“Feeling aer now, Aki?” Shiro asked me, her dark eyes narrowed. “You were looking pretty shitty yesterday.”

  I sighed, running a hand through my hair, bing it in front of the mirror. Casting a g Shiro, who was in her more usual attire, a pair of tight white jeans, highlighting her long legs, and a simirly ging white t-shirt with ats of grey and blue, I nodded. “Yeah, I do feel a bit better. Though physically I’m a bit washed out. Shaeu and Hyath certainly be wolves when they get going.”

  “e on, don’t give me that shit. You love it, Aki!” She accused me jovially, g me on the shoulder, and I had to agree. “Well, I hope you went easy on poor Natsumi, she’s a begi sex, right?” she paused. “Motoko was trying to hide it, but I could tell she was jealous. You’d better make it up to her Aki, but… not tonight.” Her pale skin had a pink tint. “Tonight is my night, though… oh god, I’m not sure whether I’m more nervous about that, or the meeting with Arisu.”

  Now it was my turn to reassure her, and I did it by giving her a light kiss on the cheek. She scratched at the spot idly, embarrassed. “It’s all right.” I said. “After the initial lovemaking Natsumi mostly watched them drain me dry, though they did teach her a few tricks. They carried on even after she went home.”

  “I know. Eri and I could hear it. Sometimes I think it must be hard being a harem protagonist. Then I realise what geous girls you’ve gathered, and realised if you pined, all the losers in the world would have the right to burn you at the damn stake.”

  “Yeah, don’t I know it.” I agreed, my good humour restored.

  “Well, tonight, you’ll finally be sealing the deal with the most eligible, beautiful and powerful princess in the world, Aki. So look forward to it!” she joked, and I kissed her again, surprising her.

  “It’s been a while since you’ve done your usual Shirohime thing.” I observed. “It’s good to have it back. You may have a rotten personality, but it’s yours, and you don’t feel right without it.”

  “Rotten? My personality is perfect!” she mopined. “Besides I know you love it, Aki. You’re the sort that gets off on being teased by cute girls, I get it.”

  “If you say so.” I fended off her insults. “Well, Hayato-san and the gang are visiting today as well, aren’t they? We did say you’d be healed by the weekend, after all.”

  “Yeah, and as promised, I am!” She spun around, showing off her bare arms, which were of course fully mobile. I had dusted off the few remaining scars her healing in the Boundary had left on her Material body, and she was now good as new, better than new in fact, as some old scars she had from invasive hospital tests had also vanished. “On a more serious note…” she frowned, down to business. “This mess with Nie Ling, I know you’re still torn. You’re too kind, Aki, especially to girls in pain. I don’t think this a case you o deal with. You’re too close.”

  “I know. Seeing the dead, it… makes it hard to be objective.” I admitted.

  “Well, why be? Just delegate. Isn’t that why we’re all here? I don’t mind taking charge of her, so you don’t have tle with it. Eri’s already put her in her pce, you should have seen her Aki, it was certainly something! But I think it could be for the best, after all…” she shrugged, a very iing sight in that tight t-shirt. “… I made the same sort of decision as she did, so while I sympathise a bit, I’m also uanding just what was wrong about it. Though I will say, sidering how you’re w me to the bone buffing your Trees and staff, as well as making me grind like a pro-gamer, I feel like I work for a bpany.” Her radiant smile robbed that of its sting.

  “Well, the Trees are vital for now, as is Ixitt and Bjarki. I too, to hasteurn of Tsukiko-san and Ginneka, as for the rest…”

  “Ugh, I know. And we’ve cut ba buffing others like Hyath so I cope, but even so… it’s damn tiring.”

  “Well, you must be starting to feel it getting easier as you level.” I observed, and she agreed, though she was still pouting unhappily.

  “I am, yes. But it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, having powers. It was easier when Tan was doing everything and I was just a passehat’s right. We have my… well, Tan’s Territory to think about. Mioo, I guess, when we decide where to put it.” At that, her eyes fmed crimson for a moment while Tan spoke up.

  “Yes, as thanks to my aid the princess has the ability to call upon such blessings, I do believe it is only just to provide me with adequate pensation.”

