CHAPTER 10
It's been almost a month since Tabane had woken up. Her health improved much, physically and mentally as she was being taken care of by the best nurses, doctors, and friends around.
Jake Jackson was also doing well. Although he is a 1st year student transferee at the IS Academy, he has nonetheless settled in. Plus, physical therapy on his face and right arm have been tiresome. He has, however, had some people to keep him company, like Raiden and Scott. Ichika has also come by since now there are four boys at the Academy. But the one who kept helping him was Laura.
As fellow soldiers fighting side by side and having each other's back on Omega, Laura would often come to visit Jackson and help his recovery. She had grown to a certain…liking of the man despite his injuries. She could tell that he was a soldier through and through. That alone was enough for her and Jake to hang out more often. However, it is unknown just what is developing between the two soldiers.
One could only assume of what it might be.
Ichika was with the rest of the girls in the cafeteria, except for Laura and the Sarashiki sisters, as he looks at a magazine for what looked like part-time jobs.
"A part-time job?" asked Houki to her childhood friend.
"Yeah. Summer break's almost around the corner," Ichika mentions. "I stopped before the exams so I was thinking of doing it again. Still, there aren't many places that employ people for only a short time. I wonder if I could help out at Dan's."
"Dan?" asked Cecilia.
"Dan Gotanda, a friend from middle school," Rin explains. "He is Ran's older brother."
Everyone understood that. After all, with Ran attending the Academy as a first-year student and still holding unrequited feelings for Ichika, she is going to need all the help she can get.
"If a part-time job is what you want, then I'll help you find one. With the help of this!" Rin pulls out another magazine.
"What do you think is the right job for Ichika?" asked Houki.
"If you don't mind, I would like to extend my help too!" Cecilia offered.
"Oh, this looks interesting," Charlotte commented as she reads through.
"I'm not that desperate," Ichika said with worry.
"Let's see… A suitable job for Ichika…" Rin looks through the magazine. "How about working at a restaurant. There are a lot of them. I think it's perfect since you were quite good when you worked at my family's restaurant back then."
"But they rarely accept people who'll do it only for a short time," Ichika said.
"Did being a butler already cross your mind? If you don't mind, you could be in my service. As a butler, you would only have to help me out. Like carrying heavy baggage."
"What the!?" Rin exclaimed. "Stalker can do that for you! Why do you need Ichika for that?"
"How about as a Kendo instructor?" asked Houki. "I don't think my sword skills would be able to get me any money."
That ticked off Rin even more. "Wait a second, you two! Those aren't even listed here! And you got your own boyfriends to help you with that!"
"How about as a private tutor?" asked Charlotte to Ichika. "You're so nice and all so you'll probably get along with children easily."
"But I don't know any subjects well enough to teach," Ichika admitted. "I think you would be a better role as a teacher, Charl."
"Isn't there a job that you want to try even at least once?" asked Charlotte.
"Hmm. Well, nothing in particular," Ichika responded, which made everyone else conclude that Ichika has no ambition whatsoever.
"You all say that but how about you?" Ichika asked. "Is there a job you want to try?"
"Oh yeah, I guess I want to be a waitress at a restaurant. I'm used to helping people out and the tasks are so easy to remember. Maybe try carrying four to give plates too!"
"Yeah. That really suits you, Rin!" Ichika exclaimed.
"You're peppy and cheerful so I think you'll be quite popular," Charlotte commented.
"That is so true."
"How about you, Cecilia?" asked Ichika to the British blonde.
"Me? I'm the current head of the Alcott Estate and I do have work that I attend to…" Cecilia said. "…So I haven't given a thought to having a part-time job."
"Cecilia, I know a job that suits you well!" Rin said with a smirk.
"What is that?" Cecilia asked with worry in her voice.
"Why a residential maid of course!" Rin said as she imagined Cecilia making a mess cleaning. "Since you always rely on your maids to do chores for you, it'll be a great learning experience."
"My. That's so rude of you!" Cecilia was not impressed. "I'll have you know that I could perfectly do chores such as cleaning laundry and cooking!"
A total fluke of course, especially since Scott has had some experiences with Cecilia and her shenanigans. The Canadian representative candidate could only sneeze at that from elsewhere in the school.
"Getting back to the topic, how about you, Houki?" asked Ichika.
"Me? Let me think. I can't really put it in words but I guess something in the culinary field. Like an assistant chef. Or maybe an apprentice at a Japanese confectionary shop."
"Maybe you should give making western cuisine or pastries a try?" asked Ichika. "I'm sure Raiden would like that."
"If you think so, Ichika, I won't mind," Houki goes off on her own thinking, wondering if Raiden likes Western sweets.
"Last, Charlotte—"
"Charlotte can't be anything except a good-looking butler!"
"WOAH!" Ichika was shocked as Honne and her two friends appeared out of nowhere!
"A mild-mannered steward! However, she will show no mercy to those who stand against her master!"
"Why are you appearing all of a sudden!?" Rin demanded. "Anyways, you are reading far too much manga!"
"So that's how they see me," Charlotte sheepishly smiled.
Voices were then heard from down the hallway as a trio of familiar boys walked.
"The rules have changed." Jake said.
"We're dealing with something new," Scott responded.
"Oh, our 3rd male IS pilot does carry an artificial intelligence," Jake countered.
"A machine," Scott said.
"So, it doesn't count?" JJ asked.
"No, it's not like a person lifting the hammer," Scott said.
"Right, different rules for us," Jake agreed pointing to Scott and to himself.
"Nice guy. Artificial," Scott retorted and emphasized at the end.
"Thank you," JJ thanked sarcastically.
