When they arrived, there was a crowd of people trying to see the heroes there. Saitama was able to guide Mitsumi to a seat near the back, and Zenchu was quick to start organizing where people got to sit down.
"Single file line, please! I didn't know we were open for business..." Zenchu mused. He saw Orotsu working with a practiced ease with Suiryu refilling any low bins. That guy is actually keeping up with Orotsu! Hmm. We may just keep him here and pay him well instead of discipleship...
:You may be right! I shall consult with Lady Mitsumi.: Inichi agreed. Saitama had Mitsumi locked in a rather loving kiss right now and fully ignoring everyone around him. When Inichi floated over, he simply waited calmly until it was safe to talk to her.
"I love you," Saitama chuckled to Mitsumi.
"I love you, too," she smiled and pressed into him. Fumio was soon coming over with a large bowl of udon noodles to set down.
"So, um...Saitama?" Fumio asked.
"Yes?" he asked while starting to twirl his fork to get the noodle strands.
"Can I...call you dad if you're marrying Lady Mitsumi?" Fumio asked.
"Ah...what?!" Saitama blinked and now looked at him.
"Um...wouldn't that make me a bit of your mother?" Mitsumi asked.
"Oh. Huh. Yeah, that would be weird. But...if I get to become human...my own mom didn't want me..." Fumio shivered. Mitsumi frowned and whispered softly to Saitama. He looked at her and sighed.
"I don't know what I'm getting myself into...but...if you become human...I suppose I can see about adopting you as my son. With Mitsumi as your mom," Saitama shrugged. "Just do well in any studies. Okay?"
"Oh! Yes! I mean...I hope I can become human again...I really do!" Fumio said with a light hopping motion of excitement. Those that were able to listen in found themselves very surprised at this.
"That's fine. We'll get things done the moment it works," Saitama chuckled. "I'm sure there will be ways we can get it set up with my ranking."
"But...you're a B class hero," Tanktop Master said when he came over now.
"Nope. He's rank 3 in S class now. He got formally set in," Zenchu said. Now everyone that didn't know stared at Saitama.
"What?" Saitama asked.
"Ah...they made you rank 3?!" Kamikaze said with amazement. "That's awesome! You know I gotta train your kids in swordplay, right?"
"No! Martial arts!" Bane argued.
"Ah...kids...might be a bit later down the line..." Saitama cringed.
"Why not now? People have kids all the time before they get married," Kamikaze shrugged. "If you wait, then it can pass you by."
"We only just met still," Mitsumi frowned. "It would be too fast."
"This is true. They only started dating for two days. Now he proposed marriage to her to safeguard her. They really should wait another week or two before even attempting," Inichi chuckled. "Of course, that's up to them."
"Eh..." Saitama grimaced and rested his head on Mitsumi's shoulder.
"I have an order for teriyaki eel and takoyaki squid?!" Suiryu called out.
"Oh! Come here when you have a moment, please," Inichi said to him. Fumio was quick to take over the order deliveries.
"What's up?" Suiryu asked and wiped away a touch of sweat. "I didn't realize how challenging it was to do this!"
"Instead of becoming a disciple would you like to work here? You do absolutely marvelous with Orotsu! He appreciates the help. We'll pay you well and even cover medical needs," Inichi chuckled.
"Oh! Um...well...doing this is nice, but it's not really my passion," Suiryu admitted. "I did this to see if could become a disciple."
"I see. Well, if you want this as a side job it would be appreciated," Inichi nodded. "Mr. Saitama, what do you think?"
"Hmm?" he asked and swallowed down a mouthful of noodles. "Oh. Well, he still has to survive against Zenchu for five minutes."
"That he does," Zenchu smirked.
"What all would he be learning under you?" Mitsumi frowned at Saitama.
"I honestly have no idea!" Saitama admitted.
"Hmm. Suiryu, is it?" Mitsumi asked.
"Ah, yes!" Suiryu nodded.
"What is it that you do best overall?" she asked.
"Well...I love training in martial arts of any kind," he said.
