Donbrothers Heroes Of The Peach Guild CH 8

The Medicalroid Hitotsuki doesn't even get to finish its declaration to 'cure' Momotaro, because before it can even comprehend the scene before it, a blur of red and peach barrels into it. Momotaro, the picture of ridiculous heroism, locks its legs with a swift, almost dance-like maneuver. The Medicalroid, caught off guard, nearly topples over.

"AHAHAHAHA! You're ticklish, I see!" Momotaro says, his laughter echoing around the courtyard as he somersaults away from a wild swing of the surgical saw.

The Medicalroid roars, its scanning lens eye flashing. It unleashes a barrage of attacks, syringe cannon firing blasts of freezing energy while the surgical saw whirs like a crazed dentist's drill. Momotaro dodges with acrobatic grace, his Zanglassword deflecting the energy blasts with well-timed slashes. He fights with an almost casual ease, as if this life-or-death battle is nothing more than a game. Despite Momotaro's skill, the Medicalroid is an unnervingly strong monster, and is able to match him blow for blow. The hits that land against his armor resonate with the force.

"Gasp You are stronger than I thought," Momotaro says, as the Hitotsuki's attacks connect.

Meanwhile, the other Donbrothers are struggling to keep up. Oni Sister, drawing on her years of street-fighting experience in Gotham, moves with a frenetic energy, her kanabō smashing against the Medicalroid's metallic hide. Sparks fly with each impact, but the monster barely seems to notice. She is also dodging its spinning surgical saw by a hair, because that thing would turn her into human confetti.

Saru Brother, despite his genius intellect, is woefully out of his element. His usual scientific calculations and lab experiments hadn't prepared him for this absurd situation. The best he could do was throw medical tools at the Hitotsuki, but it was ineffective. He throws a stethoscope at the Medicalroid's eye and runs behind a pillar.

Kiji Sister's inexperience is painfully obvious, her kicks lack the power and precision needed to make a difference. The Hitotsuki simply swats her aside like an annoying fly, sending her crashing into a stack of medical supplies.

Inu Brother, with his enhanced speed and stealth capabilities, is more effective. Using chaos energy, he teleports around the battlefield, delivering swift strikes with his claws. But even his attacks are little more than pinpricks against the Medicalroid's armored form. His stealth isn't doing much, but he is dodging the monster's attacks.

"I feel like I am fighting a wall," Shadow said, as he tries to pierce its chest with a chaos-infused punch, to no avail.

Momotaro, noticing his companions’ struggles, shakes his head in mock disappointment. "These companions need a lot of babysitting!" He runs towards them and slashes at the Medicalroid. The distraction gives the Donbrothers a moment to regroup.

"Hey! We don't need any babysitting, Peach Boy!" Oni Sister snaps, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was just letting him warm up!"

Momotaro ignores her, opening his Donbro buckle on his waist and getting a gear. He inserts the new Avataro Gear into the Donblaster. "Avatar Change!"

Momotaro spins the scratch gear of the Donblaster.

[Yo~! Don! Don! Don! Donburako!]

[Boukenger!]

[Change Sentai! Change Sentai! Change Sentai!]

Momotaro pulls the trigger. A gear appears above him and passes through him.

The familiar red and white armor of Don Momotaro shimmers and vanishes, replaced by a new set of combat plating. Gone is the peach motif. The red of the new uniform deepens. A sleek, form-fitting red suit appears, segmented by sharp, white lines. A stylized flame emblem blazes on his chest, radiating heat. Silver accents reinforce the shoulders, belt, gauntlets, and boots, adding technical detail. His helmet changes, trading the peach-like visage for a smooth, red shell with a sharp silver cheekplate and functional side fins. The sunglasses-like visor shifts to a dark shield, hiding his eyes. The transformation is complete. Momotaro is now Bouken Red, the leader of the treasure-hunting team, GoGo Sentai Boukenger.

[Yo! Go Go Sentai!]

Oni Sister’s jaw drops, her eyes wide behind the shades. "Wait, he can do that?!" she exclaims, her usual snark replaced with genuine surprise.

Kiji Sister, ever the excitable one, claps her hands together, her eyes sparkling. “So cool!” she gushes.

Hank pushes himself off from behind the pillar, adjusts his glasses, and looks at the leader, "Well, that certainly wasn't in the brochure."

Shadow simply stares, his red eyes narrowed.

