010 - How to visit libraries and ignite a fighting spirit
The Tokyo East Old Library is, in many senses, a relic of the past. An old name referencing the times before MBI took the city over, an architecture that fell out of fashion centuries ago and rows upon rows of information preserved in a format that's rapidly becoming obsolete.
There is an electronic security system, even some old and clunky public-use computers. But there's no internet access and everything is part of a self-contained system. Not even Number 02 can find her here. Furthermore, this place lies within the territory claimed by a powerful Ashikabi, providing additional security through the simple fact that not many would willingly intrude
An ideal base of operations for someone short on resources, a small safe haven for a recently-released Brain-type Sekirei to make a temporary nest and evaluate her next move from a secure position. Truly, Kochou couldn't be more satisfied with the hideout she has procured for herself.
She takes a deep breath, taking in the scent of the place. Wooden furniture, ink and paper, hints of that excellent green tea the librarian old lady likes to brew during her breaks. In spite of herself, a small smile tugs at Kochou's lips. Most of what she just told to herself is patently untrue, mere excuses so as not to have to leave this place.
Tokyo East Old Library is a horrible choice for a base of operations. Kochou's abilities are technology-based and thus, she would've been better served somewhere with state-of-the-art computers, where she could properly leverage her strengths. But this place is peaceful and nice, somewhere she can relax and indulge without having to face the uncomfortable realities of being a Brain-Type Sekirei living in the heart of Shinto Teito..
This isn't something she likes to acknowledge, but her chances of emerging victorious from the Sekirei Plan are near zero. She's checked and rechecked the numbers and the game is rigged against Brain-Types from the very start.
The most she can aspire to is being part of the winning team, only to be struck down by her own allies when the moment of truth arrives. The Sekirei Plan can only have one winner and it will be decided by combat. So, instead, she's resigned herself to the simple truth of her inevitable defeat and resolved to enjoy her time until then as much as possible.
In time, some Ashikabi will find her and use her for all she's worth until they're defeated or she's thrown away in the final struggle. Or maybe she'll be terminated before she can even get to the starting line. That's certainly a possibility she can't ignore
"More the reason to indulge now." She muses out loud, reaching for the next volume of the fascinating series she's been reading this week. "While I still have the chance."
"'Slave Harem in the Labyrinth of the Other World'?" A female voice calls out from nowhere, making Kochou freeze in shock. "That's a strangely self-aware choice of reading material for a little feather like you. Or should I call it masochistic self-pity?"
Slowly, very slowly, while doing her best to preserve her dignity and hold back the shrill cry of pure terror that's trying to leave her lungs, Kochou pulls her hand back. Schooling her face into something resembling neutral and putting on a slightly disapproving frown, she turns around to fix it on the interloper, hoping against hope that the librarian glare she's learnt from the old lady and been practicing in front of the mirror when nobody looks is up to the task.
Because she's recognized that voice. She's only heard it once before, but she wouldn't even need her near-perfect memory to remember it. Vague hopès about being wrong anyway, about having made some sort of mistake, are dashed as soon as the intruder -intruders- enter her field of vision.
There she is, standing beside an unremarkable office lady with her arms crossed and a sharp smirk on her face, gray haori over a short black dress, silver hair tied up in a ponytail and a long sword carelessly held at her waist. The Grim Reaper herself.
"Number 04, Karasuba." Kochou says as a mode of greeting, feeling unreasonably grateful for the way her voice doesn't break or waver. "Leader of the Disciplinary Squad."
"Not the leader anymore." Karasuba replies cheerfully, taking a step back so the office lady stands before her. "That'd be my Ashikabi now, Momo-chan here."
It takes all Kochou has to bite her tongue and avoid voicing her incredulity out loud, possibly in an overly high volume that would cause the old lady to come and check on them. She's, in fact, quite proud of the way she manages to hold onto her cool mask, raising a single eyebrow as she shifts her attention to the previously unremarkable human.
Blond hair and sharp yellow eyes are studying Kochou from behind green-rimmed glasses just as intently as she's being studied in turn. The human wears a business dress suit, sharp and sleek, without a wrinkle in sight. She also carries a manila folder under her arm, on whose front Kochou can spy her own name.
In spite of somehow managing to maintain her outward appearance, the panic runs within. Who is this woman that managed to wing the Black Sekirei? How did they manage to reach her without tripping the surveillance system? What are they even doing here in the first place?
The Disciplinary Squad only moves to protect MBI interests and correct threats to the Plan, Kochou hasn't done anything of the sort!
"Number 22, Kochou." The human -Momo-chan?- finally speaks out loud. "You're not an easy woman to find."
"The city surveillance is made through electronics, I'm surprised you found me at all." She replies with a perfectly smooth voice. On the back of her mind, she's starting to suspect she's gone into shock. "I can do much more than simply hiding, if the need arises."
That's just a bluff, of course. She's not Number 02 to casually take control of the MBI satellites and the Old Library certainly doesn't have any Bond Villain-esque traps she could leverage somehow. Bluffs are hardly her preferred tactic, but that's honestly her only option here. If the Disciplinary Squat decides to terminate her, there's very little she can do about it.
