SAK Chapter 8 A Movie

The rooftops trembled under the weight of tension. The Jorōgumo crouched low, her many eyes gleaming, her grotesque spider legs clattering against the roof with a metallic hiss. Venom dripped from her fangs, sizzling as it struck the stone.

Issei’s fists tightened. Beside him, Kanna stood still, her small frame sparking faintly, the air around her charged like a storm waiting to break. Above, Mina balanced atop her great paper hawk, her expression sharp and calm despite the creature’s monstrous presence.

“Don’t give her a chance to spin her webs,” Mina ordered, her voice crisp. With a flick of her wrist, talisman slips scattered into the air. They folded into delicate swallows, wings shimmering faintly as they circled her in formation.

The Jorōgumo hissed, fangs gnashing as her eyes darted toward the fluttering shapes.

“Go,” Mina whispered, thrusting her hand forward.

The flock of shikigami swarmed, darting toward the spider woman in a synchronized strike. They exploded one after another in rapid succession—pop-pop-pop!—bursts of force and light that sent waves of fire and smoke across the rooftop.

The Jorōgumo staggered back, clicking her mandibles angrily, but she twisted her body with inhuman grace, narrowly avoiding being engulfed in the blasts.

That’s when Issei moved.

“Not this time!” He roared, his Boosted Gear flaring to life in a burst of red light. The gauntlet clamped onto his arm, glowing red and pulsing as he launched forward. His fist shot out, connecting squarely with her chest.

BAM!

The impact cracked the tiles beneath them, the force sending her stumbling backward—straight into the path of Mina’s final swallow, which detonated against her side in a brilliant flash.

The Jorōgumo shrieked, a sound like metal tearing mixed with a hiss, her body reeling from the double strike.

“Now, Kanna!” Issei shouted, his arm still smoking from the punch.

Kanna was already moving. Sparks surged up her horn and down her arm, arcs of electricity crawling across her skin until her entire body was wreathed in lightning. With a sharp thrust, she unleashed it.

A thundershock burst forth, a violent arcs of energy that slammed into the spider youkai with a crack. The smell of ozone filled the air as hundreds of volts coursed through her body, making her legs twitch and spasm grotesquely.

But the Jorōgumo wasn’t finished. With a guttural screech, she flung her arms forward, webbing shooting out in thick, sticky strands. Mina gasped as the threads tangled around her, yanking her from her perch.

“Damn it—!”

“Mina!” Issei’s eyes widened as he watched her body tumble from the sky. Without hesitation, he sprinted and leapt, arms outstretched. He caught her mid-fall, the impact slamming into his chest as his shoes scraped against the rooftop tiles.

She blinked up at him, wide-eyed, her face flushed from the sudden closeness. “Y-you caught me…”

Issei smirked despite the strain. “What, you thought I’d let you fall?”

The Jorōgumo hissed, her many eyes narrowing as she turned to retreat, her long legs flexing to propel her away. But before she could spring free, a small figure was suddenly in front of her, lightning arcing fiercely around her.

Kanna stood there, her fist drawn back, electricity coiling tightly around her knuckles until it looked like a storm condensed into her hand. Her eyes were steady, cold, unblinking.

“Not going anywhere,” She whispered.

Then she struck.

Her thunderpunch connected with the Jorōgumo’s face, the impact shaking the building beneath them. Lightning exploded outward in a blinding flash, the sheer force sending the spider woman crashing backward, her scream piercing through the night.

Issei shielded Mina instinctively from the light, his heart pounding. When the brightness faded, the rooftop was scorched, webbing burned away, and the Jorōgumo was writhing against the cracked tiles, her monstrous beauty marred by the brutal strike.

Kanna lowered her fist slowly, sparks fading from her arm. Her eyes never left the enemy, her calm expression masking the storm she had just unleashed.

Issei whistled under his breath, his grin returning despite the danger. “Remind me never to get on your bad side, Kanna…”

Mina adjusted her glasses, still leaning against Issei for support, her own eyes narrowing as she studied the downed monster. “Don’t let your guard down. Spiders always have more than one trick.”

The Jorōgumo twitched, her many eyes glowing with rage and then let out a guttural screech, the sound scraping like claws against glass. Her many eyes burned red with rage, her monstrous body twisting as her massive legs slammed into the rooftop tiles, cracking them like brittle ice.

“Here she comes!” Issei barked, setting Mina down carefully behind him before throwing himself forward.

The spider youkai lunged, her legs stabbing forward like spears. Kanna darted between them with effortless grace, her form slipping through the barrage as if she could read the monster’s intent before it struck. Each dodge was followed by a spark of lightning trailing in her wake, the air alive with ozone.

“Too slow,” Kanna murmured as one leg came down—she sidestepped at the last second, letting the spider’s limb smash into the rooftop. Tiles shattered, dust spraying up, but Kanna had already moved again.

Issei wasn’t nearly so nimble. Another leg came slashing his way, and he raised his gauntlet just in time. BANG! The impact rang out, forcing him back a step as sparks flew from the friction of claw against armor. His arm rattled from the force, but he held firm.

“Boost!” 

