A few days had passed since the end of the fighting in Kasegi. Yashimiro was still lying unconscious in the hospital, but at last his eyes opened.
"What happened… where am I?" the teenager wondered, looking around the room. "Right… the hospital. That bastard tried to poison me." His thoughts were interrupted by a loud growl from his stomach.
"Damn, I'm starving."
Yashimiro threw on a hoodie and then jumped out the window. "I wonder if that restaurant is still here," he muttered, running to the place he used to visit often before his exile.
"Welcome, how can I help you?"
"Yo, old man, remember me?"
The man studied Yashimiro carefully, and only after a few seconds did he recognize him.
"So it's you, Derivan. It's been a long time since you last dropped by but you've grown."
"Well, I haven't been here for three years. Give me the usual."
"Alright. It's on the house today."
"Nice."
At the same time, Nohara arrived at the hospital where Yashimiro was supposed to be lying and was surprised to find him gone.
"He's already awake?" she wondered, immediately guessing where he had gone, and headed there without delay.
Yashimiro told the old man about the events of the past three years naturally embellishing the story a bit.
"You must've been through a lot."
"Yeah, but it was worth it. Your food is still just as delicious, though."
Their conversation was interrupted by someone coughing. Derivan turned pale when he saw the furious Nohara behind him.
"So the first thing you do after waking up is leave the hospital and come here to eat?"
"Hey, Nohara," Yashimiro began with an awkward smile. "I was just hungry, so I had to eat something. Uh… what's with the rope?"
Nohara said nothing, only smiled slyly and a moment later she started dragging him along the ground.
"Hey, untie me! People are staring!"
"Let them stare. You deserve this."
Soon they reached the hospital, where Nohara untied him.
"Listen, I really feel fine now. My injuries heal pretty quickly I don't need to stay in the hospital anymore."
Nohara listened in silence, her bangs covering her eyes.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? I came every day to check if you'd woken up, and this is what you do?"
"I'm sorry… but why are you so worried about me? You know how strong I am."
"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, YOU IDIOT!" Nohara shouted across the entire room.
Yashimiro just tilted his head, not understanding. "Can you explain that more clearly? I don't think I get it."
In response, Nohara grabbed the collar of his hoodie and pulled him into a passionate kiss, catching the teenager completely off guard.
They were so absorbed in the kiss that they didn't notice Kira watching them with a grin through the slightly open door. A moment later, Ronibo walked up to her.
"Why aren't you going in? Why are you just standing here?"
"Shh." Kira pointed at what she was watching.
When Ronibo saw it, he was equally surprised, and then a proud smile appeared on his face. After a moment, Yashimiro and Nohara pulled apart; her face was as red as a tomato.
"How long are you planning to stand there?" Yashimiro asked.
"Wait how did you know we were here?"
"Did you forget? We demons have sharp hearing. It wasn't hard to hear you."
"Sorry," Kira replied with an awkward smile.
"Congratulations, Yashimiro you almost became a real man," Ronibo said proudly.
"Hey, what do you mean 'almost'?"
"There's still one more thing you and Nohara need to do."
Nohara immediately understood what he meant, ran up to him, and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying out of the room.
"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, PERVERT!"
"Why did you attack him? Do you know what he meant?"
"You'll find out in time," she said, blushing. "More importantly, I need to tell the family you've regained consciousness. Father decided to throw a grand ball because of you. Kira, take care of your brother's outfit he has to look presentable for the event."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
"Then see you later!"
Shortly after Nohara left, a doctor came into the room, and after a check-up, Yashimiro was discharged.
"Now come with me we need to deal with your outfit for the ball."
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
The siblings spent several hours going from shop to shop looking for the right formal attire. The next day, the party was to take place. Yashimiro met Nohara just before entering the palace; the king's daughter was wearing a navy-blue dress.
"I never thought I'd see you in a suit. You look much better now," Nohara admitted.
"Thanks. You look nice too," Yashimiro replied, making her blush.
At that moment, Nohara's mother approached them.
"You must be the boy Nohara has told me so much about."
"Yashimiro, this is my mother."
"Wow, Nohara, your mom's boobs are bigger than yours. Are you sure you're related?"
In response, Nohara punched him in the stomach. "WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING, YOU PERVERT?!"
"Hey, I'm a guy it's natural that the first thing I notice about women is their boobs."
"Apologize to my mother immediately."
"Alright, I'm sorry, ma'am," Yashimiro said, bowing.
"That's not necessary I take it as a compliment. We should go inside."
The three of them entered, and Nohara's mother led them to a grand hall where the party was about to begin.
"First, we'll go upstairs. My husband would like to say something to you."
Yashimiro nodded, and soon they reached a place where Alicja and Maroke were already waiting.
"Welcome, Derivan. You've grown since our last meeting."
"My real name is Yashimiro. That one was temporary."
"I see. Listen, Yashimiro I'd like to sincerely apologize for exiling you."
"Don't worry about it," he said, after which Nohara nudged him. "You weren't yourself. I don't hold a grudge."
"Idiot show some respect to the former king," Nohara whispered.
"Hahahaha, it's fine. I like that kind of casual attitude," Maroke replied.
"Dear, I think it's time to begin the speech," his wife informed him.
"You're right."
The king stepped onto the balcony and began his speech. After it ended, the party officially began.
"Kira, Blade you came too?"
"Of course. You didn't think you'd be the only one to get this honor, did you?" his sister replied.
At that moment, Ronibo approached them, already a bit drunk.
"Tonight is your time, young ones so enjoy yourselves as much as you can."
"Judging by the marks on your face, you've already tried your usual clumsy attempts at picking up women," Yashimiro remarked.
"I'll succeed eventually."
Suddenly, Nohara approached him.
"Come to the dance floor."
"Why?"
"What do you mean why? To dance."
"But I can't dance."
"As if I didn't know that. That's why I'll lead."
"Good luck," Kira said, nudging him toward Nohara.
The pair stepped onto the dance floor and began dancing. At first, Yashimiro was terribly clumsy, but over time he started to get the hang of it.
"See? It's not that hard."
"Yeah… I just don't like that everyone's staring at us."
"You'll get used to it. After all, you've become the Hero of Kasegi."
And so, the celebration went on until late into the night.