On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

I woke up, and as my eyes opened, I stared up into the sparkling, amber eyes of Shaeula, who had won the competition to give me a lap pillow overnight. As she smiled, I asked her how long I’d been sleeping.

“Oh, not-not so long. Have no fear, I am quite-quite sturdy.” She stroked my hair gently and gave me a chaste morning kiss, the barest brushing of our lips. “My legs do not-not ache, only feel warm and pleasant, from having you by my side. And we had many quite-quite wonderful chats, did we not-not?”

Knowing smiles from many of the women around the room, laughter from others. My sis, the foxes, Kana and Haru had joined them while I was sleeping, though when I met my sister’s blue eyes, she looked away for a moment, skin pink, before steeling herself and greeting me.

“Hey, bro. busy night, huh? Wow, you’re such a damn player now. I don’t know quite how to feel.”

“Proud?” I joked, and she narrowed her eyes.

“Sure? If you say so. Anyway, now you’re up, we can get going. Arisu-chan’s been waiting…”

“Oh. Why didn’t you wake me?” I stood, realising someone had draped a blanket over me while I slept. After cleaning me up too. That was probably Hyacinth though. Or… maybe Tan? Her flames could do it easily enough…

“It’s fine.” Shiro grinned, back in her own body, though her eyes had a faint crimson tinge which showed Tan was listening. Other than Shaeula, who was naked still, since I’d been using her legs, the other girls had cleaned up and were dressed. Behind me, Hyacinth was helping clean Shaeula off, rapidly using water element and a towel, and then Shaeula materialised her usual orange yukata with the white weasel patterns, adjusting her vivid purple obi sash playfully, not hesitating to flash me her small breasts as she tidied the cloth.

“Arisu doesn’t mind waiting, and we’re still ahead of schedule. You needed your rest. No pleasant dreams then?”

I shook my head. “None that I can remember. Oh, I’m going to change, so…” Haru nodded, turning her back to me. After a moment, my sis did the same. Of course Hana was ogling me, but I let that slide and quickly dressed.

“Okay then…” my sis declared. “…free time for once! So, I think I’ll hit the shops in Tokyo…”

Kana shot me a glance, and I nodded, and with a flash of purple light, I materialised my secret weapon. Sorry sis, we’re going to have to talk this out. “Don’t run off just yet, my dear little sis sapphire…”

“Wait, that’s…” She saw the book of gift tickets she’d given me for Christmas, and I nodded.

“Yes, indeed it is.” I quickly pulled out the two I wanted, handing them over. “I’m cashing them in, okay?”

My sis took them and raised one eyebrow. “You want… me to cook you breakfast? And… a shoulder massage? Didn’t get enough of that last night then? Want me to put on my pj’s again?”

“I don’t believe I gave you the ticket asking for the braless massage special.” I joked, and she flushed.

“Oh, you noticed then?”

“It was impossible not to. You and your teasing, my dear little sis sapphire… just do it in moderation, okay?”

Akio… Eri’s thoughts began, but I cut her off.

It’s fine. I don’t want my judgements clouded by what you think about the situation. I’ll definitely consult you later and try and soothe your worries as best I can, but… when it comes to these things I’m not the sharpest, so… one at a time.

I trust you. Eri seemed both relieved and worried. I know you’ll do the right thing.

I’ll do what’s best. I agreed.

“Hey, at least I didn’t…” Aiko shut her mouth, cheeks pink. “Oh, forget it. So, who else am I cooking for?”

“Me.” Kana piped up cheerfully. She was in casual blue jeans and a red jumper now, appearing fresh and pretty. “Oh, and one more. We’ll grab her on the way. Don’t worry, Aiko-chan. I’m totally up for some shopping in Harajuku and Ginza later. We need outfits for Britain, don’t we?”

As I stepped outside, Kana and my sis in tow, everyone else following, I widened my eyes at the sight before me. Arisu-san was there, of course, as imperious and coldly beautiful as ever in a black gown, matching her obsidian eyes and lustrous hair. But what drew my attention was…

“Sorry to say this, Yu-mi, but… you don’t look so good?”

“You have such a way with words. Good morning to you too.” she managed, her face having a ghastly greyish pallor. She’d tidied up her hair, but the Adamant uniform she was wearing was rather rumpled, some of the buttons a mess, and not in the relaxed, flirty way of last night, and her tights were laddered and her jacket worn rather casually.

“Sorry, good morning and thanks for coming, Yu-mi. Still, you look…” I trailed off, not waiting to be rude, and she chuckled, before swallowing, face pale.

“I know. I’ve got the most wretched hangover you can imagine.” She shook her head, then winced, probably regretting the motion. “It started out with just us Koreans celebrating, then the idols came in, and the party spread… I must have drunk enough to kill the old me three times over. My head is throbbing and I feel sick.”

“Oh. Let me fix that.” I quickly deployed Ether Healing, hand on her forehead, and as colour returned to her cheeks, Kana fetched her a bottle of water, which she gratefully chugged from, before licking her lips, brown eyes brighter.

“Thanks a lot, you two. I feel human again.” She giggled, her smile now charming. “I know stats help us handle booze, but I don’t think that helps me much against entire bottles of shochu and whiskey.”

