AN: Welcome back! I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the finale of the Hero Hunter arc! I really appreciate all the feedback! And, to address a recurring issue I've been getting complaints about, sorry for my incessant use of exclamation marks! I guess it was just an attempt to kind of display a bit more urgency to the non-dialogue lines, but if it's not working for you guys, it's not working, and I will refrain from doing so. As for the chapter you're about to read, it is highly introspective from the point of view of a few characters, but Saitama in particular. I'm gonna be getting back to focusing on him and Tatsumaki as the main characters in these next few chapters.
Also, I don't know how it'll read for you guys, but there is a flashback scene in here that I just kind of tried to meld seamlessly into the story. I'll just have to rely on reviews to let me know if it works or not. Anyways, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Punch Man or any of the characters associated with the title. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Later that night, Saitama still found himself aimlessly trudging through the halls of the medical wing in search of Genos. There were like a hundred rooms down every hall, and he didn't really feel like asking one of the murmuring staff that watched him walk by. After their talk, Bang took his leave, claiming he had some insurance business to handle regarding his dojo which was now destroyed. That left Saitama alone to further ponder his words as he searched for his own student. Even though he said he didn't understand what he was talking about, the old man's words were heavy, and it left him wondering what to do with Genos.
He had been his "sensei" for a little over five months now, and still, he had no idea what he was meant to teach him. 'I mean, he's a cyborg... Strength training seems kinda pointless.' But, that was all Saitama knew. There was no secret to his strength. It was exactly what it seemed to be. Just boring ol' strength. The conversation did lead him to an idea at least.
'Garou was pretty strong so... I guess the old man really might know what he's talking about... He said something about teaching Garou to find himself or... a road or something...?' Maybe that was the way to go. "Hurgh," he groaned, peeking into yet another room that wasn't what he was looking for. 'This is hurting my head... I gotta eat something.'
He continued on, again ignoring the murmuring faces that watched his every move as he walked. Just before he passed another door, he had to stop when his eyes finally saw another familiar face. 'Oh... he looks rough...'
"I mean it, big bro!" Zenko shouted through her FaceTime call with Metal Bat who was sitting up in his hospital bed with an annoyed look on his face. "You better eat all of them!"
Metal Bat groaned at his phone for what felt like the thousandth time. His eyes rolled over to the bundle of bananas sitting on the table next to him. Apparently, she had them sent to his room. "Alright, Zenko! I got it, already!"
"And no more missions for at least a month!"
"You know if something big happens I won't have a choice," he said, waving her off.
"Yeah-huh! Now that Saitama is there, he can handle everything! They're not even gonna need you!"
"Ouch."
She smacked her lips. "That's not what I meant! I'm just saying! He can beat up any monster with one punch!"
"Yeah, but he's only one person. He can't be everywhere at once."
"Big bro...!"
Metal Bat rolled his eyes at her attempt at a stern look. She tried to be tough about it, but he could see the tears starting to brim. She always got like this when he was even a little hurt. Sure, he was nearly completely covered in bandages, right now, but it wasn't like he was close to dying. He sighed and thought of what to say. "... Alright, Zenko... No more missions this month." Immediately, he saw her stern look begin to crack into a smile, and he couldn't help but mimic her contagious joy. "But, if it's a deal we're makin', ya gotta promise me that the next time I do go out on a mission, ya ain't gonna worry about me."
"What!? How the heck am I supposed to do that!? I always worry about you!"
"Exactly! And I'm always fine! So, knock it off already!"
"No!" she shouted back, completely matching his energy. "What if you only make it back BECAUSE I worry about you!?"
"What!? That's stupid!"
"You're stupid!"
"Fine!"
"FINE!"
They glared at each other through the screen for a moment, both sporting their best attempt at a tough sneer before they quickly lost their composure. The two shared a laugh before it was time to say their byes. "Alright... Go to bed, now. Before I knock ya out, myself. It's late."
"Hehe!" she giggled. "Okay, big bro! I love you."
"Heh... love you, too."
"Oh-! w-... Wait..." she stammered out before he could hang up.
Metal Bat watched her fiddle with her fingers nervously for a moment. 'What the hell...?' That was pretty out of character for her. '... is she blushing?'
"... If... if you see Saitama... Can you tell him I said thank you...?"
Another smile crept its way onto his face along with a playful glint in his eyes. "Heh, what the heck is that look? Ya gotta crush on Saitama!?"
"What!?" she shouted, her face heating up almost instantly. "No! I just meant-.."
"Uhuh," Metal Bat cut her off with a mocking smile on his face.
" Because I asked him to save you-!"
"Heh, yeah alright."
"s-.. Shut up! You idiot!" Her brother just laughed as if he wasn't listening. "Whatever! Just tell him I said thanks, you stupid head!" She immediately ended the call, and Metal Bat couldn't help but chuckle a few more times at her antics. When he calmed down, he sat back on his bed with a groan of pain. "Hurgh...! What a day..." A sudden click and the rush of chattering voices pointed his gaze to the door.
"Yo," Saitama said with a wave as he popped his head in.
"Saitama? What are you still doin' here?"
He shut the door behind him and stepped further in. "Lookin' for Genos. Can't seem to find him anywhere, though. I was just walking by when I saw you were awake, so..." Saitama's eyes quickly glanced to the bundle of bananas on the table next to him before he looked away. "... figured I'd stop in and see how you're doing."
