Their eyes were filled with gratitude, admiration, and a burning emotion called "affection."
[Ding! Target Chizuru Kagura's Affection has changed: +30 +50 (So... so he wasn't a playboy after all! He... he's a hero! He disguised himself like that on purpose to protect us! sob... I misjudged him... He... he's practically the white knight heaven sent to save me!)]
[Ding! Target Maki Kagura's Affection has changed: +10 +20 (So... that's how it is. Everything he did was for... us. This man... he's truly... impossible to read, yet somehow... strangely reassuring.)]
Watching those affection ratings rocket upward, Cloud felt a surge of secret satisfaction.
As expected, the hero-saves-beauty routine is the "meta answer" for capturing girls in any world!
...
After a brief moment of post-disaster warmth, the atmosphere grew solemn again.
"Goenitz was injured, but that was only because I ambushed him. In a real fight, I'm no match for him. However, the Kusanagi crimson flames deal heavy damage to him, so he won't show up again for a while."
Maki's face had returned to the calm wisdom befitting a clan head.
"I can sense that he's merely retreated into the wind temporarily. Once he recovers his power, he'll definitely... return."
"And next time, what he brings might not just be... wind."
Her words made the atmosphere in the room sink.
Cloud knew she was right.
The Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi—Goenitz of the Tempest, Yashiro of the Parched Earth, Shermie of the Raging Lightning, Chris of the Flames...
Any one of them was a terrifying existence capable of bringing about the apocalypse!
"We... can't just sit here and wait for death."
A sharp glint flashed through Maki's eyes!
"The Kagura clan can no longer stay on the sidelines!"
"Chizuru!" She looked at her sister, her tone brooking no argument. "In the name of our Kagura Financial Group, send invitations to fighters across the world!"
"We are going to... host KOF '96!"
"What?!" Chizuru's eyes went wide. "Sister! You want to...?"
"Yes." Maki nodded, flames burning in her eyes. "Since Goenitz wants to use KOF as the stage for his blood sacrifice, then we'll... turn his own strategy against him!"
"We'll use this tournament to gather all the world's strongest fighters together!"
"We'll unite everyone we can!"
"We'll show those high-and-mighty gods... the brilliant light humanity can unleash when facing despair!"
Her speech, full of "passion" and "responsibility," set Cloud and Chizuru's blood racing!
As expected of the Kagura clan's head!
That vision! That bearing! Truly extraordinary!
"Good!" Cloud was the first to voice his support.
"Count me in! When the time comes, I'll drag Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami along too! We'll form a Sacred Treasures Avengers League and burn down that Divine Tribe of Heaven's whole headquarters!"
"Mm!" Chizuru nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with admiration for her sister!
...
When everything had been discussed and decided.
The moment of parting finally arrived.
At the safe house's entrance, Cloud was about to set off on a new journey.
"Do you really... have to go so soon?"
Chizuru tugged at Cloud's sleeve, her bright phoenix eyes filled with reluctance.
After these days of "life-and-death experiences," her proud heart had been completely filled by this man—sometimes devil-may-care, sometimes as reliable as a mountain.
"Relax." Cloud smiled, ruffling her hair with affection. "All feasts must come to an end. Besides, I have something more important to take care of."
"What is it?"
"To... clip another wing from these so-called gods. To undermine their foundation." A deep, cold glint flashed through Cloud's eyes.
He turned to face Maki, giving her a respectful bow.
"Miss Maki, thank you for taking care of me these past few days."
"It's us who should be thanking you." Maki returned his bow with a gentle one of her own, a smile playing in those deep, beautiful eyes. "I look forward to... seeing you again on the stage of KOF '96."
"Definitely."
Cloud nodded, then spread his arms wide.
"So... before I go, would you ladies give me a... loving hug?"
His "shameless" request made both Kagura sisters' faces flush simultaneously.
In the end, it was the bolder Chizuru who threw herself into his arms first, hugging him tightly.
Her soft, elastic figure and that faint fragrance like orchids sent ripples through Cloud's heart.
"Hey, you scoundrel..." Chizuru buried her little head in his chest, her voice muffled and carrying a reluctant nasal tone. "You... you have to come back safely, okay?"
"Of course."
Just as Cloud was about to release her—
Chizuru suddenly stood on tiptoe and, lightning-fast, left a warm, soft kiss on his cheek.
Having done that, she scurried back behind her sister like a startled rabbit, too embarrassed to look at Cloud again.
Cloud touched the lip-print on his cheek, still carrying the lingering scent of the girl, and smiled helplessly yet happily.
He looked at Maki again.
The elegant priestess only smiled softly at him.
That smile was warm as spring breeze, beautiful enough to topple kingdoms.
...
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