The following weeks after Minato winged both Miya and Matsu were the most interesting, as it turns out Matsu didn't feel the need to be around Minato 24/7. Miya explained that it's because of the necklace that Minato gave her when she winged herself to him. As a result, Matsu never felt the urge to be around Minato constantly. As for the sleeping arrangements Minato would spend one night with Miya and then the next with Matsu this also included the day. Miya also explained everything that wasn't covered in the MBI files about the Sekirei and about the Jinki which she showed him. Minato agreed with Miya in the decision to hide the jinki and together with Matsu they built a safe that can only be opened by both Miya and Matsu and is linked to their biometrics. In the event that one of them is killed the safe locks down and can't be opened again. The safe is located in Izumo Inn and only Minato and his Sekirei know the location.
Minato consulted with Miya and the two decided to expand Izumo Inn. Using his money Minato bought the surrounding area around the Inn. Turns out with MBI buying out the various companies in the city many people are anxious to leave the city and are willing to sell their homes not wanting to live under the corporate thumb of MBI. So the Inn was expanded with more rooms and additional sections were added to the existing foundation, as a result the backyard became surrounded by the inn. Matsu also enjoyed her larger room.
Minato kept his word and brought T3 to the Inn to the enjoyment of Matsu. Together they improved the security to the Inn. Minato made sure the Ebon Hawk is secure and with the help of Matsu they managed to improve the security to the docks and to the hanger housing the ship.
Both Miya and Matsu personalities slowly changed, Miya no longer acted like a prude and actually smiled a genuine smile that Minato enjoyed. She slowly became more open not only with Minato but also with Matsu, most importantly she lifted the ban on indecent behavior in the Inn much to the pleasure of Matsu. Speaking of Matsu, her perverted tendencies seemed to have calmed somewhat now that Minato is her Ashikabi, she's still paranoid but not to the extent that she was before where she wouldn't leave the Inn out of fear of MBI.
Minato also graduated from Shinto Teito University with a degree in Engineering, Miya attended the graduation ceremony while Matsu remained at the Inn.
Soon the trio fell into a comfortable rhythm after the Inn was expanded and enjoyed married life. Before they knew it two years passed and a shadow was about to be cast over the city of Shinto Teito and Minato would begin his dual with fate.
Izumo Inn
In the basement of Izumo Inn Minato and Miya sparred with each other wanting to keep their skills sharp and to improve as well. Blocking a swipe aimed at his legs Minato countered with a Force Push pushing Miya away and onto her back which she immediately recovered from and charged Minato. Miya blocked a strike and thrusted the bokken at his chest only for it to be deflected by Minato but that didn't stop her as she did a reverse roundhouse which Minato dodged by backing away only to be put on the defensive when Miya charged once again.
Minato used a Force Push again pushing Miya away from him to give him some breathing room which he used by summoning another bokken from the rack on the wall. Now wielding two bokkens Minato now had more options to fight. Miya smiled at the sight of Minato using two bokkens and wiped the sweat from her forehead before taking a more defensive stance and waited. Minato made the first move and attacked, Miya blocked his attacks and retaliated whenever she saw an opening and she managed to disarm Minato by one bokken forcing him to use one for the time being.
Minato smirked at Miya and held out his hand reaching out with the Force and bringing Miya toward him throwing her off balance which Minato capitalized on. Miya regained her footing and ducked under the swing and immediately turned around aiming her bokken at Minato's neck while Minato did the same, both the bokken tips are aimed at each other throats ending the spar in a tie.
Both Minato and Miya relaxed and lowered their weapons before Minato reached put and embraced Miya giving her kiss that resulted in her wings appearing. After the kiss the two returned their weapons to the rack on the wall and left the basement to take a bath to wash off the sweat. Minato relaxed in the bath letting the warm water ease his muscles.
"Your form is improving," Miya says from behind Minato.
"As is yours." Minato tells Miya, "you're getting better at fighting against a Force user."
Shortly after the Inn was expanded Minato and Miya converted the basement into a training area complete with training weapons. It was after their second spar that Miya expressed her interest in seeing Minato fight her as he would other Force users, Minato was reluctant at first not wanting to injure Miya but she assured him that she can handle it. So during their next spar Minato fought Miya using the Force and she lost for the first time, a feat that even Karasuba couldn't do.
So now every time they fought Minato used the Force on Miya and she slowly got used to fighting him and even improved her own fighting style and even incorporated some of the styles that Minato uses into her own style.
