A/N: Many thanks to my awesome beta, Amputation, who helped me polish up the characterisation and dialogue.
Chapter 1 – Proposal of the Sleeping Schedule
The first day at our new residence passed in relative quiet. Still raw from our parting with Miya and Maison Izumo, my Sekirei and I had directed our energies to familiarising ourselves with the premises and refurbishing our rooms.
I spent the better part of the afternoon sorting out my possessions. My books were stacked side-by-side on the main shelf, while my eclectic collection of music CDs occupied the neighbouring shelf. My laptop took its customary position on my bed, while my phone sat on the bedside table, emitting the red LED pulse that indicated that it was charging.
My old study materials were stowed in a large box in the corner, colour-coded and filed for easy reference. Reports, blueprints and mathematical instruments from work were organised into a neat pile on my desk. My limited selection of clothes (mostly worn T-shirts and jeans) earned a wistful look as I put them away into my wardrobe; I resolved to replace some of the shabbier articles upon the next shopping trip.
Having now relocated the majority of my possessions, I turned to the remaining unpacked object. It was an unassuming, off-white rectangular box the size of a cake container, one I had given the rather unimaginative title of 'The Box'. Being more prone to sentimentality than I cared to admit, I had taken to collecting keepsakes throughout the years. Eventually, my collection of keepsakes had grown so large as to be haphazard, whereby the Box became its new home.
Unable to resist the urge, I removed the lid, peering at the objects within and allowing myself to indulge in a moment of reminiscence. There were a few choice items from my childhood: my first teddy bear, an origami crane Yukari had folded for me on my eighth birthday, a bag of marbles, and a magnifying glass (bugs had been a subject of fascination when I was younger).
Beside these were more recent mementos: a small scrapbook, a pocket-sized chessboard tablet, a vellum envelope, a slim hardcover book, and a drawstring purse. I ran my fingers across these mementos tenderly, taking care to keep my touch light. After all, they were gifts from my Sekirei, and gifts of such importance deserved no less than the utmost appreciation and care.
I picked up the scrapbook – Kusano's gift.
My youngest Sekirei had wanted to share her love of art and nature with me. Each page was a vibrant burst of colour, comprising of any combination of pressed flowers, stickers, photographs, paper cutouts and drawings. The drawings in particular were beautifully detailed; it filled my heart with pride that Kusano had grown into so fine an artist. My most favourite picture featured a young Kuu-chan and I walking hand-in-hand across a sunlit meadow, smiles on our faces and endless blue sky at our backs. It represented both a memory and a dream: we were unburdened and free, connected simply by our love for each other.
Stowing the scrapbook back in its place, I removed the chessboard tablet.
A technological masterpiece put together by Matsu herself, it comprised of a square LCD touch-screen and a sleek, anodised aluminium base. Tapping on the screen would generate animated 3D holographs of chess pieces, which could be moved with a simple click and drag motion. The tablet formed part of a pair – Matsu held the twin – and allowed us to play chess regardless of geographical distance. I had wiled away many a lunchtime at work attempting – and sometimes succeeding – to match wits with my most intelligent Sekirei.
Returning the chessboard tablet to the Box, I proceeded to retrieve the hardcover book.
The cover was innocuous enough: embroidered paper banded with strips of red velvet. However, the words contained within could induce a nosebleed – and subsequent blood loss – so severe as to render the reader unconscious. An exaggeration maybe, but such was the erotic power of Kazehana's writing. She had penned this raunchy little tale for my eyes only; even the tiniest recollection of what was inside would make me tremble with lust. (I hastily put the book away, thinking distracting thoughts of my naked, senile neighbour to calm myself down.)
The drawstring purse became my next item of perusal.
Made of modest black silk, it was unremarkable save for its contents: an assortment of miniature seashells. Musubi had collected them during her ventures to the northern beach, stating that 'such pretty things' shouldn't be left out there, unnoticed and unappreciated. Every so often, I would oblige her request, taking out and holding up each individual seashell to the light. I would study the swirling patterns of colour and contrast, trying to find the innocent and all-encompassing love of life that made my first Sekirei who she was and none other.
I replaced the drawstring purse and reached for the final item: the vellum envelope.
Like the drawstring purse, it too was unremarkable in itself, acting as a repository for the collection of love letters and notes Tsukiumi had written to me over the years. Her penmanship mirrored her water element: an elegant, flowing cursive. But it was her words that warmed my heart (and sent chills down my spine at the same time). Even in writing, Tsukiumi was not outspoken in her affection for me, resorting to backhanded compliments and death-threats should I reveal anything of her lovelier, soft and delicate side.
