Just like with the original chapter, I took some time to get through this chapter. I've just been busy at my end with some other stuff, but I decided to spend a weekend again on some new chapters for this AI fic.

But now, we're back at it again. I was hoping for more support on this fic, but I suppose nothing can be done about that.

We're into the second season of the anime.

This was also the first time we started using the opening song, but I'll leave that one out now.

By 16, you had learned to fight

The way of the warrior you took it as your right

Started on 02/09/2020.

Ended on 06/09/2020

Ichika woke up feeling refreshed after a long night. He had learned much from the hosts in the house. It was comforting to have skin contact; Kazehana's lap was a wonderful place to lie and talk about various matters.

However, it was time to rise and start the day. Stretching, he could feel his body awakening from the slumber. They had talked late into the night about more adventures, and he guessed that neither Minato nor Musubi would be home.

It didn't matter to him. Getting dressed didn't take long, and he knew his next destination. The sounds of Miya training reached his ears, temporarily making him forget his hunger as he watched her.

She moved with a grace reminiscent of how his sister fought, yet Miya seemed more refined and better trained. The woman turned to face him.

"Good morning, Ichika."

"Good morning to you, too," he replied, clearly impressed.

"A morning spar to get your appetite going?" Miya suggested with a smile.

"Sure thing," Ichika responded, taking up a wooden sword and quickly following Miya's lead. She was swift to act and adapt to Ichika's movements. The Knight found he learned more from her than he ever did at the ISA, possibly because it intrigued him more.

Miya provided detailed instructions on focus and fighting techniques, not just movement—specifically, how to hold his sword. Ichika absorbed the lessons quickly and concentrated intensely on Miya.

Miya noted Ichika's rapid thought process. The boy had talent, and she wondered why he hadn't learned as much as he could have. He and Chifuyu were alike, and that woman could hold her own against anyone. It was puzzling that Ichika, still a rookie and fresh off the batch, was so far behind his sister.

Keeping him weak made him dependent on her, a tactic Miya had seen too often. Perhaps the invitation that Minato had extended would change things for Ichika. At least here, he could learn.

Though she wouldn't train him to the point where he could match her—that would take longer than the summer they had—she was determined that some tricks would not be lost on him. As Miya pivoted his sword, she taught him diligently, and Ichika learned swiftly and effectively.

She smiled, feeling a bond forming with him. Ichika reminded her a lot of Minato, not just in appearance but in his eagerness to learn, similar to Musubi.

"You certainly are something," Miya remarked, smiling at the boy who now lay exhausted on the floor. Despite his fatigue and dirt-covered clothes, Ichika lifted his thumbs in approval.

"But you do look horrendous," she giggled while Ichika smirked back.

"Thank you," he replied cleverly, prompting her to tap his leg playfully.

"Stop that. Now, are you going back up, or shall I leave you on the ground for a bit?" asked Miya. Out of breath, Ichika opted to stay put.

"I'm going to catch my breath. Leave me here, and I'll get up later." Miya shook her head and walked away, content to let him rest. As the Knight looked up at the blue sky dotted with white clouds, he found it strangely captivating.

The white panties as well?

Wait?

Panties?

His eyes shot open as Tsukiumi's blue eyes and wavy blond hair shone down at him.

"Good morning, Ichika."

Struggling to focus, he looked up at Tsukiumi, hoping she would let him off quickly—or perhaps she hadn't noticed his predicament.

"Good morning, Tsukiumi."

"Can I asketh why thee art on the ground?" Tsukiumi asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Miya. Rough training. But damn, doesn't it feel good?" Ichika remarked, feeling that he had grown more robust in the past few weeks than he had in months at the ISA. The women were excellent trainers.

"Indeed. Doth thee needeth help?" Tsukiumi inquired.

Ichika pondered for a moment. "Sure."

"Raise thy arms." He obliged, and she took hold of them, effortlessly swinging him onto her back. It wasn't difficult for the Sekirei, and Ichika could only smile as she gently carried him.

