This chapter was done back in 2022 when things were still lighting up, and it appears that it still hasn't come down.
It was quite a year, and it still shows in that.
But still, I was up for a new chapter now in this weekend. Having a bit saved up couldn't hurt.
Started on 27/12/2022
Ended on 14/01/2023
He's walkin' like a dead man
If he had lived, he would have crucified us all
The news was that the most dangerous foe of The Sekirei Plan had been freed. However, Kanzashi Sarashiki's message had been chilling.
Musubi was the only one hoping that Karasuba would return to the land of the living, but the rest of the group, Miya included, were not happy to hear it. Even Miko Sekirei was worried about facing Karasuba. There was no way she would be prepared to fight her.
"Oh, we're screwed," Minato felt his gut drop when he realized Karasuba was back out there.
His mind began to calculate. He wouldn't let his girls fight that bloodthirsty MBI hound. At least when The Sekirei Plan was active, she was bound by some rules. Now, those were gone. Karasuba was now going after the Sekirei who had put her down. She was too mean to die.
The Sekirei, the bogeywoman of MBI, was now out there, hunting for them.
"When is she going to get here?" He would thank Matsu later for not cutting contact with Kanzashi. The youngest Sarashiki proved to be an invaluable asset to their mission.
The clacking of a keyboard made Matsu see her rival in a friendlier light.
"She burst out of the tube. I wasn't going to pay attention when five of the fighters were down. In a real combat scenario, that would be enough to be counted as combat-ineffective. When that popped up, I was worried beyond belief. Rumors on the internet are circling about her. I was going to wait for a bit."
Matsu's teeth were grinding as she heard the talking.
"I don't need to know all that! When is she going to be here?"
"In about ten minutes. She is flying through the city to your location. Something is drawing her to you. Not a damn clue what it is. You Sekirei are bizarre creatures. But I'll leave you to it." And with that, Kanzashi got naturally quiet.
The Sekirei all heard the news, and Minato was almost going to call the rest back. However, he doubted that many would fight. None of them had forgotten the horrible and vicious nature of Karasuba, and he had more than once said this would be the repaid debt that many had for him. He couldn't call them back now.
Ichika developed his machine, and the Sekirei were horrified to see their brother fight.
"Ichika."
"I am responsible for this. Karasuba might be here for me. I'm going to stop her."
Miya stood in front of him to prevent him from taking off. The Pillar would be the only thing that could keep reason in this.
"Ichika, you cannot fight, not against a creature like her. Karasuba would kill you and toss you aside. Your machine would only be the metal coffin that she uses to send you to the afterlife."
The boy gulped when he heard Miya's serious tone. She wasn't joking and would kick his ass if he tried anything. She was strong enough to do just that and had the energy to deal with Karasuba.
"Why is she here now? I thought she was done." Chiho was just as horrified as the others.
Minato hoped the stress wouldn't be detrimental to them. But facing Karasuba was a sure way to lose his Sekirei.
"Sekirei works on strong emotions. Most of us run on love. But others, like fury, power, and hardship, can push through. They are what fuel us."
Ichika wouldn't be saying that. It would explain a lot, given how the Sekirei treated him. He was already considered somewhat of a family.
"Karasuba is another being on another level. She was fueled by hatred, nihilism, and a thirst for blood. After the Sekirei Plan ended, she ripped out her own damn core to prevent her from waking up."
Ichika shuddered when he heard how Kazehana talked about the lady.
"I understand that. But that doesn't explain why she woke up now. Why?"
The Sekirei turned to a bunch of unconscious women on Minato's porch. That was already enough explanation for the male Pilot. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ichika was about to lose his composure.
"You have got to be kidding me. They are the reason why that lady is awake?"
Kagari had already begun to think about why that would be.
"They have a twisted form of love for you. And all brought together in a fight. It might be the reason why Karasuba woke up again and is now going after us."
Miya brandished her sword, and a determination set in.
"I'll halt Karasuba. If she gets close, she'll murder all of you." The Pillar was ready to fight for her former and current tenants this time.
"That is not a good idea, Miya. If you were to meet her, she would be determined to get here, and you two would level the entire city. We need to have fighters that are better for this."
Matsu had seen what both of them could do on the island. Both of them would destroy the entire city. It was a miracle that Miya had given up the sword because it would be a disaster.
"And who do you suggest we call in for that, Matsu? We can't fight, in case you forgot. And sending our little brother in, I am not going to send Ichika against her."