Putting the vellum envelope back in its original location, I noticed I had left an empty space among my mementos. It was a truth I wasn't comfortable admitting to myself, but I longed for that space to be filled – occupied with a gift from my last Sekirei, Kagari.
I also acknowledged that this event was unlikely to happen.
Of my Sekirei, Kagari was the least demonstrative. I knew he cared about me in his own way: he'd watch my back when we were out wandering the streets, he'd tend my injuries with precise but gentle hands (and mutter a quiet rebuke to be more careful), and he'd reliably carry out any manual task I requested of him. Save the rare and illuminating conversations we shared during the Sekirei Plan, he had not made any outright displays of affection towards me.
I'd found myself to be both relieved and disappointed by this. Our relationship was tenuous at best, a former man-to-man camaraderie complicated by the fact that he had a changing gender identity and was married to me (albeit in name only). Even if he were compelled to give me something, how would he go about it? It would be so awkward.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind having a tangible symbol of his connection with me, something I could hold in my palm and be reminded of him. I knew it was pointless to indulge in such flights of fancy, but I'd sometimes wonder about what sort of thing the reserved, aloof Fire Sekirei would gift to me.
What would Kagari choose? Nothing flamboyant, certainly. It would be something subtle, small perhaps, like a –
A knock on my door interrupted my musings.
"Minato-san?" chirped Musubi's cheerful voice. "Dinner is ready!"
"I'll be there in a second!" I called back.
Sweeping away the last cobwebs of idle speculation from my mind, I set the Box down next to the bedside table, exited my room, and headed to the dining area.
It was curry night. Although we ate with our usual gusto – Musubi's curry was delicious, if rather generous in portion – conversation was a little stifled. I saw the telltale glaze of inward thought in everyone's eyes; perhaps my Sekirei were caught up in their own memories like I had been? Following a half-hearted attempt at after-dinner games, we all turned in early for the night.
I changed into my pyjamas and slipped into my new bed, sinking into my pillow with a smile. It'd been one of the most peaceful days I'd experienced since my entanglement in the Sekirei Plan. There were no discontented wives looming over me, no demands for my bed and body, no complaints about misaligned sleeping arrangements. Being an introvert by nature, I did what I could to savour this momentary respite, knowing that things would take a turn for the crazy come the next morning.
Indeed, when the second day arrived, things started to spiral downhill – fast.
I had just finished breakfast when the first mishap took place, triggering everything else in domino effect. In her haste to grab her bento box for school, Kusano knocked over a stack of cutlery. There was an almighty clatter as spoons and chopsticks scattered across the kitchen tiles, instantly sparking Tsukiumi's ire. Although Kuu-chan apologized and offered to clean up, the Water Sekirei gave her a stern reprimand, stressing the need for caution in the kitchen.
The cacophony roused Kazehana from a nearby couch and she swayed in, keen on investigating the disturbance. To Tsukiumi's outrage, the Wind Sekirei had seen fit to wear nothing but lingerie. Tsukiumi's efforts to point this out earned only a rebuff, and the exchange between the two women rapidly devolved into a shrieking match.
Cue Kagari's appearance. He peered into the dining area, surveyed the unfolding carnage and – very wisely – made the decision to return to his room. Following his example to hightail it out of there, I grabbed my briefcase and hurried myself out.
Work proved to be an excellent distraction. By the day's end, I had finished drafting a new blueprint, all thoughts of household disputes driven from my mind. Therefore, I wasn't prepared for the chaos that greeted me when I stepped over the threshold of our home.
As much I loved them, I understood that my Sekirei (with the sole exception of Kagari) were not very disciplined people. Having to compete against five love rivals for my attention – in addition to living with said rivals under the same roof – resulted in a great deal of pent-up frustration. While careers and competitions were effective outlets, they could not contain this frustration, which often sought escape in destructive ways. Since self-restraint was not a priority for my Sekirei, and without Miya to police and enforce appropriate behaviour, it was a short descent from precarious coexistence into full-blown pandemonium.
'Pandemonium' was an apt description for the scene before me.
Clad in nothing but a sake bottle in hand, Kazehana was prancing and pirouetting about the living room. Before I could even respond to this magnificent sight, I heard a distinctive splash, accompanied by screeches of fury. The culprit was a livid Tsukiumi, who had taken umbrage to the Wind Sekirei's state of undress and was using her powers to demonstrate her intolerance of the matter.