“So, what were you celebrating?” I asked, and Yu-mi rolled her eyes, addressing Kana and my sis playfully.

“How soon he forgets. Doesn’t he remember we agreed to start out dating last night?”

“He had… a lot happen afterwards.” Kana chuckled. amused. “But I’d say he’s just playing dumb because he’s embarrassed, Yu-mi. He admitted to us he liked you a lot before this, so…”

“All right, all right. Yes, I haven’t forgotten and… I’m looking forward to a date when things calm down. For now though, we’re bothering Arisu-san, so we should go.”

“Oh, I enjoy watching you squirm.” Arisu-san declared, her tone sharp. “Now then, I have duties today, do I not?” As her Room opened, a slash in space shedding violet sparks, I agreed.

“Yeah. After breakfast, I have to check everyone’s Kami-Blessed Class, and those who need just a few more Levels can do a top-up session with some shrines we didn’t get to visit. But you’re nearly free!”

“Thank all the Gods for that.” Arisu-san raised one eyebrow. “While I can say this intensive effort has strengthened my understanding of both space and my powers, it has been quite the trying experience. Still, I shall enjoy a leisurely first day of the year, before I am back at work.”

“The Goblin project, isn’t it?” Yu-mi asked, and Arisu-san agreed, even as her Room closed and then another slash in space opened, the strange, hybrid sight of our Tokyo estate, mixed in with the lower Astral, greeting us.

“Yes. It will garner a lot of worldwide attention, I am sure. But for now…”

“Oh, sorry, I know you’re busy.” We stepped out of her Room, allowing her to return to Mount Fuji.

“Okay then, sis. To be honest, I’m pretty hungry after my workout yesterday, so cook us up something tasty and filling.”

“I bet you are.” she rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how to cook oysters, more’s the pity, but I can grill you some eel and serve it with tuna, seaweed and shiitake mushrooms. You probably need the virility.”

“Sounds good. Oh… I’m just starving after all the drinking.” Yu-mi blushed charmingly, and Kana snickered.

“As for me, eel’s good. I can help out?”

“No. It’s bro’s ticket, and his Christmas gift, so I’ll do it.” My sis had brightened up, clenching her fists. “While I’m doing that, you do what you need to.”

I nodded. “Well, I’m meeting Kazumi-san and some other bodyguards in a bit. Then I’ve a meeting with Fenrir once I’ve worked out who needs a Class top-up. As for the Territory…” I closed my eyes for a moment. We’d accumulated decently overnight again, and other than the half shipped to Kyoto for Haru, I poured the gains into continuing to upgrade the new Ring Gate Hub, which was starting to become a real fortress, especially after we added the flurry of decently Ranked Barracks. “…it’s good to be wealthy.”

“Show-off.” Yu-mi teased. “Little Suk-ja complains that back in Korea, they struggle for every scrap of ether.”

“Well, we’re going to do something about that, or rather, you are, aren’t you?” I winked at her, and she nodded.

“Yes, though… I was having to wait for Hinata to return from London anyway, so…” She fell silent, her expression pensive. I was going to ask her what was up, but Kana elbowed me in the side, urging me to remain silent, so I let it go.

“Hey, we girls need to go shopping! Can’t meet the Queen without looking our best, can we?” my sis insisted, and Kana agreed.

“Yes, so… best get breakfast going, Aiko-chan. Then get those fingers loose. Akio’s got high standards for massages after last night, so the girls tell me!”

“Hey, I’m not being criticised by you, Kana-chan!” my sis teased back. “You ran away when you couldn’t handle the heat.”

“Actually, it’s for Akio’s own good. I’m worth the wait. If I stayed… I’d have been swept up in the mood. I have plans to make it special!” Kana insisted. As they bickered good-naturedly, Yu-mi smiled knowingly at me. Soon, we’d entered the smaller, largely empty house on the estate, since Suzu was hanging around with the other idols, despite having finished her Pilgrimage, and Ileana and her grandmother not having returned from Fuji either. There were the medical staff and the Su family, of course, but they wouldn’t bother us, so soon, my sis was cooking, an expression of deep concentration on her face.

“Are you sure you don’t need a hand, sis?” I asked playfully, and she shook her head, her pigtails bouncing.

“No, all good. I’m a girl, bro. I can cook. Though you’ve got way better since you moved away…”

“A case of having to. Can’t live off ramen every day.” I chuckled, remembering my efforts in improving. “Besides, I knew enough. I cooked for you and Eri sometimes, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did. And while they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, maybe it’s true for women too. Eri sure remembers that fondly. Eri…” My sis reddened, coughed to cover it, then busied herself watching the tuna and eels grill, the kitchen filling with a delicious, fatty scent.

“Yes. Eri.” I nodded. “Last night…” I began, but my sis cut me off.

“I’m cooking bro, don’t distract me. I don’t want to burn the tuna.”

“Fine then.” I sat at the table with Kana and Yu-mi, waiting. “So, you said you’re going shopping? Ellie’s back in Britain, but did she give you some advice on what to wear?”

