21 Madness: INFATUATION
[Later]
The tournament started, in the arena there were a spartan soldier and a man holding a katana fighting each other, after many clashes between each other, the japanese-looking man won.
However, Esdeath, who was watching everything, just yawned.
Run: What do you think of these ones, captain?
Esdeath: I think boring fighters make for boring fights. I guess it's too much to ask for someone capable of using a Teigu to suddenly appear, huh?
Wave: The winner is Nobunaga of the Dry-Goods Store!
Nobunaga: Yeaaaah!
Wave: The next participants are… In the east corner! Karubi the Butcher! And in the west corner! Phobos, from the God of Gambling's Casino!
From one side, a minotaur-like tall person came out, he was full of muscles and looked strong, while at the other side… A bald man with a tuxedo and sunglasses came out, he looked like the usual bodyguard you would find anywhere, but it attracted Esdeath's attention.
Esdeath: The casino… I guess Billy helped this one to participate.
Run: I guess so, but he is releasing an eerie aura around him, there is something wrong with Phobos…
Esdeath: We will find out soon, this one seems a different minion than the ones that are in the casino.
The minotaur looked at Phobos and said.
Karubi: You're a tiny one, ain't you? That prize money is already in the bag, kukuku… I may have been excommunicated, but I'm a 9th level master of the Imperial Fist, ya know!
Phobos: Tsk, I am surprised you are a butcher with that face. So, was your mother the cow or your father the bull?
Karubi: You bastard!
Wave: Begin!
Karubi kicked the ground and reached Phobos, then he threw him a punch in the head. Phobos just raised one hand and blocked the punch with the back of his hand, Phobos didn't moved an inch from the spot he currently was.
Then Phobos moved the minotaur's arm away and jumped in the air, before punching Karubi, the latter tried to block the punch with his other arm, but Phobos literally snapped in two Karubi's arm and his fist reached the minotaur's jaws.
Karubi's skull was deformed to a frightening level as he was shot out from the arena like a lifeless corpse.
Lubbock and Leone were spectating at the side and looked at Phobos with their jaws lowered.
Lubbock: Holy shit…
Leone: God, that thing is as strong as that giant minion Billy summoned the other time…
Lubbock: There is a giant version?!
Leone: Yeah, it was 5 meters tall, and that thing threw both me when I transformed and Najenda against a wall with just one hand for each…
Lubbock: Crap… What would happen if Billy enchants a giant?
Leone: That thing would just play with all of us… Thanks god he isn't at the empire's side.
At the Jaegers' side, Run commented in surprise.
Run: *Whistle* That guy is scary…
Esdeath: I didn't know that Billy had someone like him as a guard for his casino…
Wave: That's the end!! Phobos is the winner!!
Spectators: YEAH!! / WOOOOOOO!!!
Phobos turned back to his area and the next participants entered in the arena.
Wave: The next participants are… In the east corner! Bon, a Sergeant of the Imperial Army! And in the west corner! Tatsumi the blacksmith!!
Then Tatsumi and an armored man came out from each side.
Run: One of them is just a kid, huh.
Meanwhile, Leone and Lubbock commented.
Leone: That's an interesting cover. Can he really use the forge?
Lubbock: Not as well as me, but he has some skill.
Bon: Heh, brat, it's better if you leave, you might get hurt.
However, Tatsumi didn't say anything and looked coldly at Bon, making Bon raise an eyebrow.
Bon: Hoho, those eyes, I know them very well… Well then, I shall entertain you.
He took out a sword from his hip and prepared himself.
Wave: Begin!
Bon rushed at Tatsumi with his sword, while Tatsumi vanished from Bon's sight, appearing beside him, then he elbowed Bon on his side, causing him to spit saliva and roll in the ground.
Tatsumi jumped in the air and landed on Bon's chest, making him lose air from his lungs.
Bon: I… I give up...Ugh…
Wave: Tatsumi is the winner!!
Run: Hmm, he may not be comparable to Phobos, but he is strong too.
Tatsumi heard everyone cheering for him, so he grinned and pumped up his fist.
Tatsumi: I did it!
*Ba-Dump*
Esdeath's eyes widened as a blush spreaded over her pale skin. She got up from her chair and murmured.
Esdeath: I've found him…
Run: Him? I would have thought about Phobos for the Teigu, but I guess that the kid is ok too.
