"Akio, it's so beautiful here!" Kamisato Ayaka beamed as she looked around at the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom.
"Yeah," Akio smiled, reaching out to gently pluck a delicate blossom that had landed in her snow-white hair.
Among flowers, none compare when reflected in the beauty of a goddess.
With a gentle tug, Akio pulled Ayaka into his arms.
"Akio?" Ayaka blinked, confused, looking up at him.
He didn't answer. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed her.
In that sea of blossoms, the two embraced and kissed, surrounded by petals swirling in the wind like they were dancing in celebration.
———
As dusk fell, deep in Inazuma City, a broad-shouldered oni with horns sat slumped in a chair, looking bored out of his mind.
This man was none other than Arataki Itto. Around him sat three other men, along with a beautiful green-haired girl—Kuki Shinobu.
"Sigh… Boss, it's been a while. I really don't think the Kamisato Clan's head is gonna show," Shinobu said with a sigh. "He's the head of the Yashiro Commission—buried in official business every day. It's not like he has time for games."
"She's right, Boss!" the three lackeys echoed.
"He's just… in a whole different league from us, y'know?" Aso added. "Honestly, Boss, maybe he never saw you as a real friend in the first place."
"No way! Absolutely not!" Itto raised a hand to cut him off. "Me and Ayato bro clicked instantly when we met—it was like fate! There's no way he doesn't see me as a brother! Besides, he promised we'd battle beetles together today!"
"Sigh…" Shinobu could only shake her head, resigned, and continued waiting with him.
Before long, a woman hurried in, spotted Arataki Itto, and walked up to him.
"Excuse me—are you Arataki Itto?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's me. Who are you?" Itto blinked. "What's up?"
"Perfect," she said with a bow. "I'm a maid from the Kamisato Clan. Lord Ayato asked me to inform you that he's swamped with official duties today and deeply apologizes for missing your appointment."
"What?!" Itto's eyes went wide, then his expression collapsed into utter heartbreak. "Ayato bro… really bailed on me? But I…"
"My sincerest apologies," the maid said politely. "But the lord also said that you are his dearest friend. As compensation for missing your meeting, all of tonight's expenses for you and your companions at Restaurant are covered by him."
"…He said I'm his dearest friend?" Itto blinked. Then suddenly—"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"—he burst into joyous laughter, the heartbreak forgotten in an instant.
"Shinobu! Genta! Aso! Akira! See? I told you! Ayato bro and I are best buds!" Itto shouted, practically glowing with pride.
"…" The others looked at each other wordlessly. Honestly, only a fool like Arataki Itto could turn that quickly from betrayed to blissful.
"Well then, I guess I'll forgive Ayato bro for standing me up this time," Itto said magnanimously. He turned to the maid. "You can go let him know—this Boss has already paid for dinner."
"Please don't make things difficult for me," the maid replied with a gentle shake of her head. She placed a bag of Mora on the table and promptly left.
"Hey, hey, I told you I didn't need—!" Itto tried to call after her, but Shinobu stopped him.
"Let it go, Boss. You two are best bros, right? No need to squabble over something like this. Just treat him next time," Shinobu said calmly.
"You're right! That's my Shinobu! Hahaha…" Itto laughed like a kid who'd just won a prize.
"…Wait a sec?" Itto suddenly squinted at someone in the distance. He rubbed his eyes, then shouted, "Kujou Tengu! I finally found you! Time for revenge!"
With that, he bolted outside.
"Wait—Boss!" Shinobu tried to grab him, but he was already gone.
"Crap… please don't cross the line!" she muttered, beads of cold sweat forming. After all, Kujou Sara was Lord's consort—he couldn't just barge up to her like that!
"Kujou Tengu! Face me in sumo!" Kujou Sara had been leading a patrol when she suddenly heard the yell. She turned with a frown—sure enough, it was that guy, Arataki Itto.
Of course it was.
Sara's face darkened. This idiot had been pestering her daily to sumo wrestle. Sumo. That meant stripping down. Did he think she was an idiot?
This damn oni—still not giving up?
"Stop right there! Do not approach the Commissioner!" the samurai barked, stepping forward in alarm.
But Itto didn't listen. He charged straight into the patrol, barreling through them with his raw strength and Geo Vision. Though they were knocked flying, no one was hurt.
"Sumo me! I challenge you to a duel, right here and now!"
"Idiot…" Kujou Sara's patience snapped. Power surged through her. With a single stomp, she unleashed a shockwave that sent Itto flying.
"Boss!" Shinobu arrived just in time to see him crash.
She stared at Sara in disbelief—just one stomp, and she sent an oni with a Vision flying? Was… was Kujou Sara a god now too?
"Phew! You've gotten even stronger since last time, huh? That's the Kujou Tengu for ya!" Itto grinned, steadying himself, eyes burning with battle spirit.
"Hey, Boss! Kujou Sara is Great Divine Sovereign's lover now—how can you ask her to sumo with you?!" Shinobu groaned. "Can't you use your brain for once?"
"What?! She's taken?!" Itto froze, then nodded solemnly. "Then fine—even if it's not sumo, I still wanna fight!"
"I don't accept this! Come on—dare to face me? Or are you too scared, huh? If you won't fight, I'm calling you Kujou Turtle from now on!" Itto declared boldly.
"Hmph. Fool. Childish," Sara scoffed. She turned to the others. "Get up. Resume patrol."
She knew Itto's strength well. No need to scold the guards—they weren't weak; he was just a reckless powerhouse.
"Yes, ma'am!" the samurai scrambled to their feet, straightening their uniforms and reforming ranks.
"Hey! Kujou Turtle! What's the matter? Scared?!" Itto shouted after her. "What kind of Tenryou Commissioner doesn't have the guts to fight?!"
But Sara didn't even glance back.
"Come on, come on! Coward! People say Great Divine Sovereign's chosen consort must be extraordinary, but if she picked a scaredy-cat like you—hah, maybe her standards aren't so great after all!"
"Ghh…" Shinobu's eyes went wide in disbelief, watching Itto dig his own grave.