"Teh-! I'm doin' great. Still alive, at least, thanks to you."
"Mm... Sure wish I got there sooner though. You look like a mummy, right now."
"Tch, yeah, whatever. I heal fast. I'll have these bandages off by tomorrow."
"Really? That'd be impressive."
"All I need is some sleep, and I'll be as good as new."
"Ah... well, okay then... night," he said as he made his way back to the door.
"Uh-.. hold on," Metal bat called out, sitting up straighter in his bed. "I uh... I'm actually glad you stopped by... I wanted to ask you something."
'... oh great,' Saitama mentally grumbled as he turned around.
Metal Bat was staring down at his hands resting on his lap. The sight of the bandages pissed him off in some strange way. He wanted so badly to just rip them all off right then, but... it wouldn't do him any good. "... Garou... was he any strong to you...?"
Saitama eyed him down with a confused look on his face. 'Why the heck does everyone keep asking that?'
"You see what he did to me," Metal Bat continued. Images of their battle flashed through his mind with no remorse. He saw exactly what happened as clear as day. Every swing he missed, every hit he took, and every word that bastard said. "It was like... I was nothin' compared to him... Just a helpless street punk, or somethin'... Even though I was completely fired up, I couldn't even..."
Saitama watched him clench his hands shut as tight as he could. He saw him shake with effort and then shake with pain once he relented with a deep sigh.
"I don't know..." the teen grumbled under his breath. He dropped both hands down to his lap and stared off into space. "I just... don't know if I'm even good enough to..." He choked on his words for a moment as if finishing that line would've killed him. Then, his sister came to mind... like she always did. "... All she does is worry bout me, ya know?"
Saitama assumed he was talking about his sister. He didn't really know what the kid was talking about, but he tuned in enough to deduce that, at least. Why he was suddenly pouring his heart out was still a mystery.
"That ain't how it's supposed to be... I'm her big bro...! I'm the one who should be worrying about her, but she...! It's like she's takin' care of me, sometimes... I just wanna be better." His gaze shot up to Saitama's when he made his bold statement. "Ya know...? I'm sick of her... tryin' to save me, all the time. I want her to know that no matter what fugly ass monster I end up fightin'... I'm always gonna win... I-.."
"He was strong..." Saitama said, cutting into his self-loathing.
Metal Bat caught his gaze, pleading for more.
"... Well, not super strong, but... I can tell he was probably the strongest I've ever fought. So, it's not your fault you lost or anything."
Metal Bat stared at him for a moment as he pondered those words. Deep down inside, he wanted to believe that, but... he couldn't. "... heh," he chuckled, shaking his head as he looked away. "... It is... It is my fault... If I had just been stronger, I would've won!" He took a deep breath before he made his proclamation. "That's why..."
"Uh-.. look, dude, I already know what you're gonna ask, and-.."
"I wanna fight you!"
"... huh...?"
Metal Bat's sharp gaze was shooting daggers into Saitama's confused look. He was snarling at him like some kind of thug on the street. "... You heard me! I wanna fight you! For real! No holding back! And... if I win, then... then, you have to train me...!"
'Wow... This guy's intense...' Saitama didn't reply immediately, but the shock of the situation had long since worn off. He was back to his plain-faced disinterest as he scrutinized Metal Bat's words with his eyes alone. "... Uh... that... kinda doesn't make sense, right...? I mean, if you beat me, doesn't that mean you're already stronger?"
Metal Bat held his intense gaze the entire time, but... internally, he couldn't deny it. '... Damn...! That's true...'
"Well," Saitama said, thinking it over. "... you said, you wanna get stronger and faster, huh...? So... how bout if you land a hit on me... I'll train you..."
"... huh!?" Metal Bat shouted, immediately wincing at the pain that surged through his body. "Ergh-! One hit? That's all?"
"Yup... just one..."
Metal Bat thought it over for a moment. On one hand, there was no doubt he felt completely disrespected by such low stakes, but... on the other, he knew, first hand, what this man is capable of... A competitive grin tore across his face. "Heh... you're on! I look forward to workin' with you!"
'Well... it's only a try-out,' Saitama thought. "er-... Oh, and uh... I forgot to tell you, there's also a uh... a fee... per attempt..."
"... A fee!?" Metal Bat shouted, again wincing at the pain that shot through his body. 'Why's it feel like I'm bout to get ripped off...?'
Fubuki sat next to Tatsumaki who was passed out on her bed with an IV in her arm. She wasn't necessarily fatally wounded or anything, but the doctors said she'd need to be there at least a few days so they could properly assess the damage to her freshly sewn leg. Normally, her sister was the type to refuse, but she was so exhausted it didn't take her long to crash when she laid down. Fubuki had been sitting with her for a few hours now, hoping she'd wake up so they could talk. She was desperate to confirm her suspicions from earlier.
'The way she looked at him...? And then, the way she looked at me...! And then looked away, as if I didn't see her! Oh! I know something's up, here!' It made her heart flutter just thinking about it! Could it possibly be that Saitama has done more than the impossible today? She witnessed him smash a giant bug to bits with one punch, and flip the battlefield completely, and save a group of S-Class heroes by himself. Could he have possibly thawed the Tornado of Terror's heart on the same exact day? 'If this is true, then... Saitama really is the greatest hero that has ever lived!' She held her composure well enough on the outside, but inside she was almost squealing at the possibility.
