The phone call was brought up in the morning right after bathing and dressing in normal clothes was done. Genos was quick to voice his approval.
"Yes! You should definitely accept this!" he said. "I fully support the decision! What I saw last night was something I have yet to see anywhere else."
"Hold on," Saitama said while he kept Mitsumi in his lap and held up his hand to stop the talking. "We need to think on this. The Hero Association will be able to call on her and keep tabs on her whenever they want. If she has children, what will happen then?"
"We can build a nursery, you know," Zenchu said. "That won't be a problem. And, think on this now. If there is a monster that appears, she'll be one of the first to know, too. I saw a few interesting gadgets in King's home. They look like items freely given to S class heroes to help out even faster."
"I think she would make a wonderful addition to the S class team," Fubuki chuckled and sipped some tea. "We should definitely let King and Kamikaze know about this. We should get their insight. I think they're still sleeping in."
"They are," Tacki chuckled and continued to straighten up the apartment. "King and Kianna took a room above our floor. Kamikaze took a bottom floor corner on the right side. He likes being able to quickly leave if he feels a need to. I think he planned to start moving a few things in, too. He really liked the space."
"That's good! We can inform them later," Kamiko nodded and helped Fumio get things ready with Richoo for the restaurant opening. They had a new crate to deliver, and she was helping prep it for travel. "Where is Rendor?"
"He has been scouting the area with Miss Tatsumaki, actually. She insisted to help with defensive measures. I'm sure she's sleeping on his shoulder now from exhaustion. And she is," Inichi chuckled.
"Saitama, didn't you say that S classes got to go to special places? Well, this could mean I get to go to those places with you. Hmm?" Mitsumi beamed. She was in her Bao Bao hairstyle with another crop top shirt and shorts outfit. A set of white sandals decorated her feet to show she was getting ready to go out. "And you can always keep me with you to protect me."
"Hmm. Damn. You bring up a very solid point there…" Saitama frowned.
"And wherever she goes, I tend to go, too," Inichi nodded. "If you ever feel bored, I know how to get you out."
"Ah…crap…" Saitama frowned. "Well…can we go down to the association tomorrow? I really don't want to do anything else today."
"It's fine. We said to give us time, right?" she smiled and kissed his forehead. He nodded at this.
"I'll have to go to the restaurant, though," Orotsu said. "Suiryu will be waiting there. He informed me that he was going to get more food stock. We are running low now. This current crate may not last long at all."
"Ah. Not anymore. Go there now. The Hero Association dropped off some supplies in our new back room," Inichi said.
"I'll go with him," Tsuruga nodded.
"Master? Shall I accompany them?" Genos asked.
"Yeah. Just to make sure they get there safe," Saitama nodded.
"I will return after they set up," Genos bowed lightly to him and walked out to follow the monsters to the restaurant. Kamiko watched him with a small smile and a slight nod. "Oh? Is something wrong?"
"Not at all. I just appreciate what you're doing. That's all," she chuckled in her tinny voice. When a crash was heard outside the apartment, she was quick to turn to the sound and dart out the door to investigate.
"What was that?!" Mitsumi frowned. Saitama gave a bored, neutral look and got up to investigate now with her on his arm. She grabbed her felt purse to show she was ready with her silken flower.
"I really hope it's nothing bad. I don't want our home to get dirty," he muttered. He kept her behind him, though. Inichi was already sighing with a grumble. "Who is it?"
"A random monster. It is trying to convince Shenjou to turn bad," Inichi said. "And now Tsuruga is there to help."
"I'm on it!" Zenchu spat and was quick to help his brothers.
"Come now! Don't you want to destroy? To punish those lower than us?!" the strange frog monster said.
"No. It is stupid," Shenjou said. "It makes no sense. And there is also a hero that can kill me in one hit. Why would I even want to revert back to being stupid? I have a purpose now. A family. I won't revert."
"He's right," Tsuruga said when he charged over and snorted at the unfamiliar monster. "You being here is pointless!"
"It's a waste of time," Zenchu said when he showed up behind the frog monster to spook it. "You can leave now."
"But…you're all monsters! We can band together and…" now the monster paused at the sight of Saitama and Mitsumi walking over. Genos was on top of Shenjou's housing and ready to attack the moment he was given word to do so.
"How did you transform into this?" Mitsumi asked. Inichi was now hovering over her protectively with Fubuki calmly watching from the apartment railing. "Do you remember?"
"Ah…well…no…but that doesn't matter!" the frog monster spat. She brought out the silk flower from her felt purse to make the monster pause again.
"You're sure?" she asked with a small smile.
