Chapter 13: First Contact

Several days had passed since Asley, Sakura, and Hayato moved into the Lighthouse building.

Sakura and Asley were handing out flyers on the streets of Akihabara, dressed as maids, while Hayato trained with Kai.

Hestia knew well that they needed to work on their partnership, so she made them collaborate as a team… even though the tension between them was obvious.

"So tell me," Asley began without a hint of restraint, "what’s a middle school girl doing stalking a high school boy?"

"How rude… It really shows that Americans have no manners," Sakura replied, maintaining her composure.

"I’m just curious about your relationship with Hayato, you homewrecking kitten."

Sakura stopped in her tracks. Her voice was soft like a breeze, yet dripping with sweet venom.

"Have you ever wondered why he’s alone?"

Asley frowned. She remembered how Hayato was in class, how his classmates avoided him or made fun of him.

"I guess… it’s some kind of Japanese thing…"

Sakura let out a small laugh.

"Now I understand the phrase ‘blondes are stupid.’"

The American girl turned red instantly.

"Who are you calling ‘stupid,’ you tiny cow?"

A vein popped on Sakura’s forehead, but she tried not to lose her characteristic elegance.

"You call yourself ‘his girlfriend,’ but you don’t know anything about him."

The words hit Asley like a bucket of ice water.

"Hayato-senpai, besides being a great artist… is a very gentle person. Someone who would reach out to you even when he’s broken himself."

A memory flashed in Sakura’s mind: a young Sakura crying, being comforted by Hayato.

"But if he doesn’t tell you, that’s not my problem. We’re rivals, after all," the small girl added, crossing her arms proudly.

Asley clenched her fist, indignant.

"You little brat…"

But before the argument could escalate, a nearby explosion caught their attention.

"That came from the train station!" Sakura said, suddenly serious.

An animalistic roar echoed through the area as the city’s alarms began to sound in unison.

Asley watched the crowd begin to run toward the shelters.

Sakura grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty alley.

"It must be a beast-type Invader. A moment ago I saw some kindergarten kids on a field trip near that area…" she said while pulling out her magic knuckle guards.

She looked at Asley with determination.

"I hope I can count on your help."

"You don’t have to say it twice," the American replied with a confident smile.

"Power of the Star Knuckles!" Sakura exclaimed, grinning ear to ear as her pink aura enveloped her, transforming into Luminelle.

Asley jumped, and a magic circle opened above her.

Seconds later she descended transformed into Valjfreya, as if she were a goddess descending from the heavens.

"Ugh, what an over-the-top transformation…" Luminelle huffed indignantly.

"You again, shrimp? Try not to get in my way in the fight."

"Haaaaa? Don’t you get in my way, you plank! My knuckles are itching for action!"

The two shot out of the alley, flying toward the train station.

In the distance, they spotted a massive beast: a giant wolf with black claws and glowing eyes. Nearby, a group of children stood frozen in terror.

The great Invader wolf swung a claw toward the little ones.

Like a pink shooting star, Luminelle descended just in time, blocking the attack with her fists and sinking into the ground under the force.

The children looked at her with awe and joy, their eyes sparkling with excitement—she looked like a magical girl straight out of a manga.

"It’s a Dual…" the teacher whispered, trembling.

Like an angel, Valjfreya descended while Luminelle struggled against the beast.

"Miss, children, please find a safe place," the valkyrie said with authority.

"Are you… Duals?" the teacher asked.

Valjfreya nodded calmly.

"That’s right, miss. Please seek shelter while we contain the beast."

Encouraged by the bravery of the two girls, the children began to flee alongside their teacher.

The valkyrie materialized her sword and charged toward the creature.

"I thought you ran off like a scaredy-cat," Luminelle teased with a confident smile.

"And let you take the credit… Keep dreaming. Let’s finish this before those little mecha-soldiers show up."

"Star Love Punch!"

Luminelle’s fist turned into a pink star that slammed violently into the beast’s chest, forcing it back several meters.

"Come here, doggy! I’ve got plenty of star love to go around!" the small girl said as her knuckles glowed with a rosy aura.

"Stop messing around, shrimp. We need to move it to an open area or it’ll bring down the station with its weight."

"Sorry, I forgot my stellar dog-walking leash at home," Luminelle replied with irony.

The beast began charging dark energy in its maw, ready to fire a blast at the valkyrie.

The black energy rushed forward, destroying the ground along its path until it clashed against Valjfreya’s sword. She resisted with all her strength as she was pushed back by the brutal pressure of the attack.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Finally, Valjfreya swung her sword upward, splitting the dark beam and tearing open the clouds above.

"That was close… nice job, plank!" Luminelle said, giving her a thumbs-up.

But neither had time to celebrate.

The Invader beast began gathering energy again—this time much more than before, preparing what looked like a devastating attack.

"We won’t let you!" both girls shouted, launching themselves forward at the same time.

However, at that moment, the sky began to darken, as if a storm were forming directly above the creature.

"What’s that? Are those the mecha-soldiers?" Valjfreya asked, confused.

A gigantic blue lightning bolt descended from the sky and struck the beast head-on, turning it to ashes instantly.

From the very point where the lightning had fallen, the sky opened, unleashing an almost celestial light.

From there, as if she were a goddess, Juno descended with the grace of a cosmic deity, her long light-blue hair swaying in the wind.

"Who’s that…?" Luminelle asked, clearly worried.

"Don’t let your guard down," Valjfreya replied firmly.

Juno descended with elegance until her bare feet touched the ground.

"So… this is the outside," she murmured softly, watching the towering buildings of Akihabara reflect in her eyes.