After some weeks it's weekend time Rex had fully recovered, Kaizen and the others decided to meet at Akane's house the following weekend.
Surprisingly, this time Kaizen was early. In fact too early.
Akane stopped in her tracks at the gate, blinking in disbelief.
"Wait… am I dreaming, or did Mr. Brat actually wake up early and arrive on time today?" she teased, grinning wide.
Kaizen crossed his arms. "Don't be so shocked, you dumbo. I just slept early last night."
Before Akane could roast him further, Kaizen's mother stepped out of the house. "Oh, hello Akane! How are you, dear? Here to take Kaizen somewhere?"
"Yes, ma'am," Akane replied politely. "We're having a group study session at my place."
Kaizen's mom raised an eyebrow. "Group study? You mean with books? You sure it's not another food raid plan?"
Kaizen scratched his head. "Haha, no, Mom. I swear—it's for real this time. Rex's joining too."
Her expression softened. "Oh, Rex! Poor boy. Is he doing better now? I went to visit, but the address he gave was wrong." She looked at her watch and gasped. "Oh dear, I'm late for my flight! Bye, Kaizen! Bye, Akane! Take care, you two!"
She drove off, leaving the two standing at the gate.
"Well, there she goes," Kaizen muttered.
Akane smirked. "Alright, early bird, let's move. But where are the others?"
"I was gonna ask the same," Kaizen said. "I thought you'd be the late one for once."
Akane giggled. "I actually came early thinking you'd be late. Guess we swapped roles today."
Kaizen shrugged with a grin. "See? I can surprise you sometimes."
As they walked, Kaizen glanced at her. "You came on foot?"
"Yeah, I didn't wanna be lazy like you, brat."
"Hey! I'm not lazy!" Kaizen protested, pretending to be offended.
"Sure, sure," Akane laughed. "Anyway, let me call Berlin. We'll pick up the others."
A few minutes later, Berlin pulled up, waving. "Need a lift, boss lady?"
"Yep, pick-up mission," Akane said, hopping in. Kaizen followed, muttering, "Boss lady… really?"
They stopped by Krish and Yui's homes, and soon the whole group was crammed into the car.
Krish leaned forward with a grin. "Alright! Next stop—Rex's real house. Not the fake one he gave us last time."
When they arrived, everyone stared in disbelief at the massive bungalow.
Yui blinked. "Okay, wow. Another rich friend. I'm starting to feel poor."
Kaizen chuckled. "Told you, his parents are top teachers in the city."
Akane sighed. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Academic Royalty. Call him already."
Kaizen called Rex. "Hey, we're outside. Come out!"
Before Rex could appear, the front door burst open—and a cute girl sprinted straight toward Kaizen, hugging him tightly.
"Kaizen! You're here! Oh my god, look at you! You've grown so much! Your big sister missed you!" she squealed.
Kaizen froze like a statue while everyone else just… stared.
Akane's jaw dropped. "Uh, excuse me? Who the heck are you? And why are you hugging him like that!?"
Kaizen blinked. "Wait… Emilia? Is that you!?"
The girl giggled. "Who else? You didn't tell me you were back, dummy! Rex's mom told us some guys came to see him some days ago. She said Rex finally returned home after weeks and got little injured —so we got worried and rushed here. That's when Rex told me you were back in town!"
Kaizen scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "Ah… I see. So that's how you found out."
Akane crossed her arms. "Brat, you're seriously not going to introduce us?"
Krish smirked. "She seems… friendly."
Yui nodded shyly. "Very friendly."
Kaizen sighed. "Guys, meet Emilia—my childhood friend. We used to hang out with Rex all the time. She's two years older than me… and kinda clumsy."
"I'm not clumsy anymore!" Emilia pouted, sticking out her tongue.
The group laughed and introduced themselves—until Kaizen suddenly asked,
"Wait, then he is here too....
Emilia blinked. "He? Who—?"
Before she could finish, a voice thundered from inside:
"HEY! DANTE, WAIT—DON'T GO OUTSIDE!"
Too late.
A tall boy dashed out, charged straight at Kaizen, and drop-kicked him into the wall.
"You damn bastard!" the boy yelled. "How dare you get close to my sister again!?"
Everyone gasped.
Akane stepped forward, furious. "Who the heck are you, huh!?"
Kaizen groaned, dusting off his jacket. "Oh great… it's been a while, Dante."
He cracked his neck and smirked. "Still kicking people before saying hi, huh?"
"Oh, shut up!" Dante lunged again, but this time Emilia grabbed him—then punched him in the head.
"OW! Sis, what was that for!?"
"You moron!" Emilia yelled. "That's Kaizen! Our childhood friend! You nearly broke his ribs!"
"But I thought he was scaring you again!" Dante whined. "You should stay away from this maniac!"
"Scaring me? You mean the guy who used to carry you on his back when you cried after losing your toy car?" she shot back.
Everyone froze. Krish was barely holding in his laughter.
Akane mumbled under her breath, "Okay… this family's wild."
Rex finally appeared, rubbing the back of his head. "Uh… sorry, guys. I told him not to get too excited."
Yui smiled awkwardly. "It's okay, no harm done. Kaizen's used to flying kicks by now."
Kaizen groaned. "Not the kind that come with emotional trauma."
Emilia laughed. "Alright, everyone! Let's go inside before Dante causes more chaos."
Krish whispered as they entered, "Bro… your childhood sounds like a fighting anime."
Kaizen sighed. "You have no idea."