The next morning Lass had woken up again without Ikarisa by his side. Noises were heard from the room's kitchen, and he then knew she was still in the room and he didn't have to worry. When He got up and went near her thinking she'd still mumble about the events that happened yesterday though, in reality, she seemed quite happy and cheerful.
"Good morning Lass!", Ikarisa said with a chuckle.
"Well I sure am glad to see you got your spirit back but...may I ask how? Considering you were crying under a bridge yesterday, now turned into this, I feel like I should chain you down to the hotel room next time.", Lass asked, folding his arms in anticipation of an answer.
"Oh, it's nothing! And don't start with that suspicious look again! Here, I made us breakfast this time...by the way I'll be going for some grocery shopping so you'll have to nibble down on it by yourself for now ok?"
”Wait, you know how to cook?”
”Umm…a little bit! I did see you cooking a couple of times so I took what I learned from there too. Cecilia was the one person I would look to for cooking advice when we were out and about in the world. I hope you like it.”
The moment Lass tried Ikarisa's breakfast a faint sense of mixed disgust and restraint came into his head, restraining himself under the circumstances.
"So...how was it?"
Lass smiled softly at her, "It's...great actually. Good job.", he began to scream inside his head, "Please leave. Can't hold it for much longer."
"Nice! Glad you liked it! I'll be back in a few!"
And with that, she was off. Despite Lass being glad that she got her cheery attitude back, he was still worried about how she did it. And then he opened the TV on the news channel.
"It's a miracle! All the crusaders from yesterday's monster attack who got hurt or mortally wounded were miraculously back to full health the very next morning! We're connecting with Sasha for more details from the Leader of the medic team!", the reporter rejoiced, switching to a different sight.
"We have no clue on who operated on the wounded last night, nor have any idea how they did it, but we can't help but be grateful for it. However, because we need to run a few tests to make sure that their health is in a neutral state, we will prevent them from any source of fighting for the rest of the week. Furthermore, because of the large number of wounded or previously wounded warriors from the attack, I've been ordered to tell you a message from the Knight Of Knights tournament organizers. The message states: "Because of the number of missing contenders due to yesterday's unfortunate event, in association with Reingards’ own Eno Hospital ER, the existing contenders who were not classified as heavily or mortally wounded, will be immediately promoted to the finals which will take place tomorrow. They, therefore, have another leave from today's fights to calm their spirits and return to the tournament in a healthy state." That's all and may you stay safe in the future.”, the medical team leader formally said.
He was both glad and angered to hear that. And of course, he had a lot of questions on the subject too. How did she manage to heal everyone? How did she even get in without being detected? Did she do it alone? But he just had to wait for her to return. And she did. He was standing right in front of the door with his arms folded.
"So amidst you crying yourself to sleep and me having to drag your ass back to the hotel, just when exactly did you manage to find it in you to pull that little stunt off?", he said, all the while he folded his arms and grit his teeth from anger.
"Wait what? What are you talking about?", Ikarisa played clueless.
He exhaled deeply, relaxing his angered stance, "Come on Risa, cut it out. I am glad about what you did, but I'm also extremely worried about it. You know that that was a huge risk. What if you got caught while healing someone? Your cover would've been blown immediately, given how easy it would be for them to realize the absolutely obscure powers you got. And besides, how did you even manage to heal over 50 people that fast and that well? I thought your powers were diminished after that blast."
"Well, at some point during the night I felt them returning so...let's just say that it was a fortunate side effect! And besides, there will come a time when the world will have to know of my existence anyway.”
”When you set off nuclear explosions a few meters away from the city they will anyway.”, Lass sighed, "At this point, we should probably drop the act and stop concealing you. Matter of time anyways.
”Exactly!”, Ikarisa happily said as she smiled.
”Still as clueless as ever. Unfortunately, she’s not acting.”, Lass whispered as he sighed.
"Alright, I'll leave that one like that. But...please tell me Anya didn't have any involvement in this."
"Why would you say that?"
"You did catch me off guard when you first got those powers, given that you actually had combat experience. But that doesn't automatically make you an undercover mission specialist. How did you sneak in, do all that and get out unnoticed? Unless of course, you're hiding more things from me.”
"No-no it's nothing like that! I swear! I did it all alone! I've had enough of me crying and whining all the time about not being able to save everyone.., so I instead put my words away and started to act instead of just sitting there and watching you and others get hurt!", she said with a determined look. "Also I might have contacted Anya for the schematics of a typical way the Reingard army would set up a makeshift medical camp site, but that doesn't mean she did it with me...", she whispered.
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she said those words. It felt like Lass was facing an entirely different person.
