SAK Chapter 13 A Dinner at Kobayashi’s Apartment (Patreon)

The evening had grown calm by the time Tohru brought out the dinner. The table was full with bowls of steaming rice, grilled fish glazed in soy sauce, bright vegetables arranged neatly on small plates, and the faint, sweet scent of miso soup drifting through the room.

“Dinner’s ready!” Tohru announced cheerfully, tail swishing as she set down the last dish. “Please, everyone, dig in!”

Kobayashi sat at the head of the table, quietly adjusting her glasses. Across from her sat Mina in her lavender kimono, still a little stiff but polite as she bowed her head slightly. Lucoa, relaxed and smiling, sat cross-legged with an air of curiosity, while Issei and Kanna flanked her, both looking eager to eat.

Tohru then proudly sat next to Kobayashi, her eyes glowing with the expectation of praise. Kobayashi simply muttered a quiet “Itadakimasu” before taking a bite.

The first few minutes were filled with the gentle sounds of clinking chopsticks and soft appreciation. Tohru’s cooking, as always, was perfectly balanced, rich, and full of warmth.

“This is wonderful, Tohru,” Mina said honestly after her first bite. “It tastes… very delicious."

Tohru beamed. “Thank you! I put all my heart into it.”

Kanna, cheeks puffed with rice, simply nodded. “It’s very good.”

Issei grinned between mouthfuls. “You’ve outdone yourself again, Tohru-san.”

Kobayashi sipped her soup, smiling faintly. “As usual.”

Lucoa, however, seemed more intrigued by conversation than food. She tilted her head slightly, her golden hair spilling down one shoulder as her mismatched eyes gleamed with curiosity. “You know,” she began, “since we’re all together like this, I’d like to learn a little more about this world and country's supernatural community.”

All eyes turned to her.

Mina looked up, attentive. “You mean… Japan’s?”

“Mm-hmm.” Lucoa nodded with a soft hum. “The relationships between gods, the factions, the political situation between the mundane and the supernatural and how they learn to coexist. I’m new to this world after all, and I’d rather not step on anyone’s toes by mistake and offend someone while I’m here.”

Kanna blinked in surprise. “But you offend people all the time.”

Lucoa chuckled. “Only when it’s fun, sweetie.”

Mina wiped her lips with a napkin and cleared her throat softly, easing the tension. “Well… I can tell you what I know.” She said, adjusting her glasses. “Though my knowledge is limited. My work mainly keeps me focused on Japan from our pantheons, our balance between the Shinto gods and the local youkai. I never cared to learn much beyond that, so I can’t speak much for other regions.”

Lucoa waved her hand dismissively. “That’s fine. Anything you can share would be helpful. I just like to understand the lay of the land. After all…” She smiled knowingly, “It’s easier to live peacefully when you understand the rules.”

Issei leaned back slightly. “Yeah, that’d be good. I mean, I know a little, but… there’s still a lot I don’t get.”

That statement drew an approving hum from Kobayashi, who gave Tohru a sidelong glance. “It’d be nice if certain other dragons were as considerate as that. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from Lucoa.”

Tohru froze, mid-bite. “Eh?!” She looked from Lucoa to Kobayashi, her tail stiffening nervously. “I-I didn’t do anything wrong today!”

Kobayashi’s glasses caught the light as she exhaled through her nose. “That’s not the point, Tohru. You could stand to be a bit more… cautious. Or understanding.”

“O-of course! I’ll be very careful!” Tohru’s tail stiffened. Sweat rolled down the side of her face as she forced a nervous laugh. “I will try to do better!”

“See that you do.” Kobayashi replied flatly.

Lucoa giggled, folding her hands together. “I was just saying, dear. But you know, it’s good to be mindful—especially around the powerful beings of this realm.”

Kanna, who’d been quietly nibbling on her rice, glanced up. “There are powerful beings here?” She asked softly.

“There are many,” Mina replied to Kanna. “Japan alone is home to countless gods, spirits, and entities. The Shinto pantheon is vast. But so are the Buddhist sects, the Onmyōji orders, and even smaller independent families with ancient pacts. The world is far more crowded than most humans realize.” Mina then took a small sip of tea before speaking again. “To start, the supernatural community is divided into several major factions. Here in Japan, the dominant one is the Shinto faction, governed by the deities Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo. They maintain the natural order and balance of spiritual activity across the country.”

She gestured lightly with her chopsticks. “Then there are the Five Great Clans—families of Onmyōji and Mikos who serve as intermediaries between the gods and humans. They enforce laws, investigate disturbances, and handle lesser youkai or spirits. Their influence reaches into both politics and the economy. Then there is the ”

Lucoa nodded with genuine interest, eyes gleaming. “Fascinating… It’s so organized compared to my world.”

