Empereur 

Sexually suggestive.

This is Kabukicho, Shinjuku—the city that never sleeps. It’s an entertainment district where human emotions and desires are laid bare. In one corner of town is the talk of the town, the high class host club Historie. It has attracted so much attention thanks to the fact it’s the only club with opera as its theme.

With a beautiful voice like Lorelei, and the regal presence of King Arthur, he holds the title of “Hyper Ultimate Eternal Prince.” Anyone that catches a glimpse of him is burned by his dazzling radiance, their heart seized. There are countless women that yearn to spend a sweet, intense time with him. Reservations for him are booked out one hundred years. His income of ten billion yen as a host wasn’t for nothing.

—Let’s head into the club.

“Your ‘Flower Power’ is all wrong! Come again some other time! ‘Dom Pérignon Crusher!’”

The moment I went to put my hand on the door, there was a violent explosion, and the door of the club exploded into pieces. I hear something land with a thud. It’s a person.

“Your sparkle isn’t even worth talking about. Perhaps the Earth hasn’t whispered enough?”

“D-Damn iiiiit!”

The man who had been blown away, his body battered, stood and took off running at full speed.

—Are you Mr. Empereur?

“I wonder if I showed an unsightly side of me. A pleasure to meet you, I am the pinnacle—the supreme man among men of this club.”

Is that a halo? As soon as he started to speak, his entire body began to shine. Yes, this man is–

“My name is Empereur. I am the king of Historie.”

Now, we will be approaching Empereur, the man who reigns supreme at the top of Historie, the most fiercely competitive club in the cutthroat host industry–

The rules of Historie are quite simple. The hosts will perform a “duel” at the table of a designated woman—it’s as simple as that. Although it’s called a duel, it’s not some uncouth fist fight or bloody battle where they fight for their lives. A duel is a competition to see who is superior at expressing their love.

When the press team entered the club, Empereur was on his way to a table. There was already a man seated there, most likely Empereur’s opponent.

“Hmph, is the ‘Empereur’ name going to your head? You can’t even keep to the duel schedule, huh?” the lively man at the table boldly speaks first, but Empereur remains unfazed.

“Hm? So you were my opponent? Sorry, your ‘Flower Power’ is so low I didn’t even notice.”

The battle has already begun. The men exchange nods, and the duel starts, the opposing host makes the first move.

“I want to see your smile every day! ‘Cuvée Vortex!’”

“You make me the best I can be, shining ever brighter! Become the best woman by my side! ‘Nocturne Nebula!’”

Their powerful words of love clash. A light is born from the torrent, bringing forth an overflowing fine wine of love, ‘Champagne Glass Golems’.

“Oooooh!”

The two raise their fists to the sky, their “Flower Power” colliding. For just a moment, it seemed like their strength was equal, but Empereur’s powerful burst of “Flower Power” smashed the opposing golem to pieces.

“Guaaagh!”

The man is blown away by the force of the impact, crashing against the ground with a scattering explosion of banknotes.

“S-So this is… the ‘Emperor’s’ power…”

“Hmph, go hone your ‘Flower Power’ before you come again.”

—What just happened?

“That light is our ‘Flower Power’... An indispensable power for us hosts. Empereur, you’re, like, totally the coolest!” the hosts surrounding Empereur showered him with praise. His “Flower Power” was so strong that everyone held him in high regard.

The women patronizing the establishment, their faces beaming with pleasure, gaze down upon the fighting men. At this club, you could not only enjoy the magnificent figures of the hosts, but also savor the jealousy and bitter loss of the losers. Among them were frequent visitors, eager to one day see Empereur groveling on hands and knees. However, even amidst those swirling desires, the ‘invincible’ and undefeated ‘Emperor’ was fearless.

—Do you ever feel pressured?

“It feels good to be on top, right? The scene I see and display is always the best, so it’s enjoyable, naturally. And besides… This is hardly the end of my charm. This is only my first form.” saying this, Empereur gracefully strides over to the next table.

His expression was truly worthy of the warrior title. Without a doubt, he was a gladiator of the night.

