Siren was waving at them from the exclusive high table where Saitama and Mitsumi usually sat at in Neutral Grounds. The girls hugged and began to gossip on things as most girls tended to do while sitting down at the luxurious table. Blue Ripple's tub was set on a specialized stool. Overgrown Rover was now on a high chair with a feeding dish, but it jumped into Saitama's lap with Mitsumi when they sat down. It preferred to lay over them, and it gently picked up Saitama's hand to rest on Mitsumi's belly before pressing into them with contentment.
"Nice!" Fumio grinned and set Black Sperm on his own small chair with a feeding tray close to the table. There were four extra spots now for guests, and Garou was seated with Lily to protect them both from anything happening.
"King!" Kianna said and waved at him to get him moving right to her side to settle at their usual window table booth.
"I want to prepare a small cook off on the stage," Orotsu said.
"I'm on it!" Tacki grinned and ran into the back to find extra rubber mats.
"Eh…I wouldn't say the stage," Kamikaze said. "We'd need electrical hookups and such…"
"I have something prepared," Metal Knight said from where a robot was hovering over Siren. Several marble floor panels came apart to reveal a small cooking station rise up with just enough need for a stove, counter and prep table. Tacki now moved to set the mats down behind all the main foot paths to keep from slipping. Fubuki moved to help arrange seating to make room around the temporary setup, and she glanced over at the door to see others from The Blizzard Group making their way in to help.
"Miss Blizzard!" Eyelashes said when he walked over.
"Eyelashes," she smiled and nodded.
"We could use Lily's help," Mountain Gorilla said.
"Lily is exempt from this. In a sense, she just got married," Fubuki chuckled. "She will not do anything unless she feels the need."
"Stay here," Garou muttered to Lily from where they sat.
"Okay," Lily said with a small shrug. "I think they got it, too."
"This was not the confrontation," Inichi said calmly from where he hovered near Fubuki. "That may be…proven shortly."
"The only confrontation I'd know of is from a hero I kicked down. Or Old Man…" Garou frowned. "I'd have no other clue."
"You are close. But a bit far off. You'll see why when it appears," Inichi advised and glanced at Eyelashes. "Do not judge what path Lily chose for herself. She loves Garou as deeply as he does for her. She will be fine."
"I wasn't gonna…" Eyelashes started and blinked at the warning glare from Saitama's blank stare.
"Everything's cool here. Don't make me sic my dog on you," Saitama said. Overgrown Rover looked over and huffed before licking its chops to show it was ready to obey any order given.
"Saitama!" Mitsumi warned and shook her head at him.
"Why would you marry a monster?!" Mountain Ape asked Lily from where she sat. "I just don't get it!"
"Because this 'monster' was a human before. He never hurt me at all. I know he had his faults, but that was before. He's different now. And that is the side of him I love," Lily said sternly. "Yes. I'm in love with him. And he's in love with me. I won't ever change that. He's very protective of me, and he plans to help train me to be stronger! He's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Ditto," Garou grinned and pulled her into his lap to hug her.
"Hey, doggy," Saitama glanced at his monster dog. It huffed and whined at him to show it was listening. "Go for a small run. Don't attack. Just run."
"Heh…" Blue Ripple smirked and rumbled to Overgrown Rover on what to do. The monster dog grunted in response and panted happily.
"What?!" Mountain Ape's jaw dropped when he watched the monster dog shrink tiny and jump down. Then it trotted around the restaurant calmly and purposely passed by where Eyelashes and Mountain Ape were standing.
"Oh, hell no…" Zenchu grimaced and was quick to steer clear. Right after Overgrown Rover jumped back up to settle with its owners was when both B class heroes shrieked and coughed at the offending smell that hit them.
"What was that?!" Mountain Ape gasped for air.
"Just my puppy getting rid of some tummy troubles," Mitsumi said and scratched Overgrown Rover's belly. It yawned with contentment and blinked all six eyes at Saitama before huffing.
"What?" Saitama asked. Overgrown Rover gave a growling yawn to start up an argument. Mitsumi always found herself laughing at the whole thing.
"Neutral Grounds will be opening in thirty minutes," Orotsu said while preparing the meat for Saitama's future lunch. "I would like my opponent to start naming his own ingredients. The main battle will include shrimp. Let him know?"
"Ah! I shall," Inichi chuckled and looked at the worried man. "Hmm. Oh! So…you don't know how to cook professionally?"
"I…I don't…" the man admitted.
"Then why challenge me to a cooking contest?" Orotsu asked.
"I didn't think a monster could cook better than me. Much less like a professional chef," the man shrugged.
"Have you never sampled the food here?" Mitsumi asked.
"Ah…no…" the man grimaced. "I haven't..."
"Orotsu, instead of a challenge, make it a class," Mitsumi now suggested. "Teach him how to cook shrimp. If he does well enough, maybe he can come here and learn from you as a student!"
"I will take that offer!" Anno said quickly. "I stated I would help teach. Let me work in Master Orotsu's stead."
"Hmm. Very well," Orotsu agreed and handed over some of the largest tiger shrimp he had. "Teach him."