Uzume spoke the mind of everyone in the room.
Tsukiumi was the one who looked at the girls who had brought this disaster to their doorstep.
"Husband, can I wake those vermin up?"
"Don't we have trouble enough already? Really, Tsukiumi. We should worry about the one who is coming our way." Kazehana waved her hair while Minato waited on what his Waterdere had to say.
"Tsukiumi?" The question was something that Minato wanted to hear.
"We are looking for fighters. Those women can do that just for us."
Ichika developed his machine as he looked over at the women around him.
"If something happens, do you want to help me keep them away? I think we have bigger worries."
As a protective chain, the Sekirei formed around Ichika. But, as usual, Miya kept her distance. So the Ashikabi turned to her.
"Miya, do you want to help me convince those girls to stop Karasuba?"
The question was answered as quickly as Minato realized they would need her help.
"Of course. It would be my pleasure." Tsukiumi took that as her cue to summon a few blobs of ice-cold water above the girls.
Dropping it down, Ichika would admit it was immensely satisfying to see those girls shiver, sputter, and curse as they were woken up in the most unpleasant way possible.
"Good day, you all." Minato had his arms crossed while the Sekirei wrapped around him.
"Minato Sahashi." Some of the looks he received were the most scornful he had ever received.
"Some of you know me personally, and others do not. It does not matter. What does matter is the fact that you are going to listen to me."
Minato never knew how Ichika would withstand the cacophony of noise that came out of the mouths of those girls.
"Enough! All of you, shut up!" The bark was harsh and brutal, enough to keep them quiet.
"You got your butts beaten by the friends that I called in. So basically, you are the losers and have to play out my orders."
Before he could continue his request, Airis had veered up and glared at him.
"Who are you? I, the princess of Luxembourg, am not going to listen to some playboy. My servant must return to me."
"She is right. Or partly right." Laura had also begun to talk out of turn. "My wife is the one who should be back."
"Ichika has to come back to the school. That is why we have come to this city." Cecilia was unhappy.
"Those Europeans made one good point. The school is where Ichika belongs." Rin had jumped up.
"I agree with Rin. The school is the best place for Ichika to learn about proper conduct. In your presence, it'll only degrade." Houki looked as proud as ever.
"If Ichika stays here, he'll only become a bigger pervert." Charlotte had spoken her five cents.
"I think that Ichika's potential is wasted here. This big sister will teach him those." Tatenashi also added her ideas.
Ichika could only despair when he thought about it.
'Were these the girls that just confessed their love to me? Not that I would say yes to that.'
Minato turned to Miya as she understood the message. Even in the house full of Sekirei, they were at least a lot better behaved than the wenches on the floor. Summoning a Hannya mask, about the most dreadful they had seen, Minato swore that there was smoke from the eyes and the most gentle smile. The tongue appeared to be serpentine as it hung out of the mouth. Unlike most masks, this one had smaller eyes, but the most striking feature was the blade in the mouth. It frowned at the girls. This wasn't a Hannya mask. No, this was a Shinigami. It did the trick on the girls to shut them up.
"Now, that is settled. Some of you might know who Karasuba is. I'll tell you what she is. The big villain of The Sekirei Plan. Because my former tenants can't fight, and Ichika alone isn't a good idea, you are going to fight her."
The nine IS girls on the floor had their mouths drop open as they heard what Miya wanted from them.
"You want us to fight her, Miya? Are you out of your mind?" Chifuyu had heard the endless stories from Tabane, who told her about the Sekirei when the scientist was drunk off her rocker.
She would continue to run her mouth like verbal diarrhea. There, Chifuyu Orimura would grow a low tolerance for stupid bullshit as Tabane would rant about the great hound of MBI and how strong and scary she was. It was dumb, trivial shit, things that Chifuyu wasn't even remotely interested in.
Meanwhile, Chifuyu wasn't worried about Karasuba one bit. The bitch had supposedly died when The Sekirei Plan ended.
"Karasuba is dead. It's what I heard." Tatenashi shot back as she eyed Miya.
"She was. She was dead. And you brought her back." Matsu stood further from the IS girls, still around Ichika, but also to get out of the way of those crazy girls.
"Your obsessive, disgusting, and horrible way of love, with your own insecurities that result in your acting out and self-righteous nature, is what brought you here after sweet Ichika, and now, it is what brought that hound back. You can be proud of yourselves. The biggest danger is Karasuba."
