Maybe Bryan would recognize Chu-e. From the Speed Dating set up. If (spoilers) Chu-e had his way in that scenario, he would have stolen a quick kiss before leaving and given him his number. Kind of a bold move on his part and one he would do again. Yet, given the getup, Chu-e did not know who he was. He just raised a brow and gave an appraising look at the other before slowly standing up, gently moving the Marill from his arms and into the seat he had been sitting in.

"I suppose I am. Ji-Hoon Ki. Please, call me Ki." He hummed as he came down the steps to meet the other man. "I have-" But before he could finish, a great rattling came from up the hill, from the shrine, where a Klefki was floating towards them and rattling it's collection. "... Well, that's my pokemon. That means the vandals are up there now. Are you ready to go?"

But even as he asked, Chu-e was already starting to tackle to small slope, Klefki at his side. The fairy type gave Bryan curious looks. As before, the man was more than willing to take change of the situation and seemed confident enough.

Oh, this sweet man. If only he knew about the practical arsenal in Chu-e's house. Of the cute little knives hidden up his own sleeves in case things got rough. They had more in common that either of them realized in that way. He did manage a small giggle at the other's concern, a sly grin working it's way onto his face. "I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me."

While less willing to get involved himself, as Chu-e could not fight anyone who might overpower him unless he got the drop on them, he instead tossed out two pokeballs of his own. A Slurpuff and Mimikyu stared back at him. "Snacks, use Sticky Web and block up the exits. Glimmer, you stop anyone who gets outside. Okay?" He smiled warmly at his pokemon, even leaning over to pat the Mimikyu on the head before he faded out of view.

The Slurpuff started to do as he was told, a thick, sticky goop similar to marshmallow fluff pouring from his mouth. He aimed to seal up the doorways and windows, which would also trap the smoke inside. Chu-e did, at least, go inside before the doorway was sealed up behind him. It was hard to see but he could hear confusion and fighting, so he let his feet lead him that way.

One of the men didn't have a chance to reach Chu-e. His Mimikyu struck, a Shadow Sneak grabbed the man and slamming him to the ground with supernatural force. The ghost type made a ghastly little noise, a large spiritual hand gripping tight, the ends of the fingers turning into Shadow Claws at the end, pressing into the man and threatening to disembowel him if he moved. Unlucky, but maybe not as unlucky as the other.

Chu-e wasn't strong anymore; once upon a time, he would have taken the hit and then beaten the guy down into a bloody pulp all on his own. But sickness takes. While he couldn't be vicious he still had his grace and skill for combat; nothing professional, just the harsh lessons of the street. He waited for the guy to get close and then ducked out of the way right before he reached him.

A blade was slipped into each hand, trained fingers flipping the balisongs out and into position. A punch did land, on his shoulder and it hurt, but experience had him roll with the force and ignore it. One blade stabbed into the man's cheek, quick and sure. When the man cried out and flinched, the other found it's way to his throat. He didn't slice, Chu-e didn't know Bryan at the end of the day or how he would react to a dead body (plus this assignment could be tracked back to him. Leave no evidence.) But the blade rested there and a thin line would drip blood down the blade, the guy clutching his face and crying at the new hole in his face.

"Get your fucking friends and leave." It was hissed out, low and full of venom but utterly calm. "And if you come back, we won't be so nice next time." Then he leaned in, just a little, a harsh whisper that Bryan may be able to pick up. "When you look at that nice new scar on your cheek, you think of me and what I did to you. Know that this is pity."

Then he glanced over, trying to find Bryan's eyes in the smoke, eyebrow raised. 'See?' his expression said, and he seemed to preen. 'I told you I could take care of myself.'

Since the vandals were running with their tails between their legs, Chu-e hummed to himself as he flicked his more bloodied knife to clean it of stray drops. Then a quick wipe on his pants, thankfully he had worn them dark, and all knives were safely tucked away as if he never even had them on him. "Do you think?" He raised an eyebrow, then promptly gave a small huff of laughter when he saw who was under the mask.

"Bryan!" He seemed pleased, taking a step towards the other. "I knew I liked you! I always did like my men a little on the spicy side." Chu-e gave a small laugh at his own boldness, raising a hand up as if to hide his smile. "Thanks for helping me run those guys off. I might know how to 'use my claws' but I probably couldn't have done it on my own."