Even though the signs pointed to yes, Fubuki just knew it wasn't really that simple. For the glaring fact that it was who it was... Tatsumaki... and Saitama... Perhaps the two most unreadable people she's ever had the privilege of knowing. Well, her sister was starting to slip in that regard recently, but as for Saitama, who knew what went on in that head of his? 'What if he doesn't like her at all? It's not like Tatsumaki is the sweetest girl ever, but... she is beautiful... and maybe he likes short girls...! Or... y-yelling...' She sighed and stared at the side of her sister's face. 'This is gonna be a lot harder than it should be, isn't it...?'
Fubuki pushed a stray hair out of Tatsumaki's face and smiled at her again. 'But... you're worth it, big sis! And I'm gonna help you!'
(On the television)
'All of the heroes were exactly what we knew they were, today! They all fought bravely and admirably, and I'm not gonna bash anyone's efforts, but... I do believe it was clear who the stand-out hero was... and that is undoubtedly the hero currently known as Saitama. If you need any proof of that, just take a look at this live footage here of literally thousands of fans piled outside one of his alleged new residences, waiting to welcome him home. It is well past midnight, and all of these supporters are crowding the entrance awaiting his arrival. But, here's the kicker... No one is even sure if this is the correct building! There have been sixteen suspected locations leaked online, and at every other location, you will see a crowd exactly like this one. All filled with adoring fans, just hoping to catch a glimpse of the newly discovered hero.'
Fubuki watched the broadcast in a daze. It felt like every news station was running the same exact story. '... He sure is gonna be popular now...' Suddenly, she gasped in horror! 'What if he turns into a total womanizer!? He's gonna end up being the most eligible bachelor hero around! Even bigger than Amai Mask...! That means I can't waste time on this! If I'm gonna help her, I have to find out all I can about Saitama as soon as possible! I'll study him and learn everything he likes! Then, I'll sneakily make Tatsumaki into the girl of his dreams! And when they hit it off, he'll save her from that stupid rule of hers!'
Suddenly, her mind conjured an imaginary scene of the two holding hands as they drew closer for a kiss, like something right out of a cheesy romcom. Both of their eyes sparkled as they gazed deep into each other's souls.
"Tatsumaki... you're the most beautiful girl I have ever known, and definitely not rude or loud, at all..."
"Oh, Saitama! You're the most handsome man I've ever known! Even though you're bald! My heart wants me to believe in you, but... my rule...!"
"Screw that dumb rule! I-... I love you...!"
Tatsumaki gasped in shock, tears brimming in her sparkling eyes.
Saitama wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her closer. "That means that... no matter how far you are or... how scared you are... I'll always be there to save you...!"
"Oh...! Saitama!"
"Tatsumaki!"
"s-.. Saitama!"
"... Tatsumaki..."
"... Saita-..!"
"Fubuki!" Suddenly, she was snapped from her odd mental image by the sound of her sister's voice.
"w-What!? I..."
Tatsumaki stared at her with a groggy look in her eyes. "... what the hell are you doing...?"
"Huuurrggghhhh!" Fubuki groaned, staring at the vending machine that was annoyingly out of the candy apples her sister requested. 'This is the fifth one I've tried! They never restock those stupid things...! Mm, I guess I can just get her some chips instead. She likes these, right...?' She fed the machine her money and awaited her items as she thought more about her predicament.
What would be the best course of action, right now? She couldn't really devise a plan if she didn't at least have her sister on board, but... how the hell could she get her to admit it? She couldn't even get the woman to admit that she was too hurt to walk just a few hours ago. 'She's as stubborn as a mule sometimes!' Fubuki sighed and grabbed her items from the slot. 'And how the heck am I gonna spy on Saitama now? I don't even know where he lives anymore...! Plus, he's probably gonna end up super busy now that the Association knows about him... They'll have him working damn near every day, I'm sure...' With a hefty sigh, she continued on. 'Guess I'll just have to wait for an opportunity... I'm sure I'll bump into him somewhere...'
Even though she was filled with all the hope in the world, Fubuki wasn't oblivious to the possibility that she could be completely wrong here. No one truly knows what's inside another's heart, but being an Esper, she did have a sneak peek into her sisters. She had first noticed something odd when they found them earlier walking in the wrong direction of the battle. There was an odd feeling that overcame her that she was sure wasn't hers. It was confused... but, embarrassed at the same time... bashful, maybe? She didn't exactly know, herself. And because she didn't know, she chose to assume it was love. '... well... not like I know what that feels like, either... Maybe I should just leave it alone, honestly...'
"Oh, hey..."
Her heart skipped a beat when Saitama came walking from the hall she was just about to pass... with a bundle of bananas in his hand. He had one peeled that he was casually taking bites from as he stared at her with his usual look of indifference.
"s-Saitama!?"
"... hm? Wha-sh up?" he mumbled with a mouthful.
"Why are you here? Did you get hurt?"
"Nah. Jush lookin' for Genosh," he said before he swallowed with a satisfied sigh. "You seen him?"