"I see. Saitama doesn't do that. If anything, he may put you through some intense physical training first. And that would be for...two years?" Mitsumi asked Saitama to see him nod. "In truth, he honestly can't explain the power he has in him. It all came out through grueling self-training."
"And I defeated monsters wherever I trained at. Including running, going around town for my own things...pretty much, if a monster showed up, I killed it. Now, though, Mitsumi should talk to them. I mean, look at Richoo! He was bad at first, but she talked to him. He's good now," Saitama shrugged.
"There's a monster outside!" a woman screamed. "It's kicking over cars!"
"Oh dear," Mitsumi frowned.
"Okay. I'm not done eating, so leave this here. Let's go," Saitama nodded. Genos and other heroes were quickly outside to see to the commotion. Saitama scooped up Mitsumi and bolted with her to where the monster was.
"Weak! All of you are so weak!" the snake monster hissed out. The body was comprised of a dark blue king cobra with a white underbelly, but it had muscular arms and legs. There was a rattle on the end of the tail that shook with warning to spook everyone around. When the hood opened up in true cobra style, the design was apparently with silvery white scales against the dark blue.
"Monster!" Golden Ball said when he showed up.
"Wait," Saitama said calmly and brought Mitsumi up to the monster first.
"What happened to you?" Mitsumi asked the snake monster.
"Huh?" the monster hissed out in a deep tone and paused at the sight of Zenchu and Inichi appearing near Mitsumi.
"Can you tell me how you changed? Did you leave your family behind?" she asked now. The monster paused and seemed to shake its head.
"I...eh..." the snake monster seemed to tremble.
"How did this happen?" she asked again.
"Ah..." the snake monster grimaced. "I...don't know..."
"Can you remember?" she asked in a soothing tone and showed the silken white flower. She had one in her purse and it was easy to take out.
"I...what...have I done?!" the snake monster whined.
"What's your name?" Zenchu asked.
"It...I don't know..." the monster admitted.
"Then we can help name you. Tell me. Do you still want to attack?" Mitsumi asked. The other heroes there were just watching calmly with intense fascination now. The snake monster shook its head and let a large tear roll down.
"I'm sorry..." it winced.
"Inichi?" Zenchu asked the floating blue monster.
"Hmm. Tell us your name," Inichi said calmly. "You do remember it now. If you can do this, then we can help you."
"Help?" the snake monster seemed to laugh. "None can help me."
"That's not true," Mitsumi chuckled. "You're talking to us normally."
"Well..." the snake monster sighed and bent down to regard her. "My name...is Shenjou."
"Nice to meet you. As you no longer wish to attack, would you like to join my family?" Mitsumi asked. Now Kianna showed up with Tsuruga to regard the new monster. Shenjou paused and shivered with a small nod.
"We will give you time to adjust and include you in the list of exempt monsters. You're...pretty tall and big. So you may be able to protect the home," Zenchu nodded. "Inichi, I think Rendor is still home. Can you introduce them and get Shenjou settled in?"
"Rendor is already awaiting Shenjou and looking to set up a place for residence," Inichi nodded.
"I shall see you later, Shenjou!" Mitsumi beamed at him.
"Thank you..." Shenjou nodded with a slight bow of his head before getting lifted away in a blue bubble.
"I look forward to welcoming him into my family!" she giggled.
"Good," Saitama said. "Okay, that monster is a good guy now! Everyone can calm down and go about your business. I need to finish my lunch."
"Just like that? No fight?" Golden Ball blinked.
"Yep!" Zenchu nodded.
"Wait. I saw you guys with that goat monster!" Golden Ball said now.
"Ah. Yeah, I saw you there, too. King was there, but we had things under control," Zenchu chuckled and started to head back to Neutral Grounds.
"So, answer this," Golden Ball said on keeping pace with him. "Who punched the monster out?"
"Oh. King played as bait to keep the monster on him. Saitama laid the monster out flat. And, if you recall, he also trashed the new training room," Zenchu nodded. Golden Ball could just gape at this now. Next thing he knew, he was walking into the restaurant and finding a seat to get served by Fumio.
