On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Side One Hundred And Forty-Five – Watanabe Karen

“You know, I used to hate these drinking parties, Noboru-san.” I told my neighbour as I took a draught of the rather nice beer from the glass mug I was holding. Wiping the foam from my mouth, I looked around at the lively atmosphere, with my new co-workers and some younger guests. “My old boss was a filthy pig. He’s in prison now though. Serves the bastard right.” I downed the rest of my mug with satisfaction before slamming it down, immediately regretting it, as this wasn’t some cheap izakaya we were drinking at, but a nice private room in a hotel in Ginza. Thankfully the table isn’t scratched…

“Sound like you had it hard.” A young man, the same age as Akio, I thought, said. He was a handsome blonde, and was cheerful and a good leader, from what I had gathered working with him recently. “I heard that Akio-kun had a lot to do with his downfall?”

“I don’t think you should be asking about that.” The young woman beside him said. She was pretty in a shy sort of way, and the two of them were engaged. Lucky. Seems like it’s just old women like me who missed out. “Sorry.” She continued. “Hayato isn’t normally so insensitive. If you don’t want to talk about it…”

“It’s fine.” I said to the perceptive woman, Hina-chan. Another of Akio’s old University friends. I’m amazed that they all gave up their careers to come work for him… “It never got too far. I’m not some sort of idiot who gives in. You surrender, and you’re a slave forever.”

“Here.” Noburu-san handed me another beer. I took a contemplative sip.

“Thanks. Anyway, when Akio-kun gave me a job, he already saved my life.” I laughed bitterly. “I was in my lowest ebb, not sure how I was going to live. The fact that he ended up crushing that bastard incidentally was just a bonus.”

“And then you reached out to me.” Tanaka Taku-san said. Now his own money worries were over he looked like a man ten years younger than his age. “I’m grateful that you thought of us.”

I rolled my eyes. “When I’m looking for guys who will be pathetically grateful and keep Akio-kun’s secrets, of course I’d think of you pair.”

“I think she’s embarrassed.” Hina-chan said, a small smile on her face. “It’s the same for us, isn’t it, Aimi-chan?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah it is.” The short, busty girl said. Another of Akio-kun’s friends. I bet she got a lot of attention with that chest… “We couldn’t leave Shiro and Akio-kun to do this alone. We promised each other we were friends forever!”

“It’s easy to say, but not so easy to put your futures on the line for it, though.” I said. “For us it was an easy choice.”

Noboru-san nodded, looking at his daughter, Sana-chan. She was there with two other girls her age, chatting away as young girls do, though Sana-chan was clearly the most outgoing. “That’s right. It was a small risk for me, but the rewards… it’s not even the money. It’s pride in myself, and having my daughter talk to me again.”

“Akio-san is a soft touch.” Haru-chan said. She was here with us, ostensibly as security, as now that the world knew about Akio-kun, a situation I still found equal parts baffling at times, there was a danger we might be targeted, small though it was. Though I’m sure she’s just here because Akio-kun thinks she needs to unwind. He told me she had been working too hard recently. Well, isn’t that his fault anyway? “He likes to meddle and help people. He had no cause to help me, but he did.”

“Akio-kun’s always been like that.” Another one of his friends, Shugo-san, came over, holding his own beer. “Don’t you think, Hayato-kun?”

He nodded. “That’s right. He’s easy-going and never much asserted himself, but he was always there to smooth things over with a quip or making himself the butt of a joke. He always used to be very considerate of Shiro too. And I don’t think it was because she’s a beauty.”

“To think that Akio-kun and Shiro ended up hooking up.” Aimi-chan giggled. “She always used to put you all down and say she’d only marry a billionaire.”

“Akio-san is a billionaire.” Haru-chan said. “But I don’t think that’s the reason she’s with him…”

“No.” Hayato-kun agreed. “Shiro needs someone that understands her, and is willing to pamper her. She’s always been a painfully fragile girl. Handle her wrong and she’ll shatter.”

“She did make a deal with a being from another world that would have left her as the empress.” Haru-chan pointed out. “I haven’t had many dealings with Taṇhā, but she’s frightening.” She shuddered. “But she can’t do anything dangerous, she doesn’t want to go against Akio-san.”

