Anno was the one to announce that dinner was ready, and Inichi helped serve out each heaped plate swiftly the moment it was filled. Metal Knight's robot was able to carry away a vast amount of food for him and Siren now, too. Everyone had the ability to get seconds and thirds, much to Garou's delight. Overgrown Rover was given a small bowl of delicately grilled organ meat from the deer, as well as other choice cuts of meat. A few bones were even added for it to gnaw on contentedly. Saitama and Mitsumi were greatly enjoying their shared plate of various cuisines and intense flavors.
"Hmm…" Saitama thought aloud and let her snuggle into him after setting aside the empty plate. "Not quite late enough for bed, but not early enough in the day to do much else. Maybe we can nap a bit more. In bed."
"We may as well call it a night, then. Ah. Maybe we should. We have the assessment to do in the early morning," she frowned.
"Eh…yeah. We do, don't we? Okay. We'll chill for a bit longer and then go to bed," Saitama nodded. "Unless something changes."
"Hey," Zenchu said on walking over. "Wind Crane is doing better, but we'll need a constant supply of heat on those eggs. She wants to do the assessment with you both when it happens."
"Tacki was making blankets just for that! I'm sure we can set up a small heating system, too," Mitsumi smiled. "And congratulations, Zenchu!"
"Get promise rings for the two of you," Saitama said.
"Oh! Ah…right," Zenchu chuckled and nodded. "I'm still trying to process all of this. It's a totally different feeling for me."
"A bit of advice," Kamiko said when she walked over to him. "When the eggs start to hatch, you and Wind Crane should be the first ones they see in case of imprinting. Then the rest of us can meet them. I'm sure we'll get to see the eggs at some point tomorrow, but Wind Crane does need to rest. Those eggs had some very interesting colors!"
"Oh! We should see if the shells can also make different crystals after the babies hatch!" Tacki grinned.
"We can do that," Zenchu nodded. Mitsumi smiled softly and found herself looking away. Saitama glanced at her and noticed subtle signs.
"Everything okay?" Okada asked. Kodama could definitely see that Mitsumi was feeling exhaustion now. Fumio was also concerned, but he knew he would be heading to bed shortly after they did. He already made sure that Tareo would always be welcomed back with no issues. The two boys liked each other and planned to do online gaming the moment they could.
"We'll be back in a few. Not going to bed yet. Maybe. We'll see if it comes to that. Fumio, you may need to be with us tomorrow. If we don't come back out, you need to get ready for bed," Saitama said and lifted her up in his arms from the chair to carry her into their apartment fourth floor room. Fumio nodded and chuckled at his parents. Black Sperm was planning to bed down in Fumio's room, too, to help protect him. Overgrown Rover looked up and abandoned its chew bone to trot after them. When they got to the bedroom, Saitama looked down at it. "Sit. Stay here."
It sat down and cocked its head at him. When he kicked the door shut, it grumbled. Then it started to whine and scratch at the base of the door.
"We should let it in," Mitsumi chuckled and groaned softly from the hungry kiss Saitama gave her.
"No. Not yet," he muttered and kissed her even more intensely. Then he winced at the sharp whine it let out. "Stop that! We'll let you in shortly! Not yet! Geez! What the hell?!"
"Love, you left it behind for two weeks. Can you blame it?" she frowned. "And it may end up digging through the door to get to us. Just make a place for it to be in. It's very smart. It's a monster! I'm sure it will be fine."
"But…ugh…" Saitama sighed. He set her on the treasure bed and looked around to build a small, makeshift tent of sorts with a pillow in it on the balcony area. He opened the door to see the small monster dog looking up at him with all six eyes. It was in an upright begging position on its hind legs for appeasement, and it even blinked its lightly glowing, ruby red eyes in a cute way. Sure enough, he saw the intense scratching done on the floor and the door base. He knew Tacki was going to be ticked. "You can come in on one condition. You go where I tell you to. I need to be with Mitsumi. Ignore what you hear. After we're done, you may be able to join us in the bed for a small rest. This happens a lot. Okay?"
