No Good Deed Goes Uncomplicated Part 2

Rumi sat on the empty pavement, watching the sun creep toward the horizon and paint everything in those familiar shades of orange and red. Her duffel bag slumped beside her like a dejected companion, along with a six-pack of soda she'd grabbed from the convenience store because of some small discount. Yet it wasn't a soda can in her hands - it was a beer can she'd managed to sneak past the clerk who clearly hadn't given a damn about his job.

Because why the hell not?

There wasn't any need to pretend or care about rules anymore. No shitty image to maintain, no school reputation to worry about - not that it hadn't already been in the gutter, anyway. Besides, she was curious. She'd seen plenty of adults who seemed to love this stuff, so what was the big deal?

She cracked it open and immediately recoiled as the smoky, bitter smell assaulted her nose. Her brain was screaming at her to just chuck the damn thing. "Ugh, why does it smell this bad?" But curiosity won out over common sense, as it usually did with her. Holding her breath, she brought it to her mouth and took a decent gulp.

The taste hit her like a punch to the face - bitter, awful, nothing like she'd imagined. She immediately spat it all out to the side, grimacing and gagging. "What the fuck is wrong with adults?!"

Without a second thought, she hurled the can away, watching it roll across the empty road, spilling its disgusting contents everywhere.

As if the universe had a sense of humor, a car drove by at that exact moment, crushing the can with a satisfying crunch and splashing beer in all directions.

"Ha! Serves it right," she snickered, reaching for the six-pack of soda instead. Now this - this was what she was talking about. She cracked open a can, ran her fingers through her messy white hair, and took a long, satisfying swig. The sweet fizz washed away the horrible beer aftertaste, and she hummed contentedly.

This was probably going to be her routine for a while now. Sitting around, drinking soda, watching the world go by before looking for another fight. It wasn't like she had anywhere else to be anymore.

Yep, officially kicked out.

They must have finally figured out her nighttime activities and rather than have balls they just did it all hush hush. She'd come back late from another underground fight, riding high on adrenaline and victory, only to find a letter along with all her stuff shoved into this duffel bag waiting outside her dorm room. The bastards hadn't even let her spend one last night in the dorms - just tossed her out like garbage.

"Due to repeated violations of school policy and conduct unbecoming of a student..." She could still remember the dumb formal language they'd used to basically say she was too much trouble to deal with.

At least she'd been smart with the little money she had from allowances and the occasional fight winnings - though she was kinda regretting not sticking around to collect more of those now. For the moment, she was crashing at cheap motels and finding decent public places to sleep while she figured out her next move. She just needed to find another one of those mini tournaments and cash in big.

"Freedom, right?" she said to no one, raising her soda in a mock toast to the empty street. "This is what I wanted."

So why did it feel so damn empty?

The question hung in the air as she took another sip, her red eyes reflecting the dying light. No more rules, no more pretending to care about classes or keeping up appearances. She could fight whenever she wanted, however she wanted. Hell, she could probably make a decent living just from underground tournaments if she played it smart.

But sitting here alone, with nothing but a duffel bag and some cheap soda, it didn't feel like the victory she'd always imagined it would be.

Rumi just sat there, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the buildings while cars drifted past like they had somewhere important to be.

Unlike her.

She found herself thinking about that park she'd passed earlier - the one with the big tree. The branches had looked sturdy enough, wide enough for someone her size to crash on for the night. Wouldn't be the first time she'd slept rough, and it beat paying for another night at some sketchy motel with creepy receptionists and equally creepy guests.

Yep, decision made.

She finished her drink in one long gulp, crushing the aluminum can in her grip with a satisfying crunch before tossing it aside. The convenience store was still open just a few meters away, its fluorescent lights buzzing annoyingly in the growing darkness, but she couldn't bring herself to care about loitering laws or proper disposal.

Who gave a shit at this point?

Stuffing the remaining soda cans into her bag, she stood up and stretched her back, feeling the familiar pops and cracks of joints that had been sitting too long on hard pavement. She brushed off her skirt, getting rid of any lingering dust or dirt, and hefted her bag over her shoulder.

Time to move.

She walked down the street with no particular hurry, just putting one foot in front of the other. The city looked different at this hour - quieter, lonelier somehow. Probably because she wasn't in the downtown area where all the action happened. She briefly considered heading there - more places to rest, more distractions - but quickly discarded the idea. Too many people, too many questions she didn't feel like answering.

After what felt like forever of aimless wandering, she finally arrived at the park. Spotting a bench near the big tree she'd been eyeing, she practically collapsed onto it, slumping against the backrest with a groan as she stared up at the dark sky above and stretched her legs out in front of her.

What the hell was she supposed to do now?

