As we desded the steps around the Tree, heading to establish the new Ring Gate, I turo Daiyu, who had been rgely silent and unobtrusive as the rge group chatted away oerrace.

  “So, what do you make of all this, Daiyu’er?” I asked, and she frowhinking.

  “She’s been quietly paying attention to everything, trying to uand.” Shiro said. “I guess it makes sense, she doesn’t speak Japanese, and only a few of us uand ese. Well, I don’t, but Tan does…” she smiled. “If I was in her pce, I’d do the same. It must be quite nerve-wrag for her, Aki. You’d best be nice.”

  “I’m always nice.” I protested. “So anyway…” I addressed Daiyu again. “… I imagihis is a bit different to what you’re used to?”

  She nodded. “Your domain here in the Spirit World, it is admittedly impressive. Mine is… was…” I was starting to be able to read the small expressions her usually impassive face gave off, and I could see bitterness. “… not this filled with life and bustle. The Party and the Ministry has several like it, the efforts of us all funnelled into their greedy clutches…” she looked around, taking in the sery. “… to mahis alone, off your own effort, I admit to being impressed.”

  “Well, I hardly achieved this alone. I don’t think anyone could. But I don’t like to take the hard work of others for myself without fair pensation.” I assured her. “So, your owory is go your own hands, right? Well, I think that was a clever move, it’s dangerous to leave your Anchor vulnerable, if another didate destroys it, the results be catastrophic. So, you’ll o create another, won’t you?” It was the same issue as with my sis. Aiko could certainly use a Territory, as the strength it provided was hardly insignifit, but Nishimorioka was too much of a backwater to justify it, especially as she was moving to Tokyo soon. Daiyu had the same problem. “I find you somewhere on my border if you want, or…”

  “No.” she cut in firmly. “Even if…” she paused, gathering herself. “… the Incorruptible Jade has beeroyed, you are correct. So long as I live, it endures, and rise again. My realm in the Spirit World must be recimed, and the Sect must rise again.”

  I see. “Well, I respect your ambitions. But that might be a long way off. For now, won’t you at least think about your options?” Si was me saying it, and she had pledged to follow my orders, on the Heavens and her Dao, she at least listened. Not willing to push her further, as she was still new here, and our retionship was thin, I ged the subject.

  “So, these Territories that are in a, are they trying to push for a Rank 4? I doubt it’ll be easy, as my Territory is abnormally productive in terms of resources…” With the Rhyming Trees, and all the Ether Spires to Rank 3 due to the bounty from defeating Duke Myrcoxriath, my Territory pulls in far more ether than anyone else’s should, barring some crazy fortune.

  “I believe that is the iion of the treacherous Party and their puppets in the Ministry, the Sects that betrayed all of a.” Daiyu firmed. “But even with everyone being forced to work together, I imagi will be a monstrous uaking.”

  “Yeah, it would be.” Getting ten millioher is hard enough, but then proteg the Territory for years is harder, uhey try and speed up the process, but that will require many tens of millions… yeah, even with hundreds of Territories funnelling resources in, it’s the work of months or even years…

  A had produced the mushrooms for the Ring Gate, and was searg for a suitable spot. As she did so, Daiyu tio speak, perhaps relieved to have someoo talk to. “I watched the girls train.” She said, dark eyes betraying some i. “Training both body and Qi is important, for a pure Qi ot take root in a ed, unworthy body. There were many differences, even from my methods of Qi refining, but perhaps there are things I learn. Such as the Spiritually Pure Physique.” She looked hungry at that.

  “Do not-not be so impatient.” Shaeu said in ese. “There are many-many who seek our Spirit Water, and you are but-but a newer, are you not-not?”

  Daiyu seemed frustrated, but she simply lowered her head, g. I felt the urge to pat her head, soling her, but I was learning, so I refrained from toug the prickly girl. Instead I opted for verbal reassurance. “Look, lenty of time. You’ve only just met us. First we have to build trust, and then once I’ve dealt with the threat that is ing for Tsukiko-san, then… well, I dare say we are going to have to have some dialogue with a.” It was likely going to be at the Goveral level, but if the Red Dragon of the East was a metaphor for a, then we couldn’t leave them alone, especially if their own Ministry was ahead of ours in terms of pnning and force of arms. Though we io take a different route, of course…

  “Here.” A was saying to Asha, having found a spot amongst the flowers where the Ring Gate could be pced. “The earth energy leaks from underground veins here, so the mushrooms will flourish. It will lead to a redu in the esg earth energies though.” She sounded ed, but Asha merely giggled softly, her eyes fixed on me.