“New Year’s Honours is famous worldwide.” Yu-mi pulled out her phone. “There’s plenty of guidance on what to wear. Modest and demure, with a small hat, is best. Not that I’ll be getting honoured.”

“Me neither.” Kana agreed. “Though I’ll probably be meeting her afterwards, right? And… you too, Yu-mi?”

“I…” she paused, cheeks red. “…I’m not sure I have the right…”

“Don’t be dumb.” My sis placed down plates of fragrant grilled eel with some purposeful thumps. “Wow, so annoying. If you want to go, ask my bro. You’re dating now, yeah?”

“The food smells great.” Yu-mi sniffed, before answering her question. “Yes, but… we haven’t even had the first date…”

“Didn’t you say ‘the engagement is back on’?” Kana added, exasperated. “Besides, you may not have known Akio too long, but you know him well enough to understand how he thinks…”

“Yes, but… that was a figure of speech. We’re not engaged, no matter how much I joke about it.” Yu-mi was pensive, as my sis was working the last of the tunas, which took longer to cook. The mushrooms and seaweed, as well as miso soup, were giving off a wonderful, homely flavour too, and I was honestly impressed by my sis, as she was never particularly homely, though far more than Eri, who was quite tragic when it came to cooking and housework, other more traditionally feminine pursuits too.

“Maybe so, but…” Kana kicked me under the table, but I didn’t need the reminder. Not today. Today’s a time for honesty.

“Of course you can come, Yu-mi. No, that’s not right. Please come. I’m not a frivolous man… hey, stop laughing sis…” she was snorting as she plated up the tuna and mushrooms. “Ignore her, please. Anyway, sure, we’re just dating, but… I’m taking it seriously.”

“As am I.” Yu-mi nodded. “Thank you. It’s… an honour.”

“It’s not meant to be an honour.” my sis thumped the plates down loudly, before sitting next to me and clasping her hands. “Itadakimasu! Thanks for the food.”

“Yes. Itadakimasu!” we echoed, though Yu-mi’s pronunciation was a little off. Still, she’d been learning Japanese in her spare time, and it was coming along well, she was conversationally fluent enough.

“Right.” Yu-mi agreed. “I’m still honoured though. And… I’m touched. I guess I should be thanking dad. He managed to find me a great arranged match after all. But… we’ve both got to work at it.” She winked, slicing up some tuna with her chopsticks and chomping down, then her expression melted. “Oh, this is great tuna. You cooked it wonderfully, Aiko.”

“I’ve picked up a thing or two. Stats help as well, and I understand fire a lot better. Helps with cooking. But mostly, it’s good ingredients, not like the cheap, nearly expired stuff we used to eat. Anyway bro, it was your ticket, so eat up!”

I did so, savouring the taste of Aiko’s home-cooked meal. The talk turned lighter, to fashion and London, and I listened with a smile on my face, interjecting occasionally, until we were all done.

“That was lovely. Thanks sis.” I praised her, and she puffed out her chest pridefully, hands on her hips, smile on her face.

“Of course it was. I’m not one of those girls who thinks cooking is her job, or she has to be good at it, but… I’d like to give a little back, you know? Show how grateful I am. Now…”

“Nope.” I snatched the plate from her hand. “The gift ticket didn’t say you’d do the washing up, so I’ll handle it. Won’t take a moment, anyway.” I grabbed all the other plates dextrously, before taking them to the sink and washing them clean with water element and drying with flame. “See?”

“I think if people could see the Hero of Britain, Saviour of South Korea, using legendary magical abilities to do the dishes, they’d be amazed.” Yu-mi chuckled.

“If the only uses they had was fighting and killing, that’d be a little sad.” Kana shook her head. “I think it’s nice. It certainly was last night, wasn’t it?” She winked at me playfully, though her cheeks were rosy.

“I won’t deny it.” I cleared my throat, staring at my sis, and she wiggled her fingers playfully.

“Sure, I get it. You’re eager to have your darling little sis lay hands on you again. Shirt off, bro. Give Yu-mi-chan and Kana-chan a show, okay?”

I gave my sis a searching look, but her smile didn’t falter, even if her cheeks reddened a little. I removed my shirt as she asked, and my sis came up behind me. She was close, though not as close as she was last night, and as her fingers landed on my shoulders, her touch rather delicate, like feathers brushing me, I turned my head, looking at her for a moment. I could have just used my expanded perception with aether, but I felt the need to see her with my eyes, somehow.

“What? Missing the fun of your sister clinging to you? Ask Kana-chan or Yu-mi-chan nicely, they might do it…” As Yu-mi insisted she didn’t need an honorific, and my sis shot back that now she was going to try dating me, she felt closer to her so was just showing affection, I fell into contemplative silence, and let my sis do her thing, fingers targeting my muscles, loosening them up again, though honestly, after sleeping for a few hours, I felt a lot less fatigued, my high stats turning even a small rest into one that was restorative.

“Hey, bro…” my sis asked suddenly. “…bet you were freaked out when I massaged you last night. Considering what I was wearing. You didn’t show it, but I know you better than anyone but Eri. No…” She sighed suddenly. “…guess that’s not strictly true anymore, is it? You’ve got Shaeula and Hyacinth, and the Valkyries, they see and know everything about you.”

