A man, young yet frail scrubbing sponge against stained plates, bowls, and steel utensils, towering them in a line as moonlight bathed in the man's tanned skin and bushy hair.

'

The frail man was mopping the floor but froze when there's cheering. With a swift turn above, his eyes locked on a square hologram projected two men throwing punches in an arena until one falls.

"There it is! Bane Brimstone, won by knockout with his inescapable combos, declaring champion 10 times in a row-"

A bear-belly grumpy dude pressed his thumb on a rectangular device in hand and the projection retracted. "Stop slacking and get back to work!"

"Oh! Yes, Boss!" The frail man jolted, swinging the mop back and forth.

'

The frail man exhaled all the weight from his body with one final stroke and said, "Done!" while admiring the shining black and white tiles.

But then, a shadow sneaked behind him, grinning and grabbed his shoulder! "Die, Level 10 Skeleton!"

"Gah!" The poor man catapulted his head towards the shadow but it leaped a distance away.

"Heh, as expected of the future boxing champion." the shadow said.

Lights in the ceiling reached it showing a spiky blonde hair and alluring face.

The frail man's eyelids dropped when faced this person. He then headed to the door with a metal sign wrote: Staff Only

"Yo, bro. What's with the attitude? Aren't you happy to see me?" said the blonde guy.

"Not in the mood, Arnold." said the frail man, placing his mop inside the room.

"Allow me to lighten up your mood then." From behind Arnold's waist, he pulled a thin white box tied with yellow ribbons.

"Hmm? What's this?" eyeing at the box then at Arnold.

"Just open it!" Arnold said, swinging his hands.

"Okay." The ribbon was loosened and papers ripped apart, revealing a manual and polycarbonate book having a pair of boxing gloves with text written on it saying: Boxing Encyclopedia.

"No way..."

The blondy nods. "Yes, sir! Happy birthday! You can now level up to be a level 50 skeleton!"

"Can you stop with the skeleton jokes already!"

"But that's a compliment though..." Arnold shrugged.

"Oh... Thanks... I guess."

"Wellio, I'm about to head to the gaming center to play that new awesome VR MMORPG! How 'bout we try it together today!" Arnold rest an arm around his friend's neck.

Fireworks in the fragile man's heart ended in cold silence as he said, "I would love to... But my mom is waiting for me."

"Ah... Don't mind, bro. I gotchu. You should hurry up then." Arnold removed his arm.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, Brudda. But, if you need me, you know where to find me."

"Yeah, see you."

As Arnold took a step, he beamed when his eyes meet the grumpy old man at a counter table, shuffling stacks of cash. "Ah! Hey, boss! Sayonara!" he showed the bird.

"Fuck off, Arnold!"

Arnold dashed toward the glass door that's opening up for him as he burst into laughter. The poor frail man chuckled and headed toward the counter. "Boss, I have done my job for the day."

Head raised, his boss scanned the place and nodded "Hmm, fine. You can leave."

"Thanks, Boss! See you tomorrow!"

"Yeah, whatever."

He hangs his apron on the dish pit's wall, then grabs a small plastic bag filled with sushi, and dashed out of the building. It's painted dark like the storm. A pair of stone pillars lifting the roof of steel scales with lamps beside the glass door in steel frames, having a picture of one treasure chest filled with a splashing bowl of ramen, and various types of sushi surround it drawn in the center of the door.

Hovering vehicles drove past him as he stroll through the sidewalk. Drones picking up cups, bottles, and wrappers thrown in his way. Then a feminine figure in a waitress attire, looking like a drawn character, emitting light popped in front of him.

"Hello, Yi! Walking back home again?" said the mysterious figure.

"Ho, god! Why everyone wants to scare me today!"

"Hmm... According to my data, scaring people is fun!"

"Fun? People could get a heart attack!"

"Oh, sorry~" the bright figure clasped her hands together.