  “Akio, you will upgrade this temple and strehe earth to pensate me, will you not?” she asked, and uhat gaze and with that smile, I could hardly refuse. Besides, I wao do it anyway. “Yeah, when the Build Queue Anchor Spire is done in a few days, I’ll rush-build it before queuing in more Anchor Spire upgrades. So it’ll only be a few days, I hope you e.”

  “pared to the torment that was the Spring, such will be nothing to me.” She smiled in gratitude, before bending down to help A pnt the mushrooms, carefully removing pnts that were in the way, roots and all, to move them to safer locations. Soon a small ring of mushrooms nted, and they began to absorb energy, glowing a brilliant crimson, and rapid growth ensued, swelling them to the size of small pilrs.

  Some of the girls gasped, impressed, but I was used to such wonderous sights now. A and Asha stood, dusting themselves off, bushing soil from their hands, and A handed me the small mushrooms that made up the paired Gate. “Keep them fed with earth element so they do not wither. I reend pnting them in an area rich with earth energies as soon as possible.”

  Accepting them, I nodded. “I thank you, A. Primal Forest as well. This generosity won’t be fotten. Though…” I smiled wryly. “… I do hope his favour doesn’t e too much.” I wio take the sting out of the statement.

  “Lord Primal Forest will be pleased to hear the Trees are cared for.” A looked at Asha, who reassured her with her own smile. “And that you do not seek to despoil the nd for your own gain.” She looked over the crest of the hill, to where dwarves and Ixitt’s mortal engineers had their fes and workshops, as well as the Kobold Mioo often is progress dependant on the destru of what es before, of what is natural.”

  “Yeah. Well, funny you should say that. A lot of mortals worry about that too. Global Warming. Pollution. Fossil Fuel depletion. Waste mountains.” I shrugged. “I ’t say I was ever too ed, I just trated on living day to day, but now… well, while there are more pressing matters, such as the oning apocalypse…” my grin was bitter. “… I certainly don’t want the world to bee a dirty, ugly pot when I’ve seen what the Spring of Clear Refles had been corrupted into…”

  “Laudable ses.” A agreed.

  “Well, Ixitt put out some quite impressive ideas. I didn’t know Alchemy could be used for effective recyg. If he could pull that off, it’d make a huge differeo a lot of problems…”

  Our ratkin maid-in-training looked both proud and exasperated at my praise of her father. Hyath scowled at her, and she quickly assumed a more professional face, to giggles from some of the irls.

  “So, will you be returning to the Seelie Court?” I asked A, and she nodded, giving me another curtsy, flower-petal skirt rustling. “Well in that case, feel free to visit anytime. I’m sure Asha would enjoy the pany of other nature-aspected Fae.”

  “Perhaps I shall.” A agreed, leavio address everyone else.

  “All right then, we’ve beeoo long, it must be pretty te outside, and a lot of you have school tomorrow. I know that you need less sleep after Chirurgery, but I still don’t want to be accused of keeping you all out all night…”

  ********

  After waking up, I saw the girls home, escorted by suitable security of course, and then started pnning my moves. Eri and Shiro were sleeping naturally now, their bodies likely didn’t , but the mental fatigue of dealing with their injuries was surely taxing. Seeing that, Shaeu was quiet, so as not to wake them, and when I returned, she was sitting i, sipping at a of beer. On seeing me e in, she slid one across the table to me.

  “So, you have the Ring Gate. What is -?”

  “Well, I tasked Hyath with gathering up a load of red, e and yellow Etherites we have avaible. Ixitt is using the few green and blue ones, but we should still have enough… I want Haru-san to rush-build up to Rank 2, ahe basic Spire setup. Then I think she focus on Defensive Empts, Barracks if possible, and if not, then Spawning Spires. I’m not expeg her to defeat any attag didates or armies, just so long as she protect the area long enough for word to reach us and reinforts to arrive. I io call Ulfuric back from the Spring, and have him on standby, if that’s all right?”

  Shaeu shrugged. “I do not-not think it will be an issue. The Spring is rgely fortified now, and the Way-Wardens patrurly. Belera and Soliteare seem to have matters well in hand, and Moira has already formuted many-many tingens. The elves are indeed excellent. Most-most attractive too.” Shaeu grinned.

