Chapter 7 Never Surrender
Per Ms. Smith's request, Kimihito did not go to the morning protest. She felt as though he may be an active target due to his seven Liminal housemates. He had also been attacked twice now, making things seem even more suspicious.
After cooking breakfast, the group sat by the television to check the news. They were all hoping the police had managed to catch Diane.
"This just in," the reporter said. "The police have picked up Spartan operative Diane. She was found on the edge of the forest shortly after a confession of her investigation of violence at the protest aired yesterday."
The girls and Kimihito cheered in celebration.
"Diane has been arrested alongside a stray Liminal who was taking in for questioning as to her whereabouts. Her charges include assault, terrorism, and public indecency."
"Indecency?" Mero asked. "Goodness, what could she have done?"
As if on cue, a photo appeared on the screen. Diane was locked in a…compromising position with a red male Slime Liminal. The housemates each had a different reaction.
"Oh my!" Miia gasped.
"Ooh! How naughty!" Rachnee purred.
"Ugh! In public!" Cerea said, averting her eyes.
"And now," said the reporter, "we go live to City Hall for an announcement from the Mayor."
The camera cut to the Mayor standing in front of a podium. The MON squad stood beside her. "Last night's protests were among the highest attended in the city. Interspecies couples have quadrupled in the past month while the supporters of organizations such as Sparta have done nothing but cause chaos. For the sake of our people, the stance of this office must be clear…"
"As of today, the ban of interspecies coupling has been revoked. Should Liminal houseguests wish to engage in a romantic relationship with their hosts, they may do so."
Kimihito felt his jaw drop to the floor. After all this time, the law that had hindered him, or kept him safe, was gone. He didn't know whether to be excited or terrified. His life was now in his girls' hands.
Miia wrapped her tail around him and showered him with kisses. "It's finally over, Darling! We are free to be together. And you're all mine now!"
"Ours," Cerea corrected. "We all have a pact to be with Master."
"I simply cannot wait," Rachnee said eagerly.
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" Papi shrieked, jumping up and down.
Kimihito held up his hands for calm. "Now guys, please! We can figure this all out – HURK!"
The Lamia squeezed him even tighter. "There is nothing to figure out. We must celebrate! And as your wife, I get the first night!"
She zoomed up the stairs with her prize still in her coils. Closing the door behind them, Miia locked every lock on the door before gently setting Kimihito down on his bed. In that moment, they felt time come to a stop, staring into each other's eyes. This was a moment they both had wanted for so long, but now it felt unbelievably awkward.
"M-Miia?" Kimihito said nervously. "I've never actually done anything like this before."
Miia blushed. "Neither have I."
Her tail wrapped around his legs like a vise. He felt himself sink into the bed underneath his fiancé.
"But don't worry, Darling; I'll be gentle."
…
The Mayor sat inside her office exasperated. The press meeting went wild after she announced the new law. Her emails and phone messages were already clogged with hate and appreciation alike.
"You did the right thing, Ma'am," Ms. Smith assured her.
"So you say," the Mayor grunted. "The main reason this was done was appeasement. Those protests were attracting Spartans left and right. How long before they became riots?"
The phone rang, and Ms. Smith reached for it but was beaten by the Mayor. "Smith, this call is for me. Please leave us."
The agent left the room briskly while the Mayor held the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"What in the actual HELL were you thinking?" The other side asked. "You're letting our people get defiled by those things?"
"Listen Raiko, your little stunts have been driving people into a frenzy. As if it's not enough to outright murder people, you're causing riots and disrupting peaceful protests!"
"What would you have us do?" Raiko asked. "We are surrounded by traitors that are blinded by beautiful bodies and the promise of sex. Thanks to you, we'll never free them from the literal Siren's Song! This was what we paid you those contributions for! To make sure that this didn't happen!"
"And I thank you for them," the Mayor said. "But I'm afraid I can no longer take your side."
Raiko could be heard taking a deep breath. "Listen, I understand my members have been z bit overzealous."
"That's what you call burning down part of the forest?" The Mayor asked. "Or trying to murder a government sponsored Program member? We have Diane's confession on tape!"
Raiko had had enough. If reason wouldn't work, then it was time for the big guns. "You realize we have intricate knowledge of your office from our meetings. You don't want to betray humanity now. We may just let your secrets slip."
"Do not threaten me," the Mayor warned. "I was smart enough to record all of our conversations. I could always leak them to the press. If I go down, you go down with me."
"You can't do this to us, you selfish bitch!"
"Goodbye Raiko."
…
Raiko heard the line cut on the other end. He slammed the phone down in anger and sat back at his Spartan council seat. "Well, this week has been a nightmare."
"Tell me about it," Niko grumbled. "The law for monster humping passed, Jonathan is still M.I.A., we lost a ton of public support, and Diane is a traitor."
"Shouldn't we try to break her out, at least?" Raizo asked. "In case she testifies against us?"
"The decision to let her rot stands," Raiko said. "She betrayed our race and failed her mission. She deserves to be eaten alive by the courts. And her slime lover."
"Jonathan would know what to do," Niko lamented. "He never like her."
"This is all that Kimihito's fault," Raiko spat. "Him and his damn harem of monsters. Until further notice, he is considered public enemy number one! We don't make any large-scale plans until they are out of the picture!"
"Hear, hear!" Niko agreed.
"Now then," Raiko said, "we need a plan. He is protected by the government and MON. How can we take him out without it leading back to us?"
"I know someone who can handle that for us," Raizo said. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Mr. Kurusu? It's Raizo, from the home office! I have some information about your son that you may want to hear…"
