The following is a fan based take. Sekirei isn't mine, all I own are the OCs. Please follow, favorite, and review. Your support aids in my creativity. Now if only I could get a trope page on TvTropes, or at least a recommendation. A writer can only hope for such an honor. Well on with the chapter.
Sekirei Blackthorned
Arc of Ascension (Season 2 Finale) – Episode 7 – Updates and Upgrades
(A/N: Next is Season 1, Episode 4. Yes, I'm ending the Arc of Ascension here because in the end of this episode Minato "ascends". If you are wondering how, you'll see soon enough. There won't be an Aaron subplot this time, so it's up to your imagination of what they are up to.)
Minato, for once, had a plan. Once Ryder explained the events of how he would come to meet Matsu, Minato formulated a plan. Minato was always able to be a chessmaster if he wanted to. So he was able to play off he was startled of the "ghost" that everyone else saw. This time, Minato was prepared. However, he didn't expect for Ryder to take Miya out for the day. On the bright side, Miya wasn't around to spook him.
I wanted to spend time with Miya, because I want to be able to say I did. And besides, I wanted to at least prevent Miya from punishing Minato for Matsu's mischief. So, I was going to take Miya for a day out because it was rare for her. Miya had chosen to wear her usual yukata. I had chosen to wear white dress shirt which I wore untucked, with a black tie, black trousers, and black boots. I still wore my weight under my clothes, my BlackTab still on my side, and my sword in a caspule.
"Ryder-san, you don't really need to spend on me." Miya said a light chuckle.
"No, I insist. Besides, you rarely get out the house besides groceries. So, I want to spoil you." I said.
"Although, I have a question." Miya said giving a light stare. "Were you serious about fighting me?"
I had given her a playful smirk but didn't answer. So I took her to that same clothing where I fought off that Ashikabi yesterday. I look up to see it has a peculiar name for the store. Waterflower Apparels. Why does that name sound familiar? When we enter, I'm immediately greeted by a young woman who looks very familiar. She introduced herself as Lily Waterflower, and she spoke with a valley girl accent.
"You're the guy who saved my father from those totally repugnant robbers." Lily remarked. "And I owe you big time!"
"I just did what I normally do." I said sheepishly.
Then she gazed over at Miya and said, "Who's this? A cosplayer or something?"
"No. This is my landlady, Miya Asama." I said.
However, I looked over at Miya and I noticed something. She seemed out of her element. I didn't look if I liked that look or not. Lily came over to her gazing her up and down. Lily was assuming Miya was around her age. Now I couldn't blame her. Even with her endowed chest, at best Miya could pretty much pass for a young adult at best.
"What's with the conservative threads? Conservative parents or something?" Lily said to Miya.
Before Miya could answer, the store's phone rang to which Lily went to answer it. I used that moment to take Miya aside. She looked as red as a tomato.
"Miya, I think she believes you're about her age." I said in a whisper.
Miya was aptly terrified internally. Being a Sekirei, she barely ages at all. This was why she barely left home to do anything other than get groceries or visit a grave. Because of this, this led to Miya to be…very socially awkward outside of Maison Izumo. You couldn't even tell that Miya right now was the same threatening badass back at the inn. It was the reason why she wanted to decline Ryder's offer, but he practically dragged her out. Miya could admit it was sweet of him to be so determined. Well, Miya couldn't tell anyone she was thousands years old. She also didn't want to give a specific number that she would mess up on that later. That's when Ryder asked if something was wrong where Miya chalked it up to being flustered about being mistaken for being so young.
"Well you could easily pass for someone in their 20s. You do have a mature air to you, but a youthful glow." Ryder said to her in a whisper.
"Kuso. He's being charming again." Miya thought.
Ryder had suggested to why not play along and see where it goes.
"Well…why not. What could do wrong?" Miya thought before agreeing with him.
