On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Ninety-Three

As Akai collapsed, I could feel a sense of amusement from one of the spirit-lights floating around me. When I concentrated on it, I could pick up some of Ginneka’s feelings, that of a cat stalking her prey. I guess Yōkai cats and Yōkai birds are still animals at heart, maybe? Expressing my disapproval that she’d bully an idiot like Akai, I left the cat to her amusement. She must be getting close to gathering enough aether to be reborn. I’ve been pumping it in, and Shaeula’s been contributing too. Yes, the flow has slowed now I’ve started separating my body and half of my supply is going to that, but… even as I thought that Ginneka’s amusement deepened, and I got the feeling she was trying to convey to me that a lot of it was my fault too.

As Saionji-san was trying to wake Akai up, her body still and unresponsive, just like Shaeula’s would be when she wasn’t occupying it, Yasuhide-san was chuckling to himself, as though none of this had anything to do with him, and Fukumoto-san asked me if I had to deal with things like this all the time.

“I do. There’s never a dull moment.” I agreed. “This is just some harmless entertainment. But more importantly…” My phone was pinging messages non-stop. “… what was that about a press conference?” I asked, and Saionji-san gave up trying to wake Akai, his expression grave. Turning to one corner of the meeting room, where there was a TV on the wall, he quickly found the remote.

“It’s quicker if you can see for yourself, Akio-san. It’s trouble, that’s for certain.”

As the screen opened to a news report from NHK, I could see a man, old but still regal, dressed in the same sort of white robes as Mary Stuart wore, though instead of pretty tinkling bells of crystal, these robes were austere, almost militant, like something a warrior-monk might wear. At his side was belted a great book, and even without my Eye, I could tell it was something special.

“It seems like attempts were made to upload the footage to broadcast stations worldwide.” The news anchor was saying. “Here in Japan, only FBS in Fukuoka broadcasted the event. The executive who illegally uploaded the stream, disrupting scheduled programming and costing advertisers millions of yen in lost revenue, as well as spreading panic, with the events of Kyoto and London fresh in everyone’s minds, was quickly apprehended, where he confessed to tampering with the broadcasts. The executive has been arrested, and…”

“I see. What about the internet?” I asked and pulled out my phone. There were messages to call the Prime Minister, Fujiwara-san and Ichijou-san, and even Eleanor. Shouldn’t she be in bed? It must be getting on for midnight over there…

“It’s all over the web, of course.” Saionji-san said. “It was streamed extensively, and now the video is being uploaded and disseminated, translated into a multitude of languages. This has been prepared in advance.”

Looking at my phone, I saw a message from Tsumura-san too. The military had pinpointed the source of the signal to Italy, rather, somewhere around the Vatican, and the original broadcast went out around two in the morning local time. That’s a bit under an hour ago, right?

“It seems a strange time to broadcast, won’t most people be asleep?” I mused. “Hardly an effective use of their time.”

“Maybe so, but this was a worldwide broadcast. South America, the United States… numerous stations all across the Americas were delivering this message during peak hours.” Fukumoto-san realised. “I was never a particularly gifted student, but isn’t the majority of both North and South America of the Christian persuasion? And they have a large population…”

“Africa too. The majority are of the faiths he spoke of.” Saionji-san confirmed. “Timewise, their efforts don’t match the European time zones, but then that’s where their reach is greatest, isn’t it? Besides, it doesn’t matter when the initial message was delivered, it’s out there, and there’s no taking it back.”

Yasuhide-san was watching the subtitles on another re-run of the speech, nodding to himself and grinning while drinking his tea. When I asked him what was so funny, he stroked his long white beard happily. “I was just thinking I’m so very glad you are in charge now, Akio-kun, and I no longer have to deal with this. No, this old man is happy to sit on the side-lines and cheer for you!”

Saionji-san growled at that, clenching his fists. “No way, old man! You don’t get to sit this one out! Make yourself useful and do something.” Annoyed, Saionji-san turned to me, before I could speak. “I know what you’re going to say. Yasaka-san will be ready. Poor bastard, he was enjoying getting some rest while you were tied up sorting out that mess in London.”

