Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise/Hokuto ga Gotoku: (c) SEGA
Fist of the North Star/Hokuto no Ken: (c) Buronson & Tetsuo Hara/NSP 1983, Approved No. GA-217
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed: (c) ACQUIRE/XSeed Games/Marvelous USA Inc.

Chapter 4: A Night to Remember

The next morning, Kenshiro found himself back at the Rusty Nail, working his bartending shift. He continued to mix and serve drinks to customers without a care in a world.

Just then, Shizuku arrived on her own and walked up to the counter where Kenshiro is. "Welcome." He simply said,

"Thank you for having me again." Shizuku said, "I want to surprise you with a fact, but before I reveal it… I would like to have a fruity drink. The best one you have."

"Certainly." Kenshiro replied,

Kenshiro got a glass and poured a pink-coloured liquid into the glass, along with a red-coloured liquid and a juice. He got a spinner and began to mix the liquids slowly. Soon, and just like the ice block, he began to spin at a considerably faster pace. And then…

…

He then spun very fast, with a blue aura around him. Then he removed the spinner and cried "Perfect!"

He presented the drink to Shion and simply said…

"Yuria Eternal."

Shizuku took a sip of the drink with Kenshiro, stoic as always, watching on. "Divine…" She mused,

"So… I'm actually 170 years of age, even though I look 17 or 18." Shizuku said, "It is more or less a perk of being a Nighteater."

"Can I ask what Nighteaters do?" Kenshiro asked, slightly surprised by Shizuku's actual age

"Yes." Shizuku responded, "We hunt down and kill Synthisters. Mainly by stripping off the clothes from their backs and exposing them to the sun. When I first met Nanashi, he was becoming one, thanks to a man named Zenya Amo."

"And who is Zenya?" Kenshiro asked,

"He was a man who called Nanashi in for an interview for a job. But it was a front for him to experiment on Nanashi. While Zenya did succeed in making him a Synthister, I saved his life… But then, Zenya was about to kill me until Nanashi intervened and took the fatal blow meant for me. We both escaped, and I formed a contract with Nanashi, by kissing him and becoming his familiar, which can only happen once in a Nighteater's life. Since then, we have become inseparable, even after saving Akihabara from becoming like the Cursed Village under the rule of my half-brother, Soga Kagutsuki."

Shizuku continued, "Jagre, while he found us, told us about the Cursed Village. It's more or less a ghost story about the villagers and bandits being inflicted with a deadly martial art known as Meito Kieiken."

Kenshiro remembered Jagre being inflicted with the martial art by an armoured man known as Kyo-Oh, who is a practitioner of Meito Kieiken, in which, while similar to Hokuto Shinken in that it destroys victims from inside, it actually drives said victims insane without leaving a mark on their body. He then had to drive him to Cassandra, a prison in the Wastelands, to be healed by his Hokuto Shinken brother, Toki. Both Kenshiro and Jagre traversed through the Cursed Village, located a few miles southwest of Eden, and saw the horror of Meito Kieiken fully inflicted on the bandits and villagers.

Kenshiro remembered what it was like. It was something that he hoped to not see again...

"Mr. Kenshiro," Shizuku said as she looked at her nearly finished drink, "This drink reminds me so much of how Nanashi and I love each other… It must be the same with your fiancée, Yuria, right? I think it is your best drink."

Kenshiro said nothing. He looked down, while still reminiscing about he and Yuria together. He recognizes that he still has a long way to go before the reunion can happen…

A few hours later, Kenshiro and Shizuku met outside the Rusty Nail bar. Shizuku, before Kenshiro called it a shift, gave him a big tip for the drink. "Thank you again, Mr. Kenshiro." Shizuku said, "It's no secret why Nanashi likes you so much."

Kenshiro did not say anything. "Anyways, I heard Nanashi is waiting at the Colosseum. I think I'm going to go and join him." Shizuku said

"OK." Kenshiro replied, "Just be careful."

"Thank you." Shizuku replied, bowed and ran off

Kenshiro thought, "Maybe I should head to the Colosseum… I did want to showcase a match for Nanashi and his friends."

Kenshiro ran north along Respite Street and west into the Cathedral Square. He noticed a man in a turban and wearing a large coat and gauntlets. "Right." Kenshiro thought, "I should speak to this member of the Watch."

The watchman noticed Kenshiro and said, "Good afternoon, Kenshiro. Welcome to the Colosseum. Lyra has prepared a special match for you, in honour of Nanashi and his friends coming to Eden. Are you prepared?"

Kenshiro waited for a few seconds before replying, "Yeah. I am ready."

"All right then." The watchman said,

Kenshiro did his usual walk through a catacombs, and up the stairs. He shielded himself from the bright sun.