There were three problems with this scene: one, there was water everywhere; two, Tsukiumi didn't seem to be letting up and three, her preoccupation meant that she had left her cooking unattended–
An ominous gurgle from the kitchen sent me rushing off in that direction. After locating the offending pot and switching off the stove, I turned around and nearly tripped over Musubi. Rag in hand and a bucket by her side, she was cleaning up one of many puddles of water littering the floor. It relieved me that the Fist Sekirei at least had the presence of mind to allay, if not prevent, the damage left in the other's wake.
A quick question about Kusano's whereabouts led me to the dining area, where I found my youngest Sekirei curled up in the corner. Still garbed in her school uniform, she was rocking back and forth, arms wrapped around her knees in a self-protective embrace. My heart seized in worry; she bore the look of someone who'd had her feelings trampled on. I stretched out a hand to touch her shoulder–
–when Matsu suddenly appeared out of nowhere and collided with me. We toppled backwards onto the floor, the bespectacled Sekirei landing on top of me. I must have been Fate's laughingstock that night; how else could our limbs and bodies have entangled themselves so suggestively otherwise? Recognising the situation for what it was, Matsu switched into pervert mode and slid up against me, fingers twitching–
It was pandemonium. Absolute pandemonium.
My ensuing yell echoed through the house and brought everything to a dead silence.
Fixing the mess took up the rest of the evening. Dinner was salvaged, Tsukiumi and Kazehana were given a dressing-down (or a dressing-up, in Kazehana's case), everyone joined Musubi in cleaning up the place, and Kuu-chan was invited to spend the night by my side. Kagari, the lucky bastard, had been spared participation from the night's chaos by virtue of shift work.
As my youngest Sekirei and I trekked back to my room, we became the targets of jealous glares and irritable mutters. Not that anything indecent took place between us, mind you; I'd simply asked what had bothered her, murmured gentle words of comfort, and held her in her sleep. Something told me there would be hell to pay later, though. By singling out one wife to share my bed, I'd called attention to the fact that I was Husband, whose highly sought after husbandly services (read: sex and cuddles) were up for grabs once more.
Then the third day came and I decided that enough was enough.
To my shock, exasperation and involuntary arousal, I awoke to find that four-sevenths of the house's occupants had joined Kusano and me in my room overnight. Unlike Kuu-chan, their intentions were far from innocent. Musubi had donned a mismatched pair of lingerie, Tsukiumi wore a teddy that was both modest and revealing, Matsu's choice of attire was a very impractical version of a lab coat, and Kazehana hadn't deigned to wear anything. It was the hotel scene all over again – with poor Kuu-chan thrown in. The only mercy afforded me was that all of them were asleep.
It was nothing short of miraculous that I managed to extricate myself from the mass of luscious female bodies without waking anyone or getting molested. I proceeded to dive into a cold shower and then leave straight for work. To linger for breakfast would mean facing the (unpleasant) repercussions of having escaped my wives' lascivious clutches.
While at work, I began to formulate a plan.
As the Ashikabi of my six Sekirei, it fell upon me to wear the mantle of leadership. My nineteen-year-old self had shied away from the prospect, but I was no longer that cowering, virginal boy. Now, more than ever, I had to take charge and set ground rules. Miya had done so for a reason, and while I lacked her matronly presence (or overwhelming power), I did have the love of my Sekirei. If setting aside their differences and acquiescing to my requests were what it took to make me happy, they would do it.
I needed to do something about the fighting. I also needed to address my wives' needs for intimacy – in a fair and equal way.
For the first, a heartfelt plea would work. For the second, a rotating nightly schedule held promise as a long-term solution. Every night, I would visit one of my Sekirei in their room – alternatively, they could visit mine – and make love with them (or whatever it was they desired). Obviously this wouldn't be the case with Kusano or Kagari, but I wanted to include them nevertheless – it would make things fair.
Resolving to set things right, I returned home.
It was disappointing, if unsurprising, to revisit the same state of mayhem as the previous evening. Tsukiumi had exhibited some restraint with her powers, but there were still several knocked-over objects, waterlogged furniture and puddles on the floor. Knowing that it was the quickest way to get my message through the house, I grabbed the Water Sekirei's wrist, intercepting a confrontation between her and Matsu.
"What, Minato?!" she growled, arm poised to launch a flurry of water arrows at her opponent.
"Tsukiumi," I spoke in a firm, urgent tone, "tell everyone that I have some things to discuss with them after dinner."