It spun around several times with excitement and followed him obediently to the small tent bed after the door was closed behind it. It curled up right inside the tent with a sigh of contentment. It clearly did just want to be in their vicinity. Mitsumi giggled softly and winked at Saitama that she was right. Then she laughed at the blue bubble containing its chew bone for it to enjoy. Saitama looked at Mitsumi when she said, "I told you so!"
"Hmm…" Saitama mused before tackling her to get her laughing. Ten minutes later had them both reclining with their clothes set off to the side. She had dropped off into a rather deep sleep against him, and he sighed. We may not get to rejoin them out there. I want her to sleep.
At a small huffing sound, he looked over to see Overgrown Rover peeking out at him with all six eyes. He sighed again, pulled the sheets up a bit and made a gesture for it to come over quietly. It yawned, stretched and lightly trotted over to jump onto the bed. It made its way to him and curled up against his side. Then it rested its head on him to look at him with a sigh. On watching it, he said, "I get the feeling that you're smart. Very smart. So, I want to ask you something. No one will tell me anything, so I'm hoping you can."
It huffed and tilted its head at him. "I think Mitsumi is pregnant. From me. A possible baby. I know! I get it! Nothing is really there yet. But…I think something is there. Do you know? Can you at least give me a sign?"
It got up and gently lifted his hand with its mouth to put over her belly. Then it licked his hand and lay down on it with a soft grunt. "Um…what does that mean? Wait. I do that to protect her and what I think is there. So…?"
It grunted again and pulled itself up on his arm a bit more to fully recline on him that way. It kept its main body pinning his hand down on her belly. "I think you're telling me that something is there."
Now it huffed and licked his arm before resting its head down again. That had to be a yes! "Good! Okay. I know I'm likely going to freak out the moment Mitsumi shows any discomfort. I need to let you know this. It's important. Paying attention?"
It whined and licked his arm again to continue. "When I left you alone with her, I felt fine. I didn't worry. I didn't stress. In short, I trust you alone with her. I know she has the others, but I think it's because you're my pet. It's different and weird to describe. So, we plan to go somewhere in a month. A spa with a bath and stuff. I want you to stay with her when we go.
"I'll know she'll be safe with you. I only plan to be gone for twenty minutes, but if something goes wrong, I'll know you'll fully make sure she's safe until I get to her. In fact, when we get legally married, you may be able to be with her for her to come to me. So…we'll see how the spa goes. If I'm right. Okay?"
It lifted up its head to move and lick his face to get him laughing. That got Mitsumi to wake up and stretch. She looked at him and laughed before saying, "I heard everything, Saitama. I'm glad it can help us this way."
"What?! You heard me?" he frowned after wiping off his face with a sheet.
"Well, yeah. You were only talking right next to me," she laughed again softly and giggled at the lick to her nose the monster dog gave her. "And I had a feeling that something happened after we were together for those days. Of course, it would still need to take to me, but at least we know that something did happen."
"Yeah," he smiled and pulled her close to kiss her softly. "Do you think we should go back out there?"
"You know what? I think we're fine right here," she smiled and kissed him again before reaching over to grab the remote. Flicking on the television, he pulled her against him to watch the news with her. Overgrown Rover settled against Saitama again and watched the screen with vast curiosity. Then Mitsumi burst into laughter when it pawed at the remote and learned how to change the channels!
"I was watching that!" Saitama scowled. It stood up and huffed at him before taking the remote in its mouth to dare him to take it back. "Not funny. Give it, please."
It whined and set it in his hand before licking his face to get him laughing at it all. Mitsumi finally sat up and took the remote back. The monster dog whined at her and pawed gently. "Calm down, please. I'll let you change the channels in a bit. Ah! Maybe you'd like a channel about nature! Here…"
She changed the channel to what she wanted, and now it turned to stare with rapt attention before laying down to watch calmly. Saitama sighed and lay back again with her. "Nice choice. We'll see if this puts us to sleep."
