JASON'S POV

Blitz had gone into recharge mode, signified by only the faint hum in my head. But at least I arrived home just before he 'slept'. Now I was alone with my thoughts.

The events in Archer's lair replayed in my mind. One second he was breathing, the next he was gone. Maybe Nic was right, maybe it was my fault.
But that didn't mean he should've rejected my help. He wasn't the Nic I knew from school days. Ever since that party, something about his perception of me changed. And that was disheartening because I liked the bond we shared. Admittedly I shouldn't have blown a fuse that night. That feeling of being left behind while the other succeeds, it was what made me competitive for that job opportunity. Heh, if only I would have known what awaited me back then.

If my reaction was different, Nic would have probably taken my hand today. He would have been alive.

Sighing deeply, I sat up on the bed.

My hands combed slowly through my blond hair. I couldn't even save a single soul in that lair. No, I saved Blitz!

The words flowed out. "At least I saved Blitz, and he saved me."

A smile traced my lips as I remembered what I said on the news. "New Chronos, the red monster is no longer a threat."

We did it. The smile enlarged into a grin. Blitz and I saved the world!

But that feeling...when you wish you did more even though others said it was enough--that feeling haunted me.

Nic's words reverberated in my head. "If I had your powers, things wouldn't have reached this stage."

I smacked my forehead to shake off the reverie. Something positive would help around now.
"Focus on the bright side," I breathed. "There's always a bright side."

Then I recalled that the world was almost destroyed when Kazar had me in a chokehold. It was the words of Scott that stirred up the extra willpower to turn the tables. I saved the world, not just with the help of Blitz but with the help of Scott too.

"I've gotta call Scotty." I swiped my phone and dialed his number.

"Jason Striker," his voice sounded groggy. "You're up late. What's up?"

So many things to say, I was struggling to put them in order. "Bro, you might not get it now, but I wanted to say you played a big role in a major victory. Thanks for that motivation."

"What--"he yawned. "Are we talking about?"

I chuckled. "You know what? How about we meet up so I can explain in person?"

"Oh," he sounded more awake. "Is it about that secret you wanted to tell me?"

"Yeah, so how does tomorrow sound?"

"Umm...I got practice in the morning and a tournament match in the evening. How 'bout next tomorrow?"

"Sure thing. Think I gotta let you recharge. Good luck with your match."

"Thanks, man. Can't wait to catch up, laters."

"Later." I said before hanging up. It was official, I was letting one more person in on my secret. I mean what's the worst that could happen?

I should have followed Scott and caught some sleep but something was burning inside me. A desire calling my attention...

"June!" I gasped and began to dial her number. Fingers crossed she hasn't told anyone about my secret.

"Hi Jason," her voice brought up my mood. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Hey, I'm good."

* * *
In a matter of minutes, I was speeding through the city in my Lamborghini Aventador. "Be there in a flash?" I facepalmed. "That was so lame." If Blitz was awake he probably would've burned me with sarcasm.

Seeing as the streets were scantier at night, I figured it wouldn't take more than ten minutes to reach Super Sound Studios. And I decided I couldn't come empty-handed.

"Hello," one hand manned the wheels while the other held up my phone.

"Hello, you have reached Cross-Bakes delivery services. What can we get you?"

"I'd like the Extra Special pastry package."

"Alright, where would you want it to be delivered?"

I sent them the studio's address and hung up to focus on the road. A surprise out of the blue, that ought to make up for putting her in danger. Though there was more to it. I wanted her to know how special she was to me.

"Alright," I huffed. "Got to practice." Once my throat was clear I started. "Hey June, mate of my soul. I want-- no that doesn't sound right. Okay, how about; Hey June, will you marry me?" I frowned in scrutiny. "No, probably shouldn't start a conversation with that. Ugh! I'm so unromantic."

It made me remember the first time I tried to express my like for someone.

* * *{FLASHBACK}* * *

"I wanna tell her, bro. It's her sweet sixteen." I dug my hand into a bag of chips.

Nic was on the other side of the sofa, spinning his textbook on a finger. His hair was shabby as usual but it still looked better than mine which was combed.

"So?" He shrugged. "She didn't confess to you when you turned sixteen last year."

"True." I stroked my chin. "Then again I feel like it's primarily the guys that confess to the girls. Well, except on a few occasions."

"Alright then, tell her in school tomorrow."

"I can't, I'm not bold enough. And besides I want to tell her on her birthday which is today." I showed him my phone. "We're having this interesting conversation right now and I think I can tell her I like like her. But I don't know how! Help a bro out?"

"Alright," he flopped the book down on the center table in my living room. "Just type exactly what I say."

I nodded in agreement and he started. "Can we get real?" I typed it and Gina responded with 'Sure...' I showed Nic who shrugged. "If she's into you she won't be able to say no to this next question."

"Alright, alright," I prepped myself.

