Bistro la Salle, a Western restaurant.
Kusakabe Xu whispered, "There's no secret."
Tiandao naturally didn't believe her. "Let me watch you do it."
"No." Kusakabe Xu felt embarrassed. How could she possibly do it in front of him?
Tiandao didn't care about her protests. He simply took off his coat and joined her in washing the dishes.
He muttered, "After we're done, we'll start."
Kusakabe Xu pouted. "Don't just do as you please!"
Even though she refused verbally, she couldn't help but steal a few glances at Tiandao, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with something unreadable.
"By the way, do you know Kagami's brother?" Tiandao asked casually.
"What about him?"
"Nothing, just asking."
"I heard he disappeared two years ago," Kusakabe Xu replied.
Meanwhile, Kagami was walking down the street when suddenly, a voice called out from behind. "Wow?"
Turning quickly, Kagami's face showed a mix of shock and disbelief. "Steve?"
The slightly chubby man in front of him grinned.
Later, the two sat on the swings in a park. Kagami remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Steve looked puzzled. "Brother, why aren't you saying anything?"
"Why did you suddenly disappear?" Kagami asked. "I was worried about you."
Steve smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'm not as strong as you, brother. I got tired of everything back then."
Kagami frowned. "You didn't even leave a note? I thought you were killed by alien insects."
The audience watching from the three realms felt something was off. A brother who had been missing for two years suddenly reappearing? Suspicious. Could he already be an alien insect in disguise?
Still, they continued watching intently, eager to see if their suspicions were correct.
Steve seemed taken aback. "Alien insects? What are those?"
Quickly changing the subject, he pointed toward some kids playing baseball nearby. "Look, remember when we used to play like that?"
Kagami's expression softened with nostalgia. "Yeah, we played until it got too dark to see the ball."
Steve pulled out a baseball. "This ball has always been my treasure. I've kept it all this time."
Kagami's heart clenched. "Steve, you..."
At that moment, Steve's phone rang. His expression changed. "Sorry, I have something urgent. I need to go."
Kagami looked at him seriously. "Can we meet again tomorrow? At the same stadium?"
Steve smiled. "Of course. I promise."
Back at the restaurant, Kusakabe Xu wiped the dishes. "By the way, I was attacked by something strange a while ago."
"Something strange?" Tiandao raised an eyebrow.
"Then, something even stranger appeared and knocked it down."
The audience of the three realms instantly understood what she meant. That "something stranger" was Tiandao himself, saving her from an alien insect.
Tiandao already guessed what she was referring to but chose not to confirm it.
At that moment, Kagami walked into the restaurant. "Sorry, Hiyori, I'm late."
"Too late!" Kusakabe Xu complained.
Kagami just grinned. Seeing Tiandao, he added, "You're here too! Perfect. Let's have a party tomorrow! Hiyori's miso mackerel party."
"Wait, do I have to cook?" Kusakabe Xu groaned.
Kagami clasped his hands together. "Please! It's for a celebration."
Tiandao eyed him. "You seem happy."
Kagami nodded enthusiastically. "My brother is back. He's been missing for so long."
Tiandao remained silent, deep in thought. A missing brother suddenly reappearing—it couldn't be that simple.
The audience in the three realms felt uneasy. What if Kagami's brother turned out to be an alien insect? That would be heartbreaking.
On a rainy night, Misaki Yuyue walked elegantly down the street, wearing a white formal dress, her long legs highlighted under the glow of the streetlights. Holding a small umbrella, she moved gracefully through the rain.
The audience of the three realms admired her beauty.
"She looks so elegant!"
"That dress suits her perfectly."
At that moment, Tiandao arrived on his motorcycle, helmet on. Many female viewers couldn't contain their excitement.
"Tiandao looks so handsome!"
"So cool!"
Misaki Yuyue frowned. "Who are you?"
Tiandao spoke calmly. "Kagami's brother showed up. Don't you think it's too coincidental? You should investigate."
"Who are you?" she asked again, confused.
Tiandao didn't answer. He revved his engine and rode off.
Misaki Yuyue ran a few steps forward, throwing her umbrella aside. "Wait!"
In a surveillance van the next day, Misaki Yuyue, now wearing a sleek black suit, looked at Kagami. "Your brother disappeared two years ago, right?"
"Yes."
"According to headquarters, he is very likely a Zerg."
Kagami's face paled. "That can't be..."
"This case is under Misaki and my jurisdiction," Tanoko Shuuichi added. "Stay out of it."
Kagami clenched his fists. "Why are you excluding me?"
"If he really is a Zerg, could you fight him?" Misaki asked.
"Yes!" Kagami blurted out.
Tanoko remained firm. "No. Stay out of this."
Frustrated, Kagami sought out Tiandao. "Why did you report my brother?"
Tiandao remained calm. "Because he might be a Zerg."
"Tell me where he is! I'll take care of him myself!"
Tiandao stared at him. "Fine. I promise."
The next day, at the baseball stadium, Kagami anxiously awaited Steve.
Steve arrived with a smile. "Brother!"
"You really came," Kagami said, relief washing over him.
"Of course! I wouldn't break my promise again."
At that moment, armed soldiers surrounded them. "Aim!"
Steve looked genuinely confused. "Brother, what's going on?"
The soldiers opened fire.
But to Kagami's horror, Steve suddenly transformed into an adult insect.
The audience of the three realms was stunned.
"Damn, he really was an alien insect!"
"No wonder he knew everything about the past."
Steve, now an adult insect, attacked the soldiers, killing them effortlessly.
Kagami pointed his gun at him. "You killed my brother!"
Steve smirked. "Brother, I am Steve."
Kagami's grip on his gun faltered. The alien insect possessed all of Steve's memories. Was it really a different being?
Steve stepped closer. "Come, brother. After you die, you'll live on inside an alien insect. We'll be together forever."
Kagami hesitated, considering his words.
At that moment, a familiar voice interrupted. "Grandma once said, 'As long as people love others, they will become weak.'"
Tiandao walked in, hands in his pockets, rain falling around him.
"But people don't need to be ashamed of that," he continued. "Because that is not true weakness. Only those who understand weakness can become strong."
The audience nodded. That made sense. Also, did his grandma really say all that?
As the rain intensified, Tiandao's insect instrument flew toward him.
"Transform!" he declared.
The battle commenced. Tiandao fought fiercely, cutting through alien insects with precision. But then, the adult insect knocked him to the ground.
The audience gasped. Why wasn't Tiandao fighting back?
Was it because the creature had Steve's memories?
Whatever the reason, this fight was far from over.