Lloyd was roused from his sleep by the gentle beeping of his smartphone; the usual soft chimes of a harp being strummed alerted him to the fact that it was time to get up. He sleepily reached over to turn it off, and was met with an unexpected physical obstruction.

Having turned off the alarm, he opened his eyes fully and saw Akita sleeping peacefully beside him. The events of last night flashed through his mind – as did the 3am wakeup call he got from Akita, who was feeling 'lonely' – and he smiled adoringly at her.

"What it is to have such beauty in my arms, and in my bed." Lloyd murmured.

He stroked her hair delicately, so as not to wake her up, and blew a gentle breath on her wolfen ears. They flicked, and her tails responded in tandem. Still asleep, she pawed at her ears and draped her hand over her head.

Lloyd couldn't resist anymore and placed a lingering kiss on Akita's cheek. She giggled and poked her tongue out ever so slightly. His heart jumped at how cute she was. Her eyes fluttered open, and she yawned, once again showing off her fangs.

"Good morning, Miss Akita." Lloyd said demurely.

"Good morning, Master Lloyd!" Akita purred, as her tails gently wagged.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Oh yes," She grinned. "in fact, I just had a lovely dream."

"Glad to hear it," He nodded. "hopefully you enjoyed yourself in reality too."

Akita blushed and her wolf ears folded down.

"Definitely," She insisted, snuggling into his chest. "last night was wonderful..."

Her soft, fluffy tails curled over his hip and gently wagged. Lloyd practically melted at the exquisite sensation of the warm fur brushing against his bare skin, and he could feel his blood pressure rising. Just as he began to wrap his arms around her, they were both startled by a thunderous knocking on his bedroom door.

"Who disturbs me at this hour?" Lloyd shouted.

"The Shogun has called an emergency meeting of the elemental council," a male voice responded. "she demands your presence."

Lloyd sighed in frustration.

"Very well, I'll be there as soon as possible," He sighed again and glanced at her sadly. "I have to go, I can't defy the Shogun's orders."

"I understand," She mewed with disappointment. "your job is important."

He reluctantly let go of Akita and pushed back the bedcovers so he could get up.

"I suppose I should get back to my own room..." She mumbled.

"You don't have to go, honestly, it's still pretty early; please, feel free to get some rest while I'm at the meeting," He offered and softly smiled. "I won't be too long."

"Well, if you're sure it's okay..." Akita hinted, her wiggling tails making it clear that this offer made her very happy.

"Of course," Lloyd asserted as he leaned over to place a kiss on her cheek. "if you get hungry, you can press that blue button and a member of staff will bring you some breakfast."

"Really?" She asked in astonishment and examining the aforementioned button. "Wow! You're so important that people bring you food all the way up here? Whenever you want?"

He chuckled at her innocent excitement as he selected some clothes and started getting dressed.

"I guess so, I'm just so used to having the privilege that I've never paid attention to what it means about my status." He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

Lloyd put the finishing touches on his outfit and slipped on his ninja shoes, then reached over to stroke Akita's cheek with his hand. She nuzzled into his touch, even following his hand a little as he retreated it.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." He assured her.

She nodded and smiled and waved at him as he left the room.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, she dove under the covers and rolled around giggling. Akita buried her face in his pillow and breathed in his scent, then wiggled excitedly as she was overwhelmed by his essence – his warmth lingered in the bed, his musk filled her senses, and she felt the swell of infatuation flood her whole body.

"Oh Lloyd..." She purred.

"Your Highness, can I have a word in your ear?"

"I'm afraid I cannot stop to chat, Kiku," Pixal stated, breezing past her. "I have had to call an emergency meeting."

Kiku trotted after her, keeping up with Pixal's swift pace.

"I realise that you're busy, but this is important." Kiku insisted.

"More important than an elemental dragon flying around unescorted?" Pixal baited. "I do not think so."

"But Pixal, I-."

"Kiku!" Pixal halted and turned to face her. "Why do you delay me?"

"We need to talk about yesterday's meeting with Kai." Kiku asserted.

Pixal sighed.

"That is not important right now! It can wait until after this meeting…"

And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed away.

Kiku's heart sank.

How could Pixal be so nonchalant as to say that it wasn't important? Kai had told Kiku all about what happened, and she was horrified to discover the depths Pixal had sunk to just to get some information from him. Kiku leaned against the wall and sighed. She had been nothing but loyal to the Shogun, and she was repaid with threats of destruction, not even to her face, but by proxy of Kai.