"Let's do this now before we open," Anno said and walked out calmly with a serving cart full of various ingredients.
"Are you serious?!" the man asked with shock.
"Quite. Would you like to learn from me? I am Anno Shoji and apprenticing directly under Master Orotsu. I have an intense background in cooking. Is this something you would like to do?" Anno asked.
"To cook like the great chefs on television…" the man said with silent wonder. "Would I have to pay for tutelage?"
"Let's do this. I know how hard it can be for a proper school. You find a recipe and bring the ingredients. I'll show you how to cook it. Then I'll show how to cook something with ingredients that I bought. Deal?" Anno chuckled.
"I can do that! Ah, my name is Sato Yuji," the man said. Mitsumi now looked over to notice he had brown hair and eyes. He had a fairly normal build to him, too, but she went back to snuggling into Saitama.
"Good. This way I can see how well I do teaching another. I was always taught. I never shared in teaching," Anno chuckled. "Let's begin…"
With the small cooking class starting, Orotsu found himself going back to the meat he was preparing for Saitama. He trimmed off the fat to set aside for Overgrown Rover. Then he sliced the meat thin, sautéed it delicately with teriyaki sauce and set that aside. Getting out his takoyaki grill, he diced up the meat finely and added scallions, onions, parsley, garlic and a hint of cayenne pepper flavor.
Saitama could only blink at the aroma coming to him now, and he winced at the fierce rumble in his gut. Mitsumi frowned at that, but Inichi already had a shrimp appetizer quickly delivered over to help him. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thanks, Inichi. I know I ate breakfast, but…"
"Not a problem at all," Inichi nodded. He watched Tsuruga head over to the security room with Tanktop Girl following him. Kamiko was seen setting up the greeting booth with menus. Chikao soon appeared to start setting tables.
"I'm getting a change in class courses. My hours here will need to change," Chikao said to Kamiko. "I'll be going to morning classes, and I'll only be able to be here part time until it's done."
"We can work something in. Genos?" Kamiko asked him and looked over at where he was sitting behind her. He was already pulling up the schedule listing on a laptop and typing in commands.
"Tell me the hours you need. We will adjust," Genos nodded. With them getting his new schedule set, Garou was fixing the hairband of flowers in Lily's hair. Then he paused at a thought and looked at Mitsumi.
"I had a question for you," Garou asked.
"Of course," Mitsumi said and started to eat some tempura battered shrimp.
"If you only went to that field once, how did you know what the flowers looked like to make the silk ones?" he asked. Zenchu rose up a hand to show he had the answer, and he walked over to their table. He took out a small, compact photo album from his back pocket to open it.
"This was the very flower she gave me long ago," Zenchu said. He showed the delicate, dried flower in the protective film. "I've kept it ever since. When we saved Tacki, she made the silk copies."
"That I did!" Tacki nodded. "It lost the scent when it dried, but you can clearly see the image. That was enough."
"Yeah. I showed her the flower when Lady Mitsumi suggested it. Tacki paused when she wanted to see what it was. It caught her interest," Zenchu chuckled. "Then she realized what happened."
"Yeah. I remember that, too," Tacki chuckled. Kamikaze looked at her to continue. "I saw Zenchu take out the plastic sheet. It caught my attention. Like…I had to know what it was. It calmed me down enough to focus on checking it out. When I saw what it was…I felt…something snap and break away. I remembered myself. It was only two days of being in the monster mindset, but it was enough for me to know that I was free of it. It was a week later that we got the silk and green wiring to make the flowers. I perfected it over time with better stuff, of course."
"Do you have your first attempt at making it?" Saitama asked.
"Ah! I do! It's in the chest at home," Tacki nodded. "I can show you later. As much as I can make more, we have the real deal now. We need to make that perfume, though. That would always help, and we can even sell it!"
"I have been working with Child Emperor on that, actually," Metal Knight chuckled. "Siren, my dear, can you go to the back room?"
"Okay!" Siren said and flew over to the room. In the elevator, she saw the delicate vial of spray perfume with a printed image of the white flower on it. She smiled warmly and took it up carefully. On her way to back them, she found Suiryu approaching her with a touch of hesitation. "Hi. What's up?"
"I still feel…bad. For what happened. I mean…" he started, but she held up her hand to stop him.
"I know. But it's for the best. Metal Knight is…actually my true match," she said softly. "We do much to support each other. So, it's okay."
"We're…still friends?" he asked.
"Of course! I see you as a brother. Don't worry. If I see a girl that needs some attention, I'll be sure to send her your way," she winked a glowing green eye.
"Ah. Thanks," he chuckled softly. He failed to notice Metal Knight's hovering robot watching the innocent confrontation. Metal Knight was not pleased, but he was proud of Siren for handling herself so well.
"Everything okay?" Saitama asked calmly while distracting Overgrown Rover with small touches to the sides of its muzzle to get mock-snapped at in play.
"All good!" Siren said and flew over to give Mitsumi the perfume bottle.
"It's made!" Mitsumi blinked and took off the small cap. She did one small mist of it over her wrists and rubbed them together. That got all the monsters present to pause and look at her with complete shock and adoration.
