Chapter 8: Tangerines and Tournament Fliers

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Koby had finally managed to have a productive day, working hard to stay in shape and help support the girls and their supplies. He found satisfaction in contributing to his crewmates and keeping things running smoothly. After a long day's work, he wrapped things up around lunchtime and collected his earnings.

As he stood there, counting his money, he suddenly felt two massive, soft mounds pressing against his back, accompanied by two arms wrapping around his waist. He glanced down at the hand and blushed slightly. Koby's mind raced, trying to determine which of the four girls this could be. He mentally reviewed the list of his lovely women and Sekirei, and then he recognized the scent of tangerines.

Koby realized that it was Nami who had wrapped her arms around him, and he couldn't help but smile at the intimate gesture.

In a soft, teasing whisper, Nami leaned in closer to Koby and purred, "You know, Captain, I've been thinking about what we could do with that hard-earned money of yours. Any ideas?"

Koby's face flushed a deep shade of red as he felt the blood rush to his cheeks in response to Nami's playful comment.

"Gotcha," Nami whispered softly as she walked alongside him, flashing a mischievous smile. "Now, I came to help us find better deals on food and goods, maybe even some fresh tangerines," she added, her arm wrapped around his and their hands tightly intertwined.

With the money in hand, Koby inquired, "Well, I do have some extra money. Is there anything in particular you'd like to spend it on?" He knew better than to challenge Nami when it came to finances; she was undoubtedly the savviest with money among them.

Nami's eyes gleamed with amusement as she noticed Koby's blushing reaction. She couldn't help but chuckle softly at his embarrassment, finding his reactions endearing.

As Koby asked about how to spend the extra money, Nami's expression shifted to one of thoughtful consideration. She tightened her grip on his hand and leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "Let's save it for a special date night, just the two of us. What do you think?" Her voice carried a hint of playfulness and anticipation.

"Yeah, we can do that," Koby agreed, walking hand in hand with Nami. He knew that she had a knack for pulling his strings like no one else, and their relationship held a unique history.

As they shopped, Koby allowed Nami to take the lead in purchasing goods, knowing that she could use her feminine charms to secure excellent deals. Amidst their shopping, they noticed several posters displayed around.

Koby's eyes were drawn to one of the posters advertising an official tournament with a grand prize of half a million dollars. Nami noticed it too, her eyes widening, and a smile forming on her face as she saw the tournament and its enticing prize money.

Nami couldn't contain her excitement as she looked at the tournament poster. She turned to Koby, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and said, "Koby, did you see that? A half-million dollars as the prize! We should definitely consider entering that tournament. With your strength and my... persuasive abilities, we could have a real shot at winning!" Her tone was filled with anticipation and a hint of mischievousness, clearly intrigued by the idea of competing for such a substantial prize.

Koby nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's an opportunity for the girls to train and become even stronger," he commented as he picked up a flier promoting the tournament.

Exiting the store, Koby and Nami made their way back to the inn, where they shared the purchased food with the others, allowing everyone to prepare their own meals. Koby was well aware that Nami was looking forward to their planned date that night.

As he handed the flier to Ikki, Tsukiumi, and Musubi, Koby explained, "I want you three to read this. It's a great chance for all of you to work hard and test your skills, something to train for." The tournament was scheduled for a month from that moment, and he could see the excitement building in the girls as they considered the opportunity to prove themselves.

The prospect of participating in the tournament not only excited them but also motivated them to demonstrate their abilities to Koby, earning his approval.

"Now, enjoy planning your training," Koby told them, before excusing himself to prepare for his dinner date with Nami. He changed into a nice suit and took extra care to ensure he looked presentable. This date was something he hadn't anticipated, but their friendship had evolved since their arrival in this mysterious city.

Walking to the door, Koby found Nami wearing a form-fitting, lovely red dress. She had taken the time to style her hair for their evening out, making herself look as stunning as possible for their dinner together.

"You look great, Nami," Koby complimented her, his voice filled with respect and a touch of humility.

Nami's face lit up with a radiant smile as she received Koby's compliment. She appreciated his kind words and felt a warm sense of satisfaction.

"Thank you, Koby," she replied, her voice laced with genuine appreciation. Nami was thrilled to be going on a date with him, and she wanted everything to be just right for their special evening together.

Koby took Nami's hand in his as they made their way to the restaurant. It was an upscale establishment where they had enough funds to enjoy a fine meal. Finding their seats, Koby and Nami settled in, with Nami leaning against him.

"Now, Nami, it's a wonderful place for our meal," he commented softly before Nami surprised him with a kiss. Her lips pressed firmly against his, and she gave him a playful smile as she pulled away.

"Yes, I've heard that adding the right amount of spice can make a meal even better," Nami said playfully, her tone teasing. She quite enjoyed seeing Koby blush, finding it amusing to elicit such reactions from him.

Koby shook his head, recognizing that Nami's playful nature was part of her charm. He understood that she had become more pointedly playful since her transformation as a Sekirei. This relationship was different from what they had shared in the past or anything he could have anticipated. It was a connection that seemed to have developed uniquely within the context of their current situation.

Their meal continued pleasantly, and the two of them enjoyed their time together. Their playful banter, with most of the teasing coming from Nami directed at Koby, added to the enjoyable atmosphere. It was a wonderful date, reminding Koby of how fortunate he was to have such lovely Sekirei, and Nami of how much she cherished having someone she could truly enjoy being around.

As the meal came to an end, Nami gazed into Koby's eyes, seeing the sweet and kind man before her. She felt a temptation to take their relationship to the next level, to escalate things between them. However, she decided against it, considering it too early for such a step. Nevertheless, the thought lingered in her mind, and she pondered the possibilities. She recognized that with Ikki, Tsukiumi, and Musubi, who were more reserved and awkward than her, it might be the best course of action to just wait.

So, the two of them simply walked back to the inn, realizing that it was getting late, and a good night's sleep was in order. Nami knew that her role within the group might not be centered around combat, but she was determined to support her fellow Sekirei in various other ways, including assisting with social issues and using her weather-controlling abilities. That night, as they strolled back home, the sky was clear, not a cloud in sight, making it a perfect evening.

Nami was surprised when Koby was the one who took her hand into his, taking the initiative for the action. The two walked the whole way home as the lights were mostly out at the Inn. As they got to the Inn, Nami would be surprised a second time in a row. She this time would feel Koby's hands on her hip as she would then feel herself brought into a rather passionate kiss, her body pulled into a deep kiss with her ashikabi suddenly. This time her face was the one that turned rather red.

"Thank you for the meal and the date, Nami, it was great," he said as he took her hand and led her into the house.

Nami was surprised by the show of affection from Koby. She didn't see him being the type who pursues such a course of action. Koby was growing into a fine man, this place had affected him too. It was pushing him to be better in a lot of areas. Nami could see this clearly, he was becoming something special. She knew too that this growth wasn't going to stop either.

As the two entered the house, they noticed that some lights were still on, and Miya looked at them with an expression that seemed to warn against any foolishness that night. It was as though she could sense what might be on their minds at that moment. Nami and Koby nodded in response, acknowledging the somewhat intimidating aura Miya exuded. They both hurried to prepare for bed.

By morning, Koby woke up with Nami resting her head against his shoulder, using him as a makeshift pillow. She wore a contented smile, and nothing had transpired during the night except for her sneaking in and cuddling up to Koby. The sound of his heartbeat had seemingly contributed to the tangerine-orange beauty's peaceful sleep.

Notes:

Chapter 8- This is a mostly setup chapter with some development for Koby/Nami