It wasn't until the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet, that Ichihara Yuko slowly stirred. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes, rubbing the sleep from their crimson depths.
She looked around, a montary blankness in her gaze, before it settled on Ren, who was still seated beside her. A soft smile blood on her lips. She reached out a hand to him, her voice a warm, lodic hum. "You've been here all along~"
Ren turned a page in his book, his eyes not leaving the text. He casually extended a hand, taking hers and gently placing it on the small table between them.
Ichihara Yuko's smile widened. "You're really engrossed, aren't you? Still reading that dark-bellied fellow's notes? But what's with the pen? It looks like you've been using it."
"Filling in so blanks, correcting a few things," Ren replied, a hint of amusent in his tone. "It's quite interesting."
"Oh? How curious. I want to see, too."
"I haven't finished it yet."
"Tch." She turned her gaze outward. "The sunset over the sea... it's truly beautiful. When was the last ti I saw it?"
Hearing her murmur, Ren's eyes remained on the notes. He nodded, circling a passage with his pen before speaking softly, "If we're talking about 'Ichihara Yuko'... this would be the first ti she's ever seen it."
Yuko started, then slowly turned her head to look at him. The dying light of the setting sun cast a warm, golden glow upon his profile, seeming to edge his delicate features in liquid gold. The sea breeze gently stirred their hair as the rhythmic sound of crashing waves and the distant cries of seabirds filled the air.
Watching him, so intently focused on his reading with that faint, knowing smile on his lips, Ichihara Yuko's own expression softened into one of deep tenderness. "You really do understand ," she whispered.
"That's why I'm the head of the house."
"Pfft~" A light laugh escaped her. "Well then, Mr. Head of the House, I'm hungry. Don't you think it's ti we went to find sothing to eat?"
"Alright. What do you want?"
"Anything tasty will do. But there must be alcohol. I'm craving so rice wine right now."
"So troubleso."
"You're not allowed to think I'm troubleso," she retorted playfully. "Because you're the head of the house."
Just as Ren and Ichihara Yuko reached the entrance to the deck, they found Momobami Kirari and the others waiting, all wearing mischievous expressions. Lucifer grinned. "Yo~ Is this really our Yuko? Actually admitting Ren is the head of the house? No longer in rebellion?"
Ichihara Yuko gave a light, theatrical cough. "It's fine, it's fine. I can barely acknowledge it. Why are you all gathered here?"
"To call you to dinner," ca the chorus of voices.
Kirari leaned in close, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Yuko, what exactly have you been doing all day?"
Ichihara Yuko tilted her head, feigning deep thought. "Hmm... What did I do... Sunbathing... sleeping..."
Kirari burst out laughing. She turned to Sōryūin Shion, who was standing stiffly beside her, fists clenched and teeth gritted. "Pfft~ Shion, a mocha with extra milk, no sugar, please. Thank you~ Haha!"
"I... I know..." Shion managed through her clenched jaw.
Kure Karura sighed, looking at her with pity. "Sister Shion, doesn't it hurt to talk like that all the ti?"
This ti, Ren and the group didn't opt for a private al, instead making their way to the grand buffet hall. The crowd was familiar, though a few faces were conspicuously absent. Yamashita Kazuo, Tokita Ohma, and Akiyama Kaede were nowhere to be seen, nor were Mikazuchi Rei and Akoya Seishu. Julius Reinhold and Kiryu Setsuna were also missing. Kure Raian had been called away by Kure Erioh, and even Dr. Hachisuka and her nurse weren't present.
Ren knew perfectly well that the doctor and nurse were still on Ganryu Island, tending to the fighters who had been injured in the tournant. That explained their absence. What truly puzzled him, however, was the disappearance of two others: Hiyama Shunka, who he knew had boarded the Kengan Ship with everyone, and Kurayoshi Rino, who should have been clinging to them but had been thoroughly scared off by Shion and Kirari.
"Ren, kid!"
A deep, resonant voice pulled Ren from his thoughts. He looked up to see a powerfully built man with a thick black beard and matching hair striding toward him. It was the victor of the Kengan Annihilation Tournant, the 'Devil Lance', Kuroki Gensai.
Ren smiled. "Mr. Kuroki. Congratulations on winning the championship."
The approach of Kuroki Gensai and Kaneda Suekichi drew the attention of everyone nearby. After all, one was arguably the strongest combatant in the entire tournant. While there was no animosity, everyone knew Kuroki's victory over the Fang of tsudo had been anything but easy.
Kuroki offered a faint, respectful smile. He shot a quick glance at Kaneda, who looked like he was about to launch into a detailed analysis, and gave a subtle gesture that silenced him. Kaneda simply bead, happy to be in the master's presence.
"Hahaha! For you to congratulate this old man on his victory feels a bit ironic, Ren!" Kuroki's voice bood. "If this old man had been the fifth one you chose to fight, perhaps I'd be the one lying in a recovery ward right now!"
Ren shook his head with a helpless smile. "That's impossible. You are formidable, Mr. Kuroki. The Devil Lance is a terrifying killing art. But I admit, I didn't expect to see a successor of the Niko Style here..."
"This old man didn't expect it either," Kuroki admitted, his gaze distant for a mont. "But my training is far from over. If there's a chance in the future, let us have a match. This old man would look forward to it."
"There probably won't be an official chance like this again. But you're welco to visit the Glory Boxing Gym. If you can find Kaolan, you can find . I don't mind a private sparring session."
"Hmph! I know the place. Then this old man will not disturb you any longer. Enjoy your al."
As Kuroki walked away, Kaolan Wongsawat sighed next to Ren. "Everything always seems to involve ... But how did you know I was going to the Glory Boxing Gym?"
"King Rama XIII must have given you ti off to focus on your training, correct?" Ren replied, taking a plate. "After all, your fight with Kanoh Agito left a significant impact on you. You wouldn't be able to sort through your thoughts unless you returned to your roots to train, would you?"
"Hmm... Are you going too?"
"I'll get a mbership. It'll be fun to drop by when I'm bored."
"Then let's go together, the morning after tomorrow."
Nearby, Mouri Ran let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Whew, that was terrifying. For a second, I thought that Devil Lance uncle was going to start a fight right here..."
Everyone around her nodded in agreent. Lucifer sighed dramatically. "I've figured it out. These Kengan fighters aren't just fighting—they're putting their lives on the line. It's too brutal."
"Agreed!" several voices chorused.
"Yo! Mr. Ren! Kaolan! Co over for a drink!" a fighter from across the room shouted.
Ren glanced over. "Hmm? You're still drinking? Your employers are right here."
"Whatever, whatever! It's all over anyway!"
Ren turned to Kaolan. "What do you think?"
Kaolan shrugged. "Whatever. I won't be the first one to pass out."
"Oh!" The group cheered.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall, once reserved for tense business negotiations, completely transford. What was a formal dinner beca a wild party. Jinx and Cerberus, who loved any kind of excitent, imdiately dove into the fray. Jinx, however, took one sip of the strong liquor and imdiately spat it out, sending a wave of laughter through the crowd.
"Lucifer! You said you could drink a lot, didn't you?" Ichihara Yuko called out, a challenging glint in her eyes.
"Yuko, you're not convinced?"
"Co on, then!"
"Kirukiru, are you joining too?! Don't you dare bring Karura and Sora into this! Didn't I tell you to switch with Elena!"
"We can..." ca three small voices.
"No! You can't!" ca a much louder, unified shout from the rest of the group.
"Ran! Let's go too!"
"Eh?! I don't drink alcohol..."
"It's fine! Let's go!"
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