"Haa.. It's fine"

"Oh, as an apology, I can offer you a chicken sandwich set for a 90% birthday discount!" she said, projecting a holograph of the set on her palms.

Liquids leaked out his lips, but he vacuumed it back in and shook his head. "No, no, my money is for my mother's recovery- How do you remember my birthday?"

"He he! Everything you have said to me is saved in my memory."

"Huh, that is pretty convenient."

With a box in hand, a male with glasses and green apron marched out of a building that's the size of 4 bus stops behind the waitress and said, "Yes, they are "convenient." But, they can also be destructive like… WHEN DID I SAY WE HAVE A 90% DISCOUNT?" He leaned closer to her that they're face were an inch from touching.

"Oh… um… eek!" The bright figure disappeared like a flashlight.

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"Haa... A.I these days. Anyway, this is for you. Happy Birthday, Yi."

The box was handed to Yi. When he opened it, time seem to stop.

"This is..."

"Yup, think that as a reward for cleaning my store. Also, it was Prima's request to give this to you. I'm surprised these A.I haven't become human yet."

"Thank you!"

"Hey, don't just thank me. You should thank Prima too."

"Yeah but, where is she?"

She flashed next to the owner and said, "Right here!"

Yi smirked and said, "Thanks, Prima. You're the best A.I in the world."

Prima's face turned red. "W-well I'm just doing my job as a promoter. No big deal!"

"You better get going now, your mother must be waiting for you," the owner said.

"Oh! You're right! I'll see you two tomorrow!" Yi said and went running.

"Bye bye, Yi!"

"See ya, boy."

Yi passed one store after another. Almost every building were made of steel, but he halted in front of a building with glass walls and headed inside, greeted with a strong scent and a soothing voice.

"Hey, Yi, how's your mother?"

Yi's face tighten as he said, "Worst."

"Oh, sorry to hear that. Has the doctor said anything about it?"

"My mom said it's only an infection. But I think she's hiding something from me. She never let me enter the checkup room."

"Well, I'm sure you two can talk it out. So, the usual?"

"Yes, please." Yi pulled out some money and unfolded a cloth bag from his pocket. Grabbing a bottle of liquid medicine, pills, and water and shoving it in his bag.

"Hope your mother gets well soon."

"Thanks." he said and left.

'

Lightning struck the sky, clouds cried in pain as Yi stomped past puddles taking heavy breaths.

He arrived at a place where buildings surrounded him were abandoned made of metal that's rusted. Residents inside all had the same figure as he. Pale, shrunk flesh, and their eyes were buried deep within their skulls. Some even injecting blue substance in their limbs in his line of sight.

Yi clenched his jaw as he continued to move forward.

As he went deeper, buildings made of bricks surround him. He visited each one of them, passing a handful of sushi to each family member. But the father of a family refused the last batch.

"Keep it, Yi."

"What? Why? You guys haven't eaten today, right?"

A frail boy with shining eyes stepped out the entrance and said, "From now on, leave my family to me. Thank you, Yi, for everything."

Yi's stared agape at the boy but smiled with his head down. "I understand. You've grown up strong now, Will... All the best out there."

Will nodded as they wave at each other.

Yi headed toward the last building. There was a woman lying on cardboard, coughing with a ragged blanket covering her.

He went inside and said, "Hey, ma. I'm home."

"Oh? Welcome back. I was waiting to give you this." she pulled her blanket away, revealing two red boxes and handed the large one to Yi.

"Happy Birthday, son." she beamed.

"A gift?" Yi ripped it open and raised a pair of crimson boxing gloves and clothes inside.

He frowned. "Where did you get the money to buy this?"

"You don't like the gift?" she said, with a quavering voice.

"No- I mean I do, but where did you get the money?"

She averted her gaze.

"Ma, answer me!"

".....When you were working, I offered to help with the cleaning drone's maintenance."

"What? You can't work anymore, ma. You're sick, remember?"

"I have been sick for three years, Yi. I don't want to be your burden."

