Deconstructing Construction
The next morning began with a sunny calm, though the quiet was a prelude to Matsu's scheming. While Minato groggily ate breakfast and prepared for another grueling day at the construction site, Matsu had been hard at work—or so it seemed. Her fingers danced across her custom-built keyboard, code and chat logs flowing like a digital symphony on her monitors. Her goal was simple but devious: to manipulate Musubi into playing her role perfectly.
As Minato left for work, Musubi went upstairs to see how Matsu was doing, her usual energetic demeanor tempered by curiosity. She had noticed Matsu grinning like a fox at her computer all morning. Unable to resist, she shuffled into her room, still holding a half-eaten rice ball.
"Matsu, what are you up to?" Musubi asked, her head tilting innocently.
Turning to her guest, Matsu's glasses gleamed with mischief. "Oh, nothing much, just helping us get closer to Minato."
Musubi perked up, clutching the rice ball tighter. "Really? How?"
"Through the wonders of technology!" Matsu exclaimed, facing Musubi. "You see, Minato is super busy at work and doesn't get much time to talk to us. But! If you use this app," she said, holding up her phone with Discord open, "you can message him anytime! Even better, you can keep things... intimate without ever breaking the rules our lovely landlady set."
Musubi blinked, uncertain. "Intimate? But Miya said—"
"Miya said no physical intimacy, remember? This is completely different!" Matsu interrupted, leaning in conspiratorially. "This way, you can tell Minato all the sweet, loving things you want to say, and he'll feel so much closer to you. Trust me, Musubi, it's perfect."
Musubi chewed on her lower lip, her simple mind working overtime to process the idea. "If it'll help Minato feel happy, then I'll do it!"
"Exactly!" Matsu grinned, already crafting Musubi's profile and linking it to Minato's username in the app. She handed the phone to Musubi. "Here. I've set everything up. All you have to do is say hi."
Musubi took the phone, her cheeks glowing with excitement. "Okay! I'll do my best, Matsu!"
As Musubi typed her first hesitant message, Matsu leaned back in her chair, watching with a predatory glint in her eye. It wouldn't be long before Musubi was following her other suggestions, stepping deeper into Matsu's carefully laid web. For now, though, she let the innocent opening exchange unfold.
Meanwhile, at the construction site, Minato's phone buzzed during his break. Pulling it out, he noticed a message notification from Discord.
BearFist88: "Hi Minato! Ho's work? R u eting enuff? I made you a bento this morning, and I hope you liekd it!"
"Aww, spelling mistakes. How cute." Minato couldn't help but smile. Musubi's enthusiasm always managed to brighten his day. He typed back quickly:
Two-TimeRonin2020: "Hey, Musubi! Work's okay, thanks for the lunch. It was great as always! How are things at home?"
As the messages continued, Matsu observed Musubi with barely contained glee. The seeds were planted. Now, all she needed was patience—and perhaps a few well-timed nudges.
Musubi sat cross-legged on a beanbag chair beside Matsu, her phone gripped tightly in her hands. Her brow furrowed in intense concentration, lips moving as she typed her next message.
BearFist88: "Hi Minato! i miss u so much! i want to see ur face at work, r u sweetying a lot? "
Matsu, reclining in her ergonomic chair, peered over her glasses. Her grin stretched wide enough to be considered diabolical. "Not bad, Musubi, but let's refine it. You don't want to sound too innocent. Try adding something that hints at how much you… appreciate him physically. Men love that kind of thing."
Musubi blinked, confused. "Like... how strong he is? Minato is really strong! He lifted me once!" she said, her face lighting up.
"Sure, go with that, but be a little more… suggestive. Let me tweak it for you," Matsu said, snatching the phone before Musubi could object. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
BearFist88: "Hi Minato! I miss u soooo much~ Are ur muscles all sweaty from work? I bet they're soooo big now! I wish I could be there to see them… maybe I could help you cool off later "
Musubi gasped, her eyes wide. "Matsu! That's embarrassing! What if Minato thinks I'm weird?"
Matsu smirked, handing the phone back. "Trust me, if anything, he'll be thinking about you all day."