Esdeath: Not for that…
Then she climbed down from the stairs and approached Tatsumi, who got nervous when he noticed her getting near.
Esdeath: Tatsumi… Was your name, right? It's a good name.
Tatsumi: Th-Thanks… 'This is Esdeath… The person who issued orders to the Three Beasts…? If she didn't exist… Big bro would still be-'
Esdeath: The match just now, was excellent. I wish to give you your reward.
Tatsumi: Eh? At me? But the one before me is surely stronger…
Esdeath ignored him and placed an hand inside her uniform while she approached Tatsumi…
*Click*
She attached a collar on Tatsumi's neck.
Esdeath: From now on… You'll belong to me.
Tatsumi: ...Huh?
Then she proceeded to drag him away.
Esdeath: There are too many distractions here. Come with me to the palace.
Tatsumi: Hold on- Wait, a-
Esdeath: Nope. I won't wait.
She pulled him and hit his nape, knocking him out, then she proceeded to hug him and carry him away.
Esdeath: We'll talk in my room. When it's just the two of us…
Billy, who was spectating both his casino and the arena through Phobos, spit out his wine in the ground in shock.
[Later]
In the hideout, everyone grouped together, and reported everything to Akame, who was the current leader in Najenda's place.
Akame: Tatsumi was carried off by Esdeath?! Did she realize he is a member of Night Raid!?
Lubbock: We didn't really feel any animosity or bloodthirst though… I don't really know… But I don't think it's likely…
Phobos: Don't mind it, Esdeath fell in love with Tatsumi.
Everyone turned in surprise at Phobos, and Leone said.
Leone: Hey Billy, this isn't a time to joke!
Phobos: Joke my ass! Right now she is literally introducing him to the rest of the Jaegers saying that Tatsumi is her partner in love!
Mine: Pffft… Hahahahahahaha!!! My stomach hurts!! Hahahahahahaha!
She was rolling in the ground while laughing the entire time.
Akame: Then… Billy, please make sure he is alright, I don't want to lose more people…
Billy: Don't worry, I will.
[Meanwhile]
Esdeath: ...And so this is the newest addition to Jaegers, Tatsumi.
Bols: ...You dragged in one of the populace, just like that?
Billy: Weird, right?
Esdeath: Now, he'll no longer have to live in poverty, and he isn't just an extra man for our group either… I felt it. Tatsumi is the one who will become my partner in love.
Wave: ...So why does he have a collar around his neck, then?
Esdeath: ...Because he's my lover, of course. And I want him to stand out.
Billy: Why do you even hold a collar inside your uniform?
Esdeath: Why not?
Run: Well, if you want him to be your official lover, and not your pet, shouldn't you remove it in order for there to be a difference?
Esdeath placed an hand on her chin and thought about it.
Esdeath: Hmmm, that's certainly true… I'll remove it.
Wave: ….
Esdeath: By the way, are any of you married or have any lovers?
...Bols raised his hand…
Everyone: 'Seriously!?'
Seryu: Bols, is that true!?
Bols held his face in embarrassment and said.
Bols: Yes… I've been married for 6 years now! I really don't deserve someone as wonderful as that though!!
Then Billy slowly raised his hand and quickly said.
Billy: I know a friend that got many lovers… Is this ok?
Esdeath: I guess it's alright…
Tatsumi: 'You should help me! Not her!' Umm… Excuse me… I'm really happy that you've taken a liking to me and all, but… I'm not really all that interested in working for the imperial court, so…
Esdeath: Fufu, it will likely take a bit of training to get you to be obedient, hmmm…
Tatsumi: Please listen to what's being said to you!!
Seryu stepped forward and said in a calm manner.
Seryu: Now, now, everyone. He's just confused, it's a lot to take in all at once.
She walked towards Tatsumi to pat his head, but Billy got faster when he noticed Tatsumi's expression getting darker, then he ruffled his hair.
Billy: C'mon kiddo, it's not like she meant to train you with the whip.... Right?
He looked at Esdeath for a confirmation, but he received only a smirk as an answer… Billy got down and whispered to Tatsumi.
Billy: I'll dig your grave near the hideout…
He patted Tatsumi's shoulder before leaving him.
Tatsumi: H-Hey, w-what do you mean with that…?
