The first thing that Shirou became conscious about, was the heavy weight on his torso.
He didn't overly worry, knowing it was Akitsu who had snuck out of her room and onto the couch with him again.
Except that something was amiss. His half-sleeping mind couldn't figure the position she was in. Soft and hard parts were all over the place and that slowly woke him from his slumber.
It was so that he found himself looking from up close at a finely-shaped, panties-clad butt. Later he would feel ashamed that he had been able to recognize this person as someone other than Akitsu by her choice of skimpy underwear faster than he did by the color of her long hair or the fact that Akitsu was sleeping with her head on his shoulder.
He didn't scream shrilly as he would have done in his youth in front of such a display, but it was a near thing and his face still went through a wild pattern of red shades.
He quickly tried to recall how he ended up in a situation like this.
[br]
A night of patrol had been completely useless. They had not run into a single Sekirei.
It wasn't all that surprising. If he took into consideration how far he arrived the previous night before MBI deigned to stop him, the area in which the Game was set to take place was at least four hundred square kilometers, which was more than huge and that was assuming that the Sekirei weren't released into separate areas. In short, randomly patrolling was just ineffective even if Shirou's senses could pick a Sekirei at a certain distance. There were a few times when he thought he picked up on something, but that vague feeling never became something tangible so he wasn't sure whether he actually felt something or was just his imagination.
Perhaps this wasn't the best way to go about this. Especially since the consensus was that most Sekirei would avoid fighting until they found their Ashikabi, which would take an unknown amount of time.
On that note, how were the Sekirei supposed to find a compatible partner?
He asked Akitsu, once they returned from their fruitless expedition.
"It's the power of fate, Shirou-sama," she replied dutifully and certainly.
Shirou didn't believe in fate. The reality of the Kaleidoscope made it obsolete, in his opinion. However, he knew all too well that there were intangible forces at play that sometimes pushed humans where they where needed, so he could at least accept that it might exist something equivalent for the Sekirei species.
He wasn't sure whether or not that was a good thing. A hundred Sekirei, regardless of how individually powerful, shouldn't cause enough of a ripple to draw the attention of Alaya. It was much more likely a widespread misuse of MBI's knowledge of their technology would cause that, but he had no hard data to make firm assumptions.
These people had no idea what they were messing with and Shirou was afraid of what they might inadvertently cause. The worst part was that he had no idea what he should do. The fight between Sekirei was a secondary concern compared to MBI's true motives.
He needed to find out what their end goal was. That had to be his first priority.
Too bad he had no idea how to go about that. Whatever underground network Shirou could muster on his own, it wouldn't be of any use. MBI was sure to guard their secrets well.
The only way for him to acquire reliable information was getting it from someone inside MBI itself. Someone high enough on the hierarchy that they would have all the knowledge he'd need.
Sahashi Takami came to mind. As the self-proclaimed head of the R&D department, she would definitely have access to classified information. The problem was how to get her to tell him what he wanted. She didn't strike him as the loose-lipped sort of woman.
Therefore, he needed to find out more about her. Where did she live? Did she have any relatives? Shirou didn't particularly like the idea of taking hostages, but he couldn't really afford to be picky.
First, he needed to contact a few acquaintances. The kind of people that could get him what he needed. It would be a good way to see what he could sneak under MBI's nose, in preparation for sneaking in even bigger things.
His cell was sure to be under surveillance, but that wasn't a big issue. He was no hacker but he knew how to borrow his neighbor's landline. There was still some time before dawn, so he could get on that right away.
In under half an hour the old phone left behind by the previous owner of the warehouse was latched to the next building's line. Soon he would see how far MBI's surveillance on him actually stretched.
He punched in a number that he had committed to memory and waited for the other side to pick up.
"It's me… I need that crate and I need it yesterday. You have until the afternoon to deliver it. Yes, well. Any longer than that and I'll come looking for it myself. I'm sure it won't be much of a detour to find you as well. ... Good. Then maybe I'll consider us even. ... Depends how fast you can get it done."
