Ever since you discovered you could become a hero, you decided to give it a shot, even without possessing an impressive power. Your ability, called Kinetic Echo, was modest: when you were hit, you could absorb a tiny fraction of the impact and send it back a little stronger. It wasn't a flashy or spectacular power. In fact, you didn't even know if it would actually be of any use to you.

Even so, you went to the Hero Association's Evaluation Center. You took the written exam, the speed, strength, stamina, and jumping tests… You did it all with the idea that, maybe, you could be useful. After a tense hour-long wait, they handed you a folder with your results. When you opened it, you saw that you had passed with 70 points, just one point above failing completely. With that, you were assigned to Class C, the very bottom of the bottom.

Disappointment hit you, but you tried to console yourself by thinking that you would improve with dedication. How naive, you thought later.

Every time an alert sounded, even for minor crimes, there was already a hero there before you. You were always a second too late, and someone else always got the applause. Frustration built up in your chest like a pressure cooker that couldn't be released.

Until one day, while some thieves were robbing a store, you saw your chance. There were no heroes around. For the first time, you could intervene. But before you could take a step, a giant Dragon-level Kaijin emerged from the ground, crushing the thieves and reducing the store to rubble.

You hesitated. You knew you didn't stand a chance… but you still wanted to do something, even if it meant dying trying.

But you didn't even have time to move. Out of nowhere, Saitama, Genos, and Tatsumaki appeared and eliminated the monster in a matter of minutes. For them, it was just another ordinary afternoon.

Seeing them defeat that Kaijin as if it were a mosquito shattered your illusions. I'll never reach that level, you thought. Your power was weak. You were weak. You turned around and started walking, the weight of failure crushing your shoulders.

However, before you'd taken ten steps, you felt a hand touch your shoulder.

Turning around, you saw Saitama looking at you with his typical blank expression… though his eyes held a curious glint.

Saitama: "Hey," he said casually. "Want to get stronger?"

You looked at him in surprise. You never imagined that Saitama, of all the heroes, would notice you. You stammered, but finally nodded firmly. Saitama gave a slight smile.

Saitama: "Alright, then we'll help you. I guess." He shrugged.

Beside him, Tatsumaki crossed her arms, frowning.

Tatsumaki: "Hmph. I don't know why you're bothering, baldy. This weakling will break before he learns anything."

Genos: “Mr. Saitama wouldn’t choose someone without potential,” Replied seriously, looking directly at you. “I’ll do my utmost to help you improve.”

The brief argument left you in shock, but the fact was clear: all three of them were willing to train you.

And that was the beginning of grueling months.

Saitama took charge of your physical conditioning. His training regimens were absurd, almost inhuman. Genos taught you combat techniques, strategy, and body control. Tatsumaki, reluctantly, forced you to improve your ability to withstand extreme pressure—both psychic and physical—which, ironically, activated your talent.

Your Kinetic Echo evolved: you went from reflecting slightly stronger impacts… to reflecting them ten, twenty, or even thirty times stronger. Every blow you received could become your most lethal weapon.

You fought Demon-level Kaijin, and even some Dragon-level ones under supervision. You improved your speed, your agility, your stamina. For the first time, you saw real results.

Months later, they had almost become part of the daily routine. One afternoon, the four of us were in Saitama's small apartment, which, although small, accommodated us all, eating instant ramen. Since that's all Saitama ate.