The gentle chirping of birds awoke Reiji the next morning, and he tried to rub his eyes, only to find a weight on his arm. Groggily, he shifted his gaze, and his eyes widened in disbelief. There, nestled beside him, was Akitsu, her serene expression softened by the tranquility of sleep. Her light brown hair spilled over the pillow, framing her delicate features, and her gentle breathing created a soothing rhythm in the quiet room.
Reiji's heart quickened as he realized the intimacy of their proximity. His arm tingled where Akitsu's head rested, her warmth seeping through the fabric of his shirt. He couldn't help but notice the subtle rise and fall of her chest, silently thankful she hadn't suffered a clothing malfunction in the middle of the night; he didn't want a cold shower this early in the morning.
With as much delicacy as he could muster, he gently pulled his arm out from underneath Akitsu's weight, letting her head rest against the couch pillow instead. The night before had been full of revelations, and with no spare futon available, Reiji had offered to let Akitsu take his bed while he slept on the couch. Clearly she had made her way to him in the middle of the night.
He tried to maneuver his way up and off the couch, but with Akitsu sleeping on the edge, it was only a matter of time before she woke up to his motions. Akitsu stirred beside him, her movements slow and languid as she gradually roused from her slumber. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting gentle rays of warmth across the room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.
She rubbed her eyes lightly before gazing at Reiji with that same melancholic expression. Her eyes held a hint of lingering sleepiness, giving her an endearing vulnerability. "Ah... Good morning, Reiji-sama." She greeted, her tone a bit lighter than the night before. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept fine," Reiji answered, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion despite his attempt to sound nonchalant. With a grunt, he pushed himself off the armrest, the stiffness in his muscles evident as he moved. He began going through some basic stretches, his movements slow and deliberate as he tried to coax his body into a state of wakefulness.
As he reached towards the ceiling in a long stretch, his muscles protesting the movement, he couldn't shake the feeling of lingering fatigue that clung to him like a heavy cloak. 'Can't really relax till we figure this whole business out...' he thought to himself, his mind still preoccupied with the events of the previous night. After the discussion with Minaka, some MBI goon had come to the apartment and dropped off Akitsu's clothing. It all seemed to be just kimonos, obis, and underwear, and Reiji had to look away quickly when she had started changing in front of him. He'd been so razzled after that that he had headed straight to bed without eating dinner.
Ah, shit.
He winced, feeling a pang of guilt as he glanced back at Akitsu, who was just sitting there watching him with her usual calm demeanor. "Hey, you hungry?" Reiji asked, the realization dawning on him that she probably hadn't eaten for a while. "Give me a sec, I'll fix something up for you," he promised her, already heading to the small kitchen determined to make amends for his oversight.
"I can help," Akitsu offered, her voice soft but determined as she quickly stood up, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She moved to join him in the kitchen, her movements graceful and fluid as she reached for utensils and ingredients.
Reiji cracked his knuckles, looking at the ingredients he and Akitsu had picked out. Eggs, bread, bacon, and rooster sauce. "Number one thing you need to know if you're gonna be my Sekirei." Reiji told her jokingly, tossing some bacon strips into the frying pan. "Bacon Egg sandwiches are fucking fantastic, and anyone who says otherwise is a goddamn heretic."
"Understood," Akitsu replied, her expression unchanged as she nodded in agreement. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she committed the information to memory, oblivious to the humor in Reiji's tone.
Not catching the seriousness in Akitsu's voice, Reiji whistled a tune as he cooked the bacon. When it looked about done, he motioned to the plate near Akitsu, depositing the crispy strips onto it as she moved it over. He then cracked some eggs, cooking them in the bacon grease until they were over easy, and deftly placed them on the waiting slices of bread. Layering the bacon on top, he drizzled a generous amount of rooster sauce on one sandwich and a modest amount on the other, before sealing them with the final pieces of bread.
"There you go, Mr. Matsumoto's authentic bacon egg sandwiches," Reiji declared proudly, his grin widening as he handed Akitsu the less spicy one. "Just the way my pops used to make 'em. Dig in!"
