!"
"Okay, okay." she sighed as she approached them. She stopped about a foot away from one of them before reaching out and touching one, causing it to ripple and sway. A small bit of residue was left on her fingers when she brought them back.
"This smells...familiar." she mused before taking a tiny lick. Her eyes shot open at the taste.
"It's DELICIOUS!" she yelled in joy, her eyes sparkling at the taste.
"It's petroleum jelly." Saitama explained. "It's supposed to be made from oil, but it's in a way that actually helps humans."
"Pollutants with a helpful purpose?! THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS WORLD!" she screamed before lunging at one of the blobs of jelly. She had expected to fall through-
BOING~
-but instead found herself bouncing on it.
"Whoa!" she yelped as she bounced a few more times before it stopped, allowing her to lay on top of it. "This jelly is bouncy." she said as she poked it a few more times before hearing something in the distance. "What was that?" she asked while looking around.
"Maybe the wind?" Saitama shrugged, which Vaccine Woman parroted before she began to enjoy her next meal. She smiled as she licked across a small area of the jelly, the flavor steadily getting better with each swipe of her tongue. She stopped when the sound came back and looked over at Saitama. "Was that you?"
"Was what me?" he asked.
"Never mind." Vaccine Woman sighed out before going back to her food. A few moments of licking later found her finally ready to indulge herself. With a big grin on her face, she opened her mouth, sunk her sharp teeth into the jelly-
HWWAAAAAA~
She blinked as the sound from earlier practically roared in her ears. Her mouth stayed frozen as her eyes darted about before noticing the jelly change colors. No longer was it white, but a darker tan color. She blinked as tiny viens began to appear under the surface, a strange heat coming from it all. She looked over to see that the second mound of jelly had transformed into the same state as the one she was biting into.
'What's going on here?!' Vaccine Woman pondered before noticing a slight difference. Appearing on the very top of the mound was a familiar shape.
'Where have I seen that shape before?' she wondered as she leaned over a little and squinted to get a better look. An action that, due to her mouth still biting the mound she was on, caused her to tug on whatever she had in her teeth, eliciting another sound from earlier to sound out. A third sound came out quickly, but was followed by the sound of giggling shortly after. All of which was ignored as Vaccine Woman finally realized where she'd seen it. With great trepadation, she turned her gaze down at what she still had in her mouth.
'Oh Mother Earth! I'm chewing on...on...!'
"Saitama~" moaned a giant-sized Subterranean Queen, a big smile on her blushing face as she squirmed under Vaccine Woman's touch. "Those are sensitive, you naughty man!"
Vaccine Woman's whole body paled and blushed all at once as that line knocked the sleep out of her, allowing her to see where she truly was at the moment.
She was in the apartment.
She was lying on top of the Subterranean Queen's breasts.
She was sucking on one of her bare nipples.
And all the way, the Subterranean Queen merely grinned, giggled, and moaned as she was assaulted in her sleep. Though part of that could be from her lower set of hands vigorously rubbing between her legs while a third hand squeezed and played with her unmolested breast. She bit her lower lip as her three eyes fluttered open to gaze at her bald lover. "Saita-"
Her words died as all three of her eyes flew open to comical proportions as she took in the sight of one Vaccine woman latching onto her nipple, both of their blushes matching the other at moment.
Neither of them could move.
Neither of them could breathe.
Neither of them could even think!
All they could do was stare at each other.
SNRK!
And then a noise that sounded as loud as cannonfire caused their eyes to shift over and glance at a smirking Deep Sea Queen, a blush crawling up her grinning cheeks.
"Shall I leave you two lovebirds alone?" she asked, her cheeky grin not faltering at all.
"TH-THIS IS ALL A MISUNDERSTANDING!" Sub Queen yelped in denial and she shot to her feet, with Vaccine Woman still dangling from her tit due to shock preventing her from unlatching her mouth. A forceful yank from Sub Queen fixed that, followed by a pained groan as she rubbed the now sore nipple.
"Hmm." DSQ hummed in thought, a finger to her chin as she acted like she was thinking for a moment. Finally, she smiled again and nodded. "Yeah. You're right. It is all a misunderstanding."
"G-Good! Glad you understand!" Sub Queen huffed in approval while Vaccine Woman sighed in relief while rubbing her jaw.
"Right." DSQ nodded again before her smile gained a sadistic undertone to it. She turned towards the door and placed a hand near her mouth before calling out in a whisper-shout "Oh, Saitama~"
"AHH! NO! DON'T YOU DARE, DEEP SEA QUEEN!" the Subterranean Queen screamed in panic as she and Vaccine Woman rushed her.
"YOU TELL ANYONE WHAT HAPPENED, AND I'LL TURN YOU INTO FISHSTICKS!" Vaccine Woman threatened. The only response either of them got was DSQ laughing her scales off while holding her arms up to block their attacks.
'I don't know what it is that makes these two like him, but if it makes them act like that in their sleep, it must be a pretty good reason.' thought the fish monster before a truly thoughtful look came across her face. 'I wonder if any of those other monsters fell this way.'
-Beast Queen and Newtina-
Beast Queen was happily snoozing away in her shared room, a line of drool escaping her maw. She winced as she felt something hit her closed eyes before blinking them awake, causing her to be blinded by the sunlight coming in from the window. After realizing that that meant it was morning, she yawned and stretched like the oversized cat she was to get the sleep out of the rest of her body before flopping back down and letting her naked body simultaneously soak up the warmth of the sunlight and the cool breeze made by the small electric fan inside the room. She may have enjoyed the heat like cats do, but there was only so much before it became suffocating.