"Order whatever you like!" Fumio chuckled before darting off to handle other orders. When Kamiko finally walked out of a back room to help with orders, Golden Ball could only stare with shock at her. She was already darting around the room to deliver plates, take orders and clean off the tables.
"Is there something wrong?" Bane asked and now sat down at the table with Golden Ball. "You seem pretty speechless."
"Well, yeah!" Golden Ball frowned. "If we don't get to kill monsters, then that sort of puts us out of a job!"
"Not really," Bane said. "It gives you a chance to explore more areas and perfect your skills, hmm?"
"Well..." Golden Ball sighed. He looked over to see Tatsumaki thoroughly enjoying a dish of tempura battered shrimp, fried rice and a mountain of empty fortune cookies. "I guess so..."
"And a peaceful world is a better world, right?" Bane chuckled.
"But who is she?" Golden Ball asked on looking at Mitsumi. She was seated in Saitama's lap again and back to sharing the bowl of udon noodles.
"She's now engaged to be married to Saitama," Bane nodded.
"What?! Damn! She's pretty cute! What does she see in him?" Golden Ball had to ask. Now Zenchu walked over to regard him at Inichi's nudge.
"He gave the chance to believe in her when no others would. You saw me with that beetle monster. I had an old lady on my shoulder. That's her. Lady Mitsumi changed into an old lady during the day and back to young at night. Saitama helped free her of it. He didn't attack us when we showed we didn't want to attack at all. So, tell me. If you saw me in my monster state with an old lady on my shoulder instead of trying to blend in...would you have asked what I was doing? Or would you do an outright attack?" Zenchu asked.
"Ah...well..." Golden Ball frowned.
"Granted, he heard her when she was sobbing her eyes out. Being old was damaging her mind. She couldn't remember things clearly anymore. She'd go through pain every time the change happened at sunrise and sunset. She was done with it and begged him for help," Zenchu sighed.
"Damn..." Golden Ball frowned.
"He is correct," Genos said with a nod. "I was ready to attack, but she jumped in front of me. Master Saitama told me to stand down. He believed her. I am glad that she did keep me from attacking that night."
They all now looked over to see Sweet Mask walking in. There was a quiet hush when he took up a seat by a window and took the offered menu by Fumio. Saitama didn't appear to be paying attention, but Inichi knew he was watching his every move. The talk started up again calmly, and Suiryu was quick to deliver him a dish of teriyaki grilled eel with a glass of white wine.
"The food is good. Quite good," Sweet Mask nodded after sampling a bite and sipping the wine. "That is at least...a small bonus."
:Say nothing, Orotsu. He is trying to bait.: Inichi warned.
:I figured. I'm too busy to play games, anyways.: Orotsu grunted and continued to keep the orders going.
"Oh! Can I get your autograph?!" a woman asked.
"Sure," Sweet Mask nodded and did just that for her. "I may not make appearances all the time. It is mainly to...keep tabs on things."
"Sure..." Zenchu muttered lightly, but he moved to sit down and relax.
"I still find it...appalling..." Sweet Mask muttered out. "that monsters are allowed to roam freely."
"Then why are you here?" Saitama now asked calmly. "I now see them as family. If you insult my family, then I can't stand idly by."
"Then you shouldn't be a hero!" Sweet Mask hissed and stood up to confront him. Saitama remained seated and gave him a blank stare.
"Really? Starting a scene in front of your fans? Oh! Are you practicing for one of your acts?" Kamikaze asked now. Inichi knew it was a small cover to help Sweet Mask save face. It may be time for me to speak to him privately...
"I...maybe. A small gist of what I have planned for another show," Sweet Mask said with a small nod and came back to himself in front of the crowd of people. "It involves anger. Righteous anger."
"Quite a decent cover up. It reminds me of the board member that was assigned with Lady Mitsumi's death," Inichi mused.
"What?" Sweet Mask asked.
"Ah. It appears that we need to speak...privately. One hour at the most," Inichi said and now lifted Sweet Mask in a blue bubble. "I shall return with him unharmed. You have my word."
"As you say, Inichi," Mitsumi nodded.
