final boss | kenma kozume

cinderella

"We, we met, um, through a game," Kenma answered in her stead. He looked down, flustered by his own lies.

"So you're just like our Kenma," his mother laughed, followed by an awkward chuckle from his father.

"I thought Kokoe-chan would be interested in modeling and all that. I thought your face was familiar, I was thinking that I might have seen you somewhere."

"Shit. Mom probably saw her in a game poster," Kenma thought, a little panicking.

"Modeling?" Kokoe repeated. Another strange term.

"Mhmm. I used to work for a magazine company so I read those usually. You really don't model, Kokoe-chan?"

"What modeling?" she mumbled.

"You mean, what kind?" his mother asked. "With a face like yours, maybe in an ad? You're a little taller than average so maybe runways too?"

"What is this human talking about?" she thought to herself.

"She doesn't model, Mom."

"What is she saying?" Kokoe mumbled, confused and dumbfounded.

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Dinner finally ended after what felt like ages for Kenma. Every question felt like he was in an interrogation room as he tried to dodge them with lies.

"Mom, we'll be going now," Kenma said as soon as they finished eating.

"Already?" his dad replied.

"We are?" Kokoe said.

"Yup. Her parents are strict."

Those were the last words Kenma said before dragging her to the front door. It was only then that he noticed that she had no shoes or slippers on.

"I have to give you that too?" he sighed.

"Give what?" she asked, annoyed by how annoyed he also seemed to be. She raised a brow as she watched him open a shoe cabinet.

"These are my slippers. Just take them. Mom will notice if you take hers."

"Slippers," she mumbled.

"Just put them on," he groaned before crouching and sitting down.

"Ah, footwear."

"Do I have to put it on you too?" Kenma was in no way amused.

"I've read this," she gasped then took a step back. "No- No thank you. I'll put those slippers on my own."

"What is she talking about?" Kenma asked himself while she took the slippers and wore them on her own.

"We'll be leaving now," he announced before they left.

"Kenma, you should get a jacket. It might snow," his father suggested but the two had already left.

"You worry too much about them," his mother teased.

"You're too carefree," he sighed.

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Outside Kozume Household
Tokyo, Japan

"This is weird."

"What is?" she asked, swaying her head to her right to take a look at him.

"How come you became so cooperative for dinner? It's not like you."

"I've read books about you, humans. Those two were your parents. You're their child. I could tell that much."

"Aren't you human yourself now?" he asked with a brow raised.

"What kind of human has lived for three thousand years?" she scoffed.

"So she thinks she really lived for 3,000 years. She thinks her game background is real," he told himself, unsure if he should tell her the truth. "What happens if I tell her she's just from a game?"

"It's not like you can do any harm to me anyway. Poison won't work on me," she added. It made Kenma even more curious as to what would happen if he did tell her the truth.

"You think you have powers or something?" Kenma mumbled.

"I thought you knew who I was. I'm the Empress. Of course I do." He could tell she was getting agitated, he did sound like he was testing her.

"Fine, fine. I believe you."

"Good."

Kenma walked towards the benches nearby as Kokoe stared at the night sky. "The sky is as beautiful as the picture books," she commented in awe.

He remained silent but looked up as well. "What's so nice about this?" he asked himself.

"In Moon Tower, the sky was always pitch black. It always rained."

"That's because the Moon Tower has a barrier. Go beyond it and you'll end up in a void. Instant death," Kenma said.

"How did you know all that? Are you sure?" she immediately looked at Kenma and hurried to sit beside him.

It was a quick and strange personality change. Kenma didn't see it coming.

"You don't know that?" he asked.

"I've always guarded the tower. Why would I dare go beyond the barrier? And how did you know all that?" Curiosity was written all over her face. Just a while ago, she had a proud look. But now, she seemed like a child asking for a toy.

"You're the villain. Didn't you set up that barrier yourself?" Kenma asked.

"No. I always just sit and wait in the tower." She shook her head. "Wait, I'm the villain?"

"That's weird. The game background said it's her who set the barrier. And she doesn't know she's a villain either," he thought.

"Forget it. Nothing makes sense anyway," he sighed. He was right. The mere presence of a video game character in the real world made no sense.

"Kenma, get back inside. It's cold," they heard his mother nearby. "Kenma?"

"Where is she going to stay?" he asked himself as he glanced at her, who was still wearing his clothes.

"Can't you go back already?" Kenma asked her.

"Back where?"

"Moon Tower, or something."

She didn't answer, hesitant to admit that she's practically homeless now.

"Do I have to take care of this villain?" he asked himself and clicked his tongue.

"You escape the Moon Tower and now you have nowhere to stay," he sighed.

"O-Oh. That's right. I, I didn't get kicked. I escaped on my own."

"Wait. You got kicked?"

"No. I came here on my volition."

"Right," he mumbled, obviously suspecting her words. "And now that you came here, where are you staying?"

"I haven't planned that yet," she answered, ironically in a proud tone. Her arrogant side was back.

"Right," he sighed once again.

"But since you, the Empress, is so powerful, you won't be needing a frail human's help. Right?"

"Right!" she said, completely out of impulse.

"You're not staying in my house then. Good luck on finding a luxurious palace in Tokyo," he said, a teasing smirk forming on his lips.

"Wait, you-" she exclaimed, but had no other words to say to stop him. He stood up, placed his hands on his pockets, and was now ready to leave.

"Good night, Empress."

"You're really leaving me here," she clicked her tongue as she watched him leave.

"What a heartless man."