A date?

After the battle was over, Akira, Kazuya, Selena, Makia, and the rest finally got back to the surface. Soldiers arrived at the scene and arrested Makia for kidnapping and killing innocents and was finally put in court later.

Kazuya followed the Raishoun gang who headed to the hospital while remaining in their unconscious state.

Akira stayed with Selena, expressing his gratitude.

"Thanks for your help, Miss Selena." Akira bowed a slight.

"No problem, sweetheart."

"I really should be on my way n-" Akira's words were cut off as Selena employed her vine powers to immobilize him.

A foreboding aura, a lethal gaze, the haunting memory of Kitsune and the intense heat all signaled to Akira the peril he was about to face.

"Wait, wait, wait... I believe you owe me something... You see, Kitsu shared quite a bit about you in very, very great detail~ and now my curiosity is piqued..." Selena advanced towards Akira, her voice a whisper in his ear.

"A charming boy like you... Could you possibly satisfy my appetite~?" Selena murmured in a provocative tone, her hand tracing along Akira's physique.

"Don't fret, Kazuya is also on my list, but given his absence... Guess you'll have to suffice..."

With a sudden burst of strength, Akira wrenched himself from the constricting vines, adrenaline fueling his desperate escape.

Selena, unbothered, let out a soft chuckle, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, what a timid one he is, Kitsu wasn't wrong." She made no move to pursue him.

Akira's path led him to the hospital where the rest of his crew were gathered. Kazuya was tending to Horka's injuries, Yeru and Gakuto were sharing a bunch of bananas. But Lilith... she was another story.

"WHY THE HELL AM I IN THIS GOD-DAMNED HOSPITAL, YOU PUNK!?" Her voice echoed through the sterile halls, her anger directed at the doctor who had the audacity to admit her.

"YOU'RE GONNA WISH YOU NEVER CROSSED ME! I'M OUTTA THIS SHIT HOLE!" With a final roar of defiance, Lilith slammed her fist into the wall, leaving a sizable dent, and stormed out, leaving her group staring after her in stunned silence.

Despite being wealthy, Lilith was always concerned about expenses, especially the constant drain of taxes.

Gakuto shrugged, a banana halfway to his mouth. "Can't really blame her, hospital bills are a nightmare."

Akira frowned as he inspected the bills. "Strange, she's happy to blow money on shopping, but this bill sets her off?"

"Look, Lilith's the one bankrolling us, so yeah, she's gonna worry about expenses. She's more selfless than you realize... Unlike her old man." Gakuto's expression soured at the mention of Lilith's father, a man he knew only through stories.

Akira's interest was piqued; he'd never met Lilith's father, but he'd heard tales from the butler.

"By the way, we've gotta figure out what to do for Lilith's birthday tomorrow," Horka said, bringing the group back on track.

"How about we kidnap her?" Yeru suggested with a mischievous grin.

"We're trying to surprise her, not scare her half to death," Kazuya shot back.

Suddenly, Akira's phone buzzed with an incoming message from Lilith on Asmourapp.

"Cum."

"Why? Is that even a word? You mean "come"🤔?"

"Cum."

"Fine, hold your horses."

Akira stared at the screen, a sense of urgency emanating from the terse messages.

"Perfect timing, Akira. Just remember not to spill the beans. We'll contact you. Be online at 23:00 sharp," Horka said, his eyes filled with determination.

With a solemn nod, Akira made his departure from the hospital, stepping through the rubble made by Lilith's dramatic exit.

Using his Keen Instinct and tracking her unique scent, Akira quickly located her. She was poised in the grandeur of her mansion, waiting.

"Step inside," she commanded.

"W-welcome, Miss Lilith, might I..." The butler's voice trailed off, silenced by Lilith's authoritative order. "Give him whatever's fancy to wear.."

The butler acquiesced with a nod, escorting Akira to a luxurious bath and then to a private dressing room. Akira found himself garbed in an elegant tuxedo, as though he was expected at a grand soirée.

Lilith's staff did not question her whims. They left Akira alone in the mansion, a sense of befuddlement clouding his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Lilith had replaced her tattered clothes with a daring pink dress, accentuated by a white leopard fur coat draped over her shoulders. Adornments of precious stones and a dazzling pair of diamond sunglasses added to her glamour. A bespoke tote bag, studded with diamonds and crafted from the most exquisite materials, hung from her arm.

