SAK Chapter 3 Dragon 101

Tokyo in the morning was a jungle of noise and motion. Skyscrapers scraped the sky, with cars honking in traffic, trains rumbling on elevated rails, and swarms of people funneling through the streets. 

Issei Hyoudou, current host of a legendary dragon and a temporary resident under the roof of his incredibly serious aunt, posed one very specific problem. “Where the hell are we gonna train?”

He stood just outside the apartment complex, arms crossed, glancing around at the sheer volume of people in every direction. Kanna stood at his side, her expression calm, tail twitching idly. Tohru was cheerfully stretching getting ready for some exercise.

“There's gotta be some place,” Issei muttered, scanning rooftops, alleyways, even the park across the street. “But there’s no way I can test this thing in public. I don’t wanna hurt anyone by mistake.”

Kanna, standing beside them with her usual emotionless face, blinked up at Issei. “Why is this a problem?”

Issei raised an eyebrow. “Because we’re in the middle of Tokyo. That’s why. People are everywhere.”

“But we’re dragons,” Kanna said, as if that settled the issue. “We can do what we want. Go where we want. Who’s going to stop us?”

Tohru nodded in agreement. “It’s not like anyone can stop us.”

Issei blinked. “Uh… yeah, but that’s not really how we do things here.”

“Why not?” Kanna asked.

Issei gave a tired sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I get it—you two are powerful, magical, flying lizards. But that doesn’t mean we should act like tyrants. But just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. The people around us, they haven’t done anything wrong. They’re just living their lives. ”

Kanna tilted her head slightly. “Just because we can doesn’t mean we should? I see. We should respect others’ freedom even if we are stronger and superior.”

“Exactly!” Issei nodded. “Being strong doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk. People should be free to live their lives however they want without worrying about dragons crashing through their homes.”

Kanna looked down in thought, then slowly nodded. “But what do we do when people are jerks to us first?”

Issei opened his mouth to respond. But Tohru responded first by stepping forward, eyes gleaming. “In that case, we burn them to cinders!”

“Wait—what?” Issei blinked. “Tohru that’s not what I was gonna say.”

She just smiled sweetly, eyes sparkling. “It’s fine, Issei-kun. It’s their fault for offending us in the first place.”

“I guess.” He muttered with a sweatdrop, "But only if they start it.” He then once again looked around but with him not being very familiar with the area he didn’t know where to go. “We still don’t have anywhere to go.”

Tohru waved his concern off. “Don’t worry! I know just what to do.”

Issei turned to her slowly. “…Why do I feel nervous already?”

Before he could ask what she meant, Tohru closed her eyes—and with a shimmer of light, her body began to glow. Her form elongated, scales shimmered to existence, horns stretched—and in seconds, standing before them was a majestic, towering green dragon with black wings and a long tail.

Issei’s eyes were wide as dinner plates as he stared at Tohru’s true form. “...Okay,” Issei continued to stare and compared her form to Ddraig, which was more domineering and massive. “That’s awesome. Slightly terrifying, but still awesome.”

But then he remembered where he was and then reality reasserted itself like a brick to the head. 

He looked around frantically. “WAIT. WAIT A DAMN SECOND—! Tohru!! You can’t just transform into a dragon in the middle of the city! People are going to lose their minds and freak out!”

And yet, as his eyes scanned the world below—nothing.

People strolled calmly along the sidewalks. Children played in parks. Not even a dog barked.

It was like they didn’t see her at all.

He turned his head toward the dragon in front of him. “...What the hell?”

Tohru let out a deep, amused laugh, her voice echoing through the space around them—not from her mouth, but into his mind. “Relax, Issei-kun. I’m not stupid. I cast Perception Blocking the moment I transformed.”

Issei blinked. “Perception Blocking?”

Tohru’s massive head tilted slightly, as if nodding. “It’s a high-level illusion spell. It prevents ordinary humans from even noticing me. To them, I’m not even here.”

Issei stared blankly. “So you’re invisible to them?”

