Chapter Text
“Your majesty, you summoned me?”
Here he was, kneeling in front of Jakurai’s large throne inside his massive castle. It’s a situation Hitoya had become used to, ever since he became guild master. Jakurai loved to call him for help with fighting monsters, and well, sometimes it wasn’t that serious.
“Please, lift your head Hitoya.” He did as he was told, looking up to meet Jakurai’s kind gaze, though he could see a hint of concern there as well. “Tell me, how has your work been? Have you lost weight? You look skinnier to me.”
“...You don’t need to worry about me.” Hitoya rolled his eyes. “I’m just busy, that's all.”
Jakurai squinted a bit, the concern on his face growing more obvious. “Please, tell me you’ll at least try to take a break when you get the chance.”
“Your majesty, respectfully, didn’t you summon me for an ‘urgent matter’, or are you just here to dote on me like you’re my mom?” Hitoya snapped. Admittedly he shouldn’t be losing his patience like this in front of the king, but Jakurai was always worrying for him. Shouldn’t the king have better things to do?
“Ah, yes. Hitoya, do you remember ‘Hades’?” he gestured for Hitoya to stand up, which Hitoya did obediently.
“Hades? That’s that large monster that was attacking the village years ago, right? So what?”
“It seems he’s returned.” Jakurai said grimly. Hitoya’s eyes widened with shock. He remembered years ago, when the beast had almost completely decimated the village the first time. “I’ve heard many reports from the village of the mass destruction he’s causing. He’s taken residence in the old mansion there. As Guild Master, I can trust you to find the proper adventurers who can deal with this, correct?”
“Hades, huh..” Hitoya scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll need some real strong adventurers for that. Wouldn’t it make more sense for you to just deploy your best knights?”
“Captain Iruma and Assistant Captain Aimono are busy dealing with something else. They won’t be free for a while and I don’t have time to wait for their return while innocent lives are being taken. I sent some of our other knights, but they were all defeated…”
Hitoya nodded, taking in the situation. “Hmph, fine. It'll be difficult, but we’ve been friends for a long time. I just can’t ignore you when you need help.”
Jakurai smiled, that smile that always filled Hitoya with mixed feelings. A smile that pissed him off but made his heart flutter at the same time. How could any living being be so kind with just a simple smile? “Thank you Hitoya. This means a lot to me.”
Hitoya simply bowed once more before taking his leave. “Of course, your majesty. Anything for you.”
–
And that’s how Hitoya found himself lounging around in a host club. Hitoya himself was a triple S-rank adventurer (it’s only natural seeing as he’s Guild Master) but Hades was on a whole other level. The only other adventurers he could think of who could face the monster were the berserker Doppo Kannonzaka and the healer Hifumi Izanami. He’d been able to get Doppo on board fairly quickly, so now he just needed to convince Hifumi, who apparently became a pretty popular host after leaving the adventurer life behind. Before they entered the club, Doppo told him Hifumi’s afraid of women, but Hitoya was surprised to see the man was charming every girl like it was nothing.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Master. The club is especially busy today!” Hifumi grinned cheerfully, prancing up to the two.
Hitoya cleared his throat. “Izanami, it’s been a while, huh?”
“Sure has!” Hifumi waved at Doppo. “Long time no see, Doppochin!”
“I-It hasn’t been long at all! And Hifumi, what happened to you? H-How are you talking to all these women?”
“Hm? Well, I hated that part of myself, so I just convinced myself that whenever I wear this specific outfit, I’m no longer afraid! Call it self-hypnosis~!”
“Really? That’s awfully impressive.” Hitoya remarked.
“Oh wow!” Doppo added on. “So you’re over your fear now?”
“Oh, no. Once I take this outfit off I revert back to normal!” Despite that, Hifumi was still grinning.
“S-Seriously?!” Doppo facepalmed. “Oh Hifumi…”
“I see…” Hitoya shook his head. He was getting off track here. He’d always thought Hifumi was a bit odd, but he can discuss it with him later. “Well that’s besides the point. To cut to the chase, the monster Hades has returned, and I need a strong adventurer. Would you be willing to join me and Kannonzaka?”
“Hades? Like that Hades?” Hifumi made a dramatic face of shock before quickly reverting to the usual grin. “Well of course I’ll join you!”
Hitoya raised an eyebrow. “Really? That easily? I know you quit fighting in the past, I didn’t think you’d come back so willingly.”
“Nah, only reason I quit is ‘cause my best friend Doppo quit too!” He hugged Doppo’s arm, much to Doppo’s annoyance. “If I couldn’t do it with him, there was no point in sticking around!”
Doppo’s annoyed expression melted into one of genuine concern. “H-Hifumi! You don’t have to do all that for me…”
“Nyahahaha! It’s nothing, I’m just glad to be back by your side!”
The two laughed, and Hitoya smiled softly at the scene. “Heh, you two are good friends, huh?”
“Well of course!” Hifumi made a peace sign at him. “We’ve known each other since we were kids after all! But I’m sure you have a best friend too, right Master?”
“Ah…”
Hitoya looked away awkwardly. There was an extremely obvious answer here, but he hesitated. He didn’t know if he had the right to think of him in that way.
“Well, there is someone but… our statuses are so different we can’t call each other best friends…”
Right, he shouldn’t. The two had been close for a long time, but even back then Hitoya knew he’d never be enough for Jakurai. It’s best that he–
“What?! Status doesn’t stop friendships!” Doppo interrupted his thoughts, sounding surprisingly passionate.
