"That will be ¥2300, sir."
Taking the required amount from the customer, Matsumoto Reiji forced a smile on his face as he watched the customer leave. As soon as it was just him in the store, his smile fell and he leaned back against the wall, letting out a sigh and rubbing his eyes. He was once again working at the crappy convenience store near his apartment, currently near the end of his double shift. It had been a long tiring day, full of customers asking annoying questions about products that Reiji was only barely familiar with. Then there were the ones who asked the obvious questions; Were the spicy chips spicy? Did the 2 for 1 special for the hot dogs apply if they bought three? The only remotely interesting thing that happened was when he had to chase out some elementary kids from looking at the risque calendars.
Why they carried such a thing in the age of the internet, he'd never understand. The only ones who ever bothered looking at the damn things were kids.
'I'm exhausted,' he thought to himself, bringing his hand from his face, having failed to make any impact on the bags under his eyes. 'I need to get home and sleep already...'
As if his prayers had been answered by the gods above, his manager stuck his head out of the back office, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare on his weathered face.
"Oy, Matsumoto!" the older man called out, his voice cutting through the monotony of the empty convenience store. "It's dead and Momo should be coming in soon. Stay on till then, you can leave once she clocks in."
"Understood, sir," Reiji replied with a tight-lipped smile, his weariness masked by a veneer of professionalism. He straightened his posture, mentally steeling himself for the remaining minutes of his shift.
Just as the manager had promised, Momo soon walked in, her footsteps echoing softly against the linoleum floor. Her vibrant personality seemed to breathe life into the stale air of the store, and Reiji couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him at her arrival. She waved cheerily at him, her black hair swaying with each step as she made her way towards the back to change.
Once she emerged in her standard uniform, Reiji felt a genuine smile tug at the corners of his lips. With Momo around, he was finally free to leave.
"Sorry about that, Reiji-senpai!" Momo apologized, her voice tinged with sincerity as she bowed her head respectfully. "My classes ran a little late today…"
With anyone else, Reiji would be mad, but Momo was just so damn nice all the time he just didn't have it in him to get upset.
"No worries. Have a good shift," he replied warmly, offering her a small nod of encouragement.
Politely ignoring the automatic response of 'you too' that Momo offered in return, Reiji made his way to the back office to change out of his uniform. He shed the polyester fabric with a sense of liberation, trading it for more comfortable attire: cargo pants, a simple white t-shirt, and a black jacket to ward off the evening chill.
With a sigh of relief, he removed his hat, allowing his brown hair to cascade freely around his shoulders for a fleeting moment before tucking most of it under a black beanie. For a fleeting moment, he savored the sensation of freedom, the cool night air caressing his skin as he prepared to leave the confines of the convenience store behind.
Stepping out into the nighttime wonder of Shinto Teito, Reiji was greeted by the twinkling lights of the cityscape. The stars had begun to emerge in the darkening sky, casting a soft glow over the bustling streets below. Streetlights flickered to life one by one, illuminating the path ahead as more people ventured out, their footsteps echoing against the pavement.
Pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with practiced ease, Reiji took a moment to soak in the ambience of the city around him. The distant hum of traffic, the scent of street food wafting through the air—it was a familiar symphony that never failed to soothe his weary soul.
As he set off walking, Reiji couldn't shake the restless feeling gnawing at him from within. Yes, he was exhausted from a long day's work, but the prospect of heading straight home held little appeal. The monotony of sleep, work, repeat felt suffocating, like a never-ending cycle of drudgery.
He couldn't help but draw parallels between his own life and that of the countless salarymen he passed on the streets—trapped in the rat race, striving for success in a world that seemed indifferent to their struggles. Yet, unlike them, Reiji lacked the safety net of a prestigious education or a promising career path. His past mistakes loomed over him like a shadow, closing doors that he could never hope to reopen. The only solace he had was that working in an air-conditioned store beat working construction in the hot sun.
If only he could avoid dealing with the customers...well, a man could dream.
As he continued walking, he took notice of the park nearby. It was a simple one, just some trees and grass broken up by concrete walkways and benches for old men to sit down and toss breadcrumbs, but it was calling to Reiji. It might not be entertaining, but a walk through a park would at least be relaxing after the day he had. It would be nice to unwind a little, just relax and smoke a cigarette.