  “I only care about their petence. But yeah, your brother is hanging around a lot too, and when he’s finished capturing everything within my borders, he’ll be at a loose end. Damn, we’ll o pensate him for all his help.”

  Shaeu snorted, amused and indignant. “Hardly. If-if anything, my fool of a brother still owes us for all the trouble he has caused me. But yes, the Spring seems-seems secure, for now. I believe Ulfuri be trusted to ready the army…” We tio discuss our pns, drinking the night away, the early light of dawn creeping through the windows.

  It was then Shiro ehe kit, yawning. “Hey Aki, Shaeu. Not resting? You might not , but you should have read enough stories to now that going without rest affects your judgement and performance, Aki. Before, if you made a stupid bluhis princess would have just ughed, or perhaps if you were very lucky, given you a shoulder to cry on. But now I have to worry about it.” she flourished her finger, where the crude ring sat. “After all, with this ring, we’re bound, right?”

  Shaeu chuckled, amused by Shiro’s banter. “Indeed, Akio has many lives to shoulder. Now, take a seat, do have a beer.”

  “Beer? It’s barely light out.” Shiro sighed. “I’m not much of a drinker anyway. Aki could tell you the number of times I’ve colpsed on hts out. Speaking of…” she looked a bit troubled, pulling the rge dressing gown she wore over her pyjamas tight around her, as she flourished her pho me. Really, I know she’s ashamed of her scars and her ruined arm, and doesn’t wao see her body until she’s perfect again, but…

  “it’s Aimi! She’s somehow heard I’ve taken a leave of absence from Uy! What do I tell her? I don’t want to worry her, but I ’t meet her like this!”

  “Tell her the truth-truth!” Shaeu teased. “Akio has captured your heart, and you moved in with him. That will silence her, will it not-not?”

  “Yeah, you’re ly super helpful, are you?” She blinked, irritated. “I see why Eri gets annoyed with you sometimes. Not everything in life is a joke, you know? That would have worked before our st night out together, though everyone would have been shocked this geous princess lowered herself to date an Aki! But now they know he has a fiancée. So we’re either cheating, or he ditched his precious childhood friend, breaking her heart!”

  “Breaking who’s heart?” Eri said sourly, rolling in on her wheelchair. She was wearing a thin nightgown, and the hem had ridden up as she got in her chair, showing a vast expanse of pale thigh.

  “Eri, we’re just talking what-if’s. Which is easier to expin, and which makes Aki look less like a bastard? And more importantly, makes Aki look less like a Yasu!”

  “e on, Yasu would never have got eo a geous childhood friend, aainly would never dare to cheat on her if he had such good fortune.” I said, not sure whether I was defending him or not.

  “Just tell the truth.” Eri sighed. “Seriously, I don’t know why it’s so hard to grasp.” She reached for one of the beers, opening the ring pull with some difficulty, frustration on her face as her arm didn’t want to obey her. “Damn it, I’m so muobile in the Boundary. Why won’t my stupid body heal?”

  “I agree with Eri, of course.” Shaeu approved. “After all, I did-did take it upon myself to tell Eri and Aiko of Akio’s exploits. You may feel you are proteg them, keeping them in the dark, but I assure you, that is not-not the case.”

  “That reminds me. You promised not to tell them, and you broke your word.” I pined, and Shaeu shook her head, her grin now mischievous. I liked that grin. It usually meant trouble, but when Shaeu yful, she was incredibly charming.

  “No, as I recall I said I would ‘hold my peace for now’ oter. And I did-did just that. Onow was gone, and then arrived, I merely used my best-best judgement. I did it for you, did I not-not? You were too fearful to be truthful, but Eri and Aiko deserved better.”

  “Yes. And look at the trouble you had not telling our parents.” Eri agreed. “I think… just do it. Besides…” she looked at Shiro and I. “… I want to meet them. I’m jealous of the period of Akio’s life I don’t know, the friends he made like you. I hate that I don’t know.”