"Thank you," Miya says finishing up washing his back before moving onto his shoulders and massaging his shoulders. Minato groaned as Miya massaged his shoulder and eased the tension in them, after the massage Minato turned around and gestured for Miya to do the same so he could do the same to her. After their bath Minato and Miya got dressed and went downstairs to the dining room which is now larger with a larger table in the middle. Going into the kitchen Minato prepares some tea while Miya remains in the dining room soon Minato returns to Miya carrying a tray. Setting the tray down Minato hands a cup to Miya and fills her cup with tea.
"I'll take care of the front lawn this afternoon." Minato tells Miya while pouring himself some tea.
"Hopefully we'll get some tenants soon." Miya says blowing the steam off her tea to cool it down. Minato knows what she is implying, in the past two years MBI has remained quiet on the Sekirei and they beefed up their security not that has stopped Matsu who viewed it as a challenge and after two sleepless nights she cracked their firewalls and gained access to everything once again. Minato offered to have T3 help but Matsu refused saying that they'll connect the dots that Minato is the person who hacked their servers four years ago and that they'll go after them with everything. So Matsu did the hack on her own.
"I'm sure we'll be plenty bu-." Minato stopped what he was going to say getting Miya's attention as she looked at him in concern and saw him looking in the direction of MBI tower.
"What is it?"
"It's starting." Minato tells Miya before Matsu comes running down the stairs and into the dining room with T3 on her heels.
"Minato, Miya it's –"
"We know, Matsu." Miya tells Matsu who is catching her breath.
"How many?" Minato asks looking to Matsu who walks over to him and hands him a tablet that she is carrying.
"The first fifty are being released." Matsu informs Minato who scrolls through the profiles pictures of the Sekirei. "They are being taken to different locations throughout the city."
"How many are being released in the north?"
"Ten. They'll be here in an hour." Matsu says before taking the tablet back and swiping the screen and showed it to Minato and Miya who nodded and went to prepare some rooms in the Inn.
MBI Tower
Takami watched as the Sekirei are being led into the loading bay of MBI Tower, she looked to her tablet to make sure that the Sekirei in the loading bay are the ones being released. Once the final Sekirei entered the loading bay Takami cleared her throat getting the attention of everyone in the loading bay.
"Thank you all for coming. Shortly you'll separate into different groups and be taken to different locations in the city for you to seek out your Ashikabi." She informed the group who looked nervous which made sense since they spent most of their lives inside the tower but they've been taught everything they need in order to survive in the city. "You've all been issued your MBI cards to help you survive and to help in food expense. Under no circumstances are you to reveal the Sekirei tournament to anyone save for your Ashikabi."
"Once you leave the tower you're no longer to permitted to enter it once again." She told the Sekirei, some nodded and others looked around to hide their expression. "Good luck to you all." Takami proceeded to assign groups and which SUV they are going to be assigned to. Once everyone is assigned the groups headed for the SUV's.
"Homura, a word please." Takami addressed the silver haired man who has some feminine features. Homura stopped in front of Takami. "You forgot your card," Takami told Homura as she handed over a black card with the MBI logo on it and a small flame on the bottom. "Remember what I told you." She whispered.
"Thank you." Homura said before nodding to Takami and left to join his group. Takami didn't notice a woman wearing a short purple dress and long dark purple hair that is tied up who noticed the interaction and smirked before leaving the loading bay. Soon the bay doors opened and the SUV's left the tower.
In another part of the tower Yume watched the SUV's leave and head in different directions. She hoped that the little birds will find a caring Ashikabi and that they will know love.
"Surprised you didn't go with them."
"I already cleared it with the Director and Takami." Yume said still watching the SUV as they disappeared from her sight. Turning around to face Karasuba, "I'll be leaving with the second group when the time comes."
"Worried about Musubi? Karasuba asked already knowing the answer.
"I am," Yume comfirmed. "Even though I trained her I still worry about her. She's my twin after all." Yume had personally trained Musubi in hand to hand combat given her penchant to fighting without a weapon and for sharing in her dream to help the Sekirei find love.
"Hmm," Karasuba simply said before leaving Yume to her thoughts. She cared for her fellow Sekirei but found the notion of love stupid.
"You can feel it, Karasuba?" Yume said before Karasuba left, "the pull of our Ashikabi in the city."
Karasuba didn't say anything as she left the room leaving Yume alone. Yume knew Karasuba is reacting to the person that they fought four years ago along with Musubi and herself. Sighing to herself Yume looked out to the city of Shinto Teito and felt the pull of her Ashikabi coming from the northern part of the city.
