“You don’t have to push me, Kana-san. The Wheelchair has a det battery, and I’ve got used to it now.” Eri- was saying, but Kana paid it little mind. I might not have spent long with Eri-, but I’ve worked her out. She’s secretly pleased, I know.

  “I know I don’t have to, but I want to. Haven’t we grown closer over the weekend?” Kana asked, and it was amusing seeing Eri-’s eyes narrowing, lips pursing as she was uo deny it.

  “I suppose so.” Eri- said, a little defeated. “So, why are we out here? Shouldn’t we be back at the training school?” She ged the subject, and Kana held in a smirk, knowing it would just annoy Eri-. So transparent. I see why Akio likes her though. She’s very amusing.

  “It’s fine. We’ll only be away for an hour or two. Everyone knows what they’re doing.” Kana said cheekily. “And before you say something like ‘but Akio left you in charge’, I know. But he also asked me to look after you, Eri-, and I think that’s more important, right? You are important to him, after all.”

  “I know.” Eri- agreed. “I suppose you’ve looked out for me. But what about your friends? They could have e too.”

  “You’re my friend as well, Eri-.” Kana said as she pushed the wheelchair into the café. It was no burden, even without relying oors, as her strength was more than up to the task nowadays. “And after what we saw yesterday… well, everyone has their own issues, right?” As they took their seats, a waitress ing over, Kana tinued. “Mio- and Asami- have been having difficult versations with their parents. And school was a nightmare. Sure, not a lot of girls have met Akio and Shaeu, but enough have that rumours spread around the school in an instant. Being popur is hard…” Kana finished wryly.

  “What I get you both?” the waitress asked, giving Eri- a sympathetic look. “Are you out with your sister? That’s sweet.”

  Before Eri- could speak, Kana nodded. “Yes, and it’s my treat today.” At Eri-’s fusion, Kana ughed. “Well, we’re sisters-in-w, aren’t we?”

  Eri- had no respoo that, and the waitress chuckled. “Hey, you make a pretty family. So, what’ll you be having?”

  “The best thing is the seasonal jumbo parfait. So we’ll have two of those. All the side treats and toppings too. And for drinks… the mixed fruit juices please.”

  “Good choice. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.” The waitress agreed. “I’ll be right back with those.” She bustled off, and Kana smiled softly.

  “This brings back memories. I came to this café all the time with Mio- and Asami-, though I’d only have a small parfait.”

  “Watg yure?” Eri- said, and Kana shook her head with a dry giggle.

  “No, my wallet. Despite owning so mud, my family oor as dirt. I always used to hate that.”

  “Mioo. Akio’s as well.” Eri- admitted. Soon drinks and two massive gsses full of ice cream, fruit and treats were pced oable, and the waitress told them to enjoy it. “Not any more though.” Eri- stretched out her w arm, and carefully took a bite, her face lighting up. Yes, you’re not very expressive, Eri-, but sometimes you do look like an ordinary girl. Cute.

  Even so, Kana’s heart ached a bit seeing Eri- still so immobile. “Is… is there much progress? Sorry I’ve not asked much.”

  Eri- bli the sudden subject ge, going from their poverty to this. “A little.” She paused, eyeing Kana. “Don’t look like that, Kana-san. It makes me feel bad. It is gettier. I feel my chakra work settling down a little. And Shaeu said I might everonger when all this is fixed. It’s definitely strengthening my tration.”

  “Looking on the bright side huh? Yeah, this is as good as ever…” Kana said, taking a bite. “You know, the first time I saw Akio and Shaeu, I took them to this café. Shaeu told him to treat me, so I asked for this. Two thousand yen. I thought I’d hit the jackpot. How shallow I was. I hought we’d end up like this. I thought he ervert, with such a young girl.”

  “Shaeu’s older than both of us put together. A lot older.” Eri- snorted. “Besides… we are both youhan Akio. And he’s certainly perverted enough in bed.” Eri- blushed, and Ka her own face getting hot. I ’t say I’m not ied. But I’m taking it slow. Dates first, some kissing, then… in time…

  “I hear you are quite the animal yourself.” Kaed, and Eri- sighed.

  “I bet Shaeu has been talking. I’ll be sure to pin wheurns. Wheurns.”

  “Actually it was Hyath.” Kana snickered, enjoying Eri-’s rea. “They will e back safely. It was quite a shock though. Seeing them on TV like that.” As Kana sipped her drink, she looked at Eri- reassuringly. “We’ve spoken to them, right? They’re all right.”

