The Unexpected Guest

It was almost morning.

Kaminari stirred awake, rubbing his sleepy eyes and scratching his belly. "Ugh... washroom..." he muttered with a yawn.

He stumbled toward the door above his bed, glancing back to where Raizen and Kenzo were still asleep. Opening the door quietly, he noticed Sumire sleeping in the adjacent room with Ubume beside her. Still half-asleep, he left the door ajar and made his way to the balcony.

In her dream, Kaminari stood handsomely on a tall, red-colored pillar beside Sumire, holding her close.

"It’s been almost a week and a half since we’ve been together," Kaminari confessed with a soft smile. "And I think I love you."

Sumire blushed furiously. "I-I don't know what to say... but I accept your request."

Suddenly, a monstrous black centipede climbed up and roared toward them. Sumire gasped and woke up with a jolt.

Back in reality, she found a small spider perched on her chest.

"You ruined my dream..." she muttered bitterly, flicking it away. Her eyes shifted to the open door. (Why is the door open? Where’s Kaminari?)

She tiptoed past the room where Kenzo and Raizen slept, and noticed the balcony door was wide open.

Outside, Kaminari stood motionless, staring at the vast forest bathed in moonlight. "The view of the forest under the full moon is... stunning," he whispered.

Sumire quietly joined him. Just as they met eyes, both noticed a massive wild leopard beast approaching from the distance. Kaminari's stomach growled loudly.

He glanced back at Sumire, who smiled. He returned it.

Later, Kaminari dragged the enormous carcass of the leopard beast, a blood spear lodged in its neck. Sumire, nearby, stacked dry trunks.

"Are these trunks enough?" Kaminari asked.

"There are ten in total. This meat alone could feed the whole village," Sumire replied.

"Oh! Turning this into a party? That's awesome!" Kaminari grinned.

"I’ll light the fire and cook it. You go prepare the rest."

A giant slab of meat sizzled over the open fire, spiced and fragrant. The scent wafted through the village, rousing Kenzo and Raizen.

Kenzo sniffed the air, rubbing his eyes. "Hmm... smells like I died and reached heaven. I don’t even remember how I died."

Raizen licked his lips. "Then death isn’t so bad after all."

They stepped out onto the balcony and saw Kaminari and Sumire with a few villagers gathered around the roasting meat.

"They're really doing it," Raizen muttered.

"This means... it's real!" Kenzo declared.

Kaminari waved at them. "Oye! Raizen! Gramps! Down here! We’re having a party. Come join us!"

Raizen beamed. "Yes! Kaminari!!" He flew down excitedly.

The aroma awakened more villagers, who emerged from their homes to see the massive roast.

Kaminari smiled at the growing crowd. "This is for all of you. Enjoy!"

A woman stepped forward, hesitantly. "Kaminari-sama, where did this meat come from?"

"Oh, just a wild ca—"

"—You mean a leopard," Sumire interjected, correcting him.

"Yes, yes. That," Kaminari laughed.

A small voice piped up.

"Big brother Kaminari!" Akio ran toward him.

Sumire crouched beside him. "Hey, you're Akio, right?"

"Yo, Akio!" Kaminari patted his head affectionately.

"Are we really having a party? This smells better than anything I’ve ever eaten!"

Kaminari chuckled nervously. "Yeah, this food’s for all of you."

An elderly villager stepped forward, eyes brimming with tears. "You’ve given us so much—food, safety. We have nothing to offer you in return."

Kaminari smiled kindly and gently placed a hand on the old man’s shoulder. "I don’t need anything in return. If you want to repay me, give me a good smile. That’s all I ask."

Kaminari wiped the old man’s tears.

"You’ve survived this long. That’s enough proof of your strength. Now smile for me."

The old man gave a soft smile.

Kaminari looked around. "Now I’ll make sure that smile lasts forever on everyone’s faces."

Raizen suddenly shouted, "Wait! A party isn’t a party without booze!"

Everyone turned to him with awkward stare.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

Kenzo laughed. "Food’s scarce here, and you’re asking for booze? Lucky for you, I stole some barrels from the Central. Come on!"