“Yes~!” Tohru said cheerfully. “Human brains fill in the blanks when they can’t comprehend something. It’s adorable!”

Issei groaned.  Are you serious?!”

He looked around again. Sure enough, no one even spared them a second glance.

A man even pointed to the sky while talking to his kid, smiling. “Look, a balloon. Must be for a festival.”

Issei’s jaw dropped. “Okay, that’s the most convenient thing I’ve ever seen.”

Kanna said flatly, “Magic is very convenient."

Tohru snorted happily. “Besides, do you really think I’d endanger Kobayashi-san by exposing myself in public? I’m not reckless. I’m a proud and responsible maid!”

Issei shot her a skeptical look. “You literally served me your own tail last night.”

“And you lived! You’re welcome!”

“Let’s hurry and have fun.” Kanna said as she had already hopped onto Tohru’s back. She sat cross-legged, perfectly balanced and expressionless.

Issei, meanwhile, looked up at the massive dragon back like someone trying to figure out how to mount a mechanical bull. “Uh. Are you sure this is safe?”

Tohru’s voice again echoed in his head telepathically. “Perfectly safe! Just hang on tightly!”

He groaned. “That’s not reassuring!” Still, with no other options, he climbed up behind Kanna, arms flailing a bit as he tried not to slip. The smooth scales were warmer than expected and slightly slick.

Kanna looked back at him. “You’re holding on like a baby monkey.”

“Gee, thanks,” He muttered, wrapping his arms around a spiny ridge near Tohru’s neck.

And then—they were airborne.

Tohru’s wings beat once, twice—and the ground was already far away. Issei let out a very undignified yelp as the wind rushed past his ears. 

Issei’s scream echoed across the sky. “WAAAAHHH I’M GONNA DIEEEEEE!!!”

Kanna blinked calmly from her spot behind him. “You’re being dramatic.”

“WE’RE GOING AT LIKE A MILLION MILES PER HOUR—!”

“We’re not even at full speed.”

“THAT MAKES IT WORSE!!”

They soared above rooftops, past neon signs and glass towers, high enough to see the massive sprawl of the city stretching to the horizon. Trains looked like toys from up here. Cars were just glinting dots on rivers of asphalt. 

Issei screamed as they went faster.

Tohru glided through the sky, cutting through clouds with ease. Below them, the landscape shifted from city to coast, then from ocean to dense forest and mountain terrain. Towering trees rolled like waves across the earth, and the horizon shimmered with untouched wilderness.

Kanna, completely unfazed, adjusted her dress and blinked at the view.

Tohru’s voice echoed again. “There’s a forest over there! Perfect training spot!”

Issei gritted his teeth against the wind. “Sure, yeah! Let’s go with that! As long as we don’t get spotted by anyone else!”

Tohru tilted her wings, banking sharply left.

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

Kanna looked down, completely relaxed, her expression as neutral as ever. “This place is acceptable.”

Issei peeked down between his fingers. “What happened to Tokyo?! I briefly saw us flying over an ocean?!”

“Tohru may have gotten a little carried away,” Kanna said calmly.

“I thought we were just going outside the city! This isn’t even japan!”

“Geography is subjective,” Tohru replied with a cheerful tone, even as she began descending in wide, controlled spirals. “Besides, this is where I come to scream into the sky when Kobayashi-san won’t let me into the bath with her.”

“…That's concerning on so many levels,” Issei muttered.

A moment later, the dragon’s claws touched down in a wide clearing nestled between trees and rocky hills. Grass rippled beneath her weight, and birds scattered from treetops in a flurry of wings. The air was crisp and fresh, untouched by city smog. The only sounds were wind, birdsong, and the faint crunch of leaves.

Tohru shimmered again and returned to her humanoid form, brushing herself off with pride. “Welcome to Dragon Training Ground #3!”

Issei stumbled off her back and dropped to the grass face-first, groaning. “I… am never doing that again.”

Kanna hopped off with a casual twist and landed like a cat. “You were very loud.”

