Chapter 3

"Seiya! Are you serious?!" Taiki yelled as he entered Seiya's living room. Empty bottles were scattered everywhere, and the place reeked of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke. Quickly, Yaten and Taiki opened the windows and turned on the lights. Seiya was lying on the sofa, holding a bottle of liquor in his hand, with a young, scantily clad brunette he didn't recognize resting in his arms. Blinded by the light, Seiya covered his eyes and grumbled in annoyance.

"Seiya! We need to talk to you," Yaten called out, giving his brother a tap on the back of his head.

"What?" Seiya mumbled.

"You need to stop this. Either Yaten has to pick you up from a bar and bring you home, or you end up causing a scene at home. This has been going on for three weeks now! We've had enough," Taiki said.

"Yeah, if you say so. Just close the door when you're done," Seiya slurred and attempted to go back to sleep.

Taiki and Yaten looked at each other in shock. They were deeply concerned about their brother. Since they returned to their planet, Seiya had completely changed and was gradually developing a serious alcohol problem.

Seiya couldn't bear the thought that he would never see Bunny again and that she would be happy with Mamoru. Alcohol helped him forget, at least temporarily.

Angrily, Yaten stomped into the bathroom and came back shortly with a cup of water. Taiki raised an eyebrow questioningly. "What are you planning to do?"

"You'll see," Yaten said and walked purposefully toward Seiya, a mischievous grin on his face. Seconds later, he emptied the cup directly over Seiya's head. When Seiya panicked and jumped up, he also pushed his still-sleeping companion off the sofa.

"Have you lost your mind?! What the hell is this? Even in his own apartment, a guy can't get some peace from you two! I'm an adult, and I can do what I want! Get out!" Seiya yelled at his brothers. The brunette, startled by the abrupt awakening and the shouting, pulled the blanket up to her neck, as she was only in her underwear. Taiki handed her her sweater, which was hanging on a chair nearby. Her lips formed a silent "thank you." Then he turned back to Seiya.

"The Princess wants to see us in an hour. So get up and get ready," Taiki said calmly.

"And you really need to shower; you stink," Yaten added.

Seiya let out an annoyed snort. "Thanks for the information. Now you can leave."

Taiki had already turned the doorknob when he glanced back. "In an hour, Seiya."

The brunette looked at him confusedly. "What was that about?"

"Oh, those were just my brothers. Pay no attention to them; they're always like that," Seiya said.

She carefully gathered her things. "Do you want to shower together?" she asked Seiya with a mischievous smile.

"No, to be honest, I'd prefer it if you left now," he grumbled, turning on the coffee maker. He was plagued by a massive headache and just wanted to be left alone. His visitor put on her shoes, and then slammed the door shut behind her. Seiya thought he heard something like "jerk" but he didn't care. He didn't care about much of anything. He opened the top drawer and popped two painkillers out of the package, washing them down with a large gulp of vodka. Then he slumped back onto the sofa. Under the sofa was a small box that he carefully pulled out. Slowly, he opened the lid, revealing two photos inside—one of him and Bunny together and one of her alone. He gently traced his finger over her face in the picture. When he felt tears welling up, he quickly closed the box, pushed it back into its place, and took another swig from the bottle.

"I bet he won't come," grumbled Yaten to Taiki. The two of them were standing outside the castle, waiting for Seiya.

"He still has a few minutes. Maybe we caught him on a good day," Taiki replied.

Yaten rolled his eyes. "Does that look like a good day to you? He was wasted again, and don't even get me started on his womanizing spree from the past week. And have you smelled him? Even a dumpster smells better." Taiki let out a heavy sigh.

"I know, but what else can we do? Do you have any ideas? We've tried everything to distract him... I've never seen him like this before."

"I might have an idea," the gentle voice of the Princess joined their conversation. Startled, Yaten and Taiki turned around; they hadn't noticed that their Princess was standing behind them.

"I've noticed Fighter's condition; I've seen a change in him ever since we returned here. But I never thought it would get this bad," she also looked deeply concerned. "Firstly, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me and our planet. The rebuilding is going well, but now you need to take care of your brother; he needs you more than we do."

Confused, the brothers looked at each other and then back at the Princess.

"His heart won't heal here. He never truly got closure with the Princess of the White Moon because so much was left unresolved."

"What do you mean, Princess?" Yaten interrupted her, suspecting where the Princess was going, but he needed to hear it.

"I've decided to send you back to Earth. All three of you, because there is also longing in your eyes."