What he found himself in was a wide-open arena, in an octagon shape, with pillars as tall as pyramids. Not that anyone in Eden knew what a pyramid is… Each side is lined up with spikes and swinging axes, as well as large torches. And every side, at a very tall height, are spectators standing along the edge, cheering and yelling.

Right on the east end, very high above where Kenshiro is, is a viewing gallery, draped with flags hanging downwards, gold decorations and ruby stones on the sun-shaped holders. Inside the viewing gallery… are Nanashi, Shizuku, Tohko, Rin, Shion, Kati and Nana.

Nanashi thought as he looked down at Kenshiro, "Is he used to this? He doesn't look fazed at all."

Nanashi's assessment of Kenshiro was spot on as the Hokuto Shinken practitioner walked to the middle of the arena, near some prisoners. Many of them are armed with poles, large axes, small axes and cleavers. One prisoner, who had a little bit of hair on his bald head approached Kenshiro. He said, "Well, looky here… You thought about what you want for your reward?"

Kenshiro did not reply, looking as stoic as ever. "He's so amazing…" Tohko thought, "I can't believe Nanashi never told me about him before! What a dumbass!"

"Well, lemme tell ya." The prisoner said, "I don't need freedom or anything. All I want…"

He walked closer to Kenshiro, "…is a nonstop bangin' with her!"

He looked up to find Lyra, in the announcer's podium. She has a big megaphone in her hand and she yelled, very enthusiastically, "Welcome to the Colosseum! Ladies and gentlemen, we are hosting a special edition of the Gladiator Games!"

"Round 1 will be a no rules, no time limit battle royale! The last prisoner standing wins our first round!" Lyra then smoked on her large cigar, which is a big one.

Then, she continued, "Has everyone placed their bets? Who lives? Who dies? Who's losing both their eyes?"

Then, she cried "All right, you filthy little degenerates! Listen up! It's time for Round 1, Match A! So, let's see some bloodshed!" She lifted her cigar in the sky and then the gong sounded.

Kenshiro went to work on the vulgar prisoner. He punched him twice, landed a double punch, gave him a flurry of kicks and finished his combo with a leaping spin kick, while crying out "WAAH-TAA!"

Kenshiro then gave a flurry of punches to a cleaver-wielding prisoner, finishing with a hard punch.

Nanashi and his friends watched on. "My gosh…" Tohko quipped, "Mr. Kenshiro is amazing! I never seen him fight with such poise and grace!"

Kenshiro saw the large axe-wielding prisoner about to chop him, until… he caught him, mid-swing! Both men gripped the large axe, but little did the prisoner know that Kenshiro clasped his hands instead, right to the fingers. And then…

BOOM! The prisoner's fingers (and the large axe) exploded!

"EXPLODING FIVE-FINGER STRIKE!"

Kenshiro kicked the prisoner, while giving his usual "AA-TAA!"

"Wow!" Tohko cried, "Mr. Kenshiro is showing no mercy!"

Kenshiro began to work on several more prisoners. As the fight grew longer, Tohko began to study more and more of his movements, poise and grace of his techniques.

Kenshiro dodged a punch coming towards him. He then hit the channeling points on the bicep of his attacker!

"HOKUTO BONE DEMOLISHER!"

The prisoner cried as he backed away, shaking, "P… Please! No!" He kept shaking, as his body kept expanding and then BOOM! His head popped like a balloon!

Nanashi and company were watching the match with great interest. That is, until a watchman came by. "Umm… Is there a 'Nanashi' present?"

Nanashi turned around. "Yes, that's me. Why?"

"You are requested to head to the catacombs of the Colosseum immediately." The watchman said, "Apparently, you have been set to fight in the next round."

"Wait… what?!" Nanashi cried,

"Did I hear that right?!" Tohko yelled as she turned around, "You're asking Nanashi to fight in the Colosseum?!" The rest of her friends followed suit, about to protest.

"Yes… As per Miss Lyra's request." The watchman replied,

Nanashi looked down. He has been in many battles back at his old home in Akihabara, but many of his opponents were enemy Synthisters, and love or it hate it, he stripped them bare naked. If last night was a practice before the test, then he fighting in the Colosseum, with more people in Eden watching, is considered his test.

Nanashi then looked up at the watchman and said, "I accept Miss Lyra's request. I'll follow you down shortly."

Everyone behind him was appalled. Nana cried, "Brorrior! Don't leave your lovely sis alone!"

Tohko yelled, "You dumbass! You're not strong enough! And imagine going up against Mr. Kenshiro!"

"That's a risk I'm taking." Nanashi said, and he turned his head towards Tohko, with a slightly cocky expression, "Besides… I do want to test my strength against his Hokuto Shinken."

