final boss | kenma kozume

loyalty

AZABU, TOKYO

The elevator signaled his arrival on the top floor and as soon as the doors slid open, he walked out to head straight to his unit.

"Day 3. Still no sign of her," a man sighed while pressing on the door lock. Right after it scanned his fingerprint, it opened, making a sound as well.

"Is she eating well? Has she found a place to sleep? Is she even here?" he continued sighing.

He sat down on the sofa and massaged his forehead. "Just where are you, Empress?"

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The morning after, she disappeared without a trace again, although she did leave a small note.

"I'll repay you next time. I guarantee you that," it said on the note. Kenma kept it on his pocket.

"So she doesn't even remember what she did?" he clicked his tongue.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes, unaware of how his cheeks turned pink just by remembering her embrace.

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SHIBUYA CROSSING

She was finally back to where she left off on her short trip yesterday. Since she already went sightseeing (and even forgot to actually find a place to stay), she was sure she could concentrate on what she needs to do.

"Right. Find a place to stay," she reminded herself. "And some way to get whatever currency the human world has."

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OMOTESANDO, TOKYO

The soft squeaking of the permanent marker and the gentle tap of his foot were all that could be heard on the taxi. He was crossing out things in the map and occasionally writing some notes too.

"I've been to Roponggi already," he mumbled, crossing that out too. "Where else?"

"Oh. Shibuya Crossing," he added. "Maybe the Empress is there."

"Shibuya?" the driver said.

"Yes. Do you know that place, Kusano-san?"

"Of course. Every tourist goes there. Haven't you been there yet?" the driver asked.

"I haven't. Can you take me there please? Empress might be there."

"Empress?" he chuckled. "Do you call your girlfriend that? Is that what youngsters do now?"

"Girlfriend?"

"Lover. Or something."

"M-Me, and the Empress," he gasped and covered his mouth. "I could never."

"Well, uh, I'll just take you there then, okay?"

"Yes, please do," he said, nodding. "Also, how long does it take to get there?

"It'll be quick. Don't worry about it. We're actually very near."

"Good. Good."

The man put down his marker and the map. He folded it and placed it neatly on his bag. "Maybe I should go to another city if the Empress still isn't here," he told himself, now staring at the window.

"There's too many people here. Maybe she's in a quieter area. The empress always hated crowds of commoners."

"Wait. Unless she's a commoner here," he had a sudden realization. "She doesn't have this world's currency, is she even eating?"

"So, who's this empress you're looking for, young man?" the driver asked, distracting him from his train of thoughts.

"Empress? Well," he mumbled and thought of a word to describe her.

"In this world, she's the," he paused and smiled, "How do I say this?"

He looked at the window again, looking quite puzzled. However, in a span of seconds, his dazed eyes turn wide, surprising the driver too.

"E-Empress," he mumbled and forced open the taxi door.

"He-Hey!" the driver yelled, calling his attention.

"I need to go!" he said and brought out his wallet from his pocket. "Just, just take this," he said and threw his entire wallet to the taxi seat.

"What? What's wrong with him?"

"Empress!" the man yelled as he ran to the other side of the street. The traffic light had just turned green by then, making everyone else furious about his recklessness.

"Empress!" he kept on shouting.

"Hey! Hey! It's me, Fang Ning!"

"Did someone just call me?" Kokoe finally took notice.

"Empress!" His yelling made her stop on her tracks. She paused and turned to her side.

"I finally found you!"

"What?" Kokoe gasped at the sound of his familiar voice. "Fang Ning?" she called.

"I'm here, I'm here. I finally found you," he spoke as he appeared right in front of her.

"I've been searching every corner of this city for you," he added and looked at her surprised face.

"Fang... Fang Ning?" Kokoe mumbled.

"Yes, it's me, Fang Ning. But I go by another name now."

"Funny, I go by a different name now too."

"Really? What name? I thought you've always liked yours," he asked.

"Kokoe. I go by Kokoe now. Someone named me."

"You let... You let someone name you?" he was taken aback, jaw almost dropping.

"Does that mean... Does that mean you will?" he added, but now in a softer voice.

"Mhmm," Kokoe nodded with a smile.

"Empress... If you let someone name you, you know what that means, right?"

"A pledge of loyalty."