It was nearing dusk when the next form of activity was starting. Dinner was being prepared by Orotsu, Anno and Takeda. The restaurant was fully closed up, but Genos was very alarmed by one person trying to find a way to their apartment complex in City Z. Kamiko was just as disturbed, and she found herself comforting him in their apartment room. "That one called Hammerhead, is it? Why does he want to come here? Lady Mitsumi and Saitama aren't even here."
"I know. I am hoping that Inichi will suggest to him to wait until tomorrow when they will be back here. It does worry me," Genos admitted. "And I was just informed by Cold Snap that he is now at the front gate. I shall intervene."
"Oh…" Kamiko frowned. He kissed her and moved out of their room to swiftly head down the apartment stairs.
"You shouldn't be here," Grigos said while staying in the way. "Lady Mitsumi and Saitama aren't even here. They are in the penthouse suite of the new restaurant of Neutral Grounds for the night. If you want to meet with them, then they will be here tomorrow. If you insist to remain, then Saitama will come here and slap you into tomorrow."
"He totally would," Zenchu said when he shadow phased over.
"I'd pay money to see him do it," Garou said when he showed up. Lily was sitting with the others by the fire pit. Iwasaki was sitting with Flashy Flash to show everything was calm.
"I just wanna thank my employer personally," the tall, muscular, bald man said. He was wearing a basic t-shirt and pants outfit for now, but Grigos wasn't budging to let the man in.
"Come back tomorrow," Grigos said.
"But I'm here now! Ugh…" Hammerhead frowned. "You said they were at the restaurant hotel?"
"Ah…I wouldn't go disturbing them…" Zenchu said while biting back a laugh. Garou pursed his lips shut and glanced knowingly at his brother. "We totally need Metal Knight to set up a camera…"
"Yes. Yes we do," Garou quickly agreed. At the sight of Genos walking over, the monsters moved out of the way.
"Master Saitama will not allow you to see him at any point in time," Genos said. "You may recognize him as the one that destroyed the power suit you were in from the very beginning. He took offense that everyone was shaving themselves bald while under your command."
"My boss…is that guy…?!" Hammerhead gaped.
"Yes. He is in S class now. He will not be pleased if you approach him as he is comforting Miss Mitsumi, his wife. It is strongly advised that you wait until tomorrow. It has been suggested this to you already. I will not stop you from going to approach him there. Just remember. You may be stopped by us here. But then you have to deal with his pets there. I do hope that you will be able to work the next day if you try to get past them," Genos said with a knowing nod. That got Zenchu snickering hard with Garou's giggling form.
"What are his pets?" Hammerhead asked.
"Far less lenient than us here," Genos said with a small smile. Hammerhead paled at this. "We are telling you the ones you wish to thank are not here and to walk away peacefully. Their pets may think you are trying to attack them and retaliate with defensive measures if you try to continue with persistence."
"All I want to do is thank the guy that employed me. I've been struggling for a long time to get a good job. I'm just…I'm grateful," he said.
"And Master Saitama will hear you out when he is back here tomorrow," Genos nodded. The large man sighed with defeat and turned around to walk away.
"I am not going to pity him," Grigos snorted to get the others laughing.
"He is totally going to Neutral Grounds," Garou snickered.
"Oh, yes he is," Zenchu grinned wickedly.
"I have no doubts that he is. I shall inform Master Saitama," Genos said.
"Don't worry. Wind Crane already said something. Saitama's pissed," Zenchu said with a bit of laughter.
"I should become a fly on the wall…" Garou mused.
"I already installed a camera in the main hallway," Metal Knight said from his hovering robot that stood sentry at the complex entrance.
"Where's the television?!" Garou asked and sped off to tell the others. In the penthouse suite, Saitama was doing all he could to remain calm.
"If he comes into this hallway, I want him chased out. Period," Saitama said with a growl. "Why did we hire him again?!"
"He wants to show his gratitude. It's true that he should wait until tomorrow. I don't know why he wants to thank us now, but he also kept putting in applications for so long until we finally took the chance to accept him. I'm told he is a very hard worker and is proving himself to be a valuable asset," Mitsumi smiled. "However…"
"What?" he asked and found himself curious at her mischievous grin.
"I am a bit curious to see if he can get past the pets…" she mused. "And…"
"What?" he asked again with a grin of his own showing.