"Besides… there's enough shade to prevent me from dying." He continued, pointing across the arena, where the shade is.

Tohko knew, despite growing up together long before the nuclear war, that this was an argument she is not going to win. "OK, Nanashi." She then hugged him, "Come back safe, OK?! I'll never forgive you if you die!"

Nanashi responded by hugging Tohko back. He then said, "I'll be careful."

He then let her go and followed the watchman down to the catacombs.

Meanwhile, at the ground level of the arena itself, Kenshiro is down to his final opponent… The vulgar prisoner who wanted to get it on with Lyra, should he win. Kenshiro hit him with two punches, a kick and did a spinning touch on the head, striking the channeling point. The vulgar prisoner cried, "Wh-What?! I can't move!"

Then, Kenshiro gripped the vulgar prisoner's head with his right hand, clenched his right wrist with the left hand and…

SNAP!

"HOKUTO STEEL SHREDDING CLENCH!"

Kenshiro let go of the prisoner as he slumped to his death…

"That's it!" Lyra cried, "Our winner is… Kenshiro!" She raised her cigar in the air.

The crowd cheered, as Nanashi's friends have worried to scared expressions. "This is insane!" Rin cried, "Has the minion known what he's getting himself into?!"

Lyra continued, "Our next battle is a tag match. The winners from the last round will split into two teams and fight to the death! The rules are simple, just like last time. Whichever side takes down the opposing team wins. And I'll be picking the teams, of course."

Almost immediately, there was a guttural roar from the spectators as Nanashi entered the arena. Lyra then pointed to Nanashi, "You…"

And then she pointed to Kenshiro. "And you, are a team now!"

Kenshiro saw Nanashi and had a slightly shocked expression. "Nanashi?!" He cried, "What are you doing here?!"

"If last night was a practice before the test," Nanashi said, looking at Kenshiro "Then this, to me, is my test. Besides, you need me. I can't sit by and let you have all the fun."

Kenshiro smiled slightly and replied, "Sure." He then got into his stance, as did Nanashi.

On the other side, they are facing two men. One of them wore purple pants and was holding an axe. The other is much larger, has a red mohawk and is holding a hammer. The axe-wielder laughed and then said, "I'm gonna make you scrawny punks bleed!"

The red mohawk man yelled, "Hey, you! Don't get in my way! Or you're goin' to Hell with 'em!"

The axe-wielded yelled back, "The hell'd you say, punk?! Same goes to you!"

Lyra was quick to notice that and said, "Ah, almost forgot. If teammates attack each other, you're both disqualified! And you can't kill your partner, of course. Teammates have to work together…! Am I clear?"

The punks weren't too happy, but they got ready with their weapons. Kenshiro and Nanashi are in their respective fighting stances. Lyra cried, "Now, it's showtime! The next fight begins now!"

"I got the axe guy." Nanashi said, "Focus on hammer man, Mr. Kenshiro."

"Got it." Kenshiro replied and went right to work on hitting the hammer-wielding prisoner with his attacks.

Nanashi hit the axe-wielder with low strikes and a sweep kick. The prisoner swung his axe at Nanashi, but he dodged it with efficiency and quickness! Nanashi countered with a spinning backwards punch on the chest.

Kenshiro immediately thought up how to eliminate the hammer-holding prisoner. He charged his ki in a wide stance, rushed up to the large prisoner and hit the channeling point on his head. The prisoner cried, "My head! It hurts…"

Kenshiro rushed up, bashed his feet onto the large prisoner's chest, giving him a bounce up and… SMASH! Kenshiro delivered a harsh right kick to the head!

"HOKUTO RISING THUNDER KICK!"

Kenshiro jumped down and saw the large prisoner's body expand in some places and then… BOOM! His head exploded!

From the viewing gallery, Shion said, "Nanashi really wants this. He feels like he was never useful, even going back to our days in our old home, but I think he's got something hidden in him…"

Shizuku looked on, with not only great interest, but great concern as well. "What if Shion's right?" She thought, "Maybe Nanashi has something hidden within him that I never knew…? Is he truly getting stronger?"

Nanashi slid and hit the axe-wielder's knees, forcing his enemy to kneel. "Mr. Kenshiro!" He yelled,

"Right!" Kenshiro replied and ran up to the axe-wielder. He lifted his right hand… and CHOPPED it down like an axe on the axe-wielder's head!

"STONE MOUNTAIN SPLITTING SLASH!"

The prisoner had his skull, cut in half as he fell backwards to his death.

"You sure you're up for this?" Kenshiro asked,

"Never in my life have I been ready to take on a challenge like this one, Mr. Kenshiro." Nanashi replied,

He then walked to the other side facing him. "Me being a Synthister, a Nighteater… A familiar… It's both a gift and a curse. For a long time, I thought I would never be as strong as I am today. But here I am, now happy to have a real fight on my hands."