“And how does that make you feel, Aiko?” Yu-mi asked. “Or should I call you Aiko-ya, if you’re going to be calling me Yu-mi-chan?”

“Yuck.” My sis stuck out her tongue, blowing a raspberry. “Wow, I hate that. You’re right. Yu-mi it is then. And never shorten me to Ai-ya, it sounds disgusting. Anyway…” my sis narrowed her eyes. “Honestly?”

“Yes.” Kana chimed in. “Honestly, Aiko-chan. No, Aiko. That’s the one thing I agreed with Eri on. Be honest. But don’t worry, she won’t really use her three orders on you like that. Akio would hate it, and he wouldn’t stand for it.”

“I know. But Eri might be prepared for my bro to be upset with her, for me. I love her for that, but also…” my sis puffed out her cheeks, but her fingers kept moving, and her massage was rather excellent, even better than last night’s. And of course, far easier on my heart… “Don’t blame her too much, okay? So, it must have been something, seeing what Eri had done. She said she’d help, but…”

“Eri doesn’t know how to hold back.” Yu-mi observed. “I noticed this in Gangnam. She only has a hundred percent or zero percent, love, hate or nothing but indifference. And when she lets someone in… she invests so much of herself into them. Too much, maybe.”

Nonsense. Eri’s sullen thoughts sounded. You’re the same, Akio. It’s why you can manage to keep everyone together, we all know your love for us is boundless. Even shared, you can’t divide the ocean. It’s still just the seas, no matter how many parts its cut into. Aiko is the same too. She… won’t like me saying, but… the first time we found out about you and Shaeula, back in Nishimorioka, that what you were doing was dangerous, Aiko went crazy, and she tried to stab Shaeula. That’s how much she worries for you, loves you. Just as I do. You saw me as a sister, so found it hard to accept my love, but I’m endlessly grateful, and love you more, that you managed it for me. But at first… you suffered, didn’t you? It was hard.

Eri… my thoughts were solemn. Yes. I only accepted your confession because you were in pain. Don’t mistake me, I loved you even then, but…

Love is a bond. That’s all there is to it. And you’re right. Unchanging bonds are just shackles. But ours did change. You went from seeing me as a sibling, a little sister to protect, to a woman, to someone to love romantically. And that’s a wonderful progression. It’s a chain, but… some women like wearing chokers, don’t they? It’s not just a fashion statement. And our bond is a chain woven of something stronger even than mythical metals. Your bond with Aiko too. She paused then. I know you said you’d not let me colour your thoughts, but… my bond with Aiko is a chain I chose too. And I’ll never let her suffer. Not if I can prevent it. Even if I have to do… well, unpleasant things…

A momentary flash in her memory of taking Aiko’s form. She was clearly embarrassed, but resolute and defiant. …I’ll do them. Because while we’re happy, such happiness is meaningless if Aiko isn’t. You understand? Shaeula was right, she usually is, as annoying as that can be. We’re mirrors of each other, and not just that. We’re incomplete without each other. Yes, Kana, Shaeula, the others, they fill in for what we’re lacking, even Yu-mi too, I suppose. But… our foundations were built on each other. Aiko’s, mine… it’s all you. You occupied such a space within us that without you… we’re hollow shells.

I think your understanding of the situation is a little off. You’re stronger than you think, Eri, my sis too, but… you’re not entirely wrong, still…

I turned my attention back to Aiko, that momentary conversation having solidified my thoughts. “Yeah. It was weird. You’ve been acting weird. Ever since Nishimorioka that first time I visited with Shaeula. Speaking of that, you owe her an apology.”

My sis’ fingers stopped for a moment, before she resumed her massage. “Oh? Why?”

“Because you tried to kill her, didn’t you?”

At my words, her eyes widened, before she frowned. “Did she snitch? Or, no, she wouldn’t. Eri…” my sis pouted in betrayal, but I reached up and took one of her hands, surprising her, and she didn’t try and shake me off.

“Yes. I’m truly grateful you’d get so angry for my sake, sis. But… your behaviour changed then. it’s changed several times since. After we saved Mae, there was something off, which led to Christmas Eve. After that, you seemed back to your old self, or at least, your post-Shaeula self.” I squeezed her hand reassuringly. “But last night went… a bit farther than I’d expect just for some sisterly teasing. And I’m not a fool. I may… be an expert in deliberately ignoring what I don’t want to see, but… I know you talked about…”

“I feel like I’m missing some context here, but…” Yu-mi glanced at Kana, who nodded.

“Yeah, you’re shrewd. You get it. It’s as you surmise.”

“No, it isn’t.” my sis was scarlet now, blushing. “Hey, let go of my hand, bro. I can’t massage you like this. Besides…” She sighed, suddenly serious. “You sure you want to ask the question? If you do, you might regret it.”

Aiko’s being a coward again. This is why…

Hush now, Eri. Such matters can only be resolved between the two of them. Hyacinth was the one to cut her off.

But…

But nothing, Eri. Shaeula joined in. I dearly love Aiko, and I am not the most nuanced when it comes to understanding mortals, or indeed, family. But to me it seems natural, after all, Anna and Shaeraggo…

Yes. I agreed with her. They… love you a little too much, but… from a Fae perspective I suppose it’s, if not normal, at least it’s understandable.