"I think the ones who made each floor should have a question for him on each elevator stop…" she grinned. Now Saitama was intrigued. "I want to know his drive and passion for what he does. He may think the elevator will come straight here. But I want each of my family that owns each floor to ask him a question. It can be simple or difficult. It doesn't need to be based on work, either. So, based on his answer, the decision will be to let him leave or continue on."
"So…the elevator stops on each floor…he gets asked a question," Saitama mused. "If the answer is stupid, he goes home."
"Yes," she grinned and got kissed heavily.
"Can we also do small challenges? Like have the guy stand there perfectly still in the midst of chaos? Like static cling?" Bright Bolt asked.
"Yes!" Saitama said to get the pets snickering eagerly. "And he has to answer a question while undergoing said irritating punishment!"
"Ohhh…." Stable Rock snickered darkly.
"It is being insisted for camera viewing. We shall have one installed in the elevator. Metal Knight can keep the elevator doors opened for as long as needed," Tangled Vine chuckled. "Blue Ripple would be up first."
"That I would be," the strong water monster snorted. "I shall be in my human form for it. I do not want to use my true form unless Mitsumi is with me. As her brother, I will not be so passive. And I will stand before the elevator entrance to see if he can even get to them."
"Cold Snap can move us around as needed," Tangled Vine said.
"Hmm…" Stable Rock grunted and looked at Blue Ripple.
"I guess it's time," the water monster snorted with disgust. He purred at Mitsumi's gentle caress to his neck, and he licked her cheek to get her giggling.
"Let me know how it goes? I know we'll be watching through cameras, but some things cameras can't catch," she smiled and laughed at the purring nuzzle he gave her. Cold Snap's teleporting blue speck quickly sent him to the first floor, and he shifted into his human form to wait. He didn't have to wait long.
"I should just wait until tomorrow! I mean…why do I even do this?!" Hammerhead grimaced. When he stepped into the first floor of the hotel, he was in awe of the water theme before him. He even paused to admire the massive fountain when he approached the elevator. Then he paused in shock at seeing Blue Ripple standing in front of him with his massive arms crossed over his chest. He was in the way of the elevator to evaluate him.
"It was decided to have us ask you a specific question on every floor. And you will be highly uncomfortable while we ask it to force you to think quickly," Blue Ripple smirked. "There are ten floors in this building. The ones you want to meet are on the 10th floor, but each floor below the final floor is specifically themed with an element from one of us. This means there are nine questions and nine challenges while you answer them.
"The 9th floor may be the most difficult as it's a combined elemental theme from all of the ones you will meet here today. Including myself. There may even be a challenge on the 10th floor, too, just so you know. We are pets in other forms, but family in human form. And you will see most of us to show what elemental feature you will be up against. You really should leave and just wait until tomorrow. It's that simple."
"I am always up for a challenge!" Hammerhead bragged.
"Doing dishes in a fast-paced restaurant isn't enough of a challenge?" Blue Ripple asked with mild confusion.
"That's my job! And I appreciate it very much," the bald man nodded.
"You're welcome. I'll tell Saitama how much you appreciate it. You can leave now," the powerful water monster said.
"No! I need to tell him myself!"
"Why? You can do that tomorrow…"
"I'm here now. I'll just…do it now! And show I'm the best damned employee he's ever had!" Hammerhead said boldly. Blue Ripple smirked and focused lightly. Now the humidity in the air began to saturate into the man's clothing. "Ah…what are you…?!"
"It's a distraction for the question I am going to ask you. What makes you feel like a valued employee of Neutral Grounds?" Blue Ripple asked.
"I, ah, work very hard! And I'm always on time! And…and I always listen to orders while I work!" Hammerhead said while shaking the excess water off constantly. Blue Ripple tilted his head with amusement.
"It's true you listen only while working…" he smirked. "But…elaborate on why you feel valued."
"I make sure every dish is sparkling clean the moment it comes through the dishwasher line!" Hammerhead said valiantly.
"Hmm. Not really what I was looking for. But I suppose it will do. You may continue to the next floor," Blue Ripple said. He vanished away in Cold Snap's spark. The whole time this was happening, Zenchu was dying with laughter with Wind Crane and the children on what they were watching on their television screen. Everyone was watching with intense mirth and fascination that this man refused to see a simple way out.
