The next few days slid by with an odd rhythm.Kouga's life returned to its routine: cooking hefty meals for Kiana in the morning, trudging to Chiba Academy, sitting through endless lectures, then coming home to deal with whatever chaos the girl managed to stir up in his absence.
Yet no matter how ordinary the routine seemed, there was always one constant.
Every time he walked through the city streets—whether on the way to school or on the way home—he could feel it.A prickling sensation at the back of his neck.Eyes on him.
He didn't even have to look anymore. By now, Kouga already knew who it was.
Far above, perched on some distant rooftop with a clear vantage of the street, Siegfried Kaslana stood with his battered binoculars pressed to his face, tracking Kouga's every step. His lone arm adjusted the focus, the strap of the goggles around his neck fluttering faintly in the wind.
Flashback.
"Are you certain that's all he asked?" Raiden Ryoma's voice was calm but sharp, the tone of a man used to commanding entire corporations—and soldiers. Sitting behind his obsidian desk, he looked every bit the professional: suit perfect, posture rigid, violet eyes unblinking. "Nothing beyond Anti-Entropy? No… other questions?"
Siegfried scowled, slouched in the guest chair with his one arm draped over the back. "Yeah, I'm sure. Believe me, if he wanted to dig deeper, I'd still be tied to that damn tree. The kid only asked about what we do… then, well, personal stuff." His jaw clenched at the memory. "Still can't believe he made me spill that."
Ryoma steepled his fingers in thought. The idea of a stranger who could force Siegfried Kaslana—Siegfried, of all people—to speak only the truth was troubling. Far too dangerous to ignore.
Finally, he gave his command, voice even."Keep observing him. From as far as possible. Do not engage again. There is more to this boy than we first assumed."
Siegfried had only muttered under his breath, "Yeah, yeah…"
End flashback.
Now here he was, high above the streets, his binoculars trained on Kouga like a hawk. His lips curled into a bitter scowl.
"Bastard," he grumbled. "Humiliating me like that… tying me up, stripping me down—what kind of kid does that?"
Still, his grip on the binoculars didn't loosen. Watching Kouga had become his routine now. Annoying as it was, orders were orders—and Siegfried Kaslana always saw his missions through.
Down below, Kouga didn't bother looking up. He just shoved his hands into his pockets, a faint smile tugging at his lips.He didn't need to see to know.
School passed as uneventfully as ever. Kouga endured the swarm of classmates who always seemed to circle him like moths to a flame, then slipped away afterward, wandering through the city streets. His steps carried him into the glow of neon lights and gaudy banners—a newly opened casino.
For a moment, he considered heading inside just for fun. But then he paused, remembering the constant prickling gaze from above, and the man behind it. Siegfried Kaslana. The guilt of what he had done to him days ago still lingered. Maybe… just maybe… this could be a peace offering.
And so, Kouga went inside.
Back on the rooftop, Siegfried kept his binoculars fixed on the boy, muttering curses under his breath. But then he froze.
Down on the casino steps, Kouga was holding up a makeshift cardboard sign.Big letters scrawled in marker:
HEY SIEG, WANNA JOIN ME IN THE CASINO? I'LL BE WAITING INSIDE.
"…Bastard," Siegfried hissed, lowering the binoculars. "He knew I was watching, even from this distance?" He hesitated, grumbling. Then, with no other choice, he tucked the binoculars into his coat and followed.
The casino interior was a storm of light and noise. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above velvet carpets patterned in deep red and gold. Slot machines lined the walls in endless rows, their flashing reels chiming with the sound of coins. The air buzzed with music, laughter, and the clatter of chips, while dealers in crisp uniforms presided over blackjack, poker, and roulette tables.
Siegfried's gaze swept across the crowd—until he spotted the commotion.
A large group of gamblers had gathered around a poker table, their voices rising in disbelief. At the center of it all sat Kouga, a lazy grin on his face, tossing his cards down onto the green felt.
"Royal straight flush!" he announced.
The crowd groaned while the dealer declared him the winner. Mountains of chips slid his way. Kouga scooped them up casually, as though this were pocket change.
Then his eyes flicked up and found Siegfried."Ah! Siegfried, glad you could join me." Kouga strode over, bundles of winnings in hand, leaving the table in shock.
"…Kid, what the hell is this?" Siegfried asked, staring at the pile of chips Kouga was carrying.
"Oh, these?" Kouga grinned. "Consider them an apology for… well, last time." He tilted his head toward the card tables. "Come on. Try your luck."