Akitsu accepted the sandwich with a small nod of gratitude, her expression unreadable as she took a tentative bite. Reiji watched her expectantly, eager for her reaction to his culinary creation. As she chewed thoughtfully, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at the prospect of sharing one of his favorite comfort foods with his newfound companion.
"...It's good," Akitsu said after taking a bite, her voice calm and measured as always. Reiji's eyes lit up with delight at her approval, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he turned around to retrieve some juice for them.
With a triumphant flourish, he returned, a gallon of orange juice in hand, ready to toast to their successful breakfast. But as he turned back to face Akitsu, his grin faltered slightly when he saw her popping the last bite of her sandwich into her mouth.
"Heh, must've been good if you ate it that quick." He said, pouring some juice for them both. Akitsu accepted it with a nod, taking a measured sip of the juice at first, before suddenly downing the whole thing. She eyed Reiji's sandwich with a faint sense of hunger, and Reiji sighed and slid the sandwich over. The ice woman quickly ate this one too, looking a tad embarrassed she had taken Reiji's food.
"...Sorry, Reiji-sama." She apologized, face a little red.
Reiji just waved her off, standing up to prepare another sandwich for himself. "No worries, it's no surprise you're hungry," he reassured her with a smile, flipping the bacon and cracking eggs into the sizzling pan. Once his sandwich was ready, he settled back into his seat, savoring the savory flavors as he ate. Akitsu seemed content after her hearty meal, her demeanor relaxed as she watched Reiji enjoy his food.
"I've still got some questions about this whole Sekirei business," Reiji said between bites, his curiosity piqued by the mysteries surrounding the game. Today was one of his rare days off, and he preferred to take it slow, but if this game was as significant as Minaka implied, he knew he needed to be prepared.
"Ask, Reiji-sama. I'll tell you everything I know," Akitsu promised, her tone gentle and reassuring.
"So, the players in the game. 108 Sekirei and Ashikabi, including us?" Reiji inquired, his brow furrowing in concentration as he tried to grasp the scope of the competition.
"No," Akitsu replied firmly, her voice carrying a note of certainty. "There are some Sekirei who are not involved in the Game. I've never heard anything about #1, and #8 died some years ago. There are also three Sekirei who are in charge of keeping the Game running smoothly: the Disciplinary Squad."
Reiji nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. "So five Sekirei are out, then?"
"I believe there may be a few more MBI keeps on hand to fulfill various tasks," Akitsu explained. "But I do not know how many. I would not put the number past five, including the Disciplinary Squad."
"Right," Reiji murmured, contemplating her words. "Can't be holding on to nothing, or nobody will bother playing the game, and holding on to too many just means nobody can play the game."
Akitsu nodded in agreement, her expression solemn as she waited for Reiji to continue.
"Alright, your ice powers," Reiji said, moving the conversation along. "Is that just something you can do, or can others do it too?"
His Sekirei tilted her head in consideration. "I... believe only I can do it," she responded, her tone laced with uncertainty. But after a moment of contemplation, she nodded with more confidence. "Yes, I believe it is just me. There are other Sekirei who control different elements: wind, earth, lightning. Others specialize in various weaponry. There are several who focus solely on their bodies, and others who can access electronic systems at will. I do not know the abilities of every Sekirei, but I have never heard of one other than myself with the ability of controlling ice."
"So we need to prepare for anything," Reiji muttered, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He thought over the situation as he smoked in silence, the tendrils of smoke curling around him. Eventually, he sighed, rubbing at his temple with one hand. "Fuck, I can't think of anything right now." With a frustrated grunt, he ground out his cigarette in the ashtray, the ember extinguished with a final sizzle, before standing up and heading to the bathroom. "I'm gonna freshen up, then we're gonna go out."
"Where to, Reiji-sama?" Akitsu inquired, her voice calm and steady.
"We're gonna need groceries, first of all," Reiji replied, grabbing his toothbrush from its holder. As he began to brush his teeth, he continued speaking, the words muffled by the foaming toothpaste. "Also gonna need a futon—"
"I do not mind sleeping with you, Reiji-sama," Akitsu interjected quickly.
