YUUGI: (pants)

Yuugi hastily runs through the crowd with a sharp look on his face.

He dashes by many shoppers as they quickly glance at him, wondering why someone like him would be running so frantically in the middle of the plaza.

Yuugi keeps on running and running-

YUUGI: (pants)

-but he suddenly stops-

YUUGI: Ah?!

-and starts recklessly look around him-

YUUGI: (pants)

-carefully searching for something.

YUUGI: … where did it-

CRASH!

The sudden sound of broken glass came from the outdoor dining area of a fancy restaurant.

Yuugi turns to it and sees a young waitress, standing frozen in shock after dropping a tray of food all over a diner’s table, who looks intensely displeased.

WAITRESS: Ah! I'm so sorry!

DINER: What is WRONG with you?!

WAITRESS: It- it was an accident-

DINER: Are you BLIND?!

WAITRESS: N- no! S- something just-

MANAGER: What’s going on?!

A grumpy older man steps into the scene.

WAITRESS: B- boss! It- it was an accident, I swear-

DINER: Is this how you train your workers?

MANAGER: I apologize. We'll clean it up as soon as we-

DINER: Apologizing won’t do after what she did to my meal.

MANAGER: We'll bring you to a new table and redo your order at no co-

DINER: If you had trained her better, this wouldn’t have happened.

The manager turns to the waitress and furiously glares into her.

MANAGER: … what did you do this time?

WAITRESS: I- I didn’t do anything. It- it just fell out of my-

MANAGER: Are you really that dumb to even mess this up?!

WAITRESS: N- no, boss! S- something dropped on my tray...

MANAGER: What?!

WAITRESS: I- I don’t how to explain it, but it felt like something dropped or... stepped on my tray when I was-

MANAGER: Are you even listening to what you’re saying?!

DINER: Do you expect me to accept that kind of excuse?!

WAITRESS: B- but-

MANAGER: Stop lying and admit you made a mistake!

WAITRESS: N- no, I'm... I’m telling the truth!

As everyone else in the area watches the drama escalates between the three, Yuugi looks up at the restaurant’s roof and at a moment’s glance, notices a strange animal quickly climbing over it before it disappears.

With a determined look on his face, Yuugi walks towards the restaurant and enters through the front door after passing by the manager and the diner shouting at the helpless young waitress.

He keeps on walking inside the restaurant and enters the kitchen after passing by the indoor diners and staff as they nosily watch the commotion outside.

He continues walking into the back, alarming the cooks as they bafflingly stare at the strange man walking into their kitchen.

He goes in further and further until he finally reaches the back door.

He turns the knob but it’s locked.

YUUGI: Hm...

JANITOR: Bro...

YUUGI: Ah?

A young janitor with a mop in his hand stares into Yuugi with a relaxed expression.

JANITOR: The toilet’s that way, bro...

Yuugi turns his head and sees the toilet.

YUUGI: Oh. I guess you’re right. Say, do you happen to have the key to this door?

JANITOR: Why...?

YUUGI: So, I could open it.

JANITOR: Why...?

YUUGI: So, I could go outside.

JANITOR: Why...?

YUUGI: As the health inspector, it’s my job to inspect every corner of this eatery. From the dining area to the kitchen, even the very back, which is the most important spot of them all. So, would you be so kind to open this door for me?

The janitor starts to feel suspicious of the strange man before him.

JANITOR: …

YUUGI: …

JANITOR: … you’re not the health inspector.

YUUGI: (smiles) Maybe you’re right. Or maybe...

Yuugi reaches into his jacket-

JANITOR: …

-and pulls out a roll of cash.

JANITOR: …?!

YUUGI: … you’re wrong.

The janitor silently looks at the cash with tempted eyes.

JANITOR: …

YUUGI: …

JANITOR: (snorts)

The janitor pulls out a bunch of keys from his belt and starts unlocking the door.

Click!

JANITOR: … here you go, bro...

YUUGI: Thanks.

Yuugi gives him the cash and as he proceeds to step out of the door-

YUUGI: Oh! One more thing.

JANITOR: Hm?

YUUGI: You mind locking it back?

JANITOR: …?

YUUGI: Once I'm done, I'll give you a knock. Kay?

JANITOR: …

YUUGI: …

JANITOR: … sure...

YUUGI: Thanks, bro!

Yuugi closes the door behind him and the janitor locks it back as told.

Click!

He then looks at the roll of cash in his hand with a calm smile.

JANITOR: Sweet...

He puts it in his pocket and goes back to mopping the floor.

JANITOR: (whistles)

...

In the quiet and gloomy back alley, Yuugi walks to the middle of the road and look around his surroundings-

YUUGI: …

-waiting for their arrival.

YUUGI: That was pretty rude of ya, what you did to her.

-kikikikiki-

The sound of tiny squeaks slowly fills the air.

YUUGI: Poor girl... just trying to make some dough for herself.

-kikikikiki-

The alley gets darker and darker as a giant, black shadow starts spreading through the back walls of the restaurant and looms over Yuugi.

YUUGI: And now, she’s getting yelled at for what you did.