“… root out impropriety?” the news anchors were discussing the inflammatory speech given by the colleague of Mary Stuart. “That sounds rather like a call for violence, doesn’t it?”

“It’s hard to say. Here in Japan, we have held a long tradition of religious tolerance…” the other reporter said.

“Not so.” Yasuhide-san disagreed mildly, amused. “You should remember from your history lessons at school the banning of Christianity in sixteen-fourteen, and the execution of missionaries and priests. Of course, modern Japan is a society that is largely secular. We have more shrines and temples than many other countries, and religious ceremonies and festivals are still important, but if you ask whether many actually believe… well, there’s the question. We celebrate Christmas, no?”

“The past doesn’t matter, old man.” Saionji-san complained. “As one of the pivotal figures of the faith, you should be taking this seriously!”

“Oh I am.” He assured us. “But again, I am merely here to advise. I’ll leave the hard decisions to you youngsters. Akio-kun…” he turned to me, as I was listening to further discussion on the Television of the calls to unite and also to turn away from the Divine Favours offered, to cling to their faith and their God. “… our whole purpose, be it me, Bankei, Gin-kun or even poor foolish Uchida Ren-kun, was to make sure that the faith endured and prospered. We may have differed in what we considered prospering…” Saionji-san snorted at that bitterly. “… but we all want the legacy to continue. And now we have even more reason to wish for that.”

“Yes, the kami, the Gods are real. Not just ours, but many, it seems.” Saionji-san said. “It seems that our Japanese kami alone cannot be raised above the others, but to allow them to be cast down… that we can’t abide!”

“Yes. I owe a debt of gratitude to Tyr, I admit.” I said carefully. “I’m not saying that’ll get me to join his camp, but I will repay the favour. Likewise, those who have other Divine Favours, we’ll need to make sure their patrons aren’t forgotten. But we can’t allow those who believe their way is the only way to triumph.” I remembered Mary Stuart. She had such power, yet she wasted it trying to bully and control Eleanor and Britain, and in doing so lost everything, and other Chosen were drawn in and wasted, their potential and lives squandered foolishly.

“The situation here is not as grave. It’s slow, but just like after Kyoto, worldwide, mobs are starting to form.” Yasuhide-san pointed to the TV again, which was showing pictures in Brazil, Chile, the USA, and more. Crowds were gathering, and in some countries, it had already turned violent, with looting and skirmishes with the police and military. “We’ve already had our inciting incident, Kyoto, and while it might stir the protesters to mobilise again, I doubt we’ll see any full-scale religious infighting…”

Fukumoto-san, who had been silent during the religious discussion, spoke up. “I think the important issue is to not mistake our goals. What is it that we need?” As he spoke, my phone started to ring, and it was the Prime Minister again. I can hardly believe that when a crisis happens the Prime Minister is dialling me. Perhaps that’s the most shocking thing of all…

“I guess I should take this. Don’t worry, I can listen as well.” I said. “Good morning, Prime Minister. I can guess why you’ve called.”

“Of course you can.” Abe-san sighed, exasperated, and I could hear the weariness in his voice. “What a thing to face first thing in the morning! This cult, or religious order, or whatever it is, it’s the same ones that you and Princess Eleanor of Britain fought, right?”

“The goal here is to keep Japan in a state of calm, protect the religious figures and sites of Japan from persecution, and prepare Japan for what is coming, while keeping control of the other Chosen who might have other, conflicting goals, right?” Fukumoto-san was saying. On hearing voices, Abe-san asked me if there were others there. When I explained who, he asked to switch it to a conference call, and after a bit of fiddling with a laptop we were online.

“Fukumoto-san, your presence is a surprise.” The Prime Minister said. “It might be useful to have a perspective from an international businessman though. Do you see this affecting international trade and relations?” he got straight to the point.

“Any unrest can. We’ve already noticed a drop in rare earth metal imports and a spike in prices. China especially has been throttling us. Not that such is unusual.” He laughed. “Supplies of oil might be an issue if there are religious schisms in the OPEC countries. And I am hardly a religious scholar, but the majority, if not all OPEC nations are of the Abrahamic persuasion.”