Kobayashi raised an eyebrow. “You mean your world didn’t have a system of checks and balances?”

Lucoa’s smile turned a little wistful. “We did, but… our hierarchies were more chaotic. Gods ruled by strength, not diplomacy. Entire realms could fall because two divine siblings argued over worshippers. It’s why I’d rather not see those mistakes repeated here.”

Mina smiled faintly. “It does keeps things organized. Or at least, that’s the idea.”

Tohru muttered under her breath, “More like it keeps everyone under someone’s thumb.”

Kobayashi shot her a side-eye. “You’re not wrong.”

Mina continued, unbothered. “Outside Japan, there are other pantheons—Christian, Norse, Hindu, and more—but Japan’s borders are watched closely by the Shinto. They prefer neutrality and rarely interfere in global affairs unless balance here is threatened.”

Lucoa listened intently, her expression bright with interest. “So the gods coexist here peacefully?”

Mina hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “Peacefully enough. But every faction has its rivalries. From what I know some divine politics are as petty as human ones. And as for the mundane world…” she sighed softly. “Most humans remain unaware of any of this. Everyone in power ensures it stays that way.”

Lucoa chuckled quietly. “So regular humans don’t know of any of this?” 

“It’s to keep them from acting irrational and causing a panic. History has shown that we don’t act in the best light in fear of the unknown."

Lucoa then rested her chin in one hand, smiling lazily. “You mentioned the Shinto gods—how powerful are they?”

Mina’s expression turned serious. “Very. Even the weakest of them could crush me with a thought. The Three Pillars—Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo—are beyond mortal comprehension. But they don’t often act directly. They prefer to work through agents.”

Lucoa nodded approvingly. “That’s wise. Gods meddling too much tends to… break things.”

A soft silence followed as everyone processed that comment. Kobayashi finally exhaled, muttering, “Can’t argue with that.”

“Now,” Lucoa began with a pleasant smile, “about these Sacred Gears I keep hearing about. Issei mentioned his earlier—the gauntlet with the dragon inside. How common are they?”

Mina set down her chopsticks with a quiet clack, leaning back slightly as her expression grew thoughtful. “Ah, Sacred Gears,” she repeated, almost reverently. “Those are special. They’re powerful artifacts granted to humans by the Biblical God himself. Each manifests differently within its wielder, and their abilities vary—some grant divine blessings, others command destructive power. No two are exactly alike.”

Kobayashi tilted her head, intrigued despite herself. “So they’re like… innate weapons? Built into people?”

Mina nodded. “In a way. But most Sacred Gears are minor objects, useful, but not world-shaking. The most famous ones, however…” She adjusted her glasses, eyes gleaming behind the lenses. “Those are called Longinus-class Sacred Gears. They’re monstrous weapons capable of slaying gods and dragons alike. And Issei here—” She glanced toward him “—happens to carry one of them.”

Lucoa’s brows rose slightly, her interest piqued. “So many humans carry these divine artifacts within their souls… how fascinating.” She smiled, the gold of her eyes glinting like sunlight. “Your world is full of delightful surprises.”

Issei scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Yeah, well, I’m kinda stuck with mine. Didn’t exactly come with an instruction manual.”

Mina was then watching him closely now—her analytical gaze softened. “Actually,” She said quietly, “it’s surprising that Issei is such an unknown to the wider world.”

Kobayashi blinked. “Unknown? What do you mean by that?”

The question caught Mina off guard. Her lips parted in mild surprise before she realized—of course. To these people, terms like Longinus meant nothing. She exhaled slowly, placing her hands neatly in her lap. “I suppose I should explain. People with Sacred Gears like Issei’s aren’t just rare—they’re practically one in a million. People who wield Longinus-class Sacred Gears usually don’t stay hidden for long. Once word gets out, the world takes notice. A Longinus user is considered a global-level threat. Many factions would kill, recruit, or worship someone like him just to control the power he wields. Either way, the result’s the same, they become targets and are hunted down, no longer living ordinary lives.”

The table fell into silence. Even Tohru, normally so carefree, stopped mid-bite, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.

“Hunted?” Kobayashi repeated, her voice unusually sharp

“Wait,” Issei said, blinking in confusion. “You’re saying… people would actually hunt me down for this?”

Mina nodded gravely. “Yes. If certain organizations found out who you were, they wouldn’t hesitate. A Longinus user can change the balance of power of the entire world. If allowed to grow unchecked, one could alter the entire era of the world. Those who hold them, willingly or not, can either save or destroy the current status quo. They can topple kingdoms, destroy factions, or create new ones. Entire factions would fight for control of someone like Issei.”

Issei’s smile faded. The weight of her words hit like a stone in his gut. “You mean… people would come after me? Just because of Ddraig?”