"Put me down!" Sweet Mask ordered.
"All in good time," Inichi said and was swiftly out of the restaurant with him. The crowd watched with stunned silence, but Inichi was already heading towards the ocean. He had found a mountain with enough shading from the sun several hundred miles out from land when he had to vent his anger before. He had actually lifted it out of the ocean even more to help vent the rage. It took ten minutes of extremely swift flight to get there, and now Sweet Mask was dropped carefully onto the island in the shade. There was no phone reception here and it would take some time to reach him if he was sought after.
"You need to take me back!" Sweet Mask scowled.
"Not yet. We do need to talk. Tell me. Do you recall someone that you would reach out to for scripture editing? One that you even confided in as a dear friend? Until it was reported that this one was suddenly...missing?" Inichi asked. "About, oh...eight months ago?"
"Ah..." Sweet Mask blinked.
"Yes. Now you see why," Inichi sighed and chuckled.
"You're...no..." he gaped. "It's you?! I mean...well...why?"
"I got tired of the dull way of thought," Inichi admitted. "Everything was always the same. The way people spoke. Acted. Entertained. Granted, I was much smarter than others. I worked in the background of the wealthy. Corrected their printed errors. Fixed their grammar. Tutored in proper etiquette when it was needed. I got paid...very handsomely. You know how I worked! But...I was also just...done. I wanted to see how much more I could do. It was so monotonous to do the same thing! So I began to experiment with brain foods and other things. I would gain clarity, but it was very short-lived."
"But...you became a monster!"
"Do you believe that was my intent?"
"Oh."
"Exactly. I had taken in so much...no clue what I was consuming half the time...I just...blacked out. Then I woke up like this. But...my mind! I heard everything! I knew everything! At least...that's what I thought. The only thing on my mind right then was to show off my intense power. To bend others to my will and know how weak they had become! The monster lust...yes...it had me fully and utterly consumed. And for a week...I spent that week learning exactly what I could do. Solidifying my unyielding and amazing presence! But then...it all came crashing down on me..."
"How?" Sweet Mask asked curiously and sat down now.
"Lady Mitsumi. That's how," Inichi sighed and shivered with remorse. "When I first learned of her and saw her...I had planned to make her beauty a part of my mission. To collect the most beautiful and exotic of things to simply have. I planned to warp her mind and brainwash her. A living doll in my midst. But I did not expect her to have her company. It gave me pause on why monsters were with her. Was she collecting them for herself? I actually made ready to attack her, but...she asked me a question. She asked if...I was well.
"I...was surprised that she did not order her companions to attack me. That she only wished to talk. But her question...it had so much concern. So much care. And then I saw the flower she held. There was no violence at all. I simply felt...like I had been touched by something pure and divine. I was...humbled beyond belief."
"I see..." Sweet Mask frowned. "That's why she holds the flower."
"It is silk, but it still reminds us of our place. It shows no violence at all. A small peace offering. I know...you abhor monsters. Your dislike of them is greater than your acting career! I understand that in truth. But...there was something that Genos stated that rang truth. It can take a monster to hunt a monster. Such a truth that is."
"Are you able to change back?"
"I don't know. I willingly did this to myself without knowing the consequences. True monsters have no empathy to others. Those that were monsters since the beginning. They know what they are. Humans that become monsters...we can remember what we were before if the monster bloodlust haze is fully lifted.
"We feel regret. Shame. I want to reverse what happened. To a point, though. The Hero Association recognizes my potential to work with them. As I have my mind, I can do that. However, with poor Fumio...he was simply swimming in a koi pond for too long and abandoned by his mother. Child Emperor was going to see what could be done to help him. Kianna was bitten by an odd wolf. Zenchu, though? He knew what he wanted to do. The others...all trapped into a fate they could not avoid."
"I don't know what to think."
"I am aware. It was why I wished to speak with you. Now that you know who I am...who I was...do you still find a need to kill me?" Inichi asked softly.
"I..." Sweet Mask cringed. "I knew you in life. You were a friend. I...know...you still are my friend."
