Chapter 49: Acknowledging my weakness and my opponent's strength, no matter what I will get stronger! The beginning of my first Monster Duel begins with a rather unexpected twist at the end!? Pt. 2
The very next Saturday Michael and everyone else went to Kiyome's home which was a giant western house. It had a very magnificent interior with a huge garden at the back. Kiyome had said that she lived here alone with her other two siblings while their parents travel across the world as famous monster tamers.
The first thing Kiyome asked Michael was how it went when he returned home that one time. The only reply she got was a muffled cry.
"Third rule of and Akeno's punishments: Do not talk about Akeno's punishments!" It seemed adding Akeno as the punisher led to more traumatic terror for the poor young boy.
Kiyome followed up with a question about why he was crying.
"Second rule of Akeno's punishments!"
Kiba patted Michael's shoulders as they were led by Kiyome deeper in the large home.
They were guided back through a corridor connecting to another building that held an indoor pool. So the only appropriate action was for everyone to change into their swimsuits.
Rias, Akeno and Raynare wore swimsuits that exposed more skin and appealed more to their body type. Asia and Koneko were wearing cute swimsuits with frills on them. Xenovia decided to wear an athletic swimsuit that accentuated her curves and fit body.
As for Michael…
"Hehehehe! I bet no one would expect me to wear this!" Michael proudly puffed out his chest as he came out wearing a black and red surfer's wet suit.
"Excuse me, Michael-kun." Kiba tapped on Michael's shoulder.
"Oh come on!" Michael cried at his misfortune. He was matching with Kiba and…Gasper!
"I-I actually like this swimsuit it protects my breasts from being exposed…" Gasper said to himself happily.
"Gasper, you are a man who cares about your breasts!?"
"Okay, everyone come this way."
Before Michael could get into reprimanding his Kouhai he was urged to follow Kiyome to the pool side.
Kiyome too was wearing a daring swimsuit that was a little more moderate than Rias' own but hers made sure to reveal a little more of her breasts for the appeal of it.
Gathering everyone around Kiyome went through the details about breaking off the marriage meeting.
"For this meeting to stop, we have to go through with a Monster tamer battle against my father."
"Monster Tamer Battle? Wait do you mean like Pokémon?" Michael hopefully wanted the answer to be 'yes'.
"No."
'Drat!' Michael snapped his fingers.
"This involves real monsters not made up creatures that don't even exist." Kiyome sighed.
"The matches will be 3 in total using land, sea and sky monsters!" Kiyome held up three fingers but now placed up two. "Hanamura-kun just needs 2 wins to be the victor so the meeting will be cancelled."
"Okay first off I'll need Nidoking, a Blastoise and a Staraptor!" Michael clapped his hands together and grinned.
"We don't use Pokémon, Hanamura-kun, those things don't exi *COUGH!* look we already selected the monsters you will use so please do your best with them." Kiyome points over her shoulder as a familiar drumming was approaching them.
"HOKYOOOOOOOOOOON!"
"Wait that's-!" Michael gasped as a huge white gorilla appeared before them.
It looked at Michael with respect as it held its hand out to him!
"It's Chris!"
"Uho!"
Michael laughed and gave the yeti a manly handshake.
"For the land battle it will be, Chris the Yeti." Kiyome felt that these two will make a good pair in the upcoming battle. She felt surprised that Michael got along with the monster but felt a little disturbed when the two drummed their chests with fists. Looking almost identical to each other.
'No that possibly can't be it he doesn't act brutish like Chris does.' Kiyome ignored that feeling.
"Hey let's do that handshake we talked about!"
"Uho! Uho!"
The step back and did a regular high five. It started off normally but ended off with 5 head-butts which soon have them sprawling on the ground with bloody heads.
'Never mind it's like I'm looking at a mirror.' Kiyome pinched her temples.
"We have Chris as the land monster but who will be our sea monster."
"Hmph! A mermaid of course." Kiyome clicked her fingers and whistled to the pool. A shadow lurking from deep within was moving with amazing speed.
"Are you serious, a mermaid?" Michael gasped as he stood up.
"Of course and her name is-!"
*SPLASH!*
"Gyogyogyo!"
"Estleena."
A huge tuna with legs emerge out of the pool to stand beside Kiyome.
"…" Michael looked at the "mermaid" with half lidded eyes.