“Not that such is the only problem.” The Prime Minister said. “Japan has been used to a peacetime economy for a long time. With the situation in China and now this… Japan is dependant on imports for too many key sectors, as you no doubt lament, Fukumoto-san.”

“Of course. As an island nation, our natural resources are rather limited. Perhaps there’s mineral wealth in the mountains and hills, but to extract them…”

“That’s not the future anyone wishes to see.” Saionji-san shook his head, looking down at the still unconscious Akai. “Many mountains are home to small shrines, or are said to be the abode of Yōkai. To plunder them for resources would destroy much of what we wish to protect.”

“it’s selfish, but we have to look out for ourselves. And our allies, of course.” The Prime Minister regarded me. “Our ties with Britain are only likely to grow stronger, but they have a remarkably similar position to us, being an island nation reliant on imports. We can help each other a little, but if the world switches to a war-time economy, or unrest hits exporting nations, reducing supplies, we will both be in the same boat. And sinking. The population is already on edge due to Kyoto and the shocking news of you Chosen, a drop in living standards would only stoke the flames higher.”

Japan imports almost all its oil and gas, as well as coal and other petroleum products. We do have some manufacturing of computer chips, such as with our very own Nichibotsu, but a majority is also imported, along with metals. Food-wise, at least we can manage…

“It’s not all doom and gloom.” Fukumoto-san said, looking at me. “Hinata has been telling me about your plans, both with the Ichijou girl, and also your own factories. I don’t claim to understand, perhaps because Hinata doesn’t herself, but isn’t it to do with high-capacity batteries, power generation and efficient recycling?”

“That’s right.” I agreed. “The prototypes work, so Ixitt says, but manufacturing them here on the Material is a challenge, as we simply don’t have access to Etherites and some of the materials. Of course, that’s not to say we can’t find substitutes. Or find another way to resolve the issue.”

“Can the Government invest in this?” the Prime Minister said suddenly. “Energy and resource security is vital. I have a bad feeling that we’ve seen the sparks falling, and the world is a powder keg waiting to explode. As long as we have food, energy and basic resources, we can weather the storm.”

“I don’t know about that.” Fukumoto-san’s gaze sharpened. “This is a business completely bankrolled and supported by my Grandson-in-law and his allies. Grabbing a piece of the pie at this stage seems a little greedy.”

“I’m hardly looking to boost public finances to ensure my re-election.” He said, frowning. “Though I admit, it would be nice to lower taxes. Anything to placate and distract the populace right now. This will reignite the voices calling for proactive action, even war. We are being threatened, we should act first they’ll say. No, it’s my responsibility to make sure the country thrives, especially in troubling times. I’m not asking to take control.” He looked at me earnestly. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. You think I’m stupid enough to try and force your hand? Even if leading lights such as Fukumoto-san, Fujiwara-san and Ichijou-san weren’t in your corner, your popularity with the public is spiking.”

“Though not with everyone.” Yasuhide said, amused. “There are those who call you a monster, or a warmonger, or a devil.” He snorted, drinking his tea. “I suspect that when they see someone like you truly abusing their power, they’ll see what a devil really is.”

“We’re trying to prevent that. That’s what the Ministry is for, at least in part. Though you’re right, we almost certainly won’t be able to prevent every incident, and definitely not worldwide.” I agreed, before addressing the Prime Minister. “I think we could accept some investment, but I don’t really want to give out shares in the business.”

Fukumoto-san nodded approvingly at that statement. “How about this? Government enterprise grants can be given for specific key industries. Now, giving money isn’t what you wanted, but if it helps kickstart his ambitions, the rewards are great. How about a contract? I’m confident if these work out even half as well as Hinata said, then the entirety of Japan will have to convert to be competitive. Power grids, generation, even batteries for devices such as electric vehicles, laptops, mobile phones… the demand will be endless. Now what will that bring to Japan? Taxes.” He grinned. “And unlike paying for imports of petrochemicals and lithium, the taxes will flow to our coffers, rather than abroad. With the balance of trade improved, and energy security met, we’ll be well placed to endure whatever chaos comes. Of course, there’s a demand for military equipment too, but isn’t that part of the deal with Ichijou house?”

