“So, what do you think?” Shiro said with a bright smile, spinning round for me, showing off what she was wearing. As usual she was in a pair of white jeans, but this time her jumper retty deep-red wine colour, and it had long, puffy sleeves, so that she could hide the state of her damaged arm. Her hair was also pulled back away from her face, and she was wearing a white eye-patch, looking rather like a pirate, with all her scars. The outfit was topped off by some jewellery, such as a fetg neckce, which was unusual as Shiro normally didn’t bother with such trappings, though the white gold looked good against the richly coloured jumper she wore.

  “I thought that since you were always nagging me about stig to white, I’d make a ge Aki. Though I still think my legs look best in white jeans. As for the rest…” she touched her exposed face softly, wing. “Damn, even with all the healing I’ve had done over the past few days, I still look like I’ve tripped and fell face first into a barrel of knives.” Her lip wobbled, and I reached out to sole her, but she spped my hands away.

  “No messing up my outfit, Aki.” She stepped back. “It took me ages getting ready, though not as long as it did Eri.” She my wheelchair-bound childhood friend. Eri was wearing a simir outfit to Shiro, though her tight jeans were blue, and her jumper was a yered one, with shades of bd purple. She also wore her sparkling e ring, as did Shiro, as well as some pretty earrings.

  “Well, yetting dressed when you barely move.” Eri said acerbically. “I was going to wear a skirt, but then it isn’t just girls we’ll be meeting tonight, so I thought this would be safer.”

  “How prim and proper.” Shiro said sarcastically. It does surprise me, but they seem to get on quite well, even if they argue a lot. “But I guess you’re right to be worried. Hayato is far too much a gentleman to look, but Shugo and Yasu… especially Yasu… yeah, I wouldn’t want Aki’s old friendships to end in a bloodbath as he deferates Yasu from the fortieth floor of our hotel.”

  “He’d do it too.” Eri giggled. “I never really noticed when we were younger, probably because he was too busy being a coward and running away from me…” Eri looked at me reproachfully with her dark eyes. “… but he’s actually surprisingly possessive.”

  “Well, you bme him? Look at us. Well, not now… but when we are ba top form, we’re geous!” Shiro procimed proudly, and I smiled at her bravery. It must have been difficult for her to think of meeting our friends iate she was in now, being as her looks were something she was alroud of.

  “We’re still geous.” Eri insisted. “Besides, it’s only a matter of time. To be ho, I’m a bit worried about meeting Akio’s friends too. They’re older, and I don’t know a lot about the world so I worry they’ll think I’m just a stupid little girl. But if they are Akio’s friends, I want them to be my friends too, or at least respect me.”

  “I think they will. You might get on with Hina, she’s such a cutie. And taken.” Shiro grinned knowingly. “Really, Aki’s such a hypocrite. It’s almost refreshing at times. He’s got so many girls that would put your average harem protagonist to shame, a he gets annoyed when people look at them. Worse, you just wait and see…” she winked, well, bli Eri. “If Aimi is wearing her usual sort of clothes, Aki won’t be able to help himself and he’ll ogle her. And she’s got a boyfriend now.”

  “That’s no good. You ’t go stealing other people’s girls.” Eri chastised me.

  “I wouldn’t do that, I promise!” I said, feeling guilty, even though I hadn’t done anythi. “Seriously, we get ba topic of how good you both look?” I turo Hyath, wearing her usual maid outfit, though she too was wearing additional accessories. It had been a struggle to vince her, but I wasn’t going to let it slide this time, as she was attending this gathering as not just my maid, but my fiancée as well. “Thanks for your help, Hyath. It’s reassuring to have you helping Eri.”

  She blushed and giggled. “Think nooo more of it, Akio. I am more than happy tooo help mistress Eri! Though I wooorry. These are important friends of yours, Hyath does nooot know how to behave as a mistress. What if I dooo things wrong?”

  “I hardly think Akio will-will worry about that.” Shaeu said, entering the room, having finished her own preparations. “He is more than happy to make allowances. Do not-not be so ed.”

  Hyath nodded, while I admired Shaeu’s outfit, a fetg emerald green gown, offsetting the fiery amber of her hair and eyes beautifully. She had pinned up her hair with ornate bejewelled hairpins, simir to what she had worn at the party Fujiwara house had thrown.

  “Looking annoyingly good there.” Shiro agreed with me. “Shit, I hear the voices of a million lonely men g out in anger against you, Aki. And this isn’t even all of us.”

  “Yes, Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi will be here ter.” Eri agreed. “Aiko too.” She finished, before also plimenting Shaeu on her dress and hair.