He hung up the phone. Now, all it remained was to wait and see if anyone took an undue interest in this particular piece of business. If not, well, someone was bound to be surprised sooner or later.
Now there were more pressing matters to worry about. Namely, going to work. Money wasn't going to make itself, unfortunately.
[br]
Shirou recalled traveling to work. He recalled in clear detail the morning traffic and even which songs played on the radio. Everything was completely normal (threats included).
So, how exactly things go from that to this?
[br]
The day went as smoothly as one could expect. Construction was back-breaking work, but Shirou did not mind it. It was as straightforward and uncomplicated as it could get. A job was either done well or not at all. There were no nuances, no pesky shades of gray. He wished that would apply to more things, but that was out of his hands.
With the day's work over and done with, Shirou planned to make a beeline for the drop point where his crate was expecting him. Of course, he didn't know whether or not it had been delivered, but over the years he had become quite adept at threatening people into doing his bidding.
Life had a way of even things out, giving something in exchange for what it took. Some people were able to appreciate the gains over the losses. Shirou wasn't one of them.
He put away his hard hat and was about to leave the site when someone put a hand on his shoulder. A big hand.
"Yo, where do you think you are going, squirt?"
"Seo-san? Uh… the day's over."
"Damn right it is. And now we're all going off to drink."
"Actually, there's something I need to."
"Uh-uh. Don't care. I booked you, remember? You are coming with me."
"What if I didn't want to?" he asked.
"Then you're gonna have to fight me," the man replied, crossing his burly arms over his chest.
For the first time in a long while, Shirou didn't know whether the threat was serious or said in jest. Worse, he had no particular reason to find out. Therefore the fastest way out of this predicament was capitulating obediently.
"Fine. I guess having a drink or two isn't going to be the end of the world."
"Smart man!" Seo laughed, slamming his big hand on his shoulder and nearly toppling Shirou in the process.
The man was seriously strong. Shirou was sturdy as heck, but Seo's strength was something else. No wonder he could do the work of two or even three men when he put himself to it. He didn't doubt that ordinary people wouldn't want to risk getting into a scuffle with him and that they would submit easily even if he said it as a joke.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Shirou would have to put with him for one night. He still had to get along with people if he wanted to get things done.
[br]
Right. He had gone drinking with Seo. However, Shirou wasn't the sort to get himself drunk. He knew his limits quite well and he had more sense than get himself drunk unless there was a good reason.
So, what exactly could have pushed him beyond that threshold? What manner of circumstances could have made him forgo common sense and actually get drunk?
Nothing short of absolutely extenuating could have forced him to that point. He needed to remember.
[br]
"Ahhh!" Seo slammed down the empty mug and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "That hit the spot."
"That one did?" asked Shirou. "What about the previous three?"
"Pfft. Those only took care of the thirst. This is where the real fun beings. What about you? Isn't that only your second beer?"
"I didn't know this was a competition."
"It's not. It's just a friendly night out. Come on! Drink! Drink!"
Shirou rolled his eyes but chugged down his beer all the same.
"Now we're taking," he laughed "Yo! Barkeep! Bring us another round!"
The establishment where Seo had taken him was a bit run down. It was certainly clean but it had seen better times. There weren't many people, and all those present were clearly blue collars workers.
Not that there was anything wrong with that. There was a homely feel to it that a more refined establishment might have lacked. Shirou wouldn't have been comfortable in one of those places anyway. In fact, this was a step up from his usual fare. He used to hang around far seedier places in far worse corners of the world.
Compared to that, this was the high life.
The barman brought them two more mugs and Seo immediately started drinking from it.
"So, Emiya. You said you aren't from these parts. Where did you come from?"
"Fuyuki City."
"Fu...Fuyuki?" Seo nearly spat the beer in his face. "Crap! Don't tell me you were there when that shit went down."
"Alright. I won't tell you, then," said Shirou taking a sip from his own mug.