"That's some pretty strong stuff…" Saitama said.
"Yeah. It is," Zenchu said with a small wince on coming back around.
"You keep that with you," Garou nodded. He looked over when Kamiko went to open the doors to Neutral Grounds. Anno had just finished showing Sato the final touches of the shrimp, and they both stepped away for the miniature cooking station to move back under the restaurant. It would also get self-cleaned this way, much to the delight of them all.
"I was asked to be here?" Sweet Mask said on walking in with Tajima on his arm. He was making sure to have her in the public eye a bit more to show he had taken on a relationship. As much as he knew the fan girls were upset, he certainly didn't seem to mind at all. Tajima is just as brave as Mitsumi. That much is proven in full to me.
"Yes. As you know, Orotsu was once the most beloved and famous chef, Joben. A rival had actually sent over his wife to play a part of a romantic interlude. She tried to steal culinary secrets. She only got basic things. This is the same woman that is married to Oshiro Yuu…" Inichi mused.
"What?!" Sweet Mask asked with shock.
"You know of this?" Inichi asked.
"Not in full, but that particular chef has been trying to gain intense reputation. A notch of it was removed when he made a rather exclusive hotel dish to perfection from unknown sources. If you say he was sending out his wife to act as a single woman to entice out secrets for him on his behalf…" Sweet Mask frowned. "That…actually makes sense…"
"Orotsu requested for you to appear for this," Inichi chuckled and let him find a seat with Tajima to place an order. Sweet Mask now realized that he was close to the kitchen this time to help bear witness and overhear things.
"We want them to show up here. Neutral Grounds is becoming well known. Inichi will plant the thought to have them show up today. As quickly as they can. As you are well-versed in the sophisticated realm, you being here to witness is beneficial," Orotsu said. He started to take the order slips the moment they started to form and got to work with Anno.
"Takeda, are you well?" Anno asked her after she refilled a flour bin.
"I'm okay. Why do you ask?" she frowned.
"I suppose I'm just…hoping you're happy," he sighed.
"Anno, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't happy," she smiled. She looked over when Mitsumi walked over with a crane fan set in her hands.
"I need to check you. Please stand still," Mitsumi said. Orotsu glanced over calmly while working the dishes. Anno was confused, but he noticed Saitama standing nearby to watch everything closely. Mitsumi carefully moved the fans over Takeda's body to let them evaluate her. When the fans vibrated, it was Inichi that hovered over to explain what was happening.
"Anno…when were you with Miss Takeda?" Inichi asked.
"With her?" Anno asked with a bit of confusion.
"He's asking if you both had sex," Zenchu said from the serving window and dodged Inichi's slap. Takeda blushed and looked away.
"We did…" Anno now said with a small sigh. "A few nights ago."
"Well…" Mitsumi said with a small smile.
"You're going to be a father," Inichi said to finish the sentence.
"Ah…!" Anno gaped with shock. Takeda blinked with surprise.
"Okay, how is she already found out and Mitsumi isn't?" Saitama asked.
"Your power masks things. We know something is in motion. We just don't know how soon it will happen," Inichi said before Saitama gave a small grumble. Mitsumi turned to gently pull her husband close and smile at him.
"We already know that something is in motion," she soothed.
"Yeah, yeah…I just…want the confirmation…" Saitama admitted.
"I'm sure we'll get it when the fans can help sense," she chuckled. Then she looked over at how Anno was hugging Takeda to help calm her down.
"I mean…how?! We were being so careful!" Takeda winced.
"I think I may know what happened…" Anno grimaced. "I was…too slow to respond that first time…"
"You didn't pull out?!" Zenchu asked and ducked from another slap.
"I thought I was in the clear!" Anno said with a hard growl.
"One small squirt is all it takes, you know," Zenchu said and finally had to shadow phase away before Inichi could bubble him. Mitsumi was hiding her face from laughing. Takeda was only shaking her head at it all.
"Wind Crane is now secretly waiting for him to come home…" Inichi muttered to get Saitama nodding. Now the bald hero looked at Anno and back to Takeda. Anno already knew what was going to be asked.
"Yes, I will marry her. I'm not one to abandon a woman that I am not only responsible for, but that I love," Anno said calmly. "We…did discuss this in depth before doing anything. As a precaution. I know we could have used preventive measures, but…well…we took the chance."
"Hmm," Mitsumi mused. "As you will now be supporting a future family, your salary is now doubled. Inichi, please make the arrangements?"
"I shall inform Rendor and have the contract updated. Is this for them both?" Inichi asked. "If it is, perhaps we should just make them a bank account to deposit their money directly into. It may be easier than separate balances."
"Ah! Yes. Please do that," Mitsumi beamed. Anno and Takeda were stunned and completely speechless on this.
"Early wedding present. I like that. We'll do that," Saitama nodded. "Mitsumi, let's just give them a bank account with five million yen. Then, if they choose to have a paycheck after that, it's their choice."
"Oh? What do you both think?" Mitsumi chuckled.
"Um…can we think about it…?" Anno asked.