-kikikikiki-

Lurking from the deep, dark shadows, hundreds of glowing yellow eyes open wide behind Yuugi, growling wickedly as they all stare down at the peculiar man.

Kii...

Yuugi, steadily calm and composed under the deadly eyes of the demonic critters, reaches to his jacket-

KII...

-and pulls out his blue-tinted sunglasses.

YUUGI: … it’s not too late to say sorry.

…

IMP LIZARDS: KKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The raging Imp Lizards heads on to the portal to bring their fresh prey back to their master.

But facing them is Mie, armed with a multitude of Myriad Mambas around her, ever so ready to strike at their green demonic opponents.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...

But the Imp Lizards hardly hesitate in fear and races forward with deadly intent.

IMP LIZARDS: KKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mie sweats nervously before the swarm yet she bravely stands her ground as she motions the Mambas with her hands to draw back, waiting for the Imp Lizards to come closer...

RRR...

… closer...

RRRRR...

… closer...

RRRRRRRR...

… closer...

RRRRRRRRRRR...

… close-

IMP LIZARDS: KKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And with a swift push of her hands-

MIE: HAA!!!

-launches all of her Mambas directly at the charging swarm.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HIIISSS!

IMP LIZARDS: KIIIII!

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HIIIIISSSSS!

IMP LIZARDS: KKKIIIIIIIIIII!

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSS!!!

IMP LIZARDS: KKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

CRASH!!!

The green swarm breaks apart as the Myriad Mambas violently pushes through them, knocking all of the Imp Lizards away from each other.

Ryuken, finally free from the swarm, drops to the ground on his back-

BUMP!

RYUKEN: AGH!

-and flinches in pain.

RYUKEN: Ow... how did I-

MYRIAD MAMBA: Hiss...

Ryuken looks up to the hissing noise-

RYUKEN: Huh?

-and sees a white snake with red eyes hovering above him.

He froze in fear as the Mamba looks down at him with a menacing glare.

RYUKEN: Wh- wha-

The Mamba charges at his direction-

MYRIAD MAMBA: HISS!

RYUKEN: AHHH!

IMP LIZARD: KII!

-and bites down on an Imp Lizard right next to his sweaty and scared face.

RYUKEN: W- what the-

Ryuken looks around him and sees hordes of white cotton snakes battling against a hundred green lizard Demons.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HISS!!!

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

Biting them with their sharp fangs, squeezing them with their elastic bodies, knocking them down with their hard heads, the Myriad Mambas relentlessly fights back against the wild and feisty Imp Lizards.

The Demons try fighting back, biting and clawing their way through the Mambas, but the Mambas keep on attacking, feeling no pain from their wasted effort.

RYUKEN: Wha- what's going-

MIE: Ishinara-san!

RYUKEN: Sa- Sawai- san?!

MIE: Are you alright?!

RYUKEN: Wha- what are these-

A few Imp Lizards starts crawling closer and closer to him.

RYUKEN: (sweats) … ah...

As they jump to pounce at him-

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

RYUKEN: AH!

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HISS!!!

-Mie quickly launches several Mambas to strike them down.

RYUKEN: GAH!

MIE: Go! I’ll take care of them!

RYUKEN: Ah? Sa- Sawai-

MIE: GO!

With no time to think on what's happening around him, Ryuken bolts out of the alley and runs into the plaza.

RYUKEN: (pants)

A couple of Imp Lizards starts chasing after him, but Mie knocks them away with her Mambas.

IMP LIZARDS: Kii!

MIE: I won’t let you get him again!

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

MIE: … not this time.

…

Tiredly running away from the fight-

RYUKEN: (pants heavily)

-Ryuken stops in the middle of the plaza to catch his breath.

RYUKEN: (pants heavily)

He looks behind to where Mie was and starts to worry for her.

RYUKEN: …

But more so, he wished that he didn’t have to run.

RYUKEN: … if only-

POP!

RYUKEN: … if only I could...

-kiiiii-

He clenches his fist in frustration.

RYUKEN: … do something.

-iiiiii-

A sound came from above.

RYUKEN: …?

-iiiiiiiii-

He looks up-

-iiiiiiiiiiiiiii-

RYUKEN: … wha?

-and sees an Imp Lizard falling straight at him.

IMP LIZARD: KII!

RYUKEN: AHHH-

BONK!

RYUKEN: Agh!

It lands on his face and starts scurrying all over him.

RYUKEN: Get- get off!

Ryuken pulls it away from him and throws it to the ground.

The Imp Lizard immediately turns to Ryuken and growls at his sweaty face.

IMP LIZARD: Kii...

RYUKEN: … oh, come on...

Ryuken starts running away as the Imp Lizard tails him from behind.

IMP LIZARD: KII!

RYUKEN: (pants) Where the hell did you come from?!

IMP LIZARD: KII!

RYUKEN: Stop Kii-ing at me!

IMP LIZARD: KII!

RYUKEN: Ahh!!!

…

Mie and her fierce Myriad Mambas finally cornered the Imp Lizards against the portal.