"I do want to ask, Nanashi," Kenshiro said, "What are your fists used for? And what is their purpose?"

"To strip." Nanashi replied, "To strip people's clothing off their backs, as strange as it sounds. But I want to do more than that."

"I've looked up to you, Mr. Kenshiro. I read your stories, watched your series and played your games… I finally get the chance to meet you in-person. And I finally seen what Hokuto Shinken is truly like. Now… if I lose all my clothing in the future, I can die happy knowing all of that. But… there's one thing I want to test myself on…"

"And what's that?" Kenshiro asked,

"To test my strength… my will… and my conviction and see how I well I match up against you." Nanashi replied, and then asked, "Will you fight me, Mr. Kenshiro?"

Kenshiro thought about what Nanashi said. Most fighters would use their style, simply to kill and get stronger. But he looked at Nanashi and the fact that he fought by stripping people is unique.

Kenshiro looked at Nanashi and said, "Of course. I will grant you that duel." He then got into his stance. "Do not hold anything back."

"I have no intention to, Mr. Kenshiro." Nanashi replied, already in his fighting stance as his friends watched on in the viewing gallery, all of them nervous and scared for him

Lyra saw this and said, over her megaphone, "And now, it's down to two! One on one, martial artist against street fighter! A real duel, folks! …Fight!"

Nanashi rushed at Kenshiro but stopped for a moment. He thought, "I don't know what I'm getting myself into, but if I focus, I can fight well!"

He then did his middle punches and a jump kick on Kenshiro. Kenshiro easily blocked them. "Hm." The Hokuto Shinken practitioner said, "You lack conviction. I need to see more from you! Now it's my turn!"

Kenshiro hit Nanashi with his bread-and-butter combo of two punches, a kick and rapid-fire punches. He finished a combo with a big punch that sent Nanashi flying.

Kenshiro rushed to Nanashi, who was near the shaded area of the arena. Nanashi got up, saying, "I never expected any less from you, Mr. Kenshiro…"

Nanashi winded up for a haymaker punch… But Kenshiro easily dodged it. Kenshiro then bashed Nanashi with a punch and a channeling point strike to the head. And then…

Kenshiro stuck his left thumb underneath Nanashi's chin, gave him a backward slap with his right hand and finished it off with a frontwards slap!

"PHANTOM CHANNELING POINT."

Nanashi simply slumped down. But then…

He slowly got up… "I'm… not done yet!" He cried,

"How is this dumbass still up?!" Tohko yelled, "He could have died from that alone!"

Nanashi delivered a couple of punches and finished his combo with a spinning backwards punch. Kenshiro just simply felt it like a teddy bear cuddling him.

"I'm not really feeling anything." Kenshiro mused as Nanashi kept trying to punch and kick him,

Then, Nanashi lunged at Kenshiro's upper body and gripped onto his leather jacket! Nanashi grunted as he tried to pull it off the Hokuto Shinken practitioner. Kenshiro took notice and said, "So, this is how you fight, hm? Well, then… Allow me to help you!"

Kenshiro then crossed his arms, and… BLAM! Nanashi was blown back! And Kenshiro is engulfed in a red flaming aura around him, now that he is half-naked from the upper body, while also revealing the Seven Scars, shaped like the Big Dipper constellation on his chest! Nanashi put himself together and landed on his feet in the unshaded area of the arena!

"I was waiting for that, Mr. Kenshiro!" Nanashi cried, "Now it's my turn!"

He then crossed his arms and… BOOM! Nanashi is now in a flaming light purple aura, now half-naked from the upper body!

Kenshiro simply smiled. In the viewing gallery, however…

"No way…" Shizuku cried as she watched her boyfriend attained his newfound power, "I have never seen this before." She turned to Rin. "Rin, have you witnessed this?"

"No!" Rin cried, "This is my first time, too!"

"Now it's time to even the odds!" Nanashi cried and he did a backflip. He crouched down and spun his body right at Kenshiro! Kenshiro got flown backwards!

Kenshiro flipped back to his feet. "Nicely done, Nanashi." He quipped, "This is what I wanted from you! Show me you have it!"

Kenshiro leaped up in the sky and dove right at Nanashi! Kenshiro tried his rapid-fire kicks, but Nanashi dodged them all! Kenshiro landed down. Right at that moment, Nanashi spun his body with his arms out, doing a mini-lariat on Kenshiro! Every punch connected!

Kenshiro then punched Nanashi twice and did a high kick to send the boy up in the sky. Kenshiro followed it up by jumping up and landing an axe kick in the air to smash Nanashi down! Kenshiro landed down, jumped up on the already downed Nanashi and delivered a massive punch that was aimed to Nanashi's face!

