Chapter 4 – The Chance Encounter
"Let's go home."
Minato practically felt the relief run through Karasuba's body at his words, and he had to hold on tighter to keep her from collapsing. He looked down to see her completely unconscious. She must be have been more exhausted than he thought she was from the fight, both mentally and physically. He knelt down slowly, gently easing her into a more comfortable sitting position and supporting her body with his own. He refused to take his arms off of her. She wasn't some kind of fragile china doll — the fight just now had demonstrated that handily — but the terror of seeing her fighting tooth and nail, of her going flying into the car, was still fresh in his mind.
The whole thing was a rollercoaster of emotions he wasn't ready for in the slightest. At first, he had felt nothing but confidence in his Sekirei's abilities. There was no reason to feel any other way, really. Karasuba had boasted that she was the strongest there was, and the way she fought in the opening minutes of the battle showed little reason to disprove it.
But by the end of the fight, he had to be honest — he was shocked to see Karasuba's display of brutality on her defeated opponent. Amebane seemed like a tough opponent to him, but she had systematically dismantled him throughout the fight and was in complete control until he had started taunting her. His silver-haired Sekirei must have gotten riled up by the enemy, becoming almost an entirely different person. The look on her face as she slowly laid cut after cut on Amebane's body, a mixture of rapture and something much darker, made his blood run cold.
What Amebane said to her had to have been the trigger of it all. Was Karasuba really a mass-murderer...? There was no way. She was his Sekirei, he knew her better than anyone! His Karasuba was a playful, flirtatious girl who teased him all the time over the silliest things. His Karasuba loved his cooking, loved curling up in bed with him at night, loved when he rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs. His Karasuba couldn't be a butcher or whatever it was that liar had said... right?
He looked down at the worn out Sekirei in his arms, clutching her closer to his body. Whatever the case may be, this was certainly not the place to be lost in thought about it. Looking around the rubble strewn street, he saw Akitsu walking towards him from whatever she had done to Amebane's body. Even now, he could see his Ashikabi clutching his prone body, hear her agonized wailing. A chill ran down his spine at the sight of it.
"Akitsu? Akitsu, come here." He called out with a bit of fear and urgency in his voice. He wanted, no, needed to hold all of his Sekirei as if to reassure himself that they were both safe in his arms.
"Ah." She looked up at the sound of his body, a melancholy expression on her face. "Coming, Minato-sama."
As soon as she neared him, Minato reached out and pulled her down into a three-way embrace with himself and Karasuba. A look of surprise danced across her face before contentment replaced it. He tightened his hug, holding both Sekirei tight. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to fall at any moment, but he refused to cry. Not in front of his girls. He didn't know if he was capable of fending off any attackers in this state, but he was damn ready to lay his life on the line for his Sekirei. He didn't want them to see any more harm, not while he could still draw breath.
"Please don't worry me like that ever again." He kissed the tops of both of their heads. "I was so scared, so terrified."
Akitsu nestled deeper into his side, helping to support Karasuba at the same time. She sent reassuring pulses through the bond, filling him with her warmth both inside and out.
"Yes, Minato-sama..."
Feeling a surge of wind blow past him, he looked up to see the helicopters he had heard approaching earlier roar overhead. There were two in total, each painted black with the MBI logo emblazoned on their sides.
"CLEAR THE AREA," A voice boomed through a loudspeaker. " THIS IS NOW A RESTRICTED ZONE. I REPEAT: CLEAR THE AREA."
"We should get going then!" Minato shouted to make himself heard over the noise.
"Ah! Minato-sama, we have to wait! For MBI!" Akitsu shouted back.
"What?!"
He had no idea why they would need to wait for MBI, but if Akitsu insisted on it, he didn't have much other choice but comply. The look on her face was filled with trepidation however, the trauma she faced at the hands of MBI still raw in her memory. Minato gripped her shoulder with a reassuringly gentle squeeze.
"YOU CIVILIANS THERE, GET OUT OF HERE ALREADY."
Wait a second. He knew that voice. But it couldn't be...
The helicopters landed and crews of what looked like first-response medical workers leaped out of the bay doors, running for Amebane's body. A grey-haired woman in a laboratory coat and sunglasses was directing them as she exited the helicopter herself, barking out orders through her megaphone with an all-too-familiar authority that sent phantom shudders throughout his body. She turned to look at them, whipping off her sunglasses to squint in their direction.
"MINATO? THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, SON?"
"MOM?"
"WELL THIS IS CERTAINLY AWKWARD, ISN'T IT..." She deadpanned, her amplified voice ringing true over the whine of the helicopter blades. Scratching at her head with the clipboard she held in her other hand, she grimaced slightly.
Minato's mother slung her megaphone over her shoulder and pulled out a cigarette from her breast pocket, lighting it with a practiced flick of a lighter she produced from her sleeves. After signaling to the helicopters, one took off towards the MBI clock tower having quickly stabilized Amebane and bringing him aboard. The other simply powered down as its crew milled about waiting for further orders. Minato could only gape dumbfounded at his mother as she took a drag of her cigarette, having been struck entirely speechless at her presence.
"W-What are you doing here?!" he finally managed to sputter out.
"I could ask the same of you, son." She exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked at the two girls he nervously clutched in his arms. The piercing look she gave made him pull them closer to his side. "According to the files, these must be your Sekirei."
"Sekirei? You know what Sekirei are?!"
"Of course I do, I'm the head researcher at MBI. I've been working with the lot of them for years. Why wouldn't I know what they are?"
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE A PHARMACIST!?"
"Technically, I said I was working at a pharmaceutical company. Which technically, MBI started as before becoming the massive conglomerate it is today. So technically, I never lied. More or less..." She took another long drag from her cigarette.
"I think I'm going to be sick," he groaned, feeling lightheaded and slightly ill all of a sudden.
"Ah!" Akitsu paled slightly and started rubbing soothing circles into his back.
Everything he had known about his mother... was a lie? Forget the technicalities, was everything else he thought he knew just false pretenses and half-truths too? It was almost too much to handle.
"D-does Yukari know about this?"
"Of course not, don't be silly. But she IS coming to Tokyo soon though. She's enrolled at Shindong Women's University now, you know."
Yukari was coming to Tokyo? Any thoughts of happiness or pride about his precious little sister's college acceptance was smothered by the raw concern and panic he felt about the news. The city wasn't a safe place to be anymore, why was she coming here now of all places of all times? A cold sweat broke out on Minato's brow.
