On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Thirty-Eight

Motoko and Natsumi, despite being noticeably stronger than ordinary girls because of the Chirurgery and the few levels they had gained, were still exhausted by our lovemaking. It was probably more emotional than physical, but nonetheless I decided to let them relax in my bed. Though I’m not sure how relaxing it really is… Hyacinth had gathered up the dirty sheets, which were in a truly terrible state, and was preparing a bath for us all. Until then, I made do with wiping my sweat and other liquids with an offered towel.

“So, how does it feel?” Eri pressed the two girls, though there was a hint of kindness in her obsidian eyes that if I was honest, never used to be there when she looked at her rivals, as I remembered the way she had railed against Shaeula so bitterly at times, insecure and jealous, at least until she had changed and pushed us together. Eri sure has matured. But… I think it’s for the best. She can now make other friends, and … I hope she, Motoko and Natsumi can be true friends too…

“It makes you feel like you are truly meant to be together, doesn’t it?” Eri pressed. “Well, if it doesn’t, then you have no business being here.” she insisted, and Shiro shook her head, frowning.

“Eri, you shouldn’t be so forceful. Besides…” her cheeks were pink. “… you watched it the same as we did. Shit, they certainly looked like they fell hard. Damn, Aki… you were a loser virgin like me and Yasu only a few months ago, right? Or were you fooling us all this time… no, there’s no way you were a riajuu, like recognises like…”

Eri rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Considering you are much older than me, Shiro, shouldn’t you be more of an adult about all this?”

“I’ve only got a couple of years on you, I’m not some old woman!” Shiro protested, rebooting, and the utter lack of tension and usual banter between Eri and Shiro, who seemed to gel surprisingly well, relaxed the stress and pent-up emotions Motoko and Natsumi were feeling.

“Yes. I even said it myself, didn’t I, Eri?” Natsumi’s smile was tired but contented. “I wanted to believe I didn’t have doubts, but I did. Everything has been happening so fast, there was so much to take in, it was inevitable I’d harbour misgivings in my heart. I was prepared to accept them, but… that white, sparkling feeling blew them all away.”

“Yes.” Motoko agreed. “Sex is a fierce and powerful thing, a way for two hearts to be joined as one.”

“Three. I felt even closer to you than ever, Motoko.” Natsumi corrected.

“Yes, and I to you.” As the exchanged happy glances, Shaeula laughed and Eri coughed.

“Well, I get that you’re both happy. I’m glad. I feel better now that Akio has made love to you both. It’s strange, but I feel closer to you both too. I feel you won’t betray us.”

“Never.” Motoko affirmed, and Natsumi nodded fiercely beside her. “I saw his heart, and he saw ours. There was nothing there but love. Love and… desire.” She flushed. “I see now that my eyes were not wrong. We should never have to sacrifice, did you not say, Akio? Well, now I truly understand your intent behind that. You hate seeing people in pain, hurting. But you never thought you could do anything about their suffering. You were like Natsumi and I, helpless against the tides. But no longer…”

“That was mostly my fault. Well, I’ll blame Aiko too.” Eri admitted. “We were… well, I was a needy cry-baby my whole childhood, until Akio finally had enough and left. I burdened him, which is why now, I want to support him. But not just that, love him too.”

“This is heavy stuff…” Shiro muttered. “But I get it. Anyway, let’s not rehash old ground, all right? I had my doubts too, you know? I was always too weak for love, likely to drop dead at any time, then there was Tan… well, screw it. I’m just going to do what makes me happy, and you girls should do the same. We’ll be happy, and that’ll make Aki happy, right?”

“Right. I’m just fortunate I’m now in a position to support you all, make you smile.” I replied.

“Yes.” Natsumi agreed. “We keep our honour as nobility, we continue to stay together, we take Tsumura Arts to new heights, and… we even found love, and it was really nice.” She giggled and flushed, and Motoko hid her face behind her damp hair, but I could see her neck and upper body were pink with mortification.

