Unfortunate Encounter with the Third

'I don't have any money!'

Clearly, that was the only answer because I had no money at all to go to the hospital, and going to the hospital without money is just like signing a debt letter. Maybe I would have to stay there for five days only to find out that I'd have to work for five months to pay it off. Usually, some wounds can heal on their own after resting at home without going to the hospital.

Maybe.

I looked at Rei, who was now waiting for my answer. I felt hesitant and embarrassed if I had to answer, "..."

"He doesn't have money for the hospital, which is why he refused to go," Max intervened. I was surprised and looked at Max, who now pushed up his glasses with a finger. "No need to thank me," he added. The man can read minds, that's the only thought that crossed my mind.

Rei and the old woman did not believe that answer and looked at Max. "It's true," said Max, offended that they doubted him. All three were silent; the atmosphere felt heavy, and for me, only my head felt that way.

"Tell me, young man," the old woman's voice broke the silence. "If you had super human abilities, would you join us?"

I clearly heard that statement, and since earlier, the words about Super human made me feel uncomfortable, and now the word "us" made me more curious to ask further. They might be a bunch of delusional people.

Great, I have delusional friends now.

"Who are you guys...?"

For me, now the word Super human is just a cruel joke, and I've stopped thinking about it.

The old woman looked at Max, and Max nodded, "We are a group of neutral superhuman. We live to protect each other from the BtP and other Super human groups that want to misuse our power."

"We are the 3rd," added Rei.

My mind felt more chaotic, but this time everything felt amusing.

"First, he thinks we're crazy, and now he finds us amusing," Max said to the old woman with a disbelieving face.

"Young man, we asked you nicely if you would join us, and you find us amusing," the old woman was angered.

The loud voice of the old woman pierced my ears, making my head hurt even more. I laughed, "If I had Super human abilities, the first thing I'd do is register with BtP." Thinking about that made my mood worsen. "Then earn a high salary and live happily... Hehehe... do you think I'm still a kid who believes in freedom, friendship, and helping each other...?"

The atmosphere became silent because my voice suddenly rose. "If there's anything I believe in, it's money, life security, and a certain future..." However, my heart felt heavy saying that, "So..." my voice softened, "Stop saying I'm an Super human because I'm not. So stop asking, Damn it!!!!!" I shouted, my head was spinning, and my mood worsened, also remembering that I had to sell my LXX.

Damn.

Now the old woman looked angry and stared at me, "So why did you approach my granddaughter?"

I was confused for a moment.

"She mean Maria," Max added.

"The girl earlier?" I asked

"Yes," said Rei.

"Get close to her...? I hope I'm not that unlucky to get close to her." Remembering she was the cause of all this. I stayed silent, trying to gather my thoughts. The old woman looked to Max for an explanation.

Max paused, then addressed the grandmother, gesturing with his hand as he began, "Maria bumped into him. Caused his bag to fall and destroyed his boss's drink, which he had to replace by selling his beloved smartphone LXX. Besides that, he also had to deal with about twelve to twenty people...."

I was amazed looking at Max, but the urge to rest was still more overpowering, so I laid down. The old woman was unimpressed, "Tsk, a drink that costs as much as a smartphone? Maria shouldn't have troubled herself by bringing this ungrateful kid here just for that! I will pay it, we never owe people!"

My emotions were slightly triggered and I wanted to protest, but it seemed I didn't need to. "The drink that needed to be replaced was Macallan 1946, its price is around..." Max showed a certain number of fingers.

The grandmother mentioned a sum of money that irritated me, and Max immediately shook his head, adding three more zeros to the amount she quoted. It looked like a major blow to her old heart. "But can a smartphone really cover that amount?" the grandmother protested further.

"It's an LXX, which, if sold on the market, costs around..." Max replied, causing both the grandmother and Rei to open their mouths in disbelief.

"So he's rich?" asked Rei.

Max frowned. "Unfortunately not, he's pretty poor. The Smartphone was a gift from someone."

"Does Maria have to replace that drink?" the grandmother asked in disbelief.

Max shook his head.

I didn't need any compensation either, because it wasn't entirely Maria's fault. I just wanted... to rest longer, and the moment I looked at the wall clock in the room, I forced myself to stand up. "Jaime, I'll drive you home, just rest a bit longer," said Max.

That was the most wonderful thing I heard all day. I sincerely thanked him from the bottom of my heart. I realized that at this late hour, it's almost certain I'd have difficulty finding transportation home and there's no way I could walk. Moreover, I had to work tomorrow and deliver this Macallan to Master's customer. The grandmother seemed to want to ask something else, but Max quickly stopped her. "We should leave and let him rest," Max said sympathetically.

And I must admit, I was very grateful, because right now, all I needed was to rest. My body felt weak, my head throbbed, truly a terrible feeling on an overall unpleasant day. I just wanted to close my eyes for a moment and forget all of this. The grandmother looked like she wanted to argue further, but Max already led her out, with Rei following behind.

"He is just an unlucky guy trapped in a harsh, cruel fate; please bestow no more misfortune upon him." said Max.

"Kindness is sweet…"

***

Here's the edited version:

"I'll pay for the damn bottle of drink. Just ask Edgar to come; we'll finish his job. In return, ask him to double the drinks," said the grandmother.

"Still, he got beaten like a dog because of Maria's friend's ex-boyfriend. He took a loss for nothing. I pity him," said Max.

"So, what's your problem, Max?"

"Give him something to help him out. It's not hard to show a little kindness. He's one of us."

"That damn guy is a future BtP official!"

"Even so, he's a good guy. He'll remember any act of kindness, and we can ask for a favor when he becomes a BtP official."

"What do you see in him?"

"He has a beautiful heart. You won't regret it."

***

The alarm on my cell phone rang loudly, waking me up. I curled up briefly and looked at the wall clock, which read precisely 06:10. I should get up now, or I'll be late for work. I quickly turned off the alarm, jumped out of bed on the upper floor of my house, and entered the bathroom to freshen up as usual.

As usual?

I stared at the mirror and moved my arms and fingers, feeling that something was different. Hopping around, my entire body felt so light and energetic. "Wow," I said in awe, never before had I felt this healthy. I then took off my clothes and looked at my body in the mirror, appreciating its toned appearance.

Not long after, I left the bathroom and noticed two boxes of Macallan 1946, Gin, and Sherry on the dining table. I recalled having taken this drink yesterday around 12 noon, and then...

Then...

I held my head, and I couldn't find any memory. I don't know how I got home alone yesterday and went to sleep. I have no memory of anything after 12 noon yesterday until this morning. Quickly, I slapped my forehead, not believing that I might be showing signs of forgetfulness this early in life. Without waiting any longer, I put those drinks into my backpack and headed to Cafe Eve.

I still have work that I need to prioritize over wondering why I can't remember.

"Jaime, did you buy 2 Macallans? Mr. Drick contacted me saying you broke one."

Pausing momentarily, I pulled out the two Macallans from my backpack. "I don't remember, but I have two boxes of Macallan?"

"Oh, because you took two," the Master accepted the Macallans, taking them out of the box and inspecting both bottles. "Both are genuine; never mind then. The BtP people have a lot of money; the two Macallans will sell quickly. Thank you."

"Did I really forget what have I done yesterday? No matter how hard I try there is nothing in my mind."