"Thanks," he said, appreciating her gentleness.

"Think nothing of it." Tsukiumi put him down gently on his seat. Just then, Kusano crawled into his lap, and Tsukiumi went to assist Miya with breakfast.

Ichika's attention shifted to the youngest. "Morning, big brother Ichika," Kusano yawned adorably, seeking a few more minutes of sleep in a warm lap.

"Morning, Kuu. Slept well?" he asked. She nodded and quietly dozed off again.

The rest of the girls entered the room. Chiho yawned but waved at him. Uzume walked in and playfully tugged on his neck, pulling his face into her chest.

"Morning, Ichika. Do you really have to train first thing in the morning?"

He could only speak when she released him. "I have to train. Besides, wasn't it time you woke up?"

"They're sloths," Kazehana commented as she walked in, dressed in her usual outfit. The Wind Flower tied up her hair with a smile.

"So, that's why she wasn't happy that you woke her up with training," she said, sitting down and giving Ichika a dazzling smile. The Knight nodded to her.

"Good morning, Kazehana."

"To you as well. I suppose you had a pleasant night," she said with a smirk, leaving Ichika open for a joke.

"Well, without Minato around, things aren't as much fun. I can't have a guy to wrap my arms around." Her movements made her body sway, and Ichika had to look away, understanding her insinuation.

"Got that right, Kazehana-tan. Without Minato, it's lonely in bed," Matsu chimed in as she joined the group. The door closed behind Kagari and Takehito.

"True," Ichika shook his head, musing over the irony. Despite all being in love with Minato, none of the girls seemed to hold any grudges about him being out with another woman. "When do you think Minato will come home?"

Kazehana shrugged while Matsu pondered the question. "If they don't do it in the morning, I think we can expect them around ten," Matsu spoke just in time to dodge the playful swat aimed at her head, a move she seemed to anticipate. Ichika could only shake his head at their antics.

His stomach grumbled loudly. After the workout, he was definitely ready for a substantial breakfast.

Once they had eaten, the group prepared to enjoy a hot summer day. Some of the girls went to change, and Ichika also realized that his shirt no longer fit properly. His pants had become too long as well.

Yet, as he was about to leave, Kusano tugged at his sleeve. "Kuu?" he asked gently. She smiled up at him and raised her tiny arms.

"Lift me." Sighing, Ichika picked up Kusano and carried her outside. The river was still flowing beautifully. Tsukiumi was wearing a light dress, and Ichika decided to sit by the river. The cool water made the air more bearable, and with Kusano back in his lap, it seemed he wouldn't be moving anytime soon.

Kusano seemed tired from all the talking; after all, she was still only nine years old. He could wait here until Minato came home. Looking up at the sky, Ichika smiled—a rare moment of peace.

He had a feeling that such moments would be scarce, so he resolved to savor as much tranquility as he could for now.

Line break

Minato woke up after the festival. Unlike Musubi, he had just left the realm of Morpheus. It was late now, but still, snuggling closer to the soft pillows that were Musubi's breasts, and she didn't let him go.

He laid on top of her while she softly stroked his hair. In some moments, she could only claim her Ashikabi like this. Still, hunger had set in, and a loud grumble woke him up.

"Morning Musubi." She kissed her husband as a reply to him. Her wings came out.

"Good morning, Minato. Did you sleep well?" The Ashikabi nodded and smiled at her. Despite the highly erotic way, he did not react. It's not abnormal after the lovemaking of last night.

"Like a log. You?" Musubi kissed him, and she gave him a grin.

"Yes, I did. You want to go home?" Minato rolled off her. He should have seen coming that she would hoist him.

"Yes. But I first want breakfast. In two forms." Minato just raised an eyebrow.

"If you get him there, you can." Musubi looked down on Minato. Yep, that was flaccid. But she knew what she had to do. Musubi went down and began to massage her breasts. It didn't take long before the soft orbs caused the reactions.