"Text this 'I'm into you and I think you're into me. What do you say we hang out after school tomorrow? Maybe go see a movie?' "

My fingers rebelled against my drumming heart and pressed the 'send' icon.

The seconds dragged on to my heart's peril until her reply came at last.

"Don't know what made you think that, but I just don't think that 'us' could work. And besides I'm relocating tomorrow."

It knocked the air right out of my lungs.

Our parting text.

* * *{END OF FLASHBACK}* * *

My expression was null as I muttered.

"I'm...so...unromantic."

Even back then with the help of Nic, I still got rejected. What were the chances of history not repeating itself?

I could see the studio's glowing logo up ahead. Maneuvering around the building, I brought my car to a stop in the fair amount of space between the Studio's back and a brick barbwire fence. The night indeed was so quiet, that I could hear my heartbeat.

June meant so much to me and I had grown enough to go all-out for what I wanted. And without a doubt, I wanted her. Because being with her hits different, she gave me hope, she made me feel alive again. So tonight, I was going to find out what becomes of us, romantic or unromantic.

* * *

The bright, narrow hallway of the top floor greeted me as the elevator dinged open. With a white pastry box in hand pressed against my black t-shirt, I began the slowest procession. One foot at a time, a fury of words exploding in my mind as I came closer to the room. Then, at last I stood face-to-face with the white wooden door. 'Deep breaths. You've come a long way. You can do it.'

Knock knock knock.

There was no answer. Maybe she was aslee--

"Come in!" She called.

If I could tell Kazar that he was not welcomed in New Chronos, then I could tell anyone anything!

On entry into her apartment, I was intoxicated by a flowery air freshener smell. It was like the whole can was emptied in the room.

Between coughs, I saw June withdrawing from a window that she just threw open. She coughed a bit before giving me a lopsided smile. "Too much? I can explain."

I stifled a cough and waited for her to go on.

"Actually, I can't." She quickly pointed at the pastries. "What's in the box?"

"Oh this," I coughed. "Thought I'd get you something for putting you in danger earlier. So, I ordered the Extra Special pastry package from Cross-Bakes." Then I turned the side of the box that showed the 'Cross-Bakes' logo.

"Awn, that's so sweet of you, Jason. But you shouldn't have."

"Well," I rubbed the back of my head as I flashed a grin. "It's sort of my thing to go the extra mile."

She strode over to me in a slim-fit orange dress. I could see the bandages wrapped around the fingers of her left hand. My heart ached at the sight. She was too special to suffer like that.

"You're looking at my hand, aren't you?" She sighed. "I can see that unfamiliar stare of pity in your eyes."

At this point, June had bridged most of the gap between us. I gulped and watched her roll her eyes. "I'm fine, you know. Doesn't even hurt much." She opened the box, and the aroma drifted out as she picked a jelly doughnut and took a small bite. "There, apology accepted. Has your conscience finally let go?"

"Haha. I guess so. Still, if I wasn't with you--if I was going after Archer or Kazar like I was supposed to, you wouldn't have--umph!" She stuffed the jelly doughnut in my mouth.

"The way I see it..." June folded her arms and tilted her head. "A hottie agreed to go out for lunch with me. And that same hottie not only saved my life but also brought me pastries."

I was chewing the doughnut all this while and finally swallowed it, my eyes wide with surprise. "You... you think I'm hot?"

She arched a brow.

My hand flew into my hair, combing it. "I mean, I know I'm hot, but not everyone thinks so."

An image of Gina broke into my mind, but I dismissed it as quickly as it came. Something I'd never done before. Because right then, I was looking at the only number one.

"Well, I do think you're hot." She brushed her red wavy hair. "And uh... there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Yeah?" I heard my heart hammering in my chest, but I focused on slowing down my breathing and became calmer in the process.

June turned away from me and started towards the window, halting midway there. "I've... I've been crushing on you for a very long time. Your pictures and videos, they kind of helped me get over my ex. I never thought I'd get to meet you in person, but then the Anniversary gala happened, and every time you're around, I..." She sighed. Slowly, she turned around to face me. Her eyes burning with passion, her voice laced with conviction. "What I'm trying to say is that I love you. And I want to know if you feel the same way about me."

I was taken aback for a moment. There was a swirling mix of joy and surprise inside me. It's all I ever wanted to hear from her. I began to think I might be dreaming. Sliding the pastry box onto the glass side stool beside me, I slowly advanced toward her.

"You don't know how I've been hoping to hear those words since the day I met you, June. You broke me from a curse of doomed love, you ignited something within me that I never thought I'd feel again. You hit so different, and I can't understand, but I love it. The more I got to know you, the deeper in love I fell." My breath steadied even more, without Blitz's intervention. "June, considering all the craziness I see each and every day, it's when I look at you that the world feels right. A while ago, I'd have needed help to control my anxiety. I would've been plagued with conflicting thoughts. Now, the only thoughton my mind is you. I want 'us'. That is, if you're willing– "

She closed the distance with a kiss. Her lips pressed against mine gently before picking up intensity. The scent of her perfume, the taste of her lipstick, it was all so inviting. Her lips were impossibly soft. My heart danced to a new rhythm, one it had been yearning for. Her hands ran through my hair as she pulled me into her. It was then that I kissed back with a burst of passion, wrapping my hands around her waist. After what seemed like a blissful forever, I pulled out, both of us gasping for air. Though her sea-green eyes were hungry, and I myself didn't mind a few more rounds. So we kissed again.