Ichika had never thought that Kazehana would be so cold, callous, and calculated, yet here she was. She was breaking down the girls in a way that hadn't done much to them. Ichika realized there was much more to Kazehana than he would have guessed. But here she was.
"Besides what Miya said. You were the ones who brought Karasuba here, and she has woken up; you are going to stop her. Is that understood? I am the one who won, and to the victor go the spoils."
And with that said, the girls listened to what Minato announced.
"That or I let my landlady loose on you."
All nine would have horrible nightmares from that visage, so they would not want to see that again.
"It was your selfish perversion of love that has brought that demon back to life. It is your duty to bring her back to life."
"Okay, fine, you win," Chifuyu shouted at him while the rest of them got ready. Of course, they would never know how their shield points got back up, but they all knew that it was Matsu's doing.
Ichika got up and joined the Infinite Stratos girls. His glare extended to all of them, but then he relaxed as he turned to Minato.
"I'll go with them."
"Out of the question, Ichika. You think that you can stop Karasuba?" Ichika turned to his best friend.
"Listen, Minato. You'll need someone you can trust and order in this fight. Plus, from what you told me of Karasuba, having me on this destroy mission." Minato wanted to open his mouth as he knew that Ichika wouldn't be able to face that monster alone.
Miya nodded to him. She would be there as well as in a last case if the others fell. But Ichika was someone that Minato could order, unlike Miya.
"I will come with you."
The Knight shook his head and nodded to the Sekirei.
"They need you here more than I do. Look after your wives, and then help me with my troubles. Matsu, do you know where Karasuba is?"
The Sekirei of Wisdom used the data she received from Kanzashi.
"She's about five kilometers south of here. You can't miss her."
Ichika activated his machine and flew off. The other Infinite Stratos followed him. Miya wouldn't stand idle and do nothing while some others fought.
"I'll best be after them. We'll come back when this is over." With that said and done, the Pillar of the Sekirei flew after the Infinite Stratos.
The Sekirei could only look at their loved ones, risking their lives for them. Minato was about to run after them but found a few arms restricting him.
"You heard our little brother." Kazehana gently admonished him.
"He'll be fine, Minato," Musubi added.
"Ichika is a strong one, hubby." Uzume wouldn't let him go either.
Matsu took out a headset that was hidden by her cleavage. Sekirei's hands clearly made the phone she showed Minato.
"You're already linked up with Ichika. You can give him instructions via this." The Ashikabi nodded and put it on. Pulling the mic down, Minato talked right into it.
"Ichika, do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear. I'm not even going to ask how you are doing this. By the way, Matsu, I love you for that radar. I got Karasuba on it. How do we handle her?"
"Karasuba is a master swordswoman. In close quarters, I doubt that you or the others would stand a chance. Let the long-range fighters and—"
He was about to continue his conversation when a rude voice cut him off.
"Who are you to give us orders? A playboy like you has no right to order me around."
He recognized the voice as Cecilia.
"Alcott? How the fuck are you on this channel?"
A dry voice coughed in, one that he didn't recognize, and gave an explanation that was sardonic and telling in nature.
"I did. You think you're oh so powerful. It is too bad that technology moved on. Whatever your little Sekirei is using, it's not that hard to hack in. I'd be grabbing a few chairs." Pulling one ear out, he mouthed 'Kanzashi' to Matsu.
The Sekirei of Wisdom was glaring at the idea that her comms were hacked. Meanwhile, Kazehana had recruited a few Sekirei to take out chairs. Some might say that was too much for some pregnant ladies, but it was some exercise.
The Miko Sekirei even had a computer screen for Matsu, who was all too happy to connect the several CCTV cameras that were still under her spell, dating back to The Sekirei Plan.
"Kanzashi? How did you? Ah, screw it! Did you link us all up?"
The clacks of a keyboard were heard, and Minato was half-convinced that Matsu and Kanzashi might actually be friends. Given all the psychos hanging around their little brother, she would be the best choice.
Although Kanzashi wasn't looking for love at all at this point, if a nerd with a stuck-up complex was his best choice, Ichika would still be better off single. Then again, the girls' confessions were something to go on.
The Ashikabi shook his head. For now, they had bigger things to worry about.