“Speaking of Tsumura Arts…” I caught their attention while listening to Hyacinth humming happily in the bathroom as the hot water ran. As my Eye glittered amber, I observed the clear, complete status sheets of the girls. “… you’re both Bonded Kin like Eri now. Congratulations.”

“I do not quite know what that means, but if Eri, the first wife is, then I shall desire to be so too.” Motoko paused. “Do not worry, I understand my position. I shall not seek to usurp your place.”

Eri looked troubled at that. “Look, that’s… well, mostly Shaeula causing trouble. I was first, and I’ll always cherish that, but I know Akio won’t play favourites, much as I’m sure we all want him to.” She shot me a reproving look, while Shaeula found that very funny indeed and was cackling like a madwoman. “Look…” Eri continued. “I’m first wife, so it’s my job to make sure we don’t let in any bad influences. So… if there are any girls aiming for Akio, we need to vet them, make sure they aren’t just users or bitches.” She sighed. “It’s bad enough now, but when the world knows and accepts Candidates and those of us with powers, trouble will flock to Akio like cockroaches. We’d best have the slippers ready to squash them!”

“Uh, but what if there’s a girl I really like?” I asked instinctively, before wishing I hadn’t.

“Is there one?” Eri sighed, clearly frustrated. “Well, we love you, but you also have to love and respect us. Don’t fall for any bitchy fake trash, all right? Though I think you’ve better taste than that at least. Kana-san wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I first thought, and this Daiyu girl…”

“That reminds me, where is she?”

“You wished to make her watch this-this?” Shaeula snickered, still barely controlling her amusement at this situation. “You are so depraved. I do not-not dislike that, I confess. But no… the girl, after training, which she partook in with great-great fervour, she retired to her room and said she would be transcribing all the many-many secrets of her Sect. She is good-good, a worthy addition. I do approve!”

“Well, Daiyu’er is for later.” I said, going back to Motoko and Natsumi’s status. “Anyway, all your practice with Ulfuric sure has been paying off, but what’s interesting is… Tsumura Arts is listed on your status sheets. Congratulations, it seems that the multiverse has accepted your hard work as valid.” I teased, only to be utterly shocked by the reaction of the two.

“Our arts…” Motoko was crying, holding on to the weeping Natsumi as they hugged.

“I know. Motoko, we were right! They can’t end with us!”

“They will not!” Motoko wailed. “After all… we will perfect and strengthen them, and…”

“Our children, they’ll carry it on too. Maybe not just ours…” Natsumi blew her nose, her eyes streaming tears.

“Well, you should have expected that, Aki. It’s good to see that despite you being smooth as hell now, you’re still the same dumb little Aki I know and love. It was a killer line though. You basically just validated all their choices and sacrifices. Best let them cry it out for a bit.”

“The bath is ready! You should gooo in!” Hyacinth declared with perfect timing, and with a wry smile I took the two crying girls to the bath…

********

“I apologise for our shameful outburst.” Motoko said, bowing to the others, and Natsumi echoed her. The three of us had bathed together, but there was nothing sexy about it, instead I just let their tension work its way out, though washing their bodies was certainly enjoyable enough. Now we were freshly dressed, we were all sitting around the table in the kitchen.

“Don’t worry about it.” Eri said magnanimously. Daiyu, who had arrived, yawning, tilted her head, inquiring, and Shaeula filled her in. When done, she had nodded, understanding.

“I see. Yes, it would be as if I was a failed disciple, looked down on for being weak, only to suddenly break through a realm, and be validated by a senior disciple I had always respected. It would certainly shake my Dao and my heart.” She then resumed eating.

“Well, that’s an… oddly specific… example.” Shiro remarked. “I think I get it though. Well, anyway, don’t worry about it girls. If we can’t cry in front of each other, laugh, share our hopes and fears, we’ll never make it. Or someone will stick a knife in Aki. One of the two.”