“To think that our humble little Akio-kun managed to tame her. And the others too… that’s the strangest thing of all.” Hayato-san agreed. “I still can’t believe it.”

“Me neither, man!” Shugo-san said, nodding. “All those nights in Akihabara talking shit about harems and isekai, and now we’re living in a harem fantasy. And Akio-kun’s the protag, lucky bastard.”

“Should you really be saying that, Shugo-kun?” Aimi-chan said in a singsong voice, teasing him. “You have your hot teacher girlfriend now, shouldn’t you be thankful? She could have come tonight, Akio-kun isn’t stingy with the company expenses!”

“She has to work tomorrow. Besides, it’s not like your boyfriend is here, is he Aimi-chan?” he said defensively.

“Look, Akio-kun and Shiro have a lot of secrets.” She explained. “You think I want to bring him in? I’m not stupid.”

“If it’s serious, maybe you should.” Hina-chan said, and I decided to intervene.

“I think we never know just how life will go. Hasn’t this proved it?” I took another swig of my beer. “I’d say this event would probably have been fine, but…”

“Looking at me?” Haru-chan said. “I can keep a secret. Don’t they say dead men tell no tales? I’m not a man though…” She cracked a smile, and it pained me to see the bitter feelings behind it.

“It’s all right, Haru-chan. Youn don’t have to worry about being hurt again. Akio-kun has your back, right?” I said, and Noburu-san spoke up.

“Seems like you believe in him more than anyone else, Karen-san.”

“Me? I suppose so. And not just him. Shaeula too. I think if there’s any misery in their path, they’ll bulldoze it out of the way. Just look at the whole situation we were talking about, with the toad of my ex-boss. He was collateral damage in helping out her friend Ichika-chan, and she was up against some yakuza-sponsored ring of fraudsters. I think we’re lucky to be their friends. I think if there’s ever any problems we have, all we have to do is ask…”

“Konoe-chan, I remember her. Yasu-kun thought she was cute.” Aimi-chan rolled her eyes, seeming happy to change the subject. “I doubt he has a chance with her. If anyone knows any girls with low standards, let me know and I’ll try and arrange a date for him. It’s pitiful that he’s the only one of us who doesn’t have a partner.”

As we laughed, Hina-chan looked over to where Yasu-san was talking to his cousin Hisano-chan and the other girls. “You shouldn’t be so mean, Aimi-chan. It’s just that he’s comparing himself to Akio-san and Hayato. It’s a bad match-up.”

“Nice humblebrag about your fiancé there!” Aimi-chan shot back, and there was more laughter. Meanwhile, Yasu-san was arguing with his cousin, waving his glass of beer frantically.

“I don’t know how to face your parents, Hisano-chan!” he was saying loudly, face red from booze. “They don’t know what’s going on! It’s dangerous, you know!” I could almost hear the exclamation marks at the end of each sentence he was saying. “You’re still in school, you’re too young to be getting involved in adult matters!”

“Adult matters? Like… a job, right? I totes don’t think you are suggesting that Hisano-chan here is doing adult stuff, right?” Sana-chan said, sticking up for the girl she had just met. “That’s so lame, man.”

“No, I… not shy little Hisano-chan. But…” his eyes narrowed. “You go to an all-girls school, right Hisano-chan?”

“That’s right. It’s a shrine school, not that I understood what that meant. Now I do though.” She looked at the other girl she was with, Maiko-chan, the daughter of Hisuikomushi shrine. “What’s that got to do with anything, Yasu-kun?” she said back, defensive.

“You don’t have any resistance to guys! You’re too young to be thinking about playing around!” he insisted.

“I can’t watch this.” Shugo-san said, sighing. Walking over he put his hand on Yasu-san’s shoulder. “Hey man, chill out. This is supposed to be a relaxing night out, a reward for our hard work. Don’t ruin it.”

Yasu-san jumped, before looking down, guiltily. “I just worry, you know? It’s not like you have a relative to worry about, is it?”

“We never knew you had one either. Everyone knows about Akio-kun’s sister and childhood friend, but you kept your cousin quiet. Despite ragging on Akio-kun for his enviable fortune.” He persisted. “Look, Yasu-kun, be honest.”

