I relocated to the business section of Z-City after my son and grandson died from an explosion in B-City. Here, I started a small udon business named Tomabechi's Udon, the same name I inherited from my father. My son inherited it, and the tradition would've continued to pass down to the next generation after my grandson if they didn't die.

Sadly, it's just me running the business. I have everything I need and I'm quick enough to do it all alone, but sometimes, I wish death would have come for me instead of the rest of my family that I had left. I think about slitting my throat all the time, and I even have the katana that I inherited from my father in the food stall.

Sometimes, I feel like I've failed my father—I failed to continue our family even though I had nothing to do with it. Now, as an old man, all I can think about is grabbing that katana and cutting my stomach open or slitting my throat…

…

"RUN AWAY, IT'S A MONSTER!" Someone on the street had screamed.

Only for a moment, I look up to really try and figure out what's going on, but that's only after I've served my customer his meal. When I look up, I only see a man running away—nothing else.

I turn my attention back at my customer who's slurping his udon.

"I don't think it's much. People like that yell monster all the time—just assholes trying to get enough. Until a real monster shows up, I'm not buying it…" The man said, eating the udon.

After he had spoken, I was in the back preparing to make more entries.

By the time I came back to the front, my customer was nearly done with his meal. He took about five more minutes to finish and, instead of leaving the bowl, bowing, and leaving, he decided to hand it to me instead.

"You have the best Udon in Z-City, no kidding. I'm coming back some time." The man said as he paid for the meal and gave me a tip on the side.

I saw him walk out in the middle of the street, look both ways, then decide to keep on walking.

I was now more interested in looking for other potential customers that might come by, given the fact that I too didn't believe there was a monster coming—until I looked up again and saw another man fall to the ground—his entire head missing.

Scared for my life, I quickly go to the back of the restaurant to go get my clan katana, only to hear a loud bang.

With the katana, I rush to the front of the store and see a young man with brunette hair wearing a blue jumpsuit standing over a monster, barely sweating. Confused, I slowly went out of my food stall and approached the man who helped me.

"You did this?" I asked.

The man didn't say anything. Only stared at the monster he had just killed and turned around to leave. I stopped him.

"Please, have some of my Udon. It's the least I could do for your generosity. What's your name?" I ask.

The man looks at me, his face filled with a sense of joy and accomplishment.

"Saitama."

"Tomabechi. Nice to meet you."

…

(EVENING)

Saitama was an interesting young man. The way he casually carried himself felt off to me. It was almost too weird, and he always looked roughed up due to fighting monsters.

He felt so safe and at home in an environment where others would question if they're going to live another day.

When I gave him my Udon he was hesitant at first, but then, he devoured it, even more quickly than the recent customer I had.

"I see. So, how does it taste? Give me something out of ten." I ask.

"12/10! This is amazing. I think I'm going to come back."

"Come back in a week or…"

"Like tomorrow!...Wait, I'm pretty broke. Umm…yeah, maybe next week."

"Oh, please. Keep killing monsters around here and I'll make you a fresh dish like that free of charge." I replied.

Saitama looked up, his eyes glowing.

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Sweet. Although, I'll probably be coming more in the afternoons or evenings, because I train in the morning." Saitama replied.

Training? That would explain why he's so fit, and the monster he killed.

"What kind of training do you do? I've heard rumors of other people like you killing monsters for a living. Is there a secret or…"

"No. I just do 100 sets of everything really. I feel like 100 is a good number. It's wholesome."

"Ah, I see. And…how many monsters have you fought so far?"

"Less than I thought I'd fight, but I train really hard, so that when the time comes, I'll be more than ready to win."

Saitama got up. He bowed and was about to leave until he saw my clan katana.

"That's pretty cool." He said.

"You mean my clan's defense? Thank you."
"Is that a picture of your son next to it?"

"It's complicated."

"Oh, alright. Well, see you later." Saitama said.

Just like that, he was gone.