"Genos...? No, but, he's a cyborg, so he's probably in the engineering wing, not medical."
"... Oh... that makes sense..." He took another bite before he spoke again. "What are you doing?"
The two began walking in the same direction, picking up a casual conversation along the way. "I was just looking after my sister. Bringing her some chips," she said, flashing him the bag.
"Ah... that's nice... How is she?"
Fubuki gasped lightly and her gaze shot toward him in wonder. "...Huh...?"
Saitama noticed her odd behavior and raised an eyebrow, wondering if he had said something wrong. "... hm...? Uh... is she okay...?"
'c-... could it be that he's... worried about her...?' She had to force her face not to smile, but it was getting harder and harder. "... Uh-.. she's... she's good! Just... exhausted, I think."
"Mm," Saitama hummed as he took the last bite of the banana he was working on. "Yeah, I bet... she was really kind of amazing today."
'HUUUHHHH!?' she mentally screamed, gasping even harder.
Saitama didn't notice this time as he tossed his banana peel in a trash bin they were about to pass. "I knew she was strong, being the number 1 and all, but... that twisting thing she did? Super cool..."
"... y-... yeah... it was... cool..."
"Hey, can you do that too?"
"Huh...?" she muttered, lost in thought. No matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind was running a million miles a minute now. "Uh... no... No, I can't... Tatsumaki's way stronger than me, so... I can't do that..."
"Oh... okay..."
Fubuki stared at the side of his face as they walked in silence for a few moments. '... could he really...?' She looked ahead to see how far they were from Tatsumaki's room. She was close to the main hall which connected all the wings. Likely where Saitama was heading. It was probably far enough for her to gauge some real info from him, but... what could she ask, right now? "... Uh, hey... Saitama?"
The bald hero looked over curiously. "Yeah?"
Immediately, Fubuki lost her words. "... Uh... You know... you're kinda famous, now."
"... yeah, I guess so," he said with a shrug.
"Not a fan?"
"Mm, not really. It's cool and all, but... kinda feels like everyone's watching me all the time."
"Heh... yeah," she muttered. It wasn't an everyday occurrence to her, and likely never on the scale he was bound to face, but it did happen depending on where she was. "That's probably gonna happen a lot..."
"Ya know," Saitama continued. He stared down the hall with a hazy glare as he lost himself in his own thoughts. "For the first three years of doing hero work... I used to wonder why no one remembered me, even after I saved them..."
'... First three years...?'
"But, I guess they only remember who's on the news," he mumbled, turning to one of the monitors hanging from the roof of the corridor.
Fubuki followed his gaze and saw that it was another live feed of people crowding one of his suspected apartment buildings. "Yeah... I guess so..." Again, a silence settled between them, and she peeked over to the side of his face. "... Ya know, your stock probably shot up after everything you did today."
"Hm...? My stock?"
"Yeah... You're probably gonna end up being pretty popular with fans and stuff... and women, too."
"... You think so?"
"Yeah, totally... You saved a lot of lives... and I think I overheard a pretty nurse talking about you just a while ago."
"Ah... okay..." He took another bite of his banana and continued on, still looking completely disinterested.
'Okay!? That's all!?' She examined him a bit more to see if he was secretly trying to hide his true reaction. He was as plain-faced as ever. "So... you thinkin' about finding a girlfriend or something?"
"A girlfriend...? Nah, probably not. With the new job and everything, I don't think I'll have time for any of that stuff."
"o-Oh... yeah... guess that's true," she muttered, thinking something over for a moment. "... But, maybe not if you date another hero, right...?"
Saitama turned to her with a shocked look on his face. 'o-... Oh... I see...' He looked up and away as he thought of what to say. "Uh... Fubuki... was it?"
"Yes?"
"... Well, look you're nice and all, but... I just don't think that you're my type, ya know?"
"... huh...?"
"er-.. Not that you're not pretty. I bet a lot of guys probably find you pretty, but..."
'... wait... what is he...?'
"You're just... kinda young, for me, right...? I mean, you should probably look for someone closer to your age." They are only two years apart.
'... HE'S REJECTING ME!?'
"Thanks for the offer, though... I appreciate it."
"... uh... sure, heh-heh," she awkwardly chuckled. Internally, she was boiling at the prospect. 'The nerve! Rejecting me so heartlessly! You'd be lucky if I even gave you the time of day!' She relented her anger after a while and glanced at the side of his face. 'Whatever... this isn't about me, anyways. At least now I know he's not a womanizer...' And yet, that revelation posed another question. 'Does... does he even like women...? He sure is close to Demon Cyborg...' She continued examining his expressionless face as he peeled another banana. "... Saitama, I have a... weird question to ask you..."
"Okay..."
"Are you..." She cut that question short immediately. 'I can't just ask him something like that! I have to be sneaky about it...'
Saitama munched on his delicious fruit and stared at the odd woman, awaiting the next question. The look on her face said she was struggling with something.
Suddenly, her expression lit up when she finally figured out her dilemma. "Heh, uh... Did you ever have like a... crush... when you were little?"
"A crush...?" he muttered, now eyeing her down with reasonable suspicion. 'Why the heck is she asking me all this stuff?"