  Hearing Ta?hā, a Rakshasi, talk about what is just never fails to amuse me, but I’ve e to accept she’s somewhat different to the myths I’ve looked up. I wonder how different things would have been if she had successfully allured the Buddha… “Don’t worry. I won’t fet to aid those who aid me. First though, we o form a safe corridor between our Territories so that we use mobile Artificial Ether Silos to move the goods. Getting my Territory to Rank 4 is the agreed-on priority, but surely you have the ability to push for Rank 3 anyway…”

  “I was cautious. Wheories try and expand, they are at their most vulnerable. I have seen them fall many times over the turies. Even here, in a world I should have the clear advantage, I ot be careless. But I digress.”

  “Aki won’t fet you, Tan.” Shiro promised. “Anyway, we talk about this with the others. Arisu, Suzu, Bunta… they all o be involved in our decisions. I’ve already hurt their trust with the loss of the tracts the Favour from Sancus enforced, and the mess with the Raven and the death of Daizen…” she winced a little at that, though it didn’t seem to affect her much, and I once more realised that Shiro was surprisingly cold when it came to the fate of others she had no care for. Maybe she is a good oo oversee Nie Ling, she’d be objective, anyway…

  “… well, I’d like to not lose any more allies, if I help it. Besides, I think they’d be safer w with you, and potentially this Ministry, right?”

  As we talked, I had finished dressing, and today I was in casual clothes to match Shiro, also in jeans, though mine were blue, and an uated but fancy shirt. My watd accessories were also suitably uated but expehe sort that would appeal to Arius’s sense of taste. Motoko is very knowledgeable about what looks good on men, perhaps due to her noble upbringing, and has given me good advice. Hinata tends to go a bit too fshy for subtle events, though she does knoroducts are quality and which are looked down oe the price. Oddly enough, Miyu has been giving me solid advice as well…

  We headed over to the office building, Shaeu having already go earlier, and Eri doing her schoolwork before she po head into the Territory to tinue her exercises, apparently Shiro’s recovery having motivated her to push herself further. I really o keep an eye ohere really is no rush, and when Ginneka returns, I ask her advice…

  Oering the office, Karen- and the others were there, as well as a surprise guest. Shugo-san was waiting for us, and on seeing the two of us he looked up from the mug of tea he was drinking. “Akio-kun, Shiro, looking good!” His eyes went to Shiro’s bare arms, and she moved her previously injured one, giving him a thumbs up.

  “Don’t worry Shugo, all fixed! But if you stare too much Aki’s going to get jealous, plus I might have to tell your hot teacher girlfriend all about it.”

  Shugo-san coughed. “Hey, you have to expect I’m going to check. The others will as well.”

  “So, what brings you here so early?” I asked, as Karen- brought us over more tea, smiling.

  “Well, uhe others, I’ve ed up all my outstanding work. I’m a free agent now.” he ughed. “So, hopefully you’re still hiring, or I’m in trouble!”

  Shiro snickered nastily at that, but I cpped him on the back reassuringly. “Of course we are. In fact…” I had been discussing with Shiro, Ixitt and some others just what my friends could actually do for me. Sure, I needed more loyal staff, but when it came down to secretaries and administrators, Haru-san could find me suitable ohrough her es, as could Fujiwara-san, Ichijou-san or even the Prime Minister, if I ushed. No, we o py to our strengths.

  Spying Azuki sitting on a desk in the er, trying to look inspicuous, I grinned. Striding over, I picked her up. “Wandering about again, trying to avoid Hyath, no doubt.” I said to her, and for a moment Shugo-san looked fused as to why I was talking to a doll, only for his jaw to drop as Azuki struggled, her small fists a filing.

  “Put me down, please, you brute! I am a Zashiki-Warashi, not a pything!”

  “Sure, sure. I need you to do me a favour though.” I said, and she nodded slowly.

  “Of course, just put me down…” she pined, so I lowered her to the ground, and she dusted off her d velvet dress slowly, straightening the creases.

  “Uh, what the hell…” Shugo-san said, open-mouthed.

  “If things like this phase you, you’ll go crazy iure.” Shiro ughed, pleased at effectively pranking her friend.