Sadly, going by the uncomfortable groaning coming from the pile of blankets that was surrounding her new roommate, some people needed a bit of sun more than others.
She yawned and stood over Newtina, clad in pajamas, and tossing and turning under the blankets they had found from inside the abandoned district. She gently lifted up the mass of cloth and monster before placing her under the sunlight, allowing the heat to calm her and let her relax. Her eyes fluttered open before she yawned and looked over to see Beast Queen beginning to get dressed.
"Morning." she mumbled just loud enough to be heard.
"Sorry. Did I wake you?" Beast Queen asked as she pulled her shirt down over her head.
"A little." she said as she sat up and stretched her arms over her head. "Thanks for moving me under the sun."
"No prob. Though we should ask Saitama or Genos about getting you a personal heater or something." Beast queen said as she got into her shorts.
"Or just a heated blanket." Newtina mumbled as she laid back down for a few more minutes. "There's gotta be one somewhere in the abandoned district."
"With all the shit that the Kombu sisters have found, I wouldn't be surprised." Beast Queen chuckled as she finished getting dressed. She took a few steps for the door before suddenly stopping and looking down at herself in confusion.
"Something wrong?" Newtina asked as she sat up to try and enjoy the sun a little more.
"My clothes feel just a little more...snug." Beast Queen commented as she moved around and flexed her arms a bit before grinning. "Guess Saitama's stupidly simple workout is actually working."
"Yeah...Saitama." Newtina sighed, her head bowed. Beast Queen looked back at the new monster, her form trembling from something other than being cold.
"What's wrong now?" Beast Queen huffed. Newtina didn't answer for a moment before turning an uncertain look up at her.
"Can we really trust Saitama?" Newtina asked in a quiet voice. Beast Queen just raised a brow at her as she continued. "What if he's planning to eventually turn us in? Boost his status in the Hero Rankings or something? I don't...I don't want to be killed or experimented on."
"Experimented?" Beast Queen asked.
"Yes!" Newtina yelled while facing the lionness. "There are rumors that the Hero Association does things to monsters for profit! It's worse than death! I mean, look at everyone here!" She then began to count out the possibilities on her fingers for each monster. "Vaccine Woman can be forced to eat pollution on their orders! The Kombu Sisters could be continuously harvested for their hair! The Subterranean Queen and her people could be forced to harvest those minerals that humans can safely get! The Deep Sea Queen can be used as an example of sorts to stop other creatures from attacking-"
"That's not experimentation." Beast Queen said with a flat look.
"IT'S STILL A VALID EXCUSE!" Newtina yelped in panic. "AND THERE'S YOU AND ME! YOU CAN BE USED FOR FURS AND KNIVES WITH YOUR SKIN AND CLAWS! AND ME THEY'D JUST KILL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER!"
She had to stop and take a few deep breaths after her long rant before curling up on herself.
"Humans are more monstrous than they realize." she muttered.
Beast Queen was silent as she digested all that information. If humans were doing this to monsters, then that would be a problem.
She then smiled as the hero Newtina was talking about came to mind.
With that, she walked over and sat next to the trembling monster before pulling her close, letting her fur warm her up a little more.
"You do have valid points." she said, making Newtina hug her a little tighter. "But you've got nothing to worry about from Saitama."
"How can you be so sure?" Newtina grumbled, a little annoyed that she'd have so much faith in this one human.
"Because even if he knew about this, he'd turn away from it." she began before holding her hand up to stop Newtina from speaking. "He once had the chance to walk away, literally, with a truckload of cash and get away scot free."
"Wait, what?" Newtina asked in confusion.
"Back when he was in Class-C, he picked up a van full of bank robbers after they robbed a bank and kidnap some kid. Carried them to an empty park, and beat the shit out of them when they tried to attack. All to get the little bit of money he had in the bank bank." Beast Queen explained. "After it was done, he found himself staring at sacks overflowing with cash. He was tempted, I won't lie, but he didn't do it. Even turned down the pocket change the little boy offered for rescuing him."
"But isn't that why most people become heroes? For the money?" Newtina asked, unable to understand any of this.
"Saitama became a hero for the fun of it. The only reason he became a professional was because he learned that self-proclaimed heroes are seen as weird." Beast Queen explained before snickering. "That, and I think the fact that everyone thought he was one of those bald dumbass terrorists may have had something to do with it."
"Are you serious?" Newtina deadpanned, having heard about those thugs in the battlesuits.
"Yeah. First he beat down the leader, because the rest were all decapitated by someone else, and then he nailed this ninja in the dick with his fist." She looked like she was trying so hard not to burst into laughter as she continued. "And the best part? He only held his fist up! The ninja did the rest by dropping down at crazy speeds!"
"I take it back. Humans are more monstrous and stupid!" Newtina groaned as she rubbed her forehead between her horns. "Where were we going with this?"
"Right." Beast Queen coughed before patting Newtina's head. "Thing is, you don't have to worry about Saitama turning on us. Well, not as long as you don't try to hurt humans anyway."
"And the other heroes?" Newtina asked.
"They're good. I mean, I train with one of them everyday." Beast Queen answered before getting up and stretching. "Speaking of which, I need breakfast before Mizuki gets here. Later." With that, she walked out the door, leaving Newtina by herself. The wild haired monster stared at the door for a moment before lowering her gaze, casting shadows over her eyes.
"What's going on?" she whispered to no one. "How can they so easily trust him and those other humans? Why would they stay under that bald hero's rule?" She glanced down at her hand before curling it into a fist, her teeth clenching at the most infuriating part of all this. "And why is it that I can't help but feel safe here?!"