"Let's test out this power!" Bouken Red says, voice now imbued with a new confidence. He pulls a collapsible polearm, the Bouken Javelin, from hammerspace. Its sleek red shaft features embedded silver detailing near hand grips. He twirls it, testing its weight and balance. "This will be useful!"

Bouken Red charges toward the Medicalroid, Bouken Javelin held high. He moves with a newfound speed and grace, a stark contrast to his earlier, somewhat clumsy, movements. His previous strikes were strong, but now the strikes are surgical, and are pinpoint accurate.

The Medicalroid, still reeling from the surprise transformation, struggles to keep up with Bouken Red’s enhanced combat prowess. It unleashes a barrage of freezing beams, but Bouken Red deflects each one with practiced ease, his javelin a blur of red and silver. He closes the distance, leaping into the air and bringing the javelin down in a swift, powerful strike. The javelin connects with the Medicalroid's arm, sending sparks flying.

The Medicalroid stumbles backward, its mechanical joints whirring and grinding as it tries to regain its balance. It retaliates with a wild swing of its surgical saw, but Bouken Red ducks under the attack, spins, and delivers a sharp jab to its midsection with the butt of the javelin.

Even with the acrobatics and his speed, this form is not enough. The Medicalroid is still strong.

The other Donbrothers watch from the sidelines, stunned by Bouken Red’s display. They see that in their current state, they are no match for the Medicalroid. It has been too long since they have been heroes, they think, and are going up against a monster that is meant for heroes.

Oni, observing the power-up, wonders if they can do the same. Her eyes dart to her own buckle, situated at her waist. She flips it open. Huh, what do you know, she thinks as she sees other Gears nestled inside. An idea sparks within her chaotic mind. She grabs the yellow-colored Boukenger Gear. "Hey, Peach Head! If you can do it, so can we!" She waves the Gear in the air. "Saru, Inu, Kiji, you guys got these too? Toss a Gear into your blaster and let's GO!"

Saru, always eager to test new theories, beams. "Fascinating! An adaptive combat system! How delightful!"

Kiji, of course, is all in. "Ooh, ooh, ooh! Which one should I pick? Does pink have a Gear? Is it gonna be kawaii?"

Inu, ever stoic, simply nods. His silence, as usual, speaks volumes of his inner turmoil, of his duty to the team, and also of his curiosity.

Following Oni's lead, the trio opens their own buckles, discovering the same array of Gears within. Saru grabs the blue one, Inu takes black, and Kiji, squealing with delight, snatches the pink. They raise their Donblasters.

"Avatar Change!" they shout in unison, initiating the transformation sequence.

[Yo~! Don! Don! Don! Donburako!]

[Boukenger!]

[Change Sentai! Change Sentai! Change Sentai!]

[Yo! Go Go Sentai!]

The hospital courtyard erupts in a symphony of light and sound as the three Donbrothers undergo their transformations.

Oni is bathed in a sunflower-yellow glow, her Oni Sister armor dissolving to be replaced by the vibrant yellow of Bouken Yellow. The spikes on her shoulders retract, replaced by sleeker, silver plating. The yellow helmet forms around her head, trading the oni horns for a streamlined shell with an industrial-looking mouthpiece. She strikes a pose, flexing her gauntleted hands.

Saru is engulfed in a cobalt-blue light, his fur receding as his bulky frame is encased in a streamlined blue suit with white accents. The simian features of his helmet smooth out, replaced by a dark visor and silver accents. Taller than his previous form, the scientist strikes a contemplative pose, the very image of Bouken Blue.

Inu is cloaked in darkness, his diminutive form stretching and growing. His chibi proportions lengthen and normalize, his black fur deepening to a velvety texture. The dog-like snout of his helmet sharpens, becoming a sleek, angular visor. He towers over the others, the embodiment of Bouken Black.

Kiji is immersed in a warm pink light, her school uniform vanishing and morphing into the vibrant pink of Bouken Pink. Her frame shrinks to a more human height. Her feathered skirt sways around her hips. The helmet forms around her head, the crest on her helmet curves to the bird's plume in flight. Her narrow visor gives her a feminine look.

They stare at themselves, each other, their bodies now enhanced by ancient power.

Oni, now Bouken Yellow, grins, her eyes sparkling behind her sunglasses. "Alright, alright, alright! This is more like it!"

