ShipTeaser

  “That’s incredible!” Yae breathed out, her mug of tea half-full, having gone cold as she left it untouched, so ed up iory she was. “To think you were doing that sort of thing all the time.”

  “Yeah, while we were spending all your money on clothes, Akio-kun, you were fighting such a horrible monster.” Rika-san iserated.

  “Well, we were indeed-indeed forced to flee that time.” Shaeu smirked. “But Akio did put an eo it on his triumphaurn. Inuyama is freed from that falleure. It shall taint the world no-no longer.”

  “Awesome!” Yae flushed. “Really, it must be amazing! Superpowers, magic…”

  “No it’s not!” Marika-san spoke up, surprising us. “It’s not.” She repeated, small face sad. “It’s scary, and dangerous. Keomi-san, she was really hurt. She nearly died. Lots of people did die. People I knew.” Her little lip was wobbling, and on seeing that, my sis pulled her into a hug, surprising her.

  “Hush. I was there, I know. It’ll be all right. I hear Keomi- is fine now, isn’t she?” Aiko said, and I nodded.

  “Yeah, all her scars are healed and she’s back to full fitness. She’s still a bit unnerved by it all, not that I bme her, but Haru-san’s Mind Healing Light seems to be helping, and she’s even been usielepathy to share the trauma, which strehe Light noticeably. But Marika-san is right.” I reached out and patted her head, pigtails boung under my touch. “There’s a lot to worry about. Shiro’s scars and eye are proof of the dangers, as is Eri’s state. Eri…”

  “I nearly died. I should have died.” She said, surprising uests. “I was careless and selfish…” as she expihe terrible battle against the Kijo, my sis chiming in with how horrific it was to watch Eri’s limbs be severed and flesh tear, helpless to prevent it, Rika-san and Yae looked horrified. They even tried to lift up her jumper, cheg her skin was all right, until Eri cursed them to leave her alone. When everyone calmed down, I spoke.

  “It be gmourous. You’ve seen it. The mohe power, the abilities no human ordinarily possess.”

  “The girls.” My sis snickered, and Eri, still flushed and frustrated, rolled her eyes.

  “The girls, I guess.” I smiled sadly. “It’s not impossible that one day I might have returo Nishimorioka and married Eri. Or maybe even stayed here and married Shiro instead…”

  “I press X to doubt, Aki.” Shiro quipped, before sighing. “Though I guess it’s not impossible. Though I don’t think we could have had kids or even enjoyed a long life together. I’m damn sickly.”

  “But Shaeu, Hyath… how could I even have met them? And Hinata, Motoko, Natsumi, our paths would never have crossed. So yes… there’s a lot to gain, but more to lose.” I tio arika-san. “People died. At the time I bmed myself, but in hindsight, there wasn’t much more I could have done, once Yamato-sahat disaster in motion. It was already too te by then. But now I know. I’ll be stronger, faster, better…”

  “No, we shall be stronger, faster aer-better!” Shaeu disagreed, resolute. “I too grieve for the dead. But the living must go on.”

  “Yes, I’ve learoo!” Eri agreed. “And… at least we made the best of it.”

  “e sure did!” Aiko said proudly. “Really, don’t call me an expert on this stuff, I’m not my bro, but there’s sort of three types. There’s those Chosen by the Gods, right? Like, the real deal. That’s my bro!” she giggled, eted at finally being able to spill the truth. “Bro is chosen by Tyr, a hero god from Europe!”

  “Not just that. Tsukuyomi too now.” I said, a little touched and embarrassed at just how proud my sister was of me.

  “Oh yeah, from that Matsumuro woman.” My sis agreed. “Another woman I wouldn’t be surprised to see shacked up with my bro whe we meet. Guess you ’t be all that entig if my bro never came back for you, Yae-!”

  “How rude you are, Ai-!” Yae pouted. “If I was living in Tokyo, I’d have Aki ed around my fingers right about now!”

  “I’m wearing out my fingers pressing the X key about now.” Shiro scoffed. “If Kana ’t persuade him, despite all her flirty eies, you have no ce.”

  “Ugh, is Kana the one you are talking about?” Yae said, irritated.

  “Nope, Kana is the daughter of the shrine here. I have to admit, she’s a real looker.” My sis smirked. “Bro tio be siingly popur.”

  “Well, Kana… we have our differences. But I suppose she’s not as bad as I first thought. I respect her stance, certainly. She wants Akio to chase her. Even if the easiest way is to py on Akio’s sce. That always seems to work.” she sighed. “It’s so annoying!”

