The early morning sun streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting slender beams of light across the floor.
Sol opened his eyes. His dark red pupils were as clear as ever, without the slightest trace of drowsiness.
The other side of the bed was already empty, leaving behind only a faint indentation in the mattress and a subtle lingering fragrance.
He got out of bed.
In the living room, Tatsumaki floated in front of the open refrigerator, seemingly debating what to have for breakfast. She still held her rainbow jellyfish plushie in one arm.
Hearing his footsteps, she didn't turn around.
"Did you eat the pudding in the fridge?"
"I didn't."
Sol walked toward the kitchen counter, where several important documents sent by Child Emperor the previous night were waiting for his review.
He picked up the top file. It was a proposal to reinforce the underground pipeline defense system in the new district.
Tatsumaki shot him a suspicious glance before deciding to believe him.
"...Then Fubuki must've taken it."
She took out a carton of milk and floated over to the cupboard for a glass, using telekinesis the entire time while hovering a few inches above the floor.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Before Tatsumaki could investigate with her psychic powers, an extremely familiar voice called from outside, lazy yet overflowing with confidence.
"Sol! Open up! The supermarket's selling hotpot meat at half price! Hurry, let's go before it's gone!"
It was Saitama.
Tatsumaki's brows instantly furrowed, and a look of irritation flashed across her emerald eyes.
"That bald guy again..."
She floated to the entrance and pulled the door open with telekinesis.
Outside stood Saitama in his signature yellow hero suit, his bald head reflecting the morning sunlight as he waved a supermarket flyer.
Beside him stood Genos, who bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Sol. Good morning, Tatsumaki-san."
"You're so loud," Tatsumaki snapped at Saitama. "Why are you yelling this early in the morning?"
Saitama completely ignored her irritation and leaned past her to look at Sol.
"Sol, let's go! If we're late, all the good meat will be gone!"
Sol set the documents aside and walked over. His eyes briefly scanned the flyer.
"Which supermarket?"
"The one at the corner. The sale only lasts an hour!"
His urgency made it sound as though they were rushing to stop a disaster instead of buying discounted meat.
"Wait for me."
Sol turned and headed inside to grab something.
"Hurry!" Saitama called after him.
Floating nearby with her arms folded, Tatsumaki let out an annoyed huff.
"Hotpot again? Don't you people ever eat anything else?"
Genos answered with complete seriousness.
"Saitama Sensei believes hotpot is one of the most efficient meals for strengthening neighborly relationships, maintaining balanced nutrition, and minimizing expenses."
As he spoke, footsteps and voices echoed from the opposite end of the hallway.
"I heard Sol's back."
It was Metal Bat.
"Yes. It was confirmed this morning. He seems to have been away longer than usual."
Tanktop Master's calm voice followed.
"Young people are always on the move. I was much the same in my younger days."
Bang let out a gentle sigh.
The group rounded the corner and paused when they saw everyone gathered outside the apartment.
"Oh? Looks like everyone's here."
Metal Bat rested his bat over his shoulder and grinned, his gaze shifting between Sol and Tatsumaki with unmistakable amusement.
"Hope we didn't interrupt anything."
Tanktop Master nodded toward Sol.
"It's good to have you back."
As always, he wore his trademark tank top that proudly displayed his muscular build.
Bang smiled warmly.
"It's good to see both of you doing well."
Feeling their gazes, especially Metal Bat's teasing expression, Tatsumaki's ears grew slightly red.
She immediately raised her voice to cover it.
"What are you all doing crowding the hallway? You're blocking the entrance!"
Completely oblivious to the atmosphere, Saitama remained focused on the real priority.
"Come on, stop talking! Sol, if we don't leave now, the meat's really going to sell out!"
Sol returned, having retrieved what he needed, and looked around.
"All of us?"
"Hotpot? Sounds great!" Metal Bat replied immediately.
Tanktop Master nodded thoughtfully.
"Protein is essential."
Bang stroked his beard with a smile.
"It'll be nice to have everyone together."
"I'll prepare the utensils and the remaining ingredients," Genos said without hesitation.
Tatsumaki fell silent.
She watched everyone settle the matter in just a few sentences. Seeing the excitement on Saitama's and Metal Bat's faces, she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
In the end, however, she didn't object. She simply turned her head with another quiet huff.
The group soon headed toward the supermarket on the corner.
Saitama led the way at a brisk pace.
Sol walked beside him at his usual relaxed speed, with Genos following close behind.
Metal Bat and Tanktop Master brought up the rear, Bang strolled leisurely behind everyone else, and Tatsumaki floated slightly behind Sol, close enough to keep pace without flying directly beside him.
Inside the supermarket, Saitama immediately rushed toward the refrigerated section.
As expected, several elderly shoppers and homemakers were already browsing the discounted meat.
"There's still plenty left!"
His eyes lit up.
He quickly slipped through the crowd and skillfully grabbed several packs of high-quality sliced meat.
Somehow, Sol had already appeared beside him with a shopping cart.
Saitama triumphantly dropped the meat into it.
Genos carefully selected vegetables, tofu, and other ingredients while mentally calculating the ideal nutritional balance.
Metal Bat enthusiastically tossed in several bottles of drinks.
Tanktop Master seriously compared healthy dipping sauces.
Bang watched with an amused smile, occasionally recommending mushrooms that made a better broth.
Hovering above the shopping cart, Tatsumaki watched the growing pile of ingredients, especially the steadily increasing mountain of meat.
"You people really eat a lot of meat..."
"High activity levels require proper nutrition," Sol replied calmly as he placed a package of wagyu, handed to him by Saitama, into the cart.
Tatsumaki pouted but said nothing.
A moment later, her eyes drifted toward a newly released premium ice cream displayed in a nearby freezer.
Sol followed her gaze.
He walked over, picked up two boxes, and placed them in the shopping cart.
Tatsumaki looked away.
"...I never said I wanted any."
Even so, her voice had noticeably softened.
At the checkout, their unusually large group attracted plenty of attention.
The cashier immediately recognized them, especially Saitama, who was a frequent customer. After a brief moment of surprise, the cashier quickly returned to a professional smile and began scanning their purchases.