Fubuki could almost feel how awkward things were turning. 'Shit! Is he onto me!? Maybe that question was too forward! That's something only close friends would ask!' She was beet red in the face now as she looked away from his prying eyes. "uh-! Haha! Sorry, that's probably too personal! I mean, you don't have to tell me or anything! i- I was just kidding, hahaha!"
Still, Saitama's perplexed gaze bore into her for a few moments. 'That's a terrible fake laugh,' he thought, watching her odd mannerisms. Still, that question was interesting. He hadn't thought about things like that in forever. "... Uh... I did have a crush back in grade school. It was a girl from my class, but she didn't know who I was," he answered before muttering, "and she was also my neighbor..."
'Huh...? They were neighbors and classmates, and she didn't know who he was...?'
"There was also a pop star that I had a crush on. Don't remember her name anymore... Oh, and there was that nice lunch lady who sometimes gave me an extra apple when no one was looking. There was also a co-worker of mine, back when I used to be a businessman, but she had a boyfriend."
Fubuki stared at him in awe of his list. 'Wow, he's like an open book!'
Truthfully, Saitama was just thinking out loud now; pondering those days long forgotten. "That was all so long ago," he muttered as they continued on. Eventually, his mind wondered again what her interest could be in such an old aspect of his life. It was like she was interrogating him or something. "... What about you?"
"Huh?"
"Did you ever have a crush?"
"Oh uh... I-..." That stumped her... Such a simple question, and yet, as far back as she could remember, "... no... No, I don't think so..."
"... Really?"
"w-.. well, there was this one boy... back when I was in school, but... he was scared of me... they all were..."
Saitama took another bite as he focused in on her. "Really...? How come?"
"Because... we were different, my sister and I... Everyone was always scared of us for what we could do." Her mind conjured images of their classmates whispering about them on their way to school. "There were a few times when they'd try and gang up on me when Tatsumaki wasn't around... all because they knew I wouldn't fight back... but, there was one boy who didn't pick on me... Not because he liked me or anything, but... because he was so driven and focused on school that he just didn't care. He was very professional for a kid. So disciplined and... straightforward. Always working to be better than he was the day before... I really liked that, so... Yeah, I guess I did have a crush."
"Mm," Saitama hummed. '... Sounds like Genos.'
"Well," Fubuki said, slowing her pace a bit as they approached the edge of the medical wing. "Thanks for talking to me, Saitama. I... learned quite a bit."
"Bout what?" he wondered with another mouthful of banana.
"er-! Nothing...! Just... nothing! heh!" she stammered as she shuffled toward the hall her sister was down. "I should really get back to Tatsumaki, before she starves, heh-heh!"
"Uh... okay...? Oh," he muttered, picking one of the bananas from the bundle. "Here... she can have one of these too..."
Again, Fubuki was slackjawed at the gesture. She stared at him with a bug-eyed look of hope. "f-... For Tatsumaki?"
"Yeah... and tell her I said thanks for saving me," he said with a small smile.
Fubuki's eyes were sparkling as if she were watching a sky full of stars. Still... she had no idea what he meant by that. "... saving you?"
"Master Saitama!" Before he got a chance to clarify, his cybernetic student came jogging down the hall toward the two.
"Oh, Genos. There you are. I was lookin' all over for you."
Genos skid to a halt before him, and immediately bowed at the waist. "My apologies Master! I was receiving repairs and then giving my report to the Association representatives!"
"Oh... It's cool then. You ready to go?"
"Yes, Master!"
"Great, I'm starving."
Fubuki watched the two walk down the hall, almost locked in a daze. Saitama truly was a lot more than she originally pictured. That eye-opening conversation told her all it needed to about what the situation is. Despite her theories, there truly was a chance here... and that was all she needed to know to make her decision. 'Heh... You don't know it, yet, Saitama... but, your heart is already taken!'
"... whoa," Saitama muttered as he stared out the side of his window at the magnificent apartment complex their driver stopped at. It was a black and grey skyscraper that didn't have its name anywhere. And it was so peaceful outside. Other than the well-dressed doorman who gaurded the entrance like a statue, there wasn't a single person out and about. It was almost three in the morning, now, so that wasn't technically weird. Though, he wasn't oblivious to the news stories clogging every television at HQ. He was expecting a crowd.
"This seems to be the place," Genos said, reviewing the address Saitama was given. There was really no need, though. The Association had a car waiting for them when they stepped out of the building, even as late as they ended up leaving. The driver didn't seem irritated in the slightest. In fact, he was more than excited to drive the hottest new hero around. He even stopped somewhere for them to pick up food.
"Hey, thanks again, for the ride, dude," Saitama said as they climbed out.
"No problem, Mr. Saitama! Thank you for letting me drive you! It was a pleasure!"
They waved him off before heading to the door. At first, they thought they were gonna have to explain their tardiness, but the doorman opened the door for them as soon as they stepped in range. "Welcome home, Mr. Saitama," he said. "We've been expecting you. Please, come in."
"Oh, thanks old man," he muttered on his way by. When they stepped in, the interior was even more extravagant. It looked more like the entrance to a ballroom than the lobby of an apartment complex. Everything was sleek and modern. It completely contrasted Saitama's poor attire. His tattered hero suit really stood out in a room so elegant.