Reiji's toothbrush clattered against the sink as he choked on the toothpaste foam, coughing and sputtering in surprise. He quickly grabbed some tissue to stem the oncoming nosebleed, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at Akitsu's candid remark. "Uh, well, I appreciate the offer, Akitsu," he managed to say between coughs, his voice slightly hoarse. "But, uh, maybe we should stick to separate beds for now."
"Understood, Reiji-sama." Akitsu agreed, already planning to join Reiji in bed in the middle of the night.
Deciding to change the subject, Reiji glanced over at Akitsu and noted the revealing kimono she wore. "Might as well get you some new clothes while I'm at it," he suggested, his voice casual as he rummaged through his wardrobe. He couldn't quite understand the purpose of the chains adorning her outfit—whether they were a fashion statement or simply necessary to keep the kimono from falling—but he knew she needed something else to wear, at least around the house. After all, he didn't think his heart could take it otherwise, no matter how much he liked to look.
After getting dressed, Reiji walked out and motioned to the door. "Let's get going, Akitsu."
She nodded in agreement, her demeanor calm and composed as always, and joined him. Together, the new Ashikabi and Sekirei pair stepped out into the world.
Across the city at the modest Izumo inn, Sahashi Minato happily dug into this morning's meal. The savory aroma of the dishes filled the cozy dining area, mingling with the gentle hum of conversation. The inn's owner, Miya, was renowned for her culinary skills, and Minato couldn't help but feel grateful for her hospitality. In a city where so many had turned them away, Miya had welcomed him and his Sekirei, Musubi, with open arms.
As he savored each mouthful, Minato couldn't help but marvel at the sense of peace and contentment that enveloped him in this humble abode. Things had been a little crazy recently with the whole reveal of superpowered women running around Shinto Teito, all sponsored by MBI, but being at Izumo Inn could almost let him forget the whole thing.
He had been a bit worried that he and Musubi wouldn't get along with the other residents, but they had been quick to prove him wrong. Well...mostly. Kagari was a pretty nice guy, and probably the coolest guy Minato had ever met. He worked in a host club, so Minato didn't see him much in the afternoon.
And then there was Uzume...
He had only seen the woman once since they had arrived, and it seemed as though she had seen better days. Uzume appeared lethargic, bringing with her a sense of melancholy. Besides a greeting and a bit of small talk, the two of them hadn't talked much. Miya had confided in him that the girl had recently lost a close friend.
Minato couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Uzume's loss. He wanted to reach out and offer his support, but he wasn't sure how to approach the situation delicately. Nevertheless, he promised himself to listen if she needed someone to talk to.
"Ah, Minato. You start work today, yes?" Miya asked him with a warm smile. "Be sure to tell me before you go, and I'll throw together a bento for you!"
"T-thank you, Miya-san!" Minato replied gratefully, his cheeks flushing with appreciation. He felt a surge of gratitude for the innkeeper's kindness, grateful for the sense of hospitality that permeated Izumo Inn.
"I'm just doing what anyone would do," Miya said modestly, her smile radiating warmth as she turned her attention to Uzume's entrance. "Oh, good morning, Uzume. I'll put together a plate for you, just sit right down."
"Thanks, Miya, but I actually have plans," Uzume replied, managing a small smile despite the weariness in her eyes. "I'm running a bit low on thread, so I wanted to stop by the store real quick. Figured I'd stop by a cafe while I was out."
"Well, alright," Miya answered, her tone understanding. "Have fun, dear. And don't forget to take care of yourself."
Uzume nodded to her, then looked at Minato and Musubi. "I'll see you guys around later. Have a good one." She told them, leaving out the front door shortly after.
"She was looking better today!" Musubi exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with optimism.
"Hopefully she wasn't just putting it on for our sake," Miya responded with a knowing sigh, her expression tinged with concern. She then turned her attention to Musubi, noticing her empty plate. "Oh, would you like seconds, Musubi? Feel free."
"Yes, please! Thank you!" Musubi replied eagerly, her appetite evidently not satisfied yet.
In a dimly lit warehouse, a diverse group had congregated, their collective aura simmering with tension. Among them were regular civilians, interspersed with women clad in peculiar attire or wielding unconventional weapons. One individual even bore a massive hammer slung across her back.