Everyone in the Colosseum, from the spectators and Nanashi's friends, were watching and started to feel very tense at the next moment.

And then…

…

Nanashi caught the punch with both hands! Both guys grunted as one was close to completing the technique and the other preventing it from connecting. "You're not…" Nanashi grunted, "Trying the… 'Hokuto Eight Pains Nine Hells'… on me!"

"I can't believe it!" Kati cried, "Master is surviving the fight!"

"I'm impressed by the strength of both men…" Shion mused,

Nanashi grunted and tossed Kenshiro aside! Nanashi spun up with his legs extended and did a pirouette to finish getting up. Nanashi then rolled and did a low kick towards Kenshiro. Kenshiro swayed back to avoid the kick and followed it up with a high punch that sent Nanashi high in the air.

Kenshiro then rapidly punched Nanashi in the back, like a machine gun, while crying out, "ATATATATATATATATATATA!"

Then, he delivered one more punch to the back of the boy with a "OWA-TAAAA!"

"HOKUTO WINGBREAKER!"

Nanashi simply fell. The boy slowly, but surely got up. "I'm… not finished… yet." He cried,

"He's still getting up?!" Tohko yelled,

"How is this possible?!" Rin yelled,

"Stop, Bropetitor!" Nana cried, "You can't fight anymore!"

Nanashi leapt backwards. Kenshiro then cried, "Here I come!"

He jumped up, now having a green aura around him, and twisted his body to face Nanashi. "My gosh…" Nanashi cried, "Is that…?"

Kenshiro then rained punches on Nanashi's body, like a hurricane, while crying "ATATATATATATATATATA!"

Then, Kenshiro bashed Nanashi's chest with a "OWA-TAAAA!"

"CELESTIAL HUNDRED-FIST RUSH!"

Both guys landed on their feet. Nanashi, though… fell forward and laid down, finally unable to get up.

Kenshiro stood tall. Lyra cried out on the megaphone, "And the winner is… Kenshiro!"

The crowd roared, and lots of betting tickets were tossed down into the arena space as Kenshiro stood tall. He looked at the viewing gallery, giving a sad glare to Nanashi's friends.

A few hours later, at the Clinic, Nanashi had back his blue shirt and black undershirt. He also has recovered as Kenshiro had already operated on him. And by that, he healed the boy's body of all injuries sustained during the duel they just had together, with Hokuto Shinken.

Shizuku is with Nanashi, and she asked, "Nanashi… What's that power you just attained?"

"I don't know…" Nanashi replied, "It just… came to me from out of nowhere."

"Interesting." Shizuku replied, "I think it had to do with how you mentioned that you wanted to test your strength, your will and your conviction. Maybe it awakened when you kept fighting Mr. Kenshiro because you believed in us and wanted to protect us…"

"Maybe…" Nanashi replied,

"Plus, I noticed you used our moves when you fought Mr. Kenshiro. Mine, Rin's, Tohko's and Shion's." Shizuku pointed out, "And you were invulnerable to the sun. Although… I'm not sure if I can confirm that."

"I'm really surprised, too." Nanashi replied, "For the moves, I think I have been hanging around everyone for way too long. It can be a bit of an embarrassment sometimes." He chuckled nervously.

He then continued, "But for my invulnerability to the sun… Maybe it's just how long we've been together. Not just as Synthister, Nighteater and familiar… But also, as boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Maybe…" Shizuku replied, "In any case, I'm glad you're OK. I don't know how we would survive without you." She then gave him a passionate kiss.

Nanashi hugged Shizuku and kissed her back.

It is night time in Eden. Nanashi and Shizuku were walking around Eden, taking in the sights and sounds. Nanashi, with the IDL he has in possession, bought some food and small gifts for Shizuku. Shizuku smiled at Nanashi and cuddled with him, when such small gifts were purchased and handed to her.

They kept walking along the Neon District and the Cathedral Square until they came across a sight that is both familiar and unfamiliar. "Nanashi…" Shizuku cried, "Is this… like… Akihabara?"

"I don't know…" Nanashi replied, as he gazed at the bright lights, coming from the six pillars near the staircase leading into the Cathedral. There were more neon signs, some say "Nightclub", "Bar" and "Welcome". But one neon light in big, bright yellow neon lights on top of the central doors reads "Eden".

Nanashi and Shizuku were greeted by Xsana. "Impressive, isn't it?" she remarked,

"Can I ask what is it?" Nanashi asked,

"This is what the other side of Eden is." Xsana replied, "Allow me to explain."

"Please." Shizuku said, starting to gain interest

"Sphere City releases a huge amount of water twice a day. It happens at dawn and at dusk, like clockwork. To us, this water is a miraculous blessing. The morning water is given freely to the civilians. And at night, it is used to power the city itself. That is to say, we run it through a steam engine to produce a renewable energy source."

