Chapter 21

October.

One month down, three more to go. Amai was relieved he made it through a month. Even the family was shocked as to how far along he's come. Despite the fact he still won't show his face in public, Amai has done rather well for himself. He was just putting on his hoodie once more and listened to the news on the small TV he had placed into his room. Reports were coming in now. People were looking for him. "It's been a month since anyone has seen or heard from Amai Mask. No one knows his current location or his current project schedule. His manager has offered little in the way of information on his client's whereabouts. We will have more as this story develops."

He rolled his eyes to it all. Everyone has to know where he is at all times apparently. For a while, it was nice that he got to be alone. He didn't have cameras in his face all the time or pens shoved in his direction to sign various items. He got to relax and yet at the same time still do his job as a hero. Granted, he hasn't been quite a vicious at dealing justice. But the occasional monster he consumes alive fills that need rather nicely. Today, Hunter wanted him to patrol his own city. City R.

He was reluctant to do so, however, Sweet Mask wants to see how it's doing, if everyone is okay. Perhaps even swing by his flat and pick up a few more things. Hunter flew them to the city, the moment they hit the streets, Amai felt something strange in the ground. "What is that?" he asked.

"What's what Blue?"

"That feeling in the ground… it… it feels odd." He has become sensitive to the movements in the earth. He remembers how Snek was able to tell he was in Garou's body just by the way he walked! Amai was starting to understand this ability, but couldn't quite make sense of it.

Hunter then noticed the people, some turned to stare at them, but then the whispers began. The look of anger followed as the people began to gather oddly. Hunter gave out a sigh before turning to Amai. "Blue, you may want to leave for a moment."

Amai looked about, this was what Hunter dealt with every time he asked him to backtrack on patrol? The looks of hatred filled the people's eyes, and they were all directed at Hunter. "Do it now," Hunter warned.

Amai turned to leave, he began to slink pass the crowd, yet he paused. Something told him to stay. He kept looking back as Hunter stood there in silence as more began to gather around him. These people, these are HIS people. Amai protects this city, and yet the citizens are going to come after Hunter for doing his job?

"We told you to leave you hideous freak!"

"You are no Amai Mask!"

"If you were half the hero he was, you would barely be out of B Class!"

"BOOO, Beat it monster!"

"You are not welcomed here!"

"You did something with Amai Mask, he's gone missing ever since you became Rank 1!"

The jeers were getting louder and louder, and yet. Hunter took the verbal abuse! He stood there and just dealt with it in silent dignity. He could easily tell the people that it was Amai who destroyed part of City I after obtaining Garou's power. He could easily approached, reach over and wrench off his hood, revealing to the world that their idol is a serpent monster. Yet, Hunter didn't do any of it. Out of all the opportunities he had, why did he resist embarrassing him?

Amai looked about and knew it wasn't right, not anymore.

One woman grew brash, she approached Hunter fearlessly and appeared to be ready to attempt and slap the taste out of his mouth with a firm hand across his face. That's when he stepped in. Amai stood before Hunter, his arm extended and brought the woman to a complete stop! "Blue… what are you doing?" Hunter whispered.

"Enough." He said gently. "How can such words bring about a beautiful world when they are filled with ugly and hateful tones?"

The people froze, he reached for his hood, only to be stopped by Hunter. "You sure about this?" he asked.

Amai paused, but the hood came off. The sunglasses followed and he looked to the people.

They all froze at the sight of him. "I may not have the same elegance or grace as I did before, but I can assure you… I am… Amai Mask."

"Sweet Mask… how…" then the woman turned and glared at Hunter. "YOU DID THIS TO HIM!"

"No" Amai said gently. "I did this to me."

The camera phones suddenly came out, people began snapping pictures left right and center. He cringed at the notion, but knew he cannot let the people see him with anger or resentment, instead, he turned on the charm and smiled to them all. "I am learning more about the M Class Dragons. For so long, I have been against them and their rank. Yet one challenged me, to understand them is to become one of them. So… I agreed to this temporary challenge."

"Who challenged you?" the people asked.

"Who else? Snek. He asked me if there were a way to switch positions, would I take it? I considered the notion and agreed. A method was developed and we have changed places. Which is why I am like this, it isn't the best accommodations, but, I will make do." He looked about at the people's reactions. How will they take him? Will they still adore him?

Much to his luck, the women were swooning even more!

"Oh Sweet Mask, you are too good for this world!"

"You do look cute, look how long you are, there's more of you to love!"

"I want a selfie with you!"

"Your scales shine as if they were polished!"

"Now, now. This isn't part of the challenge I was asked to be part of. I request you respect my privacy at this time, allow me to finish this with an opened mind and open heart. Until then, know that the top of Class A, Rank 1 and Rank 2. Will always be here to protect you!"

The crowd cheered him, they applauded and chanted his name. With that, he nudged towards Hunter to leave. The two made their way through the masses as the people went along their way.

Hunter couldn't believe it. "Why?" he asked. "Of all times, why did you…"

"I felt the time was right, and as what you said before, they would have found out eventually. At least with this, I was able to do it on my terms." Amai paused. He turned and stared at Hunter with great curiosity. "Why?" he asked of Hunter.

"Why what?"

"I know your family has been out to teach me a lesson. I know part of it was to have me humiliated. There were so many opportunities where you could have done so, you could have exposed me to the world. You could have done it many times over in the crowded cities, you could have wrenched off my hood, you could have said my name over and over again and yet you opted to give me a nickname as it were to protect my image… why would you care?"

Hunter shrugged. "Two wrongs don't make a right," he said. "Besides, knowing you, if I pissed you off enough, you would plot revenge. I am not looking to cause or start a war with you anyway. Too much has happened to my family, not to mention, you can be relentless when allowed to be. We have been through enough, and didn't need your vengeance added to it." He paused. "That, and I wanted you to see despite the fact I am a son of Garou… I can still be a decent person."

Amai froze to the news. It was true. Everything he said, if Hunter or his family had humiliated him, he would have retaliated somehow in some way. Hunter didn't want that to occur, but also showed him that he was a decent man. They continued on patrol, they passed before a TV store where their top story was Amai Mask. Hunter checked his phone. "That took only 10 minutes."

"One of the faster new stories I have been able to put out to say the least."

"Is this going to affect your career?"

He shrugged. "At the moment, I don't know. But right now I am more hungry than anything and rather get something to eat than think about it."

"Wow… who are you and what have you done with Amai Mask?" Hunter joked.