“Not because of Ddraig,” Mina corrected gently. “Because of what you could become. Because of what that power might make you capable of.” She looked down briefly at her tea before meeting his eyes again. “If someone learned how to control you, they could gain that power for themselves.”

Kobayashi’s expression hardened, her protective instincts kicking in immediately. “That’s ridiculous. He’s just a teenager. You’re telling me these factions would target him for something he didn’t even ask for?”

“I’m afraid so,” Mina replied softly. “It’s the way of the supernatural world. Power attracts attention—good and bad alike.”

Kanna’s fingers tightened subtly around her teacup, her voice quiet but certain. “Anyone who tries to hurt Issei… will regret it.”

Tohru smiled faintly, resting her chin in her hand. “You and me both, Kanna-chan.”

Lucoa chuckled lightly, though her gaze lingered on Issei with faint maternal warmth. “Seems you’ve found yourself surrounded by guardians already, dear.”

Mina gave a small, wry smile. “That’s why you should be careful, Issei. There are people out there like me—people who would want to ally with you, not out of kindness, but out of ambition.” Her eyes softened, guilt flickering behind her glasses. “I’m being a hypocrite saying this, I know. I approached you for my own reasons too. But… I don’t want to see you get hurt because of people who only see power, not everyone will be honest about their intentions. Some will try to use you, manipulate you, or worse. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Issei blinked, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. Then, slowly, he smiled. “Thanks, Mina. I’ll keep that in mind.”

She nodded, looking away before her cheeks betrayed her.

Lucoa gave Mina a knowing smile. “That was very kind of you, dear. You have a good heart beneath all that professionalism.”

Mina blinked, caught off guard by the compliment, then looked away quickly, hiding the faint pink on her cheeks. “I-I’m simply stating facts.”

The silence that followed was calm, contemplative. The candlelight flickered gently across their faces, the hum of the air conditioner filling the quiet.

Finally, Mina sighed and continued, “As for dragons, though… I don’t know much. My studies focused on humans and spirits, not creatures as ancient or powerful as them.”

Tohru raised an eyebrow. “You’ve met a few, haven’t you?”

Mina shook her head. “Only through records and myth. Dragons are… rare. Even among the supernatural, they’re considered untouchable. Most are legends or extinct.”

Issei leaned back and grinned faintly. “Then maybe we should ask Ddraig directly. He’s been listening this whole time, I can feel it.”

Inside Issei’s mind, Ddraig’s voice thundered with exasperation. (Why did you have to bring me into this conversation, partner?!)

Issei mentally replied, ‘Because you know this stuff better than me. You’re ancient. You love lecturing. Think of this as your moment to shine. Plus you should get over your fear of Lucoa. You’re already dead, what’s the harm?’ 

Ddraig grumbled, his draconic pride prickling. (You are far too naïve, Partner. That woman radiates power far beyond her form. Do not treat her lightly. Even in my prime, I would not have dared to fight her!)

‘Lucoa? She’s harmless! Look at her—she’s smiling.’

(That’s exactly what’s terrifying!) Ddraig groaned, the mental sound of claws dragging across stone filling Issei’s head. (Still… since you volunteered me without consent, I might as well face my fate.)

“Uh… Ddraig says hi,” Issei said aloud, sheepishly as he summoned the Boosted Gear into existence.

Lucoa laughed softly. “Oh, does he now?”

Everyone stared as a faint glow pulsed along Issei’s hand, Ddraig’s deep voice rumbling faintly from within. (Greetings… Lucoa. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt a presence like yours.)  His voice carried weight, deep, steady, and resonant yet there was a subtle undertone of caution that didn’t escape anyone’s notice.

Lucoa smiled gently, unfazed. “And greetings to you, Ddraig. Issei has told me much about you.”

Tohru and Kanna leaned closer instinctively, eyes wide with curiosity as it has been a while since they talked with the ancient dragon. Kobayashi simply adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable but focused. Mina, for her part, couldn’t hide her fascination, the reality of hearing an ancient dragon’s voice made her scholar’s heart race.

(Dragons in this world are not like the dragons of your realm, Lucoa. From what I can sense, and from what I’ve heard from you and Tohru, your dragons are… unified with an actual faction.)

Lucoa nodded softly, confirming. “Yes. Our dragons have long been divided into clans and courts, but we are united under mutual laws and the natural order of our world. Even if we disagree, we remain one race.”

Ddraig’s voice rumbled with quiet amusement. (In this world… it is not so. Dragons here, at least as far as I remember, are solitary creatures. We do not gather under one banner or share a homeland. We are wanderers, each bound to our own desires, instincts, and freedom. For us, to exist means to reign over one’s own sky. There is no unity among dragons, only respect for strength.)

Tohru frowned slightly. “That sounds… lonely.”