  “Well, Aki may be a sis to rule all siss, but she isn’t actually his girl.” Shiro grinned wickedly. “I’d say our silent little ese flower over there is more dangerous.” She looked at Daiyu, who was sitting quietly in the er, in a red ese-style gsam replica, with a pattern of white flowers. Obviously with Daiyu being under my care now, I had to sort out her daily ies. Getting ese clothing wasn’t easy, but Akihabara strikes again. The outfits were ly authentic, but very expensive cospy was good enough for now.

  I was going tue with Shiro, not that I had won many with her over the years, but decided it wasn’t worth it. She was teasing me, I retty certain, and I was happier to have her in that sort of mood than wallowing in her nerves. Looking down at the watch I was wearing to check the time, a rather costly Patek Phillipe, one of the number I was gathering, as I had been told I o make sure my cufflinks, shoes, tie and watch were appropriately expensive wheing nobility and politis, as that was the first thing anyone looked at, I could see Aiko was due to arrive soon. The suit that’s been ordered for the party with the Royal family in the UK is sdalously expensive. I’m gd I earned all this money retly or I’d have a heart attack at the bill… I had been told by Hinata and her grandfather to spare no expense ohings, so of course I had listened, even if the expense pained me. Not that it should, I’m riow, but I guess old habits die hard…

  “I feel bad leaving Daiyu’er home alone, when most people don’t uand her. Besides, she might as well have a good meal. I hear the restaurant oop floor has amazing views out over Tokyo, and does a det ese.”

  “I guess that makes sense. So it’s definitely for that reason, and not that you’ve fallen for her, and decided t a surprise on us, as well as Hayato and the gang, right Aki?” Shiro questioned me, and while she seemed to be joking, there was a trace of ay buried within, as far as I could tell.

  “He wouldn’t.” Eri answered for me. “Not that the girl isn’t pretty, but… no. I uand why he wanted you, and to aent the Diviner, but… she seems a bit too cold and posed. Akio likes the needy, damsel types. Ugh, it hurts saying that about myself, but I was so very pathetic ba Nishimorioka.”

  “Do not-not say that. We all have a past we wish tet, shameful behaviour we must-must surely cast from our minds.” Shaeu reassured her, though her eyes were on Daiyu. “As for Akio falling for the girl… it is iable, I fear.”

  “What?” Shiro choked. “So I was right? I thought I was only joking!”

  Daiyu was looking at us all, face expressionless, with just a trace of annoyance, as we talked. From our looks aures she could tell we were talking about her, so I decided to reassure her. I wouldn’t wao think we are bullying the newer.

  “Don’t mind them, Daiyu’er.” I told her. “They were just discussing the reasons for taking you out tonight. There’s no sinister motive, I just wao help you rex a bit, and I felt leaving you here alone would just lead to you brooding.” Yeah, she’s definitely pretty, stunningly so. the cool beauty type. But then, I’m surrounded by pretty girls, and having been exposed to Shiro and Tsukiko-san, my tolerance is pretty high.

  “Daiyu, let me ask you a question.” Shaeu interjected, also in Mandarin. At her slight nod, Shaeu tinued. “Have you ever-ever sidered romance? And what-what is your opinion on multiple marriages?”

  I resisted the urge to facepalm. Yeah, that’s Shaeu all right. I gnced over at Eri, whose face was set in a frosty expression, but oddly for once she was gring at me, not Shaeu. Which is unfair! Uh Tsukiko-san, I’ve definitely dohing to indicate to Daiyu or anyone else I’m ied in her!

  Daiyu’s impassive mask cracked for a sed, before she looked at me with an icy scowl to rival Eri’s. “I see. Is that the price for your… assistance?” she let out a bitter sigh. “I am hardly uo being desired. Even my wretched title the other Sects use, Bck Jade the Ever-Beautiful, shows I am sought after. I should not have expected…”

  “No. No. No, definitely not!” I reiterated, cutting off that line of thought. “Just who the hell do you think I am? Well, I admit we barely know each other, but damn, I’m not in the business of ext marriage out of those I help, pretty or not.” I sighed bitterly. “I would be mad at the girls, but… I guess I do have form on polygamy. After all, I did seek out a retionship with Shiro and Hyath.”