"Of course! I can give you three days before I just have it done," she nodded and got led out of the kitchen area by Saitama.
"Five…million…?!" Takeda could only whisper with wonder.
"We'll talk later tonight," Anno promised and squeezed her. "We have some work to do. And I won't let you work so hard, okay?"
"Okay," Takeda nodded and hugged him back before shaking off the shock to get back to work with him. When Saitama and Mitsumi settled back at their table, they both glanced up to see Bane walking in with an older man.
"Confrontation…possibly…" Inichi muttered to them both.
"So…both humans and monsters are here together? With no problems?" the older man asked Bane. "I had to see this for myself after you wrote to me on this."
"It is true," Bane nodded. "Bomb, I'm telling you the complete truth. We can benefit with much! And a dojo is being made to help with new disciples."
"He is definitely speaking the truth," Kamiko nodded elegantly. "I was a monster and became cured of it. Our photographs are along the wall when you walk in. We have other monsters that help Neutral Grounds and humans, too."
"I have been here since the start. All is true," Genos said when he stood behind her. "It is good to see you again. All is well here."
"Oh!" Bomb blinked with surprise at Genos before turning to study the photos on the wall. He found himself a bit impressed at the ones that became cured from their original monster selves.
"Old Man's older brother…" Garou grimaced. Mitsumi frowned and looked over to study the older man. While Bane had a mustache, Bomb had long, white hair and even a long beard. Bane also stooped when he walked, but Bomb had a strong, tall frame. He also wore a classic green on blue martial arts robe to hide his old, strong physique to show he was different in his style of clothing, too.
"This is very confusing…" Bomb frowned.
"What's so confusing?" Kamikaze asked and gestured for the two men to sit with him. "This is Tacki. She was a bird monster. She's cured, obviously. And she's having my twins. So…yeah. And she's absolutely nuts on fixing things."
"And other things. The Hero Association wants me to become a hero. I'm still questioning it," Tacki nodded and set aside a few finished karaoke props. She looked over at Bomb and eyed his clothes after he sat down. "You take much better care of your clothes than Kamikaze."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Kamikaze asked to get Bane coughing out laughter at that. "I take care of my clothes."
"Sure. After I fixed them. Oh, look. Another hole," she said and poked her finger through his under robe. "I'll just have to make you a new wardrobe. The haori I made you is still pristine. Maybe since I used better quality thread. Yeah, you wear this all the time. You need new clothes. It's worn pretty thin here and there. I'll get on that when we get home."
"Ah…I honestly have no idea how that hole happened. It's possible my clothes are…older from use," Kamikaze sighed and let her fix it. Bomb rose a brow and found himself chuckling. Then he looked over and blinked at the sight of Zenchu sitting by the stairway leading to Mitsumi's table. Zenchu looked over and waved lightly to show nothing was wrong.
"So…they really don't attack on sight…?" Bomb asked with surprise.
"It's a waste of time," Zenchu shrugged and gave a lazy flick of his tail to show he was relaxed. "Lady Mitsumi showed us it was pointless. We just protect and serve her. We choose to."
"Lady Mitsumi?" Bomb asked. Zenchu stuck a thumb up at where Mitsumi was sitting and cuddling Overgrown Rover.
"I don't like this. My dog is stealing my cuddles," Saitama said blankly.
"Aww! But it's such a cute puppy!" Mitsumi said and laughed at the licks she got to her cheek. Blue Ripple rumbled and stretched his neck over to purr and snuggle into her. That got Saitama to sputter with jealousy.
"No! NO!" he said before getting kissed intensely by her to shut him up.
"It's okay. They don't get kisses like you do," she murmured and let him kiss her back. "They'll get pets, snuggles and cuddles. So will you. I can share that. Not kisses. Okay?"
"Eh…" he sighed and blinked when Blue Ripple flicked out a forked tongue to lick his cheek. Now Saitama looked at him and Mitsumi burst into laughter. "That doesn't make it better."
"Either me or Overgrown Rover," Blue Ripple chuckled. The monster dog huffed and leaned up to lick at Saitama's face nonstop until it was finally forced away. Saitama picked up a cloth napkin to wipe his face clean.
"Not funny!" Saitama scowled to get the others around them laughing and snickering at it all.
"Those monsters!" Bomb gaped with shock.
"They're pets," Tacki said with a small smile. "They help protect and mainly only listen to them. To a point. Blue Ripple, though? The water monster? He's a bit of a GOD monster, too. So, yeah. Lady Mitsumi has him as a pet. He insisted on that."
"You have got to be joking…!" Bomb asked with full blown shock.
"Not a joke," Blue Ripple snorted and blinked his white eyes at the older man. "After her past suffering and intense kindness to me despite what she went through…I insisted. And I only attack when provoked. Or if she is under threat."
"He's such a good scaled kitty!" Mitsumi giggled and got a purring snuggle from him in response. Saitama rolled his eyes at it, but he smiled at her pout.
"Hmm…" Bomb frowned. Then he saw Garou. He rose up quickly, but Mitsumi's crane fans already separated out from her belt and shielded Garou from site. Bomb just stared with shock at that.