(Isolation is a dragon’s nature here,) Ddraig replied, his tone carrying both pride and sorrow. (We value freedom above companionship. The weak seek shelter under gods, but the strong carve their own paths across time. But even among us, there exists a hierarchy, an order born from power rather than decree.)

He paused, as if gathering the weight of countless memories.

(At the very top of this hierarchy stands the mightiest of all beings, Great Red, the True Red Dragon God Emperor. He is the strongest dragon, the Dragon of Dragons, the Apocalypse Dragon who embodies Dream and Destruction alike. His power is so vast that it could erase a universe simply by his will.)

The table went utterly still.

Mina’s lips parted, eyes wide behind her glasses. “Destroy… a universe?” She whispered, almost disbelieving.

Even Kobayashi froze, lowering her cup. “You mean literally?”

(Yes,) Ddraig affirmed. (His presence alone warps existence. Great Red is not merely strong, he is a phenomenon. He embodies the concept of reality’s end, the end that follows all beginnings. To gaze upon him is to see the death of possibility itself.)

Kanna blinked, wide-eyed. “Can we meet him?” She asked, completely serious.

Tohru immediately nodded, her tail flicking with childlike excitement. “Yes! I’d like to see him too! If he’s that powerful, he must be amazing!”

Even Lucoa’s smile brightened, her golden eyes gleaming with genuine intrigue. “I must admit… I’d like to see this Dragon God myself. It’s been ages since I’ve met anyone near my level.”

Ddraig’s voice carried a rumbling sigh that sounded suspiciously weary. (I expected that question. But no, you cannot meet him, not easily, at least. Great Red dwells in the Dimensional Gap, a space that exists between realms. It is a void between realities, a place where neither time nor matter can properly exist. For mortals, even gods, entering it unprotected would mean being erased instantly.)

Kobayashi shivered involuntarily, her analytical curiosity colliding with a primal fear. “A void between worlds…” she murmured. “A place where nothing can exist?”

(Indeed.) Ddraig’s tone softened, carrying the low, steady cadence of a storyteller. (The Dimensional Gap is both infinitely vast and empty. It is where the borders of creation blur and vanish. Only beings of unimaginable power can endure its nothingness. Great Red flies through it freely, unbound, dreaming the dreams of worlds not yet born.)

Tohru’s golden eyes sparkled. “That sounds incredible…”

(Issei, however,) Ddraig continued, his tone turning slightly gruff, (should never even think of going there.)

Issei blinked, caught mid-bite. “Hey, why me?”

(Because you would die faster than you could say “Oppai.”)

Issei choked on his rice as everyone tried not to laugh, even Mina hid a small smile behind her sleeve.

 Lucoa chuckled softly, shaking her head. “That sounds like a place only a fool would dare to visit.”

(Exactly,) Ddraig agreed. (And speaking of gods…) The gauntlet’s glow shifted slightly. (There is another who once lived in the same space as Great Red, the second strongest dragon of this world. Her name is Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon, the Dragon God of Infinity. She embodies Endlessness, Chaos, and Nothingness.)

Lucoa’s expression turned thoughtful. “Infinity and Nothingness… a contradiction in form, but not in essence.”

(Unlike Great Red, she does not seek destruction. She simply is. Limitless. Still. Eternal.) Ddraig’s tone lowered, quieter now. (Where Great Red is motion, Ophis is silence. She is the beginning that never ends and the end that never begins.)

Mina swallowed hard, awed. “And where is she now?”

(No one knows,) Ddraig admitted. (Ophis is a true shapeshifter. She has no fixed form and no traceable presence. She once dwelled within the Dimensional Gap before Great Red claimed it for himself and when he did, he forced her out. Since then, Ophis has wandered between realities.)

“That’s… kind of sad,” Kanna murmured softly.

(It is simply her nature,) Ddraig said. 

Tohru tilted her head, deep in thought. “So they’re both gods, in a sense?”

(Indeed,) the dragon confirmed. (They are beyond gods, beings whose power rivals creation itself. Below them come myself and my eternal rival, Albion, the White Dragon Emperor. Together, we are known as the Heavenly Dragon Emperors, the embodiment of dominance and supremacy. Our battles once shook the heavens and tore reality asunder.)

Issei winced. “You mean the reason why you're dead?”

Ddraig grumbled darkly. (Yes. Our rivalry is the reason for our death. Do not remind me.)

Tohru giggled, finding the rivalry amusing.

(And below us,) he continued, (are the Five Dragon Kings, beings of immense power. Each represents an element or force of nature. But as time passed and humanity rose, dragons faded. Most of the ancient ones are dead or gone. Only a handful remain — those who adapted, hid, or chose to slumber.)

Lucoa’s smile softened. “So that’s why dragons here are myths.”

