Saitama tried to sleep, but he was restless. All through the night, he lay awake thinking about what he saw. What he witnessed. How he felt about Mitsumi. Genos heard him get up a few times to pace around, and a few times, he thought he heard Saitama head to the door to simply stop and head back to bed. After dozing off and on, waking up and pacing in this pattern, it was when Inichi gave a small nudge that Mitsumi was getting ready to head into town that he finally found himself groggy. But he just couldn't sleep. He yawned greatly, stretched and moved to scrub himself down with hot water. After that, he was able to dress in his hero garb to show that he would be a bit on patrol.
"Master?" Genos asked when he sensed movement.
"Hmm? Yeah. I'm up. Inichi was able to wake me up. I need to eat something," Saitama said and yawned again. He paused at the plate of egg fried rice, a boiled egg and toast with butter. He quickly ate and drank down the milk given to him. Genos was eating with him shortly after, and they were soon heading out the door. At the sound of a phone ringing in his pocket as they walked to the restaurant, Saitama paused to answer it.
"Hello? King! Oh. Um...I'm actually a bit busy right now. But...hmm. I'd like to bring a few friends over later. Yes, I do have new friends. You think so? Okay. So you know, they're monsters. No! Not bad ones! These ones are different. They want to become human again. It's a long story. I'm meeting them now. No, I'm not becoming a monster. Oh, boy..."
"Maybe you should bring Mitsumi to explain?" Genos asked. Saitama glanced over to give a quick nod before going back to his call.
"King, will you trust me on this? If they were bad, I would have punched them all out. Right. Yes. No, I don't need to bring all of them. Maybe three with the girl they respect. She's very pretty and it would be nice for her to see a new place. What? No! It's not a date! I just don't like her being cooped up and miserable! How about this. Let me bring her over later tonight. She'll have about three of her monster friends with her. The same ones I'm talking about. Yes, she's friends with them, too. She can talk about herself and explain things. It will be fine. I promise. I'll see you later," Saitama said and hung up the phone with a shake of his head. Now he looked at Genos. "What?"
"A date, Master? I did not think of it that way! Do you want me to come with you or stay home?" he asked. Saitama's jaw dropped.
"It's not a date!"
"Taking a girl like her out somewhere would seem to be so. I don't think you would know what to do on a date, anyways," Genos thought aloud. "We should remedy that immediately!"
"No! You don't have to!"
"I believe King does have some dating simulations that can be used..."
"Shut up!"
"I will help you find places around town that will be date worthy, Master. I will help you succeed in this!" Genos nodded. "She is a beautiful girl and worthy of you. I know this."
"And you don't want a girl?" Saitama asked now when they started walking further along.
"Oh. Me being as I am, I don't think I would be suitable for one. Not anymore, anyways. Ah. The restaurant is here," Genos said and pointed at the corner establishment. Saitama just groaned at the thought. Then he paused when he felt Inichi chuckling in his mind.
:You. Keep quiet.: Saitama warned the empathic monster.
:If you want the truth, she actually mentioned that if she were younger she would fancy you quite a bit! This was said after you left.: Inichi laughed softly. :We all would not mind you with her in the slightest.:
:What?!: Saitama found himself stunned.
:Oh, dear me. There I go letting my thoughts escape me again! I'd best go silent now.: Inichi giggled. Saitama was just in a very rare state of silent shock. He didn't know what to think. He finally forced himself to take a deep breath and move into the restaurant to help inspect it.
"Careful with that countertop!" Orotsu said and used four of his tentacled arms to help ease it down into place to show where prepared food would be set in the opened service window.
"The place still has some work to be done, but it's better than it was. The original owners trashed it," Zenchu snorted and looked over at Saitama to give a small wave. His tail was lightly curled around his leg to keep out of the way of things for now. "Lady Mitsumi is in the back to work on some recipes. Kianna is with her. You see that Orotsu is in the kitchen. Rendor is on the roof to guard. Inichi is...wherever he is. The others are at home to keep track of things there."
"Zenchu," Saitama said and moved close to whisper to him. "Inichi told me that Mitsumi...likes me?"
