The air froze.
The psychic energy surrounding Tatsumaki flickered uncontrollably, making the empty bowls and plates on the table tremble.
She opened her mouth as if to yell, but no words came out. Her cheeks were so red they looked ready to burst.
After several seconds, she finally found her voice. Her tone was high and rushed, nearly cracking.
"Y, you idiot! Is that something you just casually say?!"
She rushed toward Sol, stopping just short of colliding with him. Her emerald eyes burned with a mixture of anger and overwhelming embarrassment.
"Th, that's only because my mattress was specially made by the Hero Association! The support and breathability are top class! What does that have to do with me?!"
Sol watched her without changing his expression. He simply picked up another piece of cabbage and lowered it into the simmering broth.
"Hm. The mattress is very comfortable."
He paused briefly before adding,
"But your psychic field is also very stable. It helps with deep sleep."
The straightforward explanation completely caught Tatsumaki off guard. Every retort she had prepared became lodged in her throat.
She froze in midair, clutching her arms so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her eyes darted everywhere except toward Sol.
"...Just shut up and eat!"
That was all she could manage before abruptly turning her back to him. Her shoulders rose and fell as she struggled to suppress her emotions, clearly still angry but no longer sure what to say.
Sol looked at her back, said nothing else, and quietly continued eating what remained in the hotpot.
His pace was unhurried, each movement steady and composed.
From outside the apartment came Metal Bat's muffled voice.
"Sounds pretty quiet now..."
Tatsumaki immediately spun toward the door.
"You're all so noisy! Say one more word and I'll throw every one of you onto the rooftop!"
The hallway instantly fell silent.
She turned back, took several deep breaths, and tried to compose herself. The lingering blush on her ears betrayed how unsettled she still was.
Floating back to the table, she didn't sit down. Instead, she grabbed her drink and took several large gulps, as though trying to cool the heat burning across her face.
Sol picked up the last slice of meat from the pot and casually placed it into Tatsumaki's empty bowl.
She froze.
Her gaze shifted from the sesame-coated meat to Sol, who had already begun blanching vegetables as though nothing had happened.
"...I'm not eating it."
She turned her head away, her voice stiff.
"It won't taste good once it gets cold," Sol replied.
Tatsumaki pressed her lips together.
After several seconds of silent resistance, she finally picked up her chopsticks and ate the slice of meat in small bites.
When she finished, she set her chopsticks down.
"...Next time, don't say things like that in front of everyone."
"Hm."
"'Hm' isn't enough."
"Got it."
Only then did the psychic energy surrounding her finally settle.
She looked at Sol's composed profile, her thoughts in complete disarray.
His earlier words had left her embarrassed, yet his current composure and seemingly genuine intentions also stirred an unfamiliar feeling she couldn't quite understand.
She quickly shook her head, forcing the strange emotion aside.
"When you're finished, clean this up."
Leaving those words behind, she floated over to the sofa, crossed her arms, switched on the television, and deliberately turned the volume up. She acted as though she was focused on the screen, although her eyes occasionally drifted toward Sol.
Sol stood up and opened the apartment door.
Saitama and the others immediately leaned inside.
"The meat's not all gone yet."
Saitama's eyes instantly locked onto the steaming hotpot, his voice filled with regret.
Metal Bat rubbed his lower back with a grin.
"Tatsumaki, your psychic power really packs a punch."
Tanktop Master and Bang appeared completely unfazed, as though they hadn't just been thrown out moments earlier.
Genos immediately reported,
"Sol-senpai, there were no abnormalities outside the door. Everything is secure."
Tatsumaki turned her face away, the faint blush still lingering on her ears.
Sol stepped aside.
"Come in and eat."
The group returned inside.
Saitama immediately reclaimed his seat, picked up his chopsticks, and resumed eating.
Metal Bat and Tanktop Master also sat back down.
Bang smiled as he picked up the ladle and refilled everyone's bowls with broth.
Meanwhile, Genos carefully gathered the scattered vegetable leaves that had been knocked onto the floor by Tatsumaki's psychic outburst before wiping everything spotless.
The lively atmosphere gradually returned, though it was noticeably quieter than before.
No one brought up the earlier incident again.
Everyone silently focused on the meal.
After cooking another batch of meat, Metal Bat changed the subject.
"The people Sol brought back are pretty interesting."
Tanktop Master nodded.
"Their physical conditioning is solid, but their core strength still needs work."
Bang slowly sipped his soup.
"Young people today are often too eager for quick results. Their techniques look polished, but their foundations still need strengthening."
Saitama continued eating with his head lowered.
"Yeah... this meat's overcooked."
Tatsumaki remained floating near the sofa, appearing absorbed in the television.
No one was brave enough to disturb her again.
Sol quietly ate while listening to everyone chat about the Hero Association and recent hero activities, occasionally adding a brief comment.
When the hotpot was finally empty, Saitama patted his stomach with satisfaction.
"I'm full. Half price meat really does taste the best."
Genos immediately stood.
"I'll clean up."
Working with his usual efficiency, he stacked the bowls and chopsticks before wiping the table clean.
Metal Bat stretched his arms.
"Alright, I'm full. Time to get back on patrol."
Tanktop Master stood as well.
"I've got another training session this afternoon."
Bang smiled and nodded to Sol and Tatsumaki.
"This old man should be heading back too. My disciples are waiting for today's training."