Minato loved breasts; that was now a given. She could feel him harden in her tits, and eventually, his head came looking at her.

"Go ahead." She mounted him and softly guided him in. There was no reason to go rough on him. Her hips slammed on Minato as he filled her. Putting his hands behind the pillow, he enjoyed the view of Musubi's tits going up and down.

He found her enjoyable enough to watch her show. She moaned as she just slammed on him. Contrary to what he said, his hips moved back so they met hers. He gritted his teeth as he began to feel up her ass. The soft one of Musubi enjoyed it.

She enjoyed having this. Her muscles were sore, yet there was a certain edge to this pain. Fucking Minato like this.

The night still left its marks on the Ashikabi. Speeding up, Minato began to reach his peak while his moves grew erratic. While she could stand the pain, Minato wanted to release it.

But not before Musubi was done. Luckily, the girls had developed that skill for a quickie. They started slow but used some more speed.

When Minato released in her, her orgasm hit. Pulling out, they would need a shower first.

While they could have more fun, it was enough for one night. After that, they dressed as well as they could.

It was around nine, so finding a restaurant that served breakfast wasn't hard. Both were hungry, and some eggs and bacon were a welcome change in their diet. They ate fast and happily.

It was simple food, but it tasted good. Not much was said as they just smiled at each other.

When Musubi was full and roaring with energy, they could leave for their home.

Line break

As the heat intensified, Ichika noticed that the girls still weren't quite accustomed to his presence. When Kazehana, Uzume, Matsu, and Chiho emerged, all dressed in bikinis, he instinctively looked away. It wasn't as intense as the heatwave a few months ago, but it was still warm enough to justify spending the entire day in swimwear.

Then, the door opened, and a simple announcement was made. "We're home." The girls moved up the hall to greet Minato and Musubi as they entered. Ichika followed, with Kusano perched on his hip.

"Welcome home, Minato. How was the festival?" Kazehana inquired as Musubi beamed at her.

"It was fun. We saw so many things. We really enjoyed it," Minato replied. At his words, Matsu let out a perverted giggle, her imagination running wild.

Ichika exchanged a look with Chiho, and both sighed.

"Quite a few more festivals are coming up that we can all visit," Minato added after receiving affectionate kisses from his flock. He then greeted Ichika with a handshake and a hug.

"Morning, Ichika. Did you have a good night?" Minato asked.

"I heard some good stories from the others. It was great," Ichika responded with a smile.

Kazehana chuckled. "You should have seen him lying there. Good thing you weren't around, Minato." The Ashikabi gave Ichika a questioning look.

Ichika raised his hands defensively. "She gave me a lap pillow. I couldn't get away. She told me to get comfy for the story."

Minato relaxed, his expression softening. Ichika had his lines well-practiced, and Minato knew that despite the teasing, Ichika would never think of betraying him.

"Storytime, huh? I learned a lot," Ichika affirmed.

After their exchange, Minato took over caring for Kusano so Ichika could change into more suitable clothing for the heat.

Musubi also changed into a bikini, adding a touch of visual delight to the afternoon.

Outside, the girls frolicked in their swimwear while Minato took a moment to himself, and Ichika had already completed his training.

"Have you tangled yourself loose from your girls?" Minato joked, handing Ichika a soda. They uncorked their bottles and toasted before taking a sip.

"I am happy with them. I do hope some of my kids are boys. Being outnumbered is one thing, but a few boys would balance it out nicely," Minato mused with a smirk.

"My brother, you've got eight girls. I'm surrounded by 1,200. It's no fun."

"But you didn't knock them up or are responsible for them," Ichika pointed out.

Minato nodded, taking a moment before continuing. "About those friends of yours. I met Dan Gotanda."

Ichika's eyebrow raised as he sipped his fizzy drink. "He's here?"

"So you do know him?" Minato asked, a bit surprised.

