The next day, after the celebration, Jotaro woke with a pounding head.
—What happened? Why am I in my room?—he muttered, bewildered.
As Jotaro looked around, he felt something warm pressed against his abdomen. He lifted the quilt and saw Kira fast asleep on top of him.
What is Kira doing sleeping with me? he wondered.
Just then the door opened and Aiko appeared. Seeing that Jotaro was awake, she smiled.
—Ah, you're up, Jotaro!
—Aiko… what happened last night? And where is everyone?
—After Kira made you dance, some men offered you a little liquor and—
—Hold on! I don't even drink. So… why did I?
—Well, you refused, but one of the men grabbed his glass and pressed it to your lips, making you drink.
—In other words, they forced me…
—Yeah.
—And the people?—Jotaro asked.
—They're all outside.
—Still?
—When you passed out, everyone stayed to wait for you to wake up, to see if you were okay.
—They didn't have to trouble themselves. It's not like the liquor was going to kill me. By the way, why is Kira here with me?
Aiko looked away, a bit embarrassed.
—Well… since I didn't have the strength to carry you alone, I asked her for help. When we got here, she threw herself onto your stomach and wouldn't move. Honestly, I think she was sniffing you…
Jotaro blushed slightly and turned his gaze aside.
—Well… whatever.
Kira started to stir.
—Eh? She's waking up.
Kira opened her eyes to Jotaro's smile.
—Good morning, Kira. Sleep well?—he asked, smiling.
Kira, still half‑asleep, smiled faintly.
—Yes, very well.
—I'm glad. By the way, could you get up?
—No—Kira replied with a grin.
—If you don't—Jotaro warned, still smiling—, I'll repeat what I did last time.
Kira remembered and sighed.
—All right. You win—she said, moving aside.
—Wise choice.
Jotaro rose from the futon.
—Well, I suppose we should go see the villagers.
—Yeah—Aiko agreed.
—Fine—Kira added.
Jotaro grabbed his sword beside the futon, and they left the temple. Outside they found people slumped over tables littered with food scraps, others sprawled on the ground. Jotaro's mouth fell open.
He looked at Aiko.
—Aiko… couldn't you have brought them into the temple?
—I'm not that strong, and besides, they wouldn't have fit.
—You're right… Still, we need to wake them.
—I think so too—Aiko said.
Kira noticed a villager stirring.
—No need—she said.
—Why?—Jotaro asked.
Kira pointed at the moving villager.
Jotaro and Aiko watched as the man woke up. After him, the rest began to rouse.
—Oh, looks like they're waking on their own—Jotaro said, thinking, I wonder if they'll get hangovers from drinking.
One, still dazed, pointed at him.
—Is that the demigod Jotaro?
The other villagers rushed over, eager to know how he was. Jotaro stepped back, hands raised.
—I'm fine, thanks for asking!
Relieved he was unharmed, the villagers began shouting at the man who had forced him to drink. Jotaro tried to calm them.
—Hey… relax.
A crackle in the bushes announced Ronin's arrival. The adventurer burst in and, with a brutal kick, sent Jotaro flying into the trees.
—Jotaro!—Kira cried, alarmed.
She spun to face Ronin, now beside her.
—You bastard!—she shouted, furious.
Kira tried to punch Ronin, but he caught her fist and hurled her skyward. Aiko, panicked, looked up.
—Kira, I'll catch you!
—Protect Jotaro, I'm counting on you!—Kira called as she sailed away.
Aiko turned to Ronin, who was striding toward Jotaro. She hesitated, then, seeing him draw one of his swords, attacked with fire magic.
Aiko conjured a fireball; Ronin dodged and struck her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Ronin then headed for Jotaro, who lay against a tree, stunned and hurt.
—Ow, that hurt. What's happening?—Jotaro muttered.
When he looked up, Ronin was hurtling toward him at incredible speed. About to behead him, Jotaro hastily cast a barrier.
The shield stopped the blow. Seeing his attacker was the adventurer Ronin, Jotaro was shocked.
—Ronin? Why are you attacking me?—he asked, confused.
Ronin didn't answer; he pressed harder until the barrier shattered, then swung to kill.
Before the sword could sever Jotaro's head, a fireball crashed between them. Kira was descending, raining flames that forced Ronin back.
Jotaro used the chance to escape, but Ronin threw his sword; a gust of wind deflected it—Aiko, trembling, was still standing.
Ronin moved toward her, but Kira, still airborne, summoned more fireballs.
—Don't go near Aiko!—Kira shouted.
Meanwhile Jotaro kept running, scared.
—Why did Ronin suddenly attack me? What did I do?—he wondered.
He stopped.
—This is strange. Why attack someone who's done nothing wrong?
Suddenly he heard rustling. Kira shot out of the bushes, wounded, and knocked him down.
—Kira?!
Ronin emerged, sword in hand.
—Why are you pretending to be weak?—he said coldly.
Jotaro was taken aback.
—I'm… not pretending—he said softly.
Ronin glared and aimed the blade at his head.
—Stop lying. I know you could kill me with a single blow if you wished.
Jotaro stared, confused and frightened.
—I don't know what you're talking about…
—Aren't you the demigod Jotaro?—Ronin asked, lowering the sword.
—Yes… I am.
—Then why say you don't understand?—Ronin pressed.
—I truly don't know what you mean—Jotaro insisted.
—You lie. I know that soon you will destroy the Kingdom of Xylonia—Ronin said, raising his sword again.
Ronin's words froze his blood.