It's been a month since we moved into the new house, and life with the Holomems has settled in—mostly. Except for one thing…
Ding…
"Rei-kun? You okay?" Mio asks, voice soft with concern.
"…Whose fault… do you think this is…?" I rasp.
Every night for a month, a different Holomem visits, leaving me drained to the point of collapse. Were they really all new to this? How insatiable are they?
"Haha, sorry… got carried away," Mio says sheepishly.
"But, Reiji-sama! I was thrilled to become one with you!" Fubuki blushes.
"…Glad you enjoyed it," I mutter.
"No, no, we overdid it. You're totally lifeless now! Here, Rei-san, eat this to recharge!" Mio sets something on the table.
What the… eel and turtle hotpot for breakfast? Can't you make something gentler on my stomach?
I finish Mio's food—can't let it go to waste. My stomach's burning; that ginger in the turtle hotpot packs a punch.
"Thanks for the meal," I say.
"You're welcome! Looking livelier already!" Mio beams.
"Thanks, Mio." I pat her head.
"Miooon~!" She wags her tail furiously. Miooon? What's that?
"Ugh, Mio gets all the attention…" Fubuki pouts.
"I could make simple stuff too!" Hakushiro whines.
"No need to compete. Your cooking shifts help a ton." I pat their heads too.
"Fnyaa~!" They melt like droopy pandas. Wait, does anyone even know what a droopy panda is anymore?
"Boss! There you are! You weren't in your room, so I got worried!" Watame bursts into the living room, frantic.
"Morning, Watame. What's up?"
"There's a bunch of men in black suits outside, demanding you come out!"
"Men in black? I don't know anyone like that." Did building this mansion attract some shady types?
"They won't leave until you show up. Should we call the police?"
"No, escalating might make things worse. I'll handle it."
I change and head to the entrance. Who are these guys?
Click
"What do you want with me—?" I freeze.
"…Long time no see, Boss," says a gruff voice.
"Long time no see!" the group echoes.
A dozen tough-looking men in black suits and sunglasses stand before me. But…
"Oh, it's you guys. What's with the sudden visit?" I ask.
"Rei-san, you know them?" Mio gasps as they bow.
"Yeah, they're Kiryu-kai members."
"Kiryu-kai? You mean…" Fubuki trails off.
"Yup. Her crew."
Kiryu-kai, the yakuza running this region's underworld. Why do I know them? Because their current boss is her—the one who graduated from Hololive.
"So, what's up? Why the early morning call?"
"Sorry, Boss. The Chairman ordered us to bring you to Kiryu-kai HQ. Can you come with us?"
Her? We've met up since her graduation, but being summoned to Kiryu-kai is new. Something big?
"Why does she want me there?"
"No clue, Boss. She just said to bring you."
"Fine. I'll go."
"Thanks, Boss. This way."
I'll get answers from her directly. I climb into their car, heading for Kiryu-kai HQ.
"Rei-kun, you sure you'll be okay?" Mio calls.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry, I'll be back." The car pulls away. What's going on?
Kiryu-kai Headquarters
"Here we are, Boss," a suit says, guiding me into a towering building on the city's edge.
"Thanks."
It's as grand as the photos she sent, but seeing it in person is something else. We take the elevator to the top floor. A suit knocks on a heavy door.
Knock knock
"Chairman, we've brought the Boss."
"Good work! Let him in!" a familiar voice booms.
The suit opens the door, ushers me in, and leaves, closing it behind him.
"Hey, Aniki! Long time no see!" she grins.
"Yeah, been a while… Coco."
There she is—Kiryu Coco, former Hololive fourth-gen dragon girl, now Chairman of Kiryu-kai after inheriting it from her father.
"Two months since we last met, huh? Been a bit since I left Hololive," she says.
"Three months, but who's counting? So, why the summon?" I sit on the sofa, sipping premium gyokuro tea. Damn, that's good.
"Well, Aniki… I want you to make a baby with me!" Coco declares.
PFFFFT! I choke on my tea. "What the hell are you saying?!"
"I became Chairman young, right? After Dad collapsed, I had to take over and quit Hololive. But with all the chaos—crew unrest, rival gang disputes—Papa Dragon's worried. Says if something happens to me, there's no heir. So, I figured, let's make one now!" She winks.
"That's your reason? You're insane! Why not marry one of your crew? Majima, Akiyama, Saejima—they're good guys!"
"No way, Aniki! You don't get it. I don't ask just anyone for this. You're the guy I love most in the world. That's why I'm asking you directly."