"Garou is my big brother now. He knows he did wrong. He regrets what he did," Mitsumi said softly when she walked down the stairs with Saitama. Overgrown Rover blinked all six eyes and watched Bomb curiously from her arms. "In fact, he even just recently married Lily. She's a B class hero."
"I detect no lies…" Bomb said with genuine surprise.
"Why would we lie?" Saitama shrugged.
"Big brother! Garou! Come here?" Mitsumi asked and gave the tiny monster dog to Saitama to hold. Garou sighed and let Lily squeeze him before getting up to stand by his little sister. He let Mitsumi hug him now, and he sighed even deeper with a small smile.
"Thank you for saving me from myself, Lady Mitsumi," Garou said.
"You're welcome," she chuckled.
"Why do you call her lady?" Bomb asked.
"Because, to us monsters, that is exactly what she is. She's a lady. A kind, wonderful, amazing woman who values others more than herself," Garou explained. "I wasn't in my right mind when she found me. She freed me. Granted, Saitama was ready to kill me…"
"You insulted her. I don't apologize for kicking your ass through a mountain," Saitama said with his blank stare.
"I know! I deserved my ass getting kicked," Garou grumbled.
"Stop it," Mitsumi said and poked Garou's gut to get a small grin in response. "If you really feel bad, I can give Lily a few interesting tips to get you back in various ways."
"Can you?!" Lily said with delight.
"Eh…no…?" Garou said with a nervous grin now.
"Just nibble him," Mitsumi said. Inichi coughed and relayed the thought to Lily. At the sound of wicked laughter, Garou found himself swallowing.
"Anyways, are you done thinking he's a threat? He knows I'll punch him out if he acts up. But, that won't happen," Saitama said.
"How did he come to terms with himself?" Bomb asked.
"With this," Tacki said and held up a silk flower.
"Actually, the smell did it. I didn't see it until after," Garou said. Mitsumi took out the perfume bottle and let Bomb smell it. The older man paused with complete shock at the sensation of peace and well-being that encompassed him.
"Amazing…" Bomb breathed. "That scent is so…how to explain it…?"
"We are in the process of making vials of perfume," Mitsumi chuckled and misted the scent over the silk flower to give to him. Garou was in a stunned state of peaceful recollection at the scent. It was the same with the other monsters there.
"Can I slap Zenchu now? He looks zoned out," Saitama said on seeing Zenchu's mildly stunned form.
"Fuck…you…" Zenchu managed to voice out. Kamikaze died laughing at it and had to cough to catch his breath. Inichi snapped out of his small trance when a thought came to focus. He blinked his red eyes with black cat pupils and was quick to voice his concern.
"Orotsu, your company is almost here," Inichi said.
"Okay. Everyone get seated. Eat something. Have fun. Nothing's wrong. Mitsumi and I aren't even in our hero suits. Come on," Saitama said and made a gesture to start an act.
"Saitama, come up and sing with me. Or at least dance," Mitsumi beamed. "We want this place to look popular, right?"
"Ah! Okay," Saitama grinned lightly and climbed up onto the stage. Mitsumi's fans all came out and levitated her up to meet him. He pulled her into his arms and looked at Overgrown Rover when it whined from the chair it was left in. "Doggy, stay put. It's fine. We'll be back there in a bit."
"What…?!" Bomb gaped.
"She's the last Wind Crane Clan assassin," Bane chuckled. "Those fans are alive. And we met their creator, too. Maybe you can meet her later."
"You're…serious…" Bomb said with even more shock.
"Hmm…" Blue Ripple thought and focused. "Can someone open the doors? I am bringing something here."
"Allow me," Kamiko chuckled. When she opened the door, she gasped at the sight of ten fan sets made from Blue Ripple's scales swirling in. Mitsumi already had the first set to control them, and now she could only pause with sheer surprise at the fans settling before her.
"I see they were ready?" Blue Ripple chuckled.
"Yeah. I still need to make a fan belt for them. They alive now?" Tacki asked. At his nod, she thought. "I have some fabric here, but not what I need. Inichi, can you bring me some stuff to make belts with?"
"Of course, Tacki," Inichi nodded and focused to do just that. Now Bomb watched Tacki with fascination. He had no idea how quickly something could be made. Kamikaze simply kept her in his lap and turned his gaze to the stage.
"I'm not sure how I can do this," Mitsumi frowned and took out one set of each fan set. Then Saitama took the other fans in his hands to show he was ready to help her when she needed it.
"Wind Crane and I can work out the details for only one fan from each to control them all. I have a feeling you will need to have the fans…merge together," Blue Ripple mused at the thought. "But, we will need to find the others first."
"What's this?" Bomb blinked.
"Ah…what?" Sweet Mask added his own surprise.
"Other monsters like Wind Crane and I. Of course, there will be one set of originals for emergencies, but a very specialized set of fans will need to be made after we are all found. This will be important. I can feel it," Blue Ripple rumbled. "She will need to make more teeth. Zenchu, you'll need to discuss this with her."
"I'm sure she'd be fine with it," Zenchu thought aloud. "I did have an idea, though. It may be easier."