The Imp Lizards slowly steps back as the Mambas intimidates them with a sharp hiss.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

MIE: (pants) … think of this as a warning, okay?

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

MIE: You don’t mess with us, then we won’t mess with you.

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

MIE: Now, just go back to where you came from... and leave.

Mie keeps on pushing them into the portal, but the Imp Lizards still won’t back down and harshly glares into her.

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

MIE: (sweats)

IMP LIZARDS: … KII!

MIE: Ah?!

All of the Imp Lizards stand their ground and loudly screeches at her.

IMP LIZARDS: KII! KII! KII!

MIE: (sighs) Why are you guys so stubborn...

Mie presses her palms-

IMP LIZARDS: KII! KII! KII! KII! KII!

-and takes a deep breath.

IMP LIZARDS: KII! KII! KII! KII! KII! KII! KII!

As Mie prepares her next move, the Myriad Mambas starts spreading out, leaving Mie open and defenceless.

The Imp Lizards seizes the opportunity and charges to attack her.

As they get closer and closer to pounce at her-

IMP LIZARDS: KII!

FWOOM!

-Mie breathes out a burst of flames and pushes them back with the scorching heat.

IMP LIZARDS: KII!

As the intensity of the flames starts to reach them, they finally stop resisting-

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

-and they all return into the fiery portal, hurriedly entering it as it slowly shrinks and disappears with a-

Poof!

Mie is now alone with her Mambas-

MIE: (sighs loudly)

-feeling incredibly exhausted after one long day.

MIE: … ahh... this is too much... even for me.

MYRIAD MAMBA: … hiss...

MIE: Hm?

One of the Mambas closes in to comfort her.

MYRIAD MAMBA: Hiss...

Mie proudly smiles at the Mamba-

MIE: You really helped me a lot there.

-and pets it on its head.

MIE: Great job.

It hisses in joy as it’s being petted by its adored magic caster.

MYRIAD MAMBA: Hisssss...

The other Mambas glares at the petted Mamba with jealous eyes.

They all start shoving themselves at Mie to seek her attention.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss!

MIE: Woah, woah, woah! Calm down, calm down! There's enough of me to go around!

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...

MIE: What?

MYRIAD MAMBAS: HISS!

MIE: Okay, okay! You ALL did a great job. Every single one of you. Happy?

They merrily hiss together and lovingly rub their faces all over her.

MIE: (laughs) Sto- stop it! That tickles!

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...

MIE: (laughs) We don’t have time to celebrate...

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss?

MIE: (chuckles) We still need to find Ishinara-san.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...?

MIE: He’s probably worried about us.

MYRIAD MAMBAS: Hiss...

MIE: We took care of all of them. Surely, he’s fine.

…

RYUKEN: Gyah!!!

Ryuken is still cowardly running from the lone Imp Lizard as it keeps chasing him relentlessly.

IMP LIZARD: Kii!

RYUKEN: (pants) When is this gonna end already?!

IMP LIZARD: Kii!

He runs through the crowd as they quickly glance at him, wondering why someone like him would be running so recklessly in the middle of the plaza.

Among them are Sora and Aki, still trying to look for Mie.

SORA: Try calling her again.

AKI: I already did, Sora-san. It's been 5 times.

SORA: She wouldn’t just leave without telling us anything.

AKI: We can call her again tonight. Mie-chan probably had some issues to-

Aki sees Ryuken running past her.

RYUKEN: (pants)

AKI: Oh, isn't that-

SORA: That stinkin’ heartbreaker!

Ryuken keeps on running until he spots a corner opposite a fancy restaurant and sharply turns to it.

He keeps on running without looking back-

RYUKEN: (pants)

-but he immediately stops his tracks-

RYUKEN: Ah!

-as an 8-feet tall wall blocks his path.

He has nowhere to go.

RYUKEN: (pants) … aw, man...

IMP LIZARD: Kii...

RYUKEN: Ah?!

Ryuken quickly turns around in fear to face the threatening Imp Lizard alone as it creeps in closer and closer.

IMP LIZARD: Kii...

RYUKEN: (sweats) … er...

IMP LIZARD: Kii...

RYUKEN: … m- maybe we could-

IMP LIZARD: Kii...

RYUKEN: … w- work things out?

IMP LIZARD: KII!!!

The Demon jumps straight at him to attack-

RYUKEN: GYAH!!!

-but Ryuken manages to catch him before it reaches his face.

He struggles to hold the Imp Lizard in his hands-

RYUKEN: ... gh...

-but he slips and drops to the ground.

RYUKEN: Ah!

Thud!

He pushes his arms upwards to distance himself from it as it tries to violently break free from his grasp.

IMP LIZARD: Kii! Kii! Kii!

It loudly shrieks at his face as drool spits out of his mouth

RYUKEN: Ah! P- puhh! Not in my mouth!

It starts clawing at Ryuken’s hand-

RYUKEN: Gah! Stop!

-hurting him as he struggles to not lose his grip-

IMP LIZARD: Kii! Kii! Kii!

-making him angrier by the second.

RYUKEN: … ghh...

IMP LIZARD: Kii!

RYUKEN: … why can’t-

… zzz...