"Eh…" Saitama grimaced at what he watched on the screen. "I would have told him to go home."
"What would your answer be?" Mitsumi grinned.
"I'm married to the owner and keep her happy," he grinned back and kissed her passionately. "She is above value to me."
"As you are to me," she giggled softly and watched Tangled Vine get transported out. Blue Ripple was in his natural form and contentedly snuggled against Mitsumi's side again. He turned his muzzle to the screen and purred at the scratching she gave under his chin.
"I should just be able to go to the top floor…" Hammerhead grumbled and blinked when the elevator automatically took him to the second floor with Metal Knight's instructions. He found himself blinking at the exotic rainforest scenery. Then he paused at the sight of Tangled Vine in his pet form.
"I chose to not become human for this," the strong plant monster smirked. He focused for an elegant tree to sprout from the ground to jump into and recline on a branch. "There is no need for you to leave the elevator, too. Now…I need to make you…uncomfortable…"
"You're one of the pets?" Hammerhead frowned. Then he freaked at the vines that leapt from the ground to curl around him to slowly constrict.
"Yes…" Tangled Vine snickered and blinked his glowing emerald green eyes. "As for my question. Listen closely now!"
"Urgh!" the man struggled.
"What did you first think of Saitama when you first saw him?" he asked.
"What do you mean?!" the man growled and fought the vines.
"You heard me exactly," Tangled Vine mused in his wheezing tone and let the vines constrict a touch harder. "This isn't meant to be easy. You were warned plenty of times in advance. Answer my question."
"He was a tiny man! A tiny bald man! In a weird cape costume thing!" Hammerhead finally muscled out. "There was no way he could have taken me out! But then he did! With a single punch he destroyed the suit of power armor! It was supposed to be indestructible!"
"Fascinating. And to think that 'tiny bald man' is now your boss and able to slap you into the middle of the ocean. I'll let you pass through just to watch him do that as your reward," Tangled Vine gave a toothy grin. The vines pulled away, and the plant monster was transported back to the penthouse suite. Before the man could regain himself, the elevator doors had already closed.
"Tiny man?! Tiny bald man?!" Saitama fumed with a heavy growl of spite.
"Hey. You are the perfect size for me. And you know that you being bald is my favorite part," Mitsumi said with a wicked gleam in her eye. Her husband looked at her and found himself cracking a small grin. "Your body is absolutely perfect for your stature. It always drives me wild!"
"Does it?" he asked and let her trace a finger down his chest.
"My adorable pets need to move for a little bit…" she chuckled and let him rise up to kiss her in a hungry way.
"Who…?" he started and growled when she sat up on him.
"Wind Crane Clan Mother…" she muttered in his ear to get him snickering.
"Totally watching her own him…" he grinned and pulled her down on him. She shouted with him before reclining back in the treasure bed. He looked at the screen just as the elevator doors began to open. The pets returned to the bed to watch with eager anticipation.
"Um…" Hammerhead started and winced at the sudden wind shear that tore into the elevator. He got shoved back away from the doors, and he had to wipe away tears from his eyes just to see who was standing in front of him.
"You are the one that wishes to see my daughter and her husband?" Wind Crane mused. She was standing tall and glaring down at him with her bright blue-eyed gaze. "We hired you due to your persistence. I didn't realize persistence in the form of sound reason also does not penetrate through a thick skull."
"Runs in the family…!" he grimaced and found the wind forcing him into the back wall of the elevator. He could barely move much less look around.
"Amusing," she muttered. "Anyways, I suppose I need to ask you a question. Are you always this dense?"
"When I put my mind to something…I have to see it through!" he grounded out. "Even if I ask myself why…I still have to!"
"Unless you are beaten half to death. Interesting," Wind Crane mused at what she gleaned in his mind. "So if I beat you up half to death…you might just see some reason. However, that is not why I'm here. You answered my question. And I'm curious how far you'll get. Proceed."
She waved her hand for the wind to finally release him. He fell to his knees when the elevator closed. He was coughing a bit, but then he saw the elevator doors open to the fourth floor. And he gaped at the sight of Fire Flight glaring at him with her glowing red eyes.
"Hello there…" she growled. She decided to not be in her human form for this. Her massive snake body was coiled as though ready to strike. Her feathered wings were folded behind her in a menacing pose, and her clawed hands opened and closed constantly to show she was ready to kill.