Homura looked out of the window at the passing scenery, he watched the people on the sidewalk completely oblivious to the game that is starting and how their city is going to be a playing field for his kind.
"So, what did Takami want from you."
Homura stopped looking at the passing scenery and looked to the other Sekirei sitting next to him. "I forgot my MBI card and she gave it to me." He told Sekirei number 10, Uzume. She wore tight blue jeans that hugged her legs and showed off her ass, a pair of sneakers and a simple long sleeve shirt that has the sleeves colored purple and the rest pink with a yellow star in the middle. The shirt like the jeans hugged her frame and showed off her impressive bust, Uzume's hair is flowing down her back with a side ponytail set on the side of her head and she has brown eyes. In short Uzume is a beautiful young woman with a body that makes women jealous and grabs the attention of men.
"Never thought you'd be the forgetful type." She said while placing her elbow on the window seal and leaning on her hand. "By the way, who do you want for and Ashikabi. Male or female?"
"Female." Homura said without hesitation. He always wanted a female Ashikabi ever since his condition allowed him to switch between genders, besides for the past four years he's been a man even though he had originally been born as a female. He's now attached to being a man and he needs to find an Ashikabi soon to help contain his power.
"What about you?" He asks Uzume who shrugs.
"Doesn't really matter to me. As long as they treat me like a person and not like an object." She says looking to Homura then back to the passing scenery. Homura agrees with Uzume as he knows that not every human is capable of being kind and that's why he agreed to look out for the un winged Sekirei at the behest of Takami, also the promise of being introduced to Takami's daughter is a nice bonus. Homura only hopes that he is compatible with Yukari. Suddenly the SUV started to slow down meaning that they are approaching their destination, coming to a full stop the driver told them that they've arrived and "good luck".
Homura and the rest of the Sekirei in the exited the black SUV which took off as soon as they disembarked. The other Sekirei looked at each and gave a small nod before leaving in different directions to seek out their destined one leaving Homura and Uzume behind. Homura bid farewell to Uzume before heading to the northern part of the city, ducking into an alleyway he made sure that no one is looking before jumping onto the roof of a building and began leaping from rooftop to rooftop. His destination, Izumo Inn.
Homura felt the presence of someone following him and quickly turned around to see Uzume following him. Stopping on a rooftop he waited for Uzume to catch up. "Why are you following me?" he asked the brunette once she landed in front of him.
"I wasn't following you." Uzume says while Homura looks at her with disbelief. "I was following the call. It's coming from the north." She tells Homura after seeing his look, Homura can believe that as the call usually happens when a Sekirei senses her Ashikabi and that can occur when they are close to their destined one or when they have a high compatibly with their Ashikabi that they can sense them over long distances.
"Since we're heading in the same direction, shall we travel together?" Humura asks.
"I suppose; it will make the journey less boring." Uzume says after pretending to ponder to question for a minute.
After the exchange Homura and Uzume resume their treck to the north, Homura expects Uzume to spilt off and search for her Ashikabi before he reaches Izumo Inn. To his surprise Uzume doesn't and stays with him, soon the two find themselves standing outside a large building that looks old compared to the more modern styles of buildings that neighbor the building, a large front yard with a sign saying Izumo Inn greets them and a wooden fence blocks their path. The building is two stories tall and has a rustic feel to it and Homura notices a small camera pointed at them and no doubt Uzume has noticed it too.
"How do you know about this place?" Uzume asks Homura as the call led her here but that doesn't explain how Homura knows about the place in front of them. Homura doesn't answer but pulls out a flyer and hands it to her. Uzume looks at the flyer and sees that it's advertising Izumo Inn, shrugging and handing back the flyer to Homura who holds it and opens the wooden gate and enters the yard with Uzume following him.
Before the duo reach the front door it opens to revel and man in his early twenties wearing black pants with a tan shirt and a brown leather jacket. The man has black shoulder length hair that is pushed back behind his ears and has brown eyes with hints of blue and a small scar on his upper lip. He also has a stubble that adds to his appearance, in short the man looks handsome and Homura has to fight off a blush for thinking that the man in front of him is handsome. Next to the man is a woman who appears to be in her mid to late twenties, she has long purple hair that is tied up in a French braid with the ponytail coming down and draping over her right shoulder, loose hair strands are framing her face. She also has reddish brown eyes and is wearing a purple hakama, a white haori with a sash belt.
Homura can feel power radiating from the woman, power that dwarves any of the single numbers power combined. 'Sekirei number 1, Miya Revan.' Homura thinks having been privately briefed by Takami before leaving the tower.