“It’s too much for one group to handle. Even with your and Ichijou-san’s great wealth and reach.” The Prime Minister muttered. “Besides, what would you do with all that money?”

“Simple. Prepare.” I promised. “I’m not planning on sitting on a huge hoard of treasure like some dragon. Don’t get me wrong, my family, Hinata and the girls, all have to live a good life, as free of wants as I can manage…” At that Fukumoto-san smiled and nodded, his eyes knowing, and I realised there was no going back on our new living arrangements. It did look nice… “… but I’m mainly focussed on securing my Territory, both in the Boundary and here in the Material. The nominal agreements the Ministry had passed helps a lot, but… I need money, oceans of it, to secure as much as I can.”

“Make the grants repayable after certain conditions are met, with a hefty premium.” Fukumoto-san pressed Abe-san, his experience in business showing. “Call them a start-up investment or something similar. Akio-kun should be fine paying the country back more than he received, in addition to the taxes. But he and his family should retain full ownership.” He looked at me then. “Making a public company would be one way to secure funds, but… I think with this technology, you should hold it all. Internationally, it should be sought after too.”

“Can I put you in charge of that then, Fukumoto-san?” I asked. “I’m not well-versed in business.”

“I told you, call me Kenji, grandson-in-law.” He said cheerfully. “Especially after… well, soon. You do keep me busy, but my son does need to handle more of Nichibotsu’s work, so it leaves me a little free time.” He looked at Abe-san. “We can hash out the details. I want production to be scalable rapidly as soon as the final flaws are solved. Time isn’t on our side, is it?”

“I could use some good news. Don’t be too cruel to me. Suzuki-san will have to be in on this as well. He is Minister of Finance.” The Prime Minister conceded. “But we are getting off the topic a little. The situation…”

“Actually, I think we are on topic. We’re insulated from their declaration here in Japan to an extent. Britain might have troubles, but I’m taking steps to secure Eleanor’s position and her Territory, and I can respond rapidly if she’s threatened.” I explained. “We can work with our allies and those who owe us favours to try and calm things down, but… what we need are more distractions.” I grinned. “I think it’s time to release the information we hold…” as I explained, Yasuhide-san looked amused. The Prime Minister sighed when I finished.

“Such a small thing, but you’re right. It could have an impact far surpassing the size of the event. We’re already using your achievements to draw attention, so… fine. It’ll be done.”

We talked a little more about a few problems, and then the call concluded. I answered a few messages from other acquaintances, before looking down at the slumbering Akai. “You really need to wake her up. People will think we’ve killed a little girl here…”

“It’s fine. I’ll do it. So…our consensus is, cautious but not overly fearful?” he nodded at the news, which now had a panel of guests discussing the announcement by Mary Stuart’s church.

“That’s right. I don’t know how many powerful Chosen they have, Mary Stuart was a real threat, but I doubt they can act against us easily over the shorter term. And hopefully by the time they do, my Territory and maybe Haru-san’s too, will be Rank four.” Once I’ve done all the set-up and pushed my Territory to Rank 4, it’ll be significantly quicker for Haru-san’s, as I won’t need to worry about Silos or preparing the Ether Spires, though I probably want to build the extra ones I’ll be allowed as well…

“Propaganda is the key.” Yasuhide said. “Strange how this all worked out.” He looked at Saionji-san. “Gin-kun, you have your work cut out for you. If our opponents call our kami, our Gods false, we simply have to show them their true glory, and tie that into our heritage, our culture. You’d better get cracking on that Pilgrimage route.” He snorted happily. “I think now it might not just be a matter of what you need, Akio-kun. But something to reassure and inspire the people too.”

“You needn’t think you’re dumping all this on me, you old fart!” Saionji-san growled, but Yasuhide-san merely teased him.