“Yes, yes. We get it.” Eri sighed. “Now I’m curious. I know Aiko’s Spiritual Kyūdō and how it works…”

“Oh yes, you remember, Motoko?” Natsumi said, excited. “Akio explained it to us when we visited his hometown.”

“Yes, I do remember.” Motoko was leaning forwards, looking excited. She and Natsumi were in casual clothes as they had a rare day off from Hanafubuki. It so happened I was scheduled to meet her grandfather, among others, later in the afternoon, so the two of them were going to come, and hopefully Natsumi’s parents could make time to see me too.

“Well… I probably shouldn’t spill it without your permission?” I asked. See? I am slowly learning discretion. Hinata would be proud of me.

“There are no secrets between us here.” Motoko said stoutly. “Besides, I would welcome any assistance in strengthening our Arts. So please assist us if you can.” Once more Natsumi echoed her.

“Fine then. I admit, I prefer it that way. So… you’re both at Rank 3, so good job I guess?”

“Well, Motoko is more skilled than I…” Natsumi began, but Motoko patted her shoulder lightly, more comfortable with casual contact after last night.

“But the gap is closing fast. Akio’s Eye would not lie.”

“True. Anyway… Tsumura Arts Rank 3. This skill is a representation of ancient techniques with spear, sword, bow and the physical body, arranged to fit modern, ether-starved battlefields. With a solid foundation in pure combat, the moves are designed to be complimentary with various elements, and it can only reproduce a fraction of its power without them. [Class: Cantrip] [Type: Foundation] … pretty cool. Now, don’t pout.” When they heard it was a Cantrip class, they felt deflated. “The main thing is that it’s a Foundation-type technique. I’d say the closest match to it is my Elemental Weapon Technique. But I suspect this has a lot more utility, based on the description. So, you know what you need to do, right?” I asked, and they both agreed.

“We must put our all into mastering elements, as many as possible!” Motoko declared.

“Yes, we have to, I can’t bear to see our Arts referred to as cantrips!” Natsumi scowled.

“I recommend wind first.” I gave them some advice. “It has a lot of synergy with bows and swords, and I can give some pointers with the spear. Shaeula, you’ll help too, right?”

As Shaeula agreed, I continued. “Well, Lovers’ Link, you both have at Rank 4. Your maximum levels have spiked nicely, so we can work on grinding you up.”

“Rookie numbers.” Shiro scoffed, despite only having hers at Rank 2. “Going to have to get busy until you pump them up, right?” she teased. I flicked her forehead, and she pouted cutely, sticking out her tongue.

“Aside from that, the only thing of note is… you both got the Fae-Bonded Class, like Eri did. I guess I’m definitely counting as a Noble Fae now, so my mortal lovers seem to be getting the benefits. Well, it’s a good class, if a pain to level up. It gives a lot of Charm, Fortune and some Majesty, as well as Aether. Fortunately, gaining elements is a good way to level it, so we get a two for one there.”

“I did think they looked more attractive.” Shiro mused. “I thought it was that myth that says a girl who does it for the first time gets sexier, but maybe it wasn’t just that.” Her gaze made the two embarrassed again, which was painfully cute to witness.

“Well, anyway, that’s pretty much it for now. One thing though… I have a very… uh, interesting idea, if we can ever find a host for the Divine favour of Laverna, but I’m not sure if you’ll go for it? Well, that’s for later.” As Motoko and Natsumi looked puzzled, I changed the subject. “I’m meeting Hayato and the guys in…” checking my phone I sighed. “… a couple of hours. Damn, time flies when you’re having fun. At least they’re coming here. Well, I’m rested up, so Shiro, ready for round two?”

She sighed. “Ugh, more pain, huh? Well… I hate being left out so… bring it on!”