IMP LIZARD: Kii!

RYUKEN: -you just-

… bzzz...

IMP LIZARD: Kii!

RYUKEN: … s- st-

… bzzzt...

IMP LIZARD: KII!

RYUKEN: STOP!

KRAKOOM!

A lightning bolt shoots out of Ryuken’s hands and blasts the Imp Lizard flying high into the air.

IMP LIZARD: KIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

…

In the middle of the plaza, sitting by the water fountain are a young couple on a date.

As they enjoy their time together, the young man takes out his digital camera from his fanny pack-

YOUNG MAN: Look here, Babe!

-and they pose together for a selfie.

YOUNG WOMAN: (raises peace sign)

YOUNG MAN: Say cheese!

CHEEEEEESE!

KIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

Snap!

Plop!

YOUNG WOMAN: Wha?

YOUNG MAN: That’s good, Babe.

As he checks his camera, the young woman turns to the fountain after hearing the odd sound.

YOUNG WOMAN: … did you see something fell into-

YOUNG MAN: Oh, what the HELL?!

YOUNG WOMAN: … wha- what happened?!

The young man angrily stares into the camera.

YOUNG MAN: What’s THAT doing there?!

She looks into the picture and sees a green blur in the middle of their photo.

YOUNG MAN: (scoffs) Stupid bird... AGAIN!

An air bubble starts floating up to the surface of the fountain.

... blub...

…

RYUKEN: (pants heavily)

Exhausting his breath out, Ryuken lies on the ground with a mix of emotions racing through his head.

Tired after running away from the Demons.

Angry after being clawed by the Imp Lizard.

Glad after blasting it away into the air.

Shocked that he blasts it away in the first place.

But as he watches the peaceful evening sky from the ground-

RYUKEN: (breathes calmly)

-he starts to feel a sense of relief.

He gives himself a moment to clear his head-

RYUKEN: …

-slowly taking his time after one hell of a day.

He sees a flock of birds high in the sky-

RYUKEN: (sighs)

-flying for a place to rest for the night.

RYUKEN: Yeah... I’m done.

…

Mie is walking in her casual clothes among the crowd, searching for Ryuken.

MIE: Ah... I should have told him where to meet.

From a distance, she sees someone sluggishly walking out from a corner.

MIE: Hm?

She sharply looks at him and realizes who it is.

MIE: Ishinara-san!

She also sees Sora walking up to him and shouting at his face with Aki following behind her.

MIE: S- Sora and Aki-chan?!

…

SORA: Who are you to Mie?!

RYUKEN: W- wha-

SORA: What did you say to her?!

RYUKEN: Who- who are-

SORA: Why did you make her cry?!

RYUKEN: I- I don’t-

AKI: Sora-san! He didn’t do any-

SORA: How do you know her?!

RYUKEN: Sa- Sawai-san? She- she’s just a-

SORA: Did you chase her away?!

RYUKEN: N- no! I never di-

SORA: You better tell me EXACTLY what you did before she ran away!

AKI: Sora-san! Calm down!

RYUKEN: Uh... I, uh-

SORA: You better tell me or I’ll-

MIE: Waaait!!!

The three of them heard the voice shouting at them from a distance.

RYUKEN: Sawai-san!

SORA: Mie?!

AKI: Mie-chan!

They all turn and sees Mie running up to them.

MIE: Uh... Sora-chan, I think there’s some-

SORA: Who is this guy? How do you know him?

Sora leans in closer and whispers to Mie.

SORA: What were you guys talking about before?

MIE: He’s... Ishinara Ryuken. He's a... friend of a friend. And... he just came to say hi.

SORA: Then, why did you run out of the store?

MIE: I, uh... had some... stomach problems.

SORA: What?!

AKI: I told you, Sora-san. It was probably nothing.

SORA: We look everywhere for you.

MIE: W- well, you weren’t at the book store...

AKI: I told you again, Sora-san! We just walked around for nothing!

SORA: I- I was just worried, that’s all.

MIE: You- you were worried?

SORA: Well, yeah. You stormed off out of the blue and I was just... wondering if you were alright.

Mie quietly looks into Sora-

MIE: …

SORA: … Mie?

MIE: Oh! Uh-

-and pleasingly smiles at her.

MIE: It was nothing! Just a little stomach rumbling, that’s all. That BBQ really got to me quick.

AKI: R- really? I'm a little scared now...

MIE: No need to worry, Aki-chan! Your stomachs made out of steel!

Sora turns to Ryuken with a suspicious glare.

SORA: …

RYUKEN: (sweats)

SORA: What’s with all the running?

RYUKEN: Um, uh...

SORA: You saw a ghost or something?

RYUKEN: W- well, I was...

SORA: Hmm...

RYUKEN: … I was just-

MIE: He was just doing his evening run, that’s all!

AKI: Evening run?

SORA: In here of all places?

MIE: Why not? It's pretty big and you can run in circles all day long.

AKI: But doing it with all these people around...

SORA: He’s not even wearing the right clothes for it.

RYUKEN: ... uh-

MIE: It doesn’t matter how and where! It's all about the passion! The goal! The DREAM!