Placing a hand to his back, Raynare comforted Michael, "Its okay if this monster didn't live up to your expectations Michael-sama it's just nature's fault."
"R-Ray-chan…" Michael exhaled heavily.
"Hm?" Raynare looks at Michael's face.
"Do you think you can make a meal out of that thing?" Michael drooled with his eyes glittering.
"Don't tell me that's what you were thinking about!" Raynare shouted.
"G-Gyo…" The Mermaid steps back afraid of Michael's hungry eyes.
"Hanamura-kun I will not permit you to eat my monsters!" Kiyome defensively blocked Michael.
"B-But its tuna and it won't count as cannibalism if we just pull off the legs!" Michael laughed hysterically as he approached the fish with a drooling face.
"Estleena's main job is to sing. Estleena, sing a song for them."
Kiyome said and turned to the giant fish.
"Gyogyogyo~ Gyoso!"
The fish's song was scary with its husky voice.
"It's a cute song." Asia's eyes sparkled, she grasped something that the others around her couldn't.
"Now do you see her importance, Hanamura-kun?"
"Of course I do I mean that song was amazing…" Michael said deliriously.
"You see now can you get over eating my-"
"But it will sound more amazing in MY stomach!" Michael drooled more than earlier.
"G-Gyooooooo~!" The mermaid escaped into the pool to avoid its delicious fate.
"You'll have to come out sometime and when you do me and Koneko-chan will be waiting!" Michael drooled as he looked over the poolside edge, along with Koneko.
"Koneko even you?" Rias asked.
"Hm!" Koneko nodded and looked down at the pool intent at finding her potential meal alongside Michael.
Rias realized why Koneko would like this and kept quiet as Kiyome exasperatedly sighed.
'I thought only Natsuru and Makoto were the only ones who thought about Estleena like that… the world is a big place after all.' Kiyome shrugged.
"Ojou-sama. Your father will be arriving very soon."
Appearing from the shadows, was a bird-like monster man, with a cockscomb on his head, a beak, and wings on his arms.
"Yes, I understand. Oh, I forgot to introduce you. He is my personal bodyguard who will be your sky monster, the bird man, Takahashi." Kiyome introduced Michael to the bird man.
"Whoa, it's a talking chicken with the name of Takahashi!" Michael shouted.
"Yes I am Takahashi from Kobe."
"Kobe?"
"This is odd. Bird men should be indigenous on the Easter Islands like Moai." Xenovia, who was knowledgeable about monsters said.
"Ah, you must mean the Watanabe family. My ancestor returned to Japan and became Takahashi."
"Japan and the Easter Islands…? Meh… I don't get which one which so I'll just roll with it." Michael played along.
"So I will be fighting alongside the Legendary Dragon, the Sekiryuutei, who Ojou-sama requested for? You have a good look in your eyes. I'm Takahashi, meaning Sky which stands for glittering sky. Let's get along." Takahashi and Michael shook han… hand to wings.
"Do you mind if I call you a Pidgeot or Staraptor because I feel like I'll forget your name after a while."
"Fufufu, being young is a good thing. You see I was young once too so I had a special talent to forget things in three steps."
"…" Michael looked at Takahashi before blinking and saying, "Oh really that's cool uh… Hm… what's your name again?"
"Ah! I see you learned the three steps of forgetting! Being young is such a glorious thing!"
"H-How can you learn you something from forgetting?" Kiba sweatdropped.
"Michael, make sure to do your best. We will be backing you up, OK?"
Rias gave a cheer which bolstered Michael's spirits.
"Right!" Michael's grin and thumbs up was all they needed to see for an answer.
Tapping his shoulder for his attention, Rias said, "Michael do you also feel the same?"
"Do you mean about Kiyome-senpai's request?"
"Yeah… I also had trouble with my engagement so I found myself relating to her situation…" Rias looked sort of reminiscent about that past disaster which ended up in her favor.
"Of course, that's why I have to do my best to make sure Kiyome-senpai won't be forced into marriage like you!" Michael looked serious and clenched his fist.
"Kiyome-senpai should do what she wants like everyone else and you, Buchou."
Stroking his cheek lovingly, Rias smiled, "Yes, as expected from my lovely Michael."
'I have to win this so Kiyome-senpai won't up with guys like that Yakitori douchebag!'
"But remember…"
*PIIIINCH!*
"YEOWCH!"
