Meldia Kingdom.
This nation shares its roots with the neighboring Guardia Kingdom. Both trace their history back to the same empire, and Meldia is famous for its powerful knight orders.
Today, everyone is talking about a new recruit joining one of those orders—a true giant of a newcomer.
"Hah, I didn't think I'd ever be called a rookie at my age."
At a slightly upscale tavern, a well-built man who carries himself like a graceful lady—an Onee—picks at a cheese plate. He's off duty, dressed casually, but his muscles still stretch the fabric of his clothes.
"...They stopped calling you that after the first day."
Across the table sits Grace, her hair down, dressed elegantly for once. She'd spent extra time preparing, hoping he might notice. She knows it's pointless, but hope dies hard.
"They said 'Welcome party!' and then jumped me all at once. Of course I fought back."
The result was obvious. Ordinary humans stood no chance against a dragon slayer. From that day forward, everyone started calling Onee "Aniki."
Because he kept breaking weapons, the king even awarded him a treasured sword. It broke within hours. Even Cú Chulainn would laugh at that one.
"But I'm glad the captain likes you," Grace said. "That woman's a handful."
"...," Onee fell silent.
"Yuuki?"
"I'm not good with her."
"Why?"
The captain, as strong as she was reckless, had once been the strongest in the order before Yuuki appeared. Her strength alone was enough to make anyone question their gender.
"I like her as a person. But she looks, talks, and even acts just like my late wife."
Grace froze. The captain—rough, loud, and absolutely unladylike—was now a rival. Her heart sank. If things kept going this way, Onee might actually go straight again.
...Wait. Would that really be bad?
"What was your wife like?" Grace asked.
"She was bright, loyal to a fault, and a real tomboy. Back then, I was small and skinny—looked like a girl—so people teased us as the gender-swap couple."
Apparently, Onee had always had the potential. His wife might've only encouraged it.
"She was strong too. Until I turned twenty, I never once beat her in a fight."
Grace nodded. She thought adulthood meant fifteen. It didn't. Yuuki's wife had been terrifying.
"Well, I'll just keep some distance—"
"What's this? My new subordinate's acting cold."
"..."
Yuuki froze. The voice came from behind him.
"C-captain?"
"Yeah, it's me. Everyone's beloved captain."
A tall red-haired woman stood there, her face flushed to match her hair. She was beautiful—but also very, very drunk.
"You've been drinking again," Yuuki sighed.
"Where else am I supposed to drink but a tavern?"
With a hot sigh of alcohol, the captain leaned heavily against him. She reeked of liquor. Her charm level was zero, but she truly did resemble Yuuki's wife—and that made him panic.
"Captain! Let go! This is improper!"
"Ha! Improper? Don't be so stiff. You're not a woman."
"My heart is a maiden's!"
Before he could finish, her lips met his.
"Oh yeah," Grace muttered, "when she's drunk, she kisses everyone."
Too late for warnings now. It was apparently a common event. Grace didn't even look surprised.
"You...!"
"Yuuki?"
"That's horrible! I've never let anyone but Makoto do that!"
Tears welled up as Yuuki tore away and sprinted off, leaving a human-shaped hole in the tavern wall. Don't worry—it'll be fixed by morning. It always is.
The captain laughed loudly. "Big guy, but such a pure-hearted kid."
She seemed very pleased with herself.
At that moment, Meldia gained a woman strong enough to control even its most unmanageable knight.
...
"Hey, Tsukuyomi. Shouldn't we bring him back already?"
Meanwhile, in Takamagahara (T/N: Heaven in Shinto myth), Amaterasu-sama worried aloud. Onee (Yuuki) kept getting stronger every day.
"Why now?" Tsukuyomi asked.
"Because it's weird! If he keeps growing like this, the world's balance might collapse!"
"He's still better than Susanoo."
"...True, but still."
Poor Susanoo. When even his siblings talk like that, you know he earned it.
"That's not the point!"
"Elder sister," Tsukuyomi said calmly. "If we recall him, do you plan to release him back in Japan afterward?"
"..."
Amaterasu fell silent. Returning Yuuki to modern Japan sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
"...Oh well. If the balance breaks, it's the other world's problem, not ours."
"Agreed."
Amaterasu shrugged off responsibility, while Tsukuyomi hid a knowing smile.
Once again, Takamagahara remains peaceful.