The voice of Ddraig echoed, the green jewel in his gauntlet glowing brighter. Energy surged through Issei’s veins as he pushed back against the spider leg, then drove his fist forward into another, forcing it to recoil.

The Jorōgumo snarled, weaving her limbs with terrifying precision—two legs barring Issei, two striking at Kanna, her sticky webs spitting from her fingertips to tangle the space between them. She was fighting both of them at once, her monstrous body moving in a chaotic but calculated rhythm.

Issei ducked under one strand of webbing, his shirt collar nearly snagged. “Tch! This is getting annoying!”

“Focus, Issei!” Mina’s voice rang sharp from behind. He risked a glance and saw her already moving, as she whistled into the air causing confusion to Issei as he didn’t know what she was doing.

But the answer came from the cry of the first Shikigami, whom she summoned as a ride.

The paper hawk, enormous and sharp-edged with its wings slicing the air as it took flight. Its screech echoed over the rooftops, carrying a force that made Issei’s hair stand on end.

The Jorōgumo’s many eyes flicked upward just in time to see the shadow fall over her.

The hawk dove.

“Go!” Mina commanded, her hand slamming down.

The shikigami hawk rammed into the Jorōgumo with a great impact, its paper wings flaring bright as seals ignited along its body. The rooftop shook from the collision, the monster shrieking in rage and pain as the hawk clung to her, talons locking into her chitin.

Then—

BOOM!

The hawk detonated in a blaze of white fire, the explosion tearing through the night. A shockwave rippled across the rooftops, rattling windows. Issei threw up his arm to shield his face, his hair whipped by the force. Kanna braced herself, eyes narrowing against the flash of light.

When the smoke cleared, the rooftop was scorched black, fragments of web and ash drifting through the air like burned leaves.

The Jorōgumo lay in the center of it, twitching, her monstrous body writhing as smoke rose from her scorched carapace. Her hiss was weaker now, but the hunger and malice in her many eyes had not dimmed.

Issei clenched his fists, chest heaving from the adrenaline. “She’s still moving…”

Mina stepped forward, her glasses glinting in the glow of the burning rooftop. “Of course she is. A Jorōgumo doesn’t die that easily.” Her voice was cool, steady, though her knuckles were white around the next talismans in her hand.

The Jorōgumo writhed, her scorched body twitching as smoke poured from the cracks in her carapace. Despite the explosion, her many eyes still burned with hunger and hate. She dug her legs into the rooftop, dragging her body upright with a low hiss, venom dripping from her fangs in steady streams.

Issei tensed, the Boosted Gear pulsing along his arm. ‘She’s still kicking? Damn, what’s it going to take to put her down?’

He shifted his stance, ready for another round. But Kanna just stood there. Still calm and almost… bored.

She tilted her head, watching the spider woman lurch upright, her small lips pressing into the faintest pout. “…This is taking too long.”

Before Issei or Mina could react, sparks surged down Kanna’s arms and around her horn, the air thickening with static. Her body glowed faintly, the storm coiling within her chest finally breaking loose.

KRAKOOOM!

A thunderbolt ripped from her hands and slammed straight into the Jorōgumo mid-rise. The flash of light consumed the rooftop, the crack splitting the sky like a divine hammer.

The Jorōgumo shrieked once, her voice warping into a guttural hiss—then silence. Her body convulsed, smoking, before collapsing into a lifeless heap, legs twitching weakly before going still.

The stench of ozone and burned flesh filled the air.

Issei lowered his arm, blinking at the suddenness of it all. “…Wait. That’s it? She’s dead?”

Kanna nodded, brushing dust off her skirt, her expression calm as if she had swatted a bug. “I think so.”

Mina’s eyes widened, her chest rising and falling as she processed what she had just witnessed. She had fought alongside Issei enough to know his strength, but this girl… She hadn’t even looked strained. Not once.

Her gaze sharpened, drifting toward the small horns poking faintly from Kanna’s head, catching the moonlight. Then lower—to the faint puff of a tail peeking from beneath her clothes. Mina’s thoughts swirled. ‘Issei wasn’t lying… This girl is terrifying. She could’ve ended this fight at any time. Just who is she?’

Meanwhile, Issei rubbed his chin, tilting his head with mock seriousness. “…Kanna, I gotta ask. Why are you using Pokémon moves?”

Kanna blinked at him, tilting her head. “I was doing as you said. You told me to hold back and not release too much power. So I tried… these moves instead as they looked very interesting when we played pokemon. I wanted to test them.”

Issei almost fell over. “W-wait, you mean… those moves are weaker than the ones you usually use?!”

Kanna gave a small nod. “Yes.”

Issei half-laughed with worry, wondering how powerful her spells really are. “Unbelievable. Thank you Kanna for listening to my request.”

Mina blinked at them both, then sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You two are… something else.” She shook her head, but there was the faintest curve of a smile tugging at her lips.

Straightening, she pulled out her phone, her professional mask sliding back into place. She dialed quickly, her voice calm and clipped when someone answered. “Yes, this is Tadayuki Mina. The case has been resolved. The culprit was a Jorōgumo that had been eating the people of Shinjuku and had been neutralized. The body is intact for recovery.”