"Yeah," she smiled and snuggled into him. Outside the apartment, the others were able to realize that Saitama and Mitsumi had optioned to go to bed. Fumio said his good nights and picked up Black Sperm to take it into his bedroom. Tacki already set up a small bed for it to relax in. Inichi sent home Saitama's parents after they got a nice platter of extra food to take with them. Himiko optioned to stay the night in the room that Zombieman had reserved. While the others dispersed to their apartment rooms, Genus and Anno were talking to each other calmly.
"I had no idea that she looked like that," Genus swallowed. "Saitama's wife, that is. And I know who her family was, too! I just…wow…"
"I know. It's why I was quick to pull you away. Mr. Saitama would have slapped you if you kept staring at her," Anno said and helped scrub some dishes clean from the outdoor sink. Takeda was drying them and setting them aside when he handed them to her.
"I just…such perfection of face and form! I never knew such a thing existed!" Genus could only grimace. "Her genetic make-up was just…perfection on its own level!"
"Mr. Saitama is the only one that is worthy of her. This I know," Anno nodded. "I saw him attack."
"So did I. He killed off my strongest and most unstable creation. All because he was going to miss a shopping day!" Genus sighed hard. "All of my life's work. Gone. Only Armored Gorilla remains now."
"And I plan to stick around," Armored Gorilla chuckled while he set tables and chairs back to where they had to go.
"Sometimes it is for the best," Orotsu said and started to prepare specialty raw meat platters for Neutral Grounds to be frozen for cooking later. "We are not meant to know how we are created. Take me, for example. I thought I did well enough with two hands. Now I have eight! And I can use them to move around for faster speed. True, I have something resembling legs underneath me, but only to stand still. I lack true feet. All from an unknown octopus bite when I thought it was dead. I have no idea what it was. Child Emperor did plan to try and make cure for me, but I don't think I'll take it."
"And you still cook with intense perfection," Genus sighed and chuckled.
"Precisely. And look at Inichi! He was an intense critic and educator in the literal arts. He was as sought after as I was. I'm sure I even catered a few meals with him as a guest, but I was always in the kitchen. As much as he would like to return to being human, he doesn't want to lose what he has now. He is invaluable with what he can do. A few of us realized we are better as we are," Orotsu said.
"As long as you know yourselves," Sweet Mask said from where he was sitting. That was when Inichi hovered over to clear his throat.
"Do not think that you are so different in mindset," Inichi said lightly. Now Sweet Mask paled at him. "You confided in me before. I kept everything you told me close to heart. Emotions can always cause such things. Remember that."
"I know…" Sweet Mask muttered and looked away. :Damn it, Junpei!:
:I know why you have me make you laugh. Despite it being just as enjoyable to others. I saw you as you once were before all of it happened. Before you became a hero. As well as what happened after your initial mask shattered. There was one thing that was stated time and time again that always rang truth. It takes a monster to hunt a monster. Does it not?: Inichi asked softly. :You always were a very interesting case to me. I insisted to let no one but myself intervene with you in the very beginning. I had my reasons. As you can see. A mask of emotions is what you hide behind now, but…we both know the other reason why.:
:Ah! Shit!: Sweet Mask cringed inwardly.
:Don't think I will spill your secret. I vowed I never would. And I keep my vows regardless of how long ago they were made.: Inichi reassured him. :I always thought of you as my brother. More now than ever. You saw the silken flower. But…have you smelled the true fragrance yet?:
:I…no…: he admitted. He saw Tacki skipping over now at Inichi's mental call for assistance.
"Hey! Inichi told me you needed one of these," Tacki said and handed over a pot filled with the intricately rare flowers. "Just water it twice a week. Okay? There's enough plant food in the soil for a year."
"Oh! Thank you," Sweet Mask said and paused at the soothing, calming scent that seemed to embrace him now. "What…flowers…are these…?!"