Yi lay his hands on his mother's shoulders and said, "Ma, what are you talking about? You are not a burden; you are my strength to keep going."

His mother bit her lips and remained silent.

Yi then placed the gifts back inside and stood up. "I'm getting a refund. We'll use this money to find a better doctor."

She embraced his leg and said, "Don't, I did this for you. I just wanted to see you happy."

"Haa... ma, as long as you get well, I'm already happy."

"You can't lie to me, Yi, I'm your mother. You still dreamed of being an MMA fighter, am I right?"

Yi gazed at the concrete floor, tightening his fist.

"I was right then." she said.

"I'll still get the refund. My dream had nothing to do with this." He pushed her away, marching to the exit.

"Yi, Yi! Come back!"

He was unfazed.

His mother ran in front of the exit and kneeled.

"Ma! What are you doing! Get up!" Yi lowered himself to lift her up but she didn't budge.

"Keep the gift, Yi..."

"No! I don't want it! Get up right now!" he exerted more strength until his arms were shaking but she resisted even more.

"Please, Yi! I worked hard to get you all this." Alas, she couldn't hold her tears and cried in front of her son.

"Ma..."

Yi felled to his knees in defeat as they cried together.

"Why are you doing so much for me!" he said.

"What kind of mother who doesn't want the best for her child?"

"I'm sorry..." he said.

She stroked his head, and said, "You don't need to apologize. All I want is to see you live well and don't become like me and chase your dreams."

"Now, let's have some cake. Don't worry, I bought the cheapest one," she walked toward the spot she rested and grabbed a box

He wiped his tears and said, "Yam flavor?''

"Just like you wanted." she smiled.

They opened it and on top of the cake was written:

Happy 19 year old Bday

Yī Dá Fēng

Yi's mother walked toward a furnace with a candle in hand, burning the tip. When returned, she poke it on top of the purple cake.

"Should we sing?" she said.

"No... It's embarrassing..."

"If you don't want that song, I've written one for you if you want."

Yi's face lit up. "Really? I would love to hear you sing again!"

She smiled and took a deep breath as an angelic voice resonate from her lips.

"Today is your big day

I'm so glad to give life to a fighter like you.

You are my legacy…

You are my hope to survive…

Please don't let go of your dreams

And one day, you'll succeed.

Happy birthday, oh my angel.

This is the time for you to grow stronger.

All I need is your happiness.

Blow your flame to make your wish come true.

Happy birthday, oh my angel

And…

Grow…"

Yi was clapping until she coughs again but more vigorously.

His heart pounded as he dug his hand into his bags and handed her a bottle labeled (Coughing Syrup). "Here, take this."

She pushed it away and said, "I'm fine, I'll take it later. Now, make your wish."

He nodded, curled his hands together, and closed his eyes.

'God... Please bless us with health and fortune. But please, heal my mother. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to see her strong again.'

Yi opened his eyes and blew the candle. His mother clapped as they cut the cake and savored it along with the gift from Prima's owner and the sushi from work.

'

"Burp! Ah… this is the best day ever..."

His mother chuckled and said, "How about trying on those gloves I gifted you."

"Oh! I forgot about that." He pulled out the gloves in the box and shoved them in his hands, folding and unfolding his fingers, throwing a few jabs on the wall.

"How is it?" she said.

"Feels like a step closer to my dream."

"Glad you like it. Time to rest then, you need to work tomorrow."

"Yeah, good night then. Don't forget to take your medicine."

"I won't."

His gloves are off and back into his present box, then he lay on the cardboard next to his mother.

Within minutes, he snores. His mother shook her head and caressed his dark bushy long hair. "You must have been through a lot."

She then froze and quickly turned away and vomited blood on her palm.

Eyes wide, her hand went to snatch a newspaper nearby to wipe the blood and shoved it under her cardboard.

Glaring at the medicine on her lap, she pursed her lips and raised her head at a hole on the ceiling as she shed a tear. "Goodbye, Yi..."