She complied straightaway, bringing all shenanigans to a halt. Quick as a snap, the place was tidied for dinner – bowls of hot, steaming miso ramen. I dug into my noodles with determination, maintaining my quiet even as six pairs of curious eyes tracked my every movement.
Later, we gathered around the coffee table in the living room. I assumed my seat as household leader at the head of the table while my Sekirei took up their customary positions. Expressed to varying degrees, apprehension was plain on their faces – I wouldn't call a meeting like this if the matter weren't serious.
I hated confrontations, I truly did. I hated the fact that in one way or another, someone would get his or her feelings hurt. But I had long since learned that nothing came out of hedging around the problem – a problem, in this instance, which threatened the future happiness of my family. Fixing in my mind's eye the vision of a content, peaceful household, I gathered my courage and spoke:
"Since we've moved in, things have been… chaotic. I've seen you get into more fights in the past thirty-six hours than three months at Maison Izumo. It hasn't even been a week, but the kitchen floor is missing two tiles, some furniture needs to be replaced," I paused to glance at the waterlogged ottoman beside me, "and there's a wall in the corridor that needs fixing."
Hearing the unsavoury consequences of her actions spelled out in plain words, Tsukiumi gave a guilty fidget. The other two main culprits reacted similarly: Kazehana's mouth tightened, and Matsu stared down at her thumbs. I couldn't help but feel a dark sense of satisfaction at their unease – my life had been hell in the past two days.
"Now, I'm not pointing any fingers. But this cannot continue. At the rate we're going, our house is going to end up a pile of rubble within the month."
I leaned forward, favouring all my Sekirei with an intent look. They leaned towards me in return, indicating that I had their full attention. "As your Ashikabi, I want you – my Sekirei – to all get along. That means no fighting with each other. I understand that quarrels can and will happen, but I don't want things to come to blows.
"Back when we were still part of the Sekirei Plan, I had to watch you use lethal force against one another. It scared me, how close all of you came to – to getting k-killed," I choked out the word, the image of Musubi's broken body and fading crest stark in my mind. "I'd rather not be reminded of that. I'd rather not think about l-losing you all over again." I blinked hard, feeling sudden moisture well up in the corners of my eyes.
Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I continued in an earnest tone, "So, I am asking this favour of all of you. If you get into an argument with someone, try to talk things out. It's best to settle things peacefully, without anyone's feelings getting hurt. But if things get heated, please – please don't resort to violence." I looked into the eyes of my Sekirei, hoping they could see the entreaty reflected in my gaze. "Can you do this for me, everyone?"
"Of course, Sahashi," Kagari gave his consent swiftly and without question.
Kazehana, who had been wearing a speculative expression during my speech, gave me an approving smile. "When you put it that way, Mina-kun," she purred, "how can anyone possibly refuse?"
Musubi pumped both fists, gazing up at me worshipfully. "Absolutely! Musubi will do anything Minato-san wishes!"
"Mina-chan," murmured Kusano, her face partly obscured behind a curtain of straw-coloured hair, "I don't hurt anyone, do I?"
To my exasperation, Matsu put off answering me in favour of taking a dig at the Water Sekirei beside her. "Tsukiumi-tan, I believe it's you he's pointing this out to…"
Tsukiumi retaliated in all-too-predictable fashion. "What did you say, you four-eyed witch?" she snarled.
Matsu pushed up her glasses in a triumphant motion. "Only that you're proving my point…"
I raised my palms, forestalling any further argument. "Tsukiumi, Matsu," I said firmly, "please stop." I decided to address the matter with the bespectacled Sekirei first. "Matsu, I'd prefer if you didn't provoke others."
She gave me a pout. "All right, Mina-tan."
I turned to the Water Sekirei. "Tsukiumi, can you please try to keep your temper in check?"
"But she–!" Tsukiumi pointed an accusatory finger at Matsu, but backed down when I maintained my gaze on her. "Very well, Minato."
"So, do I have your promise that you will not use violence against each other?"
Matsu threw up her overlong sleeves in a shrug. "It's not like my specialty is violence, anyway," she offered in her typical condescending manner. "So, yes."
Tsukiumi's reply was more invested. "Yes, Minato," she declared, splaying her hand over her heart, "I will refrain from using violence. Furthermore," she added, her voice gaining momentum and volume, "as the legal wife, I will personally ensure that your command is obeyed by everyone in this house!" She eyed her fellow Sekirei challengingly. "Severe consequences will befall those who go against Minato's wish–"
"Thank you, everyone," I interjected before Tsukiumi's provocation could get a rise out of the other Sekirei. "Anyway, this brings me to the second issue that I wish to discuss with you.
