4

/Sorry for the late update! My coauthor (nvillera) and I have been quite busy. Anyways, here is the update!)

Your Majesty? Iwaizumi stood hiding behind a wall, peeking several times to see the captains of Seijoh and Shiratorizawa continuing to speak in low voices. After realizing that his best friend had left the gym, Iwaizumi went out in search for him and Ushijima. Those two didn't seem like they'd be on good terms - no matter how much Oikawa liked to keep his cool, Iwaizumi knew a fight would've break out between the two captains eventually.

"We might have to leave," Iwaizumi hears Ushijima say, Oikawa responds with a quiet but panicked "Why?"

"The Outsiders are still on to you. They've been trying to track you down ever since word about Terushima's raid was sent out. They searched the nearby planets and galaxies, hoping that you had seeked shelter in any other possible kingdom, as did I," Ushijima explains, a grim look on his face. "I managed to find that you had been sent to Earth, despite what I was programmed to know about the planet. Terushima believed that I had gone out to farther galaxies - but I have right to believe that he's found out that I'm here now."

Oikawa bites his lip, desperate to find a way out of this mess. Why? "I'm sorry, Your Majesty but-"

"We can take Lesya," Oikawa says slowly, ideas dawning on him. "We can find her and take off past the Sun. I've learned there's settlements past it, unknown to the Andromeda but it will perish anyone who wasn't born out of stardust, cyborgs excluded."

"Find her? You mean to tell me that you don't know where the spaceship is, your Majesty?"

"Please just call me Oikawa. Or Tooru, whichever you'd prefer," Tooru grins. "I've found some places where she might be. If we do this fast, we can leave by the end of the week."

"What about the people here? Your friends, teammates?" Ushijima asks, quickly agreeing to the plan. "I'll have to erase their memories of me, I can do it. It'll be hard to say goodbye but it's for the best. They don't have to find out about us. Iwaizumi, especially. Iwa-chan would be heartbroken."

Iwaizumi couldn't believe what he was hearing. Inching closer to the edge of the pillar, he intended to continue listening in, but a wrong step sent him heading downwards to the floor. "Shit-!"

***

"Yahaba. We've brought good news."

Yahaba turns to see his hound-like subordinate approach him, eyebrows furrowed over his deep-set eyes while his sharp teeth formed a menacing smile. Yahaba stops in his tracks, letting him catch up. "Kyotani. What is it?"

"We've gotten the coordinates on where to find him." Yahaba's eyes widen and soon he is rushing to the control room where the screens greet him with pictures of the human planet - Earth. Is that where you've been, little prince?

"Make course for the planet - and contact Jozenji," Yahaba orders, as a grin spreads across his face.

"I will do so right away," Kyotani responds, as he turns to leave. Although he was about to walk away, he stops. He just realized something that will make Yahaba even happier. "I have additional news. One of our members has collected insurance as well. If the prince decides we want to fight, we can use his friend as bait."

"That's brilliant! Was it Kindaichi that captured the prince's friend? You know what, it doesn't matter. After all, I'm going to have you be in charge of watching our future prisoner. You're good at that. Maybe you could do me a favor by watching our future prisoner and getting information out of him?" As Yahaba speaks he approaches Kyotani, and only stops when he is within arms reach. "It would mean a lot to me." As he finishes his sentence, he hugs Kyotani from behind.

"Of course," Kyotani responds, all the while leaning into Yahaba's embrace. "I'll make the prisoner talk until he loses his voice."

At this, Yahaba emits musical yet sinister laughter. "That would be wonderful! You're the best, Kyotani."

"You're the best too. I mean-" Kyotani responds, with Yahaba being quick to interrupt him.

"Don't worry," Yahaba purrs, "I know what you mean." Releasing Kyotani from his embrace, he adds, "Oh and if you find Ushijima, kill him."

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CHAPTER CREDITS

Character design & development (for Oikawa): Nika Ravenscraft & Kira (@nvillera)

Character design & development (for Iwaizumi): Kira (@nvillera)

Character design & development (for Ushijima): Nika Ravenscraft & Kira (@nvillera)

Character design & development (for Yahaba): Nika Ravenscraft

Character design & development (for Kyotani): Kira (@nvillera)

Scenario development: Nika Ravenscraft & Kira (@nvillera)

Writing: Nika Ravenscraft & Kira (@nvillera)

Editing: Nika Ravenscraft