Kai returned to his dilapidated, creaking wooden house after the devastating defeat at Azzel. The weight of their loss hung heavily on his shoulders. As he entered the house, the door groaned on its hinges, echoing the desolation he felt inside. The wind howled through the gaps in the walls, causing the covers on the floor to flutter weakly.
In the middle of the sparse living room stood a small, battered table. Beside it, a lone bowl sat, a stark reminder of his impoverished existence. The house felt colder than usual, mirroring the bleakness in Kai's heart. He sank to the floor, exhaustion overcoming him, and stared at the bowl, his mind replaying the events of their defeat and the image of Zetsu being carried off to the medical care center in critical condition. The silence of the room pressed in on him, as he grappled with the weight of their failure and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Kai clutched his stomach as it rumbled loudly. "Gosh, I'm hungry as hell," he muttered. Frustrated, he opened one of the pots, finding a cold, old stew inside. "Dammit, I don't have any more goblin stew. I mean, it can't be that bad..." He forced himself to eat the cold soup, fighting the urge to puke. "Welp, I best rest," he said, trying to sound cheerful but feeling anything but. He lay on the cold floor, pulled the cover over himself, and soon fell asleep.
Kai woke up in the evening, stretching proudly. Determined to follow his routine, he headed out into the woods to train. Yet, his mind kept drifting back to his actions against his teammates, and how easily he had been manipulated to fight them. The guilt gnawed at him as he took a break after his workout, standing still and lost in thought.
Suddenly, he heard something rustling in the bushes. Startled, he turned just as Kira popped out. "Hey there, dork," she said, blushing as she looked at him. "H-hey, why do you have your shirt off, you pervert?" she stammered.
"Huh? No, no, it's not like that. Um... it's not like that, Kira, I swear... wait, you snuck up on me, so..."
"Shut up, Kai," Kira interrupted, her blush deepening. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"
"I was just working out, you know," Kai replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
Kira gave him a half-smile, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I was trying to, uh, find you. I wanted to talk about what happened. We need to figure out how to move forward from this."
Kai nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, we do. Let's sit down and talk about it." Umm I'm very sorry for what I have done it's -it was like I wasn't.Kira shushed him, her eyes intense. "Listen here, I don't really care about that. We knew you were possessed, Kai."
"No, that's not the problem," Kai retorted, his voice trembling with frustration. "The problem is that I failed... I was useless... it was like I was a toy. If Azzel really wanted to kill us, he would've done it with ease." His jaw clenched as he gripped a nearby tree so tightly his knuckles turned white. "The only reason I became a knight is to protect others... and I failed at that."
Kira placed her hand gently on his back, trying to comfort him. "Look, Kai, we all have... um, failed before. It's okay to—"
"No, you don't understand!" Kai interrupted, his voice rising with desperation. "I'm a human. We're all looked down upon. I have no magic, no swordsmanship, no archery skills... I'm just a human!" His eyes burned with a mix of anger and sadness. "I have to prove this to everyone," he declared, his voice breaking.
He stood up abruptly, his face set with a fierce determination. "Nice talking to you, Kira," he said, his tone flat and distant, as he turned and began to walk away.
Kira watched him go, her heart aching. "Kai... you're stronger than you think," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. She knew he couldn't hear her, but she hoped somehow he would find the strength to overcome his doubts and see the worth she saw in him.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Elaris, Chandler waited impatiently for Arthur and Diane. Arthur arrived promptly, but Diane was four minutes late. Chandler turned around, his face a mask of irritation. "Why are you late? I don't like students who are late... but of course, I'd expect that from someone like you."
Diane glared at him, her eyes smoldering with anger. Arthur tried to diffuse the tension with a placating smile. "Lord Chandler, I'm sorry for my sister's actions. You know she's not always... there."
"Don't talk for me!" Diane snapped, cutting Arthur off. "I don't need you to speak for me."
Chandler's expression remained professional, but there was a mocking edge to his tone. "You know, we can resolve this problem if you have one. I don't tolerate disrespect. It's only up to you how you want to handle it." He stared at her, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I don't know why you hate me. Maybe it's because I am a demon. But I'm not going to baby you like my brother."
Arthur stepped in front of Diane, trying to calm her. "Diane, stop."
"No, I'm not going to stop!" Diane's voice was fierce. "He thinks he's high on power—"
Chandler chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Gosh, you angels are always on a power trip. But if you think you have what it takes, then prove it."
Diane's eyes blazed with determination. "Okay then, I challenge you to a duel!" She drew her golden sword and activated her angel eye, her stance shifting to Dragon Breath. She rushed toward Chandler with a battle cry.
Chandler drew his sword with a fluid motion, meeting Diane's attacks with ease. She slashed at him again and again, but she couldn't land a single hit. Even with her angel eye, he was like a ghost, always a step ahead.
"You shouldn't focus on where the target is," Chandler advised, his voice calm amidst the chaos. "You should focus on where they'll be."
Diane gritted her teeth, adjusting her strategy. She gripped her sword tightly and exclaimed, "SPEED GOD TECHNIQUE 1: BLAZING STEPS!" Her feet became lighter, and she moved with incredible speed.
Chandler raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, so you're starting to get serious," he mused. "I've seen this before." As Diane swung her sword with renewed vigor, Chandler detected her illusions effortlessly. He dodged her strikes and then, with a swift motion, kicked her from behind.
