Musubi was excited at the idea of meeting Yukari again, and her boundless cheer infected him, causing Minato to be in a happy mood, as he told the Landlady that he won't be needing dinner today.
"So. With your little sister."
"Yes."
"I understand. Please, take us with you next time."
'What?!'
For a moment Minato felt panic, before laughing awkwardly, and rubbing the back of his head. "Hai…"
He really hoped there will be no such meeting. It could only make things more awkward.
He just turned, and-
As he saw who was entering, scowled, his good cheer evaporating.
"-and then, Klein said, 'Hey, I resemble that remark!'"
"That's quite the 'Noodle Incident', Kirigaya-san. This Klein sounds like quite the character." Seo-san jovially commented. Clearly amused.
"And you're avoiding the issue, little boy. Don't think we didn't notice". One of his twin Sekirei pointed, Minato didn't remember if this one was Hikari or Hibiki. Nevertheless, he was happy someone else was … not charmed by the violent boy.
The other twin continued.
"That's right, you still didn't answer-us, or your Sekirei, which is better –"
"Please don't force me to answer that." The youth replied flatly.
"So, saved any maidens from dragons yet?" Seo-san jokingly asked, and threw a look at his girls, and then at the lunch box each held.
"Funny you should ask…" Kirigaya-san replied, rubbing the back of his neck, and then spotted Minato.
Whose scowl deepened.
"Sorry, I was just about to leave." The older Ashikabi replied, and walked through the group, pushing Kirigaya-san aside as he brushed past him.
He really didn't want to stay any longer than necessary in the company of the black clad boy.
Going towards the exit, Minato focused on something happier-it wouldn't do to upset his Sekirei.
He didn't see the Landlady frowning at his back.
XxXxXx
'Maybe I shouldn't have hurried to leave. This is a bit awkward.'
He threw a side glance at the Sekirei following behind him with crossed arms.
"Tsukiumi…
"You really don't need to guard me."
"According to matsu, I can't let you walk outside alone."
"But, I'm going to…"
"You're meeting your little sister, aren't you? While you're at it, I might as well introduce myself as your true wife."
"That could be a little-"
"Musubi met her. But my-your true wife's inability to meet your family members is just unfair!" She passionately stated.
Minato actually had to step back.
"Isn't it right Minato?" she exclaimed.
"Y-Yes! It's exactly as you say!" he replied hastily, hoping to avoid her ire.
'It's not like somebody might attack me all of a sudden. At least Yukari is safe from all this madness.'
XxXxXx
"Care to tell what all that was about?" Seo-san asked.
"…"
"It's a surprise to see you here so soon, freeloader-san. Did you run out of money again?"
"Actually, Asuna-san here gave me those wonderful lunch boxes, and if they are anything like the stew I had the pleasure of eating, it's going to be great."
"Oh… You do know, I hope, that harassing an attached woman within these walls is Forbidden!" at that last word, the entire playful tone changed into something cheerfully homicidal, and a scary Haniya mask appeared behind the widowed purple haired woman.
Seo shivered, though the feel of his twins leaning into his form for comfort and out of fear was very nice.
"T-There is nothing of the sort! I was just paying a debt. I promised a meal for Seo-san and his Sekirei, for helping Kirito-kun and watching over him while he was busy playing the knight and getting into dangerous stunts."
"Is that so?" Miya-san wondered aloud.
"I think she just does it to punish me with having to see others enjoying her food, while I can't." The black clad teen grumbled.
The chestnut haired girl and only non-Sekirei in the room crossed her hands as she replied with a smile and voice as sweet as the Landlady did, when her mask was summoned. "And do you remember what I said about pulling dangerous stunts?"
She then sighed, and ruefully added. "Though then you wouldn't be my Kirito-kun."
"Hey, why aren't you ever as romantic with us as these two?" his Dear Trouble No. 1 asked, elbow poking at his side.
"That's right, they are so sweet together… its really cute. You can see the hearts in their eyes, not like our brutish, good for nothing Ashikabi." his Dear Trouble No. 2 added.
"If we are here, let's enjoy our meal among this lovely company." He tried to distract them from this dangerous line of thought. He really did try to do nice things for them… sometimes.
As they found comfortable place to sit, and opened the boxes, they got first glance at the contents.
"This looks wonderful, Asuna-san."
"And tastes even better", Hikari added as she took a bite.
Seo Kaoru was anxious to see it for himself. He tried a bit. And then a bit more. Another bite, which was soon followed by a few more…
He lost himself in the pleasure of eating, he suddenly noticed that between himself and his girls, they finished it all.
"That was wonderful." Hibiki said, petting her stomach.
"Way nothing like the cheap fast-food eating places Seo takes us to…" Hikari noted.
He felt as if his esteem in the eyes of others fell somewhat.
He was also surprised to notice that they drew something of a crowd- now, in addition to the bemused Asuna, the busty mature Sekirei and the Landlady-who was covering her mouth with her hand, there were Musubi drooling a bit and Matsu watching them in strange fascination.
"What?"
"I thought it was only Kirito-kun… That he was exaggerating." Asuna voiced in wonder.
"Where is your Ashikabi anyway?" Seo didn't even notice him disappearing.
"kirigaya-san left five minutes ago. He said that watching you eat Asuna-san's food while he couldn't was too much of a torture." Musubi helpfully noted.
Asuna-san schooled her features and threw a look at the Sekirei as she said that they should see where he has gone.
XxXxXx
As he was walking to the computer store to purchase the last items for his project, 'I can't wait to surprise Asuna with this. If I'm right…' And to distract himself from having to see others enjoy Asuna's food, while he was denied, suddenly he felt a pain at the back of his head.
As he fell, his vision darkening, the last thing he heard was a familiar voice.
"…I got you now, Swordsman!"
XxXxXx
"Don't worry, Asuna-san, by now my connection to Kirigaya-kun as his Sekirei is strong enough that I will know when he is in trouble."
The displeased face of the girl who held the heart of her Ashikabi was like a slap in the face.
"He is probably-" before clutching her head as if suffering from the mother of all hangover migraines as she grunted in pain.
"What's wrong?" Asuna-san swiftly changed her frown for a worried look. Were it not for their predicament, Kazehana would have felt cheer at the genuine care she saw in those kind, hazel eyes.
But now was not the time.
"Kirigaya-kun is in trouble!" the Wind Sekirei announced.
Author Notes: Finally, an update!
There were many reasons for my delay, starting with StarCraft Legacy of the void and Fallout 4 (which sucked me in to the point I almost missed a deadline), to a new TV series I found and marathoned for a few days to RL obligations.
And so another chapter ends.
the fight and new Sekirei will be introduced in the next chapter. I wanted to finish and publish something on the eve of the New Year.
For now Happy New Year to those who celebrate it!