[POV - Yuuki Rito] [Yuuki House - Two Days Later]
RING. RING. RING.
The house phone rang at seven in the morning.
On a Saturday.
Who calls this early? I thought, still half asleep, stumbling downstairs.
But when I got to the living room...
PANIC.
Mikan was in total panic mode.
— ONII-CHAN! — she shouted, holding the device Lala had given her. — IT'S URGENT!
— What happened? — I asked, waking up instantly.
Asia appeared from the kitchen, apron tied, holding a spatula.
— Rito-san? — she asked, worried. — Is everything okay?
And then I saw.
On the holographic screen floating above the device...
A small man.
No, wait.
A child?
Hair spiked upward, sharp eyes, expression of someone who commanded entire galaxies.
And a tail.
Dark red tail.
Like Lala's.
Interesting.
— Rito Yuuki — the child... no, the MAN in child form said, voice surprisingly deep. — We finally meet.
I observed him calmly.
Gid Lucione Deviluke.
King of Deviluke. Emperor of the Milky Way. The being considered one of the most powerful in the universe.
And my future father-in-law.
Curious how life works.
— Your Majesty — I responded tranquilly, without a trace of nervousness.
Because... why would I be nervous?
He studied me for a moment. Eyes scanning my face as if searching for... something.
And I knew what he was looking for.
Power. Threat. Fear.
He wouldn't find any.
Not because I was hiding it.
But because... there was simply nothing to find on the surface.
Bottomless depth looks shallow from afar.
Then...
GRIN.
He smiled. Big. Almost predatory.
— My wife and I have decided to visit Earth — he declared. — To meet the family of our daughter's fiancé. Personally.
Mikan beside me swallowed hard.
Asia covered her mouth with both hands.
But I just smiled. Small. Gentle.
— It will be a pleasure to receive you — I said simply.
And it was true.
Gid blinked, slightly surprised by the calm.
— Hm — he murmured. — Interesting.
— W-when? — Mikan asked, voice trembling slightly.
— In two days — Gid responded, still observing me. — And I'm bringing Sephie, Nana and Momo too. My other daughters want to meet their brother-in-law. And my wife... is curious.
— Everyone is welcome — I replied calmly.
Pause.
Gid looked at me for longer.
As if trying to understand something he felt but couldn't define.
Everyone does this, I thought with slight amusement. They feel it. But don't comprehend.
— See you soon, Rito Yuuki — he said finally.
And then the transmission ended.
CLICK.
SILENCE.
Absolute silence reigned in the room.
Mikan looked at me.
Asia looked at me.
— Onii-chan — Mikan said slowly — aren't you... worried?
I smiled, running my hand through her hair.
— Why would I be? — I asked gently. — They're just people coming to visit.
— People?! — Mikan almost shouted. — IT'S THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE!
— So what? — I replied, smiling slightly. — They're still just... people. Lala's family. Our family now.
Asia blinked, eyes wide.
And then smiled. That sweet, genuine smile.
— Rito-san is right — she said softly. — They're family. You don't need to be afraid of family.
Mikan looked between the two of us.
And then...
— You really have changed — she murmured. — When... when did you become so confident?
I didn't answer directly.
Just smiled.
Confidence isn't about power, I thought. It's about knowing who you are.
And I know exactly who I am.
— Let's get the house ready — I said simply. — Want to make a good impression, right?
And Mikan, still confused but trusting me, nodded.
— O... okay.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
Footsteps coming down the stairs.
— RITO! — Lala shouted, appearing in pink pajamas. — I heard voices! What's happening?
— Your father is coming to visit us — I replied calmly. — In two days.
SPARKLE.
Lala's eyes gleamed.
— REALLY?! — she jumped, excited. — Papa and Mama! And Nana and Momo! Everyone's going to meet you properly!
And she hugged me.
Tight. Warm.
— It's going to be perfect! — she declared.
I looked at Mikan, who was already breathing into a paper bag.
It's going to be... interesting, I thought.
Very interesting.
[Thirty Minutes Later - Organization Mode]
WHOOSH. WHOOSH. WHOOSH.
Mikan ran through the house like a hurricane, cleaning everything with military efficiency.
— Onii-chan! — she shouted — help me get these boxes from the basement!
— I'm coming! — I replied, carrying a pile of Dad's manga.
Without effort. Without sweating.
Curious how heavy things seem light now, I thought absentmindedly.
Asia was in the kitchen, already making a shopping list.
— We need fresh ingredients — she murmured to herself. — And special seasonings. And...
Lala appeared, holding... something.
A pink and yellow device glowing, with mechanical tentacles coming out.
— It's the Automatic Cleaner 3000™! — she announced proudly. — It'll clean the house in seconds!
I looked at the device.
And had a... premonition.
— Lala — I said calmly — is this going to explode?
