-Something’s going to break tonight. Hope it’s a face-

  Downtown TB–Bridgepath

  My footsteps felt heavier this evening. It wasn’t because I was tired–because I was thinking–nothing friendly on board this train of thought, though.

  Ming and Asri were walking behind me, and I could clearly hear them whisper.

  Didn’t even need to try.

  Stupid enhanced hearing.

  “Hey, what’s wrong with Shiromori?” Ming whispered. A hint of concern in her tone.

  “I think I know why.” Asri swallowed nervously. “But I feel like if I mention it, he might send me flying next.”

  “I don’t punch my friends.” I said, irritation laced in my voice. “And I’m okay. I’m just… tired from looking at the lab.”

  “Eavesdrop much, Shiromori?” Ming smirked, trying to start our usual bickering..

  Sorry Ming. Not in the mood right now.

  Silence

  The awkward air clung to us, like a baby clinging to its mother.

  Then–that whistle.

  “Hey baby, wanna keep some real men company tonight?” one of them said.

  Ming kept walking. I stopped.

  “Crawl back to your alleyway.” I hissed, eyes locked ahead.

  Ming and Asri quickened their pace, moving beside me.

  Behind me–shuffling.

  Closing in.

  Let me guess–collar grab.

  A split second later–there it was.

  Typical.

  “The hell you said, punk?” the thin one said. His grip tightened.

  Bad move.

  “Hearing problem?” I said sharply. “ I’ll help.”

  My right hook–snapped his head sideways.

  His grip–gone.

  My knee–collided with his face.

  One step forward.

  My fist–met his ribs.

  His body–folded over.

  I felt the crack.

  They heard it too.

  I let him drop.

  “Wrong day, ‘friend’.”

  It didn’t take long for his friends to end up sprawled on the pavement too.

  I kept walking, my hands stuffed into my pocket. Ming and Asri, eyes wide after seeing the aftermath, quickly followed suit.

  Bridgepath–Burger Planet

  The smell of fried patties and cheap coffee hit us as soon as the door swung open. The diner was as cramped as usual. The faded jukebox played an old song that Asri liked, and chatters and clinking of silvery mixed in the air like a comforting symphony.

  We slid into our usual booth, located at the far end next to a window. The waitress gave us a recognizable look–her usual tired smile flashed as she jotted down our orders.

  But the awkward air? It wasn’t going anywhere. Ming was practically trying to burn a hole through my skull with her sharp gaze, and I have a feeling I know what it’s about.

  I finally looked up–my lazy gaze meeting her piercing stare. My fingers lazily stirred my bubble tea with a straw.

  “Yes, Ming. I am handsome.” I said lazily.

  Now she ignored my attempt to bicker.

  “Care to tell me what’s up, Shiromori?” She took a sip of her matcha latte, but her eyes never left mine. “You seem…tense.”

  “What? Me, tense? ‘Course not.” I looked away, my face dismissing her.

  “It’s probably about ‘him’.” Asri said.

  “No it’s not.” I quickly snapped back.

  “Dude, I’ve been with you since we were 6.”

  “That doesn’t mean you know everything about me.”

  “Well,this isn’t the first time something like this happened. It’s getting old.” Asri sighed–resting his head on his hand, giving me a tired look.

  “What isn’t the first time?” Ming glanced at him.

  His lips puckered towards my direction. “Boy problem, literally.”

  “Is this about Lucas?” Ming slowly turned to me.

  Snap.

  I gripped my cup too hard. Cold liquid seeped into my socks.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Annoyed, I called the waitress again and forced a smile. “Mind putting this in a plastic cup?”

  The awkward air came back.

  Guess I had to say something.

  “It’s not Lucas.” I thanked the waitress that handed me my new beverage. “I’m just… tired of today.”

  “Uh huh. I’m sure punching someone hard enough they flew can be tiring.” She leaned onto the table, her arms crossed.

  “I told you, I’m boxing again.” I took a sip of my drink, my gaze averting hers.

  “And since when is your body toned again?” She pointed towards my arm, which I quickly hid.

  “Since I started boxing.” I said nonchalantly.

  “Oh? When?”

  “A few months back.”

  “We were building Neuroflex a few months back.” She leaned closer.

  “Why do you think I’m always late? Flirting?” I finally met her gaze.

  “Knowing you? Not impossible.”

  Asri let out a long sigh. “Guys, get married already.

  We ignored him.

  “Care to tell me about the UniCafe incident?” she leaned back.

  “You know how fast my hands are.”

  “Never seen you caught anything midair before.”

  “And now you have.”