Nanashi and Shizuku turned to Xsana. Shizuku asked, "Why was something like this set up?"

Xsana answered, "It started when we erected a defensive perimeter to protect the town from bandits. This was once home to the first citizens of Eden."

"So this is where it all began…" Nanashi remarked,

"Now that we are a full-fledged city with proper defenses," Xsana continued, "These facilities have been repurposed."

They soon noticed men coming into the place. "It is only open at night, as a place to socialize and forget the world's troubles for a time."

"So, this is the Nightclub…" Nanashi said, "I wonder what it's like in there…"

"Why don't you two head on in?" Xsana suggested, "Besides… it's your big night tonight, Nanashi."

"Oh yeah…" Nanashi said, remembering what Lyra told him and Kati last night "That's right… Thank you, Lady Xsana." Both he and Shizuku bowed.

"I wish you both good luck." Xsana said as they both entered the Nightclub…

Inside the Nightclub, is a massive stage with a headpiece of an elephant in the back and more neon lights. There are a number of sofas and tables, lined up nice and neatly on each side, to fit the red colour scheme of the Nightclub. The lights also added to the atmosphere that made the Nightclub a wonderful place to drink and talk.

Nanashi and Shizuku walked in. Lyra approached them both. "Welcome to the Nightclub." She said,

"And I'm glad you both have made it. The other girls have gotten ready for tonight for our special day."

Lyra then turned to Shizuku. "Shizuku, please head into the changeroom in the back. I've prepared a special outfit for you. And you'll be able to meet your friends as well."

"Thank you, Miss Lyra." Shizuku replied, "I'll see you later, Nanashi." With that, she ran off.

"As for you…" Lyra said as she turned to Nanashi, looking at his thin figure "I have a special suit for you."

A few minutes later, Nanashi stood in the middle of the floor with all of his friends gathered around him, now in coloured dresses.

There was silence in the air, except for the club music playing in the background. Tohko, in her sleeveless green dress, with a bit of reveal of her legs, said slightly embarrassed "Just for the record… I never agreed to this."

Kati, still wearing her maid headdress, is now in her magenta long halter dress, happily cried, "This will be fun to be hostesses for a change! I'll definitely use my maid café experience to help us all out!"

Nana, in her black dress, with hems open to reveal her legs, said "I'm… not sure if I can do this… I'm not sure how I'll behave in front of older men…"

Nanashi, who is now in a black tuxedo with a blue bowtie, cleared his throat. He began to speak. "Guys… I'm not good with speeches, but I'm going to try my very best. We have been treated to the greatest thing since Akihabara itself! The fact that we even got here is a blessing in itself. Maybe it's fate that made us stay together after I turned. Maybe it's also fate that we ran into the 64th Successor of the Hokuto Shinken. But in any case, I want us to have a wonderful time here at the Nightclub!"

"In short… be yourselves, but also very courteous, if we have a chance to stay in this town."

"I'm with Nanashi." Shizuku, in her light purple dress, revealing her legs, agreed

"I'm surprised you have a way with words, Nanashi." Shion, in her shiny white suit, agreed, "I think you have what it takes to make the night very special for all six of us."

"You better do good, minion!" Rin, in her short, dark red dress, cried, "I'm doing this for you, you know! I have no other reason that that!"

Tohko was nervous, but then she said… "Um, so… I just want you to know, Nanashi… that even that you attained all this strength, despite no longer human… you're still the same boy I grew up with. We're still friends. Nothing's changed about that, and nothing ever will. So you don't have to put up any walls or anything. In the end, Nanashi, you are who you are. And that's what really counts."

Nanashi remembered those exact words. He remembered it was told to him by Tohko during a patrol in a main street in Akihabara before the nuclear war. He recognizes that he's changed so much, since his transformation… and the nuclear war.

Kati then echoed a line from an old anime series the group liked, "We are the unbreakable wall that keeps Eden safe from harm! We are the Eden Freedom Fighters! Now, we seven have come together at last! We shall claim our rightful stardom at the Nightclub!"

"Thanks, guys." Nanashi said, "It's almost opening time. I guess… Positions, please."

Nanashi, with his head down and eyes closed, fixed his suit as he walked to the centre of the floor, with Shizuku, Rin and Shion at the left of him. Tohko, Kati and Nana are at the right of Nanashi, with Shion and Nana spread on the floor, looking at the door. Then, he lifted his eyes and put his head up.

He then spread his arms out, then he circled them around his body, with his focused scream.

Then… he bowed, saying "Welcome… to the Nightclub."

The girls all then waved and said "Hello. Welcome."