********

“I still can’t move it…” Shiro was saying to Eri and Hyacinth, her sleeveless t-shirt showing off her arms. I had removed the scars from her uninjured one, after making the first adjustments to her ravaged arm. It was now outwardly healed, the deep fissures and blackened flesh now smooth, pale skin, but the internal damage still remained, even if I had absorbed around half of the adherence staining it. Now I had to let my aether recover, as well as my willpower. It’s incredibly fiddly work, even with Bintara’s help. Besides, I’m going to be doing more Chirurgery on Special Forces soldiers later at the meeting, thank the Gods I’m almost finished with them, but no doubt Abe-san and Tsumura-san will want more people adding to the list, especially now… well, as long as I get paid or suitable concessions, I guess it’s fine. I also have a little Chirurgery before that…

“It looooooks fine though.” Hyacinth observed, poking the skin, Shiro flinched, a little pain spiking through her.

“Yes, well, looks can be deceiving. But… I guess Aki wasn’t all talk. I do believe I’ll be healed by the end of the week. I never thought it would be so easy, considering.”

“Shit, Shiro!” I copied her usual manner of address, deadpan. “Easy my ass! I had to go through hell getting Bintara, and then learning Chirurgery to this level…”

“This is where you should have just agreed, to look cool.” Eri observed, a smile on her face. “Guess I have to try harder to compete.”

“You sure do, Eri. Else I’ll steal Aki’s heart…”

There was a loud, forced cough, and we turned to see Karen-chan looking at us, exasperated. The guys were pretending not to listen, looking busy at their work. “If you don’t mind, we aren’t looking for a romantic comedy in here. Your friends should be arriving soon, right?”

I nodded. “Uh, guys, a word, if I may?” With my serious expression, they looked up, waiting.

“I’m sure you’ve seen the news this morning. It’s chaos out there. People are saying that we are at war, all sorts of misinformation. Just… well, stay calm all right? We have it in hand, Tokyo won’t become a battleground, not if we can help it.”

“We know.” Hashimoto-san said softly. “Karen-san here filled us in on the details. We just have to keep working, to do our part, right?”

Tanaka-san agreed. “You gave us a second chance. We’ll not squander it through fear. Besides, we won, didn’t we? I feel sorry for all the people who died, but we showed the Chinese us Japanese are not easy targets!”

As Hashimoto-san nodded, I was surprised. Well, I guess some people would think that. That sort of sentiment is fine, just so long as there’s no push for us to retaliate. There was pretty much zero chance of that being successful. According to our captives and Daiyu, the Chinese had multiple Rank 3 Territories, and many powerful Candidates. Even though I was strong, with the drag of attacking a Territory and being outnumbered severely, even I’d be pushed back or perhaps even fall in battle in the end.

“I’d rather not have to fight at all. You know more than most people about what’s going on, so you know some of what’s at stake. But don’t worry, this was a wake-up call, but one we’ve learned from. Anyway, Karen-chan, any news from Hikawa-san?”

“Oh, let me get the reports…” she scrolled through the files on her computer. “Ah, here we are…” for the next thirty minutes or so, we talked about the potential new Candidates for Laverna’s favour, before my friends arrived.

“Whoa, hey Shiro, your face!” Yasu-san said by way of greeting, open-mouthed and shocked.

“You call that a greeting, Yasu?” She smirked, winking, her dark eyes amused, both of them. “Well, I suppose it beats your usual first impression, where you talk to my chest!”

As he stammered a denial, Aimi-san and Hina-san, more observant, also noticed her bare arms. Rushing over, they pulled her into a hug, while Shugo-san, Hayato-san and I watched on warmly.

“Shiro, you can see again! Wait, your arm…”Aimi-san noticed her arm was still immobile and that Shiro appeared in pain, hastily letting go.

“Yeah, my arm isn’t fixed yet. Looks a shit-ton better though, right?” she smiled happily. “Damn, this emotional crap is getting to me. Look, Aki promised, right? He’d heal me. And my eye is already fixed. The arm will be working again in a day or two, and… well, you can’t see the scars under my clothing, and if you ask to look, I’ll kill you, but probably not before Aki does…” she warned jovially. “… but well, look at my face. Removing the scars is a done deal now. So Shiro will soon be back to being the hottest woman alive, have no fear!”