"B-But Tokyo could turn into a warzone soon! Didn't you see the announcement?"
"What'd I just say about not being silly, huh? I told you, I'm the head researcher for MBI's Sekirei Project. I was there when that crazy jackass made the damn announcement." His mom heaved a smoke-filled sigh. "I told him it was a stupid idea, but would he listen? Noooo. 'All part of the plan,' he says. 'It's more exciting this way...' Tch."
His mom had a tendency to ramble and go wildly off-topic when she was agitated, and she very clearly looked agitated. When she got into that kind of state, it was best to redirect her as best as possible. A sudden idea came to him. If the helicopters were here to administer first aid and evacuate defeated Sekirei (assuming that's what was going on, since both Amebane and Itsuki were whisked away), they might as well be productive with their time and help Karasuba. She was still unconscious and he was beginning to worry.
"Um, Mom?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"I... hate to interrupt but could you take a look at Karasuba? She suddenly went unconscious and she hasn't woken up yet."
"Oh. Well, that's what we're here for." His mom waved at the remaining medical team waiting patiently on stand-by and they began running towards them.
"You'd better get out of the way."
He hesitated, not wanting to let go of Karasuba just yet. He trusted his mom, but not so much the strangers apparently working for her. It must have been written all over his face by the way Takami suddenly stroked his head, her hand surprisingly gentle.
"It'll be okay, let them do their work."
Picking her up, he personally laid Karasuba down on the sheet the medical team had prepared in the meantime. He brushed her bangs out of her face and placed a tender kiss on her forehead before backing away. Grabbing Akitsu's hand, he walked to the side, far enough to be out of the way but close enough to keep a watchful eye on them. His mom laughed at his antics.
"So, you've managed to wing two Sekirei huh?"
"Err... yes." He said awkwardly. "It feels like they winged me, to be honest."
Which was entirely true. Karasuba had seized their first kiss (his first kiss!), and Akitsu had quite literally pushed him down and crawled on top of him for hers.
Takami laughed again, almost choking on her cigarette.
"Oh I'm sure. Karasuba has always been headstrong to say the least, and Akitsu here can be surprisingly forward when she wants to be." she said affectionately. "I'm glad she found a good Ashikabi, especially after what happened."
Akitsu's hand clenched at his mom's words. A brief sensation of pain drifted through the bond, the memories of her escape undoubtedly coming back to mind at the reminder of it all, but he felt her quickly school her thoughts. He could easily sense the contentment and happiness that came to replace it.
"Ah. Yes, Minato-sama is a good Ashikabi. The best." Akitsu said straight-faced.
Takami looked at the way their hands held each other's tightly and narrowed her eyes at her son suddenly.
"I don't think I need to tell you to be... safe, now do I? I'm not ready for grandchildren just yet."
Minato blushed madly, his face burning with embarrassment at her implied words.
"Of course!"
"Ah. Minato-sama will take responsibility." Akitsu blushed demurely, closing her eyes no doubt at the thought of it as a happy smile danced across her lips.
Just then, a man from the medical team came running over with a clipboard in hand. He whispered discretely into Takami's ear and stood back, apparently waiting for instructions. His mom seemed to take a moment to consider what she just heard and nodded after a period of thought. The man saluted before turning around, shouting orders of his own to the team. They began packing up and moving their equipment back to the helicopter.
"Minato, Karasuba's fine. She just has some minor bumps and scrapes from her fight which we've gone ahead and bandaged up anyway. Other than that, she's just exhausted. Go home and have her rest up before any more strenuous activity, okay?"
"Got it. Thanks, mom."
"Don't mention it, son. Now unfortunately, MBI isn't allowed to do anything else outside of first aid for the... winning contestants. Can't have any favoritism and all that, so you'll have to get her home on your own. Luckily for you, there's another Sekirei to help out, eh?" She clapped him on the back, sending him a step forward with an oof.
"Right..."
The two of them headed over to Karasuba, Akitsu helping him to put her on his back. She bopped her fist on an open palm, apparently remembering something all of a sudden. The Ice Sekirei ran off and returned with the bags of groceries he had virtually forgotten all about in the commotion, surprisingly intact and undamaged. Minato had to bite back a snort of laughter.
"Take care of yourself, son," she said as she walked towards the helicopter.
The propellers span up again, filling the air once again with their roar. Giving one last wave goodbye, Takami boarded and slammed the door shut. Minato and his Sekirei stood and watched the helicopter lift off. Just as it was about to turn and fly away though, the door suddenly flew open and revealed his mom standing with her megaphone once again in hand.
"ONE LAST THING, DON'T TELL YUKARI ABOUT ANY OF THIS!"
"WHAT?!"
The first thing Karasuba noticed upon returning to consciousness was a strange wetness dabbing at her face. Almost without thinking, her hand struck with all of the speed of a coiled viper at the offending instrument. She cracked an eye open only to see herself clutching a startled Akitsu by the wrist.
"Ah! You're awake." She said simply.
For as short a time as she had been able to get to know her, Akitsu had proven herself to be remarkably level-headed and this was apparently no exception. Karasuba winced, partly due to the soreness in her body that decided to make itself known and partly due to her rough handling of her sister-bonded Sekirei. Old habits died hard.
"Sorry, Akitsu." she said with a sincerely apologetic tone as she sat up. "What happened?"
"We are back home. After you defeated No. 13 Amebane, you passed out. Minato-sama and I took you home, you've been unconscious since. He asked me to take care of you while he stepped out to buy medicine for you."
Karasuba stared blankly at Akitsu's straightforward answers. She really didn't know what else she was expecting from the Ice Sekirei.
"You suffered only minor injuries, comprising of small bumps and scrapes that have been taken care of for you."
Finally taking the time to look around her surroundings, she belatedly realized she was set up in the master bedroom she shared with Minato. She bit back a snarl of frustration. Peace was making her dull – the old Karasuba would have killed the pathetic mess she saw laying in bed. Everything from her reaction times to her standard operating procedure was growing rusty from disuse and she didn't like it. Not one bit.
"How long have I been out?"
"Not long, only a few hours. It is almost dinnertime. Minato-sama made beef curry." Akitsu said, a small smile springing to her lips by the end. "I was asked to decide."
Well then.
"How's Minato? Did he get hurt in the crossfire?" She felt a belated twinge of guilt at not even asking about the girl who had taken the time to take care of her, even if Minato had asked her to. "Err... And are you alright?"