"You...and the damn mutt. Whatever, I'll let this one slide, just this once. But I sure am glad you started to think that way. Please, next time you try to do something so risky tell me before you do it...I'm not gonna stop you or anything but I would love to help you. And besides, I'm supposed to be protecting you which is the reason I came with you on this journey. Anyways I have another day off the tournament according to the administration of the KoK tournament so I'm about to hit the streets and-", his words were interrupted by a happy Ikarisa.
"Alrighty then! You hitting the streets would give me a nice window to tidy things up a bit, so make sure to have fun and I'll have everything cleaned once you're back!"
"Well about that...I was kinda hoping you'd come with me. It's not like I have every day of the whole one man versus the world thing, so why don't you just take the day off your cleaning thing and come with me on a nice walk? It would feel pretty depressing, always having you stuck in a corner when I go outside, don’t you think? Plus, we could all use a break from yesterday's shitshow.”
"O-oh. Sure, I guess we could go on a date!"
"It's a walk. You know, like a nice friendly walk down the streets.", he said, grabbing the room phone. "Here you don't have to treat it as a date, I'll call Anya too. That will make both of you shut it with the love and kissy crap.”
With that said he tried to save the situation by calling Anya from her workplace from the phone catalogue.
"Hello, you've reached the most famous merchant market in all of Reingard! What can I do for you today?"
"Hey, Anya... I and Risa were planning to go on a nice walk down the town and we thought that you'd want to come too. So uh...you interested?"
"Oh, so a walk...I sure am interested but I can't. Helping you and Risa on the tournament and stuff has made three days' worth of work pile up. Sorry, but I can't unless I want my tail chopped off by the ‘World's No1 Asshole’. Should’ve gotten him that mug instead now that I think about it. So why don't you two go on a date together?", she chuckled. "I'm sure that romance can bloom even at the heart of the city! Of course, if you want date advice I can easily give you a tip or two...", she said with a smug across her face.
"Just shut up mutt.", Lass angrily closed the phone on Anya, facepalming and rubbing his face, “I swear to god, every time there’s a male and a female present in a story they have to plug in some cookie-cutter love bullshit. I’m not cut out for this.”, he mumbled.
With that, he smacked the phone down, turning around, only to realize that Ikarisa wasn't there. He looked around for her and then she came out of our room wearing a beautiful light white summer dress with a gorgeous hairpin holding her hair out of her face behind her ears.
"So how do I look? Am I date worthy enough for you or-"
"I don't even care.”, he said with a straight face, “No matter what you wear it won't make me look away from you anyway. If I do so, we’re probably going to have to pay for city-wide damages.”
"Wait...does that mean-", Ikarisa’s words were interrupted as she gasped.
"Not like that. You're just always finding your way into trouble. So me looking after you will be nothing new. It will because I hope I can prevent at least one thing from going completely south by keeping you in check this time.”
A shiny smile went across her face.
"Thank you! I will keep doing my absolute best to live up to your expectations!”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“There ain’t no expectations to live up to, Risa. Just…be yourself. Just the way you are right now. No apologies, no tears, hiding behind your shadow. I’m just here to make sure you ain’t getting in harm's way.”, he nodded at her.
Ikarisa nodded. “Hmm! Got it! And by the way, is Anya coming?"
"No, not really, she's got pilled up work to get done so I guess we can go on this alone.", he said with a fake smile, "She also has a death wish so she should be kept away from me for today.", he whispered. "So if you want to cancel it because of that-"
"No, not at all! Of course, I'd go on a walk with you!", she said with a smile.
“Good, progress. For all I know, with your mindset, you could say the date and turn it into-“, he blushed as he thought of the night before the first match, “God damn fan service.”
”N-No!”, she blushed back, “I-I know that was…bad. I kind of found out myself a little bit later…please ignore that moment!”, she begged.
”Noted. Let’s get out of here. There’s supposed to be an entertainment area close to the east side, so let’s go there.”, he pressed on, wanting to escape the uncomfortable scenario.
And it was then that they headed off to finally have a nice and relaxing day at the city's fun fare. When they first entered the fare they went into the arcades which was the first building in the area. Turns out that lively little goddess had quite the talent for arcade games as she claimed swift victories over Lass on over half the arcade games they played. And the spirit of victory has further enlightened her mood.
"Her hand-eye coordination...wow.", he said, scratching his head and gazing at Ikarisa in awe.
"Yay! I won! Turns out that Machina company makes some pretty good games for the entirety of Riza! I totally swiped you on Alley Fighters! And you couldn't even move when I 1v1 you on Call of Order! Oh and I beat almost all of your boss clear times in Light Souls and Shadow Of The Titan!", she kept on bragging about her gaming achievements. "Oh, what's this?!"
Then the little goddess had eyes on the only game in the entire arcade that was completely out of Lass's likes.