Hyacinth clapped, moved by her performance, while Eri muttered that she didn’t lose in looks. Hayato-san reached out and patted my back, smiling wryly.

“Good job, Akio-kun. Not that I doubted you when you said it would happen. You’ve never been a liar, man.”

“Besides, I bet he can’t wait to have Shiro back to her best, right?” Shugo-san winked.

“True. I am very much looking forward to that.” I didn’t deny it, and Shiro blushed. “Anyway, thanks for coming. Take a seat, someone’ll bring you refreshments. We should get down to business.”

“Hey, where’s the short orange-haired cutie?” Yasu-san asked, not seeing Shaeula. As the girls took Shiro to a seat, siting on either side of her, relief showing at her seemingly miraculous healing, I shrugged.

“I’ll call her soon, you girls would probably rather have Chirurgery from her than me, I bet. She’s trying to help various people and Fae to master new elements. We’re going all out to strengthen ourselves. Man, filling bluesteel batteries with fire element really is a pain.” Shaeula and I had emptied ourselves out, and while it would probably take a genius like Ixitt to learn quickly from a limited source like that, in time it would happen.

The Kamaitachi are mostly going to aim for water. Shaeula thinks that they will have a harder time, not being Fae, so they wouldn’t be able to replicate how we’ve been doing it, but if we can achieve that, it might give us leverage with the Night Parade, as well as impress her mother Urakaze. Motoko and Natsumi are going to go for wind as we discussed, and Shaeula is confident she can aid them. Kana and the other trainees are going for earth for the potential levels they can gain afterwards, and well… Kana for obvious reasons. Though they are all at school right now, like Hinata, who is going to try for fire. That left a number of other Fae who were interested, even some bolder weaselkin and ratkin. Ulfuric, when he was back to full strength, was also interested in fire, due to his birthright, though he was willing to let Hinata master it first. Even Shaeraggo and Selensha were convinced to try by Shaeula’s mixture of urging (for Selensha) and taunts (for her brother).

“I can’t believe you and Shaeula came up with the idea of charging for training.” Eri giggled. “Shaeraggo looked rather sour, as he handed over more Etherites. I hear that they are trying to get in touch with her other brothers too. You’ve not met them yet right, Akio?”

“Yeah, just her sister. I’ve heard about Shaetourach, apparently he’s been garrisoned at one of the border hotspots where clashes with the Unseelie are most frequent. The last brother… well, apparently he’s been travelling the lands of the Fae a long time, so Shaeula hasn’t even met him since she was just a tiny little weasel, and she doesn’t really remember him…”

“Well, let’s hope they aren’t as big a siscon as you or Shaeraggo.” Eri smirked, teasing me. “Hinata loves the plans though, training up Way-Wardens and other interested Fae for a price as well. Though she was worried…”

“Yeah. She thought that after a while, others would learn and take our techniques and strategies. Shaeula was all Fae will not-not break their oaths… but Hinata insisted on using the befuddling winds on each Fae who wished to pay for our expertise. She’s a bit of a frightening girl. I wouldn’t have her any other way though.”

“I don’t get it, but that’s the rich girl, right?” Yasu-san said. “The Nichibotsu girl.”

“She has a name.” Aimi-san chided him.

“Yeah whatever, man. Sounds like she likes to do business. Speaking of…” Yasu-san got to the point, looking to Hayato-san. Once we all had drinks and snacks, I got to the point.

“So, if you want in, I’d be happy to have you. But Hayato-san, your career was just taking off. Hina-san’s too. Are you sure you want to throw that away? You saw the videos. This isn’t a game.”

