As Kentaro and the girls got back to the hotel, Kentaro stopped at the entrance and stared at the building. He took a deep breath, almost like so old man looking out at his hotown one last ti.
"Ahhh... This really is going to be the last ti for a while, huh," he muttered.
Aria, who was still holding onto his arm tightly, glanced at the building too. "Yeah... But I think we should co here again, as a trip with the whole group."
Kentaro smiled and nodded. "That actually sounds nice. A trip... Without chaos."
Before Aria could respond, Serica’s voice cut across the entrance like a whip: "HEY! HURRY UP YOU TWO! AND ARIA, HOW ABOUT SO SPACE?!"
Aria stuck out her tongue in the cutest, most childish way possible, clearly signalling she wanted more ti clinging onto Kentaro. Of course, Serica wasn’t having it. She stomped back towards them with fire in her eyes. Kentaro felt his blood run cold the mont he saw her face; it was that unmistakable "oh, you’re in big trouble now" look.
She latched herself onto Kentaro’s free arm, pressing her chest against it as she glared at Aria.
"Listen here, Aria. You might be new, but we have a rule: sharing is caring when it cos to Kentaro."
Aria giggled lightly, "Okay, okay~," though she still didn’t let go of him.
Kentaro sighed. He actually found this new, more outgoing side of Aria really cute; it reminded him of how Serica used to be shy, only to eventually beco the bold, fiery girl she was now. He glanced up and noticed Yura, arms folded, pouting and looking away as if she didn’t care at all.
"Guess I’m the grown-up here," she muttered.
But Kentaro could tell she was sulking on the inside. Smiling, he leaned close and gave her a disguised headbutt that quickly turned into a small peck on the forehead. He winked at her. "Thanks for being mature, Yura."
Her eyes widened, face blooming red before she quickly coughed and looked away. "Hmph." And with that, she walked toward the room with the door-crossing link.
"Wait, what was that, Kentaro?" Serica asked suspiciously.
"And too, what was that?" Aria added.
Kentaro just smiled without answering. "Nothing. Let’s get going."
They bowed to the hotel staff before heading on board the Vaelion, and finally preparing to return ho.
*
Inside the ship, Kentaro saw Tenka, Haruka, and the rest of the team gathered where they usually were. As he walked in with the girls, Shogo’s smirk spread wider and wider until.
"My... Kentaro... If I weren’t the slightest bit in tune with what’s going on, I’d almost think you ca back from a fours-"
"SHUT UP!" Yumi scread, cutting him off before he could finish.
Tenka was already mid-step, ready to punt him across the room, but Yumi beat her to it. Shogo hit the floor, groaning.
"WHY YUMI?! Why not Tenka?! That would’ve been way HOTTER!!"
Everyone ignored him. Serica tilted her head curiously. "Hey Kentaro, what was he going to say?"
Kentaro’s face went crimson. He coughed awkwardly. "N-Nothing, Serica. He just ant we went out and ate together... The four of us... That’s all."
"Ohhh! I guess we did, but without Aria since she was still getting treatnt." She nodded, then pointed at the groaning Shogo. "So technically, it was a three-sothing, or whatever he said."
The room froze. Then exploded in laughter.
Even Yura and Aria were chuckling.
"Why’s everyone laughing?" Serica asked, completely clueless.
Kentaro reached over and ruffled her hair. "Don’t worry, Serica. It’s because you’re really cute."
That only made her pout harder, but the redness in her cheeks betrayed her.
Tenka clapped her hands, regaining order. "Alright, listen up! I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: thank you. Without all of you, especially Aria, Kentaro, and the team that fought Cradle and Spire... We wouldn’t all be standing here right now. So... Thank you."
The crew let out a small cheer.
Then Tenka smirked and turned to Kentaro. "As for the surprise I promised you... I’ve decided not to tell you yet. You’ll see when we get ho."
"Wha- co on! At least give a clue, anything! I hate surprises!" Kentaro begged, practically bowing.
"Nope." Tenka wagged a finger. "Trust , it’ll be worth it. You’ll be happy."
"Aw.." Kentaro collapsed onto the floor dramatically.
Yura took the chance to wrap her arm around his while Serica and Yumi continued arguing over what Shogo had ant. Yura leaned in close, purple eyes sparkling. "Don’t worry, Kentaro. The more you wait, the more rewarding it’ll be."
Her words actually snapped him out of his funk. He nodded. "Yeah... You’re right."
Before they could leave, Haruka cleared her throat, pushing her glasses up. "Ren. About your date with Rin. Did you learn anything else? Anything at all?"
The room fell quiet. Kentaro put a finger to his chin, then shook his head. "Not really... I asked her why she spared the first ti we t. She said I was different from Cradle. That’s all. She’s... Still secretive."
"I see." Haruka sighed. "Very well. At least you’re safe."
Tenka input the coordinates of ho. "Alright, people. It’s been fun, it’s been chaotic, but our ti in Tokyo is done. Ti to head back. Who knows when another Alberline might show up?"
"YES, SIR!" the crew shouted in unison.
At that exact mont, Yumi, unable to hold back because of Serica’s persistence, finally blurted out what a threeso really ant. Serica went beet red, nearly falling over as if she’d swallowed a chilli pepper.
"I-I NEED a hot spring after this!" she squeaked while walking away from the embarrassed Serica.
"I think... We should all go soti," Emi said shyly.
Yumi smirked and slung her arm around Emi. "Hell yeah. That would be fun."
Emi nodded quickly, face bright red.
And with that, the Vaelion soared into the sky, leaving Tokyo behind. It had only been a few days, but for Kentaro and the others, it felt like weeks of chaos, battles, and mories.
Finally, they were going back ho.
But little did they know, sothing was waiting for them in Oshawa.
Or perhaps... Soone.
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