— Of course not! — she responded confidently. — I tested it three times!
— And?
— It exploded twice!
I thought about that.
— Maybe we shouldn't use it — I suggested gently.
— But Rito! — she protested. — I improved it! This time it'll work!
Mikan appeared from the living room, looking at the device with the eyes of someone who'd seen this movie before.
— Lala-san — she said firmly — NO. INVENTIONS.
— But—
— NO.
Asia appeared too, smiling gently.
— Lala-san — she said sweetly — how about helping in other ways? You could... organize the room?
POUT.
Lala pouted. Adorable.
And I laughed.
Small. Genuine.
— Thank you for thinking of helping — I said, kissing her forehead lightly. — But let's do it the traditional way. Together.
She beamed.
Literally beamed with happiness.
— Together! — she agreed cheerfully, throwing the device out the window.
BOOM.
Distant explosion.
We all looked.
— ...Good choice not to use it — Mikan murmured.
— Yes — I agreed. — Great choice.
[One Hour Later - Reinforcements Arrive]
DING. DONG.
The doorbell rang.
I opened the door.
And found...
Haruna.
Alone. Holding a shopping bag.
— Yuuki-kun — she said softly, blushing slightly. — I heard that... you're receiving important visitors. I thought that... maybe you needed help?
THUMP.
My heart jumped.
Not from nervousness.
But from... joy.
— Haruna — I said, smiling. — Thank you. Seriously.
She entered, and immediately Mikan recruited her.
— Haruna-san! — Mikan said cheerfully. — Can you help organize the living room?
— Of course!
DING. DONG.
Doorbell again.
This time...
Irina and Xenovia.
And behind them...
SHIMMER.
Gabriel floating slightly above the ground, wings semi-materialized.
— We heard — Gabriel said softly — that alien royalty is coming to visit.
— Michael asked — Xenovia added — that we offer assistance. Diplomatic matter.
— The Vatican wants to maintain good relations — Irina completed. — With all factions. Including aliens.
Of course.
Interdimensional politics.
I smiled. That small, gentle smile.
— Thank you for coming — I said simply. — Please, come in.
STEP. STEP. STEP.
The three entered.
Gabriel looked at me, and there was something in her eyes.
Admiration. Respect.
And perhaps... understanding.
As if she understood that I didn't need help.
But accepted it anyway.
Because that was the point.
Letting others help isn't weakness.
It's... kindness.
— Asia-san! — Irina called, seeing the girl in the kitchen. — Need help?
— Yes! — Asia responded cheerfully.
And the house transformed into an organized war zone.
[Operation Cleanup - Two Hours Later]
WHOOSH. WHOOSH.
Mikan commanded operations like a general.
— Irina-san! Xenovia-san! Living room!
— Understood! — the two said together, in perfect sync.
— Asia-san, Gabriel-san! Kitchen!
— Hai! — Asia responded.
Gabriel just nodded, already moving.
— Haruna-san... — Mikan paused, looking at the gentle girl. — Can you help Onii-chan in his room?
BLUSH.
Haruna turned red as a tomato.
I just smiled.
Calm. Without nervousness.
— Of course — Haruna said, voice soft but determined. — Let's go, Yuuki-kun.
And we went upstairs.
Together.
Lala observed, smiling.
Not with jealousy.
With approval.
Asia also noticed, and smiled sweetly.
Progress, I thought, seeing this.
Slow. But real.
[Rito's Room - Intimate Moment]
SLIDE.
I closed the bedroom door behind us.
And Haruna looked around.
— Your room is... cozy — she said softly.
— Thank you — I replied, starting to organize manga.
We worked in comfortable silence for minutes.
And then...
— Yuuki-kun — she said suddenly.
— Hm?
— You... changed — she continued, not looking at me. Looking at her hands. — I can't explain it. But... I feel the difference.
I stopped.
Looked at her.
And considered what to say.
Truth? Lie? Half-truth?
— Maybe — I said finally, choosing honesty. — Maybe I just... accepted some things about myself.
— What things?
I smiled. Small. Mysterious.
— That it's okay to be who I am — I replied simply. — Even if it's... different.
She looked at me.
And there was something in her eyes.
Acceptance.
— I like it — she said softly. — Who you are. Different or not.
THUMP.
My heart jumped.
Not from nervousness.
But from... joy.
I took a step forward.
She didn't step back.
— Haruna — I began.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Gentle knock on the door.
— Rito-san! Haruna-san! — Asia's voice. — I brought tea!
SLIDE.
The door opened.
Asia entered with a tray, smiling innocently.
Very innocently.
— I thought you might like a break — she said sweetly.
But there was something in her smile.
Mischief.
Asia being strategic, I realized with amusement.
Giving time. But also... watching.
— Thank you, Asia — I said, smiling.
She left the tray and exited.
But before closing the door...
She winked.
Definitely mischievous.
