Chapter 5: Pain is also a teacher.
Since that day, he becomes more careful, more aware of himself. He even talks to Dr. Kuseno about installing sensory receptors on his body. The scientist, at first doesn´t understand, and looks at him with a mixture of amazement and distrust.
"I've installed proximity sensors that should act as .."
He knows, but no. It is not a lecture on a screen what he wants. The numbers and coordinates are not going to help him. This time, what he really needs is to start feeling again.
His carelessness has always ended up leaving him out of combat. The absence of fear and pain has made him reckless. How important was it to lose part of himself, if, at the end of the day,he could be repaired? What reason did he have to be careful? After all, he had already lost the most valuable things in his life, his family, his people, his body ... there was nothing left to lose. There was nothing left until ...
Who is that idiot?
He remembered and regretted, his sudden thought when he first crossed paths with Saitama. He reproached himself for not having been able to see at once, the wonderful human being he had in front of him.
For a second, just a second, he had been like the rest of the people, deceived by a superficial façade, unable to see the true Saitama.
He had been a fool, a naive ..
Saitama had given him a new meaning to his life. He wanted to be by his side, follow his example, please him... and although, at first he had revealed himself against the deep feelings he felt towards his person, he could not deny that they had led him to see the world differently.
Now he had two goals, his revenge against that cyborg and make Saitama happy. No matter if he must do it as his lover or not, no matter if he had to do it away from his person ... he wanted the "one punch man" to be recognized, admired and, when everything was over, smile for him.
A silly, innocent, but very precious dream ..
For that reason, Bang's words had had a profound effect on him. They had reminded him, that now, he had something to lose. Because if he was careless and died in battle, then he could no longer see his smile.
If he died, he would make Saitama unhappy. He did not want that.
He could not afford that. He had already allowed himself to lose too much.
He didn´t want to lose him too.
The doctor expresses his concerns without qualms, he talks about the contraindications and the possible consequences. Maybe, at some point he expects him to reconsider, to think about it again.
"It will not be the same... Are you really sure about this?" Finally ask.
He nods. If it is the only way to learn and improve, so be it.
Pain is also a teacher.
The weeks follow each other. He spends the weeks training, improving, adapting himself to the new configuration of his body.
It is a hard work. It had been so long since he was completely human, that he had completely forgotten what it was like to feel. Now he understands. Each gust of pain, each blow, each damage in his anatomy is perceived with absolute harshness and he is almost regretful... because everything is much more real.
Every decision in a fight has its consequence and that forces him to be more cautious, more sensible.
Bang was right.
Now he calls him Sensei, and the words no longer feel like a lie in his mouth. It is his Sensei, maybe he never will be as Saitama has been, but he can not deny what Bang has taught him, what he has learned with him.
He is proud and feels that he is getting closer to achieving his goals.
That day, he can see Saitama again. It has been weeks since he has moved away from his side. He has missed him so much. So much, that when finding a magazine among Charanko's belongings, he has not been able to avoid cutting a discount coupon with the hope of being able to deliver it to him when the opportunity arose.
He is so happy. Saitama is the same as always and greets him with his usual unconcern, even though the rubble and destruction caused by the beast echoes around him.
Fighting with the Kaijin that threatens the city doesn´t require much effort. With deep satisfaction he realizes that the product of his training has paid off. The beast hasn´t even touched him.
For the first time in so long, there is nothing to repair.
He has plenty of reasons to be proud of himself, however he can´t contemplate his advances. His mind is elsewhere.
Come back..
No, he has not heard wrong. Saitama has really said it ...
He wants him to return to his side, but ... Why?
All his hypotheses, his thoughts, his motives, his ideas ... all lose meaning before the words of his old Sensei. He was sure that he didn´t want him as a disciple, he didn´t want him in his life, he had failed, why then ...
Come back?
To be continue..