Back at Maizon Izumo, Minato was about to put his plan into action. Shi was watching television with Kusano while Yashima was practicing with her knife. Akitsu was nap-meditating. Matsu had sent out her satellite after Musubi and she crept out to get to Minato. She stripped down to just a towel and got into the washroom. What scared her was sitting there in a towel was Minato looking like he was expecting her. He was still nervous seeing her, but tried to put an air of confidence.
"I had a feeling the "ghost of Maison Izumo" would show her face." Minato said to her. "I had a feeling the shine Kusano described were glasses."
Minato had originally hadn't understood all what Ryder explained, but he put two and two together. Plus, he could make his explanation to how he knew she was coming. Matsu couldn't help but be completely turned on with her confirmation that he knew something was amiss.
"How clever. I will never understand how someone so clever flunked out on the entrance exams twice, Minato." Matsu said coming close to him. "However with Miya gone, you're all mine."
And the winging would come earlier than canon as Matsu had taken Minato as her Ashikabi right in the bath, right when her towel slipped off her body.
"Matsu , Sekirei #02, at your service, my Ashikabi." Matsu said wrapping her arms around him.
Matsu broke into her perverted side with lustful look to get intimate with her Ashikabi, but Minato insisted that he couldn't because of Miya. When Matsu remarked that Miya wasn't here, he then had to insist that he was saving himself for Musubi.
"How sweet. You're saving yourself for your first Sekirei. I suppose I can't honor that. However, we can still do something else." Matsu said seductively.
Matsu got Minato's towel off and smiled with glee at his package.
"You're so much bigger than I calucated. You are certainly full of surprise, Mina-tan." Matsu said with a bit of drool in her mouth. "I wonder how it tastes!"
Minato would have stopped her, but the moment she got it in her mouth he lost the will to. Plus, Miya wasn't here. Musubi would not be back for a while. Matsu knew she would delete any camera footage of her sneaking in the bath glad there were no cameras in the bath. Matsu didn't know that luck was on her side because Miya was going through a bit of humiliation on her own.
I couldn't believe it. Miya, the freaking Sekirei who made Karasuba bleed, was embrassassed and blushing like mad. I was torn being laughing or finding it adorable. Miya had played along like I suggested and Miya had said she was raised rather conservatively. Lily wanted to use her as a model for her fashion line and Miya accepted thinking it was for yukatas. She was wrong….oh so wrong. It was for athletic wear and swimwear. Miya was now in a custom designed sport bra and tight fitting bloomers. I was trying not to stare.
Lily had just taken her last photo before her camera needed another SD card.
"I'll go get another card and your next outfit." Lily said. "By the way Miya, you're so toned. You lift?"
"I swordfight." Miya squeaked out.
"Oh, well you must be good at it to have a body like that." Lily said before she left to get the same outfit.
Miya gave me a mixed look.
"I can't believe that you "scary" around Maison Izumo, but put you in a social situation you're like this." I said surprised.
She tried to give me her Oni stare demanding that I don't tell anyone of what transpired. However, I don't let it faze as I come up to her.
"No need to threaten me. I'll keep quiet. You do need to keep order at the inn and they need to fear you." I say calmly.
"How are you not frightened by me? Everyone is." Miya asked me directly.
"Maybe I see the lonely person beyond the mask." I say getting a blush out of her. "or maybe that my mother does a stare, a lot like yours."
"You're a real vague piece of work, you know that?" Miya said with a pout.
"And so are you." I retorted. "Never thought I'd see you pout."
"You're enjoying this, are you?" Miya said teasingly. "I could see you eyeing as I posed."
"Well you do make a good model for this wear. You're always so active dealing with us." I said sheepishly.
Miya was red again and then Lily returned with a rack of swimwear. Two of them were one piece swimsuits, but the rest were two pieces. I had to thank God I was born to a family of reality warpers. Miya looked mortified and saw my goofy grin.
"Why so scared? If you can swordfight, you can wear a bikini." I said teasingly.
I might have been pushing it, but the look on Miya's face was worth it. One of irritation, anger, and embarrassment.