The day’s business was coming to an end, but customers eager to see Empereur poured in right up until closing time. In the midst of this appeared a woman accompanied by a handsome man.

“You’re Empereur, yes? I’ve waited a long time for this day. My Kirito is a challenger.”

“Kirito” was the number one host at another club, and it seemed like she wanted to prove that her favorite was the strongest. However, no matter the situation, Empereur remains unfazed.

“Excellent. But if you think your body can handle basking in my ‘Flower Power’, then you’ve still got a long way to go…”

“Stop yapping! Finish him, Kirito!”

Both men stood ready, the atmosphere gradually growing tense—and then the curtain was raised on their battle.

“I devote my entire life to you. ‘Our love’ will be eternal, ‘Blanc Domination!’”

“Ah… my Kirito. My devotion is yours from now on!”

Witnessing Kirito’s expression of ecstasy at the declaration, Empereur smiles as though convinced of something.

“W-What’s the problem?”

Gazing into Kirito’s confused eyes, Empereur spoke as if he could see right through him, “You’re not satisfied. Do you not feel secure unless you’re bound?”

“W-What are you…?”

Empereur smiling, gently placing a finger to the woman’s lips, “Come. I’ll show you there’s a purer form of love—one that doesn’t need to be tied down.”

The woman gazed straight into his eyes, and her heart was pierced. She collapses, her voice passionate as she begs, “...P-Please, Empereur…!”

“Huh? You gotta be kidding.” Kirito said, completely dumbfounded.

“Looks like I don’t even need to flaunt my strength.”

“D-Don’t screw with me! Challenge me, Empereur!”

Empereur ignored Kirito’s rage, merely wagging a finger at him, “Haven’t you realized? She’s already fallen for ‘me.’”

“Damn it! You bi***! I won’t be able to go back to the club after a disgrace like this!”

*We apologize for any inappropriate comments. 

Kirito’s cries echo in vain. For a host carrying the name of their club on their back, losing was the same as disgracing the club itself. If that happened, he would have no choice but to leave.

“How long are you going to keep barking? You’re a loser. Run home with your tail between your legs before your ‘Flower Power’ fades away.”

Kirito left without another word. His true colors revealed, he’d never be welcome in the city again. Even with the risk, challengers couldn’t help but compete and test their own “Flower Power.”

“I guess I’m not the one after all…” Kirito mutters as he leaves the club, vanishing into the night.

As the day’s business came to a close, it was time for the club’s unique “Doting” system. “Doting” is a way of repaying the favor of the woman who contributed the most to their host that day. In other words, it was the right to an “after party”. How each person used that right was up to them. Some wanted a sweet moment, as though they were lovers. Others simply wanted to sit beside their host and be served as usual. The more popular a host, the more cutthroat the competition for the favor becomes.

Tonight’s winner of Empereur’s attention, a woman of thirty-one, used the opportunity to make her move.

“Hey, Empereur? Tomorrow’s your day off, right? How about coming over to my place? We can get to know each other a little better.”

She traced her fingers along his neck and gracefully trailed down his leg. Despite her seduction, Empereur was unmoved—his voice silken smooth as he spoke, “[Bleep], I treasure your love for me, and I love you as well. But wouldn’t it be boring to know everything? Isn’t it thrilling to have some mystery between us?”

—*The woman’s name has been withheld for her privacy.

“Haha, I knew you’d say something like that. That’s part of why I love you.”

After enjoying her fill of the tender moment, the woman left. Without a doubt, this strategy was part of what made Empereur so popular.

—It was nearly morning by the time his “Doting” session was over. Despite the difficult day, Empereur went home without expressing even a shred of fatigue.

With that, today’s work was finished—but Empereur’s day wasn’t over. From now on, our story isn’t about “Empereur,” but a single man named “Yuta Sasaki”.

It’s Empereur’s day off. Without bothering to rest, he finished getting ready and made his way to the train station.

—Where are you off to?

“Somewhere that beckons the return of my spirit… “Sanctuary”—holy ground, if you will.

—Sounds private.

“Ah, yes. It’s my parent’s house.”