In that moment, Kiku had to make a decision; it could very well turn out to be her last, but it was something she had to do.

"You've gone too far, Your Highness…" Kiku muttered under her breath

"But that makes no sense," Ash stated. "why would there be an elemental dragon loose?"

"I'm just telling you what I saw, and I saw an elemental dragon flying over Jamanakai Village with no rider!" Bolobo said in frustration.

"What concerns me is not just that it is apparently acting on free will, but that it is purple," Pixal growled. "and I am only aware of one element that holds purple as its main colour…"

The room fell silent as it dawned on them what she was referring to.

Element of Form.

Even now, mention of the prior wielder of said element was all but forbidden – despite the fact that she had been imprisoned and had her powers taken from her, Chamille remained a contentious topic for Pixal.

"The Betrayer is still in her prison cell, weighed down by a score of chains, and still powerless," Kai clarified. "the element she once held is still contained within the crystal, which is kept inside the highest security vault."

"So why is there an unattended purple dragon flying around if she's still under wraps?" Shade pointedly asked.

"Phoenix has gone with Zephyr and Michiko to track the beast down," Tox mentioned. "if they can get close enough, Phoenix will be able to detect any previous injuries the dragon may have had, and Michiko will try to read the beast's thoughts and get more info."

"So, what's Zephyr going for?" Mr Pale asked.

"Protection," Karloff responded. "mind girl is young and vulnerable; needed someone her own age to watch her."

"It seems to me that if the Element of Form hasn't been given to a new user, then this loose dragon is not connected to that element." Zane surmised.

"You said the dragon was purple," Cole asked Bolobo. "what kind of purple was it?"

"What does it matter what 'kind' it was?" Bolobo tilted his head curiously.

"Water and Lightning are both connected to the main colour of blue, but they're different shades of blue," Cole explained. "if the dragon isn't the same violet shade of purple, then it means it isn't connected to Form."

"And if it isn't connected to Form, then that means…" Jay paused.

"…There's another new element that we didn't previously know about…" Nya concluded.

Pixal growled, then looked at Lloyd angrily.

"Bring Sensei Wu here… NOW!" She demanded.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Lloyd bowed and beat a hasty exit.

"Why am I continually made out to be a fool? One surprise elemental master is one thing; now there is apparently another!" Pixal snapped. "What else is being withheld from me?"

"I think the real question," Kiku said as she entered the room. "is what you are withholding from everyone else…"

"Kiku, this is not the time for-."

Pixal was interrupted by Kiku's hand violently striking her cheek.

She fell backwards into the arms of a furious Zane, who blasted Kiku with a sharp icicle that pierced through her shoulder.

"Zane! What the hell?" Kai barked, as he flew to Kiku's side and helped her remove the icicle.

"Kiku, how dare you attack the Shogun!" Zane bellowed.

"It's what she deserves after she threatened to have me killed!" Kiku fired back.

Shocked gasps filled the air, as Pixal unsteadily got up with help from Zane.

"Kiku, don't..." Kai whispered.

"Do you deny it?" Kiku demanded of Pixal, ignoring Kai's plea.

Pixal remained silent.

"That's quite an accusation you're making, Kiku," Griffin noted, pushing his sunglasses to the top of his head. "you sure you're not exaggerating just a little bit?"

"Her Highness wouldn't do something like that," Skylor defended. "you're so important to her, you must have misunderstood."

"How else am I to interpret a threat to be scrapped?" Kiku announced.

More sounds of upset and disbelief echoed out, as some of the masters began to mutter among themselves.

"That… that can't be true," Jay stammered. "Pixal would never-."

"Oh, but she would, and she did, and what's worse is she didn't threaten me to my face," Kiku revealed. "she used my life as a means to beat Kai over the head for information."

"Kai…" Nya looked over at her brother.

"Well, I mean-." Kai stuttered sheepishly.

"Pixal!" Nya squeaked. "How could you?!"

"Your brother is involved with Kiku on an intimate level, I had to make sure he wasn't using her," Pixal stated firmly. "I did not want my proxy to be treated like a toy that he would throw away when a new one was dangled in front of him."

"It was just a test, to see if I was serious about Kiku," Kai elaborated. "I'm not saying she's right, but she did what she felt she had to."

