Hey guys. Back with another chapter and for those who are into Iron Maiden, yeah, I took a song from Blaze. The guy isn't that horrible; he just had shoes to fill that were way too big. And I do hope that I'll see him live one day.

One thing I am pretty well, I would say salty about is this. The day before I updated, I released a new fic, called Pillar Winged. Most of it was smut. And yet, that hit off well—kind of annoyed by that.

Now, I got a review back from MasterKill712. Thanks for the reply and the swift review. You were here quick. So I'll reply again.

Thanks for the compliments. The title is here for a good reason. How is it going, friends?

This chapter will go over the backstory that Ichika had, and the girls can figure out where he is.

1: Nope. That didn't happen. I am on PC. I could have met you on another site, but that is unlikely.

2: You read my other fics? Thanks. I had to look it back up. It would have been easier if you kept it on the same line. But other fics don't do that often enough. You are biting back at the girls.

3: Yeah, Matsu will keep onto that. She might be a crazy genius, but at least she doesn't fuck over the world. I hope that I'll see you again in this chapter.

And with that, let us continue on the chapter.

Started on 14/06/2020

It ended on 20/06/2020.

No more tears, no more tears

If we live for a hundred years

Amigos no more tears

Ichika walked in Shinto-Teito, formerly known as Tokyo. The weather was still hot but not as bad as just a few days ago. He had foregone his school outfit for a shirt and shorts. Ichika had a good idea of where he needed to go and where to visit.

He had bought a cap at the train station. It was better than a sunhat. On his phone, he pinned the address of Maison Izumo. He knew where he had to go. The sun had begun to rise, and it was getting hot. So he had to get to Shinto Teito before the sun was getting too high. The whole place was new for him, but luckily, it wasn't too far from the station.

Minato had told him how it looked. The place was in a neighborhood where no cars drove. Ichika found the rolls worked out well for the suitcase. He guessed that Minato might have some clothes leftover, but even so, he had his own clothes.

He also carried a backpack with his school stuff. Ichika got a ton of summer homework, and he liked to finish it in this place. Plus, he could use some training. Minato told him that a couple of Sekirei wanted a fight. Musubi was one of them. Ichika guessed that Minato said to him that they could fight, but they had to take it really easy on him.

Ichika found the place was something comfortable and well. It was to his liking. The wall was placed around the Inn. It was still early, so there weren't that many people. The place was something easy. It was simple.

He rang the bell and waited there.

Inside the Inn.

Miya perked up from the sound. She, Takehito, and Kusano had woken up not even thirty minutes ago. Unapologetically late for their standards but given the fact that their entire group of tenants was out there for immoral actions.

In the living room, the breakfast wasn't served yet, and Kusano was still tired from the last night. It was rare that she made it this late.

Miya shared a look with Takehito. "You think they would be here already?"

Takehito shook his head. It would be weird; they would be here so soon. Not even twelve hours ago, they were in the restaurant.

Even if Minato or Tsukiumi brought it to themselves to get back home, Matsu and Kazehana would be too tired to come over.

"We should see who it is," Miya suggested, and with that, the landlady moved to the door. The face was a familiar one, yet it was a surprise.

Friendly eyes shined at her with a smile, and yet, the face was younger than the one she remembered. Or better said, she was incorrect. This is how she remembered the face to be. Yet, she had the look of Chifuyu in mind.

Ichika was a bit rounder. It was the face of a guy.

"Eh, good morning. Am I at the Maison Izumo Inn?" Ichika asked while he looked at the face of Miya. The woman nodded, and she relaxed. This wasn't Chifuyu. This wasn't the woman she fought. This was her younger brother.

And the guest of Minato.

"Yes, Ichika Orimura, I presume?" The guy's face lit up while he nodded.

"Indeed. I don't think I got a picture from Minato. So am I correct in assuming that you are miss Asama?" Miya gave him a soft smile.