“I’m jealous, damn it.” Yasu-san said, chugging his beer. “I thought Akio-kun and you were like me, Shugo-kun! I mean, Hayato-kun, he was always going to be popular with the ladies…”

“Me?” Hayato-san said mildly, and his fiancée laughed, gigging.

“It’s true. Even Shiro said you would be passable if you were rich, right?”

“She said similar about Akio-kun too, if I remember.” He demurred, as the argument continued. I suppose it’s entertaining in a way, but if it gets too much… I glanced at Haru-chan, who clearly was still nervous around men. I think Akio-kun is trying to acclimatise her to them again slowly. It’s sweet that he’s thinking of her, but… it’s not easy to get over such terrible things. I can hardly even imagine it, and I was almost…

“Me?” Shugo-san snorted. “Speak for yourself, man. But Akio-kun was pretty well put together back then. Shy and easy-going, sure, but he’s got that Western height and cast, and those eyes. Plenty of girls thought he was okay, right Aimi-chan, Hina-chan?”

“Don’t get me involved in this! Hina-chan neither!” Aimi-chan sniffed, before going over to the girls. “But yeah, Hayato-kun and Akio-kun were the lookers of the group. But being honest, for a bunch of geeks, we had a lot of handsome people. Even you’re all right, Yasu-kun. Maybe we didn’t think about it because when next to Shiro, we all looked plain. So anyway… Hisano-chan… we don’t really do much in the other world, the Boundary. Too busy, and our job is to do other things. So Yasu-kun worries…”

“Hey, dad, you go in there, right? I’m curious.” Sana-chan piped up. “Tell us about it!”

Noboru-san looked a little abashed, before admitting that he didn’t have much experience of it. I don’t either, although Akio-kun says we should all learn an element at least…

“Damn, that’s a shame, I totes thought you’d be able to score some points with me, earn some more respect. Well…” she drank her non-alcoholic cocktail. “… I guess Hisano-chan and Maiko-chan can tell us.”

“There isn’t much danger.” Hisano-chan said. “Yes, when I learned earth element, I was told I could get some levels, so I went to the front by Sagami Bay. But it’s totally safe. The monsters are beaten down and we just finish them off.”

“It can be tough though. My father…” Maiko-chan said. “… he was like Oshiro-san. But he was taken hostage by a bad man and trapped in a coma…”

“Enough of that!” I said hurriedly, looking at Haru-chan, whose hand was trembling. “We know it can be dangerous. Look at the Press Conferences from Britain, and Kyoto. But Akio-kun is making sure that doesn’t happen again. Well, as much as anyone can, anyway.”

“Yes.” Haru-chan said after taking a deep, reflexive breath. She doesn’t need to breathe, but her body does it out of habit, so she says. And because it’d cause people to feel uncomfortable, and not able to know why, if she didn’t. “It’s not safe, but then, just because it isn’t, doesn’t mean we can be safe by avoiding it. Look at me.” She said, shaking her head. “That’s why I’d rather get stronger now. Besides, I owe Akio-san. So take what’s offered. Hisano-san is wise. Besides…” This time Haru-chan’s grin was natural, impish, and very cute. Such a shame. She’s a very attractive woman. To think that happened to her… “… once you know earth element, you have a bright future in the construction industry. Akio-san has been pushing all the Black Wolf Company to learn, but I’m sure if you wanted to earn some extra money, Hisano-san, you could put in a few shifts.”

“I’ve learned wind, since our shrine is that of a wind kami.” Maiko-chan said, half-relieved.

“Awesome. I wish I could learn. It’d show my bitch of a stepsister up. Mom too. It’s getting totes unbearable at home. But I’m totes, totes scared of that Hinata chick. She’s cute as a button, but mad scary, ya feel me?”

“Yes, I certainly don’t have the authority to ask Akio-san.” Noboru-san agreed. “Sorry Sana.”

“It’s fine. I get it.” She waved it away. “But you girls are cute, your skin is great.” She prodded Hisano-chan’s cheek, who yelped. “When you wear as much makeup as I do, I’d kill for whatever makes your skin so perfect.”

“Cute, me?” Hisano-san shook her head, laughing. “No way, I’m so plain.”