"What's that?" Blue Ripple asked and watched him curiously.
"Maybe we can just take the main controlling sets and merge those together. This way all the fans can be controlled by one set," Zenchu said with a small smile.
"Hmm…that…actually makes sense…" Blue Ripple rumbled with complete agreement. "Make the fans as needed. One set controls them all. Very interesting. We'll have to see if we can test that theory at home. Not here."
"Fan Dancer's gonna be stronger?" a young girl asked.
"Quite possible!" Mitsumi chuckled. "All the more to protect people like you, too!"
"Fan Dancer?" Bomb asked.
"It's my hero name. I'm rank 4 in S class," Mitsumi said. "Saitama is rank 3 in S class now."
"Wait…you are now rank 5?!" Bomb asked Bane.
"I'm fine with it," Bane grinned. Orders were soon delivered out, and Saitama started to dance lightly with Mitsumi. A karaoke song was picked for them to just dance to, and all twenty fans sets swirled and flew around the room peacefully. Orotsu growled lightly in warning when the doors opened to find a well-dressed man with graying black hair walking in with an elegant lady with coiffed golden blond hair at his side. That was Inichi's queue to show that the target was here.
"A very interesting place to be sure," the man mused.
"Welcome to Neutral Grounds. Please find a seat. We'll serve you shortly," Kamiko said and handed over a set of menus.
"Very quaint…" the lady chuckled. Then she paused when Tsuruga seemed to charge out from the back of the security room to blink his glowing red eyes.
"Siren?" Tsuruga snorted.
"What's up?" Siren blinked her glowing green eyes back at him from Mitsumi's table. Fumio saw Black Sperm make a few more clones and have them move to calmly block the entrance to keep the targets from escaping. They also didn't want innocents to get in and planned to stall a bit. They weren't even noticed from how silent and blended into the shadows they were.
"Can you get Metal Knight to check an outside camera? I think there's a wiring problem," Tsuruga grunted. "Even Lightning Max is having problems with the video feed. We think it's internal."
"I shall look into it now," Metal Knight said from his floating robot.
"So…heroes are…here…with the monsters?" the lady blinked.
"This restaurant is called Neutral Grounds," Mitsumi said from the stage and in Saitama's arms. "I am Mitsumi Takashi. Of the Takashi family, and my father's sole heir as per his will before he was murdered. I am also known as Fan Dancer in the Hero Association. For…obvious reasons."
"You're the Takashi runaway?!" the man gaped.
"No, Oshiro," Sweet Mask said from where he shared a dish udon noodles with Tajima. The couple seemed to shake at the sight of him there. "She didn't run away to do it. She was saving her own life. We learned the truth of everything just recently. In fact, if it wasn't for her, the monsters here would be killing everyone. She freed them."
"Mitsumi. The fans…" Saitama said and saw how they swirled around the couple. Now Mitsumi stiffened with shock. She also knew exactly what to say.
"Tell me. Was it a job well done to steal secrets for your own whims?" Mitsumi now asked with an edge in her tone. The new couple stared at her with complete shock, but the lady appeared to show confusion. The husband knew exactly what was meant. Now Orotsu gave the cooking responsibility to Anno to charge out of the kitchen with his own shock.
"They are Secret Skins?!" Orotsu asked.
"Protect the innocents!" Genos hissed out. Then he saw the floor come away to make a shielded wall of glass up to the ceiling to keep the people safe from attack. The windows were opened lightly to allow fresh air flow from outside. "Ah. I see Metal Knight had thought things out in advance."
"I figured it would be worth the time to do so," Metal Knight agreed from his hovering robot. "As long as Saitama doesn't punch inside, the glass will keep the civilians safe."
"I was Joben before I was transformed," Orotsu grounded out to make the lady pale with complete shock. "I actually started love you. But…I realized you were a thief when you tried to tamper the lock to my safe. It triggered an audio recording. I heard you call him. Your husband. To report what you found. You didn't steal the papers, but you sent him photographs taken from your phone.
"I kept my most prized recipes in my head. You think I would just write them down like others?! That was their mistake. I memorized what I needed to keep from searching for the recipes. The moment my alarm went off and I saw you innocently sipping tea in the kitchen…when I heard your voice in my audio system and soon found you gone before I could question why you did such a thing…"
"How long did it take for that to happen?" Saitama asked.
"Less than ten minutes when I had an odd malfunction with one of my deep freezers. She used a hairpin to pop out a wire. It took me time to get it back into place, but it was enough for her to pry open my lock and take pictures of some of the more common things. I let her think she got the better of me. There is only one prized dish that I have. I know other dishes, but this one is my own signature dish. One that I rarely make for anyone. That rule will change for Lady Mitsumi. Can you please sit back down so I can make it?"
"What about them?" Saitama pointed at the fake couple.
"Inichi…" Mitsumi grimaced. :If they are a couple, did they make fleas?:
:Ah…oh…: Inichi blinked at the thought. He gave a direct thought to Orotsu now to assist with stalling them.