Diane growled in frustration but didn't back down. She intensified her attacks, her sword moving in a blur of golden light. She used every technique she knew, but Chandler countered or dodged each one with an almost lazy grace. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, and the air hummed with the power of their battle.
Arthur watched in shock, his eyes wide. "How is Chandler evading her so easily? Diane is a ten-time world champion. There's no way he shouldn't be touched at least once," he thought, his mind reeling from the impossibility of what he was seeing.
Diane's attacks grew more desperate, her movements more frenzied. She launched into the air, coming down with a powerful overhead strike, but Chandler sidestepped it effortlessly. He spun around her, his movements fluid and precise, and struck at her exposed side. Diane barely managed to parry, the force of his blow sending her staggering back.
"You see," Chandler said, his voice cold and condescending, "you're too focused on brute strength. You lack finesse, strategy."
"Shut up!" Diane screamed, her frustration boiling over. "STOP MOVING, YOU DUMBASS!" She lunged at him with renewed fury, her blade a whirlwind of strikes.
Chandler continued to evade her, his eyes never leaving hers. "You see, I don't think you have this thing called respect. You should really respect others, especially the one who raised you." With that, he delivered a fatal side kick, knocking the wind out of her and sending her crashing into a tree.
Diane lay on the ground, clutching her stomach and gasping for air. Chandler sheathed his sword, his expression unchanged. "Perhaps next time, you'll think twice before challenging your betters," he said, turning away as if the duel had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Sly devils," Chandler muttered as he quickly escaped the illusions and ducked, dodging their twin attack. "I was wondering when you'd join."
Arthur grinned, stepping forward. "I couldn't let my sister get defeated like that. Plus, we could use some training, right?" he said light-heartedly.
Chandler smirked. "You're right. I do need to knock some rust off. So let's get to it."
Without wasting any time, Diane cast a fireball spell aimed directly at Chandler. Caught a bit off guard, Chandler quickly used his sword and wind magic to cut through the fireball. "Hmm, I knew you would start using magic, but I don't blame you. You are going against me."
Chandler rushed at Diane, his attacks swift and powerful. Each strike caught her off guard, growing heavier and more relentless. Arthur tried to jump in, but Chandler swiftly threw him to the side. Without pausing, Chandler swept Diane off her feet and slammed her into the ground.
Turning his focus to Arthur, Chandler noticed something different. Arthur seemed more focused, more determined. Blocking Chandler's attacks, Arthur created a clone to distract him. Chandler was momentarily caught off guard when the clone disappeared, and Arthur appeared beside him, ready to strike. But before Arthur could land a blow, he felt a heavy pressure on his chest.
He woke up from the illusion to find Diane stepping on him. "You dumbass, you were attacking me," she snapped.
From across the clearing, Chandler laughed. "That's enough for today. I've had my giggle," he said, sheathing his sword and walking away,
Arthur leaned against the bar, swirling the dark liquid in his glass, his eyes scanning the dim room before settling on Diane. The bar was quiet, save for the low murmur of patrons and the occasional clink of glasses. He sighed, frustrated.
"Listen, Diane," he began, his voice steady but laced with impatience, "you can't keep disrespecting Sir Chandler like that. He's been good to us, raised us, for crying out loud. What's your problem with him?"
Diane, sitting across from him, didn't even bother to look up from her drink. She twirled the glass in her hand, the ice shifting lazily.
"My problem?" Her voice was cold, detached, yet filled with an unspoken rage. "I'm sorry, Arthur, that I can't just look a man in the eye who might've killed our parents. Hell, maybe even our grandparents. Or yours."
Arthur stiffened. Diane's words struck deep, as they always did.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, trying to mask his unease. "You don't know that. Sir Chandler would've told us—"
Diane finally met his gaze, her eyes burning with a mix of anger and pain. "Would he? Really?" She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "He's a killer, Arthur. You think he's just some father figure? He probably slaughtered your mom and dad just like all the others. And you want me to respect him?"
Arthur flinched, his hand tightening around the glass. He wanted to argue, but the weight of her words hung in the air like a guillotine waiting to fall.
"This isn't the place for this," he muttered, glancing around nervously. "This is a bar, not a damn therapy session."
Diane let out a bitter laugh. "Exactly. So, let's change the subject." She leaned back in her chair, her voice suddenly more casual, like they were discussing the weather. "What about Zetsu? I heard people talking. He's supposed to be the next prodigy."
Arthur, desperate to steer the conversation away from Chandler, jumped at the opportunity. "Yeah, I heard the same thing. They say he's got potential—"
"Potential?" Diane interrupted with a harsh laugh. "Prodigy, my ass. When I see him, I'll slice him into pieces. Potential means nothing when you're dead."
The conversation died there, the air between them thick with unspoken resentment and memories they couldn't shake. Arthur downed the rest of his drink in silence, trying not to dwell on Diane's words. But deep down, they gnawed at him. Could she be right? Could Chandler have been the one to—
Arthur shook his head, dismissing the thought. Chandler had raised them, protected them. There was no way.
---
Elsewhere, Chandler made his way through the narrow halls of the medical center, his footsteps echoing ominously against the stone walls. He found Zetsu lying in a bed, bandages wrapped around his midsection, his face pale but eyes burning with a cold, quiet fury.
"Zetsu," Chandler greeted, his voice as casual as if they were old friends meeting on a pleasant day. "How have you been?"
