"Damn, who the hell are you!" the leader snapped, regaining his composure with a blusterous shout.

Truth was, his heart was pounding too.

These guys were classic bullies—only picking on girls. If Autumn Ease actually knew some martial arts or street fighting, they’d probably back off.

But up close, Autumn Ease realized there were nearly six or seven of them…

Even with fighting skills, taking on six or seven guys was tough. The real issue? None wanted to be the first to charge in and get punched—it’d hurt like hell!

The standoff stretched on. Only the girl behind them seemed dazed, still processing what was happening.

A boy had dropped from the sky, holding a black umbrella, face calm as a grandmaster.

He hadn’t thrown a single punch, yet his presence alone radiated such authority that even the girl he’d come to save felt a trace of security bloom in her chest.

"Kid, scram now, or else… we’re six against one!"

Emphasizing their numbers only betrayed his fear.

Autumn Ease was even more terrified. He’d just stopped his legs from trembling, but that harsh threat made them shake again.

Not visibly, but his body froze solid.

He stood rigid as a pole, rooted to the spot.

"Attack!" the leader roared.

His voice cracked with false bravado—even the girl on the ground sensed their cowardice. She carefully scrambled up and hid behind Autumn Ease.

Pure instinct.

As a woman in danger, seeing a man rush to rescue her—even if he wasn’t strong—as long as he stood unbroken, he was a shield against all threats.

Feeling the girl’s warm hand grip his waist, Autumn Ease’s heart surged with sudden courage.

"Re… reckon your sins!" In the heat of the moment, his mind blanked, and Kamen Rider lines spilled out.

His body stayed perfectly still.

Exuding unshakable confidence.

Frankly, just saying that smoothly was a miracle…

Six thugs, probably armed with baseball bats, made fear coil in his gut.

He’d never fought in his life—not even when bullied at school. He always chose peace.

Well, he hadn’t been bullied much anyway…

No experience against overwhelming odds.

"Charge! Damn it, he’s alone—what’re you scared of!"

"B-boss… why… why aren’t you going first?"

"Shit…!"

Dark mist veiled Autumn Ease’s face.

Making his ordinary features seem mysteriously imposing.

Or maybe it was just the shadows hiding how plain he looked.

The leader couldn’t lose face in front of his crew. He lunged forward, then hesitated halfway, forcing calm as he barked, "Give me that bat!"

The bat landed in his grip. With a wild yell, he swung it straight at Autumn Ease’s head.

Autumn Ease wanted to run, but terror locked his limbs.

He squeezed his eyes shut on instinct.

*Crack!*

A sharp sound. His skull throbbed—but not badly. Like getting hit by a basketball.

The bat, though, snapped clean in two.

Splinters dusted his face. He absentmindedly licked one off, then made a weird face.

The girl behind had shut her eyes, bracing for disaster. But Autumn Ease hadn’t flinched. He’d taken the blow calmly, unharmed, not even swaying…

While the bat shattered.

Was he really a martial arts master?

"B-b-boss! I-iron Head Gong!" one thug stammered, nearly biting his tongue.

"Bullshit! I don’t buy that!" Humiliated, the leader swung a fist at Autumn Ease’s face.

Bad timing. Autumn Ease’s knees gave way—he collapsed to the ground, accidentally dodging the punch.

The fist whiffed through empty air.

Even the leader froze in shock.

Autumn Ease looked up at him.

Six grown men couldn’t see his expression in the gloom, but they felt certain he was smiling.

A true master!

No need to strike—just effortless evasion chilled them to the bone.

"B-b-bro… big bro… we didn’t m-m-mean… I’m outta here!" One timid thug broke, sensing the calm before the storm. If he didn’t flee now, he’d end up half-dead.

No messing with a kung fu legend!

The girl behind Autumn Ease gazed at him with even deeper awe.

Like witnessing a real hero.

"Don’t run! All of you—attack! I’ll crush him!" Fear warred with pride. How could he lead if he backed down?

He waved his crew forward and threw another punch.

Sweat beaded on Autumn Ease’s forehead. He struggled to stand, but his legs buckled halfway.

He lurched forward, dodging the fist and slamming face-first into the leader’s nose.

"Aaah—aaahh!" The leader’s shriek sent shivers down everyone’s spines.

Outside, a car stereo blared into the rainy night—a classic theme from Wong Fei-hung films:

"*Be a true man, strive every day! A passionate soul, hotter than the sun’s rays!!!*"

The heroic melody echoed, making the cowardly thugs tremble.

It felt like a movie scene.

Fear rooted in their hearts made the lackeys bolt, leaving only their wailing boss.

He rolled on the ground, blood streaking his face. Even faint light made him look terrifying.

His crew ran faster.

Seeing his authority crumble, the boss fled without looking back.

Only Autumn Ease and the girl remained.

"Thank you…" she murmured shyly from behind him.

They stood so close—just half an inch more, and his cheek would brush hers.

"Uh… well…" Autumn Ease finally exhaled, his body obeying again. "You okay? If you’re fine, I’ll go."

"Huh?"

"What’s wrong?"

"C-can I… get your name?"

"Uh… I’m Autumn… I mean, GuanPeng."

"C-could I have your number?"

"No need…" Autumn Ease checked his phone.

Midnight neared. He had to leave before his secret—turning into a girl—was exposed.

Using GuanPeng’s name? Probably to avoid trouble.

Or maybe because his heart belonged to someone else.

Even if that girl didn’t exist in reality.

Even if she was… himself.

"Huh!" The girl tried to follow, but Autumn Ease—despite being a shut-in—wasn’t slow. He vanished in a flash.

"Pant… pant…" He ducked into a public restroom, fingers brushing his damp hair. Blood, he realized. And something hard—a tooth.

The leader’s tooth had snapped off. No wonder he’d screamed so loud…

Pure bad luck. Autumn Ease hadn’t even tried to hit him—it was just a clumsy fall.

The angle must’ve been perfect to break that exact tooth…

*Dong… dong—*

Midnight’s chime echoed—only he could hear it.

Time was up. She’d shift into her girl form now.

Luckily, the late-night restroom was empty. No one noticed her exit.

She slipped home as usual.

Dried blood crusted on her scalp, making her gag. A quick shower washed it away, leaving her cozy in bed.

She’d meant to wear pajamas but, on impulse, slid under the covers bare.

A strange current tingled through her body.

"Phew… that was close…" she mumbled to herself. "Weird… why did that bat splinter taste like bread? Am I just hungry? And it didn’t even hurt much…"

Her clear, soft voice sounded lovely even to her own ears.

"Hmm… maybe record it as my alarm tone?"

A shut-in’s quirky idea.

Waking to her own female voice calling her name.

Not many could pull that off…

She opened her phone’s recorder, suddenly shy. Lips parted, but no sound came out.

"Uh… testing… Autumn Ease… time to wake up…"

After playing it back, she deleted it fast, shaking her head hard.

"No, no—too flat. But not too sweet either… how to phrase it…"

"Autumn Ease, rise and shine!"

"Too energetic?"

"Autumn Ease~ wakey-wakey~"

"Too cutesy…"

"Autumn Ease, get up now, or you’ll be late for work."

"Ew… so cringey…" Goosebumps prickled her skin. "Better sing a song?"

"Okay… then… *Two tigers, two tigers…*"