When Akira and Adi arrived at the place, Shakti was already waiting.
The tall, statuesque captain of the Ganesha Familia stood with arms crossed, her sharp gaze landing on the peculiar sight before her. Her expression barely shifted, save for the slight furrow of her brow.
She stepped forward and muttered a few words to the two of them—calm, but unmistakably reprimanding.
Akira could only scratch the back of his head awkwardly, the weight of guilt heavy in his chest. He hadn't meant for things to spiral like that.
Day 4.
The sunlight of a new morning filtered lazily through the soft clouds, scattering golden rays upon the stone streets and winding alleys of Orario.
The city had already begun to stir. But unlike the previous few days, Adi was busy with her own duties, unable to join Akira.
So, he ventured out alone—destination: the Fourth District: Happy District.
The name might have sounded cheerful, but Akira already knew what kind of place it really was. He'd heard about it from many people in the familia.
A street known not just for its lights and luxury, but for the ambiguous nature of its "romance."
Just to be safe, he pulled up his hood, tucking his face into shadow.
As soon as he stepped onto Happy Street, his senses were instantly bombarded.
Rowdy voices echoed from taverns, the teasing strum of stringed instruments danced through the air, and from the shadowed corners of alleys came muffled whispers and occasional sounds that made even a seasoned adventurer like Akira blush.
The atmosphere reeked of indulgence. Akira furrowed his brow, quickening his pace. He wasn't here to enjoy the "hospitality."
He was here to set up defensive magic circles. Nothing more, nothing less.
Navigating the tangled paths, Akira relied on his sharpened perception to find suitable, secluded places. In each one, he crouched low, drawing swift, complex runes with his feather pen.
Flickering trails of light followed his strokes, weaving ancient magic into the air itself. Throughout the process, Akira kept a low profile, his senses alert, watching for any signs of unwanted attention.
Time passed quickly.
By the time he was done, the skies had darkened.
Night fell on Happy Street and the decadence only intensified.
But Akira had long since finished his work. Dragging his tired body through the glowing alleyways, he made his way back to the Stardust Garden under the soft luminescence of streetlamps.
A new day again.
Sunlight spilled in through the windows, casting warm hues across Akira's sleeping face. He slowly stirred, blinking into the morning light.
With a long stretch, he recalled the sights and sounds the day before and sighed.
Too much stimulation for one patrol.
Thankfully, the First District, where the Stardust Garden was located, had already been fully secured.
Only two areas remained.
Akira wandered the halls of the mansion until he found Ryuu in the courtyard. There she was—alone on a wooden bench, bathed in soft sunlight.
Her long golden hair danced gently in the breeze, her gaze unfocused, seemingly lost in thought. The entire scene looked like a painting come to life.
Akira's lips curved into a playful smile. With light steps, he snuck up beside her—then, without hesitation, lay his head on her lap.
"Wha—!?" Ryuu blinked in surprise, startled by the sudden contact.
But Akira simply stretched, as if settling into the coziest pillow in the world. The sensation of her soft thighs against the back of his head made him squint in satisfaction.
He tilted his head up to look at her face, and caught the exact moment when her cheeks flushed pink.
A warm fragrance enveloped him—clean soap, faint floral perfume, and something uniquely Ryuu.
"W-What's wrong, Akira?" Ryuu asked softly, a faint tremble in her voice.
Despite her flustered state, her right hand instinctively stroked Akira's hair—tender, slow, comforting. Her other hand hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure of what to do, until Akira reached up and gently laced their fingers together.
Their hands fit perfectly.
At the touch, the blush on Ryuu's face deepened. Even her ears turned red.
Akira chuckled lightly and asked, "Ryuu, will you accompany me on patrol today?"
She blinked.
"…Of course I can." She replied softly. "But, hasn't Akira been going alone lately? Why the sudden request?"
Akira said with a grin, "You say it's patrol but you know what I've really been doing these past few days, right?"
Ryuu nodded slowly. She was well aware that Akira had been secretly installing surveillance-type magic circles throughout the city, preparing against a potential Evilus attack.
Akira gently poked her stomach, teasing. "But doing all that alone is boring, you know? So I thought… I'd drag someone along."
"I see." Ryuu said, a faint smile forming. "Then I'll come with you."
She didn't hesitate. Not even for a second.
Akira's eyes sparkled. He sprang up, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to her feet.
"Alright then, let's start our date."
"E-Eh!? Wait, what do you mean by 'date'!?" Ryuu's face turned bright red in an instant.
She tried to resist, to demand clarification, but Akira's grip was firm—his fingers entwined with hers as he charged ahead without pause.
"GO, GO, GO!" His shout echoed down the hallway.
"Wait! Listen to me!" Ryuu protested, but the smile tugging at her lips revealed her true thoughts.
She no longer struggled. She let herself be pulled forward, her heart pounding just a bit faster than before. And deep inside, she couldn't help but wonder—
What kind of "date" will this patrol turn out to be…?
...
Though it was officially under the pretense of a "date," both Akira and Ryuu were well aware of their true purpose.
This was not just about walking hand-in-hand through the city or enjoying each other's company—it was about carrying out an important mission to safeguard Orario.
And yet, during these two days, the two of them could always be seen strolling through the lively streets and quiet alleys of the city... fingers tightly interlocked.
A surprising scene, indeed.
Even more unexpectedly, the pedestrians who crossed paths with them seemed to recognize them almost immediately.
After all, one was Akira, the fastest-leveling adventurer in Orario's history and the other was Ryuu, the once-famous "Rising Star" of the city.
They were not just familiar faces—they were legendary ones.
Curious glances turned to outright stares. What began as occasional side-eyes quickly became open smiles and whispered chatter, with many fantasizing about the budding relationship between the two.
Ryuu could barely handle the attention. Her already fair cheeks turned a noticeable shade of red under the weight of so many eyes.
Embarrassed, she instinctively leaned closer to Akira, seeking refuge from the invisible arrows of curiosity being fired in their direction.
After a moment of hesitation, she reached into the small bag at her waist and pulled out her black mask. Sliding it on, she sighed softly—her anxious expression finally softening just a little.
Still, she clutched Akira's hand tighter than before—as if anchoring herself with his presence.
(End of Chapter)
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