"Yep. Middle school buddy. A good friend of mine. Anyone else?" Ichika inquired.

Minato nodded again, sharing a smile that had a hint of something more, something that made Ichika slightly uneasy. That smile wasn't his usual one.

"Houki, it looks like she was dancing for the stage. It's a good thing you weren't around, for that matter," Ichika muttered, his expression darkening.

"Good thing indeed. I wouldn't like it if she found out where I stayed," Minato replied with a wry smile.

"What?" Ichika frowned, puzzled.

"Well, she does know you're here. I guess you told your sister, and she told Houki. And the others. But it doesn't really matter. The city is quite large, and even if she found out exactly where you were..." Minato gestured with a thumb towards his flock. "We've got seven of my Sekirei plus Miya to protect us. I'd say the odds are very much in our favor."

Ichika smiled as he finished off his soda. "I haven't watched that movie. A bit too mature for my liking."

"I haven't indulged much in movies myself. The last few years have been nothing but study. Some time off has been focused on my own studies. Though, I did get some music recommendations," Minato said, raising his bottle towards the sky. "Not everyone wants to rule the world. Some of us want to live in it."

Ichika smiled at Minato. Despite everything, world dominance wasn't on their list. They were similar in that way, thrust into a world they didn't choose.

The difference was that Minato had found his way out. He had earned his prize—a life filled with love, surrounded by friends, with children on the way.

For Ichika, it was just the beginning. "I think I'll need your help. I'll need it a lot, brother. To even hope to survive in this... this game."

Minato patted him on the shoulder. "I've got your back. I wish someone had been around to help me out," he said. The guys smiled at each other, knowing they had nowhere else they'd rather be, and the Sekirei were not like human women.

If they had a day off, they wouldn't fill it with trivial things. They would take it easy. Sure, they could spar and go out, but after a day like today, Minato wanted nothing more than to relax, maybe even sleep.

And Ichika had nothing immediate to worry about; his homework was done.

But the same couldn't be said about the girls.

Line break

Houki could feel her head throbbing as if she had indulged in alcohol, yet not a drop had been touched. The homework before her was excruciatingly difficult, and her phone lay nearby—a tempting escape. Resisting the urge, she decided to call her sister instead.

"Houki? Are you okay?" Yukiko peeked in; concern etched across her face. She was relieved that her older brother had allowed Houki to stay with her. Although Yukiko had no children of her own, she cherished the time she spent caring for Houki, finding much of herself in her niece.

"I'm fine, auntie. Just tired. Maybe jumping into my homework right after the festival wasn't the smartest decision," Houki admitted, clutching her head for emphasis. Yukiko shook her head sympathetically.

"Take a break. You've been at it for hours. Attacking it repeatedly won't help, but a little distance might," Yukiko advised. Houki glared at her textbooks. English was a particular nightmare, a subject she struggled with not only during her school years but also in her everyday life. The temptation to distract herself with music loomed, but she sternly reminded herself not to be led astray.

English seemed almost alien to her, its structure and vocabulary bewilderingly complex.

Deciding a break was indeed necessary, Houki stood, stretching her limbs and loosening the mental knots. As she practiced with her sword, her mind unexpectedly summoned an image of Ichika. She grimaced, feeling a mix of anger and longing. Ichika was her oldest friend and first love. She had hoped that seeing him again after six years might close the distance between them, but the years had only deepened the divide.

She stared at the trinkets on her arm, each a reminder of the Infinite Stratos—her inescapable reality. She had once dreamed of something more with Ichika, but he had changed. She wanted him to be strong and independent, but he seemed dependent on Minato, whom she viewed disdainfully as a lecherous harem king. Why had she once admired him?

"It must be Minato's influence," she concluded bitterly. Determined to break free from these influencing forces, she resolved to contact Ichika to help him—if not for him, then for her own peace of mind.

With renewed resolve, Houki returned to her books, only to find herself once again resting her forehead on the table. Literature proved to be nearly as challenging as English.

