Reviews:

Akira: It could be anything they want. It's just penguins because Hamaguchi was the one in control who made it that. Yeah, I feel sad for Chris too. And knowing what I know about the future, I'm even sadder for her. S. Ryuki is the strongest of the Shadow Riders. He'll be like one of the mini-bosses before the finale.

FlameFireZero X: Thank you for that! Yeah, Takeru is gone but he will live on in her heart.

Lord Ri The Husbu King: Grieving takes time, especially for her since she's known Takeru for a long time. I agree with the Mikasa comparison. To be honest, canonically, no one should even know about her being a man before. The only person who ever brought it up before was Prelati, and she was monologuing to herself. I guess you could say Bragi probably knows too since Cagliostro said it when they were fighting, but I don't think that would be the first thing he would say since he was busy getting his butt kicked. But I'll see what I can do. The Co-Link can be whatever they want. If those two do it again, it can be something else. It's just that Hamaguchi was the one in control at the time. Yeah, the chase is going to be interesting. Knight and Raia can fly, Tsubasa on her bike, and Shirabe in her wheel thing.

primenidus: Yeah, that part is kind of weird for me since Prelati says it while she's monologuing to herself, and is never brought up again.

Tenzalucard123: It's painful to face someone who looks the same as the person you love. We have a few more Shadow Riders left before we get to the main one.

Cyclone Fox: To be honest, I was thinking the same thing. But I feel like reusing the Decks is a bit problematic since I'm not reducing the amount of players as I should. Hamaguchi was the last exception to that rule. Also, there's no possible way for either of those 3 to sneak into HQ and just take the Stone. But they will be Kamen Riders. Little spoiler, but those 3 are going to be major players later on in the story. I can't say more than that.

Author's Note: I made this chapter earlier today. Don't think too much about continuity. Think of this as an alternative reality or something XDU-type world. I don't know. But it's not canon, so don't worry. Just wanted to leave you guys with something before I went away for a week for the final weeks of school. Shit is getting real.

Chapter 103
Holiday with the Liangs

"Hajime, help me get this turkey out of the oven." Kaoru Adachi said, earning a groan from her son who was too busy raiding the fridge."And stop eating. You'll have no appetite for later tonight."

"Yeah, yeah. I know." Hajime sighed, putting the small pizza he had planned on heating up back in the fridge."I'm so hungry though."

"Maybe you should have eaten instead of getting into trouble with Hamaguchi-kun again." His grandmother, Kyoko Adachi chided him as she entered into the kitchen with Setsuna, both of them carrying various drinks ranging from juice, and soda, to alcohol for the adults.

"What? We weren't doing anything bad." Hajime protested.

"So why do you have a bandage over your cheek?" Setsuna walked up to him, poking him on said cheek and he wince.

"Okay! But only because some assholes were trying to bother Kirika-chan and I wasn't going to leave him alone."

"Language, young man." A male voice said from the door. It was Hazama Liang, carrying a bag of vegetables and other ingredients.

"Daddy!" Setsuna beamed, rushing to meet her father with a big hug.

"There's my little Daisy." He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead."It's a big day, Boy Wonder. People are going to start coming in. In fact, I got our first two guests right here."

He opened the door fully, allowing Miyu and Hazuki Kaburagi to enter. They had brought some pumpkin pies with them and walked inside the kitchen.

"Oh! Hazuki-onii-chan is here! Hooray!" She switched to hug her elder brother, snuggling against his chest.

"I'm happy to see you too." He chuckled, glancing at Hajime."Sorry. Seems I'm the favorite brother."

"No, you're not. She just doesn't see you that often." Hajime grumbled, jealous.

"I'm glad to see you made it." Kaoru nodded at Miyu, shifting her gaze to Hazuki."Aw, look at Hazuki. He looks sharp in that new shirt you bought him! Hajime, follow your brother's example and go change into something more presentable."

"Okay, Mom. Wanna come, Haz?"

"Sure. I wanna play that new Call of Duty game you got."

With that, Hajime and Hazuki headed upstairs to his room, closing the door behind them. Hazuki wasted no time in sitting on his bed and turning on his PS5.