"Yes. Minato told me you would be coming over today. I only didn't expect you to be here so early." She gestured Ichika to enter the house, which he gratefully did. Looking asides, one blond ball of sleepy energy plus the face of Takehito were shown.

"Dear, who is at the front door?" Takehito asked, but he saw Ichika standing. The scientist smiled when he saw the face.

"Well, look what the wind blew in. Ichika Orimura." Takehito let the guy walk in, and the Byakushiki pilot got a hand from the scientist.

"Hello, you must be doctor Takehito Asama." The two looked at each other and found that in a few looks, what they saw was to their liking.

"I am indeed a good boy. It looks like we got a real celebrity for breakfast." Ichika noticed the hunger in his stomach. It would be for a first he didn't have to cook for his food.

"I would gladly join you, but first, can I get my suitcase and other belongings to my room?" With the population moving to Minato's, they had plenty of rooms open. Room 205 was spacious, and Ichika could leave his stuff done. He looked down to see a blond girl standing behind the legs of Takehito.

Ichika crouched down to meet the eyes of the green girl. "Hello. I think you are Kusano, right?" She went back after Takehito but peeked at Ichika. When he raised his hand, she tensed but relaxed when she felt how he ruffled her hair. With a bit more courage, she looked at him so Ichika could see Kusano fully.

"I am. You must be a big brother's little brother, right?" Ichika could only raise an eyebrow, but he continued to ruffle her hair.

"Eh?" Takehito helped him out with a humorous grin.

"She calls Minato her big brother. He's been using the term brother for you for a while. So you're his little brother." Ichika took that word for granted.

"I guess I am Minato's little brother." Kusano smiled at him and looked up and down. "In that case, you're also Kusano's big brother." Ichika wasn't sure how that worked, but he decided to get along.

"Speaking about Minato, where is he?" Miya blushed while Takehito coughed in his fist. Both weren't sure how to tell Ichika that Minato wasn't around and that the earliest he would come about was the evening.

"Big brother and the big sisters are making Kuu a big sister." A very much truth that Kusano said. Both the Asama's looked a little bit uncomfortable with the voice that Kusano was using. Ichika, on the other hand, was using his brain for a bit and found out what that meant.

"Ah, I see now. Thanks for solving that mystery, Kusano." The girl put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

"Nope." Ichika could only be a bit surprised by that while he wasn't allowed to leave.

"Big brother and the big sisters call Kuu, Kuu, so you should do the same."

"Okay, thanks, Kuu. Can I now go to my room to leave my suitcase?" Miya leads him on the stairs while she looked at him.

Ichika and Chifuyu couldn't be a bigger difference from one another. She still remembered how Ichika was compared to his sister—relaxed, polite, friendly. What a shock.

"I do suppose that Minato told you about the rules of this house." She asked in a friendly tone, but Ichika could smell the meaning underneath of it.

"I think he mentioned it, yeah, but I am afraid I forgot it." Miya smiled at him.

"Don't worry about it. It's simple. Underneath my roof, there are three simple rules. No indecent behavior."

"Noted."

"No fighting." Ichika looked surprised on that matter. "No fighting. From what I got, Minato told me there are some Sekirei who wanted to fight with me." Miya sighed.

Even after this Game, they were still out for matches. She didn't blame them, of course. It was in their nature to fight and train.

"Well, no fighting indoors. Outside, we can train, and don't worry. I am sure that Minato will instruct his Sekirei to hold back. I, myself, would love to match you." Ichika sighed.

"I am afraid that you'd be severely disappointed." He admitted, and Miya shook her head.

"Don't put yourself down. I'll be the judge of that. And well, it might help you out. Fighting against Sekirei might help you at your school." Ichika would let her see for that matter.

"Okay. And the last rule?"

"No illicit sexual misconduct in my Inn. It's the reason why Minato is out." Ichika couldn't help but smirk. "Miss Asama, that's more a blessing than a rule." She sighed and showed him his room.