Akitsu cocked her head and looked askance at Karasuba.
"Minato-sama is alright. He did not get hurt in the crossfire. And I am alright as well, thank you for asking."
That certainly was good news. She had lost complete control over her bloodlust in her rage, and she feared she had lashed out at friend and foe alike. To find out she hadn't made a load fall off her conscience with relief. Still, what had he thought of her rampage? Of her torture of Amebane, of the snippets of truth about her past the damned whelp had let slip out from his mouth? She must have imagined the comforting pulses of acceptance she felt from him just before she lost consciousness. There was no way he could continue to love someone like her, not after that display.
"...Does he hate me?" She murmured softly aloud, more to herself than anything.
The words came out of her mouth before she even realized she had said them, and it shocked her greatly.
"Minato-sama?"
Akitsu was sharper-eared than she thought. It was too late to pretend to not have said anything, and she really wanted to know more than anything at the moment how her Ashikabi felt about her.
"Yeah." Karasuba swallowed thickly. "He must be disgusted with what he saw. I'm a monster, aren't I?"
She felt a cool hand silently take hers, and she looked at No. 07 in surprise. Akitsu scooted closer to her, sitting down by her side on the bed.
"Ah. Minato-sama does not hate you. He was very worried about you, he said so himself to me."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. He told me he was very scared for you during the fight, and I could feel it through the bond."
"But I..."
"Talk to him. Minato-sama is a very kind person, he will understand."
That was certainly true. Minato was probably the most easy-going and kind person she had ever met, but would he really be as accepting as Akitsu was making him out to be? There was only one way to find out, and Karasuba wasn't one to shy away from anything.
"Thanks... Akitsu."
The words rolled awkwardly off her tongue, but the sentiment was sincere. Gratitude was something she was wholly inexperienced with expressing, not really having much opportunity or reason to express it in the first place. Still, Akitsu had gone out of her way to comfort her in her own way. If having a sister-bonded was supposed to be like this, Karasuba supposed she wasn't entirely opposed to the idea of sharing Minato.
Akitsu squeezed her hand in reply.
A short time later, the bedroom door cracked open slowly as Minato poked his head in. Seeing as how the occupants inside were all awake, he came in with a bowl of steaming hot rice congee, a glass of water, and what looked like aspirins atop a tray.
"Ah, I will leave you two alone."
Minato looked at Akitsu curiously, but she only rested her hand on his shoulder briefly before she left the room. As she closed the door, she nodded at Karasuba, perhaps encouraging her to talk to Minato in that peculiar roundabout way of hers.
"How are you feeling?" he said, setting the tray down on the bedside nightstand.
Minato sat down beside her, much like Akitsu did before him, and took both of her hands in his.
"I'm fine. A little more tired than I should be, but nothing I can't deal with."
"That's good. I'm glad you're alright. I was so worried about you during that fight..." he squeezed her hands lightly. "Is that how it's going to be from now on? Sekirei battles, I mean."
Karasuba took a moment to consider her answer. If she was to be entirely honest, she wasn't sure if she would fly off the handle like that again. A fight with her in complete control could be over in mere seconds but if she were to succumb to her bloodlust again, what happened to Amebane could be the mere tip of the iceberg.
"I... would hope not." She said finally.
It was the safest answer she could give him without outright lying or indulging in wistful thinking. Better not to make promises she couldn't keep.
"Good, good..." Minato looked satisfied with her answer as he rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs. "Um... Karasuba, can I ask you a question?"
A sinking feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. She knew what he was going to ask.
"Yes?"
"About what that Amebane guy said... He called you a killer, a murderer. What was he talking about? That's not true, is it?"
And there it was. Now was the moment of truth, the time for faith and trust. She didn't want to think about what would happen if he didn't take it well.
"It is true. I've killed many people over the years, more than I could probably count."
"!"
Minato looked shocked, but she pressed on without giving him a chance to talk. Better to get it all out at once, like tearing off a band-aid instead of agonizing over it bit by bit.
"I'm exactly what he said. I'm a monster."
At that moment, Minato threw his arms around her and drew her into a comforting embrace. She stiffened out of surprise.
"M-Minato?"
"You're not a monster. You're my Karasuba."
A warm glow diffused through her chest, and a feeling of relief settled over her very soul. From anyone else, she would have taken offense to any supposed claim anyone had over her. But it was her Ashikabi who had uttered those words. He hadn't rejected her, he hadn't hated her, he hadn't chased her away. He still cared. Her eyes misted over, tears threatening to pour out but she refused to let herself cry.
He held her for what seemed like an eternity, time stretching on and on without end. She didn't care. She clutched at the back of his shirt like it was a life preserver thrown to keep her from drowning in a dark sea. In many ways, it was.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He gently pulled away, cupping her cheek with one hand.
Karasuba hesitated. She wanted so dearly to say yes, to spill out her darkest secrets and share the burden of her sins with him, but the shadow of her bloodlust still held a powerful sway over her heart.
"He may accept you now, but will he still say the same once he knows why you did what you did? Not because of some noble justification... but because you liked the slaughter, the feel of blood running down your face, the taste of fear in the air?"
She didn't know. Maybe she didn't even want to know. It was a big enough risk to admit she had killed, that much alone could have broken anyone else. To even attempt to explain it all? No, that was too much to ask of her. Not yet, she wasn't ready yet.
"No," No. 07 said finally. "Not right now. In the future, maybe. But now, no."
To her surprise, her Ashikabi simply nodded and kissed her forehead.
"Then I won't press you about it. I just want you to know that you can tell me anything. I want you to feel comfortable about opening up to me, so I won't force you to do something you're uncomfortable about. I care about you, Karasuba. I always will."
"How many times does it need to be said that it's only a matter of time before he realizes the enormity of your crimes? Before he comes to his senses and sees you for the monster you truly are?"
Of course she knew her Ashikabi was only human. That everyone had their line in the sand, that no one was capable of infinite mercy. But for this blessed instance, she wanted to give into hope and just enjoy his loving embrace while it lasted.
"Thank you, Minato." she whispered.
If Akitsu was to be completely honest with herself, she was incredibly jealous of Karasuba's closeness to Minato-sama. Though it was a logical conclusion that Karasuba's longer relationship with Minato equated a deeper rapport of trust and intimacy, Akitsu couldn't help but wish she was the one pampered by their Ashikabi.