"Just take the compliment, girlfriend." Karasuba huffs, nearly giving her a heart attack before the words register. "We're not here to fight."
"Indeed." The human agrees with a slow nod, before tilting her head to the side, where the other access to this particular section of the library is located. "Unless Higa's dog over there would rather take that route?"
Kochou turns around to follow the human's eyes right in time to see another human stepping out from behind a column. This one is male, a brunet wearing a dark suit with a cream necktie and black glasses. He makes for a poor foil against someone who has winged the Black Sekirei, but there's still some parallels there.
Wait, isn't that man Kakizaki? Izumi Higa's secretary? How did he find her too?
"I pride myself in being a capable professional who always delivers results." The man states calmly. "But I don't see any scenario where antagonizing the infamous Black Sekirei would end in anything other than a pointless and messy death."
"I can respect that attitude." 'Momo-chan' states diplomatically. "My compliments to your employer, he's found a capable underling."
"Good boy." Karasuba adds, considerably less diplomatically. "Now run along, monkey."
"Actually, if you're here for the reason I suspect…" Kakizaki replies blandly, not seeming inclined to follow Karasuba's suggestion. "I think I deserve a chance to make my own case."
It happens in a flash. In a blink-and-you-miss-it sort of way. One moment, there's a good twelve feet between the two of them and the next Kakizaki's back has crashed against a wall, with Karasuba's knee pressing against his sternum and a blade lodged on the brickwork, not an inch away from his neck.
"You don't deserve shit, monkey." Karasuba growls out before visibly restraining herself, her fierce glare transformed into a wide smile that's somehow even more frightening. "But I don't fight my Ashikabi's battles. I'll take great satisfaction in watching Momo-chan verbally tear you to shreds."
"Karasuba."
"Yes, Momo-chan?"
"Sword Kabedon." The woman states plainly, pointedly staring at where Karasuba's blade is nearly biting into the man's flesh. "We have talked about this."
"Are you feeling jealous, Momo-chan?" Karasuba coos, the sound of her voice making a shiver run down Kochou's spine. "What if that's exactly what I want?"
"Then I'd have to do something about it." 'Momo-chan' replies without missing a beat. "But maybe this isn't the right time and place?"
"Fiiiine." Karasuba releases the man with a long-suffering sigh, idly tapping the blunt side of her blade against her shoulder as she walks back towards her Ashikabi. "Sometimes you're no fun, Momo-chan"
Are these two… shamelessly flirting right in front of her? While threatening someone else's life? As expected, the Ashikabi who winged Karasuba is just as frightening as the Sekirei. And S– Sword Kabedon!? Is that a thing?
How scandalous!
"Ahem yes, well…" To his credit, Kakizaki quickly recovers his composure, coughing on one fist while using the other to smoothen his suit back into an acceptable resemblance of tidiness and guiding everyone towards a nearby table at the same time. "If we could maybe focus on the main topic…"
"You want to recruit Number 22." Karsuba's Ashikabi announces calmly as soon as she sits down, voice more matter-of-factly than accusatory as yellow eyes drill into the suited man. "Either for Higa's faction in general or to wing her yourself."
"You even know I'm a potential Ashikabi?" The man asks idly, not bothering to refute the words. "The Disciplinary Squad is certainly well informed."
As expected, the Ashikabi of the East want her under his command. A possibility she'd been aware of from the start, even if Kochou had hoped for more time to herself before her hand was forced one way or another. Then again, she'd clearly overestimated her ability to remain inconspicuous if two different groups have proven capable of both locating her and reaching her without triggering her -admittedly pitiful- defenses.
"But this also reaffirms my own suspicions. The Disciplinary Squad wants to recruit Kochou too." Wait, what? "I guess you're shifting from a pure Brute Squad configuration towards something more self-sufficient."
Th– The Disciplinary Squad wants her? Their goal isn't to deliver warning or punishment, but an invitation instead? Maybe she's not about to be Terminated, after all?
Wait, doesn't that mean there's two different Ashikabi fighting over her right now? Right here, in front of her?
"Indeed." Unaware of the incredulous and flustered thoughts whirling through Kochou's mind, Karasuba's Ashikabi arches a single, perfectly groomed eyebrow towards the man. "Is there any comment you wish to make?"
"Oh, this information is certainly interesting." The man answers with a confident voice that makes it sound like he's already won something. "But some things are better left unsaid."
Wait, wait, wait! That's it, that's enough!
These two are talking in riddles and Kochou refuses to allow their conversation to simply… fly over her head like a mind-addled simpleton. Mind-crippling fear or not, flustered relief or not, she 's the Brain-Type here! She's smart, she is! It's her whole shtick!
So she takes a deep breath, exhales slowly and closes her eyes (to avoid having to look at the Sekirei-shaped manifestation of death who might become her flockmate in the near future sitting right in front of her) and does her best to process the facts she has, to piece out the implications that are blatantly there but she can't quite seem to catch.
