"Genos... I know I'm the one who sent you down this path, but did you have to cross it this quickly?" Saitama questioned his cyborg disciple who now closely resembles a goldfish.
Fubuki had left 2 minutes ago, but not before planting a small kiss on the blonde's cheek which not only caused the poor teen to blow steam out his ears, it also caused Saitama to stare at his unmoving disciple with quite a few different emotions written all over his face, surprise being the most dominant one.
"Genos? Yo dude," Saitama poked the cyborg, causing even more steam to be released. "you've known her for like, 3 hours. In my experience, girls don't kiss you three hours into knowing you."
Genos very slowly turned to face his Sensei, creeping out the bald hero. "S-Sensei, Doctor Kuseno's upgrades..." Genos' face... was turning red. Wait, was Saitama dreaming? A blushing cyborg? "I fear the Doctor has set the sensitivity much higher than I... requested."
"Whoa, hold up," Saitama raised his palms to emphasise the point, "you telling me that now, not only can you blush, you blush like a horny teen?"
"It s-seems like it, Se-Sensei." Genos whipped out his mobile and dialed the doctor's number as he headed outside to the balcony.
Saitama slowly sat down, clutching his head. "What the hell have I done?" thought the hero. "I've unleashed a cyborg with raging hormones on a friend's sister! I knew this was a bad idea!" How will he ever face the sisters after this? How the hell will he face anyone after this? He knew how crazy dedicated to a task Genos can be, Fubuki will never have a moment to herself after this and it was all his fault!
"Saitama Sensei."
"Eh?" Saitama was brought out of his thoughts by said horny cyborg walking over to him.
"Doctor Kuseno has explained that he went against my wishes in order to make it feel more 'realistic' to what an actual 19 year old male might feel on his first date with a woman as-"
"Genos, the rule." interrupted Saitama.
"... The Doctor wanted my first date to feel real."
"Whoa, less than 10 words, you're improving Genos." Genos frowned at his Sensei's words.
"I do not deserve such praise, Sensei."
"Eh? Wh-"
"I won't be back in time to prepare dinner, forgive me Saitama Sensei." The blonde once again bowed a perfect 90 degrees.
"Uh... you're forgiven?" Saitama awkwardly replied.
Genos abruptly snapped back into position. "Thank you Sensei! Your heart is as big as-"
"Dude, just go fix your hormones." deadpanned Saitama.
"Yes Sensei!" Genos ran out the apartment door, slamming it shut before blasting off at full speed.
"Welp. I guess I'll make dinner." Saitama picked up his manga to waste the time when his phone rang. The bald hero picked it up with a huff. "Why does my me time have to be interrupted like this..."
"Is this Saitama-kun?" An old man's voice was on the other end.
"Yea yea, who is this and why are you using honorifics?" replied the bald as he picked his nose.
"Ah, I got the right number. This is Bang, Saitama-kun. I was wondering if you're free this evening."
"Oh, the old man. Yea I am, what's up?"
"There is something I must discuss with you. Shall we have it over dinner? My disciples and I are having hotpot." There was something cheeky in the old hero's voice.
Saitama began to drool as he remembered his previous meal with Bang. Oh, those lobsters. "Oh yea sure that's fine with me I wanna discuss something with you too." he replied like a machine gun, causing the other side to chuckle.
"Of course. See you in a few hours, Saitama-kun." The phone call was ended and Saitama returned to reading his manga, excited for what's to come. Screw the fact he wanted to duel the guy's students, he could have another lobster hotpot!
"That was almost too easy. It seems we found Saitama-kun's weakness students." Bang chuckled once again as his students prepared all the ingredients they bought for tonight. He didn't fail to notice a certain bug lady turn a little bit green.
...
Some time later, Saitama arrived at the entrance to Bang's dojo. He knocked on the sliding door as gently as possible. Footsteps could be heard along with a "I'm coming!" and Fujio opened up.
"Saitama-kun, we've been-"
"Okay, the old guy I can't argue with, but his disciples are not to use honorifics. It's weird." Saitama quickly interrupted. If he hears more than one voice using kun on him, he might actually ditch the hotpot, even if they have lob...sters. Okay, maybe not.
"Oh, I'll tell the others. Come in, we're almost ready." The frog man whom Saitama can't remember the name of ran off as the bald hero removed his boots.
As the bald entered the dojo, he could hear some muffled voices coming from the other room.