"I'm aware that all of you want to–" I couldn't help but blush at the euphemism, "–spend time alone with me. In the past, the person who got that chance was determined by winning competitions. But that wasn't a very fair system. Sometimes one of you won a lot more than the others. This meant you got to spend a lot of time with me, but at the expense of others, who had to wait a long time before they could have their turn," I concluded, seeing my Sekirei nod their heads in agreement.
"So, I've come up with an idea to make it fair for everyone. Something that allows all of you to have an equal chance to be with me."
"Oh, this sounds exciting!" Musubi exclaimed, positively wiggling in her seat. "Musubi wants to hear everything about it!"
"Such a shame," groused Kazehana, a moue of disappointment on her rosebud lips. "I was ahead of everyone by two points today..."
"Everyone will get to spend the evening with me," I continued, "on a rotating nightly basis. You'll go in the order you were winged. Musubi will have Monday night, Kusano, Tuesday night, Matsu, Wednesday night, Tsukiumi, Thursday night, Kazehana, Friday night, and Kagari, Saturday night. On Sunday evenings, we'll go visit Miya, like we'd promised. When a new week arrives, the schedule begins again."
I looked around the room, nervous despite the solidarity of my premise. "So… uh, what do you guys think?"
Musubi's eyes were sparkling with delight; out of my flock, the Fist Sekirei was the most receptive to my ideas. "Musubi thinks it's a great idea!" she proclaimed. "We all get to spend time with Minato-san, which is what everyone wants, right?"
To no one's surprise, Tsukiumi seized the opportunity to make her objections known. "Why ought Musubi go first?" she boomed in her loud, imperious voice. "As the legal wife, it should be I who has that privilege!"
"You seem to be forgetting something, Panty-Flash," interposed Kazehana in her usual drawl. "All of us are his legal wives."
This threw Tsukiumi off-balance, but only for a moment. "I-I am the main wife!" she asserted. "The rest of you are mere concubines!"
Musubi frowned in puzzlement, tapping a finger against her chin. "But Minato said we would go in the order we were winged, and I was his first Sekirei–"
"The order is inconsequential!" overrode Tsukiumi, her canines bared. "A concubine's duty to step aside for the main wife!"
I decided to nip this argument in the bud. "Tsukiumi, please calm down."
This caused the Water Sekirei to turn her formidable glare onto me. "Minato, are you asking me to tolerate this – this effrontery?" she hissed, her hair whipping around her like angry snakes.
Four years ago, I would have been cowed by her anger, even going as far as to throw in a compromise for her sake alone. But time had taught me that in order to become a man – an Ashikabi – worthy of his Sekirei, I had to make decisions and stick by them.
As the most possessive and headstrong of my Sekirei, Tsukiumi presented one of the largest obstacles to my plan. Knowing this, I'd pre-emptively come up with rebuttals to her inevitable arguments.
"Tsukiumi," I held her gaze, speaking in a gentle but firm tone, "please listen to me. I decided on this order because it is a matter of fact, not preference. The order in which we met is unchangeable. Musubi was my first Sekirei, and Kagari, my sixth – there're no 'ifs or 'buts' about it. By going according to this order, I would not show favouritism to any one person." I looked around the room, capturing the eyes of my six Sekirei. "I love you all equally, after all."
Kazehana broke out in delighted applause, leaning over to plant a noisy smooch on my cheek. "Well said, my Mina-kun!"
Tsukiumi shot a poisonous look in the Wind Sekirei's direction before turning back to me. She still had an air of injured pride about her, but she spoke in a quiet, even tone that belied her contriteness. "If that is your decision, Husband, then I shall do as you wish." She inclined her head towards me in submission.
I acknowledged her deference with a nod of my own. "Thank you, Tsukiumi."
She gave another bow of her head, cheeks colouring a little. "I cannot dispute the soundness of your reasoning, after all. You know how to make fair judgments, Minato – that's why you're my husband."
Wow. I felt my cheeks grow warm as well; a straightforward compliment like that was high praise coming from Tsukiumi. Scratching at the back of my head, I gave her a lopsided, appreciative grin and then turned to the two most senior members of my flock.
"Kazehana? Matsu?"
"Me? I have no complaints whatsoever," drawled Kazehana, waving a lazy hand in my direction.
"I'll just have to make good use of my time to conduct experiments, don't I?" cackled Matsu, her fingers twitching.
