Chapter 17: Errands and Consequences (Part 2)

Inside the store, Hiro hid himself behind one of the shelf as the masked robber barked orders at the trembling cashier. As she nervously stuffed bills into a bag.

"That's it, good. Give me everything you've got," the robber, sneered.

Then suddenly, Hiro stepped out of hiding, and casually announced, "Hey, you. Dumbass."

The robber spun around, pointing his gun directly at Hiro's face. "Wh-what the fuck do you think you're doing, huh? HUH!?" he shouted, stepping in closer, his hands trembling on the weapon.

Hiro raised his hands in mock surrender, a bright, unnerving smile spreading across his face. "Whoa, relax! I'm just trying to help you out here body, that's all."

"Help me?" the robber sneered, his suspicion laced with confusion. "And just how do you plan on doing that, huh kid?"

"Well," Hiro began, taking a step closer, "I couldn't help but notice your gun's safety pin is still on. Kind of ruins the whole menacing vibe, don't you think? Here, let me help you fix that for you. Easy, easy..." Hiro slowly reached out his hand, his movements deliberate as he fiddled with the gun's mechanism.

"There, all set," Hiro said with a confident nod, stepping back.

The robber hesitated, and then squeezed the trigger repeatedly. Click. Click. However, nothing. As his eyes widened in panic. "W-what did you do?!"

Hiro smirked. "Oh, nothing much. Just thought I'd make this whole scene a little bit safer for everyone involved, you know."

Enraged, the robber swung the gun at Hiro, but Hiro was ready. He effortlessly dodged the attack and delivered a swift kick to the robber's knee, dropping him with a scream of pain.

And before the man could hit the ground, Hiro grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, forcing him face-first onto the floor.

"AHHHH! My hand! You broke my freaking hand, you bastard!" the robber cried, dropping the gun.

"Oh, stop whining," Hiro coldly said. "You've got no one to blame but yourself for pulling off such a lousy excuse for a heist." And without any hesitation, Hiro applied more pressure, eliciting another agonized yell from the robber.

The cashier peeked out from behind the counter, her voice shaking. "D-do you need anything? Like tape?"

"That'd be great, thanks," Hiro replied, pinning the robber in place.

As the cashier scrambled to find some tape, Hiro grabbed the robber's hair, forcing his head up. "Keep squirming and your arm's the next thing I break," Hiro warned, slamming the man's head into the floor for emphasis. As the robber's groaned, finally went limp.

The cashier returned, handing over a roll of tape to Hiro. "Here you go."

"Perfect," Hiro said, wrapping the robber securely. As he worked, the cashier hesitated before asking, "Um, just who are you?"

Hiro grinned. "Who me? I'm just your average bystander passing through. So yeah there's nothing to worry about." As he finished tying the robber up, he stood, and dusted off his hands.

The store erupted in applause. "Thank you, young man!" "You're our hero!" "We're so grateful!"

Hiro blinked at the unexpected praise, his smile faltering. 'What the hell are they so happy about?' he wondered to himself.

For a brief moment, he felt something unfamiliar—a strange warmth spreading through his chest. 'This... kind of feels nice.'

Before he could dwell on it, an elderly man, the shop owner, emerged. "Young man, thank you for saving my granddaughter and my store. Please, let me repay you."

Hiro waved him off. "No need, old man. It was nothing. Really."

However, the elder was insistent. Minutes later, Hiro left the store with a bag full of groceries and a melon pan in his hand.

The girl and her grandfather deeply bowed their heads at the store's entrance. "Once again. Thank you young man! And please come back again anytime!"

"Sure thing, old man. Just try not to get robbed again, alright?" Hiro called back, waving over his shoulder as he walked away.

As he walked halfway down the street, he suddenly noticed a woma on the opposite side of the road.

She was frantic, stopping strangers and pleading, "Excuse me, but have you seen a little girl? My daughter, Sayuri? Please, she's missing!"

Hiro paused, as watched her desperation. "That lady looks like she could use some help," he muttered.

His inner demon appeared beside him, with a smirk on its shadowy face. "So what? It's not our problem. Cause we both know you're not a hero."

Hiro nodded. "You're right. I'm not a hero." Then, he smirked. "But you know what?" Without waiting for a reply, Hiro crossed the street and approached the woman.

"Uh... Ma'am? You need any help?" he asked.

The woman turned, tears streaming down her face, and Hiro's faint smirk softened into something almost genuine.

End of the 17th Chapter.