The Answer to a Question

"That's something I left behind." Max replied to both himself and Tory, who had become quite comfortable very quickly.

She asked the question in a friendly way, which put Max at ease.

Max felt that the story of his scar was something he wouldn't share with just anyone, as it was far too personal.

"Seems like you're one of the good ones; you should teach me some moves," Tory murmured with a charming smile.

Max shook his head and replied, "I'm not that good."

As they walked away from where the incident took place, Max spoke to Tory, who was still visibly shaken but trying to hide it. He said, "I'm more of the guy who takes hits, the kind who steps in for others to show off."

"That sounds cooler than what you're trying to make me believe." Tory smiled, sensing that Max was trying to downplay himself to make her feel at ease. For some reason, she thought he might be lying.

"Well, we can't all be the best unless we work for it."

"Besides, people might think that a half-blind guy like me isn't too great in fights." Max said this with a calm smile, as if he hadn't just wanted to pound the guy who'd been harassing a girl he didn't even know.

Tory glanced at everything Max had placed in his cart and asked, "Are your parents out of town? You must be taking advantage of being alone to eat all that junk food. You shouldn't go overboard on stuff like that, or you'll end up in bad shape.

"Isn't it something everyone our age loves?" Max said while casually throwing in some dry food packs, mixed candies, and chocolate bars.

"You just need to watch your health…"

"When I'm old, worrying about my physical condition will be the last thing on my mind; we've got to live life, even if it's like this." Max grinned as he added more chocolate popsicles to the cart.

Tory was finally feeling more at ease, though she was still carrying a sadness that held her back. It was one of the reasons she always pushed people away. But for some reason, she felt different with Max, like she could share things with him without fear of being judged.

"Buying anything else?" Max asked, noticing her silence. Despite his initial hesitation, he turned out to be quite good at keeping up a conversation.

"I hope so." Tory murmured as they arrived at the checkout to pay for the things they'd bought. After getting through the line and paying for her items, Max walked over to an ATM while Tory finished paying.

He inserted his card and entered the amount he wanted to withdraw. Observing the items she was purchasing, Max noticed they were all discounted or nearing their expiration date.

If Tory was just a student living away from home, she wouldn't usually spend money on such hit-or-miss items.

Max, who had often bought similar items in China and Japan, knew these were usually still good but close to expiring. He trusted Japanese standards more, but he wasn't too sure about foods here or from China.

If Tory was buying these types of things, Max suspected she might be going through a tough time with her family, which prompted him to help her, not out of pity but because he could and it wouldn't cost him much.

After withdrawing enough cash—no more than two thousand dollars, enough to cover rent, groceries for a few weeks, and basic needs—Max packed everything into two carts and headed for the exit.

"I ordered a ride; it shouldn't take long to get here, so let's go together." Max said as he watched a large car pull up right in front of them. He walked over to the driver's window and asked, "I ran into a friend—would it be a problem if you took a detour to drop her off at her place?"

The driver, a man in his thirties, looked at the extra cash Max offered and shook his head. "As long as you pay the additional fee for the adjusted route, I can take you both around the city if needed. Let me help you load those bags."

With Max's steady pace, Tory didn't have time to object. She didn't have much, but as he was already loading her bags, she simply went along.

Tory, helping load her groceries, asked, "Why do you buy so much food?"

"I mostly live alone, so I can't do weekly shopping trips. I tend to forget and eat out instead." Max wasn't too picky about his food, though he used to follow a strict diet to keep his muscles in check when he was training.

These days, he just went for a morning jog, did a few stretches afterward, and then forgot all about any other workout.

"That doesn't sound so bad." Tory stepped into the car with Max, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed a black car parked not far from them. Four people seemed to be sitting inside, which made her frown.

Were they being followed?

That seemed certain; they were likely gang members looking for trouble, especially if they were drunk or high—a time bomb no one wanted to be near.

"I'll be going back to school soon; if you study nearby, we'll probably run into each other." Max mentioned hoping to know someone once he started school.

"We probably will." Tory's demeanor had completely changed after spending time with Max, something she hadn't even noticed herself.

This time, however, Max grew serious when he realized they were being followed. After a moment of hesitation, he took out his phone and sent a message to his old trainer.

"[Coach Jean, I know it's a bother, but I need your help because some gang members are following me to a friend's place. I wouldn't ask if it were just me, but I'm afraid my friend might get hurt because of me. "

Jean Roqua was an excellent mixed martial arts trainer who could turn anyone into a champion. This simple-living man had trained Max before he went to China.

In just a few seconds, Jean replied, "[It's never a bother; send me your location, and I'll be there in a few minutes.]"

Noticing Max's silence, Tory asked, "Max, is something wrong?"

Max shook his head and replied, "It's nothing; I was just texting a friend."

They soon reached the residential building where Tory lived. Max got out of the car and helped her carry her groceries up, discreetly leaving the cash he'd withdrawn in one of her bags.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Tory." When they reached her apartment, Tory opened the door, and Max, who stood in the doorway, decided not to step in despite being invited. He took a few steps back and left her bags by the entrance, so by the time she returned, she was a bit surprised and asked, "Won't you stay for a drink?"

"I'd love to, but I have someone waiting downstairs. See you around." Max quickly left before the men following them could catch up.

As he disappeared from view, Tory murmured, "I forgot to ask for his number."