"I made it so that your connection is running to everyone, Sahashi. Everyone hearing this, keep your pie holes shut. Sahashi knows the stuff we are dealing with. I got some news about this Black Sekirei. It is not pretty. So if you want to live, you listen to what Minato Sahashi has to say."
Minato was glad that he didn't have to argue with those crazy bitches and that Kanzashi had taken over.
"Thank you, Kanzashi. Before I was so rudely interrupted, Karasuba was a crazy good swordswoman. Getting close isn't a good idea. Luckily for you, you got a few long-range fighters." He nodded to Matsu as she was turning up her PCs.
"Sarashiki, I'm going to let Matsu connect to you. If memory serves me, Alcott, your sister, Dunois, and Bodewig use long-range weapons. Is that correct?"
They heard the smirk from Kanzashi.
"Good guess. But they are not alone. Luxembourg is also good with guns. She has two big guns on her wings." The Ashikabi could breathe a bit easier again when he heard that.
"They're going to need that. Ichika, you have to wait. Your own sister can be used for this. Maybe give her your sword to borrow. Shinonono, Huang, and Emulail have to hold back a little. It's the only way you'd be able to get through it. Barrages of artillery. You get what I mean."
Ichika found the level of professionalism in Minato inspiring. So maybe this wouldn't be so bad. They had more help coming through, and it would be something that could close this disaster.
It had been ages since he had flown, yet he was easy to keep up. Finally, however, his head did turn a bit, and he saw both Chifuyu and Miya running after the group. He was somewhat surprised and relieved that both could keep up, although one had more trouble with that than the other.
Ichika didn't want either of them to fight Karasuba. Although, at the same time, Miya had been a hundred times stronger than Karasuba (he heard the stories from Kazehana, Matsu, and Minato), Karasuba didn't have the honor, empathy, and humanity that Miya carried in spades.
Ichika had no illusions that Miya could have murdered his sister and that she would have murdered Chifuyu. A place of mind thought she should have murdered the only family that he ever had. And he knew damn well that Karasuba wouldn't be as merciful as Miya. So, if Ichika was honest, he didn't want either to fight Karasuba.
It wasn't who you were born with. It was who you bled, fought, and, in this case, died for.
Minato had risked his life all too often for Ichika during all this time. Yet, he, his best friend, his older brother, taught him all the things he had to learn. It hadn't taken long before they ended up before Karasuba.
There was a part where Ichika thanked every deity that he could think of (and probably a ton more that he wasn't sure existed) that he had lived an entire summer with the Sekirei, where shame and modesty were a second thought. But, of course, women didn't mind if he caught a bit of the eye.
Karasuba's body wasn't in the same fashion as Kazehana's. Or Matsu or any of the Sekirei that Minato had winged. The others were also well-formed and generously gifted in terms of womanly attributes.
Karasuba wasn't like them. She was lean and long, and her body was littered with scars. Wearing would be the closest term that Ichika could actually think of to the torn hospital gown she had on. He did wonder why she had grabbed a sword, though. He hoped that no one had met her during this. Otherwise, they would be dead.
"Oh, so this is what I get? A few idiots were flying a clunky machine. Yet, I could feel the dread coming from you. Is this what brought me back to life?"
Her voice was dry, low, and sarcastic. Ichika didn't think a living being could talk like that. The rest of the girls had halted. Ichika was glad that he didn't have to speak.
Next to him were Houki, Rin, and Djbril. With him, they had four close-quarters fighters. Counting Miya and his sister in, they were at six, although he hoped they wouldn't fight. But, as suggested, Cecilia, Charlotte, Airis, and Tatenashi stood back.
"You must be Karasuba. The Black Sekirei. Glad to put a name to the damned face. Got a question, though. Why did you come back here?"
Karasuba's eyes went flat as she looked over the group that stood before her.
"You are shit out of luck. I'm too mean to die."
Ichika scoffed at the reply. However, it made Karasuba even angrier about the disrespect she got from Ichika.
Meanwhile, the rest stood back as they could feel the killing intent from Karasuba. They were coupled with the fact that they had just gotten their asses beaten by other Sekirei, and throughout this short flight, they had heard the words from Minato, who relayed the information of Karasuba. They would never underestimate this woman as Kanzashi began to pull out more data.
This Hound had just lost its master and was now on the run herself. And it had felt the prey. The feelings of love that had sickened Karasuba when she was alive. The idealistic Musubi who had challenged her ideas and the way how she would try to change Karasuba.
