Jikirukuto: Takoyuki Arc

Have you ever been in a busy market, full of colorful stalls, exotic smells, and loud haggling? Now imagine that peaceful scene turning chaotic with the clash of swords, panicked screams, and... vibrating toys? That's exactly what happens in this chapter, where the past and present collide, leaving Yuki (or is it Alexandra?) completely thrown off. Get ready for a fiery fight, a shattered sword, and a trip down memory lane.

Picture the scene: The market is alive with people, bright fabrics, and piles of fruit. The air is filled with chatter and the smell of spices. Suddenly, the peaceful scene is broken by the loud clang of steel.

At the center of it all is Alepou, looking ready to explode with anger. She's about to take down a dirty goblin who clearly hasn't met soap. But just before she strikes, Prince "Sparklepants" (yes, that's his nickname for now) steps in to defend the goblin.

Imagine this: Alepou's raw strength meets the prince's fancy, jewel-covered sword. The clash sends a loud clang echoing through the market, grabbing everyone's attention. But the fight ends quickly—Alepou punches the sword so hard it shatters into tiny pieces, like a mini firework of metal shards raining down.

Right after the sword breaks, a weird buzzing fills the air. This buzzing sends Yuki into a vivid flashback of her childhood. Everything around her blurs, and suddenly, she's a little girl again, sitting in a car. The memory feels so real—the warmth of the sun, the smell of the car, and the familiar seats.

In this flashback, young Yuki is getting ready for school with her mom. But then, a bully ruins her day by stealing and breaking her favorite "Super Black Man" action figure. This toy wasn't just a toy; it reminded her of her grandfather, making the loss heartbreaking.

Then, things take a strange turn. Yuki's mom tries to cheer her up by giving her… a vibrating microphone toy. Imagine little Yuki's face—confused, disgusted, and upset. The replacement toy feels completely wrong compared to her beloved action figure.

This flashback shows a lot about Yuki: her love for sentimental things, her sense of justice, and her complicated relationship with her mom. But it also leaves us with big questions: Why this memory? What does the vibrating toy mean?

The chapter ends with Yuki snapping back to reality, disturbed and confused by what she just remembered. The strange twist with the vibrating toy leaves us wondering what it all means and makes us want to read the next chapter to find out.