Walking through the park and casually looking at his fellow park-goers, it soon became clear something was wrong. Not 'run for your life' wrong, no, but more 'that guy is talking to himself' wrong. The kind of wrong where it was better not to get involved. That was the expression most of those people had, and Reiji could feel the curiosity growing. Should he turn back, or keep going? Join the crowd pretending nothing was wrong, or get a fun story to tell the others at his next shift?
The temptation of having something to kill a little time at work won out, and Reiji continued walking, ignoring the other people going about their night. He started to wonder what he would find; maybe some weird cosplayer walking around? They weren't too close to Akihabara, so a cosplayer would definitely attract some stares, especially with it being night time. The people around him didn't seem to be rushing away or looking panicked, at the very least, so it probably wasn't anything dangerous...
And then he saw her.
The first thing-and Reiji was surprised himself at saying this honestly-the first thing that stood out to him were her eyes. They just looked...lifeless. As though she didn't see any reason to live, like there was no spark of life in her and her eyes reflected that. It honestly rattled him, seeing another human being look like that. Something so...instinctually wrong.
It was then he finally noticed what most others had noticed before him. The brown-haired woman was naked, except for a man's shirt that she was wearing completely unbuttoned. It was thankfully enough to hide her naughty bits, but Reiji's eyes narrowed when he noticed the dried blood on the jacket. Clearly something had happened, and with her manner of dress and horribly depressed expression.
'Ah, shit.' Reiji thought to himself, muscles tense as he smoked heavily from his dying cigarette. The woman was definitely involved in some kind of domestic dispute. Pretty rough one too, judging from the blood. The only grace here was that it didn't look to be hers.
He looked around at all the people just walking by, pretending they hadn't seen anything, and that the sight of a horrifically depressed woman wearing nothing but a bloody shirt and sitting practically comatose on a park bench after dark was totally fine. It disgusted him. Not one of them could ask if she was alright? None of them could pick up a cell phone and call the cop or an ambulance or some shit?! This was fucking Teito! The goddamn Capital!
'Be the change you want to see in the world, I guess.'
Stomping on the dregs of his cigarette, he approached the woman at a relaxed pace. He fixed his calmest smile on his face, and made sure his eyes didn't drop a centimeter below hers. When she finally looked at him, he crouched down a little to make himself appear less of a threat. With her finally facing him, he noticed the strange tattoo on her forehead. Was she involved in a gang, or something? Maybe the Yakuza? Ah shit, was she some kind of runaway slave or something?
"Hey there." He said to her calmly. "You alright there, miss?"
The woman took some time to answer him, enough so that Reiji almost said something else believing she somehow didn't hear him the first time. Her expression didn't change, but she did speak. "No...I have no reason to live." She spoke in a neutral tone. She didn't sound distraught with emotion, which was honestly worse; it meant she had probably put some thought into her issue and decided she really didn't deserve to live.
"Why do you say that, huh?" Reiji asked politely, almost regretting talking to her. This wasn't the relaxing walk he was hoping for...but shit, someone had to talk to her.
"I have been thrown away. As a Discarded Number, I will never be able to find my Ashikabi." She answered him.
'Discarded Number? Ashikabi? The fuck are those?' He thought to himself, practically forcing himself not to show his confusion on his face. It was pretty damn hard, but Reiji figured it was likely the woman's way of coping with whatever happened.
"I see..." Reiji replied, though in truth, he didn't quite comprehend the woman's peculiar behavior. But setting aside her eccentricities, the pressing matter at hand was her well-being. With the chill of the evening setting in, it was evident that allowing her to remain in her bloodied shirt was out of the question. Without further ado, he removed his jacket and extended it to her. "Here. It's a bit big for you, but you should wear something other than...that."
The woman accepted the jacket, her expression betraying a hint of confusion as she regarded it with uncertainty. With a hesitating gesture, she shed the bloodied shirt she had been wearing, much to the surprise of Reiji and the onlookers in the park. Ignoring the sudden influx of attention, she slipped into Reiji's jacket with an air of detachment.
Reiji's face flushed with embarrassment, his composure faltering as he struggled to comprehend the woman's actions. "W-what the hell are you doing!?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.
"Ah...I didn't want blood on your jacket..." she explained calmly, her tone betraying her lack of understanding regarding the social norms of the situation.
