final boss | kenma kozume

a visit

AZABU, TOKYO

"Well this one is quite spacious," Kokoe commented, roaming around the living room of Fang Ning's apartment.

"But ... Is this spacious enough for you to live in, Empress?" he asked in a calm tone. "I could get a better one if you wish."

"Me?" she raised a brow.

"Yes, Empress. You. I've prepared everything here for you. From the color of the ceiling all the way to the carpets of the floor. All tailored to suit your liking," he explained.

"You did all these in three days while looking for me. I'm impressed, Fang Ning," she said and walked to the kitchen.

"But I must say, it's my first time seeing you so emotional a while ago. Did my disappearance change you?"

"I was worried sick."

"As expected of you." She let out a smirk.

"After all, my existence was made for yours. You named me too. All I've ever known is how to work. For you."

"Right. The rule on naming," she reminded herself. "A pledge of loyality for the one who names you."

"But didn't you say you go by a different name now? Who named you?" she continued and turned around to face him.

"No one did. The humans thought my name did not sound Japanese so I had to come up with one."

"Really?" she mumbled and walked closer to him, who was sitting down on the couch.

"Y-Yes," he answered, trying to sound calm.

She closed the distance between them and crouched down. "So you're no longer Fang Ning and I'm no longer your master," she spoke and tapped his head.

"What?" he muttered as she walked away, heading back to the kitchen.

"What? We're no longer in Moon Tower. I'm Kokoe now and, and you're-"

"I go by the name Ryosuke now," he answered.

"I'm Kokoe and you're Ryosuke."

"But I like the name you gave me," he said and stood up.

"It's too feminine anyway. You're big and manly. I thought I'd get a female servant so I named you Fang Ning, that's all," she reasoned out.

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KOZUME HOUSEHOLD
11PM

Kenma was busying himself with his homework due tomorrow morning. With his earphones on, he tried to concentrate on it.

"Home," he wrote on his essay.

"Home," he mumbled and stared blankly at the paper.

"Does she have a home yet?" he wondered. "She doesn't even have money."

"What am I saying?" he sighed and put his pen down. He pushed back his chair and stretched.

"There's nothing I can do anyway," he convinced himself and stood up.

"This is fine," he said and grabbed his homework. "The teacher doesn't read everything anyway."

He turned around to grab his bag but as soon as he did, his eyes spot a shadow lingering outside his window. He falls back and his hands hold the table to support his faltering balance.

Right after, a hand appears, followed by the sound of knocking. "What the fuck?" he cursed and squinted.

After a few knocks, a familiar face shows up, much to his relief. "Kokoe?" he called.

"Did you miss me again?" she asked but all he could hear was a muffled voice thanks to the closed windows.

He placed his homework down and headed straight towards the window. Without hesitation, he swung it open and spoke. "Let me guess. You don't have a place to stay again."

"No. I just missed you," she answered with a playful look on her face.

"Wh- What?" Kenma was taken by surprise by her words.

"It's a joke. I just passed by."

"You can tell jokes now," he mumbled, surprised to see how much her way of speech changed.

"I was going to get food then I remembered your village."

"You mean my neighborhood."

"Right. Whatever you humans call it."

"Wait, you'll get food? You have money?" he asked. He was doubtful of it.

"Mhmm. I have it all figured out," she said proudly. "Shelter and food."

"And clothes, I can see that," he said. He had just observed her new clothes.

"Yes. I'm a genius."

"How did you do all that?" he asked, unawaringly worried.

"I found my Fang Ning!"

"Oh, Fang Ning? The second to the last boss? Players have to defeat him before they pass through," Kenma recalled in his head.

"Oh, no, not Fang Ning, sorry. He goes by the name Ryosuke now," she corrected herself.

"You'll be living with a guy?!" Kenma raised his voice, something even he was surprised of.