"If he can wield the hammer, then he can keep the IS. It is a lot safer with someone trustworthy enough to wield it. And in these days, safe is in short supply," Raiden said as the three stop walking and just stand in silence. Memories of happier times together back in their military days flowed through their minds slowly as nostalgia kicked in.
"But if you put the hammer in an elevator-" JJ breaks the silence.
"It'll still go up," Scott interrupts.
"Elevator's not worthy," Jake remarks.
"I really miss these little talks of ours," Raiden chuckles as he puts a hand on Scott's right shoulder.
"Not if you don't leave this time," Scott said as the three continue walking.
"I hope not. With tensions mounting between the countries, it's only some time before the powder keg explodes," Raiden said as the boys get in line for their lunch. "Phantom Task has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us. And once all these pieces are in position…"
"Triple Yahtzee?" asked Scott.
"You really think war is coming here?" asked Jake.
"I do," Raiden answered. "Besides this one," Raiden points to Scott. "There's nothing that can't be explained."
Raiden gets his food and goes to enjoy the gang at the table. Jake and Scott follow suite as Scott whispers into Jake's ear,
"That man has no regard for blowing stuff up. Nor even to lay down with any girl in bed."
Jake chuckles at that joke as the trio joined everyone else at the table. As usual, Houki sat next to Raiden along with Charlotte while Scott was accompanied by Cecilia. Before long, Jake sat down and then Laura appeared out of nowhere like a rabbit sitting next to Jake. She was on the phone with her second-in-command for some reason.
"Aruji-sama~!" Raiden feels a pair of boobs land on his head from behind.
"Uwah!?" Houki was surprised to see Tatenashi up on top. She feels a little ticked off, alongside Charlotte who snapped with a smile.
"Get off. You're heavy," Raiden said kindly.
"Hee hee, you shouldn't ever joke about something like that to a girl, you know…"
Raiden did not know why but Tatenashi's smile sends a shiver down his spine.
"Y-Yeah, guess you're right," Raiden said.
"I'm glad you understand. If you actually meant it, well, I might have to start a teensy little war," Tatenashi said without concern in her voice.
"R-Right…"
"Onee-chan, get off of him," Kanzashi kindly requests her sister but Tatenashi does not listen.
"My lady," Utsuho Nohotoke, Honne's older sister, came by with something in hand.
"A letter from your family," Utsuho explained as she passes the letter to Tatenashi. Tatenashi opens it and reads it for herself and immediately, time stops for her.
"What is it, Tatenashi?" asked Houki.
But Tatenashi could not say a word as she hid her face. Raiden got a closer look to see it was red. Was she…bashful about what the letter said?
Utsuho explained as she clears her throat.
"It is a marriage contract. By the approval of the Sarashiki Family, both the heir, Tatenashi Sarashiki, and Raiden Hataru, are to be wedded in matrimony."
Silence ensued for the next twenty or so seconds.
"WHHAAAATTTT?!"
OP song: Suara – Musouka (For reference, look up on YouTube Utawarerumono Opening)
(Four loud bangs of metal are heard in four images in red. The first being the iron tessen; the second Cecilia, Rin, Laura, and Ichika; the third Tatenashi, Charlotte, and Houki; and the fourth being Raiden as he looks frontwards to the camera)
Kodomo no koro no yume wa iroasenai rakugaki de (Like the 1st opening of Infinite Stratos, it starts with the camera viewing the water as it moves forward before it views up to see the IS Academy until a flash of white)
Omou mama kakisuberasete egaku mirai e to tsunagaru (Ichika and the girls, in their IS, fly across the sky like the 1st opening before the scene changes to Raiden looking at the sky, viewing from the IS Academy campus as the camera zooms into him before zooming out, as the camera pans upwards with the leaves before it changes scene)
(Opening title is presented as Infinite Stratos: Kingslayer)
Sumiwataru sora hateshinai hodo aoku (Raiden is viewed on the rooftop with some sake)
Mujaki na kokoro ni mitasare hikareteku (Raiden is viewed closer before he turns to look at the camera with a smile)
(Houki is shown three times in three images, each image bringing her closer to the screen)
Yagate jiyuu ni tobimawareru hane o te ni irete (Tabane is shown with holographic butterfly wings as she flies to the moon and spreads her wings out, the glitter of light coming off as the camera pans outwards while her image turns to the camera with a smile)
Muku na hitomi wa motometeku (Miriam Walker is shown for a few seconds before the camera moves closer as it shows Akane Fujimoto's back behind her)
sora no mukou e ikitai na (Ichika flies across the sky as he comes down with Yukihira Nigata SCENE CHANGE Raiden is shown activating his IS Sovereign Spirit as he points his gunblade to the camera as if giving the signal to charge)
Tomedonai negai kara (Houki slices an ATLAS as she goes through the horde, slicing and dicing with her two katana swords)
hitotsu dake kanau no nara (Cecilia, with her Starlight sniper rifle, hits an ATLAS with a butt of her rifle before turning around and firing two shots to more incoming ATLAS chasing her)
Dare ni mo yuzuritaku wa nai (Rin slices a couple ATLAS in a spin before she fires another with her Shock Cannons SCENE CHANGE Tatenashi slams to the ground with her spear stabbed as a group of ATLAS are destroyed)
yume o tsukamitai to omou yo (Laura slices another ATLAS with her wrist blades as she grabs another with her cables and flings it up SCENE CHANGE Charlotte is seen prepping her sniper rifle, ready to fire at the ATLAS thrown to her before the scene changes to a brief white screen)
Kodomo no koro no yume wa (Raiden is shown at night viewing the IS Academy as the sakura blossoms flow gently in the wind)
iroasenai rakugaki de (Tatenashi and her little sister Kanzashi are shown underneath a cherry blossom tree looking upwards to the sakura blossoms while enjoying some sake)
Itsu made mo kakitsuzukerareta (Chifuyu, Yamada-sensei, Scott Stalker, Jake Jackson, and the rest of the IS Academy students are shown in front of their school as the camera moves right to left. SCENE CHANGE The villains of the story are shown as the camera moves from the lower left corner to its opposite side, mainly Phantom Task all the way up to the main villain whose image is obscured in shadow)
negau mirai e to tsunagaru (In quick time montage scenes, the Kingslayer is shown three times as the camera pans outwards with the quick time scenes in between as the creature roars with flames decorating the background. First quick time image shows Project Akuruka, the next ancient fossilized remains of a winged and spiked lion, the last one the Eternal Throne from the Vault and the IS Sovereign Spirit sitting on it while imprisoned in crystal. The last scene ends with an image of GRIEVER unleashing the satellite weapon Amaterasu onto the Earth as all turns white)
(The camera moves upward to show Houki in her shrine maiden outfit with the iron fan in her hands as she dances with sakura petals falling as the scene fades to black with the petals still falling.)