RYUKEN: … wha-

MIE: That's what we were talking about before. He was saying how he wants to lose weight and stuff by running all day.

RYUKEN: … I-

Mie pats Ryuken’s stomach.

Slap!

RYUKEN: Oof!

MIE: This belly ain't gonna burn itself, you know? You got to put the work while you still got it.

Mie quickly turns to Ryuken-

MIE: Right, Ryuken?

-and he stares back in confusion.

RYUKEN: … uh...

MIE: …

RYUKEN: … y- yeah! S- sureee...

MIE: See? A harmless stroll don’t bother anyone.

SORA: It sure looked like one hell of a stroll.

MIE: A- anyway, do you mind if you both give me a minute?

SORA: What?! Didn't you guys talk enough already?

MIE: W- well, there’s still a lot to catch up.

SORA: What more is there to talk abo-

AKI: Oookay, Sora-san.

Aki pulls Sora away from the two.

AKI: Let’s just leave them be.

SORA: Wa- wait! Mie needs our help!

AKI: It's okay. We won’t be far.

SORA: Wa- wait a second!

She holds Mie’s shoulder and whispers to her.

SORA: Mie, I know you know him more than me, but I don’t trust him.

MIE: He's not a bad person...

SORA: Doesn't make him a good person either!

Aki pulls her harder-

AKI: Let's just... hang around there, Sora-san.

SORA: Wait! Aki! B- blink twice if you need help, Mie!

MIE: Just a minute, okay?

-and drags her away.

SORA: Mieee! You could do betteeeeeer!

MIE: Ah...right.

SORA: Mmm... he’s not even that handsome...

AKI: … you’re too picky, Sora-san.

Mie turns to Ryuken after the two left them alone.

MIE: Uh, I'm... sorry about that.

RYUKEN: Ah, no... that’s okay. They just caught me by surprise. A- are you okay, Sawai-san?

MIE: Oh, I’m- I’m fine. A little tired, that’s all. What about you? You- you're not hurt?

RYUKEN: Ah, no! I- I'm fine. Just some... scratches, here and there. What- what were those things?! They were like... hundreds of them!

MIE: Yeah... I didn’t expect those Imp Lizards to come at us like that. Should have taught us that back in Demonology.

RYUKEN: Imp Lizards?

MIE: There were just Level 1’s, though. Nothing to worry about. Handled them all too well, thanks to my Cloth Snakes.

RYUKEN: C- Cloth Snakes?! Those were yours?

MIE: Yep. They're my Spirit Animals.

RYUKEN: Spirit... Animals?

MIE: Yeah, they’re these-

SORA: MIE! You good there?!

Mie glance at Sora shouting from afar.

MIE: Ah... (chuckles) maybe some other time. Still, I’m glad to see you’re alright, Ishinara-san. I... I wish I could have helped you sooner, but-

RYUKEN: D- don't be! N- nobody expected this at all. Especially, when it comes to... Demon stuff.

MIE: (chuckles) It takes time till you get used to Demon stuff.

RYUKEN: Yeah... I'm not looking forward to that. I wanted this day to go somewhere else, but... I didn’t expect it would go this way.

MIE: Yeah... same.

RYUKEN: St- still... I'm glad you were here, Sawai-san.

MIE: Huh?

RYUKEN: Of all the unexpected things that happened today, I'm glad that our... unexpected meeting turns out to be lucky.

MIE: …

RYUKEN: So, thank you, Sawai-san. I... owe you a lot.

Hearing those words coming out of Ryuken’s mouth, Mie could only stare back in silence.

She knew she could have done better, but if it weren’t for her, Ryuken would not be here talking to her right now.

MIE: …

RYUKEN: … Sawai-san?

Mie snaps back-

MIE: Ah!

-and kindly smiles at him.

MIE: You- you don’t owe me anything! I'm just lucky that I get to help, that’s all!

RYUKEN: (smiles)

MIE: Come on, Ishinara-san! You're too flattering now...

RYUKEN: … you can call me Ryuken if you want.

MIE: Ah?

RYUKEN: I mean, I know I’m older but I won’t mind it.

MIE: Ah, then... (smiles) then, you better call me Mie-chan, don’t you think?

RYUKEN: Ah, maybe... Mie-san, for now.

MIE: Come on... you don’t have to be polite...

RYUKEN: (sweats) I- I try to be...

MIE: (chuckles)

RYUKEN: Um... Mie-san?

MIE: Hm?

RYUKEN: Um, I...

Ryuken takes a moment to say what he wished he had done.

MIE: …

RYUKEN: … I'm- I'm sorry, I... I couldn’t help-

SORA: MIE!!!

RYUKEN: Ah?!

MIE: Huh?

SORA: You want me to come get you?!

MIE: Alright, alright! I'll be there in a second!

SORA: Just pretend your mom’s calling!

AKI: … just give them a couple more minutes.

MIE: (chuckles) Sorry about that. What were you saying?

RYUKEN: Um, uh...

MIE: …

RYUKEN: I- I shouldn’t bother you for too long. I mean... I still need to find my uncle.