"So, how's everything with Hibiki-chan?" Hazuki asked, starting the game.

"We're okay. She's spending time with her family today." Hajime responded, taking off his clothes and browsing through his closet."What about you? How's Miku-san?"

"Ah...well, it's complicated." Hazuki chuckled awkwardly."I think Bragi is into her as well."

"The hellspawn is cockblocking you?" Hajime cringed in disgust."Fuck that guy. Do what you want."

"He seems to really like her. And well, I feel like we're better off as friends, honestly." Hazuki sighed."Why are you two always so hostile toward each other? No matter what day it is, you're always at each other's throats."

"I just can't stand him. He's almost as obnoxious as Yomi. I mean, overall, the Hyperions are kind of weird. Except for Aunt Elfnein and Uncle Bragard I. The hellspawn is just like his Uncle."

"Who? Bragard II? I mean...I see your point, but...We're family."

"I guess..." Hajime trailed off."Hey, help me pick a shirt."

"Sure." Hazuki stood up and looked inside Hajime's closet."I still can't believe Bragi is worse than Yomi."

"I think they're both pretty shitty. Watch when Yomi comes and he's going to be talking shit about the party. How there's no music, no girls, and other stuff like that."

"I would disagree...but he's done that enough times for me to actually see that happening again..."_

Downstairs, the Adachi and Kaburagi family were making preparations for dinner.

"So, how was work?" Kaoru asked her husband and Miyu since they worked in the same company."I hope Bragard II didn't give you too much trouble."

"Surprisingly, he was pretty charitable today because of the holidays. We had a lot of work, but he brought in a bunch of stuff to eat today, so it wasn't that bad."

"Hah! Is that man being generous? I find that hard to believe. His brother is much better if you ask me." Kyoko huffed.

"Mom! You can't just say that!"

"But it's true, isn't it?"

Suddenly, the ball rang, and Setsuna rushed to the door, having decided to stay vigilant to greet the people who came in. She swung the door open, gasping in surprise."Uncle Bragard F! Aunt Carol and Aunt Elfnein! Oh! And Bragi!"

"How are you, Setsuna-chan?" Carol ruffled her hair, pushing Bragi inside."Go greet everyone. And remember to be polite, Bragi."

"Yes, Mama..." Bragi sighed as he proceeded to go inside the kitchen.

"Now, now, Carol. You're being too harsh on him." Izak chided his daughter.

"Papa, you don't understand. You and Elfnein spoil him all the time. He needs to know to have manners."

"We don't spoil him." Elfnein protested. Despite being identical to Carol, she was younger than her and less developed."He's a good boy."

"He would be if he wasn't influenced by his damn uncle." Carol clicked her tongue.

"Yes, my brother isn't the best of influences..." Bragard I deadpanned.

"Welcome! Come in, come in!" Kaoru waved her hand. Bragi bowed deeply.

"Thanks for having us over, Aunt Kaoru."

"Look at you, all polite." Kyoko pinched his cheek."What's your secret, Carol? Our boy is rowdy and we'd like him to stop getting into fights all the time."

"Honestly, just be strict with him. The moment he steps out of line, don't hesitate to put him back in line." Carol said in a matter-of-fact tone."I've been keeping him on a short leash ever since he went and got his hair dyed."

"We're home." Bragard II announced as he opened the door of the Dienheim/Hyperion house."I brought him back on time, Carol. As requested. He's brilliant. Of course, he has Hyperion blood in him and-"

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Carol screeched upon seeing her son's hair. Instead of his normal pitch black hair, half of it had been dyed in white, much like Bragard II's hair."What did you do?!"

"What's going on?!" Bragi the First entered the living room, bewildered at Carol's sudden scream.

"Look at what your dumbass brother did to my kid!" Carol grabbed Bragi's head, her face losing all the color."Head to the bathroom right now! We're getting this off!"

"But Mama, I look cool like this-"

"You get to the bathroom right now and take off your clothes! I'm washing that shit off or I swear to God I'm shaving your head!"

Carol pulled him by the cheeks, but not without glaring daggers at her brother-in-law."Get the hell out of my house, Bragard S."