-Saitama's Apartment-
Our favorite bald hero was watching the morning news as he awaited his breakfast to be made. He gast a glance over his shoulder Genos and Ki, who were both in the kitchen area of the apartment, cooking and arguing at the same time.
"As his disciple, it should be my responsibility alone to cook for Master Saitama!" Genos said while casting a side glare at Ki.
"We're monsters, so we can't go out and earn money. The only way we can return Saitama's kindness is cooking, cleaning, and such." Ki explained with her own glare. "Besides, if we're cooking and such, it leaves Saitama more time to relax or hunt monsters and you more time to read over all those notes you take on Saitama's training."
"I am perfectly capable of mentally re-analyzing my notes and cooking Master Saitama's meals." Genos growled.
"Well at least my hands aren't metal and won't leave a nasty taste to the food!" Ki snapped, having lost her patience with the cyborg.
"Neither Master Saitama nor Doctor Kuseno have said anything was wrong with my cooking!"
"Doesn't mean that they don't think it! I bet they wait until you leave before vomiting!"
"That's enough." Saitama spoke up in a calm tone while glancing back at Genos arming his incinerator cannons and Ki's hair flaring up. "Be nice and cook together, or I'm gonna cook my own meals from now on."
The two of them stood their ground for a moment until Saitama raised an eyebrow. They lowered their arms and hair and continued to quietly work on making breakfast. Saitama started to look back at the TV before hearing chuckling coming from outside his door. Sighing, he stood up and opened the door, revealing almost all the other residents of the apartment building.
"Good morning~" most of them sang with smiles.
"Hey." he greeted them. "Why are you all outside my room?"
"Wasn't enough room for the three of us to come in and help Ki." Midori answered with a smile.
"And last time one of us busted in, you killed them." Beast Queen explained, remembering the tale of Kamakyuri's end. "The mantis monster." she answered to his confused look.
"Oh yeah." Saitama said before blinking and frowning. "Hey, did you or that doctor Geebus ever pay for my ceiling?"
Beast Queen and the others could only stare at each other for a moment before she shrugged.
"I...don't know?" she answered. "You want to send a bill next time Mosquito Girl comes over?"
"Sure." Saitama said before turning back to the house. "You guys hungry? Genos and Ki are making breakfast now, so you'll have to wait a bit."
"Thanks for finding all those canned goods." he said as he went back to the TV. "Didn't think there was so much in the abandoned area."
"Well, have you ever thought to look around?" Sub Queen asked.
"Nah. Didn't feel like it." he said while picking his nose with his pinky. All of the monsters let out a collective sigh, wondering how someone who is so powerful can be this way.
They only had to wait 30 more minutes, due to Genos and Ki nearly getting into another arguement, before everyone was given breakfast.
"So, Saitama. Any plans for the newest Class-B hero?" Midori asked as they all enjoyed the food.
"I'll probably just patrol. Keep my ears open for anything." Saitama answered before looking around the room and out his door. "What about you all?"
"Aside from sticking to your rule of not harming humans? Just out and about doing stuff." Ki said with a wave of her hand.
"Training with Mizuki." Kogane answered while Beast Queen nodded, her mouth full of food.
"I...don't know?" Newtina shrugged. She may have to follow that rule, whether she stayed here or not, but she didn't know what to do now.
"I'm...gonna check on my people later." Sub Queen said as she just shifted her food around on her plate. Vaccine Woman noticed her lack of eating and slight depression, but kept to herself as she answered.
"Just gonna head out and try to make Mother Earth a better place in my own way." Vaccine Woman answered.
"I will be analyzing my notes of your training method, Master." Genos answered seriously.
"Meh." the Deep Sea Queen said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Maybe I'll follow the Subterranean Queen around. Try to see how she's actually enjoying it up here."
With breakfast done, and the arrival of Mizuki, everyone slowly left to do whatever they wished for today.
Except for one.
"Hey, Saitama?"
The bald hero looked towards Vaccine Woman, her disguise in place, and standing before him with a an uncertain frown on her face.
"Something up?" he asked. She didn't respond to his words at first. She just stood there with her eyes closed before moving and-
*Smooch*
The new Class-B hero blinked a few times as the unfamiliar presence left his lips, a blushing Vaccine Woman taking a step back.
"In case I mess up." was all she said before taking off into the skies.
Saitama just stared up at the sky as he tried to figure out if what he thought just happened had happened.
"Huh." he finally got out before shrugging and walking off.
-Evening-
One-by-one the women all returned. Each of them having met up with each other and walking back towards the apartments.
"So, how was your day?" Vaccine Woman asked the others.
"Pretty good." Midori giggled as she cracked her knuckles. "I made Charanko scream like a girl."
"I had an...interesting day." Kogane replied with a bit of a bounce in her step. Of course, it was nothing compared to Mizuki, who was bouncing around the group like a kid in a candy store.
"What's gotten you so happy?" Beast Queen asked with a chuckle.
"I got promoted~ I'm now Class-B Rank 71~ It's all thanks to you guys and Master Saitama's training!" Mizuki cheered as she jumped and flipped around. Most of them were either interested or just rolled their eyes with smiles. The only two that did neither were too busy watching her breasts and butt bounce, the spandex straining to keep them in.
"Do they look bigger to you?" Midori whispered to Ki.
"Yes. Yes they do." Ki answered with a grin, her eyes bobbing up and down in sync with with Mizuki's movements.
"Is that from her training, or from Nori's kombu?" Midori whispered to Ki.
"I haven't the foggiest." Ki whispered back, her eyes never leaving Mizuki. "And honestly, I don't care."