Issei sat up, brushing grass from his face. “Yeah, well, this was the first time I have ever flown on a dragon.”

Tohru giggled. “Oh, come on. You’re fine. You didn’t even fall off!”

“Only because I welded my hands to your scales out of raw terror.” Still, as he stood up and took in the clearing, his eyes widened with quiet awe.

The pine trees here stood tall, forming a natural wall around the field. Moss covered rocks and various plants could be seen around them.

“Okay… I’ll admit, nature is pretty.” Issei said, cracking his neck, “This is actually a pretty cool place.”

Tohru grinned. “Of course it is. Now—shall we begin?”

Kanna looked over. “Do you know how to use your gauntlet yet?”

Issei held up his left arm and with a thought the Boosted Gear shimmered faintly. “Not really. I just got it to appear, remember. Ddraig, what do I do next?”

(Just keep waiting ten seconds. The Boosted Gear responds to your desires and will continue to Boost by itself, until you can no longer handle it or you desire it to stop.)

Tohru clapped excitedly. “So! Every ten seconds, the Boosted Gear will double your physical and magical stats. That means if you keep activating Boost, you’ll keep multiplying your power—until your body can't handle it anymore!”

“...That last part worries me.”

“Don’t worry! Ddraig just said it will stop until you can no longer handle it”

Issei looked down at his gauntlet, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Let’s try this…”

The emerald gem at the wrist glowed brightly.

Boost!

A jolt ran through his body—hot and electric. His muscles tensed. His vision sharpened. The forest became clearer, more detailed. His heart raced like a drum as he felt power.

“…Whoa,” he breathed.

“Good!” Tohru said. “Again!”

Boost!

Another surge. His body felt even tighter—stronger. His balance improved. The wind resistance against his body faded. His voice carried louder when he spoke. “I could get used to this.”

Tohru’s eyes gleamed. “Now… try punching that boulder.”

Issei looked where she pointed—a huge rock, probably three times his height and just as wide.

“…You’re serious?”

“Come on, Hyoudou-kun,” Kanna said softly. “Show us dragon spirit.”

“Alright.” Issei took a stance that felt natural and raised his arm.

Boost!

The third Boost made the power increase and flow through his body but Issei could also start to feel a strain that made it a bit uncomfortable.

Thinking he was ready he threw a punch.

The moment his fist collided with the boulder, the entire thing shattered into dust. The shockwave cracked the earth, and wind burst from the impact in all directions.

“…Whoa.”

Tohru blinked. “That wasn’t bad.”

Kanna stared. “You broke it.”

Issei stared at his fist in disbelief. “I broke it.” A slow, wide grin spread across his face. “That’s so awesome.”

Tohru stretched her arms overhead, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement. “Alright, Issei-kun. Let’s really test what you can do.”

Issei blinked, flexing his gauntlet-covered left arm. “...Test how, exactly?”

Tohru grinned. “I want you to Boost to your limit. Then we will spar.”

Issei blinked in confusion. “Spar?! With who?!”

“With me, silly.”

Issei looked confused and more than a little panicked. “Wait, why? Can’t I, I don’t know, punch some trees?”

Tohru placed a hand over her chest, looking almost proud. “You’ll never learn to be a proper dragon if you don't fight. Plus Kanna’s still recovering her strength. And I haven’t had a real fight since I came to this world and I need to stretch out this body, fighting in humanoid form is a lot different than in dragon form.”

“I don’t even know how to fight. I’m not a martial artist or a battle junkie!” Issei muttered.

“You’ll be fine,” she said sweetly. “Just follow your instincts. Dragons are born fighters.”

Kanna, seated on a nearby rock, blinked. “It comes naturally for us.”

Issei’s eyes widened slightly. “...But I wasn’t born a dragon!”

Tohru gave him a cheerful thumbs-up. “You a dragon now and that's close enough! Dragons don’t learn how to fight. They just do.”

He sighed and looked down at the Boosted Gear. The emerald gem pulsed with raw energy.

