Over the next few days, Kouga couldn't help but notice something odd.Kiana was… plotting.
Every time he glanced at her in the living room, she had this mischievous grin, scribbling in a notebook, or whispering dramatically to herself like she was hatching some master plan. When he asked what she was doing, she would just hide the notebook behind her back and say, "Nothing! Totally normal Kiana stuff!" before scurrying away.
Kouga, for his part, decided it was safer not to ask again.
That changed one evening. Kouga had just gotten back from work at ME Corp and was setting his bag down when the front door burst open. Kiana strode in, chest puffed out, a wide grin plastered across her face.
"Kouga Hayata! Behold—my greatest victory yet!" she declared, waving a paper triumphantly in the air.
Kouga blinked. "…What now?"
"I am officially enrolled at Chiba Academy!" she announced proudly, pointing at the document like it was a holy decree.
Kouga nearly dropped the glass he was holding. "…What?"
"That's right!" Kiana beamed, throwing both hands up. "From now on, I'll be going to the same school as you. No more leaving me home while you go off having fun with Mei."
"…You're joking."
"Not at all." She leaned forward, grinning ear to ear. "Your rival has entered the battlefield."
Kouga pinched the bridge of his nose. "How did you even…? Enrollment is supposed to take weeks."
"Pfft, easy." She crossed her arms smugly. "I've transferred to tons of schools before. Piece of cake."
"…Transferred?" Kouga echoed, narrowing his eyes.
"Uh-huh!" she said, nodding with far too much confidence. "I'm a traveler, remember? I've hopped around schools here and there before landing in this city. I know all the tricks."
Kouga stared at her in stunned silence for a long moment. "…Unbelievable."
"Thank you," Kiana said with a wink, completely misreading his tone.
Finally, Kouga just let out a sigh and slumped onto the couch. "…This is going to be a headache."
Kiana twirled the paper in her hand, already imagining her grand entrance. "Oh, you just wait. By tomorrow, Mei won't know what hit her."
Kouga glanced at her from the corner of his eye, half-amused despite himself. "Somehow, I doubt that."
The next morning, Kouga and Kiana walked side by side on their way to Chiba Academy. Kouga carried both their bags like usual, while Kiana skipped along happily, humming a tune.
"You didn't have to make me a bento too, you know," she said, swinging her arms.
"You'd forget breakfast otherwise," Kouga replied flatly. "This way, you won't faint in class."
Kiana puffed her cheeks. "…Still, thanks."
By the time they arrived, Kiana peeled off toward the lower grade classrooms while Kouga went upstairs. The moment he stepped into his class, Mei glanced up from her seat. Her sharp violet eyes softened as she noticed his expression.
"Hayata-san, is something wrong?" she asked gently.
Kouga shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not wrong. More like… a surprise."
Mei blinked, puzzled, but didn't press further.
When lunch finally rolled around, she expected their usual quiet walk to the cafeteria. But today, Kouga took a different route, leading her down the stairs.
"This isn't the way," Mei said, confusion lacing her tone.
"Just follow me," Kouga replied, as unreadable as ever.
They arrived at a classroom in the lower grade wing, where Kiana was waiting by the door like a soldier awaiting inspection. The instant she spotted them, she practically lit up.
"Kouga-senpai! Mei-senpai! Over here!" she waved enthusiastically, bouncing on her heels.
Mei blinked, startled. "Kiana? You're… here?"
Kiana puffed out her chest proudly. "That's right! Starting today, I'm officially a Chiba student. Surprise!"
For a rare moment, Mei looked genuinely taken aback—but quickly offered a warm smile. "That's wonderful. Welcome."
"Thanks!" Kiana beamed, sidling right up to her like they'd been friends for years. "Now we can all eat together!"
Around them, several girls from Kiana's new class exchanged whispers. Some shot envious looks at Kiana, clearly jealous of how quickly she seemed to connect with the ever-distant Raiden Mei.
That envy vanished almost immediately when Kouga turned his gaze on them. His sharp eyes, quiet and unwavering, cut through their chatter like ice. The whispers died instantly, and the girls looked away, pretending to busy themselves.
The school day wound down with the last bell, and students poured out of the classrooms in waves. Kouga shouldered his bag, already preparing himself for the part-time shift at ME Corp. Beside him, Kiana stretched with a groan.
"Ugh, I hate math… Anyway, guess I'll head home—" she began, only to be cut off when Mei walked over.
"Hayata-san has work today, right?" Mei asked softly. When Kouga nodded, she turned to Kiana with a gentle smile. "Then, why don't I accompany you home? At least until he's done."
Kiana froze, then her entire face lit up like a festival lantern. She spun toward Kouga, thrusting up a triumphant V-sign. "Ha! Victory!"
Kouga rolled his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Thanks, Raiden. And sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble at all," Mei replied smoothly.
Almost on cue, the sleek, black Raiden family limo pulled up outside the gates. The chauffeur opened the door with practiced grace.
Mei placed a hand on Kiana's shoulder. "Let's go?"
"On it!" Kiana grinned, making sure Kouga could see her smug expression. She flashed another peace sign before hopping into the limo.
Kouga muttered under his breath, "Ridiculous…" but there was a faint curve at the edge of his lips as he turned and headed for work.
At ME Corp, the hum of machines and the low chatter of researchers filled the air. Kouga finished a quick task in the labs before running into Siegfried in one of the corridors.
"Yo, Kouga!" Siegfried greeted, slapping him on the shoulder with a grin. "How's it going?"
"Same as usual," Kouga replied. "Except… Kiana just joined Chiba Academy. She's in the lower grade."
Siegfried threw back his head and let out a booming laugh. "That girl! Hahaha! I knew she'd find a way. Good for her!" His chest swelled with pride, though his tone carried more amusement than surprise.
Then he leaned closer, nudging Kouga with an elbow. "You know, I'm jealous of you, kid. Walking around with two beautiful girls at your side every day. Must be nice."
Kouga gave him a flat look. "…One of those girls is your daughter."
Siegfried smirked, unfazed. "And? If it's you, I don't mind. I know what kind of person you are. Reliable, steady, the kind who keeps his word. If she chose you, I could live with that."
Kouga sighed, turning away. "You're incorrigible."