"I'm going to kill him...!" Zenchu hissed. "We didn't want it to be something...forced. But, yes, she did mention it."
"Well, if it makes things fair, one of my friends, a hero called King, likes video games. I was sort of thinking that you, Kianna and Rendor could show up with Mitsumi there. I'd be there, and it would be a way to show you all can be human. To a point. King is...an interesting case. He's an S class hero, but...I tend to do the leg work around him. I promised I wouldn't say much, but it's nice to just play some games now and then," Saitama said.
"Are you taking her out on a date with me as a chaperone?" Zenchu asked with a raised brow at him.
"No! It's just a way to get you all out and not so cooped up!" Saitama said quickly. Zenchu just chuckled.
"I see her more like a baby sister than anything else," he admitted softly. "I'm far older than her, anyways. Being a monster like this...I'm over a hundred years old. I've seen some shit. But nothing like you."
"You're a hundred years old?" Saitama blinked.
"Yes. In time...maybe I'll tell you my story. Or maybe if you take Lady Mitsumi out on a date, eh?" Zenchu grinned a touch wickedly. Saitama glowered, but he paused when a simple, white flower stalk came out to lightly touch Zenchu's shoulder. The monster sighed and chuckled. "Lady Mitsumi, there was no harm being done."
"Not with that grin you did!" she scolded lightly and smacked him with the cane to get him moving. "Plotting something again?"
"It was beneficial to you!" he said and covered himself quickly to keep away from another cane smacking. "Ow! Okay! I'll stop and get back to work."
"Good! See that you do!" Mitsumi said and shook her head. "My grandson. He'd better not plot another prank!"
"Grandson? Oh! Yeah. No, we were having a little...chat," Saitama said.
"I'm sure. Anyways, I was hoping that you could sample a few dishes. If they are good, then I will have them served up in the menu," she said. "And you! Yes. Can you please help move some appliances?"
"Of course," Genos nodded and followed Saitama to the kitchen. After an hour of taste-testing, kitchen setup and dishware unpacking, everyone was able to finally eat a decent meal consisting of the chosen recipes.
"This is awesome!" Saitama said as he happily chewed on some warm tuna takoyaki and bean curd mochi.
"Good. Thank you for helping me figure out the menu. I will ensure that you and Genos will always get a free meal when you come by," Mitsumi chuckled. "If you bring friends, then I can see about giving them a discount in price."
"It would be beneficial if you could cater to the Hero Association," Genos said. "When your restaurant is functional, you could see about sending a small basket of samples to see how they would do."
"Hmm. That may work," Zenchu mused.
:Rendor needs assistance on the rooftop!: Inichi suddenly said to them all.
"Rendor!" Mitsumi gasped. "Bring him in here! Now!"
Zenchu needed no further convincing on that and was swift to leave and help his monster brother. Kianna rose up to help defend the restaurant, and Mitsumi was moved to the back of the restaurant to keep her safe. Rendor and Zenchu were quick to move inside to find a hero quickly chasing them in.
"Monster! How dare you...attack...?" the man paused at the sight of Saitama and Genos. "Ah...Demon Cyborg!"
"There are no monsters here," Genos said calmly. "Ah. Class B hero, rank 81. Tanktop Black Hole. You do not need to worry. These monsters, as you say, no longer have the need to attack. They wish to help humans and serve them peacefully."
"What? You have got to be kidding me!" the black haired buff man in the black tank top gaped. Now he saw Mitsumi coming forward with her cane to regard him gently.
"You poor dear child! You need to eat. Right now. Rendor! Kianna! Please get him something," she said.
"Yes, Lady Mitsumi," they both nodded. The hero's jaw dropped.
"Zenchu, get him a small table. We may have one in the back," she ordered. Zenchu nodded and moved to do her bidding.
"How...?" Tanktop Black Hole only gaped.
"They don't want to fight. I met a few more of them. They aren't like the others," Saitama said with a shrug. "If it all goes well, they may help provide food to the Hero Association."
"You mean to poison them!" Tanktop Black Hole growled.
"No," Mitsumi said and regarded him again. "To do so would be ridiculous! Here. Try some of these. My child, Orotsu, made them fresh just now."