Nanashi looked at the clipboard with a list of possible customers. Some range from merchants, artisans, members of the Watch… and bandits. Each have their preferred tastes in women. Some like strong women, others prefer cute women, some like the beautiful type and others want the sexiness.

Just then, he noticed a man, who is wearing a grey vest, a grey headband and a matching shirt, coming up. Nanashi put the clipboard to the side and bowed. "Good evening." He said, "Take your time."

He was assigned to Table 1. Nanashi assigned Shizuku and Kati to serve that customer. The customer cried, "Cuties!"

"This is not bad at all…" Nanashi thought, "I could get used to this."

Then, he saw a bandit with a mask approach him. Nanashi bowed and said, "Welcome. Go ahead."

The bandit was assigned to Table 3. Nanashi appointed Rin to that table. The bandit cried, "I expected better…"

Nanashi paced the floor, as he checked in on his friends. Rin nervously tried to entertain her guest with a song of hers. The bandit yelled, "Do something now!"

Another bandit entered to greet Nanashi. He sent the bandit to Table 2 and assigned Shion to take care of him. "Rather homely." The bandit quipped

The customer that had Shizuku and Kati finished up and settled the tab. "Thank you for coming." Nanashi said,

Another customer came, dressed prim and proper, waved at Nanashi. Nanashi sent him to Table 1 and assigned both Shizuku and Tohko to care for the customer. "What a knockout!"

"I am done with this place!" The bandit at Table 2 cried,

Nanashi thought nothing of it and kept pacing the floor. Both Shizuku and Tohko wrapped up with their customer at Table 1 and got up. "Thank you for coming." Nanashi bowed to him,

"Nicely done, kid!" the customer quipped, "That was awesome!" And he left

Suddenly, Nanashi heard, "I'll destroy you!"

Nanashi rushed to the source… which was Table 3. Rin quivered at the angry bandit, standing on the table. "Calm this crazy guy down, minion!" Rin yelled,

"I'll take this one." Nanashi said, and…

He jumped on the bandit, with he doing the splits. He removed the helmet. Then, he leaped down, rapidly punched the chest area of the bandit and removed his armour! Finally, he stripped the armoured cup off the bandit! The bandit screamed in horror and ran out of the Nightclub. "Thanks, minion." Rin replied,

"Just doing my part." Nanashi replied, then announced, "Really. Nothing to see here, folks. Let's get back to partying."

A short while later, after successful services to a number of customers, mostly from Kati, a lime-green mohawk bandit arrived. "Good evening, sir." Nanashi said to him, "Go ahead."

The bandit was assigned to Table 3. Nanashi said to his little sister, "I'll have you do this one."

"No way, Brost!" Nana cried, "I can't see myself talking to a big guy like him!"

"Please?" Nanashi begged, "For my sake?"

Nana sighed and then said, "Fine. You owe me later!" She then sat at Table 3 near the bandit.

"I got scammed!" he cried,

Nanashi decided to overlook Table 3 proper, not only to see if Nana is doing a good job, but also if there is any trouble and if he needs to step in.

"Ya-haaaa! Radical!" the bandit at Table 3 yelled. But then he cried, "What a shithole! Where the hotties at?!"

"This isn't looking good…" Nanashi thought as he observed Table 3, where his sister is. All the other tables are doing fine, with each of his friends being friendly, courteous and fun towards the other customers.

A short while later, he heard a "Yee-haa! Kill them all!"

As expected, it came from Table 3. Nanashi saw the bandit stand on the table, with poor Nana quivering. "Brotosaurus Rex, please do something to this guy!" Nana cried,

Nanashi looked up and said, "Well… I don't like doing this, but it's time to take out the trash."

Nanashi then placed his two thumbs on the head of the bandit. He kept them there for a few seconds and he removed them. "What?!" The bandit cried, seemingly unaffected, "Is that the best you can do?!"

"There's more." Nanashi replied, with a cocky smile to his face. With that, he placed his right fist on his left palm. He stretched out, placed his hands on the bandit and… ripped the armour off him! And finally… he gave the bandit a massive punch, which sent him flying! The bandit landed on his head.

The bandit got up, crying out, "What did you do to…"

He looked at himself. He was naked! He screamed in horror, and he ran out of the nightclub!

"Thank you, Brotastic Manager." Nana said,

"You're welcome." Nanashi said, and then he announced, "Still nothing to see here, folks. Let's get back to it."

Nanashi reflected on the attack he used on the bandit. "I know it's a poor man's version of the 'Hokuto Fist of Penitence' technique… But I tried my best! Hopefully, Mr. Kenshiro will take notice once he hears the news…"

A short while later, a giant ruffian with a catcher's mask arrived. "Welcome." Nanashi bowed and said, "Go ahead."