While the athletic hero cheered to the world, others were more reserved.
The Subterranean Queen was quiet, though her downcast eyes looked like they were about to bust out the waterworks.
"You okay?"
Her head snapped up at the sudden touch on her thigh before looking down to see Vaccine Woman staring up at her, a concerned frown on her face. She vigorously shook her head before smiling down at her.
"It's nothing. I'm okay." she answered while waving her off.
Vaccine Woman merely raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to continue, but stopped when a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned around to see the Deep Sea Queen slowly shaking her head, quietly telling her that now was not the time. Neither said anything as DSQ released Vaccine Woman's shoulder and they continued onwards towards the apartments.
"I can't wait to tell Master Saitama the news of my promotion!" Mizuki squeeled as they marched up the stairs towards his apartment.
"Why the promotion anyway?" Nori asked.
"I defeated a few Tiger ranked monsters today!" she answered in excitement.
"So, you got promoted because you just smeared some monsters around like they don't matter?" Beast Queen asked with her arms crossed under her breasts, making them bounce a little.
"Uhh..." Mizuki trailed at the harsh glare she was getting.
"*Snrk* Hahaha! The look on your face!" Beast Queen laughed as she grabbed Mizuki's head and noogied her. "I'm just messing with ya! Monsters are normally murderous pains in the ass!"
After finally getting out of her grasp, the group arrived in front of Saitama's door. Mizuki knocked on Saitama's door, her body practically vibrating with energy as she hopped in place. The moment she saw the door open, the dam burst.
"He-"
"MASTER!" Mizuki yelled as she jumped and hugged Saitama, jumping in place with him in his arms. "GUESS WHAT?! I GOT PROMOTED IN CLASS-B! I'M RANK 71 NOW! IT'S ALL THANKS TO YOUR TRAINING AND EVERYONE ELSE! ISN'T THAT GREAT?!"
"Really? That is great. Now, can you do me a favor and let go of my head?" Saitama asked.
Mizuki stopped jumping and looked down at him in confusion before that, due to her being taller than him, she had been, and still was, hugging Saitama's head between her tits.
"EEP!" she squeaked as she released him before backing away with a blush. "S-Sorry!"
"Anyway, I'm glad you got promoted." said the bald hero with a smile after shaking that little incident away.
"Thanks Master." Mizuki grinned. It faltered when she noticed three familiar, and quite incensed, figures glaring at them from inside. "Um, Master? Why are Genos-Senpai, Tank-Top Girl, and Jet Nice Girl glaring at me?"
"It's not you, Captain Mizuki." Jet Nice Girl corrected.
"If not her, then...?" Kogane began before Genos spoke next.
"After all that you've said, you stab Master Saitama in the back like this?!" the Class-S cyborg growled, his body powering up.
None of the monsters knew what he was talking about and shifted their attention towards Saitama, who continued to give them a deadpanned glare.
"We all saw the news." he said.
Now, when one is found to be accused of something, there were many ways to rebuke it. And in a situation like this, there was only one rational course of action to take.
"SHE DID IT!" the monsters cried out in panic, their hands pointing at everyone but themselves.
"Uhh..." Saitama got out while blinking a few times. "O...kay?" He blinked a final time when he noticed that the Subterranean and Deep Sea Queens hadn't reacted to anything yet. SQ simply kept her gaze to the ground and said nothing while DSQ gave her a worried frown.
"What...did they do?" Mizuki asked.
"Vaccine Woman! Explain your actions, or I will incinerate you!" Genos threatened, his arm aimed at the purple monster.
"Whoa! Whoa! I did nothing wrong!" she yelped.
"Well then, why is the news saying that you attacked a drink factory?" Tank-Top Girl asked, her glare in place alongside the more serious heroes. The monster released a sigh as they finally pointed out that it was her they were all angry at.
"Because they probably didn't add in the real facts about why I did it." she said.
-Vaccine Woman's Day-
Vaccine Woman was flying high through the air, her cheeks still tinted a few shades darker after what she had done before she left. And it was with these thoughts in mind that kept her flying at a speed she hadn't gone since her creation.
'I did it! I DID IT! AND HE DIDN'T PUNCH ME INTO PULP!' she thought as she continued to fly before roaring at the top of her lungs. "I KISSED SAITAMAAAA!" She laughed and screamed in joy as she began to fly around in circles in the air. "THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY-"
SQUAWK
*POFF*
Vaccine Woman shook her head before spitting the bird that had slammed into her mouth out, followed by the birds feathers.
"PLBBT! BLEGH! STUPID BIRD! BEAT IT!" she yelled as she swatted the bird away in anger. She watched it fly off in fear before sighing and spitting out one more feather. "Well, that mood is shot. Back to business." With that, she flew off again, hoping to achieve what she had set out to do.
And, hopefully, not get herself killed.
-City Y-
"Reporting for Channel 4 News! We're here standing outside the perimeter set up around the Melon Pop drink company, where a monster has been reported to have broken into and scared off all the civilians inside!"
All around the building was a mixture of cameras, citizens, workers, and police blockading them all off.
"The threat level of the monster is still unknown, but many of the workers are hoping that the Hero Association will respond and deal with the situation soon." said the reporter before holding a hand up to their earpiece. "I've just been given confirmation that a hero is on the way." Moments later, people were surrounding the hero that had arrived, asking how they would deal with the invading monster.
"So, what's happened?" the hero asked someone over their earpiece, ignoring the people trying to ask questions.
"Well, the monster crashed in, scared everyone off, and...actually, that's about it." they answered.