'Alright, she doesn't quite understand modesty...What kind of environment did she escape from?!' Reiji thought, his anger overriding his perverseness. "Just...Whatever." He coughed, calming himself down and speaking calmly to her once again. "I'm Matsumoto Reiji. What's your name?"
The woman met his gaze with unwavering intensity, her eyes reflecting a hint of curiosity mingled with an underlying sense of detachment. "Akitsu," she answered simply, her voice soft yet resolute.
"That's a wonderful name." Reiji said with a smile. He thought for a few minutes about what exactly to do now. Call the cops? It was probably the right thing to do, but if Akitsu talked to them about Discarded Numbers and Ashikabi, it would either get her locked in a looney bin or killed, depending on if his Yakuza theory held any water. She didn't look injured; he didn't know how to feel about the blood being from someone else, but he'd deal with that later.
As Reiji observed Akitsu, he couldn't shake the feeling of concern that gnawed at the back of his mind. She didn't look dangerous, and, as cruel as it may sound, Reiji couldn't help but wonder if the woman had been on the brink of taking her own life. She might still be considering it...
With a sense of resolve, Reiji held out his hand, offering her a lifeline in the midst of uncertainty. "If you need a place to stay, I have an apartment not too far from here. You can spend the night, and you can decide things tomorrow with a clear head. Is that alright?" he asked, his voice gentle yet firm.
For a moment, Akitsu hesitated, her gaze flickering between Reiji's face and his outstretched hand. Then, with a quiet whisper, she reached out and grasped his hand with a gentle grip. "...alright," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible above the rustle of the evening breeze.
With a reassuring smile, Reiji gently pulled her to her feet, the two of them leaving the bloodied shirt behind on the bench. Some drifter would probably add it to their collection, or the park workers would dump it, Reiji figured.
As Reiji led Akitsu through the streets back to his apartment, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances they received from passersby. It was only then that he realized his jacket barely covered Akitsu's lower body, and a flush of embarrassment tinted his cheeks. Thankfully, nobody accosted them on their way back, and soon they arrived at Reiji's modest apartment.
With a wry smile, Reiji opened the door and gestured inside. "Ta-da," he announced dryly, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "Maison Reiji."
Akitsu followed him into the apartment, her expression unchanged as she took in her surroundings. As Reiji moved to search for some night clothes and a spare futon, Akitsu unexpectedly reached out and grabbed his hand, halting his movements.
As Reiji paused, his hand stilling at Akitsu's unexpected touch, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension at her sudden question. "Akitsu?" he echoed softly, his brow furrowing with concern as he met her gaze.
"Matsumoto Reiji..." Akitsu began, her voice measured as she tested out the unfamiliar words. "Matsumoto Reiji." Her tone grew more decisive, her words carrying a weight of significance. "Are you an Ashikabi?"
Reiji's confusion only deepened as Akitsu seemed to grapple with something internally, her expression betraying a rare moment of vulnerability. He watched in silence as she gathered her resolve, her gaze locking onto his with a newfound determination.
"You reached out to me when no one else did...you even opened your home for me, a Discarded Number," she began, her words carrying a weight of gratitude and vulnerability. "As a Discarded Number, I am unable to be winged. So even if you are not a true Ashikabi...I will be your Sekirei. Will you accept me...?"
Reiji felt a pang of empathy stir within him as he recognized the underlying pain in Akitsu's words. She must have suffered from abandonment issues, he reasoned, seeing at how quickly she latched to him. Though he struggled to comprehend the full extent of what she was asking, he knew one thing for certain: refusing her now would only deepen her wounds.
Taking a deep breath, Reiji met Akitsu's gaze with a solemn determination. "Alright, Akitsu. I don't know what any of this is but...I'll take you as my Sekirei. I'll be your Ashikabi," he promised, his voice steady.
The woman seemed to finally gain a spark of life in her eyes, and before Reiji knew it, she held his face in a surprisingly strong grip. But more surprising than that was the kiss she was giving him, pressing her lips against his before he had even realized she had grabbed him. They finally pulled apart, Reiji still in shock, as Akitsu whispered to him in a solemn vow. "I, Akitsu, shall be yours. Now and forever."
"Akitsu, you shouldn't..." Reiji began, wanting to lightly chide her for kissing him. He wasn't exactly complaining about a beautiful woman kissing him, but it wouldn't be good to let her get so attached so quickly. Akitsu looked past him, and Reiji turned his head to see what she was looking at.