"These are the ones from where Wind Crane's egg first fell. Everyone gets intense emotions and sensations around them," Tacki chuckled. "They help wake up monsters, too. Just the sight of a silk one does it! And now with the smell of it? Absolute turn around!"
"I see…" Sweet Mask swallowed and nodded to her. "Thank you."
"Sure! Oh. I gotta get to bed. Kamikaze wanted to go to the assessment tomorrow. I have lots of stuff to make. We have a karaoke machine at Neutral Grounds! We want to make it a neat event with costumes," she grinned.
"Hmm. That…yes. Inichi told me before. I think. Do you plan to go to Neutral Grounds tomorrow?" he asked.
"Maybe after the assessment. If there's time," she said.
"I would say to do so as a rare late night event. That's usually when karaoke is done. It would be interesting for me to sing with Fan Dancer," he mused.
"As long as it is only singing," Inichi warned lightly. "Do know that Mr. Saitama will likely be standing with her or watching her closely. It is said that she may, indeed, be pregnant with his future child. He will not hesitate to slap or kill anyone that tries to harm her. That red haze…he can bring it back out whenever he needs to. Don't cross him."
"I saw him let out the excess power he had. As much as I know I could easily take on anyone in class S…I did attack him once. You know this, too. And I did nothing to him…" Sweet Mask swallowed. "And, yes…I saw what he did to that training room."
"He even said that he can blow down houses when he farts," Tacki beamed at his now gaping look of shock. "Do you plan to be there tomorrow? For the assessment of recruits?"
"I do, actually," Sweet Mask nodded.
"I would strongly advise for you to bring Tajima," Inichi said. "You need to get to know her more, and she needs to start writing for you. You can approve each page she writes while you assess as something else to do."
"Ah. Hmm. I can do that," Sweet Mask nodded.
"Tacki?!" Kamikaze called out from the apartment.
"Coming, honey! Yep. Bedtime. See you tomorrow!" Tacki grinned and ran over to tackle Kamikaze to hear him shout at it before grumbling at her. Sweet Mask saw them kiss and retreat into their room.
"I feel a need to assist Master Saitama tomorrow," Genos said on escorting Kamiko to their room. "It has been some time since I accompanied him. I can also look over any that may seem worthy of working at Neutral Grounds."
"That should be fine. Tsuruga will be there to keep the peace," Kamiko chuckled and blushed at the squeeze her gave her before closing their apartment door. Inichi glanced over at Fubuki from where she nodded at him to show she was also ready for bed.
"I can send you home, Sweet Mask. And I would urge you to speak with Tajima. You need companionship of some form. She will help you," Inichi said. Sweet Mask sighed hard, but he grudgingly agreed. When he got bubbled, Sweet Mask did give one look at his dearest of friends. :Please keep my secret safe.:
:Worry not. It shall be done. And as you know my name…I know yours. Beaut.: Inichi mentally chuckled. Sweet Mask gave a shadow of a smile before letting himself get dropped off at his home.
:You are likely the only one that will ever know my true name. I'm grateful that I can still trust and confide in you. Thank you.: Sweet Mask sighed. Inichi chuckled and went to join Fubuki in their apartment chamber. When Sweet Mask walked into his luxurious home, he paused at the sight of the dining table having a small plate of cookies on it. He was quick to set down the flower pot on a small table along the wall for now, looked around and saw Tajima walking back to her designated room with a load of fresh laundry to sort. Her red hair was tied back to show she was in a bit of a cleaning mode. "What are you doing?"
"Oh! Ah…I saw you had laundry. I suppose…old habits die hard. I did live in a wealthy mansion, so I know how to clean and fold expensive clothing," she chuckled. "Um…is there anything wrong with that?"
"No! Just…a touch surprising," he admitted. "I usually take it in to get cleaned. There's no reason you need to do such a thing. I do understand that it's a habit, though."
"Yeah," she chuckled, shrugged and set the basket down on a chair to sort through later on. He already realized that his clothes looked cleaner than he expected them to be. He was a bit impressed by that. He still found himself drawn to the light freckles that lightly dusted over her cheeks.