"Here's my set of swimwear all designed by me and my little sister Misty." Lily said cheerfully.
Miya couldn't believe he said that, but in a twisted way, he was right. From he saw, she was brave enough to scare the tenants shitless and fight Musubi. And while the athletic wear was a bit tight, she enjoyed modeled them.
"My stare won't work on him, but I won't let him win. It's just swimsuits!" Miya said in her head. "I fought opponents he's barely defeated. I've sliced warships without fear. I won't be scared away with swimsuits. So, let me watch, because it's all he's be able too."
Lily snapped Miya out of her thoughts asking if she was ready. Miya turned to her and shouted she was ready to go with the shoot.
Miya seemed more comfortable and was having fun with the shots. In the end, Lily said her thanks and we left after Miya signed some contracts. I didn't even buy anything. It was then I remembered this was the day she was going to mourn her former husband. Kuso! I completely forgot and Miya would have too because I dragged her out.
"I can't help but feel I'm forgetting something." I say trying to jog Miya's memory.
It worked because Miya remembered she was planning to do that. I apologized for having her forget and I offered to go with her and provide the flowers. Can't believe I forgot about that….I feel kind of bad for that. So, we were at the graveyard as Miya laid her flowers and said a few words for him. She left the graveyard and I was there alone with the grave. I couldn't help but tear up being here. I knew how this guy died and it tore me up inside. While Miya didn't cry, I could tell she wanted to.
"Chikushō. Watashi wa sudeni anata wa subarashī tsuitachidatta chi tte imasu. Sono douchebag Minaka yori mo tashika ni sugureta. ... Watashi wa anata ni kore o yakusoku shi, watashi wa anata no tame ni miya o mimamorimasu yo. Watashi wa, Minaka wa, dare ga dono sarani kurushimu tsukuru shichō shite inai tsumori de, soreha yakusokudesu." I said solemnly.
This was something I wanted to keep. Considering what wound up happened to Miya at the final battle, I intend to stop that. No matter what.
Miya had re-entered the graveyard to get Ryder, but stopped to overhear what he was saying. Now she missed some sentences but what she did catch was getting closer,
"…I promise you this, I'll watch over Miya for you. I intend not to watch Minaka make anyone else suffer any further and that's a promise."
Miya was touched by his nobility but was concerned for him. He seemed to know of Minaka's misdeeds more than she realized.
"Considering what he did say about MBI and Minaka, I'm not surprised, but how much does he know about MBI? Then again, I had mentioned Takaheito worked with MBI. Either way, that was really sweet of him to say." Miya thought before hurrying to the entrance.
She found Ryder wiping tears away but had a look of hope and determination on him. He told being among the dead made him famished and wanted her to join him for lunch.
"But I had Musubi go out for groceries." Miya said reminding Ryder.
"Oh right. We should go back." Ryder said.
Ryder was hoping nothing amiss was going on back on Maison Izumo. Well something had but it was already over. After their shower fun, Minato came downstairs to see a sweaty Musubi and with few groceries. Surprisingly, her clothes weren't ruined by the laser. For a want of a nail, Musubi was about to leave Maison Izumo again to get the item she missed.
"How about I come with?" Minato suggested.
"Sure, Minato. You don't need to ask twice." Musubi said as Minato joined her.
After his impromptu experience, he couldn't better but wanted more. He was gazing over at Musubi just appreciating how pretty she was and how she changed his life. As they were walking down the street, Musubi couldn't help but notice his gaze.
"Minato, is something the matter?" She asked him.
"Wait…no" Minato said a tad nervous.
"C'mon, Minato. You can tell me." Mususbi said being assuring support.
Minato had explained what had occurred while she was gone, and Musubi merely beamed at that.
"So the ghost really was a Sekirei and you winged her. That's great!" Musubi said cheerfully.
"You're not mad about what happened in the shower." Minato said nervously.
"Of course not. But…I want to give you one too!" Musubi said excitedly.