  “Well, I could say the same, Eri.” Shiro sighed, finally taking a beer despite her earlier pints. “Ugh, someone pull this? With one hand it’s a nuisance.” I took the and ope for her. “Thanks Aki. Well, when drunk, all Aki would talk about was his sister and you. I must have heard the story about the dog a dozen times. It must have been nice, so romantic. Ugh, I missed out. Though I guess Aki saving my life when I was totally dying ts for something…”

  “It was hardly romantic.” Eri sighed. “It was terrifying, and I thought I was going to die too. But looking back, that was the moment…” after a pause, she grinned, a touch maliciously. “If you really want to know how it feels, I’m sure we find a suitable dog somewhere. It’d o be a real monster now though to have the same effect…”

  “Maybe a Barghest.” Shaeu chuckled, enjoying the atmosphere. “No, such pups are nothing in the face of Akio now. Well, enough of that. Shiro, what-what will you do?”

  “I kept everything a secret because I didn’t want to jeopardise the only friendships I had enjoyed in my life up until now. I didn’t want things to ge.” Shiro sighed. “I guess I’m friends with Arisu. Suzu too, even though she’s a total idiot. Bunta is hard to be friends with. He’s so shy he makes Aki here look like a bold man.”

  “Akio is plenty bold upon the bed-bed.” Shaeu sniggered, and at Eri’s nod Shiro flushed.

  “You know what I mean! Imagine Aki from a year ago, Eri. He’s ged, right?”

  At her agreement, Shiro tinued. “Look, I get it. All the security. You’re training your own private army. Taking you on directly is stupid, you’d crush any attacker, but you’re vulnerable to hostages. It’s cssic really. So our friends… they could be used against us. It might be better they know. So rotect them.”

  “it’s not just that, is it? I know you Shiro, I’ve known you for years.” I insisted. “Yame, it was to make a world kind to you, but that’s not all. You wao make a game so you could share what made you happy. You want to share this with Hayato-san and the others, right?”

  “It’s selfish of me. I know. This isn’t a joke, ame. It’s dangerous. Daizen is dead. I nearly died. Eri nearly died too.” She admitted. “But… this princess needs her subjects, right?” she tried to make light of it, only to be surprised when I hugged her.

  “I get it. But even if all they have is Chirurgery, and we post guards around them, it might be enough to save them iure. Besides, don’t you want to shout proudly that you finally fell in love with the most eligible man around?”

  “Since when did Aki get to be su arrogant prick?” Shiro mock-scowled, to the ugher of Eri and Shaeu. “It paio say it, but you’re right. Not that you are the most eligible man around…”

  “He surely is though, is he not-not?” Shaeu snickered.

  “I think she doesn’t want him to get a big head. Even if I agree with you.” Eri joked.

  “… but.” Shiro shushed them. “Seriously, I do want them to be happy for me. For us. Like they were for you, and Hina and Hayato. Even for Aimi and Shugo. Poor Yasu. The only single one amongst us. Hey, what about your sister?”

  “No way.” I ughed, knowing she was joking. “Aiko do better. Yasu is my friend, but my sis is off limits!”

  “Once we do this, there’s n back.” Shiro warned, and I tightened my hug on her.

  “There’s o turn back. Whatever es, we’ve been friends for years. And we’ll tio be friends for many more. Besides… I admit to wanting approval from them as well. And taking Eri and Shaeu, Hyath and the others to Bar Sekirei, our other old haunts… I think that’d be nice.”

  “I’m not old enough for bars….” Eri pouted. “her is Hinata, Motoko or Natsumi.”

  “A touch of the befuddling winds, and no-no more issues…” Shaeu smirked.

  “Fine. Well, in that case…” Shiro started tapping on her phone, finger hesitating, before she pressed send. “It’s done. For better or for worse. Unless we want to look like idiots, there’s ing out of this now, Aki…”

  My only answer was a gentle kiss, surprising her. Of course, Eri and Shaeu then cmoured for their own kisses, and it took me a while to satisfy them…

  ********

  We had been joined i by Daiyu, who was eating an early breakfast silently. Hyath had remained in the Boundary to prepare for the opening of the Ring Gate, so we were all assembled, barring Haru-san, who I had called up, and she was arranging transportation to Kyoto, as well as the Special Forces who would be taking Chirurgery during the trip. I don’t eve rest today of all days…

  “So yeah, Miyu’s dance is a hell of an ability.” I was expining. Shiro was only giving me half of her attention, the other half on her phone, no doubt waiting for Aimi-’s response. “Look, by the time we had returo my Territory, there was five and a half days remaining. Time is only running a little quicker now in the Boundary than here, due to the slowing. The timing sucks, but we have to work with what we have. So we the roughly six hours, Boundary time, right?” It was lo the Spring, but that didn’t matter for the calcutions.

