Chapter 29: Silver Soul (The Cosmic Arc)

"Captain, shouldn't you get up now?" Afuto said to Kamui, who was lying on the ground.

Kamui sprang up lightly, dusted himself off, and still wore his usual cheerful smile. "Afuto, that was quite interesting."

Gutiro and the maids nearby were terrified. Gutiro hurried over to apologize to Kamui, "Captain Kamui, I am so sorry for what happened. I will find someone to bring that wretched woman back so she can apologize to you." He waved his hand. "Go notify the guards outside, have them find her!"

"Yes, Boss!" The maids rushed out to carry out his orders.

"Captain Kamui, I truly apologize. I'll find a beautiful companion for you right away," Gutiro said, sweating profusely.

Kamui waved him off. "No need. I thought it was just a white rabbit, but it turned out to be a leopard. I happen to be very interested in untamable creatures." With those words, he walked toward the door.

"Captain, where are you going?" Afuto asked from the sofa.

"It's far more amusing to catch an escaped prey myself," Kamui replied, glancing back with a smile.

Watching Kamui leave, Afuto sighed. He hoped his captain wouldn't stir up too much trouble; after all, both the Seventh and the Twelfth Squads were present here.

Meanwhile, Okakura Take was running swiftly, holding Coco in her arms.

"Take, it's really you! You idiot, why are you here too?"

"Don't worry about that now, Coco. Do you know where Nini is?"

Hearing Take's question, Coco tightened her hold around Okakura Take's neck, lowering her head. "I know..."

"Then hurry, take me to her. I want to get you both out of here."

"Take, Nini probably can't make it..."

"What? What happened to Nini?"

"Take..." Coco buried her face in Okakura Take's chest. "Nini isn't like me. I can sell my body to survive here, but Nini refused. She was beaten badly by these people and locked up in a cage. She's barely hanging on. I tried to persuade her to obey, but she wouldn't... Take, Take..." Coco was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing Coco so distraught, Okakura Take felt the pain, too. "Don't cry, Coco. Come, show me where Nini is."

Coco nodded, choking back tears, and began guiding Okakura Take. Coco was the first to be captured here, and since she was obedient, the people relaxed their guard around her, allowing her to become familiar with the place.

Following Coco's directions, Take carried her, turning left and right toward the spot where Nini was imprisoned. Coco had offered to run on her own, but since she couldn't keep up, Take continued to carry her.

"Still, Take, I didn't expect you to be so strong! You scared me to death when you threw that Night Rabbit."

Take recalled how she had thrown Kamui earlier; it was mainly because she couldn't bear being held in such a way by a strange man—it was utterly humiliating, so she acted.

"It's nothing. I'm just glad I got you out."

"Take, you're pretty reliable after all."

"So, will you marry me?"

"No way! I like muscular hunks, not someone as flat-chested as you!"

As they bantered, Okakura Take suddenly heard many footsteps approaching—they were coming to capture them.

"Coco, how far is it to Nini? They're almost here."

Coco's face turned pale. Having been here so long, she was terrified of those masked men. She knew if they were caught, only cruel torment awaited them. "Just a little further, Take."

Finally, they arrived at Nini's holding place. When Okakura Take saw Nini, rage nearly consumed her.

Nini was locked in a broken cage in the corner of the room. The cage was so small she couldn't even stretch out, curled up into a tiny ball, her body covered in wounds, some festering and blackened.

"Nini!" Coco ran crying to the cage.

"Who are you?!" The two masked guards rushed to grab Take and Coco, but Okakura Take dispatched them swiftly.

After dealing with the guards, she hurried to Nini's cage, chopped through the lock, and carefully lifted Nini out.

Nini hadn't bathed in days, her odor was overwhelming, but Take and Coco didn't mind; they anxiously checked her wounds.

Nini's spirit was broken; she barely reacted upon seeing Take and Coco, appearing dazed and confused. Coco reached to touch her forehead—it was burning hot.

"This is bad, Nini's fever is severe. We have to get her to a doctor fast."

Hearing Coco's words, Okakura Take grew anxious.

"Coco, I'll carry Nini from here, so I can't hold you anymore. Stay close. If we run into enemies, I'll hand Nini to you and fight them myself."

"Alright!"

The girls immediately got up and ran.

Running through the maze-like corridors, Okakura Take’s head spun. She was grateful for Coco’s guidance; without her, she wouldn’t have found the escape route so quickly.

More and more pursuers were arriving—the footsteps grew louder and more frequent.

At last, at a corner, they encountered a large group of masked men. Take handed Nini to Coco and stepped forward.

It had been a while since she fought. Take felt awkward at first, but her strength had grown. Soon, all the masked men were dealt with.

"Run!" After finishing off the guards, she returned to Coco, picked up Nini.

