Chapter 9

Melee was trying to figure out dinner for tonight. It wasn't easy considering how much the family has grown, as well as those who are in a human like form are more difficult to feed! But still, she would work something out. Not to mention she had a strange feeling it wouldn't be long until Saitama returns to the house along with Genos. However, he may not take too kindly to the crowded table.

"Perhaps I will just do a bit of everything…" she announced. She searched for leftovers but remembered, there hasn't been any for the past few weeks. Just as she was about to get started. Suiryu came home with Alley in his arms, she was passed out which was rather strange to her. "Everything okay?" she asked him.

Suiryu nodded but said nothing more as he took Alley to bed. When he came out he sighed aloud. "I've been worried about her. Melee I didn't realize the extent she goes through when running the Association. She's not resting properly, she's not eating consistently either!"

Melee nodded as Suiryu appeared at a loss. "You want to help her, but she is refusing it since she doesn't see anything wrong."

"Yes! Exactly!"

Melee paused as she stared at Suiryu oddly. "You… look different… have you put on weight?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"Come here a moment, I think you got taller too…"

He was confused. Suiryu approached her as Melee nodded. "You got taller. Before I was about an inch or two under your chin, I think I am now three to four inches under your chin now…"

Suiryu paused oddly to the news. "I got taller, and you think I put on weight?" he demanded.

"Well your abs have lost some definition…"

He peered down at himself but didn't really take notice. He should, Suiryu has always been proud of his strength and physical look, last time he felt like he put on weight he did laps until he was pleased with himself. Now, he doesn't appear to care if he has or hasn't. "Something going on?" Melee asked. "Anything weird happen to you lately?"

He shook his head to it all. "No, not in the least bit." He sighed aloud. "Maybe I'll just go to bed with Alley. Maybe we caught something…"

"Go ahead, besides, I think she sleeps better knowing you are near by." He gave a smile and a nod before disappearing into the room. Melee on the other hand had a sinking feeling as to what was going on.

Garou returned along with Tempest, they stepped out to grab more food considering how fast the family is going through it. But he paused when he took in the air. "Alley's home?" he asked.

"So is Suiryu," Melee explained. "You know that funny feeling I've been having as of late? I think I know what it is now…"

Garou suddenly dropped the groceries in his arms, shaking his head in disbelief. "No… you and I talked about it before… you can't be serious!" he demanded.

Melee nodded. "Might as well get the book you had ready out for this…"

"What book?" asked Tempest.

Garou sighed but then forced a smirk. "A book for people who like to place a bet…"

#

Melee was about to get started on dinner when Tempest offered to make it tonight. "I took all these cooking classes but haven't used my skills yet for the family. May I?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded. Tempest's grin grew as he got right to work preparing everything. "Would you like help?" she asked.

He waved off her offer. "I can do this. I just need to prep everything first and then it will be far easier for me to cook, you relax mom."

She smiled and nodded as she joined Garou at the kitchen table, he was writing into a little black book. "So… what are the conditions of these bets?" she asked.

Garou thought it over. "We have various factors going right now. One is discovery through Genos, Titan, Luna… you know the typical blabbermouths. Second is the oblivious. Won't know until certain events happen, for example, weight gain, someone missing… and so forth…"

"You are seriously taking bets on this?" Tempest asked. "Why?"

"For fun, maybe make a little money on the side… you know, keeps things interesting around here." Garou said with a smirk.

"How long do you think it will be?" Melee asked.

He paused. "Well, we already got certain factors starting now, I don't think it's going to be long until his body adjusts to everything… but still… damn it she's only nine!"

"Human years yes, monster years she is a fully mature young woman." Melee corrected. "And how do you think I fell about this!" she protested.

Tempest smirked as he continued on making dinner. Garou spent the rest of the afternoon making various lists and situation, until it was condensed down into a grid chart. People can write their name and place their bet as to when this is all going to come crushing down on Suiryu…

#

"So, here's the chart!"

He couldn't wait.

With all the factors worked out, Garou decided he would take this straight to the association and pitch it to the heroes without Alley or Suiryu knowing. When he gathered quite a few, Garou revealed the chart as Melee hung back and watch it all unfold.

She sighed aloud as Garou broke down the rules and conditions to those in the cafeteria as he displayed the grid chart. The heroes were confused. "Uh, what's this about?" asked Max.

Garou smirked. "Well you are all going to be mocking me sooner than later so here it is… Melee and I strongly believe our daughter Alley is expecting."

The heroes froze to the news. "What?!" they demanded.

"Yeah, Suiryu has been acting a little odd as of late, which is similar to when I acted odd when Melee would be expecting. But now, it's Suiryu's turn! But he's a little oblivious to it right now, SO with that in mind. We are taking bets as to how long it will be before he realizes he is a father. Knowing Suiryu, he's not going to notice right away. We have various factors to bet on and against. One would be the time it takes for him to realize the truth, how long it took him to figure it out, WHO told him if he gets told, how he learns it, AND the X factors such as it accidently slipping out by the big three blabber mouths. Genos, Luna, Titan and also the Saitama factor."

There were snickers and giggles breaking out among the heroes. "So… who wants to place a bet?" Melee asked. "Garou will be handling the money and we will document everything."

Suddenly there was a line up of heroes as they began to place down their money. Many were doing it for fun, nothing more than 100 yen at a time. However there were the wildcard spots, some people were placing bets on who would be the one to tell Suiryu by accident, placing good money on the blabber mouths. Others have gone for the day methods that it wouldn't take him too long to figure it out.

Max couldn't help but laugh at it all. "So you know… not one word!" warned Garou.

"Of course, I don't want to lose my bet!" he protested.

"What the hell is all of this!?"

People parted as Snek came into the room with his kids, everyone ate but weren't the least bit tired yet from their venture. Pythan paused as he noticed the grid board and smirked. "You just realized that now?" he asked.

"Damn serpents… you sensed it didn't you?!" demanded Garou.

"Heartbeats are not easy to ignore in another person to say the least." he said and smirked once more.

Snek looked over the board and nodded to the grid. "I'll take this square." He said and put down some money. Garou smirked as the other heroes began to follow suit. Money was taken and bets placed until the grid was full. Genus wondered in to the commotion, but appeared confused to it all.

"Genus, you just missed placing your bet!" Garou called.

"Oh, is this about Alley's condition?" he approached the board and sighed aloud. "I should have known it was this, I doubt even she knows right now that she is expecting…"

"Well, we have a feeling Suiryu is going to be going the distance here and will start to keep a VERY close eye on her."

Genus nodded. "I have noticed the changes in him as well… I don't quite know what to make of it just yet…"

"Changes?" Melee asked.

Genus nodded. "Very similar to what Garou did with you, however I am uncertain as to how he will achieve it…"

"Whoa, wait, Suiryu doesn't have outer attachments like I do. These guys around my core are not part of the main flesh!" Garou stated.

Genus nodded. "Yet, in my studies, I have found that powerful male monsters having proven their worth to a single female will hoard her until she comes full term. Again, like what you did with Melee. Suiryu is on a similar level you are as well has a committed mate."

"So… you think he is going to be holding on to Alley?" asked Melee.

"Without a doubt, considering her past action and his concern for her well being, I believe he will do something far sooner than later."

"Huh… I guess we should have taken that into consideration…" Garou muttered as he stared at the chart. "Chart stays as it is, knowing Suiryu, he's just going to chalk it up to something else."

"Thinks are about to get interesting to say the least…" Melee muttered.