  “Yes, the maths is simple enough.” Shiro sighed. “We aren’t idiots Aki, get to the point.”

  “Well, Miyu danced for a bit over half that time. And we see… that two hours have been shaved off the upgrade time, as well as the nearby Ether Spire upgrade.”

  “Two hours, huh? Well, that isn’t a lot.” Eri said, before realising. “But… say she danced every day, that means fourteen hours in a week, thirty days in a year…”

  “Now yetting it. And if multiple Buildings are close enough together, it affects them all. Now, I don’t expect Miyu to put her life on hold to boost my growth. Besides, she has to tend to her owory as well, but…” I gathered everyone’s attention, before transting my words into ese for Daiyu as well. “… from what the mortal engineers gathered, it’s aing process. It starts off barely progressing, but the lohe dahe faster the growth. So imagine if she could train to danany hours. She would only need a day here or a day there for positive results. And what if it grows with her increasing skill levels?” Damn, the possibilities really are endless… does the speed increase cap out at a maximum rate, or would dang for days on end super-charge it?

  “Look-look closely. I think he is pnning to work poor Miyu to the bone.” Shaeu said.

  “You ’t push her too hard!” Eri chided me. “She’s a girl, and she’s a noble o that. You’ll have to treat her kindly!”

  “I know, I know…” I shook my head, taking on board the criticism. “Even so, we have to exploit this. Besides, Miyu loves dang. So it should be fine…”

  “Yeah, until it bees work…” Eri muttered, only to be interrupted by the ringing of a phone. Shiro’s phone. Here we go…

  Her single eye met my own, and I nodded reassuringly. With a deep breath she put her phone on speaker-mode, and answered as brightly as she could. “Hey, Aimi. What’s up?”

  “Don’t what’s up me, you big idiot, Shiro!” Aimi- sounded pretty pissed off. “We haven’t heard anything from you fes, and when I checked up on you at Uni, all I found out was you had a leave of absence! Without telling anyone why! I’m pissed off, girl! And now this message… what the hell?” She paused to take a breath, before ung bato it, voice shrill. “I got in a bad act, so I had to take leave. I’m at Aki’s pce. He’s looking after me from now on. Oh, yeah, I’m his girlfriend now.” She ractically screaming. “This is some sort of prank, right? Akio-kun is engaged! Besides, it doesn’t make sense…”

  “No, it’s not a joke. Well, a lot happened.” Shiro said when she could get a word in. “Look, Aimi, there’s no poiing all worked up over it. You think this princess doesn’t want to cry? A princess should always remaiiful, but…”

  “Wait, so… the act wasn’t bullshit?” Aimi- stopped ranting, her tone ging pletely. “I know you aren’t well, but you’re always careful not to go out alone or… what happened?”

  “I’d send you a picture, but it’d look like a shot from a horror anime.” Shiro ughed bitterly. “Let’s just say I’m elling the true i vibe. I could make a ving gender-sed Nagumo Hajime right about now.”

  “No… no way. It ’t be that bad, it?” After her annoyance, Aimi- sounded close to tears. “You’ve always been so careful!” she repeated again.

  “It’s bad. No kidding. But there’s always hope, right? Besides, Aki’s looking after me, like I said. I admit…” she lowered her voice. “… I’m pretty pissed! I finally realised I liked Aki, and now I look like this. Worse, he was so happy telling us about his fiancée, right? Though I have to say, she’s quite the girl.”

  “Yes, that’s right. So… Akio-kun, he wouldn’t go out with you, he’s engaged! He always used to talk about his childhood friend when drunk.” She said the same thing Shiro had earlier, and I could see Eri was blushing, embarrassed, while Shaeu teased her, Daiyu looking on, unprehending.

  “No kidding. That retty annoying at times. Yasu was so jealous though, it made me ugh.” Shiro reminisced. “Aimi, the world’s a strange pce, right? Sometimes on sense doesn’t apply, especially to me, Shirohime!”

  “Yes, but…” Aimi began, only to find me on the phone, as Shiro pressed it into my hand.

  “Uh, hi there Aimi-. I was meaning to get in touch, but I’ve been busy.”

