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It was not a good fight. It was not a hard fight per say. Zombieman S-class hero had been called to fight a horde of monsters that had showed up claiming something somesuch or whatever but where ultimately terrorizing civilians. He was not the only hero there on the scene. Zombieman recognized Demon Cyborg the S class rookie and another hero. It had to be a hero; he recognized the bald man in the yellow costume from the S class meeting. He did not care who this man was as long as he and Demon Cyborg stayed out of his way.
The battle separated the three from each other. Zombieman after eliminating several monsters from the horde had been cornered into an alleyway by a mosnter that could shoot acid out of its eyes. Frankly speaking if the H.A. had time to evaluate the monster Zombieman suspected that it could have been either a very high class Tiger Monster or possibly even a Demon class monster which is not to say he did not kick its ass back to whatever hell it came from. He won, his regenerative powers being able to heal him fast enough so that he was able to kill the monster without suffering too much damage. The same could not be said for his clothes however. There was not a stich of clothing that survived the battle. Zombieman was currently and utterly completely nude without a stich of clothing on him.
“Are you alright?”
Zombieman turned the bald man and Demon Cyborg were standing at the opening of the alleyway completely unharmed. Demon Cybord looked nonetheless worse for wear either. Zombieman knew that his regeneration had healed everything that by now he was completely unharmed and healed but still naked.
“I’m alright…Thank you for asking.” He added politely.
The bald man looks at him for one long moment and Zombieman can’t blame him. He’s just defeated several monsters losing his clothes in the process. It is something to warrant a second look.
What surprises him is the bald man’s actions. He doesn’t look down (Zombieman was half expecting he would) but instead takes his clothes off. Just the yellow suit actually but before it can get really weird and awkward the bald man hands the suit to him.
“Here, you can wear this till you get home.”
Zombieman stares at the bright yellow suit and the white cape. The man himself wears nothing but a pair of ludicrously pink pair of shorts, his gloves and his boots.
“Are you sure?” he can’t help asking.
“Yes. I live near here I’ll be fine; but you’re naked you might catch cold.”
“You are not wearing much yourself.”
“But at least I’m wearing pants.”
‘Touché.” said Zombieman and he while he knows he won’t catch a cold from this; he really does not want to walk home naked. He accepts the suit from the man’s hand.
“Thank you.” He says sincerely and puts the suit on. It fits well enough and it is relatively clean. It seems the man had not sweat at all in this suit. Zombieman can tell by the feel of the cloth it is something made to be durable and able to withstand a tough fight. The bald man looks on with a slight smile. Demon Cyborg who stands behind the bald man has said nothing at all during the entire course of Zombieman’s conversation but there is an expression on his face that looks almost fond as the metal man stares at the back of bald one’s head.
It’s strange; Zombieman has encountered all sorts of people, heroes and civilians in his line of work. He has met the type of fans who practically worship the heroes they look up too and would be willing to sell their souls their first born baby all for the hero’s sake. This man is definitely not like that; although he had just given almost all his clothes to a stranger.
“I feel ridiculous.” Zombieman announces and does not miss the way Demon Cyborg’s eyes narrow in anger or how the meta man’s stance shifts into an offensive one. But the bald man laughs and says.
“You look ridiculous too.”
Zombieman snickers. Out of the corner of his eye he files Demon Cyborg’s reaction away and realized that he does not know the other man’s name.
“You were at the S class meeting weren’t you? With Demon Cyborg.” He says with a nod to the aforementioned man. Who nods back in acknowledgement he has not shifted from his offensive stance; Zombieman ignore him.
“Hmm? Oh that yeah I was there.”
“I don’t remember your name.” Zombieman admits and Demon Cyborg bristles ever so slightly. Interesting. But it’s really none of his business. He has no prejudice against homosexual relationships. What people do in their own time is their business.
“It’s Saitama Class B 33.”
Zombieman nods. Saitama is probably not his hero name but since the man is still Class B he is almost certain that the H.A. would have given him a truly ridiculous Hero Name like ‘Yellow Suit Baldy” or whatever; if his Hero Name had ever been like that he probably would have introduced himself by his real name as well.
“When should I give this back to you?” he asks.
“Whenever, I think you can get the H.A. to mail it for you but wash it first ok?”
Zombieman nods. “Or course.” He says.
“Thank you again Saitama.”
“It’s fine. Don’t mention it.”
He nods briefly and respectfully to Demon Cyborg, who nods back.
And he walks away.
He’s had a long, long day and he is tired but he walks home. People are staring at him and whispering but none actually approach him.
Is that Zombieman?
The S-class hero Zombieman?
The one who went 140 hours one on one against a mysterious being?
What the heck is he wearing?
He ignores them. With a scowl on his face he knows that most will not approach him, especially with the way he holds out his blood splattered axe. But he sees a small boy staring at him strangely, the boy is smiling. He takes a step towards Zombieman and the smile falters a bit. Zombieman knows he is not exactly approachable. He walks past the boy ignoring him but then he hears the sound of running feet and Zombieman can see the kid catching up to him.
“Mr. Zombieman?” the child says hesitantly.
“Yes?” While he is tired and does wish to be left alone Zombieman does have the courtesy within him not to ignore a little child who is obviously making an effort to talk to him.
“Did you have your clothes taken and a nice bald man lent you his clothes so you could go home and change?”
The question makes him stop. Zombieman’s eyes widen is surprise.
“Yes.” He says.
The boy beams and if he smiles wider Zombieman is half certain it will split the kid’s face. He’s seen weirder things happen.
“He did the same for me!” the boy explains. “I was bullied and they took my clothes but he lent me his so I could go home and change. This is the same suit.” The boy points excitedly.
“Is that so…”
So Saitama has done this before; stripped the very shirt of his back and given it to someone in need; to a child. How…noble
The boy nods enthusiastically “He was really nice about it and later I learned he gave me his costume even though he was joining a costume contest and had to wear a really ugly one instead.”
Zombieman takes in this story; the boy is almost singing Saitama’s praises.
“But I forgot to ask him his name…Mr. Zombieman do you know his name? Is he a hero just like you?”
No. He thinks because for all the good he has done all the monsters he had killed and criminals he had caught. This act of kindness is something he has simply not done. For all his status; all he does is kill and beat.
“His name is Saitama. Yes he is also a hero. He is a B-class hero rank 33.”
“Saitama.” The boy repeats. “So he is a hero I knew it!” The boy exclaims elatedly but his face falls a bit.
“B class hero…That’s a bit low isn’t it?”
“Rankings aren’t everything kid.” Zombieman says and he knows this to be true. The boy nods in fervent agreement.
“You’re right! I’m going to write him a letter. Thank you Mr. Zombieman!” with that the boy runs off. Zombieman watches him go.
A letter huh. He thinks. Maybe he’ll write one too.