Tamping down the automatic urge to flee at Matsu's display of perversion, I gave an inward cheer, my confidence swelling. This was good – very good. I had earned the consent of four of my Sekirei; the other two were sure to follow.
"Kuu-chan?"
My youngest Sekirei sighed. "One evening in a week seems like so little time to be with you, Mina-chan," she said, her tone forlorn. "But I'm glad there's no longer a need to fight amongst ourselves," she added, finishing with an earnest tilt of her head.
"Likewise, Kuu-chan." Favouring my youngest Sekirei with a gentle smile, I gave another inward cheer. That was five Sekirei who agreed to my plan!
I turned my attention to the remaining member and lone male amongst my Sekirei, who had yet to volunteer his opinion. "Kagari?"
In bold contrast to the others, Kagari had not reacted with any excitement – or indeed, any emotion at all, I thought worriedly – to the proposition. Leaning against the wall with arms folded across his chest, he was the very picture of indifference.
"I admit it is a good idea overall," he said in his cool, androgynous contralto. "But there's no need to include me in this arrangement, Sahashi. Someone else can take my place."
There was a brief moment of stunned silence, followed by an uproar:
"But Kagari-san, don't you want spend time with Minato?"
"I'm more than happy to take your place, Homura-chan!"
"You will do no such thing, you shameless trollop! If anyone is entitled to a second night, it shall be me, the main wife!"
"I would like a second night too – but only if you don't mind giving up yours, Kagari-chan."
"Ufufufu… This is such a delightful soap opera!"
I rose from my seat, causing the group to quieten immediately. Before I was aware of what I was doing, I had taken a half-step in the Fire Sekirei's direction, my hand stretched out as though to touch him. I quickly set my hand and foot down.
"Kagari, are you certain about this?"
"Yes." He made a point to look me up and down – indicating my confrontational stance and increased proximity – before arching an eyebrow at me. "But you don't seem to want to hear that."
"You're right – I don't." I couldn't keep the terseness out of my answer.
The rising hope – that my Sekirei accepted my proposal, my leadership – evaporated all of a sudden, leaving me with a cold, empty feeling. Truth be told, I hadn't taken into account Kagari's resistance; I had believed that he, of all my Sekirei, would recognise the logic in my argument. It was the perfect scheme: fair and equal, or so I thought. Had I overlooked something? Had he spotted a flaw and wasn't vocalising it?
Not to mention I was so close – I had already gained consent from my other five Sekirei. Why did Kagari have to go and be an exception?
I needed to convince him. Somehow, I knew that the success of this sleeping schedule depended on it.
"I'm not sure how much you know of our previous arrangement at Maison Izumo, since you weren't directly involved–"
"I know enough. Enough that it was driving everyone crazy–"
"Yes, that's my point!" I burst out, clutching onto the line of reasoning he had provided. "It drove everyone crazy because some people got to spend more time with me than others. If everyone gets a fixed turn, no one will be left out! If you remove yourself from the schedule, there's going to be a gap , and as you can see–" I waved my hand around the room for emphasis, "–everyone's already fighting for it!" I let out a long, harsh sigh. "I just want the fighting to end, Kagari."
He shifted his shoulders, looking uncomfortable. "I suppose."
"Also, I–" I persisted, getting more desperate, "I know it sounds awkward, but I want to spend time with you too, Kagari!" This got a reaction out of him: his eyes snapped wide. "You're my Sekirei, one of the most important people in my life! But we barely know each other, and–"
"Say no more, Sahashi." He averted his gaze; there was a distinct tint to his cheeks. "I'll go along with the schedule."
I was taken aback; that one sentence was enough to make him cave in? "Listen, if you're really uncomfortable with–"
"Forget what I said before," he interjected. "I'll go along with the schedule."
I stared at him for a moment longer, but he had angled his body away from me, determined not to meet my gaze. Uttering a quiet sigh, I returned my attention to the group. Kagari and I would have to discuss this matter later, in private.
Nevertheless, it was a victory overall. The sleeping schedule was going to go ahead, and – if my suppositions were correct – put an end to the matter of my 'unfulfilled husbandly duties' at long last.
"Is everyone in agreement, then?" I made another visual round of the room, offering my Sekirei one final opportunity to object.
"Yes, Minato–"
"Yes, Mina-tan–"
Tsukiumi and Matsu had given their answers at the same time, causing them to pause and blink at each other.
Musubi punched the air again. "You bet!"
"Yeah!" Kusano's smile was warm and genuine.
"I love it when you take charge like this," swooned Kazehana, her hands clasped to her breast in a dramatic pose. "My Mina-kun has grown up to be such a manly man!"