  “Don’t hi there, Ami- me!” she pined, mirr her words to Shiro. What is this? Some kind of skit? “Putting aside the crap about you being Shiro’s boyfriend, is it true? Is she injured?”

  I met Shiro’s gaze, and she nodded. “Yeah. It’s… pretty bad. I hate myself that I couldn’t do more, but there’s still hope. In Kyoto I spoke to some specialists…” That’s certainly one way of describing Nurarihyon… “… and they are sending their fi healer over. No expenses spared. I won’t rest until Shiro’s back to full health again. I promise you that. So… don’t be mad at her, okay? It wasn’t her fault.”

  “… shit.” Aimi- cursed at st. “So it’s her arm ahen, if she’s Hajime? I suppose the hair matches. Shit.” She cursed once more, more foul-mouthed than usual, not that I bmed her. “So, question. You’re looking after her while she recovers. That’s great. She alked much about her family, but I don’t think they’re close, right? And you have a new pce. But… e on, there’s no way you and Shiro are…”

  “There’s every way, I’m afraid. Like Shiro said, this whole mess made me realise I’ve always carried feelings of affe for her. And nearly losing her… well, life’s too short. So yes, Shiro and I are going out now.”

  “But your fiancée…” Aimi- spluttered. “Are you cheating on her, going behind her back? I misjudged you if that’s the case…”

  “Give me that.” Eri snapped, rolling over in her wheelchair and snatg the phoh her good arm. “Hello. Your name is Aimi, right? I’m sorry I don’t know your family name, so I’ll have to be forward.”

  “Who are you?” Aimi- asked, fused by the sudden ge of speaker.

  “Pardon my rudeness. I’m Mori Eri, Akio’s fiancée. First fiancée, I suppose. You just call me Eri though, Aimi-san, since you are a dear friend of Akio’s, and quite a bit older than me.”

  “Why is it the way you say I’m older pisses me off… wait, fiancée? You’re in Tokyo? I thought you were at school bae? No, that’s not the issue here…” her words were tumbling from her lips in a rapid cascade. “… you’re letting Akio-kun spout suonsense about Shiro in front of you? I k, this is a joke…”

  “It’s not a joke. I used to wish it was, but… I got used to it.” Eri breathed out a long sigh. “Really, it’s my own fault. Akio… well, he’s special. Not just to me, but to Shiro, and others too. I ’t keep him all to myself.”

  “I admit… I worry.” Shiro said, loud enough for Aimi- to hear over the phone. “Everyone’s been so weling, and Aki… well, he’s Aki. As kind as he used to be, but shit, he’s so muanly now. It totally makes my heart ache. I wish… I wish I wasn’t so hurt, so I could go on dates. A love hotel would be fun!”

  “Love hotel?” Aimi- gasped. “You’d go that far…”

  “Why not? Aki and I are in love. Just like he loves Eri. Shaeu too.”

  “Shaeu? Who the hell is that?” Aimi- was fused.

  “Me!” Shaeu called out cheerfully.

  “Don’t mind her.” Eri tinued. “No, Akio isn’t cheating. We all agreed. And I empathise with Shiro. There’s a reason I ’t be too mad with her. I… I was in the Kyoto disaster.” Eri said sadly. “I’m pretty badly hurt too. Though like Shiro, Akio is sparing no effort or expeo see me healed. So, you should feel sorry for him, having two girlfriends who are ruined.”

  “No way? Kyoto? That rampage by those death cult crazies?” Aimi- said.

  “Yes. Those.” Eri lied. “For now I ’t walk, and one arm is paralysed, but the doctors say in time and with rehabilitation, I should recover. Just as Shiro will. But until then, Akio will proted take care of us. So stop saying you’re disappointed in him! It pisses me off!”

  “Aimi, it pisses me off too.” Shiro took the phone back. “You don’t know what Aki has done for me. What he’ll tio do for me. And you know… I finally found someone I want to give back to. It’s not been long, but I’m already having fun here, with Aki and the others.”

  “Others? How many…” Aimi- began, but Shiro cut her off.

  “Look, you know where I am. And you know I’m, if not okay, I’m safe in Aki’s hands. Expining everything is too hard. After all, this is just part of what you o know.” Shiro took a deep breath. “So listen, Aimi. Aki and I, we have some big news for you. Unbelievable news.”

  “More than Akio-kun living a harem life, and you being part of it?” Aimi- gasped, still struggling to take it all in.

