Seven Hundred And Twenty-Two

“So, how was it? It seemed like it was a little hectic.” Carrie was saying, casting a sideways glance at me, as her fellow Norse Chosen who had come to visit had returned to the Material and gathered here again.

“I have to say we were taken aback when Akio here started coughing blood. Poor little Arisa and the other young women…” Carrie had taken a like to the polite but oddly argumentative and fiery Arisa-san while we’d been doing our duty and keeping an eye on the sleeping bodies of our allies. “…had quite the fright!”

“I was not frightened!” Arisa-san argued back, putting. “Not over him, anyway. My big sister was out there…”

“And she’s just fine.” I assured her, chuckling. Arisa-san’s best feature was that she constantly came to the defence of her shyer older sister, though Nozomi-san had certainly changed. At first, I very much didn’t approve of the way Hinata had basically forced them into Adamant, but now I knew it wasn’t just a plan to keep control of the Tengokusentou, but that Nozomi-san, and also Arisa-san, needed such an opportunity and an obligation to grow out of their self-destructive behaviours.

“…in fact…” I added. “…she acquitted herself well. You can see her shortly, then go play by the sea if you want. Since you’re rather too young to drink, Arisa-san.”

“I can have juice!” she grimaced, and I nodded at that, hiding a smile, even as Väinö agreed fiercely.

“Yeah. Jumalauta, Njord help me, it was heart-stopping. Akio here just went ‘poof’ and vanished into dust…” The broad, comical hand-gestured the big Finn made brought some of Adamant here to fits of giggles.  “…all I could think was we were in the shit. I was ready to throw the whole international incident in Ekaterini’s lap. She’s the politician, I just hit things!”

Ekaterini was the one chuckling now, her hawkish gaze rather fond as she smiled at him. “If anything, it would be the combat personnel who would have to shoulder the blame. With the Queen and heir-apparent of Britain, and the future… half… pseudo… I’m not quite sure of the exact political ramifications of Princess Mikasa’s future role… present, yes, it would have been quite the disaster. Internationally, already unsettled politics would have become chaotic. We can hardly be having that.” Her gaze was lacking amusement now as it switched to me, her brown eyes earnest and yet sharp. “I’m afraid you can’t afford to die, Akio. Japan would be thrown into turmoil, Britain too, and the world is already far too unpredictable.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” I apologised. “I was confident I could survive the attack. Though there are no guarantees.” Just like how Tungsten was hard to break, resistant to bullets and blades, but a careful mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids could simply disintegrate it, I was impervious to most ordinary methods, but some cheaty abilities could certainly overcome me.

“Even so, you have responsibilities.” Dorte was next to speak up, listening via the translation device. “But…” her harsh expression softened a little. “…I do appreciate that you acted selflessly, even if it was for someone you care about.”

“The world matters because those we love are in it.” I nodded, damned by her faint praise. “I certainly don’t want others to suffer, and I’ll try and make the world a far better, fairer place…” Like the hospitals, environmental programs and political reforms… even if some of those are motivated by selfishness. “…but to me, a hero is someone who protects what they love. Those who would place strangers over their own lovers, family, friends… that’s not a hero, but a self-sacrificing fool.” Dorte didn’t particularly like my words, I could tell, though Carrie, Astrid and Väinö did. Ekaterini seemed ambivalent, and I supposed her nature as a politician, and before that, a judge, I’d heard, meant she had a rather more nuanced take on the subject. Balance be damned. In that moment, Hyacinth, not anyone else, was my priority.

And despite my annoyance, my heart sang, and my chest felt tight. Hyacinth promised. But I do not wish you to leave me. A world without you, Akio, would be far too cold and dark, just like the box, but worse, as a box can open, but you would be gone forever!

As the others agreed mentally with her poetic, melancholy words, I resolved to try and avoid worrying them in future, though I knew that was an impossible promise to keep. Then the door opened, and Eri, having changed into a different set of clothes, likely from her Spatial Storage, now wearing an outfit which harkened back to her recent past, somewhat loose blue jeans, a similar t-shirt and fluffy white cardigan, nodded at me, her black eyes hard.