Siegfried frowned but followed, figuring he might as well humor the boy. And maybe squeeze more answers out of him.
At first, his luck was terrible. Card after card betrayed him, and he lost several hands in a row. But then Kouga leaned casually against the table beside him. Suddenly, fortune shifted. Siegfried's hands began to dominate. Full houses. Flushes. Near-flawless reads. Soon the chips piled high before him.
He blinked in disbelief. "…The hell?"
Kouga only smirked. "Guess I'm good luck."
They moved on to the slots. Siegfried sat, pulled the lever—nothing. Again—nothing. Beside him, Kouga gave the machine one lazy tug. Jackpot. Bells, whistles, flashing lights. Again. And again. Jackpot after jackpot.
By the time they were done, the casino staff was glaring daggers, whispering behind their counters. Siegfried couldn't help laughing at the pale faces of the workers, while Kouga just wore an amused smile.
Hours later, both men strolled out into the cool night air, each carrying a briefcase stuffed with cash.
"That was fun," Siegfried admitted with a chuckle. Then, as the laughter faded, the weight of reality returned. He glanced at the boy walking beside him, his target, his anomaly. His expression hardened.
He had to ask.
"…So, kid. Why are you here?"
Kouga tilted his head, giving him a look that silently said, Really? That's your question?
"I mean it." Siegfried's tone was serious. "You just appeared out of nowhere. You do whatever you want. You've got those… powers. What's your game?"
"Oh, that?" Kouga shrugged like it was nothing. "I'm just passing through. Think of me as a traveler—from different realities altogether."
Siegfried stopped walking, stunned. "…Wait, you're serious? Then why the hell did you attack me back then? Tie me up like some criminal?"
Kouga deadpanned. "Dude. You stalked me. Who in their right mind would let a stalker hang around? The only reason I didn't beat you worse was because you're the father of a friend of mine."
Siegfried raised his hand defensively. "Okay, okay, fair. But still, you know Anti-Entropy exists to protect humanity, right? We had to make sure you weren't a threat."
"It's because you protect humanity that I didn't want to fight," Kouga replied simply. "I'm also a protector of the innocent. You don't need to worry about me."
"…Really?" Siegfried's gaze lingered on him suspiciously.
"Believe it or not, that's your call. Keep stalking me if you want—it's your job." Kouga said with a shrug.
Siegfried sighed. "Tch. Fine." Then his eyes narrowed. "But why the hell do you need all that money?"
"Oh, that? To buy stuff." Kouga replied flatly.
Siegfried paused. Then, an idea struck him."How about you work for our company?"
Kouga blinked. "What?"
"My friend Raiden Ryoma is CEO of ME Corp. I can pull some strings, get you a part-time job. What do you say?" Siegfried asked confidently.
Kouga smirked faintly. Like father, like daughter. "That could work… as long as you guys don't try to experiment on me."
"Deal." Siegfried extended his one hand. Kouga shook it firmly.
They exchanged numbers and kept walking. Eventually, Kouga glanced up."Ah, we're here."
Siegfried turned, then froze. His eyes widened."This… this is where my daughter's been staying."
Kouga nodded casually. "Oh yeah. She's been with me a while, since she lost her credit card. Don't worry, the outside looks abandoned, but the inside's just a normal house."
But Siegfried wasn't listening. His face twisted with fatherly rage.
Which led to Kouga enduring an hour-long lecture on why boys and girls shouldn't live together unsupervised. He barely escaped once he swore, under oath, not to do anything inappropriate.
At last, Siegfried calmed. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small black card."Give this to her."
Kouga's eyes widened. "Is this ? …Her credit card? She said she lost it."
"Yeah. Took me a while to track it down." Siegfried's gaze hardened. "She may be stubborn, but I didn't raise her to live without support. Give it to her—but don't say it came from me."
Kouga pocketed it silently.
Then Siegfried leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "And listen, kid. If you ever make her cry—even once—I'll make sure you regret it."
Kouga sighed. "You adults sure love threatening people."
Siegfried smirked faintly but said nothing, melting into the shadows.
Kouga walked home in silence, pushed open the door—and was immediately greeted by Kiana's voice.
"Hey! Where were you? I've been starving for ages!" she whined in an over-the-top, comedic pout.
Kouga chuckled, stepping into the kitchen. "Relax. I'll make something."
Minutes later, plates of steaming food appeared, and Kiana devoured them like there was no tomorrow.
That night, when she finally collapsed into bed, snoring like the dead, Kouga quietly slipped into her room. He slid the recovered credit card into her bag, saying nothing, then walk out.