Present Day....
"Right Ronaldo?" Hector said incredulously. Ronaldo quickly stood up and got into a fighting stance when he suddenly began coughing and started to hunch over. Emi had a look of concern on her face and began to scold Ronaldo.
"Damn Ronaldo. You can't just stand up like that after a fight like that.'' She then turned her attention to Hector and walked up to him and put a finger in his face. "And you!" She began to scowl. "Don't you know when to quit. What the hell are you doing this for?" Instead of being angered by Emi's confrontation, Hector just sighed before saying.
"Dontcha notice anythin' different about me?" Emi paused for a moment and looked at what he was wearing. It was a simple outfit of jeans and a grey hoody, which covered his head.
"I see you've finally changed your wardrobe to something less ugly." Emi paused for a few moments before coming to the realization. "You don't mean you..." She began.
"That's right", Hector replied. "I left The Orange Vipers. I'm my own man now. Besides..." Hector plopped into a chair carrying a wrapped up rectangular object. "They aren't the same anymore." Emi gave him a puzzled look.
"Haven't they always been about messing with people's lives and getting into fights?" Emi asked.
"Hmm." Hector thought about it for a moment. "I guess you're right."
"Then what's different?!?" Emi asked angrily. A serious look fell over Hector's face.
"She showed up." As Hector said this, Ronaldo's ears perked up. Emi was intrigued.
"Who?" Emi asked.
"Cynthia Ryoshi", Hector said. Ronaldo gripped his umbrella.
"Is she the reason why there's been a resurgence in the Vipers?" Emi asked.
"Yuh," Hector replied. "The Vipers were getting overwhelmed by other local gangs and our numbers and territory had been shrinking. Then she rolled in with her Lieutenants. We weren't happy with outsiders at first, especially since they wouldn't rep our colors, but there was nobody stronger. I've never seen anything like it before. We beat every one from the Purple Rabbits to the Silver Dukes. Our numbers and influence started to grow again, but the original leaders became upset with losing their place. They plotted to overthrow Ryoshi, but when she caught wind of the plot, they all ended up in the hospital. Now she rules the Vipers with an iron fist, and that's just the beginning." Emi paused to process all this information.
"I guess that explains why the gang is bein spotted more." She said. "So what made you leave?"
"Well," Hector began, "After I lost my fight with Ronaldo, I wandered the streets trying to understand how someone as strong as me was able to lose, and how anyone outside of the Vipers could be that strong." Hector paused for a moment recounting the ordeal. "While I was walking through the scum covered streets, with my wounded pride and my manly pompadour in tatters, I saw an old bald Asian dude smiling at me. I don't know why but I just lost my cool and started yelling at him. The old geezer didn't even flinch. He just began to laugh, and I lost it. I took a swing at him with my bat, and before I knew what happened I was lickin' pavement." Hector started to chuckle. "First some random guy on the subway and then some viejo. Just didn't make sense. I never felt so low." Hector looked up at the ceiling. "Then it started to rain. I was ready to die right there, but not a drop hit me. He was holdin' some traditional umbrella with a dragon on it, with that same smile, even though I took a swing at him." Hector started to smile. "He told me 'strength is more than just appearance or overwhelming others. Sometimes all strength means is willing to stand up after falling down.' It made me realize something." Hector took his hands and put his hood down. Ronaldo and Emi nearly fell out of their seats at the sight.
"H-Hector. Your... your head..." Emi stuttered.
"Nice right," Hector said unfazed, the lights in the stadium reflecting off of his shaved, bald head. "When I saw how manly that old dude was with zero hair, it made me realize that pompadours and beating up anyone you see isn't what makes someone a man, it's something else." Ronaldo started laughing.
"Hahahahaha. That crazy old geezer." Ronaldo wiped a laugh tear from his eye. "So what's the deal with that thing you got wrapped up?" Hector grinned.
"Oh, this?" Hector ripped the cloth off to reveal a rectangular wooden bat. He brandished it off in a flamboyant manly pose. "What do you think?" Emi looked perplexed.
"...Is that...a cricket bat? Why?" Emi said.
"Because," Hector looked off in the distance, the light reflecting off of his shaved head, giving off a halo of light like the enlightened buddha. "I don't get what that old man was sayin', just like how I don't understand a damn thing bout cricket. So I'm lettin' go of the old me and I'm gonna find somethin' new, even though I totally know what it be yet. So I swapped my bat for this weird-ass cricket thing, and I'm gonna pave my own path with it, until I become the manliest me I can be."
"That's pretty dumb, what do you think Ron-", she looked over at Ronaldo but he was just sitting looking down, a shadow cast over his eyes. Then he stood up with an intense look and walked over to Hector. They locked eyes and then Hector's joyous expression vanished and a stern look took over. Emi started to worry.
"Hey. What's going on you t-?" Before she could get her question out the two started dapping each other up with the most elaborate bro handshake ever seen with fist-bumping and hand locking, their stern gaze never breaking. It was concluded with a loud hand grasp. Emi just looked on in confusion.
"Really?" She said disappointedly. After the handshake was complete Hector turned his attention to Emi.
"Another thing," He began.
"What?" She asked.
"Sorry bout tryin' to jack your shit on the train and callin' you a bitch. That wasn't very manly of me and I hope you can accept my apology." Hector started to bow his head down.
"Hey, you're good." Emi started gesturing him to stop bowing. "Gettin' rid of all that hair must mean something right? Just tell me more so I can write a good story. That'll make us square!" Emi put her fist out. Hector looked down at her fist and smiled.
"Sure thing." He grasped her fist and shook her hand. Emi started to laugh.
"You're a weirdo." She said jokingly. "She turned to Ronaldo. It sounded like you knew that old guy with the umbrella. Is he the one that taught you how to fight?" Ronaldo looked surprised.
"How did you figure that out?" He said.
"Seriously? I mean you both have umbrellas and were able to kick Hector's ass."
"Hey!" Hector exclaimed.
"Hey, I just report the facts," she said to Hector. She turned her attention back to Ronaldo. "I'd be a pretty bad journalist if I wasn't able to connect those dots. So what's the deal?" After Emi asked this Ronaldo sighted.
"He used to be my master when I was a young kid. He trained me in fighting and various other techniques. I ended up going my own way though after a while and now I'm here." He looked off into the distance, as if recalling an old life.
"Yo Hector. Funny finding you here." A gruff voice said behind them.
Comments (0)
See all