“Not true, Hisano-chan!” Yasu-san said. “That’s why I’m worried. If you … what if Akio-kun…”

“Me and Akio-kun?” she said, raising one eyebrow. “Are you serious, cousin? Save sleep talking for when you’re asleep. He’s going out with Kana-san. She’s the prettiest girl in our school. He wouldn’t even look at me.”

“Kana-san has changed. She used to be cold as ice to those she saw as beneath her.” Maiko-chan agreed. “Now… she’s actually nice. It’s a relief. It’s hard for me. My shrine is Amaterasu faction, while all the others are neutral or Susanoo. I always felt out of place.”

“Isn’t all that done with?” Haru-san asked. “Now it’s all Akio-san’s faction.”

“Maybe so, but… I can’t help how I feel.” Maiko-chan answered.

“So yes, Kana-san has mellowed. But comparing me to her, or any of the others… you’ve seen them, right?” Hisano-chan pressed Yasu-san. “You think I could compete with that?”

Hang on a minute. “You sound like you want to compete?” I said, and several of the girls nodded agreement.

“No, I don’t.” she blushed. “I’m … not interested in a relationship. I’m still young!” she defended herself. “I was shellshocked at first. I had no idea why I was there, or what I was doing. I only came to protect Maiko-san from Kana-san, since I saw her as the ruthless queen of the school back then. I thought she was just dragging Maiko-san over to bully her.” As Maiko-chan murmured her thanks, Hisano-chan shook her head, pushing up her glasses with one finger contemplatively. “I never did apologise for that. Perhaps I should. I wronged her. But she changed because of Akio-kun. Her friends too. They were a frightening trio at school. Us plainer students stayed well clear. But then when I was lost, Akio-kun told me I wasn’t as pathetic as I thought I was. And he meant it, I know.”

“Akio-kun… hitting on Hisano-chan!” Yasu-san ground his teeth.

“Oh shut up.” She said scornfully. “He was just being sincere. He’s… good at seeing the best in people, I think?”

I nodded at that. “I think that’s it perfectly, Shaeula says the same. He found her value, despite their first meeting being terrible. Hyacinth too.”

“Shiro says the same.” Hina-chan said suddenly. “I don’t really understand it, but it would have been easier and better for Akio-san to let her die, she said. But there’s no way Akio-san could ever do that… he clearly loves her. But…”

“Yes. He’s given her a better reason to go on. Though she does complain about being a buff engine…” Hayato-san smiled wryly. “… she’s genuinely happy all the time. She was always melancholy, forcing a smile, trying to mine out what small joys she could. And from what little she’s said about how she got her own abilities… she made a bad decision out of desperation. But Akio-kun never gave up on her. So I think…” she looked at Hisano-chan. “… it made you happy, didn’t it?”

“At first I didn’t believe him, after all, it’s hard being amongst all those opponents we could never defeat, right Maiko-san?” as her friend nodded, she continued. “But I thought about it, and realised he’d have no reason to lie to me. It wasn’t as if he was trying to win me over.” she sighed. “So I neatened up, changed my hairstyle, got new glasses with the money I was making… and I… is it wrong to say I don’t think I’m too bad? I’m not Kana-san, but…”

“Yeah, you’re totes cute enough girl.” Sana-chan agreed. “Prettier than my dumbass stepsister, no question. But if you ask me, seems like you’re carrying a bit of a torch for him…”

“Hardly. But… if I was to get a boyfriend, I’d want someone who sees the me hidden within, the me I could be with enough effort. He’ll never look at me, that’s fine. I’m not brave enough to stand next to any of his women anyway. I’m not stupid…” she laughed. “… but Yasu-kun, I’m not a child. I’m a co-worker too. We all are here. So please, don’t treat me like the little kid you used to know.”

“Hey, I’m the only one here not involved.” Sana-chan laughed. “I just nagged my dad to bring me as I was bored at home. Damn, I totes feel like a freeloader.”