It was why she picked Natsuo. Her Ashikabi had looked back on love and the rest as a worthless endeavor. It was all forms of irony that it was due to a perversion of love that it had brought her back. She could feel how the girls were the ones. Their feelings had reached her and brought her back from the dead.
"Even so, it seems that you are things I haven't seen before. Any particular reason why the rest of them are women?"
Ichika scoffed back at Karasuba, who seemed to be surprised by the way how he handled her.
"I'm the first male Pilot. It sucks to be me, though. But that isn't the point. I take you're after Minato and his Sekirei?"
It surprised Karasuba to hear the names of Musubi and her Ashikabi. It was ironic that it wasn't the one who put her down that she wanted to fight. But, no, the feelings that had brought her back were here.
"Oh, you know that Sahashi? I am surprised, though, that you are the one facing me. I take that Mu-chan wanted to fight me. How did you stop him?"
Ichika wanted to keep her entertained for as long as he could. However, he couldn't feel Miya's presence yet, so until she got here as a judge, he would keep Karasuba talking to him. Plus, even though he knew that the IS girls were utterly inept in everyday relationships, they had spread around Ichika.
Airis and Djbril had also been standing back before they would join in. Cecilia stood back while Charlotte and Laura took positions to keep her from running. Houki and Rin had chosen his left flank to take down Karasuba. Tatenashi had chosen the right, and until the rest settled in, Ichika would talk to Karasuba.
"Didn't really need to. You've been out long enough for him to knock up his Sekirei. Kids are expected to come in June. Even Musubi knew that it wasn't wise to fight you."
Ichika could feel comfortable around him. The feeling that he was safe. He had Miya (and, for some reason, his sister) watching over him. He didn't even need to look up to see his teacher. Miya was watching from afar. She wouldn't interfere unless Ichika lay underneath Karasuba's feet, ready to be killed.
The Pillar of the Sekirei would never let her pupil be taken.
"Oh, did he knock her up?"
Ichika had summoned Yukihira. Ichika had a feeling of disgust and loathing for the sword. But it was the best way to fight against Karasuba.
"Not just her. All of them. Well, at least, with the exception of Kusano. It would be wrong. Oh, and Musubi is going to call her daughter Yume."
That did the trick of setting Karasuba off. Luckily, though, for the other girls, her fury was right on Ichika. The male Pilot welcomed the challenge as his thruster set in.
'Fuck. They weren't exaggerating. She is insane. Still…' With a battle roar, Ichika pushed back at Karasuba, who could not believe that a human had managed to halt her.
"You're nothing like Miya."
Shame wasn't a word in her book as Karasuba got up in the air. What she hadn't expected (again) was Ichika going right after her.
"You can fly?!"
"Yep!" Ichika shouted as he began to clash with Karasuba. But unlike the usual fight that Karasuba had, this time, she was feeling the blows.
But Ichika wouldn't let her dictate how this fight would go. Turning on his back, he sent Karasuba back to the ground.
"Fire!"
None of the women were those he would see as equal partners. But if there was one thing that Ichika never doubted, it was the fact that the ladies could fight.
Karasuba got a couple of shots that hit her from afar. Then, her focus shifted from Cecilia until her well-honed instincts told her to roll out of the way. Karasuba had never once thought about the definition of a bullet hose. Yet, here she was, dodging the bullets in the air. It made her more vulnerable to retaliation from behind.
Daggers snapped around her throat.
"Don't keep her in those. Smash her into something!" Laura was not one to take orders, but Ichika's authority made it all too clear that she wasn't the one who could talk back.
Before the German could carry out the order, she heard a line coming through.
"Let us soften her up a bit!"
Houki was the first strike, while Rin bombarded her with the canon on her shoulders. Tatenashi was the next one but found that the spear of Tatenashi had also found a place in her.
"You little bitch!"
Tatenashi's smirk infuriated her even further.
Ichika admitted he had a massive amount of schadenfreude when he witnessed how Karasuba grabbed the face of Tatenashi and used to clean up the pavement. Could he have stepped in to stop her? Sure. But why would he? Ichika wasn't the one who wanted to fight. And he wasn't fighting to protect the girls in the school. No, by stopping Karasuba, he would start to repay the debt that he owed Minato.