  “ you go fetch Ixitt for me, assuming he’s not in the middle of something?” I asked her. “I’d like to start filling my friends in on the pn.”

  “I shall. Oh, I do hope I avoid the maid…” her body went limp, eyes returning to their normal, gssy doll-like sheen.

  “Zashiki-Warashi huh?” Shugo-san said after a moment, ign the sympathetic gazes from my employees, who had rapidly got used t in the madhouse that was Shirohebizumi shrihat’s something you don’t see every day.”

  “Around here you do.” Shiro teased, taking another sip of her tea, thanking Karen- for it. “Anyway, I’ve tributed to this pn, so you’d best be impressed!”

  “I’m always impressed by what you do, Shiro!” he promised, and as we tio talk about simple matters, Shugo-san turo his newfound powers. “You know, I’ve never worked so fast in my life. My fingers fly over the keyboard, I don’t have to look up nearly so many libraries or sources, I remember them, and I don’t get tired or suffer eye-strain. I must have done a month’s worth of work in a week!”

  “I remember those days.” I reminisced. “I suppose you’re all at the stage I was around level eight. That seems so long ago… Chirurgery might be the most cheat ability I’ve picked up, thanks to Shaeu.”

  “Level eight, huh? What about now then…” he asked, curious, his gamer spirit boiling.

  “Let’s just say I’m a lot higher than that…” I teased him. As he was trying to get me to fess my true level, Ixitt in his human form strode in, eyes bright.

  “I have answered your summons, Akio. It was a good time for a break, anyway. I have reached an impasse without access to a method to move devices between the Boundary and here. So, this is one of your rades? I am Ixitt, Akio’s Master Mortal Engineer. A pleasure to work with you!” Behind him Azuki woke up and headed for the exit, no doubt to hole up somewhere else.

  “So, he’s not human, right?” Shugo-san remarked.

  “Indeed, I am a ratkin, a rather reviled breed of Fae, irely unwarranted, as. But… now, to business.” He rubbed his hands together, gleefully.

  “All right then. Well, Shugo-san, we work in programming, right? And make games and other simir things a lot, and before you pout, Shiro, yame… aren’t you pying what you dreamed of for real now?”

  “I suppose I am. I’ll be good and shut up.” She grinned, allowio tinue. Shugo-san gave me an impressed look at my handling of her, and listened ily.

  “Well, what we need more than anything is to uand the rules, the Laws that the Boundary and Astral work on, and how they intersect with those Material ws that we know. Momentum, Eleagism, Retivity, Entropy and more… the better we uand them, the more effective Aether Manipution, and likely advanced versions such as Adherence Manipution will be, and we achieve greater results, not that I’m dissatisfied with your work so far, Ixitt.”

  “Perish the thought.” He chortled. “We have the geors, the batteries, the Alchemy deviow all we need is the method to transport them.”

  I nodded. “So… Ixitt has a lot of knowledge. We have skills.”

  “I get it. A game-like simution, using the rules and outes you already know.” Shugo-san looked excited. “But that’s a massive uaking. Eveime physics or weather simutions require superputers and dozens, if not hundreds of developers.”

  “True. Well, I’m expeg the Ministry to have a stake in this, and provide stists and other skilled staff, ohey’ve beeed, Haru-san has checked them for duplicity, and… Shaeu does her thing.” Some might question the morality of the Befuddling Winds, but if it’s used only to reinforce a fair tract that all parties agree to, I ’t see any issues. Besides, this project will be a National-css endeavour. I wouldn’t be surprised if tech powerhouses like the USA, a and Europe are already thinking of something simir. “But I want you guys to be department heads, and make a start early, assuming you ha of course.” I smirked cheekily.

  “I hardly wait to get my hands on a superputer.” Ixitt chortled. “Even those I have here have given me great success.”

  “They ha!” Shiro said proudly. “After all, they’re our friends, Aki! And having trustworthy people overseeing a proje this scale is more important than skill. Though looking at the way Shugo-san is scowling, he thinks he has the skills!”

  “Damn right I do!” He was fired up. “When Hayato-kun spoke for us all, saying we were hurt you were leaving us in the dark, doing this all alone, and we offered to work with you, I thought to start with we’d be doing muasks, researd stuff.”