Haruna laughed. Small. Soft.
— Asia-san is... unique — she said.
— Yes — I agreed. — Yes, she is.
And we continued working.
But now...
Closer.
A little closer.
[Kitchen - Culinary Preparations]
CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.
Mikan cut vegetables with precision.
Asia stirred pots.
And Gabriel... was trying to make dessert.
— Like this? — she asked, holding the mixer like a weapon.
— A little slower, Gabriel-san — Asia instructed gently.
WHIRRRR...
The mixer accelerated.
SPLASH.
Batter flew.
Everywhere.
Including on Gabriel's face.
SILENCE.
Absolute silence.
And then Asia laughed.
Mikan laughed.
And Gabriel...
SMILE.
Smiled small.
— Cooking is... harder than fighting — she admitted.
— But more fun! — Asia said cheerfully, cleaning her face.
And in that moment...
Another bridge.
Small. But real.
[Living Room - Conversation Between Angels]
SIP. SIP.
Irina and Xenovia drank tea.
— So — Irina said quietly — we're going to meet alien royalty.
— Michael is nervous — Xenovia added. — He wants to make a good impression.
— The Vatican too — Irina agreed.
Pause.
— But Rito-kun is... too calm — Xenovia observed.
— I noticed — Irina murmured. — As if... he has no reason to worry.
— Because he doesn't — a voice came from the door.
Gabriel entered, still with flour in her hair.
— Rito doesn't need to worry — she continued, sitting down. — Because he... understands something others don't.
— What? — the two asked together.
Gabriel smiled. Small. Mysterious.
— That true power doesn't need to be demonstrated — she said softly. — Just... exist.
SILENCE.
And both understood.
Or at least...
Began to understand.
[End of Day - House Transformed]
WHOOSH.
The sun began to set.
And the Yuuki house was... impeccable.
Clean. Organized. Shining.
— We did it — Mikan said, looking around with satisfaction.
Everyone gathered in the living room. Tired but satisfied.
Lala lying on the sofa, sleeping (she had tired herself "helping").
Asia in the kitchen, finishing final preparations.
Haruna, Irina, Xenovia, and Gabriel ready to go back.
I looked around.
— Thank you — I said, looking at each one. — Seriously. It wouldn't have turned out this good without you.
— Nonsense — Haruna said, smiling. — It was... fun.
— Yes! — Irina agreed. — And educational!
— I learned to cook — Gabriel added. — Sort of.
Everyone laughed.
Family.
Even if not traditional.
Even if strange.
Family.
BEEP. BEEP.
Device on the table beeped.
Lala's.
She woke up, sleepy.
— Hm? — she murmured, picking it up.
Read.
And beamed.
— RITO! — she shouted, jumping. — Papa sent a message! They arrive TOMORROW!
TOMORROW?!
— I thought we had two days! — Mikan almost shouted.
— We did! — Lala said cheerfully. — But Papa got impatient! So they left early!
Everyone looked at me.
Expecting... panic? Nervousness?
But I just smiled.
Calm. Confident.
— Good — I said simply. — The sooner, the better.
And it was true.
Because what was there to fear?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
BEEP.
Another device beeped.
Gabriel's.
She looked.
And paled.
— Rito — she said slowly. — Michael sent an urgent message.
— And?
— He... detected a ship entering the solar system.
Pause.
— It's not Deviluke's.
SILENCE.
Everyone froze.
— What do you mean? — Haruna asked carefully.
Gabriel looked at me, eyes serious.
— Another ship. Unknown. Following Lala's family.
Ah.
Interesting.
I didn't feel fear. Didn't feel worry.
Just... curiosity.
— They're being... followed? — Haruna whispered.
Gabriel nodded slowly.
And everyone looked at me.
Expecting a reaction.
I just... smiled.
Small. Calm.
Almost amused.
— Well — I said tranquilly. — Tomorrow's going to be interesting then.
— Rito — Gabriel said carefully — aren't you... worried?
I looked at her.
And she must have seen something in my eyes.
Because she stopped talking.
Silent understanding.
— No — I replied simply. — I'm not.
Because it was true.
What could threaten me?
Nothing in this universe.
Or any other.
— It's all right — I said gently, looking around. — I promise. Everything will be fine.
And there was something in my voice.
Absolute certainty.
As if I knew.
As if... there was no doubt.
And curiously...
Everyone relaxed.
Because if I was calm...
Then everything really was fine.
Lala hugged me, trusting completely.
Asia smiled, serene.
Mikan took a deep breath, accepting.
— Tomorrow — I continued, smiling — we're going to meet my in-laws. And... whoever is following them.
Pause.
— It'll be fun.
Understatement of the century.
Because when alien royalty visits...
And they're followed by an unknown threat...
And the host is secretly God...
"Fun" is a VERY interesting word.
Very interesting indeed.