"Miru showed me the footage of what happened in that meeting," Kiku pointed accusingly. "Pixal psychologically tortured Kai to think I would have my memories erased – or worse, be scrapped – to find out the truth of his intentions with me."

"Why, Your Highness?" Skylor chimed in, silently heartbroken that Kai was serious about someone else.

"How would you feel if a known womaniser was keeping someone you held dear as a consort?" Pixal hissed. "What would you do to make sure that person was not treating your loved one like a dirty secret?"

"I wouldn't threaten the life of my loved one! That's so backwards!" Skylor quipped.

"Watch your tongue, Skylor," Pixal snarled. "and remember your place!"

Pixal felt the angry glare of everyone's eyes weigh upon her, but she stood confidently, believing she had done the only thing she could have to secure the truth from her once doting protector.

Angry eyes soon led to disgusted tutting and head shaking, as the elemental council slowly dispersed and left the room, leaving behind an air of disappointment and frustration.

"Skylor's right," Kai eventually said, running his hand over the damage in Kiku's shoulder. "you threatening to scrap Kiku just to figure out how sincere my feelings were is backwards as hell."

"In these matters, it is more effective to imperil the one you love, rather than you," Pixal reasoned. "it elicits a more sincere reaction."

Kai could feel his blood boiling.

"In these matters?" He spat viciously. "You mean, you've done this before?"

"Yes," She replied. "no one would take me seriously if I didn't have a solid means of intimidation."

"You monster!" He yelled. "How many people have you toyed with? How many people have had to sit with the fear you'll kill the one they love? Do you have any idea what you did to me?"

Kai pulled Kiku into his arms as he raged at Pixal.

"The nightmares I had last night were awful – violent and bloody and terrifying!" He fumed, his eyes glowing orange with hate. "My mind was screwed up by your empty threat, but I was still afraid to wake up in case you'd decided to act on it!"

"You think it was easy for me?" Pixal shrieked. "I didn't want to use Kiku's life as leverage, but what option did I have when you cannot stick to one woman?!"

"Michiko could have told you! She's the Master of Mind! Or you could've gotten Miru to observe my body readings! But you chose the nuclear option!" Kai seethed as tears rolled down his furious red cheeks. "You're a monster, Pixal; a sociopath, for ever thinking that was a good idea!"

Kai wiped his face with his sleeve and grabbed Kiku by the hand, intending to lead her far away from her twisted creator.

"If only he understood the pressure I am under." Pixal sighed.

She turned to look at Zane, and her heart broke in two – he stared at her with stunned eyes, quietly horrified by what was just revealed.

"Zane, why do you look at me that way?" She squeaked nervously.

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. He shook his head and started to walk away.

"Zane please! Stay!"

She took his hand, and he pulled it away from her.

"Pixal, I love you," He tried to reassure her. "but Kai is correct – you have become a monster."

With that, he turned and left.

Pixal began to cry. Softly at first, until the damn of emotions broke wide open, and she fell to the floor, crying an ocean of tears.

She curled up into a ball and desperately tried to comprehend what just happened. Everyone – even her beloved Zane – had abandoned her. For all her inner attempts to reassure herself that she did what she had to, Pixal had to face the reality; she was a cruel, monstrous dictator.

No one saw Pixal at all for the rest of the day. Not even the guards.

She wasn't on her throne, or attending to her usual daily duties. She wasn't in the menagerie with her beloved pets, and she wasn't in her room – or in anyone else's for that matter. No one at the shrine had seen her, and even Miru couldn't track her down. On checking the dragon stable, however, they discovered that Yukiko was also missing; Pixal had taken her dragon and bailed.

The ninja were forced to have their own emergency meeting to prevent the word from spreading and causing a nationwide panic.

"She'll come back," Jay stated, not believing his own words for a second. "she probably just needed to clear her mind; it's not every day you realize you're a deranged tyrannical leader when you thought you were doing a good job."

"Her mind has been a mess since Zane sacrificed himself," Nya corrected as she glanced at Zane in her peripheral vision. "And it only got worse with time; that kind of scramble doesn't fix itself overnight."

"Grief or no grief, there's no excuse for her to threaten to destroy one of her own," Kai growled. "especially for something so stupid."

"How's Kiku doing?" Lloyd asked him.

