---
Chapter 20 — When Two Flames Collide
The cruise ship’s horn reverberated across the calm sea, shaking the gentle morning breeze. On the port, Yumeha and Sanae—Hirauka’s mother—scanned the horizon, eyes sharp for the returning vessel.
Moments later, the ship appeared, gleaming under the sun. Hirauka stood at the deck, waving with a wide smile.
“Mom! Yumi! Over here!”
Both waved back, their faces lighting up with joy. As the ship docked, Hirauka walked down the ramp, Sayaka at his side.
“Thank you for waiting, Mom. Yumi,” he said warmly. “I’m back for good.”
Yumeha smiled. “Don’t mention it. We missed you.”
Sanae’s eyes softened. “How was the trip, son?”
“It was… intense. Amazing. Oh, and Yumi—your father will probably be back soon from his mission.”
Yumeha tilted her head. “Wait… you met my father again?”
“Yeah,” Hirauka chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Long story.”
Sayaka stepped forward, greeting Sanae with her usual confident charm.
“So, you’re Hirauka’s mother? You raised quite a man—honorable, hardworking, sharp.”
Sanae smiled modestly. “Thank you, dear.”
Sayaka laughed softly. “Aunty, please don’t call me dear or miss—it makes me feel ancient!”
Her eyes flicked toward Hirauka and Yumeha.
“Hey, Hirauka, aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
“Oh! Right.” Hirauka turned. “Yumeha, this is Sayaka—my boss. Sayaka, this is Yumeha, one of my closest friends.”
Leaning closer to Sayaka, he whispered, “She knows about the God Rings.”
Sayaka’s eyes twinkled playfully. “Oh? So she’s that close?”
Hirauka rolled his eyes. “Not like that. We just… understand each other.”
Sayaka smiled sweetly. “Nice to meet you, Yumeha.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Yumeha replied politely, though a faint edge lingered in her tone.
“Well, ladies,” Hirauka said, stretching, “I’m taking Mom home. Days on that ship have left me craving my own bed. Yumi, I’ll call you later.”
“Sure, Hirauka-san,” she replied, hiding a small frown.
---
Back at home, Hirauka dropped his bags, sighed, and took a deep breath.
“Mom, I’m going to rest for a few hours.”
“Hold on,” Sanae said, soft yet curious. “Tell me—how was the trip?”
“Not exactly peaceful,” he admitted. “Our client, Williams Johnson, turned out to be a mafia boss. Yumi’s father was after him. But after we exposed him, he got arrested. Mission complete.”
Sanae gasped. “You could’ve been in danger!”
Hirauka smiled softly. “Mom, I’m fine. Nothing can happen when I’ve got your blessing.”
She placed her hand on his cheek. “You’ve grown strong, my son. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom,” he said, hugging her gently.
“Now,” she said, “what do you want for lunch?”
“I’ll eat—”
Before he could finish, his phone rang. He groaned. “I’ll be right back.”
Sanae grinned. “Okay.”
The screen read: Sayaka.
“Hey, Sayaka. What’s the emergency now?” he asked.
“I need help immediately,” she said, voice urgent.
“What kind of help?” Hirauka narrowed his eyes.
“I’m going to my favorite restaurant—‘Dealing with Delight.’ And I can’t decide what to wear.”
“…You called me for that?” he said flatly.
“Don’t sound annoyed! You’ve got good taste, and I trust it.”
“Send pictures.”
“Nope. You have to come here. Now.”
“I was about to nap.”
“Oh, come on! Just this once.”
Hirauka groaned. “Fine. You owe me.”
Sayaka giggled. “I’ll take that as a yes. See you soon.”
He muttered, “Guess my bed can wait,” and teleported straight to Sayaka’s apartment.
---
A flash later, he appeared—and froze.
Sayaka was sitting casually on her bed, wrapped only in a towel, her damp hair shimmering under sunlight. She looked completely unbothered.
“Sayaka… you’re wearing a towel.”
“Yeah. So?” she replied calmly. “I just showered. What’s the problem?”
“The problem is… you didn’t warn me!”
She smirked. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Hirauka sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Just—show me the dresses, please.”
Sayaka stood, walked to the dresser, and pulled out three options. “This blue one, this black one, and this orange one. Choose wisely.”
He scanned quickly. “The orange one.”
Her eyes lit up. “My favorite too.”
She ducked behind a divider and changed. Moments later, her voice called out, “Alright, you can turn around.”
Hirauka complied.
Sayaka emerged in the orange dress—elegant, confident, radiant. She spun once.
“So?” she asked.
Hirauka smiled faintly. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” she said, returning the smile.
Hirauka nodded. “Okay, if the dress is chosen, I can go.”
Sayaka chuckled. “Yeah sure, go catch your nap.”
Hirauka smirked. “Bye.”
She watched him teleport away, whispering softly to herself, “Still as serious as ever…” before heading out for lunch.
---
End of Chapter 20
---