Minato-sama would never ever do anything to make Akitsu feel excluded, left out, or somehow lesser than Karasuba. He made it very clear from day one (and every day since then) that both of his Sekirei were near and dear to his heart, and that he cared for the both of them equally. Still, it was the little things that slipped out unconsciously that gave her pause. The looks he gave Karasuba when he thought no one was watching, the lingering touches he left on her arm, the way he smiled just so when she snuggled into him in a quiet moment together – it all spoke to a deeper bond between the two of them than the one between herself and Minato.
It wasn't like she resented them for it – quite the contrary. Akitsu saw it as more of a goal to strive towards rather than let the jealousy fester in her heart. Speaking logically, she knew it was only natural that they had a deeper bond just from being around each other for longer. There was no point in moping about things out of her control. She was just grateful to have met Minato-sama when she did, and she could probably never stop repaying him for his kindness. It was more than enough for her to have whatever affection he could give her. Still, even as a not-so-small part of her feared she would never be good enough for him, Akitsu was determined to be worthy of his attention, to never give him cause to regret taking her in.
It was for those reasons and more that Akitsu was happy she and her Minato-sama shared their own special moments that not even Karasuba did with him.
"Akitsu?"
"Ah. Please don't squirm, Minato-sama."
"Erm... You don't have to clean my ears for me, you know." Minato-sama said, fidgeting nervously from his spot lying on Akitsu's lap.
She didn't really know why he was so anxious about the procedure. She delicately wielded the ear-cleaning tool with steady hands, the little red puff ball on the end bobbing every so often as she worked. There was practically no risk of her poking too deep or scratching his inner ear. The Ice Sekirei knew for a fact that Karasuba would never offer to do something like this for him simply because Karasuba just lacked the delicate touch such a task demanded. It wasn't like she couldn't be delicate and precise with her hands – the way she wielded her nodachi was testament enough to that — she just wasn't delicate enough. This required a different kind of touch Karasuba probably couldn't use.
"A-Ahh, that tickles!"
"Please be still, Minato-sama."
"Sorry..."
It was rather relaxing for her to do this, and if the feelings of contentment and calmness from the bond (despite the steadily fading undercurrent of nervousness) were anything to go by, he felt the same way. She liked pampering her Ashikabi. Pausing only for him to flip over so she could clean his other ear, she worked patiently at her self-assigned undertaking.
"What are you two doing?" Karasuba asked as she came down the stairs.
"Ah. I am cleaning Minato-sama's ears."
"That so?" Karasuba laid down on the couch opposite them and propped her head up with one arm, a look of bemusement on her face. "Have I ever told you that you're very weird, Akitsu?"
"Ah." Akitsu took a moment to sift through her memories for any examples of that or related descriptions. "I do not think so."
"It was a rhetorical question, Akitsu."
She nodded and mentally logged the instance in her mind for later review. Social nuances like that were still so hard for her to grasp. There really was no substitute for experience in that regard, no matter how many guides and literature she read to alleviate her lack of familiarity. She almost had sarcasm down pat though.
"And for the record, this counts."
A comfortable silence settled on the room as Akitsu finished her cleaning. It seemed like Minato-sama had dozed off in the middle of it all, and she saw no reason to interrupt his little cat nap. She simply settled in more comfortably, lightly running a hand through his hair. Such quiet times were so precious to her. The happiness of spending time with her Ashikabi and her sister-bonded threatened to burst through her heart. She had come a long way from the nightmare of her departure from MBI and she hoped to never experience such a thing ever again.
Akitsu nearly dozed off herself before the ringing of Minato-sama's cell phone woke everyone up. He slowly got up with a yawn, pawing at his eyes to wipe the sand off them.
"Hello? Yasaka? Wow, it's been ages since I've heard from you! How have you been?"
Who was Yasaka? Even Karasuba raised a curious eyebrow at Minato-sama's sudden phone call, though she didn't get up from her spot on the couch. It wasn't often that he got any phone calls from anyone other than from his Sekirei or his younger sister, so she was understandably curious.
"So you're in the mizu shobai now? Why am I not surprised?"
A flicker of movement in the corner of her eye made her turn her head. Karasuba had bolted upright and was staring at their Ashikabi with an unreadable expression on her face. "Water trade" must have caught her attention too. If they weren't suspicious of the caller before, they definitely were now. Old acquaintance or not, Akitsu didn't particularly trust anyone who worked in that industry. From all she'd read about it, the people (mostly women) who wound up there were nothing but shady hedonist types, debtors, or drop-outs. She didn't want Minato-sama associating with any of them.
"Well, you were always super popular and charming in high school. It's a natural fit for you!"
So Yasaka was some kind of former classmate? Potentially even a childhood friend? If there was one thing Akitsu knew about these kinds of situations, it was that childhood friends were always the biggest rivals to the main love interests! This (most likely) girl, whoever she was, knew practically everything there is to know about Minato-sama – what he looked like as a child, his favorite foods to put in a bento, his most embarrassing moments, and more. They had a special and intimate understanding that, according to the sources she read, can only come from having known each other since earliest childhood. She had an edge over even Karasuba!
One look at No. 04's now stony expression and white-knuckled fists told her Karasuba had come to the same conclusion.
"No way, you're in Tokyo now? Hey, so am I! We should catch up some time."
Absolutely not! There was no way she was about to let him go meet this... girl anywhere! For all Akitsu knew, she was going to meet up with Minato-sama and remind him about some kind of long-forgotten childhood betrothal promise, then drag him off to get married in their hometown and have 2 babies together. At least! It was one thing to share him with her sister-bonded Sekirei, but for a human girl to come in and sweep him off his feet from right under their noses? Never!
She exchanged a glance with Karasuba. No words were spoken, but the sentiment was easily understood — Minato-sama was NOT leaving this house.
"Tonight?"
The two Sekirei froze up in growing horror. His next words seemed to echo dramatically in their ears.
"Sure, I think I should be free!"
No.
"Am I meeting you there then?"
No.
"Alright, sounds like a plan. I'll get back to you ASAP after I make sure I'm available."
NO— Wait what?
"Alright, hope to see you soon!"
It felt like her mind went blank all of a sudden and her jaw hung slightly ajar. Did Minato-sama just...?
"Hey, Karasuba, Akitsu. My old friend Yasaka from my hometown just called, he wants to go out and catch up tonight. Is that okay with you two?"
Eh? Yasaka was a boy? Akitsu turned numbly to Karasuba, the same blank look on her face mirrored in the Black Sekirei's own. Had they really jumped to the wrong conclusion so easily?
