Here, sit here, guys, Akane said, guiding everyone into the grand lounge. She turned toward one of her maids.
Miss Rafela, please bring some snacks for our precious guests.
"Yes, ma'am," Rafela replied politely and hurried off.
Kaizen grinned. "Woah, woah! Since when did you become all formal? You used to be the hot-headed, crazy girl going like 'bang bang!' 💥💥 'da da!' haha!"
Akane smacked his shoulder playfully. "You brat! I've always been classy!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Krish chuckled. "There, there. Let's not start another fight here too."
"Yeah, haha," Yui added, shaking her head.
Rex looked around in awe. "Damn, Akane. Your mansion is something else. The walls, the décor, everything looks... ridiculously expensive."
Yui nodded. "Yeah, it's like walking into a movie set."
Kaizen tilted his head. "By the way, where are your parents?"
Akane's smile faded slightly. "Dad's busy with business stuff... and Mom's in the hospital. Mental health issues."
"Wait, what?" Kaizen said, shocked.
The room fell quiet until Rafela returned with a tray full of snacks. Akane quickly changed the topic.
"No worries! Let's eat first. No sad talk today, okay?"
They hesitated for a moment but then gave in — the table was packed with fancy snacks.
Kaizen's eyes widened. "Woah! Is this all for us?"
Akane smiled. "Yup. Eat up."
Kaizen didn't wait — he began devouring everything in reach like a wild beast.
"Woah, Kaizen! Eat slowly or you'll choke!" Yui warned.
And right on cue, Kaizen started coughing.
"See!" Akane scolded, handing him a glass of water. "Here, dummy. Don't eat like a monster."
Kaizen coughed, then laughed. "I was just... excited, haha!"
"But you literally ate on the way here," Akane said, exasperated.
Rex chuckled. "He's always like that. Gets hungry when he's hyped."
Krish smirked. "Yeah, can't believe this guy's a demon aura holder."
"Right?" Rex agreed.
Yui added softly, "That day, during the fight... I was actually scared for him."
Krish nodded. "Yeah, that was something. Anyway, back to business. We're here to plan how to get proof of Rex's innocence and shut down their entire operation."
Yui suggested, "What if we act during the picnic trip next week?"
Everyone froze — then Rex and Krish said together, "Damn, Yui! That's genius!"
Akane smiled. "Yeah, perfect timing. We can move unnoticed."
Kaizen, still munching, said with his mouth full, "Heard there'll be tons of activities there too... perfect cover."
After some time, they finalized the plan.
Krish summarized, "So, we sneak in during the trip and steal their camera — the one that holds the video."
Rex nodded. "Yeah, that's the key. We get that, and everything changes."
Yui looked serious. "It's risky. Everyone needs to stay sharp."
Akane agreed. "No reckless moves this time."
Rex then turned to Kaizen. "Alright, bro, what do you think?"
Everyone turned to look — Kaizen was asleep.
Rex shouted, "WHAT THE HELL, MAN?! When did you even fall asleep!?"
Krish sighed. "Probably during the 'serious talk' part."
"Wake up, idiot!" Akane yelled, shaking him.
Kaizen groaned. "Ugh... is it morning already? Five more minutes, Mom…"
Akane's fist came down on his head. Thud!
"You damn moron!"
Kaizen jumped awake. "Ah! Ow! Damn you, Akane! What's going on?"
Rex facepalmed. "We're talking about the plan!"
Kaizen yawned. "Plan's simple. We beat them up. Done."
Krish groaned. "That's not a plan, Kaizen. We don't even know their strength yet."
Kaizen shrugged. "Fine, fine. You guys do the thinking, I'll do the punching."
Yui chuckled. "Let's ask Akio tomorrow at college. He said he got new info on that second-year group — the Dashing Peeps."
Kaizen muttered, "Bruh, worst name ever."
Everyone replied at once, "Says you, Kaizen!"
Kaizen pouted, and everyone burst into laughter again.
As the laughter faded, Krish glanced at the clock. "It's late. We should head home."
Akane nodded. "Yeah. I'll ask Berlin to drop everyone off."
Minutes later, Berlin pulled up with the car, and one by one, the Reapers Squad headed home their plan set, their bonds stronger, and the coming days promising chaos.