After boarding the bullet train and taking his seat, Empereur quickly fell asleep. The journey barely lasted two hours and quickly came to an end. His first stop was the hospital where his mother was admitted.

“Mom, I’m back. How are you feeling? You know that you can always rely on me if things get too hard, right?”

“Thank you, Yuta… But I’d hate to trouble you while you’re working so hard. Just your love is enough.”

He had suggested to his mother that she should move in with him in Tokyo, but she turned down the offer each time. She loved Nagano and wanted to spend her life there—but above all else, she wanted to stay where her late husband was buried.

—She’s a wonderful woman.

“I’m very proud of my mother. When I see her like that, I can’t help but think of how important she is to me. Isn’t it wonderful how she can love someone so earnestly? I wonder if I could do the same…”

He smiled sadly. For the first time, the camera captured his true self.

His next stop was his late father’s grave. Together with his younger sister Yumi, the two of them take care of their father’s grave in place of their mother, who could no longer do it herself.

Yumi will be graduating high school this year and attending a university in Tokyo, the entirety of her tuition paid with Yuta’s earnings.

—What sort of person is your brother?

“Yuta is both my brother and like my dad, kind of? He works really hard for our family.”

He continued to work in the host industry in order to support his family.

They returned to the hospital, planning to spend some time as a family before sunset, but the head nurse intervened.

“Visiting hours are over for the day, so I’ll have to ask you to leave. Besides, don’t you think all of this filming is a bother to the other patients?”

“Please, my brother came all the way from Tokyo. Just a little longer…”

“Rules are rules. We can’t make any exceptions to hospital policy.”

The older woman adjusted her silver rimmed glasses and pierced them with her stare. It was impossible not to feel her iron will. Yumi still refused to back down, so Yuta stepped in front of her.

“W-What do you want!?”

“I understand the rules, but could you please let me spend just thirty more minutes with my family?”

The head nurse was struck by his earnest gaze—so intense that it instantly melted her icy heart.

“Ah… Um, hold m– nevermind. Please, take as much time as you’d like, hehe!”

With a trembling voice, the nurse leaves the room, crawling along the wall to hide her trembling legs.

“Excellent. Now we can stay together.”

“Ahaha… Yuta’s stare is still a deadly weapon to women…”

“Well then, let’s enjoy our time. But before that…” Yuta approached, asking the staff to leave the room, “I’ve shown you this much, but not it’s family time. I’d appreciate it if you could wait outside.”

About two hours later, Yuta and Yumi appear before us. Having enjoyed the brief moment with his family, he occasionally flashed her an innocent smile. When he returned to Tokyo, he’d be thrown right back into the frenzy.

However, there wasn’t a single trace of fatigue on his shoulders.

He couldn’t afford to stop, he had to support his family.

There was something unusual about today’s business. 

Sensing it himself, Empereur’s expression hardens. No matter what table you looked at, Historie’s renowned hosts lay in a miserable scene—on their hands and knees in frustration. It was as if their difference in “Flower Power” had been put on full display.

“So you’ve finally decided to show up! You’re living the good life, Empereur!” 

From the VIP section in the back, a lone man sitting on a luxurious sofa shouted. With a confident expression, he started intently at Empereur.

“My name is Kaiser! I’ve come to make my mark on you!”

Kaiser, a host among hosts. Like Empereur, he’d made a name for himself in the city.

With his silver hair slicked back, he approaches Empereur with a loud declaration, “You who bear the name of ‘Emperor’ like me! I’ll show you that one emperor is enough! Now fight me!”

“I can’t back down after such disrespect. Come at me with all you’ve got!”

—There was a flash of light.

Before he knew it, Empereur was brought to his knees by a single blow from Kaiser, who was enveloped in immense “Flower Power”.

“Such speed…”

“I’ll give you credit for keeping your face off the floor after taking my “Hennessy Fist”. But in the end, you’re nothing more than some cur—a lowly amateur!"

“A-Amateur…? I’m the best host in the club! I earn more than everyone else! Isn’t that enough to prove I’m a professional!?”

Despite Empereur’s protests, Kaiser looked at him with contempt as though he was nothing more than garbage.

