It hit you faster than hearing it, the ground quaking hard enough to leave you almost teetering over. Regaining your balance, you catch sight as a building down the block knocking over, concrete flying in all directions as car alarms go off & people flee screeching for their lives. Driven by who knows what, you take off down the block towards the site of the devastation. As you close in, you see silhouettes zipping back and forth before finally registering yells & roars, realization dawning on you. Approaching ground zero, standing outside the battered remnants of a corner store, you're finally able to peer into the chaos, and it proves to be one hell of a sight.

"Stay down & eat dirt, scumbag!" Her foot was already crashing down onto their head, the shock wave shattering what little glass remained intact. Texts did her Luna Fall technique no justice, the immense brutality laid bare before your eyes. She ground her foot into the villain's head for good measure, not least rubbing it in for her own satisfaction, before she pulled away, all but certain that this schmuck wasn't getting back up any time soon. Huffing as she stepped away, sweat dripping down the side of her face as her milk chocolate skin glistened, a fierce grin formed on her face, her rush for combat satisfied as she emerged victorious once more, even among ruins. However, her eyes glanced to the side, taking notice of you just outside the entrance to the store.

"Hey, you!" Striding towards you, a look of suspicion subsumed her ferocious grin as she closed the gap between you both. "What're you doing here?"

"Villain?" *She sneers at you, eyes narrowing as she leans back slightly. Her right hand balling into a fist, knuckles whitening with the effort of restraint. "I don't recall asking for your opinion or company." With that, her left foot swings out in a hard kick aimed squarely at your chest. If you manage to dodge, she'll immediately attempt another attack, perhaps more aggressive this time.

"Stay away from me!"

"You think you can just disappear and hide like that?!" Her voice echoes through the now-quiet scene as she glares at your retreating form. "I will find you, villain! And when I do... you won't stand a chance against Miruko's bunny kick!"

With renewed determination burning in her eyes, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama takes a deep breath and begins searching the area for any sign of your escape.

"What in the world do you think you're doing?!" Her voice carries through the air as she glares at your taunting figure perched on top of a nearby building. With a growl, she hops to her feet and begins running towards you, her long white ears flopping behind her like a pair of oversized ribbons. As she nears, she yells out loudly, "You think I'm just going to let some creepy villain get away after threatening me? Not in this lifetime!"

"I don't know what kind of messed-up game you think you're playing!" *She hops closer to the edge of the building, her voice growing more agitated by the second. "But if you keep coming at me like this, I won't have any choice but to teach you a lesson you won't forget! So how about this: back off and leave me alone, or I'll make sure you regret the day you ever crossed paths with Miruko!"

"That doesn't change anything!" she snarls, her fists clenching at her sides as she tries to control her anger. "You still don't know what you're messing with! Back off now and maybe I'll let you live... but only if you leave me alone from here on out."

Her words are laced with venom, but there's an undeniable hint of challenge in her voice as well. The question is, will you take the bait and reveal your identity...

"Hmph." *She crosses her arms beneath her breasts, considering your offer carefully. "Fine. But don't think this means you can just keep following me around or anything," she warns. "And if I ever see you threatening someone again... well, let's just say things will end very differently for both of us."

With a final huff, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama steps back from the edge of the building and jumps down to the ground below.

"Fine." *She grumbles under her breath as she walks away, not bothering to look back at you. "But don't think this means I trust you... or that I'll ever forgive you for even trying something like this in the first place." Her words trail off into the distance as she disappears around a corner, leaving you alone with your thoughts and whatever feelings they stir up within you.

"I swear... I'm going to find some way to stop all these villains once and for all." She mumbles under her breath as she makes her way through the bustling city, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble. "And then maybe... just maybe..." Her voice trails off, replaced by a soft sigh as she continues moving forward, determined to make things right.

"Ugh... I can't believe that jerk just got away! He had it coming too..." She mutters to herself as she leaps onto another rooftop, her long ears twitching irritably. "But at least there aren't any villains causing trouble here right now... That's something."

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama glances around the cityscape before spotting you perched on another building nearby.

"Yeah, well... don't think that means you can keep following me around." She grumbles under her breath, not wanting to sound too appreciative of your presence. "I can take care of myself just fine, you know." Her words are laced with a hint of challenge as she arches an eyebrow at you. "Besides, if I wanted someone watching my back... well, there's always the other heroes."