"Are you two listening to me? Is something wrong?"
"Ah... Nothing." Akitsu said simply, still a bit guilty for doubting Minato-sama's intentions.
"Err... Yeah, sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Karasuba said, not quite looking him in the eye. "Could you repeat that?"
Minato-sama looked curiously at the two of them before continuing.
"Yes, well. Is it alright if I go out tonight? I haven't seen Yasaka in a while, but if you two don't want me to, I can stay home instead."
Uneasy guilt bubbled in her gut as she squirmed slightly in her seat. If she didn't feel bad about it before, she really did now. Minato-sama only had them in mind when he made decisions, and for him to essentially ask them for permission to go see his friend spoke leagues about how much he valued their opinions. Still, he would be going out into Tokyo alone, and at night no less. She couldn't help but feel worried about sending her Ashikabi off without any protection or anyone to watch over him.
"I don't know about this, Minato." Karasuba said, shaking her head slightly. "You'd be going off by yourself into Tokyo at night, that's a risky proposal. The Sekirei Plan is in full-swing, I don't like the idea of you going anywhere without one of us watching over you."
"I understand, but all of the skirmishes have gone down since... that day. No one's been eager to start any trouble since then, the streets are a lot safer these days too!"
Minato-sama did have a point. The fight between Karasuba and Amebane had been filmed by several bystanders and uploaded to the internet where it had quickly reached millions of views before being taken down by MBI. They were far too late to stop the images of the Black Sekirei's brutal dismantling of her enemy from spreading like wildfire. Ever since then, open Sekirei fighting in Tokyo had practically disappeared. The only Sekirei-related news in the media these days were the occasional report of a brief scuffle that never amounted to much of anything.
"Besides, it's not like I'm going to be alone. I'm going with Yasaka, remember? We can handle ourselves, and we'll just run if things get hairy."
It seemed like Minato-sama really wanted to go see his friend, and Akitsu didn't want to be the one to say no to him. He rarely asked for anything from them so she was even more reluctant to deny his rare request. She turned to Karasuba, deciding to defer the final say to her. The Black Sekirei seemed a little taken aback by the gesture, but she quickly shrugged it off and took a moment to decide.
"As much as I'd rather have you stay home where it's safe and sound, I can tell you really want to go meet your friend." Karasuba said finally. "You're an adult, you can make your own decisions. If you want to go, then go. I won't stop you."
"Karasuba, I—"
"It's alright. Besides, you're my— no, our Ashikabi." Karasuba turned and glanced at Akitsu with a smirk. "You're no weakling, you can take care of yourself at least until you can call for help."
Minato-sama grinned sheepishly.
"Well, I am running faster these days thanks to your training regimen, Karasuba."
"Ah. Just stay out of trouble, Minato-sama."
He laughed heartily, drawing Akitsu and Karasuba into his arms with a broad smile.
"I'll do my best!"
The Ice Sekirei blushed and snuggled deeper into his side. She didn't think she could ever get used to these kinds of displays of affection. They were just too wonderful for her not to cherish.
Adjusting his collar with a tug, Minato looked at himself in the mirror one last time.
"I think I should have let Karasuba and Akitsu convince me to buy more clothes the last time we went shopping together..."
He didn't have much to work with in his wardrobe, and what little he had was courtesy of several dedicated revamping attempts by his Sekirei. At the time, he felt embarrassed that he not only had to rely on them for money but also for fashion tips, but in retrospect he should have just let them dress him. It would have been a lot simpler.
But was his outfit really that bad? He had done his research online to see what the hip people were wearing to out for a night on the town, but a lot of it was too... "out-there" for his taste. Things like leather jackets or graphic tees weren't exactly his style, but it wasn't as if he had a huge selection of things to choose from either. Finally deciding to go simple, he threw on a simple grey blazer over a black v-neck and fitted black trousers. Maybe he was unconsciously inspired by a certain look he saw all the time to put it all together.
"If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn Karasuba picked out this exact outfit to match hers..." he muttered to himself.
Minato attempted to style his hair but his mess of long locks was determined to stay exactly that, despite his best efforts. Eventually giving up with a helpless shrug, he just grabbed his watch from the nightstand and headed downstairs. He paused mid-step down as he couldn't help but think he was either massively underdressed or overdressed for the occasion. Was he just over-thinking it? As the saying went, "The clothes make the man, but don't let them wear you." He supposed he was just lacking in the confidence necessary to pull off the outfit after all, and began to make his way back upstairs to change into something else before a low whistle startled him out of it.
"Well well, look who we have here. Who knew you cleaned up so well, Minato?"
Karasuba smirked at him and beckoned him to come down with an imperious wave of her fingers.
"Akitsu, come see our Ashikabi's grand entrance at the debutante ball." She said, equal parts mirth and
approval in her voice.
"Ah, coming."
The Ice Sekirei rounded the corner with her cell phone in one hand and a camera in the other. Minato flushed with embarrassment when he heard the clicking noises that signaled pictures being taken.
"Oh, send me those later, Akitsu."
"Okay."
His silver-haired Sekirei slowly circled him, not unlike the way a predator circles its prey on the hunt. As she eyed him up and down, he distinctly felt like a piece of meat on display. Or a prize being admired.
"I approve." She said with a grin as she straightened his collar. "So when are you supposed to be meeting this Yasaka fellow?"
Minato swallowed nervously before replying. Karasuba could be really scary sometimes.
"I'm supposed to meet him at Club Q at 9PM, he wants to show me the Tokyo nightlife because apparently I've been missing out this whole time."
Karasuba paused in her lint picking, eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"Club Q?"
"Ah. Nightlife?" Akitsu chimed in, her face set in its usual neutral expression but a distinct aura of suspicion floated around her and through the bond as well.
"Er... Yes."
The Black Sekirei narrowed her eyes and leveled a borderline glare at him. But just like that, she abruptly straightened up, brushed his shoulders off, and sauntered off to the couch where she sat down and propped her feet up.
"Well," she said over her shoulder as she walked away. "You're a big boy now, you can take care of yourself."
He had expected some kind of reaction between stern reprimand or angry protest, but casual dismissal was definitely not within either of those ranges.
"Huh?"
"Go on, you're going to be late." Karasuba turned on the TV with a press of the remote. "Let's stream something, Akitsu. I haven't seen a good action movie in a while."
