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Saitama couldn't careless about the blistering cold winter. Genos had said something about a 'surprise confession' right after they take a hike to the summit of the mountain.
Jeez, and here he thought his opponents were the ones with the most ridiculous and time wasting theatrics.
But he decided to humor the disciple. It was fun anyway, spending time with just him.
Still, couldn't they have just ran to the top instead of bothering with the hassle of hiking like a normal person would?
Oh well..
"Oi, Genos, how far is it until we reach the summit?" Saitama inquired, "Not like I'm susceptible to hypothermia or something, but I don't really like these snow piling on my favourite sweater."
"A couple of hours, give or take, Sensei, and that's being generous." Genos replied.
"A- a couple of hours?!" Saitama was taken aback by the revelation, "That's why you brought that big ass bag over?"
"Sensei, where's the thrill in hiking if it only lasts a few minutes?"
Saitama exhaled, "You know, whatever confession you were going to give me, couldda just get it over with back home."
Genos didn't even bother to respond.
"Giving me the silent treatment now, are we?" Saitama's eyes furrowed a little, "Damn, your complete disregard of my presence is just as cold as the weather."
"Terrible jokes aren't like you at all, Sensei."
"Dragging me all the way from city Z to climb a mountain for no reason isn't like you at all." Saitama deadpanned, "Besides, I never pegged you for the type to do an outdoor activity such as this one."
Genos was about to open his mouth, but figured it was way too cheesy and obvious.
Hours passes by, and they still haven't reached the top like Genos said they would. The way these landscapes were shaped is making it a pain for him to get anywhere.
"Genos," Saitama yawned a little, "Can we stop by for a bit? Did you bring over a tent?"
"Yes, Sensei. Two, to be exact."
"Good. I don't want to sleep with you in a cramped place." Saitama waved his hand in front of his yawning mouth, "So, can we stop now?"
"Unless you want the trip to last for a few days, then-"
"Then it's fine. I wanna sleep."
"You really are that exhausted?"
"Cold's fucking me over." Saitama responded bluntly, "And I feel like I'm walking on a trampoline, what with the amount of time I almost fell on my ass."
Genos looked at him for a moment, before replying, "I'll set the tents, wait for a moment, Sensei."
As he waited, seconds became minutes, and minutes became hours. Wait. Why was it taking this long? Shouldn't it be done already?
He decided to check the place where Genos was supposedly setting their tents up, only to find..
A vacant area.
Eh?
Where did he go?
"Hey, Genos." Saitama scanned the environment around him, "Where'd you go?"
Did he get lost?
Nah, that sounds ridiculous. He wouldn't get lost..
...
Would he..?
"If this is your idea of a prank, it isn't funny." Saitama stated, looking around as he spoke again, "C'mon, it's getting cold out here, and I'm getting a tad bit too drowsy."
No answer came.
Oh.
"Genos?" Dread began to fill his chest. Oh you gotta be fucking with me..
"Genos?!" Saitama began to frantically look around the area, "Dude, where are you?"
No answer.
Shit.
Shitshitshitshitshit.
Saitama waddled around in panic, his eyes jolting into every direction, desperate to see any signs of his cyborg disciple, only to find none.
Did a monster get to him?
Is that why he was taking so long?
Was he wrecked again?
"Genos, I swear-!"
He suddenly felt a hand gripping his shoulder tightly from behind, "Sensei."
"WHA-?!" Saitama almost thrusted his fist forward towards whoever it is that touched him, only to see Genos right in front of him.
"GENOS!" Saitama was startled, taking a step back, "Where the fuck were you?!"
"I was merely sitting above a tree trunk, observing you, Sensei."
"Wha-"
"It was a little experiment." Genos replied.
...
"In other words.." Saitama's eyes twitched, "You pulled a fast one on me, did you? A prank? Really?"
Genos's lips curled delightfully, "I didn't know you cared that much about me, Sensei."
"....I'm gonna punch you." Saitama fumed, elbowing Genos gently for his trouble.
Genos turned his head around, "I'll set up the tents now, for real this time. Please wait here, Sensei."
"Nah," Saitama held his hand up, "I'm coming with you."
"That is not necessary-"
"If I don't, you're going to keep this shit up all night." Saitama tossed a snowball towards Genos out of the blue, "That's for scaring me, by the way."
As they walked over to the spot where they were supposed to tend to the tents, Saitama asked, "Don't you get like, cold, or something?"
"Cyborgs are naturally resistant against the harsh environment of particular areas, Sensei." Genos replied.
Saitama shrugged, "I dunno, I'm not exactly affected by the cold, but it's still uncomfortable."
"Of course. You still have the nervous system to go with it, Sensei. As for me, I cannot feel even the slightest touch, not even a stimulus." Genos said, "Even if you were to punch me, it will only be registered as a damage to my components."