The night air was starting to bite, making her pull her high school jacket tighter around herself. "Damn, it's getting cold," she muttered, watching her breath form small puffs in the air. The jacket wasn't really made for warmth, she realized - more for show than function. And her bag didn't have any warm clothes either, just miscellaneous stuff and her underwear. Unless she was completely insane, she wasn't about to use those for warmth. Though the bag could make a decent makeshift pillow at least.

"Usagiyama-san?"

Her ears shot up instantly at the sound of a familiar voice she definitely hadn't expected to hear, her head snapping toward the source with lightning speed.

Standing there under the dim streetlight was Kaito, those distinctive spiral-patterned eyes catching the light as they spun with what looked like concern. He was carrying a small bag and wearing a casual hoodie, looking like he'd just been out for a regular evening stroll.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Rumi blurted out, her defensive instincts kicking in immediately. Her ears twitched against as she straightened up on the bench, trying to avoid looking weak.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, walking closer with that same easy confidence she remembered from when he'd patched her up. "Though from the looks of it, you're planning to spend the night out here."

"So what if I am?" she shot back, clutching her bag tighter to her side. "It's a free country. I can sit wherever I want."

Those spiral eyes seemed to study her for a moment before he gestured to the bench. "Mind if I sit for a bit? My sister sent me to get some late-night supplies and I need a short rest."

Rumi wanted to tell him to fuck off, but something about his tone made her just shrug instead. "Whatever."

He settled down beside her, maintaining a respectful distance but close enough that she could see those spiral patterns rotating slowly in his eyes. "So," he said casually, "want to tell me why the infamous Tiger Bunny is sitting alone in a park at night with all her worldly possessions in a duffel bag?"

Her ears twitched in annoyance as she furrowed her brow. "What makes you think that's all my stuff?"

"I didn't," he said dryly. "But you've got that 'my life just went to shit' look about you. It's kinda similar to the look my sister gets when she's been pulling way too many extra hours and night shifts." He gestured in circular motions under his eyes. "Besides looking sleep deprived, you've lost that bravado and fire from when we first met. Back then, even beaten half to death, you were still ready to kick my ass for suggesting you needed help."

"And now?" she asked, not sure why she wanted to hear his answer.

"Now you look..." he paused, those green rings spinning thoughtfully, "...tired. Not physically tired - you've probably been tired plenty of times. But tired of fighting uphill battles that never seem to end."

Rumi felt something uncomfortable twist in her chest but she merely shook it off. "Gee, thanks for the pep talk," she muttered, but there wasn't as much bite in her voice as usual. 

Something about his straightforward approach was almost... refreshing. No fake sympathy or empty platitudes.

"I'm not trying to give you a pep talk," he said simply. "Just calling it like I see it. You've got that look people get when they realize the world's a lot bigger and a lot less fair than they thought it would be."

"The world's always been unfair," she shot back. "That's not news to me."

"No, but there's a difference between knowing it and feeling it in your bones," he replied, leaning back against the bench. "When you're fighting in those underground rings, you're in control. You choose your battles, you know the rules - even if they're brutal ones. But out here? The game's rigged in ways you can't punch your way through."

Okay, now that was starting to piss her off.  "So what, you're some kind of philosopher now?"

"Nah, just someone who's seen a lot of people hit rock bottom. Remember, my sister has been patching up people for a long time. I've watched plenty of tough people realize that being strong doesn't automatically make life easier."

After that, she looked down as silence settled between them.

"Got kicked out of school, didn't you?" he finally broke the silence, not really making it a question.

She was quiet for a long moment before throwing her head back and staring at the tree branches above them. "They finally figured out what I was doing at night. Took them long enough, honestly. I wasn't exactly being THAT subtle about it. Maybe they finally gave a shit, or some shithead snitched on me."

"And now you're homeless."

"I'm not homeless," she snapped, her pride flaring. "I'm just... between places. I've got some money. I can figure this shit out."

Kaito nodded, not arguing the point. "Where were you planning to sleep tonight?"

She gestured vaguely at the tree. "Up there. Branches look sturdy enough, and it's... preferable to the cheap motels I've been staying at."

"In this weather?" He raised an eyebrow. "The weather forecast warned it might drop below zero tonight."

Well, fuck...

"I'll be fine," she said stubbornly, even as she pulled her jacket tighter around herself. "I've slept in worse conditions."

That was kinda true.

"I'm sure you have," he said, then went quiet for a moment. However, in that silence she could practically hear the gears turning in his head, and it made her nervous.

"Whatever you're thinking, the answer is no," she said preemptively.

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"It was obvious, you idiot and I don't need charity." Her ears flattened completely against her head. "I can take care of myself."

"Yeah, I can see that," he said, glancing pointedly at her current situation. "Look, I'm not trying to be a hero here. But we got a couch, and my sister would be livid if I didn;t even offer you help if she learned that I just ignored you, you must have left an impression on her. Besides iIt's warmer than a tree, and you wouldn't have to worry about catching a cold or you know… freezing out here."