"Is there a bug on it?" the monster asked with a puzzled tone.
"Nope. It's not turning. Kill it," Zenchu snorted.
"What?!" the monster gaped. "Wait!"
"You have five seconds. Huh. It looks like Shenjou is ready to eat you," Saitama said with his usual blank stare and pointed at the massive snake muzzle ready to strike.
"Snakes are known to eat frogs, right?" Mitsumi mused and put the silk flower away. "It won't hurt you, Shenjou?"
"My venom will dissolve it," Shenjou said and flicked his tongue with eagerness. "I don't mind eating faulty monsters at all…"
"Chance to get some meat?" Kamiko chuckled from where she was now standing with her tail ready to snap out.
"Wow! What a babe!" the monster said to Kamiko.
"Thanks. But…you're not my type," she chuckled. "I don't date idiots."
"That she should not," Genos muttered out with mild annoyance. Now Inichi looked over at him and cracked a grin. Kamiko looked up at Genos to wink.
"What…?" Fubuki found herself smiling a bit now from what she heard and saw. "Can it be that he…really does like her?"
"Oh…" Mitsumi let out a soft giggle.
"What?" Genos asked. "Master, are we attacking this one?"
"Wait! Wait a minute!" the monster grimaced. "I'll just leave!"
"No. If you just leave, then you'll attack somewhere else," Zenchu said.
"I won't!" the frog monster said.
"That was a lie…" Inichi muttered. The monster gaped and growled. Just as it got ready to jump and attack the floating blue monster, Shenjou struck out with a lightning quick snap of his jaws to devour the frog monster whole.
"That…will tide me over for a while…" Shenjou said after he swallowed and belched. "I will nap now."
"That's fine," Saitama nodded. Then he looked at Genos, "So, you don't think that Kamiko should date idiots?"
"Of course not. It is beneath her," Genos said when he jumped down.
"Should she date you?" Mitsumi asked. Genos paused at this and looked at where Kamiko was simply lounging against the side of Shenjou's housing.
"I won't say no…" she chuckled.
"I am sorry. I don't have the time," Genos said.
"Genos, I am giving you an assignment," Saitama said now.
"Master! I will fulfill this," he nodded.
"Take Kamiko on a date tonight. Enjoy it. See how it feels," Saitama said with a small smile.
"Ah…well…" Genos blinked. Kamiko died laughing now with the others.
"Are you saying you can't do what I am asking?" Saitama now asked carefully. Genos stiffened and straightened up.
"No! I shall take her out and make it an enjoyable night for both of us," Genos nodded. Then Kamiko walked over to press a kiss to his cheek.
"It's very nice of you, Genos. But you don't have to," she said softly. "If you don't feel comfortable with it, it should not be forced."
"Genos, have I ever given you bad guidance before? It's clear that you do like her. You just don't know how to express it. It's like…how I was with Mitsumi. Just take a chance," Saitama said calmly and squeezed Mitsumi to him.
"I understand, Master," Genos nodded.
"Also, please don't see it as an assignment. Think of it as something genuine. You are exploring a relationship with a new girl. Don't rush it. If there is nothing there, then it's fine," Mitsumi smiled softly. "It's clear that, well, with how you responded to that monster…there was jealousy in your tone."
"There was?" Genos frowned.
"Yep," Zenchu nodded.
"We can talk on our way to Neutral Grounds," Kamiko offered. "Just to see what we like and dislike. See if we have anything in common. Then we can work off of that."
"I can agree," Genos nodded. Now that they left for the restaurant, Saitama just sighed and shook his head.
"He can be as stubborn as you?" Mitsumi chuckled.
"Quiet," he grinned and lifted her in his arms. "We're going shopping. The store is open. I have the paper."
"Then let's go," she said.
"The rest of us will remain here, but Zenchu shall accompany you," Inichi said. "I will inform from afar."
"That's fine," Mitsumi smiled and got carried off. "I wonder if Inichi can take us there. What do you think?"
"Eh…well…maybe not too far off. I always walked everywhere most of the time," Saitama said. With that, a blue bubble formed around them to take them to just around the corner where the store was. "Yeah. Much faster!"
"He can do the same thing to get us home," she beamed and got kissed by him. He set her down now to walk in with him side-by-side. Zenchu walked behind them both calmly and simply waved at those around him.
"Are you Caped Baldy?" a young boy asked when he ran up to them.
"Ah…yeah. But you can call me Saitama," he said with a nod.
"Can you autograph this?" the boy asked and displayed an autograph book. Saitama now saw where his rank and class was. He was stunned that the Hero Association already printed out new books.
