The night air felt different—lighter, softer—as if the world itself sensed John Merciless was about to do something he never did.
He sat across from Tessandra at the small pavilion table, wine glasses faintly glowing from the lantern-light. His suit and mask still on, he exhaled slowly… then lifted his gaze to her.
John:
"Because I like you… I'm going to show you the real me. The me behind the mask and the suit."
Tessandra froze—not in fear, but because she understood exactly how heavy those words were for someone like him.
And somewhere far, far away—inside Hoshigawa, the divine restaurant—Arata was wiping down a counter and watching everything unfold like a proud dad.
Arata (grinning):
"That's my boy, John…"
He snapped his fingers, making the lantern light around John shimmer.
Arata (telepathically):
"I got you. Go change. Pavilion mirror—you'll know what to do."
John stood, Tessandra looking up at him quietly as he walked into the pavilion.
Inside, divine-light curtains parted. A mirror appeared.
He took a breath.
Then he removed the mask.
Blue hair—long, smooth, falling like water down his shoulders.
Ocean-blue eyes—deep, calm, powerful.
Blue-and-white RUIBOCOS pants and matching hoodie.
Blue and white earrings that glimmered like fragments of a star tide.
He stared at his reflection.
And for the first time in a long time… he smiled.
He stepped out of the pavilion.
Tessandra looked up—then froze, lips parting, breath catching. Her pupils widened, her cheeks warmed immediately.
She whispered, almost to herself:
Tessandra:
"…John?"
John:
"The real one."
She stood and walked toward him slowly, as if memorizing every step she took until she reached him. Her fingers brushed his cheek lightly.
Tessandra:
"Beautiful."
He huffed a soft laugh and guided her back to the table.
They sat together, wine glasses in hand. The pavilion opened into the endless garden John manifested—flowers glowing under moonlight.
Tessandra:
"Why hide something like this?"
John:
"Because beauty draws attention. Power draws fear. And I'm tired of both."
She smirked.
Tessandra:
"Too late. You have mine."
He exhaled through his nose, amused.
They talked—really talked.
About battles.
About weight.
About why Tessandra fights.
About why John carries the entire world like it's his personal obligation.
She didn't treat him like a monster.
He didn't treat her like she needed protecting.
They matched.
Perfectly.
Naturally.
Like two storms that just happened to spiral in the same direction.
And when she laughed—genuine, unrestrained—John leaned back in his seat, thinking:
…yeah. She's trouble. The good kind.
Meanwhile Inside…
Kaelen, Alzwalt, and Kaelven were hunched together around a low floating table, controllers in hand, faces tense.
Kaelven:
"YOU CHEATED, KAELEN!"
Kaelen:
"It's not cheating if you're slow."
Alzwalt:
"Both of you pipe down—IMMA WIN—NOOOO WHAT THE—?!"
He threw his controller and screamed dramatically.
Later, John and Tessandra returned along the glowing flower path.
They walked slowly, arms brushing.
Then John slipped his hand into hers.
She interlocked her fingers without hesitation.
They walked like a married couple who had done this a thousand times.
Smiling.
Talking softly.
Comfortable.
Warm.
When they stepped inside—
Alzwalt looked up, saw John's new appearance, froze… then shot up from his seat.
Alzwalt:
"If it ain't my boy JOHN—looking GOOD, bruh!"
John rolled his eyes.
Tessandra burst into laughter, leaning into John's shoulder.
John just smirked.