The hero saw the octopus monster cooking up a storm with complete ease and found himself at a loss for words. Then Saitama simply reached over to grab one of the freshly made sushi rolls. "Delicious! I want some!"
"Okay," Mitsumi chuckled and nodded for it to be done.
"I'll have some made for the, ah, traveling for later," Zenchu nodded.
"It's not a date," Saitama muttered under his breath.
"Says you," Zenchu grinned. They both looked over to see the hero wolfing down his food with complete gusto.
"This is amazing! I mean..." Tanktop Black Hole started.
"There will be misunderstanding, I am aware," Mitsumi nodded. "But these children here are my family. If any of them get out of hand, you let me know."
"No worries, Lady Mitsumi. I don't want to get smacked with that cane," Zenchu chuckled. At her small smile, he found himself laughing.
"I still don't know about all of this..." Tanktop Black Hole frowned. "I mean...I just..."
"Just think that the ones in here are not interested in human destruction," Kianna said calmly. "As long as Lady Mitsumi is well and unharmed, we are perfectly fine. There will be some conflict, but I remember my past humanity. I...want to be human again. And if trying to have some semblance of it in the form of helping other humans is all I can do, then I'll do it."
"You're not joking?" Tanktop Black Hole asked with surprise.
"Nope. They are not," Saitama said. "It's also why I'm here with Genos. We are not attacking them. They are not attacking us. I bet Rendor was only defending himself against you. Right?"
"Huh. Now that you mention it, that monster didn't attack back..." Tanktop Black Hole paused at the thought. "I'll...have to talk to some others..."
"Just remember. If you attack us..." Zenchu warned. Then he paused at the white flower that Mitsumi held out and touched him with. He sighed and nodded. "We won't attack back. You'll have to deal with Lady Mitsumi. And you don't want to get smacked by her cane."
"But you'll need to get past me first," Saitama said with a shrug. "I like this place. I'll get free food whenever I want. You think I'm just gonna let you come in and trash the place? Not on my watch."
"Or mine," Genos nodded. "This establishment will be beneficial to show that monsters and humans may finally be able to work together peacefully at long last. We could even have heroic monsters. Possibly."
"Are you crazy?" Tank Top Black Hole looked at him funny.
"He's just being logical," Rendor chuckled. The hero just scratched at his head and found himself leaving the restaurant. A sigh of relief escaped them all, but they knew it was just a small battle that was won.
"It will be harder to convince the others. He was not that strong, but there are others that will be questionable," Genos said. "Master, we should speak to the Hero Association before anything else happens."
"First thing tomorrow..." Saitama said before turning to see a sleek, black car show up. "Huh. What's going on?"
A black haired man in a suit soon came out when the driver opened the door. Genos tilted his head and scanned the man walking in. Then he looked at Saitama and said, "He appears to be someone important..."
"You could say that. I help designate possible buildings to use for the Hero Association. I saw the new registration of this building, and I had to see for myself about the monsters here. They are...tame?" the man asked. There was a young woman in a business suit dress typing on a tablet to record the entire event.
"Tame? Oh, no. They are my family. They serve and do my bidding. It is kinship, love and respect for them to do as they do. They do not want to attack anyone anymore. If other monsters show up, I will see if they wish to do the same. To remember what it was like for them to be human again. If they don't wish to remember their past lives, then they will be destroyed," Mitsumi said calmly. "I am Mitsumi and this is my restaurant."
"Huh. Wasn't there a warehouse you had before?" the man frowned.
"Yes. In City Y. It was destroyed by those that were jealous that we succeeded where they failed. It's fine. They can have it," Zenchu snorted.
"I can vouch that all are friendly here," Genos said with a stern nod.
"Yeah. Like he said," Saitama nodded.
"I don't think I know you," the man said to Saitama.
"I don't care. I'm a hero for fun, anyways," Saitama shrugged. The man blinked at this, but a small assortment of food was given over in a gift basket by Kianna. That had the man in even further surprise.
"Please share this with your coworkers. I was thinking of supplying food to the Hero Association as a small tribute of good work," Mitsumi chuckled.
"And don't think that anything is poisoned," Zenchu smirked.