"I want them to see that I truly was Joben before. They will see my dish. Not taste it," Orotsu said and moved back into the kitchen. "Anno, I trust you like a son. Come here and learn this dish."
"Master Orotsu! Ah…okay…" Anno swallowed. "And I vow not to give any others the recipe."
"Good," Orotsu nodded and began to carefully prepare his signature dish. Saitama and Mitsumi both sat at their table above the kitchen and waited patiently. The customers in the restaurant were puzzled, but Inichi kept the sensation of staying calm in effect.
"Secret Skins?" Bomb asked quietly.
"I'll tell you. Inichi can give you visions later. Or…we may just kill this couple after that. They are monsters living in the skins of human hosts," Bane muttered lightly. Bomb looked at him like he was crazy. Inichi had to keep an eye on the restaurant in full. Black Sperm's clones had put up outside signs for temporary closing, but they also did funny dances and comic skits to amuse the people outside.
"What's this?" Saitama blinked at the small dish of takoyaki balls with drizzled honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. A small dollop of whipped cream was on each one. Mitsumi opened the ball up to reveal fried vanilla ice cream blended perfectly with raw honeycomb. Saitama took one bite and paused with absolute shock at how wonderful the dish tasted.
"After all these years…" Mitsumi swooned with sheer wonder. "I'm finally having this again…I can't believe it!"
"Just ask. I shall create it for you," Orotsu chuckled from the speaker along the wall. "None knew what the main ingredients were. That is the secret."
"But…the ice cream should have melted while the takoyaki cooked!" Saitama said. "That's…just…how is it still here?!"
"As the crust of the takoyaki cooks, the inside also solidifies it. It's a very fine touch to know when to remove everything from the heat and serve right after. It took years of perfect practice," Orotsu said with a touch of pride. Then his attention moved to the ones trapped in the middle of the restaurant. "If they are truly Secret Skins, then they must be removed from here. They are fouling my restaurant with their stink! I was thinking of plotting revenge, but I will withdraw. They're going to die, anyways."
"Very true," Zenchu nodded. "Shall we take them outside?"
"Joben! Wait!" the lady said with a pleading tone.
"Why? You used me. Then you left me to go back to your husband. If I knew you were married…of course, you wouldn't tell me. Such disgust…" Orotsu grimaced. "I'm done wasting words with you. I have to cook."
"Can you at least hear me out?!" she finally said and stomped her foot down.
"You have five minutes. Anno, please keep cooking," Orotsu said and turned his attention to the serving window.
"Yes. Please explain," Sweet Mask said calmly. Now Oshiro paled even more on seeing him again. He had mildly forgotten that Sweet Mask was there.
"Say nothing!" Oshiro snapped at his wife.
"That won't do," Inichi muttered and bubbled the man to lift him away from her. "There. Speak your thoughts."
"Is he…that strong…?!" Bomb paled.
"Oh, yes. He can move the landscape," Bane nodded.
"Joben…I truly did love you…" the lady said softly. "I knew that…what I did was wrong. Oshiro…he is my husband. But I never loved him like I do for you. He used me. You let me be myself. You listened to me when he never did. He swore to go to you himself if I didn't…I just…I'm so sorry…"
"Are you a Secret Skins or not?" Orotsu asked.
"What is that?" she asked now. Mitsumi tilted her head and looked at Inichi. The floating blue monster bubbled her now and checked along her arms.
"No bumps. But his thoughts confirm that he has one. Tell us your name, please," Inichi said to the elegantly dressed lady and set her back down.
"I am Ozawa…" she swallowed and shivered.
"What do you hope to gain now? You see that I am a monster. I have no plans to revert back. At least not now. I am far more effective this way. I owe my life to Lady Mitsumi. Her safety overrules all others to me. That is how it must be. After what you did…how can I trust you again? I honestly believe that you should walk a path away from me. I learned the truth. But your husband? He's a monster that will hurt and kill others. He must die," Orotsu said calmly.
"It would make sense, then," Ozawa sighed. "A year back, he went on a culinary expedition. He came back…different."
"How different?" Mitsumi asked and finished off her tasty dish with Saitama. He was even licking the bowl clean!
"He was talking about how he wanted to expand his cooking skills in any way possible. That was when he…convinced me to do what I did for him. I was shocked. Before, he told me he didn't want to share me with anyone! It was why I married him! But…after this…I thought…if it was just like meeting an old friend, then it shouldn't be too bad. Right?" she shrugged.
"Instead, it backfired. You fell in love. Was it just with Orotsu? Or with others, too?" Inichi asked.
"Just him…" she trembled.
"A truth," Inichi sighed. "It may be best to think of yourself as a widow. Your husband is no more. You have his equity?"
"I am part of certain wills. I'll check into that. I'll also…move away from every major city limit. Perhaps I'll move back in with my family. It would be best," Ozawa said softly. "I need to let things go."
"Yes. You do," Orotsu said and turned away. "You are innocent now. But your husband is not."
"I understand. I would like to see what he really is, though," she said.
"You can't ask that of me!" Oshiro cringed. "I gave you everything!"
"Back then you did. Not anymore," Ozawa said and shook her head. "I need to see who you really are."