"It's game...' Just Move'? What is it?”, Ikarisa checked the arcade machine out.
"Oh it's nothing, just a stupid game for educating kids, let's just get going!"
"Lass, I know that you're lying...come on tell me what it is!"
"It's a rhythmic dance game. See those two panels on the ground in front of the game? You're supposed to stand on those and perform the moves that show up on the screen in front of you.", he said as he let out a long sigh.
"Well, that sounds pretty fun! Come on let's go give it a try!"
"Nope. I think I'll pass. Besides you've destroyed me in all of the arcade games, haven't you had enough?"
"Well it's not like I'm doing it on purpose...and I can see that this game also has a two-player mode! See it says right there! 'Pick your partner and select the Co-Op option from the main menu to perform a selection of fun and interesting dances together!'"
"For someone with zero sense of direction, she for some goddamn reason knows video games well.", he whispered. "But, I don't even know how to dance...and besides I don't think you know either. I mean have you ever tried to do any sort of dance? At all?"
"No, not at all! But there's a first time for everything and besides that screen is going to show us what moves to perform! So we will even be learning in the process! You said to be yourself and live a little, so join me for it! Now, enough procrastinating already!", she said as she dragged Lass along.
"Alright, alright fine!", he said with a sigh. "This is gonna suck...", he whispered.
And with that said they both stood on the dance machine. Lass was way too clumsy and stepped on Ikarisa several times but the little goddess didn't seem to mind. It was almost as if they were...alone. Like time and space, both paused. But alas a huge line formed in front of the machine and had they come to realize it, they had to give other people their turn.
"Finally feels like I'm with him again...", she gazed at Lass, unsure of how to actually feel.
"I uh-Risa...", he said as he looked at the build-up of the line behind them.
"Lass, you danced great! Let's do it again sometime!", she smiled as she hugged Lass.
"I...sure. Thanks, Risa.", he replied with a polite smile.
After that, they didn't have a lot of time left before lunch and they could only rush to the Ferris Wheel before the staff would take their much-deserved break. Once they entered they just stood there looking at each other in an awkward fashion. And when they reached the highest point.
"Wow...that's amazing! I can see the entire Reingard from here!"
"Yea...it's a bit scary you know. Knowing that a great evil is just wandering around such a huge place. Will we ever be able to find it?"
"Not to worry, things like these get attracted to me. So whether we search for it or not, it's highly likely that evil will find us first. And when it does, no one else will be hurt...because it'll end right there and there.”
"For someone like you to say that…hmm. I can see a fire burning inside you. And tears aside, I am happy you at least are back to normal. What really happened?"
"I met you! I kept thinking about what you told me yesterday and…well I agree with myself. I don’t know why all of this happened and I have no idea when it will end. But I can’t shake this feeling I got when I started this, and though it did start grim, I love this, despite its dangers. You, Anya, helping others and suppressing evil! You were right, Lass! We can push the limits!", she said as she laughed and smiled at Lass.
Lass nodded back at Ikarisa. "Glad to see we’re good then.”, he looked around, “Well then seems the ride is almost over.", he said while smiling, looking down as the ride came to an end.
With that said they both went down. The Ferris Wheel operator then said that was the last go before his break so they went out of the fare and started searching for somewhere to eat. Before they did find that place, they instead stumbled upon an interesting situation. Someone was getting rather frivolous and frisky, holding on to a familiar-looking woman. She was just indeed tolerating it, not even flinching for a moment, but was instead warning the culprit all while holding on to what looked to be a heavy drinker.
"Come on asshole cut it out. I'm just warning you right here 'cause I don't want to send you to the hospital. Too much paperwork to submit after.", the woman angrily said.
"My-my that's an exquisite smell you have there my lady...I wonder if-"
The grunt's words were cut off by the woman's reaction to his inappropriate moves. And that's when the woman just snapped.
"Alright, that's it you little shit!"
With that, she punched the man with all her strength, still not losing the handle of her drink, and sending him flying across the plaza. The man then commanded his allies to attack her.
"See it as you wish, filth! Come out, boys!"
Without second thought Lass went to help her, immediately telling Risa to wait there. He jumped on behind the woman to cover her back but she then tried to take him down. And that's where her identity was realized.
"Hey relax, I'm here to help! Huh? Heista?!", Lass said in surprise, as he approached and identified the woman.
"Oh, how convenient, there's the hero that I never asked to help me. Alrighty, get ready kid, 'cause I'm not gonna watch after you in this. You got yourself into this mess, so stay alive by yourself!”
They then proceeded to fight the grunts. Heista using her full strength was terrifyingly strong. While Lass was quickly eliminating enemies one by one she was taking several of them down with one blow.
"Gah! Retreat! Retreat!", their leader yelped.