“You wanted to be the head of the faith in this new Ministry. I graciously stepped aside, you should be thanking me…”

As they bickered, Fukumoto-san, no, Kenji-san pulled at my arm. “Now might be a good time to greet our other guests.” He said, and with one glance at the fallen Akai and the two arguing priests, I nodded. Yeah, let’s get this over with…

********

I spent several hours mingling with the large group of influential figures Kenji-san had gathered. It was rather tedious, though I did do some Ether Healing to break up the monotony, but while doing it I discovered the first benefit of being able to be in two places at once. Shiro had woken up and was back in the Boundary to refresh her buffs on the Tree, so I took a break from my practising (it was proving annoyingly taxing doing Ether Healing and combat training together, with the differing flows of time) to chat with her and Asha.

When I was done, we saw off the guests, some of whom were visibly grateful for my Healing, despite their conditions only being cosmetic or inconvenient, rather than life threatening. As they departed, Kenji-san grinned at me, looking a lot like Hinata at that moment.

“Wasn’t that enjoyable? Looks like you’ve already made a decent chunk of the money needed to afford that estate. And you’ve made connections. A lot of them are tiresome old bores, but they’ll be people you’ll need to work with since you are entering the world of business.”

“That’s true.” I agreed. “Some of them were even in related industries to Ixitt’s ideas, such as car manufacturing. But for now I have other priorities.” I had to make a phone call, to get the final go-ahead to set a plan in motion, and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. As we opened the door to the other room, I was relieved to see Akai up, but as she saw me she squawked in fright and darted behind the table, hissing loudly.

You can stop feeling so amused. I shot a thought at Ginneka, who I could feel sniggering nastily. “Calm down, I’m not going to eat you. I’m nice, I promise.” I said soothingly. As Akai blinked at me, wary, I looked at Saionji-san sympathetically. “Looks like you have it hard.” Shaeula and Hyacinth weren’t without their problems, Ixitt too, but… nothing so annoying.

“Akai is quite useful when it counts.” he said, reminiscing. “During the battle at Kinkaku-ji, before you arrived, she was one of the reasons we were able to hold. Come now Akai, you know him. He’s not one for harming others.”

“He’s not the same. Not like you anymore!” she insisted. “And there’s a hungry voice, I can hear it! She likes tormenting others!”

“She?” Yasuhide-san said, confused, and I explained about Ginneka hurriedly.

“To think your power is so strange.” Yasuhide-san chuckled, understanding. “But I should be grateful. Tsukiko-chan has a chance, thanks to you.”

“Only because I wasn’t good enough. This time. Next time I won’t need to rely on such skills.” I promised.

“You shouldn’t put such a burden on your shoulders, with such bold declarations.” Yasuhide-san said. “Trust the wisdom of the old. Do your best. That’s what counts. Nobody, not even yourself, can ask for more than that.”

“He’s right.” Kenji-san agreed. “You can plan and prepare all you like, but who can ever truly see the future?”

“Not even Tsukiko-chan could tell with certainty.” Yasuhide-san finished. “But one more thing, she said you aren’t the same, Akio-kun. What does she mean?” The others were looking at me expectantly, except for the nervous Akai of course.

I’ve not really talked about it outside my circle. But there’s no real need to keep it secret, other than the details of how it works. “Yasuhide-san, Kenji-san, this might be a little uncomfortable, but I’ll try and keep it to a reasonable level…” As they looked puzzled, I loosened the restrictions on my Charm, Majesty and League. It was clearly impossible to supress them entirely, though I instinctively did reduce it, to prevent problems in my day-to-day life. And doing so is good for the Resilience. I occasionally get a point here and there…

Saionji-san grimaced, and Akai paled, hiding behind him, though she was fine, her League easily able to tolerate mine. Phoenixes are supposed to be legendary… Even though I was making sure to try and direct it properly, it was still an impressive effect.

“It looks like you are shining, Akio-kun.” Yasuhide-san grimaced, “I think if I was a woman, I’d be rather charmed now.” He managed a chuckle. “I can see why you don’t seem like that ordinarily, you have quite enough woman troubles already.”