"I will smack you with my cane, young one!" Mitsumi warned to get him laughing at her. When the man was going to say more, Saitama looked at him with his usual blank stare.
"When do you plan to open to the public?" the man asked.
"If we get all of our equipment and setup done, likely by the end of the week," Rendor grunted out. "And that would include keeping from getting attacked by heroes that think we are out to hurt others."
"An unneeded distraction, but we understand why it would happen," Zenchu shrugged. "I'm grateful that we have the heroes here now that can vouch for us."
"Indeed," Genos nodded. "If you set up security cameras, I can have it patch into my main network to help watch over the restaurant."
"That would be amazing! Thank you," Kianna beamed at him.
"They will be secured," Zenchu nodded. "I know Inichi could always alert us, but our own form of visual feed would be good, too. As well as to have actual recordings of unlawful wrongdoing, as they say."
"There is another of you here?" the man asked.
"Yeah, in a sense. He's a very strong empathic monster and able to talk to us in our heads. He can do this with anyone if you let him. Much faster than a phone call," Zenchu grinned. "We can think back to him, too, so it's good for quick communications."
"Oh. Hmm. Well, we'll need a full list of who is here. Safety regulations," the man said. Saitama kept giving him a blank stare before he blinked his eyes.
"On a condition," Saitama said. "You will not see them as a form of prisoners in a line up with that list."
"Ah...I wasn't..." the man said with a look of surprise.
"Inichi is telepathic. He may not need to talk to you, but he can hear thoughts. And he told me exactly what you were thinking of just now," Saitama said with a small glare. "The listing will be like an employee roster. Not as a way to keep tags on them. Is that clear?"
"Look, I just want to make sure that people will be safe," the man started.
"Have we attacked you at all?" Rendor asked.
"Well...no..." the man said. His assistant looked up with a small bit of surprise at this, too.
"And you won't be," Kianna nodded. "If any of us start to feel an urge to do so, we will pull the troublesome one aside and take care of it. We will protect all innocents. If random monsters appear and we cannot make them see reason as we do, then we will destroy them. It is what always happens."
"And should any heroes insist that my family is bad, then we will just leave. And your association will lose a valuable resource," Mitsumi said. "We will not fight back or take such abuse."
"If we lose this place, it may just be best to find a quiet, unpopulated spot and build a home there," Zenchu muttered to Saitama.
"Hmm. If you do, let me know," the bald man nodded.
"Why?" Zenchu asked.
"Maybe retirement could be an option," Saitama shrugged.
"Or settling down...?" Zenchu grinned slightly.
"Shut up!" Saitama snapped to get the monster laughing at him. "It is not a date! No!"
"What is this?" Mitsumi asked with a small frown.
"Nothing for now," Zenchu chuckled and moved to stand over her protectively. Kianna just grinned in her wolfish way and crossed her arms over her lightly armored chest. Rendor gave his own low chuckle. He wouldn't mind an ultra-powerful hero being with Mitsumi in the slightest.
"We will all talk later," Saitama sighed and regarded the man again. "Anyways, are you done here?"
"Oh! Ah, yes. We'll be in touch," the important man nodded before turning to head out again. His assistant was still typing and snapping photos on her tablet while she turned to follow him.
"I will monitor for any live feeds," Genos said on watching the black car leave. "If there is anything that comes through, I will inform you, Master."
"That's fine," Saitama nodded. "I'd let Inichi know, too. The two of you could become our main lines for information."
"I will ask him to help in this. Ah. He will," Genos said with a small nod. "I will strongly request a form of a contract to be made. It can be filed away for safety both digitally and in a printed format. I can help work on that."
"That would be appreciated," Zenchu nodded.
"I was also thinking of the S class hero, Child Emperor. He may be able to help find a cure for the venom that invades Mitsumi. If her body still needs it, we may be able to find a way to flush it from her system. What do you think?" Genos asked. "I am trying to get various ways of resolution ready now."
"Thinking ahead. I like that," Zenchu mused aloud. "We'll see what happens should it come to that."