"Ah…sure," Saitama said and did just that.
"Oh! It's Caped Baldy! That's right! He lives in this city! To think that he does normal shopping like us is amazing!" an older woman said. Mitsumi smiled and got pulled next to him to keep her in his arms while he signed autographs and shook hands. Zenchu just kept watch over everything calmly and finally helped form a small line to keep the store orderly. Mitsumi giggled and got a kiss pressed to her forehead.
"Are you dating her?" a young girl asked.
"Yes. She's going to be my wife, actually," Saitama nodded. "She may also become an S class hero, too. She dances with fans and hypnotizes with them."
"Wow!" a man said. "Can she autograph next to yours?"
"Oh…" Mitsumi blinked and nodded. Now a line reformed to get her signature next to Saitama's. When people asked to see what she could do, she frowned. "I don't have my fans with me. I was only here to do shopping for food. So, I'm not able to do it now."
"You mean these?" Zenchu smiled and handed the fans to her. "You can thank Inichi."
"Ah!" she laughed. "Let me do my food shopping with Saitama. Then I can do something outside."
"If you perform for us, we'll give you the food you want for free," the manager of the store said. Saitama's jaw dropped.
"No! I couldn't do that! You already have so much on sale. How about this. I still want to do my shopping normally. But, if you really want to help, I also own the restaurant called Neutral Grounds. If you would like to donate to help my restaurant thrive, we can do that in exchange for a small performance," she beamed. This was now readily agreed to.
"How…did she just do a business proposition…on a simple stroll…?" Saitama could just gape with amazement.
"That's Lady Mitsumi for you," Zenchu chuckled. They were able to finish off the line of autographs after that, finish their shopping day and let Inichi transport the groceries home. When they walked outside, there was a small crowd waiting to see her dance.
"Okay. Just wait here. Maybe we can dance after I start," she smiled and pressed a loving kiss on Saitama's mouth. He nodded and let her go to start flicking the fans skillfully to start her dance. The crowd was fully mesmerized and enthralled by the dazzling gems her fans had. Inichi wasn't there to levitate her or provide music, but Saitama was there to help dance with her to make the show even more enjoyable. When it was done, they were both applauded for it.
"Amazing! I can't believe what I just saw!" a woman said.
"When will you become S class?" a girl asked.
"Probably in a few days. They asked me, and I said I sort of had to think about it. It's a big responsibility," Mitsumi said. "I also own a restaurant, so I would need to make sure I can work with it and be a hero, too. It may be a bit hectic at times, you would think."
"That it would be," Flashy Flash said when he walked over. Now he got swarmed with fans that wanted his autograph. Saitama narrowed his eyes, scooped up Mitsumi and bolted off with her. Zenchu was right on his heels using the nearby shadows from trees and buildings.
"What was he doing there?!" Mitsumi cringed.
"I don't know. I don't care. I'm taking you home," Saitama said with a narrowed gaze. Inichi now had a blue bubble form around them to bring them home faster. Only when Saitama and Mitsumi were safely inside did they all relax. Zenchu arrived shortly after and moved to recline on the long couch.
"Took you all some time to get back," Fubuki frowned.
"We got mobbed at the store. People wanted autographs from me. Then they wanted Mitsumi to dance and get her autograph next to mine when I said she was going to be my wife and a possible S class candidate. Then that glittery guy showed up and made me want to go home," Saitama said with boredom.
"Glittery guy?" Fubuki asked.
"Flashy Flash," Inichi said. "And…he does worry me a touch. He wanted to confront Lady Mitsumi and compliment her dancing. That would have been quite bad. Ah…hmm…Lady Mitsumi, you will be approached by someone from the Hero Association staff shortly…"
"What?!" Saitama gaped. "I said no one was to disturb us!"
"Disturb you," Inichi said with a soft sigh. "That was how they heard it."
"What do they want?" Mitsumi frowned.
"They really want to establish you now," Inichi gave a small shrug.
"I wanted to do this tomorrow. It's my day off!" she cringed. "You know what? Fine. But I won't accept any name they come up with for me. I need to give them the name that I want. Not what they want."
"Hmm…that may force them to wait to re-adjust what they chose…" Inichi mused. "They chose the name 'Social Butterfly' for you."
"Yuck! No!" she grimaced.
"Absolutely not!" both she and Saitama now said together.
"I can go with Fan Dancer. That's fine," Mitsumi said calmly.
"That works for me, too," Saitama nodded.