Ddraig’s voice rumbled in his mind. (You’ve already Boosted three times. Two more and you’ll hit your current limit.)

“Yeah… starting to feel that.” Issei muttered, flexing his fingers as a slight ache pulsed down his arm and into his legs.

Tohru stepped back, cracking her knuckles. “I’ll hold back enough so you don’t die. Just dodge anything that looks like it might vaporize you.”

“That doesn’t help!”

Boost!

Ten seconds later and the fourth pulse surged through making him feel hot and electric.

Boost!

The fifth hit made his knees buckle slightly. His heart was pounding like a war drum.

“Okay. Five is definitely my limit right now…”

(For now.) Ddraig agreed. (Train a bit more and you'll be able to handle more later on.)

Tohru watched him with interest. “Ready?”

“Not really!”

“Too bad!” Tohru charged.

Issei’s eyes widened as a blur of motion came at him like a heat-seeking missile. Her fist was already cocked.

“OH CRAP—!”

He threw himself sideways, tumbling through the grass as her punch slammed into the ground with a thunderous boom, creating a small crater. Dust flew up. Stones cracked and trees fell.

‘She’s not holding back!!’ His instincts screamed, and he obeyed, leaping over a fallen log and sprinting toward the trees.

Tohru didn’t chase—she just launched herself again with a wild grin, cutting him off and forcing him to dodge a spinning kick that nearly took his head off.

“Ddraig!!” Issei shouted in his mind as he ducked behind a rock. “I don’t know how to fight!”

(Just do what she said earlier? You’re a dragon now. Use your instincts!)

“That’s not helpful!!” Issei yelled as he continued to dodge.

(Stop running and fight back!!)

Tohru came again, and this time Issei turned toward her and without thinking, his left arm moved.

The Boosted Gear shined as his punch met hers in a fiery clash.

BOOM!

The ground beneath them cracked. The air rippled out in waves. Issei stumbled back, his arm throbbing.

But he'd actually been able to defend himself against her.

Tohru beamed. “That’s the spirit!” And then came at him again.

They exchanged blows, wild, uncoordinated punches from Issei, fluid dodges and quick jabs from Tohru. It wasn’t a fair fight. Tohru was faster, more experienced, and she was playing with him like a cat against a mouse.

But for every moment he stood his ground, for every punch he blocked or redirected, he could feel it, somehow it was getting easier for him to move, when to throw a punch or block. Not only that even though this was terrifying he was starting to enjoy the spar.

(Don’t let her hit you too hard.) Ddraig warned. (A critical hit would reset your Boosts and drop all your built-up power.)

“WHAT?!” Issei reacted as he raised a kick.

(Did I not mention that? Oops.)

“DDRAIG!!”

Tohru suddenly jumped back, wings bursting from her back. “Let’s take this to the sky!”

She launched into the sky, ascending rapidly into the clouds. Then she began charging energy—her hands glowing with golden light.

‘Oh no.’ Issei could feel it before he saw it. The air tightened. The pressure building. The light from above intensified.

Tohru shouted from above, “Let’s see how you handle this, Issei-kun!”

A massive beam of raw magical energy exploded from the sky.

Issei’s eyes widened in panic. “I got NOTHING to block that!!”

(You don’t need to block it.) Ddraig growled. (Strike back. Focus your power and use your desires on the Boosted Gear. Use it all in one attack.)

He clenched his teeth, gritted his jaw, and brought his left arm up, energy swirling violently. “Alright… Here goes NOTHING!!”

He focused everything, all the Boosts, all the power and roared:

“DRAGON SHOT!!”

A burst of pure red energy launched from the Boosted Gear, tearing through the air and slamming into Tohru’s beam.

The two attacks met midair—

And exploded.

KA-BOOOOOOM!!

The shockwave tore through the forest. Trees bent from the force. Birds scattered for miles. The ground was scorched. The boulder field became rubble.

When the dust finally cleared, the once-peaceful forest was now a war zone, charred earth, smoking craters, broken and fallen trees.