Kenji-san sat down, his face pale. “Yes, you almost seem to be glowing. You feel so… solid? Is that the word? As if the world around you is fake, and you are the only real thing.”

“It’s the calibre of his existence. League, Yasaka-san calls it.” Saionji-san had of course benefited from our shared knowledge. “It’s already in excess of some minor kami. But the feeling has changed, from Kyoto.”

“it’s grown.” I admitted. “But more importantly…” I looked at Akai. “She knows. I’ve shed my mortality. I’m a mix of human and spiritual being now.”

“Shed your mortality?” Kenji-san asked, stunned. “Does that mean… what, it can’t mean what I think it does?”

“He’s dangerous, much more than before.” Akai insisted. “So many elements, all of the seven! His wood element is stronger too, smells of divinity!”

“Being dangerous is good. Our enemies should fear him.” Saionji-san said, with a trace of the ruthlessness that had carried Amaterasu to the strongest faction of faith. “But I am curious as well. And unlike Fukumoto-san here, I understand what may be possible…”

“There’s no such thing as immortality, at least not that we know of.” I reassured them. “Even the spirits of the Fae wear down with the endless march of time. But they do live unbounded by the concept of ageing. No, I guess that’s not true. They do mature and grow, but it’s more a mental thing. But we’re not here to talk about the Fae. We’re talking about me.” They were hanging on my words, my Majesty holding their rapt attention. I remember Ortlinde saying intangible stats were rare. And from what I’ve seen, they are. It’s just we’ve been doing things that have strengthened ours a great deal…

“I’m now unbounded by either the physical or spiritual realms, I can exist in either.” There was no need to tell them about the Silver Connection and those implications. “I think that’s unnerving Akai.”

“I see. So… Hinata?” Kenji-san mopped at his sweaty brow. He blinked, as if starting into the sun, before continuing. “What about children? How does it work? And can… will she be able to do the same? She would be devastated to grow old while you… endure.” he shook his head, awed. “If you could bottle and sell that, you’d be able to rule the world.”

“I think it’d cause more problems than it solved.” I disagreed. “But… children should be fine. Shaeula says spiritual beings can breed just fine, and I still have a physical form too. As for whether Hinata will be left behind? I have no intentions of that. It might be a hard path for her, finding a way to break her limits, but we’ll be there to help her along it. Anyone I’ve accepted… I’ll never forsake.” I promised.

“It does an old man good to hear that.” He answered. My point made, I restricted by aura once more, and everyone sighed in relief. “This last few months have been one shock after another, each bigger than the last. To think I’m speaking to somebody more than human.”

“You already have. Even Akai here is. Though I wouldn’t say more than, just different.” I amended. “So, the Pilgrimage…”

“Yes, we should get back on track.” Saionji-san turned off the television, the last thing I saw the face of a man with absolute conviction, zeal shining in his eyes, looking out at me…

********

Once we had established the preliminary plan for the Pilgrimage, which had now turned into a grand, nationwide event, at least here on the Material, to raise morale and instil trust in our native Gods and kami, I left Saionji-san and Yasuhide-san to plan a route and the offerings, procession and other pageantry. The public participating is a must, apparently.

Kenji-san had invited me to lunch, to talk about business and also Hinata, I suspected, but I declined, as I needed to speak to Arisu-san. However, when I called, there was no answer, so I left her a message and spent a pleasant couple of hours with my grandfather-in-law. He was a shrewd mind when it came to manufacturing, and some of his ideas were worth implementing. I did feel a little reluctant to use up so much time when I was so busy, but with my Astral body working away again, it didn’t seem too bad. All-in-all, it was a good time to unwind. Except for the talk of Hinata moving in with me. I know enough about noble customs to know that is not the done thing, but that everyone in the nobility will view it as we are having a proper, full relationship, even if it’s only for half the week…