"Oh! Um…Saitama, I wanted to do something for you. I worked on it after Kamikaze fell asleep," Tacki said and brought out another costume for him. He blinked at it with surprise that it resembled his new one. The only difference was that it was embellished with sparkling rhinestones and gemstones all over the edges, buttons and cuffs. "Since you sort of know how to dance with Lady Mitsumi, we felt you needed something to be just as flashy as her dancing gown."
"Ah…why…?" he could only gape.
"Your current uniform is good for basic needs. But for performances, this would be more appropriate," she chuckled.
"It's beautiful!" Mitsumi said with a happy gasp of delight. "Oh! I wonder if I could have a costume that could match his. It would be good for when I do become married to him. What do you think?"
"What?!" Saitama asked with complete shock.
"We can do that!" Tacki giggled happily. "This is so exciting!"
"It can be just as flashy and with matching fans. Hmm. Should I wear heels? I don't know if I should…" she frowned.
"No. Your feet hurt in them. Small pumps with cushioning should be okay," Zenchu nodded.
"Instead of a cape, you can have the sparkling silk scarves. A yellow gown can be done with a jeweled decoration in the front instead of the zipper. We could even do small gemstone embellishments for buttons where the cape should be. Hmm…we could also do a mini scarf cape, come to think of it. Maybe we can do silken red gloves with the red shoes, too," Tacki said and started to write things down on a notepad.
"I'm sorry. This all seems so weird…" Saitama admitted. "And what about her hair?"
"Oh, that's easy. We can loop it up and style it with the jeweled pins," Tacki nodded. "She can even wear her jewelry easily."
"Oh! For the picture profile of me, I was thinking of holding the two fans out on each side of my face. Think that would work?" Mitsumi beamed.
"Ah…" Saitama started and sighed with a soft laugh.
"There was something else I was thinking of," Zenchu said seriously.
"What's that?" Mitsumi said.
"This," he said and went over to the chest that held Tacki's magazine. He pulled out a long, black velvet box with pearl engravings. On opening it, he gave over a slightly heavier set of fans.
"I…no!" she shivered and pushed them away. "I can't!"
"As a future S class hero, you will need to defend yourself. Even if you never need them, you should have them on you for emergency defense," Zenchu said now. She cringed and shuddered.
"What fans are those?" Saitama asked. Mitsumi sighed hard and took up the beautiful fans with white crane decorations. They were dark blue in color on the outside and pristine white on the inside for a dramatic flair when they flicked open and closed rapidly.
"Back away," Mitsumi said to any that were too close to her. Once she knew it was safe enough, she flicked out the fans to let out six inch blades that extended out from them and flicked back in when the fans closed. On closer inspection, it was also six fans sealed into a dual set. Each fan had a very thinly made blade that were made to compact on each other, or slice out with intense accuracy when wielded with expert precision when the fans separated out. They were meant to hurt as well as enthrall with their beautiful detail.
"You…had that…?!" Saitama gaped again. She nodded slowly and ensured the fans stayed closed when she set them down.
"I know. I thought I sold them off with the rest…" she frowned hard.
"We kept them safe," Zenchu said. "Those fans were gifted to you by your mentor. We couldn't let them part from you. We kept them hidden. As a hero, you will need a form of defense. You may never need to use them, but it shows that you can fight back. Just trust me on this."
"I have to agree with him," Saitama said softly. Now Mitsumi looked at him with a form of shock. "I know you'll have me with you, too, but you need to sort of…prove yourself as S class. This will help you. And, eh…I doubt you can hurt me with those fans."
"I'm sure I can't," she sighed and shook her head. "I just…don't like the thought of hurting others."
"And that is what I absolutely love and adore you for," Saitama said and now moved to her side to pull her close and kiss her. "Hmm. I may have to practice dancing with you…"
"Oh?" she mused and let him twirl her gently and pulled her back towards him for her back to be against his chest. He swayed with her now and kissed her cheek. Then he paused at an idea.
"I wonder," Saitama mused. "Zenchu said you were humming when he first found you…?"
"Oh…" she blushed softly. Now Inichi chuckled to confirm it. "Not loudly. From what I know, anyways."
"Can you do it again? Do you…think you can sing?" he asked.
"Why?" she had to ask.
"I just want to know if you can. It may help with your performances and start something else in motion," he smiled. She looked at Inichi, and he was able to bring over a floating violin to show he was ready to guide her. Fubuki made herself comfortable on a couch with the others that wanted to listen. The melody started very softly to help Mitsumi build up her voice. When she started to sing in a sweet soprano, Saitama gently guided her into a swaying dance. Then he had her start dancing with the deadly fans.
"Wow…" Kamikaze said when he was let in by Tacki.