"Really? No casualties? No violence?" the hero asked, surprise in their tone.
"No. Just demanded they all leave the building before it forced them out." said the worker before continuing. "The public hasn't been made aware yet, but from the descriptions from those that were chased away, we believe the monster to be Vaccine Woman, the pollution eating monster."
"That one? Why would they attack a soday company?" the hero asked.
"We're unsure about that." came the voice on the other line.
"Well, it's fine. I gotta deal with this thing fast and get back to cramming." the hero sighed as they entered the factory.
-Vaccine Woman-
"PUUHAAAH!" gasped the monster as she surfaced from the vat of liquid she had been swimming in. She laid on her back with a smile as she floated inside, her flat stomach already bloated to the size of a beach ball. "Humans are such self-destructive creatures. Still, at least with this, maybe they'll be a little less so."
"There you are!"
Vaccine Woman blinked at the voice and turned to see someone walk past the door, which was covered in warning labels and a big 'DO NOT ENTER!' sign, that she had broken down earlier. She blinked again when she noticed who had arrived.
"A kid?" she said as she looked at the ten year old eating a lollipop. "What's a kid doing in here?"
"I'm the hero they sent to stop and, if possible, capture you." they explained.
"You're a hero?" Vaccine woman asked in disbelief, her eyes narrowing at him. They widened a bit as she started to process a few things. 'A kid as a hero...he doesn't look afraid...kid...hero...' Her eyes shot open as she finally connected the dots. "You're the Class-S hero, Child Emperor?!"
"Yeah, that's me." he replied as he began biting into his lollipop.
'This is bad! I know I wanted to attract the attention of the Hero Association, but to send a Class-S Hero?!' Vaccine Woman thought before her eyes furrowed in concentraion. The liquid began to ooze into her directly through her skin as she kept her gaze on the hero. 'I was hoping to have more time to enjoy the flavor, but I don't have that luxury anymore. I'm gonna need as much energy as I can get if I'm to get away as fast as possible.'
"I know that the Hero Association wants you for something. Probably hoping to harness that ability that you have to absorb pollution." Child Emperor said through the candy in his mouth before taking another bite. "But I can't help but be curious."
"About what?" she asked, the vat halfway absorbed into her.
"What's a monster that devours pollution doing attacking a drink company?" he asked.
"I dunno. What's a drink company doing putting all this poison into it's best product?" she counter-asked.
"What are you talking about?" Child Emperor asked, his chewing momentarily halted in his slight interest.
"Didn't you notice all those warning labels on the door?" she asked as she gestured to the broken door.
Child Emperor, his lollipop gone, cast a glance at the door and saw the signs before turning back up to her.
"I'll admit, I'm curious." he said before his backpack shifted, various tools beginning to appear. "I'll check on it after I've dealt with you."
"That's my cue!" she yelped before throwing a ball of energy at the ceiling, opening a hole wide enough for her and her latest meal to fly out. "Check the vat!" she ordered before flying towards the whole, albeit a little slower than she hoped.
"Not fast enough!" Child Emperor said as two arms came out, turned into jets-
BA-BANG!
-And were destroyed by two pea-sized balls of energy, effectly grounding him.
"Faster than you!" she shouted before flying away, leaving him to grumble in annoyance.
"Well that's just great." he sighed as he looked back at the bits of his backpack that were now broken. He then cast his gaze down at the door thinking back to the monster's words.
'What's a drink company doing putting poison in their best product?'
He crossed his arms and closed his eyes to compare her words and the normal actions of monsters. The more he thought about it, the less it made sense.
"She didn't attack anyone. She says there's poison here. She said they're putting it in the drink." he listed off to himself. With another sigh, he walked over to the vat, brought out the proper equipment from the work parts of his backpack, and got to work examining the contents. As his computer analyzed the contents, Child Emperor was left to his thoughts. He smiled with a sigh as he wondered why he was even humoring the thought that the monster was right. A blip on his computer told him it was done with it's analysis, allowing him to properly view what exactly it was she was swimming in. His eyes shot open as he read what was inside the vat.
"That's what this stuff is?!" he asked in shock before looking out the hole Vaccine Woman escaped in. He quickly left the room, found a package of Red Bean Jelly Cider in unopened cans, popped one, and quickly had his computer anaylze the contents. As it did, he looked around the room to quickly find pieces of equipment that were adding truth to Vaccine Woman's claim about poison. The final straw came when the computer listed off the ingredients and comfirmed it.
'I cannot believe that monster was right.' he thought as he raised his hand to his earpiece.
"Hey. I'm gonna need someone to run a background check on the owner of this factory." Child Emperor requested.
-Present: Saitama's Apartment-
"In other news, the popular drink, Red Bean Jelly Cider, is now being recalled." said a newswoman as images of the factory being closed and surrounded by Hero Association workers were shown. "An encounter with a monster, which has unfortunately escaped, brought the attention of the Class-S hero, Child Emperor, to the contents being distelled and added to the drink. According to the investigation, liquid cocaine was being added in almost untraceable amounts, resulting in the drinks addictive rise in popularity. The factory's manager and CEO have been arrested, and the Hero Association is advising all who have had Red Bean Jelly Cider to see their doctor for detox."
*CLICK*
Saitama shut the TV off after hearing the news before turning to Vaccine Woman, who was smiling at him from across the table. The heros were inside the apartment while the rest of the monsters, giving most of their larger sizes, were waiting around the outside of his door listening in.
"So you broke in and attracted the Hero Association's attention on purpose to blow the secret on their drink?" he asked.
"That's right!" she said with a grin.
"It seems that we have misjudged you." Genos spoke up. "Forgive us."
