Everyday cheese and a gathering storm in East Gorteau

Morning sunlight fell on the tender leaves of the Milk Fruit Tree on the balcony, making the dew gleam. Saitama crouched beside the clay pot, holding a palm-sized plastic watering can and leisurely watering the soil. Beside him, a wooden chest stood open, with three differently patterned cheeses arranged neatly on its velvet lining: pale yellow, light blue, and marbled. The scent of milk mingled with fresh grass and filled the balcony.

"This blue-veined one should go nicely with bread today." Saitama poked the cheese, leaving a milky scent on his fingertip, and nodded in satisfaction.

Of the three things he had brought out of Greed Island, the Cheese Chest was his favorite. It automatically replenished itself with three different flavors every week, fresher than anything at the supermarket, and saved him plenty of trips.

Genos came over with two cups of hot milk, his metal tray perfectly steady. He set the cups on the small balcony table, a blue light flashing through his mechanical eyes as he reported evenly, "Master, the Hunter Association sent a letter of thanks last night, along with a twenty-million-Jenny reward and an honorary hunter medal. I put everything in the living room drawer. The Association chairman also wrote a personal letter inviting you to headquarters for the award ceremony."

"I'll pass on the ceremony. Too much trouble." Saitama picked up his milk and took a sip. Its warm sweetness slid down his throat, and he narrowed his eyes in comfort. "How many cases of strawberry milk can the reward buy?"

"At market prices, approximately forty-two hundred cases. If we wait for a sale and buy in bulk, we can get another seven hundred," Genos answered precisely. "Also, the follow-up border sweep results are in. The queen and a small number of surviving soldiers escaped