Rumi's first instinct was to tell him exactly where he could shove his pity. She'd been taking care of herself just fine, thank you very much. But as another cold breeze cut through her thin jacket, making her shiver despite her best efforts to hide it, she found herself actually considering it.

Kaito checked his watch, those spiral eyes catching the streetlight. "Shit, it's getting pretty late."

He stood up, but paused for a moment before setting down his bag and pulling off his hoodie. "Here, you're gonna need this more than I do. Don't take it as help - think of it more like an investment in the best fighter I know."

Rumi blinked in surprise, eyeing the sweatshirt like it might bite her.

"Oh for fuck's sake," she groaned loudly, slumping back against the bench and throwing her hands up in exasperation. "You are seriously the most annoying twerp I've ever met."

"I aim to please," he replied with a slight grin, still holding it out for her.

With another dramatic groan, Rumi snatched the hoodie from his hands and stood up abruptly. The fabric was still warm from his body heat, and she hated how good it felt as she pulled it on over her jacket. The thick material immediately cut through most of the cold she'd been feeling.

Good thing she had leg warmers, otherwise she would've only solved half her problem.

Kaito watched her with obvious curiosity, those spirals in his eyes spinning slowly as she adjusted the oversized hoodie.

"What're you looking at, huh?" she demanded, tugging at the sleeves that hung past her hands.

"Nothing, just..." he paused, tilting his head slightly before letting out a small sigh. "You look like-"

"Shut up," she muttered, but there wasn't much heat behind it.

He picked up his bag and took a step back. "Good night, Usagiyama-san."

"Whatever," she called after him as he walked away, his figure disappearing beyond the streetlights.

She slumped back onto the bench and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to trap more heat inside the borrowed hoodie. The warmth was already making her drowsy, but she knew she'd have to move soon to find a better place to crash. Since funny-eyes had mentioned that cold weather forecast, she might actually have to bite the bullet and pay for another night at some shitty motel. And she really didn't want to burn through her savings like that.

Dammit, she thought, staring up at the tree branches that suddenly looked a lot less appealing. Why does everything have to be so complicated?

She sat there for a  couple of minutes, pulling the hoodie tighter around herself as the reality of her situation started to sink in. The warmth from that twerp's sweatshirt was nice, sure, but it wasn't going to solve the bigger problem - she still had nowhere to go, barely any money, and winter was coming fast.

Why the hell did I say no? The thought hit her harder than she expected. A warm couch, a roof over her head, and she'd turned it down because of what?

Pride?

No.

She tried to shake off the feeling, but it clung to her. Here she was, sitting on a park bench like some homeless loser, when she could've been inside somewhere warm. 

And for what? To prove something to who?

To herself. And the world, obviously.

I've always handled everything by myself, she told herself firmly. I don't need handouts. I don't need anyone's pity. I got this far on my own strength, and I can keep going.

But even as she thought it, the words felt hollow. Getting kicked out of school, sleeping in trees or cramped spaces in parks, rationing her money for food - or swiping snacks when she got desperate, sneaking into gyms to use the showers - was this really what "handling it herself" looked like?

Was this the kind of life she wanted for herself?

The doubt gnawed at her, mixing with frustration and something that felt uncomfortably close to desperation. She'd always been the one who fought her way through problems, who never backed down, who proved everyone wrong. But sitting here in the dark, wearing someone else's clothes because she was too cold in her own jacket, she felt smaller than she had in years.

And what was she even proving at this point? That she could be miserable and cold and alone? That she could slowly burn through her savings until she had nothing left? That she was too stubborn to accept help even when she desperately needed it?

This is stupid, she realized with growing irritation. This whole thing is fucking stupid.

I’m stupid.

"FUCK!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing through the empty park.

A few seconds of silence followed, broken only by her heavy breathing and the distant hum of traffic. Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed her duffel bag and bolted from the bench.

Her legs carried her down the street faster than she'd moved all day, following the path that idiot had taken. She spotted him about two block away, walking casually with his bag, and pushed herself to run faster.

"Hey!" she called out, slightly out of breath as she caught up to him. "Funny-eyes!"

He turned around, those green rings spinning with what looked like amusement rather than surprise.

"Changed your mind?" he asked simply.

Rumi crossed her arms and lifted her chin defiantly, even as she was still catching her breath. "Look, I'm not accepting charity or whatever. I'm just... temporarily using your couch until I figure out my next move. Got it? This doesn't make us friends or anything."

This idiot smile was infuriatingly knowing. "Of course. Wouldn't want the great Tiger Bunny owing anyone favors."

"Damn right," she muttered, adjusting her grip on her bag. "So... where is this couch?"