"Showing anything indecent to Abe Kiyome-san is absolutely not allowed are we clear?" Rias sounded intense when she said that.
"Yes m-ma'am!"
"Good.
Leaning up closer to Michael Akeno hugged his right arm and whispered, "Buchou can tolerate some things, but she's still very strict after she has the permanent position as the first."
"I can hear you, Akeno."
"Ara ara, so scary." Akeno pressed her breasts to Michael's arms.
"Uh…" Michael was tensed after feeling the soft feeling on his arms.
"Geez."
Rias sighed while pinching Michael's cheeks again.
"Ouch! But I didn't do anything this time!"
"Now then, I'm going to prepare getting father's welcome ready." Kiyome went to go greet her father while everyone nodded, knowing the operation was going to begin.
Outside in the garden, everyone wore their regular clothing while they waited for Kiyome's dad.
"Did it just get dark all of a sudden?"
"Now that you mention it…"
Michael and Kiba noticed the dark clouds filling the sky.
*Hiheeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!*
The cries of a horse came through the gates as an abnormal man with a large build and stern look rode on it while wearing a cape and a helm with a horn on it. His eyes glow menacingly like he was some Demon King!
'So this is Kiyome-senpai's dad? He looks so cool but I can't show any weakness!'
"So you are the insolent whelp dating my daughter!"
Kiyome's dad pointed at Michael with an echoing voice that screamed intimidation.
Not backing down Michael stepped up to the man and smirked, "And so what you have a problem with that?"
"Hmph! You have some guts if you can talk to me like that."
"M-Michael-kun!" Kiyome wraps her arm around Michael's.
"Remember we promised to speak with, Otou-sama respectfully since you are my boyfriend, Michael-kun?" Kiyome forced those words through clenched teeth to remind Michael of the plan.
"R-Right I almost forgot." Michael nodded with a sorry groan.
"Otou-sama this is my boyfriend, Hanamura, Michael-kun."
"Very well. I will test you myself, to see whether or not you are fit to date my precious daughter!"
*FLASH!*
Lightning flashes behind Kiyome's dad.
"Whoa! What the crap was that!?" Michael jumped.
"Otou-sama has a habit of making things seem more "epic" for occasions like this." Kiyome nervously scratched her cheek.
"Let the first match being!"
Being led to a rectangular battlefield in the garden both Michael and Kiyome's dad stood against their opposite sides.
"I, Kiba Yuuto will be the referee!" Kiba stood on the field with two flags.
'Wait this seems a lot like pokémon.' Michael commented.
"For my first monster I will use this one. Come out!" Appearing on Kiyome's dad's side was a large snow gorilla that is much bigger than Chris. It has a whole body of scars on its back. The aura the beast had felt more experienced than Chris's.
"Kiyome-senpai, this creature feels to be stronger than Chris. Do you think we can beat it?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe? Geez thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Listen Otou-sama is a veteran at taming monsters so I can't just say you two will win that easily." Kiyome sighed.
"Well then I guess I'll just have to make sure Chris hits that other yeti hard!" Michael points out as Chris runs out to face the bigger version of himself.
"Uho!" Chris pounded his chest.
"BEGIN!" Kiba raised both his flags.
The land monster battle commenced.
"Steven use drumming!"
"Hokyoooooon!"
The opponent gorilla started to hit his chest after the order Kiyome's dad gave him!
"Hah! An intimidation move won't work on me! Chris quick use Ice punch!"
"UhoUhoUHOOO!"
Chris breathed a thick layer of ice onto his fist and smashed it into the opposing yeti's face.
"Impressive!" Kiyome's dad gasped.
"Wait, Michael-kun how did you?"
"Heh, let's just say I wanted to be the very best so I played all the pokémon games I could get my hands on. But let's save the chit chat for later now use Double-Team!"
Chris started running across the field and increased its numbers to 5 copies.
"Snow-clone a special technique amongst the yeti." Kiba muttered.
"Now things are heating up!" Michael hyped himself so much that he was covered by a fiery aura.
"Now Chris use Ice punch with all of your clones!"
All the snow clones dived in with their ice covered fists.
"Ngh! You are quite good! Steven counter with the "Freezing Beat-to-Death Stick" attack!"
Oi! That name is too long! Two words or less are better and much cooler." Michael shouted.
Steven threw up a banana after freezing it with his breath.
"Uho!" Chris licks his lips and jumps right for it leaving his clones to disperse.