"...not to use honorifics on him."
"But Shishou said to. It is a form of respect!"
"But-"
Saitama slid open the door, revealing the frog man talking to the gorilla dude.
"Oh, Saitama-k-"
"No." Saitama raised his palm to stop the gorilla dude. Yup, as he suspected, his ears were starting to ring. "I get enough of this crap from Genos and the old man. I don't need all of you to get in on it too."
"Oh... very well, I'll inform the others." The top of the gorilla's head popped open, revealing a small satellite dish. Saitama stared in confusion for a second before shaking his head and walking off to find the old man... and the hotpot.
Somewhere, Mutsuko is chopping vegetables for the hotpot whilst humming a tune when she hears the sliding door behind her open. "Bang Shishou, the vegetable swill be ready s-"
*CLANG*
Mutsuko turned around, dropping the plate she was holding as she faced the man who just entered.
"Oh, bug lady, you okay?" Saitama bent down to pick up the pieces on the floor when Bang walked in behind.
"Ah Saitama-kun, you're here." The old master raised an eyebrow when he saw his guest picking up pieces of porcelain from the floor and a very shocked Mutsuko standing there with her hands clutching her chest.
"It is alright Mutsuko-chan, I'll take over." Bang walked over to the frightened teen, gently pushing her outside where he motioned Atomu and Fujio to take care of her. As the two calmed down the teen, Bang turned to witness Saitama attempting to piece the shards back together like a jigsaw puzzle but to no avail.
"Uh, sorry about the plate old man. And about Bug lady." Saitama rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"It is alright Saitama-kun. It is better for Mutsuko-chan to get over her fear of you, even if there are a few hiccups. Now come along, we have much to discuss."
Saitama followed the hero into the dining room where a table was set with items ranging in price from his favourite cabbage to those delectable lobsters. Bang motioned to the bald hero to sit next to him. As Saitama took his spot, the master's disciples walked into the room, though a certain mosquito is nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Mutsuko-chan?" asked the old hero.
"Uh, she says she's not hungry Bang Shishou." Bunji scratched his temple. "Something about feeling sick."
"You nimrod, she just remembered her death, of course she feels sick!" Chikara bonked the head of the lion who mockingly yelped in pain.
"Haigh, sit down, all of you. I'll speak with Mutsuko-chan. Treat our guest with the respect he deserves." Bang began to stand up when said guest pulled him back.
"I'm the one who caused this situation, I'll be the one to solve it. Enjoy your meal Bang, I'll have Mutsuko out in no time. Show me where she is Bunji." The big kitty lead Saitama to the back whilst the others stared.
"Holy crap... he looked fierce." Atomu muttered.
"He's gonna scare Mutsuko into a pupa!" worried Chikara.
"He remembered our names." Chuckled Bang. "I suspect we have nothing to fear, students. Saitama-kun is an exceptional human being, I am certain he can handle this." The old hero picked up his chopsticks, throwing every last bit of worry out his mind... except one.
"She's in there Saitama. Good luck." whispered Bunji. He tiptoed back to the dining room, leaving Saitama to his lonesome.
The bald hero took a deep breath as he knocked on the sliding door. "If that's you Bang, I told the guys I'm not hungry." came the muffled reply.
"It's not Bang, Mutsuko." A terrified gasp was quickly followed by silence, causing the bald hero to sigh deeply. "Look, I just want to talk. If you're not comfortable, I'll just leave. I refuse to ruin your dinner."
"... J-just give me a second." Saitama could barely make out a few sniffles as Mutsuko walked towards the door. As the sliding door opened, Saitama put on his poker face and unfolded his arms. No point in trying to be stern with her.
As Mutsuko walked out, Saitama noticed the fear written all over her body langauge. With one arm being held onto by the other and her head down, he could tell she was not ready to talk.
Saitama resisted putting his hand on her shoulder. Usually this is a reassuring gesture but he didn't know how someone he straight up murdered would react to his touch. "You okay?" despite knowing how she'll respond, he asked anyway. A small nod was all he received.
"No you're not. It's very obvious you're still afraid of me." Mutsuko was still silent. "Look, I'm sorry. I only did that because you were about to kill Genos. Now I have no reason to hurt you and I promise I won't. Will you please forgive me?" He extended his hand slowly, not wanting to frighten her any further. She still didn't respond.
Saitama sighed as he sat himself down which finally got the teen to speak.