As Minato slipped on his shoes, the Ice Sekirei stood patiently a little ways behind him. Taking one last moment to try to gauge her true feelings about the whole deal, he looked into her eyes only to see the neutral expression she usually wore. He hadn't really gotten the hang of reading her moods and emotions like he could Karasuba's yet, not necessarily because he hadn't gotten to know her as well but more because Akitsu was so good at hiding them.
Still, he reached out and rubbed her upper arm with a gentle hand, sending a pulse of affection through their bond.
"Are you going to be okay being home alone with Karasuba?"
"Ah, yes." She punctuated it with an affirmative nod. "We will watch a movie."
It was good to know his Sekirei were getting along well. They'd come a long way from that first night they interacted, giving him a little more peace of mind about leaving them behind as he went out on the town. They weren't children or anything – on the contrary, they were more than capable of handling themselves in a pinch. He just hadn't been separated from them since... well, meeting them.
Now that he thought about it, ever since he winged his Sekirei, Karasuba and then later Akitsu had both spent practically every waking moment by his side. It felt like so long ago that he had been a lonely student studying madly for university entrance exams in his tiny apartment, but it wasn't exactly a life he was missing at all. Still, maybe it was good that he was getting a chance to have some time to himself. Or rather, some time where both he and his Sekirei could do things without being so dependent on each other for a change.
"I'm off then, Akitsu."
The No. 07 Sekirei hesitated, looking like she had something to say. She slowly reached out with one hand, only to tense up slightly.
"Akitsu, hurry up!" Karasuba yelled suddenly from the living room. "I'm going to start the movie without you!"
As if galvanized by her sister-bonded Sekirei's shout, Akitsu set a determined look on her face and stepped forward. She drew him into a tight embrace, snuggling into his chest.
"Ah. Have fun, Minato-sama."
No. 07 smiled softly up at him, then stole a kiss in a surge of daring courage. The entryway filled with a snowy blue light as her wings burst from her back then faded when she finally pulled away with a deep blush on her face.
A similar shade covered his cheeks as he couldn't help but grin back at her. He playfully shooed her off, knowing how impatient Karasuba could get. He could hear Karasuba's shouting even as he closed the door.
"What took you so long? Wait, why are you blushing? You sly girl, you snuck a kiss from Minato while I wasn't looking, didn't you?!"
...
"CHEERS!"
Minato hastily knocked back his drink just as Yasaka slapped him on the back with approval.
"That's the way to do it! I knew you could hang with the big boys, Minato!"
He winced a bit at the blow. Yasaka had always been a loud, boisterous person but all of the alcohol in him was amplifying it to near overbearing levels of friendliness.
"But really, I'm glad you could make it out tonight! It's been far too long since we last hung out, and I fully intend to make up for lost time." Yasaka passed him another drink. "Now, let's finish this round of drinks and head out to ANZU! One of my senpai from the host club I work at has connections, he's getting us in if we meet him there."
Minato looked at the offered glass of sake with a wary and weary eye. He wasn't really that big of a drinker. The majority of his experience was a couple of beers at the occasional karaoke mixers, and even then he had merely pretended to sip at them to avoid offending anyone who might have been paying attention. Still, with Yasaka's eagle-eyed determination to get him sufficiently "pre-gamed" enough for the night, Minato couldn't do anything but smile weakly and drain the shot with a burp.
Yasaka guffawed at the semi-miserable grimace on Minato's face, patting him on the back with more mighty blows.
"There there, Minato! We'll wipe that frown off your face soon enough. ANZU is one of the most exclusive nightclubs in Tokyo, you'll be able to take your pick of the finest beauties in the city! Maybe you'll get lucky tonight eh?"
"Erm, actually I..." Minato began before abruptly closing his mouth.
He couldn't very well tell his friend that he was already living with a pair of beauties, the most beautiful in the city in his humble opinion. He'd never hear the end of it, and, even though the Sekirei Plan wasn't a secret anymore these days, it was definitely more prudent not to involve people in it willy-nilly by freely talking about Sekirei.
"You say something, Minato?"
"Nope. Let's get going!"
With the loud, boisterous laugh Minato had begun to be more intimately reacquainted with, Yasaka threw his arm around Minato's shoulder and practically dragged him out of Club Q. By this point, Minato realized he was decidedly tipsy but simply went with Yasaka's larger-than-life flow. Before he realized it, they were standing outside a booming nightclub with a massive line to get in wrapped around the block further than the eye could see.
"Here we are, Minato!" Yasaka boomed, more than a little drunk himself. "ANZU!"
Minato had to admit, ANZU was an impressive club from the outside appearance alone. He couldn't help but gawk a bit at the sheer size of its multi-storied building, never had he seen such an entire building dedicated to clubbing. Not that he really went clubbing that often, but the point still stood in his tipsy mind. A long-haired figure standing outside by the VIP entrance line seemed to recognize them, raising an arm in greeting.
"Oiiiiiii! Kagari-senpai!" Yasaka yelled, dragging Minato behind him. "Good to see you!"
Tripping over his feet due to his intoxication and general clumsiness, Minato felt himself land face first into the arms of Yasaka's senpai. Looking up into his deep brown eyes, the first thing that Minato noticed was his dark grey hair. An odd color to be sure, but even his Karasuba had a similar shade, though his was much darker in comparison. Kagari was sharply dressed in a fine suit and dress shirt, far more expensive-looking than anything he owned. The second thing he noticed was how handsome Kagari was in a prototypical androgynous bishonen kind of way.
"Are you alright?" Kagari asked dryly.
Minato pulled himself off Yasaka's senpai with a deep blush on his face, but no one could tell for sure whether it was from embarrassment or the alcohol.
"Yep, yep, yep, yep. Peeeeerfectly fine. Kagari-san right? I'm Minato, nice to meetcha." He punctuated it with a jaunty little salute.
Kagari cocked an eyebrow, turning to Yasaka with a bemused smirk.
"You sure he's going to be alright? He might get kicked out if he's too drunk."
"No no, he's perfectly fine. Just a little buzzed, senpai. He'll be okay."
"If you say so."
"Hi hi, I'm Minato!"
"MINATO! GET OVER HERE!"
He was very excited to get inside.
There was no other way to put it. Sahashi was drunk out of his mind. All of the drinks Yasaka made him take throughout the night had finally caught up with him, and it looked like he could hardly see straight let alone walk without stumbling, but somehow he had managed to avoid making a complete fool of himself. Somewhat.
"Sahashi-san, would you mind getting off my arm?"