Zetsu glared up at him, his voice dripping with bitterness. "What does it look like?"
Chandler's eyes narrowed, though his face remained calm, almost amused. "No need for that attitude, Zetsu." He stepped closer to the bed, folding his arms across his chest. "I've seen demons like you in this state before. Angry, humiliated." He paused, his voice growing colder, deadlier. "But I'm not here to stop you… not yet, anyway. I've seen what happens when someone like you loses their way, blinded by rage. You think you're untouchable, but one mistake, one wrong move..." He let the words linger, watching Zetsu's reaction.
"I'm here to remind you that I'm always watching. Doesn't matter where you are, what you're doing. When you sleep, when you wake—I'm there. If you make one mistake, Zetsu, if you step out of line even a little, I won't hesitate. I will kill you."
Zetsu's fists clenched, his entire body trembling with restrained anger. But Chandler didn't care. He leaned down, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't care if it's for something as petty as stealing bread. I will still kill you. So don't test me, Zetsu. Don't disturb this kingdom, don't cause any trouble, and maybe—just maybe—you'll live long enough to regret ever crossing me."
With that, Chandler turned on his heel, his cloak sweeping behind him as he exited the room. Zetsu lay there, breathing heavily, his rage festering like a poison in his veins. Embarrassed by Azzel, humiliated by Chandler. His pride was shattered, but in its place grew something darker, more dangerous. The entire room seemed to pulse with the heat of his fury.
---
Later, Chandler found himself outside a dilapidated house, its frame creaking as though it might collapse at any moment. He knocked on the old, rotting door, his expression twisted in mild disgust. The door opened with a groan, revealing Kai standing nervously on the other side.
"S-S-S-Sir Chandler," Kai stammered, his eyes wide with shock. "W-What are you doing here?"
Chandler raised an eyebrow, looking Kai up and down before sighing. "Relax, Kai," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I thought I'd pay you a visit."
Kai straightened up, trying to regain some composure. "Well, uh, I'm the best knight, Sir Chandler."
Chandler gave him a dismissive glance. "Yeah, yeah, I heard about you. You did good, facing Azzel."
Kai beamed with pride. "Thank you, sir! It was—"
"But," Chandler interrupted, "I didn't come here for praise. I came to tell you something."
Kai blinked, his excitement fading. "What is it?"
"I'm giving you a vacation. For the week, you don't have to do any more quests. Consider it a reward." Chandler's tone was neutral, almost bored.
Kai's eyes widened. "A vacation? Really?"
Chandler nodded once. "Really. Now, get out of this dump and do something with yourself. I don't want to hear about you until next week. Got it?"
Kai, still stunned, could only nod as Chandler turned and walked away, leaving the young knight standing there, speechless.
The day had been long, but for Chandler, the work was never done.
The next morning, Kai was roused from his sleep by a loud, persistent knocking on his door. He groaned, shifting uncomfortably on the cold, hard floor where he'd passed out the night before. Rubbing his sore neck, he pushed himself up and groggily made his way to the door. His muscles ached from the restless sleep, but he ignored it, already accustomed to the discomfort. When he finally pulled the door open, he was met with a sight that immediately jolted him awake.
Kira stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe. She was dressed in a revealing bikini, her body perfectly sculpted, every curve accentuated by the tight fabric. Her sharp eyes were fixed on him, a familiar teasing smirk playing on her lips as she took in his disheveled appearance. Kai blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Pft," Kira scoffed, crossing her arms under her chest, pushing her posture forward just enough to make sure Kai noticed. "I'm still surprised you live in this filthy slum." She made a show of looking around his shabby room, the faded walls and broken furniture doing little to defend against her mocking tone. "Honestly, Kai, this place is a dump."
Kai scratched his head, still half-asleep, and mumbled, "It's not that bad…" He glanced behind her, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming in from the street. "What are you doing here this early?"
Kira's smirk widened as she straightened up. "I came to see if you wanted to come to the river with me and Sarah." She shifted slightly, giving him a sidelong glance as she adjusted the strap of her bikini top. "It's going to be a beautiful day. Water's probably warm by now."
Kai blinked, trying not to get too distracted by her subtle showing off. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "The river? I wasn't really planning to go today. I was going to… uh… do something else." He wasn't entirely sure what he had planned, but it certainly wasn't getting dragged to the river.
Kira raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping to a soft, teasing tone. "Oh? So you're turning down Sarah, too?"
Kai froze, suddenly more alert. He couldn't say no now. "Sarah's going?" he repeated, rubbing his nose awkwardly, trying to hide the way his face lit up. "Well, in that case… hehe, I guess I'll go."
Kira's expression soured in an instant. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as her teasing smile was replaced with a scowl. "Tch." She reached out and grabbed his arm roughly, her fingers digging into his skin as she yanked him out of the door. "Let's go then, idiot."
Kai stumbled forward, barely keeping up with her sudden movement. "Ow, hey! You don't have to drag me!" he protested, but Kira's grip only tightened as they walked.
As they made their way through the narrow streets, Kira's grip slowly loosened, and they began to talk, the tension between them easing with every step.
"So, Kai," Kira began, her tone casual but tinged with something more. She didn't meet his eyes, instead focusing on the road ahead. "Have you, umm, ever had a crush on anyone?" She glanced sideways at him, her expression still casual, though there was a hint of nervousness in the way she avoided eye contact. "You know, you don't have to be shy with me. You can tell me."