  “Of course.” Shiro said, sounding a little proud. “So, how about this? Get the gang together this weekend. I’ll text you the venue.” She looked at me then. “You think Hinata get us somewhere suitably swanky? We need somewhere with a bit of a different vibe to usual.”

  “Sure, I bet she’d be happy to help. She, Motoko and Natsumi should probably be there too, I guess.”

  “Great. So yeah, it’s going to be a hell of a night, but… I just want you to promise me to keep an open mind, Aimi.”

  “I… guess I do that. Akio-kun… it’s hard for me to see him as a pyboy. He didn’t seem the sort. But… he’s my friend. Our friend. As are you, Shiro. I’m sorry for your injuries. I feel awful. We’ve left you behind, haven’t we?”

  “Well of course. You’ve all got lives to lead. You’ve got yuy now, and I bet he loves it. You’ve always had a hot body, that rack…” Shiro ughed like a dirty old man.

  “Shiro! Don’t be crude, you don’t know any of that stuff anyway… or wait, do you? With Akio-kun?” she asked, suddenly morbidly curious.

  “Not yet. Well, just kissing.” She flushed. “I want to wait until I’m healed. My first time, I don’t want it to be as the scarred wreck I am now.”

  “Really? It’s… that bad?” Aimi- whispered, so we could barely hear her.

  “Well, it’s not good. But you’re a woman, Aimi. You uand, I’m sure. Anyway, try and keep an open mind until the weekend, all right? I’ll leave you to gather the gang, as Aki and I have a ton to do this week. Besides, it’s the prerogative of a prio work her subjects hard, right?”

  “I’m happy that at least that hasn’t ged. I swear, Akio-kun, Shiro, if this is some sort of prank…” I could hear tears in her voiow. “… I promise you, I’m going to be really mad!”

  After a few more jokes and ear words, Shiro hung up, letting out a long, exhausted sigh. “Well, that wasn’t how I envisaged breaking the news I had a boyfriend to the group. But then, I never really saw myself with one. Damn, I’m tired now.” She put her head down on her arm, pouting, and I stroked her head gently, soling her.

  “Well, that was certainly something. But we don’t really have time for this. Shiro is right, we have a lot to do this week, starting from now…”

  ********

  “Don’t worry, everything is in hand here.” Aliyah decred, happy to be in and of her squad again. Shaeu had bound them with the befuddling winds to not harm or betray us, and while it was hardly fool proof, it would be a hedge against problems. I o her, as well as exging another brief greeting with Lua. “Trey, keep out of trouble.” She said to her brother, who was b the sed helicopter that was waiting at the Shrine, along with Travis, Manx and a group of further Bck Wolf personnel.

  “You’re tellihat?” he said, incredulous. “Don’t let the pretty girls here go to your head and cause any trouble, or else the boss man here will kill you.”

  “Shut it.” she snapped. “I do my job. Better when he’s not around.” She looked at me then, serious. “Look, we’ll keep everyone safe in your absence. I know you’ve not had time for this Chirurgery for the Bck Wolf, so we aren’t as strong as we o be, but we’ll y down our lives for the mission if we have to. That’s our pride. Shit, I repared to die against you that time, right?”

  “Great. Well, Eri, Shiro, I’ll see you ter. Keep her in line, okay?” I was leaving them here, as they were too io travel fortably. “You join us ter though the Gate when it’s open. As for you…” I turo Haru-san, who was looking nervous, yet determined. “It’s time to bee a true ruler of a Territory.”

  “I’m ready. I was born ready, and I guess I was reborn ready!” she smiled, and I couldn’t help but nod. I’m still not sure how healthy her ‘I’m dead’ humour is, but I think it’s helping her. Which is good. She’s irreplicable, in both the Ministry and for Boundary matters…

  “Well, I’ll support you and your Territory so you’ll not be left alone.” I promised. “And it shouldn’t impainistry work too much.”

  I then turo Daiyu, who I was taking with me since I wasn’t sure what else to do with her. “We’re going to another city to establish Haru-san’s Territory. I’m hoping there won’t be any battles in the Boundary, but you never know, so stay alert.”

  As we boarded the helicopter, I noticed the group of Special Forces soldiers who were already there, expressions eager. Well, it’s o have the additional manpower, but damn, Chirurgery while on a helicopter isn’t going to be fun…

  ShipTeaser