“That’s because you are.” Hisano-chan giggled. “But…” she frowned, thinking a moment before saying something outrageous. “… if you seriously want to be a part of this, it’s easy. So long as you’re a girl.” She looked Sana-chan in the eyes. “Your dad doesn’t have to go asking Akio-kun any favours. And you don’t need to worry about upsetting Hinata-san. Just next time you see Shaeula at the shrine, go ask her.” She giggled, surprising us with how amused she sounded. “Just be warned, she’ll try and push you into Akio-kun’s clutches. But she’s not a bitch about it. I wondered why she would do that at first, I couldn’t understand her, but…”

“But Shaeula is very easy to understand.” Haru-san said softly. “She’s also kind. She never presses me. I think she knows…”

“Yes, just because she recommends Akio-kun doesn’t mean you have to listen.” Hisano-chan said. “So cheer up Yasu-kun. Akio-kun and I are friends. To be honest, he’s more of an older cousin that gives me advice and worries about me than you!”

As Yasu-kun winced, Aimi-chan slapped him on the back. “Don’t look so down. Sadly you underestimated your opponent, and put yourself on Akio-kun’s level. Buy you still have… Yasu energy! Yeah, Yasu energy! Some girls… must surely… find that appealing? Right?” she looked around, and Hina-chan giggled, looking away.

“Damn it, Akio-kun stole my cousin, so… I’ll go for his sister! That’s it! That’ll show everyone!” he declared proudly, and we all gawked at him in amazement. He’s actually pretty funny. But Aimi-san is right, his opponent is just beyond imagination now. How a few months have changed my quiet, polite neighbour… Anyway, I’ll throw him a bone.

“Good luck. It turns out that Aiko-chan will be moving to Tokyo any day now. For security. So you’ll get your chance. Just… be careful, all right?”

“Yes, he’s a super siscon. It’s your funeral man.” Shugo-san said.

“There’s no way I’d be confident enough to go for your boss, dad.” Sana-chan said thoughtfully. “But… maybe I will speak to Shaeula. That’s cool, right?”

“I don’t like the idea of my daughter involved, but… it’s a career, like Karen-san says. And your school grades are terrible, right?”

“Wow, way to totes dunk on me in front of all my future coworkers!” she flushed. “But yeah, I’m a dumbass, just like you and mom. But I’ll never be as shameless as her, or my bitch of a stepsister…”

“Don’t worry, Chirurgery really helps with your grades. Remembering stuff is easy, and you can do calculations in your head so much faster. Akio-kun says…” Hisano-san rattled off, Maiko-chan backing her up.

“I still don’t like the way you call him Akio-kun all the time. A formal girl like you…” Yasu-san whispered, downing another beer. I suppose someone needs to console him. At times like this, my experience at work parties actually serves a purpose, right?

********

“So, Hisano-chan never calls anyone but me with a -kun!” Yasu-san was saying drunkenly. “It’s suspicious, I say! Suspicious! You think so too, right, Karen-chan?”

Really, I thought Yasu-san was the one they all made fun of. But he’s very overprotective of his cousin… it’s sweet, but he’s being so annoying. Really… I inspected Yasu-san. Yes, he looked like a punk with his massively half-bleached blonde and brown hair, and his choice of clothes was a little off-putting, but he wasn’t bad looking at all. He’s got a steady job now, he shouldn’t find it hard to find love. Ugh, that just makes me remember I’m past thirty and single. But then… don’t I have a steady job too, the personal secretary to Akio-kun, saviour of London? I’m not bad looking either, and my figure is still great…

“Are you listening, Karen-chan?” Yasu-san said, and I held in a sigh.

“I am. You’re worried about how much your precious cousin likes Akio-kun. But really… what’s the worst that happens?” I gulped down the whiskey in front of me. It was more expensive than I’d normally go for, but Akio-kun never stinted on employee benefits. “You’ve known Akio-kun longer than me. Is he the sort to toy with girls and cast them aside?”

“No, but…” he began, only for Shugo-san to join in.

“Give It up man.” He sat down and started drinking too. “People change, Akio-kun and Shiro certainly have, but their cores don’t. He’s not going to toss your cousin in the trash afterwards. Hell, think of all those times we talked about harems in Bar Sekirei. You wanted one more than anyone, man.” He put a drunken arm around Yasu-san’s shoulder. “Seeing it in real life is crazy, but… they all look like they’re having fun. Shiro too. Damn, I nearly cried when I heard she’d got badly hurt and had to take a leave of absence. And now she’s good as new, and always smiling. A real smile. You know it, man!”