"Ah…um…hi…?" he winced. Then he squealed when the elevator started to heat up to insane degrees.
"Be glad all you need to do is answer a question from me. I do not have to waste my strength to burn you into a charred out crisp of flesh," she hissed and flicked out her white forked tongue.
"You're…also a pet…?!" he gaped.
"Yes. A GOD monster of fire," she snickered.
"He has…ah…" he started to pant from the intense heat.
"We are all practically GOD monsters. Save a few. Anyways…here is my question. If you were out alone on a deserted island…what would be the first thing you would do?" she crooned out and rose up the heat a bit more.
"Shelter!" he answered with a small shout. "Lots of shelter! And then food! Gotta look for food! Then make a fire!"
"A fire?" Fire Flight snickered and snorted a small flame to make him panic. "Well, you did answer. And building a shelter first is definitely the best answer. You may continue. For now."
"Thanks!" Hammerhead said and gasped with relief when the heat dissipated. Saitama was watching the whole thing still, and he was perplexed.
"What is it?" Mitsumi asked and fed him a grape.
"I wouldn't have bothered with shelter. I'd go for food. Then maybe make a bed. Dunno if I'd have bothered making a house…" he mused.
"I would have needed a shelter," she smiled.
"Of course! Only the best for my wonderful wife!" he nodded and grinned at her blush. He watched the elevator move to the fifth floor. And he grinned to see Zenchu there with Starlight waiting for Hammerhead.
"You had to come with me, Dad?" Starlight mused. She already appeared to be a teenager, and her back was lightly starting to puff out for her developing wings. She was wearing a prismatic dress for now, and her quill-like hair was already nearing the floor to lightly sweep it as she walked. Zenchu looked down at her to rest a protective hand on her shoulder. She came up to just over his hips now to show how much she had grown in such a short time.
"That I did," Zenchu nodded and smirked at Hammerhead. "This is the floor symbolizing dreams. My daughter holds the element of dreams. She will ask you a question and see if you can focus on it."
"Dreams…?" Hammerhead frowned. Starlight grinned and focused her silvery white eyes to fill his head with dazzling images.
"My question is this. What will be the first thing you think of when you see my sister?" Starlight asked. Hammerhead could barely focus on the question from the images that kept hitting his mind.
"Um…I don't know…? I don't think I've ever met her…" he said.
"Hmm. Give him an image of Lady Mitsumi," Zenchu said. Starlight nodded and brought up an image of her with Saitama.
"Wow! She's…wow! Is she single?!" Hammerhead beamed.
"Nope. She's married to Saitama. The guy you work for. And now I will allow you to pass so he can slap you," Zenchu grinned.
"Dad! I have to allow him to pass! And I don't think he should," Starlight frowned. "He's already thinking of how to steal her away. I won't let that happen. Ever. He should leave."
"You also forgot that she has my fans," Zenchu said calmly. "I already have them lining the last hallway with the others."
"Hmm…" Starlight frowned hard with indecision. Then she removed the visions from the man's mind. He looked at her with sudden recollection. "My sister will shred you to pieces if you touch her. And I'm not letting you go any further. You will go back three floors."
"What?!" Hammerhead gaped.
"Sorry. But I'm horribly protective over my sister," she said. Then Wind Crane appeared in her teleport of wind.
"My daughter," Wind Crane chuckled. "Zenchu, go to the other children."
"Right," Zenchu sighed. He did get kissed, though, and Cold Snap sent him off. Now Wind Crane narrowed her eyes, but she softened her gaze at her daughter. Starlight was shaking her head.
"I know, my dear. But this one is…much like your father. He won't learn unless it's the hard way," Wind Crane snickered. "He's that dense. He admitted it. It runs in the family."
"Oh…" Starlight blinked. Then she laughed when it was reported that Zenchu clearly wasn't happy about that.
"Let him go up a floor. You know who is after you," Wind Crane nodded.
"Fine. But I will request a zapping!" Starlight nodded. Then she grinned and let the elevator doors close. Everyone watching was dying with laughter now. In the penthouse suite, Saitama was fuming. The only thing keeping him from confronting Hammerhead was how Mitsumi was highly amused at what their family and pets were doing.
"I get to zap! With massive static! Make sure to watch!" Bright Bolt said with excitement. Cold Snap sent him off and everyone was glued to their screens.
