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interlude: mad
{ - 1 week ago - }
"I am doing my best to keep the situation contained," Class A hero Amai Mask scowls at the heroes sitting before him in the conference room. "Which is why only the two of you have been notified of this…incidence."
Silver Fang sighs tiredly, "I am of no use here." His eyes dart to the caped man sitting to his left.
Saitama doesn't respond—his gaze was focused on a small, slightly charred keychain cradled in his hands.
The celebrity crosses his arms, beautiful features fixed into a tight grimace. "As the two heroes who interact the most with Demon Cyborg, you were both brought in for questioning. What happened to him." He doesn't ask so much as demand.
"We do not know any more than you do." Bang replies, taking the lead when it becomes obvious his companion did not plan on participating in the interrogation.
"That's bullshit." Amai Mask spat.
The karate master shrugs.
"That's the truth."
"This is unacceptable!" The A-Class hero roars, finally snapping. "One of our very own S-class heroes has turned against us and we have no idea why?! What kind of message does this send to the public?! That we can't control our own?"
Bang tries again, "There must be a reason—"
"He's attacking other heroes!" Mask shouts. "I don't want a reason, I want justice!" He slams a fist on the table, fracturing the wood and letting thousands of splinters fly.
The A-Class hero straightens and takes a deep breath while running a hand through his cerulean locks. "Well, this was to be expected." He mutters. "Demon Cyborg's performance has been a disappointment since the A-City alien invasion. It was only a matter of time before something of his cracked; I just wasn't expecting it to be his mind—"
"Shut up."
The command cuts through the air, leaving a thick, heavy silence in its wake. Two pairs of eyes turn toward the bald man who ignores the attention and continues to stare at the figurine in his palm.
"Oh, he speaks." Amai Mask sneers mockingly. "Well if you have any suggestions, then by all means, do share."
No response.
Mask's eyes narrow predatorily.
"The boy lists you as his 'Teacher' in his file, you know." He begins conversationally, the beginnings of a smirk forming on his lips. "I see him follow you like a pet with its Master. Tell me, what exactly are you teaching him, hm? Did you tell him to beat those C-Class heroes half-to-death? Tell him to put them in a coma? "
Saitama remains silent.
Mask scoffs. "I didn't think so. This is what happens when you can't keep your dog on its leash. It goes stark-raving mad—"
He can't breathe. There's a vice grip around his throat that was squeezing tighter by the second. His back is forced into the wall and his feet are scrambling to find purchase in the air.
"Last chance." Saitama drones, his bland attitude completely at odds with the increasing grip he has around Amai Mask's throat.
"Calm yourself, Saitama." Silver Fang interjects, eyeing the B-Class hero with a caution that Amai Mask is beginning to understand. "We finally found Genos. Let's make do with that."
Choked gasps continue to fill the room.
"The more time you spend holding onto him, the less time you have to track down Genos."
Slowly, the hand that had Amai Mask by the throat lowered to the ground until the A-Class hero drops to the floor in a coughing fit.
"I'll remember this!" Mask hisses from the ground as soon as he is able to, his yellow eyes burning with vengeance. The bald hero spares him a glance.
It's the only warning he gets.
Wind brushes against Amai Mask's cheek and suddenly his lungs are rattling violently in his chest, a sharp pressure is squeezing his insides until his organs are about to burst. But then the promise of death fades into the background and the A-Class hero is left trembling in a pool of his own sweat with a fist centimeters from his face.
Mask struggles to remember how to breathe as Saitama slowly lowers his arm. The B-Class hero's expression was unreadable but his eyes were chilling.
"Talk about Genos like that again," He says, voice dangerously soft, "and I'll give you something to remember."
The caped hero turns and exits the room— a giraffe keychain clasped tightly in his fist.
a/n: flashback chapter (set right before ch. 2). this was longer than planned so i hope it doesn't sound too weird. back to saitama and genos next chapter! as always, any feedback is appreciated :)