But when Karasuba raised her sword to kill Tatenashi, he flew in through. The eyes of Karasuba looked up as she felt her nodachi hitting the katana of Ichika. Then, bursting her through a few concrete walls, they ended up at a riverfront. Rolling over her back, Karasuba smirked as she felt the power of Ichika.
"I have to admit. You seemed to be better than those girls. Still." A wipe of the sword proved the power that Karasuba possessed.
"It won't be enough to defeat me."
Ichika prepared for another fight, but Karasuba wanted to talk more.
'Damn it. They weren't joking. This lady is crazy. Still…' With a battle roar, Ichika pushed back at Karasuba, who could not believe that a human had stopped her.
"I do wonder, though. Why did you stop me? Couldn't stand the loss of your friends."
Ichika took a deep breath and spat out quite a bit of saliva. He was working up a nice sweat.
"Not really. If you killed her, it would bring too much shit to my doorstep. Got enough mess to clean up as it is."
Karasuba smiled when she saw Ichika. Young, strong, driven. Yet, there was a hardness in him. And a softness as well.
"Do enlighten me. For who do you fight? What do you want to do by killing me? How do you want to stop me?"
Ichika didn't think he would wait for the girls. He had tested the waters and could feel he could take a bit more of a beating. He raced to Karasuba, who stood ready for the impact. But he wouldn't use his full power. Why usually take the double-edged weapon if he could get her down?
"I don't fight for them. I want to keep Minato safe. And I am." The swords connected again. Sparks flew again when the blades crossed. Ichika wasn't afraid to die. He was unshakeable; He would stop Karasuba.
He didn't even notice how the rest had already caught up to him. But this time, Miya was more visible. And not just from his point of view.
From the corner of her eye, the Hound of MBI had spotted a very pleasing sight.
"MIYA!" The roar was feral, like a starved beast that had found fat and slow prey.
Karasuba kicked Ichika away and went straight for the Pillar. While Miya still carried her sword, it wouldn't be until the last moment that she would unsheathe her weapon.
Fortunately for Karasuba, shots rang through, stopping her attempt to kill Miya. But, unfortunately, she had also found annoying bits like those girls again. Her frustration grew when she felt another hit coming through. The girl with two swords had taken the initiative to slash at her. But, when she turned her head, the girl had already flown off.
Before her idea could form to decimate that girl, a load pushed her even further. Karasuba might have despised humanity, but she knew the weapons they wielded. It appeared the girl with the orange uniform was using something that she heard being described as a shotgun.
"You little shits!"
Ichika began to think about that one.
'Can't actually say she is wrong. But.' When he was airborne, he crashed into Karasuba, who was somewhat thrilled to see him.
"Now, I get it! You had the nun's teaching!"
Ichika pondered a second about who she could mean.
"Don't act surprised. I know who taught you how to fight. Miya taught you!"
Ichika forced Karasuba back onto the river bank as he wouldn't allow her to come close to Miya. His eyes kept honing in on Karasuba while he breathed in. He could feel his blood running through him as his heart was beating even faster. Yet, he was as calm as he could get.
Karasuba smirked as she felt the strength in Ichika. He wasn't holding back as she felt another wave of pain. And despite that, she couldn't get away from him. Ichika was keeping her just at him. Even with the allies around him, Ichika didn't trust them.
"You're interesting. Can I have your name before I kill you?"
"Ichika."
"Well then, Ichika. Die!" Karasuba broke off her attack before she jumped up. Ichika looked around as Karasuba went flying right at him.
It was like he was almost lazy by bringing up Yukihira. It was all too easy to block, and Karasuba grinned at him while he stopped the nodachi.
"It appears you're not normal. But still, I." The sword just pressed on Ichika, who didn't budge and stood comfortably ready while the blade struggled.
"What? Can't get through." From the corners of his eyes, he could see the others moving.
"Don't interfere!" It took the girls aback when he barked that order.
Karasuba didn't seem surprised by it, though. She preferred it.
"Oh, don't trust them. Not going to give me that crap about love and all that?"
Ichika's eyes were flat like Karasuba staring into the darkest abyss.
"I don't love them." It was just pure indifference that Ichika had for the girls. Not hate.
"I am not telling what I have been through." At that point, Ichika activated his full power and crashed through Karasuba's sword. The nodachi swung up, and it was all up in the air. Ichika didn't care where it landed.
Yukihira smashed right into her body as she felt the blow. He only used his right hand because the left was formed into a fist. Smashing into her face, Ichika didn't care what he broke as Karasuba wasn't sure how this lowly human was beating her body. Another kick to her legs forced her to kneel as Ichika aimed his sword at her throat.