He sighed in response. Looking at the others, who all nodded, he looked me in the eyes, speaking seriously. “Come on, Akio-kun. Don’t be a fool. We promised at Uni we’d be friends forever, always help each other out and have each other’s backs. Didn’t we?” I nodded at that, as did Shiro, and he continued. “At first it was just us six, then Shiro made seven. I don’t know about all of you, but those words meant something. We always shared work with each other when we were desperate, were shoulders to cry on, always encouraged each other… and now, you and Shiro are both wrapped up in this. And now you want us to just turn our backs on you?”

“No, I don’t, but…”

“Look, if it’s money, our livelihoods, well, you’re going to cover that, right?” Shugo-san pointed out.

“He’s got you there, Aki.” Shiro smirked. “And I know you overpay like a moron sometimes.” Behind her Karen-chan stifled a laugh, and I had to admit that was true. I like to reward people for their efforts, is that so wrong?

“I have a question.” Hina-san asked, looking serious.

“Fire away.”

“This Chirurgery… it isn’t something an average person is going to be able to take advantage of is it? It’s like being an enhanced human, right?” She got straight to the point. “Don’t you think that will improve our lives, isn’t it adequate payment?”

“Yes.” Aimi-san agreed. “Come on, how often did we talk about being protagonists, super-human heroes, when we were in the bars of Akihabara? I get that it’s scary and dangerous, but… Shiro, Akio-kun, I don’t want you to shoulder it alone. And if I get some benefits along the way…” she smiled tremulously, her eyes damp with emotion.

“Fine. But what’s your work situation like? I don’t want you burning bridges and screwing your clients.” I insisted.

“Well, I’ve already started prepping up for a period of absence.” Hayato-san reassured me. “Sure, there’s a few projects to see off, but considering how fast you started working a few months ago, I expect with this Chirurgery we can rattle through it in a week or two? I should have realised something was up then, but I thought you were just working yourself to death without sleep, as you had money worries.”

Yeah, I certainly wasn’t that discreet, was I? Luckily Hayato-san is smart, so he’d believe the simplest answer is true, not that it was mystical powers. “So is that everyone’s opinion on the matter?”

As everyone affirmed their resolve, Shiro punched me gently in the shoulder with her good arm. “Come on Aki, it’ll be the gang of seven, just like old times.”

“Right then. In that case… Chirurgery. I’ll send Azuki to fetch Shaeula and we can get started.”

“There’s no need.” Shiro grinned. “Girls, if Aki wanted to see you naked he could any time, he has a magic X-Ray eye.” She dropped my secrets. Aimi-san flinched reflexively, but Hina-san shook her head.

“Akio-san wouldn’t do that, peeping.” She asserted, and I was touched. “Besides, he has you, Shiro. That should be enough for him.”

As Shiro preened at that, I sighed. “Yeah, I don’t need you to strip anymore. I guess I can do it. Just be aware, it hurts a fair bit…”

“So we were told. Oh well. No point putting it off…” Hayato-san spoke for all of them, and I guided them to the training school across the hill…

********

“Damn, my whole body itches like a bitch.” Yasu-san squirmed. “You weren’t kidding, this sucks.”

“It takes a few days to flush out the debris. Once the itching stops, pulling in ether and turning it to aether feels pretty warm and pleasant.” I reassured him. “You girls okay?” I asked Hina-san and Aimi-san.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Hina-san sighed, looking pale. “… but my head does feel clearer.”

“Just look at me lift!” Shugo-san was messing with some of the weights I bought during my first days of being a Candidate. “I never could do this before without running out of strength in minutes!” As he continued to play with the dumbbells, I had to smile at their enthusiasm.

Shiro smiled. “Well, if you want to see some lifting, get Aki here to pick up a bus…”

“I’m not competing!” he protested, laughing.

Well, a car sure, but a bus? No way… well, not yet. Give me a few months and maybe…

“So, now that you’ve had the Chirurgery, you need to clear any outstanding work the lot of you have. I’d love to help, but I’m too busy.”

“It seems that way.” Hayato-san commiserated. “But between us we can all clear our backlogs. A bit of crunch for a week won’t kill us. Especially now, right?”