Kai furrowed his brow, clearly confused. "Hmmm, what's a crush?"
Kira stopped walking, her eyes wide with disbelief. She turned to face him, hands on her hips, staring him down like he'd just said something outrageous. "What do you mean, what's a crush?!"
Kai shrugged nonchalantly, meeting her glare with a grin. "I'm serious. What's a crush?"
Kira let out an exasperated sigh, throwing her hands up in frustration. "Are you kidding me?! A crush is when you like someone, Kai! You know, when you're attracted to them!"
Kai scratched the back of his head, his expression still puzzled. "Ohhh, I see. Yeah, that makes sense. But I'm not sure if I've ever had one of those." He looked off into the distance, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought.
Kira's eye twitched. She stared at him, waiting, her foot tapping impatiently on the ground. "Well?" she prompted, her voice a little sharper than before.
Kai crossed his arms and nodded to himself, still thinking. "Let's see… Hmm… There was that one girl… Nah, I didn't like her that way. What about the other one? Nah, not her either." He paused, then looked back at Kira, completely oblivious to the growing frustration on her face. "Nope, I guess I don't really like anyone right now."
Kira's face turned bright red with fury, veins popping out on her forehead as she clenched her fists. Is this guy serious?! she screamed internally. She was practically grinding her teeth, trying to hold back her temper, but it was clear she was losing the battle.
Before she could unleash her anger, Kai pointed ahead. "Oh, look! We're here!" he exclaimed, completely unaware of her building rage.
The river came into view, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the morning sun. Near the edge of the water, Zetsu sat on a tree stump, looking as stoic as ever. Sarah knelt beside him, her hands glowing softly as she worked on healing his injuries. Zetsu's eyes flicked toward them as they approached, but he said nothing.
Kai wasted no time stripping off his shirt, tossing it aside as he stretched. His muscular, lean physique gleamed in the sunlight, each defined muscle rippling with his movements. Zetsu, in contrast, remained seated, his more modest athletic build not nearly as eye-catching as Kai's.
"Man," Kai said, grinning as he approached Zetsu, "I thought you were supposed to be in the hospital! It's so cool to see you out here with us."
Zetsu glanced up at him, his expression neutral but his tone dry. "Yeah, well, I was going to train, but Sir Gordon told me to come here instead."
Sarah, who had been quietly focused on healing Zetsu, shyly looked up, her face flushing as she spoke softly. "Z-Zetsu, I really think you should rest. Your body hasn't fully healed yet. It's not good to push yourself so soon…"
Kai, ever the troublemaker, mimicked Sarah's soft tone in a mock voice, grinning as he did. "Yeah, Zetsu, hang out with us. You're soooo cool, man. Please stay."
Zetsu shot him an irritated look, but said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Kai, turning his attention to Sarah, couldn't resist the opportunity to tease her as well. "Hehe, so where's your bikini, Sarah? Hehe."
Sarah's face turned a deep shade of crimson, her eyes widening in embarrassment. She fidgeted nervously, her hands wringing together as she stammered, "I-I-I don't feel comfortable wearing them…"
Kai, leaning closer with a playful grin, was about to make another suggestive comment when suddenly—
Whack!
Kira smacked him hard on the head, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Stop being a pervert, you idiot!" she snapped, glaring at him with enough intensity to make him take a step back.
Kai winced, rubbing the sore spot where she'd hit him, but he couldn't help laughing. "Ow! I was just kidding!"
Kira huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, clearly still irritated.
Once they all settled by the river, Kai waded into the water, feeling the coolness wash over him. The refreshing sensation helped calm his earlier teasing mood as he relaxed into the flow of the river. He glanced over and noticed Zetsu sitting a bit further downstream, still looking distant and detached, as Sarah continued to fuss over him.
Kai couldn't resist the urge to spark up a conversation, even though Zetsu wasn't the most talkative type. He swam over and leaned against a smooth rock, close enough to Zetsu to catch his attention. "Hey, Zetsu," Kai began, rubbing the back of his neck in his usual casual manner. "You know, we should train together sometime."
Zetsu didn't even look up from where he sat, his eyes focused on the slow-moving current in front of him. Kai was used to this—Zetsu wasn't exactly the chattiest guy, but that had never stopped him from trying. Kai stretched his arm out and lazily draped it over his neck as if the suggestion had just come to him. "I mean, c'mon, you could probably show me some cool magic. I bet I could learn a thing or two from you."
Zetsu's eyes flickered with the barest hint of acknowledgment, but his face remained as stoic as ever. "It's none of your business," Zetsu replied in his usual blunt tone. "And no, you cannot keep up with the intensity of my training."
Kai blinked, momentarily thrown off by Zetsu's immediate dismissal. But then, he let out a loud, hearty laugh, the sound echoing across the river. "Hah! Is that a challenge, Zetsu?" he said, his voice filled with humor. "Because, buddy, if it is, I'll be there. Whenever you're ready to train, I'm ready. You can count on me."
Zetsu remained silent for a moment, his gaze never leaving the water, as if weighing whether to dignify Kai's enthusiasm with a response. After a beat, he finally spoke, his voice flat and unamused. "It's not a challenge. It's a fact."
Kai grinned even wider, not deterred in the slightest. "We'll see about that. I may not be a demon like you, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Who knows? Maybe I'll surprise you!"