"I want him to make that guy's teeth grind," Saitama muttered.
"He will…do…that…in time…" Stable Rock snickered. Saitama grumbled and watched the screen again with his wife. When the elevator doors opened on the 6th floor, Hammerhead found himself staring at Bright Bolt's small, horse-like body. He was a bit confused.
"Um…?" he started.
"Hi. I'm their pet like this. Maybe I should ask you my question as a human to show I'm family. Yeah. I can do that," Bright Bolt thought out loud. He blinked his glowing electric blue eyes to let a bolt of electrical discharge surround him. Then he stood up in his human form and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm sure you figured out what element I mainly control just by me doing that. Anyways…question time! And to make you uncomfortable…"
"Can we skip that part?" Hammerhead grimaced. Then he started to feel the static cling zap at him. "Ow! This is…really?"
"Hey! I ask the question. Not you," Bright Bolt grinned wickedly. "Okay. I actually have a two part question. Here's the first part. What was your prior job before working at Neutral Grounds?"
"Ah…I just did…anything really. From garbage disposal to retail. I never really had an exact profession," Hammerhead said and cringed at another harder zap. Starlight was beaming from where she watched with her parents that Hammerhead was getting constant zaps from the static. She sent a message to Bright Bolt to have one hard zap before the elevators closed.
"Hmm. I see. My second question to the first one is this. What made you leave your prior job?" Bright Bolt asked. He was genuinely curious.
"I was told I wasn't good enough. Or it was a temporary position. One business even shut down because it wasn't doing well enough. I never quit a job. Just…unforeseen circumstances," the man frowned.
"Okay. Your answers are surprisingly reasonable. You may pass," Bright Bolt nodded. Right before the elevator doors closed, though, the man was heard swearing loudly at the massive zap done to him when the static left. That got everyone watching dying with laughter all over again.
"He had the same issues I did," Saitama frowned.
"When it came to a job?" Mitsumi asked.
"Yeah. It just…sucked all over. I'm sure we could give everyone jobs, but then we'd have to pay them all, too. Not much else to say," he shrugged.
"That's why we will open other places of business. We will help contribute back to society to show we mean well," she smiled and snuggled into him. He nodded at that and watched the elevator open to the 7th floor. Cold Snap was already waiting in his ice monster form, and Hammerhead looked down at him with a bit of surprise.
"Hi. You want to meet Mom and Dad. I'm their adopted son," Cold Snap said with a small nod.
"Why do you look like you're made of ice? Wait…ah…!" Hammerhead gaped. Now Cold Snap grinned a bit wickedly.
"Yep! That's my element! So…let's start this and get a question answered," he smirked. Hammerhead found his feet encased in blocks of ice. "That will creep up every time you delay your answer. And this is my question…"
"Ah!" Hammerhead freaked out and realized his feet were fully frozen to the base of the elevator floor.
"You were asked about what you thought of Mom. You asked if she was single and fully shot down. If you saw her in front of you right now…what would be the first thing you'd say to her?" Cold Snap asked and sat on a block of ice in the form of a chair. Hammerhead looked at him oddly. Then he blinked that the ice was slowly creeping up his ankles to show he was on a timer.
"No!" he squealed and started to struggle. Now the ice climbed up faster to his calves. "Make it stop!"
"Answer. My. Question. It's that simple. You answer and the ice stops," Cold Snap said with a wicked grin.
"I was acting on a whim! With distractions! I mean…yeah, she appears to look very pretty. But I honestly don't know how I'd be if I met her face to face. Okay?! I know she's married. But even guys like me can get thoughts on other things depending on the situation. There! Answered!" he said while trying not to panic. Cold Snap frowned and let the ice move up to his hips. "Hey!"
"I'm not convinced…" Cold Snap said. "Hmm…"
"Oh, come on!" Hammerhead pleaded.
"I guess I'll accept the answer. Just hope that the next one is far more lenient than me. But I doubt he will be," Cold Snap said. "You'll find out what he works with shortly."
"Okay!" Hammerhead squeaked when the ice moved up to his chest. Cold Snap snapped his fingers for the ice to disappear. Then the elevator doors closed. The laughter was nonstop through the entire process all over. Mitsumi was in absolute tears of laughter and Saitama was amused at the whole thing.