  “Guys!” Asri held his hand in front of us. “We get it. Ryu’s mad Lucas is flirting with his wife.”

  My face was burning red. Ming straightened,looking away.

  “She’s not my wife!” I blurted out, maybe a bit too loud.

  Some people started staring. I’m suddenly very interested in my drink.

  “In any case,” I kept my voice low. “I’m not annoyed at that rude jerk.”

  “Sure you’re not.” Ming said, a little too focused on the empty street.

  “Am not.”

  “You called him ‘friend’.”

  “So? It’s called sarcasm.”

  “You called the guy who shoved me that too.” She slowly turned to me. “And those thugs earlier. You hate Lucas.” An accusing finger pointed at me.

  “Hah! Like I’d care about him.” I crossed my arm, quickly looking away. My red face was not helping with my lie right now.

  “So you don’t mind him being in the lab?” she teased, leaning closer than before.

  I snapped my gaze to her–mistake.

  “I hate you.” I muttered.

  “I doubt that.” she smirked.

  I continue sipping my drink–looking away. Asri shook his head, clearly done with us.

  Bridgepath–Near Burger Planet

  The air was colder now. Sharp against my skin

  The streets were quiet too.

  The silence felt off.

  Ming and Asri were deep in discussion, but I wasn’t paying attention.

  Spider-sense. Move.

  A split second later, we heard the blood-curdling scream–the alleyway up ahead.

  I was already running.

  The alleyway reeked of piss, rot and something worse.

  Two figures stood just outside the reach of light–a man, knife in hand, and a woman cornered.

  “Is this how we hit on girls nowaday?” I whistled low. “Gotta catch up on my RomCom, it seems.”

  The mugger hadn’t expected company. “Beat it, kid!” The knife was locked in his grip.

  Ming and Asri were peeking from a corner, worry etched on their faces–for me.

  “Why does your best friend keep on jumping into danger head first?” Ming whispered.

  “Well, given how long you two are married I’m surprised you haven’t realised he’s an idiot.” Asri shot back.

  I stretched my arms. “Man, I just got here. Why kick me out so soon?” I reached down, a brick secured in my palm.

  “I ain’t playing, punk.” His attention was on me now, the woman trapped behind him.

  Gotta get her to safety first.

  My eyes widened. “Yeah, knock him with that pipe miss!”

  The mugger turned, expecting a metal pipe to his head.

  Too easy.

  The brick shot forward like a bullet–straight for his head.

  Thunk

  The mugger’s head snapped backwards–his body followed soon after.

  Like a blur, I dashed in.

  The knife was my first target.

  My fingers curled against his wrist. I shot up.

  A sharp movement. A blur.

  My knee made contact with his elbow.

  It snapped– bending where it shouldn’t.

  The knife dropped–so did he.

  I rushed the girl away to my friends–out of danger.

  I felt it.

  An electrical current–down my spine.

  Click.

  My vision locked onto the girl–onto my friends.

  My foot flicked before I could think.

  The gun was out of the fight–I wasn’t.

  I was on top of him, my knuckles clenched with anger. The first punch landed.

  And again.

  And again.

  All I wanted was to put this scum down. To make sure he never hurt anyone again–especially my friends.

  “Shiromori, stop!” A familiar voice cut through the rage.

  My arm was tugged hard, held in place by the girl half my weight.

  The mugger was out cold. Hell, he won’t be chewing for a while.

  I turned to face Ming, her face caught between anger and concern.

  Asri was checking on the victim–her eyes filled with fear.

  Not at the mugger.

  At me.

  “He’s out. Calm down, please.” Ming never asked. Not with me.

  I went too far, again.

  “...I’m sorry.” My gaze fixed on her as I stood.

  “Let’s just call the cops, alright?” Her calming hand stripped away any remaining anger.

  I nodded, but something caught my eye.

  A phone. The mugger’s.

  I stepped on it–felt it clutched my shoes.

  A quick swipe, and it was in my hand now. I pocketed it before Ming noticed.

  She was on the phone with the police, giving them a quick report. I glanced at the victim, her eyes softened now. “T–Thank you. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t step in.”

  I gave her a reassuring smile. “Always happy to help.” I approached Asri.

  His face was unreadable. “Dude, we need to get you therapy.”

  I let out a heavy sigh. “Trust me, I know.”

  He crossed his arm, leaning against the wall. “You can’t let your emotions run you anymore, Ryu.” His hand gestured me up and down. “You’re not… the same anymore.”

  I understood quickly. These newfound abilities can cause harm if I’m not careful.

  I’m not just a boxer now. I’m a…

  Yeah I don’t even know anymore.