"No biggie. It's natural to think monsters attack buildings for dumb reasons." Vaccine Woman waved off.
"One question though." Jet Nice Girl raised her hand to gain their attention. "Why attack them at all? Cocaine is a drug, not a pollutant."
"Because it pollutes the body." the purple monster answered.
Somewhere in the world, a sad trombone sounded out.
Most of the room, and outside the room, were snickering at her reasoning, but said nothing about it. Even Saitama let out a small laugh at the joke.
"Still, I wonder if the Hero Association realizes that you helped them." Mizuki pondered.
"If they did, they're certainly not gonna tell anyone. No one would believe that a monster willingly helped humanity in any way possible." Tank-Top Girl said.
"And you guys don't count since no one else knows about you." Jet Nice Girl spoke up to some of the indignant looks the others gave her.
"True." Midori shrugged before turning away from the others. "Well, it's been a big day, so I'm-"
"Hold it."
The monsters all froze at Saitama's words and tone.
"Vaccine Woman's is clear, but there were a lot of you playing the blame game earlier." he continued. "Care to tell us what that was about?"
"Weeell..." Midori began, looking away.
-Midori's Day-
Midori, her disguise in place, had removed her shoes before entering Bang's Dojo.
"Master? I'm here for today's training!" she said with a smile as she closed the door.
"Ah, good. You're here." Bang said with a smile as he walked in from another room, Charanko following right behind him. "Get changed and we can begin today's lesson."
"Yes, Master Bang!" Midori bowed before leaving to change into her dobak. The moment she was out of the room, Charanko turned to Bang.
"I still don't get it, Master Bang. Why do you insist on training a monster?" the white belt asked.
"Even after the short time she's trained here, you still have doubts?" Bang asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She's a monster! Who knows what she could be planning!" Charanko defended.
"I won't deny I have had my doubts. But three other heroes have vouched for her, so I'm willing to overlook that fact." Bang explained as Midori stepped back in, her dobak on and her hair held back by a ribbon.
"Ready, Master!" both students said as they stood at attention.
"Almost." Bang chuckled as he approached Midori and pulled one of the ribbon's strings, allowing her hair to fall from it's binding. "Before we begin the lesson, I wish to test your progress. Both in the traditional sense, and how you're coming along with applying the art to your personal potential." After ordering Charanko to the side, Bang and Midori stood in the middle of the Dojo, eaching taking a fighting stance. The silence was deafening as the two stared each other down before Midori reacted. With a leap provided by her hair, she was onto Bang like a shot, her limbs and hair lashing out at him from all angles. Midori's hair was far faster than her hands and feet due to using them more, but that didn't seem to matter to Bang, who was calmly deflecting each attack with ease. Charanko watched as the two of them sparred before blinking when Midori suddenly stumbled back, her hands over her midsection before she fell to her knees and coughed a bit.
"W-What happened?" Charanko asked in surprise.
"I *cough* I don't know!" Midori wheezed as she managed to get her gaze to turn up towards Bang, who was staring at her impassively. Finally, the old martial artist smiled at her.
"A little rough around th edges, but your application of my art is impressive." he complimented.
"Th*cough* Thank you, Master Bang!" Midori managed to say before finally getting breath back into her lungs.
"Indeed."
Charanko and Midori both turned to the door leading to the back of the Dojo, where another voice had come from.
"While your hair had more speed and power, your hands and feet were more focused on precision. Your application of Bang's martial art technique is quite impressive. I'm quite interested in your newest pupil."
"Hey now." Bang chuckled as another elderly man walked in, a smile on his face. "She's my student, not yours."
"Forgive me for butting in." the other man smiled.
"Uhh...Master Bang? Who is this?!" Midori asked in a fear filled tone.
"Mister Bomb?! What are you doing here?!" Charanko asked in shock.
"You didn't tell them I was here?" Bomb asked. "I'm hurt, brother."
"Your brother?!" Midori gaped, her head whipping back and forth between the two of them.
"Indeed." Bang nodded. "Midori, I'd like you to meet my older brother, Bomb."
"Umm...hi?" Midori waved nervously.
"No need to be afraid. Bang's explained everything to me." Bomb said in a calm voice. "I will admit, I was shocked when he said he was training a monster to learn his art, but I trust his judgement."
"So, you're not gonna attack me? Or rat me and my friends out?" Midori asked.
"Considering that I could not sense an ounce of killing intent coming from all this time, no." Bomb answered with a smile. Midori's everything sagged in relief as she collapsed onto her back.
"That's a relief." she sighed before looking up at Bang. "Master Bang, next time you plan to tell anyone about me, can you ask me first?"
"Of course." Bang said with a light-hearted chuckle. "My apologies for scaring you."
"Uh...should we start our training, Master?" Charanko asked Bang.
Bang opened his mouth to answer before closing it, his eyes narrowing on Charanko.
"Actually, before that, how about we see how far you've come along." he suggested.
"What?" Charanko asked.
"Midori!" Bang said in a stern tone, getting the monster's attention. "I want you and Charanko to spar next."
"WHAT?!" both students yelled, one in terror and the other with glee.
"Come now. It's just a little spar." Bang said as he and Bomb stood off on the sidelines, leaving the two in the center of the dojo.
"Come on, Senpai! It'll be fun!" Midori grinned as she took a stance. Charanko swallowed the lump in his throat before hesitantly taking his own stance. In doing so, both martial art masters could tell, just by the execution, who would win. Bang took a deep breath before releasing it and uttering one word to both of them.
"Begin!"
