Being a nearly eight-foot-tall entity in a world where that wasn't a standard height measurement would inevitably cause some issues. However, Saitama and Boros knew this. They weren't blindsided by the fact that she was an Amazonian-esque woman who towered above nearly every human being on planet Earth. Yet, Boros paid this hindrance no mind since she could easily duck or bend to fit into any building when needed. Boros's flexibility was on par with her strength and other noteworthy qualities.
When looking for a place to eat lunch, Boros spotted a rather interesting-looking building. Saitama explained that the structure was a movie theater. It was a place where people went to watch movies. Fortunately, although knowing them by different names from various species, Boros was familiar with the concept. Like so much else, she and her crew hadn't engaged in a multitude of "mundane" things during their trek across the universe. Thus, Boros has never seen a movie before.
Saitama, knowing that theaters these days offered actual meals for people to enjoy while they watch the movies, asked Boros if she'd like to give it a try. Curious and excited, the Dominator of the Universe agreed to the proposal. Admittedly, both of them were amused by the flabbergasted faces of the theater staff when they saw Boros. Saitama and Boros could tell that the employees' gut reaction was to scream or run, but once they saw Boros behave like a normal (albeit well-spoken) person, their nerves settled.
The reason for this surprising acceptance was easy to understand. Many heroes weren't "typical" people. Example: Zombieman. This S-Class hero's name perfectly summarized what he was as an entity. He couldn't die. He was a pleasantly tame interpretation of an undead lifeform. So, once the theater staff saw that Boros behaved like a person, they assumed she had to be a hero. If not, maybe she aspired to be one. They also rationalized the bulk of Boros's appearance as a costume. Elaborate outfits that made a person seem "unusual" were also standard fair for heroes.
Once inside and after obtaining sizable portions of food and beverages (mostly for Boros), the duo proceeded to the auditorium in which their film was playing. Boros, open to anything, wanted Saitama to choose the movie. Thankfully, there was a decent variety in the current showings. Although a bit unoriginal, Saitama chose a sci-fi epic. He assumed the familiarity would be nice for Boros.
Unfortunately, when the duo entered the auditorium and looked at the seats, they discovered a new issue that had nothing to do with Boros's height. You see, the earlier description of "Amazeon-esque" was not solely in reference to her height. Boros was...plentiful, shall we say. Thighs. Hips. Torso. Biceps. The list goes on. In short, Boros was a bulky lass. Trying to put her in one of these theater seats would be like trying to force a log through a garden hose.
But, before this experience could be ruined, Boros assured Saitama that she would not mind standing. Furthermore, they were the only patrons. Remember, this WAS City Z. If anything, it was a miracle that the duo managed to find a staffed establishment so close to the abandoned district. So, the lack of other movie-goers wasn't surprising in the slightest.
"You're sure, Boros?" Saitama asked while sitting down. "I hate that you can't make yourself comfortable." He said.
"I appreciate your concern, Saitama. But really, I'll be fine." Boros answered with a smile, flattered by his consideration. "How long will this movie be? Do you know?" She inquired.
"Roughly two hours." Saitama replied, causing her to scoff.
"Two hours?!" Boros questioned with a grin. "Saitama, you made it sound like this would be an ordeal!" She exclaimed.
"Just because you won't get tired doesn't mean it's the ideal situation." Saitama argued in his defense.
"Hm, true. I would like to properly experience human pass-times and activities." Boros responded, now thinking. "...I...believe Geryuganshoop could do something? Reduce my size, perhaps?" She suggested.
"Wait. He could shrink you?" Saitama questioned, finding that hard to believe.
"Mhm. It'd be very simple." Boros confirmed. "And, before you think to ask, it wouldn't diminish my physical abilities. The strength in my muscles and bones would remain unaffected." She stated.
"Huh. Well, that's good." Saitama said. "Still, you'd be willing to do that?" He asked.
"Of course. If we're to spend more time with each other, it's a necessity." Boros answered. "For example, I'd love to sit with you in your home and spend time there. But with my current stature, that's impossible." She pointed out.