Unbeknownst to her, she was not the only one wrestling with academic challenges.

Rin slammed her hand down on the desk in frustration. If only she knew that Houki had done the same not too long ago. Dressed in light clothes due to the unrelenting heat, Rin felt as if her attire did little to hide her discomfort. Mathematics, she was convinced, was the source of all evil.

The necessity of getting the trigonometry right gnawed at her, yet the concepts tangled into a complex web in her mind, inducing nightmares. Her frustration was amplified by a recent visit to Chifuyu, which had left her emotionally charged and distracted.

She leaned back in her chair, allowing her overheated brain a moment to cool. Unbidden, thoughts of Ichika drifted into her mind.

How little she truly knew about him now.

Rin had chosen to stay in Japan rather than return to her so-called home. Yet, what was home? The more she thought about it, the clearer it became: Ichika was her sense of home. He made her feel grounded, something she doubted Minato could understand—a fact that Houki was painfully aware of.

In the months following their reunion, Ichika had changed from the naïve boy she had fallen in love with into a more cynical, biting young man. Rin considered whether she might have been too forward, too pushy, but she quickly dismissed the thought. No, it was Minato's influence, she concluded bitterly—the man and his entourage of captivating wives had tainted Ichika. A particular photograph came to mind, heightening her sadness; it showcased just how beautiful those women were.

The human girl wasn't particularly remarkable, and the child was average, but the other six were incredibly well-endowed. Rin couldn't help but wonder about the unfair distribution of such attributes.

"God, how do you decide who receives and who doesn't? Why don't I qualify?" she whispered to herself, her voice a mix of envy and resignation.

Sighing deeply, Rin contemplated making a trip back home. But would it even make a difference? There was little to no distinction between spending her summer in Japan or China. Either way, she'd be alone.

With a mountain of homework that stubbornly refused to complete itself.

Deciding that enough was enough, Rin stood up. She needed a break—a moment to step away and possibly check in on her neighbors. Perhaps a brief escape from her academic and emotional turmoil could provide some much-needed clarity.

Just like Rin, Laura faced her own academic nemesis. While mathematics presented its challenges, the absolute beast was Japanese—a stark contrast to Houki's struggle with English. For Laura, who had learned English in the army, the language's grammatical similarities to German or Dutch made it relatively easy to grasp. However, Japanese was an entirely different story.

Despite her efforts and lessons from Clarissa, the Japanese remained a daunting obstacle. She and Charlotte had spent hours trying to decipher the intricacies of the language, exhausting every resource at their disposal.

As Laura wrestled with her studies, her thoughts inevitably drifted to Ichika, the man she had once declared as her wife.

Yet, the reality of their relationship had not quite settled in. No matter how often the girls explained it, Ichika didn't behave like her spouse. He seemed to prefer solitude, a trait that made Laura question their bond.

Ichika had saved her life, a fact she could never forget, but his friendships, particularly with Minato Sahashi, left her uneasy. She couldn't shake the suspicion that he might take advantage of the women around him.

It was baffling to Laura how her instructor had ever allowed such a friendship to form. She considered visiting Minato later to see for herself what type of influence he indeed was on Ichika.

Turning her head, Laura noticed Charlotte face down in her books. Although the French girl mastered the language with relative ease, Japan's long and tumultuous history was proving to be too much for her.

The constant shifts in power, the endless game of thrones that brought death and despair, baffled her. Why rulers came and went and the historical significance behind these changes were questions that seemed almost rhetorical in their complexity.

Why was this knowledge even necessary for an ISA student like Charlotte Dunois? Exhausted and frustrated, Charlotte had slammed her book shut, her brain aching from the effort.

Both Laura and Charlotte felt the weight of their foreignness, the struggle of mastering a complex language and understanding a culture steeped in layers of history that were alien to their European upbringing. A common challenge bound them, yet each faced it in her own way, reflecting on their personal connections to Ichika and their roles in a broader narrative.

