A Beautiful Beast

Chapter 8 New Neighbor and First Battle

Rayla along with Ryan and Minoru are walking to school when they approached by Junji in his beast form. Rayla asks him, "Why are you in your beast form Junji-san?", and he tells her, "I didn't want to be it just happened, I went the last two days without transforming into my beast form when it just happened well I was talking to my mother before I left, I only realized I had transformed when she couldn't see me anymore". Rayla says, "We told you your powers will be unstable for a while", and Ryan says, "So it is true that Royal beasts don't have much control over their transformations at first".

Junji asks, "You're that new guy all the girls are crazy about, are you a beast too?", and Ryan tells him, "Yes I am, I made the mistake of kissing Rayla when I first met her". Junji says, "Rayla-sempai, I think you should wear a facemask to prevent yourself from being kissed", and Rayla replies, "I shouldn't have to wear one, I don't want my life to be controlled by others". Junji suddenly turns back to his human form and says, "Oh I'm back to normal, that is good". Junji then heads to school while Rayla and the others continue their walk to school.

After school, Rayla and Minoru are walking home alone because Hanako has gardening club and Ryan ended up joining the student council. Suddenly Junji comes up to them is his beast form, he says, "It happened again, I'm in my beast form without any control". Rayla asks Minoru, "What are we going to do? It is going to be bad if this continues, and what if his family catches on to his transformations?", and Minoru tells her, "He should move into Maison Rozu like Ryan did, that way he can be with us constantly". Rayla says, "That is a good idea but I don't want him to uproot his life because of me", and Minoru says, "I'll ask him if that is okay for you".

Rayla tries to stop him but Minoru asks Junji, "I know this is sudden but how about you move into the same boarding house as me and Rayla-sama?". Junji says, "I guess that would be a good idea, I'll ask my parents as soon as I get home". He suddenly turns back to normal and says, "Now that I'm back to normal I'm going to head home and ask my parents", he then runs home.

Rayla then says, "You didn't have to do that, I don't want people to uproot their lives because of me", and Minoru says, "Royal Beasts can become targets for beast slayers, I don't want him to become a target". Rayla asks him, "What is a beast slayers?", and he tells her, "Beast slayers are beast hunters who have gone rogue, they target beasts for the fun of it, unlike most beast hunters who only hunt the bad beasts who hurt humans". Rayla asks, "Are there a lot of them in Japan?", and he says, "No there isn't currently, they are extremely rare, there are only 50 worldwide but we should still be careful". Rayla sees the seriousness in their eyes and asks him, "Do you have any experience with them personally?" Minoru then says, "Rayla-sama, should I make a steak dinner for you tonight?" and Rayla replies, "No thanks, I don't need fancy food like that".

The next day on Sunday morning, Rayla is up chatting with Hanako over breakfast while Minoru is asking her if she would like something elaborate. She suddenly hears a car drive up to the building, she runs out to see Junji taking out boxes from the back of a van. She asks him, "Your parents agreed to let you move into Maison Rozu?" and he tells her, "Yes, they thought I was good idea since this place is closer to school and that I should gain more independence". Rayla then asks Ryan and Minoru to help Junji take in his stuff, to which they agree.

Later that day, Rayla asks Junji, "Are you okay with everything that happened? I'm worried about your life taken a different turn", and Junji tells her, "I am perfectly happy with it, I get to be like characters in visual novels and I love my beast form, it is so cool". Rayla says, "I'm glad to hear it, I was worried you would resent me for what happened", and he replies, "There is no way that that would happen, I always wanted special powers and to fight evil like they do in visual novels, this is a dream come true". Rayla then says, "I look forward to your assistance in the battle against the Cladis Junji-san", and he says, "I just hope I don't fail your expectations". Minoru then enters the room and says, "Everything is in your room Junji-san", and Junji then says, "Thank you Minoru-sempai".