“Mhm!” Hifumi eagerly nodded along. “If you think you’re best friends, then you’re best friends! Simple as that!”
Hitoya was taken aback for a second. Do these two really think it’s that simple? Well, then again, they don’t know he’s talking about the king. There’s no way they could ever understand the true gravity of the situation. Still, the comments were appreciated. He wished things could be different.
“Thanks, you two.” Hitoya smiled once more, though this time it was forced. “Now, let’s get to killing that monster.”
–
And so, the three of them defeated Hades, just like that. Sure Hades is a strong monster, but Hitoya’s magic is nothing to sneeze at. And, well, maybe Doppo taking down every monster through pure physical rage helped too. Nonetheless, Doppo was back working at his abusive company (Hitoya should probably report that place and save the poor guy) and Hifumi was back to being #1 at his host club. As for him, a week later he found himself back in Jakurai’s castle, kneeling in front of him like before.
“Hitoya, thank you for dealing with Hades. I knew you of all people would be able to do it.”
“Of course, your majesty.” Hitoya mumbled. Admittedly he was a bit spaced out. This was just a formality after all, nothing serious.
However, Jakurai frowned. “Hitoya, I know my status, but you don’t need to call me that. We’ve been friends for so long, it’s only natural you call me by my name, no?”
“Huh?” Hitoya snapped back to full awareness. “Uh, of course your maj- I mean, Jakurai…”
Jakurai sighed before continuing. “Well, I of course called you here to thank you for your assistance in the Hades situation.”
Hitoya nodded. “Of course-”
“However, there’s one other thing. I wanted to invite you to this year’s royal ball.”
Hitoya looked up to see Jakurai handing him a shiny card. He took it gingerly, afraid of creasing or tearing it. He scanned it over, hoping he just misheard him, but nope. Written in shiny gold leaf, he saw it:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THIS YEAR’S ROYAL BALL.
“...Excuse me? Why would you invite me of all people?” He stood up suddenly and pointed aggressively at the invite. “It’s in the name, the ball is for royal people!” Once again he’d let all formalities go, but he couldn’t bring himself to care right now. Was this Jakurai’s idea of a prank?
“You’re an extremely proficient mage and the guild master. Isn’t your nickname ‘The Strongest Magician Chosen by God’?” Jakurai smiled, but right now it only made Hitoya feel rage. “I believe someone like you deserves to go.”
“D-Don’t bring that up!” Hitoya stammered. “I hate that stupid nickname and you know it! And no, no matter how strong I am, I'm no king or queen! At the end of the day I’m a normal person just like anyone else!”
Hitoya was fuming, but Jakurai merely laughed. “Haha! I’ve never known you to be so humble, Hitoya. It’s just a ball.” Hitoya almost jumped at the man— just a ball?— but took a deep breath and kept his composure. “All I want is to go with my closest friend, won’t you indulge me for just one night?”
At that, Hitoya stiffened. So, that’s why he’s inviting him. Suddenly the conversation from earlier was ringing in his mind.
“What?! Status doesn’t stop friendships!”
“If you think you’re best friends, then you’re best friends! Simple as that!”
“Is that really okay?” Hitoya’s voice softened. “I mean, is that really all you want? Think of all the other royal officials that will be attending the ball, why do you need me?”
Jakurai sighed once more. “That’s exactly it. I’m grateful to be able to attend, but I simply believe I’d enjoy it far more if I wasn’t surrounded by all these stuffy officials. Don’t you think it’d be fun to go together?”
He asked it so innocently, as if he were a little boy asking him to go play. Even though the two knew each other for so long, he couldn’t imagine many times where Jakurai had the free time to have fun with him like that. Any time they hung out was in secret, when Jakurai used to sneak into the woods behind the castle just to meet him.
“...Fine. I’ll go with you. You better not embarrass me though.”
Jakurai laughed. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
“Hey!” Still, Hitoya couldn’t help but laugh too.
Jakurai let a few more laughs out before continuing. “So then, I can ask the servants to help you get ready beforehand. I know you’re picky about fashion, but I’m sure I can pick something fitting for you.”
“W-Woah, you’re gonna get me all dolled up? I can get ready myself, y’know.”
“I’m sure of that, but you know this ball is important. I can’t risk even the smallest chance of you looking out of place. Besides, you’re always helping me pick outfits, isn’t it my turn to pick for you?”
Hitoya chuckled. “Man, you sound like a teenage girl. Fine, but you better pick well. There’s two things I hate. The first, a sorcerer who uses weak, flashy magic to look impressive. The second, walking around in an unfashionable outfit.”
“Haha, well, you sure know how to put the pressure on me. Very well, I’ll try my best.”
Hitoya smiled and bowed. “Well then, I’ll be taking my leave, your majesty.”
Before Jakurai could correct him, Hitoya gave a playful wink and walked off. Still, there was a sinking feeling in his chest. Was this really okay? Their relationship was supposed to strictly be ruler and follower, nothing more. Well, maybe a little more, but others couldn’t know. Was it okay for them to debut this to the public, especially in front of the other rulers? Hitoya shuddered, imagining the judging stares and whispering gossiping. But then he pictured Jakurai’s face, so innocently asking him if they could have fun for just one night. He couldn’t bear to take this away from him.