  “I know.” Eri- shot back, bristling, which Kana found rather cute again. “You were more worried than me when you saw Akio without his arm. I’ve seen how good a healer he is. He fixed Shiro.”

  “Yeah, but her arm still existed, even if it was like grilled meat.” Kana swallowed, thinking about the scars the poor woman had endured. “So…”

  “Ether Healing do it. And if not, Shiro’s buffs on top, there’s no problem. I don’t like seeing him get hurt. Of course I don’t. But Akio was always willing to get hurt if it meant helping those in need. Now at least he fix his own hurts.”

  “Helping girls in need.” Kana raised an eyebrow, amused.

  “Not so! He’ll be healing the Prince!” Eri- shot back, and for a while they bantered, giggling. I am relieved though. The battles in London are over, and the Princess is saved. So that’s four, right? Shaeu, Shiro, Princess Eleanor, and Princess Mikasa. I ’t believe that I’ll have to share with a pair of actual Princesses. No, Shaeu’s ooo. So that’s three.

  “You’re thinking something stupid nht?” Eri- observed, and Kana’s giggles intensified.

  “Nope. You just wish it’s stupid, but I’m a streetwise, pirl, unlike you, Eri-. I know how these things go. After all, haven’t we both been snared in Akio’s web of lust?” As Eri- opened her mouth, Kana pressed on. “You ’t tell me it won’t happen. A Princess, all hope lost, saved by a dashing hero, at the cost of his arm, no matter how temporarily. A beloved dying older brother, saved from death. The try saved too, perhaps. If her heart doesn’t crack from that she’s not a woman. It helps Akio is handsome and nice.”

  Eri- grunted in ao that, so Kana tinued. “So that makes three of these so-called Six Paths Princesses. What happens three times will happen a fourth, you know? Princess Mikasa seemed to get oy well with him in Kyotht? Doesn’t he call her Yukiko-san?”

  Eri- sighed. “You’re right, Kana-san. Shaeu has said the same. She knows the taste of destiny. Worse… there’s two we just don’t know. What if they’re bad people, or they want to push us out?”

  “We won’t let that happen. If she’s a bad girl, well, us older sisters will fix her. You’re first wife, right? Put her in her pce.” At Eri-’s worried look, Kana smiled reassuringly. “Of course I’ll help you. The others too. Hyath won’t put up with any disrespect, I’m sure. But on that subject… Eri-, you’re still very formal with me. ’t you be a bit less distant?”

  Eri- sighed. “I’m… not good with people. Especially outgoing people like you.”

  “Nonsense. Aiko- is bright and friendly. Just say what you mean. You didn’t like me, so now it’s awkward.”

  “I guess.” Eri- sighed. “No, I’m used to Aiko, we’ve been together forever. But I’m not like her.”

  “I disagree.” Kana idly spooned in more of her delicious parfait. I think one of the reasons Akio left Eri- in my care was to talk about this. She’s distant with Hinata- as well. She gets on a bit better with the more reserved Motoko-, and by extension Natsumi-, but… “You’ve ged. I see it. Your spikiness is more instinctive than genuine. And you looked out for Hyath when she first joined us. You couldn’t have dohat before, from what you’ve said, right?”

  “True. Buy Hyath… Shiro, Daiyu… they’ve all had it so hard. I don’t have the heart to resent them.”

  “That’s crap.” Kana swore. “You think you don’t care about others, than you’re a bad person, but you even tried to give me my ce when my pride was getting in the way, despite the fact you hated me. I haven’t fotten that. Love ges a person, I think.” Kana smiled. “I certainly ged. Before, I would have found this such a hassle, though I’d have do to appear the perfect, kind, attractive girl. Now… I enjoy spending time with you, Eri-. No, Eri.” It’s time. We’re going to be together for a long, long time. Might as well bring down the walls one by one. Akio wants this too. “No honorifics. We’re sisters. We’ll fight for each other, right? So why keep distance?”

  “It’s hard for me.” Eri admitted. “I only started calling Aiko without a - retly, and I’ve known her forever. I’m a distant girl.”

  “No. Not really. You just only care about who you care about. I’m the same. I love my friends, but that’s it. Everything else earances. But things have ged. I think… we’re the two most normal girls Akio has. Though you’re ly normal, you’re textbook yandere.” Kana ughed, and Eri didn’t protest, merely thinking, spoon in her hand, parfait slowly melting.

  “More than ever, we have to be his grounding. The world’s ged, right?” Kana owards some girls sitting at aable. They went to a local school different to her own, and were in their own uniforms, blue sailor suits.

  “… wish I could do magic!” one was saying.