  “Yeah, well, Matsumuro-san, she’s a big shot, called the Diviner.” My sis tinued. “And apparently she see the future.”

  “Really?” Rika-san asked, and it was Marika-san who answered, in her usual extremely mature and well-spoken way.

  “Yes, The Lady Diviner is most respected amongst the shrines and temples of Japan. Her abilities are true and proven, without question.”

  “Well, let me finish.” My sis excimed. “So, she stands up and tells all these bigshots she’s going to die soon, horribly, from what I gather. So what do you think my bro does? Oh god, I feel hot just thinking about it…”

  “it’s not a big deal…” I began, only for Shaeu to disagree.

  “Not-not a big deal? I disagree.” Shaeu ughed heartily. “You stood in front of them all, and decred I will not-not allow you to die! If that is what fate-fate and the future holds, I shall overe it!”

  “I didn’t say it like that.” I denied, but Eri shook her head.

  “Maybe not those exact words, but you did mean that. And sihen you’ve been running around, making pns, trying to save her.”

  “What-what female could be unmoved by such?” Shaeu shrugged. “Hence why I feel when this is all-all over, there will be yet another dwelling here.”

  “Well, bro’s love-life is off topic, isn’t it?” My sis smirked. “Though I guess a girl ’t have too many hot sisters-in-w. Anyway, Shiro, you’re Chosen by the gods tht?”

  “It’s ly the same, Ai. I call you Ai, right? I don’t want to be rude to Aki’s beloved sister. I don’t have a death wish…” Shiro said, abashed.

  “Sure, go for it. I’m half British anyway, I’m not so formal myself. Besides, you’re a sister-in-w too. Damn, I ’t wait to show you off when your scars heal. Beloved sister, you say? That’s cute. Uh, anyway… yeah, well, after Kyoto… my bro helped me get Chosen too. I ’t say how, and it’s not something he do again any time soon. But now I’m a didate for Kannon.” She said proudly.

  As the girls appuded, I used my Eye, amber light glittering. Yae and Rika-san gasped as they saw the shining glow. “Hey, not bad sis. Level thirty-four, and it’s only been what, a week?” I paused. “I hope you aren’t being reckless? You’ve seen what happen.”

  “Wow, uh, no way.” She said, looking a bit guilty, not meeting my eyes. “I admit I got carried away the first day, but sihen I’ve been careful, I swear!” she then looked up, and I could almost see her eyes sparkling, she was so happy. “The mountains are full of bugs and creepy crawlies. They’re gross as hell, but my golden sister army takes them out with no problems!”

  Your what now? Shaking my head at that, I let Aiko tinue her expnation.

  “So yeah, then there’s Shaeu and Hyath. They aren’t human.” She delivered that shog twist.

  “Oh e on, Ai-? Not human? Don’t pull my… huh, nobody is ughing?” Yae noticed.

  “I am indeed not-not a mortal. I am Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, noble weaselkin of the Seelie Court. Akio defeated me, but instead of sying me, he did-did make me his…”

  ********

  “… that’s totally incredible.” Yae decred, stunned. “So, there are other beings from myth that look just like humans?”

  “Not just looooook like.” Hyath chuckled, refreshing everyone’s drinks and snacks, as Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi had arrived while Shaeu expined. “Hyath dooo whatever a woman . Ooone day I shall bear Akio a child. Nooo, lots of children. I want to tend the creche, knit toys and clooothes for the mistresses and their children, but yooou will not let me, unless I dooo the same for my own, right?” she smiled at me brilliantly, and I ughed.

  “Of course. You’re a mistress too, Hyath, I keep telling you that.”

  “I hardly my head around this.” Rika-san said. “So, you said three types, right?”

  “I did.” My sis said, looking happily at the dress she had been brought by Hinata, who was indeed prepared, as I had expected. There were clothes for Yae and Rika-san as well, as Hinata had arranged for their visit. Hinata herself was wearing one of her favourite party dresses, though the purple aler than usual, more a pink or a vender. Still, she looks great in it. As always. Right now she was on the phone, making arras for an outfit for Marika-san and Keomi-, as I didn’t want to leave Marika-san behind, as her mood was teer talking about Kyoto. Apparently Kana is also ing, and Hinata has already arranged for her dress, which is why I haven’t seen her retly…

  “The third type are those my bro and Shaeu enhahrough what they call Chirurgery. I used to be like that. Eri still is. Hinata and the others too.”

  “Yes, I am quite blessed to have been grarength by my dear Akio.” Motoko said politely, and Natsumi echoed her.