And in the middle of it all Tohru stood proudly on a rock, hands on her hips. “I win!”

Issei lay on his back, twitching, covered in dirt and soot. “Ow…”

Ddraig’s voice rumbled low. (Not bad for your first fight, Partner. Try not to get vaporized next time.)

Smoke drifted lazily from his body. His eyes swirled. His limbs ached. But a stupid grin was spreading across his face. “…That… was so much fun.”

Kanna, seated on her boulder, began clapping slowly. “It was entertaining.”

Reset.

The Boosted Gear shimmered one final time, then faded away, leaving Issei with nothing but a sore arm and entering an unconscious state.

Kanna hopped off her rock and walked over, dust trailing from her steps. Her usually flat expression was mildly impressed as she looked down at the unconscious boy. “He lasted longer than I expected.”

Tohru joined her, brushing the soot off her dress as she looked at Issei with a proud smile. “Yay, he survived,” She said cheerfully, placing her hands on her hips.

Kanna knelt beside Issei and poked his cheek. “Barely.”

Tohru let out a nervous giggle. “I did hold back, you know.”

Kanna looked up at her, blinking slowly. “By a lot.”

Tohru crossed her arms, puffing out her chest slightly. “Of course I did! If I’d used even a quarter of my serious power, there wouldn’t be a crater. Kobayashi-san would never forgive me if he died. She might even hate me…”

Kanna blinked. “True. Pervy Glasses would be mad.”

Tohru’s voice wavered as she spoke. “She’d never let me sleep next to her again,” She added mournfully. “Or drink from her cup. Or even look at her bathing.”

Kanna tilted her head. “You’re crying.”

“I’m not ready for her to hate me!” Tohru snapped, wiping her eyes.

Kanna returned her gaze to Issei, who let out a soft groan but didn’t stir. “Still… for a first fight, he did well.”

Tohru nodded solemnly. “He has potential. He just needs to stop panicking like a salamander. Anyway,” Tohru stands straighter. “It’s about time we head back. Kobayashi will be getting off work soon, and I have to make dinner.”

Kanna’s stomach growled softly in response. “I want meat.”

Tohru turned and, with a flash of magic, returned to her full dragon form. Her body stretched across the clearing, scales gleaming in the fading sunlight.

“Hop on!” She called telepathically.

Kanna climbed atop Tohru’s back with practiced ease. She knelt down and carefully lifted Issei into her arms, cradling him against her chest.

He murmured something incomprehensible in his dazed state—something about “dragons in maid uniforms” and “why are there three moons.”

Kanna blinked. “He’s delirious.” Kanna secured her grip as Tohru began flapping her wings, stirring up the ash and debris around them.

As they took off, the wind from her wings washed over the ruined battlefield, scattering soot and lifting a few loose leaves into the air.

The dragon trio ascended into the sky.

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

Kobayashi’s apartment.

Issei stirred beneath a soft blanket, his body aching as consciousness slowly returned to him. His eyes fluttered open to the soft flicker of a television screen across the room.

“…Ugh…”

The room clearly wasn’t his room. He tilted his head slightly and realized he was in his aunt's apartment.

He blinked again. He was lying in the living room, with a thin blanket on top of him, and a small pillow supporting the back of his head. All of his muscles felt like it had been individually punched by a giant. Which… was technically accurate.

He turned his head slightly and spotted Kanna sitting cross-legged in front of the TV, her eyes locked on the screen with a deadpan interest of someone watching something both confusing and exciting.

It was a cartoon involving a yellow squared sponge.

Issei groaned again, this time louder. “Ughhh… What happened…?”

Kanna didn’t turn. “You passed out.”

“…Figures. What happened after?”

“After Tohru defeated you, she carried you home as Kobayashi was about to come back from work. At the moment she’s cooking now.”

Issei blinked. The memory of the fight came back in flashes, the power surging in his veins, Tohru’s laser, the explosion, then the sky turning upside-down.

He tried to sit up—

Zing!