As the evening wore on, the two exchanged weary glances, finding solace in their shared struggle. They decided to take a much-needed break, stepping away from their studies to clear their minds and perhaps find a fresh perspective upon their return.

Line break.

Charlotte's mind was clouded with dreams, and in them, Ichika was always her knight in shining armor—literally. Ever since their revealing encounter in the bath, she had felt herself grow distant from him. She had been closer to him than any of the other girls and understood his discomfort with his current situation—a feeling she related to deeply.

Yet, as much as she sympathized with Ichika, a schism had formed between them, widening further during a fateful day at the beach.

Shaking her head, Charlotte tried to dismiss the guilt. It wasn't solely her fault—or Ichika's. She blamed Minato, who she believed had corrupted Ichika with notions of a harem lifestyle.

Did she want to be part of that? Deep down, she still yearned for Ichika all to herself, a desire complicated by her understanding of love and loyalty.

As Charlotte wrestled with her thoughts about Ichika and Minato, Cecilia faced her own set of challenges, though of a different nature.

Her respect for Chelsea had soared as she grappled with the mundane yet daunting tasks of cooking and cleaning—skills she had never expected to be so challenging. Cecilia had always thought such duties were meant for men, yet Chelsea performed them with such grace and efficiency that they were almost enviable.

Chelsea had not made it easy, though. She teased Cecilia relentlessly, even snapping photos when Cecilia donned a maid outfit for the first time. These jests only added to Cecilia's frustration, compounded by Chelsea's constant reminders of Cecilia's obvious affection for Ichika.

To Cecilia, Ichika represented what a true man ought to be—resilient, bold, and unyielding. Yet, her admiration was tinged with irritation over his friendship with Minato Sahashi, a man she considered a pervert despite his prowess in gathering a harem of Sekirei.

It baffled her how Ichika could so casually collaborate with Minato, even coordinating to take down threats like the Silver Gospel.

As she struggled with her home economics assignments, Cecilia's thoughts drifted to other subjects she dreaded, like biology and classical Japanese. These academic challenges seemed impossible at times, but her daydreams of a future with Ichika provided a scandalous yet sweet escape. She imagined a life where Ichika was not only her butler but her lover, the father of her children. The thought was indeed scandalous, but it brought a secretive smile to her lips.

Line break

Ichika dodged a fist, foregoing a sword to master hand-to-hand combat. Over the past few days, he and Musubi had been practicing intensely, learning to read each other's movements and adjust their strength accordingly. Ichika didn't hold back, pushing Musubi to gauge just how much she needed to restrain herself to offer him, which was still a real challenge.

Their sparring session had been going on for ten intense minutes. Minato, watching from the sidelines, shook his head in disbelief as Ichika delivered a relentless series of blows.

Though Minato had been training, his prowess could not match Sekirei's, but his flock appreciated his growing physical strength nonetheless. In a real fight, he would defer to them, yet he was prepared to defend if necessary.

The sparring intensified. Everyone winced as Ichika landed a savage uppercut, forcing Musubi to stagger back several feet. Ichika narrowly avoided her retaliatory kick, then used her momentum against her in a fluid motion, twisting her arm and pinning it down. But Musubi was quick to react, grabbing his clothes and pulling him to the floor with her.

"Stop." Miya's commanding voice echoed over the training area, halting them in their tracks. They could have continued—Musubi might have kicked Ichika down, or he could have rolled away to regain his footing—but Miya wasn't willing to take the risk.

Ichika relaxed and stood, a grin spreading across his face despite another loss. The current score stood at twenty-five wins for Musubi, zero for him.

"Again?" he asked, undeterred.

Tsukiumi sighed at his persistence while Musubi's face lit up with eagerness. They had been sparring for five hours straight, taking only minimal breaks to hydrate after skipping dinner.

Uzume leaned in to whisper something to Minato, whose expression suggested he'd rather not know the details, judging by Chiho's blushing face nearby.