She paused, listening to the voice on the other end, her eyes flicking briefly toward Issei and Kanna. Finally, she nodded, her expression softening just slightly. “…Understood. Thank you for your time.”

With that, she ended the call and slipped the phone back into her purse. Her eyes lingered on the two standing before her—Issei still fussing at Kanna about anime moves, Kanna staring calmly into the night sky, unfazed.

Mina exhaled. “Another case closed. Thanks to you two.” She offered them a short nod of respect, her gaze lingering just a bit longer on Kanna. 

Issei scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish grin. “Heh… guess we make a good team, huh?”

Kanna said nothing, but her small hand brushed lightly against his, enough to make him glance down with a faint smile.

“Yup now we can leave.” But then Mina said firmly, brushing dust off her blouse. 

Issei blinked at her as the red glow of the Boosted Gear faded away. “Wait, seriously? Just like that? Shouldn’t we wait for those authority people you called? Y’know, to explain or… I dunno, give statements or something?”

Mina shook her head, her voice clipped and efficient. “Not necessary. Their job is to collect the corpse, clean up the scene, and file their report. We did the hard part. Honestly, they’re already surprised we handled it this quickly. As far as they’re concerned, our work is done.”

Issei let out a sigh of relief, rolling his shoulders as some of the tension bled away. “Well… alright then. Works for me. Glad we’re free.”

He glanced up at the sky. The sun was still up as the glow of afternoon still painted the city in warm colors. ‘It’s weird… fighting monsters one minute, and then realizing the world outside just keeps moving like nothing happened. Guess that’s just how it is now.’

“What do we even do now?” He muttered, scratching his cheek.

Before Mina could answer, Kanna tugged lightly at his sleeve. He looked down, meeting her calm but intent gaze. “Issei,” she said softly, “can we see a movie at the theater, you told me about.”

For a second, Issei just blinked at her. Then a grin broke across his face. “A movie, huh? Sure. Why not? We’ve still got time before we have to head home.”

Kanna’s eyes brightened—subtly, but undeniably. Her lips curved the slightest bit as she nodded, clearly pleased. ‘We get to spend more time together and see more new things I haven’t seen yet.’

Issei ruffled her hair, chuckling. “Alright, it’ll be fun.”

But before the moment could settle, He turned toward Mina, raising a brow. “Hey, what about you, Mina, do you wanna join us?”

Kanna’s small smile faltered, her chest tightening as she glanced quickly at him. ‘…Why does he always ask her too?’

Mina froze, caught off guard. Her cheeks warmed just slightly behind her glasses, and she adjusted them quickly to hide it. “Me?”

“Yeah,” Issei said casually, hands behind his head. “You’ve been working hard all day. Might as well relax a little, right? Besides, I’ll even buy your ticket.”

For a long moment, Mina just stared at him, her mind blank. Then, slowly, she smiled—soft, genuine, and just a little shy. “...Sure. I’d like that.”

Kanna looked away, her pout almost invisible, but the faint furrow of her brow betrayed her mood. Still, she didn’t protest. She simply slipped her hand into Issei’s as if to anchor herself.

Issei gave her hand a light squeeze without even realizing it, grinning like his usual carefree self. “Alright, then it’s settled. Let’s hit the movies.”

The three then got to the edge of the building and Issei was thinking how they would get down. 

Kanna, however, faked a yawn, then she leaned into him, tugging at his sleeve to get Issei’s attention. “...I’m tired,” She murmured in her usual flat tone, though her intent was clear. “Carry me.”

Issei blinked. “Eh? Right now?” But before he could argue, she threw herself at him and her arms slipped around his neck, her body pressing close. He sighed, giving in immediately, and scooped her up into his arms in a princess carry. “Alright, alright. You're so spoiled.”

Kanna nestled against him, her expression calm but the faintest spark of satisfaction glimmering in her eyes.

Mina watched the scene, her lips parting slightly in disbelief. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, but the gesture didn’t hide the flicker of jealousy tightening her chest. ‘She just… throws herself into his arms, and he carries her without hesitation?’

“...Unbelievable,” She muttered, before narrowing her eyes. Then, with sudden determination, she stepped forward and practically launched herself onto his back.

Issei staggered, his knees buckling. “W-whoa! Mina?!”

She looped her arms tightly around his shoulders, her voice perfectly calm as though this were the most natural thing in the world. “I can’t get down by myself. You’ll have to help me too.”

Issei was about to protest, but then froze—because her chest pressed firmly against his back. His eyes bulged, his face turning beet red as his brain short-circuited.

 ‘Oppai. So soft… so… damn… big—’ His perverted side surged up like a tidal wave. ‘This is heaven!’

Kanna’s eyes narrowed instantly. Her pout deepened, her cheeks puffing up like a balloon. She tugged sharply at his collar, then grabbed his head with surprising strength and forced his face gently against her modest chest.

Issei’s entire body jerked as he felt his cheek squish into her. “Mmph—?! Kanna?!” His muffled cry only made her hug him tighter, her expression as unreadable as ever but the pink tint to her ears betraying her mood.