  “… totally crazy. Did you see that girl though? You would bar-bar my way? So cute! I’d let her be my little sister and hug her and dress her up!”

  Kana barely kept in ugher at that, and she could see Eri was red-faced, thinking something simir. tinuing to listen, their excellent hearing easily eavesdropping, Eri’s face twisted into an expression of worry.

  “… see the news? They say that Japanese guy was the hero who saved the Princess! They’re not naming him yet, but wasn’t he super-hot?”

  “He’s crippled though. Lost an arm. Such a shame.” Another said, and a third piped up.

  “You’re dumb, Mai-! There’s magiow! The Prince is supposedly going to make a full recovery, so ’t he get his arm back as well? I wish I was chosen, being a magical girl would be awesome!”

  As their meaningless versation tinued, Kana and Eri ged looks. “See?” Kana pointed out. “We khis would happeually, but it’s here now. Akio is going to get so much attention. Some good, most of it bad. And do you think Shaeu, Hinata-, Motoko-, Daiyu or Hyath ha properly? Shiro might be able to. Though despite being older than us, she’s got no real experience of dealing with people outside her friend group. No, it falls to us.”

  “I see.” Eri looked down to see her melting parfait and rapidly spooned some into her mouth, thinking. “They seem… to be taking this shock well.” She the group of chattering girls.

  “Well, they’re young and stupid. This isn’t a game. I was lucky.” That day, if I hadn’t been l with my friends, I’d have missed out. “I’d have been caught up in this mess anyway, being from a shrine family, but I wouldn’t have the es, or the gifts.” Shaking her head, Kana shuddered. “To the young, brought up on anime, games, manga… it all seems so exg, like stories e to life. But not everyone be the protagonist. That’s Akio and others powerful like him. I guess we should be happy to be love is.”

  “You could be a protagonist, Kana-sa… Kana.”

  That’s so adorable, the way her face screwed up as she omitted the honorific. Makes me want to tease her… “Well, with Ksitigarbha’s Earthen Womb, I’m certainly important. But a protagonist…? I wouldn’t st ten minutes doing what Akio or Shaeu has. No, I’m happy being a useful, supp, loved romantiterest. As for the dahe young and stupid don’t see… who knows better than us?” Kana looked at Eri in her wheelchair meaningfully.

  “Yes, it’s not a game. I really thought I was going to die.” Eri admitted.

  “And people I knew from the training school. Dead. No, this is no game. But we ’t back dowher.” Kana agreed. “As for them…” she jerked her head at the chattering girls. “… in time, they’ll work it out. Kyoto seems so far away, just numbers on the news. All they see is magic, hot guys fighting, Princesses…” she snorted. “I hate myself that I was that stupid before. All I wanted was a rich, handsome man to take care of me, treat me like a princess. But all I was doing was dreaming of being a caged bird. Beautiful, pampered, but… ultimately meaningless.”

  “I was the same.” Eri sighed. “I wao be with Akio, but to me, all that meant was being with him. I didn’t have any hopes or aspirations for myself other than that. I’m so shallow. But now… I have goals. I’ll get bay feet, train hard, and reach heights that prove you don’t o be Chosen to be strong. I’ll be a role model for his allies, and… I’ll still be there for him, be with him.” Her dark eyes shone resolutely.

  “Well said. Even if Akio gets more Favours, there’s no guarahat you’ll be patible, nor Hinata- and the others. But… you’re still pretty strong yourself, right? In a one-on-one, I might even lose. Well, not if I use the Earthen Womb, but in a straight fight, for sure…”

  “When I’m bay feel I won’t lose.” Eri promised. “But, that aside…” she eyed the girls sadly. “… the young may be stupid, but adults… there’ve been protests and even some localised rioting. Haru-san is stressed out.”

  “Yeah, the new Ministry is having a harsh beginning.” Kana agreed. “I spoke to my dad, and he said that it’s only natural. Adults like the status quo, ge is ily scary. Especially ge like this. Will people lose their jobs, or even their lives? That’s what matters to them.”

  As they discussed that, the bell on the d, and a couple of older men, uy age, most likely, walked in. Kana groaned, and Eri looked at her quizzically. “Kana-san… Kana, what’s wrong?”

  “I fot this café is a hotspot for pickup artists. It always used to annoy me, but I was secretly fttered too. I mean, I know I’m hot, denying it would be false modesty. But sihis café is local to a lot of high schools with cute girls, it’s popur.”

  “So, you like uys theeased her, and Kana shrugged.