"Dante repaired her shoulder, she's resting in my room right now," Kai responded. "frankly, I'd rather be with my Flower than worrying about where Her Highness is..."

"This is why I suggested she take a vacation," Cole sighed. "she's been under so much pressure the past 6 years, it's no wonder she cracked and did something that, let's be honest here, is way out of character for her."

"Are you actually trying to defend her threat to destroy Kiku? What about what she did to Chamille? Or the other two imposters?" Kai asked incredulously. "Not to mention taking the Princess as some kind of sick trophy!"

"I'm not defending her, or saying she was right to do those things, but Nya's right; Pixal is mentally shattered," Cole pointed out. "no one's ever tried to intervene with any psychological help for her, we all just assumed she'd be fine or be able to fix it herself because she's a droid."

"She is suffering."

Everyone turned to look at Zane, who hadn't said a word up until now.

"The Pixal I fell in love with 6 years ago, would not behave this way if her cognitive functions had remained unaltered," Zane surmised. "a combination of grief, and the trauma of the siege and the war, have twisted her into a demon."

"We all have trauma from the siege and the war!" Kai argued, storming over to Zane. "You don't see any of us executing or threatening innocent people!"

"You imbecile!" Zane snarled, shoving Kai. "We were trained to fight! We have fought in large battles before! We are at least familiar with the violence we could potentially face!"

Zane continued to shove Kai, who stepped backwards with every rough contact.

"What experience of fighting did Pixal have when we initially met her? None, and her first substantial understanding of battle was from the incident with the Overlord," Zane fumed. "and you expect her to remain sweet and innocent after being forced to slaughter an island full of villains? And fighting in an actual war?"

"We've never fought in an 'actual war' either!" Kai argued. "No one came out of the war or the siege unscathed, Zane, no one..."

"You say that so confidently, yet I notice you still have your hot-headed attitude, and no bodily damage," He growled. "but Pixal lost an eye! And you would know that, of course, because it was your fault that it happened!"

"Guys, knock it off, this isn't the time for fighting amongst ourselves!" Lloyd threatened.

"You have no idea what it's been like Zane; while you were floating around the digital space all carefree, we were subject to whatever she wanted to do!" Kai barked, getting right up in Zane's face. "I put my life on the line for her, time and time again, and it was never enough! All she ever talked about was you! She used me, Zane! She was so afraid of Kiku being used, and yet all the while she was using me! She's malicious and cruel and she deserves to suffer!"

Zane exploded.

He grabbed Kai by the throat and shoved him so hard that the fire ninja hit the floor with a sickening thud. He then sat on Kai's waist and pinned him down.

"YOU ARE THE USER, YOU UNSCRUPULOUS CRETIN!" Zane roared.

"That's enough!" Jay yelled.

"SILENCE!" Zane bellowed at Jay, before turning to Kai once more. "You only protected her because you wanted something from her! I regret thanking you for looking after her now that I know you only did so out of selfishness!"

Cole intervened, gripping Zane by the shoulders and wrenching him away from Kai. Nya leaned down to help her brother up, while Kai glared at Zane angrily.

"You know I'm right," Kai muttered. "Pixal has lost it."

Zane tore himself from Cole's intense grip and glared at Kai with glowing white eyes.

"You could see her breaking, and you did nothing to help her," Zane pointed accusingly. "you are not her protector; you are not her friend... and you're not mine either...

Zane made an indiscernible noise and several tears fell down his furious face. He swiftly turned around and thundered out of the room.

"Thanks for coming to hang out with me today!" Fae chirped as she clung to Otaku's arm.

Otaku blushed at her sudden close contact. She'd been practically glued to his side since they met up a couple hours ago, and every time she so much as brushed against him, his face would burn.

"Uh, no problem," He stammered. "t-thanks for inviting me."

She smiled and his heart jumped.

Fae called him the day after the party and asked if he was available; technically he had some loose plans to play video games and chill out, but he was smitten with Fae the instant he first saw her, so he wasn't about to turn her down.

Otaku pretty much let her take the reins – anywhere she wanted to go, he was happy to follow – but he was even happier when Fae drifted through the shopping precinct and towards the arcades.

They played some cabinet games together, and had a go at the dance machine, then they went on the claw machines where Otaku won a plushie penguin for Fae. She was so happy that she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek, leaving him flushed and dazed. The plushie was huge – about the same size as a small child – so being the gentleman he was, Otaku carried it for her.

