Ken was about to pounce forward and tackle the behemoth, but was stopped dead in his tracks in the next moment. He had expected Steve to go down after the heavy punch to his guard, however something else happened entirely.
Steve weaved his head, keeping his guard up. He shuffled his feet and changed angles, sending a left hook to the body of the large guy. His technique was brilliant to watch, matching well with his speed.
The big guy froze on the spot as if he was stunned by the blow. He swiftly fell to his knee and groaned in pain, struggling to breathe.
Instead of following up, Steve lowered his guard and shook his head. "You're far too amateur to challenge me to a fight." He said simply, walking past the guy.
"Oh hey man, you ready to go mingle?" Steve's expression lit up as he saw Ken, as if he wasn't just in a blood pumping fight earlier.
Ken stammered for a bit before he eventually just nodded, leaving the room. It seemed that Steve hadn't needed his help after all.
As they walked back down the stairs, Ken couldn't help his curiosity. "What happened man? When I turned around you were already gone."
Steve shrugged, "I saw this cute chick and started up some conversation with her. She led me upstairs and then the big guy came out of nowhere, asking me what I was doing with his girl."
"So I just gave him a quick liver blow. Pow!" Steve performed the move once more, showing off his quick movements.
"You know how to fight?" Ken asked. He had never learned how to fight before, though he had fought against Tetsu and the thugs that had captured him. Now that he thought about it, if he'd known some martial arts, things might have been different back then.
Steve shrugged, "A few years of boxing. The coach was too annoying so I ended up quitting."
"Anyway, enough of that. Let's go find some chicks!" He said, wrapping his arm around Ken's shoulder.
Ken could only sigh, though he felt a little relieved. A small tiff like this wouldn't get them into any trouble, unless the big guy decided to press charges or something.
But who would want to admit they were easily subdued by someone almost half their size. The guy would lose all credibility in the future.
As they made their way downstairs, the two saw a flash which almost blinded them. When they could finally see again, they saw Tara giving them a thumbs up with a wide grin.
"Nice shot! This looks great." She exclaimed, turning her attention to the digital camera in her hands.
The photo showed the two going down the stairs with Steve wearing his trademark grin and Ken with his hands in his pockets. The guy looked like a model, his tall frame even more exaggerated by the angle of the shot.
It truly was a great photo, one that Ken would look back on with a smile and nostalgia in the future.
"Why don't you come and mingle with us?" Ken asked Tara who was also in a cocktail dress. If it wasn't for the expensive camera around her neck, she would look right at home in this place.
Tara looked a little taken aback, but she smiled warmly in response. "Okay, let me put my camera away."
"I'll come with you." Ken said, shrugging Steve's hand off his shoulders. "You wait here, don't go getting into any fights."
"Ah, sure."
With that, Ken followed Tara to where she had left her camera bag. Just as she put it away, Ken grabbed it, eliciting a questioning expression from her.
"Do me a favor?"
Tara felt as if she wasn't going to like his next words, so she didn't agree right away. "Depends on what it is."
Ken smiled naturally, enhancing his already handsome features. Tara felt herself lost in his smile for a few moments, only for her expression to change after hearing his words.
"Look after Steve for me."
Before she even had a chance to answer, Ken had already left, carrying her camera bag with him. He didn't even turn back, making a beeline towards the front door.
It was only when he finally slipped out that he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The cold night air washed away the suffocating feeling that he'd been experiencing inside of the house.
Despite only being there for only 30 or so minutes, he truly couldn't wait to leave.
"Leaving so soon?"
This was the second time he'd heard these words, yet this time it was the sultry voice of a woman. Ken didn't need to turn to realize that it was Amelia behind him.
'Man… I just want to go home in peace.' Ken thought, rolling his eyes.
However, he still turned and wore a polite smile. "The season starts in a couple of days, I need to stick to my sleep schedule." He replied.
Amelia grinned, "I admire your dedication. I'm also heading back, care to walk with me?" She asked.
'I'd rather not…' he admitted inwardly.
"Sure thing."
She had stopped at the top of the stairs, as if waiting for something. It was only then that he realized Amelia was wearing tall heels and wanted some help.
Being the gentleman that he was, Ken walked up a few steps and held out his arm, after which she placed her arm in and carefully made her way down the stairs.
She let out a small giggle and thanked him.
Only when she got to the bottom step did she sit down and begin to take off her heels. From Ken's vantage point, a flash of something black and lacy entered his vision, causing his face to redden before he averted his eyes.
Thankfully the woman hadn't noticed his actions.
When Amelia stood up once more, her height was much shorter than before. If earlier she came up to his shoulders, she was now level with his chest.
"I'm ready, let's go."