Saru, now Bouken Blue, adjusts his gloves, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Fascinating. The energy output is significantly improved. It appears these forms are more attuned to our individual skill sets."

Inu, as Bouken Black, tests his new height, stretching his limbs and finding that his agility has increased.

Kiji, as Bouken Pink, twirls in a circle, her pink skirt flaring out around her. "Suki! Suki! This is so cute! Pink is definitely my color!"

The four Donbrothers gather, ready to fight as a team. Oni’s hands are now encased in bulky, yellow scooper gauntlets, ready to plow through anything. Saru clenches his fists, reveling in the turbine-jet power of his Blow Knuckle. Inu hefts the Radial Hammer over his head, testing the weight of the heavy weapon, a smirk playing on his lips. Kiji aims her Hydro Shooter, a water cannon now a part of her very being.

Together, the four rejoined the fight, ready to turn the tides.

Medicalroid is taken aback as the tide has turned. He is now going up against a team with enhanced powers.

Bouken Yellow slams her scooper gauntlets into the ground, cracking the pavement as she roars towards the monster, smashing a scoop through the nearest stasis capsule, freeing the frozen people. She swings with all her might, and delivers a heavy uppercut.

Bouken Blue follows suit, using his gauntlet to launch blasts of air at the Medicalroid. The attacks are more precise and focused than anything he managed before, disrupting the Medicalroid's attacks.

Bouken Black moves, hitting it with the Radial Hammer with brute force. The hits stagger the Hitotsuki, creating openings for the others.

Bouken Pink dances around the Medicalroid, the Hydro Shooter unleashing blasts of water that wash over the machine’s armor, short-circuiting some of its systems.

Bouken Red leaps back, twirling his javelin. "Impressive!" he calls out, a genuine smile on his face. "You are fast learners!"

The Medicalroid Hitotsuki, a grotesque figure of medical perversion, surveys its foes. Its single scanning lens eye whirs, analyzing the power radiating from the treasure-hunting team. With a metallic screech, it affirms its resolution to 'cure' them. Its arm cannon fires a beam of freezing energy.

But the projectile never finds purchase, because the super-sentai team moves like a well-oiled machine. Each member knows where to stand, knows where to move, and knows what to do. These aren't ordinary people in costumes, but masters of their craft, and it shows.

The quartet deftly evades the onslaught, their treasure hunting forms more attuned to this dance. Bouken Yellow ducks under the beam, and slams her scooper gauntlets, digging up chunks of the concrete to hurl them at the monster. The rubble flies toward the Medicalroid, and scores direct hits, denting its metal armor.

Bouken Blue's gauntlet fires bursts of compressed air, creating miniature cyclones that buffet the monster, throwing it off balance. The wind-based assault disrupts its aim and forces it to stagger back.

The heavy weapon slams against the monster, rocking it with brutal impacts. Metal groans and sparks shower the courtyard with each strike. The monster is forced to defend itself, and its attacks become less frequent.

Bouken Pink, ever the agile one, somersaults through the chaos, blasts of water arcing from her weapon. The precise streams target joints and wires, short-circuiting systems and further hindering it.

Despite its efforts, the grotesque fusion is completely outmatched. The synergy of their attacks overwhelms it, with every strike landing exactly where it hurts the most. It tries to fire again, but its cannon sputters and dies, a victim of Kiji's water torrent. It tries to swing the saw, but Black's hammer buckles its arm.

Seeing its condition, the team leader realizes that it's time to wrap this up. It is a lost cause. Why prolong the agony? What is there to gain? The treasure hunter must end it.

The Hitotsuki, in its despair, tries a final, desperate maneuver. It attempts to unleash a chaotic wave of freezing energy from its damaged syringe cannon, hoping to catch the heroes off guard. But the team has a leader, and leaders know what to do.

Before the energy can fully coalesce, Bouken Blue reads its intent and acts quickly. A powerful, focused air blast from his Blow Knuckle sends the cannon careening wildly, disrupting the energy wave and causing it to dissipate harmlessly into the night. Bouken Yellow, anticipating this, then digs under the monster. Her scooper gauntlets lifts it high, giving the red treasure hunter his shot.

With the battle essentially already won, the center of the sentai team stepped forward. All eyes turned to the face of leadership. With one move, it would all be over. "Time for the finishing technique!" Bouken Red shouts, his voice ringing with determination.