"Wh-what are you d-doing?"
"Taking a seat."
"I kn-know. Why?"
"Because I'm not leaving until you can look at me without fear in your eyes. I might as well get comfy if it takes a while." Saitama pulled out his manga as he adjusted his position. "When you're comfortable with talking, just tell me." Miraculously, in about a minute, he heard his name being called.
"Hm?" The bald hero put down his manga to face the teen.
"I'm... sorry."
"About?"
"C-Causing you trouble."
"Oh, it's fine." Saitama stood up, extending his hand once more. "You sure you're not uncomfortable?"
"I... just a little, but I'll g-get over it." This time, Mutsuko took it.
"Alright! Let's go have hotpot."
The disciples fidgeted as they waited. Bang had instructed them not to eat until Mutsuko and Saitama show up so they had to sit still while everything in front of them tempts them.
"Bang Shishou, what if this takes forever?" asked Kamakyuri asked. The praying mantis was honestly starving after his workout. In fact, everyone was.
"Bah, Shishou wouldn't have told us to wait if he wasn't certain Saitama can do it. You... are certain, aren't you Shishou?" worried Bunji. Now that he mentioned it, Bang had been quite silent this whole time.
"... If you had focused, you would've heard their footsteps Bunji-kun." replied Bang. All at the table turned to see Saitama walking over with Mutsuko close behind and though she still seemed scared of the baldy, it was far less than before.
"Ah, Mutsuko-chan, how are you feeling?" asked Bang. "Heh. Of course Saitama-kun did it."
"F-Fine Bang Shishou." Mutsuko took her seat.
"Very good. You may all dine."
As everyone dumped ingredients into the boiling pot, Bang got the attention of Saitama who was busy deciding between pork and beef.
"Oh, what's up Bang?"
"May I speak to you in private?"
"Oh. Uh, sure, one sec." Saitama picked up some beef and a lobster, claiming it as his own as he dumped it with the pile of cabbage. "Alright, lead the way old man."
The two walked to the corridor housing the bedrooms. Bang walked to the one near the end and opened it up. Saitama noticed the room was labelled "Bang".
"Old man? Why are we going into your room?"
"There is something I want you to see, Saitama-kun." Bang opened the door and motioned for Saitama to follow him.
The room was... quite simple really. Aside from the bed, there was a few lights and a shelf with multiple trophies and medals. Bang walked over to said shelf and pulled out what seemed to be a picture frame. On the picture was a noticeably younger Bang and two young girls.
"Do you recognise them, Saitama-kun?"
It took a moment for it to click, but the long, curly, green hair of one and the dark green, short, straight hair of the other caused the lightbulb that is the hero's head to glow brighter than before. "Tats and her sister?"
Bang chuckled, a smile on his face as he remembered when he first met them. "Indeed."
"Wait, you're their grandfather?"
"Adoptive grandfather, Saitama-kun. This picture was taken a week after I met them when I officially became their legal guardian."
"Whoa, even Tats is smiling." Saitama was amazed. It was a small smile that can only be seen if you really tried and yet, Tatsumaki never smiled as far as he remembered, unless she was eating some kind of expensive treat. Even then, the smile was directed towards the food.
"Mm. That is one of the reasons I want to speak to you, but first let's deal with the main issue." Bang put down the picture frame and placed his hands behind his back. "Saitama-kun, I understand you have given your disciple the task of assisting Fubuki-chan with her... issue."
The bald hero froze in place. "Oh crap, is he one of those overly protective dads?"
Bang, seeing how uneasy the usually nonchalant hero was chuckled again. "Don't worry, I'm not going to 'lay it on you' as the youths say."
Saitama relaxed, just a tad, raising his eyebrow in confusion. "So uh.. about that-"
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
"Thank you for trying to help her, but I have to warn you about something."
"What is it?"
"You see... Fubuki-chan's insecurity stems from... a very problematic source."
"Eh, how problematic can it be?" doubted Saitama.
Bang only shook his head. "Before I tell you, I want you to ask, is Genos-kun doing it just because you asked him to? Does he... feel for Fubuki-chan?"