"Have you written anything yet?" he asked.
"I started to. I just need you to go over it to see if it would be worthwhile to continue it," she nodded. "If it is, then I can write more tomorrow."
"Good. Let me see what you have," he nodded back. She was quick to retrieve what she wrote so far, and he blinked. "You wrote…ten pages of…?"
"Yes," she shrugged. "It's how I am."
"I see…" he mused and looked at the first page. "A time machine?! Well, then…this is different!"
"Thank you," she said with a soft blush. He found himself sitting down at the table to read it over and even taking a soft cookie from the plate while reading it. On setting down the last page fifteen minutes later, he realized she was out of the room. Getting up to look for her, he noticed she was looking out a large window at the near-full moon view. His home was based on a hill and she was taking in the enchanting meadow scenery below the home. She looked over at him and blinked her dark green eyes.
"I couldn't put it down," he admitted. "I can actually see it being a bit of a series. It would be incredibly addicting to watch."
"I'm glad you approve," she nodded. "I can work on more tomorrow."
"Have you eaten anything?" he asked.
"Ah…I had something. What you pointed out I could have, that is. Not much. Just enough to sate my hunger," she said. "I never really ate that much."
"Why?" he asked now and gestured for her to sit down. She shivered a bit before relenting at his worried gaze. She sat across from him now and he noticed she was nervous. Why is she nervous?
"Mainly what transpired at the mansion. A lot of it…haunts me. Really. I'd get reprimanded for the littlest of things before. One piece of clothing not folded right. A towel not set in place correctly. Dishes not taken away in a timely manner. When it came to getting fed, we were given thirty minute breaks at four times a day to do just that. Sometimes an hour until our shifts were done to ensure we weren't overworked. But…" she winced.
"This was before Fan Dancer took over. I see. But what else happened?" he asked now and leaned forward a touch with curiosity.
"I'm sorry…I can't…" she cringed and finally stood up to walk away. Now he moved to get in her path to have her stop and look at him.
"You were abused. Weren't you?" he asked. At how she worried her lower lip, he found his gaze hardening at the thought. "Who was it?"
"It wasn't…Mr. Daiki…but…his younger brother…" she swallowed.
"He's dead now," he said flatly to get her looking at him with shock. "He became a monster. Caped Baldy and Fan Dancer took him out. They had no choice. Dead men can't hurt anyone. I witnessed his death, too."
"That's…good then. Because what he did to me…I still have nightmares," she swallowed again. "He did such things to others…but nothing in compare to me. I know Miss Mitsumi had it worse than all of us from what that other guy did to her. But what I went through…"
"What did Fumihiro do?" Sweet Mask asked. She shivered hard, but she turned to slowly unbutton her blouse and let the shirt come off to reveal whip marks all over her back. His eyes widened with absolute shock. Some of these still look infected! How long was she hiding this and had no medical help?! A lot of those are scars now, too! "Lie down! Now! I need to tend to this!"
"Please…you don't have to…" she trembled.
"Bullshit!" he growled out and moved to quickly go to his medical cabinet. "Lie down on a couch! Now!"
"Okay…" she winced. She lay face down on the dark blue, leather couch with a soft pillow to cushion her head. A few minutes later, she grimaced at the gentle swabbing he did now to the harder to reach areas. He did ask for her permission to undo her bra to help get the areas underneath it, though, to which she consented. At the stinging felt from the antiseptic, she gave a sharp gasp. Then she felt the slight cleaning being done to remove the infected build up over some of the more intense areas. A numbing salve was put on now before he moved to clean out another intensely infected spot to keep the pain down.
He kept things clean with various swabs, tissues and sterile bandages. Of course, he was wearing gloves to keep things as sterile as possible. A trash bin was nearby, and she forced herself to remain calm at the sight of various bloodied swabs of cotton filled with infection. He was simply livid at all of it and planned to get a restock of everything he would need to see to her intense care. He even made plans to ask for Mitsumi's help in this.