"Shhhhh," she whispered. "We'll explain later."
"That's it," Saitama whispered to Mitsumi. "Guide me to dance with you."
"Saitama…" she murmured and found herself doing just that.
"What's happening?" Kamikaze asked.
"She was offered to be recruited into S class for what she can do. Saitama is…helping her perfect a way of attack and defense. I think," Fubuki said.
"They want her…in S class…?!" Kamikaze gaped.
"If she can show off more than just a performance, this may be it," Fubuki smiled softly while watching the dance.
"We can practice each day like this," Saitama muttered in Mitsumi's ear.
"So…we should have a dojo…?" she asked with soft smile when he turned her to hug her tight.
"Ah…fine…" he sighed and got her laughing. Now he looked at Inichi. "How long will it be for that guy to get here?"
"Hmm. Roughly an hour. He's driving through some traffic…" Inichi mused. "We met this one before. That man of importance."
"Oh. That guy. Okay…ah, Tacki, how long will it take to make a costume for Mitsumi? I know I feel a bit weird about it, but the one you were talking about with her to resemble mine," Saitama said now.
"Thirty minutes," Tacki nodded.
"Get on it. I know it was discussed for after the wedding, but it should be now to prove a point that she's with me," Saitama said calmly and looked at Kamikaze. "And what are you up to?"
"I was checking on my girl," Kamikaze said and gestured to Tacki.
"That he was!" Tacki beamed. "Did you have plans today?"
"Eh…not really," he admitted. At a knock on the door, Zenchu got up to answer it to reveal a blond haired man with blue eyes and wearing medieval iron armor save for his arms. A black, long-sleeved shirt was what he wore under it with a heavy shoulder pad on his left shoulder. He was missing his left arm, and he had a sword hanging over his left hip.
"Silver Fang said my Master was here," the young man said. "Are you a monster? I mean…I think I heard about you from that restaurant."
"Yeah. I'm Zenchu. What's your master's name?" he asked.
"He is known as Atomic Samurai," the man said.
"Ah, damn it! I forgot. I had to train Iaian today…" Kamikaze winced. "Tacki, I'll be back later on."
"That's fine! I'll be busy," she said.
"Tacki?" Iaian asked.
"Ah…yeah. My, eh…new girlfriend. At this time. We're still figuring out a few things," Kamikaze shrugged and moved to head out.
"Oh! Um…can I meet her?" Iaian asked.
"Hi there!" Tacki said when she darted over.
"Master! She's a monster!" Iaian gaped.
"And…so?" Kamikaze asked. "She was human once and wants to be human again. She showed me a picture of herself. I want to help her."
"Oh…" Iaian said.
"Anyways, let's go train you," Kamikaze said. "I'll be back later."
"Okay!" Tacki beamed. Then she moved to press a small peck of a kiss to his cheek. That actually got Kamikaze to blush. "It's the most I can do."
"Your beak is…actually a bit soft. Huh. Yeah, I'll be back later," he nodded and started to walk off with Iaian.
"Master, are you serious? I mean…that's a monster! A bird thing-!" Iaian started. Then he found himself getting shoved out of the way by Saitama when he darted over to block Mitsumi's fans from hitting him. Kamikaze was now a bit stunned. How did she move that fast?! I didn't even see it coming!
"Mitsumi!" Saitama said with complete concern. "It was under control!"
"He…insulted Tacki…!" she hissed. Tacki's bird jaw was dropped. Fubuki was speechless. Inichi was already mentally telling Kamikaze what was going on inside the apartment. Zenchu grimaced and was quick to close the door. Saitama had the blades caught in his fingers, and he carefully moved to slide them back into the fans to close them up.
"Kamikaze had everything under control," he said in a soothing way.
"I…hate these fans…" she winced and shivered.
"No. You were protecting your family with these fans," Saitama said and gently pulled them from her hands to set them down. "And that attack was fast! You did very well with it!"
"Ah…what?" she blinked. Zenchu cracked a grin now.
"Hmm. Very accurate, too. I think I'm gonna have to talk to that old man. He might be able to help you perfect some of your moves for defense. Maybe. Anyways, you are now very tense and stressed. Come on. We'll watch some shows," Saitama said and kissed her forehead to show that he wasn't mad at her at all. "Unless you want to remove the stress another way…?"
"Um…isn't that guy showing up?" she asked.
"Ah. Yeah. Damn. Shows it is," Saitama sighed and let her snuggle into him to watch the television to help pass away the time for her new costume to be made. He knew they both needed it, and now his mind was filled with ways to help her perfect this rediscovered ability.
