Today is my last day here in this world. That means that I have to make Aimy fall for me or I’ll fail on this mission. Well, to be exact, my exact limit is 6:39 a.m. tomorrow but thinking that today is the time limit can make me more determined in this mission.

Early in the morning, Aimy left my house to go back to her place and get the spare key from the land lady who should’ve returned to the apartment complex by now. As for me, I readied for school and left a few hours after Aimy went home. Right now, I am wondering around the school. Because there is a program today at the gym about the plans for the upcoming founding day, there are no classes for today. That is why lots of students are scattered around the school even though we are told to gather at the gym. Well, there is no attendance after all. What I have to do is find Aimy. Where the heck is that girl anyway? She is nowhere to be found. She should be at the school by now.

Without me knowing, Aimy, Meryl, Laira and Sheena are secretly following me.

"Why are we following Orel?” Laira asked curiously.

“I’m also wondering too, Aimy followed.

"Isn’t it obvious?" Meryl asked.

"We already know that you like him, Aimy," Sheena followed.

"H-how did you figure it out?"Aimy asked with a slight surprised expression.

"It’s quite obvious," Sheena said with a grin.

Laira also nodded, agreeing.

"That is why we will conduct a test for OT to know if he is really the one that you are looking for," Meryl announced.

"Test?Like what?" Aimy asked.

"You said yesterday that you want a boy that can protect you from stalkers, right? That is why we will measure Or’s strength this instant," Sheena explained with a serious expression.

"That’s not what I’ve said, you know," Aimy followed.

"Sheena, how can we measure OT’s strength?" Meryl asked seriously.

"Hmm. How about we rent some gangsters and order them to send Or to the hospital?"

“G-gangsters?” Laira reacted, surprised.

“Do-don’t. I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want him to be hurt because of me," Aimy said with a worried face after seeing how serious the two looks.

"Meryl…Sheena…Aimy…look!" Laira said in a sudden surprised expression and pointed at my direction.

Before I know it, I am now surrounded by lots of boys.

"Are you that ‘Auti’ guy?" one guy with a scary face asked.

A total of eight, huh. They’ve picked the back of the main building so there will be no witness about this. Not bad.

"You’ve got the wrong person," I replied with my usual serious face.

"You can’t fool us! Black spiky hair, squinty eyes, tall height, red headphone around his neck and a silver cross necklace…it is no other than you."

"He is definitely that ‘Auti’. He is my classmate last year after all," one of the boys said with a confident smile.

Who is he again?

"Don’t you think that you are too close to Aimy?" the other guy asked, trying to intimidate me with his glare.

So that's their reason.

"Don’t tell me that you are a fan club for Aimy?" I asked, still serious.

"You got that right!" all of them shouted.

"Didn’t you hear what happened the other day? You know, the pushing incident," I reminded them.

"We are sure that that fan girl just harassed Aimy. That is why she has no choice but to protect herself. That means that it is just an act of self-defense," the fat guy explained in an angry tone.

What an outstanding reasoning.

"Then, what are you going to do to me if I didn’t stop from associating with her?" I asked with a grin.

"You will become history!" he shouted.

"Then…I’m going to send you all to the hospital!" I shouted and made a fighting stance.

"Auti!!!!" the fat guy yelled.

“Strength…boost!!!” I shouted.

Suddenly, a very bright orange light lighted the area.

I can feel…the power!

The fat guy then threw a punch at me but because of its slowness, I dodged it and punched him on his face with all of my might. Because of my strength, he flew and hit two of his comrades.

One down.

"James...lost consciousness!" one guy reacted with a sudden scared expression.

“Are you kidding me? With just one punch?” the others whispered with worried faces.

That’s right. You can even call me One Punch Man[1] if you like.

"Everyone, surround him!"

"Right!"

Two suddenly charged towards me at the same time so I immediately docked to dodge both of their punch and hit both of their stomach. After that, they immediately collapsed on the floor.

Three down.

"Auti!" the next one shouted and gave me a very speedy punch. I somehow dodged it by pivoting the heel of my shoe.

"!"

I then kicked him on his back to knock him out. Luckily, he tackled another one accidentally and both of them lost consciousness.

Five down.

"Prepare yourself!" the three shouted and charged towards me.

Three idiots!

I then gripped the collar of one of them and threw him at his comrades. Luckily, he hit the forehead of one of his comrades accidentally and both of them lost consciousness.

One left.

The last one is now shaking out of fear.

"We won’t bother you anymore so…so..." he said with a very intimidated face.

"Once that you’ve reported me to the guidance councilor, you know what will happen to you…right?" I asked with a very scary face.