"Outside. Keep any people back," Saitama said and set the empty dish down. "Oh. Can I get another one of those?"
"Finish the job first. I shall have to prepare it quickly, and I don't want it to spoil on waiting for you," Orotsu chuckled.
"Done! Let's go!" Saitama grinned and followed the blue bubble out. Mitsumi's fans were also hovering around them to protect them. When they left, the glass borders slipped back down to show the threat was gone.
"Back away, please!" Inichi said to the crowd of people. "We are dealing with a rogue monster!"
"Do as he says!" Fubuki said to help clear the area with her group.
"I need to see this," Bomb said.
"Oh, you will," Bane said and readied to attack. "We tend to get a chance to try and kill it first."
"Hmm…" Blue Ripple rumbled after his tub was brought outside. He glanced up when Wind Crane landed on the roof of Neutral Grounds. She wanted to see the Secret Skins for herself. Bomb looked up and gaped with shock at the strong crane monster. She looked at him and bobbed her head in greeting.
"That's Wind Crane. The one who made Mitsumi's fans. She's also the one that started the Wind Crane Clan," Bane chuckled lightly.
"I…" Bomb could only stare with speechless awe.
"Go!" Blue Ripple said to let Mitsumi give the signal to her fans. Inichi dropped the man just as the fans revealed blades and spikes to swirl around the fake man. They diced and sliced open the skin, and Inichi was quick to secure the flea for Genos to store away in a jar.
"NO!" the newly revealed monster said and had people screaming at the sight of it. It was a hairless skeletal man with three sets of arms, intense claws, and a long tail that swished around to toss cars out of the street. Inichi started to catch them, but a green glow was quick to catch another and set it down.
"Sorry we're late!" Rendor snarled and landed in his monster form. Tatsumaki hovered over him protectively.
"I'll send you the details," Inichi said and gave over the visions. Rendor hissed and growled his hatred at the other monster now.
"Is he…?!" Bomb asked.
"He's my man. My monster. He's fine," Tatsumaki said and hovered over Rendor protectively. "I'm also…pregnant. With his baby. Don't touch him!"
"Tatsi, it's fine," Rendor said in his gravelly tone. "Focus on keeping that monster from hurting people! I'll keep it distracted and away from them, too!"
"Okay," she said and looked at Saitama. "You gonna kill it?"
"Eh…I figured to give the others a chance," Saitama shrugged.
"Good!" Kamikaze said and was quick to charge into it. Bane and Bomb were moving as one. Even Garou and Zenchu moved methodically to start ripping off limbs. Tacki shouted that it was regenerating.
"Shit…" Zenchu growled.
"Damn. I'll have to kill it…" Saitama moped. Then he saw Overgrown Rover run out and huff at him. "Huh. Shenjou could eat it, but he's not here. You hungry? You want to eat it?"
Overgrown Rover grew to its massive size and opened its mouth to reveal the fangs. Bomb's jaw dropped and Inichi pulled everyone out of the way. The monster dog bit down and shook hard before dropping the monster. It shrunk back small and trotted back over to Saitama with a happy grunt.
"Such a good puppy!" Mitsumi beamed and scooped it up to cuddle it. "But that monster's still alive."
"Not anymore," Blue Ripple said and focused to start drawing all the water out of the dying monster. Then Wind Crane squawked to shatter the corpse to nothing. She landed and ruffled her feathers before clucking. Then she looked at Zenchu and started to peck at him.
"Ow! Stop! Why?!" Zenchu gasped and glared at Garou's dying form of laughter at the whole thing.
"That was from earlier with Anno," Inichi smirked.
"Oh, come on…!" Zenchu grimaced and hissed from a tail peck.
"Okay. Threat's gone. Back inside. And you. Eh…good luck. And all that," Saitama said to Ozawa's speechless form on what she witnessed.
"Sure…" she whispered.
"Speak with me when you are ready. We'll make arrangements to help you go wherever you need to," Sweet Mask said and moved into the restaurant. When the others dispersed and customers started to filter into Neutral Grounds, Ozawa fell to her knees with despair. Just when she felt she was at her end, a tentacled arm gently touched her shoulder.
"Now you feel the regret and betrayal that I felt long ago," Orotsu said gently. "Maybe, in time, we can rekindle a friendship. Right now, though? The wound is too fresh. Let a month pass. Let us heal. Return here when you are strong enough. Is that fair?"
"I…yes…" she swallowed and stood up with tears in her eyes. "I didn't know…what he was…"
"And that is how I find you innocent and doing the whims of a monster. I can heal with that in mind. And you should, too. Speak with Sweet Mask and heal with your family. Should you decide to reach out sooner, stick with phone calls. That would be best for now."
"I will," she smiled softly and followed him back into the restaurant. She knew he had to cook. And now she had hope that what was once lost would grow back. I can accept Joben being in a monster form. He's still the man I once loved. I just lost my husband. He had become an evil thing and had to get killed. I need to focus on that as a grieving widow at last and heal from it. Then, as Joben said, I'll come back and seek him out to rekindle what I had destroyed.