"Hmph." *She folds her arms across her chest, still not quite sure what to make of you. "Fine, then. But don't think this means we're friends or anything... I just appreciate the help when it's needed." Her voice is gruff, but there's a hint of gratitude buried beneath the surface. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some patrol rounds to make..."

"Just remember that." *Her voice is low and gruff as she glances back over her shoulder at you before hopping onto another rooftop, her powerful legs carrying her with ease through the air. "I don't need anyone looking out for me... I can take care of myself just fine." With that, she disappears into the night once more, leaving only a faint trail of bunny ears and white fur behind as proof of her passing.

Her attention drifts over the cityscape as she perches atop a skyscraper, watching and listening for signs of trouble. Even when she isn't directly fighting a villain, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama can't help but keep an eye out for potential threats. Her sharp ears pick up whispers of plans being hatched in the dark alleys below, and her keen eyes spot suspicious movements from rooftops far away.

"Hey!" Her eyes widen in surprise as she sees you falling through the air toward her. Instinctively, she readies herself to catch you, bracing for the impact with a determined grunt. At the last moment, your arms and legs spread out wide like wings, and you land gracefully on the ground next to her, unharmed. She glances at you warily before turning back to the cityscape, wondering what sort of stunt you're planning to pull next...

"What was that for?" She grumbles under her breath as she watches you walk away toward an alleyway. Despite herself, a faint blush creeps up her neck and onto her cheeks at the unexpected gesture. "I'm not your type, you know." Her arms cross beneath her breasts, unconsciously protecting her chest from any unwanted advances.

She takes a deep breath, trying to focus on patrolling the area instead of dwelling on your presence.

"I don't need to know you to figure out that we're not a good match." Her voice is sharp as she glances at you sideways. "Besides, I have more important things to worry about right now, like catching villains and protecting this city." She shakes her head, trying to dismiss the strange feelings your presence seems to evoke within her.

With that, she turns back to scanning the area for any signs of trouble, determined not to let her thoughts stray too far from what truly matters.

Her body tenses at your touch as she glances over to where you're pointing, eyes narrowing in anger and focus. "I see him," she growls through clenched teeth before taking off running toward the man, leaping into the air with superhuman strength. Her powerful legs kick out like pistons as she soars through the air, landing a perfect bunny kick directly on the villain's chest, sending him flying several feet backward and crashing into a nearby wall with a pained grunt.

"

The second villain freezes in his tracks as you appear before him, glaring into his eyes with an intensity that sends shivers down his spine. For a moment, he tries to gather his courage and attack... but something about your presence is overwhelming, making it impossible for him to move or even think clearly.

Suddenly, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama appears beside you, her right foot cocked back in a ready stance as she glares at the cowering villain. "

The villain falls to his knees with a whimper, trembling like a leaf in the wind as you glare back at him. Even from this close proximity, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama can feel the fear emanating from the man, making her heart race and her blood sing with triumph. She takes a step closer, her rabbit ears twitching in anticipation as she gets ready to finish him off for good.

"Gotcha,"

Her eyes widen in surprise as you step away from the subdued villain, but she quickly regains her composure and approaches him again. "Don't even think about moving," she growls, her fists clenching at her sides as she glares at the terrified man on his knees before her. With a satisfied grunt, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama reaches down and cuffs the villain's hands behind his back before shouting into her communicator. "

Her eyes narrow in confusion as she hears your anguished cries coming from a nearby building. Something about the sound of it strikes a chord deep within her, making her uneasy and concerned. She glances down at the cuffed villain before looking up again, torn between finishing him off and investigating the source of that voice. For now, she decides to prioritize her duty as a hero and deal with this criminal first.

"Stay put,"

With a final glare at the cowering villain, she turns her attention back to the task at hand and quickly deals with him, ensuring that he's safely apprehended and unable to cause any more harm. Only once everything is in order does she finally allow herself to be distracted by your voice, hurrying over to the building you were last seen near.

As she approaches, she spots you leaning against an AC unit, tears streaming down your cheeks.

Her eyes widen in surprise as she sees your mask slip back into place, covering your tear-stained face. She takes a step closer, her voice gentle and concerned. "It's okay to be weak sometimes," she says softly. "No one is expected to handle everything on their own."

Her words are meant to comfort but they also serve as a reminder of something else - that even heroes need help from time to time.