The atmosphere teetered on the brink of chaos, threatening to erupt into violence at any moment. However, a sense of relief washed over the assembly as a man strode confidently into their midst, accompanied by his imposing partner.
The man was dressed in a black suit and tie, but the suit was left unbuttoned and the tie was loose around his neck. His black hair was styled with gel, and he gave the crowd a smirk.
His companion was a tall woman wearing chainmail armor as though she were some kind of knight, with a particularly large right gauntlet. A large sword was strapped to her back, almost as long as she was tall. Her gray hair was styled in a pixie cut, and she looked at the crowd through narrowed blue eyes.
"Fellow Ashikabi." The man began, walking towards them slowly. "My name is Kaito Takahashi, and this is my lovely Sekirei; #42, Kurogane." He introduced himself and the woman at his side. "And today, I bring to you all a proposition."
"What the hell do you want?" An Ashikabi interjected, his tone laced with aggression.
Kaito's grin widened as he faced the question head-on. "What I want is simple: to win this Game," he declared boldly, his voice carrying conviction. "And I'm sure it's the same for all of you." His words hung in the air, resonating with the collective ambition of those assembled.
Another Ashikabi spoke. "Only one of us can win." he said.
"Which is why I propose an alliance," Kaito declared, his voice echoing with confidence. "Think about it... 108 Sekirei, all fighting in a massive battle royale. Do you think any of us can win by ourselves?" He scanned the assembled Ashikabi and Sekirei, gauging their reactions. "With all of us working together, no Ashikabi could stop us!"
"This is stupid, I'm leaving," one of the Ashikabi retorted disdainfully, his tone dripping with contempt. "A bunch of weaklings put together are still weak. Come on, Nanami," he commanded, turning to leave.
"Right!" Nanami, the woman with a spear, responded obediently, moving to follow him.
But Kaito remained unfazed by their dismissal. "Kurogane," he called out calmly. Without hesitation, his Sekirei leaped into action, hurtling towards the pair attempting to leave and intercepting them with a powerful strike from her imposing sword.
Nanami raised her spear in defense, but Kurogane's relentless assault proved too much to handle. With a resounding clash, the force of the blow sent Nanami crashing into the wall, her body slumping to the ground.
"What are you doing?!" Her Ashikabi yelled in shock and outrage, his voice tinged with desperation. "We weren't trying to fight you!"
"We'll have to fight eventually. Why not now?" Kaito replied with a shrug, his demeanor nonchalant yet firm. His eyes narrowed as he saw Nanami standing back up, and he grinned. "Finish her, Kurogane."
"Yes, my lord," Kurogane affirmed, her voice devoid of emotion as she brought her sword up. However, before she could strike, Nanami surprised them all by hurling her spear with remarkable speed.
The spear hurtled towards Kurogane, but the stoic Sekirei effortlessly deflected it aside with a casual wave of her hand, revealing the true extent of her power. She then pointed her massive sword at the shocked Nanami, her posture unwavering.
"I am sorry if you assumed I was a weapon type like yourself," Kurogane stated calmly, her voice carrying a hint of superiority. "In truth, my ability is simple."
With a swift motion, her blade detached from its handle, soaring through the air and impaling the unprepared Nanami in the side of her stomach. A cry of pain escaped Nanami's lips as she crumpled to the ground, clutching her wound.
"Metal," Kurogane stated simply, her gaze fixed on her fallen opponent as she approached. Placing a hand on Nanami's Sekirei crest, she intoned her Norito with a sense of authority. "By the metal of my pledge, let my Ashikabi's misfortunes be locked away."
Nanami shuddered as her crest disappeared, leaving her powerless and vulnerable. With one final glance at her panicked Ashikabi, she succumbed to unconsciousness, defeated.
Kurogane stood at attention near the fallen Sekirei's body, her presence commanding and imposing. Meanwhile, Kaito surveyed the rest of the crowd with a look of satisfaction.
"MBI will be here soon," he announced, his tone dripping with confidence. "So if you still want to refuse, tell me now. I'll have Kurogane take down your Sekirei quickly so the clean-up crew only need to make one trip."
Needless to say, no one else dared to refuse.