“When you get to our level, you don’t even need to sleep for days!” Shiro boasted, but Aimi-san protested that wasn’t something to be proud of. Which is true. The body handles it fine, and performance doesn’t drop, but it’s mentally fatiguing. Plus… I need to sleep occasionally to use Tsukuyomi’s Favour…

“So, what will you have them doing, Akio-kun?” Karen-chan asked. “I’ll be honest, I could use the help, especially as I end up getting seconded to help Haru-san with Ministry work.” The two of them had grown quite close recently, which was nice to see. “That reminds me, I guess the job here does have good prospects, if you want to get into governmental service.” She smiled.

“Yeah, I do want to have a couple of you working as researchers here. There’s a ton I need checking, looking up and sourcing.” I agreed. “Some of the queries might be easier for otaku like us to understand as well.”

“Like Valkyries, Tyr and Norse Mythology.” Hashimoto-san sighed. “I remember that one, wading through endless pages on various games and manga. I was so confused, not sure of what was important and what wasn’t.”

“Yeah. Well, every little bit of info and hearsay can help. I also want someone to help Hinata. I know she’s getting support from her grandfather, who is letting her borrow staff from Nichibotsu, but there’s also a lot of stuff I’d like to keep in-house, with trusted people.” The deal with the Night Parade for one. Selling booze for Etherites and other treasures is certainly a fantastic deal, but it’s not something I want Hinata to handle alone… planning how to bring in rich patrons for my healing too. Then there’s the partnership with Mayumi-san… I explained that briefly, as well as several other projects I wanted help with, and as we hashed out the final details, Motoko and Natsumi had returned. On seeing my friends they had met at the hotel the other night, they bowed politely and said their greetings.

“Hey, it’s two more of your girls. Bastard.” Yasu-san mocked me, but the girls had a different reaction on seeing them. Hina-san and Aimi-san exchanged looks, before turning to me.

“Busy night?” Aimi-san asked, raising an eyebrow, crossing her arms under her ample chest, looking stern, while Hina-san spoke to the two of them softly.

“So, I hope you aren’t too tired.” She asked, expression kind. The two girls blushed, realising that their new experience had been noted.

“No, we are … quite well, are we not, Natsumi?” Motoko said in a small, embarrassed voice.

“Yes, it was fun.” Natsumi managed, face scarlet. “Uh, is it that easy to tell? If so, we’ll be in trouble at school…”

“Well, we saw you recently, and we also see how you are looking at Akio-kun here now.” Aimi-san reassured them. “We’re sharp, of course we’ll notice. Well, congratulations, I guess?”

At that, the guys had also realised, and apart from Yasu-san, who expressed his jealously, the others offered their congratulations too, even if they were a bit bemused, not used to my tangled harem lifestyle.

“Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but we have to go. Shiro, are you going to hang out with the gang for a bit?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Sure, we’ll catch up. Then I’m gong to see about getting other elements myself. Or maybe I’ll let Tan do some grinding for me. I don’t know. Anyway, have fun, you three. Meeting the parents the morning after, huh…” she smirked, enjoying our discomfort. As Yasu-san whistled, clearly enjoying my comeuppance, I shrugged.

“Well, that’s the easy part, sadly.” I pointed to the news feed on the television that was muted behind us, showing protests outside the Chinese embassy in Minato Ward, Tokyo, as well as other sites associated with them. There were even scenes of immigrants being harassed, and a Chinese restaurant had been firebombed. “It’s crap like this we have to put a stop to. Amongst other troubling matters.”

“Rather you than me.” Hayato-san commiserated. “Well, don’t worry about us. We’ll be assets, just like always. The seven of us working for a common goal!”

With that said, the four of us (Hyacinth accompanying us as our maid) headed outside, where a black foreign car was waiting with a driver to take us to the Diet building, where we would be meeting the heads of the Ministry and other major figures. We really need to get a move-on with the Ministry buildings… we need our own space soon…