"Damn. Sorry for bringing it up. Fuck. Did you… No, sorry. I'll shut up now."
Shirou waved his hand dismissively. It wasn't like not talking about it made anything any better.
"So… why Shin-Teito, then?" he asked, attempting to steer the conversation on safer topics.
"It's a big city. I figured that there wouldn't be a lack of work even for a college dropout like me."
"Yeah, there's always something to build in this place. You are not going to run out of work any time soon. The pay could be better, though."
Shirou shrugged. "It's good enough as long as you don't have a family to take care of."
"Oh? Didn't you say you were married?"
"I only said I had someone waiting for me. I didn't bother correcting you when you assumed it meant something more."
"Prick," said Seo good-naturedly. "Anyway. I heard that you are planning on starting your own business."
"Hm? Yes. I'm good at repairs. I just need to make some money to get what I need to get things running."
"Interesting. Are you looking for business partners, maybe? Cause I could be interested."
"Uh? Not a chance. I mean, I have nothing against you, Seo-san. The thing is, I really work best on my own, managing my own and only my own schedule. Having a partner would only make things more complicated."
"Ah well. It was worth a shot."
"Why the interest though? We've only met recently. Do you propose to start a business with new faces very often?"
"Nah. I asked because you don't talk much."
"O…kay? I'm not sure I follow," Shirou had no trouble admitting.
"Like I said, it's because you don't talk too much. Lots of people tried to sell me lots of bullshit over the years. Simple solutions to complex problems, you know. Only one guy ever did right by me and I guess you remind me of him."
"Hm. I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should. A man couldn't ask for a better friend," Seo agreed, chugging down his mug till it was empty.
"Sounds like a great person," said Shirou. He didn't object to Seo's comparison, just because he didn't want to offend the man. Good people didn't deserve being compared to the likes of him.
"Yeah, he certainly was… Hey barkeep! Another!"
Ah. So it was that kind of friend. Even worse then.
"Are you sure you aren't drinking too much, Seo-san?"
"Don't make me laugh. I ain't even gotten started yet. ... Gotta take a leak though."
He stood up looking surprisingly steady for a guy who had drunk four mugs of beer and stomped his way to the restroom. Shirou raised his own mug to take another sip but stopped before it reached his lips.
He felt something. A Sekirei presence. It was close and getting closer. It wasn't Karasuba. although he had a faint impression of blood. Not too much, but not too little either.
Another member of the disciplinary squad, maybe?
The door to the outside opened and she walked in. She was a tall woman, wearing a long, gray coat which did little to conceal her bust size. All the men turned to look at her, but no one so much as breathed a compliment. Either they were a particularly respectful crowd, even when drunk, or they knew better than to provoke this creature.
She sat on the stool and ordered a drink.
"How about you pay for your tab first, Kazehana?" asked the barman.
"Aw, come on. Don't be like that. You know I'll always pay, eventually."
"Then eventually I'll give you a drink."
She spun around on her stool and looked at the patrons, who pointedly avoided meeting her eyes. All expect Shirou because he was busy analyzing her, trying to figure out something about her from her aura. Having effectively made eye contact, the Sekirei called Kazehana stood up and approached his table.
Shirou forced himself to stay calm. Unless MBI had sent her, she didn't know his identity, therefore there should be no reason for her to be hostile. Might as well take this chance to figure out something.
"Hi," she said once she arrived in front of him. "Aren't you lonely, drinking here all on your own? How about we keep each other some company?"
Before he could even answer, she started unbuttoning the top of her coat, thus giving Shirou a glimpse of the goods underneath.
This was a blatant attempt at seduction. It was so obvious that even he realized. The faint snickering all around told him that this wasn't something new either. That was why they firmly avoided making eye contact with her. They didn't want to be scammed into paying for her drinks with the promise of a reward that would never come.
It had nothing to do with being a powerful alien.
