progression | ONE PUNCH MAN

reminisce

He can't remember the last time that he felt like this. Some time. A lot more than just some time. Years, really. The first time he had a crush was back in elementary school. It was on a girl with eyes that shone like stars. He never said a word, of course. Back then, Saitama was too scared, of people, of monsters, of everything. A few months later, it disappeared, and the feeling never came back. But here it is now. The feeling that makes him want to cradle his head in his hands to cover up the flush that turns his face completely red.

He too has eyes that shone like stars. They are bright, brighter than human eyes can ever be. Unsurprising, since he is a cyborg. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, Saitama can see them sitting at the foot of his futon, trained on a notebook that he always seems to be scribbling in. White sclera has been replaced with black ones. He has yellow irises that light up during fights, which only further contributes to his hero name. But he is no demon. Far from it.

His name is Genos and he is a cyborg. Genos walked into his life a few months ago. Perhaps the word barging in with consent fits better. Unbelievably, horribly polite, even when forcing his way into Saitama's tiny world. Demanded to become Saitama's disciple, showing up with a backpack several times larger than him so they can live together, bombarding Saitama with a backstory heroes and villains would die for. Genos calls him sensei. Calls him sensei, even though Saitama has nothing to teach the boy besides a few cooking classes.

"Sensei?"

Saitama looks up from the manga he holds in his hands. Genos is standing there, in the doorway of the kitchen. He is as impassive as usual, if you don't look at the crease of concern in between his blond eyebrows. Saitama's heart skips a beat. He almost flinches at the occurrence; he still hasn't gotten used to harboring these odd feelings yet. The cyborg once told him that he can track heartbeats. Does Genos see every time that his heart rate goes irregular? "Yeah, Genos?"

"Are you feeling well?" Genos asks. He fiddles with the hem of his pink apron. It's the one that Saitama found on sale a few months ago, when fluids in the kitchen kept staining the cyborg's shirts while he cooked.

Saitama stares. "Yeah?" He raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

"It is just – " Genos lets go of the apron and points at the manga in his Saitama's hands. "You are reading your manga upside down, sensei."

Saitama looks down. Oh. So he was. He hasn't even noticed. "Thanks," he says, righting it and flipping a page he didn't read. He flips a few more, anything to avoid meeting his self-proclaimed disciple's eyes. He reads the words in each speech bubble. It's comprehensible, but it turns to mud in his mind. They are clear, yet Saitama can't seem to understand what's happening.

"Sensei," Genos says uncertainly. "Are you absolutely sure you are feeling alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Saitama mumbles, distracted. "I was just thinking. What are we having for dinner?"

Silence. And then, "curry, sensei."

Saitama nods. "Cool."

He keeps his eyes on the manga, knowing that the cyborg hasn't moved yet because of the quiet. One more flipped page and he finally hears the heavy footsteps treat back into the kitchen. Saitama flicks his gaze to the doorway, relieved in a way that he doesn't understand to see that it is void of machinery. Breathing out a small sigh, he rubs a hand across his face, hoping that clarity will shine upon him again.

Confusion is what he feels. Saitama doesn't know what to do with these feelings, how to deal with them. Perhaps they will go away in time, but he doubts it. Living with the source of his affection, he knows, will only increase the infatuation. And he wonders. Wonders what Genos feels. Wonders if this might actually be fixable. Wonders if his feelings can actually be returned.

He tries not to think about it. Getting his hopes up will ultimately be his demise.

And then he's back. "Sensei," Genos starts. "If there is anything you would like to share, please do so without hesitation. I will try my best to help and find a solution."

Saitama raises his eyebrow in what he hopes seems like perplexity. In an equable voice, he says, "sure." He perks up his lips in a small grin and salutes to reinforce the act.

In response, Genos nods sharply and walks away. The way he nods is like a child would, overexaggerated and sudden, as if he doesn't do it right, his intent will be misunderstood. It makes Saitama smile, and this time, for real.

There is a sensation in his chest. Like his lungs are being squeezed empty of the air they hold. It is not unlike being short of breath after a harsh workout back in the days when he still had hair. It may not be as painful, but it lasts so much longer. Saitama inhales slowly like Genos sometimes does when he is overheating. A breathing exercise, the cyborg explained. He hopes it helps.

It does not.