Days slipped by, and Kouga stuck to his routine. Whenever class training sessions rolled around, he was the one student who split off to punish himself with gym equipment instead. Slowly but surely, his body began to take on a lean, toned build. It didn't take long before some of the girls in class noticed. A few even tried to flirt with him—though Kouga brushed them off every time without a second thought.
Kiana, on the other hand, glared daggers at every offender, arms crossed and lips pouting. Mei smiled on the surface, but the ominous dark aura that seeped from her shoulders said more than words ever could.
That evening, back at Himeko's residence, Kiana sulked in her room. Bronya was planted in front of the TV, fingers moving her controller with mechanical precision. In the kitchen, Mei chopped vegetables, the clatter of the knife steady—but the heavy aura around her made the air thick.
Himeko, sensing the mood, decided to check on Kiana. She gently knocked before opening the door. The girl was sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling with a stormy look.
"Kiana," Himeko said softly, stepping inside. "What's wrong?"
Kiana rolled over with a groan. "It's just… those girls. They keep flirting with Kouga, and it's so annoying!"
Himeko's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Oh my… are you jealous?"
Kiana sat up, puffing her cheeks. "No! I just… I don't like that they're trying to take him away from me and Mei-senpai. What if he gets a girlfriend? What if he stops spending time with us?" Her words tumbled out fast, equal parts frustration and worry.
Himeko chuckled softly. "Kiana, that is jealousy. But let me ask you—what is Kouga to you?"
Kiana blinked at the question. She opened her mouth, closed it again, then frowned as if trying to piece it together. Finally, she whispered:
"Kouga… he's someone who makes me feel safe. No matter how scary things get, he's always there to protect us. But it's not just that—when he smiles, it feels like the whole world gets brighter. I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose him."
The more she spoke, the more her cheeks grew warm. Somewhere in her heart, she realized the feelings weren't so different from what she held for Mei—deep, protective, and tinged with something sweeter.
Himeko smirked and reached into her desk drawer, pulling out a slim, pink-colored book. She placed it in Kiana's hands. The title read: "Beginner's Guide to Winning a Boy's Heart".
"Huh? Sensei, what's this?" Kiana asked, eyes wide.
"Exactly what it says," Himeko teased, patting her head. "If you're that worried, maybe it's time you learned how to show him how much he means to you. Of course, it's up to you if you actually use it."
Kiana held the book tightly, determination starting to spark in her eyes. "Thanks, Himeko-sensei. I… I'll figure this out!"
Kouga's training session dragged on well into the afternoon. His body moved on instinct now—lifting, pushing, striking, and testing the limits of his regeneration. Watching from a short distance was the teacher Theresa had assigned to keep an eye on him: Mr. Nokianvirtanen, the academy's history teacher, a brunette with sharp brown eyes.
"Sorry for troubling you with this, Mr. Nokianvirtanen," Kouga said between sets.
The teacher shook his head, adjusting his glasses. "Not at all. I was concerned about how hard you've been pushing yourself. But… I'm relieved to see you holding up."
Kouga gave a small nod, then suddenly stopped. His breathing steadied, his muscles no longer trembling from strain. Slowly, he set down the training equipment strapped to him, exhaling as a faint aura shimmered around his body. His wounds and exhaustion knitted away in moments, thanks to the immortality granted by Chalice.
Mr. Nokianvirtanen tilted his head, his expression slipping into worry. "Young man… are you alright? Why stop now?"
Kouga's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm fine. It's just… I think I'm ready."
The teacher blinked. "Ready for what?"
Kouga took a step back, then raised the Dino Buckler at his waist. In a flash of light, his form was engulfed, replaced by the crimson armor of the TyrannoRanger of Zyuranger.
Mr. Nokianvirtanen froze, eyes widening. For a second, Kouga swore he saw stars in the man's eyes. The teacher quickly coughed into his fist, trying to recover his composure. "Ahem. Why… why did you suddenly transform, young Kouga?"
"To do this." Kouga raised his right hand high, voice ringing out with power."To me—DAIZYUJIN!"
The air trembled. The ground quaked. Out of thin air, five colossal mechanical beasts emerged: the mighty Tyrannosaurus, the fierce Mammoth, the sturdy Triceratops, the agile SaberTiger, and the soaring Pteranodon.
Their roars shook the heavens as they converged, parts locking and shifting with thunderous impact until they formed the towering warrior—Daizyujin. The 41.7-meter tall giant stood proud, casting a massive shadow over the training grounds.
Kouga leapt high and landed smoothly within the cockpit, settling into the familiar seat. He ran his hand along the console, eyes softening with nostalgia. "It's been a while… Daizyujin."
Down below, Mr. Nokianvirtanen craned his neck, staring up in awe. His normally composed demeanor was gone—he looked like a boy seeing his very first super robot, pure wonder sparkling in his eyes.