“OW—!” His whole body spasmed with a jolt of agony. It was like all his nerves had decided to file a complaint at once.

Kanna glanced over at him, her expression as flat as ever. “Don’t move while you're still recovering.”

“Kind of… figured that out on my own…”

“It shouldn’t take long.” She said. “Dragons heal faster than humans, but it should take time as you just turned into one. The pain will fade in a few hours.”

He eased himself back down with a wheeze. “So this is what an anime-like fight is. Neat.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, as the yellow sponge cooked hamburgers while Issei processed his new life.

Eventually, he turned his head toward the small girl sitting in front of the TV. “…Hey, Kanna?”

“Mm.” Kanna nods as her attention would not leave the TV.

“Will you be sticking around for a while?”

She blinked. “Yes.”

He waited, expecting more. “That’s it?”

“I’m going to ask Tohru to come home again.”

“I thought she already said no.”

“She did.” Her voice dropped just slightly. “But I can’t go back without her.”

Issei furrowed his brow. There was a sadness in her tone, a weight behind her words that didn’t match her otherwise expressionless face. “…Why not?”

Kanna was quiet for a long moment. The only sound was the soft babbling of a TV narrator describing lizard mating calls.

Finally, she answered. “…Because I can’t go back either.”

Issei, confused, continued to ask. “What do you mean?”

“I played a prank on the Elders. They were so mad”

“That bad?”

She nodded. “They said I was banished until I learned responsibility.”

Issei stared. “Banished?! What kind of prank did you pull?!”

Kanna blinked at him. “That’s not important.”

“It sounds pretty important!” Issei frowned. “Still, that's really harsh. So what—now you’ve got nowhere to live?”

“I’ll find a cave,” She said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Or ruins. Maybe an abandoned castle. Someplace quiet.”

Issei just stared at her, his expression deadpan. “…That’s messed up.”

Kanna tilted her head. “It’s not that bad.”

“No,” He said, sitting up slightly despite the ache in his spine. “You’re not going to go live in some cold cave or sketchy ruin. That’s no way to live. Not for someone like you.”

She blinked. “Someone like me?”

He nodded. “Yeah, a cute girl deserves better than that.”

Kanna’s eyes widened slightly at his praise. 

Issei smiled softly, despite the throb in his ribs. “If you want… you can live with me.”

She blinked. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious. My place is right next door. It’s small, sure, but it's clean and warm. Plus you can visit Tohru whenever you want.”

Kanna hesitated, for the first time seeming unsure. “…I don’t trust humans.”

Issei looked at her for a moment. Then slowly, he reached out and gently patted her head.

Her eyes widened, and she stared at him as his fingers ruffled her hair softly.

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not really a human.” He said with a grin.

Kanna blinked. A small blush crept onto her cheeks. She looked down at the blanket, avoiding his gaze. “What if I’m a burden?”

“You will never be a burden for me.”

“What if I eat too much?”

“You’re a dragon. I expected that and we can always mooch off of my aunt..”

“What if… you get sick of me?”

He smiled wider, eyes softening. “Then I’d be the dumbest dragon in Tokyo.”

She looked back up at him.

He added, “Besides, maybe you should be worried about living with a pervert like me.”

Kanna blinked once. Then twice. “…That’s fair,” She replied flatly.

Issei snorted. “So? What do you say?”

She nodded once. “If I can… I will.”

A beat of silence passed between them—soft, warm, full of unspoken understanding.

“…Cool.” Issei says as he stared at the TV and Kanna did as well with a smile.

Click.

The door to the apartment creaked open, followed by the unmistakable sound of shoes being kicked off against the doorway.

Kobayashi stepped inside, her white work shirt slightly wrinkled, her tie crooked, and her expression bearing the thousand-yard stare of an overworked salarywoman who had just survived another gauntlet of meetings.

She paused in the entryway, her eyes locking onto the sight before her:

Issei, bruised, slightly bandaged, wrapped in a blanket and leaning against the wall with a dumb grin.

Next to him sat Kanna, small and expressionless, her cheeks still faintly flushed.