"Ohoho, but Kagari-shan... It's shuch a nish arm." the inebriated youth slurred out. "Don't be sho shelfish..."
Kagari palmed his face in mild frustration. It wasn't like he was unused to dealing with overly-affectionate drunks – on the contrary, it was almost an implicit part of his job description as a host. But to have a man cling to him rather than a woman was definitely something that didn't happen every day. A small heat, probably due to all of the alcohol he had drank himself, smoldered under his skin wherever the Sahashi boy touched him. Shaking his head, he gently extricated his poor arm from Sahashi's grasp.
Where had that damn Yasaka gone off to? He had left him behind to take care of his friend while he was doing who-knows-what in the club. Only his keen sense of responsibility kept him from leaving Sahashi to his own devices, choosing to pull him into one of the quieter lounges so he could try and sober up a bit. But still, "Kagari" was one of the finest hosts in the whole city, not some kind of babysitter for kids who can't hold their liquor!
"Aww... Jou're no fun, Kagari-shan. Jou're ackshually quite warm and coshy to be around, did jou know that? Like a big fluffy blanket of snuggly."
He quirked a curious eyebrow as he regarded the drunk boy sitting next to him.
"Is that so? I get that a lot. Not in as many words, but the general sentiment at least."
Sahashi seemed to sway in his seat to some kind of rhythm heard only by him, ignoring the pounding bass of ANZU's expensive sound system. The poor boy honestly looked out of his element all night, even before the alcohol kicked in. After his initial hyperactive period passed, he seemed to just awkwardly follow along with his and Yasaka's lead. He didn't really make too much of an effort to go talk to or dance with the girls in the lounges he was dragged to or the dance floor he was quite literally pushed on.
Kagari was willing to bet his savings that this whole thing had been Yasaka's idea from the get-go and Sahashi just went with it.
"I'm shorry, wusshat shtupid to shay? Pleash don't be mad at me, I shink I'm jesh a little drunk right now."
"'A little drunk' is an understatement, Sahashi-san." Kagari chortled.
"I don't really drink zhat often, Kagari-shan. Zhis kind of shene ishn't really my kind of shing."
"You don't say?"
"Jesh." Sahashi said with an attempt at a serious look on his face that only made him look oddly adorable in his drunken state.
Wait, adorable?
"Shankyu for taking care of me, Kagari-shan. I could have been a LOT worsh off wishout jou, and 'Shuba-chan wouldn't be very happy with me if I came home like a messh. Or Kitshu-chan for zhat madder."
"'Shuba-chan and Kitshu-chan?"
Sahashi seemed to perk up at the mention of these people, practically vibrating in his seat with an infectiously giddy kind of happiness.
"Jesh! 'Shuba-chan and 'Kitshu-chan are da besh. Jush da besh. Zhere sho pretty, and shtrong, and cool, and shuper tough, but zhey can be real GOOFS shometimesh." Sahashi looked around conspiratorially before leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "Don't tell zhem I shaid zhat, Kagari-shan."
He could feel himself flush brightly even in the low light of the club at the intimate tickle of Sahashi's breath in his ear. Was he... hitting on him? No, surely not. Sahashi wasn't slick enough to do that kind of thing, nor was he into guys. Right?
"I think you've had enough for one night, you should probably get going soon." He paused to reconsider. "Now would be better actually."
Kagari didn't actually mean to sound so callous, but sometimes you had to be a little blunt with drunk people.
"Oh, okay. Ish getting pretty late anywaysh, I dun want 'Shuba-chan or 'Kitshu-chan to get mad at me."
"Can you get home on your own?"
"Jesh." Sahashi tried to get up but immediately plopped back on his butt with a drunken pout on his face. "Or not."
Kagari sighed and mentally made a note to really tear Yasaka a new one the next time he saw him.
"Where do you live?" He asked, pulling Sahashi up and bracing him with his own body. Sahashi leaned heavily on him, taking slow and careful steps as they headed out to the streets. He seemed to take a moment to consider the question and tilted his head with a contemplative look.
"I live in zhe norsh part of Tokyo, near de big park with all zhe fun benches and zhe cool lake."
"Huh."
That was actually quite near his own place at the Izumo Inn. He glanced at his watch, squinting a bit to make out the hands ticking away in the dim light. Sahashi was right about it being rather late. He might as well call it a night as well and look for a taxi. It would be the most economical option too.
After an awkward shuffling back and forth where he had to somehow hold onto a slumped over Sahashi and try to open the taxi door, Kagari managed to get the both of them inside safe and sound. Prying his address out of him was another story however, but he did the thankless job regardless.
"Kagari-shan, I'm sho shorry about all zhish." The drunken Sahashi slurred out, once again clinging to his arm.
"Don't worry about it, Sahashi-san. I'm sure you'd do the same for me."
Which was debatable, seeing as how the two of them were practical strangers up until that point with the only shared relationship being that damned Yasaka. Oh, that little punk was going to get it in the morning when he turned up for work.
"Jesh, of coursh!" Sahashi patted himself on the chest with a sloppy grin. "A Sahashi Minato alwaysh repaysh hish debtsh."
That was reassuring to hear, Kagari supposed. He wasn't quite sure if he'd ever see him again, but when they were all sober, he'd be sure to tease him mercilessly about it.
Wait, what? That was another odd thought to add to the growing collection he was making tonight. It wasn't like he was trying to think awkward things about some strange guy he literally just met. They were just... happening. Besides, he didn't swing that way, and he was definitely still attracted to the fairer sex. He wouldn't be working at a host looking for the right woman to come in otherwise!
"Um, Kagari-shan...?" Sahashi slurred out, a bit of hesitation seeping through his intoxication. That, or sleepiness.
"Yes?"
"Hash anyone ever told you zhat jour very warm before?"
There he went again.
"Yes. In fact, you already told me that tonight." He said with as much patience as he could muster, which was fairly considerable in his opinion if you took everything into account.
"Ish 'at zho? Good, good." Sahashi burrowed in deeper into Kagari's side, drawing a flustered yelp from the latter. "I wish I could keep jou, 'Shuba-chan and 'Kitsu-chan would like jou."
Kagari blushed bright red, bright enough that he could have sworn he practically glowed in the dark. What was with this drunk kid? Latching onto strangers like that, saying weird stuff, all while drunk? Shameless! Absolutely shameless!