That done, I returned to Shirohebizumi shrine. I was browsing my phone, seeing the reaction to the declaration of intent from Mary Stuart’s Church online. Most people in Japan considered it someone else’s problem, but abroad, the gatherings had quickly become protests, marches and in some cases rioting. There had apparently even been deaths in Argentina when a riot turned bloody. Rumours were that a Chosen was involved, egging them on, but that wasn’t verified. It’s been less than a day, and some countries like Britain are only just waking up to the news…

I had briefly spoken with Eleanor and agreed to talk further in person later. It’s convenient we can use the Ring Gates so easily… Back at the shrine, I entered my office. Karen-chan was at her desk, so I went over and greeted her. In addition, I could see Hayato-san and some of the rest of the gang in one corner, sitting at a desk discussing something.

On seeing me, Karen-chan smiled in greeting. “Akio-kun, you’re back. About the news…” her expression turned troubled, but I shrugged.

“Don’t worry about that. That’s for the Prime Minister, the nobility and the Ministry to do something about. It doesn’t change anything. We were already enemies ever since London. Though I hope we can reach an accord. Wasting our resources and lives fighting each other is futile.” I looked at her for a moment, before grinning. Seeing that, Karen-chan asked me what I wanted.

“I have a job for you.” On hearing that she tensed, but I shook my head, smiling warmly. “Don’t panic. This should be a nice easy job. Turns out I’m moving home soon.” I emailed her the information, and she checked her laptop, face pale.

“This… that must cost… no, I shouldn’t be surprised.” Taking a deep breath, she asked me what she needed to do.

“It’s simple. The rooms will need redecorating and furnishing. I need you to check with the girls what they would like, and order any necessary furniture, electronics, anything they need.”

“That should be easy enough.” As she spoke I could see Hayato-san had stopped his conversation, and Hina-chan, Aimi-chan and Shugo-san were also watching. No Yasu-san today I see. He might be in the clean room, maybe? “I will get right on that. Uh, which girls?”

“All of them. Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi as well. Make a room for Kana too, even if we’re just at the dating stage.”

“All right. Anything else?” she took notes, and I nodded.

“Yes, there’s a second house there. My family and Eri’s too will be coming to live with us there. Do the same, make sure they have everything they need. I want their move to be as pain-free as possible.,”

“I see. Well, I suppose you would want to make your sister as comfortable as you can, Akio-kun.” she said slyly, and Aimi-chan burst out laughing at that. Holding the shreds of my dignity, I nodded.

“Of course. But not just her. Now hop to it, all right?”

“Yes boss!” she saluted me sarcastically, before heading off to the main house, where Eri and the others likely were. Since I know they aren’t in the Boundary right now…

With that done, I went to see my friends. “What’s up? Having a planning session?” I asked, and Aimi-chan spoke for the group.

“That’s right, Akio-kun. Just trying to earn an honest wage.” She pointed to the small prototype device on the table. “Oh, and Yasu-kun isn’t skiving, though I can imagine why you would think so, it being Yasu-kun.” She dissed him casually, which made us all grin, it was just like old times. Shiro may be missing, but she’s not far away, not any longer.

“He’s out scouring the back-alleys of Akihabara for some useful parts. We’re shipping in what we can get, and Hinata-chan has promised to get her grandfather’s company to manufacture anything we need and can’t do ourselves…” Aimi-chan continued, having taken a liking to the younger girl during my absence while I was in London. “… but it’s still hard going.”

“That’s right.” Shugo-san said, tapping the cube-shaped device. “It’s apparent we need to use true randomness, so we have to rely on external factors. The decay of a relatively harmless radioactive element can account for part of it, but then you need to make that into a number. Worse, we don’t want the number, but some method of mapping the numbers to answer a series of complicated questions that can’t easily be expressed in mathematical, numeric terms.” He scratched his head. “This one’s a real conundrum.”

“Yes, you set us quite the hard task.” Hina-chan said, pushing her glasses up her nose, like she sometimes did when concentrating hard on a problem. “Fortunately we’ve been talking to someone who has a very fresh take on the subject.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, interested.