Everyone was sitting at the cafeteria at the IS Academy, all of them quiet. No one was depressed but rather more shocked, as they have been for the past two days since the announcement. Houki reclused herself to be with Tabane not just to help her rehabilitating sister but also confer with her of what she had heard.
It was quiet on the Shinkansen for Raiden and Tatenashi. The two of them were together, along with Kanzashi and the Nohotoke sisters, yet also far from their friends. They were in a different part of the train, far from their friends and guarded by security guards by orders of the Sarashiki family.
"To think… they'd get married…" Cecilia said as she overpoured her tea a little bit.
"This is most unexpected for the lieutenant," Laura agreed eating a salty cracker.
"B-But… I am sure it will work out fine…" Charlotte sheepishly said though on the inside she kept up her angel of death persona. She wanted to make Raiden and Tatenashi pay a thousand, no, ten thousand, times for resolving to this.
"Well, I guess this was coming. After all, those two sure are close…" Rin said as she relaxed.
"Yeah. Rin is right. Plus, I think it's best not to overthink this. I mean, Scott and JJ seem to be fine," Ichika said as he spotted the two boys play chess at another table in the cafeteria.
And Scott was losing.
"Oh come on, man. This is just not fair. I had a perfect plan and you blew it," Scott said.
"Hey, once the queen is taken, the rest soon follow," Jake said as he moves his knight for checkmate. "That's another beer you owe me."
"Keep dreaming, cowboy. I remember that time you got your ass handed to you by that Irish IS pilot when you went head to head with her in a friendly competition."
"Do not remind me of that…" Jake said as he takes a sip of his whiskey flask.
"What was it though? You had reach but she had flexibility?" Scott asked.
"Well there was more than one way to work off stress, I guess," Jake admitted.
The two boys then set up the chess set again. This time their colors were reversed as Jake went first with the pawns.
"I do wonder how Houki is doing though? She hasn't been the same since the engagement announcement," Jake asked in concern.
Houki had dark auras and red eyes emanating off of herself. To the naked eye, she was just pure mad. She was thinking of a thousand different ways to make Raiden suffer for all this. She wanted Raiden to be hers, not to Tatenashi's. Otherwise that sneaky blue cat will take him wherever they go to and disappear off the map, at least that is what she thinks in her mind.
But she soon turned her attention over to Tabane right in front of her, who was working on a 10x10 Rubik's cube. For once she was doing something not to do with IS. After all, having recovered from her incident, she wanted to make time for her little sister. Her work can wait but not for too long, or pretty soon she would be making friends with robots who would want to end the human race to obtain peace.
Houki could only smile at her sister concentrating on the cube as she remembers the last time they interacted together.
FLASHBACK…
Houki was escorting Tabane who was in a wheelchair. As usual, Tabane continued her usual work like she did in her hideout, but she also had to undergo some major therapy and rehabilitation. The feelings in her body were not completely recovered so she had to be escorted around.
A bath time was called for Tabane as Houki escorted her, whom the former was in a hospital gown of sorts. The bath was a simple inflatable pool fit enough for two people, but it was mostly reserved for Tabane. As for the water itself, it was not just ordinary lukewarm water, but it was also mixed with a few things needed for Tabane to recover fully. Included among them was a small sliver of Jake's cure and a few things of Houki's herbalism medicine that she secretly included.
"Alright, Nee-san. You ready?" asked Houki.
"Yeah," Tabane answered as Houki carries her sister from her wheelchair and sets her gently down into the pool. This would be Tabane's 3rd time going into the bath as a means of rehabilitation.
Tabane relaxes back as her little sister helps her in before Houki rolls up her sleeves and wipes her with a wet warm towel.
"How are you feeling, Nee-san?" asked Houki as she starts to gently wash her sister's hair.
"Relaxed…for now, I think," Tabane answered in a monotone voice.
This was a surprise for Houki. Usually her sister would say that she is fine but perhaps the trauma of what she experienced may have changed her somewhat. Whether that is a good change or not, she does not know. But all that matters now is taking care of her per Chifuyu's request so as for the sisters to continue mending the bridges between them.
Tabane feels the scar on her stomach from the knife wound she had received two years ago. It felt rough and fresh, and Tabane knew it would live with her forever.
As Houki washes her sister's hair, she notices hydrangea flowers nearby back by the hospital bed. She recalled from her memory of how they were her sister's favorite flowers. The many petals that sprouted from each flower simply explained its wonderful beauty. These flowers were even more beautiful when exposed to the rain.