"But, Princess, we belong by your side. Euphe is still buried under rubble... You can't be serious," Taiki stammered.

"Think of it as a gift of gratitude from me. Help Fighter and settle your affairs in peace. If you wish to return here afterward, I will open the gate for you anytime," she continued speaking calmly.

The two of them were speechless, but denying it wouldn't make sense, as their Princess was right. Their departure had been too rushed to resolve everything. But to leave everything behind here? To leave the Princess they had searched for so long?

"What's bothering you, Maker? I see worry lines on your forehead," Princess Kakyuu asked.

"I feel uneasy about the thought of leaving you and Euphe again," Taiki tried to explain.

Kakyuu gently placed her hand on his upper arm. "You will go and help your brother. It's his only chance to break free from this vicious cycle."

"Is that an order, Princess?" Yaten grumbled; he was uncertain whether he really wanted to return to Earth, and the prospect of coming back was causing an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach.

"If you don't see it as a gift, then yes, it's an order. I will send you back this evening, or do you have something important to settle here?" Kakyuu said curtly. She had hoped for a different reaction, but she knew it was the best course for her warriors. Yaten and Taiki fell to their knees before her, bowing their heads.

"This evening is fine, Princess," they both replied in unison. Since it was an order from the Princess, neither of them dared to object. So, they would be back on Earth tonight.

But how would Seiya react to this news? Taiki and Yaten said their goodbyes to their Princess and wanted to check on him once more.

On their way over, they said nothing to each other; each was occupied with their own thoughts. Taiki rang the doorbell several times, while Yaten took out the spare key from his pocket and opened the door. However, they were met with a similar scene as a few hours ago. Seiya was still sprawled on the sofa, only without any female company. "Seiya, we've been waiting for you," Taiki began, waiting for any sign of life from his brother. It took a moment, but then Seiya let out a deep grumble.

He opened one eye just a little and glanced over at his brothers. "Seiya, the Princess wants to send us on a new mission tonight," Yaten continued.

Now Seiya's attention was caught, and he swung his legs down, sitting up. Finally, the pounding in his head had eased a bit. A mission? That could definitely distract him. He hoped for plenty of opponents to give him a chance to exert himself physically. In battle, his mind was completely free of thoughts; there was only himself.

"Good. I'm in," he said without giving it much further thought.

Yaten and Taiki raised their eyebrows in surprise. "Good. But you should really take a shower first. We'll come to pick you up," Taiki quickly said, signaling Yaten not to reveal any more. Seiya shook his head briefly and then actually stood up and headed for the bathroom. "What time did you say we're leaving?" he tried to remember. Yaten patted him on the shoulder. "We'll pick you up. Don't worry; the mission won't succeed without you."

For this remark, Yaten received an elbow to the ribs from Taiki. "Instead of being glad that he didn't ask any more questions, you have to make insinuations. Was that necessary?" Taiki hissed at Yaten as they closed the door behind them.

Several hours later, Taiki and Yaten stood in front of Seiya's door again. Yaten had the spare key ready before Taiki could even ring the bell. When they opened the door, they were surprised. All the empty bottles were now in a box, the place was aired out, and Seiya was sitting at the table in clean clothes. He had a beer bottle in his hand, but overall, he looked presentable.

"Does it have to be beer if we're leaving soon?" Yaten hissed at him and tried to take the bottle away. Seiya pulled his arm away. "Leave it. It's the first one today. Who knows when I'll get another one once we're on the way," Seiya grumbled back. Taiki was relieved that he was no longer slurring his words and could still walk. Seiya downed the beer in one gulp and stood up. When they arrived at the castle, they were already expected.

Princess Kakyuu came to greet them. "Are you ready? All of you?"

"Yes, Princess," Taiki and Yaten replied in unison. Seiya looked around the castle, his thoughts drifting far away again. "Fighter, are you also ready?" Kakyuu addressed him directly. He shook his head briefly. "Um... sorry, Princess, yes, I'm ready for the new mission."

"Do you want to talk about something first?" the Princess asked him, her voice carrying a note of concern.

"No, everything's fine. Healer and Maker will tell me the most important things once we're there," Seiya brushed it off. This response made the Princess suspicious.

"But are you sure you feel up to it?" she continued.

"Yes, can we stop with all these questions and get on with it?" Seiya's voice carried an irritated tone. Hearing this, Kakyuu decided not to ask any more questions; after all, he had already assured her three times that he wanted to travel. She nodded to all of them and mentally wished them the best. Then Princess Kakyuu raised her hands and sent the three men back to Earth.