Clad in the standard uniform of the Invisible Empire underneath, with a pure white cloak draped over the top.
The clasp at the collar was delicate and petite, adorned with motifs of tassels, wheat, and tulips. Two rows of pure gold pins secured the cloak firmly in place, snugly fitting the body.
He stepped forward slowly, standing under the sun.
Beneath his tailored suit pants, his military boots creaked with each step.
Seiya gazed around, clearly surprised by the presence of the gathered crowd.
"You all... need something?"
"Can't we come see you if there's nothing going on?!"
Bazz-B flipped forward with a smirk, lifting his right leg playfully to nudge Seiya's ankle.
"You, huh~ never thought that once you dressed up, you'd actually look quite stylish. Not as much as me, of course... but definitely better than Jugram."
Despite the compliment, Seiya didn't feel much joy from it.
After all, the gathering of this many people was unexpected in itself.
"Nothing to be surprised about, right? You're His Majesty's favorite after all. Anyone who wants to climb the ladder will cling to you like cockroaches~"
The effeminate young man grinned mischievously, waving his arms as if haunting like a ghost, floating toward Seiya with a giggle.
"Besides, someone as dashing as you naturally draws girls in. Right, Candice?"
The person in question mumbled a few unintelligible words.
With her arms crossed in front of her chest, she muttered nervously, only daring to glance at Seiya from the corner of her eye.
Shyness was expected.
But this level of coyness was out of character for her.
As if making a decision, Candice took a few quick steps forward, standing right in front of Seiya.
Clad in her sleeves, her right hand clenched into a fist, then loosened awkwardly — over and over again...
She pressed her lips tightly, then lightly punched his shoulder.
"Y-You look really handsome! With this appearance, His Majesty will surely take a liking to you too!"
Seiya tilted his head, pondering for a moment before giving a calm smile.
"Is that so? I'll take that as a good omen. Thank you."
"I—I'll get going now..."
As steam practically rose from her head, the other girls watching nearby couldn't help but gossip.
Meninas raised her hand to cover her mouth in surprise, whispering.
"Didn't expect that at all... Candice is actually such a pure-hearted girl?"
Liltotto stared blankly, her dead-fish eyes showing little interest.
"When a bitch sees someone she likes, turning into a lovestruck fool is only natural."
Unlike the others who took it in stride, Bambietta yelled and was about to rush forward.
"That's why nothing ever happens, dragging things out! He's just some man, and men are easy — three words and they're yours!"
Liltotto grabbed her cloak and yanked hard, causing Bambietta to faceplant.
"What the hell?!"
"If you're horny, at least check the timing. He's about to meet His Majesty. What if we're late? Are you gonna apologize for all of us?"
The reckless ones are the hardest to reason with.
But the way to make them back off was simple — bring up someone even scarier...
Under the crushing pressure of Yhwach's name, Bambietta instantly cooled off.
She gave Liltotto a glare, muttering, "Let go."
She straightened her cloak, fixed her cap.
As if comforting herself, Bambietta mumbled.
"They just don't get my charm... Philistines! Even those dumb grunts are more useful."
Liltotto lazily glanced at her and sighed as if helpless.
"Again? How many people have you killed this month?"
"Lost count! Just blowing off steam, right? That's my way. None of you have the right to judge!"
"Who cares. I just think you're a bitch with no self-control."
Meninas gave a couple of agreeing hums and said softly.
"Seriously, what a wreck down there."
"I can hear you, you smelly cow!"
The noise in the background faded out of Seiya's concern — his attention was still on the present.
Gerard stood beside him, smiling boldly as always, patting him on the shoulder.
"You really do look great! Hahaha, this suits your position and style!"
Pernida didn't say anything, only twisting the edge of her hood into a wave pattern — her way of showing agreement.
"See that?! Pernida agrees with me too!"
Bazz-B clicked his tongue softly, scanning the three of them with a puzzling expression.
"What's with you three being so chummy?"
Gerard was one thing — he always looked cheerful, and unless someone really offended His Majesty, his expression rarely changed.
But Pernida was the real puzzle.
This one never spoke. Even if approached, it would act like it didn't hear. No one could tell if it was shy or just mute... even among the Schutzstaffel, only Gerard was on friendly terms with it.
So...
"How did you get close to this freak?"
Even such rude words didn't elicit any response from Pernida.
Seiya scratched his chin, looking thoughtful.
"That might be because... we share some subtle connection, and have similar origins."
"...Huh?!"
Such a vague answer was obviously not acceptable.
But now wasn't the time to press further.