"Have you kept those flowers all that time, Nee-san?" asked Houki.
"Hmm?" Tabane sees the flowers back at the desk by her bed. "Ahh. I have been visiting our parents' house secretly to pick off some of the hydrangea flowers. They are my favorite after all. I replace the ones I pick with new ones and toss the dead ones I have away."
"There is one thing I don't understand though," Houki said. "How were you able to speak to me in a dream?"
"Hmm, even I don't know," Tabane jokingly shrugged.
"Nee-san," Houki wasn't convinced. Sighing in defeat, Tabane comes clean.
"In my last attempt before my heart stopped beating, I managed to reach out to your IS connection through the IS Core Network. I tapped into your consciousness while you dreamed to give my goodbyes. Though I still had brainwave activity, my heart ceased to function, at least until the cure."
"But that's impossible, isn't it?" asked Houki. "Not unless you are plugged into the Network itself to manifest."
"I didn't create the Network for me to have limited access to, Houki-chan. If anything, I use to roam a lot around the place, tinkering and all. There are a lot of secrets to it that only I know of. But the Core Network does have its…dangers. As you no doubt had seen for yourself when you and your friends were trapped within it."
Houki remembers the World Purge event two years ago, when she experienced her worst nightmare. Although nothing more than an illusion, it was what she had feared the most. Yet she wonders what her dream like the others had could have been had Raiden not have circumstances like the Akuruka power. She believed that, if possible, she could have dreamed of a family with him. Him behind her back as they sit together on the couch, watching their first-born play around. It would have been a good dream for her. And yet, she questions why fate is always cruel to both her and Raiden. Why does Houki always have danger follow her around when she is around Raiden? Could it be possible that she would've had a more peaceful life if Raiden was not in it.
No. That was ridiculous, she thought to herself. She loved the man and saw him as someone better suited for her than Ichika. And she would do anything to protect him. But only if Raiden could say the same since he was not always a guy considerate of other people's feelings.
"You are quiet, Houki-chan," Tabane noticed. "Are you not feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Houki said but Tabane could tell she wasn't. She did know her little sister all too well.
"I heard your words spoken to me when I was comatose. You asked why I have kept everything hidden. You think you understand. But you do not."
Houki was unresponsive as she continues to wash Tabane's back gently.
"Why do you say nothing?" asked Tabane.
"I still don't understand," Houki broke her silence. "Chifuyu told me that you didn't want me to know about your condition. About your two-year coma. I know I would not understand. But, after all this, I thought… maybe if things were different."
Tabane was silent on that. Indeed, she requested Chifuyu not to tell her sister of what had become of her so as to not to worry her. But it may have backfired somewhat, and she did force Chifuyu to keep it a secret.
"You do not know everything, Houki-chan," Tabane said .
"No," Houki agrees. "But at least I know the truth now."
Again, Tabane was silent. The truth was what her sister wanted to hear but is also what she makes of it. She has seen what she has wanted to see, believed what she has been led to believe. Yet now to the IS creator, she felt it was now time for a confession. Her face turned serious.
"When you first received your IS from me, Houki-chan, I never wanted you to be paired up with the other male IS pilot. I had so many plans for you and Ikkun. But when Raiden came into the picture, they all fell apart. And now everything I had sought to complete laid in ruins."
Houki washes her sister's back after rinsing her with soap. But she soon stopped rinsing her and noticed that Tabane had her hands down, along with her eyes being covered by her frontal hair.
"I hated Raiden for that. I hated him so much that I wanted to make him pay for taking you away from me. At least that is what I had interpreted."
"You…hated him?" asked Houki. "You never the kind of person to hate on someone, Nee-san."
"No," Tabane agreed. "But Raiden was different. An anomaly. One I could never figure out. I do not know how he became an IS pilot. But I was filled with nothing but hatred for the man. Because… he was better than me. Everything I had envisioned, everything I strived to work for, all fell apart when things in his life escalated. When I saw how you two were close to one another, I gave up my spite and left it all to him. Focused on more of my work, at least until I ended up comatose."
"But why, Nee-san? Why did you keep the truth hidden from me? Why did you not want me to be paired with Raiden?" asked Houki.
Tabane soon turns around and brings her hands to Houki's in sisterly assurance and care.
"I had hoped to spare you," Tabane said.
"From what?" asked Houki. But Tabane deflects the question.
"You will find out. In due time" Tabane then pats her little sister's head, like she did when they were little.
The two were quiet. They have never had a chance to bond like this as sisters for a very, very, very long time. Circumstances and positions drove the two apart gradually, especially the IS. Fate is a cruel mistress to bring the two of them back together like this but hopefully they can set aside their work and focus on mending the bridge between the two once shattered and broken.
"You've changed since last I saw you, Nee-san," Houki said as she breaks the silence.
"Oh?" asked Tabane curiously. "Really? Nah, silly. Tabane can't change because Tabane is Tabane~!"
But Houki was not convinced.
"You just seemed more…mellow. More calm,"
"Why thank you~" Tabane exclaimed as she hugged her little sister into her bosom.
"HMPH?!"
"Houki-chan seems stressed today. Maybe this will help, no? I've heard that resting in the bosom of a woman is good for one's health~"
Houki struggles to air as she pops her head out of her sister's bosom.
"Nee-san!" Houki tries to get out of her sister's grip and she manages to, but only when she realizes her sister limping a bit in the water. Catching her before she fell out of the inflatable pool, she brings and sits her up.