He didn't take too long. After leaving his suitcase in the room, he went with Miya to the living room.

There, breakfast was served. The great smell made his stomach rumble. So without much ado, he said down for his meal. Kusano sat next to him while he chatted with the two Asama's.

For them, it was weird to see Ichika like that. He wasn't anything like his sister. Polite, friendly, modest, and some jokes. He paid attention to Kusano, who liked him even more.

Both Asama's found that Ichika was more like Minato. After breakfast, Ichika offered to help Miya to clean up. With putting it away, the Pillar smiled on the warmth that Ichika carried, and his smiles around her.

When the washing started, he took a tea towel and dried the dishes. During that, they had some little banter. Miya wasn't that involved with the last escapades of her former teammates and Minato, but she still was talking to Chifuyu's little brother.

One question came to mind. "Now, Ichika. Could you tell me why you came over today? And so early. Does your sister know that you are here?" When Ichika put the plates away, he turned to the landlady.

"Do you mind if I tell you that when I'm sitting next to Mr. Asama and Kuu? I can tell you that my sister knows and that I'm pretty much a runaway." Miya sighed when she looked at Ichika.

"Sure thing." After they were done, Ichika sat down at the table while Miya joined her husband. Kusano lit up as she sat next to him. Laying her head on his lap, she smiled at him.

"Big brother won't come home soon. So Kuu is taking big brother Ichika's lap." Ichika could only look at her. Well, he was accepted. Stroking Kusano's hair, the girl moved in it and slowly fell asleep. When she was away, Ichika turned to Miya.

"Well, I think I own to tell you why I am here now, am I?" The woman nodded.

"It's because of the weather change. The last few weeks were scorching, so we were being forced into our home. When it changed, well, from today, I knew I had to get out of my home and get here. I had an idea that the girls would come over. If they did, I couldn't come over for the summer. And that wouldn't make an enjoyable summer, now would it?"

Ichika had no idea how close he hit home.

Miya sighed while Takehito grimaced on that. The news that he got from Minato wasn't fun. Some basic human decency would be fun.

"Well, Minato isn't home just yet. But hey, I don't think you mind that." Ichika smiled at the hospitality.

"I have time. Besides, he helped me out in the last semester; I think I can help him out when he is home."

Ichika would never know what he all dodged.

Two weeks ago.

Houki cursed the bad weather. It had been unseasonably hot in the last few weeks. Going outside was even discouraged unless it was necessary. Going to see her childhood friend, maybe love interest, wasn't one thing of them. Ryuuin had forbidden her to set one foot out the dojo. So she stayed inside and had to train.

She had hoped that after the summer camp, she could talk with Ichika. Or maybe figure out more things.

What made Ichika decide to kiss her like that? The idea of it. Houki had hoped that with the whole idea that when she would be at the ISA that things would lookup.

Six years. Six long years she waited. To finally go to the Infinite Stratos Academy. To see Ichika again. And all of that was lost. Lost because of the other girls around him.

She had blushed as she had some time off. Even her crazy father wouldn't train her when the heat was rising like this. She sat back with her head in her hair.

Ichika had changed so much over the years. For some reason, he wasn't happy to be on the ISA. The rebellious nature was something in his bones.

Houki blamed Minato for the whole thing. If Ichika didn't have that lifeline, Ichika wouldn't be able to defeat Cecilia or the drones that were out there.

Ichika had put his complete faith in Minato and his Sekirei. Without them, he wouldn't be able to defeat Laura. Or he couldn't take down the Silver Gospel.

Ichika Orimura owned a lot for Minato Sahashi. Houki Shinonono couldn't deny that.

Was it a weakness, or was it comradery? Was Ichika weak? Or was he smart by relying on Minato? Where they're just children in a world of grownups, or was Minato helping him out? Houki didn't know the answers.

When the weather was over, she would visit Ichika. And get some answers.