“Yeah but… it’s Hisano-chan! I remember her sitting there quietly in the corner, cute as a button, reading a book. She’s a kid…”

“Only to you.” I said, shaking my head. “Take some advice from a woman who’s older than you…”

“Only by a year or two, right?” Yasu-san said. “Don’t put yourself down, you’re still smoking hot.” He then ruined the sentiments by looking down at my chest. I resisted the urge to pull my cardigan shut, and snorted.

“Nearly perfect there. But you blew it at the last. No, I’m afraid I’m a Christmas Cake. Stale and past my sell-by date. But thanks for the vote of confidence. Anyway, if they do get together, Akio-kun will treat her just like the others. With respect and love. But why worry about something that likely won’t happen?”

“I think so too.” Shugo-san agreed. “Also, I honestly don’t think you look thirty.” He said to me, and I laughed it off.

“You have a girlfriend, right? Should you be flirting with me?”

“Just saying what I see. Maybe it’s the effects of the Chirurgery? Who knows. In any case, if you’re on the market, I bet you’ll have some takers. Unless you are holding out for Akio-kun like little Hisano-chan?”

“Why does everyone keep talking like it’s a done deal?” Yasu-san howled. “Over my dead body!”

Ignoring him, I answered Shugo-san. “Me? Akio-kun? I deeply respect him, I’d almost worship him, considering how he reached out to me when I was at rock bottom, but I don’t love him that way. I don’t have the confidence for that. I get where Hisano-chan is coming from. But… I think of him as a younger brother, you know? Cheeky, causing trouble, needing advice… it’s a comfortable role.”

“A dangerous one too.” Shugo-san laughed. “He’s a certified siscon, so you might just end up in his sights… but I get it. He definitely needs advice, or he’s going to get stabbed…”

“We were talking about Hisano-chan…” Yasu-san said sullenly.

“Nope, you were.” Shugo-san disagreed. Everyone was mingling, Haru-san talking to the men, trying to get familiar with them, while the girls were clustered around Hisano-chan and Maiko-chan, asking more details about what Akio-kun and the others did in the Boundary. “We’re bored of that topic. It’s a done deal.” He winked at me. “So, since you’re so gloomy, despite all the booze being on Akio-kun, let’s talk a topic close to your heart. Harems…” Shugo-san winked at me and I bit down on a laugh.

“You’re doing this on purpose!” Yasu-san complained.

“Actually, I’m curious.” Shugo-san admitted. “Setting aside your cousin, who do you think Akio-kun will get his claws in next? We aren’t foolish enough to think he’s reached maximum harem size, right?”

“He’s honestly not trying to collect girls. He’s just… to be honest, I see how he ended up with each one.” I defended him, as a good older sister should. He’s so going to get stabbed though. “But if you had to ask me… do you want the cheat answer or the speculation?”

“Cheat answer?” Yasu-san was interested despite himself. “You have inside info?”

“Let big sis fill you in. You know there was this woman who died?” At work I got to talk to the various girls who were always around, such as Shiro, Shaeula, Eri-chan, Hinata-chan or Kana-chan, and I had heard about Tsukiko-san.

“Yeah, Shiro said she was there, and Akio-kun was totally devastated.” Shugo-san said. “So?”

“Apparently she’s only mostly dead.” I didn’t understand it myself, and I was old enough and wise enough to know when not to ask, but as I glanced at Haru-san, I imagined it was the same sort of thing. “Shaeula and Shiro both told me she’d be coming back one day. And that as she died, she kissed Akio-kun.”

“Oh. Done deal then. Next you’ll be telling me she has some tragic backstory, like Shiro and her ill-health.” Shugo-san snorted.

“Exactly right. Apparently she’s very famous in shrine circles as a holy woman. But she never was able to live her own life, or find love.”

“I bet she’s got to be gorgeous too…” Yasu-san slammed his glass down, aggravated. “Damn you Akio-kun, leave some for meeeeeeeee!”

“From what I hear, she’s as pretty as Shiro. I find it hard to believe, but supposedly that’s true.” I heard a banging sound, only to see Yasu-san limp on the table.