Though the thought of loving Shaeraggo physically disgusts me. Not because he is my brother though, simply because he is so terribly annoying, and a far inferior male to you, Akio…

Shaeula’s disgust was palpable, and a chuckle leaked out from me. That confused Aiko, and I shook my head. “Regrets? I have plenty. But…” I reached into my book of gift tickets and pulled one out. My sis stared at it for a moment as I placed it gently in the hand I was holding.

“’I’ll do anything’ ticket, One use.” she muttered, blue eyes both bright and watery. “That one could get you that braless massage. Even topless, if you’re that big a siscon…”

“There she goes again. It’s like a poison arrow frog.” Yu-mi observed, though that made my sis scowl. Kana agreed though.

“Yeah. It’s classic behaviour. I’ve never been so emotionally immature. But I’ve seen other girls do it. She’s pushing so hard so that Akio will recoil. But… deep down…”

“I’m just… it’s being the ideal sister bro dreams of…” my sis insisted, but I wasn’t sure that was the only reason.

“Those frogs are brightly coloured, but toxic…” I remarked, and my sis, still puffing out her cheeks, grimaced.

“I’m not toxic.”

“No, you’re not.” I agreed. “But… I’ll only regret not doing what I can for you.”

“Hey, Akio, still got those pictures from Christmas Eve?” Kana asked suddenly, and I nodded, retrieving them with a flash of spatial element, as I was still holding Aiko’s hand with both of mine.

“I knew Kana had seen them. Some of your teasing was too on point.” My sis shook her head, amazed. “I never thought you’d show them to anyone, bro.”

“Why not? Just as perhaps I’ve misunderstood you, Ai-ya…” Her pout at my Korean-style honorific, which did indeed sound frightful, like a martial arts scream one might do before striking, amused me. “…you need to have more faith in me. Why do you think I wasn’t horrified when Eri took off the blindfold, and I was presented with… that.”

“Because I’m…” my sis swallowed what she was about to say, before repeating it in a different manner. “…I was going to say I’m cute and sexy, and you couldn’t resist the thought of it, but… I don’t want to.” She bit her lip, and her hand squeezed mine and the ticket she held. “Maybe I’m a brightly coloured frog, but… not because I’m trying to poison you, or scare you off, I just wanted…”

“To be noticed. To be involved. To be as precious to me as Eri, or Shaeula, or Kana here… or I hope Yu-mi will come to be to me…” At my words, Yu-mi’s expression melted, and I once more cursed myself for a fool, as her engagement to me was surely the work of my Fortune trying to send a windfall my way, and I tossed it aside because I didn’t like the way it was offered. “…to never fall behind in my heart, or in Eri’s…”

“Shaeula’s too, now… and I suppose yours, Kana.” My sis spoke quietly, acknowledging my words. “Yu-mi, I… hope you’ll treat my bro well. Because, if you can overlook his Casanova nature… he’ll make you as happy as he always made me. Except when he pissed off and left us behind!” She couldn’t resist that angry retort, pouting and swearing fervently.

“But you know why he did.” Kana sighed. “Akio used to be a man with no self-esteem, it’s honestly insane. I mean, even before this he was handsome, and quite smart…”

“Not as smart as I thought. I tended to overestimate my intelligence as I balanced it against my woeful physical conditioning…”

“Shut up. Not helpful!” Kana glared playfully but seriously at me, before continuing to address Aiko’s worries. “My point is, and from talking to Shiro, who adored Akio even then, but wasn’t capable of accepting love, and his university friends, who even quit their careers to help him out… he was objectively a decent guy.” Kana then turned her attention to me. “I admit, you’d have been a couple of years too old for my tastes, if not for… well, everything…” Kana winked, teasing me. “…but if you were closing out university and started chatting to me in a café, I’d have given you a little time to make an impression. You’d have bottled it though. Just how you were.”

“Yes. And hints of that shine through.” Yu-mi agreed. “Anyway, I agree. I’ve… done my research.” She made the diamond salute. “After all, I entered Adamant with the express purpose of winning your affections. Oh, and conquering South Korea for you and delivering it into your hands. Hinata and I will make that happen, don’t worry…”

“You say it so casually…” Kana rolled her eyes, and even my sis, who was listening to us with a pensive expression, occasionally glancing down at the purikura photos, seemed to agree.

“Of course. I don’t want the country that nearly cost Yu-jun his life and then couldn’t even keep their end of the bargain with his saviours, to go unpunished!” Yu-mi clenched her fist, resolute. “Anyway, Akio’s half the problem, but…” Her gaze was sympathetic, as she looked between Aiko and the purikura pictures. “…there’s another side to it. Kana, I don’t know about you, but if the world hadn’t changed, I wouldn’t even think about becoming the… uh… sixteenth, seventeenth?”

“Even I struggle to keep track…” I was a little ashamed, and my sis perked up her smile at my slight discomfort.