"Huh? You can't just kick me-"

"Bragard!"

"Yes, dear?" Bragard I entered the living room.

"Not you, him! This Bragard!"

"Me?" Bragi pointed at himself.

"I think she means me, kid-"

"GET OUT! NOW!"

"After that, I didn't have it in me to shave his head. I tried using every hair product I could to remove the dye job, but it was impossible." Carol sighed dejectedly."So now he's running around looking like his punk uncle. Until his hair grows and we can cut the white from it."

"Ever since then, Carol doesn't allow him in the house." Bragard I chuckled sheepishly."So he's spending the holidays with my parents and my sister, Lucine."

"That sounds like the Bragard II I know." Hazama laughed."But I imagine Bragi must look up to him in some way, otherwise, he wouldn't do what he says."

"He just thinks he's cool." Carol rubbed her temples.

"So he's going through a phase, huh?" Miyu giggled."Yeah, I can understand that. Hazuki is going through the "I want to make a band" phase."

"Teenagers aren't easy, I'll tell you that." Izak mused."It's a lot more complicated with a girl. Be careful. Setsuna-chan may grow faster than you think."

"God, don't even remind me of that." Hazama sighed."She already has a boyfriend. That Andreas boy. And he's a good kid, don't get me wrong. But as a father, I can't help but worry my baby is going to one day leave the nest..."

The doorbell rang again and Setsuna sprung into action, running toward the door.

"Did someone call for mariachis?" The voice of a teenage boy boomed through the house, as he, his sister, and his parents entered.

Meanwhile, Hajime and Hazuki sat outside by the pool, talking and enjoying each other's company.

"So how's the band going? What was it called again? So edgy name?"

"The Disasters of Valhalla." Hazuki arched a brow, unamused by the petty insult. "It's going alright. Allister-san got us a reservation to play in that jazz venue downtown."

"Wasn't he a photographer, though?"

"Yeah, which is how he got the connections. The guy is pretty handy, to say the least. And Kuwana-san got us more instruments from one of the warehouses his company is trying to sell. He asked his manager to see if we can keep the instruments and he just got the okay."

"You sure you want to be part of a band? I heard you sing. You could have become an idol or something."

"Yeah...but the idol career is pretty tough for my liking." Hazuki said."Kuwana-san's oldest sister is an idol and said it's pretty gruesome work."

"Really? Yikes."

"What about you? What have you been up to?"

"Nothing as exciting as making my own band, that's for sure. I just want to enjoy my high school days in peace. I'm not the kind of way to aim for anything too extravagant. Just being with Hibiki is enough for me."

"Look at this. The two brothers out here, brooding?"

The brothers looked over to see the blonde twins, Despia and Yomi, making their way over to them along with Bragi.

"This is probably the lamest party I've ever been to." Yomi huffed."The music is trash, the food is whatever, and barely any girls here."

"Told you." Hajme muttered to Hazuki.

"Now, now, onii-chan. Be nice. They were kind enough to invite us." Despia chided him.

"I'm just kidding, Despia." He shrugged nonchalantly."Still, that bombshell of a blonde is milf material, man. Sexy as hell. So it's not all bad."

"Dude, that's my aunt." Bragi deadpanned from behind him.

"The one with the red dress?"

"Dude, that's my mom!" Bragi threw his arms up in the air.

"Relax, kid. I'm just messing with you." The young magician grinned."But, if she needs someone to-"

"That's it!" Bragi pulled up his sleeves, marching toward Yomi, who just grinned in his response as if had been anticipating a fight.

"I see you're all getting along, as usual." Chao-Xing drawled, stepping in the middle of them and pushing them apart.

"Chao-san...!" Despia gasped.

"Well, well, well! My favorite cousin is here!" Yomi looked at the oriental girl with glee."Now this party is getting exciting. How about it? Wanna go a few rounds with me? Or better yet, Hajime, how about we have a three-way?"

"Again with this, bro?" Hajime groaned."I don't wanna fight every time I see you."

"Right, right. You told me you'd only fight me if there was a good reason." Yomi smirked."Then, shall I give you a reason to fight me?"

"What does that mean?" Hajime narrowed his eyes at him.

