{Kaito!}
{KAITO, WAKE UP!}
Kaoru's voice echoed loudly inside his head, trying to pull him back to reality after Lala's shocking declaration.
'I-I'm fine already, stop shouting inside my head.'
Kaito rubbed his forehead.
{Good. Because now you have another situation to deal with.}
'Yeah, I know.'
Kaito slowly stood up.
'And that's exactly the problem.'
At that moment, Lala was standing behind him while Zastin continued approaching with determined steps.
"Princess Lala, it is time to stop this rebellion."
Lala stomped her foot on the ground.
"How many times do I have to say it?! I'm not going back to Deviluke just to get married!"
Zastin let out a tired sigh.
"Then please forgive my rudeness, Princess."
He reached forward, intending to grab her arm.
'Damn it.'
Lala clenched her fists.
'If I hadn't forgotten my inventions back on the ship, I would've blasted him away already.'
But just as Zastin was about to touch her—
A hand suddenly pulled Lala backward.
Another figure stepped between them.
Standing directly in front of Zastin.
"Don't you think you're being a little rude for a knight?" Kaito asked calmly.
"Treating a princess like that?"
"Kaito?" Lala blinked.
Zastin frowned.
"...You again."
Kaito smiled.
"Hello again, Zastin."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I don't remember if I properly introduced myself before."
Then he extended his hand.
"My name is Kazama Kaito."
For a moment, Zastin hesitated.
However, years of noble training and good manners kicked in automatically.
He shook Kaito's hand.
"I am Zastin."
His posture straightened.
"Captain of the Royal Guard of the Deviluke Royal Family."
Kaito nodded seriously.
Then he released the handshake.
"I see."
He crossed his arms.
"That must be a difficult job."
"A little."
Zastin nodded.
"But it isn't particularly exhausting."
Clap!
Kaito suddenly slapped his hands together.
The sudden sound startled both Zastin and Lala.
"Alright then!"
Kaito smiled brightly.
"It's settled."
"...What is?" Zastin asked.
"It's late."
Kaito pointed toward the city.
"You've traveled all the way from outer space."
Then he nodded confidently.
"You must be tired."
"I suppose I am somewhat tired..."
"Exactly!"
Kaito immediately placed a hand over Zastin's shoulder.
Before the knight could react, Kaito casually turned him around.
"See that direction?"
"Yes?"
"If you walk straight ahead, you'll find a nice hotel."
"I see..."
"So go get some rest."
Kaito gave him a light push.
"I'll head home too."
"Very well."
Zastin started walking.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Meanwhile, Kaito immediately turned toward Lala.
After reaching her side, he lowered his voice.
"Let's go."
Lala smiled.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
Kaito grabbed her hand.
The two immediately started moving toward the opposite exit beneath the bridge.
'This doesn't solve the actual problem...'
Kaito smiled awkwardly.
'But the mission only says I have to stop Lala from being taken away tonight.'
He looked ahead.
'So technically, this counts, right?'
{Well...}
Kaoru sounded uncertain.
{That is certainly one interpretation.}
Unfortunately—
There was one problem.
A very large problem.
Behind them, Zastin suddenly stopped walking.
"...Wait."
The knight blinked.
Then blinked again.
Slowly, realization dawned on him.
"...Why am I going to a hotel?"
He froze.
His eyes widened.
"...I wasn't supposed to go to a hotel."
The realization hit him like a truck.
"I came here to retrieve Princess Lala!"
A vein appeared on his forehead.
"That human tricked me again!"
Zastin immediately spun around.
And there they were.
Kaito and Lala.
Trying to leave.
Again.
The knight's eye twitched.
Then he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"KAZAMA KAITO!!"
The roar echoed beneath the bridge.
Kaito and Lala both jumped.
A cold shiver ran down Kaito's spine.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
He turned around.
A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.
"...Yes?"
He answered with the most innocent expression he could possibly make.
Unfortunately—
Zastin didn't look convinced.
...
[The Yuki Residence]
Meanwhile...
Back at the Yuki household.
The chaos had finally settled down.
Or at least, that was how it seemed.
Rito was holding a broom as he swept up the last traces of dust scattered across the living room floor.
The wall that Zastin had destroyed earlier had already been completely repaired.
Naturally, the person responsible for paying for the repairs had been the captain of the royal guard himself.
Or rather—
Mikan had made sure of that.
Just remembering the scene sent a chill down Rito's spine.
"..."
He glanced at the perfectly restored wall.
"Sometimes I forget how scary Mikan can be."
"I heard that."
Mikan's voice immediately came from the kitchen.
Rito froze.
"Sorry."
"Forgiven."
The response came instantly.
Rito let out a sigh of relief.
A few moments later, Mikan walked into the living room carrying several cleaning cloths.
She knelt beside the coffee table and calmly began wiping its surface.
For a while, the only sound in the room was that of the siblings cleaning up the aftermath of the evening's chaos.
Then Rito broke the silence.
"...Do you think they're okay?"
Mikan looked up.
"Kaito and Lala?"
"Yeah."
Rito rested the broom on his shoulder.
"I know that girl seems pretty strong and all, but that Zastin guy looks dangerous."
He sighed.
"And Kaito has an incredible talent for getting himself involved in weird situations."
Mikan couldn't help but smile.
"That's true."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
She continued cleaning.
"Kaito really does attract trouble."
"See?"
"But he also always finds a way to deal with it."
Rito blinked.
"You trust him a lot."
Mikan nodded without hesitation.
"Because I know him."
She placed the cloth on the table.
"Kaito seems lazy."
"He is."
"He seems irresponsible."
"He is."