“Anyway, no matter how rich, handsome or kind Akio was, back then, I’d dismiss it. Okay, so… Korea’s not quite like Japan, where some of the young daughters would be sent as concubines, thank all the Gods, but the rich often have a mistress or two. Beyond that though… it’s laughable.”

“Yeah.” Kana nodded, understanding. “I wanted a man to dote on me, devote everything to me. I was pretty shallow and terrible though, Yu-mi, so I might have been satisfied stealing a guy from another woman, if he met my criteria. But… this sort of situation? No way. But… when we can do this…” Kana gestured, and ruby light blurred, melting one of the pottery cups on the table into a ball, a perfect sphere, showing off her craftsmanship. “…everything just seems different.”

“Oh, that reminds me…” I broke in. “Sorry Yu-mi, but there’s no Favour I’ve got which really works for you. I mean, I’m getting pretty damn good at Chirurgery and modifying both the Favours and their recipients, so it’s not impossible I could get you bottom-tier compatibility with one, but you deserve better…”

“I’m flattered. And yes, I’d love the power to stand against those who’d block our path. We of Adamant will always advance, never retreating, until we reach our goals.” She saluted again. “But don’t force it. Just you finally accepting my intentions is gift enough. Besides… this is not the time for this.”

“Sorry Yumi-nim, I’ll be silent!”

At my contrition, my sis could hold it no more, and she burst out laughing, her grip tightening on mine. When she finally regained control, she giggled a little, before speaking. “Thanks. I know what you’re getting at. I’m glad my bro has you two, because Eri and the others are hopeless with these things. No, I suppose Eleanor isn’t so bad. Though…” My sis gnawed at her lip in worry. “…she wasn’t happy with a number of things. But…”

“Ellie’s a goodhearted woman. She’ll come around to what isn’t unacceptable.” I promised, and my sis nodded.

“Yeah. A keeper for sure. Anyway… I’ll say it, before they do. Eri and I, we weren’t treated any differently. Not by you, not by our parents, not by uncle and auntie. So… is it any wonder, bro?”

“The thing is, kids don’t get it, but by the time you hit school…” Yu-mi sighed. “…everyone knows that a childhood friend and a sister have some very important differences.”

“No kidding. I got a lot of teasing. Wow, it was so annoying. But even so…” my sis stared into my eyes. “…I joked about it, didn’t I? I’d come live with you and Eri, be the annoying sister-in-law to her, mooch off you both. I meant it too. It wasn’t a joke. I always knew you and Eri would make it in the end, bro. Even when she didn’t believe in herself, I believed in her, in you. But… then you came to Nishimorioka. And… there was Shaeula. But… I saw how pitiful she was, how she loved you too, bro, and I felt for her. She’s… not dissimilar to me, in that respect, is she?”

“Yeah. The world has changed, so… we start to want to have things that before, were just impossible dreams…” I glanced at the ticket crumpled in my sister’s hand and squeezed gently.

“Are you really sure you want to ask this?” my sis had tears in her eyes now. “If you stop now, you can still…”

“What did I tell you on our date?” I was starting to get annoyed with Aiko’s timidity, and Eri was silently agreeing with me, though I shot back a thought that I’d have to have a stern talk with her later, as she’d crossed too many boundaries, even if for the best of intentions, for love. I’m not angry, but… we need to stop things like this happening again.

“I said if you needed something to be happy, I’d do anything. I’d fight a God for you, Aiko.” I called her by her name, showing I was serious. “I’d change the world for you. I’d… swallow any indignity. Because… you’ll never be any less in my heart than you’ve always been. Equal to any. And I’m sorry if my adopted sisters are bothering you. But… even if I get other sisters, even if mom ends up pregnant again, now she’s had Chirurgery, and I have a new sister, who we’d both love and cherish… there’s only one Aiko. Only you. So…”

As she swallowed, I asked the question I wanted to know the answer to, but not the one she both feared, and seemingly desperately wanted me to ask, a frog whose colours were both poison to chase away, and a lure so that they would always be observed. “The one wish I want you to grant me for Christmas is…  tell me the truth. No hiding, no dissembling, no flirty humour or jokes, no… well, no being classic Aiko, I guess…” Her lips curved into a mirthful yet nervous smile at that. “…just the plain, unvarnished truth of your heart, no matter if it’s difficult, no matter if it’s dirty, no matter if it’s hateful, or disgusting, or you think it’ll hurt me, or those around me, or it can’t be done. Just…”

As Aiko swallowed, I asked. “…tell me what I can do to ensure that you, Oshiro Sapphire Aiko, you, my bratty, tomboyish little sister, you, my childhood friend just as much as Eri, you, brave Chosen of Kannon, you, friend to all my wonderful girlfriends, you, precious family, and you, little sis sapphire, a constant nuisance, but one I’d burn a world, all words, for… are always happy, can always smile, but a true smile. From a contented, fulfilled heart. And when you tell me…” I showed off, producing a piece of paper and pen from spatial storage in a flash of violet sparks, and with aether quickly wrote up a contract, stating that I’d absolutely fulfil the request my sister made of me in this moment, before signing it and leaving it on the table. “…I’ll do it. Because I love you, sis. And I know you know that. But if words are no longer enough, then I’ll show you through deeds.”

