Yu Zhou brought Daigo into the Super Victory Team's hall.
Among them, Shin Asuka had already met Daigo once before on Planet Dais, and he also knew the truth—that Daigo was none other than Ultraman Tiga.
However, only Asuka knew this. The other members of the Super Victory Team merely thought of Daigo as a respected senior from the original Victory Team. None of them were aware of his unique identity.
"Everyone," Yu Zhou said as they entered the hall, "allow me to introduce you. This is a senior from the original Victory Team—Daigo."
"Hello, everyone."
Daigo greeted the group with a warm smile. Looking at these young members of the Super Victory Team, his mind drifted back to his own days as a Victory Team officer. At that time, he had been just like them—young, eager, and burning with energy.
"Hello, Senior Daigo!"
The Super Victory Team members bowed politely. They all held deep respect for someone who had once fought on the frontlines before them.
Compared to the others, Asuka was far more familiar with Daigo. Not only had they met before, but they also shared a deeper connection as bearers of the Giants of Light.
So, Asuka personally introduced each of his teammates to Daigo one by one.
Captain Hibiki, of course, already knew about Daigo. He greeted him with a constant smile, but in his heart, he was already thinking: If I could persuade a veteran like him to help train the younger generation, the results would be incredible.
Yu Zhou did not immediately mention that Daigo might remain with them for a longer period. That was something Daigo still had to discuss with Rena before deciding.
As for the issue of the mysterious alien "Kokakucho," Yu Zhou and Daigo had prepared some intel to share with the Super Victory Team. That, for now, was all the two veterans could do. The real battles ahead would have to be fought by these younger successors.
Later, with Daigo's family having returned to Earth, Yu Zhou decided to host them for dinner. He invited Daigo, Rena, and their child to his home for a proper meal.
Daigo remembered Yu Zhou's cooking skills well—he had tasted them before and knew they were extraordinary. So, when Yu Zhou extended the invitation, he accepted right away.
Of course, Daigo and Rena still had their own residence on Earth. They wanted to stop there first and tidy up a bit. Yu Zhou understood and let them go ahead, while he went off to the market to prepare the ingredients.
This time, Yu Zhou deliberately chose more "yang-type" ingredients, even adding a touch of a special tonic he had bought on a Terran-like planet—Dragon Tiger Vitality Pills—to enhance the meal's nutritional value.
Too bad Masaki is still on R'lyeh, Yu Zhou thought to himself as he shopped. Otherwise, I'd invite him too. Maybe even introduce him to someone… and who knows, maybe someday his kids and Daigo's could end up engaged.
After buying what he needed, Yu Zhou returned home. But the moment he opened the door, he froze—Camearra was sitting there at the computer, shopping online.
"Damn! I completely forgot Camearra was still living here!"
If Daigo and Rena showed up now and saw Camearra living under the same roof with him, there would be no way to explain it away. Even if nothing improper had happened, appearances alone would make it impossible for them to believe it was innocent.
This looks bad… really bad.
Then an idea struck him. Right! Dack!
Ever since parting from his role as Yu Zhou's "cosmic navigator," Dack had also been living on Earth—residing in the house Yu Zhou had purchased for him, mainly to take care of Yuka.
Yu Zhou went to knock on Dack's door, but there was no response.
"Must've gone out with Yuka…" Yu Zhou sighed.
With no chance of Dack showing up to help break the awkward atmosphere, Yu Zhou had no choice but to start cooking while mentally bracing himself for disaster.
…
Ding Dong!
Several hours later, the doorbell rang.
Yu Zhou was about to step out of the kitchen to open the door when he heard the sound of it clicking open—Camearra had beaten him to it.
"Yu—"
Daigo and Rena stood smiling at the door, ready to greet Yu Zhou. But their words caught in their throats when they saw Camearra standing there, wearing pyjamas.
"C-Camearra…"
Daigo froze, eyes darting from Camearra to the inside of the house and back again. He looked completely at a loss.
Rena's smile stiffened awkwardly, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. She knew exactly who Camearra was. But to see her here, in Yu Zhou's home, wearing sleepwear no less… there was only one conclusion anyone could draw.
They're living together.
And probably more than that.
"Daigo, Rena—you're here!" Yu Zhou rushed out of the kitchen with an embarrassed smile.
"Y-Yeah…" Daigo answered slowly. Then he quickly pulled Yu Zhou aside and whispered, "Yu Zhou-kun, since when are you living together with Camearra?!"
"You've got the wrong idea!" Yu Zhou whispered back frantically. "It's not what you think!"