The two of them walked towards French Fancy, the cafe where Phoenix worked on weekends, and Otaku became visibly nervous.

Fae noticed this immediately.

"My brother isn't working today," She explained. "he's still on his adventure."

"Adventure?" Otaku queried, silently relieved.

"Yeah!" Fae beamed. "Big Sister sent him on a dragon-trapping quest, isn't that cool?"

"Yeah, that is pretty cool!" He agreed.

Fae pushed open the door to the café, and she and Otaku were greeted by the smell of fresh pastries and the subtle sound of lo fi music. Maria – who was sat in her reception booth – looked up from the laptop on her desk and smiled widely.

"Hello Fae," Maria stood up and approached the young lady. "how nice to see you! And who is your delightful companion?"

"Hey auntie!" Fae grinned. "This is Otaku; Otaku, this is Maria, one of Phoenix's special friends!"

"Oh, I didn't know that's how he saw me..." Maria briefly looked away as her cheeks went pink.

"Nice to meet you." Otaku bowed.

"Is Lord Nomington here today?" Fae asked Maria.

"Yes, he's helping out as usual." Maria smiled.

"Lord who?" Otaku wondered aloud.

He didn't get a verbal response, other than an excited squeal from Fae as she grabbed his hand and led him through the curtained doorway. Within moments, Otaku quickly became aware of a bulldog the size of a small horse, walking around in a bow tie and carting a tray of drinks on his head. Just as the large brown and white dog safely settled the tray on a table, Fae threw her arms around him and laughed sweetly.

"Lord Nomington!" She giggled enthusiastically.

The giant dog barked and started licking Fae's face, obviously very happy to see her. His little nub of a tail wiggled as she gave a scritch behind his floppy ears, and the couple at the table smiled and laughed at the sight of the happy reunion.

"Who's a good boy?" She cooed, petting him on the head.

"This can't be a real bulldog," Otaku stammered. "he's massive!"

"He's real alright," Fae nodded as she let go of the pooch. "Phoenix said so."

Lord Nomington barked, then walked away towards the counter where more drinks were waiting to be delivered to their respective tables.

"Come on, let's take a seat," She stated, directing him towards an empty booth. "I love to come here! I've been every day since Phoenix brought me back."

"Oh cool, they have a tablet order system," He mentioned, placing the giant plush on the seat next to him and poking at the device in the middle of the table. "I wonder what kind of cold drinks they have."

"The melon soda float is yummy, and the mango pineapple smoothie is good too!" Fae mentioned. "Ooh, you should try the boba tea! Phoenix said it's a new thing, they only started doing them recently, but the milk tea is my favourite!"

"I do like boba…" Otaku agreed, swiping across to the various flavours.

"There's some super yummy cakes too, like the red velvet, or the black forest or-."

"Louise slice!" He said with excitement. "I haven't had that for ages!"

Fae beamed at Otaku. She loved to see him so enthusiastic and happy. After all, he was normally quite shy and reserved; seeing him getting excited for something made her feel joyful.

Nomington soon came waddling over and placed his fat head in Fae's lap. Fae was thrilled to pieces and gave him lots of fuss while Otaku selected a drink and something sweet to eat. He smiled at her.

"You look like you've got your hands full," Otaku joked. "want me to order for you?"

"Yes please," Fae nodded, playing with the giant bulldog's squishy jowls. "melon soda and red velvet cake."

He placed the order through the tablet, and a number appeared on the screen, like a digital ticket.

"I still can't believe this is a real dog," He stated. "I've seen smaller horses."

"I think he was a normal bulldog once, but my brother probably healed him and then he changed." She theorised.

"So, why 'Lord' Nomington?"

"He looks like a Lord, I mean, just look at that distinguished face – he's so regal and fancy! In fact, he's usually wearing a monocle."

"All the other dogs are so tiny compared to him," Otaku noted, watching the various French Bulldogs wander around. "well, except for that one."

Fae looked up to see the dog Otaku was referring to.

"Oh, that's Jowls," She explained. "I heard that he's from the same litter as Nomington."

Like Nomington, Jowls was brown and white in coat colour, though there was far more brown than white, and because he was a typical size, Jowls was able to wear a blue collar – Nomington, however, required a malamute-sized harness, which he wasn't wearing right now.