  “Yes, I’m very grateful to have been given this ce. To stand beside Motoko, to carry osumura arts, and … to find love.” Natsumi’s smile was radiant. I’ve noticed ever since I visited her parents, she’s been more affeate. The pair of them were wearing matg dresses, Motoko in white with bck ats and flowery ce decorations, while Natsumi's was reversed, in bck with white ats. The pair of them both look stunning. Shit, I’m a sinful, lucky guy…

  “I too have been blessed, as have many here.” Marika-san said quietly.

  “I see. So, what does that involve?” Yae asked.

  “Well, it’s a bit two-tier!” my sis winked. “Eri, Hinata and the others, they are strohan most of those who received Chirurgery, as… get this, my bro’s love strengthens you! No kidding!”

  As she unched into an expnation, I felt my face heating up. Damn, it’s embarrassing to put it that way. Still, she’s ly wrong.

  Once my sis had expined, Yae nodded. “So, everything makes sehe mysteries are solved. And don’t worry, Rika and I keep secrets.”

  “Yeah, while a few people ba Nishimorioka are definitely suspicious of you and Ai-, Akio-kun, only those of us who observed closely will be able to put the pieces together. After all, it’s pretty unbelievable, right? It’s not something you’d imagine is possible.”

  “No kidding. Anyway, o thing? How does she fit in?” Yae poi the quiet Daiyu.

  “She’s well… a didate the gover asked me to look after. She’s ese, so doesn’t speak Japanese, sive her silence. I guess she’s also a bit of a fourth category. Not that it matters…”

  “Yes, what does matter is that I’m pretty insulted, Aki!” Yae protested, pouting cutely.

  “I’m not as irked as Yae, but I get it. I’m feeling a bit hurt too.” Rika-san agreed.

  “You told the friends of this Kana girl, but not us? I was your first date, Aki, and your first kiss! How could you do that to me?”

  “Liar!” I ughed. “First date, maybe, but we never did anything inappropriate. I’d just started going out with Eri the day before. But… yeah, my sis was feeling pretty bad you weren’t in the loop. It’s all Shaeu’s fault though, she roped them in without my permission…”

  “Well, I see no harm in Yae and Rika knowing. Besides, they are a point-point of weakness. Aiko is too troublesome tet herself now she is stronger, so they may well-well go after her friends instead, no?” as the two looked a bit panicked, I hasteo reassure them.

  “Don’t worry, that’s why there are those strangers in town. They are guarding everyone who might be at risk, no matter how small.” But there are never enough numbers, that’s why the Bck Wolf is useful as a core. And then I recruit and train further trustworthy people. Shaeu’s befuddling winds are a y too. If they are guarding people that matter, I want surety…

  “That’s a relief.” Yae sighed, and Rika-san echoed her. “Well, it seems our trip to Tokyo will be more eventful thahought. I just hope we have some time for shopping tomorrow. You owe us, for keepis!”

  There was ughter, and I rexed a little. Well, that wasn’t so bad. But… I get the feeling Hayato-san and the guys won’t be quite so accepting…

  ********

  “You may as well do it now before you get ged.” Aiko said. “After all, you’ll have to strip off for the Chirurgery.” Aiko told her as she was lying down on the bed. Across from her, Shaeu had Rika-san lying down as well, hidden behind a folding s.

  “Strip? You mean… like… naked?” Yae flushed a little, eyeing me. “In front of Aki? I mean, I , I’m ly shy… oh, but don’t get the wrong idea, I don’t go around fshing just anyone!” she protested quickly. “… it’s just… well, I’m not ashamed of my body, but it’s still embarrassing!”

  Deg to put her out of her misery, I smiled gently. “Well, you could have Shaeu do it if you’d prefer? But I don’t need you to strip anymore. I’m way better at it now, besides, I have this.” I tapped my Eye as it glowed. “This lights your chakra wht up.”

  “Oh yeah, I fot you had the eye that could see through clothes.” Aiko said. “Eri told me that was causing half the problems with that Diviner dy.”

  “You see through clothes?” Yae squealed. “That’s one perverted superpower!”

  “You don’t have to worry, I don’t use it for evil.” I promised. “I’m not that sort of guy.” I don’t think even Yasu-san would use it that way, though I guess he might be tempted.

  “Well, when you are rog seven geous girlfriends, I don’t think you o get your kicks from voyeurism, Aki.” She admitted. “Damn, when Shaeu admitted she was your lover as well as Eri when she visited, we were shocked. Then the noble girls were clearly gunning for you too… but this. I’m still struggling to believe it.”

  “Me too. And it’s pretty much all my fault!” my sis said proudly, striking her chest with a fist.