(Yes.) Ddraig’s voice carried a faint echo of melancholy. (Once, dragons soared freely, their roars shaping continents and oceans. But as the humans filled the lands, it became… unwise to remain. Many fell. Many were hunted. Others left this world entirely, seeking new skies.)

Silence filled the room again, but this time it was heavy, reverent.

Lucoa’s smile deepened. “Well,” she said softly, “I must say… your world’s dragons are far more mysterious than I expected.”

Tohru nodded, eyes shining. “Maybe one day we can meet them! Or at least see this ‘Dimensional Gap.’”

Kobayashi sighed, pushing up her glasses. “Let’s not. The last thing I need is another dragon adventure tearing apart my apartment.”

Everyone laughed, even Ddraig’s faint echo joined in.

—-------------------------------

The sound of clinking plates and running water filled the apartment. Dinner had long ended, but Tohru, ever the devoted maid, was still in the kitchen, humming cheerfully as she cleaned up. Her tail swayed with each movement, flicking lightly every time a dish was rinsed or set on the rack to dry.

In the living room, the soft glow of the TV cast warm colors across the walls. Kanna sat curled up on the couch beside Lucoa, both watching a late-night comedy show. The teenage dragon giggled quietly every now and then, while Lucoa reclined with her arm draped lazily across the backrest, her eyes half-lidded with content amusement.

It was peaceful — deceptively so.

At the dining table, Kobayashi sat opposite Issei and Mina. Her glasses reflected the light of the TV, hiding the sharp, protective gaze fixed on her nephew and his fiancée. The mood at the table, in contrast to the rest of the apartment, was tense and serious.

“Alright” Kobayashi began at last, her tone calm but edged, “let’s talk about this engagement now?”

Issei rubbed the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. “Uh… yeah. It kinda… just happened.”

Mina, sitting beside him in her lavender kimono, kept her posture straight but respectful. “I understand this must come as a surprise, Kobayashi-san. But our engagement was mutually decided.”

Kobayashi’s fingers tapped against the table. “Decided? Between the two of you?” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You didn’t think it might be important to ask for my opinion first?”

Issei winced. “Oba-chan…”

Mina inhaled softly, her voice steady but not defiant. “With all due respect, your approval doesn’t change what was already agreed upon between us. But—” she inclined her head slightly, “—I do hope to earn your favor, someday.”

The words were polite, but the conviction behind them was unmistakable. Kobayashi’s gaze hardened. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.” She crossed her arms, exhaling sharply. “But you’ll understand if I’m not thrilled about someone dragging my nephew into danger. Especially someone whose work involves exorcisms and monsters.”

Issei frowned slightly. “It’s not like she dragged me into it, Oba-chan. I chose this. I want to help her.”

“That’s what worries me,” Kobayashi replied flatly, adjusting her glasses. “You’ve always had that stubborn streak, thinking with your heart and penis first and your head second. It’s going to get you hurt one day.”

Her voice softened then, not out of resignation, but out of affection. “You’re my sister’s boy. I watched you grow up. I’m not going to pretend I like any of this supernatural nonsense… but I do understand now. And if this is the path you’ve chosen…”

She paused, sighed, and looked toward the kitchen where Tohru’s tail swayed in rhythm with the running water. “...then I’ll do what I can to prepare you for it.”

Tohru’s head popped out from behind the counter, eyes wide and sparkling. “Kobayashi-san! Are you saying—?”

“Yes,” Kobayashi said dryly, pushing up her glasses. “While I’m at work, you’ll continue to train him. Make sure he can handle himself when things go south. Don’t hold back, either. He’s got a knack for getting into trouble.”

Tohru straightened immediately, raising her hand in a perfect salute. “Understood! I’ll make him the strongest dragon alive!”

Kobayashi’s eyes narrowed. “Within reason.”

Tohru blinked innocently. “Ah—of course! Within reason.”

A faint smile tugged at Kobayashi’s lips despite herself. She turned back to Mina. “And you,” she said calmly, “make sure you watch his back. I don’t want him running off alone trying to play hero.”

Mina nodded, expression solemn. “You have my word, Kobayashi-san. I’ll protect him.”

Kanna, from the couch, lifted her head slightly. “I’ll protect Issei too,” She said in her usual flat but sincere tone.

Kobayashi turned to look at the small dragon and softened. “Thank you, Kanna. I appreciate that.”

Kanna gave a small, satisfied nod before returning her gaze to the TV.

Finally, Kobayashi looked back at Issei. “I won’t stop you,” she said quietly. “But promise me one thing—be careful. I know you’re strong, but strength isn’t everything. Don’t throw yourself into danger just because you think you can handle it.”

Issei smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Oba-chan. I can take care of myself.”

Kobayashi’s eyebrow twitched slightly. “That’s exactly what worries me.”

The table shared a small, knowing laugh — the tension easing if only slightly.