Kenzo and Raizen dashed off like mischievous children.

Kaminari turned to Akio. "I haven’t seen your parents around."

Akio pointed toward a good-looking woman. "I don’t have a dad though..."

"Oh..." Kaminari's eyes widened. Smiling, he approached her. "Excuse me, are you Akio’s mother?"

The woman nodded, fingers over chin and looking at her son fondly. "Yes. We’re very grateful for everything you’ve done. Thank you." She extended her hand for a handshake.

Kaminari smiled warmly, glancing at Akio. "I just want to protect your smiles. That’s all."

Just as he reached to shake her hand, Sumire stepped in.

"Yes, aunty. We’re grateful to help you poor villagers. It’s sad to see such a cute child here suffering."

"Mommy! Mommy! Let’s sit near big brother and sister!" Akio chirped.

Kaminari sat down beside another villager. Akio’s mother was about to sit beside him, but Sumire, using a flash of light aura, darted to his side first.

"Why don’t you sit beside me, aunty?" she said sweetly, her tone barely hiding a challenge.

"Sure," the woman replied calmly.

"I’m Sumire. I travel with Kaminari-kun everywhere," she added, smug.

Sumire chuckled quietly, her eyes narrowing with mischief. (Now let’s see if you’ll still try to flirt with my future husband.) A warm blush crept across her cheeks. (Ah... this is intense.)

"Wow, that’s amazing. You must fight powerful enemies often."

"Yes. All the time," Sumire gritted through a smile. (why isn't he jealous at all?)

Kaminari turned, resting his arm on her shoulders. Sumire blushed, eyes wide.

"Ah, my arm hurts."

"I can help with that." She began massaging his arm gently.

Kaminari smiled. "I uh... I’m a little embarrassed to say this in front of everyone... But I... I"

Sumire leaned in, blushing. "Yes? What is it?"

Suddenly, the house door burst open.

Kenzo staggered in, holding two massive barrels of booze, Raizen with a third under his arm, his other arm draped over Kenzo’s shoulder.

Raizen slurred, "Party time begins now!"

Kenzo grinned. "Oi, blue brat, walk straight."

"I am walking straight, you old fart! You’re the one swaying!"

"Oi oi oi. You’re too drunk!" Kenzo placed a barrel near Kaminari. "Want some, red serial killer?"

Kaminari sweatdropped. "No thanks... (Did he just call me a serial killer?)"

Kenzo turned to a bug. "Would you like some? No? You, missy?" he said, offering to Sumire.

"No thanks. You aunty?"

"Just a cup or two," the woman replied coolly.

"What a cool lady! Oi, Raizen, you want more?"

"You bet!" Raizen declared, lifting his glass proudly as he leaned against the wall, barely holding himself upright through his drunken haze.

Kenzo clapped. "Everyone, booze from Kuroshima Central! It’s all yours!"

Cheerful shouts erupted as people rushed for drinks. Meanwhile, Sumire watched Akio’s mother eyeing Kaminari. Jealousy flared.

When the woman placed her hand on Kaminari’s knee, Sumire dug her fingers into his arm.

"AHH! SUMIRE!! Holy hell! Sumire!" he yelled, then paused. "Wait... what does ‘holy hell’ even mean?"

The woman withdrew her hand, sighing.

Sumire grinned triumphantly. (Mission complete.) "Kaminari-kun, come with me."

"Whoa, whoa, where are we going?"

She dragged him to a quiet corner.

"Now, what were you saying before I started massaging you?"

Kaminari smiled. "I was saying that I..."

Sumire's concentration hardens, "Yes I? then?"

Kaminari grins confidently. "I’m starving! I need to eat!"

Sumire’s face fell. "Whaaaat?!"

"What’s wrong, Sumire?"

She turned away dramatically disappointed. "I was betrayed... by life. (He’s so childish.) Sure-sure."

Back at the center, Kenzo took a swig. "Oye, Raizen!"

Raizen stood, swaying, eyes closed—and collapsed.

Kenzo blinked. "Uhh..."

Suddenly, a new voice echoed.

"Oi, Kenzo! Long time no see!"

A figure landed in a tree above him.

—To be continued.