  Shiro nodded proudly at that, saying something provocative to Eri, and Hyath flushed, her pale skin turning pink in happiness. Ign them, I tinued. “All I’m asking for is your help as a didate and a Cultivator. I’m not such a bastard to demand your body in exge. Besides…” my expression ged, an impish smile much like my sister would have crossing my features. “… the Spiritually Pure Physique be corroded by deeds with evil karma. You said it yourself, that’s a powerful Teique. You may be very pretty, but I’d hardly ruin my Foundation…” my smile broadened. “… just for another lover.”

  “I see.” Daiyu said, her expressionless mask back. “Teiques of purity do often require oo keep a certain level of credit with the Heavens.” She admitted.

  “Well, so now I’m curious.” Shiro said, her words in Mandarin a little clumsy, Tan obviously providing them for her to speak. “If you’ve been pursued a lot, something I totally sympathise with, then what is your type for marriage?”

  “Marriage?” Daiyu sniffed. “A Dao panion is all I seek, one I wrest all the secrets from the Heavens and strength from the Earth with, hand in hand, reag heights that even those from Kunlun failed to climb. Matters of love and sex, creating an heir… well, I shall need children. Many children. After all…” her expression crumbled for a sed, before her iron will returned her poise. “… the Incorruptible Jade lies within me now. As for other women, es…” she sniffed. “Men of power seek women, and women of power often seek pleasures with other men. Who am I to n them? Even if I have experience of those who treat women like mere toys.” She scowled, perhaps remembering one of her enemies. “But a Dao panionship is much deeper than that. It is a bond of the soul, a merging of the fates of two, being one. Oned, to break it is to give up on love.” She sniffed. “I would not choose such a panion lightly. I am still young, and I would have but a single Dao panion in my life.”

  “I see. That is quite-quite simir to the Fae way of bonding, of making love.” Shaeu observed. “Though the Fae are far-far more… carefree… about such matters, bonding even in cases of great friendship or respect. Though I do quite-quite agree with you, Daiyu.” Shaeu grinned. “I shall not-not bond with any others. Well, perhaps with my sisters…” she Eri, Hyath and Shiro. “… for sometimes when Akio bonds with Eri and Hyath, I - feel echoes of their pleasure aions. Our bonds are deep…” she grinned. “Esseh elemental aheric cascades between us. It is far-far beyond what I had ever imagined. But for those outside our circle, my heart and lunar chakra remains closed-closed, for all-all eternity.”

  “Well, I haven’t… damn, Aki, you’re embarrassing me!” Shiro started hittih her good arm, and I protested I’d dohing wrong. When Shiro calmed down, she finished her sentence from before.

  “Like I said, I’ve not done much with Aki yet. For… obvious reasons.” She gestured to her fad arm, and Daiyu nodded sympathetically. “But I find I’ve stopped g about the fact I’m not his first and only. Shit, my brain has turo the sort of slimy, pink mush I used to criticise the girls at Uni for being made out of. But I guess… I respect you. Dao panions, huh… Aki, you weren’t that big into ese novels and games, right?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, don’t get me wrong, I know a bit, and I’ve read a few of the popur ones, like most otaku.” That’s one reason I’m struggling a bit to properly pn for what Sects do. Damn, there’s so many in that breakaway force…

  “I thought so. ese harem stories were a bit aggressive for you guys. You arely the pushy sort. Well, not all the time.” She flushed, her scars pale against her pink skin. “So…” she turned back to Daiyu. “Dual Cultivation. That’s a thing, right?”

  Hang on… “Hey, I remember Yasu mentioning that once or twice, it’s …” I didn’t o finish, as Daiyu was looking away, face red, the most expression I had seen on her features so far. Even so, she nodded.

  “It is possible. The Sect had scrolls detailing it. But finding a worthy Dao panion who resonate…” her voice was shrinking. “… though I wish to grow stronger, not at the cost of my iy…”

  “I thought so. I mean, if Lovers’ Lis, why wouldn’t that? Iing. Very iing…” Shiro mused.

  “All right, I’m getting tired of being ignored.” Eri pouted. “Besides, Aiko should be here soht?”

  “My apologies, Eri.” Shaeu answered. “I did fet you ot-not speak ese. Well, with your abilities, you should surely be able to learn it rather quickly, if not-not so rapidly as Akio.”

  “Maybe I will!” Eri snapped. “I hate bei out. Anyway, e o’s go…”

  ********

  The civilian helicopter was ing in to nd on the crest of the hill, which had been turned into a more-perma helipad. There was another helicopter there already, a military transport, which was always on standby with a pilot, either JSDF or from the Bck Wolf pany, as we never knew when rapid transportation somewhere would be needed urgently.

