Milly had excused herself once all the drama between the regional commanders and her squad was over. Normally, she would've stuck around to gossip or wind down with the others, but Isak had given her a clear order:

Go see Kira.

Not just to check in, but to pass along everything they'd been told. Akio's upcoming visit, and more importantly, the hint of something else Takeshi had spoken about, a detail so quietly mentioned, yet so heavy that it weighed on her even now.

"Kira, I hope you're doing well…" Milly muttered under her breath as she hopped on the first bus to Kira's apartment.

The night pressed against the windows, the crescent moon hanging pale in the black sky. A handful of stars struggled to pierce the dark. Milly slumped back in her seat, exhaustion dragging at her shoulders. So soon… She thought, replaying Takeshi's words in her head. Her voice slipped out, soft and tired.

"So soon."

The city blurred past until, after fifteen minutes, the bus hissed to a stop. Milly straightened herself, thanked the driver, and stepped out into the cool night. Ahead were clusters of apartment complexes, neat rows of buildings broken by the occasional flickering streetlight. She crossed the lot, heading for the block where Kira stayed.

The metal stairs groaned beneath her steps until she reached the second floor, though technically the "first" in some parts of the world, she mused idly. Her eyes settled on the familiar door, with the name Mizuno next to it.

*KNOCK. KNOCK.*

"Kira! It's me, Milly! I came to check on you and give you some information from the meeting!"

For a moment, silence. Then, shuffling inside. A pause, a step, another. The door handle clicked.

Milly braced herself.

The door swung open.

And Milly's entire soul nearly left her body.

"KIRA?!"

There she was, standing in the doorway, calm as ever, utterly unbothered. And completely naked.

Milly stumbled back, eyes bulging. No clothes. No underwear. Just… Full display. Worse, she had flung the door wide, so anyone passing by the walkway had a front-row view of Kira's, well... Elegant figure.

"WHAT, ARE YOU DOING?!" Milly yelped, diving forward in panic. She half-threw herself against the taller girl, trying to shield her from curious eyes below. In a flurry of arms and frantic muttering, she managed to slam the door shut behind them.

Kira blinked at her, serene as a porcelain doll, tilting her head slightly.

"…So. What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?"

Milly's face turned crimson.

"'Why am I so flustered?!' HOW CAN YOU JUST OPEN THE DOOR BUTT-ASS-NAKED?!"

Kira blinked again. Twice. Then shrugged.

"Because I heard your voice and didn't want you standing out in the cold. Duh."

Her tone was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that Milly's brain short-circuited.

"…That's… Absurdly sweet, but still!" Milly huffed, wagging her finger. "You know they say a woman's body is more precious than gold, especially..."

Kira tilted her head again, lips curling ever so slightly. "Hmm. Precious as gold, huh? Then I suppose I ought to give Kentaro more than just gold. What about… Everything?"

Milly froze. The meaning hit her like a slap. Her face went bright red.

"Wha-WHAT! Don't, just, GO PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" She stammered, shoving Kira back toward her bedroom.

"Forget it, forget it, forget it!"

Kira didn't argue. With a small smirk, she slipped away, and when she returned, she was dressed at last. The two settled in the living room, sitting across from each other at the low table. For a few beats, they were quiet, until Milly clasped her hands in her lap and spoke.

"So. In a day or two, Supreme Commander Akio is coming. Not just to give answers about Tokyo… But to thank us personally."

Kira's eyes widened slightly, though her composure barely shifted. "The Akio… Coming to thank us?"

Milly nodded. "And there's something else. More important. Something Takeshi only hinted at…" Her voice dipped, gaze lowering. Then she looked up, meeting Kira's eyes.

"It seems there's another Alberline here in Oshawa. We're not fully certain yet, but the energy signature matches what the Cradle branch in Tokyo detected during the Siren incident. Back then, Spire and Cradle were only specifically after Siren, so we put it aside. But now? It's become the number 1 priority."

Kira's lips pressed together. Her voice was soft when she answered.

"Another one… I see. That means we'll be on the clock soon."