"Uh, if it means anything, he blushed like mad when Fubuki gave him a kiss on the cheek. Plus, I don't think Genos is the disloyal kind of guy if how he hangs around me is anything to go by." The old hero hummed in contentment. "So, just how problematic can it possibly-"
"Tatsumaki-chan is the source, Saitama-kun." Bang blatantly revealed, causing Saitama to once again freeze in place. "It is problematic because Tatsumaki-chan herself has issues, and I fear even I was unable to save them." continued the old hero. "I wanted to warn you that the path you and your disciple walk is one full of obstacles, and that if you continue on it, you will eventually hit the roadblock that is Tatsumaki-chan." Bang sighed as he remembered what happened when he faced this problem. "I fear, even with your immense strength, you will not be able to destroy whatever emotional walls my elder granddaughter has built. Perhaps, if you had appeared in their lives earlier, sure but-"
"Why?" interrupted Saitama. His 20 words rule has been broken but just this once he'll allow it. Long stories were never his kind of thing but if it helps him help the ESPers, he'll deal with it. "Explain to me why, Bang."
"Well, you see, when Tatsumaki-chan was just a kid..." Bang hesitated, facing the floor as he tried to control himself. "she was taken to a facility where they ran numerous... tests on her. They isolated her from the rest of the world, including her own sister and her parents who sold her in the first place."
"Whoa, hold it. Tats' parents SOLD her to the facility?"
"From what Tatsumaki-chan has told me from her vague memories, they were offered a huge sum and were promised that she would be treated with much care. Obviously it was a lie, but her parents were... greedy enough to accept it."
"Greedy? Not even desperate, greedy?"
"Yes. Such treatment drove Tatsumaki into the mindset that no one could be trusted, bar her Imouto who, a few years later, was also taken to the facility. Even though the tests ran on her were nothing compared to those Tatsumaki-chan experienced, it was enough to really drive home that mindset. Even now, she still refuses to trust others. It took me 10 years to break past her walls, Saitama-kun. 10 agonising years as I watched her try to drill the very same mindset into Fubuki-chan." Bang paused again, wiping a tear off his face. "And that's not all. You see, the reason Tatsumaki-chan and Fubuki-chan even escaped that dreadful place in the first place was because of a monster.
"What?!" exclaimed Saitama. "Were they hurt?!" the bald hero could only imagine how traumatised they were.
"No, the monster was killed by a hero, the very same hero Tatsumaki-chan insisted on being S class Rank 1 when she entered the association."
"Oh. Wait, who?"
"Blast, Saitama-kun. When Blast rescued Tatsumaki-chan, he told her-" Bang took a deep breath as Tatsumaki's venomous words came back to him, "He told her, "Don't expect someone to save you every time."
Saitama didn't say a word, but Bang noticed a small aura of anger coming off the hero.
"Not only does Tatsumaki-chan refuse to trust anyone, she insists that the only way to survive is to depend on yourself. She constantly scolds Fubuki for being so weak and for making friends with anyone she deems a weakling. It has gotten better, but the scars are still there. That is why I wish to speak to you, Saitama-kun." Bang's expression softened. "You are the first person since myself and my brother to have entered my granddaughter's circle. And you did it in such a short amount of time..." The old hero gave a soft laugh, "I believe you are the only one who can possibly save her. Saitama-kun, would you do this old man a favour? Do what I could not, and bring the old Tatsumaki back, the one before all this madness." Bang pleaded. This was it. If Saitama pulls out, there was no one else.
Tension filled the air as Saitama stayed silent. Bang let out a sigh as he closed his eyes once more. "My apologies, I shouldn't have trou-"
"I will, Bang. I swear on my life, I will."
And that's the chapter. First off, I don't know how to do trauma so I apologise if Mutsuko's situation seems unrealistic. Also, I suck ass at emotional scenes, so sorry if the whole ordeal near the end makes you cringe. Apparently studying other author's writing is as hard as studying in general, and my lazy brain doesn not want to cooperate.
Anyway, the dark matter chapter is coming along, so hopefully after the next delay chapter I'll have it out. Hopefully the changes I made aren't too bad. Thanks for the patience guys.
Ander Arias: Oh, I'm getting a lot of practise alright... damn pirates. Tats should appear soon.
Hektols: Oh the possibilities...
My inspirations:
The Bald and The Esper: Fanfiction
The Strongest Hero: Fanfiction
Icebreaker: Fanfiction
An Odd Kind of Love: Fanfiction
There is definitely more to the list, please let me know if you read anything similar! It could be from this here site, ArchiveOfOurOwn or Wattpad.
The names given to the HoE's creations belong to "The Lone Lobster".