"Yes sir! It is just an in-fight!" he replied and ran away.

After that, I left the scene like nothing happened. Well, I just have to deactivate this ‘strength booster’ once I reached the comfort room. That way, I can rest and recover in there safely.

“I’ve trained my combat skills to stand up against bullies, you know. Come back after ten years, idiots,” I whispered with a victorious grin as I walk away. “But I still give my thanks to the ‘Strength Booster’ because I’m really at a disadvantage given their number.”

"He defeated all of them..." Aimy said with her mouth hanging open out of surprise.

"I didn’t know that OT is that strong!" Meryl commented.

“He didn’t even break a sweat fighting those boys,” Laira followed, surprised too.

"I just remembered the bullies back when Or was still a 7th grader. They suffered the same fate," Sheena muttered while looking with pity at the defeated ones on the ground.

"This is the second time?" Aimy asked with an even more surprised expression.

"Yeah. Because of that, he already has a record in the guidance office," Sheena continued.

"..."

"..."

"..."

I searched once again for Aimy everywhere but I can't still find her. While looking around, I saw a 500-peso bill on the ground.

"You want a nice guy, right? This way, we can tell if he is really a nice one. OT, the lost and found is waiting for you,” Meryl cheered while the four of them are hiding behind a tree.

"That’s not what I mean," Aimy whispered as a retort.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I wonder if he’ll really pick my money,” Laira whispered.

"I think I know what will he gonna do," Sheena muttered with a nostalgic smile.

A 500-peso bill, huh. This might be the luckiest day of my life but...why would I pick it up? Who knows what bacteria can I get from that?

"Orel just ignored it?" Meryl reacted with widened eyes. "Wait. As expected to OT. The owner might still come back after all."

"By the way, Or is a clean freak," Sheena mumbled.

"Are you saying that OT ignored it because he found it lying on the ground?"

"Yup."

Then, Aimy and Meryl looked at each other and replied, “Even if he’s a clean freak, that’s still unbelievable, you know. Right, Laira?”

“Well…” Laira muttered, not really sure what to answer.

“That’s also my reaction when a similar incident happened to us before. Well, it looks like Or is really the guy that you are looking for: someone who can protect you anytime, someone who is kind…probably, someone who is slightly taller than you and a…little handsome guy."

"Well, I have a feeling that OT is the type of guy who can treasure a girl," Meryl followed with a smile.

“I agree. I mean, I know for sure that he is a nice person,” Laira said with a smile.

"Don’t worry. The three of us are at your back to support you," Sheena continued and made a thumb up.

"Thanks, Sheena, Meryl, Laira," Aimy said and gave them a smile.

Just like that, the program in our school ended. Unfortunately, I didn't found Aimy the whole time. Well, I said to her earlier that she should call me if there’s some trouble again regarding the keys but because I didn’t receive any calls for the day, she should’ve managed to get the spare keys from the land lady. It is now time to go home but where should I go now?

Suddenly, my cross emitted the usual red light and produced these words:

[Search once again.]

[Aimy's house.]

[Convenience store.]

Well, searching here for the second time might be just a waste of time. I mean, it’s possible that she didn’t go to the school for starters. The logically correct answer is Aimy's house because she might be there already but I am already starving so let's go to the convenience store first and go to Aimy's house later.

I then went to the convenience store and in my surprise, I saw Aimy in front of it. She is now wearing a cap and joke glasses to hide her identity.

"Aimy?" I reacted with a surprised face.

"Orel? Come," she said and grabbed my hand.

"Huh?"

She suddenly ran while pulling me along.

"Wait. What is happening here?" I asked with a confused look.

"Someone is chasing after me."

"Huh? A stalker?"

Suddenly, a big muscled man wearing a suit appeared before us.

"Aimy..." he said in a quite scary tone.

I immediately protected Aimy by hiding her behind my back.

"Do you need something?" I asked without being intimidated.

"Aimy needs to come with me. If you don’t want to get injured, move out of the way," the big guy warned seriously.

"Really? Then, we’ll see,” I replied with an arrogant smile.

“Orel!” Aimy reacted with a worried expression.

I clenched my fist and shouted, “Strength boost!!!”

Suddenly, my cross emitted an orange light. I can feel…the power!

"Strength Boost - Elephant!" I shouted and the orange light enveloped my left fist. I then punched him with all of my might but…

"!"

When I thought that I've hit him already, he suddenly vanished into thin air.

"Orel, behind you!"

Don't tell me...

That's right. Just like that, he circled behind me. How fast!

Before I completely turned my whole body around, a heavy punch is now heading towards me.