Mina’s eyes sharpened, and for a moment the tension between the two girls practically crackled more fiercely than Kanna’s lightning. 

Issei, trapped between the two, flailed helplessly. ‘Why does my life always end up like this?!’

Then his gaze flicked past them and he noticed the ledge just a few feet away. He swallowed hard, pushing all impure thoughts to the back of his mind. “Alright, enough messing around. Hold on tight—both of you!”

He adjusted his grip, making sure Kanna was secure in his arms and Mina’s hold on his back was steady. He bent his knees, focusing his strength.

And then—he jumped.

The rush of air blasted past them, Kanna’s hair streaming upward, Mina tightening her hold instinctively. The alley below raced toward them, the fall heart-stopping for any normal human. But Issei’s body, infused with power, absorbed the impact as his feet slammed onto the pavement with a heavy thud.

Dust kicked up around them, his legs flexing under the weight before steadying. He exhaled, relief flooding him. “Man… thank god I’m not normal anymore. Otherwise that fall would’ve been the end of me.”

He crouched, letting Kanna slip gracefully back onto her feet before leaning forward so Mina could dismount from his back. Both girls stepped down without a word, though their narrowed eyes at each other spoke volumes.

Issei stretched his arms, trying to play off the awkward heat in his cheeks. “Well… that was one hell of an exit. Now, how about that movie?”

The three of them turned, stepping out of the alley and back into the buzz of Shinjuku. Neon lights reflected in their eyes, the world around them alive and oblivious to the battle that had just ended.

Together, they began walking toward the theaters—one step closer to a rare, peaceful evening.

—--------------------------------------

The glowing marquee of the theater lit up the crowded street as the trio finally reached one of Shinjuku’s largest movie houses. Neon lights reflected in the glass doors, while the chatter of couples, families, and groups of friends blended with the smell of buttered popcorn wafting from inside.

Issei stretched his arms behind his head, grinning as they stepped up to the wide display of posters. “Alright! Here we are. Movies, snacks, comfy seats—it doesn’t get better than this.” 

He turned to Kanna, his grin softening into something more earnest. “Since this is your first time, you can pick whatever you want, Kanna.”

Kanna’s eyes flicked over the posters, her expression calm as always, but her gaze lingered a little longer on each title. To her, all of this was new—the bold colors, the flashy art, the names in both English and Japanese. She tilted her head slightly as she wondered what to pick.

Mina, meanwhile, found her eyes drifting toward one particular poster near the center. A glossy depiction of two star-crossed lovers caught in a storm of petals. Eternal Spring. A romance. She could already picture it: a quiet theater, a soft story, and maybe—just maybe—an excuse to sit closer to Issei.

Her heart gave a tiny flutter. ‘If she picks that one…’

But Kanna’s gaze had already shifted elsewhere. Her eyes stopped on a poster that showed a massive, scaly silhouette rising from the ocean, skyscrapers crumbling in its wake. Red letters blared across the image: Godzilla—the latest US import, fresh in theaters.

Kanna raised her hand and pointed without hesitation. “That one.”

Mina froze. “Eh—?”

Issei followed her finger, his eyes lighting up like fireworks. “No way! The new Gojira movie?!” His grin widened until his cheeks hurt. “Kanna, you’re a genius! I was dying to see this one!”

Kanna tilted her head, blinking up at him. “Godzilla… Gojira. Is a giant monster, yes?”

“Not just a giant monster,” Issei corrected, his voice brimming with boyish enthusiasm. “The giant monster! The king! Aw, this is gonna be awesome—big fights, explosions, everything shaking around—yes!”

He pumped his fist, already marching toward the ticket counter.

Mina stood rooted in place, her lips slightly parted, her earlier excitement crumbling into disappointment. She glanced back at the soft pastel romance poster, then back to the jagged edges of Gojira’s silhouette. Her fingers curled tightly around her purse strap. ‘I was hoping for a quiet, romantic story… and instead we’re going to watch a lizard level Tokyo.’

Still, as she looked at Issei’s glowing face, his energy infectious, she sighed and adjusted her glasses. ‘At least he’s happy. That should be enough.’

The three stepped into line, Issei already chattering away about his favorite kaiju battles from old movies, his hands gesturing wildly as though he were the monster himself. Kanna listened quietly, her lips tugging upward ever so slightly as his enthusiasm rubbed off on her.

When they reached the counter, Issei leaned in with confidence. “Three tickets for Gojira, please!”

The attendant printed them off, and as Issei handed Kanna hers, he gave her a playful grin. “First movie ticket of your life! You better hang onto that—it’s a memory now.”

Kanna took it carefully, studying the glossy paper as though it were something precious. “...Thank you, Issei.”

Mina accepted her own ticket more quietly, though her cheeks colored faintly at the thought of sitting beside him in the dark. Even if it wasn’t the film she’d wanted, she couldn’t help but feel a small thrill at being included.

Issei glanced at the time on his phone, then at the line forming at the concession stand. “Looks like we’ve still got a bit before the movie starts.” He turned to the girls with a grin. “So, anyone hungry?”

At the mere mention of food, Kanna’s calm mask cracked. She perked up, eyes wide, and nodded with vigor. “Yes.”