He channels all his available energy into the weapon, the Bouken Javelin beginning to glow with an intense, peach-colored light. The energy crackles and dances around him, forming an aura of incredible power. The javelin extends with a snap, its spearhead now gleaming with white, flame-stabilized light.

“Peach Zone Crash!" he shouts, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

With all of his strength, he cleaves through the mechanical monster. An overload of peach-like energy explodes from the weapon, slicing the Hitotsuki in two. This overbearing force tears apart its mechanical frame.

The Medicalroid, a symbol of unchecked ambition, explodes in a blinding burst, a final scream lost to a rush of wind. The chaos is done, and the dust settles. Only silence remains.

The colored treasure hunting light dissipates, and Bouken Red returns to the red and white clad Don Momotaro, the transformation undone. The other Donbrothers follow suit, their treasure hunting armor fading to reveal their signature battle suits. The moment is met with praise.

"Yes! We did it!" Oni cheers, pumping her fist in the air.

"That was wild!" Kiji says.

Their cheer doesn't last. From the spot where the Medicalroid once stood, flames erupt upwards, reaching high into the night sky. From within the inferno, a monstrous silhouette begins to take shape. The smoke clears, revealing the Medicalroid in a new, gargantuan form. Its robotic features are exaggerated, its syringe cannon and surgical saw now massive weapons of destruction.

"Aw, man!" Oni groans, throwing her head back in exasperation.

"It became a giant again!" Kiji wails, her voice laced with disappointment.

Momotaro calmly reaches for his Donbro buckle, retrieves the DonZenkaioh Gear, and inserts it into the Donblaster. A confident grin spreads across his face as he prepares for the next stage of the battle.

"It's time for DonZenkaioh!" Momotaro declares, his voice ringing with anticipation.

He spins the mounted gear to charge.

[Don! Don! Don! Donburako!]

[Zenkaiger!]

He pulls the trigger, the transformation sequence commencing. The Superbike Enya Rideon materializes beside him, its sleek red and blue frame gleaming under the streetlights. Taro swings his leg over the seat and revs the engine, ready for action.

Suddenly, a swirling portal rips open in the distance, crackling with energy. Emerging from the rift is JuranTyranno.

The crimson dinosaur's head has glowing eyes and mechanical jaws, iconic for intimidation. Black joints connect its mechanical parts. It strides with digitigrade legs. A segmented tail sweeps behind it, as the mecha comes to a stop. The other Donbrothers stare, surprised and bewildered by the sudden appearance of a giant T-Rex.

Momotaro speeds towards the dinosaur. He then jumps high, leaving the other to gaze. As he ascends, the Superbike Enya Rideon enlarges, its form growing until it reaches the same size as JuranTyranno. The scene sets the stage for an unprecedented fusion.

"Don Zenkai Gattai!" Momotaro commands, his voice filled with excitement.

With a surge of power, the Superbike Enya Rideon and JuranTyranno commence their fusion. Rideon disassembles, its components rearranging to form half of a body. Red armor plates form its parts. JuranTyranno folds and transforms, its form shifting to complete the combination. The face is ninja-robot like, and is complete with a helmet. The Enya Rideon's bird head becomes the head of the combined mecha, and it wields a sword and shield.

[DonZenkaiOh! Yo! Zenryoku Zenkai!]

Momotaro, now piloting DonZenkaiOh, stands tall against the Medicalroid, its towering frame a beacon of hope against the monstrous threat. The two giants face each other.

From a distance, the gathered civilians gawk in disbelief. They had witnessed the defeat of a monster, only for it to return as a towering behemoth. But they were in total shock as another titan had appeared from thin air.

Near them, Hibiki and Miku stare, mouths agape. "W-w-what is that thing?" Hibiki stammers, pointing a trembling finger.

Miku, equally bewildered, nearly drops the bag of pastries she's carrying. "It's…it's huge!" Her voice cracks, a mix of awe and terror in her eyes. "And so is that robot! What in the world is going on?!"

[Incoming message from Don Momotaro] blares across the Peach Hero Guild chat group.

Back in DonZenkaiOh, Momotaro throws his head back and laughs, his voice booming from the mecha's speakers. "Alright, let's have a fair fight! Let's see what you've got!"

Without waiting for a response, DonZenkaiOh charges forward, drawing its Avatar Sword. The blade gleams in the moonlight as it slashes down on the Medicalroid. The monster raises its massive saw to parry the blow, metal screaming against metal.