At the construction site, Minato sat on a stack of cinder blocks during his lunch break. His hard hat rested beside him, and the midday sun bore down on the dusty lot. Around him, the clang of metal and the roar of heavy machinery filled the air as workers moved beams into place for a high-rise foundation. Sweat trickled down his temples, dampening his blue work shirt.
His phone buzzed again. He wiped his hands on his pants and checked the message. Upon reading it, his face turned beet red.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "Uh, thanks, Musubi... I guess I am a little sweaty. Work's tough, but it's going okay. Are you doing alright at home?"
He hesitated before sending, glancing around to make sure none of his coworkers saw his screen. Satisfied, he hit "Send" and stuffed the phone back in his pocket, shaking his head. "Musubi's as sweet as ever, but… that was a little forward."
Back in Matsu's room, Musubi giggled nervously, oblivious to the unintended implications of her message. "He said he's sweaty!" she announced proudly.
"Of course he did," Matsu replied with a smirk. "Now it's time to really up the game. Let's roleplay a little. Pretend you're with him at the site."
Musubi tilted her head, puzzled. "Roleplay? Like pretend?"
"Exactly. Say something like, 'If I were there, I'd help you wipe all that sweat off with my hands.' Oh, and maybe add something about him looking handsome while he works. That'll get him flustered."
Musubi dutifully typed out the suggestion, though her grammar added a certain unintentional spice:
BearFist88: "If i was their, i would wipe ur sweat with my soft hands~ u must look so hansum and hot at ur site! "
Matsu doubled over in laughter, clutching her stomach. "Oh, Musubi, you're a natural! That's perfect. Send it!"
Musubi hesitated but tapped "Send," her cheeks flaming red.
Minato's phone buzzed again just as he was about to return to work. He groaned, pulling it out.
Minato stared at the message, feeling the heat rise to his face. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then typed back hurriedly.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "T-Thanks, Musubi. You're always so sweet. I hope you're having a good day."
He stuffed the phone back in his pocket, muttering to himself, "I can't focus with messages like that…"
Back at the house, Musubi bounced excitedly on the beanbag chair. "He said I'm sweet!"
"Of course he did," Matsu replied, steepling her fingers. "You're learning quickly, Musubi. But don't get too comfortable. The best is yet to come."
Minato sat frozen on the cinder blocks, his face as red as a construction warning sign. Musubi's last message was still glowing on his phone screen, and no amount of sunlight could possibly compete with the heat radiating off his cheeks.
BearFist88: "If i was their, i would wipe ur sweat with my soft hands~ u must look so hansum and hot at ur site! "
"Sweet... so sweet..." Minato muttered, his voice trembling. "Why would she even—?" He slapped his forehead, trying to shake the images invading his mind. Musubi's innocent face, paired with the not-so-innocent implications of her words, was making it very difficult to keep his thoughts pure. "Matsu. This has Matsu written all over it."
"Yo, Sahashi! You okay over there?" one of the older workers called out, chomping on a sandwich. "You look like you've got heatstroke or somethin'. Want some water?"
"N-No, I'm fine!" Minato stammered, jumping up so quickly he nearly knocked over his hard hat. "Just need to—uh, bathroom! Be right back!" He bolted for the portable restrooms at the edge of the site, leaving behind a trail of bewildered coworkers.
Inside the construction site's less-than-pristine porta-potty, Minato leaned against the plastic wall, taking deep breaths. The scent of industrial-grade air freshener mingled unpleasantly with… other smells. He shook his head, trying to focus.
"This is ridiculous," he mumbled. "It's just a message. Musubi doesn't even realize what she's saying half the time. She's just being nice. That's all."
But then his phone buzzed again. Against his better judgment, he unlocked it.
BearFist88: "Ur sooo busy and sweaty! Maybe if i was ur towel, u could squeeze me alllll over~! "
Minato let out an audible squeak, his knees giving way slightly. His phone slipped from his hand, clattering onto the porta-potty floor. "NO! NOT HERE!" he cried, frantically picking it up and wiping it on his shirt.
His mind raced. "Towel? Squeeze her all over?! Where does she even come up with this stuff?" The image of Musubi turning herself into a literal towel and draping herself over him sprang unbidden into his mind, and he buried his face in his hands. "I'm gonna die. I'm actually going to die."