  “There’ll be plenty of that too while we get going.” I ughed.

  “Well, so be it. But… making a game-like simution that actually helps the world. Isn’t that every otaku programmer’s dream?”

  “It sure is.” I ughed. “I also have another idea, which I want worked on.” I’d been thinking long and hard about Fate, Fht and Fortuhere had to be a way to leverage them other than making money. Shaeu still gambles for fun while drinking and watg TV, but her winnings are pocket ge pared to our resourow. I mean, sure, she wins tens of thousands of pounds quite regurly, which is nice, but simply pocket money for her and the irls.

  “Do tell.” Ixitt was also intrigued.

  “Well, it’s like this…” As I expined, Shiro added in her ideas, as did Ixitt, and Shugo-san looked on, wide-eyed, before rubbing at his pensively…

  ********

  “That’s crazy.” He looked at the dice again, after having rolled them a few times himself to check they were fair. “No way I’m pying any games of ce with you ever again!”

  “Yeah, and this is without Shaeu’s Fortunate Winds. It gets impossible sometimes with that.” I reminisced. “So, you think it’s feasible?”

  “A meical abstra of ce, coupled with detailed maps… fasating.” Ixitt ractically capering around the room. “Why, if it works… who knows what would e of it?”

  “The issue is, there’s no true randomness in puting. Won’t that hurt the methodology?” Shugo-san mused.

  “Yeah, which is why we need a sed superputer, and this one will be exclusive to us. We o find a way to gee true randomness, or as close as we get, then give me a way of easily drawing on it in ao abstract or non-numerical questions.”

  “From how you’ve expined Fortune, Aki, I’m not sure if it’s going to work. If you have a point zero zero zero one ce of finding something at random, then adding your Fortuill leaves it vanishingly low.”

  “Except for the Fortunate Winds. That defy the odds. Really, it’s a way to artificially enhance Shaeu’s winds, leading to unlikely yet massively positive results we would otherwise never sider.”

  “It sounds a challenge. I’m definitely in…” Shugo-san said, reag for his tea, only to find it empty.

  “Well, we should take a break. Besides, won’t the others be here soon?” I asked.

  “Yeah.” Shugo-san checked his watch. “Hayato-kun said he’d pick up the girls and Yasu-kun. I said I’d e ahead since I was done.”

  “I bet he doesn’t have to go far to pick up Hina.” Shiro teased.

  “Well, it’s only natural for lovers to live together.” I rejoindered. More tea was brought to us, and Ixitt departed, having been inspired by our discussions. We rexed, chatting about old times, and half an hour ter, the door opened, and in came the rest of our friends. On seeing Shiro, arms bare and looking bright, Hina-san and Aimi-san rushed over.

  “Shiro! You’re healed, right? Like you promised!” Aimi-san shot me a gnce, before her eyes were drawn back to Shiro. Hina-san smiled apologetically, mouthing “sorry” at me.

  You don’t have to apologise. I get it, I do. “She’s fine, I promise. Better than ever.”

  “It’s true? It’s true?” Aimi-saed brokenly. “Wait, I o check, every inch!”

  “No way! Not here! And that damickles. Shit, stop it!” Shiro fended Aimi-san’s hands off. “No tugging on my t-shirt! If I end up fshing the guys in here, their deaths will be on your sce Aimi! Aki’s the possessive type! I think Eri gets her yandere from him!”

  Rude. I’m not that bad. Although… I did admit I wao keep Shiro all for myself. “There’s a sauna iraining School. Why not take a quie?”

  “That’s a good idea, Aimi-san.” Hina-san said quietly, nodding at me approvingly. “I want to make sure as well, but judging by the way she’s reag, I don’t think we have much to worry about.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been trying to say!” Shiro sighed. “All right, all right! We’ll go!” And with that she ushered them out of the room.

  “Sorry about that.” Hayato-san said wryly. “But Aimi- has been worried sick about Shiro. Well, we all have, but she’s been especially tense.”

  “Well, trust me. I’ve been over every inch of her body and she’s scar and blemish free.” I assured them.