At first, the combined mecha had the upper hand. DonZenkaiOh's speed and agility, combined with its powerful sword strikes, push the Medicalroid back. The monster struggles to defend itself, the force of DonZenkaiOh's attacks shaking its frame.

But the Medicalroid is resilient. It unleashes a torrent of freezing energy from its cannon, forcing DonZenkaiOh to raise its shield. The energy slams against the barrier, and ice begins to form on its surface. The heat from the force is intense.

"Hoo~ interesting. Let's see you handle this! Don Leg Buster!"

Without missing a beat, DonZenkaiOh jumps back, using the momentum to aim its right leg at the Hitotsuki. The Enya Rideon's exhaust, now repurposed as a weapon, glows with power. Bullets shoot from the jet's thrusters, each one a concentrated burst of energy, and they are released towards Medicalroid. The armor-piercing rounds pepper its body, further damaging the medical monster and creating sparks.

The bombardment rattles the Medicalroid, momentarily disrupting its attack. But the creature recovers quickly, and the scanning lens eye focuses on a new target: the gathered civilians cowering behind overturned vehicles and debris.

A surge of protectiveness courses through Momotaro. He can't allow that thing near innocents. He knows what kind of damage they can cause.

Ignoring the other Donbrothers, who are in awe, DonZenkaiOh leaps forward. The Avatar Sword blazes as it connects to Medicalroid, delivering a series of lightning-fast strikes that stagger the towering Hitotsuki. The hand-to-hand combat, while simple, is effective. The sword is just a distraction. With a well-timed grab, Momotaro overthrows the hulking figure. The monster crashes, its mechanical limbs flailing wildly as it lands with a deafening thud.

"It's time to finish this!" Momotaro declares, channeling every ounce of energy into the finishing move. "Don Zenkai Crash!"

DonZenkaiOh spins, transforming into a blur of red and gold. As it somersaults through the air, an energy manifestation of the Donbrothers' logo materializes before the monster. DonZenkaiOh slices through the emblem, launching a colossal version of the Donbrothers Sentai Gear.

The Gear slams into the Medicalroid, obliterating it in a cataclysmic explosion. The light is so intense, it forces the crowd to turn away. The night sky lights up with a vibrant rush of color.

Silence descends upon the hospital. Debris rains. DonZenkaiOh stands triumphantly amidst the wreckage, the Avatar Sword held high.

The other Donbrothers, still catching their breath, exchange excited glances. That was more intense than they thought. They realize, however, that the leader is really good.

From the gathered crowd, a cheer rises, growing louder and louder as relief washes over them. Hibiki and Miku, tears streaming down their faces, embrace each other tightly. The feeling of security and peace has returned. They are safe, thanks to these strangers.

Momotaro, his voice booming from DonZenkaiOh's speakers, throws his head back and laughs. "AHAHAHAHA! Big victory!"

[And They All Lived Happily Ever After]

Taro returns to the ground, and DonZenkaiOh vanishes, leaving only the lingering scent of festival fireworks. Oni, Saru, Kiji, and Inu stand among the wreckage, blinking in disbelief.

"Finally, that's over," Inu mutters, brushing stray bits of concrete off his sleek, black suit.

Oni cracks her knuckles, a hint of envy in her voice. "Man, I wish I had my own giant robot. Imagine the fireworks I could make!"

Kiji, towering over everyone in her Kiji Sister form, approaches Taro with a graceful stride. "Job well done, Momotaro-san! We make a great team!" She beams down at him, her magenta eyes sparkling.

Taro, silent until now, stares up at Kiji. His head cranes to meet her gaze. He doesn't answer, and the next moment, he acts. With a swift movement, he sweeps Kiji's legs out from under her, knocking her off balance. Before she can react, he kicks her away, sending her sprawling across the cracked pavement.

"GYAH!" Kiji cries out.

Oni, Saru, and Inu whirl around, weapons raised. "What the heck, Taro?!" Oni exclaims, her voice filled with alarm.

Saru's brow furrows, and he adjusts his glasses. "Momotaro-san, what is the meaning of this?"

Taro ignores their questions, adopting a fighting stance. A manic grin spreads across his face.

"Now! Let's have a festival!" He cackles.