But that was just a ruse for Tabane as she then pulls Houki into the water, getting her clothes wet. Houki was utterly shocked and soaked before putting on an unamused face.
"…Nee-san."
"What?" asked Tabane curiously.
Houki soon grabs a nearby bucket of cold water and dumps it on her sister's head, shocking her.
"UWAH! That's cold!" Tabane screamed.
Houki starts to laugh but not before Tabane retaliates back with a squirt gun right into her little sister's face. The petty squabble soon turned into laughs and giggles as the two had fun in the pool.
About fifteen minutes later, Houki removed most of her uniform and only had her bra and panties on while in the bath with Tabane. This new feeling of excitement felt strange, alien to her. Like it was something she had not seen for a long, long time. She remembered playing with her sister when they were so young. And those were good days to remember. Now that feeling was coming back again.
Houki felt unsure of what to say but at the same time, did not find it concerning. After all, she was willing to leave the past behind in favor for the future.
"I've heard you've taken up mother's profession of herbalism," Tabane said.
"You know of this?" asked Houki who was surprised.
"You always were one to watch mother practice her magic," Tabane said. "I always knew you were curious of it, yet you never seemed to have asked until recently."
"Well, it's just…" Houki struggled a bit to find the right words. "People around me tend to get hurt a lot. And you are just the latest in the long run. Plus, it pains me to not do anything to alleviate their suffering."
"Let me guess. Raiden's injuries motivated you?" asked Tabane.
"Yeah…" Houki confirmed. "With almost every fight, he has to remain hospitalized. And I cannot do anything to stop it."
"Like the marriage proposal to Tatenashi Sarashiki?" asked Tabane, who shocked Houki as she read her mind.
"Nee-san… You knew?" asked Houki.
"I heard of it from Chi-Chan," Tabane said. "She told me."
Houki then remained quiet as her hair bangs overshadowed her eyes. She was still trying to accept what she had heard earlier two days ago. She still could not believe it. If Raiden truly was to be engaged with Tatenashi, then it seemed like Houki would have to forget about Raiden and move on. But how could she? She loves the blind man completely and she is pretty certain he loves her too. And yet, she felt her heart break piece by piece like broken glass from a cup.
Tabane took notice of her sister's melancholy demeanor. She then steps in to hug her gently.
"Houki-chan…" Tabane catches her little sister's attention. "I do not exactly have the words of comfort for you, but I am sure he still feels for you more than the Sarashiki girl."
"How can you be so sure?" Houki asked.
"You talk about him a lot. You always wonder to yourself what would he do if he were in your shoes."
Houki thought to herself for a moment. Once again, her sister was right. For being as sharp as she was, Houki had to give her credit for that.
"Besides, I already have a bad feeling about all this," Tabane said, making Houki catch her drift.
"What do you mean?" asked Houki.
"A wedding by the Sarashiki family and the 2nd male IS pilot? I have a feeling something ominous is going to happen."
Houki could only ponder it in thought, wondering if such a possibility is possible to say the least.
FLASHBACK ENDS…
Raiden's jaw is slightly ajar as he looks at the mansion of the Sarashiki family that he and the sisters arrive at. And it was huge. Very western-like as well. Though it was meant for the Sarashiki family's main members, it also included bedrooms for the cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews of the family.
"That is big," Raiden observes.
"Welcome to our home," Kanzashi said as her sister unlocks the gate to the mansion.
Soon as the gates opened, there was a long straight walkway to the house itself, almost like something out of Buckingham Palace in London. Everything seemed to be quiet, like the family was awaiting the arrival of the heir to the family and her betrothed.
Suddenly, a black Mercedes Maybach Pullman screeches and stops in front of the trio. And out pops out a Japanese man in samurai armor, in a reflection of the Edo period that covered him from head to toe. He brought out a standard issue katana.
"Katana," cried the man whose voice sounded elderly. "You're not getting away from me!"
Raiden partially deploys his IS on his right hand and brings out his gunblade, Overture, and flips it to its blade mode.
"Do not get in my way, silver lion!" cried the man as he and Raiden charge.
Their blades clash as they surprisingly stand their ground. The air and ground seem to quake a little from it as Raiden backs off.
'He is strong. Very well, then…'
Raiden begins to bring out his Akuruka as blue lightning cackles around him. But then all of a sudden, a group of Audi A7 cars emerge as guards dressed in standard issue tuxedos came out of their car and pointed their Beretta M9 pistols at Raiden. A total of ten guards surrounded Raiden, making him depower his Akuruka and deactivate his partially deployed IS.
"Don't move!" cried one of the guards.
"Are you alright, sir?" asked another female guard.
"'Sir'?" asked Raiden.
The samurai attacker took off his helmet to reveal a bearded man most likely in his 50's with somewhat long hair. He had yellow eyes and his face looked Japanese but more intimidating. If anything, he looked like a high-ranking noble of sorts. His face had no sense of humor, a serious man that can make jokers stop their antics.
Tatenashi runs over to Raiden and hugs him before she looks at the samurai man. This confuses the guards as they lower their weapons almost instantly.
"Father!" cried Tatenashi. "This man is the 2nd male IS pilot and the man who took my first kiss. Raiden Hataru!"
LATER…
Raiden, Tatenashi, and Kanzashi were at the meeting room inside the mansion, which consisted of nothing more than a standard issue chair with a white table cloth covering it. They were sitting face to face with Daisuke Sarashiki, who kept his armor on except for the helmet that was placed beside him on the table.
"Hey, Katana, what is going on here?" asked Raiden as he whispers to Tatenashi.