Meanwhile, back at Matsu's tech haven, the mastermind was practically in tears, laughing so hard she had to clutch the armrests of her chair. "Oh, Musubi, you've truly outdone yourself. Look at him go!"
Musubi tilted her head, confused but happy. "Did Minato like it? I told him he could use me like a towel! That's helpful, right?"
Matsu wiped her eyes, her grin wide. "Oh, he liked it alright. He probably likes it a little too much. Let's keep this rolling. Try roleplaying something a bit more hands-on. Maybe you're helping him cool off after a long day. Use your imagination!"
Musubi nodded vigorously, her fingers clumsily tapping out a new message. Her grammar, once again, turned an innocent idea into something hilariously risqué.
BearFist88: "Minato if u came home all sweaty i would make u lay down and rub u till ur tired body feels good agan~! ️"
Matsu read over her shoulder, choking on her own laughter. "Perfect. Send it. Oh, I wish I could see his face right now."
Back in the porta-potty, Minato's phone buzzed again. With shaking hands, he opened the message. His eyes widened as he read Musubi's latest attempt at… whatever this was supposed to be.
"Nope, nope, nope!" Minato slapped the phone shut and leaned his head against the wall, his breath coming in short gasps. "She doesn't even know what she's saying! There's no way she means—" His voice cut off as another vivid mental image, this time involving Musubi enthusiastically giving him a massage, barged its way into his thoughts.
He groaned. "How am I supposed to go back out there? How am I supposed to look anyone in the eye? I'm doomed…"
A knock came at the door, making him jump.
"Yo, Sahashi! You alright in there? Boss says lunch break's over!"
Minato scrambled to compose himself. "J-Just a minute!" he called, voice cracking. He straightened his hard hat and opened the door, stepping out with what he hoped was a neutral expression.
The foreman gave him a once-over. "You look like you've been in a sauna. Whatever you ate for lunch, don't bring it tomorrow."
Minato just nodded mutely, clutching his phone as though it might explode. As he trudged back toward the site, another buzz from his pocket made him flinch.
He didn't dare check it. Not yet. Not in public. Not until he was sure he could survive whatever Musubi—and by extension, Matsu—had cooked up next.
Minato returned to the construction site, his mind racing and his face still flushed. His coworkers exchanged confused glances as he tried to focus on the task at hand: hauling rebar to the upper level of a half-finished building. But no matter how hard he tried, Musubi's messages lingered like a fog in his mind.
"Rub me till your tired body feels good again…" he muttered under his breath, nearly tripping over a stray toolbox.
"What was that?" asked Tanaka, a burly guy with a penchant for teasing. "You got someone waiting at home to rub your tired body?"
Minato's head snapped up. "N-No! I didn't mean—uh, just thinking out loud!"
Tanaka grinned. "Sure, kid. Whatever you say." He gave Minato a slap on the back that nearly knocked him over. "Get your head outta the clouds and back on the job. You've been weird all day."
Minato nodded meekly and grabbed another length of rebar, resolving to ignore his phone for the rest of the day. But the moment he slipped it back into his pocket, it buzzed again, vibrating like an annoying mosquito.
Back at Matsu's lair, Musubi was furiously typing on Matsu's keyboard, her tongue sticking out in concentration.
"Are you sure this is what Minato wants?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at Matsu, who was lounging on her futon and snacking on potato chips.
"Trust me, he's loving it," Matsu replied, her glasses glinting mischievously. "You're giving him a... productive distraction from his boring job. Keep up the good work!"
Musubi beamed. "Okay!" She hit "send" on her next masterpiece.
BearFist88: "Minato! i bet u need me right now~ i could bring u drink and cool u off with my lips! "
Matsu nearly fell out of her chair laughing. "Oh, my Kami! That's gold, Musubi. Absolute gold."
Musubi looked puzzled. "But why aren't we using ice? Isn't water warmer?"
Matsu smirked. "Details, details. Let's just see how he reacts."
Minato felt his phone vibrate again and sighed. "Don't look. Don't look. Don't—"
He looked.