"If you want a true combatant, you're looking at him." Bragi folded his arms.

"You? I mean, you're okay, but it's Hajime..."

"Man, why is it always the Boy Wonder who's getting all this praise?!" Bragi scoffed."Hajime this, Hajime that. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm obviously better than he is!"

"Yeah, okay. You're just as bad as your uncle is, hellspawn. Besides, haven't you gotten the hint already? No one likes you." Hajime shot back.

"Arenn't you the same bastard who is failing most of his classes because you're busy being a punk?" He barked back.

"Yeah, fuck Hajime, am I right? All my homies hate Hajime." Yomi chuckled, pulling out his phone to record.

"Onii-chan! Stop instigating!" Despia protested.

"You don't get it because you're a girl, Despia. Let them settle their differences right here like men." Yomi said.

"This is not going to end well, is it?" Wei took a step back, hiding behind his sister. And in fact, it didn't go well. Both boys punched each other's faces simultaneously.

"Mom! Dad! Help!" Setsuna came inside the house, crying.

"What's going on?" Hazama immediately rushed to pick up his daughter in his arms.

"It's Haji and Bragi! They're fighting!"

"THEY'RE WHAT?!" Carol and Kaoru exclaimed in unison, rushing to the backdoor and seeing their children on the ground, trying to punch each other. Both mothers took a deep breath before screaming.

"HAJIME LINGYUN ADACHI! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW AND GET INSIDE THE HOUSE!"

"BRAGARD MALUS HYPERION III YOU BETTER GET YOUR LITTLE ASS INSIDE RIGHT NOW OR I SWEAR I'LL GO OVER THERE MYSELF!"

Both young men stopped in their tracks, their cores shaken at the voice of their respective mothers. They stood up, their clothes completely dirty thanks to rolling on the dirt. They begrudgingly returned to the house and were immediately met by screams.

"Look at you! Your clothes are all dirty now! You just showered too!" Kaoru pulled on Hajime's ear."Get in the shower again and get changes!"

"Do you realize how expensive these clothes that your grandfather got for you are just so you can get into a fight with your cousin again?" Carol furrowed her brow, tapping her foot.

"Sorry, Mama..."

"And I didn't even bring you a change of clothes..."

"Don't worry, Carol. Hajime is Bragi's size. I got some clothes he can use."

"What?!" Both boys gasped.

"I don't wanna wear the Boy Wonder's clothes! He's repugnant!"

"He's going to leave a stench! I don't want the hellspawn to wear my clothes-"

"Both shut up and get to the shower!" Both mothers yelled, prompting their children to run upstairs.

"Boys will be boys." Hazama chuckled awkwardly.

"Maybe boys can be more of a handful than girls..." Izakl chuckled in good nature.

"Good grief." Kyoko rubbed the bridge of her nose."Let's just finish up before another fight breaks out."

"Hahaha! That was hilarious!" Yomi cackled, rewatching the video."This is gonna go crazy on Instagram."

"Onii-chan, please don't do that." Despia sighed.

"Relax, I'm not gonna do it. But it's a fun little memory to have, right?" He winked."Man, Bragi's mom is a whole milf, though. Too bad we're related. I wouldn't mind a sugar momma."

"You're never going to get a girlfriend at this rate." Chao-Xing scoffed.

"Actually, I have plenty of girls."

"He broke up with another one yesterday." Despia heaved a long sigh."That's the third one this month..."

"I just can't stay with one girl. I'm the type of guy who thinks variety is important. It's healthy. Get this, though. I met this cheek at work the other day. Her name is Leiur Darāhim. She's European. Got me a date with her."

"Darāhim? Wait, I know her sister. Her name is Lulu, she's in my drama class." Despia gasped."You're going out with her sister? Isn't she like in her twenties?"

"Mature women tend to be more open-minded." He winked shamelessly."And less boring than regular girls."

"You're something else, Yomi." Wei sweatdropped."Don't think I've forgiven you for trying to flirt with Shirabe-san!"

"Hey, don't hate the player. Hate the game." Yomi shrugged, pocketing his phone."So, you still up for a fight, Chao-Xing?"

"Another day. A day without a fight isn't going to kill you."