Issei chuckled. “Figured as much.” He looked over to Mina. “What about you, Mina?”

Mina smoothed her blouse, her expression composed. “I’m fine with something light. Just popcorn and a drink will be enough.”

“Got it.” Issei gave them a little wave as he stepped back. “You two just sit down in the lounge. I’ll handle the food run.”

Mina tilted her head slightly. “Are you sure you don’t want help? I could—”

“Nah, I’ve got it,” Issei said quickly, already backing toward the line. “Besides, this way you two can relax. I’ll be back in a minute.”

With that, he disappeared into the queue at the counter, hands in his pockets as he scanned the overhead menu.

That left Kanna and Mina standing side by side in the bustling lobby, suddenly without Issei.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Kanna, ticket still clutched carefully in her hand, looked up at Mina with her calm, unreadable gaze. Mina adjusted her glasses, her posture relaxed though the faintest tightness touched her shoulders. The noise of the lobby washed around them, but between the two girls, there was a heavy silence.

‘This is the first time… it’s just the two of us,’ Mina realized, her mind racing. ‘Without Issei here, without his awkward jokes or his questions… What am I supposed to say to her?’

Kanna’s thoughts, though quieter, were sharper. ‘She’s looking at me.. I don’t trust her. ‘

They shifted slightly, facing one another more directly now, as if silently acknowledging that neither could avoid the other.

Mina opened her mouth, hesitated, then finally asked, “...Do you always follow him around like this?”

Kanna blinked once, her head tilting. “Yes.”

Mina frowned faintly. “Doesn’t it bother you? Getting dragged into… dangerous things like this?”

Kanna’s eyes lingered on her, calm but unwavering. “I chose to come.”

The honesty in her tone made Mina falter for a beat. She pushed her glasses higher, trying to regain her composure. “You’re… different from most girls your age.”

Kanna didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she looked toward the concession line where Issei was waiting, tapping his foot with a grin as he watched the staff scoop popcorn into massive tubs. “Issei isn’t like most boys either.”

Mina followed her gaze. Her lips pressed together. ‘She’s right about that…’

Kanna decided that now was the best time, stared up at Mina, her face as calm as ever, but her eyes got sharper. She had been quiet for too long, and the thought that gnawed at her finally spilled out.

“What are your intentions with Issei?” She asked bluntly, her tone flat but weighted. 

Mina blinked, stunned by the sudden question. Her lips parted, confusion flashing in her eyes. “M-my… what?” Then the meaning sank in. Her cheeks flushed hot, and she stepped back half a pace. “Wait—hold on! No, you’ve got it wrong! We’re just friends!”

But Kanna tilted her head, unconvinced. “That’s not true. You smell strange whenever you’re near him. And you get easily flustered whenever you get near him.”

Mina’s face turned even redder. “S-smell strange?! What do you mean by that?!” She pressed a hand over her chest, horrified. ‘Issei… can he smell it too? No—no, focus!’

Kanna’s lips pressed into the faintest pout. “You’re trying to take him away from me, aren't you.” Her voice was calm, but her words carried the edge of a blade. She shifted her stance slightly, as though preparing to fight.

A wave of dread washed over Mina. The image of Kanna striking down the Jorōgumo with a casual thunderbolt replayed in her head. The girl hadn’t even broken a sweat. Mina swallowed hard, her throat dry. ‘If she actually fights me here… I’m dead.’

“I-I don’t want to fight you!” Mina blurted, her hands raised in a frantic defense. “And even if I… even if I did like him, I’m not trying to take him away from you!”

That made Kanna falter, her head tilting again. “Not take him away? But… Tohru told me that if I don’t do anything, my rivals will steal Issei. That they’ll make him theirs and not mine.”

Mina’s brow furrowed, her embarrassment shifting into disbelief. “Who told you that?!”

“Tohru,” Kanna answered simply.

‘Who’s that?’ Mina exhaled sharply, forcing herself to calm down. “Listen, Kanna. That’s ridiculous. Just because someone likes Issei doesn’t mean they’ll take him away from you.”

Kanna frowned, her confusion clear even behind her stoic expression. “…But if you liked him, wouldn’t you want him only for yourself?”

Mina paused, her blush returning, but she forced herself to meet Kanna’s gaze. “If—if Issei accepted me as his wife, that wouldn’t mean I’d take him away from you. Or from anyone else who matters to him. He’d still spend time with his friends. With family. With you.”

Kanna’s eyes widened just slightly. She looked down at her ticket, her small fingers tightening around the glossy paper. Her thoughts twisted. ‘Tohru said I would lose him if I didn’t fight. But Mina says… even if she liked him, she wouldn’t steal him. Which one is true?’

Mina adjusted her glasses, still flustered but calmer now. “I’m not your enemy, Kanna. So stop looking at me like I’m going to steal him out from under you.”

The dragon girl’s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she glanced toward the concession line where Issei stood, grinning as the clerk filled a massive tub of popcorn. His presence—simple, cheerful, unbothered—made her chest ease.

“…I’ll think about it,” Kanna said finally.

