Chapter 23: The King's Return and the Jealous Queen! Back to Japan

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*Ding-a-ling!* At 7:00 am, the alarm clock blared.

*BOOM!* A muffled explosion cut the sound short. Haru's iron fist had mercilessly smashed the alarm clock to pieces!

Sora, sporting dark circles under her eyes, opened her eyes and grabbed the black rabbit doll beside her futon. She flung it at Haru's forehead. "So noisy!!"

Haru opened his eyes, bloodshot and dazed, ignoring Sora's attack. "Sorry, I forgot to set the alarm last night."

After their battle with Voban, Haru and Sora had enjoyed an eleven-day honeymoon in Italy, filled with intimate moments. However, their trip had been plagued by constant challenges from Italy's battle-crazed King of Swords, Doni. Haru, who had long coveted the secrets of Doni's Authority, the Silver Arm that tore through all things, had readily accepted each challenge.

Their attempts to "provide demolition services" to the Italian people had been repeatedly thwarted by Sora, Doni's close friend Andrea, Their efforts to curb the Devil Kings' destructive tendencies had earned them the peculiar nicknames "Devil King Inhibitors" and "The King's Butlers" among Europe's "bystanders." Rumor had it that they were even registered as such by the Greenwich Assembly's Council.

Even after their Italian honeymoon, Haru hadn't found a single opportunity to be alone with Sora. They had returned to Japan the previous night, and now he was suffering the consequences of jet lag.

"I'll go get breakfast. You can sleep a bit longer, Sora," Haru said, scratching his head in frustration. His head was still spinning from the disrupted sleep schedule. He trudged towards the bathroom.

An hour later, in the dining room of the Kasugano residence.

Haru and Sora sat at the dining table, both still half-asleep, yawning.

Sayanomiya Kaoru, dressed in a black butler's uniform, efficiently set the table with the breakfast Haru had specifically requested: crystal shrimp dumplings, meat buns, and soy milk.

"Who is she?" Sora, now fully awake, pointed at Sayanomiya Kaoru, who was still bustling around, her voice filled with indignation as she glared at her beloved brother. 

"Oh, just a subordinate," Haru said between yawns, taking a large bite out of a meat bun.

Sora eyed Haru suspiciously as he focused on his food, scrutinizing him for a few seconds before picking up her chopsticks and grabbing a crystal shrimp dumpling. She settled into enjoying her breakfast.

Beads of cold sweat formed on Sayanomiya Kaoru's forehead. Just two days ago, she had been ordered by the elders of the History Compilation Committee to seduce the new King. 

Looking at the silver-haired girl's vigilant gaze, Sayanomiya Kaoru felt a wave of despair. 'How am I supposed to interrupt the lovey-dovey routine of a siscon brother and his brocon sister?' 'Someone help me, please! This is urgent!'

"Speaking of which, Sora, would you like to go to school?" Haru asked, dipping a fried breadstick into his soy milk.

Sora made a disgusted face. "Too much trouble. I'm not going."

"Alright then." Haru readily accepted her decision.

Sayanomiya Kaoru's jaw dropped. 'Shouldn't you be trying to persuade her, using reason and logic, to convince her to go to school and enjoy the joys of student life?' 'Why are you breaking all the tropes?'

"Oh, by the way, I'm going to visit the neighbors later. Want to come?" Haru suddenly remembered Akira, who now served as the shrine maiden of the Sayorihime Shrine. He felt a pang of concern for her, remembering she had been left homeless after Tsukuyomi's schemes. 

Sora's ears perked up at the mention of "neighbors." A realization dawned on her, and her face darkened. "I forbid you to have any contact with that woman."

"That woman? Oh, you mean Nao Yorihime? Sure!" Haru agreed readily.

Sora eyed Haru suspiciously. For the first time, she sensed something was off. *When did it start? It was after we returned. and found Haru injured at the shrine. His personality changed.*

Saint Raffaello's words echoed in her mind. "Every Campione, whether they admit it or not, craves battle in their hearts."

*So, Haru is no longer hiding his true nature?* *Wait, if that's the case, does that mean the real Haru loves me, not that fox?* The thought sent a wave of sweet fantasies through her.

Haru looked at Sora, who was suddenly acting bashful, a confused look on his face. "So, are you coming with me to visit the neighbors?"

Sora snapped out of her reverie, her cheeks flushing as she realized she had been caught daydreaming. "I think I'll stay home."

"Harara! Welcome back, Haru! It's been a while since you were last here – last year's summer vacation, wasn't it?"

"Yes, yes, it's been a year. You've grown quite a bit, Haru. If you need anything, just ask us for help, okay?"

"Of course, of course." Haru responded with a polite smile to the elderly Furukawa couple.

"I need to visit some other neighbors as well, so I'll take my leave now." Haru excused himself with a Japanese bow and headed towards the Sayorihime Shrine.

"That child… he's truly strong," the old man said, watching Haru's retreating figure.

"Yes, after all, I heard from Dr. Kasugano's cousin that both his parents passed away in an accident," the old woman said sadly.

"We should help him as much as we can." With that, the old man led his wife back inside.

Haru reached the top of the steps leading to the Sayorihime Shrine and saw the newly rebuilt main building.

"Haru?" A sweet and cheerful voice called out from behind him.

Haru turned around and saw Akira. She was dressed in the traditional attire of a shrine maiden, a white haori over a red hakama, white tabi socks, and red zori sandals. She was beaming at him with delight.

"It's been a while, Amatsume!" Haru greeted her cheerfully, feeling the warmth of a long-lost friend.

"Hmm?" Akira pouted at him, her face filled with displeasure. 

"Ah, let me try that again. It's been a while, Akira!" Haru chuckled, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Yes, it's been a while, Haru!" Akira's frown vanished, replaced by a radiant smile. 

"Why are you back so early this year? It's not even summer vacation yet!" Akira asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Ah, well, there were some… circumstances. I'll be staying here for a while, I think." Haru diverted the question with a vague explanation. 

"Really?" Akira's eyes widened in delight, and she grabbed Haru's shoulders, unable to contain her excitement. 

*Thud.* The sound of a bag falling to the ground.

A girl with long black hair stood frozen, staring blankly at the two of them, seemingly about to kiss.

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To be Continued..

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