"It was why I kept you from attacking further that night. True, I could have torn you to pieces, but you were my dear friend long ago. I had to let you find clarity in your actions. My mind is my own. You know this now. And, so you know, I would not mind correcting your scripts again," Inichi chuckled. Sweet Mask found himself laughing softly with him now. "Of course, it would need to be done behind the scenes."
"I know my hatred for monsters is...intense," Sweet Mask frowned. "I just...I see one and I..."
"I know. However, I would highly request that you learn to tolerate my family. We just recruited a newly freed one. A snake monster named Shenjou. If he proves false, I will inform you. But I doubt that happens. Monsters have never reverted back after Lady Mitsumi wakes us up."
"May I...call you by the name I knew you as?"
"As long as it cannot be overheard. You know how I was in life. Secretive. Alluring. Stubborn at times. Much like yourself," Inichi chuckled. "Let me be the one to reveal it to those that I know are ready to hear it."
"Of course...Junpei..." Sweet Mask swallowed.
"To hear that name again..." Inichi sighed and shook slightly. "So many memories. I did love you like a brother. I would like for that to continue."
"As would I," Sweet Mask nodded. Then he coughed and regarded Inichi with a deep breath for control. "I do have a new script."
"Oh? You can think of my name. I can retrieve it easily. Or you can drop it by Neutral Grounds with a parcel by a messenger. I do worry about the crowds, though. I struggle to think on how to placate them!"
"I did have an idea," Sweet Mask nodded. "Hold a raffle."
"A raffle?"
"Yes. Those that want to lunch with a hero at a specific set time can get their name pulled. They hold on to the ticket and present it," Sweet Mask chuckled. "And I say a set time to ensure the hero is ready to appear."
"Ah! Your cleverness truly does shine through," Inichi chuckled and now formed a blue bubble around Sweet Mask to bring him back.
"I never noticed that island before, though," Sweet Mask mused.
"Yes. I lifted it from the ocean floor when I was in a rage..." Inichi sighed.
"What?! You're that strong?!" he gaped. "But...why the rage?"
"If you recall Lady Mitsumi, she was gifted with a snake bracelet that began her torment. It made her old during the day and youthful at night with venomous bites around sunrise and sunset," Inichi sighed. "When she was resting with Mr. Saitama, she recalled a memory..."
"What memory?"
"That she was...raped...multiple times when she was with her tormentor when he 'attempted' to free her. He had her drugged constantly for a month. It was all a lie to try and use her and harvest parts from her..."
"Are you...no...you're not joking..." Sweet Mask cringed.
"Yes. We had no idea. Every time she transformed, she was healed from everything. Including her original purity blueprint. That...cretin...did everything to her without her consent. And when she could not fight back," Inichi hissed out. "Many think that monsters are just that. Monsters. But...there are humans out there that do even worse."
"I see that..." Sweet Mask nodded. "Speaking of which...I do owe someone an apology. I shall see to that first."
"Very good," Inichi agreed. They did light chit chat on daily events now, and Sweet Mask felt as though a huge relief was gifted to him on regaining one of his only friends. "We are nearing our destination. I do wish to impart you with a truth, though."
"I'm listening," Sweet Mask nodded.
"At first, as I knew your intense moods, whenever you wanted to visit the restaurant in its starting days, I would, ah...bring up various things you had to do to keep you occupied," Inichi chuckled.
"Wait. You did that?!" Sweet Mask gaped.
"Of course! We were not ready for you to appear. I was not ready for you to appear," he sighed. "At least you got much done?"
"Damn you! Yes...I got a lot done," Sweet Mask sighed and found himself laughing at it. "You know I'm going to want to talk to you."
"Anytime! Just think to me," Inichi gave a grin and a red-eyed wink. "Much faster than a phone call."
"True," Sweet Mask nodded and was set down right outside the restaurant entrance. Now he walked in and went straight up to Saitama. "Congratulations on your promotion. I'm...sorry...for what happened before."
"Oh? Oh. Eh...it's okay. I didn't feel anything," Saitama shrugged and sipped his tea. Mitsumi looked over at Sweet Mask now and gave a nod of respect.