Mina folded her hands neatly in her lap. “You have my promise as well. We won’t go looking for trouble. The only time we’ll be fighting is when my superiors call about an incident. Our goal is to clean up the mess that Tohru’s arrival caused before things get worse.”

Tohru turned from the kitchen, tail stiff. “Hey!” she said indignantly. “That’s not fair! I didn’t mean to cause a mess!”

Kobayashi shot her a look over her shoulder. “You brought chaos into Tokyo, Tohru. That counts as a mess.”

Tohru puffed out her cheeks, muttering under her breath.

Mina smiled faintly. “In any case, it’s better if we handle it quietly. If Tohru went to Tokyo now, it might spark even more panic among the factions.”

Kobayashi exhaled, leaning back slightly. “You’re probably right. Still… I have half a mind to send her there to apologize in person.”

“That would likely make things worse,” Mina replied diplomatically, though her smile betrayed amusement. “But… if things ever get too dangerous, I wouldn’t mind some backup. Just in case.”

Kobayashi nodded slowly, understanding the implication. “Then we should keep in touch.”

She pulled out her phone, scrolling briefly before sliding it across the table. Mina did the same, and the two quietly exchanged numbers — a silent acknowledgment that despite their differences, they were now bound by shared concern for the same young man.

As the exchange ended, Mina rose gracefully from her seat. “Thank you for the meal, and for the conversation,” she said with a polite bow. “But I should be heading home. It’s late.”

Issei stood up immediately. “You sure? I can walk you home.”

Mina smiled softly, shaking her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’m a big girl, remember? Next time, though, you can visit my home. It’s only fair since we’ll be living there eventually.”

“Eh?!” Tohru popped her head up from behind the counter, eyes gleaming mischievously. “Already planning the honeymoon?!”

Mina’s cheeks flushed faintly. “N-not like that,” she said quickly, shooting Tohru a look. “I just want everyone to see where I live. You’re all welcome.”

Issei chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Guess that’s a promise then.”

Mina’s smile softened. “A promise.”

She turned toward the door, reaching into her sleeve for her phone just as it began to vibrate. The soft hum of the ringtone cut through the calm atmosphere.

Her expression shifted.

Kobayashi and Issei both noticed instantly. “Everything okay?” Issei asked.

Mina glanced at the screen, and her eyes narrowed slightly, all traces of calm replaced by cold focus. “...It’s my superior.”

She swiped to answer, her tone immediately formal. “Yes, this is Mina. What happened?”

The others watched quietly as her calm demeanor hardened, her posture straightening with every word the caller spoke. Whatever she was hearing, it wasn’t good.

After a moment, her eyes flicked toward Issei, the faintest glimmer of concern breaking through her composed mask. “Understood,” she said finally, voice low. “I’ll be there immediately.”

She ended the call, her hand lowering slowly, the tension still thick in her shoulders.

“Mina?” Issei asked quietly. “What’s wrong?”

Mina turned to him, her tone clipped but steady. “There’s been another incident in Tokyo. A major one.”

Kobayashi’s face hardened instantly. “How major?”

Mina’s gaze was cold now, the professional side of her fully emerging. “Bad enough that they’re calling for me directly.”

The room fell silent, the laughter and warmth of moments ago replaced by an uneasy chill.

Tohru, sensing the change in the air, stepped out from the kitchen, drying her hands. “Looks like peace doesn’t last long around here, huh?”

Mina nodded once, her expression grave. “No. It doesn’t.”

—---------------------------------------------

The rhythmic clatter of steel wheels filled the quiet of the night train. The low hum of fluorescent lights mixed with the faint swaying of the car as it sped through Tokyo’s tunnels. Beyond the windows, the city stretched endlessly, neon signs, elevated highways, and the glow of skyscrapers painting the darkness in fractured gold.

Issei sat by the window, his reflection faintly visible in the glass. Beside him, Kanna leaned against the seat, legs tucked beneath her and eyes half-lidded, quietly watching the passing lights. Across from them sat Mina, composed as always dressed in her miko outfit, though her brow was faintly furrowed in thought.

It was the first time in a while that the three of them rode together in silence.

Finally, Issei broke it. “So, what’s the situation?”

Mina glanced up from her phone, its screen casting a pale glow over her face. “The report came in less than an hour ago. A battle’s broken out in Ginza. Multiple sightings of Oni, at least seven confirmed so far. The local Onmyōji dispatched to contain them suffered heavy casualties. Most of the teams from the Five Great Clans are already retreating to regroup.”

“Wait,” Issei leaned forward, frowning. “Oni? As in the same kind we fought before? The Yakuza clan that attacked Akihabara?”

Mina exhaled softly, her voice calm but grim. “It might be them. Or another cell working under the same network. Hard to say until we get there. For now, all I know is that they’ve been rampaging through Ginza for nearly an hour, and the barrier specialists haven’t been able to contain them.”