*pow*

“What the--” the man reacted with a slight surprised face.

“Is that all you’ve got…perverted stalker?” I said after I blocked it with both of my arms crossed. What strength. If I haven’t activated my ‘Strength Boost - Turtle’, I could have flown back there.

"..."

He then prepared for another punch by clenching his other fist.

"I won’t let you! Strength boost – Wolf!”

Before he even gathered his strength, I immediately grabbed his collar and gathered all of my strength in my left arm.

"!"

After the orange light enveloped my whole arm, I lifted him up and threw him at a nearby garbage can.

*boom*

"Let’s go!" I said and grabbed Aimy's hand to run away once again.

Finally, we arrived at the residential area and hid at some alley. Because it is now dark outside, the usual people walking around are now nowhere to be found. That is why Aimy decided to remove her cap and joke glasses. My ‘strength booster’ just deactivated without my permission so I am now very tired and my muscles are now aching all over. It looks like I can’t maintain it for a long time.

"...*pant*…Do you know…*pant*…that person?" I asked in an exhausted manner.

"He is one of my bodyguards," Aimy replied with a slight nervous face.

"Huh?"

"They prevent the crowd from getting near me in important events."

"Wait…*pant*…Why would your bodyguard chase after you?"

"The truth is…my manager didn’t want me to quit showbiz. That is why I ran away from home."

"That’s the thing that you told me before you slept over at my place, right? So your manager ordered that bodyguard to take you back?"

"Yup," she answered with sad eyes.

"Isn’t that manager too desperate? She is not even your parent...don’t tell me, is that person your relative or something?"

“No but she is my legal guardian right now."

“Then…”

"I am an orphan. She is the one who raised me to make me a popular idol."

"And the only person that you can rely on is the principal so he’s the one who helped you in running away."

"That’s right."

"Your manager still doesn’t know where you live, right?"

"Not yet."

"Then, leave everything to me. I will make sure that you can go home safely," I said with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks, Orel," she replied and finally smiled.

It looks like my strength had finally recovered.

"Let’s go," I said and held her hand.

Suddenly, two bodyguards appeared behind and before us.

"Orel..." Aimy whispered with a worried look.

"Tch," I reacted with an irritated expression.

The one in front suddenly tried to grab Aimy's arm so I immediately pulled her in and punched him at the face.

"!"

Because of what I did, the other one tried to grab my collar so I immediately dodged him and punched him at the face like I did to the other one.

Well, punching them in the stomach might be futile after all.

"Let’s go,” I said and once again grabbed Aimy's hand.

We then ran towards her apartment as fast as we can but suddenly...

"There’s no escape, Aimy," a girl around 30 said after we got surrounded by three bodyguards in an alley.

"Ma'am Pamela!" Aimy reacted with a surprised face.

So this is her manager. From her looks, I can tell that she has a really nasty character, a true female villain in the flesh. I mean, she’s even wearing the cliché clothes of common female antagonist in movies.

"You really are selfish. Don’t you know that what you did can make your future career suffer?" she arrogantly lectured.

"..."

"Announcing that you will quit showbiz without my permission…do you know how many projects had been cancelled because of you?" the manager continued.

"But…I must compose a new--" Aimy replied with a sad face.

"I said that you can take your time composing your new song, right? What really is important is your TV shows and movies."

"But I started showbiz because what I really want is to sing--"

"Stop being selfish!" she shouted after she finally lost her cool.

"!"

"Let’s go back to the Capital," her manager ordered.

"But..."Aimy said with a confused expression.

I think it is my turn now.

"What is wrong about being selfish," I interrupted.

"Who the hell is this extra?" she asked and looked at me like she’s looking at some trash.

"It’s…Orel…my classmate," Aimy whispered and looked at me with a cornered expression.

"Classmate? Then, what are you doing here, extra?"

"Because I am selfish, I am here," I answered seriously.

"Huh? What do you mean?" her manager asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Selfish, this is one of the characteristics that humans have. But what is wrong about being selfish? Someone is said to be selfish if that person did something that didn’t benefit anyone. But look closely. Isn’t that person who accused someone as selfish the real selfish one? All she wants is to benefit from that person she called selfish. So let me ask you this. Who is at wrong here? The selfish…or that accuser?”

"Are you saying that I am the one who is wrong here?" she asked with an intimidating expression.

“No. You are the one who said that,” I replied with my unchanging serious face.

"Kids these days...are really disrespectful to adults!" she said with a very pissed face.

"Can’t Aimy take a vacation once in a while? She is always working hard for you so can you at least grant her a request?" I asked.