“Anyway…” I nodded back at her, keeping my face impassive, though to be honest my stomach was starting to churn, a feeling akin to wanting to be sick building, but I ruthlessly pushed it down. “…I’m afraid I’m heading off now. But I’ll probably see you around later this evening, I don’t think Hastings town is that large”

“Yeah, you can buy me a drink or ten!” Väinö teased, and with that, I took Eri’s hand, and we walked out of the hotel. Adamant members, some of the Knights, and also Aditi, who was first up out of Ellie’s group, greeting us. We spent a little time exchanging pleasantries, before we had to leave, Aiko’s thoughts a churning mix of annoyance, impatience and unease.

It’s all right. We’re coming. At least, I hope it’s all right.

Obviously, we had the busses to take everyone down into Hastings proper, though obviously with the speed and stamina everyone here had, jogging to the town would take only minutes. Yet for me…

Eri smiled at my thought, and placed her arms around my neck, so our faces were almost touching, Staring into her onyx eyes, which had absolute confidence in me, I swallowed nervously, even as I swept her up into a princess carry, enjoying the feel of her legs, even through the loose, somewhat unflattering jeans. Though trying to hide your beauty like that is doomed to failure, Eri. Even before, and especially now…

“Why do you trust me so much? I’m… not confident I can resolve this one…” I admitted my weakness, and Eri snorted, our lips meeting, even as I vanished in a spray of motes of purple, reappearing down at the stony beach I’d visited in the Boundary only minutes before. On this cold, January evening, there were few people on it, so our appearance passed largely unremarked, though a handful of tourists or perhaps locals walking along the path by the beach goggled, taking pictures on their phones, faces shocked, as I let Eri down, our brief, tender kiss ending.

“Because you’re my hero and always have been.” Eri repeated her earlier thoughts. “And you’re Aiko’s hero too. I’m like you…” She nuzzled against me as we strolled along the beach, watching the rough, choppy seas foaming against the seashore. “…I just want those I care about to prosper. Maybe it makes me a monster, but if it was a choice between you, or Aiko, or… now, I suppose Shaeula, Kana and the others…”

“Kana would be shocked and delighted to hear that…” I teased, and Eri’s tail appeared, batting at me playfully. I noticed she had far greater control now, and indeed, the tail was sprouting from higher up on her back, pushing out from under her t-shirt, rather than unseating her jeans and perhaps risking an unwanted flash, as these weren’t one of her special pairs we’d had made to accommodate her half-Bakeneko nature.

“Grand now, thank you. That makes me proud, I feel I’m not so far behind Shaeula, Hyacinth and Asha. As for Kana, I was wrong about her. No, not wrong, she was exactly who I said she was, but… she changed, when she fell for you, Akio. Nobody understands that better than me. Now, now she’s a good woman. And what you, what we need. Yu-mi too. Though I admit I feel closer to Yu-mi than most of the others do thanks to her helping us break that final regret you felt between us. My point is…” Eri flushed, embarrassed at praising others. She wasn’t good at giving or receiving such words, another facet of her which was adorable, I felt. Sensing my thoughts, her blush grew deeper.

“…if it was a case of a nuclear bomb going off, blowing up a city, or saving anyone I care about, I know what I’d pick. Maybe that makes me wicked, but then I am a Bakeneko, at least in part. Though I’d have made that choice before, too…” She then hurriedly change the subject, pointing. “…oh, is that mini golf? I’ve always wanted to try that. I bet Aiko would enjoy it…”

Looking at the course, with its comedic layout, replete with windmills, lighthouses and other strange obstacles, I let Eri distract me, thinking that was part of her cute side too, enjoying the lashing of her tail and her deepening flush. “Sure, we can play later, if we’re still in the mood.”

“Oh, we will be.” Eri promised ominously, but I understood her thoughts. There was no way she’d let Aiko come out of this heartbroken and defeated. And I know I won’t either. Life is so complicated…

“That it is.” Eri agreed. “If only Aiko was my sister, or you were my brother…”

“That would be a different problem, wouldn’t it…?” I trailed off, as the look she gave me was withering in its amusement and knowing disdain.

