Kenshi was walking through his small, lightly populated school that he hated to be at. He entered a large room at the front of the building. This was the foyer where the concession stand was located which sold snack foods during lunch. Kenshi had a mild hunger so he bought a small bag of chips. Next to the concession stand was a small room with vending machines. He walked in and bought a drink. Then he walked to a table in the foyer near the front doors and sat down with his usual lunch group. He ate his chips in little time as he listened to his friends joke about random things. It took a little longer to finish the drink. A moment after finishing it, he got bored and decided to walk around some. He threw away the wrapper and can of his small meal. After that, he walked to the other side of the front doors and entered a corridor. Unexpectedly, he saw Leslie, the target of his adoration, sitting against a wall talking to one of her friends. He passed by them naturally and did not seem to disturb them in the least.

He reached a bend in the corridor and stopped. He looked out one of the many windows along this corridor to the outside world. He looked at the few cars that were parked in this area. He thought about how it would be if he had the courage to walk back down the hallway and announce to Leslie that he fondly adored her. Would she accept or would she laugh? Even if she accepted, would it be because of what Kenshi had recently become? It would be nice to at least know but he just didn't have the courage to tell her. He was just too embarrassed to let this secret out and he was ashamed of himself for it. But no matter how hard he wanted to, he just couldn't force himself to bare his naked feelings. He thought about this as he touched the plexiglass window with his fingertips.

Then he focused his attention back to Leslie and her friend without making himself obvious. They were getting up and exiting the corridor through the foyer. They walked around the corner and exited from his sight. He looked back through the window for a few seconds. Then he heard the bell signifying that it was time for the next class. He removed his fingertips from the plexiglass and started walking back down the corridor toward the foyer. When he entered the foyer, everyone had already left it except Leslie and an unfamiliar guy. They were obviously arguing about something. He walked in a route that passed beside them. Just as he neared the two, the guy pushed Leslie back a few steps. Kenshi grabbed him by his shirt and held him in front of him staring at him angrily. Leslie said excitedly, "Kenshi, no! That's my..." Kenshi pushed him down onto the floor. She yelled, "Kenshi! That's my brother." Kenshi's rage faded away. She continued in an upset voice, "How about thinking before you go around beating people up?" His eyes became sad and somewhat watery. "I'm... sorry," he said as he quickly walked through the front doors of the school.

He sit outside thinking about how he probably just ruined his little chance of being with this girl. Could it be that his fantasies would never become anything greater? Leslie obviously wasn't the type that fell for guys simply because of physical build or popularity. This was good because he didn't want to be with anyone that liked him for either of these characteristics, but he did want her to like him. He clenched his fist thinking about what he had done.

Then he heard the door open and close behind him. He didn't bother to look behind him and see who it was. Then it became clear as he heard the familiar voice that he frequently heard in his head. Leslie said in a seemingly worried voice, "Kenshi?" He raised his head a little and responded in a shaky voice, "Sorry." She sat beside him and spoke calmly. "Why did you do that in there?" "I thought he was actually trying to hurt you." She looked at him confusedly. "I thought it was just an excuse for you to show off like most other muscle head punks but you actually seemed more upset than me." He continued staring forward. "I don't go around beating people for the hell of it. I've never known what it is to be like this before and I'm still not used to it, but I haven't lost all of my morality." "Then why do you fight so much now?" He glanced at her for a second and looked back forward. "Because for once I can actually help people somehow." "By beating them up?" "I only beat up people that beat up other people." "So you try to protect people this way?" He was becoming disappointed at where this conversation was heading. "Yes..." "So you were protecting me in there?" He hesitated for a moment. Then he became a little embarrassed. Finally he replied, "Well... yeah." Again he glanced at her for a moment. She was smiling a bit. He looked back forward in embarrassment. She said, "Maybe I've misjudged you some. I thought your new abilities had changed your attitude but you still seem nicer than most guys out there." He started smiling. "And I was afraid you'd hate me for this." She blinked. "What do you mean?" He looked at her confused. She added, "What do you care if I hate you or not? It's not like I'm one of your friends or anything." He reddened a little and looked back forward. "Well... I don't know." She smiled and giggled slightly. "Perhaps we should go somewhere after school someday and talk a little more." Kenshi felt like he was going to fall unconscious from the thought that he was starting to live his fantasies. He immediately accepted her invitation and they planned to go to a restaurant the following Friday before parting for their classes. He hadn't even realized that he was tardy until his teacher reminded him when he finally made it to class. But nothing bothered him for the rest of his day.