"I'll be back shortly after noon. Need to replenish our food stocks." The man tells the woman before kissing her and passes by them. Homura notices that Uzume is watching the man like a hawk and he knows that she is reacting to the man judging by her blush and heavy panting.
"Oh my, what brings two Sekirei to our home." The woman said catching Uzume off guard at being identified as a Sekirei. "Numbers 6 and 10 to be exact."
Homura doesn't answer but holds up the flyer advertising Izumo Inn. The woman simply smiles at the both of them and steps aside giving them permission to enter. "Please remove your shoes." She tells them as she passes by them and waits. Once the duo remove their shoes they follow the woman into what appears to be a large dining room with a large table in the middle and another woman sitting at the table with a laptop. Both Homura and Uzume notice the woman as Sekirei number 2, Matsu as she is sort of a legend in MBI tower as the only one to escape from the clutches of MBI and having stolen something personal from the Director.
"Sekirei numbers 6 and 10. Homura the fire Sekirei and Uzume the veil Sekirei." Matsu says looking from her laptop to the duo while the other woman disappears from the dining room. Matsu giggles as she eyes Uzume chest and licks her lips.
"Matsu, do try to contain your tendencies. You can experiment with Minato tomorrow." The woman tells Matsu as she reappears carrying a tray of tea and cups.
"Of course, Miya." Matsu says with a smirk as Miya sets the tray down on the table and gestures for Homura and Uzume to sit before pouring some tea for them and handing them their cups.
"I'm Sekirei number 1, Miya Revan and that is number 2, Matsu Revan." Miya says introducing herself and Matsu before taking a sip of her tea. "We are the Sekirei and wives to Minato Reven, our husband and Ashikabi." She tells them getting Homura and Uzume's eyes to widen at the information that the two Sekirei in the room are already winged.
"He's the man who left earlier?" Uzume asks in between sips.
"Correct, you are reacting to him?" Miya states having observed Uzume earlier when her husband left.
"Yes," Uzume says not even bothering to deny it, plus she doesn't want to piss of number 1 by lying.
"We'll wait for his return before we discuss your situation." Miya says before taking another sip of her tea. "Since the two of you are here I can assume that the tournament has started?"
"Yes." Homura confirms in between sips.
"I see, would the two of you like to stay here while you search for your Ashikabi?" Miya asks the two of them. Homura and Uzume look to each other and consider it. For Homura, staying would allow him a place to recuperate after looking out for un winged Sekirei. For Uzume, it would allow to see what her future Ashikabi is like and it would save her from renting a hotel room.
"If the both of you decide to stay. I don't accept MBI funds, rather I ask you to help around the Inn." Miya added further sweeting the deal for the two Sekirei as they both agree to stay at the Inn. "Excellent, since you're now residents of Izumo Inn. I'll show you to your rooms." Miya said setting her tea cup down and gesturing for the two to follow her as she led them upstairs and showed them their rooms and gave them a tour of the Inn.
After the tour Miya left the two alone and wandered off, Uzume left to explore more of the Inn and to talk with Matsu regarding Minato. Homura went to find Miya to relay Takami's message, finding Miya in the kitchen in the process of preparing lunch.
"What can I do for you, Homura?" Miya asks without turning around surprising him. "Your footsteps are heavier than Matsu or Uzume and my husband." She tells him before turning to face him.
"I bring a message from Takami." Homura says noticing the way Miya tenses at the mention of Takami's name before relaxing.
"Whatever the message is, it will have to wait until my husband comes back." Miya tells him, "since I'm certain that the message also involves him. Am I correct?"
Homura nods while Miya smiles before enlisting his help in preparing lunch.
Hibiki and her twin sister Hikari are currently waiting to meet the man they've been reacting to for a while, Seo Kaoru. The twins have been reacting to Seo ever since Takehito introduced him to them and when he got fired he told them to seek him out when the game begins which they did, Hikari bought a cell phone and called Seo who gave them a location on where to meet. They've been waiting for an hour and so far Seo hasn't shown up.
"This is bullshit, if he doesn't show up in the next hour we leave." Hikari told her sister who didn't say anything as she ignored the looks from all the men. Hibiki isn't as busty as her twin is but she claims to have a great ass and out of the two Hibiki is the calm and rational one while her sister, Hikari is more impulsive and brash, preferring to rush into things and not think them through.
"I'm sure Seo will be here." Hibiki tells her sister after brushing off the advances of man. "I just hope that him being late isn't a sign of his ability to be a Ashikabi. We don't need a lazy one." Before Hikari can retort a man voice grabs the twin's attention.