"Greetings!" A man dressed in all white waved from his TV screen. "Is the audio coming through clearly?"
"Professor." Akitsu stated, showing some recognition. It wasn't surprising that she did, since even Reiji knew who that man was. Minaka Hiroto, the Chairman of MBI. The man was rich enough to outright purchase large segments of Shinto Teito for MBI.
"Wait, Akitsu. You know him?" Reiji asked, his curiosity piqued. Akitsu simply nodded in reply, her expression unreadable as she watched the screen.
"Yes, Akitsu and I have met before. I was quite distraught when I heard the news about the error in her tuning process." Minaka stated. "On a related note, we've already dealt with the situation regarding former researcher Tai. You may rest easy, Akitsu."
Akitsu actually seemed to relax a little, but Reiji still had no idea what was going on. "Hold on, what exactly is going on here?" He asked the strongest man in Japan. "How do you two know each other? Shit, how are you talking through my TV?"
"I'll answer your second question first," Minaka said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And the simple answer is that MBI has its fingers in a lot of pies. Legally, I am obligated to say there is no proof we have implanted cameras and listening devices into several products our company produces."
Reiji narrowed his eyes, promising himself to triple-check everything he brought into the bathroom.
"But for your first question..." Minaka continued, leaning forward in his chair with a conspiratorial gleam in his eye. "I founded MBI for one purpose—the Sekirei Game!"
Reiji's brow furrowed in confusion. "Game...?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes!" Minaka exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement. "I'll spare you the finer details; I'm a very busy man, and Akitsu can fill you in just as well. But there are 108 little birds like Akitsu here, preparing to fight against each other in a Battle Royale for the right to ascend to Heaven!"
Reiji's jaw dropped in astonishment. "You mean to tell me..." he began, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of Minaka's revelation.
Minaka chuckled, a gleam of anticipation dancing in his eyes. "You, Matsumoto Reiji, are just one of many Ashikabi, fated by the Gods to help your Sekirei spread their wings!" he proclaimed, his voice ringing with a sense of grandiosity.
"That's insane!" Reiji countered, his voice laced with incredulity. "A battle royale in Teito?! Gods? You expect me to believe this crap?"
Minaka's grin widened, unfazed by Reiji's skepticism. "Believe it or not, it's the truth," he replied, his tone dripping with conviction. "And whether you choose to accept it or not, the Sekirei Game has already begun. The question is—are you ready to embrace your destiny, or will you be left behind as the world changes around you?"
As Reiji's doubts lingered, Minaka let out a resigned sigh. "Show him, Akitsu."
The woman nodded solemnly, her gaze fixed on Reiji as she raised her hand. With a subtle gesture, a shimmering wall of ice erupted from the floor, spanning the room in a breathtaking display of power. Reiji staggered backward in shock, his mind reeling at the sight of what could only be described as magic unfolding before his eyes.
"Believe me now, Matsumoto Reiji?" Minaka teased. "Now, let me get to the reason I called. See, while we have determined you are in fact an Ashikabi-and may I say, you definitely need to schedule more frequent blood work tests-Akitsu was damaged in her tuning process by a man who thought he was much smarter than he really was. Sadly, she can never be winged...and thus, she will never find her Ashikabi."
Akitsu's expression fell at the reminder of her predicament, a shadow passing over her features as she contemplated the limitations imposed upon her by fate. But despite the weight of her circumstances, she spoke up with unwavering resolve. "...Reiji is my Ashikabi. He has already promised me, and I have sworn myself to him as his Sekirei."
"Which is exactly why I'm calling," Minaka interjected, his excitement palpable as he leaned forward in his chair. "Oh, to think the Discarded Number would wind up joining the Game! I love it! But I thought I needed to sweeten the pot just a little, considering your current handicap."
With the display of ice earlier, Reiji had no choice but to accept that this was really happening—that the world he thought he knew was far more extraordinary and dangerous than he had ever imagined. "Sweeten the pot? How so?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by Minaka's cryptic words.
"You may not understand it yet, how important the bond between an Ashikabi and Sekirei really is," Minaka explained, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone. "And this is, in fact, what I offer you—should you and Akitsu win the Sekirei Game, I will personally put together the best team of Sekirei researchers MBI has, along with all the resources at my considerable disposal, to hopefully uncover a way to enable Akitsu to be winged."