"Just play along for now, Raiden," Tatenashi urges as Raiden gets a glimpse of Tatenashi's father who glares at him intently. "That's my father, Daisuke Sarashiki. Head of the family."
"I get that. But why is your dad dressed like a samurai?" asked Raiden.
"My family is descended from the Tokugawa era; thus they served the shogun!" Tatenashi whispers back.
"So you're the 2nd male IS pilot?" Daisuke Sarashiki asks before he scoffs. "You seem disappointing for a male IS pilot. Someone like you needs more impact on the world."
"I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much," Raiden sarcastically thanks as he drinks his tea.
"You have some nerve as to take away my daughter to be your mistress…Kingslayer," Daisuke says, making Raiden spit out his tea at the shock of the name.
"How the hell do you know that name!?" asked Raiden demandingly.
"You're not as well hidden as you think. If you truly lived up to the name, you would have enslaved every woman you came across." Daisuke responds, which only ticks Raiden more. Tatenashi brings herself over to Raiden's side and looks to her father.
"Even if that were the case, I wouldn't have a problem with it," Tatenashi says. "Great men like to indulge. It wouldn't be unusual for someone like Raiden to have multiple wives and mistresses, wouldn't it? If you keep insisting that I marry someone, then I would rather choose him as my groom!"
Daisuke looked a bit shocked and surprised at his eldest daughter but later grips his hands on the table, trying to retain his pride.
"Listen, Katana. I'm not telling you to get married because I'm fine with any groom," Soon, Daisuke's will falters a bit. "Well, actually… Um…"
"Oh, my. I told you this would happen," A high voice catches everyone's attention as a woman with silver hair and turquoise blue eyes comes forward with a smile of amusement on her face. She was beautiful in appearance, wearing a blue kimono with a black obi and wrapped with a yellow string around it.
"She'd jump straight to choosing Raiden himself,"
"Aiko?" Daisuke was surprised.
"Mother?!" Tatenashi expressed, making Raiden turn to her in disbelief.
"Katana," Aiko Sarashiki catches her daughter's attention, along with her groom. "Your father has misgivings about your relationship with the 2nd male IS pilot. Which is why he was insistent on having you engaged to someone else. I have talked him out of it though for the time being."
Daisuke sighs and groans in defeat. His wife's intuition was always the weapon he uses against him whenever his hot-blooded head gets the best of him.
Aiko soon turns to Raiden and bows with a smile.
"My name is Aiko Sarashiki. I thank you for taking care of my eldest daughter, Raiden Hataru. Let me just say that I knew of your mother and I express my condolences."
Raiden was shocked. "You knew of her?"
"I was friends once with your mother, back when we piloted the IS in its early stages. She told me a lot about you at times. And it is good to see her child still alive. Your mother would be proud of you."
Raiden felt a little teary at that remark but brushed it aside. He would never think that in all the time he knew his mother, she had a friend of the Sarashiki family. It was something to consider thinking about.
"While I would love to continue this chat, we have an engagement party for you to participate in by requirement. Utsuho Nohotoke will see to your room. The party begins in about 4 hours from now."
Utsuho bows as she leads the engaged couple over to their rooms. Honne meanwhile leads Kanzashi over to her room in her usual sleepy expression.
AT THE PARTY…
The party was held at the mansion of the Sarashiki's, in a ball room fitted for all the honored guests who came via invitation. Hundreds of people came for the celebration, given that the wedding was to happen in about a few more days. It was being prepared in another location in the meantime.
Raiden was drinking wine by a table, alongside Utsuho who served him the drinks. He wore a nice white tuxedo suit with a white vest, dark red tie, and black shirt with black shoes.
"Nobles sure do have it rough, huh?" asked Raiden to Utsuho. "Glad I was born a commoner."
"That's hard to believe coming from the 2nd male to pilot an IS," Utsuho said.
"Oh?" I've never you dressed that sharp!" A voice catches Raiden as Cecilia appears in a vibrant blue dress fit for an English noblewoman. "You look pretty handsome, Aniki!"
"Cecil! Why are you here?" asked a surprised Raiden.
"We suddenly got the invitation this afternoon," Cecilia's date answered in the form of Scott as he walks forward with PHOENIX perched on his left shoulder.
"Scott!" Raiden was surprised again.
"Looks like they invited anyone and everyone who knows you or Tatenashi," Scott answered. "Nice suit by the way. Take a look over there."
Raiden looks to his right to see Jake and Laura over by the food table.
"Hey, Raiden! What's up?" called Jake. Jake wore a black shirt with a white jacket, white pants, black shoes, and a red tie. He kept his trademark cowboy hat on with him.
"Jake?!" Raiden comes over to him. "I thought you said you had some work to do with FEISAR!"
"Actually, I got it done earlier than I thought I would. And I needed a break anyway."
"I'm surprised you came as well, Laura," Raiden noted as Laura wore a black and purple dress.
"The Instructor told me and Jake to go in her place. She could not make it tonight," Laura explained as she eats octopus wieners, which are her favorite things to eat besides takoyaki.
"Let me guess: Chifuyu had more work to finish?" asked Raiden.
"Yes. Though she said she will be late. The others were not invited unfortunately."
"A damn shame," Scott said. "Would've been nice for all of us to come to the party." He then grabs Cecilia's hand, surprising her. "But I suppose this will do."
A couple voices were called out form the front room of the party. Standing there were members of the Sarashiki family consisting of Tatenashi, her little sister Kanzashi who waved them over, Aiko Sarashiki the mother who anticipated Raiden's arrival, and Daisuke Sarashiki, head of the family who still bore a scowl at Raiden and turned his head away.
"Raiden!" called out Tatenashi.
"Hataru-san, over here," Kanzashi called out.