"He makes strange decisions sometimes."
"Definitely."
"But when something truly matters..."
Mikan smiled.
"...he always finds a solution."
Rito fell silent.
Thinking about it.
Indeed...
Ever since they were children, Kaito had always managed to solve situations that seemed impossible.
Even if his methods were often highly questionable.
"Now that you mention it..." Rito said.
"He really does have that habit."
Mikan nodded.
"That's why I'm not worried."
She glanced out the window.
The full moon still shone brightly in the night sky.
"Kaito will figure something out."
Rito looked outside as well.
Then he imagined his friend at that very moment.
Probably running across the city.
Probably being chased by an alien knight.
Probably creating even more problems along the way.
"..."
"..."
The two remained silent for several seconds.
Then Rito spoke again.
"Now that I think about it..."
"Hm?"
"Maybe I should be worried precisely because he always finds a way."
Mikan paused to think.
"...You have a point."
The siblings imagined Kaito coming up with some ridiculous improvised plan at that very moment.
And for the first time that night—
The Yuki siblings felt sorry for Zastin.
...
(Kaito's POV)
At that moment, Zastin continued advancing toward them.
Seeing that, Kaito released Lala's hand and stepped forward.
"My friend Zastin, I thought you were tired. Why didn't you go to the hotel?" Kaito asked with an innocent smile.
A vein twitched on Zastin's forehead.
"Honestly, Kazama Kaito, I'm tired of talking to you."
His hand moved toward the sword hanging at his waist.
"So get out of my way. I am taking Princess Lala back home."
Kaito forced a crooked smile.
{And now?}
'Unfortunately... I'm going to have to do something I'll probably regret later.'
{What?}
'You'll see.'
Kaito took a deep breath.
"I can't do that."
Zastin's eyes narrowed.
"And why not?"
"Well..."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"It's because Lala can't get married."
He paused.
"She's already my fiancée."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Silence fell.
Zastin's expression froze completely.
Shock.
Pure shock.
Then another vein appeared on his forehead.
In the distance, Lala's eyes sparkled.
"That's right!"
She raised her hand excitedly.
"Kaito is my fiancé, and I'm not going to marry anyone else!"
Another vein immediately appeared on Zastin's forehead.
His patience was reaching its limit.
Kaito had already tricked him twice.
And now this human was claiming the hand of Deviluke's princess.
The royal guard felt his blood pressure rising.
"...Enough."
His voice became cold.
"I've had enough of this."
SHING!
Zastin instantly drew his sword.
Without hesitation, he lowered his stance and launched forward.
His blade shot toward Kaito like lightning.
"Lala watched in horror.
"Kaito!"
She wanted to stop him.
But the sword was already too close.
Then—
Kaito simply took one step to the left.
Whoosh.
The blade passed harmlessly by him.
"What?!"
Zastin's eyes widened.
He immediately pulled the sword back.
Then attacked again.
And again.
And again.
A relentless storm of sword strikes descended upon Kaito.
Meanwhile—
Kaito simply sighed.
Step.
Step.
Step.
He dodged every strike with minimal movement.
Sometimes a single step.
Sometimes half a step.
Nothing more.
'Amazing...'
Lala stared in disbelief.
'Kaito is actually really strong!'
But while she was impressed—
Zastin was beginning to sweat.
'Why can't I hit him?'
Unknown to him—
Kaito's eyes had changed.
A faint dark-blue glow shone within his pupils.
[Skill: Dynamic Vision Activated]
{Kaito, you know you can't keep this up forever, right?}
Kaoru's voice carried a hint of concern.
'I know.'
Kaito avoided another slash.
'My legs are already shaking.'
Another step.
'My vision is starting to blur.'
Another dodge.
'I think seeing the world this slowly is putting too much strain on my body.'
Finally—
Kaito avoided one last strike and jumped backward.
Zastin also stopped attacking.
The two stared at each other while catching their breath.
Then Kaito raised one finger.
"Zastin."
"What?"
The knight's voice was rough from exhaustion.
"I have a proposal."
Zastin narrowed his eyes.
"...Go on."
Kaito smiled.
"One week."
"...One week?"
"That's right."
Kaito nodded.
"In one week, we'll have a proper fight."
Silence.
"The winner won't interfere with the loser anymore."
He pointed at himself.
"If I lose, I won't stop your mission again."
Then he pointed at Lala.
"If you lose, you won't try to take her back."
Zastin stared at him.
Several seconds passed.
"And?"
Kaito smiled.
"What do you think?"
The knight thought quietly.
Then he nodded.
"...Very well."
Kaito immediately smiled.
"Glad we could come to an agreement."
Zastin sheathed his sword.
Then looked toward Lala.
"In one week, I will return for you, Princess."
Lala stuck out her tongue.
"Not a chance!"
Zastin sighed.
Then turned around and left.
Soon, his figure disappeared into the darkness.
The moment he was gone—
Kaito collapsed onto the ground.
THUD.
"Ugh..."
Lala immediately ran toward him.
"Kaito!"
She knelt beside him.
"Are you okay?! Did he hit you?"
Kaito raised one hand.
"I'm fine."
He laughed weakly.
"Just a little tired."
Then he looked at her.
"At least you're not getting taken away tonight, right?"
Lala's eyes widened.
Then she smiled brightly.
The next moment—
She jumped straight at him.
"Kya—?!"
"Kaito!"
She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Thank you!"
"Oof!"
Kaito nearly lost consciousness from the impact alone.
Lying on the ground beneath the moonlit sky, he let out a tired sigh.
'I guess that solves the problem for now.'
{Yes.}
Kaoru answered immediately.
{For now.}