-Time Passes-
A dis/satisfied Bang, an amused Bomb, a bruised Charanko, and a happy Midori were all sitting in a seiza position around a small table, where Charanko poured tea for everyone.
"So, do you use Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist?" Midori asked the older martial artist.
"No. I am a master of the Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist." Bomb explained before taking a sip of his tea.
"Really?" Midori asked as she sipped her own tea, leaving Charanko to pour his own cup of tea. "Sounds strong."
"It is. Bomb is stronger than I am." Bang said.
"Stronger than you? Wow!" Midori exclaimed.
"Indeed." Bang said before his hand out. "Midori, may I borrow a few strands of hair?"
"Huh?" she blinked before raising a few strands towards him. "Sure, but why do you-grk!"
Her words choked off when the strands were suddenly shredded into confetti, with Bomb's hands returning back to the cup he was holding. Her head pivoted between the chopped hair and his cup a few times before swallowing.
"O-Okay! I'm convinced! You're strong!" she whimpered out as she held onto her hair in a protective manner and turning back to Bang. "M-Master! You know how I am about my hair!"
"Forgive, but I felt it was a proper demonstation considering how strong each individual strand is." Bang explained before sipping his own tea.
"He's not wrong. I've cut through steel that wasn't as strong as your hair with my technique." Bomb commented.
"W-Well, thank you!" Midori smiled as she finally released her hair.
"Forgive me, but may I ask something Master Bang?" Charanko spoke up.
"And what would that be?" Bang asked. With his permission, Charanko shot a glare at Midori, causing her to pause mid-sip of her tea.
"Why are you really here?" he demanded.
"Excuse me?" Midori asked, her non-existant brows furrowing.
"Why would any monster be interested in learning martial arts? It doesn't make any sense! Monsters are supposed to be mindless, merciless, and have no regards for humanity!" Charanko ranted.
"Have you forgotten the times I would tell you and all my former students of the monsters that practiced martial arts before and after their transformation from humans?" Bang asked, his eyes narrowed at Charanko for his harsh words.
"W-Well, okay! There is that!" Charanko muttered while looking away, but came back and glared at Midori again. "But my point still stands! Why would a monster ask a Class-S hero-no! Scratch that! Any hero to train them to be stronger?! What, that bald hero not strong enough for you? Has lying your way into being protected by him not been enough for you?!"
*CRACK*
Charanko jerked back as all three humans eyed the shattered tea cup inside Midori's clenched fist, tea and what they assumed to be blood dripping between her fingers while her hair hid her eyes.
"Uh..." Charanko worked out after a moment before Midori silently stood up and walked out the front door of the dojo. Charanko blinked before scowling. "Can't even take a moment to ask to be excused? Such disrespect." he muttered, completely missing the look the two martial arts masters sent to each other.
-Outside the Dojo-
Bang walked out the back door towards the outdoor training grounds. The area was wide to allow a few dozen people to train at once without accidentally hitting each other, unless they were sparring.
To the right was a space cleared for meditation, to allow students and master to quietly focus the training of the mind.
And to the left was a small zen garden, a place to help one achieve balance and grace.
But none of that mattered at the moment. What did matter was the lone monster standing in the middle of it all, her back to Bang, and her hand still bleeding from the shards of the smashed cup embedded into it.
The old martial artist silently approached until he was but a few yards away, his eyes focusing on her trembling fists.
"Midori." he spoke, gaining her attention. She slowly turned at her, her watering eyes full of anger locking onto his form. Neither said anything as Bang assumed a fighting stance, causing Midori's eyes to widen. Her lips slowly parted in a livid scowl before her whole body stiffened.
No movement. Then...
"GGGRRAAAAAHHHHH!" she roared as her everything snapped, and she launched herself at the hero. She was kicking, punching, biting, and thrashing with her limbs and every strand of hair on her head, screaming all the way in fury.
Bang, his composure calm, simply deflected every sloppy strike that came his way. All the while they fought, his eyes never left her eyes. Eyes filled with so many emotions.
Anger.
Frustration!
Rage!
FURY!
PAIN!
Sadness.
...doubt...
And each one was loud and clear to the hero. After a couple more seconds, he finally dodged and struck her in the back with just enough force to send her sprawling on the ground. She shook her head before glaring up at Bang as she got to her feet.
'To think that Charanko's harsh words would have such an impact on you.' he thought as she began to assault him again. His eyes narrowed as he kept looking into Midori's bloodshot eyes. 'Or maybe...it's something else.'
She threw a punch, with three vines of hair along with it, towards his midsection, only for him to swiftly sidestep, causing her to react and lash her hair out at the ground to flip her forward and back on her feet.
She turned to face him again, but stopped when she noticed a few things.
His stance was now relaxed.
His eyes weren't sharp.
He was holding only one arm up before him.
These three features combined told her one thing: He was taking it easy on her.
Barely visible veins started to throb on her forehead while scrunching her eyes shut, a scream beginning to bubble in her throat. She took a deep breath...and let it slowly ease out between her teeth, her face no longer scrunched up. She wiped the tears from her eyes on her sleeve before glaring at Bang, showing only focus in her eyes. She got into a proper fighting stance for their style of martial arts, earning a small smile from Bang as he to shifted into a stance. Shortly after, Midori charge and began her assault for a third time. Her movements were swifter and more precise, unlike the random sloppy strikes she was using kept up this pace for up to five minutes before Bang noticed Midori's movements were starting to get sluggish. A quick dodge and small chop to the back of her neck sent her to the ground, leaving her on all fours in an attempt to stay conscious. She finally flopped down and simply rolled onto her back to stare up a tthe blue sky, her breathing ragged from the sparring session.