Any other circumstances, Shirou would have flatly if politely refused. He didn't particularly like drinking and he already had his fair share. However, now that a Sekirei served himself to him on a silver platter he couldn't turn her down even if he wanted to.
It was too good an occasion to just let it slip by.
"Sure," he replied, motioning for her to take a seat, which, to be perfectly honest, she was already doing.
She slipped out of her coat and Shirou had to turn his head to the side lest he spat the beer in his mouth all over her. The snickering intensified.
The pseudo-Chinese dress she wore was short. Way too short. Calling it a mini dress was already quite generous. It barely reached her upper thighs, leaving almost the entire length of her long legs exposed.
The upper part didn't help either. The dress didn't have a neck cut as much as it had a navel cut, because it extended slightly below that point. The two vertical halves were held together by the choker-like neck and by crisscrossing strings over the chest and stomach. They did little to conceal anything but did a lot to accentuate her forms.
Yet, somehow, incredibly enough, it failed at being indecent and settled on being extremely provocative.
This was a woman that was well aware of her beauty, mastered it, and wore it with confidence. In terms of raw appearance, Akitsu wouldn't lose to this Sekirei, Kazehana, but in terms of sex appeal, there was just no contest.
Over the years, Shirou had become desensitized to a lot of things. Pretty women, unfortunately, was not one of them. The alcohol already coursing through his veins wasn't helping matters either.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" she asked as she crossed her legs.
"A...Aren't you cold in that?" he blurted out.
"I assure you, I am quite hot."
As much as he would have wanted, Shirou could not dispute that statement.
At that moment, behind Kazehana's back, Seo walked out of the restroom. His gaze fell on Shirou and his new drinking companion.
The two men's eyes met, and after a moment Seo gave him a grin and a thumbs-up, heading for the door.
Now, although that played nicely with his intent to extract information from the Sekirei, Shirou wanted to run after the other man and beg him not to leave him alone with this creature.
He'd sooner have drinks with murderous Karasuba than this drop-dead gorgeous woman.
It would be more dangerous, perhaps lethal, but at least Shirou would know how to deal with that. He was completely out of his depths here.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the luxury of bailing out now. Such a fortuitous opportunity would not knock on his door again anytime soon.
He motioned the bartender to bring over more drinks. Shaking his head at Shirou's folly, the man simply did as he was asked. It wasn't his job to put some sense into his patrons so long as they paid their bill.
Therefore, Shirou engaged in his first confrontation against a Sekirei. He did not expect his first battle to be fought on such terms, but successful warfare required adaptability.
[br]
His memory started to become too blurry to make any sense after that. He had a vague glimpse of inconsequential conversation, of walking out of that place with Kazehana on his arm and of the other patrons shouting in collective outrage about something.
Somehow, he must have driven both of them to his place, but he had no recollection of that whatsoever.
He knew he hadn't done anything to or with this Sekirei. Being drunk didn't affect his character, so how did he end up almost completely naked in that position with her, in Akitsu's bed and with Akitsu in a similar state?
More importantly, how was he supposed to get out of it?
'Why is my luck this bad?' he complained inwardly.
"Are you awake, Shirou-sama?" asked Akitsu, looking up at him.
"Hhmm," moaned Kazehana as she stirred awake.
She pushed herself up, sitting on her heels with her back turned to Shirou. She looked around, seemingly not recognizing where she was until her eyes fell on Shirou and Akitsu.
"... Good morning," he said tentatively.
"Oh," she just said, and then looked down to her mostly naked body. Her hand flew to the back of her neck, panic flashing through her eyes so quickly that Shirou almost missed it.
"I didn't do anything," he said.
"I... I know. That was… nice of you."
Was it just his impression, or did she just sound disappointed?
"So, uh. Would you mind getting dressed?
"Hm? I probably should to that, right?"
"Please," he said with too much squeak in his voice than he would be willing to admit.
Kazehana tried to stand up, and in the process, she looked at Akitsu. Really looked at her. She sprang to her feet, back to the wall and hands in front of her in an amateurish defensive posture.