The weight of Minaka's offer hung in the air. Reiji didn't quite understand it yet, but Akitsu looked almost shocked, eyes wider than normal. "Really...?" She whispered, daring to hope that her condition could be cured.
"You have my word." Minaka stated. "So, Matsumoto Reiji? Will you join the Sekirei Game?"
"You're giving me a choice?" Reiji asked, incredulous.
"Yes! See, since you haven't really winged Akitsu, she's technically not in the Game. Neither are you, as you have no other Sekirei. If you truly don't want to play, then MBI shall pick up you and Akitsu and bring you both back to MBI tower." Minaka said calmly.
Reiji's mind raced as he processed Minaka's words, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "W-what?! Bring us both to MBI?" he sputtered, unable to conceal the disbelief in his voice.
"Well yes," Minaka replied, his tone laced with impatience as though Reiji was an idiot. "You already know too much about the Game, and I can't risk you blabbing about it if you're not even going to be a player."
"You're the one who told me about the game! Just now!" Reiji argued back, his voice rising with indignation.
"Nevertheless, those are your options," Minaka continued, his tone firm. "Compete in the game of the Gods, and seek to ascend to Heaven...or refuse and be in solitary for six months."
Reiji clenched his fists, the weight of Minaka's ultimatum bearing down on him like a heavy burden. He wanted to refuse; screw this guy for practically forcing him into this. He was perfectly comfortable living his life despite the long work hours and frequent bouts of exhaustion. Did he really need to join some stressful 'game' devised by an obvious madman?
Yet...
He looked at Akitsu, who was looking at him with that same damn melancholic expression. He could see in her eyes that she was expecting him to refuse...and worse, that she wouldn't blame him for it.
Reiji cursed under his breath, a sense of frustration and helplessness washing over him. "Shit..." he muttered, running a hand through his hair in agitation. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" He said to Minaka and Akitsu, then looked right at the ice woman. "I already promised to be your Ashikabi, didn't I?"
Minaka's laughter filled the air, his excitement palpable as he relished in the unfolding drama. Akitsu offered a small smile, her expression a mix of gratitude and anticipation. "Yes, wonderful! I expect great things from you, Matsumoto Reiji. Don't let me down!" With a flourish, Minaka ended the call, the TV screen flickering off abruptly.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Akitsu wrapped her arms around Reiji, pulling him close in a gentle embrace. He could feel the warmth of her body against his, a silent reassurance amidst the chaos that surrounded them. "Thank you, Ashikabi-sama..." she whispered softly, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.
Reiji simply allowed her to hold him, his thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of uncertainty. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind racing as he grappled with the magnitude of what he had just agreed to. What in the hell had he gotten himself into...? But as he felt Akitsu's heartbeat against his chest, he knew that he couldn't back down now.
Mutsu held up the bloody shirt in his hand, his brow furrowed in frustration as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of the elusive Discarded Number. Beside him, his Ashikabi and fellow flock members stood, their expressions tense with anticipation.
"Where is she, Mutsu?" Mikogami's voice carried a distinct edge of frustration, his displeasure evident as he surveyed the empty park. They had received a promising tip about a woman with a unique tattoo on her forehead, potentially the elusive Discarded Number they had been seeking. With rumors circulating about a damaged Sekirei, Mikogami had been eager to add her to his collection. But now, it seemed their quarry had slipped through their fingers.
"She already left," Mutsu replied, his expression grim as he relayed the disappointing news. "I've asked around, and witnesses saw her leaving with a man. Most likely another Ashikabi."
Mikogami's scowl deepened at the revelation, his frustration mounting at the thought of someone else intercepting their target. "Well, I want her! I learned about her first!" he exclaimed, his tone brimming with irritation. "Get all the details you can about this mysterious Ashikabi. If he has the Discarded Number for now, it won't last. She can't be winged, right? So I still have a chance to claim her for myself!"
Mutsu nodded in understanding, his resolve unwavering despite their setback. "Understood, Mikogami-sama. I'll gather as much information as I can," he affirmed, already formulating a plan to track down their elusive prey and ensure that she fell into their hands, no matter the cost.
AN: Always loved Sekirei, and always loved Akitsu. Finally decided to do something with it.
Reiji will get more Sekirei added to his flock eventually. Six, including Akitsu. His flock has already been decided.
Minato will still be in this fic, and Reiji will not steal any of his canon Sekirei. Pinky swear.