Mina let out a quiet sigh of relief. ‘Thank the gods. For a second, I thought she was going to fry me right here in the lobby.’

The air between the two girls had just barely settled, the tension cooling into a wary silence. But Mina, despite her better judgment, couldn’t hold her tongue. Her mind was still racing with the memory of Kanna frying the Jorōgumo like it was nothing, the raw power she wielded as if it were child’s play. Curiosity gnawed at her until finally, she leaned in, lowering her voice.

“I have to ask…” She began, her eyes narrowing as she studied Kanna’s calm face. “What are you exactly? You’re far too powerful to just be some… ordinary girl.”

Kanna didn’t hesitate to respond. Her reply was a flat, matter-of-fact answer. “I’m a dragon.”

Mina blinked, stunned for a beat, before scoffing lightly. “A dragon? That’s… a good joke.” She pushed her glasses up her nose, trying to mask her unease. “Really funny.”

Kanna, however, just tilted her head. “I’m not joking. I’m really a dragon.”

The sincerity in her tone hit Mina like a brick. There was no hint of sarcasm, no playfulness—just quiet certainty. Mina’s lips parted, her mind scrambling for an explanation. ‘No, that’s ridiculous. She can’t mean that literally…’

But when she looked closer at Kanna, she saw it. The seriousness in her eyes, the quiet conviction in her voice. And then—she noticed again the faint curve of the small horns on her head, the way they caught the lobby’s fluorescent glow. The little puff of a tail swaying ever so slightly near the hem of her skirt.

Mina froze. “...WHAT?!”

Her voice shot out louder than she meant, sharp enough to cut through the buzz of the crowded lobby. Heads turned. People stopped mid-step, staring at her in confusion. The theater clerk behind the counter blinked, a bag of popcorn hanging mid-air in his hand.

Mina’s entire face flushed crimson. “Ah—ahaha!” She forced a laugh, bowing her head quickly to the gawking strangers. “Just kidding! Nothing to worry about!”

The moviegoers exchanged looks, muttered among themselves, and slowly went back to their business. Mina let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. ‘Idiot! You just made a scene!’

She bent closer to Kanna, lowering her voice to an urgent whisper. “What did you mean by that? By saying you’re a dragon?”

Kanna blinked slowly, her tone as steady as always. “I meant what I said. I’m an actual dragon.”

Mina swallowed hard. “An… actual…” The words stuck in her throat. “That’s impossible.”

Kanna’s expression didn’t change. “It isn’t. I could show you my true form, but…” She glanced toward the concession line where Issei stood, grinning as he balanced his overflowing order of popcorn and drinks. “…I promised Issei I wouldn’t.”

Mina followed her gaze, her chest tightening. She stared at Issei’s carefree expression, oblivious to the monumental secret standing right beside her. Her mind reeled, struggling to reconcile the calm, small girl with the image of a beast of legend.

‘She’s a dragon. A real one. And Issei already knows.’

Mina adjusted her glasses, her hand trembling just slightly. Only one thought circled through her mind like a hawk hunting prey:

‘Just who… are these people I’ve gotten involved with?’

“Yo! I’m back!” Issei’s voice rang out over the din of the theater lobby, cheerful and oblivious. He marched over, balancing a tray piled dangerously high with food: three bulging bags of popcorn, three towering sodas, hotdogs wrapped in paper, a heap of nachos oozing with cheese, and a stash of candy bars tucked into the corner. His grin stretched ear to ear as though this haul were a trophy.

Kanna’s eyes widened the instant she saw the spread. Whatever tension lingered between her and Mina was swept away by her dragon-sized appetite. Without a word, she snatched up the hotdogs, peeling back the wrappers with mechanical precision before scarfing them down. Each bite was neat, but relentless, her expression serene as though eating were a sacred duty.

Issei sweatdropped, watching her cheeks puff as she devoured her second hotdog. “You’re supposed to savor it, not speedrun it…” Still, he couldn’t help smiling.

Turning to Mina, he offered one of the bags of popcorn with a flourish. “Here’s yours, just like you asked.”

But instead of accepting it, Mina fixed him with a piercing glare, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.

Issei blinked, his grin faltering. “Uh… what? Did I forget the butter? Or the candy? Wait—did I—?”

“I’m not angry about the food,” Mina snapped, folding her arms across her chest. Her voice was low, clipped, and sharp. “I’m angry with you. When, exactly, were you planning to tell me that Kanna is a dragon?”

Issei’s stomach dropped. He didn’t even need to look at Kanna to know what had happened. His palm slapped against his face with a groan. “Oh, for crying out loud… you told her, didn’t you?”

Kanna paused mid-bite, looking up at him with her usual calm expression. “She asked.”

“Of course.” Issei muttered under his breath.

Mina leaned forward, her eyes flashing behind her glasses. “Don’t dodge the question. When were you going to tell me?”

Seeing no way out, Issei sighed and gestured toward the lounge seating nearby. “Alright, alright. Let’s sit down. I’ll explain everything.”

The three settled into a booth tucked in the corner of the lobby. Kanna sat between them, entirely unconcerned, happily chewing through her food as though nothing of importance was happening. Nacho crumbs dotted the corner of her lips, and she licked them away without pause.