Blood trickled down Minato's nose for that fact that his Sekirei wanted to blow him. Now Canon!Minato would have chickened out, but this Minato accepted her offer. Although, they had to find a place to do so first. Eventually, Miya and Ryder would return to Maison Izumo to find Matsu dreamily sitting at the table.
"So the ghost was a bad dream, huh Miya-chan?" Ryder said teasingly.
"Well the cat's out her cage, and I'm wondering why she's out." Miya said turning her gaze to Matsu.
Matsu explained she was winged by Minato because she presumed him in the shower. Now Miya would have been furious, but Ryder gave her a look that said, "Be merciful. She's in love." Miya decided not to punish her, but she would have to call a house meeting.
Right then and there, Minato and Musubi return with bags full of groceries. I had completely forgotten about the laser, but it seems that wasn't issue. Miya asked Minato if Matsu did get to him in the shower to which he said yes. However, he didn't tell her any intimate details. So Miya fully introduced the rest of the house to Matsu, only to retire to her room to rest. As she entered her room, she wondered about the photos taken the photoshoot. Lily had mentioned she could show them to a fashion magazine to get them in there. Miya was thinking there was no way they could end up in a magazine.
After Miya went up to her room, everyone was still gathered in the living room as Musubi was cooking except for Uzume and Kagari/Homura. Perfect.
"Minato, I said I'd hold this off until you winged Matsu. So now, I can present you with your own SekiDex!" I remarked giving Minato his own SekiDex.
His own was like my own except the Sekirei crest had (佐橋) (lit. Sahashi) imprinted within the crest. When Matsu saw this, he immediately asked what it is.
"It's my invention! It's an encyclopedia on Sekirei and her abilities. It measures it in stats. Along with other features." I touted.
"Really?!" Matsu said starstuck.
"Well the Sekirei listing is incomplete, but yeah." I remarked. "Minato, try it out on Matsu."
Minato nodded and opened the Dex. Then it asked if he was switch it on to "full gamer" mode. Now this option was something my tablet added in to both our Dex. I told him to let me handle that. I didn't want that to activate. No need for him to see any entries on Miya, he'd freak. So Minato, Matsu, and I looked over the stats of his own Sekirei.
"Woah, you bond with Musubi jumped up to 700. What did you do?" I asked him.
Minato wouldn't answer, and then I saw Matsu's stats. Of course, considering she lazed about, her physical stats was comparable to slightly above a normal human. She had half the endurance as Musubi, but considering her perverted habits, it made sense. She was also slightly slower than Musubi and was trailing her for special defense. Her luck was insane though at nearly 20, 000.
"Why are you so lucky, Matsu?" Minato asked.
"Maybe it's because I'm number 02." Matsu said sheepishly.
She was fascinated with Ryder's device and how spilled out stats like an RPG game. Matsu was wondering how it worked and make plans to get the secrets from Ryder. Any means possible.
Of course, Matsu's wisdom was with a solid one thousand and her intelligent rating was 145. So Musubi's average, Kusano's bright, and Matsu's highly gifted. Matsu wanted to hear an entry so I scanned Matsu.
" Sekirei Number 2, Matsu, the Oracle Sekirei. Height is 161cm and weight is 47 kg. Bust 95, Waist 58, and Hips 91. Gender is female. Being one of the oldest Sekirei, Matsu boast experience as a genius tactician. Matsu can use her telepathic abilities to access and analyze with any electronic device even without the need of a computer. She can also use her telekinetic abilities to communicate with other Sekirei yet the range is unknown. She can pick into the minds of people as well able to see hopes, dreams, and desires. Despite not being a physical fighter, if she were to learn, her heighten mind makes her able to mimic anything learned easily. She can use also her telekinesis as an attack. Matsu is the strongest out of the "Brain-type" Sekirei. Her special ability "Muscle Memory" allows her when learning a physical fighting technique to increase physical stats increases with x1.7 multiplier. It is said that this Sekirei brings eternal wisdom."