"Today is Friday. Starting next Monday, this will be our nightly arrangement."
"I can't wait to spend my first night with you, Minato-san!"
"I can't wait to conduct more experiments on you, Mina-tan…"
"You'd better return him intact when my turn comes along, you four-eyed pervert!"
A lengthy discussion to sort out particulars followed. Said particulars concerned who would visit whom in whose room, what time did one's turn begin and end, if time spent with me were exclusive to the wife in question or could multiple wives join in on the same night (trust Matsu to bring up the idea of orgies), if turns were swappable under extenuating circumstances, and if evening dates or outings were included.
Now in high spirits, my Sekirei settled for several rounds of card games before turning in for the night. They bade me goodnight with a positive deluge of kisses and compliments; it appeared that I had managed to impress them thoroughly earlier. Even so, I couldn't yet allow myself to bask in the glow of my wives' happiness – there was still the matter of Kagari's unresolved feelings to attend to.
The Fire Sekirei was waiting for me. He had sensed my intent and prepared for our imminent confrontation, choosing to position himself near the innermost corner of the room. I gave him a mental tick of approval; the acoustics of this location meant that our voices wouldn't carry outside.
I approached him with slow, steady steps. "Kagari."
He tilted his head towards me, indicating that he was listening.
Suddenly anxious, I lapsed into my nervous habit of rubbing at the back of my head. "About earlier, I want to apologise for that," I babbled. "I knew you'd be uncomfortable with the idea of spending the night with me; I shouldn't have put you on the spot–"
A sharp shake of his head cut me off. "I set myself up for that, truly." He flicked a careless hand in my direction. "Don't worry about it."
Uncertain, I let my arm fall down to my side. "You sure you're okay with it?"
"It has been an unexpected evening," he replied, voice cool. "I'm still processing our," he paused, a furrow forming between his eyebrows, "new circumstances."
New circumstances he clearly isn't happy about, I thought, worried. Maybe it would help if I explained…? "You do know why I wanted to include you in the schedule, right?"
He nodded, readjusting his folded arms. "You've changed your mind since the time we were winged, then?"
Were we even in the same conversation? Why did I get the feeling that he was talking about something completely different? "I've changed my mind about what?" I asked, bemused. "I'm afraid I don't follow…"
"As I understand it," he explained in crisp, precise tones, "this night-by-night arrangement is in place to give everyone a fair chance at sexual intercourse with you. I had been under the impression that sexual relations would not occur between us. I refused you for that reason – I thought my participation unnecessary."
The stark way in which he pointed that out took me aback. "Uh… y-yeah," I stuttered. "That makes sense."
To my surprise, pink bloomed on his cheeks, and he started tugging on a strand of hair. "But it seems I might have been mistaken."
"Huh?"
"You said you wanted to spend time with me. Did you actually mean that you wanted to–" He looked away, continuing in a mumble too soft for me to hear.
"I'm sorry, can you please repeat that?"
Twisting the aforementioned strand of hair around a finger, he took a deep breath to steady himself. Then, levelling his gaze with mine, he said in a louder voice, "Do you want to have sex with me, Sahashi? Because, as your Sekirei, it is my duty to–"
"God no, Kagari!" I waved my hands in frantic refusal. "You've got it all wrong! We're both guys for crying out loud; I'm not – we're not into each other like that!" I paused, a possibility taking shape in my mind. "Are you?"
The Fire Sekirei's normally cool composure had all but vanished, his flush growing more pronounced with every word I'd said. He shot me an incredulous, almost defiant glare. "O-Of course not!"
I blinked, taken aback for the second time in the span of a minute. The vehemence of Kagari's denial struck me as odd, made all the more obvious by his continued glare at me. If there was anything I understood about denial, it was that the more passionately one refuted a statement, the more likely the opposite was true. According to this principle, Kagari had actually meant that he was–
My brain short-circuited; the notion was too foreign to bear contemplation.
Shaking my head, I gathered the last bits of dialogue and tried to make sense of the situation. "Why did you offer to have s–" I couldn't bring myself to say the word; not with relation to Kagari – it was too weird, "–to do that with me if you weren't into me?"
Kagari's eyes were wild, highlighted by the twin spots of red on his cheeks. "Y-You hadn't made your intentions c-clear, Sahashi!" he spluttered. "What else was I supposed to conclude?"
Comprehension clicked. He'd mistakenly thought that I dragged him into this schedule for the purposes of… doing that with him. The poor guy – he must be feeling so mortified right now. My heart gave a sharp twinge in sympathy.