…

Saitama came back the next day and ate more of my Udon during the afternoon—there was no monster. We talked a little, not too much, but just enough to get me thinking about how much he really resembled my son: his features, his character, his sense of confidence. Every time I looked at Saitama I couldn't stop thinking of the last time I looked at my son, then, I would glance at the katana.

That day was hell and heaven for me.

The next day, I was off, so Saitama didn't even bother to stop by. Nonetheless, I spent my time taking walks near the park next to a small beach, thinking about the concept of death.

What was death…really? Would I like to find out sooner? I'm old, and it's only a matter of time before my bones start giving up on me, and all I'm going to be living off of is the money that I got from my son's death (his wife died giving birth to my grandson; our family tree stops with me now).

I continue to walk until these thoughts consume me, then, I start walking faster. I'm headed to the end of the park, where I can almost see the ocean so clearly now. All I'm thinking of is jumping off…closing my eyes until I eventually drown.

I'm actually doing it: putting my hands on the ice cold metal railings and preparing to end it all, until I was forced to come to a halt. I turned around and saw Saitama staring at me.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

I act like I had no motives, but he clearly sees right through me. He puts his hands on my shoulders.

"You can't die on me. I need your Udon. It makes the rest of my day better. Please don't kill yourself." He said.

I lower my head in embarrassment, and I feel tears going down my face.

"Alright. I won't." I say.

…

On the walk back, I tell Saitama everything: how I've been feeling about my current situation and what happened to my son and grandson. Saitama seemed to take it all in as if it were nothing. I'm glad I'm able to talk to him.

"Do you visit their funeral often?" He asks as I open the food stall and go on the other side.

"No, I don't. I can't stand the idea of going, and you remind me so much of him that it's frightening."

"How come?"

"Almost everything. Well, except your taste in food. He didn't like Udon that much."

"Ah, I see." Saitama said.

I look down and think about saying nothing. Saitama just stares at me, his eyes saying: I'm hungry, could you please make me some more Udon?

"I don't think you should commit suicide, old man."

"You say it so plainly as if it were that simple for me not to. I know you love my food, but I don't see the point of me being alive anymore."

"That's not true. I didn't think I was any use to anyone and thought about killing myself too, but on the verge of death, I found something inside of me that I couldn't put into words: maybe it was an inspiration or a burning passion, but whatever it was, it kept me alive. You need to find that for yourself, and follow it no matter what happens. I think your son would've said the same." Saitama said.

For another thirty seconds, I don't say anything. I reflect on all I've been through over the past months, then, push it all to the side.

"You're right. I don't know what got into me…maybe I would've jumped. Saitama…you're an extraordinary young man, don't let anyone tell you differently." I say with a tone of feeling alive.

I quickly put on my apron and hat: it was time to get to work. I get out all the ingredients I need to make Udon. While I'm doing that, I spot Saitama raising his eyebrows.

"I thought you were closed today?" He said.

I close my eyes and smile.

"Well, now, today's the exception. Because of you, I feel more motivated to keep fighting. Whatever happens, I won't surrender my inner will. Thank you, Saitama." I say.

"Uh…you're welcome."

I quickly fix both of us some Udon and we sit together and eat, conversing about a multitude of topics. I've never been this happy in a while.

…

AFTER SAITAMA MET GENOS

Saitama and Genos stand outside a filthy street. Saitama stares at the walls and says nothing until he sighs.
"He used to be right here…I think. I forgot his name, but that old man made some pretty good Udon. Sadly, he died of a sickness of some sort. I don't know, my memory is pretty vague. It wasn't that long ago but it felt like it was."

"Hmm…that's interesting. Well, we still have to locate The House of Evolution, Master. Should we continue running or…"

"Yeah, might as well. The sale is tomorrow, and I don't want to miss out."

"Alright, Master." Genos replied.

Saitama and Genos run away. Saitama glances back only once to remind himself of the food stall and the old man that used to be on that street.