  “What the hell man? Every inch?” Yasu-san pined enviously. “That’s so unfair. And damn, now they are all in the sauna, looking and pawing at each other. A real man would sneak a peek…”

  “You want to murder him Hayato-san, or shall I?” I ughed.

  “Yeah, calm down. I get you’re jealous.” Shugo-san piped up. “But if you peek on Akio-kun’s and Hayato-kun’s girlfriend they’ll kill you, and if they don’t the girls will…”

  “Might be worth it…” he ughed. “You know I’m not serious, guys… really.”

  “Sure, for your honour I’ll accept that. Anyway, how’s woing?”

  “It’s taking loo tie up loose ends and square away all the upstanding tracts than I expected, even with our new speed.” Hayato-san aowledged. “A week more should see it done.”

  “Well, I’m done.” Shugo-san said smugly.

  “In that case, that’s fine. We have to decide on hardware, which’ll be gear, I’d imagine. So, here’s what I’m pnning…”

  ********

  “I think we do it.” Aimi-san said, her hair still damp from the sauna. Her mood had pletely ged, and now she was bright and bubbly, back to her usual self. “I’m pretty excited. This is the sort of thing that goes down in history, right? Wins prizes! Maybe even a Nobel!”

  “Well, I don’t think there’s a Nobel for Astral Sces.” I pointed out.

  “Yet!” Yasu-san said ebulliently. “it’s going to happen for sure, man! Have some faith!”

  “I agree. Not about the prizes, I don’t care about that, but… it’s an opportunity. sidering we went to a det but middling Uy, and spent most of our time messing around programming games and other hobby projects… I hought I’d be w on something so ground-breaking.” Hayato-san mused. “Most importantly…” he exged a gh Hina-san, who tinued.

  “We get to do it as friends, stick together. And after seeing Shiro so hurt, that gives us peaind.”

  “Hey, you won’t be able to do anything about that sort of thing…” Shiro warned., but Hina-san answered back strongly.

  “We know! But we want to do what we !”

  “You’ve ged, Hina. You’d never have talked bae before like this! Shit, love sure ges a persht Aki?”

  “You talk, Shiro!” Aimi-san shot back. “You’ve ged too!”

  “Well, it’s not all down to love. I’ve had my hardships too, you know.” She said mournfully. “Well, enough gloom. So, now we’ve id out the goals, any ideas?”

  We tio set out our pns and brainstormed ideas, and after a while Shaeu returned, followed by someone I hadn’t seen for a while, Ichika-san. On seeing me she nodded politely, before looking nervously at the others.

  “Oh hey, it’s your irlfriend, Akio-kun.” Yasu-san ughed. “And who’s the girl behind her? She’s cute. Another one of yours?”

  Ichika-san and I both shook our heads in denial. “No way, Yasu-san. Don’t scare her, she’s had a bad time retly. She’s a good friend of Shaeu’s who I’ve helped out a bit retly. That’s all.”

  “A good friend, huh? I don’t feel that way.” She said, a bit down.

  “I have told you, have I not-not? Friends are not-not defined by what one does for the other, it is simply a matter of feelings. I say you are my friend, therefore you are-are!” Shaeu protested.

  “Yes, but… the Polie I wouldn’t get muy money back, and the little I’d get wouldn’t e until long after trial, so… I ’t keep accepting all this money from you! I only turo you in the end because I was at ro.”

  “I told you, that does not-not matter. I have money, I wish to spend it in this-this manner…”

  “What’s going on with her?” Hayato-san asked. “Police? Money? Sounds rough…”

  I expined some of the details, enough that wouldn’t embarrass Ichika-san anyway, and at the end, Hina-san and Aimi-san were wiping their eyes, and Shiro looked angry.

  “Good job wiping them out, Aki! Trash like that deserve oblivion!” Shiro spat.

  “The pirl…” Hina-san and Aimi-san, the guys too, were looking at her with sympathetic eyes. As the argument wound down, though it was hard to call it an argument, as Shaeu rebuffed all her points with the irrefutable statement that she was her friend as Shaeu said so.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that. I feel so bad…” Ichika-san said.

  “Don’t.” I shook my head. “Shaeu may not look it, but she’s a rich princess. And she didn’t have many friends so you were one of her first. No wonder she treasures you. To her, a few tens of thousands of yen is like you buying a cup of coffee. So don’t feel bad.”