"This is just a waste of time! She went back to school just to find her soul mate? What an idiot!”

"..."

"Are you saying that I should wait for two whole years and if she didn’t find that person, I will say that ‘it can’t be helped’ and just move on like that? She can’t find someone who is right for her in this small countryside. The chances are higher in the showbiz industry!” her manager yelled furiously.

"Then, how about this. I will become a substitute for Aimy. Take me to the Capital. I am sure that I can become a popular idol before you know it," I volunteered confidently.

"Shut up, backstage staff."

I've been demoted to that extent?

"I…I already found him," Aimy suddenly interrupted with a serious face.

"Huh?" I reacted, surprised.

"I already found the person…that I really love," she continued and looked at me.

What the…? Who the heck is that fellow?

"Don’t tell me that what you’re talking about is this backstage staff? That can’t even be classified as a joke," her manager replied, irritated.

So that became a permanent nickname.

Aimy then hugged my arm and said, "That’s right. He is the one I love."

"Me?" I reacted, shocked.

But anyway…how soft…

"Huh? Are you listening to yourself? What is so attractive about that janitor?" her manager said with a very surprised face.

Okay...I am now the lowest being in the showbiz. Wait. That occupation is not even included in the showbiz!

"You don’t know Orel so don’t judge him like you already know him!" Aimy retorted with slanted eyebrows.

"Aimy..." I whispered, still surprised.

"Then…can you kiss that janitor?" her manager asked seriously.

"!"

"!"

"You who rejects all of the kissing scenes in your movies?" she continued, now with an evil smile.

Kiss? I mean…did I already manage to make Aimy fall for me?

"I can," she said with a sudden determined face.

"!"

Suddenly, she kissed my lips before I even braced myself.

"What the...Aimy!" her manager shouted very furiously.

Aimy then drew back and said, "Now, do you believe me?"

"Boys, capture those two! Don’t let them get away!" the manager yelled.

Because of that...I am now fully charged!

Suddenly, the cross emitted an indigo light, enough to light the dark alley where we are.

Indigo? What is its power?

Before I know it, white wings sprouted on my back. Wings…of angel?

“Aimy!” I said and grabbed her hand.

"Orel!"

I then carried her in my arms and braced my legs for the three approaching enemies.

“How persistent!" I shouted out of irritation and flapped my wings, creating a sudden gust of wind. It was strong enough to made the guards flew away and hit the walls.

“Wh-what was that?” the manager reacted with a shocked look.

I then flapped my wings and managed to fly up with Aimy.

“How the heck did that kid managed to jump that high?” the manager reacted with widened eyes. "Don’t let those two escape! Climb you two!!!"

"Yes, Ma’am!" the two guards replied but when they got up using a ladder...

"They are…gone..." the bodyguards whispered with surprised faces.

"Huh? You useless dogs! Find them at all cost!"Aimy’s manager furiously ordered.

"Yes, Ma’am!!!"

Well, I managed to fly and cover a fair distance. We then landed on a moving truck nearby afterwards. What a cliché' escape for the end. Anyway, what is with this sudden lightheadedness? Is this the side-effect of those wings?

My father said that humans in this world can't see the light of my cross except me. Then, why didn't Aimy freaked out when wings sprouted on my back. This is just a theory of mine. The powers of the cross is out of ordinary in the first place but in this world, the humans can't recognize its power meaning...even if I used my powers and someone saw me, it will automatically be considered as a daily life occurrence, making them unaware of what I did no matter how extra ordinary it is.

While we are sitting luxuriously at the back of the moving truck, I decided to enjoy the nice wind of the night. What a relaxing feeling. The lightheadedness is finally vanishing.

"Orel..." Aimy muttered as she looks at the road.

"Don’t worry because I am here. I will always be by your side until you’ve finished that song. I will protect you with my life…I promise," I said with a serious face.

"Earlier..." she whispered while looking down.

"..."

"I stole a kiss from you so…sorry."

I guess let’s go for it now.

I then grabbed her shoulders and kissed her on her lips. Then, I drew back after 5 seconds.

Because of what I did, her face became extremely red for the first time.

"Payback time. What does it feel to be kissed without permission?" I asked with a grin.

"You liar. You just want to kiss a popular idol, didn’t you?" she said with a teasing smile.

"Well…I won’t say that that’s not entirely the case so…I won’t deny that," I replied after averting my gaze.

"Orel..." she called, now with a gentle smile.

"Hmm?"

"I think I can now see the lyrics of my song. Just some part of it though," she said with a very warm smile.

"I can’t wait…to hear the finished song," I replied with a smile.

Mission...complete.