Both sisters wore beautiful dresses in a reflection of their colors. They were almost the same ones as what they wore at the IS Grand Ball. Except they were white and gold in color. But Kanzashi's was more of a light blue.
Raiden decides to let his two best male friends be with their dates as he walks over towards the Sarashiki family. Passing by Raiden was a tall, curvaceous young woman with her long blond hair tied back in a ponytail who wore a maid's outfit in disguise as one of the servants. She bore a grin as she passed him, a grin of eagerness and opportunity.
"I'm glad you were able to make it, Raiden," Tatenashi said.
"You know, you two look almost exactly alike in those dresses," Raiden notes.
"There are also our aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews here at this party. But we are the main heads of it," Tatenashi explains. "Sometimes I cannot tell who is who."
"I just still cannot believe it," Kanzashi said as she holds her hands close to her chest. "My own sister getting married to you. I am really happy for the both of you."
Aiko places her hands on her daughter's shoulders in reassurance as Daisuke smiles happily for Kanzashi.
"I have you to thank for that, Hataru-san," Kanzashi said.
"I didn't do much to help you," Raiden was a little embarrassed to say.
Daisuke then pops in to speak to his youngest daughter. "Kanzashi, don't tell me you've fallen for him too?"
"She hasn't, father," Tatenashi said. "But Raiden has helped her out of her slump before."
Daisuke soon took it the wrong way and his eyes glowed red, followed by a fire that made him rise up in anger, directing it towards the blind lion. Tatenashi only smiles and closes her eyes in amusement along with her mother while Kanzashi was confused. Raiden however was sweating in fear of this powerful man. Normally he would not be so afraid of such people but powerful individuals like Daisuke are probably something to consider.
"You wretch! Just how many girls have you seduced alongside with my daughters?!" Daisuke demanded.
"Seduced?" asked a confused Kanzashi.
Nearby, two other girls, Houki and Charlotte, overheard the question and blushed and looked away in embarrassment. They were with Tabane in disguise as a waitress for public safety. Both Raiden and Daisuke saw this, the latter in complete shock.
"It can't be!" cried Daisuke.
"Do you understand now, father?" asked Tatenashi as she turns to him. "I am not the only one. Houki was the first, but almost all of the girls invited tonight are Raiden's concubines."
Aiko was surprised and exclaimed, "Wow!"
But her husband was questionable as his rage boiled. "I gathered everyone you know here to learn more about them, but it seems that we can skip the talk and resume our previous encounter!"
That sent chills over Raiden's spine as Daisuke brandishes his katana out, ready to finish the battle. Aiko however restrains him completely thanks to a chop to the back of the head.
"Husband, let's not ruin this party that you and I have made in honor of our daughter's engagement wedding," Aiko said with a scary smile that made Daisuke stand down.
Loud noises were then heard by the entrance of the door as the crowd gathers by.
"What's the matter?" asked Raiden.
"Stay here. I am going to go see what's up," Kanzashi said as she took off. But both Raiden and Tatenashi did not like where this was going.
"Follow her…" urged Tatenashi. Raiden agrees as he stays hidden whilst following Kanzashi.
Loud voices were heard as a young man with blue eyes and blonde hair addressed the crowd. He wore a very fancy tuxedo dress that was stylized like he was some sort of king or lord of a region. His face showed pure arrogance as he addresses the crowd before him.
"Listen up. Your yearly tribute to the Harvard family will be of great benefit for you all. I assure you that you will be greatly rewarded for your sacrifice. Be delighted in all this."
"You're just being an unreasonable brat, Alexei. To think your father put you like this after he passed away!" cried one noble.
"Shut up!" Alexei demanded. "You will do exactly as I say!"
"Alexei!" cried out Kanzashi. This catches Alexei's attention as Kanzashi approaches him, trying to put on a brave face.
"Hey, Kanzashi! I rushed here today so that I could see ya!" Alexei greeted with joy. "Whatddya think? Nice suit, isn't it? I had this custom made for me, which is why I'm the only one who can wear it…"
One of the waiters then accidentally spills a glass of water on Alexei's shirt. This made him mad in an instant.
"Sonnuva bitch, how dare you make my tuxedo wet!?"
Alexei tries to slap the scared waiter but was stopped immediately by a security guard who intervened in time. Some of the nobles laughed at that but it only made him mad even more.
"Who was that? Who's laughing!?" Alexei demanded. "Jeez, snickering to yourselves… Typical for a bunch of hicks!"
"Don't talk like that," Kanzashi pleaded. "You shouldn't speak so poorly of the people you grew up with."
"Jeez, I do not want to hear it!" Alexei demanded as he turns his head away in arrogance.
"You never used to talk like that, either," Kanzashi noted sadly.
"That was then and this is now. Tribute must be made to my family to serving as protectors of the land. And by tribute, I mean large sums of money."
"But Alexei… Why would you do such a cruel thing?"
"You see, Kanzashi, I'm too big a guy to be living out in the boondocks like this," Suddenly, Alexei grabs Kanzashi's left hand. "C'mon, you're coming with me. I thought I promised you. I said I'd take you with me."
"I don't remember any promise like that!" Kanzashi said. Alexei felt insulted on account of his pride.
"Why not!? I'm telling you that I'll treat ya to a life of luxury! Better than what your family could offer!"
"I don't have any need to live in luxury. I already have what I need," Kanzashi replied.
"Don't you lie to me! There ain't a single person in this world who doesn't want that!"
"That's not what I want!"
"Why? Why not!?" cried Alexei as he tightens his grip on Kanzashi's wrist.