"Chris don't fall for the trap!"
Defenseless, Chris reached out for the banana but gets tackled by Stephen who showed no hesitation.
*DOGON!*
"Ubo!" Chris was knocked out as he gets thrown outside of the field.
"The winner, Steven! So the winner of the first match is Abe-senpai's father!" Kiba raised the flag that was on Kiyome's dad's side.
"Damn… that wasn't fair at all and how does that banana fit in with that attack?" Michael bit his nails.
"It didn't. Otou-sama just used that ridiculously long name to distract you from making a counter attack." Kiyome added.
"Wow, I have so much respect for you dad now but that doesn't mean I won't win the next match!" Michael tightened his fist with determination.
'He's really getting into this…' Kiyome blushed as she watched Michael's steely eyes glare at her father.
"Fufufu. Is that the best you have? I won't permit you to keep seeing my daughter at this rate." Kiyome's dad laughed fearlessly.
"Don't laugh yet! I'll make sure to win this for Kiyome-senpai and mop the floor with you!" Michael points at his opponent with a fearless smile.
"Nice spirit! Let's see if it can help you in the next match!"
*FLASH!*
"Where is that coming from?" Michael noticed the lightning in the background.
The next match was held at the pool for the sea monsters to do battle!
"Now, I shall show all of you my monster!" More lightning flashes as a giant fish monster with legs appeared and it was shark version of Estleena!
"Crap that thing looks stronger but I'm sure my tasty! I mean my awesome monster friend can beat hi-!"
*PLOP!*
Michael looked at the shark which fell without showing signs of life.
"Is it okay?" Michael poked at it.
Thinking about it for a moment, Kiyome's dad patted his fist into his palm and chuckled.
"Ah, since it's a shark it would die if it doesn't continue to swim."
"Seriously?" Michael sighed.
"The winner of the second match is Michael-kun by default!" Kiba declared.
It would seem luck was on Michael's side, Estleena, who was supposed to be fighting ran/swam away through the pool pipes before the fight had even began. She was afraid to come within any contact with Michael and Koneko.
The final match had come. The Sky battle. It was held on the nearby mountain in the area. They were using Kiyome's dad's helicopter transportation to get there since the magic circles used for teleportation were still deemed dangerous to use until the culprits for messing with them are done.
On the bumpy rocks, Michael and Kiyome's dads were on opposing sides.
"Both of us will do the sky battle while riding on top of the monsters. Alright?" The older man said the rules as he sat on his horse and on a large ominous bird both at once.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaon!"
The bird threatened with a loud squawk but Michael wasn't affected.
"Fine with me! Takahashi-san!"
"Right!"
Michael jumped on the bird-man's back and shouted, "The Dragon-Bird combo has arrived! Time to repent you son of a bitch!"
"M-Michael-kun!" Kiyome reminded.
"I-I mean you wonderful man who raised such a beautiful girl, who I am happy to date." Michael said.
"Is that good…"
"Perfect…" Kiyome did a thumbs up while trying to hide a blush.
"Fufufu, boy. This weather it is definitely good for battle."
"I'm glad I'm not the only one getting pumped up!" Michael chuckled.
"Exactly you can say I'm a weather vane right now!"
"What?" Michael questioned.
"Final match! BEGIN!" Kiba swings down both flags.
Going after them the ominous bird goes into the sky and does a high-speed tackle that Takahashi barely avoids.
"Let's show them our stuff!" Michael grinned.
"Takahashi lets fly!"
"Uoooooooooooooooooo!"
Takahashi started running in circles flapping his arms around.
"What are you doing!?"
"Fufufu! I can't fly!"
"Eh!? But you said you were a bird man!"
"Ah, a Nagoya-kochin bird man. We can't fly."
"Then why didn't you say so earlier!?" Michael shouted.
"Then what about that Kobe place you come from!?"
"Don't you know how large that place is!?"
"You son of a bitch… You son of a bitch! Then you lied!"
"Its your fault. You should have asked Ojou-sama for my real story." Takahashi avoided a fireball the ominous bird was firing at him.
"…" Michael places a hand to his chin and looked up with a neutral expression.
'He's right.'
Shaking his head, Michael screamed, "That's not the point you stupid fraud!"
"Ah, not fraud but Nagoya-kochi!"
"I will eat your entire family!"
"You're guard is down!"