Zetsu finally turned his head to glance at Kai, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp. "Doubtful," he muttered, though there was a flicker of something—perhaps mild curiosity—in his gaze.
Kai's grin didn't falter. If anything, Zetsu's cold demeanor only made him more determined. "Hey, don't underestimate me just because I'm not some ancient demon warrior or whatever. I've got plenty of stamina and strength to back it up."
Zetsu turned away again, clearly not in the mood for any more banter. But Kai wasn't done yet. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice just enough to make it sound conspiratorial. "So... who taught you all that magic anyway? You're one hell of a caster for a demon, you know that, right?"
Zetsu's jaw tightened at the question, and he narrowed his eyes. "It's none of your business," he repeated, his tone sharper this time. "And don't think for a second I'm going to train with you."
Kai leaned back, his hands raised in surrender. "Alright, alright. Fair enough," he said, though the grin never left his face. He was enjoying this far too much to let Zetsu's cold responses get to him. "But the offer still stands, Zetsu. Whenever you're ready, I'll be there. And I promise—I'll keep up."
Zetsu gave him a sidelong glance, clearly not taking him seriously, but he didn't push the conversation further. Kai, on the other hand, felt a surge of excitement. It wasn't every day he got the chance to challenge someone like Zetsu, and he wasn't about to back down anytime soon.
As they both settled back into the peaceful flow of the river, the underlying tension between them didn't feel so negative anymore. If anything, it felt like the beginning of something—a rivalry, maybe, or even a strange sort of camaraderie. Either way, Kai wasn't going to let Zetsu get away with dismissing him so easily.
Kai chuckled to himself, knowing full well that this wouldn't be the last time they'd clash over training. In fact, he was already looking forward to the next round.
As Kai floated in the river, letting the current gently carry him, he turned his head towards Zetsu, who remained stoically seated by the riverbank, staring at the water. Kai, being his usual self, didn't like the silence much, especially when he had something on his mind.
"Hey, Zetsu," Kai started, lazily paddling to keep himself upright in the water, "Why don't you ever, like… smile?"
Zetsu didn't look at him. He seemed more interested in the water rippling around his fingers as he dipped them into the river, but he couldn't completely ignore Kai's question. "Why would I?" he replied flatly, not bothering to add more.
Kai blinked, genuinely confused. "I dunno, just... seems like something people do, right? Like, when they're happy or something. Or maybe when something funny happens."
Zetsu's brow furrowed slightly, but he still didn't look at Kai. "You think I have a reason to be happy?"
Kai didn't pick up on the hint of darkness in Zetsu's tone and instead bobbed his head enthusiastically. "Yeah! I mean, look around you, man! Nice water, sun's out, birds are singing. What's not to be happy about?"
Zetsu finally turned his head slightly, giving Kai a sideways glance, his expression still unreadable. "Happiness is a fleeting illusion. There are more important things in life."
Kai, now floating on his back with his arms spread out, squinted at Zetsu through the sunlight. "Important things? Like what?"
Zetsu paused for a moment, perhaps wondering if Kai was really this dense or just playing with him. "Power. Survival. Duty," Zetsu listed off in his usual cold, deliberate manner.
Kai's face twisted in confusion. "That's it? No food, no friends, no fun? You can't tell me you don't like a good meal every once in a while."
Zetsu looked back at the river, his voice as emotionless as ever. "Food is sustenance. Friends are distractions. Fun… is a waste of time."
Kai splashed water in his own face and shook his head, almost as if trying to shake Zetsu's logic out of his mind. "Man, Zetsu, you've gotta loosen up! You're too serious all the time. Ever tried eating something just 'cause it tastes good? Or hanging out just for fun?"
Zetsu, now visibly irritated, kept his gaze forward. "Fun doesn't matter when there are more important tasks at hand. You're too... simplistic."
Kai didn't even catch the jab. "Heh, well, maybe I am! But being simple makes life less complicated, right? Like, why worry about stuff when you can just enjoy it?"
Zetsu closed his eyes briefly, trying to keep himself from snapping. Kai's carefree attitude was baffling to him, though somewhere deep down, maybe even infuriatingly, it was also something he vaguely envied—Kai's ignorance to the burdens of life. Zetsu finally sighed. "You're impossible."
Kai grinned, taking Zetsu's response as a small victory. "Thanks! I try to be. It's part of my charm."
For a brief moment, Zetsu wondered how this man had survived so long. He decided to humor him, if only to avoid more ridiculous questions. "What do you even want from life, Kai?"
Kai tilted his head, thinking about it, completely unaware of the weight of Zetsu's question. "Hmm… What do I want? Well, I guess… to be strong, I guess. You know, like you! Strong enough to protect people, and maybe… uh, be famous too? Yeah, famous sounds fun!"
Zetsu finally turned his head fully to look at Kai, raising an eyebrow. "You think fame will help you protect people?"
Kai's grin didn't falter. "Why not? If people know I'm strong, they'll come to me for help, right? It's like… if I'm famous, I'll get more chances to be a hero! And everyone loves heroes."
Zetsu's stare hardened, though there was something almost pitiful in it now. "You're a fool, Kai. Strength isn't a tool for fame. It's a necessity for survival. Fame will only put a target on your back."
Kai shrugged, completely unconcerned. "Eh, sounds exciting to me! Targets or not, I'm always up for a good challenge."
Zetsu shook his head slowly. "You don't understand the weight of what you're saying."