"Wha… what are you doing here?" she asked as an originless wind started to pick up around her, making her hair flutter.
"This is my bedroom," Akitsu replied matter of factly.
Shirou in the meantime picked himself up from the futon as well. The situation threatened to escalate, but that Kazehana had not attacked the moment she recognized Akitsu as a fellow Sekirei meant that there was still room for talking.
"Calm down," he told her. "If either of us wanted to harm you, we could have done so last night."
"And just who the hell are you, really? Are you from Section Two?"
The term was not familiar with Shirou, though he assumed it was from MBI.
"Look, can we have this conversation once we put our clothes back on? Please?"
Kazehana looked at Shirou like she wanted to see into his skull and read what he was thinking. Behind him, Akitsu who had also stood up watched dispassionately but was ready to act the moment the other Sekirei made a threatening move.
Kazehana knew that it was on her to either escalate or accept the olive branch she was being offered.
"Well, alright," she agreed and the wind ceased immediately.
"Thank you," Shirou exhaled. "I'll, uh. I'll see if I can find where we left our clothes last night."
Kazehana nodded and Shirou slipped out of the room, leaving the two Sekirei alone with each other.
[br]
"Why are you outside?" Kazehana asked once the human had left the room.
"I wished to fly," the Scrap replied as it explained everything.
Kazehana sighed. Of course, she would have. If there was a thing humans and Sekirei had in common it was that they both wished strongly for things they could not have.
To say that Kazehana was upset about this development would be a huge understatement. For years now she had been flirting with men left and right to have them pay for what she needed, whether it was drinks or other commodities.
Of course, being Sekirei, physical contact with humans was never an option. A mere kiss would sign her fate, therefore, even under the influence of alcohol she never crossed that line.
As such, she quickly gained a reputation for being a tease and something of a scammer. However, her playful attitude and shamelessness about it won her over the sympathies of the city's heavy drinkers, although it made finding sponsors a lot more difficult. There were also those that did not take kindly to being discarded, but those who tried to do anything about it didn't try a second time.
Of course, every now and then, a new face would roll in from out of town, and the cycle would begin all over again.
Still, as confident as she was with self-exposure, she never so much as held hands with any of them. Therefore, following a human to his place and falling asleep naked into his arms wasn't so much as crossing the line as it was long jumping over it.
When she woke up, she thought in her drunken stupor she had reacted to him and ended up being Winged. Fortunately, that wasn't the case. Despite the circumstances, he had not taken advantage of her state, which was a relief. After all this time, getting bonded because she had drunk too much would have been far from amusing.
However, while that made her curious about the human, the presence of a Scrap Number made her reasonably wary. Clearly, this man knew what Sekirei were and how they functioned. He had to know he could have forcibly winged her, but for some reason, he hadn't.
Needless to say, she wanted to know who he was and what were his motives.
"What about that guy then?" she asked, inclining her head in the direction the human had left.
"He is my Master," was the short reply.
"Master?" Kazehana frowned, crossing her arms over her chest pushing her breasts upward in a way that would have had the human's eyes bulge outward, had he been still in the room. "You can't have an Ashikabi, so this is the next best thing? A surrogate?"
The Scrap looked away with a hurt expression on her face.
"He promised he would not abandon me, that he would stay by my side. I cannot have an Ashikabi, but I believe that if I could, it would be him."
"... perhaps," Kazehana conceded, if only because there was no point in arguing with this broken thing. Kazehana had her own opinions about such matters, but she wouldn't voice them when the only result it would achieve would be hurting someone who had already been hurt enough.
She would have wanted to ask more, but the approaching footsteps warned that the Scrap's Master was on his way back.
The door opened, but instead of walking in he only put an arm into the room, holding out their clothes to them.
Kazehana snorted. This human was definitely a weird one. Perhaps, hanging around for a little bit could be somewhat interesting and god only knew how dreadfully bored she was with everything.
[XXX]