Kobayashi narrowed her eyes, suspicion rising. “…Okay. What happened?”

“Huh?” Issei blinked.

“You look like someone used you as a baseball bat and the ball,” she said flatly. “And Kanna’s here. Sitting really close. What were you two talking about?”

Issei’s brain short-circuited. “Uh—dragon stuff!”

Kobayashi raised an eyebrow. “...Dragon stuff.”

“Yep!” Issei said, his grin too wide, too fast. “Just… old-fashioned dragon things. Y’know. Ancient wisdom. Totally normal, nothing suspicious. Ha ha.”

Kanna nodded once. “He’s not lying.”

Kobayashi stared at them both for a long, slow moment, eyes narrowing. Issei could practically feel the lie detector going off in her head.

She opened her mouth and was cut off by a voice from the kitchen.

“Welcome back, Kobayashi-san!” Tohru said cheerfully as she leaned out with a tray in hand. “Dinner’s ready!”

Kobayashi turned toward the voice. “Oh, thank God, I’m starving.”

Tohru’s face lit up with joy as she quickly moved to greet her master properly, placing the tray on the table and adjusting her maid outfit as if she were presenting a royal feast.

Kobayashi, too tired to argue or investigate further, sighed and made her way toward the dining table. “You’re lucky I’m too exhausted to interrogate anyone.”

Issei mentally fist-pumped. ‘Crisis delayed. Victory.’

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

Later That Evening

The four of them—Kobayashi, Tohru, Issei, and Kanna—sat around the modest wooden table in the apartment, the meal steaming before them.

Bowl after bowl of vibrant food was spread across the table: tamagoyaki, stir-fried vegetables, grilled mackerel, miso soup, and rice, every dish prepared with meticulous precision and a frightening level of enthusiasm.

Tohru beamed. “I hope it’s to everyone’s liking!”

Issei took one bite and blinked. “Whoa. This is… really good.”

Kanna nodded, drooling in hunger.

Tohru’s eyes sparkled. “Really?! Thank you so much, Issei-kun! Kanna-chan!”

Even Kobayashi, sipping from her bowl of miso soup, gave a small nod. “I’ll admit… this is better than your usual.”

Tohru tilted her head. “Oh?”

“At least you didn’t cook your own tail this time,” She muttered.

Tohru pouted, puffing her cheeks. “I already apologized for that!”

“You did,” Kobayashi said. “But I feel like I need to keep reminding you. As a precaution.”

Issei chuckled between bites. “Please don't serve me that again. While it was delicious it might awaken something strange in me.”

“Not helping,” Kobayashi muttered.

Tohru’s eyes were shining from the praise, her tail subtly swaying behind her in satisfaction. Kobayashi was half-lidded and slouched from exhaustion, but visibly relaxed.

Kanna, seated to Issei’s left, methodically scooped another bite of rice into her mouth. Her expression didn’t change, but her voice came quietly between chews. “Issei.”

“Hmm?” He glanced over, half-swallowing a piece of mackerel.

“…Where are the dragons of this world?”

That got everyone's attention.

Tohru paused mid-bite. Kobayashi looked up from her miso soup, and even Issei blinked in confusion.

“...That’s a good question,” He said, scratching his cheek. “Honestly… I have no idea.”

He turned slightly toward his left arm. “Oi, Ddraig. Are you there?”

(Always, Partner.) Came the deep, familiar voice of Ddraig from his left hand as it started glowing. (And that is a fair question.)

Everyone at the table leaned in slightly as the dragon emperor began to speak.

(Most dragons in this world were either hunted, sealed, or left this dimension long ago. The wars between supernatural factions devils, angels, fallen, humans… took their toll. Not to mention the extreme change of the environment when the industrial revolution took place. In the end, most surviving dragons either fled to other dimensions or found refuge in the Underworld.)

“To the Underworld?” Kanna asked, tilting her head.