She would smile. The weather would be a bit cooler, so she looked forward to that. Houki would have to dress up in better clothes.

But she wasn't the only one scheming and thinking.

Rin laid in her bed, scantily clad and clothes that did little to hide her body. Not that she had something else to do.

She had stayed in Japan instead of going home. For Ichika and yet, he did nothing. It wasn't his fault. Or maybe it was. Perhaps not entirely but largely.

She laid in her bed with some popsicle. Her hair was just in her tails around her, but what she wore was something that you saw in some swimming pools.

A sort of bikini, although more cynical people would wonder why she needed that outfit as she was like Benitsubasa on the great Hidden Planes of things and some shorts. Her long legs and a bit of waist could attract some guys.

Yet, she laid in the room of the ISA. It wasn't like she could visit Ichika now with this heat. If it were just hot, that would be one thing, but the absolute temperature of 40 degrees. Celsius made that idea impossible.

She reeked underneath her armpit. Great, she needed a shower. Again one.

If she were lucky, it would only be needing one more. She giggled when she would think about visiting Ichika.

She had begun to think about the last few months. With all that happened, she didn't guess that Ichika would walk in between her and be like that. Resilient, fighting back, and just being difficult.

Minato had some influence on him. Even if Ichika didn't want to have a harem of girls, Rin knew that without Minato, Ichika wouldn't be like this.

The sweat dripped down her back as she made her way.

Ah well. Ichika was here for the summer. When she would visit him, Rin could talk about some good ideas. But she wouldn't visit him in such a shameless outfit.

She wasn't the only one in the shower.

Charlotte heard the knuckles dragging against the wood.

"Charlotte, are you nearly done?" Just like her roommate, Charlotte wasn't used to the hot weather. They took showers the entire time. A visit to the beach or the pool had played in their heads, but the second they walked outside, the heat got them back in.

With some searching, their anticipation quickly evaporated when they saw the crowded swimming pool. Plus, if their visit to the beach with the school were anything to go by, both she and Laura would be harassed. Both girls had agreed on the fact that they only wanted attention from Ichika.

Maybe, she could get out. With Laura having her teammates call her, she wasn't as free to go over to Ichika. Charlotte might have some ideas on going over to Ichika. She could go alone.

But that was for later. In this heat, nothing could get done, so she allowed Laura in the bathroom. Laura skipped over to the bathroom and began to shower. Both had bought two cat-sized pajama's, but they were way too hot.

Laura was sleeping naked while Charlotte wore some shirts and her underwear. When she was outside, Laura began to think.

'Damn this hot weather. I have to come over and visit my bride.' Besides Houki, all four girls had taken up residence in the ISA. Well, except for Cecilia. She had to go back home, but she would be back next week, still, in the heat of battle.

'But when I come over. I'll talk and raise him to be my bride. I'll educate him.' Laura wasn't sure how things changed. So far, Ichika hadn't been what she expected. He was strong. The strength that came from his best friend. She wondered about the relationship.

'Instructor must know more about Minato Sahashi. I do not want my bride to become like him.' Laura laid her head back. Ichika would be hers, no matter what he had to say.

Charlotte was on her bed, flipping through the channels. Her attention was unable to stay. Eventually, she stayed on a music channel—one cover of a song.

It was an older song. The baritone hit excellent, and Charlotte sighed when she heard it.

"What's in your head, what's in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What's in your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie, oh."

She wondered about that. Charlotte wanted to know what was in Ichika's head. Of all the women, no girls, she knew why Ichika clung to Minato. He was the single lifeline that Ichika had, and the guy helped them out.

It wasn't just the help with Laura or the Silver Gospel. The fact, the knowledge, Minato had Ichika's back. That was the reason why Ichika could fight back, why he was so strong in his shoes. Because while it was Minato that helped him out, it was that Ichika did the job on other occasions.