"My…turn…" Stable Rock snorted. He got teleported out, and Saitama watched the screen with intense scrutiny.
"Two more floors…I mean…what the hell is up with this place?! I know monsters and heroes work here…with people…but GOD monsters of all things?! But I can do this! I know I can do this!" Hammerhead muttered out to himself. When the elevator doors opened, he found himself staring up at Stable Rock's human form. The staff of solid gold and diamonds was standing next to him, and the powerful earth monster was highly perplexed.
"You are the one that wishes to meet the owners of this establishment? My little sister and her husband?" he asked. "And these questions do not count."
"Darned! But, well, yes…" Hammerhead said.
"Intriguing. I am the oldest of all here. You will need to fully impress me with your answer. So…here is my question. And, depending on your answer, will be the punishment. I'm not like the others. I prefer to give a fair chance. Why do you call yourself…Hammerhead…?" Stable Rock asked carefully.
"It's…it just made the most sense. Because I have a thick skull," he said. The powerful earth monster looked at him funny. "Seriously! It honestly runs in the family! I can get knocked over on the head and be perfectly fine. So…hammers are known to be dense, heavy tools. It…made sense to me…"
"I would like to test the theory," Stable Rock grinned slightly and pointed up at the ceiling. Hammerhead looked up and gaped at the sight of the hovering rock over him. He screamed and curled down into a little ball.
"I have a thick skull! Not that thick!" he pleaded. Stable Rock already knew that everyone watching was in complete peals of laughter.
"So…you're lying…?" Stable Rock asked. Before Hammerhead could say anything more, the rock fell on him and shattered due to it being hollow. It would have easily knocked out any normal person, but Hammerhead, true to his word, was unfazed. To a point.
"Ow! That…wasn't a rock…?" he asked. He felt lightly dazed, but he recovered quickly to slowly stand back up.
"It was a rock. It was hollow to not do too much damage. It would have knocked out any normal person. Yet you stand to show you were speaking the truth. Only Saitama would have done the same. And that would have even been with a solid rock. Come to think of it, he likely wouldn't have even felt it hit him. Very well. You may go to the next floor," Stable Rock nodded. He removed all of the rock parts and dirt from the elevator. The doors closed and left the man standing there with complete bewilderment.
"Stable Rock was right. I wouldn't have felt a thing. And that guy still said 'ow'. So he still felt himself get hit. He sucks," Saitama nodded. Mitsumi was still trying to recover from laughter. "Damn. He's a floor away from us. Floor below is multi-elements. Hmm…"
"What are you thinking of?" Blue Ripple asked.
"All main pets. Go see him. Ask a question. This includes my dog. Go," Saitama said with a narrowed glare at the screen.
"Dad!" Fumio said outside the door.
"Oh?" Saitama blinked and covered up with a golden sheet. Mitsumi was nestled with him, and Fumio was let in.
"Tareo is gonna wait in my room to watch. But I had an idea for the floor under us. I wanna ride down to the bottom floor to get a snack. With Black Sperm, Overgrown Rover and Scritch. That guy has to keep himself from running out of the elevator and ride back up the elevator with the pets. Because…you know…dog farts," Fumio grinned. "Cold Snap can bring me back up here so the ride back is just those three pets. And then you can meet with him on this floor."
"That…is…AWESOME! Yes! Change of plans! Do it!" Saitama grinned while Mitsumi started up laughing like mad all over again. The powerful pets were laughing and snickering like crazy. Overgrown Rover and Scritch jumped off the bed to obediently go with Fumio. Black Sperm was waiting by the elevator on the 9th floor, and Cold Snap ensured the group was together.
"Ah…" Hammerhead blinked at the sight of the brown haired, green eyed boy. "Are you a monster?"
"I was! I'm cured of that. I'm here because I need the elevator to go down to the first floor for a snack. I brought three pets with me, too. You can stay in the elevator. It will come back up to the 10th floor after I get off it. So don't worry. But the pets might stay with you. They like elevator rides," Fumio chuckled. "I'm not here to ask challenging questions. This floor is for lots of elements, so I decided you can catch a break with me. Just ride down and then back up. Like a small breather, in a way."
"Oh. Thanks," Hammerhead blinked and made way for him and the pets. "Say. Aren't you one of the photos on the wall? I think I saw that."