(Yes.) Ddraig continued. (It’s a realm governed by devils,  fallen angels and Hades. A separate plane of existence beneath this one. Not many dragons remain there either, but it’s safer than the human world.)

Kanna and Tohru both looked visibly saddened by this. Tohru lowered her gaze, her chopsticks resting idly across her bowl.

“So... they’re gone?” Kanna said softly.

(Most.) Ddraig answered. (But not all. There’s one I know of, for certain, that is still living on Earth. The Dragon King Midgardsormr.)

Tohru blinked. “That name sounds ancient.”

(Because it is.) Ddraig said. (He’s a lazy, coiled old serpent sleeping at the bottom of the ocean. Doesn’t care for war, politics, or anything beyond his own nap schedule.)

Issei raised an eyebrow. “Wait. There’s a literal sea dragon king just napping at the bottom of the ocean?”

(Yes. He’s survived longer than most because of how utterly disinterested he is in the world.)

Kobayashi, spoon halfway to her mouth, finally spoke up. “Then why hasn’t any of this, dragons, devils, angels, or sacred gears been revealed to the public? How is all of this not worldwide news?”

(Simple.) Ddraig replied. (Because of the powers that be have all agreed. The mundane and supernatural must remain separate. To keep balance, peace and control. Humanity isn't ready.)

“That’s fair. I can imagine the chaos it will bring.” Issei muttered.

(Exactly,) Ddraig said. (But make no mistake, the world is still full of mystery as your neighbor may not be who you expect him to be. This apartment is proof of it as you’re having dinner with four dragons like a common day.) Ddraig’s voice then grew more curious. (But now I have a question.)

“Oh?” Issei tilted his head.

(Where are you two from?) Ddraig asked. (I’ve never heard of a young dragon exuding the aura of a Dragon King. And your presence is... different. It doesn't match anything native to this world.)

Tohru and Kanna looked at one another.

Issei blinked. “Wait. Different how?”

Tohru placed her chopsticks down, folding her hands neatly in her lap. “We’re not from this world.”

Silence fell over the table.

Issei’s jaw slowly dropped. “You’re WHAT?!”

Kanna looked mildly amused by his reaction. “We’re from another world.”

“Tohru! Kanna! You’re interdimensional dragons?! Since when?!”

Tohru smiled sheepishly. “Since always?”

Issei stared at them, wide-eyed. “You’re aliens!”

“We’re not aliens,” Tohru huffed. “We’re dragons. Very different!”

Kanna added, “Our world is different from here.”

Issei turned toward his arm. “Ddraig?! Did you know this?!”

(No.) Ddraig said smoothly. (But I’ve lived long enough to stop being surprised. You get used to it.)

“Used to WHAT?!” Issei yelled. “I just learned that there's an entire different world out there and that aliens might exist?!"

(Life is full of surprises, Partner,) Ddraig replied wisely. (Accept it. Or you’ll go insane.)

Issei slumped over the table, dramatically groaning. “This is too much…”

Kobayashi took a sip of tea. “I, for one, would like to go one week without anything weird going on.”

Tohru beamed. “But you love us, Kobayashi-san!”

Kobayashi deadpanned. “I like that you cook and clean.”

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

Later That Night

Dinner ended, dishes were cleaned, and the city outside the windows grew quiet as the neon glow gave way to dusk.

Tohru busied herself humming and cleaning the table with glee. Kobayashi, now changed into pajamas, settled in with her laptop and tea on the couch.

Issei gave Kanna a nod and quietly slipped on his shoes. “Alright. Time for me to get back to my place.”

Kanna followed, small steps silent behind him. As they reached the door, Issei heard Kobayashi’s voice from the living room.

“Why is she going with you?”

“AH—GOTTA GO! BYE!”

Grabbing Kanna’s hand, he slammed the door gently and took off down the hallway like a man escaping judgment.

“…She’s going to ask again tomorrow,” Kanna said.

Issei sighed. “Yeah, I know.” Then he smiled. “But that’s tomorrow's problem.”

Done. Comment and tell me what you think or if I made any mistakes.