Still, no girl wanted her guy to take advice from a manwhore, and in Charlotte's opinion, Minato was just that. The guy wasn't fit to help Ichika out. Ichika needed some healing, and she was the right girl for that.

Her thoughts and just the tiniest bit of sympathy went out to Cecilia.

The British "Lady" landed in the airport and was now finally in a car back to the ISA. It had been an outrage. She had to walk five, five minutes in the absolute heat of the evening. Now, she could have stayed in the United Kingdom, but she came back to Japan.

Now, what would that reason be? Ichika, of course, although she would never admit that. In the last few months, that guy had shaken up her ideas of men. He had beaten her, and he acted in ways that Cecilia had never seen men work. He wasn't weak.

He was strong. And yet, he relied on Minato. Now, this couldn't be done. She wouldn't allow Ichika to be like that. A man needed a woman to keep him righteous.

And this was why on the twenty-second of July, five girls found themselves at the doorstep of the house of Ichika Orimura.

All of them annoyed by the fact that their rivals greeted them.

"What are you doing here," Rin asked the four others.

"I can ask you the same question," Houki admitted while she glared at them.

"I'm here for my wife. What is your excuse?" Laura said, and the four girls facepalmed when they heard that line.

"I'm here for Ichika as well." Cecilia had her hands on her hip. Well, one. Because the other one had a box of cakes.

The door opened, and out came Chifuyu with a wry grin. "I thought that I heard something. It turns out that I got five girls."

"Ms. Orimura/instructor." The five said as Chifuyu walked out the door, and she closed it behind her.

"It's summer, so at ease," Chifuyu told the girls who just gaped at her. She was wearing a white shirt over the black undershirt; they could see that. The jeans were form-fitting.

"Chifuyu. We came to see Ichika, where is he?" Chifuyu looked genuinely surprised but remembered that her brother only told her that Ichika was going to see his brother. So with that, she turned to the five.

"Oh, didn't Ichika tell you? He's gonna spend the rest of his summer at Minato's home in Shinto Teito, formerly known as Tokyo." Chifuyu wasn't too happy with it but with how all of the things went down in the last months, yet the face of the five girls were to die for.

The Brunhilde waited and counted the seconds in her head.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The girls' brains began to catch up. Their entire idea of the summer was slowly crashing down as they were thinking about where Ichika was. The few words their homeroom teacher said made it clear. Ichika had run away.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"""""EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"""""

In the chorus, the girls said those words while Chifuyu chuckled. "Now, if you all don't mind. I need to go to a meeting. So go home," The girls looked at each other and back to the house. Ichika was gone for the summer; they didn't know. All their plans just went down the drain.

But a new one came to mind.

Back at Shinto Teito.

The object of their affection couldn't care less. He was now in Maison Izumo. He hadn't been this at ease in months.

And even without Minato around, Ichika amused himself. Kusano showed him around the Inn, and they played in the water; the little girl was wearing a swimsuit, while Ichika changed into a short, and he went shirtless. Kusano trashed water at him, and Ichika did the same to her.

She laughed while Ichika had a softer smile. Meanwhile, Miya was just looking at the two while the Pillar laid in the lap of her husband. Both couldn't believe that he was the little brother of Chifuyu Orimura.

It was now noon; the heat was slowly rising. It was why the garden with the makeshift island was so comfortable. The water-cooled it off, and when both were drenched, they just sat in the middle of it, and the sun made them dry.

Kusano slowly yawned as she took her place in the bed. Ichika could only shake his head and walk over to the two Asama's. Miya was asleep, but Takehito nodded so Ichika could sit down.

"Eh, Asama." With a frown, Takehito looked at the boy. Ichika tensed at first until he understood where Takehito was going but relaxed. "Takehito."

With a smile, Ichika was allowed to continue.

"When do you think Minato is coming home? Not that I am bored or anything, but I would like to meet the other Sekirei as well." Looking down, Miya was still asleep in his lap.