"I trust you and Inichi had words?" she asked.
"It turns out...I knew him," Sweet Mask swallowed. Now others in the restaurant looked over with surprise. "So...yes. And we plan to rekindle a friendship that I thought was lost. Thank you for saving him."
"You are most welcome," she smiled. "If we find monsters that do not wish to be freed, and Saitama does not want to kill them and save them for other heroes, you will be made aware."
"I'm sure," Sweet Mask nodded. "Just put new ones on the employee roster. This way I will know...who to avoid."
"Of course," she agreed. "We may have an online posting to make things faster. We don't yet have an online site, though..."
"I can build that!" Genos said with a nod.
"Thank you. We will close in an hour. We really don't have much in the form of food stocks. We need to replenish," she said.
"Oh, Sweet Mask," Inichi said.
"Yes?" he asked.
"There was a warehouse that we had acquired that was wrongfully taken from us from vandals. Here..." Inichi said and sent over the visions.
"Hmm. I see. And, as much as I hate to admit it, this form you have now...does hold a lot of potential. I'll look into it and see if it can be given back. Or liquidated to have the funds used for the restaurant," Sweet Mask nodded. He left shortly after that to get to work on the rest of his appointments for the day.
"At least he's calm," Kamikaze nodded. "So...you knew him?"
"I did. We were like brothers," Inichi chuckled. "Thankfully, we still are."
"Okay. I want to go home and change. We have a date night," Saitama said and rose up with Mitsumi.
"Oh? To where?" Bane asked.
"We were going to browse the night markets," Mitsumi smiled.
"Oh! I need to see to my dojo, but I hope you have fun," he chuckled.
"I'm gonna see what's around town after clean up. Ah...I still want to try and be your disciple," Suiryu said to Saitama.
"Crap..." Saitama sighed and looked away.
"You'll have to fight Zenchu. Are you sure?" Mitsumi asked.
"Yeah. I gotta try," Suiryu nodded.
"When they get back from their date," Zenchu nodded. "So, if you want to help us out, we do need supplies. Orotsu was hoping to send you food shopping."
"Okay. I'll report to him and get ready for you tonight," Suiryu nodded back and went to do just that.
"Stupid..." Zenchu sighed.
"We can handle the closing," Kamiko nodded.
"I'll be here to help," Fubuki smiled.
"I'll join you with Kianna," King nodded. "It's supposed to be a double date, anyways. Right?"
"True!" Mitsumi beamed.
"Ah, Miss Fubuki? Will you join us on this night out?" Inichi asked.
"Why...are you asking me out?" Fubuki asked.
"Ah...if you would like to think of it like that?" Inichi grinned lightly.
"Well, then. I suppose I should," she chuckled. "I'll let my faction know that I'll be out and about. They...like to keep watch."
"Don't bring the super powered monkeys..." Saitama sighed. Mitsumi laughed softly and gently rubbed his back to calm him down.
"We'll talk about it on the way there," Fubuki found herself laughing.
"Where are you going?" Tatsumaki frowned from where she ate the last cookie. "You know you can't do anything without me."
"Actually, you will be going on a mission shortly," Inichi said. "If you would like to join us later, should you still feel interested, there should be no issues with that."
"What? Huh?" she blinked when her phone went off. "Hello? Really? It's a waste of time. What?! No! Don't send him! I'll do it! I'll go over now!"
She was soon speeding off in flight to the Hero Association. With her neatly preoccupied, Inichi was now able to transport those ready to head home.
"I will let you know when we are ready here," Orotsu said.
"Genos, stay with them?" Saitama asked him.
"Of course, Master Saitama," Genos bowed lightly.
"I'll see what else I can find," Kamikaze nodded. "Funny. Usually I'd be moping about on what to do. This place is fun to hang out at!"
"That it is. I'll need to see who wants to learn martial arts," Bane chuckled and headed out. Kamikaze grumbled on that, but he knew he had to check on a few things on his own. With the restaurant clearing out, Inichi was finally able to transport home the ones that needed to get home.