“How rich! To think you have the nerve to talk like that after such a disgrace. Listen to me, what you lack is gratitude towards women. I give my love and gratitude to all the women who choose me. But you have no idea what that’s like, do you!?”

The man on top of the host club “Chronicle” reportedly keeps in touch with all the women who request him, regardless if they’re big spenders or low paying clients, even on his days off. He was the total opposite of  Empereur, who kept his professional and private life separate.

“Do you understand the difference in ‘Flower Power’ of a true host? Now that you’ve seen it, go back to your hometown. You’ve got a family there, don’t you?”

After his one sided declaration, Kaiser left the club in roaring laughter. Empereur blankly stared at his retreating figure. His somber expression and wounds carved into his body made it clear what he was thinking.

The incident with Kaiser left Historie in turmoil. Empereur’s defeat put the club’s survival in jeopardy, but shuttering the doors was not an option. To restore the club’s reputation, they would have to engage their guests sincerely.

“You feeling okay, Empereur? I heard about what happened yesterday. I’m happy to listen if you need to talk about it...”

Beside Empereur was Ms. [Bleep], who had won the right to his “Doting” that day.

—*The woman’s name has been withheld for her privacy.

“...Thank you, but I’ll be alright. I’m sorry you had to see this side of me.”

“Oh no! It’s fine. Just seeing that expression on your face is enough… (Aah, I want to take him home with me!)”

She was totally captivated by his melancholy. Now, she wasn’t the only one worried about him. Several high paying guests were aiming for the chance to win Empereur's wounded heart.

Meanwhile, someone was watching Empereur from a table further away.

“Good, good. Nice work, Yuta..” 

It was Yumi, Yuta’s older sister. Curious about her brother’s workplace, she had secretly come to investigate.

“Still… This is totally different from what I thought a host club would be like… The hosts are dueling, and everyone here is so incredible.”

“Um… Instead of just looking at Empereur, I’d like you to watch our show…”

“Sorry, not interested. So don’t worry!”

As she glanced back at the bewildered men behind her, a woman noticed her gaze, glaring back sharply. Suddenly, she stood up and came straight towards her.

“U-Uh oh!”

Although Yumi hastily ducked behind a chair, it was already too late. The woman, apparently a guest, grabbed Yumi by the neck and started yelling.

“Do you have something to say to me!? You’ve been staring all night!”

“A-Ah… Um… Well…”

“This is my time to have him to myself, so how about you back off?”

Ms. [Bleep]’s threatening voice lacked even a hint of charm. If you walked into another woman’s battle, she was bound to bare her fangs. Anyone disturbing this beautiful moment would face harsh retribution.

“I-I’ll stop looking!”

“Not at me, at Empereur!”

No matter what she said, Yumi’s words wouldn’t reach [Bleep] in this state. Despite her inability to reply, Empereur quickly intervened.

“Ms.[Bleep]? What’s gotten into… you. Y-You!”

“W-What kind of relationship do you two have!?”

“Sorry, could you excuse us for a moment? I’ll make it up to you later. Please?”

Faced with his passionate gaze, she had no choice but to calm her anger.

“Mmm, ah! If you say so… I won’t let you go until you can satisfy me, okay?”

As she leaves, Yumi marvels at her brother’s intense gaze under her breath. Despite having been in danger, she hadn’t been dissuaded, and Empereur scolded her like he was her mother.

“Stop messing around. Yumi, what are you doing here?”

“It’s fine. I wanted to find a place to live before starting college.”

“A place… to live!? Are you planning on living alone? Absolutely not! You’re moving in with me!”

“No way! What do you think would happen if people found out I was living with their precious Yuta? It’ll be a bloodbath! Corpses everywhere! I won’t be able to have friends over!”

Neither one of them was willing to budge. The deep bond the two of them shared as siblings was as clear as day.

“Ah, it’ll be bad if someone sees us like this. We’ll talk later, okay?”

“That’s what I want!”

Empereur quickly chased his sister out of the club. The guests who were able to see his expression, one they had never seen before, called the last two days Dies Benedictus—the Days of Blessing. The story continued to be passed along.