My sis was listening in a daze, blue eyes wider and wider. When the question she expected to answer didn’t come, she was stunned, but as I talked and drew up the pledge, tears formed, and with a leap, she slammed into me, arms around me. I felt a breaking within me, within her, and she leaned up, lips touching my cheek, and Kana and Yu-mi both snapped a picture on their phones.

“I like this one better.” Yu-mi observed, eyeing the photo booth pictures. “Because in this one, there’s just love. I don’t like her eyes here…”

“Yeah. Aiko was full of fear there, for sure. Here…”

She should have taken your lips. Cowardly Aiko. No wonder she never wins tournaments but bottles it at the last hurdle… Eri grumbled, but I rebuked her.

Wrong. Aiko has been incredibly brave. If the situation had been reversed, I’m not sure I could have put up with your pushiness.

I’m just doing it out of love.

Yes, but… your love is heavy, Eri. Don’t get me wrong, to me, it’s as light as a feather, and so comfortable, but others, even Aiko, might feel it weighing them down.

Wow, yeah! Thanks Akio, that’s exactly right! Eri, I love you, but…

Huh? I could imagine Eri’s eyes spinning as a familiar voice broke into our thoughts. My eyes widened, as Aiko leaned in and kissed my other cheek playfully.

…you can sure be hasty. Yes, I was sad, I felt awful, but… wow, girl, you don’t know how to hold back. What if your actions had caused some of Akio’s…

Please call him ‘bro’. it’s messing with my head… Eri grumbled, and my sis denied her, even as Shaeula, Hyacinth and even Rose and Lin welcomed her to the exclusive club of my mind. In Wisdom World, an adorable miniature Aiko appeared, clinging to my neck like a koala, still playfully kissing my cheek.

“Right now, he’s Akio, not just my brother. I’m addressing him as everything he is to me, just as he did to me. I love you for what you tried to do for me, Eri, more than ever. I love you too, Shaeula, Hyacinth. Because you don’t look at me like… well, like I’m the idiot I am. I guess you two didn’t have any issues?”

Rose and Lin both shook their heads, and it was Lin who answered. “You are our sister now. Since we are your brother’s Brúðr, and that shall not change. It is Eternal. It is not for us to interfere, only support.”

“Wow, I thought this when I saw your projection at Mount Atago…” my mini sister was eagerly investigating them, though she still clung to me, a perplexed Eri watching on, tail and ears flickering restlessly, black eyes a little unfocussed. “Akio is so damn lucky. But… not just that. I think… Akio deserves your favour, because… he’d do anything for those he loves. Anything.”

I would. I promised you, Aiko.

“Anyway. Eri, he made me so happy. It wasn’t like Christmas Eve. His expression then was so utterly determined, it made me feel both relieved and also pissed off. I don’t want you to suffer to make me happy, Akio. I want you to make me happy, and me to make you happy. So I’m never going to ask for what might shatter the Bonds you have already. Because we have one. And yes, it’s a chain, it can’t be broken. I’m your sister.” Her blue eyes were utterly confident now. “But just like you say that’s not a good thing… I disagree. Just like the bonds of love everyone here shares with you won’t ever be severed or relinquished. Some things are meant to be eternal, unbreakable, some bonds are. But not unchanging. And one bond isn’t all we share. You made it just for me, didn’t you? Brother’s Bond?”

 I did. And… you’ve used it beyond what I could have imagined. Rank eleven already?

“I’ll catch Eri up soon enough. Because the three of us… are always going to be together. But… we’re only one chain in the link of unbreakable bonds you’ve forged and will continue to. That’s your path…”

“No, it is his Path.” Rose corrected. “Sorry, new littlest sister…” she teased. “But I already hold First Adherent. Yet…”

“I’ll find a role for me. A role that’s not just being Akio’s sister.” Aiko promised. “Because much as I treasure that connection, it’s not all I am, not all I want, it doesn’t define me. But… I’ll ask advice, if that’s okay?”

“We welcome it, don’t we Lin?”

Outside our thoughts, my sis grinned, sticking up her hands in the double peace, kissing my cheeks again. “I love you, bro. That’s the ultimate truth.”

“Back to bro, am I?” I chuckled, and she playfully grabbed my ear, twisting it, and it stung.

“Out here, yes. Wow, Rank eleven is sick. That’s like thirteen percent more of your stats, bro. And… I love you for it. After all, it’ll keep me alive, one day. So I can come back to you, to Eri, to Kana, Yu-mi, Shaeula and everyone, smiling, and seeing your smiles welcoming me. And better… you can never leave me behind or forget about me now, can you? Yeah, you think Bonds should be severed if they no longer suit both parties, but… if you cut this bond, I swear I’ll kill myself. But… you can’t, can you?” She swept up the contract and it vanished into her spatial storage, along with the used wish-tickets and the purikura photos. When I raised an eyebrow, she grinned.

“Those were shit. Just me being petty, trying to get back at you because you didn’t seem to get how I felt, and also… maybe a little like what Eri was doing. Prodding, seeing what boundaries were cool with you. Anyway, we’ll take some proper ones in London. Where we can both be honest and true to ourselves. With Eri too.”