BearFist88: "Minato! i bet u need me right now~ i could bring u drink and cool u off with my lips! "
His legs gave out, and he slumped against a stack of cinder blocks. "Why is she like this?!" he whispered hoarsely, gripping his phone like a lifeline. The mental image of Musubi cooling him off with her lips was too much. His face was so red it practically glowed, and the temperature at the construction site suddenly felt 20 degrees hotter.
"Hey, Sahashi, you alive over there?" one of the guys called out. "You've been acting weird all day. You good?"
"I'm fine!" Minato croaked, standing up too quickly and nearly toppling over again. "Just… uh… I need more water! Hydration is important!"
He sprinted toward the water cooler, hoping the icy liquid would cool more than just his throat. But before he could even pour himself a cup, his phone buzzed again.
"No, no, no!" he whispered, staring at it like it was a bomb about to go off. Against his better judgment, he opened the chat.
BearFist88: "if u want me 2 blow u off after work i can do that! "
Minato's brain short-circuited. "She means cool me off—she means cool me off!" he shouted to no one in particular. His coworkers turned to stare at him.
"Dude, what is wrong with you?" Tanaka asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I—uh—gotta go!" Minato stammered, running for the porta-potty again, his phone clutched tightly in his hand.
Back at Matsu's lair, the tech genius was howling with laughter. "He's gonna explode," she said between gasps. "You're killing him, Musubi. Literally."
Musubi tilted her head, confused. "But isn't this helping Minato? I just want to make him happy."
"Oh, he's happy, alright," Matsu replied, wiping a tear from her eye. "Happier than he's been in a long time. Let's turn it up a notch. Time for some real roleplay."
"Roleplay?" Musubi asked, her eyes lighting up. "Like pretending to be a ninja?"
"Exactly," Matsu said, grinning. "Except this time, you're pretending to be a nurse. Minato's 'hurt' and needs your special care."
Musubi clapped her hands. "I love helping people! Okay, let's do it!"
Inside the porta-potty, Minato stared at his phone, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He knew he should put it away. He knew he should stop looking. But he also knew—deep down—that he wouldn't.
The screen lit up with Musubi's latest message.
BearFist88: "Minato u got hurt at work! dont worry~ i will wrap u up with my arms and maek u feel all better "
Minato let out a strangled noise, his head thudding against the plastic wall. "Why does this keep getting worse?" he moaned.
Little did he know, Matsu and Musubi were just getting started.
Minato sat hunched in the cramped porta-potty, staring at his phone like it was the holy grail of both his desires and his demise. The messages kept coming, each more absurd and suggestive than the last, yet written with such guileless sincerity that he didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or… well, focus on the "current situation" throbbing in his pants.
BearFist88: "Minato! my hands are rlly good at rubbing stuff what if i rubbed ur sore spots until u say 'Musubi thats enough!' ️"
Minato let out a strangled squeak. "What does she mean by sore spots? Does she know what she's saying?!" He clutched the phone tighter, his face beet-red, and his thoughts a mix of panic and… other things.
Just then, another buzz came through.
BearFist88: "also if ur shirt got riped i can sew it back on… or just hold u tight till u feel warm again! "
Minato's eyes widened. "Warm again?! Musubi, you're killing me!" he hissed at his phone. He slapped his face lightly, trying to snap himself out of it. But before he could compose himself, another notification lit up the screen.
Back at Matsu's lair, she was nearly in tears from laughing. Musubi, oblivious to the chaos she was causing, sat perched on the edge of the chair, typing diligently. Her face was scrunched up in intense focus.
"Okay, Musubi," Matsu said, catching her breath. "You're doing great. Now let's go for the big guns."
"Big guns?" Musubi asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah! Something that'll make his heart race like a roller coaster!" Matsu replied, her grin devilish. "Tell him you'll help him relax after work."
Musubi nodded earnestly. "Relaxing is important! I want Minato to feel good!"
"That's the spirit!" Matsu said, motioning for her to keep typing.
Minato's phone buzzed again. His hands trembled as he opened the next message.
BearFist88: "Minato… when ur done today… let me lay on u like a pillow~ ️ i promise i wont be too heavy!"
Minato's jaw dropped. His imagination spiraled wildly out of control. The image of Musubi lying on top of him—her warmth, her softness—made his heart race so fast he thought he might pass out.