He was about to kill her when he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. Standing right next to him was the only one who could stop and calm him.
"Give me one good reason." The rest of the girls had gathered around the spectacle, but they kept their distance. Not just because of Ichika but also because of Miya and Karasuba. Both women were infinitely more dangerous than they could ever guess.
"A boy, as pure as you, shouldn't stain your hands with a woman like her." Ichika deactivated his machine as Miya wished. Forming his hand into a fist, he slammed it right home at Karasuba's smirking face, knocking her out completely.
"I think that is the best way to handle a psychopath like her. God knows that Minato and the girls told me about her often enough." Then, turning back to Miya, he ignored the girls while his eyes were focused on the pillar. "All craziness aside, what are we going to do with her?"
Miya took a deep breath while her eyes settled down. "I suppose that someone has to call MBI and tell them that their lost dog has been found. In the meantime," her eyes went around for the girls gathered around them, "line up."
Miya had often acted like the mother in the house when Minato and his Sekirei lodged over. Her authority couldn't be avoided, so the girls who were used to being the elite found themselves standing in front of the Pillar.
At that point, Ichika felt his fatigue catching up, and his body wrecked from the fight. The boy just slammed down and sat at the feet of a woman he adored as a teacher. Miya would talk about it later, but she was now protecting him. The eyes shined down a bit before she looked at the girls gathered.
Their machines might have gotten the energy, but their bodies were wrecked from their fights. "Now, before I say anything, I'll let you know that it is not your turn to talk. That ship has sailed. I'll talk, and I will be the one who is calling the shots. It would be best if you had clarity on this matter. Sharp, logical fact. How much it pains me; it has fallen to me to be the one who is going to talk. I want all of you to be quiet."
With that said, Miya took a deep breath to speak reason. "Your visit to this city has wrecked more than you could have imagined. If it had not been for Ichika, Karasuba wouldn't have been able to be stopped. Not only that, but you were all more than willing to put innocent children in harm for your own selfish desires."
Despite the order spoken just a few seconds ago, Cecilia spoke up. "It is Ichika who is selfish. If he remained in..." The rest of the words were broken off as Miya summoned her mask that had caused so much terror and rumors to scare the IS Cadet Representative of England.
"It is not your turn to talk, missy. Now, if I were you, I would keep your mouth shut." The mask remained there while Ichika didn't even dare to look up.
"Ichika has come to this city. He is free to go wherever he pleases. Despite my warnings, someone has decided to put those beside her. Thinking that nothing would happen."
Her eyes went to Chifuyu, who wanted to hide behind the piercing gaze as she felt Miya glaring at her. "And yet, you come to our city, to our house, and demand that Ichika returns to you." The boy didn't say anything but remained seated at Miya's feet.
"It is his rightful place to go back to the school." Miya took a deep breath. She couldn't precisely murder those girls, but something had to be done.
Ironically, it was the option that wouldn't please her, Ichika, Minato, or his Sekirei. But unfortunately, it was the best option for the unborn children of the Ashikabi. Those babies had to be the priority. Only then could things work out. And it came down to Miya to tell this story.
"I believe he is free to go wherever he wants. Ichika is sixteen. He is old enough to make his own decisions. Clearly, someone hasn't been around to teach him all that." Miya's eyes were dark, flat, and cold as she examined the group. "He was in this school for a few months, and yet, he wasn't learning. In my Inn, Ichika was for the summer, and yet, he thrived. It was the same as the time that he moved here. He needs help, support, and understanding. And clearly, none of you are offering that. Minato's help was invaluable to Ichika, but now, the Ashikabi can't help him."
"Don't talk about that man like he is a positive influence." The mask came closer to Airis, really spooking the spoiled brat. She hid behind Djbril, who was also covering. Ichika wondered if she had soiled herself.
"Minato is a better human than most of you are, even with his flaws. There is a reason why he has moved out of the house. And despite it all, given what he has done, I don't think it's fair to label him anything. If Minato Sahashi was such a worthless human, I doubt that Ichika would have come to him." The Pillar looked down at Ichika, whose head turned to her. How she looked at him made it all too clear that he was a good boy who didn't deserve all the crap he had gotten. Nor the things that she would ask of him. It wasn't fair, but it had to be done.