"Pardon me ladies."
"Back off, creep. We're waiting for someone." Hikari says not bothering to turn around.
"I would but I can't help but wonder what brings the Lighting Twins to this part of town."
Hearing the nickname that the scientists from MBI gave them grabs their attention as they turn around to see a man in his early twenties carrying some bags of groceries. The moment they meet his eyes the twins feel a slight pull to the man not enough to match their reaction to Seo but enough to surprise them. They've heard that a Sekirei can react to different Ashikabi but they disregarded it as a rumor and nothing more.
"Who are you?" Hikari asks wary of the man in front of them while her sister is curious about him.
"I'm Minato Revan and Seo is an acquaintance of my wife." Minato told the twins who once again looked surprised at the mention of Seo but Hibari had suspicious of the man in front of them. Something that Minato noticed and decided to put her suspicious to rest. "6-foot-tall, short brown hair, always wears an undershirt and has a very laid back attitude." After hearing the description of Seo the sisters relax.
"How do you know him?" Hikari asked.
"Like a I said, he's an acquaintance of my wife." Minato answered before looking behind the twins at the café behind them and gestured to it with his head. "Allow me to buy you a drink while you wait for Seo." Hikari and Hibari nodded and followed Minato into the café, after getting their drinks the trio sat outside the café.
"I take it you know about the Sekirei?" Hibari whispered the last part.
"Correct, my wife worked for MBI as a security consultant. It was through Takehito that she met Seo and the various Sekirei." Minato informed them before taking a sip of his coffee. "I assume that the both of you are reacting to Seo?"
"Yeah, we've been for a while." Hibari answers taking little sips of her apple cider tea.
"You should explore the city, I'm certain that you'll react to others beside Seo." Minato tells them getting both the sisters to look at him to further explain. "No offence, but Seo is lazy, skirts his job duties and is late to pay his bills." He informs the twins and judging from their expressions Seo hasn't been truthful to them.
"How do we know that you're telling the truth?" Hikari asks with a slight edge in her tone.
"Ask him when you see him, he's a pretty terrible liar. He always looks up and to the right when he lies." Minato tells after he finishes his coffee, getting up to dump the coffee cup before returning to the twins.
"Hey!"
Hikari and Hibari look behind Minato to see Seo wearing a denim jacket with a fur collar walking toward them.
"Seo, it's been a while." Minato says once Seo reaches them, Seo immediately freezes up when he hears his voice.
"Minato… it's good to see you." Seo says as Minato turns around and faces him. the twins are now interested in what is going to happen.
"Same to you, Seo." Minato says with a smile, "you haven't been to the Inn in a while."
Seo scoffs at the statement, "I'll be sure to drop by once I get the chance."
Minato knows that he won't, not after Miya told him that he's no longer going to get free food and that he has to work for his food. "Remember what I said ladies," he said to Hikari and Hibari before gathering the bags full of produce and left heading back to the Inn.
"So, ladies shall we find a secluded place and commence the winging?" Seo asks after Minato leaves but the twins shake their heads and ask him about everything that Minato told them. Cursing Minato, Seo confirms everything that Minato told them about to be true which dampens the sister's mood.
Hibari looks to her sister and communicates with twin speech through subtle facial expressions that only twins can read. "Seo, we are going to explore the city and see who else we react too." Hikari tells Seo causing him once again to curse Minato.
"But what about-"
"Sekirei can react to others and we want to explore our options before we choose." Hibari says cutting Seo off. The twins finish their drinks and toss the cups into the garbage before returning to Seo to ask him something they're curious about. "By the way Seo, who is Minato?"
Sep sighs at the question before answering, "He's Minato Revan, Ashikabi to Sekirei numbers 1 and 2. He's also the first Ashikabi." He tells them getting the twins eyes to widen at the information. The twins say farewell to Seo and leave him standing outside a café cursing his luck.
Ever since Minato became the husband to Miya, Seo's guaranteed source of free food was cut off. The last time he went to Inn he expected free food only to be met with outright denial even when he tried to appeal to her by saying that Takehito would've fed him yet she still wouldn't feed him. Miya then laid out the new rules that he had to work for his food such as doing yard work and helping Minato soundproof the Inn. After that Seo stopped coming around to the Inn except for when he is really desperate. Now it seemed that the twins are reacting to Minato, sure they didn't say it but he could tell. For the third time Seo cursed Minato before leaving the café.