  Lua and Aliyah were on shift, and on seeing us they nodded, Aliyah running her gaze over my elegantly-dressed fiancées, befrinning sloppily and giving me an annoying thumbs-up. Choosing to ignore her, I watched until the helicopter came to a stop, rotors spinning down. Moments ter the door opened, and out hopped my excited sister, wearing blue jeans and a red hoodie. On seeing us she brightened, before cog her head, blue eyes puzzled.

  “You didn’t have to dress up to see me…” her eyes went wide as her gaze fell on Shiro, and her scarred face. Lost for a moment, she rushed over to us, stopping in front of Eri’s wheelchair. “How are you holding up? You’ve not been answering any of my texts. I’ve been worried!”

  Careful Aiko, you’re letting your stats show through. She had moved carelessly fast. I guess I’m pleased that she’s obviously been w hard, but she o keep a low profile. Aware I was bad at that myself, I was going to use my Eye to che her new level, when I heard two more familiar voices.

  “So this is Tokyo then? Crazy.”

  “Yeah, I hought we’d ride to the big city in such style.”

  Turning, caught off guard, I was surprised to see Rika-san and Yae. I must have looked as shocked as I felt, as they both giggled.

  “What? Surprised to see me?” Yae asked. She was wearing a pair of tight, fashionably-ripped blue jeans, and a white sleeveless t-shirt that was cut pretty low. Her hair was a bit lohan I remembered, and she was wearing the ruby earrings I had brought her back as a souvenir from Las Vegas. “Happy to see me, Aki?” she winked flirtatiously, and Rika-san, earing a denim dress, and her earrings as well, waved at me.

  “Hi there, Akio-kun, it’s been too long. Sorry about the unannounced visit, but Ai- said she’d… uh…” she paused, face going pale, and I followed her line of sight to see she was looking at Shiro. Yae gasped as well, hand c her mouth.

  “Well, isn’t this a treat?” Shiro pined, her expression grim. “Looking at me like I’m some sort of monster. Besides, that isn’t even the most annoying thing. Aki, you say?” she gred at Yae. “Very… familiar… aren’t you? Isn’t she, Aki?”

  “Well, they are good friends of my sister. Speaking of which, Shiro, this is Aiko, my younger sister.” I introduced her. “These two are her friends from school, Eri’s too. Chihiya Yae, and Masui Rika. Though why they are here…”

  “They were worried about Eri.” My sis insisted. “So yeah, we’ve spoken on the phone, right, but we’ve never met in person.” Aiko eyed Shiro up and down. “Damn, I get why my bro is pissed off at himself for letting you get hurt. You’re totally built like a model.” She let out a whistle. “My bro grabbing all the hotties. I ever decide whether to be proud or ashamed.”

  “Hey, sis…” I hissed, gesturing towards the girls. “There’s such a thing as tact…”

  “Don’t worry, Aki.” Yae said, surprising me. “Sorry. Shiro, you said your name was?” at the irls’ nod, she tinued. “That was very rude of me. I shouldn’t look at you like that. Sain.” she shook her head. “But Ai- is right. Yure… ugh, such a shame.”

  “Yeah. Those scars are brutal. The eyepatch is cute though.” Rika-san tried to apologise as well.

  “Excuse me. If you came to see me, then why are you ign me?” Eri pined from her wheelchair.

  “Oops.” Yae said, knog on her head in a cute gesture. “My bad Ri-Ri. So, how’ve you been keeping? When we heard, all of Nishimorioka was in an uproar. To think you got caught up in such a disaster.”

  “Yeah. And when we heard you were paralysed… Akio-kun, I’m disappointed. Where were you when Ri-Ri was in trouble?”

  “He was doing his best. The situation was bad, and…”

  “Cut the crap Ri-Ri.” Yae interrupted. “I know you think Rika and me, we’re not smart. And sure, we aren’t ever going to Uy like you or Aki, but we have eyes and funing brains.” She looked at me then. “I still ’t believe you lied to me.” She said, and I asked what she meant.

  “You said that if you ever were going to cheat on Eri, you’d call me.” She winked. “And here you have Shaeu, this girl here, and… wow, a real maid? Though that outfit is sdalous. Cute as hell though!”

  “Yeah, you really hurt Yae’s feelings.” Rika-san wi me. “There’s those noble girls who visited too. I guess we o thank Hinata- for letting us e.”

  “I think you misuand.” I began, but my sis stopped me.

  “Just give it up, bro. e on. This was iable. But, we should take it inside.”

  “Yeah, there’s a lot of people watg.” Yae observed. “Like, soldiers and stuff. That’s a proper military helicopter, right?”