Rayla then asks Minoru, "Where is Ryan-san?", and Minoru tells her, "It seems he had a job interview with a local convenience store at 2 so he left". Suddenly they hear a female voice say, "Hey Junji-Chan", and look behind to see a women with long black hair and green eyes wearing a fancy white blouse and black dress pants with black heels and a Gucci purse. Junji says, "Mami-nee, what are you doing here?" and she says to him, "I heard you were moving out the house so I came to find out why". He tells her, "This place is closer to school and I thought I could use more independence", and she replies to him, "You're too young and innocent to live on your own, did someone here seduce you into this while I was in Europe?" Junji then says nervously, "No one did, I just wanted more independence I swear", and Mami then says, "That's a lie, I bet that girl with the red hair seduced you".

Rayla then says, "I never seduced anyone, don't you go accusing me when you don't even know me", and she replies, "If it wasn't you, then it was the guy with the short black hair, I can't believe a man would force himself on my precious little brother". Minoru then says, "Mami-san, I think your obvious brother complex is clouding your judgement of the situation", and she responds angerly, "I don't have a brother complex, I just really love and care about my precious little brother".

Junji then suddenly transforms into his beast form and says, "Oh no I turned into my beast form, now Mami-nee can't see me". Mami see this and says, "Junji, you're a beast, oh my gosh you're so cute", and hugs him, and Junji says, "You can see me in this form". Mami then says, "Of course I can see, I'm a beast myself", and everyone looks shocked, Junji says, "You're a beast Mami-nee?" Mami tells, "Yes, I'm a knight beast that can control fire and use naginata, I'm a part of team Haru", she then gets a look of realization and asks Junji, "You weren't a beast before, how did you become a beast well I was in Europe?" Junji tells her, "I kissed Rayla-sempai and became a beast contracted to her", and Mami gets upsets and asks Rayla angerly, "How did kissing you turn my precious little brother into a beast?" Rayla tells her, "I'm an imperial beast so I can turn those of the opposite gender and contract them to myself by kissing them", and Mami gets even more upset and says, "So you forced a kiss on precious little brother so you could have him all to him all to yourself, what a horrible beast".

Rayla says, "No, that isn't what-" but is cut off by Mami who says sounding upset, "Shut up, I don't want to hear anymore, I challenge all three of you, including my precious younger brother, to a beast battle, if I win, my precious little brother goes home with me, if you win, I will put up with my brother situation and go home". Rayla says, "Sure I accept your offer but are you sure you can take on all three of us, we're all pretty strong", and she says, "I am definitely going to win, my love for precious little brother will overcome anything in my way to protect him". Mimiko then turns into her beast form, which is a plain red kimono with armour, she has orange hair in a pony tail and is holding an elaborate naginata. Rayla and Minoru turn into their beast forms, Minoru then says, "Jiézhì zhàng'ài", to create the beast arena.

Rayla says, "Junji-san, focus on your water and poison attacks, Minoru-san, try to use you ice and wind attacks, I will focus on trying to use fire and light attacks". Junji says cheerfully, "Sure thing Rayla-Sempai", and Minoru replies, "If you say so Rayla-sama". Mami comes at Rayla with her naginata but Junji says, "Ice Acid River", to attack his sister with a cold acidic water attack and protect Rayla, which knocks out Mami in an instant. Minoru says, "The fight is over, Rayla and her team won", Minoru then disappears the arena and everyone turns back into their human forms.

Mami then gets up and says, "How did I get beat by my own precious little brother and lose a battle as well as all my points?" Junji tells her, "I am royal beast so I can use some pretty powerful attacks, even so, that was one of my weaker attacks". Mami looks surprised and says, "My precious little brother is a royal beast, that is great news, ok I will accept the situation for now, but mark my words I will get stronger to challenge you again in the future". She then says, "Good bye for now", and leaves.

Rayla says, "Junji-san your sister is really unique isn't she", and Junji says, "I love my older sister but she can be quite overprotective at times". Minoru says, "Still it was both bold and stupid of her to challenge three beasts as strong as us to a 3-on-1 battle, I hope she doesn't anything like that again", and Junji says, "Luckily she is only like that when it comes to me". Rayla says, "We can all get a little crazy when it comes to those we care about".