Unbelievable that a person of mass destruction could be so adorable. Miya touched her nose while she continued to sleep. There was a good chance they would have a light dinner. If the Sekirei made it home, well, it would make things easier on them.

Takehito began to like that young man sitting in front of him.

"I got no clue on that, Ichika. Minato had to go through seven women, six of them are aliens. Let me be the first to tell you that things can get tiring. He also aims to please. So there's a chance that he won't show up until tomorrow."

The humor made Ichika gulp.

"I thought that my brother had done it before. He never gets too graphic about his fun times, but I know that it's not the first time he dragged more than one woman to his bed."

Ichika asked, and he was right. He had learned some bits of the love life, but he never asked for more. Maybe he could ask Minato for tips on how to deal with those girls.

"Yes, but this time, it was different. Kusano was right. He is making her a big sister. You know about his family?"

The Knight sat back with his head at the clouds. "I know of his mum, sis, and grandparents. No one has ever told me about his father. It's something else, brother, and I can relate to. Why?"

Takehito sighed. Minato had to tell Ichika about his father, Minaka, but he could tell what his mother had given him.

"Well, Takami is also a researcher. She is now leading MBI. She gave Minato a box of medicine that gives him the possibility to get all the women pregnant. He has been going now all night." Ichika had an awkward laugh.

That was why Minato was so adamant about staying until the twenty-second of July. So that he could impregnate the women all in one go if that worked, the kids would be born around March.

Kusano would be a big sister. He was looking back at the girl who was asleep. He smiled. Ichika knew that Minato hadn't fucked her, and he would wait. Despite all things, he could understand, but ten years were long as a child.

He began to think about something else.

"That reminds me. What about his sister, Yukari? How is she? I never talked with Minato about her. She'll be an aunt, right?"

Takehito sighed. He stayed far out of the conflict between Minato and Yukari. The guy got some more spunk, and he fought back at his sister. Not to mention that besides his two first Sekirei, the rest wasn't the fans of Yukari.

So when things were tense, he stayed out, and Yukari got the news she had to leave the others alone.

"Yukari is also an Ashikabi. She winged No.107, Shiina, but let me say that not all of our tenants are on good terms with her." Ichika could know what Takehito meant with that.

"Yukari is quite the character. I know her well enough. She still got those tendencies?"

Takehito stifled a laugh and raised an eyebrow.

"Still?"

"Squeezing the chest of women more defined than her. She pulled that stunt once with Chifuyu. I am glad that my brother took me fishing. Otherwise, I'd still have nightmares."

The older man whistled. Yukari had guts by groping Chifuyu Orimura. Still, it was the thing that made her not famous. In the flock, they could live with some playing, and Chiho was a part of it. Yukari wasn't.

"That I understand. But she got her own Sekirei. A boy, by the way. In some regard, Shiina is much like you and Minato. He'll meet you for the party."

Ichika looked forward to meeting the others. So far, the sun was rising, and the night on the train weighed on him. He looked at Kusano and the island. It looked like a nice place for a nap, especially with the heat.

"Now, if you don't mind, Takehito, I'm going to nap for a bit."

The man waved him off and laid his head back. He would do the same thing now.

The last night weighed on them all.

Going to the island, Ichika just laid down while Kusano had her place. With his hands behind his head, Ichika looked to the sky. Despite lying in the city, the area was quiet and serene—one perfect way to take a nap.

The heat was even worse now, but the water kept it cool. Ichika didn't need a blanket or anything like that. With his cap above his eyes, he fell in some sort of sleep.

At the love hotel.

The Sekirei and Minato had been sleeping. All clung to Minato. The air-conditioning wasn't on too much, but the layout of the room plus some system and keeping the drawers shut, it was still great to sleep. All of them were exhausted by the sex of last night. It was now noon, and while the heat was rising outside, they stayed in the same state.

Musubi got up, her head dizzy from the last night. When she glanced at the clock, the Miko Sekirei wanted to sleep more, but her own body woke her with a reason. She had a desperate need to go to the toilet.