"Nope. Nope. Nope!" He tried to stand, but his knees buckled, and he slumped back down. He was sweating buckets now, his face an inferno. "I can't take it anymore!" he whispered desperately.
But the messages weren't done.
BearFist88: "if u r sweaty i can lick ur salty parts! "
Minato's phone slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor of the porta-potty. "S-Salty parts?! Who even says that?!" he cried out, his voice cracking. He grabbed his phone, as if to toss it away, but another buzz stopped him cold.
BearFist88: "ur my fav minato! i just wanna squeze u rlly tight till u pop~ like a juice box! "
That was it. Minato was officially done for. He slammed the phone down, took a deep breath, and muttered to himself, "There's no coming back from this."
So, with resignation, he unzipped and got to work on himself.
Back at Matsu's lair, the hacker was cackling like a mad scientist. "He's definitely gone rogue by now. Mission accomplished."
Musubi, meanwhile, leaned back in her chair, her hands folded over her chest. "I hope Minato's happy with my messages! I worked really hard on them!"
"Oh, he's very happy," Matsu said with a smirk, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Trust me, Musubi—you've just made his entire week."
She reached for another potato chip and added under her breath, "Maybe his entire life."
Matsu leaned back in her swivel chair, a Cheshire grin spreading across her face. "Alright, Musubi, let's kick things up a notch. We've done innocent, we've done suggestive—now we're going for theater."
Musubi tilted her head, her brow furrowing in adorable confusion. "Theater? Like… kabuki?"
Matsu snorted. "No, silly! We're going to roleplay. Specifically, you're going to pretend you're Minato's doting maid, serving him tea after a hard day's work. Trust me, he'll eat it up."
Musubi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh! I love tea parties! I can do that!"
Matsu clasped her hands together, feigning tears. "You're a natural, Musubi. Now, listen carefully. Maid Musubi is refined, gentle, and slightly… you know… flirty. Think less 'clumsy musclehead' and more 'graceful and alluring.' Got it?"
"Got it!" Musubi said with a determined nod. Then, after a beat, she added, "Wait, what does alluring mean?"
Matsu waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter! Just type what I tell you."
BearFist88: "master minato~~ maid musubi is here to make u feel super special after ur toil and troubles today! would u like tea... or ME? ️"
He couldn't stop himself from typing back, his fingers trembling.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "M-Musubi, are you feeling okay? What's gotten into you?"
The reply was instant.
BearFist88: "im getting into my maid character! would u like a cookie with ur tea master? or maybe i should just hand-feed u grapes like a roman emporer~~ "
Minato groaned and buried his face in his hands. "This has to be Matsu's doing. There's no way Musubi could come up with this on her own."
Back in Matsu's room, she was in full coaching mode, pacing like a director on opening night. "Good, good! Now take it up a notch. Offer to, I don't know, fluff his pillow or something. Make it sound totally innocent but also… you know."
Musubi clapped her hands. "I can fluff pillows! I'm good at that!"
"That's the spirit! Type this next: 'Master, shall I fluff your pillow or… fluff something else? '"
Musubi squinted at the screen, her fingers clumsily pecking at the keyboard. She hit send with a triumphant flourish.
Minato's phone buzzed again. He stared at it like it was a ticking time bomb. With a deep breath, he opened the message.
BearFist88: "master minato~~ shall i fluff ur pillow or ur pants? "
Minato's face turned an unholy shade of crimson. "PANTS?! What does she even—oh my god!"
The phone buzzed again.
BearFist88: "oops i mean FLUFF PANTS! like fix them if theyre wrinkled! "
Minato let out a strangled groan. "She's going to give me a heart attack before I hit 30."
Back in Matsu's lair, the hacker was practically in hysterics. "This is comedy gold, Musubi! You're a natural!"
Musubi beamed. "Really? Do you think Minato likes my maid tea party?"
"Oh, he's loving it," Matsu replied, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Now, for the grand finale, let's have you offer to 'serve' him something special."
Musubi nodded eagerly. "Okay! I'll ask if he wants seconds on his tea!"
Matsu rolled her eyes but smiled. "Close enough."
