~

Mumen Rider had lived in the villain’s shadow for so long, that seeing glimpses of him on the street from time to time was completely normal. He’d see him walking, running, Destroying monsters, or even buying food from the local supermarkets. 

That was always interesting, considering how terrified the poor customers and associates alike usually got. Not that Rider could blame them, he supposed, but in truth, he rarely saw the villain attack humans unless threatened first, or if he was truly put out, so the fear they showed usually caused the young hero to simply roll his eyes and scoff.

Not that the villain would notice him watching. Rider was simply a ‘C’ class, fresh out of college and just starting with the hero association, in hope to help the fellow civilians of City Z find some hope through the fear of the ‘Caped Darkness’, as they typically dubbed him. 

And cleaning up his aftermath had been nothing more shocking than a milk run by that point. Nonetheless, it counted for his quota, and kept him climbing the ranks for his readiness to lend a hand through the destruction.

But as three years passed by, the hero became a bit more interested in the other. He found himself waiting by places he knew he frequented, in hopes to catch a glimpse of who he really was. There had to be a reason why he did these things, right?

“I’m just a villain for fun.”

It was always his tagline, right?…But why? What started it all? All that power, and yet he chose to be a villain? 

Three years he’d been watching him, but never once had they spoken. 

It wasn’t that Rider was frightened of him, quite the opposite. He could’ve easily strolled up to him in civilian attire and tried to get to know him. But of course, he was far too self-conscious to even attempt it.

Even though he didn’t seem so terrible on the streets, Rider couldn’t shake the feeling of how he’d no doubt be nothing more than an annoyance to the man. Darkness was on a whole ‘nother level than him entirely. No matter how truly interested Rider was in getting to know him, interacting with him seemed like something impossible, or only achievable in a dream.

For now, he’d simply watch from afar.The feeling would go away eventually. Or so he hoped.

~~

It, of course, came as an immense shock when he felt an arm catch him from nowhere after being pummeled like a tenderized steak by the Seaking.

“Nice Fight.” A familiar voice spoke out so kindly, that Mumen’s breath had hitched in awe. He relaxed as he was laid gently to the ground, letting out a sigh of relief, the rain helping to sooth his aching body.

His brows furrowed, however, from the surprised cry that came from the villain at the sight of the poor, broken cyborg, several meters away. Mumen had seen them together many times now when out on patrol, and also instantly recognized him as one of the new S class heros.

It was the moment Rider finally got confirmation. Caped Darkness was certainly not a monster. There was a man under that cape, and he had a heart!

As He relished in the thought, the fool of a monster chose that as an opportunity sign his own death warrant. Rider himself cringed at the sound of the Seaking’s fist hitting Darkness’s head, having a front row seat to it.

He’d watched the villain from behind his mask as he punched, eyes wide in amazement at seeing the raw power from up close for the first time.

It sparked the urge to speak to him again. He had to know more about him! 

But before he knew it, he, and the cyborg, both had gone, leaving him to be cared for by the paramedics.

It would be several days later when he happened to find Genos out shopping late, and convinced the teen to share supper with him. 

~~~

Over the next two years, He and Genos grew closer as friends, but Rider grew concerned over how attached the cyborg was to the villain. Sure, Darkness was interesting, and seemed to care about the younger man’s well being when they’d been up against the Seaking, but he was still highly dangerous.

But the cyborg always insisted the man was kind underneath it all. Rider desperately wanted to believe it. The way the villain had spoke that day had sounded so sincere, that it easily worked to backed up Genos’s claim. The blond many times insisted that Mumen come along and meet him, but that fear from so long ago came back.

‘I’d just be an annoyance.’ ‘What if he doesn’t like me.’‘I’m just…A simple human…’

But fate had other plans. And as the saying goes, the third time’s the charm.

Rider had let the comment fall from his lips so easily, and couldn’t help but be drawn in the moment Sai played along.

‘Gee Darling, five minutes into this relationship, and I already think we need a divorce.’

It was the spark of it all really. Rider’s icy feelings, and his insecurities had instantly cracked, and Sai showed him exactly what he’d been longing for. 

The real man under it all. The human behind the monster.

Fun. Bubbly. And so full of life! The way his eyes sparkled! And his laugh! Rider was sure he’d heard it for hours after.

Genos had been so right, and Rider couldn’t help but want to kick himself for being so foolish for so long.

As they parted, Mumen felt as though a weight he’d felt all these years had finally been lifted. 

~~~~

The fourth time he felt the effects of what was no doubt a crush, would in fact come that same morning, while Mumen sat at his desk, scrolling through encrypted files sent in secret by one of the H.A.’s councilman. A man whom Rider had been friends with for years. It’d been easy to ask for the info, though he’d never thought of it til now.

As he dug deeper, he learned that ‘Saitama’ hadn’t always been a villain. Each video. Every news clipping. It made the hero’s heart melt more. Even through everything Sai had done, he was still very human behind the mask he no doubt showed to the world.

A world that was cruel. Not in a whole, but in masses just the same. He couldn’t blame Sai for switching sides after it all. 

~~~~~

So the fifth, and most recent, was by Rider’s own will. 

He knew now. He definitely wanted Sai in his life. 

He wanted to show him kindness, in a world full of so much hate, and to see that smile as often as he possibly could. He couldn’t help but take pride in knowing that smile was caused by him as well.

But then again, it was a two way street! Sai brought out a side of himself he hadn’t felt in ages too! 

Dancing along his kitchen only made him fall harder! He wanted to hold onto this feeling, so naturally, he’d hold onto Sai’s form as they spun and dipped. 

‘How can he be so amazing! If only the world could’ve seen him like this…’

But Rider knew the past was long over. Sai was a professional villain, no changing that now. 

Still, He was far from pure evil. He’d proven that several times now, both directly and through Genos’s word of mouth.

So Rider’d continue to hold on. And he’d continue to shower Sai in as much positivity he could.