Issei, on the other hand, leaned forward with his elbows on the table, his expression finally serious. “I was going to tell you, Mina. I swear. I just… didn’t know how to bring it up without sounding crazy. But since you already know about Kanna, there’s something else you need to hear.”

Mina’s brows furrowed. “Something else?”

“Yeah,” Issei said, lowering his voice. “Something important. Something tied to the whole mess happening in Tokyo right now.”

Mina leaned closer, her curiosity piqued despite her frustration. “Go on.”

Issei exhaled, then dropped the weight of it all. “I’m… kind of a dragon too.”

Mina blinked once. Twice. Then frowned sharply. “You what?”

“I wasn’t always,” Issei explained quickly, raising his hands in defense. “I started out completely human. Normal guy. No horns, no tail, nothing. But… let’s just say life took a turn. And now I’ve part dragon. Kanna and I… we’re both from Saitama.”

At that word, Mina froze. Her body went rigid, and her hands curled tightly into fists on the table. “…Saitama?”

Issei nodded, completely understanding of the storm brewing in her chest. “Yeah.”

Her eyes narrowed, fury flashing like a blade. Her voice rose, her composure finally cracking as she slammed her palm onto the table. “Don’t tell me you’re the reason Tokyo is falling apart right now!”

Issei’s eyes went wide at Mina’s outburst, and he threw his hands up immediately, palms out, his voice rushing to defend himself.

“Whoa, whoa—hold up! I promise it’s not us! Me and Kanna—we’re not the reason the Youkai have gone nuts!” He leaned forward across the table, earnestness carved into his face. “But… I think I do know why everything started happening.”

That froze Mina mid-glare. Her breath caught, and she adjusted her glasses with a sharp push. “…What do you mean? If you know something, you need to say it. Now. This could be massively important—if it explains the panic, we might be able to quell it.”

Her tone was fierce, but her eyes shone with a quiet urgency.

Issei took a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Alright, but it’s kind of a long story…”

He began slowly, lowering his voice despite the buzz of the theater lobby around them.

“It started with my aunt. Kobayashi. She’s… well, she’s just a regular human. A programmer, actually. Drinks too much, works too much, that kind of person. But one night, everything changed. She stumbled across a dragon from another world, her name was Tohru. She was badly injured, dying, and my aunt helped her. Gave her a place to rest, took care of her, treated her like a person when no one else would have.”

Mina tilted her head slightly, frowning. ‘Another world? Dragons crossing dimensions?’ It sounded insane—but something in Issei’s tone told her it was no lie.

Issei’s lips curved into a small smile despite the tension. “Tohru fell in love with her for that. Decided to become her maid, her servant, whatever you wanna call it. And not just for a little while—for life. So she moved in with my aunt’s apartment in Saitama. That’s… where everything started.”

Mina’s brows furrowed, skepticism in her gaze. “Wait. You’re telling me that the entire supernatural community abandoned Saitama—left their homes, their territories—just because one dragon decided to shack up with your aunt? That doesn’t make sense.”

Kanna, still chewing on the last of her hotdog, gave a tiny shrug, as if the answer were obvious.

Issei sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I thought the same thing at first. But according to Ddraig…” He lifted his arm slightly and Mina instantly knew he was talking about the red gauntlet. “…Tohru isn’t just any dragon. She’s on the level of a Dragon King.”

The words hung in the air. Mina’s eyes widened slightly, her mind whirring. ‘Dragon King…?’

Issei leaned closer, his voice low and serious. “According to him, that's a huge deal. There are only five Dragon Kings in the world. They’re not just strong—they’re forces of nature. Each one can tip the balance of nations, even entire supernatural factions. And then Tohru just… appeared out of nowhere in Saitama.”

Mina’s breath caught, her hand tightening around her popcorn bag. ‘If that’s true, then… no wonder…’

Issei continued, his tone growing heavier. “And she was careless at first. Really careless. Flashing her power, not hiding what she was, doing things without realizing what kind of effect it would have. So of course the yokai, and everything else all panicked. They thought they were under attack. And instead of fighting something they couldn’t hope to beat, they ran away.”

Mina leaned back slowly in her chair, her mind reeling as she pieced the story together. “So… the reason Saitama became a ghost town for the supernatural… the reason all of these conflicts are spilling into Tokyo now… is because a Dragon just decided to live with your aunt?”

“Pretty much.” Issei gave her a sheepish smile, scratching his cheek. “Crazy, right?”

Kanna swallowed the last of her food and added, as though confirming the obvious, “Tohru is strong. Even for a dragon.”

Mina pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing a groan. ‘This… this is beyond insane. But if it’s true, it explains everything. It explains the fear, the sudden abandonment, the ripple effect spreading through Tokyo.’

She looked up at Issei again, her voice quieter now, but tinged with both awe and disbelief. “…Do you realize what you’ve just told me? You’re casually dropping information that could shake the entire balance of Japan’s supernatural society.”

Issei shrugged, forcing a small laugh. “Yeah, well… welcome to my life.”

Mina hadn’t touched her popcorn. Her eyes were fixed on Issei, the weight of his words still sinking in. She leaned forward, her voice sharp but careful.