Matsu cracked her knuckles, her grin as wide as ever. "Alright, Musubi, time to take this tea party to the next level. You're going to be the best maid Minato has ever imagined—and you're going to fetch the tea on roller skates. Graceful, elegant… and just a little clumsy for charm."
Musubi gasped. "Roller skates?! But I've never done that before! What if I fall?"
Matsu waved dismissively. "That's part of the fun! Minato will adore how hard you're trying."
"But I don't even have roller skates," Musubi said, scratching her head.
"Details, details!" Matsu said, tapping at her keyboard. "You're roleplaying, remember? Just describe it. Use your imagination! I'll help."
Musubi nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Okay! I'll be the best tea-fetching maid on roller skates ever!"
His phone buzzed again, and with a deep, resigned sigh, he opened the message.
BearFist88: "master~ pls sit back and relax! ️ maid musubi is going to fetch ur tea on roller skates~~ "
Minato blinked. "Roller skates? Where is this even going?"
Before he could process, another message popped up.
BearFist88: "im gliding gracefully through the house~~ zoom zoom~ the tea is steaming hot and ready for u, master!"
Minato couldn't help but chuckle despite himself. "She really is something else…"
But his amusement was short-lived as the next message arrived.
BearFist88: "oh no! i slipped! the tray flipped and now the hot tea is ALL over ur… uh… GROIN! "
Minato froze. His imagination betrayed him as vivid imagery exploded in his mind: Musubi on roller skates, flailing wildly, tea flying through the air like a hot, caffeinated missile, and then… impact. Tits in face, hot liquid boiling on his pants.
"Gah! Why does it always have to be my groin?!"
Back at Matsu's lair, the hacker was wheezing with laughter, holding her stomach as she rolled in her chair. "Musubi! That's perfect! The ultimate maid fail! I can't breathe!"
Musubi's face fell, her eyes wide with guilt. "But… Matsu, isn't it bad if I spilled tea on Minato's… um… important parts?"
Matsu snorted. "It's roleplay, Musubi. He's not actually getting scalded. Trust me, he's having the time of his life."
Musubi nodded slowly, still unsure. "Okay, if you say so… Should I apologize in the story?"
"No! Double down," Matsu said with a wicked grin. "Offer to, uh, cool him off. You know, as a good maid would."
Musubi blinked. "Cool him off? Like with a fan?"
Matsu smirked. "Sure. A fan. Go with that."
Minato's phone buzzed again, and against every shred of common sense, he looked at it.
BearFist88: "im SO sorry, master! let me make it better~ ill cool u off with a fan or maybe my BREATH! "
Minato's jaw dropped. "Her breath?"
Another buzz.
BearFist88: "or maybe… i could use ice from the freezer~ would u like me to rub it on ur sore spot? "
That was it. Minato let out a noise somewhere between a groan and a scream and buried his face in his free hand. "Why?! Why does she have to say things like this?!"
He paced in frantic circles, trying to dispel the ridiculous yet vivid mental image of Musubi earnestly rubbing ice on him while apologizing profusely. "I can't take this anymore!" he muttered. "I'm going to have a meltdown…"
Another buzz.
BearFist88: "pls forgive me, master! ill do anything to make it up to u~ maid musubi is at ur service! ️"
Minato groaned. "Anything?! Why does she make it sound like—ugh, this is Matsu's fault. I know it is!"
As he contemplated his next move, his phone buzzed yet again.
BearFist88: "also… did u like the tea? or should i try agan? maybe bring it to u… without skates this time? "
Minato leaned against the wall and laughed helplessly, his face a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Only Musubi…" he muttered. But deep down, he couldn't deny how much he looked forward to her next ridiculous message.
Minato stared at the phone screen, his face a vibrant shade of red. He sighed deeply, trying to calm his racing thoughts, but the combination of Musubi's innocent yet wildly suggestive roleplay and Matsu's obvious meddling was pushing him to his limit.
He cracked his knuckles and typed a response with uncharacteristic determination.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "Musubi, can you do me a favor? Go find Matsu right now."
Back in Matsu's cluttered lair, Musubi sat cross-legged on the floor, still gleefully typing under Matsu's hawk-eyed supervision. When Minato's message arrived, she clapped her hands. "Oh! Minato wants me to go find you, Matsu!"