Kanna tilted her head slightly, her expression calm but curious. “Why Ginza? Isn’t important for humans?”

“It is,” Issei replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Ginza’s… well, it’s one of Tokyo’s most expensive districts. Fancy restaurants, fashion boutiques, brand stores, that kinda thing. It’s not exactly the type of place you’d expect monsters to show up.”

Kanna blinked. “So… rich people live there?”

“Pretty much,” Issei said with a smirk. “Maybe the Oni got tired of stealing from shrines and decided to go after luxury bags instead.”

Kanna gave a small blink. “...What’s a luxury bag?”

Before Issei could answer, Mina chuckled softly, the faintest smirk curling her lips. “As good a theory as any, really.”

That caught Issei off guard. “Wait, you’re seriously saying that could be the reason?”

Mina shrugged lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’d be surprised. Even Oni need funding for their operations. You think their weapons, clothes, and magic come cheap?”

Issei blinked. “Wait—hold on. Oni need money? Like… actual yen?”

“Of course,” Mina said matter-of-factly. “The supernatural world may operate in secrecy, but it still runs parallel to human society. Most factions conduct their business in yen or gold. Whether it’s exorcists, yokai, or rogue mages, they all use currency for trades, contracts, and bounties.”

Kanna’s small voice broke the hum of the train. “So…do the dragons of this world do too?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Mina said with a faint smile. “But most of them are said to hoard treasures instead of paper bills. But for the rest of us? Yen works just fine.”

Issei blinked again, struggling to wrap his head around it. “So if I ever went to some kind of secret… I dunno, supernatural black market, I could just walk in and buy stuff? With the money I’ve got in my wallet?”

Mina’s lips curled slightly, amused. “If you had enough, yes. You could even buy some very exotic things, magic books of spells, forbidden relics, rare materials, even… pets.”

“Pets?” Issei asked, intrigued and horrified in equal measure. “Like what? Cats with three tails? Little demons that eat coins?”

“Closer to the first one,” Mina said lightly, her tone teasing. “But yes. If you want, I could take you and Kanna one day to one of those markets. They’re fascinating places, not dangerous as long as you behave as they are usually run by a prominent powerful family in the area. It might be fun to look around.”

Issei blinked slowly, trying to process this. “So… you’re telling me the secret supernatural world runs on yen… and I can literally buy dragons, demons, and who knows what else if I had a big enough wallet?”

Mina nodded with a straight face. “I doubt you would ever find something that rare and powerful being sold as most would keep the good stuff for themselves. But yes, there are even big auctions around the city.”

He leaned back, groaning dramatically. “Man… I thought the supernatural world would be more, I dunno, mysterious or ancient. Not… corporate.”

Kanna nodded thoughtfully. “So… the supernatural world is capitalism too.”

Mina stifled a laugh behind her hand. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

Issei sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “That just completely ruined the image I had. Next thing you’re gonna tell me there’s a dragon accountant somewhere keeping track of treasure taxes.”

Kanna blinked. “Please tell me there isn’t? I’m not giving them my food.”

That made Mina laugh for real this time, a soft, clear sound that caught Issei completely off guard. For a moment, the tension in the air lifted, replaced by something warmer.

The train hummed softly as they passed another station, the voice over the speakers echoing faintly through the car. Few passengers remained this late at night, mostly quiet, tired workers heading home or dozing students clutching half-empty coffee cans.

As the laughter faded, Mina’s tone shifted back to business, her gaze returning to the window where the lights of the city rushed by. “All jokes aside, Ginza isn’t just a commercial district. There are sacred sites woven into its streets, old shrines that predate most of Tokyo. If the Oni are rampaging there, it might not be about money at all.”

Issei frowned. “You think they’re after something else?”

“Maybe,” Mina said. “Or someone.”

The air in the train car seemed to grow heavier with her words. The sound of the wheels beneath them became a steady, echoing heartbeat against the silence that followed.

Kanna’s voice was quiet, but firm. “Then we’ll stop them.”

Mina glanced at her, then smiled faintly. “That’s the plan.”

Issei looked between them both, the serious priestess and the stoic dragon girl  and couldn’t help but grin, the familiar spark of reckless determination lighting in his eyes. “Alright then. Ginza, here we come.”

Mina exhaled softly, hiding a small smile behind her hand. “Try not to sound so eager. You’ll jinx it.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Issei said with a confident grin.

—----------------------------------------

Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan

The train hissed to a stop at Ginza Station. The platform was mostly empty at this hour, save for a few lingering commuters and the distant hum of vending machines. When the doors slid open, Issei, Mina, and Kanna stepped out, their reflections glimmering faintly against the polished tiles.

At first glance, everything seemed… normal. Too normal.