The ominous bird that Kiyome's dad rid, spews out a massive fireball that almost engulfs Michael Takahashi.
"Oh!" Takahashi nimbly dodges it.
"Well done! But this isn't the end!"
*GOOOOOOOOOOON!*
The ominous bird spewed out even more massive fireballs that blocked the sitting ducks from all sides.
"If we get hit by that, I will actually become a yakitori, hahahaha!"
"Takahashi, we are going to die if you keep laughing like a masochistic maniac!" Michael jumped off the bird man and pulled him away from the fireballs with an enhanced jumped thanks to his touki.
Using the smoke from the fireballs, Michael made sure to hide the both of them behind a huge boulder.
'They'll catch us at this rate!' Michael looked at the sky to see the opponent searching for them.
Michael breathed out calmly as he tries to think of a plan.
'Maybe I should ask Takahashi for some help?'
"You have to be calm at times like this. There is a saying in my family. They say that if you take three steps forward and two steps back, you will have a clearer mind… Wait, what was I doing again? Where is this place? Who are you? You look like my relative Yoshida-san. Are you Yoshida-san?"
"We're going to lose aren't we?" Michael was about to put his head down in defeat.
Then the picture of an unhappy Rias and the image of could be unhappy Kiyome placed itself in his mind.
Shaking his head and smacking cheek to get himself back in the game Michael revitalized his willpower!
"Hell no! I can't accept this I have to do everything in my power to win! Or else Kiyome-senpai will be unhappy just like Rias! I can't let that happen!"
[Dragon Booster!]
"I won't let that happen!" Michael shouted and clenches the hand of his Boosted Gear.
"Ddraig start the count!"
[Right, partner.]
Turning to Takahashi, Michael points to the bird man and shouts, "Takahashi let's do this!"
"But how Yoshida-san?"
'Just ignore that.' Michael thought.
"Look we have to win this but at this rate we'll lose so I have an idea!"
"You do?"
"Yeah let's ram that sucker with everything we got!" Michael laughed.
"But Yoshida-san I can't fly."
"You can't…" Michael emerges himself in a red dragon aura and equips his red scale mail.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
"But I can!" Michael reached out for the bird man's hand.
Liking how this was going, Takahashi somehow grinned with his beak, "Let's do this, Yoshida-san!"
The bird man took Michael's hand.
'Well I guess it's as good a time as any to test out what Ddraig said.' Michael thought.
Positioning themselves Michael held Takahashi in a Full Nelson and spreads his wings out while charging the rocket boosters on his back. The sound of the boosters charging alerted Kiyome's father as he flew towards the sound's origin.
"There you are now I'll finish thi-!" The man would have commanded his monster to breathe out another fire ball but he was interrupted by a single word.
"GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTS!"
*THOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
*DOOOOOOOON!*
"I-Impossible…"
Propelling themselves at a fast rate both Michael and Takahashi collided with the ominous bird sending it falling out of the sky and crashing into the ground. They were defeated in one hit.
"We did it, Yoshida-san!"
"I know! And that was awesome! I'm going to keep that word as my new all time favorite!" Michael threw his arms up.
"YEEEEEEEAH!"
"KOKEEEEEEEEE~!"
*THUD!*
Realizing he was lighter, Michael saw that he dropped Takahashi.
"Sorry!" Michael's voice echoed in the mountains along with the pained cries of the Nagoya-kochin.
After the match was deemed Michael's win, everyone returned to Kiyome's house. Takahashi was taken in to be healed as soon as they returned he still referred to Michael as Yoshida-san but expressed his gratitude towards him for helping him actually fly. Michael begrudgingly accepts the Thank You and hopes the bird gets okay soon.
He could have been healed by Asia, but she along with everyone was gone when they returned.
"It is my loss. I will cancel the engagement." Kiyome's dad who was getting healed from that had-on surprise attack said. He sounded to be quite content with that now.
"Thank you, Otou-sama!" Kiyome hugged her father with so much joy.
"Didn't mean to spring up on you like that, sorry." Michael scratched his head and apologized.
"No, Michael-kun that final attack of yours was very effective." Kiyome's father pounded his chest.
"Like I said I'm very sorry for that." Michael apologized.
"No, no Michael-kun that attack of yours, really hit me where I live!" Kiyome's father pounded Michael's chest to signify his heart.
"Okay back it up, what?" Michael still didn't quite get it.