Time had come — the audience with the emperor awaited.
"Sorry, let's talk more about this later if we get the chance."
Taking the military cap from Gerard, Seiya placed it firmly on his head and strode forward.
He led the group out of the manor, turning toward the throne when a familiar voice called from behind.
"Wait!"
Candice jogged over from the shadows, stopping behind Seiya and grabbing his long hair.
"If you're going to meet His Majesty, at least fix your hair first, right?"
"Ah... sorry, I can't see the back myself."
"Then don't move! Leave it to me!"
Confident in her area of expertise, Candice finally summoned the courage to lightly thump Seiya on the back of his head.
"I spend two hours every morning fixing my hair, way better than your half-baked attempts."
"Is that so? Then I'll leave it to you."
His waist-length hair was tied in a high ponytail and pressed awkwardly under the cap.
Candice untied it completely, smoothed and shook it out, then re-tied it into a thinner, neater fall.
"Now it'll fall neatly from under the back of your cap... Elegant and stylish!"
Though he couldn't see it, just hearing her confident tone left Seiya without any doubts.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome! But really..."
Candice put her hands on her hips, eyeing the back of Seiya's head.
"You clearly aren't good at hair care, so why grow it this long? Every time I see how sloppily you handle it, I feel ants crawling all over me."
Seiya's expression turned subtle.
He seemed lost in thought, and his expression twisted slightly.
Yeah...
Why?
He wasn't good at this stuff.
But every morning, he habitually tied it up... badly, sure. He knew that.
Logically, he should've learned to handle it better after growing it out.
But... something felt different.
Candice, standing beside him, urged him to move forward while still smiling.
"You act like a rich young master from some noble family. Did you have someone who used to help you with your hair?"
"..."
Seiya squinted.
He raised his right hand, half-covering his face, and showed a pained expression.
Fragments — broken, scattered — began to float up.
A woman in black flickered before him...
A tall, slender woman with short ash-grey hair and a gentle face rushed past...
'Such long hair, huh...'
'I never grew mine out, but now I even know how to care for it... Funny, isn't it?'
'Thinking of cutting it because it's troublesome? Don't! I think it looks nice — captains need a memorable look, right?'
'Ah... not saying you're not unique. Just think this suits your style better. Soft and mild, doesn't look too strong.'
'Okay~ next time you visit Squad Four, I'll fix it up again, alright?'
'What? A kiss before you go? You dummy... This is the barracks. What if someone sees?'
'What do you take the vice-captain's room for... Huh?! No wounded lately? Are you belittling my job?!'
'An apology's enough? Well... if you're sincere, I guess it's okay.'
'Geez... I can't say no to you. Come on, hurry up. I've got work. Bring your face here, mm...'
'Happy now? Wait, what's your hand doing? Stop!'
'Don't get so close. Not the ear... Not there...'
'...'
'Hey...'
'At least... lock the door, okay...'
He couldn't recall her name.
Her face began to blur.
As if shrouded in a thin veil, her image faded away... and Seiya completely lost his bearings.
He stared blankly for a moment. When he came to, the face in front of him had shifted, distorted — turning into another person.
Pale green eyes, eyebrows curved like lightning bolts.
Candice stared at him, mouth slightly open, looking both nervous and teary.
"Y-You okay? You looked really bad just now..."
Blinking himself fully back, Seiya lowered his head and after a brief pause, chose not to dwell on it.
"No, it's nothing. Where were we?"
"You were talking about your hair."
"Ah, right. So... you think I should cut it?"
"What?! No way! You spent so long growing it! Cutting it would be such a waste!"
She paused, seemingly thinking of something, glancing aside.
"Well... if you really think it's troublesome, I can help you manage it."
"I already spend ages doing mine. Helping you would be easy, no big deal!"
"So how about I move nearby? That way it'll be easier for both of us... Yep, it's settled!"
Seiya's opinion didn't matter — Candice had already made up her mind.
"That's that! I'll handle your hair, so don't worry!"
...
Wait.
That sentence...
The woman's image again overlapped before Seiya's eyes.
The tall, gentle woman smiled at him with hands clasped, shimmering like ripples in water...
Until that familiar yet distant figure shattered like a bubble, vanishing completely.
Only Candice remained, her face alight with excitement, staring expectantly at Seiya.
She was waiting for a reply.
And Seiya, after a short silence, gave one.
Just like that man from a hundred years ago, once a part of the Soul Society... time folded in that moment, overlapping.
"Mm. Then I'll be counting on you."
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Powerstones?
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