"What!? Why am I naked!?"
I couldn't believe it. I didn't know why, but the last thing I remembered was being lifted from a pile of debris, then smacking against something. Then, when I regained my bearings, my costume was in tatters, and my family jewels were in full display.
I was also holding a round metallic core, which I recognized as part of Genos, and I wondered where this one came from. I didn't remember picking up Genos' core.
"WAIT!? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GENOS!?"
This was Genos' core; that must mean he was dead. No! Have I failed as a teacher? He was the only friend that mattered; he was the only one who even approached me without insulting me, well, mostly.
A woman with a small smile, neat red hair, and office-worker attire walked forward and offered me her coat. I hastily accepted the kind offer, and she remained standing there, standing upright with a creepy smile.
Her orangish eyes were glowing, and she was looking at me like I was her close acquaintance or something. I didn't recognize the woman, but she seemed familiar. I asked if we had met before, and she said yes and she was quite surprised that I didn't remember her.
She went on a long speech about some strange reality where we were stuck with that Garou brat and how we time-traveled because I apparently copied some time-travel technique.
She then went on and on, and halfway through, I lost interest, but kept listening because she offered me her coat and was decent enough. What a strange woman, though.
"Sensei! You're here!"
A loud voice screamed, then zoomed towards me, like a speeding ambulance, and struck me in my chest. It was Genos with no limbs; only his torso and head remained. The extensive damage he suffered made me shudder for a moment.
"Genos! You surprised me!"
"Sorry, sensei! I got too excited!"
Genos replied, then stared at the large overcoat I wore to conceal my exposed jewels, before locking eyes on the strange red-haired woman with glowing orange irises. He was scanning her, creating a threat assessment, like a protective guard dog that I cannot tame or discipline.
"Who are you, and what do you want with my sensei? Disciple applications are closed and meetings are subjected to my whims."
Genos said with conviction, as if intimidated by a possible usurper. I told Genos to calm down, then introduced her to him.
"She's an old acquaintance of sorts, but I don't remember her at all. She also gave me her coat to cover myself up. "Her name is Matima."
"It's Makima."
She corrected and smiled, tilting her head to the left, dropping her bangs. She then hummed and said that it was nice to meet both the teacher and disciple. Genos noticed the core on my hand and asked where I had gotten it since it looked oddly like his.
I told him that I had no idea where it came from; it appeared just like the hole in my costume's crotch area. Genos scanned the orb, then a connector wire emerged from an armored slide on his shoulders. "Might as well attach a sub connector and attempt to reactivate it."
The metallic core glowed as it was connected with the same color and intensity as Genos' core. We were both perplexed by it; it was obviously my disciple's core, but he was with me, wasn't dead, and still had his core.
Genos paused, his eyes glowing as his head jerked sideways like a powerful invisible current was electrocuting him. "Hey, are you okay!?"
"Sorry, I felt a bit light-headed...."
Genos murmured then remained silent, then trained his eyes on the woman behind me, who was still standing and smiling at us.
"Sensei, do you really not remember anything? According to the memory inside this core, you, this core, and that woman came from a future point in time and a different reality. To put it simply..."
Oh no, I know this specific look, I know this ominous future. Another long, unskippable dialogue that attempted to explain something, and it wasn't going to be done in twenty words or fewer.
"It's merely a hypothesis based on the so-called parallel world or multiverse theory, but I suspect that this core came from one of the countless parallel worlds that diverge as a result of your actions. I do not know at what point this divergence occurs, when the observer makes a decision, or when the observer takes action. However, it has been confirmed that a new you separated from the original you at the start of your time travel, and merged with you of this timeline when the movement was completed. The timing of the separation and merging may be a clue to when the parallel worlds split off. Back to what I was saying, the future where this core comes from. Garou killed me. Even if you were holding back a great deal, there is no way that Garou could have outplayed you, no matter how many parallel worlds exist. In fact, the events surrounding the core have made it clear that even if the worst outcome had occurred, with the deaths of me and all the other heroes right before your eyes, you would have transcended time and space to save us all. Your ability to transcend and manipulate the laws of causality is now poof of....."
(Blah blah blah.)
"There is also the matter of that strange reality that you two found yourselves in and found this red-haired destitute woman. You and Garou seemed to have bonded in somewhat restrained ways, with you as the teacher and him as the disciple, drawing inspiration from Bang's previous experiences. The time you have spent there was indeed strange and needed further study. A strange colossal being tried to stop all of you, and thus had to accompany that strange woman with you to prevent her from being killed or injured, which shows your compassion for strangers, which I never doubted, and the..."
"Ah. I see."
I said, not even listening to what Genos had said. It was simply a waste of my time, but it did prove that Genos was okay and already full of energy.
"Anyway. Enough about that. Good to see you're the same as ever." Genos seemed confused, but I let his expression run, then he stared at the woman behind me, who was closely watching a crowd of people that were now beating up on Garou.
Well, I'd better intervene. The brat didn't deserve death, maybe some disciplinary punishment, and probably a smack or two. Preferably coming from Bang, since he was responsible for this rebellious brat.
"Saitama. I thank you for saving my life."
Makima said, then walked away, her back already turned, but the expression behind her stoic face was something. It was the same expression of something monstrous, and she seemed like trouble. I know everyone deserves a second chance, but there's something odd about her despite looking like a human.
"Sensei... there's something strange about her. We should keep an eye on her. She's not from this reality, and she's absolutely your responsibility."
"You woman! Don't stray too far! You are my sense's responsibility!" Genos warned, and I shared the same sentiment. I didn't say anything yet, but my eyes lingered on her back for a few moments, then I walked straight towards the rambunctious crowd, who were now trying to kill Garou.
I'd better stop that.
(Next chapter is Reinhard's offer and the acceptance.)