The life of a hero was a thankless job.

Well...at least for him it was.

Don't get him wrong, he didn't become a hero to obtain glory and fame or anything, but...was it really a crime to wish that the effort he put into keeping everyone safe was recognized even by just a few people?

A simple thank you every now and then wouldn't hurt anyone, right?

Saitama didn't have any delusions of becoming as famous as Amai Mask nor did he want to be someone like him. He didn't want to be recognized for his feats to become popular and rise up in ranking, but rather he wanted to be seen as someone people can look up to, someone they could depend on: a hero.

Considering how people were, it seems as if it was going to be a long time before that ever happens.

"I guess that just means I have to beat up more bad guys then, right?" A light smile crawled up his face as he nodded, reassuring himself that more effort and hard work on his part could help speed up the process even by a small margin.

Despite that however, a small voice in the back of his mind kept whispering that it was futile to continue working so hard for people who would never even acknowledge what he did for them all because he didn't look like your conventional hero and or had any flashy moves or characteristics.

His shoulders slumped slightly as the voice persisted, making an exasperated sigh escape his lips as he walked down the familiar deserted path home.

"Excuse me! Do you have a moment to spare?"

A soft voice broke him out of his reverie, halting him in his tracks as he turned to where the voice originated, curious as to whoever was calling him and what they wanted from him.

If he wasn't as emotionally stunted as he already was then he might have had a more noticeable reaction, but to anyone who knew him, the light flush of pink across the hero's cheeks was already very much noticeable and surprising.

Silky (Hair Color) locks, a heart-shaped face, long eyelashes that lay like lush crescents, cupid's bow lips, and wide (Eye Color) orbs that seemed to suck him right into their depths.

"You're Caped Baldy, right? You probably don't remember me, but you saved me from a mysterious being before and I never to properly thank you..."

Was this...real? Was someone really thanking him and not scorning him for being the 'cheater' he'd made himself out to be?

"I know that you might get this a lot since you're a hero and saving people is part of your job, but..."

Shining (Eye Color) eyes met with brown pools that warmed and softened at the warmth of the other's gaze.

"I just...I just really want to be able to tell you how much it means to me. I...I owe you my life and I won't stop at nothing to repay you for what you've done for me"

Though he wanted to refuse her declaration and tell her that she didn't need to bother, seeing as taking the time to thank him was more than enough compensation already...something stopped him from doing so.

"Although I'm just normal and don't have a single special ability or the physical prowess you heroes have, I'll...I'll still find a way to pay you back!"

Ba-bump

Ahh, what was that? Was that his heart? Strange, he wasn't tired or anything to make his heart skip a beat all of a sudden like that.

"Maybe I could help treat your wounds whenever you get roughed up after fight?"

Ba-bump

There it was again, but now it was accompanied with warmth that seemed to emanate from within his body. What was happening to him?

Well, whatever it was Saitama could only describe the feeling as weird, but...pleasant.

"You don't need to do anything like that, you know? Your thanks are more than enough for me and oh, call me Saitama, not Caped Baldy"

Your bell-like laughter caused the corners of his lips to twitch upwards in turn as the pleasant warmth continued to well up inside of him.

"Saitama it is then. By the way, my name is (Name) (Surname) and I hope to be able to get to know you more, Hero Saitama"

Should he be concerned about how his heartbeat sped up again? Maybe he should get Genos to give him a quick check-up just to be sure once he gets home.