Scene: Dragon's Rest Inn – Night
The night air was warm and filled with the comforting aroma of grilled meat and seasoned potatoes. Inside the Dragon's Rest Inn, the wooden tables buzzed with laughter, and the clink of mugs kept rhythm with the crackling fire in the hearth.
Juichi slouched in his seat, jet-black hair tousled, shirt halfway open. His chest still bore the faint marks of his duel with Renji. A cocky grin danced across his face as he chugged down a mug of ale—he didn't like the taste, but he liked the tradition.
Across from him, Renji leaned back, red hair spiked in his usual pineapple-head fashion. A scar, still fresh from their match, crossed his chest. He scowled down at his drink.
"You drink like a damn bandit," Renji muttered. "And fight like one too."
Juichi smirked. "You love it, Pineapple-Head."
Renji sighed. "Don't call me that."
"But it's accurate," Juichi replied with a shrug. "You look like a fruit basket that lost a fight with a lightning bolt."
"Keep talking," Renji said dryly, "and you're gonna get another scar to match."
"Go ahead. Just means I'm finally catching up to you, gramps."
Renji stared. "…I'm two years older than you."
"Still counts."
They clinked mugs—grudgingly. Friendly tension. Warrior respect.
Then Renji turned serious.
"I've been thinking. You're reckless, stubborn, and loud." He paused. "But… you're the kind of idiot I'd follow into a fight."
Juichi blinked, then grinned wider. "Aw, Renji. That was almost sweet."
"Don't get used to it," Renji muttered. "I'm sticking with you. We're forming a real party."
"Then it's official," Juichi said, raising his mug. "Team Chaos begins now."
---
Scene: Morning – Streets of Castle Town
The early sun bathed the stone streets of Castle Town in gold. Juichi strolled through the crowd, coat flapping behind him, his hair spiking in every direction like a rebel's crown.
Beside him, Renji walked with his usual scowl, chomping down on a shiny apple.
"So," Juichi said, "Sakata-sensei and Sakura ditched us again."
"They're on a secret mission, dumbass," Renji replied. "And don't call him 'sensei.'"
Juichi grinned. "C'mon, he's totally the pervy sensei type. Wise, strong, and always peeking at the bathhouse—classic mentor."
Renji groaned. "You're hopeless."
Juichi's eyes softened a bit. "Still… I hope Sakura's safe."
Renji nodded quietly. "She can handle herself. She's my sister, after all."
"Explains the red hair and rage issues."
Renji elbowed him. Hard.
---
Scene: Adventurer's Guild – Midday
The Guild was bustling with adventurers, merchants, and a few wide-eyed newbies clinging to starter gear. At the front desk, Alicia Clinton was already flipping through papers.
Her long blonde hair shimmered under the light, tied loosely at the ends. Her uniform blouse hugged her figure tightly—a G-cup by local rumors, but none dared confirm it aloud unless they wanted to eat a lightning bolt. Her expression lit up as Juichi and Renji approached.
"Well, well," she said. "If it isn't my favorite disaster."
"Morning, Blondie!" Juichi beamed.
Renji winced. "Please don't encourage him."
"You here to form a party?" Alicia asked, already pulling forms.
"Yeah," Juichi said, "Team Chaos is go!"
Alicia raised a brow. "You do realize you need two registered members at C-rank or higher, right?"
"I'm C-rank," Renji said.
"Juichi's still D," Alicia added, smirking. "Mana evaluation overdue."
Juichi scratched his head. "Heh… whoops."
"Then I guess I'll join."
That stopped them both.
"You what?" Juichi said, blinking.
"I'll reactivate my adventurer license. I used to be B-rank, remember?" She leaned forward slightly—on purpose. "You'll meet the rank requirement. And someone has to babysit you two."
Juichi looked flustered. "Are you sure? You've got, like… desk powers."
Alicia leaned on her elbows, her chest definitely not going unnoticed. "Don't underestimate me, Jet-Head. I've handled worse dungeons than you've had hot meals."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Why us?"
Her eyes flicked to Juichi. "Let's just say… I like underdogs."
And maybe there was something else—something unspoken in her eyes.
She slid a parchment across the desk. "There's a ruin north of here. Old, half-collapsed, recently active again. Perfect place for a new party's debut."
Juichi glanced at Renji.
Renji shrugged. "Fine. But no dead weight."
Alicia grinned. "I'm the heaviest hitter you've got."
They signed.
The party was official.
But somewhere beyond the city walls, something stirred. Watching. Waiting.
And behind Alicia's charming smile… lay a secret still buried in silence.
To be continued…