"We have preparations to complete. If any choose to work through the night, then that is fine. I will need to rest at sunset, though," Mitsumi said and began to slowly move her way into the kitchen. The sound of something screeching to a halt was heard outside the entry door, and Saitama was quick to turn and face whatever it was.
"Are there monsters here?!" a man in a green and brown jump suit with riding goggles asked when he got off his bike and charged into the main doorway.
"Oh. Satoru?" Saitama asked with a puzzled look.
"Saitama!" the bike rider gaped.
"Hey. Everything's fine. Monsters are here, but they're friendly. If they weren't, we wouldn't be talking as we are now. Right?" Saitama asked.
"Oh. So...but..." Satoru asked in a puzzled way.
"Mumen Rider? C class and first ranked. Why have you come?" Genos asked. "There are no attacks here."
"Demon Cyborg! Oh! Well...I guess..." the man said in a puzzled way.
"We want to become human again. So we help humans," Kianna said softly. "Some of us were changed by force. Lady Mitsumi helped us realize what we lost. Someone from your Hero Association was just here to check in on us. We should be made known soon."
"And, if we are bullied, then we will leave," Rendor nodded.
"No one is here to fight," Zenchu said when he walked back over. "If other monsters show up, we will question them. If they mock us and ignore us, then you all can kill them off. This place will be called Neutral Grounds. A true place for monsters and humans to work in peace together. I know. It boggles the mind, eh? But, that is our main goal here."
"Zenchu! I need you here!" Orotsu shouted out from the kitchen. Zenchu was quick to dart back into the kitchen and was soon escorting out a very fussy Mitsumi. She was starting to get in Orotsu's way, and he was doing his very best to keep her calm.
"Easy, Grandmother. Come. Sit down," Zenchu soothed her and sat her down to keep her calm.
"I was trying to help with the bean paste..." she fretted.
"I know. We have a new guest," he chuckled.
"Oh! Has he eaten yet? Make sure he eats," she ordered.
"Of course," Zenchu nodded.
"Full time job?" Saitama frowned.
"Yes. You see what I have to do now. If this crap is finally coming to an end, then I'm all for it!" Zenchu winced. "I don't want her to be old anymore."
"I know," Saitama said. Then he paused and looked at Satoru. "Oh. You heard that. You can keep a secret?"
"Well...will it hurt anyone?" Satoru asked.
"Only her," Zenchu said and was quick to distract Mitsumi with a small sewing craft that Kianna had purchased some time back. Saitama looked at Genos to nod and let him explain the intricate problem. After ten minutes, Satoru was in complete shock.
"So...she helps them find their lost human selves...and she gets poisoned with aging older and younger each day?! That's terrible!" Satoru exclaimed.
"We know. And we fear her mind is degrading with each snake bite now. We want to get rid of it, but we have to get this restaurant up first. If we fail, then we'll still be able to get rid of it. But...this is a dream of ours, too," Zenchu said calmly. "Her body gets racked with pain each time."
"What's going on?" Mitsumi frowned.
"Nothing at all. Oh, you missed a spot!" Zenchu said and pointed to a missing space for thread.
"I'll fix it later. I need to walk," she said and rose up with her cane.
"Ah..." Zenchu winced.
"I'll go with you both," Saitama said. "Genos, can you stay and help them?"
"Of course, Master," the cyborg nodded.
"Hmm..." Rendor mused. "I'll walk with you to start building a neutral presence. It may help?"
"Eh...well...if you walk next to Saitama, maybe," Zenchu thought aloud.
"If this place is themed with friendly monsters, then it may actually help. I'll ride my bike with you. In fact, if you could pass out small delicacies, then it would also work to show advertising for the restaurant," Satoru grinned.
"That is brilliant! I'll wear my sunglasses just in case, though. And my tail...there we go," Zenchu muttered and had his tail coil around his waist again. On walking out, they found a floating blue circle dissipate around a small pull cart that could be used to go in front like a stroller or behind for traditional pulling from how the arms were versatile. It was also filled with plush pillows and a side blanket to keep back the random chill. "Thank you, Inichi!"
"Okay. Looks like we get to stroll around town," Saitama sighed and watched Rendor gather up a plate of assorted treats. They all looked at each other to nod and continue out the door.