"So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you."
-Hero, Mariah Carey

I turned left. Then right.

I made my way through the dark alleys of Tondo, knowing the twists and turns at the back of my head like my own name. It was now six, the sun is almost setting at the horizon…and I'm late for Li-san's appointment.

I overslept, and lucky for me, that I didn't have any dreams about those damn planets anymore. But I remember a girl, though I couldn't recall her face. I remember how I felt, when I held her in my arms. I remember my heart pounding as we lean in for a kiss…

But no, no, no, noooo…How about Moeko?

My mind screamed. Oh yeah, my godess…how can I betray her like this?

But ah, the girl from my dream was just that…a dream…but dreams are the manifestations of one's hidden anxiety. So would that mean that I have a hidden anxiety of having a girlfriend? Oh, crap. Great. I'm analyzing myself. I guess I should stop reading psych books from now on.

"Please don't hurt me! Take my bag! Help!" A female voice broke through the stillness of the night. Judging from the words, she might've been a victim of local thugs, who are quite common on this side of the town.

I speed up my bike to follow the direction where I thought the voice came from. After a few seconds more, I found her, sprawled on the floor. I froze in terror as I saw her bleeding, crumpled form. It was an old lady. She was unconscious, and barely breathing.

"Shimatta!" I cursed loudly, and I suddenly hear footsteps approaching. I turned around, and saw the perpetrators. Two men, bulky but fat, stood there with a petite girl, each holding a foot long knife.

They smirked at me, before saying, "Hand over your things. Now."

"Ha. Ha. You wish." I mock them from under the shades of my helmet. Okay, fine, I know one against three isn't fair…but then again, I seem to have lost a bit of my edge over the past year since I've been putting more of my time on motocross instead of karate.

"Why…you!" The first man rushed forward. He was bald and looked so pathetic. I pitied him, as I lifted my foot on the air and gave him a swift kick on the chest, without even moving away from my position. He stumbled backwards at a few trashcans. I snickered.

The second came running again. How foolish. I duck as she swiped his weapon at eye-level, hoping to slash my throat with just one hit. Then I punched him hard at the gut, twirled and gave him a backhand. He slumped down, unconscious, with blood coming out of his nose.

"Miss, I don't want to hurt you. So I suggest, you just let me take granny, and let us be on our merry way." I tried to sound gallant. You know, one of those characters that we see on anime. The cool but kind martial-artists who wouldn't lift a finger on innocent girls.

But there was one problem though, this girl wasn't…innocent…at the least.

She didn't even answer, before taking out a hand gun and pointing it at the old woman. "Think you're fast? Well, try this!" She pulled the trigger.

Masaka!

I removed my helmet, and dived down to hopefully, intercept the bullet. I know Li-san would be mad at me, but what was the purpose of having a bullet-proof helmet if you're not going to use it?

Damn it!

I succeeded on saving the woman, but the bullet unfortunately, grazed my fist.

"Fuck you!" The girl screamed and lunged with her knife.

"Well, same to you!" I bit back, anger surging through my veins. Nobody has even dared to hurt me without suffering to the fullest extent.

I used my now, dented helmet, and smacked it full force on her head. Then I reached for her right hand and disabled the weapon, before pulling her up to throw her overhead. After that, I refused to let go of her hand as I broke her wrist, before saying menacingly, "You know, for such a cute girl…you're quite a trouble maker." She passed out.

I called for police assistance after tying up the three goons. I looked back at the old lady, and immediately formed a heroic plan. I ripped off a part of my shirt and pressed it down on her wound. After which, I tried to carry her over with much care towards my motorcycle.

I sped off, my bike blazing through crowded streets and stoplights, not caring about speed limits and the police. The woman was in need of urgent medical attention.

The hospital was just a few blocks away. I almost crashed at the ER's parking lot. But I guess God really blessed those who are good to their fellow men.

"Sir, would you like to submit a police report?" An elderly nurse appeared beside me, as I saw the old lady being taken away. "Sir! Your hand is bleeding!"

"Huh?" I didn't even noticed it. I guess I was consumed by the adrenaline, by the desire to save that woman. She looked just liked my grand mother. But my granny died when I was seven, so I guess I was feeling nostalgic about saving her.

"Come on! Let me take a look at it." The nurse, named Yoriko, as she introduced herself, dragged me at the nearest table.

"Yeouch!" I cringed, as I have now been aware of the pain. When I was fighting the thugs, when I was holding the lady in my arms, I didn't even felt anything. But now…

"Don't be such a cry baby. It's just a scratch."

Shimata!

I tried to stifle a wail. It was so darn painful! I wish I could've beaten up that girl on the alley a bit more.

"See? Now it's done." I admired the handwork of Nurse Yoriko. I now have a bandage over my left hand, feeling like Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho. It looked so cool, yet…it hurt.

Poor me…

"Sir, can we talk to you about the accident?" A third person came near us. It was a police man holding a pad of paper.

"I guess."

I filed a report, and the officer gladly informed me that even though I beat the crap out of the three gangsters, I'm still considered innocent, since I was doing self-defense. And I'm also a hero too, since I saved the old lady. "That would teach them a lesson! Good work!" Officer Tanaka, grinned and patted my back, before walking away.

"Mr. Tenoh, I'm glad to tell you that your grand mother is safe. We'll be taking her to room 507." A young doctor, of about thirty years of age, announced the surprising news, as I returned at the ER's lobby. "She suffered a stab at her abdomen, but it's nothing serious, I assure you. We've already closed the wound, and she would only need rest to recover from the accident."

"Thank God…" I murmured and said a silent prayer. Afterwards, I made my way to the said room at the fifth floor.

I opened the door with care, and tiptoed my way near the bed, trying not to wake up the old lady. Her hair was pure white, and her face had wrinkles, though I'm sure she was really beautiful if she was back at my age.

Fantasizing about old women? Really now…

I smacked my own forehead, before plopping down on one chair. It all happened so quickly, and though my friends always dubbed me as the Hyperactive Kid, I found myself dead tired and sleepy.

I stood up, but then noticed the small clipboard attached at the foot of the bed. It read…

Name: Aisu Otome
Age: 64
Address: 257 Apacible Street, Ermita Manila

Oh, what luck. It seem that she was living only a few blocks away from my school! Neat. Maybe then, I could visit her around after she gets out of the hospital. But only if she didn't mind though…

My cellphone rang, and I hurriedly sneaked out of the room to answer the call. It was my mother on the other line.

Oh, shit…

"Haruka! Where are you! Li-san just called and asked for you. If you're not at the garage, then where are you now?" Her worried voice floated through the line. "Did something bad happen to you?"

"No, mom. I'm okay. I just saw an accident on my way there. And I had to carry over an old lady to the hospital."

"Oh, Haruka!" Her nervousness seem to ease. "What time will you go home?"

"Uhm, I guess I'll be going now, since she's been transferred to a room already. I'll tell you about it when I get home."

"Okay. Be careful driving! It's already late, and you might get mugged on the way!"

"Sure mom."

But I was already mugged.

I sighed. I just want to go home…

Author's Note:

One more week…one more week of academic hell, and I'm almost free! T.T

Reference:

Tondo is a place in Manila, wherein they say that thieves, muggers, and all kinds of ebil people thrive on. But nah, it's not true.
Apacible Street, Ermita is just across Robinson's Place Manila (see A Glimpse of Forever: c).
Mariah Carey released the album, Music Box, in 1993, which produced the hit singles "Dreamlover" and "Hero."

Disclaimer:

Haruka, Michiru, and the rest of the BSSM gang belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.
And Ms. Carey owns the song.