“That sounds like a winner. I salute you!” Shugo-san gestured to me. As he did so, Haru-san, tired of interacting with men all alone, sat down beside me.

“What’s up with him?” she tilted her head.

“He’s just heard about this woman Tsukiko-san.” Shugo-san said. “Now he’s depressed.”

“Kyoto was terrible. But she’s sleeping peacefully. One day…” Haru-san’s eyes looked sad. “… she will smile again.”

“Yes. I know.” I agreed. “But, her aside… who do you think Akio-kun will take for his own next?”

“Princess Eleanor, perhaps? Akio-kun thinks she doesn’t like him much, but…” she began, and even Shugo-san looked surprised.

“Really? That British Princess? Don’t they have to marry Dukes and Earls?”

“That’s so old-fashioned. Britain has a monarchy, but it’s not like your novels.” Aimi-chan had joined us now as well, crossing her arms under her ample chest. “There was definitely a tension between them on the TV.”

“From what I hear, they really got off on the wrong foot, but Akio-kun and the others saved her life and Britain, right? They said so at the Press Cofernce. Hard for a woman to ignore that. And if she feels guilty because she was harsh with him…”

“Can we drop this? I’m just depressed now…” Yasu-san groaned.

“It’s just speculation.” I chuckled. “Come on, cheer up! Let’s talk about something else. How’s your work going? Some sort of supercomputer, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He managed. “It’s actually a lot of fun. Getting to mess around with high-end gear and make something amazing…”

“It’s not for fun. It’s so Akio-kun can use his good luck…” Aimi-chan said firmly, and as they argued, I smiled to myself. This is fun. Yes, not like the old work parties at all…

********

“So yeah, I’m a new me!” Yasu-san was saying. “By Christmas Eve, I’ll have a woman to spend it with!”

“That deadline’s a bit tight, man.” Shugo-san teased him. “Going to have to step up your game.”

“I’m not going to be the only one alone at Christmas.” He looked around until he spotted me, brightening up. “How about you, Karen-chan? You should do it too, get a great boyfriend and show all these so-called friends who is boss!”

“Leave me out of it.” I snorted, amused. “I’m focussing on my career for now. But… good luck, I guess.”

“I’ll do it! I will! Hisano-chaaaaaan!” he scurried off, bothering his cousin. “Are there any single girls at the training school who would be interested in me…?”

“I thought you said we were too young for dating?” she shot him down, before relenting. “But there are a few older girls there. I’m not sure they’d be interested in you though!”

“That’s totes a brutal putdown, Hisano-chan! You go girl!” Sana-chan giggled. As I watched that, I turned back to Haru-san, who had received a message on her phone.

“What’s up? Trouble?” I asked, only for Haru-san to smile happily.

“No, it looks like something has happened, because Eri-san is completely healed!”

“Eri-chan? That’s great news. You hear that, everyone! Eri-chan is cured. This calls for another round!”

As everyone cheered, Hina-chan spoke for us all. “Just like with Shiro. I guess we’re living in exciting times. It’s scary, but…”

“You got it girl!” Aimi-chan agreed, hugging her. “It’s everything we dreamed of, but that’s worrying in itself, because powers like Akio-kun and Shiro got aren’t given out for no reason. But why worry?

“That’s right.” I agreed. “For now, all we can do is celebrate. And have faith. And look out for one another. Because we’re all co-workers. Even you, Sana-chan!”

“Me? Well… yeah. Yeah! Screw my bitch of a stepsister, and whatevs mom says. I can totes get a job, ya feel me! I’ll speak to that cutie Shaeula tomorrow!” As Hisano-chan and Maiko-chan gave her advice, I looked at Noboru-san.

“Don’t worry. Everyone will look after her. And she’s right. If you think of it as a job, then it’s an enviable one. We know that too, right?”

“Right.” He laughed nervously. Holding his glass he clinked it against mine. “And tomorrow sounds like it’s going to be a busy day.”

“Isn’t it always?” I took a swig of whiskey. Yes, it always is. But there’s also always something unexpected and wonderful happening. If I could go back to the world I knew before… I’d refuse. This is the world I… she looked around at everyone here, making merry. … no, we… belong in. The world we’re forging ourselves, Akio-kun and the others leading us onwards…