Nakamura, you look like you haven’t the faintest idea of what’s going on, thought Prince. The look on Kai’s face when he turned around after reaching the doorknob gave him a silent chuckle. To tell the truth, he had long since accepted their relationship. That boy did say that being her friend was way better than being her lover, after all.
Kai’s outburst really did strike a nerve and convince him that there was nothing improper going on between them, but Prince was too proud to accept it on the spot; being told off by a brat pissed him off. Bringing up the duel and Hellblade hunt nonsense was merely an excuse. Prince’s plan to tear Kai to shreds in Monster Hunter, his specialty, had no greater purpose beyond taking out his frustration.
What epiphany was Prince supposed to have about Kai over a silly game? Games have value because they’re merely a form of play, not because they can settle real-life disputes. Prince knew this because he was a gamer to his core.
Besides, what else was he supposed to do after they made him listen to their way-too-personal strategy meeting? How could someone possibly get between that?!
Anyway, long story short: Prince lost the actual duel to settle their dispute the moment he accepted their relationship. The sheer force of Kai’s will won him the day.
Still, I suppose I have to admit that Nakamura’s quite the gamer.
Thinking back on it, Prince had to laugh. He knew he had been rather cruel in forbidding their relationship. Yet Kai didn’t hold a grudge; he just wanted to play. It was quite the surprise, one that left Prince’s jaw on the floor at how genuine their bond was. Maybe someone had to be a boy like that to keep his wits about him around Prince’s dear little sister.
Kai was still a brat, but he was certainly an interesting one. An impressive one. One that Prince absolutely, positively wanted to defeat next time. Of course, he didn’t care in the slightest about wins or losses in a game. He wanted to win on the stage of real-life disputes.
Again, Kai’s bluster bore repeating: “Being her friend is way better than being her lover!” It was an ideal that Prince could get behind. But he wasn’t going to let a losing streak stand. He wasn’t going to let his childish retaliation born out of jealousy be the end of it. He’d have the last word. Maybe next time, maybe later than that, but he would one day boast to his dear sister and her interesting friend:
“Being spouses is way better than being friends!”
To that end, Prince had no further business staying at the family home. He had an apartment—a lovers’ nest—to return to and a wife to make up with.
✦ ✦ ✦
Royalteach had really left. Kai and Jun were left alone in the Miyakawa household. It had to be a trap, right? He was gonna come back in no time, shout something about inappropriate relationships, then start breathing fire or something, right? Kai was cautious of the possibility at first, but his fears proved unfounded.
“Phew, that’s a load off my back.”
“Yeah, that’s a load off mine, too.”
The two relaxed before laughing together like idiots. They only stopped once Jun’s smartphone rang with a notification.
“I got a LINE from Broyalty.”
“What’d he say?”
“He asked if you’re free on Sunday the 12th.”
“Well, I am...”
“He asked if you wanted to come by our place then. The three of us could all play together.”
“Who’da guessed he’s a softie at heart?”
“Not me. I never thought Broyalty had that side to him.”
“Wait, why’s he sending a text when he could have just told us to our faces?”
“He’s probably shy.”
“At his age? No way.”
“Yes way. Broyalty’s the type to spout cheesy lines one after another if left on his own.”
“I can see it. It’s hilarious.”
Kai nodded as he thought back to the monologue Royalteach went on while driving back from the hospital and just about everything he said today.
“He’s a natural. But once he’s aware of it, he gets super flustered.”
“Guess he put his stats into being a glass cannon.”
“Right? Isn’t my brother super lame?”
“Definitely! Sure is handsome, though!”
The two laughed again with no end in sight.
“Would you like to eat? Or would you like to game?” asked Jun in between their cackles.
“Games gotta come first!”
“Would you like to play Mario Kart? Or would you like to play Splatoon?”
“I’m definitely in an MH mood. I’m fired up. I’ve gotta get back into shape by the 12th!”
“Ah, here comes Kai’s competitive side.”
“Hey now, MH is a co-op game!”
And with that, the two took their Switches out of sleep mode with friendly smiles on their faces.
These were the days Kai spent with his friend, a girl named Jun. And this day in particular made him certain that they’d continue for a long time to come.