Matsu arched an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Oho, he's finally caught on to my genius coaching? Well, what are you waiting for? Reply back and ask what he needs."
Musubi nodded enthusiastically and tapped her response.
Minato's phone buzzed again.
BearFist88: "ok master! but why? do u want me to bring her tea too? she's not vry good at being a maid like me tho~ heehee ️"
Minato slapped his forehead, groaning. "Tea?! Oh, for the love of—" He started typing furiously, his thumbs practically stabbing the screen.
Musubi's phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen, her face scrunching in confusion.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "No, Musubi, I don't want you to bring her tea. I want you to tell her something for me."
Musubi read the message out loud, then looked up at Matsu. "What does he want me to tell you, Matsu?"
Matsu leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let me guess—it's a heartfelt thank-you for helping him reconnect with his most primal instincts?"
Musubi tilted her head. "What's 'primal' mean?"
"Don't worry about it," Matsu said, waving her hand. "Just ask him what the message is."
BearFist88: "ok master~ what should i tell her? maid musubi is ready for any message u need~! "
Minato took a deep breath, trying to maintain some semblance of composure, but he couldn't hold back anymore. His thumbs flew across the screen, typing out what he really wanted to say.
Musubi's phone pinged again, and she read the message with a big smile.
Two-TimeRonin2020: "Tell Matsu to fuck off and stop playing games."
Musubi gasped, her eyes going wide. "Matsu! He said a bad word!"
Matsu burst into laughter so loud it practically shook the room. "Oh, he's really losing it now, isn't he? That's gold! Pure gold!"
"But… but he said to tell you that!" Musubi said, looking torn. "I don't think it's very nice to say bad words…"
Matsu wiped a tear from her eye, still giggling. "It's fine, Musubi. Go ahead and tell me. Deliver his message with all the maidly grace you can muster."
Musubi hesitated but nodded. She straightened her back, placed a hand on her chest, and said solemnly, "Matsu… Minato said… to fuck off."
Matsu clapped her hands like a delighted child. "A flawless delivery! Bravo, Musubi!"
Musubi beamed. "Did I do a good job?"
"The best!" Matsu replied, her grin devilishly wide. "And you know what? I'm going to take that as a sign that we need to ramp this up. Minato's clearly invested now."
Musubi tilted her head. "R-ramp it up? But Matsu, he seems kind of mad…"
Matsu waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, he's not mad. He's just passionate. Trust me, we're doing him a favor."
Musubi smiled uncertainly. "If you say so…"
Matsu's fingers flew over her keyboard. "Alright, let's brainstorm. How do we make this tea party even spicier?"
Meanwhile, back at the construction site, Minato had finished up, and was muttering to himself in the portapotty. "I should've never bought that stupid phone… Why did I think Matsu wouldn't find a way to ruin my life?!"
Minato slammed his phone onto the table in the breakroom, his face still flushed with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment. "That's it," he muttered, shutting it off with finality. "No more distractions."
One of his coworkers, a burly man with a hard hat perched precariously on his head, chuckled from across the room. "Everything alright, kid? You look like someone just showed you your high school diary."
Minato forced a weak laugh. "Yeah, just… uh, weird texts." He stood, brushing off his pants. "I better get back to it."
The rest of his shift passed uneventfully. Minato focused on hauling materials, double-checking blueprints, and avoiding any more thoughts of maid outfits, tea parties, or Matsu's cursed coaching.
The sun was setting as Minato clocked out, the warm glow painting the city in hues of orange and gold. The streets were bustling with the after-work crowd, and Minato weaved through them, his mind on the comforting thought of home. Maybe he'd microwave some leftover curry, take a shower, and finally have a peaceful, phone-free evening.
But fate—or rather, the Sekirei Plan—had other ideas.
He turned down a quieter alley, the chatter of the city fading behind him. That's when he heard it: a faint, rushing sound, like a gust of wind cutting through the air.
Before he could react, a sharp pain exploded at the back of his head. Darkness closed in, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"Time for me to lure boobsey out of hiding." The Red Sekirei spat. She hoisted the young man's body over her shoulder and leaped into the dusk.