Genos searched around until he spotted the concierge taking a phone call. It was a middle-aged woman who flashed them a kind smile the moment she noticed their arrival. "That must be where we check in," he pointed out.
"Ah... okay."
The two marched over, their footsteps echoing through the big silent room. Just before they made it, the woman hung the phone up and stepped around the counter. "Hello!" she said with a sweet grin. "Mr. Saitama?"
"Uh... yeah?"
"Welcome to your new home. We were told to expect you. Please, follow me. My name is Hina, I'm the concierge, and I will lead you to your apartment as I give you a brief tour of the many amenities we have for your completely unrestricted use."
On the way to the elevator, she pointed out the common areas of recreation that could be accessed through the lobby, such as the game room, fully stocked gym, indoor pool, and ballroom. Saitama didn't really seem impressed by the look on his face, but he offered her a few oohs and ahhs when she noted something. Genos watched him silently with a small grin. In his mind, he deserved nothing but the best. A nice apartment was long overdue.
"Now," Hina continued as they stepped into the elevator. "As for your residence, please allow me to explain the floor plan as we ascend."
"Ascend?" Saitama questioned. "What floor am I on?"
"You have been granted access to an executive flat. Floor 48, the top floor of this building."
"Oh," he muttered.
"The executive floor consists of only four apartments. You are in apartment four, which I am sure you will find far beyond adequate for any and all of your needs. Including unrestricted access to the building's rooftop landing pad."
"The what?"
"Landing pad, Master," Genos repeated. "I assume it is so the association can quickly retrieve you for any emergency that requires your services."
"That is correct," she said in her bubbly tone. "This complex was funded and nurtured by the Hero Association sponsors. The top floor is exclusively reserved for the best heroes who choose to reside in City-B. Only high-ranking A-Class or above are permitted. The lower floors are reserved for any other hero wealthy enough to pay their way and Hero Association executives. It is a company building true and through."
"So, there are other heroes here? How many?"
"I would assume at least three others, Master," Genos whispered.
"Actually," the woman said, "we have several other locations in this city. There are only four other heroes who live in this particular building. Per our rule of confidentiality, I cannot disclose the names of these individuals unless they themselves consent, but I can tell you that only one of them resides on the executive floor along with you. It is more than likely that you will surely run into them on your own." With a ding, the door finally opened, and they stepped out into the hall. "Another note-worthy aspect of your floor is the community laundromat, positioned at the far end of the corridor, down there."
They both peeked around her to see the double glass doors at the end of the long walkway.
"There are four washers and four driers. They are not coin-operated, and they are free to you at any time."
"Ah..." Saitama muttered. "That's kinda cool."
They continued on with Saitama and Genos visually confirming everything she said. There really were only four doors up here. Two on either side of the hall. They finally made it to his room number and watched her fiddle with the digital pad on the side of the wall.
"Also," she continued, "I have noticed the state of your uniform. If you would allow it, we have professional tailors, who work exclusively for the hero association, that specialize in repairs, reworks, and original designs. Should one of those services interest you, you are welcome to call the front desk at any time to make a request. You may also request food, alcoholic beverages, and any other essential item you may need... including groceries."
"This place is amazing," Saitama proclaimed immediately.
Hours later, Saitama and Genos sat on the landing pad with empty food containers all around. Saitama picked at his teeth with a satisfied sigh. "Huuurrggghhh... that was great. Guess I really was starving."
Genos smiled at him before his gaze shifted back out to the impressive view of the city. It felt like they could see for miles. They could even see the Hero Association HQ in full view in the distance. That made Saitama being there all the more convenient in case they were ever attacked. He could probably make that trip in one jump from where they were. If those news reports and cheering fans hadn't convinced him, Genos was sure now. This was the definitive sign that Master Saitama, the greatest hero the world had never known, was now metaphorically unmasked. This was recognition... true appreciation... and yet, when he looked at him, he still seemed as disconnected as ever...
"... Master Saitama?"
Saitama burped and groaned again before he laid out on his back. "... Yeah?"
Genos saw him look up into the night sky and decided to join him. He laid back and took everything in for a moment before he asked his question. "... Are you happy with the way things are going?"
"... Hm...? Happy...?"
Genos nodded, his stern look shifting over until he was staring at the side of his face.
Saitama thought it over for a moment. He wasn't... dissatisfied with anything. It was kinda cool being recognized for his battles for once, and this apartment is perhaps the greatest apartment he's ever seen, but... could he really say that he was happy, now? What did that feel like, anyways? How would he even know if he was...? If anything, he felt more or less the same. Especially after that last fight with Garou. It started off so good, then he upped the tempo just a bit and it was suddenly exactly like all the other fights... Even after taking that time off from hero work, he was still too strong to actually enjoy it... What did it matter if he lived here or his crummy old apartment back in City-Z if he was just gonna feel the same in both? He glanced back to Genos who was patiently waiting for an answer.
"... Nah, not really."
Genos faced the sky again as he thought about the issue. "Mm. I didn't think so. Tomorrow I will inquire with the concierge about moving one of the washers and driers into the apartment."
"uh-.. nah, that's not-.."
"Then, I shall make a public announcement and explain that you were a hero for many years."
"Huh? n-.. No. Uh, Genos-.."
"Then, I shall go to the Association and demand they back pay you for-.. oh-!"