"Yeah. I have wanted to invite you inside, but you'd destroy the place just by moving through it. No offense." Saitama shared, hoping he didn't insult her at the end.
"None taken. It's an obvious fact." Boros replied, assuring him that he didn't speak improperly. "Also, I can't allow Groribas to beat me." She added.
"...What?" Saitama questioned. He took a few seconds to try and discern her meaning.
"Since Groribas can change his size at will due to him being a plant-based creature, he was able to enter your abode easily. He has that over me." Boros explained.
"...Is...it a competition?..." Saitama inquired, still needing clarity.
Boros opened her mouth to say something. However, she couldn't. When given actual thought, why did Groribas being the first to go into Saitama's apartment bother her? Furthermore, why was she seeing her time with Saitama as a competition? Boros has simply been acting on what felt like natural emotions with no thought put into her behavior whatsoever.
"...I...don't know, actually..." Boros confessed, now giving it serious consideration. "...I...can't pinpoint the cause. For whatever reason, the fact that I wasn't the first to enter your apartment irritates me... " She said, muttering at the end.
"You know what I think?" Saitama began as he pointed at her. "You're jealous that Groribas got to play a human-made game before you." He stated.
"No. I'm pretty sure that isn't it." Boros plainly disputed that idea. There was no chance THAT was the explanation, at least not from her perspective.
"You never know; people can be weird. Even those who rule the entire universe." Saitama told her.
"I...suppose..." Boros replied. She was still amazed that he thought she'd be jealous over something as simple as a game.
Suddenly, the blackened screen within the auditorium came to life. It began to play trailers and advertisements from local businesses and recognized brands.
"Oh! Is it starting?" Boros asked.
"Nah, this is the pre-show stuff. Movie theaters play this so those already in their seats have something to occupy their time as others arrive." Saitama answered.
"Huh. Interesting." Boros responded, genuinely fascinated. Even though this wasn't the movie, she was still engaged and entertained by what was shown.
From here, the duo's conversation became a series of questions, explanations, and general commentary. Eventually, when the pre-show was over, the auditorium darkened, and the final trailers for upcoming movies came on screen. The comments continued but were fewer than before. When the film finally began, the pair fell silent and readied themselves for the feature presentation.
Elsewhere, In City Z's Shopping District...
Like any metropolis, City Z possessed countless stores, shops, venues, and so on. However, there was a specific section of the city where you'd find nothing else beyond those establishments. Even in a place so well-known for its frequent disasters, City Z had a lot to offer for those whose pockets were burning with money.
Yet, when those pesky disasters reared their ugly selves, the multitudes of shopping options were left empty. This disappearance was, of course, caused by the urgency to evacuate issued by the city's emergency alert system. Everyone rushed to the nearest shelter or bunker. Depending on the severity, a good few might just flee the city entirely.
But for the brave few that remain outside during a disaster, they seek to reap the unattended spoils. Even a bum could become an immensely wealthy individual should they have the courage to risk danger for the sake of reward. Ultimately, it depended on the disaster. If it were something too grand, like a massive tornado, then there'd be no point in remaining outside. Everything would be reduced to rubble anyway at the hands of the violent winds.
Fortunately, the "disaster" of the day was nothing more than mosquitos. Pfft. What a joke, right? MOSQUITOS. OH NO. WHATEVER WILL WE DO?! SOMETHING THAT CAN BE KILLED BY A CAN OF BUG SPRAY! HOW TERRIFYING! I'M SHAKING BECAUSE IT'S SO SCARY!
The words shown above were the thoughts of a formerly living man. He was nothing special, just your average random citizen. When the emergency alert was sent out, he laughed. Mosquitos? Really? Hell, alright. Sure. Everyone runs for the hills, and the man gets an easy payday.
Sadly, the hypothetical check the man sought to cash would remain unspent. His withered body lay next to a burlap sack filled with his pilfered items. Above the man's corpse was the swarm of bloodsuckers that drained him dry. They carried his extracted essence to their queen, who hovered at the center of the swarm.