“…Earlier, you mentioned Ddraig. Who is that?”

Issei glanced down at his arm, flexing his hand. “Remember the red gauntlet I use in fights?”

Mina nodded slowly. “Yes. I’ve seen it every time you step in. And I know what a Sacred Gear is.”

“Good,” Issei said, leaning closer. His voice lowered, steady and deliberate. “Because the one I have isn’t just any Sacred Gear. It’s the Boosted Gear—one of the thirteen Longinus. A weapon capable of killing gods.”

The words seemed to shake the very air between them. Mina’s breath caught in her throat. ‘A Longinus… one of the legendary weapons whispered in every clan, every record of supernatural history.’

Issei placed a hand against the glowing gem, his tone grim. “Ddraig—the Red Dragon Emperor—is sealed inside it. He’s the one I was talking about. The voice you sometimes hear when I fight? That’s him. He’s… my partner.”

The reality slammed into Mina all at once, connecting dots she hadn’t realized were even on the same page. Her hands trembled faintly as she gripped her knees. ‘The Sekiryuutei… Issei is the current Sekiryuutei.’

Her heart hammered. The title wasn’t just a name. It was a legacy, a burden, danger, and opportunity all rolled into one. A legendary figure in every supernatural circle, feared and respected alike. And here he was—smiling awkwardly in front of her, with popcorn grease on his fingers and soda fizzing beside him.

Her face flushed crimson, but her mind raced faster than her heart. ‘If I tie myself to him… no, if I marry him… it will not just be because I like him. But with the Sekiryuutei by my side, my fallen family could regain its standing, rebuild its influence. He could be the key to everything.’

Still, she forced herself to stay composed, her tone even. “So… the Boosted Gear. That’s what made you a dragon?”

Issei blinked—then burst into a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nah, not exactly. That part’s… actually Tohru’s fault too.”

Mina stiffened. “What?”

Issei leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice as if telling her some embarrassing family secret. “She… uh… she made me eat part of her tail. Without me knowing.”

Mina’s jaw dropped. “…She what?”

“Yeah,” Issei said quickly, waving his hands. “She told me it was just meat, but apparently, it was her tail that she fed me. Overnight, it caused some kind of mutation and well here I am. Half-dragon, half-human. It was really confusing when I woke up.”

Kanna, munching happily on nachos, chimed in without looking up. “It’s true.”

Mina didn’t laugh. She couldn’t. Her face had paled, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. ‘A mutation like that… that could have gone wrong in a thousand different ways. He could have died. Or worse.’

Her mind flashed with images—Issei writhing in agony, his body tearing itself apart from the inside, his soul collapsing under the strain of dragon and human clashing. She shuddered. “That… sounds horrific. You’re lucky to even be alive.”

Issei shrugged, trying to downplay the weight of it. “Yeah, well, guess I’ve got thick skin.” He grinned, but his smile didn’t erase the chill running down Mina’s spine.

Inside her, two truths tangled together: one of fear, knowing how close he must have come to disaster… and one of burning resolve. ‘He’s more than just strong. He’s the Sekiryuutei. If I walk away from him, I’ll regret it forever. No matter what happens, I can’t let him slip away from me.’

Issei leaned back in the booth, a sudden realization flickering across his face as he glanced at the clock hanging above the concession counter. His eyes widened. “Crap—it’s almost time for the movie!”

Mina straightened, her fingers still pressed against the rim of her glasses. “But wait—there’s still so much we need to talk about.”

Issei cut her off with a raised hand, his tone softer but firm. “Mina, relax. We’ll talk more after the movie. I promise. But this is Kanna’s first time going to the cinema.” He turned his head toward the quiet girl beside him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I want her to enjoy it.”

At that, Mina paused. Her words caught in her throat as she followed his gaze.

Kanna was already on her feet, ticket in one hand and the other carrying various food, her eyes fixed toward the theater doors with an eagerness she rarely showed. Her expression was as calm as ever, but the way her tail twitched slightly behind her, the faint spark of anticipation in her eyes—it was obvious how much this moment meant to her.

Mina’s chest tightened. ‘Of course. We can talk about this later.’

Issei stood, gathering up the snacks and drinks, balancing them carefully in his arms. Then he extended one hand toward Mina, palm open, his grin warm and boyish. “C’mon. Let’s not keep her waiting.”

For a moment, Mina just stared at his hand, her heart thudding in her chest. A dozen thoughts swirled through her mind—the danger, the secrets, the weight of his existence as the Sekiryuutei. But above all of that, she saw the sincerity in his gesture. 

She sighed, shoulders loosening, and slipped her hand into his. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Issei chuckled. “Yeah, but you’re still here, aren’t you?”

Hand in hand, the two of them followed after Kanna, who was already waiting at the entrance to their theater room, her ticket held proudly like a badge. The glow from the hallway lights spilled across her face, catching the tiniest smile tugging at her lips.

Together, the three stepped forward—into the darkened theater, into Kanna’s first experience of cinema.

Done, tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. As always this is a commission for Luis. So thank him for allowing me to post this for everyone.