"Yep! I was the fish monster," Fumio nodded. He sat on the ground of the elevator after Black Sperm pressed for the main floor. The pets clamored into his lap to snuggle down. "Why do you want to meet with Mom and Dad so much? Also, I'm adopted by them. Just so you know."
"Oh! Well, I really want to thank them for hiring me. It's just so difficult to secure a job now! And I know…I should wait until tomorrow. But…I just can't! That's why I'm here. To show that I'll do anything I can to prove to them that I have what it takes!" the man said adamantly. Then he paused. "What…is that…?"
"What's what?" Fumio asked with a curious look.
"Did something just…up and die in here?!" he gaped and covered his nose.
"Oh! Rover? Did you let one go?" Fumio asked the monster dog. It whined, rolled onto its back and waved a back leg. "Aww! You're tummy hurts? Wait a minute. Oh no. Just…try and hold them in?"
It huffed at him and grumbled. Black Sperm said, "Ate too much."
"I was hoping to give you a break! A bit of a breather! Not like this! Oh, man…I'm sorry…" Fumio sighed and ran a hand over his face. He was hiding his laughter from how the large man was severely suffering now. He also knew that everyone watching was likely in tears all over again.
"You can't smell that?!" Hammerhead asked.
"Nope. I'm immune on being adopted. It's odd, but it is what it is," Fumio shrugged. Scritch chittered and tilted its head at the large man. Then it crooned at the back scratching it got. "I mean, when the elevator opens you can get out…"
"No! If I do…I'll lose my chance! I'll be fine…" the man started and gagged at another round of stench.
"Poor doggy," Fumio frowned and lifted up the tiny monster dog in his arms. Overgrown Rover yawned with contentment, blinked all six eyes and made a rather audible noise. That got Hammerhead to panic even more. Now Fumio said, "You had to do that while I'm holding you?!"
It huffed and licked his cheek happily. When the doors opened on the first floor, Fumio got up for the pets to sit down and wait. Hammerhead said, "Leave the doors open! Please!"
"I'll try! Ah!" Fumio said with shock when the doors closed the moment he got out. Now the elevator was moving to the 10th floor after Black Sperm pressed the button. And the whole time, the pets were staring at Hammerhead as though daring him to try something. Overgrown Rover tilted its head and made another audible sound.
"Gah! Stop! Please! I beg of you!" the man said on his hands and knees in submission. The monster dog growled savagely to make the man cringe.
"Almost there. You'll live," Black Sperm grinned. Scritch gave a small hiss and reared up to show it would attack if provoked. Overgrown Rover blinked all six lightly glowing, ruby red eyes and let another bomb free. Hammerhead was in tears and doing everything he could to breathe out of his mouth now.
Five torturing minutes later from the elevator moving at a crawling pace had him jumping out onto the 10th floor. He was gagging and gasping for air the whole time. He looked up and paused at the sight of all the fan sets split and lining the way to the penthouse door. They were also hiding the mass amount of wealth on each side of the narrow floor strip.
"Craaaap…he made it…" Saitama droned out. Mitsumi was already picking out a shorts and top outfit to wear. He groaned and got tossed a set of briefs and shorts to put on. "Yeah, yeah…"
"Come," she smiled. He rolled his eyes, but he nodded all the same.
"We were not supposed to be disturbed today…" he sighed.
"I know," she frowned and ran a hand over his chiseled chest. "We'll go back to bed after he leaves."
"Ugh…" he grimaced. "Fine."
He opened the door to see his pets sitting obediently in front of it. His other pets moved to line the hallway in their natural forms. Mitsumi gazed down at the recovering man, picked up Overgrown Rover and said, "Aww! My poor, sweet puppy! Was your tummy hurting you again? You poor thing!"
It whined and snuggled into her happily. Then it looked at Saitama and licked his nose. That got the bald hero to say, "Don't you start that!"
It huffed at him and got the strong pets laughing. Tangled Vine leapt up to Mitsumi's shoulders gracefully and snuggled into her with a heavy purr. Blue Ripple leaned up to get a caress under his muzzle before turning his milk-white gaze on the man before them.
"Stupid…" Stable Rock snorted. The he swooned at the head scratches Saitama gave him. Bright Bolt got butt scratches to make him happy.
"Okay. You're here. I don't know why, but you're here. What do you want?" Saitama asked and squeezed his wife close.