"Hooo," Saitama rubbed his chin, "Sounds a bit scary, if you ask me. It's kind of detrimental to you as well. Without pain, you wouldn't know when to back down whenever you're facing a really strong enemy."
"Yes. Maybe I should bring this to the doctor after some time." Genos suggested to himself.
After a long while of walking, Saitama tilted his head to the ledge at the left side, overlooking the vastness of the area below it. Ah. The view in front of him was exquisite. Hmmm...
"On second thought, why don't we sit on that ledge?" Saitama backtracked, "I kinda like the view."
"Hm." Genos hummed, letting his eyes bask in the view of the countless valleys below the ledge, "If that's what you want, Sensei. Perhaps you can wait there and I'll set the tents up in the meanti-"
Saitama cut him off short, "Nah, nah, you don't understand. I mean like, can *we* sit over there?"
"That would be inefficient, Sensei. If I recall correctly, you were the one who asked to stop to rest."
"Changed my mind," Saitama said, "I don't get to see these kind of views often."
"As much as I'd like to comply to your request..why?"
Saitama replied dryly, "I guess I just like the company. You don't mind, right?"
"Of course not." Genos said without hesitation.
As they sat at the edge, their legs dangling over the empty air, Saitama closed his eyes, leaning backwards, using both of his palm to support himself from falling on his back, "You know, you don't have to be so stiff." Saitama turned his attention back to Genos, "If you want to express something, express it, cause no way you're going to stay silent after getting to see this view up close."
"Like the 'faaah' thing, Sensei?"
"....okay, maybe not that weird, but still." Saitama replied, "You're silent the entire time."
Saitama groggily yawned, letting the air being sucked through his mouth, before exhaling, his eyes feeling a bit drowsy, "Me and my stupid decisions."
"I'm sorry, Sensei?"
"Shouldda let you set up the tents." Saitama stated, "You know, I wonder what would happen if I just let myself fall from here while being asleep."
"I...don't think that's a good idea, Sensei." Genos lightly warned.
Saitama clapped his yawning mouth as he replied in an almost unintelligible manner, "Ywou kwow I wond ged harmewd, rwight..?"
"Pardon me?" Genos tried to make his teacher clarify.
"I won't get harmed." Saitama reiterated when he stopped yawning, "I mean, sure, it'll destroy the ground, but..oh yeah, this is a national landmark."
Imagine the stacked bills...I can't even afford an ideal place to stay in, much less an entire protected landmark.
"Yeah, scratch that." Saitama dismissed the stupid thoughts away.
"Let's just sleep here. I like it that way anyway." Saitama said as he yawned again. Damn it, the drowsiness is getting a bit too unbearable.
Genos frowned, "I'm not sure that's wise, Sensei. I should get the tents-"
"Nah, don't worry bout it. I can sleep here just fine." Saitama reassured.
"But wouldn't you get sick?"
"Hm?" Saitama gave him a questioning look, "I've never been affected by the cold before."
"We shouldn't take any chances, Sensei."
Saitama's exhausted look gradually shifted into a fit of laughter, "Oh man, you're so adorable when you do this."
"Meaning-?"
"You worry too much, really." Saitama gave the cyborg a tender pat, "I'll be fine."
"Somehow, I doubt that, Sensei."
"Brat, I told you-"
"I will take care of the tent." Genos insisted, "I insist."
"Dude, it's fine." Saitama persists.
"And it is inappropriate for someone as respectable as you are to sleep in a place like this." Genos added, "At least let me take care of you. You can sleep in my lap."
"In your-?!" Saitama was shocked by that suggestion, "Genos, what the hell?"
"It's merely a harmless suggestion. I can turn up my heat as you sleep near me."
"....okay, looking at it, that kinda makes sense, but I don't want to seem like a pervert." Saitama said.
Genos shook his head, "Nothing about that suggests that you're a pervert, Sensei."
"I guess, haha, it's just..friendly things, right?" Saitama laughed nervously.
Friends?
Genos wondered that out loud.
"Sensei, I'm sorry to bother you with this question in your time of greatest need, but, do you really..think of me as a friend?" Genos inquired.
"Hm?" Saitama was baffled by that, "I never bothered with labels before, but, isn't that kind of obvious?"
"Ah," Genos decided to drop the topic, "M- my apologies, I was.."
"'S fine." Saitama dismissively said, "That offer still up? It is kinda cold here."
"Yes, Sensei." Genos nodded.
"A nosy hiker's gonna snoop around here, I reckon." Saitama sighed as he layed his head on Genos's thigh, "You don't mind, right? You can back out if you want."
"I'm sure."
"Right," Saitama chuckled a little, "Don't blame me if I rupture your eardrums with my snoring. I'm a heavy sleeper, after all."
"I live with you, Sensei," Genos disagreed, being contrarian, "And my ears haven't been ruptured yet."
"Don't get cheeky, brat." Saitama spat out, before slumping into his disciple's thigh. Damn, was he comfortable to sleep on. Wait...that didn't sound weird, right?