Emilia: "Does your brother know?"
Jack: "Yeah. He thinks it's cool… but he doesn't get how dangerous it can be if you just shout it out loud."
Emilia: "Mhm. I think I understand. You know, my dad used to tell me the story of the legendary three-headed Storm Dragon. And about Kael Thundrend—the hero who once hosted it."
Jack looked away, jaw tightening.
Jack: "Yeah. I know that name. The dragons love talking about him. They never shut up about how they got 'downgraded'—from him… to me."
Emilia: "Wait—they talk to you?"
Jack: "You really don't know much about Beasts, huh?"
Emilia: "Only the stories. The legends."
Jack's eyes darkened.
Jack: "Trust me. It's not as pretty as it sounds."
Emilia smirked, leaning on the railing.
Emilia: "I think I know what you mean." She chuckled.
Jack's face went red in an instant.
Jack: "No! Not like that—I meant it differently."
Emilia burst out laughing, her cheeks pink.
Emilia: "I know, I know. Calm down, cool boy."
Jack turned away, forcing his breathing steady until his skin returned to its normal color.
Emilia: "To be honest? At first, I thought you were just like all the other boys I've met. Trying to act tough. Pretending to be cool."
Jack: "And then?"
Emilia: "Then I thought you were an asshole. Mean to everyone. But that wouldn't make sense, would it? Not when you stick with Henry like that."
Jack: "If you can even call it buddies. More like… colleagues."
Emilia chuckled softly.
Emilia: "Yeah, whatever you say. But I think you're just an overprotective big brother. Rejecting everyone… for their sake. And for your own brother's sake. Just like me."
Jack froze. His face went crimson again.
Emilia laughed louder this time, brushing a tear from her eye.
Jack (to himself): Oh man… I can totally toss away the idea of impressing her.
After days of sailing, the boat finally docked in Eryndor, the proud bay town at the Tsukikawa River.
Its architecture was unlike Gravental or Grenzborg—slender rooftops curved upward in Kagetsu style, wooden bridges arched across canals, and red lanterns swayed in the wind. A living blend of two nations' bloodlines.
The group split up until evening:
Henry went toward the city hall to find his old friend.
Emilia decided to go shopping.
Jack followed Lenny, who wanted to explore the streets.
Lenny: "Whoa, the buildings here look so different compared to Gravental and Grenzborg!"
Jack: "That's because they're based on Kagetsu Kingdom structures."
Lenny: "Awesome! I've never been outside Grafenberg Province. This is so cool!"
Jack sighed, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Jack: "Let's check for something to eat."
At a street stand, smoke and sizzling filled the air. Skewers of chicken glazed in glossy teriyaki sauce rotated slowly above the flames.
Jack: "Two portions of yakitori, please."
The cook nodded, his hands moving with practiced speed.
Lenny: "What should we do after eating? Maybe a bookstore? I want to grab some books."
Jack: "Yeah, we can do that."
Lenny: "Come on, big bro. You can also do what you want to do."
Jack: "This is what I want to do. As long as you're enjoying yourself, I am too."
Lenny frowned slightly.
Lenny: "I just… I just think you waste too much energy always protecting me."
Jack's gaze softened.
Jack: "Don't say that, Lenny. You're the only family I've got."
The cook set down the skewers.
Cook: "Two servings of yakitori!"
The aroma hit instantly, grilled chicken glistening, juices dripping, skewers steaming. Jack's and Lenny's mouths watered.
Jack reached for his skewer but paused. He froze mid-motion, his pupils narrowing.
A presence. Heavy. Sharp. A soul-aura—passing right behind him.
He turned swiftly, scanning the crowded street. But the presence was gone.
Lenny: "What's the matter, big bro?"
Jack clenched his teeth, then turned back, biting into the skewer.
Jack: "…Nothing. It was nothing."
Emilia walked out of the mall, her arms loaded with bags.
Emilia: "It's been a long time since I went shopping. And I've got money to burn."
She glanced up at the sunlit bay, smiling faintly.
Emilia: "The weather's perfect… Maybe I should go swimming. Maybe even buy a new bikini."
She suddenly froze. Dropped her bags.
A chill crawled up her spine. That aura. Familiar. But heavier. Stronger.
Emilia (thinking): What was that? No… it can't be. I know that aura. But when did he get this strong?
Her grip tightened on the bags. She picked them back up, breathing sharply, and walked faster toward the harbor.
Henry trudged up the stone steps, his stomach growling.
Henry: "Man, I'm starving… and broke."
Inside the city hall, he spoke to the secretary.
Secretary: "You're too early. His social work shift starts at three-thirty."
Henry: "Great. And I don't even have money for food…"
He walked back outside, collapsing onto a bench. His head hung low, frustration written all over his face.
Henry (muttering): "I should've asked Emilia for money. She'd never let me hear the end of it though…"
???: "Still getting bullied by your big sis, huh?"
The voice was casual. Familiar.
Henry's head shot up. He turned—and his face lit up.
Henry: "Ichiro!"
Standing there was a boy a little shorter than him, with long dark hair tied back, dressed in a simple dark-green shirt and trousers. In his hand was a worn wooden-head broom—the mark of his social work punishment.
Ichiro smirked faintly.
Ichiro: "It's been a long time, Henry."