“Oh, it’s the Overton Window.” Yu-mi smiled. “It makes sense. But if you wanted to shift the window…”

“I get it.” I nodded. “I’m not looking away, sis. So… what do you want to do now? Although… your life is going to be a lot more… awkward… from now on.”

“How so?” she genuinely seemed confused, so I rapped her on the head with my knuckles.

“The thought sharing… I’m not sure you’d want…” I trailed off as Kana burst out laughing, and Yu-mi also smiled knowingly.

“This is Aiko we’re talking about, Akio.” Kana shook her head, exasperated. “Hello? Dates, massages in her underwear, sickening flirting? Didn’t bat an eye as you had sex with her best friend who was wearing her form perfectly.”

“You forgot I ogled his dick.” my sis smirked, face pink. “Though honestly, that was more turnabout being fair. You poured a load into my pussy… well no, not mine, but I think you know what I mean. But… you forget, bro. I can control the strands, so…” She vanished from Wisdom World, and I tried to reach her thoughts, but couldn’t, only for her to suddenly open them to me. “…when you’re involved in stuff I don’t want to be, it’s all good. I love that… you put everything in my hands, bro. You really are… the best brother a girl can have. And not just that. You’re my childhood friend, my inspiration, my hero… and…”

She took my hand, her smile now the most truthfully pure I’d ever seen from her, at least since we were kids, certainly before I left Nishimorioka to go to university. “…I love you. Don’t ever forget that. And though life has changed, I’m still planning on being that annoying, always there sister-in-law… just… Kana and Yu-mi will have to put up with me now as well! I’m a part of your Path, bro, your story. No, I’m never letting the place I occupy in your heart get filled in or given to others, Akio. That… that’s all you have to do to make me happy, to make me smile from the heart. And… you’ve done it. Shown it. It works both ways though. I’ll never do anything to make you sad, or to break your bonds. Okay?”

I nodded, touched by her words. “Okay sis. That was… heavy stuff. But…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Eri. To everyone. And I think they’re right. We’ve all the time in the world. The times I felt sad, worried you’d leave me, worried what I meant to you and to Eri was just fading away, dyed by new colours and new people, were just a blink of an eye to our futures. So… don’t worry about… no, I promised to be honest. Do worry about me, but only in that I’m a bit of a coward, like Eri says, and a whiner, and too needy. But… if you’ve got a big bro moonstone in your life, you’d have to be an idiot not to need him, don’t you think?”

“So, what do you think, Yu-mi?” Kana asked. “I think that went in a good direction.”

“Akio. Aiko. You know how each other truly feels now, yes?” she asked, and we looked at each other and nodded.

“Trust me, Yu-mi, Kana.” my sis smirked. “When you hit Rank eleven, you’ll get it. No hiding anything. Well, I can, I’m special…” She puffed out her modest chest pridefully, before winking at me. “…remembering, are you? That Eri… anyway, yes, I could hide what’s in my heart, but screw that. I’m done with that. Thanks to everyone. Though it’s caused some awful messes I need to fix. Sorry bro, my bad.”

“It’s fine.” I was both relieved and troubled by my sister’s wishes, but… You’re my precious little sister, my precious Aiko. So… you do what you want, and… I’ll do the same.

Great, bro. Yeah, might need your backup. I’ll try and clean up my own mess, but… if I need you, be there, okay?

Always.

“Anyway, let me finish your massage, bro. Tickets must be honoured. Oh, and…” my sis snatched up the book I’d left on the table. “…I think I forgot a few tickets I was going to give you. I’ll hand it back at the shrine visit tonight, okay?”

I nodded, and from her amused thoughts, I had a feeling those tickets would be very interesting, but she was also being both considerate of me, and her own feelings. Don’t worry. I could never hate you.

A smile was my only answer, as my sis clapped her hands, resuming the massage. “Okay then. Yu-mi, go tidy yourself up a bit, then we’re going shopping. Sh-op-pi-ng!” she intoned cheerfully. “We need outfits for London. And you can help me pick for my date with bro!”

“Sure thing.” Kana smirked. “You can pick for me too. Oh, and… stick without honorifics for us all. It was depressing hearing you go back and forth when you were depressed and unsure of your place. You know your place, Aiko. For as long as you want it.”

“Yeah. By everyone’s side.” she agreed. It didn’t take long for Aiko to finish the massage to her satisfaction, eagerness to get going clearly warring with her desire to do a good job, and my smile was kind as I saw the old Aiko in her, but also… a more truthful, honest version of herself, no longer running or hiding.

“And nobody knows what the future holds, but, in this moment… I know who I want to be held by. And I’ll hold your hands too!” As if to prove a point, Aiko grabbed their hands, leading Kana and Yu-mi away, even as the latter was saying she also needed to speak to her father later.

Snorting, still somewhat stressed by the confrontation, but also rather relieved, I glanced at my watch, before grabbing my shed shirt and pulling it on.

Okay, got to meet the bodyguards then… it’s time to speak to the members of Fenrir. Favours were swirling inside me, draining my adherence, and it was time to find a few new homes for them, before the new year, and the surely escalating chaos that would start to engulf the Earth…