"I mean I felt your drive. Your devotion to keep trying for my daughter. Each time I faced you in a match I felt your will to stand by my precious Kiyo-chan grow each minute. I wasn't convinced that you were the right boyfriend for my daughter and with this battle I confirmed that."
"What do you mean, sir?" Michael blinks once Kiyome's father placed his hands on his shoulders.
"No, you aren't good enough to be her boyfriend in fact you'd make a better groom!" Kiyome's father laughed excitedly.
Michael and Kiyome gasped,
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?"
"I've decided that from this point on you will stand by my daughter's side as her destined fiancé!"
"A-Are you kidding!?" Michael screamed and pulled at his hair.
'How am I supposed to explain this to Rias and everybody else!' Michael felt a gnawing feeling that Irina somewhere was pissed off beyond belief.
"Of course, not only have you've shown courage to stand for her feelings but you also stayed loyal to her and finished the fight by reprimanding your doubts!"
The man was getting pumped up for no reason.
"Wait how did you know that part?" Michael asked, he specifically said that to himself in the mountains.
"My boy, no matter how quiet or loud you speak those mountains will always bounce your voice off of its walls and to unknown places." Kiyome's father chuckled.
"You mean you heard me say…" Michael noticed the blush dawning on Kiyome's face as she looked away.
"Everything!?" Michael gasped pulled down his cheeks in fear. Making him look like that one painting. The Scream.
'Meaning everyone else heard it too.' Michael gulped. His future wasn't looking very bright.
"B-But wait why me don't you know how young I am, wouldn't this marriage seem kind of wrong?"
"Don't worry, son. The last candidate was even older than my daughter!"
"And how is that supposed to cheer me up?" Michael groaned.
"Michael, my son you live in a 6 story home correct?"
"Yeah why would you as-No!"
"That's good to seal this engagement you and my daughter Kiyo-chan will live together from now on!"
"WHAT!?"
Both Michael and Kiyome screamed at these unexpected events.
"B-But what about Makoto and Natsu-nee?" Kiyome said, she didn't feel comfortable leaving her siblings behind like this.
"I'm sure they would understand and come visit you from time to time. Oh, we can't neglect your duties as a tamer so I'll be sure to renovate a proper stable for any monsters you're beloved fiancé collects for you! As a Legendary Dragon I'm sure you could give my daughter many experiences!" Kiyome's dad patted Michael's shoulder.
"M-More renovations?" Michael sweatdropped, just how big will his house get?
"It is decided until, my beloved daughter, Kiyo-chan and her fiancé, Michael Hanamura graduate College they will marry here! To have the Red Dragon Emperor as my son-in-law is so refreshing that I can't contain all of this excitement!" Kiyome's father laughed, like a giddy kid who just received a new toy. He hugged Kiyome and physically shook her.
"I must tell, your mother immediately!"
"W-Wait!" Michael called, but it was too late the man was gone.
"I guess this is really happening." Michael tiredly rubbed his head.
"Thank you."
"Hm?"
Kiyome stands facing Michael without her old prideful demeanor.
"I want to properly thank you for today. Thanks to you, I don't have to go through with that set up engagement." Kiyome twiddled with her fingers.
"No problem. I was just happy to help you Kiyome-senpai. I mean you shouldn't do something that makes you unhappy especially when someone wants you to do it." Michael smiled as the setting around them became darker because of the sunset.
Kiyome's blush grew after she heard the same words he said again.
"Just thank you… Michael…"
"But even if you thank me we still have this mess to get through. Now we're the one's engaged. So isn't this like square one again?"
"I don't care." Kiyome said.
"Kiyome-senpai?"
"The only thing I cared about was that you took my request seriously and put everything you had into every battle." Kiyome fidgeted a little with her shoulders as she inched closer to Michael.
"Senpai are you okay?" Michael asked.
"I'm fine it's just that… I wouldn't mind if I can live together with you."
"Eh? Really?" Michael blinked, he was slowly piecing things together. Until something catches his eye behind Kiyome.
Kiyome nods.
"If it's okay with you, do you think we can have dinner togeth-?"
"Kiyome-san!"
"Whoa! B-Buchou?"
A crimson blur latches onto Michael arm as Rias holds onto Michael's arm tightly to herself and smiles with a "Checkmate" attitude.
"I'm afraid you'll have to plan that dinner another time because I still have my date with Michael to take first priority."