  “And why are you so proud of that?” I asked, bringing mhter from my sister. We were then interrupted by a sobbing gasp from Rika-san, followed by more cries of pain. Yae tensed, face pale.

  “Rika?” she called out, only for a moan to be her only answer from her.

  “Do not-not worry. I am just creating her chakras. We have done-dohis many times. I do not-not see much going wrong.” Shaeu called over.

  “Yeah.” Aiko said, taking Yae’s hand. “Sorry Rika-, Yae-. This hurts like hell. And prickles like a bitch for the first few days afterwards. But suck it up! The bes are totally worth it. and we have to hurry. We o ge, and I’m hoping to wait until my bro has left the room…” she eyed the deep blue dress to match her eyes that was hanging up.

  “All right. I’m ready. Be gentle, Aki!” Yae managed, and my sis s her phrasing.

  “You wish.” Aiko squeezed her hand.

  “Besides.” Yae muttered. “I doubt you’d care that much if Aki was here or not…. Argh… uh… you’ve pierced me deep, I feel it in my stomach…” Yae gasped and moaned as the careful bdes of aether pierced her body, opening up the root chakra and b the correct capilries between that and the sacral chakra.

  “I’m being as gentle as I .” I said, alleviating a little of the disfort with a flow of aether. “Be thankful I’m getting way better and faster at this. We’re already on your sor plexus chakra now. Though the hard bit is ing soon…”

  “This feels… hard enough… already!” Yae was gasping, tears in her eyes, sweat soaki-shirt, turning it a little transparent, but I refused to be distracted. Not during Chirurgery anyway.

  “Just think of the bes. My skin has beeiful ever since I mastered this.” Aiko promised. “No more spots reasy skin. Your hair will be supple and , which probably matters more to you as you bleach it, and…”

  Here goes. The lunar chakra. The hardest bit. Split Thoughts w rapidly, I quickly created the whole new work that no human should have, tying it into the surrounding main trunk of the body, which aligned with the seven ordinary chakras. I couldn’t help but marvel at the bes my sis was extolling. Nothing about strength or intelligence, all beauty reted. Well, I guess Yae and Rika-sa exactly going to be fighting, are they?

  “… show you the Boundary. It’s pretty cool. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe. My golden sister army will keep you both totally protected!” my sis was saying.

  “You mentiohat before? You mean the Golden Warriors of Kannon?” I asked, before turning to Yae once more. “Just the third eye and left. We’re nearly done. You’ve been brave.” I assured her, before inflig further pain, wing at her hoarse cry.

  “Yeah well, it’s all about visualisatiht? Like most of the exercises.” She looked down. “It just so happens, I find it easier to think of Eri, Shaeu and the others, so the statues… well, they kind of look like them. Teehee?” she tried to look cute, stig out her tongue and pulling down her eyelid with her free hand.

  “Well, I’d be very careful letting Eri see that.” I warned her. “All right, just a final sweep through. Nearly done.” I promised, and with a st surge of aether she was pleted.

  Drawing in shuddering breaths, Yae quivered. “Aki, you brute. I should ask you to take responsibility.” When I ughed at that, she looked at me indignantly, only for me to expin that Kana had basically behaved pretty much the same during her Chirurgery, even saying most of the same things.

  “That makes sense.” My sis snickered. “You’ll get on with Kana. Her friends too. They are all fashionable girls.”

  “Well, before that, you all o ge. And maybe you should take a quick shower and touch up your makeup first.” I pointed out, and Yae’s hands went to her face, wing as she felt the sweat that made her makeup run unpleasantly.

  “I am nearly done-done here.” Shaeu called, over Rika-san’s gasps. “Go on ahead, we shall see-see you soon.” And with those words from her, I slipped quietly out of the room.

  ********

  “I have to say, this is really reminds me of the first time we met.” Eri was saying to Hinata, as we sat at the best table, right o the floor-to-ceiling gss windows that opened up the view of tral Tokyo to us. In the near distahe lights of Akihabara were twinkling, and Tokyo tower was also visible behind that.

  “Yes, it does, doesn’t it?” Hinata agreed. She was skimming through the wine list, Motoko helping her choose. “I remember being with my brother after that awfully annoying party Takatsukasa house hosted to find people like Akio. And then, the three of you came over, and ged my life. Our lives.”

  Motoko nodded agreement elegantly at that, and Natsumi pced a hand to her mouth to hide her gentle ughter.

  “Oh, and try not to look so tense. You are only meeting some dear friends, right?” Hinata giggled. She gnced over at Hyath, who was also lookiless. “Her I uand, she gets the urge to jump in and take the pce of the waiting staff, but not tonight!” Hinata insisted. “Tonight, your duty is to be one of Akio’s women.”