MIE: Is he waiting for you?

RYUKEN: I... don’t know where he is, actually. He wasn’t at the book store earlier.

MIE: We can help you find him.

RYUKEN: Oh, uh... th- that's okay. I'll just search him on my o-

Ryuken suddenly sees Yuugi from a distance, walking out of the fancy restaurant.

RYUKEN: Oh! There he is.

MIE: Really? Where?

RYUKEN: He's the... one with the ponytail, wearing a brown jacket.

MIE: Ooh... he sounds cool.

She turns to where Ryuken saw him-

MIE: Let me see if I can spot hi-

-and sees the man standing in front of the restaurant.

She pauses for a moment after seeing his face, thinking that he looked oddly familiar.

MIE: … isn’t that-

RYUKEN: I think I'll go now, Mie-san.

MIE: Huh?

RYUKEN: My uncle’s pretty busy, so I can’t really waste too much time.

MIE: Oh, uh... okay.

RYUKEN: And, uh... thank you again, Mie-san.

MIE: No problem at all! Always happy to help.

RYUKEN: I, uh... I'll see you again, I guess.

MIE: A hundred more times, if you wish!

RYUKEN: (chuckles) G- goodbye, Mie-san.

MIE: Bye-bye, Ryuken-san!

Mie waves her hands high and graciously smiles at Ryuken.

Ryuken waves back while walking away with a thankful smile, grateful for her saving his life.

Ryuken approaches Yuugi from behind and calls for him.

RYUKEN: Uncle Yuugi!

YUUGI: Hm? Oh, Ryuken! Were you looking for me all this time?

RYUKEN: (sweats) Uh, um... y- yeahhh. I- I was...

YUUGI: Sorry about that. Thought I’d leave you alone when I saw you talking to a friend of yours.

RYUKEN: Oh? You- you saw?

YUUGI: Yeah. Even had a call from work at the same time.

RYUKEN: Oh?

YUUGI: Yeah... my boss just can’t stop yammering in my ear all day. Couldn't stand listening to him in one spot, so I walked around the plaza to no end, and once he’s done, suddenly found myself here now.

RYUKEN: … into the restaurant?

YUUGI: Oh, I was just in there looking at the menu, see what they’re offering.

RYUKEN: Is it... good?

YUUGI: Pretty lousy place. The manager’s a jerk.

RYUKEN: Oh, um... I'm sorry I was... busy with my-

YUUGI: Don’t worry about it! Don’t let an old man like me ruin your fun.

RYUKEN: Uh... yeah. Should we... go back then?

YUUGI: What do you mean? The day had just begun!

RYUKEN: But, what about your... meeting?

YUUGI: Meeting?

He looks at his watch to check the time.

YUUGI: Oh... has it been that long?

RYUKEN: Y- yeah, s- sorry...

YUUGI: (smiles) That’s okay, Ryuken. Come on! Let's buy that manga of yours before we leave.

Yuugi starts walking as Ryuken follows him.

RYUKEN: Th- that's okay. We can just go back ho-

YUUGI: What do you mean? We can’t just leave empty-handed.

RYUKEN: N- no, that’s okay. I couldn’t even find it.

YUUGI: What?! What were you doing the whole time?

RYUKEN: Uh, I was... catching up with a... friend of a friend?

Mie watches Ryuken and Yuugi from afar as they walk away together.

MIE: … he kinda looks like-

SORA: MIE!

Sora jumps from behind and tightly hugs her.

MIE: Ah?!

SORA: What did he say? Did he hurt you? Want me to hunt him down?

MIE: (chuckles) Everything’s fine, Sora-chan.

SORA: When someone says “they’re fine”, they’re lying! You can be honest with us, Mie, don't cha know?

AKI: You're awfully protective now, Sora-san. You don’t trust boys?

SORA: I don’t trust boys that aren’t my taste!

AKI: That’s even more problematic.

MIE: (laughs) Don’t worry, Sora-chan.

Mie turns around and holds Sora’s hands reassuringly.

MIE: I know how to take care of myself. You have nothing to worry about.

SORA: Hmm... I still worry...

MIE: (smiles) Well, maybe I should thank you then.

SORA: For what?

MIE: For always giving it your all!

SORA: … in what?

MIE: Taking care of your friends.

Sora's face starts to blush-

SORA: Oh, um...

-as Mie and Aki both smile appreciatively at her.

Sora turns away to hide her red face.

SORA: … of- OF COURSE! Wh- why wouldn’t I wanna... you know...

Her face gets redder and redder.

SORA: Mmm… Ahhh!

Sora pulls them both to her arms and hugs them on each side.

MIE: Eh?

AKI: Ah?

She lays their heads closer to hers and whispers in their ears.

SORA: … of course, I would. You're my friends...

The air between the three slows down quietly as Sora holds them tightly in her arms.

Aki can’t help but blush while Mie cracks a soft, contented smile.

SORA: …

AKI: … mm...

MIE: (chuckles) Ashikaga-san would be jealous if she sees us like this.

SORA: (grins) Nah... she would just walk away and pretend not to know us.