"How did he do this?" he asked while tenderly caring for her. "Why even?!"
"He…said I wasn't doing a good job. That he had to set an example. He strung me up in his room…ripped off my clothes…did…things…" she whimpered and started to cry softly. "Then…he whipped me…after he said I wasn't good enough even for that…"
"That…piece of shit…!" Sweet Mask hissed out.
"I was found…hanging unconscious by the others…" she swallowed. "This was…after Miss Mitsumi left, though. After all of that happened. I tried to work. Act like nothing was wrong…but…then we were all let go. I struggled and got sick now and then from what I went through. I tolerated the pain after a while. I wanted to go to a hospital…but they would have asked what happened. I could have been killed if they knew it was from a political family! So…you get the idea.
"When I came back from the offer of a fresh rehire and saw that things may be different…I thought things would be alright. But the others…they knew what happened to me. They remembered it. Who would have forgotten? They said if I didn't obey what they said that they'd reveal things. I was so ashamed! I mean…I know now that things would have been fine. But…when I got the option to break away from them…to join you…I leapt at the chance."
"Hmm…" Sweet Mask frowned hard. :Old friend. Are you aware?:
:I am. I heard all through you. Those girls…yes. Make sure you're present for every single class I do for them.: Inichi said with a small growl. :Kamiko is now aware and having me send over stronger medical needs. Does anything need sutures? Ah. I'm seeing what you see through your thoughts. Most of it is superficial. Just lack of cleaning from some areas. She'll heal fine with some intensive care. A few of those lash marks are over five months old! She kept her thoughts very well-hidden from me. Go to your eastern window, please.:
"Stay put, please," Sweet Mask said and rose up to retrieve the medical bag of supplies. He brought it back to her side to sort through the bag and was highly impressed at the stock of medical needs for intensive care. This included a shot of liquid pain killer. "I'm giving you a shot to help with the pain. Hold still."
"Okay," she sighed and felt him swab an area of her arm with alcoholic disinfectant before carefully administering the shot. She felt the pain in her back melt away swiftly with relief. It also made her drowsy. "Thank you."
"I wanted you to come with me to the assessment. After seeing this…well," he muttered and placed cooling bandages with more medical salve on her back. "Let me know how you feel in the morning. Okay?"
"Okay…" she mumbled and found herself drifting off to sleep. Sweet Mask didn't want to disturb her now and he thought to Inichi. :What do you make of this? Your thoughts?:
:Fumihiro died too swiftly.: Inichi growled out. :She should come to the assessment, though. I want Kamiko to evaluate her. That can be done before sending her back to Neutral Grounds. I would wish for Lady Mitsumi to see her, too. She may want a harsher punishment done to the ones that refused to let Tajima get medical help. Hmm. Oh. Daiki had no idea about any of this.
:He's furious and will assist in all of her intensive care needs. Ah. He will also ask all of the girls about all of Fumihiro's prior deeds tomorrow one at a time. I shall keep my thoughts on his and inform of everything found. He will also request for Himiko to be with him to ease things. Actually, Zombieman wanted her to be away from the assessment. I will discuss this with the others in the morning.:
:Right. She's sleeping now. I have to wonder if she ever did get any sleep.:
:Place a light sheet over her so she will not feel embarrassed. The marks were carefully placed to only be on her back. She should have healed fine, but she couldn't administer much to herself. Thus the scarring. Take care of her. I do believe that she will be good for you in this position.: Inichi said wisely.
"I think…she'll be good for me, too…" Sweet Mask muttered softly and placed an ultra-soft sheet of fine cotton over her. He tossed the medical gloves he wore in the trash bin now, and ensured all other used swabs and tissues were discarded. The clean bandages would keep her wounds stable, and he winced at what he just witnessed and had to do. "I can't go to sleep in my own bed with her like this. I don't know if she'll wake up and need something. Screw it…"
He moved to another nearby couch and lay back on it to watch a bit of television. He set an alarm on his watch and reclined feeling easier about it now. It was five minutes later that he drifted off to sleep.