The air was calm, the advertisements bright, the faint smell of roasted coffee drifting from a nearby café.

Mina’s sharp eyes swept the area. “Stay close,” she murmured. “The reports said the disturbance is a few blocks north, near the luxury district. We’ll know when we cross into the barrier zone.”

Issei nodded, his expression tense but focused. Kanna followed beside him, silent as ever, her blue eyes scanning the shadows with instinctive precision.

They ascended the escalator to the surface. The city lights greeted them, towering buildings, glowing billboards, and the signature brilliance of Ginza’s neon reflections against sleek glass. Taxis glided by in orderly lines, and distant chatter drifted from late-night diners.

For a moment, it could have been any other night.

But then, as they turned down a side street and crossed an unmarked intersection, the world shifted.

The air thickened, like walking through a curtain of water and a faint pressure pressed against their skin. Issei blinked, glancing around as the light subtly changed, colors dulling, sounds warping. The busy hum of the city faded to an eerie silence.

He knew this feeling.

“Déjà vu…” He muttered under his breath. “Just like Akihabara.”

Kanna stopped beside him, her expression calm but alert. “Guess we crossed a barrier,” She said simply.

And then they heard it.

BOOM!

The ground trembled beneath their feet. A shockwave rippled through the street, shattering a nearby window with a high-pitched crack. Issei’s head snapped toward the sound—north. The direction of the disturbance.

“Over there!” He said, already breaking into a run.

Kanna was right beside him, her small figure gliding effortlessly over the pavement, while Mina followed just behind, her hand already reaching for her talismans tucked into her sleeve. The air around them vibrated with the distant roar of battle, crashing stone, crackling fire, and the unmistakable guttural cries of Oni.

As they turned a corner, the source of the chaos came into view.

A wide boulevard that once gleamed with luxury and wealth now looked like a war zone. The glass of a department store lay in shards, cars were overturned and smoking, and the smell of ozone and blood tainted the air.

Dozens of spiritual seals flickered faintly across the asphalt, evidence of Onmyōji barriers hastily cast and shattered in battle. And amid the wreckage, the sounds of struggle still echoed.

“Down!” Mina ordered suddenly, pulling Issei and Kanna behind a wrecked taxi just as a blast of energy tore through the intersection ahead. The shockwave rolled past them, heat scorching the air.

When Issei peeked around the edge of the taxi, his breath caught.

Three towering Oni in black suits stood in the street, their bodies massive and heavily scarred. Each carried brutal iron clubs that glowed faintly with cursed energy. Their skin shimmered in hues of red and blue, tattoos burning across their arms.

Scattered across the ground were several injured Onmyōji, men and women in ritual robes, unconscious or barely moving.

“Damn it…” Mina hissed under her breath. “The guys got torn apart.”

Issei’s fists clenched. “Those bastards…”

He turned to her. “You think these are the same ones from before?”

“Possibly,” Mina replied, her voice tight. “The markings are similar to the Oni Yakuza we encountered in Akihabara. But their power feels… heavier.”

Issei frowned. “So why here? What the hell are they doing in Ginza?”

Mina shook her head. “I don’t know. There has to be a reason.”

Kanna’s voice was calm, but sharp. “They’re searching for something.”

Both Mina and Issei glanced at her.

Kanna’s eyes narrowed, glowing faintly. “Their auras are scattered, not focused on fighting. They’re searching… or waiting.”

“Waiting?” Issei repeated. “For what?”

Before anyone could answer, another blast shook the ground, sending debris flying. One of the Oni roared, voice booming through the street. The creature swung its club and smashed a spiritual barrier like glass. The sound of the shattering charm echoed like a bell.

Mina’s expression hardened. “No more waiting. We have to stop them before they kill anyone else.”

Issei nodded, summoning the Boosted Gear in a flash of crimson light. The red gauntlet formed around his left arm, glowing faintly with power.

Kanna stepped forward beside him, her small hands sparking with faint blue lightning. “I’ll handle the one on the right.”

“Got it,” Issei said, rolling his shoulders, heart already pounding in his chest.

Mina stood between them, her voice calm but commanding. “Stay focused. These are not small fry—keep your guard up. And remember, we’re not here to slaughter them. We need one alive.”

“Understood,” Issei and Kanna said in unison.

The street trembled again as one of the Oni noticed them and turned, its single horn gleaming under the broken streetlights. It let out a guttural roar, stomping forward, shaking the pavement with every step.

Issei’s grin returned reckless and fearless. “Looks like we’ve been spotted.”

Mina’s eyes glowed faintly with spiritual light as she drew a charm slip between her fingers. “Then let’s make this quick.”

The Oni charged and the night exploded.

Done. Tell me what you think and if I should change anything. This commission was brought to you by Luis. So be sure to thank him.