Kai blinked and scratched his head, genuinely confused. "What do you mean? Like, isn't being strong just… being strong?"
Zetsu stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to figure out whether Kai was joking or actually this oblivious. "Strength comes with responsibility. And responsibility means sacrifice. The stronger you are, the more you have to give up. Friends, peace, freedom. You won't have the luxury to be as... carefree as you are now."
Kai, still not fully grasping Zetsu's point, shrugged. "Pfft, that's future Kai's problem. Right now, I'm just living, man!"
Zetsu stared at him for a moment longer, then let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "You're impossible," he repeated, though this time it lacked the irritation from before. It was almost as if he accepted that Kai would never change.
Kai's wide grin returned. "And you wouldn't have me any other way!" he declared, slapping Zetsu lightly on the shoulder.
Zetsu remained silent, but he didn't push Kai's hand away. Maybe, just maybe, there was something to Kai's carefree attitude that allowed him to exist as he did. Zetsu would never admit it, but there was a strange, begrudging respect growing for Kai's relentless optimism and obliviousness.
As they both returned to their respective places in the river, the quiet once again settled between them, but the air seemed a little lighter. Even Zetsu, for all his coldness, seemed to relax just a little—though he'd never say it aloud.
Kai floated by, still humming some tune in his head, completely unaware that he had just left a lasting impression on someone as distant and mysterious as Zetsu.
As the afternoon sun shimmered on the river, Kira and Sarah sat on the soft grass by the riverbank, watching Kai and Zetsu in the water. Kira stretched her arms and leaned back, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Kai as she crossed her legs, enjoying the calm setting.
"So, Sarah," Kira started, her voice casual but probing, "you and Zetsu... you guys are really close, huh?" She raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Sarah, who immediately blushed and shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh, um... w-well," Sarah stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, "Zetsu... he's... nice, I guess. In his own way." She twiddled her fingers, her eyes downcast as if talking about Zetsu made her nervous.
Kira smirked at Sarah's bashfulness, though her own tone remained friendly. "Nice, huh? That's not really the word I'd use for him. He seems... more like a walking storm cloud most of the time."
Sarah let out a soft laugh, though she quickly covered her mouth as if laughing at Zetsu was something forbidden. "He's... complicated," she admitted quietly. "I don't think people really understand him. B-but I don't mind. I know he's had it hard."
Kira sighed dramatically and lay down on the grass, looking up at the sky. "You're too sweet for your own good, Sarah. Sometimes I wonder how someone like you puts up with all that brooding and silence. Doesn't it get lonely?"
Sarah glanced over at Kira, her green hair falling softly into her face as she brushed it aside. "I... I don't mind. I mean, Zetsu doesn't talk much, but... it's like he doesn't need to. I know he cares. He just... doesn't show it the way others do." She smiled a little, the kind of smile that revealed her genuine affection for Zetsu, despite his cold demeanor.
Kira tilted her head to the side, watching Sarah carefully. "You know, that's kind of impressive. Most people wouldn't have the patience for someone like him." She leaned in slightly, teasing, "Maybe you've got a tougher side we don't know about, huh?"
Sarah blushed deeper and quickly waved her hands. "N-no! I'm not tough at all! I'm just... I guess I'm used to him. He's really... kind when you get to know him." She bit her lip, shyly lowering her gaze to the ground.
Kira couldn't help but smile at Sarah's modesty. She sat back up and nudged her lightly. "Well, that's good, I guess. If you can see the kind side of Zetsu, then you're definitely seeing something no one else does."
Sarah gave a tiny, embarrassed laugh, and the conversation fell into a comfortable lull. The sounds of the river and distant birds filled the space between them.
After a few moments, Kira broke the silence with a sigh. "You know... it's kind of crazy seeing you and Zetsu together. It's like... the quietest couple ever. Meanwhile, I'm always stuck dragging Kai around, trying to keep him from being a complete idiot."
Sarah looked up, her shyness softening as she offered a gentle smile. "Kai's... really energetic. But I think it's kind of nice. He's always trying to make people smile."
Kira groaned, rolling her eyes but with a fond smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, that's one way to put it. He's an idiot, but he's my idiot, I guess." She looked over at Kai, who was splashing around and talking Zetsu's ear off, completely oblivious to the fact that Zetsu was ignoring him. "He just doesn't know when to stop, though. He'll keep going even if the world's falling apart."
Sarah chuckled softly. "That's what makes him special. He's... carefree. It's something people admire about him."
Kira raised an eyebrow. "Admire? That goofball? More like they can't believe he's still alive with how reckless he is."
Sarah shook her head gently. "I think it's more than that. Kai's got this... light. He makes things brighter, you know? Even Zetsu, in his own way, seems to respect him."
Kira squinted, looking back at Kai in disbelief. "Zetsu? Respecting Kai? That'd be the day." She smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, but she knew Sarah wasn't completely wrong.
Sarah just smiled softly, clearly seeing something that Kira didn't. "I think Zetsu respects anyone who fights for something important. And Kai... he's always fighting for others."
Kira sighed again, leaning back into the grass, her hands behind her head. "You're too nice, Sarah. You see the best in everyone. I'm sitting here ready to smack Kai upside the head half the time."
Sarah gave a small, knowing laugh. "Maybe that's why he likes you so much. You balance him out."
Kira's face flushed slightly at that, though she quickly turned her head away to hide it. "Pft, whatever. He's still an idiot." But even as she said it, the affection in her voice was undeniable.
