Kevin's Birthday Party

At this point, only Su was missing before all Thirteen Flame-Moth Heroes had assembled.

According to his memories, Su would join the Flame Chasers half a year after the Herrscher of Flames appeared.

And not long after Su joined, the Eighth Herrscher—the Herrscher of Knowledge—would appear.

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

Pardo's voice pulled Yoshikage Kira back from his memories.

"Why not just ask him what he wants?"

"Aww, then there won't be any surprise. Let's go pick out a gift for Boss Kevin!"

"Mm, all right." Considering that the Flame Chasers had not been deploying Squad Five lately, Yoshikage Kira agreed.

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

"Then let's go find her." Yoshikage Kira was somewhat surprised, but he nodded anyway.

Looks like Stand Users are destined not to be trapped in love triangles.

He smiled in quiet relief.

The two arrived before the Spiral Workshop. The equipment scanned Yoshikage Kira's face, and the door opened automatically.

Upon entering the Spiral Workshop, they found Vill-V still tinkering with a Divine Key. They did not disturb her, instead sitting off to the side to wait.

"Boss, Boss, what's this?" Pardo was not one to sit still. Looking at all the novel things around her, she began quietly asking Yoshikage Kira question after question.

"An optical camouflage device. Even cameras won't be able to see you when you wear it."

"Whoa! Who knows how much money we could make with something like that?"

"What about this one, Boss? What does it do?"

"This is..."

The two chatted for who knew how long before Vill-V finally stopped.

"What, are you done?"

"Sigh, this is as far as I can get for now. The higher-ups have been sending down even fewer materials lately."

"Mm, it seems we'll have to raise Mei's standing a little higher."

Vill-V walked over to Yoshikage Kira, then sat in his lap.

Feeling the girl's warmth, Yoshikage Kira wrapped his arm around Vill-V's waist as well.

"I missed you. Can't you come see me more often?" Rubbing her head against Yoshikage Kira's chest, the girl spoke in a wronged tone.

"Don't you usually have no time either? You also said researching Divine Keys was dangerous and wouldn't let me come over."

"I... sigh, forget it. Divine Keys really are unstable."

"So, Assistant, what did you come to see me for?"

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

"Fine. The research materials won't be arriving anytime soon anyway."

"Then... shall we go?"

"No. Hold me a little longer."

Pardo watched the two being lovey-dovey without saying anything.

I usually get to keep Boss to myself. I'll let Sister Vill-V have him for a while.

"What could Kevin possibly like? Isn't it just Mei and noodles? How about we buy him a whole case of instant noodles?"

"Instant noodles wouldn't make a very good gift, Sister Vill-V."

"I was just saying."

The two girls each held one of Yoshikage Kira's hands as they discussed what gift would be best.

Under the envious gazes around them, Yoshikage Kira frowned.

Yet feeling the warmth and texture of the girls' hands, Yoshikage Kira said nothing.

Pardo's hand was rather small. Thanks to how much he usually fed her, it was a little chubby, and squeezing it felt like pinching pudding.

Vill-V's hand was not as smooth from her long-term research and equipment manufacturing. As Yoshikage Kira stroked her hand, he found a different kind of charm in it.

Was it loving the house and its crow? Yoshikage Kira did not know. He only knew that picking at flaws in someone he liked was rather lacking in romance.

Sensing the little movements of Yoshikage Kira's hand, the two exchanged smiles before resuming their search for gifts.

But after browsing for half the day, the three still could not find anything suitable for Kevin.

Although Kevin was not particular about what gifts he received, the three were still deeply conflicted.

When Yoshikage Kira spotted a cake shop by the roadside, he got an idea.

"How about making Kevin a cake?"

"Eh, that's a good idea, but... the three of us are only giving him one cake? Not to mention Pardo can't make one."

"Make something by hand... Boss, I've got an idea! I can make Kevin a doll."

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

"...It's rare for you to come out. Let's keep looking around." Yoshikage Kira said to Vill-V.

"Hehe, then let's keep shopping!" With that, Vill-V pulled Yoshikage Kira's hand and suddenly started running.

Vill-V did not know why she wanted to run. She simply wanted to do it.

The next day, at Kevin's birthday party.

Everyone offered Kevin their blessings and presented their prepared gifts, while Vill-V waited, ready to make her grand finale entrance.

"Ta-da! Gloves made by Vill-V, the greatest mechanic of this century! They can regulate your temperature to the level of an ordinary person. Hurry up and try them!"

"Vill-V, you stole a Herrscher Core from my laboratory just to make this?"

"What is it, Mobius? You don't want to give Kevin something?"

"Hehe, I mean, if it were me, I wouldn't merely make a pair of gloves."

"I doubt you could make even a pair of gloves with one night's time."

Yoshikage Kira tapped on 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, and warmth he had never felt since becoming a Fusion Warrior flowed from his hands.

Mei took Kevin's hand and indeed could no longer feel its icy coldness.

Holding the hand of the lover she had not touched in so long, Kevin was overwhelmed with emotion.

He solemnly bowed to Vill-V in thanks.

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

"Then, our birthday boy, hurry up and blow out the candles and make a wish!" Elysia said happily.

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

After the cake was divided, everyone gathered together and chatted.

Apponia, Mobius, Chiyou, even Ling and Himiko—people who originally would never have appeared at Kevin's birthday party.

Yet at this very moment, they were here because of Yoshikage Kira.

Yoshikage Kira swirled the red wine in his glass, smiled, then drained it in a single gulp.

"As expected of Sister Elysia. This wine must be really expensive, right?" Imitating Yoshikage Kira, Pardo took a sip and sighed.

"Hehe, money is merely a worldly possession to me. What matters most is that everyone can share this moment together."

Afterward, in front of everyone, Sakura once again apologized for her attempt to assassinate Mei and introduced her younger sister—Ling.

The assassination had not been Sakura's intention, and after spending some time together, everyone had more or less completely accepted Sakura.

Afterward, to ensure the Divine Key project proceeded smoothly, Dr. Mei decided to incorporate Poisoned Pupae as her personal force.

At the same time, she brought Sakura, Chiyou, and Himiko into it to carry out operations in the shadows.

No one objected. Even Chiyou was unusually quiet and did not say a word.

Afterward, with the growing number of people and the great distance between some of their residences making everyday communication inconvenient.

Elysia proposed funding the construction of a place where everyone could live and work.

"Let's call it the Golden Courtyard. What do you think?"

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

"Thank you, Elysia. I knew you treated me best!"