She's always been this blunt. It's flattering, but…
"I'm not saying marry me. I just want you to love me like you do the others."
"Wait, how do you know about that?"
"Kanata sent me a pic." She shows me her cracked phone screen—a post-coital Kanata grinning beside an exhausted me. "Nearly broke my phone from jealousy."
That idiot angel! When did she even take that? And what's this last line? "Why not ask Coco too?"
"Coco, I—"
"I'm not blaming you, Aniki. Everyone knows you're not some irresponsible jerk. That's why we love you and want to support you. So, please, as Kiryu-kai's Chairman and your former idol, grant my one wish?"
Why do they all fall for a regular staff guy like me? Fubuki's right—I'm weak to pressure. "Fine. Not right now, but when I'm ready, I'll do it."
"Really?! Thank you, Aniki!" She tackles me in a hug, tail wagging, nuzzling my cheek.
"Oi, calm down!" I laugh, patting her head. Same old Coco.
One Hour Later
"What's this?" I ask, staring at a table covered in Gundam parts.
"Thought we'd build a Gunpla together, like old times!" Coco chirps.
She's using her office for this? "What're we making?"
"The MG Shenlong Gundam EW, Tōya equipment!" she announces.
MG Shenlong Gundam EW (Tōya Equipment) From Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz - Glory of the Losers. Piloted by Chang Wufei, it's a versatile machine favoring close combat with its beam trident. The dragon hang claw is larger but loses its retractable function. Includes a Tōya, a qinglongdao-like sword.
"EW designs are so different from the TV version. No giant sword like this," I note.
"Who cares? It's cool! The armor's pre-painted—orange and gunmetal black, my colors. Just build the frame and snap it together!" Coco says.
"Let's do it. Frame should take an hour with both of us."
"Sweet, let's get to it!"
During Assembly
"Hey, Coco," I say, piecing together the Shenlong's frame. "Why'd you fall for a guy like me?"
"Hmm… when you scouted me. All us fourth-gens were your picks, right?"
"Yeah, my first scouting gig for the president. Well, Luna kinda just tagged along."
"Back then, I was unsure about my future. Just take over Kiryu-kai? Miss out on a normal life? Then you scouted me, saying you'd make me a world-class idol. Your eyes were so serious. I thought, 'I can trust this guy. He'll help me achieve my dreams.' In just two years, you gave me so many memories. That's why I love you."
"Coco…"
"I bet the others feel the same. You've saved us in ways you don't realize. You're more amazing than you think. That's why we want to support you, even after I left Hololive."
Saved them… Matsuri said something similar. I'm just a staff guy, but knowing I've helped them… it hits hard.
"…Aniki, you crying?" Coco asks.
"Sorry, just… touched." I wipe my eyes.
"No shame in tears, Papa Dragon says. C'mere." She pulls me into her lap.
"Coco, I'm fine—"
She's strong. Dragon strength, I guess. "You always take on too much alone, Aniki. Rely on us sometimes. That's what friends are for." She strokes my hair.
"Thanks, Coco. Can I… stay like this a bit?"
"Always, Aniki. I'll follow you anywhere."
It's been years since I let myself lean on someone. I'll indulge in Coco's kindness for now.
Hours Later
"Done! The Coco-original Shenlong Gundam!" I say.
"Kiryu Gundam!" Coco cheers.
Kiryu Gundam Shenlong Gundam with orange armor and gunmetal black arms and skirt. The Tōya has a Kiryu-kai decal.
"Looks badass. Bet it'd shine in the sunset," I say.
"Totally! Thanks for today, Aniki!" Coco beams.
"Had fun building with you. Thanks, Coco." I pat her head.
She grins ear to ear. Despite the wild start, I'm glad I came.
Later
I leave Kiryu-kai alone, craving a solo Gunpla hunt. Coco offered to drive me, but I need some me-time. It's been forever.
"First, Bic Cam—huh?" Someone calls out. I turn to see rough-looking guys surrounding me.
"Who're you?" I ask.
"You Sasaki Reiji?" one sneers.
"Yeah, but—" ZAP! Pain shoots through my back. "Guh…!" My vision fades…
Thud
"Sorry, pal. No grudge, but it's the boss's orders. Take him."
"Right."
They load my limp body into a van and drive off. What's about to happen to Reiji?
To Be Continued
Author's Note And that's Coco's chapter! Man, I miss the Chairman. There's a new indie VTuber who sounds just like her… coincidence, right? Next up, "Let's Settle This in Black and White," featuring Fubuki and another girl. No battle-heavy stuff, just chill vibes. Stay tuned!