On a nearby rooftop both Hikari and Hibari are watching Minato from a distance. Since Seo told them that he is the Ashikabi to Sekirei numbers 1 and 2, they want to observe him and see what type of an Ashikabi he is and how he treats his Sekirei. Plus, since they reacted to him as well as Seo it wouldn't hurt to explore their options.
Izumo Inn
Minato returns to the Inn and heads to the kitchen to unload the groceries and to see what happened in his absence. Entering the kitchen to see Miya finishing the dishes and setting them on the rack to dry, setting the bags on the counter he goes behind Miya and wraps his arms around her waist bringing her close. Miya relaxed in his embrace and placed her hands on top of his.
"What happened while I was out?" He asked.
"Uzume and Homura have decided to stay at the Inn while they look for their Ashikabi." Miya tells her husband. "Uzume appears to be reacting to you. I told that we'll discuss it when you return. Also Homura wishes to speak with us regarding Takami."
"Where is Uzume and Homura?"
"She and Homura went out to purchase some personal items to decorate their rooms, as well as some clothes." Miya says before Minato loosens his hold on her so she can turn around and face him. "MBI came by earlier to drop off their combat outfits. I wouldn't let them inside." She says before leaning up and kissing Minato who brings her closer and wraps his arms around her.
Ending the kiss, Minato helps Miya put away the food before heading up Matsu's secret room to discuss some things. Knocking on the secret door that led to Matsu's room and getting the okay to enter, Minato enters the dimly lit room to see Matsu in front of her various monitors typing away and T3 right next to her.
"Have you come to experiment, Minato?" Matsu says over her shoulder, "And it isn't even my day yet." She says finally turning in her chair to face him.
"Patience, Matsu." Minato tells Matsu as he walks toward her and gives her a quick kiss before looking to her monitors to see that she is tracking the various Sekirei throughout the city via the tracking program that MBI uses. "How many have been winged so far?"
"Out of the fifty, only ten have been winged." Matsu informs Minato turning in her chair to face the monitors and brings up a window showing the ten Sekirei that have been winged so far.
"How soon will the rest of the Sekirei be released?"
"According to MBI, not for a while. They're going to wait until the first fifty are fully winged before they release the rest." Matsu tells Minato while bringing up another window on a different screen this time showing twenty young Sekirei that are roughly five of six years old. "They are going to proceed with the process of maturing these twenty, as soon as half of the fifty are winged. That process will take some time as the Maturation tanks are limited and draw a lot a power."
"So we still have some time to prepare for MBI." Minato says taking a seat in the spare seat next to Matsu.
"Correct, between the three of us. We have more than enough power to take MBI."
"Still it doesn't hurt to have more allies." Minato said looking to a screen showing the blueprints for MBI tower.
"Does Seo count among those allies?" She asks with a smirk knowing that Seo isn't fond of Minato.
"Of course, the man knows his way around MBI and has dirt on them that will help us in the future."
"Also the more Sekirei you wing, the more powerful our little group becomes." Matsu says bringing up a profile pic of Minato on the screen in front of them with Matsu and Miya's pic underneath his, a line connects their pictures to his. "Your aura is already powerful and has already grabbed the attention of number 10, Uzume. Soon others will be drawn to you."
"You make me sound like a beacon." Minato says to which Matsu smiles.
"In a manner of speaking, you are." Miya's voice came from the door, turning around the duo see Miya standing in the room with a gentle smile. "The fact that you managed to make me react to you. Speaks volumes of your capacity as an Ashikabi."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you attract other single numbers."
"speaking of numbers, I ran into the Lighting Twins earlier while they were waiting for Seo." Minato told Miya and Matsu.
"Please tell me that they weren't reacting to that scum." Miya spoke while rubbing her eyes, how that man managed to give her a headache without being near her is always going to be a mystery to her.
"They are but I told them that they can react to the others and for them to explore their options before committing." Minato said to Miya who relaxed at his words. "I also told them some tidbits about Seo, things that they wouldn't have found out until the last minute." Both Miya and Matsu smile at the last part. They didn't hate Seo per say, it's just that the man had a habit of making everyone around him dislike him save for those that really knew him. Which sad to say is not many.
Like Miya and Matsu, Minato didn't hate Seo but saw him more of an annoyance and honestly everyone in the world has an annoying friend that they both hate and care about at the same time. And for the three of them, Seo is that person.
"A good thing too, as Minaka ordered that any Sekirei who are winged by Seo will have their MBI cards immediately shut down." Matsu added.