Before anyone can decipher his intentions, Taro launches himself at Oni. She barely has time to raise her kanabō before he's upon her, a whirlwind of red and white.

"Woah! Woah! I thought the fight was over?!" Oni cries out.

He then turns his attention to Saru, delivering a swift kick that sends the simian superhero stumbling backward. Inu, attempts to flank Taro, only to be met with a blur of motion and a sharp chop to the neck.

"Gah!" Inu yelps.

Kiji, still recovering from her initial fall, struggles to her feet. "Momotaro-san! Stop this! What are you doing?!"

The others' minds are filled with the same question. What is going on?!

Taro ignores their pleas, his attacks growing fiercer with each passing second. He fights with a frenzied energy.

Suddenly, Oni, Saru, Inu, and Kiji are bathed in a blinding light. The Donblasters are summoning them back to their own realities.

"Wha—?" Oni exclaims.

"Wait!" Kiji cries, reaching out.

"I didn't sign up for this!" Shadow shouts.

Before they can react, they are gone, vanished without a trace. The sounds of their voices fades. The chaos is now a memory.

Taro is once again alone, the weight of his responsibilities settling upon him. He cancels his transformation, the vibrant armor receding to reveal the familiar delivery man.

He glances toward the edge of the crowd, spotting Hibiki and Miku. A wave of guilt washes over him—he vanished so abruptly, leaving them vulnerable.

As he approaches, Hibiki's face lights up with relief. "Taro-san! You're okay!" She hobbles forward, her steps still unsteady. "You disappeared so suddenly. We were worried when we saw you head back into danger."

Miku steps forward to support Hibiki.

Taro inclines his head, his expression earnest. "I am unharmed. I simply wanted to ensure everyone's safety." He pauses, carefully choosing his words. "There were… people who needed assistance. I was able to provide it."

Hibiki's eyes search his. "But what about that monster? And the giant robot?"

Taro refrains from sharing about Don Momotaro. "Those things are gone. The immediate threat is over. You should focus on recovering."

"Ah, right. Thank you, Taro-san."

Miku’s aquamarine eyes narrow as she studies the delivery man. His stoic demeanor hides something… something more than just concern. Is he really as ordinary as he appears?

Hibiki beams, oblivious to Miku's scrutiny. "Oh, Taro-san, this is my best friend, Miku Kohinata." She turns to Miku, a hand resting on Taro's arm. "Miku, this is Taro Momoi. He's the one who saved me back there."

Miku steps forward, bowing slightly. "Thank you for saving Hibiki. I was incredibly worried when the Noise attacked. It means a lot to me." Her voice, though gentle, carries a note of guardedness.

Taro regards Miku with the same unwavering gaze he bestows on everyone. "There is no need for gratitude. I deliver happiness. It is my responsibility."

Miku blinks, caught off guard by his directness. Deliver happiness? What kind of line is that? Her wariness intensifies. He is a weird person. "Ah... I see," she murmurs, unsure how to respond.

Hibiki, ever the optimist, doesn't seem to notice the subtle tension. "Taro-san was so brave! He jumped right into the middle of everything to help people."

Miku smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "That's… admirable, Taro-san."

Taro remains stoic. "It is merely my job." He scans the immediate area. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Hibiki shakes her head. "No, thank you. We should probably head home."

"Very well. I will take my leave, then." With a nod, Taro turns and walks away, disappearing into the crowd. Miku watches him go, her mind racing.

There's something strange about him. She thought to herself. I don't know what it is, but I don't think we've seen the last of him.

Hibiki waves a final farewell. "Bye, Taro-san! Thanks again!"

Taro halts, turning back to face them. His expression is unchanged, but his words carry a different weight. "We will meet again, Hibiki. We are now linked, after all."

Hibiki's eyes widen, and her cheeks blush. She shyly nods her head. "Umm! Hehehe."

Taro's gaze shifts, settling upon Miku. "You as well, Miku. We are now linked, too."

Miku's brow furrows. Linked? What is he talking about? And already on first-name basis?! Is this some kind of cult thing? She offers a polite smile. "Yes..."

Taro offers nothing further, he simply turns and continues to walk into the bustling Tokyo crowd.

Hibiki shrugs. "He's a little strange, but he seems nice."

Miku sighs. He's really a weird person. "Yeah. Sure," she says, her gaze fixed on the retreating figure of the delivery man. There is something about him that unnerves her.