The ruffian was assigned to Table 3. Nanashi sent Tohko to take care of him. "Woof. No thanks." The ruffian said,

Another lime-green bandit arrived and was assigned to Table 4. This time, Nanashi sent Shizuku to Table 4. The bandit cried, "You're not cute at all!"

"Hopefully, they'll be fine…" Nanashi thought, thinking of both Shizuku and Tohko.

Nanashi paced the floor for a bit, paying close attention to Tables 3 and 4. He heard snide comments like "Mediocre." from the giant ruffian.

And then… "I'LL KILL YOU!"

Tohko screamed, and yelled at Nanashi, who arrived in time, "You dumbass! Do something!"

"You shitting me?!" The giant ruffian yelled,

"Not on my watch." Nanashi said and then… He did a sweep kick and stripped the ruffian's mask. With the ruffian still kneeling, Nanashi proceeded to do another sweep kick and stripped his pants!

The giant ruffian screamed. He yelled as he ran from the Nightclub, "You'll pay for this!"

"Thank you, Nanashi…" Tohko said, slightly embarrassed

"Anytime." Nanashi replied, and then announced, "Please don't look at the naked customer. Let's keep the night going."

A few minutes after that, Nanashi heard a "Yee-haa! Kill them all!"

Nanashi rushed to the source, which is Table 4. Shizuku quivered and cried, "Nanashi… You know how to deal with him?"

Nanashi looked up at the bandit and said, "You made a big mistake…"

"Fine!" The bandit cried and attempted to punch Nanashi, but the young manager dodged the punches. He crossed up the bandit's arms and punched him in the face! He then proceeded to hit the bandit with multiple kicks, knocking the armour off and the bandit down! Finally… Nanashi gripped the bandit's legs and tore the pants off!

The bandit screamed and ran out of the Nightclub!

"Thank you, Nanashi…" Shizuku said, feeling slightly embarrassed

"It's OK, Shizuku." Nanashi replied, and then announced, "Still nothing to see here. Let's move on!"

Shortly after that, the night has come to an end.

Nanashi then looked at the reports on the night. He and his group satisfied fifteen customers out of the twenty that came in. He and his group made 2,075,347 IDL that night. Most of the sales came from, and it's to no surprise, Kati. Kati has been at the service industry for so long, despite coming from a country called Finland, that existed before the nuclear war. Plus, her experience in the old anime café called MOGRA, while it was still around, helped greatly in the sense that she was able to service her customers very well.

One of the major surprises, in the report, is that Shizuku was slightly behind Kati in sales. Nanashi was trying to think of a possible reason… Unbeknownst to him, it was probably because Shizuku was heavily invested in the Nightclub business. It did remind him of the time that Kati got Shizuku and Tohko to cosplay as character from the anime series the Finnish maid semi-quoted earlier called "Striprism". Shizuku had so much fun, that she wanted to see more of what Akihabara had to offer.

It was no secret to find Shion in 3rd place in sales. Since she's the older one of the group, it's no surprise that many men found her alluring. The bottom three, in terms of sales, were Tohko, Rin and Nana.

Everyone, including Lyra, had gathered for the post-shift meeting. "Well done, Nanashi!" Lyra cried, "You were incredible in your first shift! In fact, all seven of you were amazing! Are you sure you did all this before?"

"If anything…" Nanashi admitted, chuckling nervously "Kati gave us the push we needed. She's the one you should be thanking."

"Well, Kati…" Lyra asked, "Do you have anything to add?"

"It's been so much fun playing the role of hostess!" Kati cried happily, "I really loved it!"

"It… it feels incredible." Shizuku admitted, "To serve customers and feel welcomed in an establishment like the Nightclub."

"I agree wholeheartedly." Shion replied, "I think it's worthwhile for me too."

"You know…" Kati said, "I want us to make Eden a peaceful place very soon so we can all have fun together without a care on our faces!"

"I'd like that, too." Shizuku agreed, "Let's make it happen."

"Good." Lyra said, "I'd say all's well then."

"It has, Lyra." Nanashi agreed

"You got a really fun group that you traveled with, Nanashi." Lyra mused, "I think you may have found a permanent home here in Eden."

"You… really think so?" Nanashi asked,

"I know so." Lyra answered, "All seven of you… Nanashi, Shizuku, Tohko, Rin, Shion, Kati and Nana… You all are wonderful. The Nightclub really is the symbol of Eden's miracles. It's all thanks to you. As the Nightclub's owner, I'd like to say thank you."

Lyra continued, "This place – this whole city – couldn't possibly go on without you or Kenshiro. Plus, I know this place is important to the both of you. So… let's keep it going, Mr. Junior Manager."

"Sure." Nanashi smiled