  “You win.” I sighed.

  “Great.” My sis agreed happily. “Oh, and by the way…” she looked at us all. “Why the hell is everyone so well-dressed? Just to wele, I’m fttered, but…”

  ********

  “… ’t believe you are ditg me tonight, when you knew I was ing!” my sis pouted, taking a mug of tea from Hyath, who had already given Rika-san, Yae and Marika-san, who had joined us sihere were visitors from Nishimorioka, some steaming mugs. After the girls had fussed over her, she was sitting quietly in seiza, sippiea elegantly.

  “Well, we already had pns to meet some old friends.” I apologised again. “But it isn’t like you ’t have fun. Hinata has booked plenty of rooms, and you could have a meal out. It’s a el, I’m told.”

  “But I’m not dressed right. And these two look too cheap for an expeel!” she pined, cheeks puffed out in annoyance.

  “That’s a low blow, Ai-i!” Rika-san pined. “We look fashionable! We aren’t all slumming it in a hoodie like you!”

  “Yes, I’m dressed well enough to go anywhere!” Yae agreed.

  “Don’t worry.” I said. “Hinata’s booked out the whole restaurant, so there’ll be nobody to pin.”

  “For someone so popur, you still don’t get girls, bro. Being out with all of you girls when all I’ve done is wear a t-shirt and me hoodie is going to suck…”

  “Well, at least you’re pretty.” Shiro smiled. “The fabled sister in the flesh.”

  “Fabled sister, huh? Ugh, whatever my bro used to tell you about me, I’m sure they are all lies…”

  As the reunion devolved into banter between my sis and Shiro, I rexed. “So, as you see, Eri’s… well, not fine, but she’s doing okay. I’ll look after her, and she’ll make a full recovery, the doctors say.” I promised.

  “Yes, I’m doing rehab, which is why I was too busy to reply to as or calls.” Eri said, irely a lie. She’s simply been in the Boundary for days.

  “Okay, so, real talk time.” Yae leaned over, looking at Eri, her hazel eyes looking into her onyx ones. I had to look away, as she was showing a lot of cleavage. “What really happened, Ri-Ri?”

  “Well, it was on the news…” she began, but Rika-san snorted loudly, insulted.

  “Hey, e on. Like Yae said, we do have funing brains, you know?”

  “Yeah. Look, from the start everything was fishy. There was Aki turning up with Shaeu, looking all hot and fit. Then his performan the baseball… you know, some of the guys bae say your moves were pro level. Then in Inuyama, you tried to cover up you got hurt when you were away from us for just a short time.” Yae looked sad, remembering. “On our date, I promised to not mention it, but e on, you know everyoiced, right?”

  “Wow, yeah bro. if Shaeu hadn’t have told us about what was really going on, Eri and I would have beat the truth out of you.” she sniffed. “You’re shit at keepis, you know? Hinata moans about that all the time.”

  It’s o see my fiaalk to my sister, but… “Uh, we’re in pany?” I pointed out, and she merely shot me a withering gnce.

  “No shit, bro. that’s the point? Aren’t you listening? Best spell it out for him, girls.” My sister swain, clearly exasperated.

  “Then there’s the mohe Mori’s and your family, they suddenly were flush with cash. There are all these strangers around Nishimorioka, and while they keep a low profile, it’s obvious they are watg your families. Then there’s Hinata- and the irls like those, they don’t show i in a normal person, from a b town like Nishimorioka.” Rika-san said, and Yae took over.

  “Yeah. And there’s the injuries this girl Shiro- has, as well as Ri-Ri’s. Put everything together, and a pattern forms. But that alone isn’t enough. But if Ri-Ri miraculously gets good at sports, just like you, and Ai- here suddenly excels iudies… I mean, she aces maths now without even trying…”

  “Wow, you’re making me blush.” My sis grinned.

  “… well, it’s obvious.” Yae finished. “So give it up. Aki, you’re some kind of superherht? Ri-Ri and Ai- too! These girls as well. You must be too, Marika-!”

  Ugh, yeah, I suppose it was too much to expect those close to us to not notice. Even so, this is so awkward.

  “I told you to give it up, bro.” my sis ughed. “I haven’t goo details, but e on. They’ve been suspicious fes. I guess… I have been going a bit overboard at school though. Damn, the bes of my Css make maths and physics trivial though, and English is already no bother, so…”

  “So it is true…” Yae and Rika-san exged gnces. “I thought so.”

  Well, the evening of expnations to friends seems to have started a bit earlier than pnned. So now what?

  ShipTeaser