"Today's the day you're taking Derek to meet Karura's family, right?" Kozue asked the two girls beside her.
"Yeah. Today I'm taking Derek to meet my family," Karura replied, not giving the topic much importance.
"Um… aren't you worried your family might not like your boyfriend?" Kozue asked, a little concerned.
"Don't worry. I bet the Kure family and Derek will get along just fine," Hitomi chimed in.
"Hitomi's right. Once they meet, they'll get along perfectly, and we'll have a very harmonious family talk," Karura said confidently.
"Well… if you say so," Kozue replied, still a bit unsure.
"Hey, stop worrying. You'll see—everyone will get along great," Hitomi said optimistically.
"You're right. Maybe I'm overthinking it," Kozue said with a smile.
...
"Come on! Defeat that outsider and show him the power of the Kure family!"
"Don't let him escape—destroy him!"
"Yeah! Finish him!"
A group of Kure clan members shouted as they watched Derek and Raian's battle.
After exchanging several blows, both Derek and Raian stopped and stared straight at each other.
Gradually, all the noise faded, and a long silence fell over the area.
After locking eyes, both moved at the same time, stepping forward until they stood face to face, then began trading punches without any intention of dodging.
It was a brutal exchange—pure power and endurance.
Face, chest, abdomen. Blow after blow, violent and relentless. Neither of them stepped back, neither showed any intention of yielding.
Soon, both paused and took a step backward.
It was clear they had reached the same conclusion: to end the duel with a single decisive blow.
Just as they prepared to strike, a loud shout stopped them both.
"You bastards! What do you think you're doing, fighting in front of my house?!"
The voice belonged to none other than Kure Erioh, better known as the Mighty Demon.
"Huh? Oh! It's you, old man! Don't interfere! I'm just testing Karura's boyfriend!" Raian shouted.
"Oh? You're saying that's Karura's boyfriend?" Erioh asked, narrowing his eyes at Derek.
When their gazes met, a subtle pressure fell upon Derek—but he didn't flinch.
"It's an honor to meet you, Grandpa. I was just playing around a bit with this guy. I must say, the Kure family didn't disappoint," Derek said casually.
From his relaxed tone and demeanor, no one would have guessed he'd just been in a fierce battle—if not for the bruises and marks covering his body.
"Oh? Let me see if I understand this correctly. You came to my home to meet our family, brought no gift whatsoever, assaulted my family members, and then picked a fight with Raian?" Erioh said coldly.
"Well, you know what they say. There's no better way to get to know someone than through a fight," Derek replied with a smile.
"Hahaha! Damn, I like that line. He's got a point," Raian laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Right?" Derek replied, grinning back.
"These two damn idiots…" Erioh muttered irritably.
Before Erioh could continue, another voice interrupted him.
"Hey… Derek? Why are you here? Weren't we supposed to meet this afternoon and come here together?" Karura asked, confused to see Derek already at her home.
"Well, you know… I couldn't resist wanting to meet your family ahead of time," Derek replied jokingly.
"You're terrible. You didn't even warn me so I could mentally prepare," Karura pouted—yet she still smiled, walked up to him, clung to his arm, and kissed his cheek.
"These two…" Erioh muttered, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Stop wasting time and get inside already," he said, vanishing as if he'd never been there.
'Man… that old guy's something else,' Derek thought with a faint smile.
The Kure family was becoming more interesting by the second.