Metal Bat laughed as he grabbed a generous portion of fatty beef with his chopsticks, swished it through the bubbling spicy broth, and popped it into his mouth.
"Haha! Nothing beats a meal after training! Sol, you really know how to pick a place. This hot pot is amazing!"
"The broth is rich, and the ingredients are fresh," Bang said with a satisfied nod as he slowly cooked a piece of leafy green.
Tanktop Master focused on maintaining a balanced meal, carefully adding equal portions of meat and vegetables into the pot.
"Proper nutrition and social interaction are both important for maintaining peak physical condition."
Meanwhile, Saitama had devoted his full attention to the meat, his chopsticks moving at an impressive pace.
"Oh! This marbled beef is incredible! Genos, order a few more plates!"
"Yes, Sensei."
Genos immediately raised his hand to call the waiter.
Seated among them, Sol quietly enjoyed his meal while listening to everyone's laughter and conversation. His usually indifferent expression softened ever so slightly.
Moments like these, filled with warmth and ordinary happiness, were worth protecting.
After several rounds of beer, the atmosphere grew even livelier.
Metal Bat, never one to hold back, nudged Sol with his elbow. Lowering his voice with a mischievous grin, he asked, "Hey, Sol, seriously. What's going on between you and Tatsumaki? We've all noticed."
Tanktop Master gave a light cough, clearly finding the question a little direct, though he was just as curious.
Even Bang set down his chopsticks with an amused smile and looked toward Sol.
Saitama finally looked up from his food.
"Huh? Tatsumaki? Doesn't she eat with Sol all the time?"
Genos nodded seriously.
"It has become quite unusual for Sol-senpai and Miss Tatsumaki to not be together."
Sol paused. He dipped a slice of tripe into the sauce, took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, then answered simply,
"Nothing's going on."
"Oh, come on." Metal Bat snorted. "You can't fool us. Everyone can tell she's only that nice around you. At the training grounds the other day, the atmosphere between you two said everything."
Tanktop Master nodded.
"Miss Tatsumaki has a very strong personality, but she undeniably treats you differently."
Bang stroked his beard, smiling warmly like an elder offering gentle advice.
"Sol, it's fine to let things develop naturally, but sometimes taking a little initiative isn't a bad thing. Tatsumaki isn't difficult to understand."
Faced with everyone's teasing and concern, Sol remained silent.
He set down his chopsticks and watched the steam rising from the hot pot. His crimson eyes seemed to drift somewhere far away, and for a brief moment, a faint trace of melancholy appeared in their depths.
The expression was subtle, but everyone at the table knew him well enough to notice.
The lively atmosphere quieted.
"Sol?" Metal Bat asked, his grin fading.
Bang frowned slightly.
"Is something troubling you?"
Sol remained silent for another moment. Just as everyone assumed he wouldn't answer, he let out a quiet sigh.
"You'll understand when you reach my age."
The table instantly fell silent.
Even Saitama stopped eating, staring at him alongside Genos.
"...Huh?"
Metal Bat was the first to recover.
He scratched his ear and stared at Sol.
"Wait... what did you just say? Your age? Sol, are you messing with us?"
Bang chuckled and shook his head.
"Sol, I'm several decades older than you. Where did that come from?"
Tanktop Master calmly analyzed the statement.
"According to the Hero Association's records, your biological age should be roughly the same as ours, if not younger."
Saitama rubbed his bald head as realization suddenly struck him.
"Oh! Are you secretly an alien who's lived for hundreds of years? Like in those sci-fi movies?"
Genos's eyes briefly glowed red as he began recording observations.
"Sol-senpai appears to possess an abnormal perception of age. Further observation is recommended."
The faint melancholy on Sol's face had already disappeared, replaced by his usual composed expression.
He picked up a beef ball and said flatly,
"Wasn't it funny? I was just trying to lighten the mood."
Everyone fell silent.
Metal Bat's lips twitched.
"...You're way too convincing. I almost thought something had possessed you."
Tanktop Master sighed helplessly before finishing his drink.
Bang burst into hearty laughter, and the relaxed atmosphere quickly returned.
The old martial artist's expression gradually turned nostalgic as distant memories surfaced.
"Speaking of age, when I was younger, I had my share of... romantic complications. Those were certainly lively days."
Everyone's interest was instantly piqued.
Even Sol looked genuinely intrigued.
Metal Bat leaned forward excitedly.
"Oh? Come on, old man! You've got to tell us. I never expected you to have a past like that."
Bang smiled as he stroked his beard.
"That was many years ago. Back then, my Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist had only just begun making a name for itself. I attracted countless challengers, including several... rather unique female martial artists."
=≠=
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