"Ah…yes! Right!" Hammerhead said when he recollected himself. "I wanted to deeply thank you both for hiring me!"
"You couldn't have told us this tomorrow…?" Saitama asked with boredom.
"I know! I should have waited…but I couldn't! It was too important!" the grateful man said while on his knees in a bowing position.
"That's very thoughtful of you," Mitsumi nodded. "Do you work tomorrow?"
"Ah…yes…" Hammerhead said with a nod.
"Good! We may stop in for breakfast. I hope you sleep well," she smiled.
"Yes. Of course. You too!" Hammerhead said and finally looked up at them. Then he paused at the sheer beauty that Mitsumi had. And he paled at the red haze that came off Saitama's body.
"Stop that," Mitsumi said and poked her husband's chest.
"Hmm…" Saitama said with a small frown. "Yeah. Good job reaching us. You can go home now."
"Can I disciple under you?!" Hammerhead suddenly blurted out.
"Are you crazy?!" Saitama snapped out to get Mitsumi dying with laughter. "No! No! I won't accept it!"
"He'd have to fight Zenchu…" she grinned.
"He just survived a building of my pets and family. And my dog's gas. He might make it past Zenchu. No!" Saitama scowled.
"Run him through your track first?" she asked.
"Ah…hmm…like the other one…" Saitama paused in thought.
"Tomorrow, of course," she nodded. He groaned and rested his head against her neck. He was clearly not happy.
"I'd have him totally fight me!" Bright Bolt snickered.
"No, no. That's Zenchu's job. Unless he says okay. But you might zap too hard. That's…not really a bad thing…" Saitama mused.
"Really?" Mitsumi frowned.
"I already have three under me. Three! That's three too many!" Saitama said. When Hammerhead cleared his throat, Saitama quickly said, "Not yet! I'm talking to my wife. Wait."
"Oh…" Hammerhead frowned.
"Darling, he clearly has potential. And he's already working in the restaurant. I think he can benefit from this," Mitsumi soothed.
"It might help him focus and see reason," Tangled Vine mused.
"Hmm…make…less…stupid…?" Stable Rock snickered.
"I can still zap him in to shape. I'm not above that," Bright Bolt grunted.
"Clones help," Black Sperm nodded.
"You see? Even the pets agree," Mitsumi smiled. Overgrown Rover huffed and snuggled into them both. Scritch chittered and curled up around their legs.
"Not you all, too!" he groaned. "I just…fine. Screw it. You. You want to be my disciple? Show up tomorrow at the apartment complex. Around noon. Or after your shift is over. No sooner. No later. Don't mess this up. If you do, I won't consider you. Go home now."
"Oh! Thank you! I promise, I'll show up tomorrow when my shift is done!" Hammerhead said gratefully.
"And, eh…my dog will escort you down in the elevator," Saitama said. Mitsumi coughed and snickered loudly when the monster dog huffed. It jumped out of her arms and trotted straight into the elevator. Then it sat down to wait expectantly. Hammerhead's jaw dropped.
"Can I take the stairs?!" he begged. That got Mitsumi dying with laughter and forced Saitama to hold her close.
"Nope. Consider this a final test of faith. The elevator will move normally. It's just a smell, anyways. I can't smell it," Saitama shrugged. Hammerhead hid his face in his palm and seemed to whimper before turning to go into the waiting elevator. Right before the doors closed, Overgrown Rover let out a rather audible, reverberating sound to get both Saitama and Mitsumi in tears of laughter. They waited for the elevator to come back to let the monster dog jump into their arms to snuggle happily into them.
"That….was just…wow…" Mitsumi had to gasp out while being led back to the bed. The live chat was buzzing with laughter and commentary now.
"Zenchu. He said he wanted to be my disciple. I said no. Everyone else said why not. So, you get fight him. After he runs through my track," Saitama said in the microphone feed.
"Oh, trust me. I definitely will. And, if Bright Bolt wants to add a flavor of distraction…we'll see," Zenchu chuckled.
"Totally doing it!" Bright Bolt snickered.
"Okay…checking the game…ah, when's dinner?" Saitama asked.
"Being prepared now," Orotsu said. As they continued to go about their night, Hammerhead was taking in deep breaths of fresh air. Then he nodded to himself. I'll work hard tomorrow and show up at the complex. I'll make everyone proud! Just watch me!