"I'll prepare dinner for tonight and then we'll talk with Uzume and Homura." Minato tells his wives before getting and kissing Matsu. "Keep T3 out of sight." He tells Matsu who nods and smiles at the droid who beeps in response.
Uzuma and Homura return to the Inn shortly before dusk each carrying different bags of personal items, such as clothes and bath supplies and some items to decorate their rooms. Upon entering the Inn, they are greeted by the smell of delicious cooking that makes their mouth water. After putting their items away in their rooms next to their battle outfits, the duo head back downstairs and enter the dining room to see Miya, Matsu and Minato eating, there are two plates set up for them.
Sitting down and dishing up their helpings the group ate in silence before Minato spoke up.
"Uzume, I understand that you are reacting to me." Minato says to Uzume who swallows her food before speaking.
"That's right, I noticed it the moment we left the tower." Uzume says setting her fork down and looking at Minato. "I felt a pull in my mind pulling me here and I followed it. The closer I got, the more noticeable it became and the moment I saw I knew that you're my destined one."
Minato looked at Uzume and saw the signs, constant blushing, rubbing of the thighs, and panting. He saw the same thing with both Matsu and Miya when he first them. Looking to Miya who smiles gently and gives a small nod. Minato rises to his feet and goes to Uzume and kneels in front of her, Uzume is now panting heavily due to the close proximity of her destined one.
"Do you accept me as your Ashikabi?"
Uzume doesn't respond and nods in response. Minato places a hand on her cheek and Uzume leans in and closes her eyes, their lips touch. Uzume wraps her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss just as her wings appear and she cries out in ecstasy as the power and love from her Ashikabi flow into her as does his memories.
"By the veil of my contract, my Ashikabi's nightmares will be dispelled." Uzume said her pledge before smiling and kissing Minato passionately. Homura coughed getting the attention of both of them as they realized that they are in the middle of the dining room.
"Since you are newly winged, Uzume. I understand that you want to be with your Ashikabi but I'll have to ask you to postpone your wedding night. As Minato will be spending the night will me and tomorrow night with Matsu." Miya told her new sister wife. "After which you can have him."
Uzume frowned but perked up at the last part and smiled at Minato.
"I'll give you a gift after dinner." Minato told Uzume who nodded and smiled. After the winging of Uzume, everyone resumed eating and once everyone is done Homura and Matsu help Miya put away the dishes while Uzume went to her room and Minato went to his that he shared with Miya.
Uzume was in the process of changing into her night wear when she heard a knock at her door, opening the door revealed Minato who asked to come in and she made way for him to enter. Stepping into her room Minato turns to face Uzume and holds out the same crystal necklace that he gave to Matsu. Uzume takes the necklace and smiles before putting it on, having seen his memories she knows that the crystal is special having been made from a kyber crystal.
Minato kisses her and wishes her good night before leaving her room and heads back downstairs. Entering the dining room once again he sees Miya, Matsu and Homura waiting for him. Taking a seat in between Miya and Matsu, Minato gives the ok for Homura to speak.
"Takami wants to bring down Minaka and MBI." Homura states getting straight to the point. "But she can't do it alone and needs your help." He tells them.
"Takami has had plenty of opportunities to get rid of Minaka." Miya hisses and Matsu agrees.
"Why now?" Minato asks.
"I can't say for sure, but she wants to ask for your help." Homura says looking to Minato and his Sekirei before pulling out a small piece of paper from his pant pocket and hands it to them. "This is the number of her burner phone, MBI can't trace it so you'll be able to talk freely." With that done Homura bows at the three before heading up to his room.
Minato looked at the paper in his hands handing it to Matsu. "Hold onto it, we'll decide what to do tomorrow. For now, let's head to bed." He tells Miya and Matsu who nod and leave for their respective rooms.
Already changed into his pajamas Minato laid down on the bed and waited for Miya, when she emerged from the private bathroom she wore a purple nightgown. Minato smiled as he opened the covers for her, climbing in next to Minato.
"Do you think that Takami is serious about bringing down MBI?" Miya asks while resting her head on his shoulder.
"I do, from what I read from her files. She's started losing trust when Yukari was born." Minato says while drawing designs on her back.
"We're already planning on taking down MBI. Perhaps we should include Takami, if her offer is genuine."
"We'll discuss It tomorrow. For now, let's rest," Minato says before kissing Miya, soon the two drifted off to sleep.
Matsu is in the process of getting ready for bed when T3 beeped getting her attention, grabbing her glasses before going to her monitors to see that the motion alert has gone off. Opening the program on one screen and the exterior cameras to see Homura jumping from the Inn's roof onto the neighbor's roof and is wearing his battle outfit.
