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“Saitama-san! Please!” King had his head bowed and his hands clapped together over his head.
“Ehhh? Why can’t you just do it? They asked you.” Saitama replied, scrolling through his phone, not looking at the man.
“I can’t. I just can’t. Everytime I step in the ring I am paralyzed with fear. Even though I look like this, I cannot stand violence.” King replied, his breaths seeming to come shorter after each word. Saitama looked up, a little worried for his friend.
“Hey, if it’s like that, just tell them. I’m sure they can find someone else.” Saitama reassured him. But King persisted.
“I feel responsible, however. They asked me for help. Which is why I came to you, Saitama-san. Please! I know you told me you did judo when you were younger!” King almost looked desperate. “I’m begging you! I will do whatever you ask!”
“Haa…” Saitama thought about it for a moment. “There’s no need.” Saitama put his arm on his friend’s shoulder. “Consider it a favor for a friend.” He owed the man this much at least, and Saitama knew he was prideful.
“Thank you! Any game you want to borrow, it’s yours!” He clasped Saitama’s hand in both of his. “And I’m sure your boyfriend would be thrilled to see you in the ring.”
“Boyfriend?” Saitama gave a confused look.
“Oh don’t play coy with me. Genos-san of course!” King gave a hearty laugh and patted him on the back.
“Uh, we’re not together though.” Saitama admitted to himself that he might feel a little something for the younger man, sure. But they didn’t have a relationship. Anyway it was probably just friendly affection at best.
“No need to pretend, Saitama-san. You walk with each other to school all the time.” King pointed out.
“That’s just because it’s convenient. We live together after all, and some of our classes are roughly the same time.”
“And he cooks for you. He’s even brought your lunches to you.”
“Naw, he just likes doing those kinds of things. Plus he’s very nice.”
“He gets notes for you when you miss classes.” King seemed to just have a list in his head.
“He’s worried I’m not taking classes seriously enough.”
“He wears your hoodies. You got him a frilly pink apron! Not to mention you use his travel mugs.”
“I think he just grabs those on accident when he’s tired. He leaves for classes pretty early. Oh and the apron was from a friend! It keeps his clothes clean.” Saitama shrugs. “And cups are just cups.”
King facepalmed. “Give me patience…” He muttered.
“You’ll figure it out eventually.” King sighed. Saitama pretended to not understand.
*******
“Amazing senpai!” Genos gushed as he walked up to Saitama, handing him a towel. Saitama hardly seemed to sweat during the match however. “You beat all your opponents so quickly!”
“Thanks, Genos-kun.” Saitama took the towel and wiped his face and neck. He ignored the small fluttering in his stomach. It was because King said some strange things. Most definitely.
“I hadn’t done judo in so long, it felt strange. I’m lucky to have gotten away without any injuries.” He stretched out his arms and hands, and looked at his hands. It could have been dangerous if he ruined them.
“I didn’t realize you were so strong!” Genos looked at him with fire in his eyes. “Maybe you can teach me some techniques!”
“Oh, that won’t be happening.” Saitama shook his head and looked at Genos. “I was only filling in today. I have no desire to go back to judo.”
“But Saitama-senpai, you’re so good at-!”
“No.” Saitama held his hand up. Why did his roommate have to look so hopeful? “Anyway, I’m not a good teacher.” The truth is, he didn’t want to be a disappointment. Not that he would say it out loud.
“Of course, senpai.” Genos’s jaw set, and oh. Saitama supposed he was a disappointment either way. But Genos bounced back quickly.
“So, what would you like me to make tonight?” Genos asked quickly putting on a smile. “I’ll make anything! We can celebrate your win.”
“Udon would be nice.” Saitama smiled back and clapped his hand on the other man’s shoulder. Udon would be very nice right about now.
*******
The following week, the judo club hassled him every day, asking him to join the club, to spar with them, anything! Saitama turned them down flat every time. But, then, the idea didn’t seem so bad the more he thought of it.
He hadn’t felt the thrill of a fight in a while, and he sure had some free time on his hands outside of school. Of course, he didn’t want to join, not officially at least. So he found himself about a week and a half after that match in the dojo, completely unintentionally. He kicked himself for giving in, but he told the club he would at least spar with them. They were thrilled. Ecstatic even. He’d just have to take extra care with his own hands.
And when he told Genos about it immediately after, he tried to convince himself it wasn’t for the sake of his roommate. He only allowed him to watch, after all. If Genos happened to learn a few things here and there, what was the harm in it?