"God, I'm so sorry, Kagari!" I cried, smacking my palm against my forehead several times. "You're right, of course – I should have explained myself in the first place."
"Please do so now," the silver-haired Sekirei groaned, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.
"I meant what I said before, about you being one of the most important people in my life, Kagari," I asserted, trying to convey my sincerity in my voice and open-palmed gesture of my hands. "You are a dear friend to me. But we're not very close – not as close as I'd like us to be. I want to get to know you better, and well, spending one night together in a week – not in that way, of course…" I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. "Uh, I'm not really doing a good job of explaining myself, am I?
"I believe I understand," Kagari muttered, his expression somewhat mollified.
I took a step towards him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. This prompted him to look up at me, and I caught his gaze with my own.
"I really mean it, Kagari," I spoke in a low, fervent tone. "During these past four years, I've barely interacted with you. We've drifted so far apart, I feel like we're almost strangers. It shouldn't be like this; we shouldn't have to keep each other at arm's length."
I moved my remaining hand over my heart, clutching at the sudden bright, almost painful feeling underneath. "I want to make up for lost time. I want to rebuild our friendship. Will you give me this chance, Kagari?"
"Sahashi…"
The Fire Sekirei had gone still, his expression transfixed. His wine-red eyes were wide, filled with a dizzying tumult of emotions. His lips seemed to be moving of their own accord, forming shapes around words he could not yet articulate. It was not until a few moments had passed that he regained the ability to speak.
"Yes, of course," he said at last; I noticed that his voice held the telltale strain of rigid self-control. "I see no reason to deny you this chance."
I took this as the cue to release the breath I had been holding all the while. Feeling as though an inexplicable weight had just been lifted off my shoulders, I decided to steer the conversation into lighter waters. "Not to mention you're my only guy companion in the house. At times like these, we men have to band together, you know?" I flashed him a conciliatory grin.
His mouth twitched in response, a sure sign of his improving mood. "That, I most certainly understand," he acknowledged. Then, in a tone of voice as dry as the desert, he added, "You're henpecked enough as is."
"No need to point that out," I moaned, clutching my head in shame. Inwardly, I was relieved that he was finding humour in this situation. "So, we're good?"
"Indeed."
"You truly don't mind…?"
He shifted a little. "I don't make a habit of sharing my personal space." Upon hearing those words, I underwent one tense, faltering moment of doubt – had I gone about things the wrong way? Sensing my dismay, Kagari gave me a hasty smile and continued, "But I can make an exception for you."
"Thank you, Kagari."
"It is as my Ashikabi desires," he intoned, sketching an elegant bow. I had the feeling he would've kissed my hand if it weren't such an awkward gesture between two men. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
I frowned, pondering his question for a moment. "No, I don't think so."
"Well then," he clasped my shoulder, "have a good night, Sahashi." With that he walked away, hand raised in farewell.
"You too, Kagari," I called out to his departing back.
The sound of his footsteps faded away as he rounded the room's exit and disappeared into the corridor.
I remained where I stood, my mind still reeling with our recent exchange. Among the many things we'd discussed in the past ten minutes, one stood out prominently in my mind:
However mistaken that action might have been, the fact remained that Kagari had propositioned me.
I shouldn't be so surprised, really. This was the second time he had offered to… have sex with me (I still had difficulty wrapping my mind around that concept). The first time hadn't been quite so direct. It was during the aftermath of his winging: he'd told me that he could assume whichever gender I preferred. Or that he could become an 'animal' – a tool for my pleasure – if that was what I desired.
"Because, as your Sekirei, it is my duty to–"
Did he still believe that he was obligated to service me sexually? Perhaps it was a 'Sekirei thing' to offer their body to their Ashikabi?
Given my experiences during the Sekirei Plan, I had no doubt that the less scrupulous amongst Ashikabi had taken advantage of their Sekirei in this very manner. That someone could abuse – no, violate – what was meant to be a beautiful bond of love between two individuals sickened me to the very core.
Was that the reason why he asked me outright? Did Kagari believe that in 'changing my mind', I would – after all this time – exploit our connection to make him do that?
Even if I was interested in him that way – and even if he returned said hypothetical interest – I could never agree to such a thing. I was not that kind of man.
Perhaps Kagari didn't trust me as much as I thought he did.
That thought made me sad, but it gave me a starting point. I had already taken a step in the right direction, by offering to rebuild our friendship. With any luck, I could also rebuild our trust in the process.