"Heh, that's all you got? For a guy who performs such acts yet, he doesn't have the balls to support it. Pervert!", Heista chuckled. "How pathetic...but at least I can see that someone survived. Though the help was not needed, I guess that good manners demand that I thank you. So there. 'Thank you'. The name M-Heista by the way. Since yesterday you should have both heard that name and held on to it. And you are?"
"Name's Lass Reiden. And this one is Risa.”
Heista jolted up upon hearing the name. “W-Wow. Heh, quite the couple you guys are...the classic knight that protects the princess I suppose?
"Honestly, yes. I’m just keeping her out of trouble.
Lass and Risa both eyed each other in fear that she might have realized who she was.
"Funny way of doing that, considering you just jumped in to save someone's sorry ass before you realized it was me. Well anyhow, though I don't entirely approve of the way you fight. May I ask where you learned how to move like that?
"Well, I don't even know. I just...do it."
"What the hell?! A warrior that has signed up in KoK but doesn't know how he fights?! This is a good one!", Heista laughed.
"Wait, what? How do you know I'm signed up in KoK?"
"Well when your ass is being flashed as the leader of the squad that defended the city from the monster raid in the news, it's kinda hard for me not to notice. Plus you do know that all matches in KoK are being recorded and broadcast live, right? For both entertainment and legal purposes."
"Right...and I suppose that you're in the thing as well? I'm pretty sure someone as strong as you would dominate in there."
"I didn't get myself signed up in KoK since last year. You could say I'm some sort of special guest in it. Also, what's the deal with you, little lady? I don't think you'd compete with that. Watching your boyfriend over here battling his heart out? Hell of a love story! Anya told me all about it too!"
"Of course, she would. Why wouldn't she?", Lass started fuming.
"I-I uh don't...Lass's-", Ikarisa's words were swiftly cut by an angry Lass.
"She’s not my girlfriend. I’ve simply known her for a week tops at this point. Do you honestly think something can happen before we really get to know each other? We're just friends. And besides, we should get going. Otherwise, all restaurants will run out of free tables at this point.”
He then grabbed Ikarisa's hand and they hastily went off. Heista simply looked at them both while they walked away, remaining behind with her thoughts and yelling at them to have a good time.
"You do that village boy! And don't forget to give me a good show out there!", Heista chuckled, before calming down again at gazing at them from a distance, "Hmph...that girl. Quite the interesting feeling that her Obsulyte released...could she be? No, no way. She would never do something that bold. Then again…that kid. No way I get it wrong, right?", Heista wondered, "If he really is that little kid I remember..."
As they found a table at a local restaurant near the hotel it was getting late. The fighting took quite a bit longer than Lass had thought...but even when we sat down he could see that Ikarisa was uneasy.
"Hey, Risa...everything ok with you? You didn't get scared or anything right?"
"No, not at all! It's just that...it's nothing.", she said with a sigh.
After that, they both ate out to their hearts' content, and Ikarisa again beat Lass with 5 plates of food. How can such a small creature keep 5 plates of food in that stomach...a question Lass knew he would never answer. They then picked up their belongings and started to head back to the hotel. Lass was getting ready for sleep and getting mentally prepared for tomorrow's finals when he saw Ikarisa standing behind him in the window reflection. She was just standing there in her pyjamas just looking at the moon.
"Everything alright Risa? I can see that something troubles you...ever since we met up with Heista you were feeling a bit uneasy."
"Nope, it's nothing really. Just...be careful at tomorrow's match, ok? I don't want to see you get hurt...cause then we wouldn't be able to go out on a date again!
"It is not a date. It is a friendly walk!", he angrily said, "But sure...I guess I could do that.", he whispered.
"Sure!, she chuckled softly, getting a worried look right after.
Lost in her thoughts it was apparent Ikarisa has a looming shadow above her head. Her anxiety had risen severely, and unable to bear it anymore Lass pushed her into telling him her thoughts.
"Just say it, Risa. I won't judge you. Really.”
"I felt her. I'm not sure but that Heista…she's not normal."
"Tell me about it. Tick her off and she will start destroying everything around her. Her power is most impressive...but even if I went against her I wouldn't stutter.
"That's not it. She could be...the first one of the five.
"Wait...you don't mean those five, right?"
A look at each other was all that was needed to confirm how such an innocent day out, had once again escalated into a discovery that would change the course of their actions.
"I don't know for sure. But please take care if you come across her again. I would never forget the powers and fighting style they used."
"Right. I will don't worry.", he nodded, preparing himself for the worse.
Night fell quickly as they both went to recover their strength. Besides treating it as a possibility, Lass had already begun to prepare himself for what he knew would be an inevitable conflict. One that was to determine whether this story of his would continue or be brought to a swift end...