Chapter 23

That night…

Snek was enjoying the celebration. Dressed in his battle suit, it was the best outfit he had to wear, not to mention he needed to wear it for tonight, the suit once more becomes his skin.

It was only twenty minutes until midnight, looking about he saw everyone was here. Bang, Genos, Saitama, Max, Suiryu, Garou, Melee and the kids. Angela was much more comfortable about everyone now after getting to know them. Drax was hanging out with Goliath and Draven, the three got along really well, yet Amai was nowhere to be found. Snek turned to Melee and asked. "Where's snake boy?"

She pointed outside. "He's been out most of the night."

"Ah, okay, I'll stay with him. I won't be up past midnight anyway." He grabbed two drinks, put on his jacket Alley made for him and headed outside. He found Amai not too far, coiled up and wearing the same jacket he was. He stretched it down to encase his body and yet his eyes were gazed upward. Snek approached with caution as he offered him a glass of champagne. "It's not like either one of us is going to be up past Midnight."

"Thank you."

They toasted each other to a New Year and possible new beginnings. Snek took his drink as did Amai. Both found their eye gazing upward. "So… how was it?" Amai asked of him.

"What, being human again? You know, I thought I would miss it. But in reality, I don't think I miss it as much as I thought I would. Not to mention there are things I can't stand anymore…"

"Such as?"

"Underwear for one!"

It brought a smile to Sweet Mask's face. The two talked a little bit about their experience what they enjoyed about being a serpent, but then what they missed being human. Amai however appeared oddly lost on the notion. "Something on your mind?"

"I… greatly misjudged you," he confessed. "For that, my deepest and sincere apologies. I though when one becomes a monster, there is no longer the longing for peace and love in their hearts. You betray humanity in becoming such a thing, but… I have seen far greater acts of kindness in Garou's family than I have seen in day-to-day life. Hunter for one stunned me, I couldn't tell you how many opportunities he possessed in humiliating me, and not once did he do such a thing."

Snek nodded. "He's not one to be petty about things. You have harmed his family with words and actions, there's no doubt about that. However, he has shown you how dignified he and the family are. It doesn't matter what they are or what they look like, it's how they treat those around them. Even when it came to you, they could have stuffed you stupid and left you where you last ate. Instead, they took you home and got you back to your room to sleep it off." Snek then smiled. "You know, the when you hunted for the first time, you went through every emotion I did… except you did have the hidden fear in thinking Garou fattened you up to eat you!"

Amai snickered to the last part, but then, he nodded. "I realize that and many other kindnesses they have given me. Alley didn't have to make these fantastic devices to keep me warm, Hunter didn't have to show me benevolence, Garou and Melee didn't have to take me in or help me when I asked for it. Suiryu and Max tried to bring me into their fold and spar with them. I never took them up on the notion. Pac helped me get around when I was too full to move, even the twins were kind to me!" he shook his head to it all. "I didn't deserve any of it."

"Perhaps you did earn it." Snek said offhandedly. "When push came to shove, you did what was asked of you, Hunter took you on patrols despite the fact you could have fought him tooth and nail over it. You could have ignored Garou's and my advice when it came to eating, but then you adapted and got use to it. You began to pull your weight rather than have everything given to you, it says a lot in the family." He paused. "I have yet to ask, how come you revealed yourself?"

Amai sighed. "I saw how the people treated Hunter. We were in City R when I swore they were going to attack him. I have seen mob mentality before, and this was at its peek. He had protected me in other cities, sending me off as my fans confronted him. That day, they were going to physically harm him. Or at least attempt it, I knew it wasn't right, and there was only one way to end it."

"Wow... that's the main reason why the family began to be kind to you. The old you never would have done that."

He sighed. "I would have to agree with you on that." Amai turned to his phone. Snek turned to his watch. "Five minutes." He said with a sigh. "You know… A part of me doesn't want this to end."

Snek laughed. "Good one!" Yet, when he realized Amai wasn't laughing. It made him pause. "Wait, seriously?"

"I… can't explain it."

"Well, it was nice while it lasted for me. I hope Angela stays after I turn."

Amai turned back to the house and caught a glimpse of her. "She's a remarkable woman. I have no doubt she will stay with you."

"That or you're going to swoop her up!"

"I don't take another man's woman, not after the last incident."

The two snickered. The time ticked away as the house began to count down. Snek could feel his body grow numb, as the house erupted shouting Happy New Years at the top of their lungs. Snek passed out, Amai teetered over and collapsed to the ground…