"I'm ready to go again if you are," Musubi declared, bouncing on the balls of her feet, ready for another round.

"Enough," Miya interjected firmly as everyone turned to her. "I understand both of you want to train, but it's past dinner time. While this has been entertaining to watch, you both have trained enough. We are eating now." No objections followed her decree.

Post-training, Ichika, and Musubi changed into their regular clothes, postponing their bath until after dinner. The meal was a lively affair, filled with conversation and plans for the future. Later, the more mature members of the group left to inspect the new house they would be moving into in just a few weeks.

Exhausted, Ichika felt his body demanding rest. The day had been long and grueling, and despite his eagerness, he needed to recharge. He made a mental note to talk to Musubi later, recognizing her understanding and support throughout their training.

Tucking Kusano into bed as Minato had not yet returned, Ichika retired for the night. The day's efforts weighed heavily on him as he lay back, fist raised to the sky in a silent vow to keep pushing himself. Despite the losses, he refused to stay down—a testament to his growing strength and determination.

As sleep claimed him, thoughts of the upcoming school term mingled with frustration. The transition back to school felt like an interruption to his progress, a sentiment that left him restless. Yet, he knew that without the support of his friends and the Sekirei, he would never reach his full potential. The journey was far from over, and every challenge was an opportunity to grow stronger.

Line break

As sleep enveloped Ichika, his subconscious mind spun a tapestry of surreal encounters and whispered fears. In his dream, he wandered, the echo of a haunting melody playing in the background. "How long on this longest day? 'Till we finally make it through," the lyrics repeated, guiding his steps into the unfamiliar and the ominous.

"What the?" Ichika muttered as he arrived at an unknown destination, his heart rate accelerating as a voice laced with malice called out to him, promising pain.

Turning around, he faced a dark void, the absence of light mirroring his uncertainty. "Who is there?" he called into the darkness, only to be greeted by familiar voices, each carrying a tone of demand, accusation, and betrayal.

"Ichika, come here," one called, its familiarity sending a shiver down his spine.

"I demand your presence," another voice declared haughtily.

"My wife. Come here," echoed a third, more intimate and accusing.

The voices swirled around him, a cacophony of claims and accusations. The figures of the girls he knew, the ones he had fled from, emerged from the void, pushing him to the edge.

Panicked, Ichika ran, his legs carrying him as fast as they could through the unending darkness. His mind raced, overwhelmed by distorted voices and a growing sense of dread. Then, out of nowhere, a silhouette appeared, its form unfamiliar and unsettling.

"I want you. My pet," the figure whispered, sending chills down Ichika's spine as he stumbled backward, desperate to escape.

Muscle soreness gripped him, a testament to the battles he had fought, both real and imagined. Confusion reigned as a bear suddenly appeared in his path, followed by a wall of water—abilities reminiscent of Tsukiumi's, yet tainted by unfamiliar malice.

As the silhouette approached, giggling menacingly, Ichika screamed. He found himself strapped to a table, a dark shadow looming over him. The figure, cat-like with blue fur, brandished a whip, its intentions clear.

Just as the whip was about to strike, a growl cut through the tension. A large and imposing wolf with familiar brown fur confronted the cat. "It looks like I am not staying around. Although I don't like my prey spoiled," the cat declared, its presence offering a fleeting sense of relief.

Ichika awoke abruptly, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to orient himself. He was safe in his bed at Maison Izumo, the bizarre dream still vivid in his mind. Glancing at the clock, he noted it was past three in the morning. Despite the urge to return to sleep, the remnants of the dream lingered, unsettling him.

He resolved to consult Matsu later about the dream's meaning, hoping she could offer some insights. For now, he needed to calm his racing thoughts and try to find some rest before the challenges of the new day.

This was one again in late April, 20/04/2024. But well, I am back again on getting more done on this chapter.

It's what it is.

It's time to get more work done, plus writing and taking care of other bits.

Saluut.