  “I like an uy sure. You too, so no teasing.” Maybe they won’t e over. Though… the guys surveyed the tables, lingering on the group ughing about Akio and magic, before their eyes lit up, seeing Kana and Eri. Of course, no such luck. After all, I’m geous, and even in a wheelchair, Eri stands out.

  “Hi there, girls!” The lead man said cheerfully, and Kana had to admit he had a certain amount uish good looks, the sort younger girls often liked. His partner was the tall, schorly type, weari little gsses, though his eyes betrayed that he was just projeg an image. Yeah, guys on the prowl. Pathetic.

  “Sorry, do you need something?” Kana said, clearly dismissive, and for a moment the two guys froze, before they smiled handsomely.

  “Oh, well, when we saw you two sitting here all alone, we wondered if you wanted a pudding, and a little chat? My buddy and I are looking for a female perspective on some matters. For a thesis, you see. We go to the prestigious…”

  “Let me stop you there.” Kana said, tired of this. “My sister doesn’t like strangers, and we’ve nearly finished and were about to leave soon. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be like that… err, I didn’t get your he sea fishing, and Kana shut him down.

  “That’s because we didn’t say. You’re b us. you please leave?” Kana said quietly.

  “Yes. Go away.” Eri said coldly, but the men ughed.

  “Oh, so fierce.” They sat down, and Kana looked over to the waitress, who hesitated, clearly unwilling to interfere. “I see you’re in a wheelchair. A beauty like you. That’s a real shame.” He said to Eri. “Otherwise I bet you’d have all the boys after you.”

  “I’m engaged.” Eri said, drawing their eyes to her ring. “So stop b us.”

  “Well, if I was your fiancée, I wouldn’t leave you all aloh your sister. What kind of man is…” There was a crag sound, and Kana held in a sigh.

  “Calm down, sister. There’s o listen to the barking of some dogs. Pick-up artists are all the same.” Kana narrowed her eyes. “I’m trying to be polite and not cause a se. I like this café. We. Are. Not. Ied. And if you badmouth my… my sister’s fiancée again, you’ll be sorry.”

  A third voice sounded. “Sorry, sorry. Are these two b you?” a third man said. “Just say the world and I’ll make them apologise.”

  Ugh, could this py get any more textbook? “Instead of apologising, I’d rather you all left us alone.”

  “Hey, your sister may be engaged, but you’re nht?” the newer said. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear, uh…” he paused, clearly waiting for a name, but Kana sniffed.

  “Maybe not, but I have a boyfriend, so we’re not ied.”

  “I’m sure you do better. We’re top students at…” he began, but Kana shot him down.

  “Look, we just want to finish our drinks in peace. I’m sure there are plenty of irls for you to hit on.”

  “We only go for the best, darling. And you two sisters are the cutest around here.” The first guy said.

  “Maybe so, but we’re taken. And you are ruining our sisterly bonding time.” Kana pined.

  “Oh, so sweet. I like you more now. Well, how about some karaoke, our treat? Your sister could use a break, I bet. Being disabled is tough.”

  “No, I just want you to leave.” Eri said coldly, gring.

  “Man, she’s hot wheares like that.” the man ughed, his tone grating on Kana. When did I realise most men are idiots? No, to be fair, most people are idiots. Don’t they know what’s been going on in the world? Is hitting on schoolgirls the most important thing in their minds at the moment?

  “Waitress, could you seat these gentlemen at aable please?” Kana raised her voice, and the waitress came over. Unfortuhese men were some of the most pushy she had entered, and ihey started badgering the waitress to join them, sihat would make three men and three women.

  “Look. I’m done being polite.” Kana made up her mind. “e on, we’re leaving. And since we didn’t get to eat in peace, we might not be back.” She said meaningfully, and the waitress fpped her hands futility and apologetically. Kana was then grabbed by the arm, and couldn’t believe it, looking down and seeing the third man holding her.

  “Let go.” She growled coldly.

  “You sure about that? Haven’t you seen the news?” The man grinned. “I just so happen to be one of the mysterious magic-users the world is talking about. These two are my apprentices. So… don’t you want to experierue magic? Let’s go to karaoke, you and your sister. And we’ll show you just how magical the adult world be. I could take you both under my wing. Who knows, if you py your cards right, I might be persuaded to help your poor sister…”

  The table colpsed, Eri’s temper now having reached past the point where she was idly breaking cutlery. Gss and wood shattered, and everyone looked surprised.

  They’re quick. Haru-san was worried about this. Sadly us Japanese are a rather superstitious people, sometimes we even be called gullible. Magical vase scams are still popur. Sure, not all of it is superstition as we have the kami and the yokai, but… scammers and fraudsters will start g all sorts of outndish things.

