"Goodbye, I hope we meet again."
"Yes, don't forget to write to me."
The vacation had come to an end, leaving the girls a bit sad, but there was nothing to be done; time spares no one. So, with a couple of hugs, the girls bid their farewells.
As for the guys,
"It's time. I hope not to see you soon, damn Shota."
"It's the big brother; hope you don't forget that."
"You!"
Gritting his teeth, Souta shot Yuki a death glare, who only had a smug smile on his face. Yuki being Inori's boyfriend made Souta's fanatical heart ache, so he always found a way to alleviate this pain. And what better way than with the damn Shota.
However, this Shota was a tricky one, always with traps ready to spring, like spying. This guy always found a place where both Shu and Souta were seen.
While he emerged unscathed, Souta didn't know how the hell he did it, but the girls always seemed to be on his side. So, Souta dubbed it the power of a Shota.
"Haha."
As for Shu, he had a stiff smile on his face, with a small vein popping on his forehead. He shared the same feelings as Souta; he also thought being a Shota was cool. However, Yuki's cocky attitude always made him angry.
"Tch! Break a leg."
Clicking his tongue, Souta had nothing more to say, so he picked up his suitcase and walked away briskly.
"Don't worry, I'll send you a picture of my kiss with Inori."
"Who would want that?! Damn lucky Shota!"
Walking faster, Souta didn't want to stay a second longer, or his fragile heart would break.
"Haha, don't worry. I'm sure Souta had fun."
Scratching his cheek, Shu also bid farewell to Yuki. Despite being jealous like Souta, Shu just shrugged; he understood that it couldn't be helped.
"Hahaha, alright, no problem."
Returning the farewell, Yuki had fun with this duo, so he smiled.
"I hope to see you again."
"Don't worry, we'll see each other very soon."
With words hiding many intentions, Yuki squinted his eyes.
After all, Yuki looked at the back of Shu's hand, where there was a very familiar mark to Yuki.
(So, it has begun, huh? Yuu)
Recalling that blond-haired teenager, Yuki smiled inwardly. While Shu just nodded, unaware of the hidden meaning in those words.
Because for Shu and the whole group, these were pleasant holidays and quite possibly the last time they would gather this way.
---
"Triton... Can you hear me, Triton?"
"Mana?!"
Opening his eyes in shock, Gai looked at the girl in front of him. The girl had long pink hair tied in two pigtails, beautiful orange eyes, and wore a light pink dress, matching her hair.
"What's wrong, Triton?"
Tilting her head, Mana looked at Gai with doubt, who now had his mouth open in shock.
"What are you doing? No... how are you alive?!"
"Dead? What nonsense, Triton. I'll always be alive."
With a sweet smile on her face, Mana put a finger to her lips as she continued.
"Because I'll always be alive in you, Triton."
"..."
Looking for a moment, Gai sighed. He really didn't know what to say in these moments. However, in the end, he smiled. No matter what, Mana was now with him.
"Mana... I always wished to see you again."
"I know."
Nodding to his words, Mana looked directly into Gai's eyes, while Gai had longing in his gaze, continuing his confession.
"Mana, I've always loved you."
"I know."
Nodding again, Mana closed her eyes, waiting for Gai to continue.
"Mana, I hate you."
"... I know."
Opening her eyes, Mana looked at Gai's furrowed brow, but she didn't mind.
"Whether you hate me or love me, you belong to me, Triton. So..."
Moving closer slowly, Mana hugged Gai, wrapping her arms around his neck, bringing her face close to his ear.
If someone else looked at them, it was like a pair of lovers who hadn't seen each other in a long time. However, for Gai, this was torture and a blessing at the same time.
Although he despised her, a part of him was happy.
"You will dethrone the king from his throne, Triton. You must kill him."
Whispering those words sweetly, Mana's eyes sparkled.
---
"The king, huh?..."
Sighing wearily, Gai cursed in his mind. This damn dream was always the same, ever since Yuki joined Undertaker, Gai had been dreaming this every day.
"I hope I'm not making a mistake."
Shaking his head, Gai got out of bed. Today was a sunny day, very beautiful. Although yesterday's mission failed, there were still a few opportunities left.
"I must get him back... No matter what... Mana."
---
A day had passed since Yuki and the girls returned from the beach trip. Although their vacation was short, it was very enjoyable. So even though Yuki was somewhat depressed about it, his phone vibrated, displaying a message.
[It's ready.]
Just reading this message widened the smile on Yuki's face.
"Good, right on time."
Satisfied, Yuki's plans had concluded; only one thing was left.
"Well, my dear mole, I hope you follow the plan just as I planned it. Hahaha."
Laughing, Yuki already saw the end of all this. Virus or not, this was about to end; he wouldn't allow anything to happen to his beloved Eva.
So, if necessary, he would face the world itself.
And that wasn't far off; after all, the remaining nations were now in intense conflict with GHQ. With the Leucocyte threat eliminated, those soldiers had nothing to fear.
"Are you sure, Commander Mark?"
"Yes, sir. Japan, as well as the Reaper, will soon be in our hands."
"Good, OAU depends on the success of this mission."
With a smile on his face, Mark liked what he saw. No matter what, Undertaker had eliminated GHQ's greatest weapon, so now it was up to them to reclaim Japan.
As for Undertaker?
They were just terrorists, but terrorist or not, they still had something valuable.
"But I'm surprised the Reaper is a child... Also, that his weakness is like that of an ordinary man; it's quite a surprise."
Looking in astonishment at multiple images of Inori and Tsugumi, there was a man in his 60s. He was the chief and supreme commander of OAU.
"Yes, sir. While we have these girls, the Reaper will obey us."
With a smile, Mark puffed out his chest with pride. He had been closely monitoring Yuki, so his actions didn't go unnoticed, not to mention his relationship with Inori and Tsugumi.
"I understand; this is how Gai controls him." The commander now understood why Gai could control such a monster.
"So, what are we waiting for? GHQ is finished; we need to send in the army."
"Yes, sir."
No matter what, they had to succeed. Capturing the Reaper and obtaining Japan were already written in stone for them. Unfortunately for them, they were moving just as Yuki had planned.
---
TN : You reading this novel was a part of my plan 🥸