  Hyath agreed, her expressiically resolute, which did make me smile a little, loosening the tension.

  “That’s better.” Hinata smiled back at me. “The pair of you look like you are in front of a judge, awaitieng. There’s no need for nerves.”

  “I know that.” I agreed. “My head does, anyway. But I just feel so stressed. Damn, my Resilience is doing a really shoddy jht now.”

  “I know how you feel. It would be easy to be them!” Shiro ined her head towards the tables where my sister, Yae and Rika-san, Kana, Keomi-, Marika-san, the girls from Kana’s school, including Kikuchi Maiko-san, were all assembled. There arate table for Daiyu, and she was leaning on her palms, staring out of the window. I had wao put her on our table, so she had someoo talk to, but the others overruled me, saying that she could join us ter, after everything was squared away. At least she wasn’t alone, as Kazumi-san was sitting there, since Hinata didn’t want her bodyguard on our table to further fuse matters.

  “Let them have their fun. I’m just disappoihat Hotene-san wasn’t feeling up to joining us. I uand it though.” Even though the girl’s eyes had recovered due to the work from Bintara, her mental state was still very fragile. “Oh well, just got to keep an eye on my sis. She does like a drink, despite being underage.”

  “Well, it is good practice.” Motoko said, having given the smartly-dressed waiter several seles from the wine list. He nodded politely at her excellent taste. “When attending funs, balls and parties, it is expected for us to have a little alcohol. So being able to tolerate that is a skill all young dies must knoractise.”

  “Well, Aiko isn’t a noble…” Eri protested, but Motoko shook her head firmly.

  “She is the sister of Akio. Just as much as you are as his wife, she will be treated as a oo.”

  “I suppose that makes sense.” Eri ceded. “I don’t really like the taste of alcohol all that much though.”

  “That depends on what you try.” Natsumi reassured her. “If you tell me what sort of foods you like, I reend…”

  Having all seven in one pce, all dressed up, it makes me nervous yet happy. Looking down at my ruinously expech, I could see it was getting close to the time that our friends were due to arrive.

  “It’s a shame that Miyu couldn’t make it, but she has ao attend involving Fujiwara house.” Hinata smiled, trying to calm my nerves again. “Well, I suppose you could have insisted as she’s your vassal… I still hardly believe that.” Hinata giggled, always happy to show our value against the true nobility. “… but then there’s no point needlessly upsetting Fujiwara house, is there? Anyway, I’ve sent out a driver to collect all your friends, so they should be here any time now.”

  “Aki, does my face look weird? I mean, apart from the obvious. Shit, I don’t even know what I’m saying… booze. I need booze.” She grabbed a gss of wine and gulped it down, which was risky, as Shiro was hardly a strong drinker. Reag out, I grabbed her hand reassuringly, trig in some aether tthen her alcohol processing.

  “It’s all right. You look radiant as always. What are a few temporary scars? You’re Shirohime, remember. Dear friend of us all.”

  “Yes, yes. Damn, I feel bad making them worry about me. Well, we’ll make it up to them by partying hard tonight! Maybe I’ll even make it to Akihabara for once!”

  “That’s the spirit!” I ughed, and for a little while the atmosphere of the table was rexed. That peace was broken by the opening of the restaurant doors, a cierge showing in a group of familiar faces.

  Here they are. Hayato-san was in the lead, wearing a smart charcoal suit with a pale vender shirt. He was holding the hand of Hina-, earing a demure yet attractive dress in dark grey, to match Hayato-san, maybe. was Shugo-san, more casually dressed, though still smart in jeans and a turtleneck jumper. Then came Yasu-san, whose gaze roamed over the tables where my sis and the others were, looking surprised. I see he’s made an effort, he actually looks pretty det in trousers and a waistcoat over a dark shirt.

  Lastly, Aimi- entered, looking aroulessly. For once she was wearing clothing simir to Hina-, a long dress with minimal exposure, in a pin white. Her eyes roamed the room, then she saw our table, spotting me first, before her eyes slid over to Shiro o me, and her mouth dropped open in horror. Hayato-san had noticed us as well, and he was holding Hina-, whose face had gone pale at the sight of Shiro.

  “What the hell, man?” Yasu-san half-shouted, turning to Shugo-san, who was frozen in shock. “What the hell?”

  My gaze flickered over to Shiro, whose remaining eye met mine, an expression of sorrow within it. Yeah, I know. This was never going to be fun. But… it’s time. To be ho. About everything.

  ShipTeaser