The two women fell into another silence, watching the river glisten under the sun as Kai and Zetsu continued their own strange, unbalanced interaction in the water. Though their partners were so different—one a ball of chaos, the other a silent force—Kira and Sarah found common ground in their understanding of them. It was an odd dynamic, but somehow, it worked.
Kira leaned her head back, looking up at the sky. "You know, Sarah... it's nice to have someone to talk to about all this. Usually, I'm the one dealing with Kai's mess, but you get it."
Sarah nodded, her smile as warm as ever. "I understand. It's nice to talk too."
Kira glanced at Sarah, grinning a little mischievously. "So, Sarah... any plans on getting Zetsu to wear something other than that gloomy outfit he's always in? Maybe some bright colors, huh? Something more... fun?"
Sarah's eyes widened in shock. "Oh! N-no, I couldn't! Zetsu... he'd never..." She trailed off, imagining Zetsu in bright colors, and she giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "I-I don't think he'd like that."
Kira chuckled and gave Sarah a playful nudge. "Yeah, probably not. But hey, a girl can dream, right?"
Sarah's blush deepened, and she softly laughed again, the warmth of their conversation making her feel more comfortable. "Maybe one day..." she whispered.
Kira stretched her arms again, feeling content. "Yeah, maybe one day. Until then, I'll keep trying to knock some sense into Kai. And you? Keep doing whatever magic you're working on Zetsu. It's clearly working."
Sarah smiled, her shyness giving way to a bit more confidence. "Thank you, Kira. I'll try."
And with that, they both relaxed in the warmth of the afternoon, the gentle sound of the river carrying their quiet thoughts and unspoken understanding as they watched over the two very different men who had somehow found their way into their hearts.
As the afternoon sun shimmered down on the river, Sarah sat quietly on the grass, her legs tucked under her as she shyly watched Zetsu from a distance. Kira, lying back with her hands behind her head, was lazily enjoying the day. The calm atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by Kai splashing out of the water, his eyes locked on Sarah with his usual goofy grin.
Kai, still dripping from his swim, strolled over to the two girls, flexing his muscles without even realizing it. His shirt was nowhere to be seen, and his lean physique was on full display. He wiped his wet hair back and gave Sarah a playful smirk.
"Hey, Sarah!" Kai called out, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Why don't you come swim with us? I mean, it's a perfect day, and you're just sitting there on the grass... alone..." He paused dramatically, giving her an exaggerated puppy-eyed look. "Don't you feel lonely?"
Sarah's face immediately turned a deep shade of red. "Oh! Um... n-no, I'm fine here," she stammered, trying to avoid eye contact.
Kira, sensing where this was going, rolled her eyes and muttered, "Oh great, here we go again..." under her breath.
Kai, completely oblivious to Kira's remark, squatted down in front of Sarah, leaning in closer with a mischievous grin. "C'mon, Sarah, you know you'd have fun. Plus, you look like you could use some excitement." He gave her a wink that he clearly thought was smooth, but Kira, watching from behind him, could only shake her head.
Sarah, flustered beyond belief, shook her head rapidly. "N-no, really, I-I'm okay. I don't really, um, swim much..."
Kai grinned even wider, as if taking it as a challenge. "Oh? You don't know how to swim? No worries, I can totally teach you! I'm like... the best swimmer ever." He puffed out his chest, clearly full of himself.
Kira couldn't hold back any longer. "Kai, stop being an idiot," she said, sitting up and glaring at him. "She said she doesn't want to go, so leave her alone."
But Kai wasn't listening. He was too focused on Sarah, who was still looking anywhere but at him. "You know, Sarah," Kai continued, completely undeterred, "if you ever need help picking out a swimsuit, I'm your guy. I've got a great eye for that stuff." He gave a playful, over-the-top laugh. "I mean, it's just about picking the right... style, you know?"
Sarah's face was now burning red, and she could barely string together a sentence. "I-I... um... that's not... I..."
Kira slapped her forehead in exasperation. "Kai, seriously. Stop embarrassing her."
Kai blinked and looked over his shoulder at Kira, confused. "Embarrassing? Nah, I'm just helping her out! Right, Sarah?" He turned back to her, still grinning, clearly not understanding the situation.
Sarah, who was now fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress, whispered, "I... I think I'll stay here... but thank you..."
Kai looked momentarily disappointed, but he quickly perked up. "Alright, alright, no problem. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me!" He gave her a playful finger gun
feeling of concern that lingered in her heart. Kai was particularly worrisome. She had never seen him so focused, so driven to the point of obsession. His usual lighthearted nature had been swallowed by this all-consuming need to be stronger, faster, better.
As much as Kira respected his determination, she missed the old Kai—the one who would laugh at the silliest things, the one who could always lighten the mood with his goofy antics. She couldn't help but wonder if this new version of him, so consumed by his goal, would ever find his way back to the person he used to be.
Meanwhile Zetsu stood at the edge of the village, staring out at the distant lights that flickered in the evening gloom. The village of Elaris, like many others, was a place of warmth and community for its human inhabitants. But for Zetsu, it had never been home.
He had growngesture, stood up, and stretched. "I'll be waiting in the water if you need some swimming lessons," he added with a wink.
