Josie has her head down, sitting on a chair as she tapped her foot repeatedly. She was waiting for her friend, Asuka to meet her in the cafe, where they first hung out with each other when they met. She didn't even bother taking a sip from her drink. Because it's just water.

Suddenly, she felt someone sitting in front of her. She looked up to see the girl she had been waiting for.

"Sorry, I'm late," Asuka nervously smiled as she scratched the back of her head. "I was suppose to head here, early. But you know Lili."

"It's okay," Josie smiled. "Now, I asked you to come here because I need your help."

"For what?" The waitress placed Asuka's drink on their table.

Josie paused for a moment. "I have encountered someone unexpecting..."

Asuka raised her eyebrow.

Josie sighed. "It's a boy around my age. He wears a biker outfit, goggles on his head supporting his redhead slicked-bac-"

"Wait!" Asuka halted. "Don't tell me, you encountered Hwoarang!"

The short dark brown-haired tilted her head. "His name is Hwoarang?"

Asuka groaned in annoyance, "I've heard about him." She took a sip from her drink. "I have also encountered him, as well."

"Would you mind... telling me about him?"

"Ugh. All I know about him is he's conceited. He thinks that everyone admires him and finds other people, like me, at the bottom of the chart. We first encountered with each other in here, at my neighbourhood. I saw him getting into trouble with some other people, so I have to stop him, because it's my job to do so. And then, he started giving me attitude. Luckily, his master went by to stop him for getting into more trouble then left."

Josie nodded in understanding.

"What did he even do to you, anyway?" Asuka asked.

"Uhm... let's see, I was walking down through the silent streets, minding my own business. Then I saw the redhead-err-Hwoarang looking down, kicking the small rock then he kicked it towards my stomach with full strength. And, you know me; I teared up a bit, because it was so painful!" Josie answered.

"And, he gave you attitude?"

"Yes! Right when he saw me tearing up! Because of that, I couldn't help, but call him off. After some shouting and fighting, he said that I should just forget the whole thing. I accepted for one condition; ask for an apology. Guess what he did?! HE RAN AWAY!" She covered her mouth with her hands as people around them looked at Josie in annoyance.

"S-sorry!" Josie whispered.

"Wow." Asuka said in a monotone voice.

"So... do you have any advice?"

Asuka sighed in disappointment and shook her head sadly.

"Oh... well... it's okay! At least you got to explain a little bit about him." Josie stood up from her seat. "Thanks for the help!"

Then she left. That is, until she came running back to her table, again.

"Gotta finish this water up." She laughed nervously.

She drank her water as fast as she could and took the money from her pocket as she gave it to Asuka.

"Here's the pay. Thanks again!" She waved and went back to running.

"You're welcome!" Asuka shouted back as she watched Josie running away.

Asuka giggled at herself. "I'm glad that I get to meet a funny girl like her."

MEANWHILE...

As Hwoarang was walking through the streets where he encountered Josie earlier, he kept looking for the said girl.

"Ugh! Where is that bitch?!" Hwoarang murmured loudly.

The streets seemed pretty crowded unlike earlier. Strange...

"I saw him! That's the guy!"

Oh no.

Hwoarang slowly looked back to face a group of five delinquents with their weapons far from the distance. Delinquents that Hwoarang messed with months back at the bar.

Have they been looking for him ever since? Because if so, then it's unfortunate for Hwoarang. Because he completely forgot about it.

The group charged towards Hwoarang. Hwoarang would usually approach them back to kick their butts, but the thought of his motorcycle getting taken away is filling up his mind. Considering the fact that the streets are pretty crowded.

So he did the complete opposite; he started running away from the gang. He' should've brought his motorcycle, though.

"Why such a bitch?!" One of the guys yelled.

Hwoarang didn't bother looking back and think of a comeback. Because running while looking straight with all his determination is his main focus, right now. But for some odd reason, he's kind of enjoying this moment.

Even if he kept ignoring the glances from the bystanders, he's afraid that one of them might call the police on him. Especially, the one and only, Lei Wulong. Without thinking, he took a sharp turn to get away from the crowd. Luckily, the path is not a dead end. So he kept running. However, the pathway isn't clean. So he had to dodge them to prevent injuries and suspicion.

But oh, boy. Hwoarang thought wrong! The place IS a dead end! Just with a long one pathway. Molded dumpsters can be also seen at the dead end Hwoarang is currently in.

Hwoarang turned his back to face the gang who was still approaching him. He could already tell that they're extremely tired from all that running.

Even if he's sweating and tired as he gasped for air from the running, Hwoarang couldn't help but admire himself for doing a great job on getting away from them.

"They must've been tired by now." Hwoarang chuckled as he placed his hands on his slightly bent knees. "Glad I didn't get to waste my time to fight them, if I had that choice."

"Im... too... tired..." One of the guys said and fell down, unconcious.