“Don’t try and pretend. I wouldn’t have let it stop me.”

“Oh? But you almost didn’t confess to me at the festival…” I couldn’t help but tease back, and she had the good grace to giggle with shame.

“Ah, but I did. And I believe I hadn’t given up, no matter what I said, or Aiko taunted me about. As soon as I finished school, I’d have moved to Tokyo to be with you, and in this different life… I’d still have loved you. Do you think being my brother would have stopped me? If anything, you’d never have left Nishimorioka, I wager…” Her thoughts were astoundingly wicked, and I could feel Aiko’s embarrassment too, hearing them, but also a faint edge of agreement, which embarrassed me.

“All right, I get it. There’s no point delaying any longer, is there? And if we wait, this place will be drowning in people we know.” That would actually be amusing in some ways, the small, quaint, historic seaside town absolutely thronged with our group, no doubt it’d be a spectacle for the locals. However, for our current situation, that wasn’t ideal. It seemed Aiko, Tsukiko, and our families, were in a small, quiet bar… pub, I suppose I should call it, we are in Britain, after all… on the corner of what was considered the ‘old town’, listening to some local band singing sea shanties.

“Let’s go.” Eri agreed, no hesitation on her face, at least. “I’m sick of the atmosphere. Even Eleanor is trying her best to understand, so how can your parents call themselves that if they simply act like petulant brats?”

I declined to answer. I… didn’t actually agree with Eri on this one. I did totally sympathise with their viewpoint. But… what it comes down to is I love Aiko too much to trample on her feelings, no matter how… unorthodox they are…

It is indeed an… unorthodox…  Asha stumbled over the unusual term in our thoughts… world. And I believe your lesson today should have shown them that, if naught else.

Yeah… I agreed, Asha’s reassurance showing she was always listening. There’s nothing truer than that, nowadays…

***

Eri and I had drawn some curious glances, though I’d woven a trace of light element to slightly obscure our features, making us harder to recognise. Thanks to that, while people felt they knew us, they weren’t certain and contented themselves with snapping a few photos on their phones, which was welcome, as we were not in the mood to be delayed. Arriving at the pub, we slipped in, past the small band playing their jaunty songs, and entered the modest, quiet back room.

There were only four tables there, and only one, the furthest from the bar, in the corner where a dusty pub game of some sort which I’d never seen before, took pride of place, a weird cross between pool and skittles… no, the décor isn’t important. I can’t escape into my thoughts… was occupied.

“Akio, Eri, you have arrived.” Tsukiko spoke for everyone there, and the atmosphere must have been painfully tense, as there were some faint beads of sweat upon her beautiful face.

“We have.” Eri agreed. “Would you like some drinks? I can get them.”

“I need one.” Aiko spoke up, her tone cheery, but rather brittle. “And dad can’t complain, because it’s totally legal, even without my special passport! When in Rome, or rather… when in Britain…”

Father winced, though it seemed it wasn’t just down to the usual disdain he had for Aiko and Eri indulging in alcohol. He himself had a nearly empty glass of whiskey in front of him, as did mom, and her face was both somehow flushed and pale, her blue eyes full of an emotion I didn’t think I’d ever seen there.

“Make it something strong and sweet.” Aiko continued. “Tsuki…” She was using Shiro’s nickname for Tsukiko now. “…you want another glass of red wine?”

“Yes, that would suffice.” she agreed.

“Make mine a glass of white.” Mother-in-law Hana spoke up, oddly cheery. “Junpei?”

“Whiskey is fine.” He nodded, before giving his daughter a glance up-and-down, his eyes knowing. “I’m… curious to see you dressed like that, Eri. It’s as though I’m looking at you from six months ago. I’m not sure I like it…”

Eri’s tail had obviously been dismissed before we started moving through the town, as having it would have drawn too much attention, and defeated the point of why she was dressed like she was. So indeed, she was the spitting image of before. She’d also used Immaterial Cat to change her hairstyle back to the dowdier, face covering bangs she used to wear, and if it wasn’t for the fire in her obsidian eyes, it would be easy to be fooled into thinking she was an archetypal shy wallflower who hid herself away from others.