"Man, you sure love to give me blue balls, princess." He grinned sardonically.

"Guys, please! No more fighting!" Setsuna stomped her foot angrily."We're family! We're supposed to be getting along!"

"Are we really family, though?" Yomi arched a brow."I mean, we're halfbreeds from the Liang clan and all, but our Mom is not related to your Dad."

"I agree with her." Hazuki stood up."Setsuna has the right idea. We must strive for peace."

"Yeah, yeah. Again with this hippy shit." Yomi scoffed."Peace is so overrated. It's not fun at all."

"You want to know what's fun?" Wei asked, getting on all fours and started running like a dog."Look at me! I'm so flexible now that I can run on all fours!"

"Pfftt! Hahahaha!" Despia couldn't help but explode in laughter.

"What are you, a dog?" Yomi asked.

"Not a dog! A wolf!"

"I like wolves," Despia commented.

"Yeah, you two are lame as hell."

"Better than going around picking fights like a muscle-head clown." Chao-Xing snorted.

"I take offense to that. I'm a funny clown."

Later that day, the kids were gathered around in the living room as the parents were setting the table for dinner.

"So, how does it feel to wear Hajime's clothes?" Yomi asked, poking at Bragi.

"I want to die."

"Keep those clothes." Hajime snarled."I don't want them after this."

"Then I'll burn them, dragon boy."

"Don't step foot in my house again, grasshopper brat."

"Oh my god, would you two be quiet already?!" Chao-Xing seethed, silencing the young teens."Always going at each other's throats! Enough already!"

"Someone's mad~," Yomi whispered, earning a disapproving glare from Despia.

"Never a dull moment in the Liang clan, huh?" Hazuki chuckled dryly.

"Even though only my sister and I are the pure-blooded Liangs out of us here," Wei added.

"Being a pure Liang is stupid. The half-breeds are much better, right guys?" Yomi addressed his fellow mixed cousins."Us half-breeds gotta stick together."

"Speak for yourself, you battle-hungry maniac," Hajime muttered.

"For real. Either way, I'm probably the purest one in terms of bloodline. The Hyperions came before the Liangs. Therefore, I am the Honored One."

"More like the Delusional One." Hajime spat.

"Tch." Bragi clicked his tongue.

"Alright, everyone! Please come this way!" Elfnein waved the kids over.

Hajime and Bragi continued glaring at each other all the way while the others followed close behind.

"Be nice you two." Elfnein wagged her finger.

"Fine." Both boys relented.

"But I could never be friends with this prick." Hajime scoffed.

"The feeling is mutual. I can't stand being near you." Bragi shot back.

"Just sit down already!" They heard their mothers scream again and decided not to protest. Setsuna giggled at how docile they became whenever their Moms would come into the equation. She was used to this level of chaos in every family meeting. Whether it was Yomi provoking or participating in fights, or Bragi and Hajime trying to kill each other. There was always something going on. And she loved every moment of it.

"Setsuna?" Hajime poked her cheek. They were currently walking out in the snow after going out to eat something in the morning."You okay?"

"Yes. Sorry. I just didn't sleep well last night." She scratched her cheek."I was spacing out."

"Well, let's not keep the others waiting. We're supposed to hang out with the others today to show Elfnein-chan a good time. That sounds like fun, right?"

"Yes! I can't wait!"

This is just a fun idea for a chapter for the holidays. I don't know if some of you celebrate it, but today is Thanksgiving here so I want to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and for those who don't, I wish you a good day. Anyway, I managed to make this chapter from the little free time I've had. Not only am I at my relatives' house for a few days without my desktop, but I've been busy working on the final projects for school, so the story is going to continue in like a week or so after now. But I didn't want to leave you guys without a chapter for a long time. I have an idea of what to do for Christmas when that comes around and I want to keep the family-centered short story for that as well. Probably around the FIS family, since I love their interactions together. Anyway, I'll try to finish my assignments soon so I can continue the story. If I'm not mistaken, AXZ has like 6 or so chapters left. I'll be honest, I want to get to XV already THings are going to get crazier. I think we should be able to finish AXZ probably by the end of the year.