Kevin's Birthday Party

[With this, only Su is missing from the Thirteen Flame-Moth Heroes to be fully assembled.]

[According to memory, Su will join the Flame Chasers six months after the Herrscher of Flames appears.]

[And not long after Su joins, the Eighth Herrscher—the Herrscher of Knowledge—will appear.]

"Boss, what kind of gift should I get? What would Kevin like?"

Pardo's voice pulled Yoshikage Kira from his memories.

"Why don't you just ask him what he wants?"

"Aww, but then there'd be no surprise! Let's go out and pick a gift for Boss Kevin!"

"Alright, fine." Considering that the Flame Chasers hadn't been deploying Squad Five recently, Yoshikage Kira agreed.

"Should we ask Sister Vill-V too? We haven't seen her in ages."

"Then let's go find her." Yoshikage Kira was a little surprised but nodded nonetheless.

It seems Stand users are destined not to be confined by the Asura's realm.

He smiled with a hint of relief.

The two walked up to the Spiral Workshop. A scanner swept Yoshikage Kira's face, and the door automatically opened.

Entering the Spiral Workshop, Vill-V was still tinkering with Divine Keys. The two didn't disturb her and sat to the side to wait.

"Boss, boss, what's this?" Pardo, unable to sit still, noticed something novel and quietly began asking Yoshikage Kira questions.

"It's an optical camouflage device. With a camera attached, it won't be able to see you."

"Wow! If we had this, imagine how much money we could make!"

"And this one, boss, what's it for?"

"This is..."

They chatted for an unknown amount of time before Vill-V finally stopped.

"What, are you done?"

"Sigh, this is all I can do for now. The materials from upstairs have been scarce lately."

"Hmm, it seems we need to elevate Mei's position further."

Vill-V walked over to Yoshikage Kira and then sat on his lap.

Feeling the young woman's warmth, Yoshikage Kira wrapped his arms around Vill-V's waist.

"I miss you. Can't you come visit me more often?" the young woman said plaintively, nuzzling her head against Yoshikage Kira's chest.

"You're always busy too, aren't you? You always said researching Divine Keys was dangerous and told me not to come over."

"I... Sigh, forget it. Divine Keys are indeed very unstable."

"So, Assistant, what brings you here?"

"Kevin's birthday is coming up soon. We're here to ask you to pick out a gift with us."

"Okay, anyway, the research materials won't be arriving anytime soon."

"Then... shall we go?"

"No, let me hug you again."

Pardo watched the affectionate pair without saying anything.

Usually, I'm the one monopolizing Boss. I'll let Sister Vill-V have him for now.

"What could Kevin like? It's just Mei and noodles. How about we buy him a box of instant noodles?"

"Giving him instant noodles might not be the best idea, Sister Vill-V."

"I'm just saying."

The two each held one of Yoshikage Kira's hands, discussing what would be a good gift.

Under the envious gazes of those around them, Yoshikage Kira frowned.

But feeling the warmth and texture of the young women's hands, Yoshikage Kira didn't say anything.

Pardo's hands were a bit small. Thanks to his usual feeding, her hands were a little plump, feeling like pudding when he squeezed them.

Vill-V's hands weren't as smooth due to her long hours of research and equipment manufacturing. As Yoshikage Kira caressed Vill-V's hand, he found a different kind of charm in it.

Love me, love my dog? Yoshikage Kira didn't know, only that finding fault with someone he liked would be rather insensitive.

Sensing Yoshikage Kira's subtle movements, the two women exchanged a smile and resumed their gift selection.

However, after browsing for a long time, the three couldn't find any suitable gifts for Kevin.

Although Kevin wasn't particular about gifts, the three were still struggling.

Seeing a cake shop by the roadside, Yoshikage Kira had an idea.

"How about we make a cake for Kevin?"

"Eh, that's a good idea, but... are we just giving one cake for the three of us? Not to mention Pardo doesn't know how to bake."

"Making it myself... Boss, I have an idea! I can make a doll for Kevin."

"Oh? Then I'll make something for Kevin myself too."

"...It's rare for you to be out, why don't you go shopping for a bit longer?" Yoshikage Kira said to Vill-V.

"Heh heh, then let's keep shopping!" With that, Vill-V suddenly started running, pulling Yoshikage Kira's hand.

Vill-V didn't know why she was running, she just felt like doing it.

The next day, at Kevin's birthday party.

Everyone offered Kevin their blessings and the gifts they had prepared. Vill-V waited, ready for her grand finale.

"Ta-da! Gloves made by this century's greatest mechanic, Vill-V! They can control your temperature to normal human levels, try them on quickly."

"Vill-V, you stole a Herrscher Core from my lab and made this?"

"What, Mobius, you don't want to give it to Kevin?"

"Heh heh, what I mean is, if it were for me, I wouldn't just make a pair of gloves."

"I think if I gave you a whole night, you wouldn't even be able to make gloves."

Yoshikage Kira tapped the table, signaling for the two to quiet down.

After they calmed down, Yoshikage Kira said to Kevin, "Don't just stand there like an idiot, try them on."

Kevin carefully put on the gloves. He felt a warmth spread from his hands, something he hadn't felt since becoming a Fusion Warrior.

Mei took Kevin's hand and indeed couldn't feel any coldness.

Holding the hand of the person he hadn't touched in a long time, Kevin was filled with emotion.

He then solemnly bowed to Vill-V to thank her.

Vill-V waved her hand and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing, as long as you like it."

"Alright, our birthday star, come blow out the candles and make a wish!" Elysia said happily.

Accompanied by everyone's singing, Kevin clasped his hands together, made a wish, and then blew out the candles.

After the cake was distributed, everyone gathered to chat.

Apponia, Mobius, Chiyou, even Ling and Himiko – people who wouldn't normally appear at Kevin's birthday party.

At this moment, they were all here because of Yoshikage Kira.

Yoshikage Kira swirled the red wine in his glass, smiled, and then downed it in one gulp.

"As expected of Sister Elysia, this red wine must be very expensive." Pardo said, mimicking Yoshikage Kira's action and taking a sip.

"Heh heh, wealth is just an external possession to me. Being able to share this moment with everyone is what's most important."

Afterward, Sakura publicly apologized to everyone again for the assassination attempt on Mei and introduced her sister, Ling.

The assassination was not Sakura's true intention, and after spending some time together, everyone had come to fully accept Sakura.

Later, to ensure the smooth progress of the [Divine Keys] project, Dr. Mei decided to incorporate the [Poisoned Pupae] as her private force.

She also brought Sakura, Chiyou, and Himiko into it, to act from the shadows.

No one objected, and even Chiyou was unusually quiet, saying nothing.

Afterward, with the increase in personnel and some people living too far apart, making daily communication inconvenient.

Elysia proposed that she would fund the construction of a residence for everyone to live and work in.

"How about we call it [Golden Courtyard]?"

"Then we'll go with Aili's suggestion."

"Thank you, Elysia, I know you're the best to me!"