“There’s a lot we don’t like. But we’re all adults, we have to live with that.” Eri shook her head.

“But you and Ai aren’t, are you, Eri?” mom asked, and Eri’s reply was withering.

“Oh really? You’re… very selective… in how you choose to interpret things like that, aren’t you, Emily?”

Again, the lack of any form of usual address made it plain how angry Eri was with mom. As she opened her mouth to retort, Eri raised her fingers. “You had no issue with me and Akio getting engaged, or even me being pregnant. Likewise, you don’t try and tell Kana, Hinata or Daiyu that they’re not adults, you welcome them into Akio’s life, and his bed…” With that, Eri turned away, leaving her open-mouthed and silent, heading to the bar. Knowing Eri could handle it herself, I sat down at an open seat.

“I apologise for her rudeness, but… she’s not wrong. In fact…” I gazed at our parents solemnly, as Tsukiko slid her seat closer to me, perhaps seeking the comfort of my presence. Don’t worry, I know it’s been rough, I’ll make it up to you later!

“…I would hope, if nothing else, today would show you that our previous ways of thinking won’t work in this new world.” I patted Tsukiko’s hand under the table, before smiling at my sis, who seemed both relieved and resigned we’d come. “I do hope you’ve praised Aiko for her excellent performance on the battlefield today. That’s the result of her hard effort, will and determination. She’s worked for it. But then, Aiko’s always been a hard worker. Not like me.” As she flushed at my praise, I made my point. “It’s just she’s always been bad at finishing strong. Always fumbling at the last moment.”

“That hurts my feelings, bro.” Aiko grumbled, though she was smiling. “It’s true though. I’m… bad at expressing myself, I tend to fit in with the crowd. The team.”

“Here.” Eri placed down Aiko’s glass of fruity rum and cola, my whiskey, and Tsukiko’s wine, before thumping down the other drinks our parents asked for, with rather surly heavy-handedness. As she sat on my other side, she shook her head. “They asked me for identification.”

“Asians do look youthful to Westerners.” I chuckled. “And you’re dressed like you’re younger today.” I sipped at my whiskey. “Take it as a compliment.”

“Oh, I do. Anyway…” She glanced at me, and I raised a hand, a faint, almost unnoticeable barrier of jade winds surrounding the table, muting our conversation.

“…that’s better.” Eri nodded, satisfied. “I might end up saying some harsh words, best to keep them private.”

Hana and Junpei exchanged wry smiles at that, and mom glowered at her best friends, pouting. Father, however, stared at me with a complicated expression on his face. “Son, Akio… you might think I do not understand, but let me assure you, I am hardly such a fool. We knew things were dangerous, after all, when Eri was torn apart before our eyes in Kyoto, or when the bodies of those shrine maidens and apprentice priests were brought out to their grieving families… the attack on the estate, news worldwide… even our own training, facing those hostile sea creatures… even so…”

“Even so?” I parroted, as he gathered his thoughts.

“Even so…” he repeated. “…today was… shocking. And yes, I am proud of Aiko, I just feel that it might have been better were she never involved…”

“And why’s that, dad?” Aiko asked. “Is it because I’m a woman? If so, you’re an idiot.”

“No. Though I confess to that being a part of it. Perhaps I am too old-fashioned. But women should not be soldiers or doing such dangerous tasks. And it is dangerous…” He narrowed his steely eyes, a similar shade to mine. “…you nearly killed your mother, when you vanished. She thought you had perished. Careless indeed, Akio…”

“Oh?” I raised one eyebrow. “If that’s the case, then why was father-in-law here so calm? Because he knew…”

“Way to put me on the spot, Akio…” Junpei grumbled, taking a sip of his whiskey to gather his thoughts. “It’s true though. If nothing else, our daughter was calm and composed, wasn’t she, Hana? She’d be the first to explode if anything happened to him. Though… Ai-chan here might be the second…”

“That’s a big ask.” My sis shook her head, cheeks reddening. “I’m not prepared to fight Shaeula or Hyacinth for that honour. I’d know though, yeah. Because…”

“Because you credit Akio for showing you this world, Aiko?” father asked, and I could see he was making an effort to understand, though it was a world he didn’t comprehend, and his morals and convictions actively rejected.