"Me... too..." Then the other joined.

Hwoarang's only gonna deal with three tired but determined people now. What a strange, fortunate say for him.

"We... may be tired but... but we still have the urge to fight you!" He leader spoke as the three stood their fighting stances.

Before one of them could even throw a punch.

"AAK!"

"OOF!"

"GUH!"

Three thuds can be heard from behind the three delinquents as they were knocked down.

There revealed, Josie Rizal.

"Y-you?!" Hwoarang shrieked. "H-how did you-"

"Stealth skills!" Josie answered cheerfully. "You didn't see me coming, did you?"

"B-but... h-how did you know that I was getting chased?!"

Josie sighed. "Well, I was originally going to find you. But it turns out, I ended up spotting you getting chased by a pack of wolves!"

She pointed her finger out to Hwoarang. "I have finally found you, Hwoarang! And we have a lot to discuss!"

Hwoarang was sweating. Sweating from anxiety. Mainly because, he knew what this girl is trying to get him into.

"L-look," Hwoarang stuttered. "I was gonna-" Then he stopped there.

"How did you know my name?" He asked suspiciously as he eyed Josie with his suspicious glare.

"A friend of mind told me about you when I asked them."

"Which, 'friend' of yours?" Hwoarang did a quotation mark sign with his fingers when he said 'friend'.

"Look, that's not the point right now." Josie extended her hands as she waved them. "We should be talking somewhere where no one is going to get your butt kicked."

"What's your name, then?" Hwoarang crossed his arms.

Josie sighed. "Josie Rizal."

There was a staredown between the two of them until Hwoarang sighed. "Alright! Let's get moving."

"Yay!" Josie beamed up. "Now, come on! Let's get out of here before they wake up!"

Suddenly, Josie grabbed Hwoarang by his arm. But Hwoarang snatched away from Josie's grip immediately.

"You know I could just follow you instead of dragging me, right?" He started to walk away.

"But you're just gonna run away from me, again!" Josie whined as she followed behind.

"I'm not gonna run away again. I promise."

Josie pouted. "You sure about that?"

Hwoarang groaned. "Yes. We wouldn't been walking together right now when I started running away from you."

"Hmph! If you say so!" Josie said. "Also, aren't you forgetting something?"

...

"Uuuugh! Do I have to?" Hwoarang didn't really want to say it, but he didn't want his precious motorcycle to be taken away, either.

He took a deep breath. "I'm... s...so...rry.."

"Hm? What was that?" Josie couldn't hear what Hwoarang's saying. She knew the words although she wants to hear him say it clearly.

"I'm... so-s-...I'm sorry!" Hwoarang covered his mouth with both of his hands. His face is literally a tomato right now. He just never said those words to anyone before other than his master.

They both stopped walking from their tracks.

Josie kept looking at the blushing Hwoarang, "Awwe~" She cooed. "I knew you had the ability to say it!"

"S-stop it!" Hwoarang shrieked. "I-I said it because Master Baek told me to so he wouldn't take away my motorcycle!"

Josie laughed. "Ahhahah, please! You're just making excuses!"

"B-but... but it's true!"

Suddenly, Josie could feel her phone vibrating. She took it from her pocket and looked at the phone number.

"Sorry. I have to take this."

She accepted the phone call as she started to speak.

"Hello? Yes. Mhm. Yes, that's tomorrow. What?! Why toda- I-I mean, tonight? ! But- auuuugggh! Fine! I'll take the photoshoot! Sigh, of course." She ended her phone call.

"Photoshoot?" Hwoarang raised his eyebrow. "So, you're a model?"

Josie sighed. "Yep! One of the prettiest girls in the Philippines. I was suppose to take the photoshoot for tomorrow, but they just moved it to tonight for some odd reason." They both continued walking.

"I already have so many thoughts in my mind, where we could go to places that could increase our bonding!" Josie said in disappointment.

"Wait. So, you've been already planning this ever since we ran into each other?" Hwoarang asked.

"Yep! I just... I just find you a type of person that would be fun to hang out with." Josie smiled. "Which explains why making new friends is one of my favorite things to do!"

Hwoarang slightly nodded. "That explains it."

"Anyways, I gotta go. I need myself to get ready for the night." Josie was about to run until Hwoarang stopped her.

"Wait!"

Josie stopped and turned her body to look at Hwoarang. "What?"

Hwoarang walked closely to Josie. He placed both his hands onto her shoulders.

"Uhm... stay safe?"

Josie giggled. "You're already worried? Don't worry! I have fighting skills! I can defend myself." She removed herself from Hwoarang's grip.

"I hope I get to see you again, soon." She started to run.

"Yeah." Hwoarang whispered to himself. "I hope so."

Hwoarang stood there minutes later. Then he smelt himself.

"Augh. Better take a shower quickly before the stink dries."


Nov. 25, 2017