On hearing the sound of a bell, Nomington removed his head from Fae's lap and waddled over to the dessert counter. Moments later, he returned with a tray on his head, containing their order. He expertly tilted his head and slid the tray onto their table, without so much as a splash from their drinks. Fae gave him more attention, while Otaku grinned at her, and removed the items from the tray.

"Can I give you this, please?" Otaku asked, offering the tray to the giant dog.

Nomington barked and lowered his head, waiting for Otaku to place it there. He then wandered over to the counter again, where an order for another table awaited him.

"Can I have Korora?" She requested.

"Who? Oh, is that what you decided to call this?" He surmised, passing the stuffed penguin over the table as she nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah!" Fae pulled the plush into a tight hug and swished from side to side. "He's so soft and squishy! I love him so much!"

A smitten grin washed over Otaku's face as he watched her cuddle the penguin. He figured that her own unusual origins were contributing to her attachment to 'Korora', but regardless, she was absolutely adorable in how freely she showed affection. Fae bounced the plush on her leg to watch its flippers flap and she giggled, much to Otaku's delight as he sipped on his boba tea and continued to admire her.

"So, how are you coping as a human?" Otaku wondered, realising how strange that must have sounded.

"I think I'm doing okay," Fae answered as she played with Korora's flippers. "I spent a fair bit of time with humans while I was living with Big Sister; there was always someone around to pet me and feed me and care for me."

"I'm amazed how well you speak English." He stated before taking a bite of his Louise slice.

"Me too, actually, but I guess it's something Phoenix passed onto me when he revived me."

"What's been the most difficult part so far?" He asked. "You know, in adjusting to being a person?"

"Learning to eat the way people do," She mentioned casually, tilting Korora from side to side and mimicking the movement with her head. "I can't swallow things whole anymore."

Otaku stifled a chuckle and finished the dessert he was eating. He then pushed her untouched cake toward her, aware that if he didn't intervene, she'd never put her stuffed penguin down long enough to eat it.

Fae seemed to recognise his silent message, putting Korora in her lap while she dug into the red velvet cake with a fork. From the first bite, her eyes lit up with happiness.

"Yummy!" She squeaked.

"You weren't kidding when you said it was your favourite!" He laughed, drinking more boba tea.

"Phoenix says I have a sweet tooth," She noted. "I never used to eat sweet things as a penguin, so maybe I'm trying to make up for it as a human."

"So, where would you like to go after here?" He queried.

"Not sure, but I'm sure you'll think of something fun we can do; y'all are so smart!" She complimented.

He blushed at her kind words and observed her joyous expression as she devoured the slice of cake. She was so cute; he still couldn't believe she wanted to hang out with him, and he had to pinch himself several times to ensure it wasn't just a dream.

"Did you want to go for a walk to the shrine after this?" He suggested.

"Mm?" She mumbled as she enjoyed her melon soda.

"The weather's still really nice," He reasoned. "we could go to the shrine and explore the park for a while."

"That's a great idea!" She grinned. "Maybe we'll see even more dogs!"

Otaku nodded with a smile, and while Fae finished her drink, he picked up the tablet so he could pay for their order. He loved how many eateries were using these tablet ordering systems now – his social anxiety made a lot of normal daily interactions intimidating – but being able to place orders and make payments with minimal human contact made things so much easier for him.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's go to the park!"

Fae and Otaku stood up and, after one more hug for Lord Nomington, they made their way out of the café. As they turned left and headed in the direction of the park, they noticed that the side street beside French Fancy was blocked by a giant pair of dragon wings – metal dragon wings with purple circuit lines on them.

Fae recognised who it was immediately.

"Yukiko?"

On hearing her name, Yukiko poked her head above her wings and looked over her shoulder to see Fae standing next to someone she didn't recognise. She growled and glared at Otaku suspiciously, and he stepped back out of instinct.

"It's okay, Yukiko, this is Otaku," She explained. "we're on a date."

Otaku's face exploded into a furious blush at hearing Fae describe their outing as a date. He'd been secretly hoping that was the case, but to hear her actually say it out loud made his heart do a happy dance.

"What are you doing here?" Fae questioned.

Yukiko raised one of her wings a little, just enough for Fae to see Pixal cradled in the android dragon's arms.

"Big Sister?!" Fae gasped in shock.