  “I wished to take her out, all she does now-now is study.” Shaeu pouted, opening the fridge in the er of the offid taking a beer. As she gulped it down, sighing happily, Ichika-san defended herself.

  “I have to study! I let my attendand grades drop a lot when I was… well, when I was being harassed.” She muttered. “And I o save moo pay back all the other friends I screwed over with my stupidity. And before you say it again, no! I’m not taking money for that! By your own arguments, you don’t know them, so they’re not your friends!”

  “Well, as you see, I have captured her! Tonight, we shall go out-out in Tokyo.” Shaeu’s amber eyes met mine, and she grinned, still some foam on her face. “Since I have been w too-too hard retly, I need a break.”

  “Hey, great idea!” Yasu-san said. “You should e out with us! Hayato-kun says we should all hit Akihabara, the old haunts!”

  “Yes, it would be like old times, with some fresh faces.” Hayato-san said magnanimously. “Although…” he gazed between Shiro and Shaeu, a questioning look on his face.

  “It’s nothing to worry about. Us princesses get on quite well together.” Shiro said proudly. “But as, you shmucks are going to be disappointed. Aki and I have pns. We’re actually meeting my other friends tonight. Then… well, we have a luxury hotel booked in Ginza, and Aki and I… well, I’m all healed. Need I say more?”

  Shaeu ughed at that. “No. I believe I do uand. Well, enjoy-enjoy it. I find the experience quite magical. Perhaps ime we enjoy it together.”

  “Uh, sure.” Shiro said, now a touch embarrassed, face pink. “Let me give it a try first though…”

  “I think I hate you, Akio-kun!” Yasu-san cried. “I khis day was ing ever since we met all yirlfriends, but even so…” he looked at Ichika-san. “Well, you’ll still e out with us, right?”

  “Of course.” Shaeu answered for her. “There is naught-naught to fear, Ichika. These are friends of Akio’s, they will not-not trouble you. And if they do…” her gaze narrowed. “They will regret it! No-no, you should try and fet your cares for a while. pared to those poor unfortunates who perished in Kyoto, your-your problems are nothing. If you need money, you shall-shall have it, but I will not-not let you waste away. No friend of mine shall!”

  “Scary!” Yasu-san said, his expression exaggerated. “Well, I’m the only single guy here, haviiful women around makes me feel like a winner, even if it’s just an illusion! Anyway, from what I see… uh…” he paused.

  “Konoe Ichika.” She answered.

  “Konoe-…” he ventured, seeing she was youhan him, and as she didn’t react, he tinued. “… it seems to me that you have a good friend there. Take it from someone who has good friends, don’t push her away. It might suck, thinking that you’re not tributing, or that you’re taking advantage of her. We all have times wheruggle, and maybe ime, it’ll be Shaeu here who needs your help.”

  “I ’t see it.” Ichika-san shook her head. “But, thank you for the advice. Shaeu… I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Simply enjoy the night. I shall rather enjoy sharing tales of Akio, when I did not-not know him, and we talk about how you met him-him too.” She giggled happily, reag for another beer.

  “Wise words from Yasu? Damn, that’s a bigger miracle than my healing.”

  “Hey, I be cool sometimes! But I think Akio-kuo feel the same way, right? Shugo-san too!”

  “Speak for yourself…” Shugo-san protested, but I nodded slowly. I do get it. Well, I did, anyway.

  “Yeah, when you have a guy like Hayato-san leading the group, it’s not hard to feel a bit overshadowed. But… we each had our pce, and the group would be poorer without any of us.”

  “Well said. You’ve matured.” Hayato-san said, pleased. “Well, with all the responsibility and people to protect, it’s iable, I guess.”

  “So, hang on a minute.” Yasu-san said suddenly. “Shiro, you have other friends? I call bullshit!”

  “I take it back.” Shiro sighed. “Yasu, you’re still a moron!”

  With that the room filled with ughter, and after some more small talk, reminisg about the past, Shiro and I headed off for our rendezvous in Ginza, while Shaeu, Ichika-san and the gang prepared for their own night out…

  ShipTeaser