The three of them burst out in laughter, knowing well that is how Kaoru would react.

SORA: Come on! The day ain’t over yet!

Sora starts walking and drags the two together with her.

SORA: We still got dinner to look forward to.

MIE: Yeah! Dinner!

AKI: S- Sora-san! S- slow down.

SORA: Nothing can slow me down! Say, what do you want for dinner?

AKI: Hmm... anything is fine.

SORA: Alright! Let's have BBQ again!

AKI: … I was hoping for something different.

MIE: Yeah! BBQ FOREVER!

AKI: … didn’t it make you sick earlier, Mie-chan?

MIE: Oh, uh...

…

A dark green car is driving in a neighbourhood with loud rock music blasting from its speakers.

It finally stops and parks in front of the Ishinara Residence.

Inside, Yuugi lowers down the volume to speak to Ryuken.

YUUGI: We have arrived at your destination. That'll be 1500 yen, but since you’re my favourite customer, it’ll be on the house.

RYUKEN: (smiles) You ever thought that maybe one day, I might pay you for real?

YUUGI: Oh, that will be a dream! I’ll quit my job right now if it means I can just drive you around till my feet cramped up.

They both laugh heartily, enjoying their short sweet time together.

But as their laughter slowly dissipates to silence, the thought eventually came into their heads that they both have to say goodbye again.

RYUKEN: …

YUUGI: …

RYUKEN: … um-

YUUGI: Not ready to leave yet?

RYUKEN: Oh, uh... it’s- it’s uh-

YUUGI: (smiles) Same here.

RYUKEN: … s- sorry, I was... caught with my friend earlier.

YUUGI: Again, don’t need to apologize. I was caught up with something else as well. Wish it wouldn’t be today of all days.

RYUKEN: Hmm...

YUUGI: Now, life just rolls up to me in ways I couldn’t imagine. Even in my downtime, I still couldn’t refuse the call.

RYUKEN: …

YUUGI: (smiles) But you have nothing to worry about. We have our own lives. No need to fret on someone else's problems.

RYUKEN: …

YUUGI: I have work, you have school. That's just how it goes.

RYUKEN: … but, ... it feels like I have more than just school to worry about.

YUUGI: …

RYUKEN: It was never something I expected, and... I'm still wrapping my head around how I'm going to deal with it.

YUUGI: …

RYUKEN: It's just... a lot is going on, and... I don’t know how I could even-

Ryuken stops himself as he struggles to say how he really feels after everything that has happened around him.

RYUKEN: …

Yuugi pats Ryuken on his shoulder-

RYUKEN: … ah?

-and looks at him with a comforting smile.

YUUGI: It may seem like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, Ryuken...

RYUKEN: …

YUUGI: … but once you know how to lift it up, you’ll see how light it was the whole time.

Ryuken deeply stares at Yuugi with an admiring glow in his eyes, as his words gave him newfound faith that one day, he will finally overcome his challenges and find the answers he seeks.

YUUGI: You’ll get through it, Ryuken. Knowing you, I know you can.

RYUKEN: (smiles) And... knowing you, I know that... it’ll be nothing you can’t handle, right?

Yuugi looks deeply into Ryuken with a proud, beaming smile.

YUUGI: Absolutely nothing.

They both look at one another with bright smiles across their faces, strongly believing that it won’t be the last time they’ll see each other.

Ryuken opens the door to get out of the car.

RYUKEN: Maybe I'll visit you when summer arrives.

YUUGI: Not if I visit you first.

RYUKEN: (chuckles) That would be better.

As Ryuken closes the door, Yuugi drops down the side window to say goodbye.

Ryuken raises his hand halfway and softly waves at him.

RYUKEN: … goodbye.

Yuugi winks at him back and tops it off with a cheeky two-finger salute.

YUUGI: See ya!

RYUKEN: (nods) Yeah.

Yuugi turns up the volume and blasts out heavy rock music from his car.

YUUGI: And rock on!!!

Ryuken joyfully laughs as Yuugi drives away across the neighbourhood.

Watching silently with a bittersweet smile, he sees the car driving further and further away as the music slowly fades to silence.

…

Back at the fancy restaurant, the waitress is dealing with garbage duty at the back while talking to the janitor as he mops the floors.

JANITOR: I believe you.

WAITRESS: Of course, you would. You weren’t there to see it. Or... not see it.

JANITOR: Why wouldn’t I though? Like, if I told you some dude just walked in here and gave me a bunch of cash, you’d believe me, right?

WAITRESS: Yeah, sure.

JANITOR: Riiight!

WAITRESS: (sighs) No matter how many times I say it, it’ll still sound stupid every time. Something definitely dropped on my tray. I felt it.

JANITOR: (chuckles) The boss man would still cut you up though.

WAITRESS: But I can’t explain it any other way! What more does he want? (scoffs) He never stops shooting me down the moment I step foot in here. What's his deal, anyway?

JANITOR: … you didn’t hear this from me.

WAITRESS: Hm?

JANITOR: (whispers) One of the cooks told me that his ex-wife grew up in the same place as you.

WAITRESS: What?!