Milly gave a small nod. "For now, it's just our team that knows. Until it's confirmed, no one else gets the info. We're not even sure if Spire's going to make a move yet…"

"Spire… Reiden Vale…" Kira murmured. Her thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to her talk with Momo.

Milly caught the distant look in her friend's eyes. "You okay?" she asked, worried.

Kira blinked, snapping back. "Ah, sorry. Just… A strange dream. Nothing worth mentioning."

Milly studied her for a moment, then smiled softly. She pushed herself to her feet, stretching. "Alright then. We've got to be in early tomorrow. Mind if I crash here tonight?"

Kira's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Sure."

Relief spread across Milly's face. "Great. Then let's eat first before bed."

And so the two girls shared a quiet meal, the air lighter now, but beneath it, the tension still lingered, subtle and unspoken, like a shadow waiting to grow.

*

Kentaro and the girls had their fair share of fun that night, from fighting it out on the PlayStation to eating Yura's cooking (which had somehow gotten even better over time). By the time midnight rolled around, everyone was stuffed, drowsy, and starting to drift toward bed.

Which should have been simple. But Kentaro knew better than to expect "simple" in his house.

He was lying on the couch with the leg extenders stretched out, trying to relax. It would've been comfortable, if not for the two girls next to him, one on top of him, the other hugging him from the side. Not because there wasn't room, no, there was plenty of room in the house, (not to mention the whole free room they had.) But Serica and Aria had decided that Kentaro himself was the best pillow. Their flimsy nightgowns (Serica's usual ones that she had "loaned" to Aria) didn't help matters. Every breath he took reminded him of exactly how little fabric separated him from their soft bossism pressing against him.

For most guys, this might have been a dream scenario. For Kentaro, who had College tomorrow, it was a mental nightmare. He couldn't move an inch.

But before the couch pileup, the disaster had started with a "competition."

Serica and Yura had gotten into an argument over who deserved the spot next to Kentaro. And instead of something sane like rock-paper-scissors, they decided to escalate.

Aria, sitting smugly on the sidelines, was the one who suggested it.

"How about… Who can tuck Kentaro in the best? Like an Olympic event?"

Both Yura and Serica locked eyes, rivals to the core.

Yura smirked first. "Too easy. The 'Ice Princess' won't stand a chance. She'll freeze before she wins."

"Keep dreaming," Serica snapped back, cheeks red but voice sharp. "I can tuck anyone in with the utmost comfort." She said whilst nodding to herself.

"Then it's settled!" Yura jabbed a finger toward Kentaro. "Kentaro, you're required. No arguing!"

Kentaro, mouth agape, waved his arms. "Wait, what? We've got a whole bed and a futon! WHY ME!"

Ignored.

Immediately.

A minute later, Aria emerged from Kentaro's bedroom… Dressed as the referee.

Or at least, she tried to.

The "ref uniform" was actually one of Tenka's stashed outfits. On Aria's body, though, the difference was painfully obvious. The button-up shirt was stretched to its absolute limit, every thread clinging for dear life across her chest. Each button looked like it might launch itself across the room at any second.

Kentaro swallowed hard, his face going scarlet. I shouldn't be seeing this. I SHOULDN'T BE SEEING THIS.

Aria, already red as a tomato, pushed through her own embarrassment. Clearing her throat, she lifted her hand like she was holding a mic.

"Ahem! Ladies, and… Kentaro, we are live for the first ever, Tuck Kentaro In Championship!"

"God, why…" Kentaro muttered, burying his face in his hands.

Aria pointed dramatically. "On the kitchen side, our first contestant, Miss Serica!"

Serica shuffled forward, blushing like she was on stage under an invisible spotlight. "Um… Hello, everyone. I'm Serica, and I'm here to… Win."

"Serica," Kentaro mumbled. "It's just us. You don't have to introduce yourself."

"I-I know! But it's for the vibe, okay?!" She squeaked, fidgeting with her fingers.

Kentaro sighed, already fearing for his life.

Serica, cheeks burning, stepped closer to him. He tried to smile reassuringly, then she suddenly grabbed his shoulders.