So she entangled herself from Minato, crept around Matsu and the other girls. She wrinkled her nose as the smell and the sight of last night. All of them would take a quick bath before they would go home.

She could wait with that. They were dirty, and while they had done it before, Musubi wouldn't go home like this. Sitting down, the water came out, and relief filled her system. Looking down, she felt sore. That was for a first. Even for their first time, the Sekirei wasn't hurt from it.

She guessed that all of them would feel this in the coming days. While they had been preparing for a year to fuck Minato and all had their fun, she guessed that training was out. Minato himself would be sore now. He was just a human.

Still, the entire flock had reached one high state with the fucking last night. Inside their bodies, it would grow. A new generation of birds. Musubi shook her head while she felt the last of it, leaving her physique.

In her nude glory, she made her way to the bed. Again, she took her place. There wasn't a blanket but who needed that when warm bodies were around.

Again, she drifted to sleep.

Minato cracked open an eye. With a smile, he went back to sleep. He just missed Musubi, but he was happy that all of them were in bed. She just went to the toilet. There was one thought before his body gave out.

'I really did it, this time.'

Hours went by, but in sleep, that could be fast if you were exhausted.

"Minato. Minato. Wake up." Minato heard Musubi's voice.

"Minato, if you don't wake up, I'll kiss you." That was Kazehana.

"Thou won't do such a thing. I will not allow thee to kiss my husband." Tsukiumi chimed in.

"This is some good stuff. Kuhuhuh. I like this fun." Matsu enjoyed this.

"Quiet, thou pervert. I will not allow thee to make fun of this." Tsukiumi again.

"Some things really never change." That was Uzume's voice.

"Indeed," Kagari spoke up.

"But we do need to get him up." Chiho was next. "While I don't mind the idea of him catching some sleep. We need to get dressed and let him take a shower. I want to go home."

Minato opened his eyes. He was greeted by the heaven of naked girls looking at him. For a change, there was no lust. All of them had gotten their fill last night. Still, his eyes went over their bodies.

"Good morning, you all." Even before the sentence left his mouth, the women tackled him to the bed and claimed that. Wings erupted, and a light show was seen. When that was done, Minato looked at them.

"So I take you girls are done bathing." Kazehana was the voice of reason. "We let you sleep now. Now, you take a bath, and we'll take your clothes."

Minato did just that. The girls weren't the only ones who were sticky. Minato took a bit longer to wash the stickiness of his loins. Down there, it was sore, but he shouldn't have too many problems using it to the toilet.

When he got out of the shower after just a quick soaping in, he took the towel. There was no reason to stay in the room. He just wanted to get home now.

It would be too soon to tell if they were successful. Even if the women weren't pregnant now, it was one pleasurable ride, and the Sekirei had one start for the summer. When he knocked, he got his clothes handed to him.

The clothes of him were a bit of a mess. Not abnormal. At least they could wear them.

Minato has forgone the jacket to wear a simple shirt and found that the women were the same.

The dresses they wore the day before were all wrinkled.

Kazehana's dress had some bits, but it was just different from last night. Musubi's Miko had taken a different tour. Kagari had forgone the long pants and was wearing nothing but a shirt.

Chiho's sundress was just one thing. Uzume had chosen to discard her clothes and wore a more straightforward outfit made from her powers.

Tsukiumi's blue dress was just one mess. Matsu's black dress was disheveled. The girls couldn't look happier.

When Minato made sure that he got everything he needed, he looked at them. "We go home?"

"We go home?"

Walking outside, it was four in the afternoon. Even with their bodies a bit sore, they could get home by jumping over the roofs. Kazehana had offered to carry Minato, and with the last few times that he had used Musubi airlines, Minato was happy on the offer another woman would take him.

She carried Minato in a shoulder carry, so at least, his dignity was saved.