But then again... A small part of him, one that he quickly smothered to death and set on metaphorical fire for good measure, didn't exactly find the whole thing repulsive. In fact, it almost made him feel a twinge of contentment in his heart. Could he actually be reac—
No! NO! Absolutely not! He wouldn't entertain these bizarre thoughts or perverse line of thinking any longer! Different circumstances or "unique" body or not, he was a man and he liked girls! He wanted a female Ashikabi because that's how things were supposed to be!
Before he could even open his mouth and vocalize the thoughts spiraling in his brain, the taxi came to an abrupt halt and drove that line of thinking out of his mind. They had come to a stop outside a rather nice looking home that was a bit smaller than the Izumo Inn. He figured he shouldn't be too surprised considering they were in the same neighborhood after all, but he didn't peg Sahashi as the wealthy or affluent type to afford to live here.
With just as much struggle to get him out as it did to get him in, Kagari pulled Sahashi from the taxi and paid the driver. Huffing and puffing with the exertion (he was an element type, not a fist type for crying out loud), he ended up dragging his lightly snoring body to his doorstep. But before he could even start the awkward process of juggling the uncooperative body and somehow ringing the bell, the door swung open to reveal a pair of familiar faces he never expected to see there, let alone together in one place.
"Homura? What the hell are you doing with our Ashikabi?"
"Ah, Minato-sama is drunk, isn't he?"
It might have been a combination of alcohol, exhaustion, and pure bewilderment, but he found himself at a loss for words and with the beginnings of a migraine building in his temples. Fighting the urge to just dump Sahashi's unconscious body on the doorstep and flee gibbering into the night, he instead wordlessly handed him off into Akitsu's waiting arms. He could barely scrape together enough neurons to do much else.
He would have never even guessed that "'Shuba-chan" and "'Kitshu-chan" ended up being No. 04 Karasuba and No. 07 Akitsu. How was it even possible that the clumsy, awkward, goofy, and completely unassuming Sahashi was an Ashikabi? Or even managed to wing the Black Sekirei and the allegedly unwingable Scrapped Number he heard whispers about from the other Sekirei? He still had a hard time believing it even with the proof looking him in the eye. A sudden voice cut through his thoughts like the ringing of cold steel through the air.
"Well? Are you going to answer me, or should I assume the worst?"
Her hand simply tightened around the hilt of her nodachi, and a sobering chill not entirely from the night air ran down his spine. He may not have been awakened around the time of the battles that gave her the fearsome monikers that still struck terror into the hearts of her enemies, but he was old enough to know exactly what she was capable of doing with that blade of hers.
"Uh, no need for that, Karasuba. Minato was drinking with my kouhai and I, and he went a little... overboard, to say the least."
"Is that so?" Karasuba's eyes narrowed dangerously, like an apex predator eyeing its prey.
"Ah. Minato-sama smells like a brewery." Akitsu chimed in.
After a brief moment of terse silence, Karasuba shrugged and relaxed her grip, apparently satisfied with his answer through Akitsu's confirmation of his story. Relief flooded through his body, and he let go of the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.
"Well, aren't you going to come in then?" The Black Sekirei said with a smirk.
"What? Why?" The confusion was practically stamped all over his face from the abrupt mood whiplash.
"Ah. Hasn't Minato-sama winged you yet?" Akitsu said, the boy in question riding piggyback on her. "You must be reacting to him, no?"
Karasuba's smirk turned positively devilish even as a look of horror dawned on his face.
"Come now, let's not tiptoe around it! I mean, what are the odds that my Ashikabi runs into a Sekirei of all people on his first and only night on the town, drinks himself stupid with said Sekirei, and gets brought back to his home in a princess carry?"
"Wha-wha-what?!" You could practically see the steam rising from Homura's head as the alcohol boiled itself out of his bloodstream. "M-me? React to Sahashi? I don't— "
"You know, I may not be one to believe in all of that 'fated one' or 'destiny' crap, but when the evidence stares you in the face..."
"I DON'T SWING THAT WAY!"
Sahashi wasn't even his type! That wasn't to mean he had a type of guy, of course not! He was 100% straight and he liked girls, thank you very much. But if he did, and that was a colossal if, it would not be Sahashi! Not in a million years, not if they were the last two people on Earth together!
It didn't seem to faze Karasuba in the slightest, who simply twisted her pinky in her ear and picked at her earwax. She flicked something away, he couldn't tell what, and leveled a blank stare at him.
"Really, could have fooled me, bishonen." she deadpanned.
He felt like tearing at his hair in frustration.
"I live nearby, literally down the street from here!" Homura shouted. "I just wanted to make sure your Ashikabi got home okay, I don't want him on my conscience!"
Sahashi's two Sekirei exchanged a look, one that he was distinctly unnerved by. Akitsu's face might not have changed much, but he could have sworn he saw the faintest shadows of a smirk on her lips. And that hell-witch Karasuba didn't even bother with subtleties – she had a full blown shit-eating grin plastered across her mouth.
"Ah." Akitsu nodded her head thoughtfully and shifted Sahashi's weight around on her back.
"Uh huh..." The Black Sekirei said dryly, the sarcasm practically dripping from her voice. "But you'd want him on some other part of you, right? Like your d—"
"ARGH! WHATEVER! I'M LEAVING, GOOD BYE!"
The nerve of those people! Here he was, just trying to be a good Samaritan and take care of some drunk kid dumped on his lap, but no. Not a single bit of gratitude from any of them, but mockery and rudeness instead! This was why he worked at the host bar. At least at the end of the day, no matter how repugnant or offensive or distasteful the guests were, he was getting paid to put up with their nonsense. He didn't have to take this from Sahashi's Sekirei.
He turned to leave, stomping angrily away to put as much distance as he could between him and the wretched house of those wretched Sekirei and their equally wretched Ashikabi, but not before a certain someone got the last slurred words in.
"Bye bye, Kagari-shan... Shanksh for taking me home... Come back shoon, letsh play again shometime, jesh?"
Homura's muffled scream filled the air, almost buried by the sound of cackling laughter. His ears burned redder than ever with frustration and embarrassment, and he clutched at the slight twinge he felt in his chest. It was unbelievable how much they riled him up, to the point of causing him physical discomfort even!
"KEEP IT DOWN, YOU PUNKS! SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!"
"SHUT IT, OLD MAN! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M BUSY LAUGHING AT HOMURA'S MISFORTUNE?"
AN: I apologize for the long wait, real-life caught up with me and I didn't have as much time to write as I would have liked. Still, I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think in a review! I love getting feedback.