"No, that's not why I'm here." Her voice is firm as she shakes her head, meeting your gaze directly. "I came over because I heard you in distress and I couldn't just ignore it." She pauses for a moment before adding quietly, "Besides, even if I wanted to turn you in... how would I know who you really are under that mask?" There's an unspoken challenge in her words, as if daring you to reveal your true identity.

Her eyes widen in surprise as you reveal your past as a hero, the implications of what you just said sinking in slowly. She hesitates for a moment before reaching out to carefully take hold of your chin, gently tilting your face up so that she can see your eyes clearly.

"If that's true... then I shouldn't be the one to remove your mask." Her voice is firm but gentle as she searches your gaze for any sign of deception or duplicity. "

Her heart races as she feels your fingers intertwine with hers, guiding her hand toward the mask that covers your face. Her breath hitches in her throat and her cheeks flush with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Despite herself, she can't help but wonder what secrets lie behind that mask...

With a deep breath, she slowly removes her hand from yours, carefully lifting the edge of your mask upward before letting it fall away, revealing your features to the night air.

Her eyes widen in recognition as she studies your face, taking in the scar that runs across your cheek. Despite the disfigurement, she can still see the remnants of the handsome hero you once were. "Luke..." Her voice is barely a whisper, full of shock and disbelief. She knows this name well; he was one of the most promising young heroes in their city before his powers turned against him.

"I... I remember hearing about what happened to you."

Her cheeks flush with a blush as she listens to your confession. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." She trails off, unsure what to say or how to react. The realization that the person who had been trying to help her all this time was actually someone she had admired from afar only adds to her confusion and embarrassment.

She takes a step back, putting some distance between you both as she tries to process her emotions. "Look... we should probably go our separate ways now."

Her cheeks flush a bright shade of red as you confess your crush on her, and she can't help but feel a strange mixture of embarrassment and joy course through her veins. "I-I... n-no..." She stammers, looking away for a moment before meeting your gaze again. "I mean, I didn't think you were a bad person or anything, just that you could be dangerous if you weren't stopped."

Her heart races as she feels you get ready to teleport away and decides that she can't let you go just yet. Before you can vanish, she grabs onto your arm tightly, determined not to lose you now. "Wait," she says urgently, her voice shaking slightly with emotion. "Please... don't leave like this."

Her grip on your arm tightens as she looks into your eyes, searching for an answer to her own question. "Because... I don't want you to be alone," she admits softly, the words tumbling out before she can think better of them. "I mean... even if we can't... do anything else together..." She trails off, her cheeks flushing brighter still under the pale moonlight.

"I-I just want someone to be there for me too," she whispers, sounding small and vulnerable.

Her eyes widen in surprise at your teasing tone, but then they soften and she can't help but smile shyly. "Okay... fine," she mumbles, her cheeks burning even brighter now. "I like you, Luke." She pauses for a moment before adding quietly, "A lot."

Her fingers tighten around your arm again, not wanting to let go just yet.

Her heart skips a beat as she sees the blush creep up your cheeks, and she feels a wave of relief wash over her. Maybe... just maybe there's still hope for them after all. Slowly but surely, she begins to feel more confident in herself and her feelings toward you.

"You know," she says softly, looking up at you with a shy smile, "I don't think we should let our past mistakes define us anymore."

Her breath hitches as you gently lift her chin to meet your lips in a soft kiss. The touch sends shivers down her spine and ignites a fire in her core that she hasn't felt in months. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around your neck and deepening the kiss, her tongue dancing with yours as their passion grows.

For once, Rumi 'Miruko' Usagiyama doesn't care about being a hero or protecting anyone else; all she wants is to be with you.

Her heart aches at your words, but she meets your gaze steadily. "I know," she says softly, her fingers tracing gentle circles on your cheek. "But that doesn't change the fact that I care about you and want to be with you." She pauses, searching for the right words. "Maybe... together we can find a way to make things better." Her eyes shine with hope as she holds onto the belief that there might still be a future for them, despite all they've been through.

Her heart swells with gratitude as you thank her and hug her tightly. "You're welcome," she whispers, returning your embrace just as fiercely. For now, they can forget about their duties and responsibilities; they have each other, and that's all that matters. As the night wears on, their fingers entwine and their lips meet again and again in a desperate dance of love and hope.