“I credit Akio for being my world.” my sis declared, and Eri chuckled approvingly, while Tsukiko nodded. Mom went pale, gnawing at her lip, while father listened carefully.

Oddly enough, Hana was smiling like a cat who’d just managed to find a whole barrel of cream. You did say auntie was petty, Eri…

Yes. Don’t get me wrong, she loves Emily as her dearest friend, but… when she felt Emily was disregarding her feelings over our relationship, she was hurt. Now that the situation has reversed, she can’t help but feel satisfied…

It’s not like I don’t get it, but… surely she gets it now?

Yes. But you can hardly talk. It took endless time for you to understand I’m not sacrificing any happiness in the current situation, that this isn’t just the life I chose, but the one I’d chose again, even if I could travel back in time. Which I can’t…

That’s correct. Rose, who was listening, agreed with Eri’s words. Time flows in but one direction. We can slice it, recreate it, even spy upon it, but never change it…

And even if we could, I wouldn’t. Eri agreed. My point is, don’t criticise mother for struggling with something you failed at.

Wow… to hear you defend her so…

I’m just not prepared to set aside my happiness to live a life my parents think is best for me. I know what’s best for me. Just as Aiko knows what’s best for her. And I know what’s best for her too…

That’s… Aiko was easily able to communicate mentally since she didn’t need to split her focus, as we were all here. …I know you mean well, Eri. And that you love me. But…really, this is something Akio and I have to work out ourselves. You can’t force it. If… if either I didn’t want it, or Akio didn’t, pushing us together would just make everyone unhappy…

But…

Aiko’s right, Eri. You’ve been a bit impulsive lately. Don’t worry, we’ll… work things out.

“Don’t blame him for giving me everything I’ve asked for.” Aiko continued. “At the start, he did think it was best to keep me and Eri out of this. He was wrong, but I appreciate his reasoning. He didn’t want us to get hurt, but… you saw it, mom, dad, uncle, auntie…” Aiko leaned forward, elbows on the table, and she seemed very determined in this moment.

Of course I am, bro, no, Akio! I can’t take the misery anymore. You don’t know what it’s like… no, I guess you do. I’m really sorry. I knew what I wanted in my heart was selfish, that it’d be a problem for you, but…

I told you. Maybe on Christmas Eve I gave you the impression I’d only be doing it reluctantly, to make you happy, but… you’re my world too, Aiko. To be fair, so’s Eri, Tsukiko and the others as well. But if there’s any way I can banish your gloom, see you smile from now until the end, do you think I wouldn’t take it?

“That’s a lovely smile, little Ai…” Hana interrupted, her own expression impish, and in this moment she resembled Eri quite a bit, despite her different hairstyle and facial features.

“Maybe I’m just happy to finally be saying my piece…” Aiko dissembled, cheeks rosy. “…anyway, we know that being ignorant and weak won’t stop the strong preying on us. Look at the sea creatures. One day, just like in Tokyo, they might spill into what we call our real world. Do you think if I was an ordinary girl in this town, they wouldn’t kill me? You know the stakes. I want to be strong, stand beside everyone. I want my life to be meaningful. You’re not fair, mom, dad…” She shook her head. “You always complained that my bro wasn’t living up to his potential, but you’re trying to stifle mine!”

“It is very different, Aiko. Be reasonable. This is not a game…” father began, and ignoring Eri’s derisive, and purposefully loud, snort, Aiko countered.

“I know. Oh, trust me, I know. You think we get to our level by playing around, by not taking things seriously? I’ve put more into this than I’ve ever done before. And even then, compared to what Akio’s managed…” she changed to calling me by name out loud too. “…I’m like a clumsy beginner who’s just picked up her first bow, or pulled on kneepads for the first time, as compared to an Olympic-level athlete. You should be proud of him, not always seek to blame him for everything that might go wrong, overlooking what he’s done to prevent so much unhappiness!”

“I understand that. I am not being overly critical, Aiko…” father insisted.

