This day is the absolute worst.

Kyouka stared at the heavens through a window at the congested bus terminal. It was meant to be sunny, but the evening newscast had once again predicted the weather incorrect.

Not completely their fault, she reminded herself. With monster attacks ensuing virtually every hour, the news seemed to have no interest in mundane stories. The weather was just about as exciting as watching TV adverts these days.

Even so, Kyouka wished they'd make a little effort. How was she supposed to know the sky would just open up on her? The weather was so nice just before she went into work this morning.

And speaking of work, she was bushed. Lunch rush brought her nearly to her knees. It was arduous, but with what little money her brother pulled in, she didn't have much of a choice. Leaving early – because of a tiger level monster attack no less – Kyouka honestly knew that her pay would be terrible this week. She just wanted to get home, run a warm bath, and relax in front of the TV until she passed out.

Then all this happened; the rain and now the damned buses are running slow. Her apartment was a on the other side of the park, but with the rain in mind, she'd be soaked before she got home. Sighing in displeasure, she leaned against the window. Her silver ringed eyes drifted back down to the street, watching the people unfortunate enough not to escape the rain flee from it. A couple disappeared into the park, and the idea to do the same reared its head.

A cold would be the worst-case scenario; a sacrifice the impatient blond was willing to take.

Gathering her belongings – her dirty uniform, and a takeout container with her lunch in it – she rose up and ventured out into the rain. She wasn't in much of a hurry as she walked along the footpath – her clothes happened to be wet at present – so Kyouka took her time. If she were to be in a hurry, she might have missed the small, wet creature shambling towards her.

Thank heavens, she saw it.

It's hurt, she gasped. At least she assumed so. The pup's white fur was stained with blood. Stepping off the path and into the grass, Kyouka leaned down and slowly brought out her right hand. She didn't want to scare the pup, mainly because it was injured.

Fortunately, it wasn't skittish and came right to her.

"Hey there little one," she cooed. The pup warily sniffed at her, then licked her extended fingers. She used this time to look it over for more wounds, but she could find none.

"Where did this blood come from then?"

The pup barked and scuttled in a direction away from the path. Kyouka was hesitant to follow it, but decided to in case the pup really was in trouble. She found it near a tree, tugging on a yellow sash.

Connected to it was a person; a dirty, unconscious person.

Kyouka wasn't sure what to do. She looked around, searching for someone to help, but no one was nearby. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she had no other choice and bent down to examine him. Fresh, uneven cuts were scattered across his muscular body – the worst being two diagonal scratches down the front of his chest.

This looks terrible, Kyouka thought with a frown. I'm no doctor, but this guy needs serious help.

She considered leaving him for a few minutes to find someone, but decided against it. His skin was flushed in fever and he looked done in. Honestly, she wasn't sure he'd make it much longer. Kyouka had to do something before he died though.

Closing the gap between them, she raised her small hand, aiming to check how warm he was. However, before her skin met his, the man grabbed her wrist. Kyouka cried in shock, falling onto her rear-end in the wet grass.

She wasn't aware that he was still conscious. His grip certainly wasn't delicate.

"Let me go," Kyouka hissed. "You're h-hurting me."

He opened his eyes and glanced at her. She was just a scared and defenseless woman, too naïve to be anything more, so he released her.

"Go away woman and leave me alone," he snapped at her. He honestly wanted her to leave, but for some reason she wouldn't. "The hell is wrong with you? I said leave me alone."

Kyouka narrowed her eyes. What was his problem? She was only trying to help. "I heard what you said. But have you looked at the state of your body? You stink too."

He glared at her. "It's none of your concern."

"Fair point, but I can't leave you here; put yourself in my shoes for a moment and understand that no person in my position would just let someone bleed to death in front of them," she explained.

He grinned and refrained from telling her that he was a monster – the HA labeled him as one; Garou labeled himself a monster too. She wouldn't be so keen to help him had she known that he was the Hero Hunter the news had been talking about.

Kyouka sighed. "Look … the reason you're out here and injured is none of my concern – like you said – but at least let me help you. There has to be something you want or need; bandages, food – a bath."

"The food you brought smells good. I'll settle for that," he mentioned.

He can smell it through the rain? Kyouka picked up her take out box and handed it to the starving man. She had he doubts about him, but she assumed it was because her skin reeked of seafood from the day's special.

Garou wasted no time and tore off the lid, scarfing down the contents.

"You must not have eaten in a while. I've never seen someone so ravenous before," she mentioned with a laugh.

He ignored her and finished the small meal. Too bad it wasn't enough to please him; the steak was delicious even though all the fat had been trimmed off. His eyes trailed over her lean body; she could honestly use the weight. She was small too; Garou licked his lips.

"How can someone like you afford Ryu's?"

Kyouka was taken back. How dare he. "I work there as a grill chef. That food you inhaled was cooked by me, and it's part of my benefit to take home whatever I want for lunch – within a reasonable price."

"Leave the fat on; makes the steak better," Garou laughed. She was easy to anger for someone so accommodating. He tossed the empty box onto the grass and watched as the little dog happily cleaned up the remnants.

Rolling her eyes, Kyouka was at a loss. She honestly felt like more of a burden to him, and though she felt bad for him and his poor condition, it was obvious he didn't want her there. She stood up and rubbed her dirty hands onto her wet pants with a sigh; her entire body was soaked and cold.

"I won't order you around, but you need to have your wounds looked at. Without proper care, they could become infected. Please look after them," she mentioned.

Garou mocked her and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

She snorted, content with this. Kyouka picked up her take out box and pet the little dog. It was a shame its owner was this punk; she thought hard about taking it from him, but her brother would never let her keep it – he was a righteous asshole.

"My name is Kyouka. If you manage to live, you should come by Ryu's and bring your little friend; I'll treat you both to lunch."

Little friend? Garou snorted. "You will regret that, but I'll take you up on that offer, woman."

Kyouka rolled her eyes. I just told him my name. She ignored it and tossed him a quick wave of farewell. She had a bad feeling he was right – she'd soon regret having ever met him – but Tacchan would be proud of her for taking her time to help someone in need.