"I had hoped that this fight would be enough to stop you. There were many of Minato's friends, and there were those who owed him quite a few favors. And might I remind you that you were all defeated by the friends of Minato."
"Why didn't that man fight himself? Or let those whores fight that he had claimed?"
"Don't talk about Minato like that!" It was Ichika who spoke as he wanted to fly to Tatenashi and start beating the crap out of her. The only reason he stood back was that he sat underneath Miya.
"As I might remind you. Minato's wives are pregnant. And if you refer to my former tenants with such a despicable term, I'll let Ichika on you. Or have you forgotten that he has stopped Karasuba? Sure, he might have some help, but he stopped the biggest threat in Shinto Teito." Chifuyu thought back on what Tabane told her.
The legends surrounding her and all that crap. Yet, Chifuyu had looked up the information regarding the Sekirei. Then, she had dismissed it as bullshit, but here, she thought they were all true.
"And he is a promising pupil. A good fighter and a better man. A boy whom you should be proud of, Chifuyu. He rose through the help that he got from me and the others." Her attention shifted to Ichika, and the boy looked at her.
"Ichika, I hate to say this, but Karasuba might not be the biggest threat. Others can come to this city. Normally, a child should be protected by others, but in this situation, you do know who the children are."
Ichika felt a cold lump growing in his stomach. "Minato's sons and daughters."
Miya softly nodded. "If you stay in this city, even now, you'll be a constant threat to them, Ichika. Maybe not by the Black Sekirei. Maybe not by the Infinite Stratos. But there is no way to hide the fact you defeated them. Your name will be all over this place."
"So you must be exceptional, boy?" The dry, cold voice of Karasuba rose everyone up as Ichika was ready to fight. The hound of MBI shook her head. "Don't bother. I know what I fought. And I am not going to stay here like this."
Ichika wasn't looking forward to fighting Karasuba again.
"I'm going back to sleep. Get me back there, and I won't bother you again." And with that, Karasuba flopped back on the green grass. The group looked at Miya, who had been tasked with that. Of course, it would be something she greatly would displease, but she had a better idea.
"Ichika, can you call MBI? Let them know where they can find their dog."
The Knight acted as he rang the number. "If you know where I am calling from, you know where your dog is. She is knocked out. No need to thank me."
With that done, Ichika closed the call. Miya turned back to the group.
"Ichika, there will be more coming through. As long you are here, Minato isn't safe. Neither are the children. You heard what those girls said under the influence of Kuno's song, right?"
It was messed up, but the girls confessed their feelings for him in that line. Ichika began to think about it all. How would they think he would say yes? After all that had happened. After all the time, when they were ready to threaten the lives of unborn children. He should nod and smile and be willing to accept a relationship with them. It was moronic that redemption was on the table.
"Do you want me to go back to the ISA? I will do what you tell me to."
Miya hated this feeling. One had to condemn someone to save others, but it was for the best. "I think that you don't have another option. Staying here is endangering the lives of Minato. And I can't protect them alone, Ichika. Not against all the evils. So yes, you have to go back to the ISA." She didn't miss the cheers of the girls around them.
"But." Miya's voice could freeze hell over and move mountains if she wanted to. "If anything happens, just let me know. I'll be there to help you." Ichika nodded and stood up.
"Miya, I'm going back to the Inn to pack my stuff. Can I ask you and Minato to take care of the issues that I have here?"
"What are those issues?"
"My school. My job." His voice cracked when he thought back on going to the ISA after all the shit that happened. "And Kosaki." After that, he activated Byakushiki, and the male Pilot flew off.
"Despite the way how I feel for all of you, I wish you all the luck you'll need to get him back. The long is going to be hard and unforgiving." She walked over to Chifuyu and narrowed her eyes to dangerous slits. "You are his sister. From now on, act like it. Please protect him. Let your idiotic ideas and your pathetic vision fall away. If you do not want to die alone, I want you to look after him and make sure that he is safe. When he gets back, you are going to do everything in your power to make you the person that he goes to."
Miya looked back at the girls. "And as for you, let your pride and glory fall away. Love requires sacrifice and, in your case, obedience, humility, and compliance. Only then, you might get Ichika."
Well, this went a lot faster than before. There were no scene skips. This was just one long chapter, and most of it comes from CHAT GTP, as there was nothing erotic in this piece.
I am just catching up on this. It really can't hurt to have that.
Saluut.