"Thank you, Master Bang. I needed that." she sighed out.
"Of course." Bang responded before sitting next to her. "May I ask why you ran out? Was it because of Charanko's words?"
"...Some of it." she growled. "I cannot believe he just said all that! 'Mindless and merciless?!' If I was that, I would've done more than just leave him with bruises when we spar! And what he said about Saitama was just...GRAAAH!" She rammed her fists into the ground, cracking it a little as she continued. "'Too weak?!' 'Hiding behind him?!' That moron doesn't know anything about Saitama!" She brought her fists up again before slamming them down after each statement. "His strength!" *CRACK* "Hist Power!" *CRACK* "WHAT HE'S LOST THAT HE DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE HE'S LOST!"
She swung her fists down again and embedded them into the ground, huffing and panting to get her breath back as she glared up at the sky. She opened her mouth to continue, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She let out another sigh and let her arms fall back to the ground.
"Unlike you and I, Charanko has yet to see Saitama's full power." Bang reminded before staring off into the distance, his mind going back to that moment. "Actually, I wonder if that was his full power."
"I don't have the foggiest idea." she said as she stared up at the sky again. "Just like I haven't any idea if I'm actually changing at all."
"Hmm?" Bang hummed as he looked down at her. "What do you mean?"
"What makes me different from the monsters you kill?" Midori asked as she turned her gaze towards Bang. "The others and I in the apartment have given up on trying to destroy humanity, but that's all because we fear Saitama bringing that fist through our skulls. It's gotten to the point that we don't fear him doing that to us anymore, but...does that mean we're changing for the better?" She snapped a glare at Bang when he started to chuckle. "What's so funny?!"
"You have doubts. That is good." Bang answered. "It means that you are indeed changing inside."
"But is it for the better?" she sighed. "Is it real, or just self-preservation?" Her eyes began to water as she spoke the next words. "What if Charanko's right? What if...we're nothing but monsters, no matter how good we try to be?"
"I don't think you have anything to worry about." said Bang, causing her gaze to shift back towards him. "If you were like all the other monsters, you'd have tried to attack me with intent to kill. Or slaughtered Charanko when my back was turned. But you didn't."
"Yeah." she breathed with a smile. "I didn't. Maybe this is all worth it?"
"'The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.'" Bang recited with a kind smile. "I believe that you've taken that first step. Both in becoming a great disciple, and more than just another monster."
Midori chuckled as she let the tears in her eyes fall, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her heart.
"Yeah." she hiccuped with a smile. The two stayed that way for a few moments before Midori got to her feet and wiped her tears away. "I'm better. Thank you, Master Bang."
"Any time." Bang nodded before turning walking away. "Now then, let's get that hand of yours bandaged before you bleed out."
"Uh...right." Midori answered as she finally took notice of her bleeding and stinging palm. "Sorry about the tea cup."
"Do not worry." Bang chuckled as he and Midori walked into the Dojo.
"Ah, Bang. Is your newest student feeling better?" Bomb asked from where he was standing on Charanko's back, who was struggling with doing push-ups.
"Inside, I'm alright. Outside?" she answered while raising her hand. "I think I need a bandage."
"It would appear so." Bomb chuckled before looking down at Charanko. "Come now, boy. Is that all you've got?"
"How many has he done?" Bang asked.
"49 so far." Bomb answered as Charanko grunted trying to push up again.
"F-f-fffffifty!" he growled out before flopping onto his face.
"Only 50?" Bang asked before sighing in hidden disappointment. "Charanko, I know you haven't been able to grasp the techniques of the school, but I know that you can do more than just 50 push-ups."
"You've...never stood...on my back...Master Bang!" Charanko wheezed out.
"Hmm. Good point." Bang mused. "Then perhaps that can be your new daily exercise after scrubbing the dojo floor."
"Y-Yes, Master!" Charanko nodded from where he lay on the floor.
"Come Midori. Let's get that bandaged." Bang ordered as the two walked on to get her treated, but not before Bang threw one more word in. "When we return, perhaps you can help Charanko with his technique."
Both students heads snapped up at his words before looking at each other.
"Sure thing, Master!" Midori said with a grin, making Charanko whimper. As they left to treat Midori's hand, said monster's eyes drifted to the shredded pieces of her hair from before.
'Slashed them up like he had claws.' she thought before a smile came to her face. 'Claws.'
-Present-
"So, how many times did you make Charanko scream while 'helping' with his form?" Ki snickered.
"Just two or three times...maybe four...or five...seven?" Midori answered, sending the rest into laughter. As they laughed, Midori eyed the Beast Queen for a moment before looking away.
'I'll mention it later.' she thought as Saitama sipped his tea.
"Well, that was quite a story." Saitama said.
"And also far surpassing the 20 word limit." Genos growled.
"That's for backstories." Saitama deadpanned. "And besides, I told them to explain there day."
"Ah, yes. Apologies, Master." Genos bowed his head to Saitama.
As the apartment tennants all spoke, two heroes were lost in thought.
'Risking your life to expose that poison hitting the streets.' thought Tank-Top Girl.
'Wanting to change for the better.' Jet Nice Girl thought with a smile.
'Could they really be good?' both unknowingly thought in unison.
"So, who's next?" Saitama asked.
"Oh! Oh! Me me me!" Mizuki waved her hand in the air like an excited child. "Can I say how I got promoted?!"
"Okay. What happened?" Saitama asked as they all gathered around to listen to her story.
"Well, it was shortly after I went home after daily training..." she began.
A/N: We're cutting off here because it's getting to be a bit long. Stay tuned for part 2.