The sun was beginning to set as Empereur and Yumi walked the riverbank on their way home from a shopping trip. Yumi acted as if the events of the night before were nothing at all, but Empereur's mixed feelings were clear in his expression. Most likely, he was agonizing over how to convince her not to live alone. Empereur, walking in silence in the front, wasn’t the one to break the silence.

“Hey, you’re not saying anything, so that means you’re okay with me living on my own, right?”

“...I’ve been mulling it over, but I can’t accept that. I just can’t.”

No matter how much time passed, his opinion wouldn’t change.

“How can I convince you? I don’t want this to be a fight, Yuta. I get you’re upset, but…”

With a look of anguish on his face, Yuta’s feelings poured out all at once, “Who’s done all the cooking for us? You don’t even know how, Yumi! Me, right? I saw the piles of garbage in the kitchen when I was visiting home the other day. Are you gonna recreate that hell here in Tokyo? Are you trying to summon demons!? As your brother, I’m worried!”

He’d said it. He hadn’t meant to hurt her—not at all, but it was too late. Yumi began shouting with large tears in her eyes.

“You’re being mean… I’m not good at it, but I’m… I’m trying my best. I’m done with this. I’ll find my own place and get a part time job to pay my own rent…! Just leave me alone!”

“Y-Yumi, wait! I’m sorry, just please, please listen to me…!”

And then it happened. As if to drown out his pleas, a voice boomed throughout the area.

“Unhand her, you womanizing bastard!”

Where did he come from? How long had he been there? Appearing before them was the King of Hosts, “Kaiser”. He leaps high into the air from a small embankment, landing directly in front of Empereur and Yumi. He shook their hands apart, stepping in like he was protecting her, and kissed the back of Yumi’s hand.

“Are you alright, young lady? Leave this perverted bastard to me and make your escape!”

Yumi struggled to comprehend the situation, looking bewildered at the intrusion.

“Empereur! I knew you lacked professionalism, but I never imagined you were a sick freak who’d exploit a woman like this! How disgusting!”

Kaiser boldly proclaims that Empereur’s career as a host is over, but the words fall on deaf ears. After witnessing how Kaiser had treated his sister, his words would never reach him. A deep red light emits from Empereur in his rage.

“...Now I get it. This is your so-called “professionalism”. Skirt chasing BASTAAAARD!!”

“Skirt chasing? Says you! I’m a perfect gentleman… Are you even listening to me? Fine, I’ll just knock some sense into you!”

It was a chance encounter. When the emperors of two nations meet, war was inevitable. A duel, in which their respective “Flower Power” would clash, was about to begin.

“HENNESSY FIIIIIST!”

“KRUG KNUCKLEEEEE!”

The clash of “Flower Power” vs “Flower Power” shook the very atmosphere. It was a chance encounter. When the emperors of two nations meet, war was inevitable. A duel, in which their respective “Flower Power” would clash, was about to begin. The aftermath was tremendous, shockwaves coursing through the ground and tearing up the earth. This battle on the riverbank became even more heated—their individual “Flower Power” seeming to amplify the power of the other.

“Haha! Not bad, Empereur! So this is your true power!”

“That’s right! I’ll show you the real difference between our ‘Flower Power’!”

Their increasing “Flower Power” was now evenly matched, so there was only one thing the two men could do.

“Shine brighter! More! SHINE EVEN BRIGHTEEEEEER!!!”

—Proving which one was superior.

The two of them thrust their fists to the sky, summoning a golden, shimmering wine overflowing with love, "Champagne Glass Golems".

“I WILL SURPASS YOU!!”

“–Stop!!”

Just as their fists were about to clash, Yumi’s clear, unwavering voice rang out despite the raging torrent. At her single word, the two men turn to look at her, their fists still raised in the air.

“Yumi!? Why did you stop u– Ow!”

“Haha! Such a disgrace, Emp– Augh!”

She slapped both of the confused men across the face.

“Stop hurting my brother!!”

“...Huh? Your… brother?” 

Kaiser seemed unable to comprehend the situation, and Yumi’s anger immediately shifted to her brother.