"Really? This is it?" The queen questioned as she received her servants' bounty. "Where are the people? I NEED blood. Otherwise, I won't be able to show the doctor that I'm his most powerful creation." She said.
"Doctor? Do you mean your creator?"
That voice came from beneath the swarm. Through the buzzing bugs, their queen looked down to see who had spoken. Due to the absence of others, the air was extremely quiet. So, even without shouting, if someone spoke, they'd easily be heard.
Standing beneath the swarm was a blonde-haired man. However, there was something odd about him. His eyes and arms weren't organic. They were very clearly mechanical. A cyborg. That's what the man had to be.
"Oh. Why, hello, there." The queen greeted from within her moving black cloud of insects. "I didn't realize my meals would deliver themselves to me. That's very considerate." She stated. You'd think that was a jest, but it held a very sinister sincerity.
"Answer my question." The man ordered. His glare was striking. If his eyes weren't weapons, they still felt as though they were. "When you referred to a doctor just now, did you mean your creator?" He asked.
"Sorry, I don't talk to my food." The queen dismissively told him.
Before the man could say something in reply, the swarm of mosquitos rushed him. Surrounded by a swirling mass that would mean certain death for any normal person, the man didn't even flinch. Instead, he uttered a single word.
"Incinerate."
In an instant, the swarm was gone. A burst of fire that traveled at an incredible speed consumed every insect. As the last few corpses turned to cinders, only two lifeforms were left. The man and the queen.
The look on the queen's face was disbelief. All of her mosquitos were dead. The man hadn't even moved to accomplish this feat. Most likely, the burst of heat came from his presumed cybernetic body. Like any cyborg, he was built for combat.
"Now, then." The man began, his glare intensifying. "Will you answer my questions?" He requested.
Upon hearing this, the queen developed a sneer. This bastard. He thought he was SO cool, didn't he? Fine. Let's see how long his fire would burn!
...
...
...
BOOM
"Aw, come on! That's pathetic!" Boros exclaimed with an insulted expression. Yes, insulted. That bombardment from the fleet wasn't fit to take out a single vessel, let alone to try and destroy one's enemies!
The result of this theatrical outing wasn't in Saitama's expectations. As the movie progressed, Boros began commenting on how the warring factions conducted themselves. As you can see, she wasn't all too pleased with their performance.
"You sure know your stuff." Saitama said. It was an enjoyable and fascinating thing to watch the Dominator of the Universe become so invested in the film, even if her investment came from frustration at the ineptitude of the fictional combatants.
"But of course!" Boros started, now adorning a proud expression. "I might be able to destroy entire armies without trying, but I still needed to command my crew. I'm unmatched in the ways of combat strategy no matter the type." She stated.
"With that being the case, I'm sorry for the movie I chose, then." Saitama apologized.
"What? No! Don't say that!" Boros quickly responded. "Sure, the people who made this movie clearly have NO competency regarding battles. However, I am still enjoying myself." She assured. "Plus, regardless of the film, I'm just glad to have someone to watch it with." She added.
"Likewise. I can't remember the last time I went to the theater with someone." Saitama admitted before taking a sip from his beverage, only to discover it was getting low.
"Hm? Where are you going?" Boros asked when she saw him leave his seat.
"I'm getting a refill." Saitama answered while lightly shaking the cup in his hand. "Would you like anything?" He inquired.
"Oh, no. You've already spent so much on me. It'd be rude to ask for more." Boros told him. "Speaking of, I promise to pay you back once we understand how the currency of your world works." She said.
"You don't need to, but thanks." Saitama replied, making her smile.
"Of course, Saitama. I always repay my debts, even if, as you say, I needn't." Boros said.
Afterward, Saitama left the auditorium. Boros, despite being alone, continued to verbally express her bafflement at the decisions made by the non-existent soldiers in the movie. However, when Saitama reached the lobby, he noticed that none of the theater's staff seemed to be present.