"Knock it off, already!" Saitama shouted, tossing a plastic bag at his face. "It's not any of that stuff..."
"Huh...?" Genos pulled the bag away and sat up when Saitama suddenly hopped to his feet. He watched him tread his way toward the edge of the carrier until he could see down to the barren road below. "... then, what could it be?"
For a moment, Saitama didn't say a thing. That was a question he had been asking himself for years now... many years, in fact. "... I don't know... I just don't feel happy... Maybe there's something I'm missing... Something I'm supposed to be doing... I just don't know what it is, yet."
Suddenly, Genos' confusion melted into a look of understanding. '... I see... Master Saitama is so great, that I figured he was above such human qualities, but... even he, with all his strength, is still learning about life... He has his own struggles as well... and still, he chooses to help me along my path...' He smiled, watching Saitama's tattered cape fluttering in the wind. 'I don't know if I could ever help someone like him, but... I shall do all I can to assist Master Saitama on his journey! Together, we will find what he's missing...'
An hour later, Saitama found himself sitting on his new couch, watching the news that was now highlighting some of the other heroes from the day's events. He wasn't really paying attention, though. His mind for some reason wandered to the conversation he had with Fubuki earlier. Those questions she was asking really had him reminiscing about the days before his training. That co-worker of his was probably his last crush. He even remembered the night he almost asked her out. It was at a company party...
He remembered taking the bus that day, trying to fix his messy hair in the reflection of the glass door (something he definitely took for granted). And he never could get his necktie completely straight. "ergh-! Come on, you stupid thing!" he grumbled. With a sigh, he dropped his hands down to his sides and looked at his appearance once more. 'Yup... I'm as ordinary as it gets... Suit and tie, and a face so plain I don't recognize myself some days... Why the hell would Ayuki want someone like me...?' He stared at his own annoyingly bland face with an indescribable sense of defeat boiling up inside him. 'This feels like a terrible idea, but... like Yuno Hakaru said... If I don't make a move, she'll never know how I feel...'
That was an inspirational speaker he started watching not too long ago. He was all about pushing lonely losers off their ass to better their quality in society. Saitama never would've expected he'd be someone desperate enough to watch a guy like that, but he was in a rut that had been overwhelming him, recently. The days just started to seem more and more redundant. He had been working at his office job for over two years now. It was the same exact schedule week after week. There was something so mentally draining about the repetitiveness of it all. He worked so much that there was almost nothing to do but sleep when he got off. So, he never had the chance to go anywhere, and because he never went anywhere, he didn't have a single friend... other than co-workers... kind of... He blamed his long hours, but he wasn't blind to the fact that many others would casually make plans for their free time around him. He was never invited to have a drink after work... In fact, he was hardly even noticed.
The only one who ever seemed to speak with him on a semi-usual basis was a woman two years older than him named Ayuki. She was the sweetest woman he'd ever come to know in life. His desk was right next to the copy machine on their floor, so anytime she came to make a copy she'd greet him. It was never anything flirty, but that beautiful smile of hers and the sound of her voice saying, 'Hey Saitama!' That was all it took to melt his heart. It often made his day... or sometimes his whole week.
'Damn... I really am a loser...' Anytime he thought about where he was in life, it only pissed him off. He made good money and had a nice apartment, but as far as adult life goes, that was all he had. No friends, no girlfriend... 'Hurgh... if this is a manga or something, I'm definitely a background character...'
The bus came to a halt with a buzz and a hiss as the doors opened. Saitama stepped out and nearly stumbled on the sidewalk. "w-Whoa!" He looked down at his shaking legs in wonder. 'Damn... Am I really that nervous?'
Luckily there weren't too many passengers following him out, so no one really noticed his blunder. After composing himself, and once again checking his hair in the reflection of the building next to him, he took off down the block toward their company building with his palms sweating inside his pockets. He had only ever confessed to a girl once before, and that... was less than reassuring.
"Kagome please, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Ew, who are you?"
"s-Saitama...? I sit right in front of you in class!"
"I've never seen you, ever!"
"We're neighbors!"
He shuddered at the awful memory. 'Man... that was so embarrassing, heh-heh... but we were kids... This time, I'm a man... I'm a s-.. strong man...' The closer he got to the sound of the music, the less he believed that.
When he entered the party, he was greeted with a few quick glances from fellow co-workers he remembered seeing around the office, but... it was clear from the way they ignored him that they didn't remember him. "Heh... this is fun..." he muttered sarcastically to himself.
A few minutes later, he sat on a chair next to the coffee machine drinking cup after cup as he looked around for Ayuki. It was awkward for the first few minutes until the people walking by stopped noticing him altogether. He was almost a piece of the decor after a while.
He sat there and watched the clock across the room slowly cycle through an hour and a half before he started getting disheartened. He knew Ayuki was coming because she was the head of the party planning committee. And, she was technically the one who invited him... well, more like suggested he come, but still... Surely she'd walk by eventually, right? Part of him was hoping she didn't. He had an ultimatum bubbling in his mind, but the longer he waited, the less confident he felt. 'If she does... if... if I see her, then... No matter what, I gotta tell her how I feel...! But... if not, I... I guess it just wasn't meant to be...'
That was the deal... and he had to come to terms with the outcome eventually... when the crowd started to thin after an hour or so...