“You too, Yuta! I appreciate your concern, but I can’t rely on you forever. If you can’t accept that, I’m never listening to you again! I’m going home ahead of you, see ya!”

“What!? Y-Yumi, hold on just a second! Hey!”

Empereur hurried after her. Left alone, Kaiser rubbed his bright red cheek, staring blankly at the setting sun.

—Looks like you got a bit ahead of yourself.

“S-Shut up! How was I supposed to know she was his sister? More importantly, that blow really struck a chord with my heart…”

Kaiser looked oddly refreshed, his passionate gaze fixed intently on Yumi as she walked away.

On the riverbank at twilight, Empereur narrowly escaped a crisis that almost entirely shattered a relationship. With a renewed spirit, he returned to work. The women who had come to the club determined to comfort his broken heart were stunned to see him back to his usual self, but they were enraptured by his matured smile and left his table in ecstasy.

—I take it you reconciled with your sister?

“Yeah. We talked it out, and I decided to respect Yumi’s wishes. Is this what it means to grow up…? Ah, sorry, can you not bring the camera so close right now?”

The camera caught tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. An angry roar shatters the solemn atmosphere, quickly changing the mood.

“Empereur! I’ve come to finish what we started!”

It was Kaiser, the top host of “Chronicle”.

“Welcome in, Kaiser!” Empereur shouts, “Everyone! Tonight we’ll be showing a one-night-only duel between me and Kaiser!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement at the sudden turn of events, anticipating taking over the entire establishment. Empereur stands in front of Kaiser and makes his declaration.

“Until now, I played the role of a host for myself. But this man’s belief that ‘a woman’s happiness is everything’ struck my heart. It made me realize how naive I’ve been. And…”

Both the guests and staff held their breath, waiting for him to continue.

“And then I finally understood. Without my precious family, I can’t shine.”

“So you’ve finally figured it out. The thing you lacked was ‘love’. My love is for the happiness of women, and your love is for your family. Now, let us decide which love is superior!”

The core of their beliefs are the same, but they will never intersect. And for the sake of these things there would be no compromise on…

“The winner of this fight is me!!”

That’s why they were so stubborn.

Whose love is superior?

Whose love is more sublime?

Their difference would be showcased with their “Flower Power”.

“Sing for me, my love! Swallow everything! Esmeralda Dynamic!”

“Let us pledge our love on this hill overflowing with light! Dom Pérignon Lumière!”

The “Flower Power” unleashed from their fists rained down in countless trajectories.

“Our bond is eternal. It will never fade! Perrier ALL HEAVEN!”

Empereur unleashed one powerful attack after another, but they were all blocked by a rapidly deployed curtain of light. Their abilities were frighteningly evenly matched. The ladies watching the match were so captivated by the sight that they collapsed, some even reaching climax. The other hosts could only clench their fists in anticipation of the duel of the century.

“Honestly, I’m overjoyed! I never thought I’d enjoy myself this much!”

“Kaiser, you have my thanks. But correcting me was your fatal mistake. Your chance of winning isn’t even one in a million!”

“What!?”

“If the strength of one’s feelings directly translates to the brilliance of their ‘Flower Power’, then the strength of my love of my family is unmatched! Your type of broad, shallow love can’t reach the depths of mine!!”

A flash of light erupts from Empereur, his arms now outstretched., and it enveloped Kaiser in an instant–

“The earth, my shine—my sparkle cries out for your defeat! Eat THIIIIS! ROEDERER EXPLOSION!”

“–Hg!?”

A vortex of blinding light, impossible to guard against, instantly incinerated Kaiser.

“Return to your women!!”

The convergence of light lasted for only a moment, but the explosive brilliance caused a chain reaction that blew away Kaiser and brought the audience to climax. Historie itself was blown to smithereens. In the rubble, alone stood Empereur. Savoring his victory, he thrusts his fist to the sky.

“—This is my ‘Flower Power’.”

“To think that you… could captivate me… Now, you’re… the true king…”

With those final words, the half-naked Kaiser collapsed to the ground, not a single trace of regret on his peaceful face as he slept.

The true emperor of hosts had been decided.

—One month later.