"Wow, Take, you’re amazing! So many big guys and you handled them all at once. I never imagined someone your size could have such power," Coco said, full of admiration.

"Coco, let's hurry. You can worship me all you want later."

After a few more turns, they finally reached the door—the same small back door Take had entered through. Beyond was a narrow alleyway.

Looking into the night sky outside, Okakura Take and Coco exchanged excited glances—freedom was within reach.

"Yaho~."

Hearing this, both Take and Coco froze. They looked up to see Kamui sitting atop the wall, swinging his legs, smiling at them. The tuft of hair on his head swayed with his movement.

"You sure ran fast," Kamui said, jumping down and walking toward them. Take quickly handed Nini to Coco and stepped in front of them, arms spread protectively.

"Are you going to take us back?" Take asked, tense.

"Let me think," Kamui said, tilting his head as if pondering.

"Don't come any closer!" Take shouted, unable to contain herself as Kamui drew near.

Kamui stopped.

"You don't have to be so afraid. I don't kill women."

"What do you want? If you’re not going to capture us, then please let us go!"

"What’s your name?" Kamui suddenly asked, looking at Take.

Take found it strange; hadn’t she already told him her name? Still, she replied, "Take."

"Is that your real name? If not, tell me your true name."

"Why?"

"Because..." Kamui opened his eyes, his sapphire pupils gleaming in the night. "I must know my opponent's real name."

Take was forced back a step by the sudden surge of murderous intent from Kamui. She panicked—this man was extremely dangerous. If it were just her, she could fight, but with Coco and Nini behind her, she couldn’t protect them all.

She had to come up with something, Take thought.

"Opponent?" Take asked.

"You’re very impressive." Despite Kamui's bloodthirsty expression, his voice remained gentle, almost friendly. "There are few who can throw me like that—even when I wasn't defending. To do so so easily, you're quite skilled. I enjoy dueling strong opponents. Since you refused to spend a lovely evening with me, let’s settle this with a fight." Kamui looked at Take, his eyes full of battle lust, licking his lips and baring his sharp fangs, like a beast about to pounce on its prey.

Feeling the intense pressure from Kamui, Take's hair stood on end. This was the strongest foe she had ever encountered. Facing him, she could not afford any distractions.

"Can I negotiate with you?" Take asked.

"Speak," Kamui replied.

Take pointed at Coco and Nini behind her. "Can you let them go? Once they're gone, I'll fight you."

Kamui glanced at the two girls indifferently and nodded. He had no interest in the weak.

"Sure~."

With Kamui’s agreement, Take turned to Coco. "Coco, take Nini and run."

Coco looked at Kamui, then at Take, her face full of worry and hesitation. Take ruffled her short hair and smiled. "Go, Coco. Take Nini. I’m strong, believe me, Coco."

Seeing the certainty in Take’s eyes, Coco finally nodded. She draped Nini’s arm over her shoulder and walked toward the alley entrance. As they passed by Kamui, he didn’t even glance at them.

At the alley’s mouth, Coco stopped and looked back at Take, her eyes brimming with tears. Ultimately, she turned and left with Nini.

With them gone, Take felt at ease. She turned to Kamui. "Alright, let’s find a bigger place to fight. Surely you don’t want to brawl in this narrow alley?"

"Fine. As long as it’s a good fight," Kamui said, smiling. He stepped into the doorway and stood before Take. "Ask the people here. They’ll find us a place to duel."

Take nodded and followed him inside—Kamui leading, Take trailing.

Suddenly, Kamui glanced back. "Aren’t you going to use this chance to escape?"

"If I ran now, those guys would just bring Coco and Nini back," Take said, glancing at the masked men lurking in the shadows. She had already noticed them—likely they hadn’t attacked because of the young man ahead.

"You noticed, huh? Well then, let’s continue. What’s your name?"

"Okakura Take."

"Okakura Take," Kamui repeated. "Hmm, good name."

"What about yours?" Take asked.

"Kamui. I’m Kamui," he said with a cheerful smile.

After exchanging names, the two grew silent. When Gutiro and a group of Night Rabbits found Kamui and Take, they saw the pair walking together, one behind the other, in harmony.

Kamui greeted Gutiro with a smile. "Hey, find us a bigger place to fight, will you?"

"Fight?" Gutiro almost wanted to clean his ears, thinking he must have misheard. It was the first time a guest had asked to brawl with his lady instead of booking a room.

"Yes, hurry up. I’m already craving the taste of blood."

Seeing Kamui’s bloodthirsty smile and Take’s stoic expression, Gutiro, Afuto, and the others could only stare in disbelief.

Captain, in the end, you went from hugging girls to beating them up?! Someone light a candle for the captain doomed to spend his life alone.