"Hmm, they must be on break." Saitama thought as he approached the soda dispenser. Although a decent guess, he failed to consider the oddness that every employee would be on break simultaneously.
Once the lid of his cup was removed, Saitama began refilling it. When it was halfway full, something unexpected occurred.
CRASH
The front of the theater was in shambles. Something had crashed through it at an immense speed. Furthermore, the unknown cause was sent into the concessions area. Popcorn and candy went flying in every direction in a taste-filled explosion. During all of this, Saitama continued refilling his soda.
"Ugh, this pest." A voice spoke. Slowly, a man emerged from beneath the remnants of the concessions counter. Buttery popcorn filled his hair, and sticky candy stuck to his clothes. "It's a good thing that everyone has retreated to safety. Otherwise, I'd have to be concerned about-"
"Hey."
The man's head jerked to the left. Standing a few feet from him was a bald man casually getting a soda.
"You okay?" Saitama asked when their eyes met. "That was a pretty nasty collision. Most people would have a lot of broken bones. They might've even died." He told him.
"Who the hell is this idiot?..." The mysterious man wondered in disbelief. "Hey! You need to get out of here! There's a monster attacking the city!" He ordered.
"Oh, really?" Saitama questioned, looking around the lobby again. "Huh. That's why everyone's gone, then. Good to know." He said. At last, his cup was refilled. Thus, he re-applied the lid.
"There you are!"
Another voice. Upon hearing it, Saitama and the man looked toward the destroyed entrance. Standing there was a half-human, half-insect woman. Her entire body, including her hair, was a beautiful mixture of black and white. Additionally, the woman appeared to be naked. That detail was more important to Saitama in particular than anything else.
"Did you think you could hide from me?" The woman playfully asked, pointing one of her massive claws in the mysterious man's direction. "I'm not done punishing you for-"
"Hey!" Saitama exclaimed, interrupting her. "This is a public place, you shouldn't be walking around naked." He scolded.
Both the woman and the man looked at Saitama when he said that. Their faces conveyed that they were dumbfounded. Of everything that could've been focused on, THAT'S what he chose?!
"...Oh. I see. You're a pervert." The woman "deduced" as she now pointed at him. "Why else would you think to say something so stupid?" She inquired.
"Because this is a public place, and you're naked." Saitama bluntly stated. How was this a hard idea to grasp? "Seriously, go put on some clothes. No one wants to see that." He told her before turning to walk away.
"EXCUSE ME?!" The woman shouted, BEYOND offended. "You should consider yourself LUCKY to see something as BEAUTIFUL as myself! My curves, my skin, all of flawless features, they're perfect!" She asserted.
"Uh, huh. Sure." Saitama responded, now exiting the lobby. He wasn't about to indulge a nudist with an ego. That's asking for trouble.
In the blink of an eye, the woman vanished from where she stood. Then, in the following second, she reappeared behind Saitama. Her right arm was thrown back as she intended to slice him into pieces with her scythe-like claws.
"WATCH OUT!" The mysterious man cried out. Shit! He wouldn't be able to intervene in time! That dumbass was going to-
BAM
In one motion, Saitama turned on his heels and struck the woman with the backside of his free hand, which was the right one. The left was busy holding his soda. Saitama wasn't about to let a nudist touch him. Who KNOWS where her hand had been?
Like a rocket being fired, the woman was sent flying out of the building. However, it was in pieces. Although the result of Saitama's slap could only be seen for a second, it was clear that it had obliterated her. The few bloodstains and visceral remains that were left behind supported that result.
The mysterious man, who was still on the floor and surrounded by the remains of the concessions area, was frozen with shock. The scene described above happened so quickly. Everything changed almost instantly. The monster that had beaten him was swatted like the mosquitoes she commanded! And the person to be thanked for this was a seemingly normal person!
Yet, with no words spoken, Saitama returned to the auditorium he came from, leaving the mysterious man alone to try and process what just transpired.