Kakizaki's Brute Squad comment is the key. The Disciplinary Squad has traditionally been a dedicated force projection tool specialized in pure violence. The only exception to this was… the first incarnation, back when MBI didn't even exist yet, and the Disciplinary Squad was the only Sekirei-aligned group, period.
They had Number 02 back then. Matsu, the Sekirei of Wisdom, was an important member of the Squad, who played a supporting role stretching beyond the battlefield. That version of the group, and that version alone, was… self-sufficient.
The inclusion of a Brain-Type into the Disciplinary Squad means they want to go back to being self-sufficient. But why? They already have the full support of MBI.
… Unless they expect to stop having it in the short to mid term. Unless the Disciplinary Squad wants to splinter from MBI and strike on their own.
That's… not the only potential explanation, if Kochou is being honest with herself, but it's the one Kakizaki was hinting at. One the other Ashikabi didn't bother denying. One that makes a lot of sense.
It all fits too well to be mere happenstance, did Karasuba have a sudden change of heart? She's remained content to play enforcer for years now, but if she's going to… No, more than calling it a 'sudden change of heart', it's more logical to look at what else has happened recently that could've catalyzed that change.
And, looked like that, the answer it's clear. Karasuba has wings now, an Ashikabi that she respects enough to fall into step behind, that can call her off and expect to be obeyed. This 'Momo-chan' woman is the one responsible for the change. She's the one who intends to win the Sekirei Plan.
And there's no reason to believe she won't. The only ones who could hope to match her are the other members of the original Discipline Squad, but they're alone, scattered to the wind, cut off from support systems of their own and have, most likely, lost their edge through the long years away from conflict.
While Karasuba herself has kept herself sharp like a naked blade.
No, the Disciplinary Squad has the overwhelming power angle covered already, they just need a competent Brain-Type to play the supporting role and their victory will be all but assured.
They chose her.
Not any other Brain-Type, but her.
Maybe it was because Number 02 is MIA and they had to settle with second best, but they still chose her.
Maybe they'll turn on her right at the end, but they still chose her.
Maybe a Brain-Type cannot win the Sekirei Plan, but she can still join the flock that wins.
Didn't she already accept that victory was never on the table? Didn't she already decide to make the most of her time? Why content herself with languishing here in this library, when she can find an Ashikabi worth her time and live a life worth living for whatever long she has?
Hedonism is fine at all, but she likes being productive, being useful.
No, that's not quite it. She likes giving it her all, being the best she can be. She's focused so much on what she cannot do, that she forgot to think about what she can. About worthwhile goals to call her own, about the victories she can earn.
Actually, speaking of the original Disciplinary Squad, the legendary Number 02 is legendary for a reason. And, if Kochou is going to be working with Karasuba, that's the standard she will be held up to. She'll be compared to the best Brain-Type to ever exist, maybe even have to prove her mettle against Number 02 herself in a direct confrontation, at some point during the Plan.
Kakizaki and Momoko are still talking, no doubt trading arguments and counter arguments for why she should join one of them and not the other, or maybe trying to outdo each other with generous offers to entice her with.
She's not listening, she can't. Her blood is too loud, pumping on her ears,
She's not watching, she can't. Her sight has gone misty, glasses fogged-over with condensation.
Stealing a glance under the lens, she sees her hands resting on the wooden surface of the table.
… She's shaking.
But it's not fear.
It's excitement.
"I'll do it." She announces abruptly, silencing both speakers as she removes her glasses to give them both a proper look. "I'll join the Disciplinary Squad."
The meeting isn't immediately over, with Kakizaki expertly pivoting from opposing the Disciplinary Squad to trying to establish some sort of rapport, but Kochou isn't really listening.
She's busy studying the woman she just agreed to tie herself to for the rest of her life and wondering if she's always looked so… grand. Has her hair always been this bright, her eyes this sharp? Has her smile always been so enticing? Even the way she moves while doing something as uninvolved as talking feels strangely alluring now.
That's when Momoko seems to notice her attention, turning her head slightly to give a look and Kochou's brain promptly short-circuits. Blood and heat rush to her face, a thrill runs down her spine, thoughts become some sort of spaghetti mess as she finds herself suddenly incapable of looking at her future Ashikabi straight in the eyes.
…
…
…
…Is this…
…Is this what reacting feels like?
Once Kakizaki finally leaves, it doesn't take long for Kochou to get ready to leave the Old Library behind. Her stay here has been… nice, but it was always going to be temporary. She traveled light and made sure she could pack up quickly in case it ever became relevant, so it's not long before she has everything ready to move into the Disciplinary Squad quarters.
In spite of herself, she's probably going to miss this place and…
She frowns slightly, her thoughts stalling when she catches Karasuba leafing through a book from the Mythology section. Karasuba, of course, catches her looking and sends her a wink before showing off the title of the book and very blatantly pocketing it.
'Mythology of the Crow - Omens of death and misfortune.'
Why, that title feels just as ominous as it feels fitting! Why couldn't she have gotten interested in a book about Odin's familiars? Those crows are symbols of wisdom instead!
… Right, self answering question.
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