  “See? I did that because you insulted me.” The man recovered quickly, lying boldly. “But I uand.” He grinned in a manner he likely thought was reassuring. “Girls as pretty as you sisters, you have to be careful no… bad me hold of you. Luckily, I teaagic to protect yourself. Don’t worry, the process is almost painless!”

  “That’s right.” One of the other men said. “The boss will walk you through it. It only hurts the first time.”

  “Oh really?” I’m young, not an idiot. You think I don’t get the innuendo? This is why I never ended up dating until now. They think they’re so clever, sophisticated, but all they do is look down on us girls as fools. Akio never did that. He always expined early, and while he’s overprotective, he lets us make our own decisions. Her gaze strayed to Eri, who nodded. Eri attest to that. He is always there to up our mistakes as well.

  “I have one question.” Kana said, and the men smiled, and the look in their eyes annoyed her.

  “I see. Smart girl. I don’t offer this ce to just anyone. But now a fellow practitioner has exposed his hand, it’s time for us to step out of the shadows at st and train the worthy! I’m tight with the hero of Britain, you know. And I introduce you to the girl in white. Wouldn’t you like that?”

  Eri burst out ughing in derision, but the three took that as happy ughter.

  “Oh, yes, I would dearly love to meet the hero of Britain and that girl.” Kana agreed, Eri’s ughter making her go red. “I have one small question first though.”

  “Fire away…” the man’s ha her arm and crept towards somewhere it shouldn’t. No way. The man suddenly grunted in pain as Kana snatched his hand, bending the thumb back hard enough for it to nearly break. As he turned white with pain and squealed, Kana smiled balefully.

  “… what would an idiot like you know about magic? But if you’re unlucky, maybe you’ll stumble into someone who knows more than you?” She increased the pressure, and as the man squealed, the other two made to move, only to both cry out. Eri had struck them with thrown debris, her good arm more than capable of throwing them fast enough to escape notid cause nasty bruising.

  “Hey, let… let me go! Ow that fug hurts, bitch!”

  “I’m sure it does. Now get lost!” Kana twisted and there was a g noise as the thumb broke. With a howl the man fled, and the other two followed, g out as Eri threw more debris like a shotgun. As they fled, the waitress and the table of schoolgirls looked on dumbly.

  “Uh, what happened?” the shocked waitress asked.

  “Just a couple of idiot scammers.” Kana shrugged. “Oh, I do martial arts, so that was nothing special. Hmm, sorry about the table. I’m not sure what happened here. Let me cover it…” Kana pulled out some money but the waitress shook her head.

  “No, it was an act. Maybe the table was already damaged. And… sorry.” She boologetically. “I should have sent them away, but they were a bit intimidating.”

  “Do better ime.” Eri said, and the waitress nodded.

  “I’ll get you a rept for your drinks. On the house.” She shuffled off, and the table of schoolgirls came iggling.

  “That was cool!” one said. “You bent his hand batil it went boom!” she giggled.

  “Weren’t you scared?” another asked, and Eri snorted.

  “What would she have to be scared of? Those trash are nothing. Just human-shaped cockroaches.”

  “Eri, I’ve told you to be nicer.” Kana chided. “Although… I don’t disagree.”

  “That uniform, you’re from that schoht?”

  Kana nodded. “That’s right. I know your school uniform as well.” As they started chatting, Kana warhem to beware scammers, while Eri nodded along occasionally. I admit it was satisfying breaking his thumb. Thinking he touch me as he pleases… he’s lucky I didn’t break more. Eri sure would have…

  As she reddehinking about who she wao touch her, the girls from the nearby school squealed happily, and talk turo boys. Seated at a able, Kana and Eri were surrounded by girls. Gng at her phone, she held in a sigh. I suppose the others mahout me for a bit longer. But… firing off a text to Haru-san, who would pull CCTV from the café using Ministry powers, Kana khat there would be more and more people g such fraudulent abilities. Although if they did have a Divine Favour things could have got messy. Though… There were the pictures on her phoh Akio and Shaeu. If the idiots still wao trouble them after that, then there was no helping them…

  As the versation tinued, about magic, London, Kyoto and more, Kana exged a gh Eri. It’s all different now. My css has been spreading that those of us at my shrine are involved. Sooner or ter it’ll reach other schools as well, through girls who are friends or retives… Soon there would be o hide, and Kana, Eri and the others would have to face the public, where pests and frauds like those guys would be the least of their worries…

  ShipTeaser