Having finished getting ready early in the morning, Empereur stood in front of the ticket gate. He was going back to Nagano on the Azusa No. 2 train, which departed at exactly 8AM. He had made the decision to leave Tokyo immediately after his final battle. He announced his retirement on the spot, declaring that he wanted to support his beloved mother.

“Take good care of Mom for me, Yuta.”

“Yeah. This time, I’m going to protect Mom so you can focus on your studies. You won’t have to worry about us.”

“Thank you, but are you sure? You were so against me living alone before.”

Yumi, having come to see him off, seemed worried about the fight she’d had with her brother. Yuta put her worries aside with a laugh and a gentle smile.

“I realized something. Watching over from afar with trust is another form of love.”

“Yuta… I promise. I’ll never do anything to make you regret it. When I graduate, I’ll come home to Nagano too.”

Their smiles were warm like the spring sun after the snow melted away. But here to ruin the atmosphere was a silver haired man.

“You’re just gonna leave without saying goodbye? What an awful apprentice!”

“Kaiser!? Wait, when did I become your apprentice?”

Kaiser strode forward and stood in front of Yuta, suddenly hugging him tight.

“...Ugh, ow! What are you doing!?”

“This is my way of encouraging you. Well, you could probably make it anywhere, but that aside… There’s something I wanted to ask you…”

“Hey, stop whispering sweet nothings in my ear!”

Kaiser, unfazed by being pushed away, continued, “You know, Empereur, even someone like me struggles with how to convey their feelings to someone they love. What do you think is the best way I could make my feelings known?”

Yuta was taken aback by the sudden question, but he quickly shifted into the mindset of Empereur and answered quickly, “It’s obvious, isn’t it? ‘I love you’.”

“I knew it! As expected of the only man I approve of!” Kaiser shouts, turning to Yumi with a determined look, “Yumi, I can’t forget how you hit me at the riverbank. I’ve never felt like this before, it must be love! Yes! I love you, Yumi!”

“Not if you were the last man on earth! Get LOOOOST! VEUVE CLICQUOT EXTERMINATION!!”

Before Kaiser could even finish, he was blown away into the distant sky. A light emanated from Yumi’s back, shining bright with the nobility of platinum.

“Impératrice, huh…”

“Huh? Did you say something, Yuta?”

“Haha, just that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I guess.”

He looks up at the western sky. Beneath the cold sky, the crisp air announced the start of winter. Yuta was leaving his brilliant glory to venture to land. There wasn’t a single hint of hesitation in his determined expression.

[Next time…]

—The lost “Flower Power!”

“Why… I can’t use my Flower Power!?”

—A new enemy stands before Empereur!

“Here I go! Maximum output, one hundred percent ‘Flower Power!’”

—A tearful duel for his beloved!

“I’ll defeat you. I’m taking Yumi back!”

—A new battle unfolds in Nagano (The Long Field)!

—Who will claim the King's Holy Grail!?

“Empereur? He’s finished.”

“No! Yuta will definitely come back! Because–”

“Yes. I… no, I am Empereur!”

—The battle for “Flower Power” continues.

TO BE CONTINUED…

“Flower Power” is used as a metaphor for the power the hosts receive from the beautiful women visiting them at the host club. They literally receive JoJo Stands from the power of their “flowers”. Although it is written as (華力) , it includes (かりょく) for the reading, which is the word for firepower.

Cuvée - A winemaking term with multiple meanings. Can refer to either the first “purest” pressing of a wine, or a specific batch or blend.

Dom Pérignon - Brand of vintage champagne.

Blanc - Means “white”— is used in reference to Sauvignon blanc in this context.

Krug - Brand of champagne. Often compared to Dom Pérignon.

“Return to your women!!” - A quote from Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation. Appears to be used as an unnecessary declaration of overkill while already winning the fight. The character says this to another character that uses women as tools for their own gain.

Roederer - Another champagne brand.

Azusa No. 2 - A famous song in Japan about a woman leaving her lover and the city behind to depart with a new love at exactly 8AM. It was also a real train, with the first departure of the day being at the same time. 

Veuve Clicquot - You guessed it. Champagne brand.