'... heh... this was dumb,' he finally relented. He chugged the last bit of coffee in his cup before tossing it in the trash. '... I shouldn't have come...' It mentally drained him walking toward the exit, hearing everyone having their own little conversations, so happy and carefree... Some were even completely disregarding the PDA rules of their company, smooching and touching away as if they were lost to the world. It sure did seem fun to a reclusive loser like himself, but... if he were honest, he wasn't really heartbroken about the way things turned out... Not even disappointed, really. Most people probably would be, but truth is, he wasn't even sure if he wanted to be in love. It just felt like something that would shake up his boring little life. So, what did it matter that he couldn't find her...?
"Hey, Saitama!"
His breath hitched as he stopped just before he reached the exit. He spun around and was absolutely blindsided by the woman before him. She was a stunning brunette with a sporty build that she had on display with her beautiful bright blue dress. Saitama could honestly feel his body heat rising by the second. "a-... a-Ayuki...! Hey, heh-heh..." he fumbled out.
"I'm so glad you made it! I didn't really think you'd come, to be honest."
"o-Oh... but, you told me to come, so..."
"Heh-heh!" she giggled, cutely. "I know that silly! I just meant that... w-well, nothing. I'm glad you came! Did you have fun?"
"y-Yeah, uh..." Suddenly, he couldn't find his words, so he nodded aggressively, and finished with an unconvincing, "Mhm!"
She giggled again. "I'm glad to hear it! So... are you leaving already?"
"uh-..." He peeked back at the door for a moment before he thought about it. He did make that ultimatum, and this honestly felt like some sort of cosmic moment... as if it were meant to happen. "n-No, I... I was jus-.."
"Babe!?" Ayuki suddenly shouted, cutting him off.
She was looking over his shoulder, so Saitama ducked out of the way to see a pretty muscular-looking man, in a much flashier blue suit than his own classic black, trudging his way toward her with a handsome grin on his clean-cut face.
"I didn't think you were coming!"
"Heh, you know I wouldn't miss one of your parties babe!" he said in a deep voice that Saitama could almost feel rumbling in his chest.
He watched with a plain look as the big brute scooped her up in a hug, making her squeal in excitement. He even spun her around a few times. '... ouch...'
Ayuki and the stranger giggled and cooed at each other until she realized she was just talking to someone. "o-Oh, um... Yami? This is my friend Saitama, and Saitama, this is Yami... my boyfriend."
"Hm?" the now-named Yami muttered as he looked around. Eventually, his eyes landed on Saitama's plain visage. "Oh, hey! Almost didn't see ya there, little guy! How's it hangin'?"
Saitama looked down at his outstretched hand for a moment... and in that moment, he started to wonder what the hell he was doing there. Not just at the party, either, but... at his company... at life... What the hell was he doing? '... Huh... I really don't know, anymore...'
Ayuki watched him curiously for a moment until things started getting a little awkward. "Hey... Saitama?"
"Hm...?" Suddenly, he was brought back to reality at the sound of her voice... saying those words, no less... "o-Oh... sorry bout that." He took the man's hand and looked him in the eye when they shook. "uh... I forgot that I... Actually have to do something, right now. So..."
Ayuki watched him back toward the exit with a confused look. "um... okay, well... I'll see you on Monday, okay?"
He didn't reply to that... of course, she would. He marched his way out the door feeling even lower than ever. It didn't really hit him until he made it back on the bus. The entire ride home, he wondered what that feeling was sitting in his chest... It wasn't heartbreak or anything like that... It was more like...an indescribable sense of boredom... As if there was nothing more he could try... or nothing more he wanted to try...
A month later he got fired and spent a few weeks as an unemployed loner. Then, on one of his job hunts, he ended up saving that big-chinned kid from that crab monster. After that, he started training. Turns out, all he really wanted to do was fight monsters.
The rush he felt fighting for his life that day was exactly what he needed. That sense of dread when it felt like he could die if he slipped up, and the wave of relief when he finally won. It was euphoric in some way, but... just like everything else, it soon wore off when he got too strong. But, there was a time, when he had just started training when every battle truly gave him that feeling. He wasn't too strong that he couldn't be beaten, but he wasn't so weak that he didn't stand a chance, either. That first year was so exhilarating that he actually did forget about his life before it all...
He didn't know what Fubuki wanted with that information, but he was kinda grateful someone reminded him. 'I really wasn't always like this, huh...?' Even someone like him wanted those things at some point... Question was, would he ever want it again? 'Mm... maybe I shouldn't have rejected her...' He sat with that realization for only a moment until he remembered why he did. Not the excuse he gave her, but... the real reason. "Heh... Nah... she talks too much."
AN: And there we go! It was a slower chapter with a lot of introspection and setup, but I think I like how it turned out. Let me know what you guys thought about the flashback. If anything, that was something I wasn't too sure about. Hopefully, it wasn't too confusing format-wise. I know a lot of people kind of section it off in its own little cut, but I really wanted it to feel like Saitama was taking a trip down memory lane. Also, I wanted to provide a bit of backstory into who Saitama was in his pre-hero days. It's not canon, of course, but hopefully, it still fits within the premise of his character in this particular story. Anyways, thanks again for reading, and please review with any feedback you may have.