Just as Kai was about to walk away, Kira grabbed him by the arm and yanked him back down. "Kai, you're such a dumbass," she said, glaring at him. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
Kai looked at her with wide eyes, still completely unaware of his awkwardness. "What? I was just being nice!" he protested.
Kira groaned. "You're not being 'nice,' you're being a clueless idiot. Sarah's not interested in your stupid flirting."
Kai blinked, glancing back at Sarah, who was still blushing furiously. "Wait, was I flirting? I was just... you know... being friendly!" he said, clearly confused.
Kira stared at him in disbelief. "Kai, you are literally the most oblivious person I've ever met."
Kai scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "I thought I was just, you know... helping her have fun. I wasn't... like... flirting or anything, right?" He glanced over at Sarah again, as if waiting for her to confirm his innocence.
Sarah, still red-faced and too embarrassed to speak, simply nodded weakly, trying to avoid drawing more attention to herself.
Kira sighed, shaking her head. "You're hopeless, Kai."
Kai just laughed it off, completely unfazed. "Well, if being nice is flirting, then I guess I'm guilty as charged!" He grinned proudly, as if he had just won a prize.
Sarah gave a small, shy smile despite herself, but remained silent, still too flustered to join in the conversation.
Kira rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "You're so lucky you're cute, Kai..."
Kai, completely missing the sarcasm, flashed Kira a wide grin. "Thanks, Kira! I knew you thought I was cute!"
Kira groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "I give up."
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the river, the day was winding down. Zetsu and Sarah had already left, Sarah having shyly bid her goodbyes while Zetsu kept his usual silent demeanor. Kai, however, was still busy splashing around in the water, enjoying himself without a care in the world. Kira sat on the riverbank, quietly watching him with her arms crossed and an expression that hid her true feelings.
She'd been planning something all day, something she hadn't told anyone about. Kira glanced at Kai, who was now trying to see how many skips he could get from a rock he'd just thrown. Her heart gave a slight flutter, despite her usual frustration with his goofiness. She took a deep breath and stood up, brushing the dirt off her clothes.
"Hey, Kai!" she called out, her voice a little softer than usual.
Kai turned around mid-skip, beaming as he waved at her. "Yeah? What's up, Kira?"
She hesitated for a second, her confidence wavering, but quickly recomposed herself. "How about we... go somewhere? You know, just the two of us?" Her tone was casual, but there was an underlying seriousness to it.
Kai, oblivious as ever, grinned brightly. "Sure! Where are we going? To grab some food or something? I'm starving!" He gave his stomach a playful pat and laughed, completely missing the subtle hint in her voice.
Kira sighed, her eyes narrowing in mild frustration, but she kept her cool. "Yeah, something like that," she muttered under her breath. She cleared her throat, quickly adding, "I know a nice place we could go to. It's, uh... kinda special."
Kai, still clueless, perked up even more. "Ooooh, special place? Like a secret hideout or something? That sounds awesome! Lead the way, Kira!"
She shot him a sideways glance, biting back the urge to say something snarky. "Yeah... something like that," she said again, this time with a bit more edge in her voice. Despite his obliviousness, she couldn't help but feel the warmth growing inside her. His carefree nature was part of what made her love him, even though it drove her insane most of the time.
As they began walking back toward the village, the sky turning deeper shades of purple and pink, Kira casually linked her arm with his. She could feel her heart racing, but she played it off like it was nothing. Kai didn't seem to think twice about it, smiling as he babbled on about some wild fight training ideas he had.
Kira tried to keep up with the conversation, nodding and throwing in the occasional "uh-huh" and "yeah," but her mind was elsewhere. She was trying to figure out how to get him to understand what this really was. A date. Something she had been wanting to do for a while, though she'd never admit it out loud. Not yet, anyway.
Finally, they arrived at a small, cozy spot by the village's outskirts—an old, rustic restaurant with twinkling lanterns hanging above the outdoor seating area. It was quiet, with only a few other people scattered around. The soft glow of the lanterns reflected in the calm pond nearby, giving the place an almost magical feel.
Kai blinked in awe. "Whoa! This place is amazing! How come I've never been here before?"
Kira smirked, feeling a small victory at his amazement. "Because you're too busy doing stupid things to notice anything," she teased lightly. "But, yeah, I thought you'd like it."
Kai grinned wide, clearly impressed. "Oh yeah! This is perfect! Thanks, Kira!" He glanced around, still completely oblivious to the romantic vibe she was trying to create. "Is this like... a place you come to train your focus or something? 'Cause it seems super peaceful!"
Kira facepalmed internally but smiled at him nonetheless. "No, Kai. It's not for training. It's for... relaxing. You know, like... enjoying the company of someone special."
Kai cocked his head, puzzled. "Special? Oh! You mean like Zetsu and Sarah, right? They come here and... relax?" He scratched his head. "Man, I gotta try that sometime. Zetsu's so serious all the time."
Kira let out a soft groan, her patience starting to wane, but her heart still felt light being around him. "No, Kai. I'm talking about us." She gave him a pointed look, hoping he'd finally catch on.
Kai blinked a few times, clearly trying to piece things together. "Ohhh... Wait, are you saying we're—"
"On a date, Kai," Kira finally said, her voice exasperated yet soft. "This is a date."
The realization hit Kai like a brick wall, and he froze for a moment, his eyes wide. "Wait, really? A date? Like... a real date? With... me?"
Kira couldn't help but chuckle at his innocence. She nodded, her blush returning. "Yes, Kai. With you."