“Yes.” Hayato-san said. “That colleague of yours, Ixitt, he gave us a contact who is very knowledgeable. I don’t know who they are, but some of their answers are inspiring. Running a smoothing algorithm makes the output more random, rather than a bell curve over time, but that’s not what we want. No, instead she suggested…”

I spent several hours having a fascinating talk with them. Yasu-san came back, with a bag full of miscellaneous parts, and I helped them put a few together. The most curious thing they had learned was a system for turning something such as a map into a set of numeric datapoints that could be selected at random. In addition to the software solution and coding, if it was paired by a reprogrammable hardware device, similar to old-style punch carding in a way, but significantly more high-tech, taking advantage of modern technology down to the nanometre scale, then data could be manipulated and changed, and further, additional layers of randomness could be applied, hopefully sifting out any biases. I can’t believe I actually miss this line of work. At the time it just paid the bills, but now… I spent a while longer talking and working, all the time wondering just who it was Ixitt had found that knew such a great deal about so many odd subjects…

********

Entering my home, appreciating the short commute from the office, only a few dozen metres, I grinned ruefully. The commute will be longer from our new mansion, but it’s still nothing too onerous. If I complained, Karen-chan and the others would be angry…

Looking around, I couldn’t see anyone, which was a bit odd, since I was still also in the Boundary, training with some of the mercenaries including Aliyah and Trey, fighting a series of mock-battles with them while training their skills with earth element and aether. If they aren’t there, did they go out? It’s not like them not to text me though. As I entered the living room, the door to my bedroom opened, and out came Eri, still on her crutches. She was followed by a grinning Shaeula, which was giving me a bad feeling.

“Oh, you’re back, you took a while!” Eri complained. “To think you kept her waiting. Oh well… now’s a good time. Hyacinth…”

With that, the door opened again, and Hyacinth came out, chortling happily, followed by… is that Daiyu? She was dressed in white silk, which set off her black eyes and hair beautifully. Speaking of her hair, it was bound up into a bundle, pinned by jade and glass pins, leaving her neck and shoulders bare. Her robe looked a bit like a traditional qipao, a Chinese, tight-fitting dress, only it had sleeves, long, diaphanous and largely see-through. Likewise, the skirt part was also separated into these transparent strips, the lines of her legs clearly visible. The white dress clung to her, and as I watched her skin reddened under my gaze, but she did not falter.

“Gooo on. Now is the time. You said yourself you are now clean and pure, did yooou not?” Hyacinth urged her.

“That’s right.” Eri agreed. “You’ve been waiting here in agony all day for Akio to return.” Shaeula merely watched, that grin on her face reminiscent of when she played pranks on people.

As I watched on, knowing where this was going, Daiyu took a deep breath, before bowing, Cultivator fashion. “Akio, my Dao Companion, the one who is for me, and I for you… together, I would twist and knot our fates, our Dao, so that we may never be separated, not even in death. I…” her smile was shy yet beautiful, her grace and elegance radiating from her every move and gesture. “…I have lost so much, yet the Heavens are fair. To lose is to gain, and I have gained a second chance, and you.” She swallowed, her pink throat working, and I could tell she was nervous, yet she pushed ahead, regardless.

“I washed. I washed and scrubbed and purged.” Her usually taciturn face twitched into an embarrassed smile. “I had thought myself rather free of impurities, being the Ever-Beautiful Black Jade, but it seems I was wrong. I thought the fifth would never come off.” She switched to Japanese then and thanked Hyacinth and Shaeula, who waved it off. “But now I am pure, spiritually and physically. And… as a woman I always have been.” She said, her blush deepening. “So now…” she came to me, taking my hand. “I ask you… join with me. As two fates in one, forever entangled.”

As I felt the warmth of her hand, I could see Eri’s gaze urging me onwards. Not that I need such. I had decided, and despite my wobbles, my decision hasn’t changed. But it is nice to get her support, even if I feel the sting in my heart. No, no time to dwell on that, now… in this moment, all that mattered was the girl in front of me, the brave Cultivator who had lost everything, her Sect, her family, even her country, yet still continued to seek out her own destiny. But I have to make one thing clear, before anything else…