* * *

Walking out through the studio's front doors, I looked up at the glowing full moon and heard a voice. "Kudos."

For some reason, I thought the moon was talking till I toned down my excitement to comprehend the voice. "Blitz, you're awake! Wait, how long have you been awake?"

"That question is best left unanswered. For your conscience's sake."

I cleared my throat before muttering. "Right. Have it your way."

"Switching conversation to the blog, we are truly falling behind on updates. It's a shame I was separated and unable to control the drones at our climatic duel with Kazar."

"Yeah..." My voice trailed. "But it's probably for the better. My identity wasn't really secret to the parties involved in that fight. I guess I'll have to do a sweep of the city once the armor's fully recharged. The sooner, the better." I rounded the corner of the studio, slipping into a lit alleyway.

"Agreed. Also, I sense you have a question. One that you're blocking me from seeing."

That made me freeze on the spot. "Okay, okay, you got me." I continued dragging my feet. "Back at Archer's lair, when I freed you from that capsule, why did you bond into me again? Wasn't the first time by accident?"

"Interesting question, thought you'd know the answer by now."

"Which is?"

"I love two things; sticking with friends and blending in. Though I first fused with you by accident, I've come to see that even on a foreign planet, you make both of those things possible. If you want to opt for a bit more privacy, I could make a few neural networking adjustments –"

"No, no, I'm cool, just the way things are. You're the best friend a human could ask for."

"Thanks, a Rotore couldn't ask for a better bud."

"Hold on a minute, what are the privacy options you were talking about?"

Suddenly, a private number called me. I furrowed my brows.

"Chill," Blitz said. "Let me check who's on the other end." After three seconds, he spoke. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you."

Are you serious? I accepted the video call, and to my wildest surprise, billionaire Huan Gong was beaming through the screen. "Ah, good evening, Jason Leo McLean."

"H-h-" I stuttered. "How'd you get my number?"

"You seem overwhelmed. I can get whatever I want. Tell me, how are things going for you?"

"Umm, good evening, Mr. Gong."

"Please, call me Huan."

"Sorry, where exactly is this going?"

His smile decreased but didn't fade. His jet-black hair was combed perfectly, and he wore his usual black glasses. The fact he could look so composed after being kidnapped by gangsters baffled me. "Not one for pleasantries, I suppose. Fine then, I'm hosting a party at my penthouse next week, in honor of Tekeon. Seeing as you're the new billionaire on the block thanks to the superhero, I figured you'd be ecstatic to get an invite. Also, I'm interested in discussing business-related ideas with you in person."

"Wow," I was now behind the studio, nearing my Lamborghini. It puzzled me that the rear lights were on. "It's an –"

"Jason!" Blitz snapped. "Strange heat signature detected in your car. Approach with caution."

Immediately, the doors of my car slid open.

"Huan, something came up. I'll call you back."

I hung up before his first word went through and tucked my phone into my jeans. "Blitz, how's the armor?"

"There's not enough power time for creative beams, but you could fire a few pulse blasts."

Beads of sweat formed on my face as I waited for the figure to step out. And then, a stunning woman did. She was Asian, with a dark pink bob, wearing a grey trenchcoat. The woman held a white fox-head-shaped metal helmet under her arm. Her face was like that of a J-pop singer and her eyes scanned me top-to-down.
"Hello, Tekeon."

"You must be mistaken," I try for an innocent smile. "I'm not Tekeon."

She donned the helmet and suddenly nano bots trickled down from it, encasing her skin. They crystalized forming white metal armor that covered every inch of her body. Her right hand stuck out in my direction, and attached just above her fist was a short black blaster with a triangular muzzle. A charging noise rang from it.

I tensed my muscles and the armor solidified; pulse cannon already raised against her.

She tilted her head. "Are you not?"

I grimaced. "Who are you? And what do you want?"

"You know, Jay," she stroked her chin. "You're pretty easy on the eyes. You almost live up to all those filtered pictures of you on social media."

"Answer my question!"

Her sigh was exaggerated. "First question, who am I..." She tapped the black face shield of the helmet, and it retracted. "You can call me 'Beautiful'." She winked before continuing. "Secondly, my brother and I need your help over in Japan."

"And what makes you think I'll follow you?"

"You will if you want to save the world from a nuclear winter."

TO BE CONTINUED...

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And that's a wrap!

(For Book One)

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The epilogue awaits :)