JANITOR: And he’s still paying for the divorce.

WAITRESS: Jeez... talk about taking the anger out on someone else.

JANITOR: (giggles) Maybe we should make a background check on them instead.

WAITRESS: Tell me about it. (sighs) Maybe I should find another job, just in case.

JANITOR: I can help you with that. My friend told me about this sports apparel store right at Chikaku Park. He said they’re in need of new employees.

WAITRESS: Chikaku Park? Hmm... that’s not too far from where I live...

JANITOR: Heard that the pay’s not bad, too. Come on! We can just walk in there right now.

WAITRESS: (smiles) You try to reel me in with you?

JANITOR: Come on... it won’t be fun without you around.

WAITRESS: (chuckles) Pretty enticing... maybe I'll check it out.

JANITOR: Yeah! Go for it!

WAITRESS: I didn’t say yes yet.

JANITOR: But I know you want to.

She chuckles lightly as she wraps the garbage bag and drags it to the back door.

WAITRESS: (sighs) … just a few more years, and I'll have enough.

JANITOR: Why not make it months?

He pulls out the roll of cash from his pocket and holds it up to her.

She stares at the money as her eyes widen in surprise.

WAITRESS: W- wha- how did you get that?!

JANITOR: Some dude just walked in and gave me cash.

WAITRESS: Wha- I- I thought you were kidding!

JANITOR: I thought you believed me.

WAITRESS: That's- that’s like... months worth of work.

JANITOR: And a dude just gave it to me.

WAITRESS: And... why are you showing this to me?

JANITOR: I'm not. I'm giving it to you.

WAITRESS: W- what?! Me?

JANITOR: Yeah, you.

WAITRESS: Co- come on... you can’t just give out money like that. That... “dude” gave it to you, so it’s yours.

JANITOR: Yeah, it is mine, and now I’m giving it to you.

WAITRESS: Oh, no... you don’t have to-

JANITOR: Come on... just take it.

She hesitantly stares at the cash-

JANITOR: You need it, right?

-tempted to reach for it.

WAITRESS: …

She slowly reaches for the money and grabs it as he lets go of it.

As she stares deeply into the money, she can’t help but crack a soft smile.

WAITRESS: … thanks.

JANITOR: (grins) It’s nothing, really. It's just free money.

WAITRESS: (smiles)

JANITOR: So, maybe you wanna consider... going out some time?

WAITRESS: (smirks) If you got 20 of these, I might even marry you.

JANITOR: Gah! I should have asked for more!

She starts laughing at his sad face, puts the cash in her pocket and walks to the back door.

WAITRESS: But seriously, what kind of “dude” would give you free money for noth-

She opens the door-

FWOOSH!

-and a strong breeze of cold air immediately enters into the room.

She instantly starts to shiver as the freezing wind blows at her face.

WAITRESS: Wha- wha- wha- what the hell was THAT?!

JANITOR: You felt it too?

WAITRESS: Felt it?! I can’t even feel my face! It’s freezing out there!

JANITOR: I thought it was my imagination...

WAITRESS: What?!

JANITOR: After that dude knocked on the door from outside, I opened it for him and then I felt this... cold wind, just blowing at my face!

WAITRESS: Wh- wha-

JANITOR: He closed the door as soon as he got in, smiled at me and said, “Thanks, bro!”.

WAITRESS: You gotta be joking...

JANITOR: No! It's true!

WAITRESS: What did he do?! Turned the back alley into a fridge?

JANITOR: I don’t know, bro... and I thought I was wack.

WAITRESS: Jeez... your story sounds even more unbelievable than mine...

She slowly steps into the back alley with the trash in her hand.

WAITRESS: Brr... I feel like winter just came early...

She reaches into a trash can to open it but quickly pulls her hand away.

WAITRESS: Gyah! It's cold!

JANITOR: You alright?

WAITRESS: Yeah, I'm just...

She tries to open it, but it’s tight shut.

WAITRESS: Ghh... it won’t budge.

JANITOR: Let me hel-

WAITRESS: Ah, forget it!

She throws the trash to the ground and quickly goes back into the restaurant.

WAITRESS: (shivers) I don’t wanna stay here for another second.

JANITOR: You want a jacket?

WAITRESS: You got one?

JANITOR: I got my biker one.

WAITRESS: Yeah, that’ll do.

As the waitress enters back into the warmer indoors, the janitor quickly shuts the door from the blistering cold.

But unbeknownst to their naked eye, the entire back alley behind the restaurant is frozen in blue ice.

From the road, to the walls and to the windows, everything is covered in ice, including the hundreds of Imp Lizards that surrounds the back alley.

Glued to the walls and to the ground, with their mouths wide open and their fangs popped out, every single one of them are frozen still, stiffened to their very last moments.

… cr... cr...

One of the Imp Lizards is stuck standing on its two legs as its body slowly starts to crack.

Snap!

Its lower left arm snaps off and drops to the ground-

CRASH!

-breaking his hand into thousands of icy pieces.

And from the tip of its broken arm-

… fwoom...

-a small black flame begins to ignite.

End of Chapter 20