BOOM.

Without realising, Serica slammed him onto the couch with Alberline's strength. Kentaro's vision spun as stars popped across his eyes. The whole room shook.

"STRONG START FROM SERICA!" Aria shouted into her "mic."

Kentaro wheezed, "Strong… Whiplash…"

Completely oblivious, Serica tucked the blanket over him. Then, before Kentaro could so much as protest, she climbed gently on top of him, her face still bright red.

And then she whispered, soft but clear:

"I… Love you."

Her lips brushed his forehead.

The room froze.

Yura's jaw dropped. Aria's cheeks went crimson. Even Kentaro's brain lagged; his entire body stiff.

"L-love you?!" they all stammered at once.

Serica quickly sat up, twiddling her fingers. "S-so… How was that?"

Yura crossed her arms with a hmph. "Not bad. But it won't beat me."

Kentaro, still flat on the couch, groaned. "…I can't handle round two…"

But round two was happening.

Aria, voice shaky now, lifted her arm again. "R-right… Next up, Miss Yura… from the kitchen side…"

Kentaro grumbled, "They're both from the kitchen side…" But nobody listened.

Unlike Serica, Yura wasn't shy. She carried herself with absolute confidence. At Aria's signal, instead of approaching Kentaro, she disappeared into his bedroom.

The others frowned until they heard rustling. Then the door opened.

Their eyes went wide.

Yura stepped out in lingerie.

Not cute pyjamas. Not playful teasing. Full, lace-lined lingerie. Long, soft thighs framed by short stockings, a lace bra matching the colour of her hair, her entire presence radiating seduction.

Kentaro felt his body temperature skyrocket. His nose nearly betrayed him.

"YURA?!" Serica screamed.

With a sly smile, Yura walked up and gently pushed Kentaro back down onto the couch. Unlike Serica's slam, this was slow, calculated. He lay stiff as a plank, utterly petrified. Then, instead of tucking him in, Yura slid under the blanket with him, curling against his side like they were a couple about to sleep.

Serica shrieked. "HEY! THAT'S CHEATING!"

Aria stammered, "Y-Yura! That's against the rules! I mean, it's not even tucking, it's just-just!"

Yura ignored them, smirking as Serica tried to yank her off.

"Get OFF him, Snow Woman!" Yura growled, feeling her body temperature drop. A little bit of Serica's powers were leaking due to the emotional distress.

"You're freezing me!"

Kentaro's muffled voice came from beneath Serica's chest as she toppled onto his face. "Can't… Breathe…"

And that's when the door opened.

"Hey guys, I thought I'd crash here for the night-"

Everyone froze.

Tenka stepped inside.

The sight before her: Serica and Yura tangled on top of Kentaro. His face buried in Serica's chest. Yura's lingerie shines under the lights. And Aria, bright red, practically bursting out of Tenka's own clothes.

For a split second, the room went dead silent. Nobody moved.

POP.

One button gave out. Then another.

POP. POP-POP-POP!

Like a machine gun, Aria's top exploded button by button, the tiny projectiles zipping across the room and ricocheting off the walls. One narrowly missed Kentaro's ear. Another pinged Yura on the forehead, making her yelp. The last one landed square on Tenka's cheek.

Everyone froze in horror.

Tenka's eye twitched.

Aria, covering herself, let out the most awkward laugh in human history. "…Ehehe… Wardrobe malfunction…?"

A vein popped on Tenka's forehead.

Kentaro buried his face in the couch cushions. "I'm dead. I'm actually dead."

"OIIIIIIIIIII! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" she roared, shaking the apartment walls.

Aria squeaked, trying to cover herself. Serica yelped. Yura glared back like I regret nothing.

And just like that, the "competition" ended with Tenka scolding all of them.

Kentaro wound up stuck between Serica and Aria on the couch, squished tight. Yura wasn't so lucky; she had fallen asleep next to Tenka, trapped in the infamous "Tenka Death Grip," a sleeping hold no human (or Alberline) had ever escaped.

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