After a two-hour wait, Lilith finally emerged, resplendent and ready. Her delay was due to an indulgent bath and meticulous attention to her cosmetics.

"What the hell are you even planning?" Akira asked, breaking the silence.

"Shut yer yap. Just follow my lead." Lilith's voice was curt as she seized Akira's hand and led him abruptly out of the mansion.

"Where are we even going?"

"On a date," she responded nonchalantly.

"A date?!" Akira sputtered, genuinely taken aback by her declaration.

Their destination turned out to be an upscale restaurant, where the menu was a testament to opulence and excess, well beyond Akira's usual means.

"I'll cover the expenses." Lilith's voice held an unusual edge of seriousness, likely a remnant from the stress of dealing with hospital bills.

Akira noticed a subtle shift in Lilith's demeanor, a tension that suggested irritation or anger.

"Is something bothering you?" Akira probed gently.

"No, not really. I just felt like going on a date, that's it."

"But-"

"It's my father. I loathe him."

"Ah, family issues..." Akira nodded, finally understanding the root of her mood. He had his answer.

"I get that you're mad, but can you at least try to talk to him?"

"Why would he care?"

Lilith was intractable, as stubborn as a mule, brushing off Akira's advice and leaving him speechless. He remembered that she had a contentious relationship with her father, but the subject was so volatile that he dared not broach it further.

A waiter soon arrived at their table, setting down an extravagantly presented but surprisingly small dish.

"Uh... what is this?"

"Hmm? Oh, that's the Le Lion d'Or, a fine blend of special ingredients featuring lion's meat. The red sauce on top, Diavolo Caca sauce, perfects the dish, with a touch of caviar for added elegance."

The dish before Akira was more akin to a miniature gourmet cake. The sauce was lush and tempting to the eyes, but the portion size left something to be desired. The meat, sourced from a lion, was prepared with an array of special ingredients and topped with a smattering of black caviar, which exuded a rare, sea-like aroma. Daring to try it, Akira was met with an explosion of unique flavors, the taste of the sea twirling on his tongue.

The meat was exquisitely prepared – beautifully tender and so light on the palate that it slid down his throat effortlessly. The sauce carried a complex flavor profile, initially spicy but trailing off into a symphony of varying tastes that lingered long after consumption.

"Uh..."

"What? Never had a fine dining experience before?"

"What the hell is fine dining?" Akira responded, his lack of familiarity with the concept not surprising given his humble roots.

Despite his confusion, Akira appreciated the culinary journey. While the meal didn't satiate his hunger, it certainly provided a memorable experience. On his personal flavor scale, he awarded the dish an eight.

The waiter returned, bearing three different beverages for each of them, six in total. Each glass was so diminutive that a single sip would drain it.

The first drink was a citrus-hued concoction, delivering a tart punch balanced with a sweet undertone. The aftertaste offered a surprising burst of minty freshness that cleansed Akira's palate, leaving a refreshing coolness despite the absence of ice.

The second beverage was ominously red, with a unique and robust flavor that was both spicy and savory, akin to a hearty soup. Its aftertaste was sour, and it coursed through Akira's veins, warming his body from the inside out. It was dubbed the Célébration De La Mort.

The third drink was deceptive in its clarity, packing a powerful punch despite its lack of color. It was akin to a soda – fizzy and sweet with a refreshing twist of lime and mint. The effervescent sensation danced on Akira's tongue, making for a delightful end to the trio of beverages.

"Phew, it was unique but I don't get the fancy stuffs he-"

Akira read the receipt.

"11,000 Gols!?? FOR A MEAL THAT SMALL!?" A shock of disbelief coursed through Akira, causing him to let loose a shout that reverberated through the restaurant. The waiter hastily shushed him, his outburst having disturbed the other patrons' tranquil mealtime.

The reality of the extravagantly priced meal was a jolt to Akira's system, an anomaly that threatened to cost him an arm and a leg.

Meanwhile, Lilith dabbed at her lips with a napkin, seemingly unconcerned about the cost of their feast. She settled the bill without a second glance at the skyrocketing total.

"Let's go."

"H-hey, why the rush?"

They exited the restaurant, Lilith's pace hurried, a hint of unease marring her usually impassive face. Clearly, something was troubling her beyond the issues with her father.

But then...

Their path was impeded by the unexpected appearance of Lilith's father.

"Lilith, you're here..." His voice trailed off, his gaze filled with surprise and shock upon seeing his daughter before him.