Uzume carried Chiho in a bridal style. In the sky, the girls jumped over the roofs. For once, Minato didn't mind that they went home like that. Over the rooftops, the girls jumped and enjoyed the trip they were taking.

Freedom in the sky. Minato got himself a fantasy while the girls wanted to get home as soon as they could. Eventually, they reached the Inn. There wasn't much to be said, and finally, they got back home. Minato knocked at the door, and Miya opened with a smile.

"Welcome home, all of you. I take you had one pleasant night." The girls began to talk about it while the landlady found that they were dressed in some regard. Minato was smiling at her, and Takehito joined his wife.

The chattering carried someone else to the door.

"Good morning, Minato." Takehito greeted the young man. "I take you girls want to change in your rooms after tonight. You can tell us all about it during dinner."

Without much ado, the girls entered while Minato was the last one. The girls all winked and kissed him goodbye and went to their rooms to wear more comfortable clothes.

"Big brother!" Kusano ran up to him from the garden, and he lifted her. Raising her to his arms, he hugged the girl. Walking in the hall, he carried and tickled his youngest Sekirei, who smiled at him.

"Hey, Kuu. How are you?" She smiled. The three in the house weren't going to tell him about the fourth guest.

"I'm fine. So you and the big sisters have made Kuu a big sister." Minato smiled at her, and with a kiss, her wings came out.

"We can only wait, Kuu. But most likely, we did." The four stood in the hallway as he walked to the garden. Maybe they could sleep in their rooms.

"Kuu has a surprise for you." The youngest girl said to him.

"You do?" Minato would be one great father if the interaction were anything to go by. "Yes."

Behind him, Minato heard the voice of a boy that he couldn't place at first. It was a familiar one, that was for sure. The Ashikabi had heard it before.

"How are you, brother?"

Slowly but surely, a huge smile made its way to his face. His eyes lit up when he shared a look with the Asama's.

Minato Sahashi turned slowly turned around to see Ichika Orimura standing. Ichika had changed his shorts, and he wore a blue short.

The Infinite Stratos Pilot was wearing a big smile on his face while he took in the Northern Ashikabi.

It had been years since they were face to face. It was clear that Ichika had grown. When they were growing up, Minato stood at least two heads above Ichika. Now, they were around the same height as Ichika, maybe being a bit taller than Minato. The Pilot had some muscles grown during that time.

Minato put Kusano down, who just smiled at her two 'brothers.' She couldn't wait until the big sisters would meet their little 'brother.'

The Ashikabi blinked a bit but smiled when he looked at Ichika.

"I have been fine, Ichika. You?"

The pilot smiled at him. "I have been fine." The two boys just looked at each other until Ichika held his right-hand open.

Minato took it and pulled the boy in a hug while clapping on the back. Ichika did the same while he laughed when he saw his brother again.

"I didn't know you'd come over today," Minato said, and Ichika shrugged. When he let him go, the boys were smiling. His hands were on the shoulders of the boy.

"I kinda wanted to surprise you. Your landlady was so kind as to let me in. I also met Kusano in the meantime. Nice girl."

"Minato, what is going on?" Turning around, Minato saw his entire flock, dressed in their regular clothes. Placing a hand on the shoulder, Minato greeted his flock with the sight of Ichika.

The girls knew Ichika from the sight, of course, but now, it was the first time his face greeted them. The boy gave them a wave with a shy smile.

"Looks like we got a guest. Everyone, I hope you'll treat Ichika fine. Ichika, these are my Sekirei."

And here, I'm going to end it.

This was one bit of a breather. This chapter was to put Ichika at the Inn. It was one trip writing this out. It's not quite small compared to my previous chapters, but this was just to prepare for the party next time.

I can think of one person who is going to be very happy about the fact we are here now. I think he waited around two years to read this.

Thank you all for the support.

Next chapter is going to be titled Blood Brothers. If you know a bit of Iron Maiden, I think you should know why this song fits in.

Saluut.