I need Matsu and everyone else was dumbfounded. Kusano asked Matsu if she really was one of the oldest Sekirei to which Matsu had to sheepish.
"Do you write the entries, Ryder?" Matsu asked crossing her arms.
"No, the SekiDex gathers data and give a summary. It's all automatic on that end." I said. "But it looks you could easily become stronger in physical strength if you bothered to exercise."
"Well that's some device. No idea…I could actually read minds or communicate with other Sekirei." Matsu said concerned.
That concerned look turned to a perverted grin as attempted to try to access the inner works of the SekiDex. Of course, she didn't succeed.
"I Matsu-proofed them, Matsu. You wouldn't be hacking them anytime soon." I say with a grin. "I'm glad with programming and hacking myself."
With a SekiDex, Minato stands a good chance on how to improve his Sekirei. Now was the matter of training Minato himself. While Musubi cooked, I told him outside to talk about that.
"I want you to consider a fighting style to take up. I can teach you my own, but it's a little difficult. It will definitely make you stronger though." I said to him with a tone of seriousness.
"Ryder, what's a little risk? If your style made you strong, I'll all for it." Minato said to me.
"I'm rubbing off on you." I said with a light chuckle.
That day would mark the day with ascend into the path of the warrior. Strangely, it was easy for him to pick sensing ki signatures and heck, even using it. Then again, he's an Ashikabi. And so far, my interference has caused all sorts of weirdness. I should be used to it by now.
Thanks to Ryder, Minato charmed Matsu into his team! Will the next one be a breeze or be a battle? Will Miya end up in the magazines? Find out next time, on Sekirei Blackthorned!
(A/N: Of course, this chapter was short because it's Matsu. Turns out, the only thing I didn't mention was Shiina. Well that part's canon here. And I did promise on Miya moments for I based it off my little headcanon on her lack of interactions after Takahetito died.)
Stat Progress Report:
Ryder Blackthorn
· Yashima (No. 84)
P – STR – 155 (+5 from training)
S – ATK – 200
SPD – 155 (+5 from training)
S – DEF – 150
END – 185
LUK – 55 (She wouldn't be so lucky when she almost got Junichi as an Ashikabi)
DEX – 155 (+5 from training)
BON – 300
WIS – 175
INT – 105 (Around average. Unlike the other stats, this one is measure is IQ points)
· Akitsu (No.07)
P – STR – 175
S – ATK – 250
SPD – 210
S – DEF – 200
END – 185
LUK – 0
DEX – 300
BON – (Technically, she doesn't have this due to not being winged, but to measure it – 600)
WIS – 300
INT – 102
· Shi (No.40)
P – STR – 120
S – ATK – 210
SPD – 175
S – DEF – 175
END – 165
LUK – 57 (+2 from finding a coin in a bed of dirt)
DEX – 200
BON – 250 (She loves her Ashikabi, but her shyness slows the rising of the bond)
WIS – 175
INT – 106
Minato Sahashi
· Musubi (No.88)
P – STR – 350
S – ATK – 150 (Recently learned kiai)
SPD – 310 (+10 from evading satellite)
S – DEF – 250
END – 400
LUK – 500
DEX – 360 (+10 from evading satellite)
BON – 700 (+200 for intimate action with Minato)
WIS – 110
INT – 88 (+3 for evading satellite without clothing damage)
· Kusano (No. 108)
P – STR – 50
S – ATK – 500
SPD – 100
S – DEF – 100
END – 175
LUK – 300
DEX – 95
BON – 1000 (Considering she branched out to Minato for her to wing her)
WIS – 50
INT – 120
-Matsu (No. 02)
P – STR – 110 (100 is the average strength for humans)
S – ATK – 450 (Her mind!)
SPD – 250 (She sneaks about!)
S – DEF – 175
END – 1000 (She was apart the top 5)
LUK – 20000 (She's apart of the top 5)
DEX – 120
BON – 800 (was originally 600, but +200 for intimate act with Minato)
WIS – 1000
INT – 145 (measured in IQ points)