"Where are you going?" She said before yawning and telling T3 to see where Homura goes and to log it for her to see tomorrow before heading to bed.
Once Homura is far enough away from the Inn, he pulls out his phone and calls Takami's burner phone. After the third ring she answers.
"Homura, how are you doing in the open world?"
"I'm fine, me and Uzume are staying at Izumo Inn." He told her and he could imagine the look of surprise on her face.
"Makes sense for Uzume to be staying at the Inn, since she's winged to Minato. But what about you?"
"Miya offered to let the both of us stay while we look for our Ashikabi." He told her while looking to the tower in the distance. "I also got a job working as a host in a club."
"In that case I might need to hire your services. Though Yukari will be ecstatic when I tell her that my friend works as a host."
"I did it to increase my chances of finding an Ashikabi." Homura tells her while pulling out a cigarette pack from his jacket and inserting one in his mouth and lit it with a flame produced from his palm. "It's just a back-up plan in case I don't react to Yukari."
"I understand. What's the news with Miya and her Ashikabi?"
"I'm not sure, I gave them your number." Homura breathed out smoke and took another puff of his cigarette. "I get the feeling that they're planning something."
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I gotta go, I'll talk to you soon."
After Takami hung up, Homura finished his cigarette and incinerated the bud letting the wind carry the ashes. Looking to MBI tower in the distance, Homura could imagine Minaka standing on top of his tower wearing his smug expression. Wishing that he could march into MBI and throw a fireball into his face and toss him off the tower.
Extinguishing the flame in his hand before schooling his face and pulled up his mask that covered the lower part of his face. He still has to do his job of looking out for the un winged Sekirei.
MBI Tower
Takami sighed as she put her burner phone into her skirt pocket and rubbed her eyes to chase away the fatigue. Earlier she had to finish the adjustments for Benitsubasa and Haihane before they could be allowed on the Discipline Squad with Karasuba, then she had to see five of the younger Sekirei into the Maturation Tanks. All the while Minaka just remained in his office and continued to spout his fate bullshit, Takami hoped that Miya and her Ashikabi agree to help her.
Feeling the elevator stop and the doors open, Takami stepped out and into Minaka's office only to find the office empty. Sighing she walked over to the private elevator that is in the back of Minaka's office and entered the code on the pad next to the elevator doors getting them to open. Stepping inside and pressing the button for the roof and waited for the elevator to stop, arriving on the roof and stepping out of the elevator she finds her ex standing the edge of the tower.
'It would be so easy to push.' Takami thought as she crossed the roof and stood behind Minaka. The thought of pushing him off the roof is still present and she would if she was sure that he didn't have a parachute on him and the ever present threat of harm befalling her family wasn't there.
"How're things progressing?" Minaka asked while looking at the city.
"Twelve of the fifty have been winged. Out of those, four have been forcibly winged." Takami said the last part with disdain. She hopes that Homura is doing the job that she assigned him, but she knows that he needs his rest and can't be everywhere at once.
"In this game everyone is a player, besides the gods have no favorites." Minaka spoke before breaking out into a smile as he spread his arms out. "The game begins now and the gods will spectate and chose who their champion will be in this game of fate and love!" He shouted to the city below him with glee and conviction though no one heard him save for Takami.
"Is the Discipline Squad ready?" Minaka asked lowering his arms and finally turned around to face Takami.
"The squad is ready; they just need an Ashikabi."
"I have the perfect man in mind. Though he won't be available for a while as he is dealing with something for me." Minaka said pushing his glasses up.
"Whatever, I'll finish the adjustments tomorrow." Takami said turning around and headed back to the elevator, entering the elevator she pressed the button for his office and left Minaka to his thoughts.
Minaka watched the elevator doors close before turning to face the city. Reaching into his coat to remove a phone, he turned on the phone and looked at the screen showing Uzume and who her Ashikabi is. Chuckling to himself Minaka looked to the Northern part of the city, 'three Sekirei already. You are proving to be an interesting player, Minato Revan.'
Swiping his phone screen to another screen which showed four people who have more than one Sekirei.
Minato Revan
Higa Izumi
Mikogami Hayato
Nishi Sanada
These four already have two or more Sekirei at their side and each of them are based in different section of the city. To the North is Minato Revan, Higa Izumi to the East, Mikogami Hayato to the South and finally Nishi Sanada to the West. Closing his phone Minaka once more looked out to the city scape with glee.
"The stage is set and the pieces are moving. Who will be the victor?!" He shouted to the city.