"It's not about what I think," Daigo muttered back. "The problem is—look at her! She's in pyjamas, in your house! Do you really expect anyone to believe you if you say it's just a misunderstanding?"
Yu Zhou grimaced. "Daigo, you've got to believe me. I'm an upright man! I'd never do something like that!"
"Are you sure you're an upright man?"
"Absolutely!"
"Then why is Camearra wearing pyjamas in your house?"
"Daigo, trust me—"
"Pyjamas."
"Please!"
"In your house."
"… …"
Yu Zhou sighed helplessly. "Look, just know that nothing's going on between me and Camearra, alright?"
But it was clear Daigo wasn't buying it. Instead, he clapped Yu Zhou on the shoulder with a smile. "Congratulations. But… do take care of your health, alright?"
Yu Zhou's smile froze. "I—"
He had no choice but to grin and bear it as he ushered them inside, already planning to serve Daigo such a meal that he'd remember it as punishment.
Rena, for her part, greeted Camearra politely. She had once harboured resentment toward her, back when Camearra mistook Daigo for Tiga himself and even tried to get close to him. But now, with Camearra living here, it seemed the situation had changed.
Camearra responded with a calm smile, almost like a proper hostess. That only deepened Rena's suspicion that something intimate was going on between her and Yu Zhou.
This is insane, Rena thought, stealing a glance at the pair. Yu Zhou was barely in his twenties, while Camearra was a giant from over thirty million years ago. A twenty-something man with a partner old enough to be his ancestor—it was beyond outrageous.
But then again, Camearra looked no older than her twenties. Unlike Yuzare, who showed her age, Camearra's beauty was untouched by time.
Yu Zhou brought the meal out to the table. The fragrant aroma filled the room, and Daigo and Rena's stomachs growled despite themselves. Even little Hikari swallowed hard, clearly tempted, though he managed to hold back thanks to his parents' strict upbringing.
"Don't be shy. Eat whatever you like," Yu Zhou said with a smile.
Soon the meal began.
"This is delicious!" Daigo said between mouthfuls. "Yu Zhou-kun, your cooking is as amazing as ever!"
"Yes, it's wonderful," Rena agreed warmly. "It's been so long since I last had your cooking—I've really missed it."
"Here, Daigo," Yu Zhou said, sliding a plate of stir-fried kidney in front of him. "This is good for your health."
"And this soup too," he added, placing a steaming bowl by Daigo's hand.
Daigo sniffed it curiously. "What kind of soup is this? Smells… unusual."
"It's a special tonic soup. The taste may be strange, but it works wonders," Yu Zhou said vaguely. He certainly wasn't about to explain that it contained Dragon Tiger Vitality Pills.
Camearra quietly poured herself a bowl, tasted it, and then gave Yu Zhou a sly smile that made his stomach sink.
"Here," she said sweetly, refilling another bowl and holding it out to him. "Drink."
"Uh…" Yu Zhou froze.
"Will you drink it?" she asked again, eyes glinting.
"…Fine." Yu Zhou sighed and accepted the bowl. I've really dug my own grave this time.
Daigo, meanwhile, had already downed one bowl and was pouring himself another. "Yu Zhou-kun, this soup makes me feel so warm inside! Like I've got endless energy coursing through me!"
Rena sipped some herself, only to feel her face flush red almost immediately, like she'd had wine. She quickly realized what kind of "tonic" this was and blushed even more.
"This soup is amazing!" Daigo declared, happily alternating between the soup and the stir-fried kidneys.
Rena lowered her gaze, cheeks burning. She could already imagine what kind of night this meal was preparing them for.
Camearra kept smiling, watching Yu Zhou drink down his own bowl.
By the end of dinner, everyone was flushed—Daigo and Rena most of all. As they prepared to leave, Daigo clasped Yu Zhou's hand warmly. "Thank you for tonight's meal, Yu Zhou-kun!"
"Don't mention it. Come by anytime," Yu Zhou replied with a strained smile.
After the family left, Yu Zhou shut the door and turned… only to find Camearra staring straight at him, eyes gleaming.
The warmth of the soup burned through his body, making him restless. With Camearra standing there in pyjamas, temptation was creeping into his thoughts.
"I'll… go take a shower," Yu Zhou muttered, quickly escaping into the bathroom and turning the cold water on full blast. Only the icy water could cool his head now.
But then Camearra's voice came from outside the door, sweet and teasing.
"You didn't bring your clothes in with you."
Yu Zhou glanced at the shelf—sure enough, he had forgotten both his clothes and a towel.
"I'll bring them in for you…" Camearra's voice came again, seductive, and playful.
The flames Yu Zhou had been trying to suppress roared back to life.
This was going to be trouble.