Chapter 139: The Stalker
Saitama's home, Z-City Uninhabited Area.
"In the latest news, the recent increase in rainy days has made disasters such as mudslides and landslides more likely. We hope all citizens will take necessary precautions."
"Yesterday, the national government officially signed and issued a document requiring all municipal governments to do their work in protecting against Mysterious Beings, and to earnestly safeguard the personal and property safety of their citizens."
"Due to the frequent disasters caused by Mysterious Beings, public morale is unstable. Citizens feel lost and terrified about the future. The number of criminals taking desperate measures is on the rise, with a large number of stalkers, murderers, robbers, and other thugs emerging. We urge all citizens to be mindful of their personal safety."
Saitama sat cross-legged, watching the news on TV and slurping the hot water from the cup in his hand. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh. "Say, why do I get the feeling that someone's eyes are always on me?"
His powerful intuition vaguely sensed someone was monitoring and tailing him. However, up to this point, he still hadn't caught a glimpse of his pursuer.
*Click!*
Suddenly, a flash of light seemed to cross his vision.
"Who's there?"
He shot up abruptly, yanking open the curtains with a *whoosh*. The sunlight outside was brilliant. His expression tensed as he stared at the building across the street. After a long pause, his face relaxed, and he said with a slight smile, "Ah, come to think of it, the weather's great today. Perfect for going out to beat up some Monsters."
At the same time, on the rooftop of the building opposite Saitama's home, Genos packed up a small tent. The flap of the tent was slightly open, and a high-pixel camera was aimed at Saitama's balcony.
When Saitama had opened the curtains with a grave expression and stared across, Genos's face had tensed as well. He only breathed a sigh of relief after Saitama turned away. He then pulled out a notebook titled "Sensei's Log," flipped to the latest page, and began writing furiously:
"Sensei spent half an hour watching the news broadcast today... One should watch more news; it can broaden one's experience and knowledge..."
After deciding to ask Saitama to be his master, Genos did not immediately pay him a visit. Instead, he chose to stalk and spy on him, hoping to learn the secret of Saitama's great strength without his knowledge.
"I'll go to a nearby supermarket and see if they're handing out any special sale flyers."
Saitama, now dressed in his hero suit, left the house and walked towards the nearest supermarket.
*Swoosh!*
The moment Saitama left, Genos quickly packed up his tent, leaped off the building with a *swoosh*, and cautiously followed behind Saitama, silently observing his every move with his powerful electronic eyes.
"Oh~ This supermarket is having a special sale event."
As Saitama passed a supermarket, his eyes lit up. He eagerly went forward to grab a special sale flyer and lowered his head to study it with glee.
"Bargain Supermarket... Super Sale...???"
Genos watched as Saitama excitedly scanned the flyer. His electronic eyes adjusted their focal length like a telephoto lens, magnifying his vision until he could clearly read the names of the products on the flyer.
"Hair growth tonic? Come to think of it, Sensei is indeed bald. Hair is a man's other face. No wonder Sensei is so interested in hair growth tonic."
"Hmm, spinach? Does spinach also help with hair growth? It seems that in popular belief, spinach does indeed have hair-growing properties."
"Huh? These are all products that help with hair growth. Isn't this supposed to be the secret to becoming stronger?"
He was slightly disappointed.
"Ah! A stalker!!"
Just then, a sharp scream came from up ahead. A young woman ran over in a panic, shouting as she ran, "Everyone, help me! A stalker is after me!"
"A stalker?"
Saitama carefully folded the supermarket flyer and put it away, then turned to look at the terrified young woman running toward him.
"Don't run! Don't run, Miss Aisha! I like you, I like you..."
A sleazy-looking man, carrying a video camera and with a still camera hanging around his neck, shouted as he chased after her.
"Hey, stalking... is wrong, you know!"
Saitama blocked the sleazy man's path and lectured him with a dead-serious expression.
The sleazy man said anxiously, "Get out of my way! I'm only following Miss Aisha because I like her."
The young woman shrieked, "Don't come any closer! I've already told you, I don't like you! I already have someone I like! Stop pestering me, and stop stalking me! You're a disgusting pervert!"
The sleazy man panicked, "Miss Aisha... uh..."
His words stopped short, and his entire body went limp, collapsing to the ground in an instant.
Saitama retracted the hand-chop that had landed on the man's neck and said slowly, "She already said she doesn't like you, so you should stop stalking her. This kind of twisted love of yours is really unbearable. Go have a nice nap and reflect on your actions!"
"Sir, thank you," the young woman said gratefully.
"It's nothing, I was just helping out," Saitama waved his hand. "See you." Seeing that the matter was resolved, he immediately strode away.
Genos followed closely behind.
"Hm?"
Saitama seemed to sense something and whipped his head around, only to see the young woman reporting the incident to the police and a few onlookers who had gathered to watch the commotion. There was no one suspicious.
Genos pressed himself tightly behind a wall, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Am I overthinking things?" Saitama picked his nose. "Speaking of which, stalkers these days are really terrifying. Stalking someone because of a twisted love, causing considerable trouble in their life... Hmm? Could... could I be being stalked too?"
He froze, remembering the faint but intense gaze he had been feeling.
He spun around again, looking at the familiar street. The area around him was still empty. "Oh, I'm home."
Without realizing it, he had already returned to his house.
"Today was great. Didn't run into any Monsters."
*Vroom!*
The words had barely left his mouth when a motorcycle shot into his peripheral vision. The rider wore a yellow uniform and a yellow helmet. The motorcycle was going at maximum speed, but it screeched to a halt upon seeing Saitama.
"Mr. Saitama, your package! I am Gourmet Rider No. 03185. Please enjoy your lunch."
The Gourmet Rider said everything in one breath, even subconsciously blurting out his usual delivery slogan. Without correcting himself, he tossed the package directly at Saitama, stomped on the gas pedal, and vanished down the street with a *whoosh*. A single sentence drifted back from the distance.
"Mr. Saitama, the next customer ordered Mapo Tofu, I have to hurry!"
"A package?"
Saitama held the package and clattered upstairs. After getting home, he tore off the wrapping. The gift box was filled with cabbage, spinach, and other gifts from King.
"Gourmet Rider, package..."
Downstairs, Genos scribbled a drawing in his notebook: Gourmet Rider throws a package at Saitama!
He then saw Saitama go upstairs. He nimbly leaped onto the roof of the building opposite Saitama's home, quickly set up his tent, and hid inside. He set up the high-pixel camera, adjusted the focus, and aimed it at Saitama's balcony and window.
"Huh, there's a slip of paper tucked into this book."
Saitama picked up a magazine with a bikini girl on the cover. Tucked inside was a postcard with its top edge sticking out. Puzzled, he opened the magazine to read the contents of the postcard.
"Baldy? A handsome guy with hair? It's this bastard again!"
He gritted his teeth, his face flushing red with anger. "Damn bastard, don't let me find you, or I'll definitely let you know that even though I went bald, I also got stronger!"
After a round of cursing, he felt much better. He let out a light sigh, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Then, he casually tossed the magazine into a corner.
Genos stared intently at the high-pixel camera feed, watching all of Saitama's actions. "Hm? An adult magazine? Sensei is blushing profusely? His expression suddenly relaxed, and he looks completely satisfied..."
He fell silent for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words. Soon, he wrote in his notebook: "One must properly relax their mood. Also, Sensei... 7.2 seconds."
Happy New Year's Day to everyone. Also, a new year has begun, and I'll be fighting for that full attendance bonus!
(end of chapter)