"OW! Alexei, let me go!" cried Kanzashi. Luckily for her, her savior was watching.
"Can't you see she is not willing to go with you, pathetic brat?" Raiden calls out to the young man. Every noble turned their eyes and ears to Raiden, even the Sarashiki parents.
"Who the hell are you!?" asked Alexei.
Raiden remains silent, his expression of pure resentment directed towards the young boy gripping Kanzashi's hand. Everyone in the party room looked on in amazement.
"I haven't seen you around," Alexei points to Raiden and approaches him while letting go of Kanzashi's hand. "Take that blindfold off now and tell me who you are, pal!"
"Even if I did remove it, I have no reason to tell you my name," Raiden coldly said.
Alexei felt like his pride was insulted, "What!? It seems you don't know who I am, do you?"
"Couldn't care less," Raiden nonchalantly said. Alexei stutters for a brief moment
"This is exactly why commoners are such a pain to deal with," Alexei mumbles to himself before he huffs his chest with arrogance. "My name is Alexei Harvard! First born son of Vladimir Harvard and head of the Harvard family."
Raiden was unmoved by the declaration and remains silent, but Alexei took it the wrong way.
"So overcome with fear, huh?" Alexei then turns over to his childhood friend. "Hey, Kanzashi, how long have you been letting this weirdo hang around at home? Why don't you run his ass out!" Alexei then turns to Raiden. "I guess I could just do that right here and now..."
"Stop it!" Kanzashi pleads as she runs in between the two boys. "He's not a weirdo at all! He's a student of the IS Academy! The second male in the world to pilot an IS!"
Everyone in the room seemed astonished, Alexei's' pride still blinds him. "Huh? What are you getting so serious for?"
"He's been a student for almost three years, and I know what a good person he is!"
Harvard then gasps in shock at a thought. "Wait, don't tell me...Did you two do it already?!"
Kanzashi suddenly gasps in embarrassment, "What? No... "
Alexei suddenly grabs Kanzashi by the shoulders, which makes the guards grasp their batons at the ready.
"Don't be ridiculous! Even when you've already got me!?"
Raiden pops in to save her from the grip, "Kanzashi, I'm a little lost here."
Kanzashi turns around to Raiden and breaks out of Alexei's grip.
"It's not like that! Alexei and I are only just childhood friends."
But Alexei felt insulted on his pride of that remark. "Only...Only? What do you mean by only?" Alexei grips his head in vanity. "And where the hell did this guy pop out from anyway!?" Alexei demands as he points to Raiden.
Kanzashi explains, "He is my sister's betrothed. That's why I..."
But Alexei composes himself and returns to his arrogant self, not even bothering to listen to Kanzashi. "Ah, of course. Yeah, that's what I figured. I'm just saying I won't put anyone coming between you and me."
"So, have you finished your business here, so-called head of the family?" Raiden scoffs which insults Alexei.
"What was that!? This ain't got nothing to do with you!" Alexei tries to punch Raiden, only for him to catch it and slowly crush it. The boy starts to feel his wrist slowly get crushed by the intense grip.
Coldly, Raiden declares "It has plenty to do with me. This girl is someone most precious to me, and you will not take her away from me at all. Plus I would not want to make her older sister mad if I were you."
Afterwards, Raiden crushes Alexei's hand before letting go, making the boy retreat and out through the door. Everyone watches Alexei leave while some look at Raiden, remaining cold as he intensifies his gaze to the door Alexei left at. Tatenashi looks at her beloved betrothed from behind in astonishment.
AFTER THE PARTY…
Raiden sat on the bed, his tie loose and his jacket off. His shoes were also off with just the socks. Taking off his belt and removing his pants, he slipped onto something more comfortable for the night, which were some nice and loose sports shorts. Then, Raiden stands out to the window and looks out at the snow of Hokkaido. This was not the first time he has seen it but it is the first time for him to be in Hokkaido. It was cold. Cold as hell as anyone would say.
And Raiden does not like the cold.
Tatenashi slips out of the bathroom wearing her robe after brushing her teeth. She could see Raiden staring out at the window, prompting her to come up from behind and be at his side.
"Katana…" Raiden catches Tatenashi's attention. "Have I said anything that offended you?"
Tatenashi was surprised at such a question. The two lovers looked at one another in the eye as Raiden continued his line of though.
"You have been silent for some time now," Raiden noted.
Tatenashi gives a small sad smile. "It's not that. If anything, I'm happy right now."
"Happy?" asked Raiden. "Have I been a burden on you?"
"Not at all!" Tatenashi denied before she regained her composure and looked out the window. "Today, you were the one who rescued Kanzashi-chan. Alexei wasn't always like what he is now."
"Maybe… No person is tainted with greed right from the start," Raiden said. "But his choices as of late have certainly led him to that."
Tatenashi looks at her betrothed looking out at the snowy window as the snowflakes fall from the sky gently.
Raiden soon regains his composure and scoffs a bit at himself. "Listen to me… Talking about a lot of nonsense."
Tatenashi giggles a little as both she and her soon-to-be husband awaited the day of their wedding.
Author's Note
A wedding between the heir of the Sarashiki family and the 2nd male IS pilot? Even after I made it an OC X Houki story?! Well, I guess changes need to come by. This is after all a harem. But will Raiden choose the sneaky cat or stay loyal to the vixen?
Some of you may think why I have changed the intro OP song a bit. Well, I needed to show the progression a bit and it was still an idea in process. Figured I would change it up to give you a clearer understanding of it.
Obvious references in the beginning I am sure you can make out on but for the next two chapters, they will be tied more to Utawarerumono in terms of references. So stay tuned for more.
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