"I-I!" Kiyome stuttered.
"Remember that favor well I think I'll use that right now. I'll overlook your engagement and accept your homestay with Michael only if you accept that I will stay as his first."
'What are they talking about?'
"Looks like there is no chance for me to win completely. Fine, I accept those terms." Kiyome silently cursed herself for making a deal with a devil, but still that didn't mean hope was completely lost for her.
"I'll be sure to contact you when my things are ready to be moved." Kiyome bowed and walked into her home.
"Bye, Kiyome-senpai!" Michael waved and received a friendly wave back.
"Congratulations you won, Michael." Rias hugged herself to Michael's arm tightly.
"Yeah, I'm relieved it's over it was so tiring having to put up with that bird brain." Michael sighed but still had that accomplished glow around him.
"I take it you're happier that you have a new saying now." Rias smiled.
"Heh! You bet!" Michael rubbed his nose.
'Thanks Ddraig.' Michael thought.
Suddenly Michael remembered, "Oh, that's right Rias what I said earlier in the mountains! It was because of the moment and I just got so hyped that I…"
Rias placed a finger on his lips.
"You don't have to worry I'm not mad."
"You're not?"
"No, because I don't have to worry about anything. I believe that you will always come back to me." Rias hugged Michael's arm tighter.
"Of course I will. Because I love you, Rias."
No matter how many times Michael says that he still doesn't show any hesitation. He feels that saying it straight up will leave him with less regrets and for what it is worth: It does.
"I love you too, Michael."
Rias leaned her head on his shoulders lovingly as the pair walked off back into town.
"So where did everyone go?"
"By the time they heard your declaration they decided to leave early with bad moods. Yuuto and Gasper are doing their best to lighten up their spirits but whether they still take it on you is another story."
"R-Really? Man I thought that they would forgive me like you."
"They won't be so lenient like me sometimes but if we take home something we can all eat together they may lessen the torture they planned for you."
"L-Lessen? So nothing will change, how will this benefit me?"
"Fufufu, it may be short but we can go to the taiyaki shop and pick it together like on a date."
"Well I guess that's a fair trade for the terrible pain that will come."
"See?"
"So Rias… you like to go out to restaurants on dates?"
"I'm still not telling you, Michael. I'll leave that for you to find out."
"Curses… I just can't win today…"
The couple laughed as they walked off to start their little date.
On a tall building they barely pass by a watching Natsuru watches the pair with a close eye and sharp ear on their conversation. Pulling something out between her breasts Natsuru brings out a scroll which depicts a brief video of Michael entering his Balance Breaker form and the dragon aura surrounding him. Even the scroll started to emit the same wavelength that the dragon aura was emitting.
"What a day indeed." Natsuru smirked.
"I didn't expect, Tou-sama to arrange Kiyo-tan's marriage just like that with my target. It makes things really difficult but also very easy to separate Michael-kun from that pesky obstacle, known as Miss Gremory." Natsuru made sure to close the scroll.
"I'm sure I have enough data that "they" can use to finish my little toy."
*Shiine!*
"Speak of the devil they must be getting things done if they need it already."
A medium sized pale gold magic circle appears before Natsuru who slides the scroll right on in. The circle disappears soon after.
"Now all the pieces are finally falling in place." Natsuru licked her lips then narrowed her eyes behind her.
'Except one last unexpected piece.'
"Tch!"
Landing on the very same building, was Shirou who looks around for that malignant natural energy that led a traceable trail.
"Dammit! Each time I get a tick from this energy signature they keep on hiding to reveal themselves somewhere else!" Shirou clenched his fist.
"I will find you and I won't stop until you're caught!"
*SNAP!*
"You're not getting away from me this time!" Shirou felt another tick of natural energy leading a trail to his possible culprit and jumps off the building to chase after it.
Walking from out of the shadows was a black cat with golden eyes as it looks out to the sunset with a mischievous smile.
'But don't worry if you have something that's new and out of place. You make it "fit"…'
The sun sets down on the cat as the cat's shadow revealed 9 flowing tails behind its feline body.
*MEOW~!*
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Retribrutus
Retribrutus Next Chapter- A suggestion that works out in "everyone's" favor and "binds" everything together! The First Official Date at the Weird Carnival begins!
Well, I hoped you guys enjoyed the chapter! Well I'm Out so Peace Out and have a nice day!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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