“Oh, you are.” Aiko shot back. “Come on, Akio led everyone to victory again, so many people looked to him for guidance, for support, for hope… he defeated out unexpected enemies. He protected Hyacinth, even at the cost of pain… he killed… for the greater good, for this country, your country, mom…”

“Yes, but… he is too impulsive.” Father gazed at me then. “Akio, do you know where you went wrong?”

“No.” But I’m sure you’ll tell me, father. You do love to point that out.

Both Eri and Aiko struggled to stifle their giggles, though Aiko’s were more sorrowful, while Eri’s were angry.

“I can accept that you have become a great man, Akio. To do otherwise is to disparage those who look to you, as Aiko so aptly points out. But… you still do not have the mindset of such. A leader cannot let personal feelings interfere in what must be done. If you died there…” Mom let out a choked sob, but father only patted her hand, continuing. “…the battlefield would have collapsed, morale destroyed, and the international situation would have been chaotic…”

“So, what should I have done? Prioritised my own safety over Hyacinth’s?” I asked, and father frowned.

“You make it sound like I wish harm to come to her. Protecting her is what you should do. You chose the path of a man who has many wives, of course you should be a man and defend them. But you cannot place your own life so low, treat it so carelessly. Because your life does not belong to just yourself.”

“So, you’re saying Akio should have let Hyacinth die if the alternative was his own possible demise?” Eri asked, and father paused.

“Again, you are putting words in my mouth, Eri, but in essence, Akio must survive. Because without the head, the body dies.”

“So, would you say the same if I was the one in danger? Or Aiko was? Or Tsukiko here?” Eri pressed, and father grimaced.

“This is why we did not wish for your involvement. A simple marriage with our son…”

“Would solve nothing, dad.” Aiko grimaced. “I still don’t see why you can’t get it.”

As we talked, another table filled up with three guys, who were puzzled as to why they couldn’t hear us, then, with shock, they realised who I was. They began taking pictures, and made to come over, but Eri’s loaded glare sent them scurrying back to their table, where they began chuckling about us, casting glances over.

“Eri loves Akio. I love Akio. We don’t want to be in the situation where we could have helped and can’t because we’re weak. Worse, where we drag him down because we’re weak. You know people out there have no hesitation in targeting innocents if it’ll help them take out their enemies. We’ve been a part of that. If we were just useless baggage, would you say Akio should let Eri die, let me die, let you die, just to preserve himself?”

As father hesitated on how to respond, I shook my head. “Dorte would get on well with you, dad. She sees everything in black and white. But that’s not what this world is. I wish it was. After all, greys are just white that’s become a little dirty. But maybe I’m not strong enough or smart enough to live in a world of pure white. If I was…” I smiled at Eri and Tsukiko. “…only Eri would be by my side.”

“And many of us would not be here.” Tsukiko agreed. “I understand. It is… difficult… to accept change. Frightening, even. You were terrified, yes?”

Mom nodded. “It was… I could barely keep up. And so many young, beautiful women… getting cut up, even limbs hacked off. Blood everywhere, screams… they could have died…”

“Yes, they could have.” Eri agreed. “But still they stood. Because it’s worth fighting for. Because Akio inspires them. Or perhaps, for some…” Eri’s smile was now rueful. “…they want to be Akio’s women. Sorry, mother, but I’ll have to share with more before all this is done. But I find I don’t care. How can I? Because I love Akio. And he loves me.” She took my hand. “If love isn’t white, then I don’t know what is in this world.”

Aiko nodded. “Exactly. Akio captured Eri’s heart even before she understood what romantic love was.” Her unspoken words hung heavy in the air. “Look, I can call statues made of magical metal out of nothingness to fight. Eri… Eri can change her body into any number of strange forms… Akio… well, you saw it, he can be blown to dust and still come back to us, smiling to reassure us everything’s going to be okay. And it will be, it always has been. He’s never let Eri down. Or me. You know… Eri and I are sisters in truth. We might have been born from different wombs, but… were we ever raised differently?”

“No. And I fear that is our mistake.” father conceded.

“I don’t know about that.” Eri shook her head. “If anything, it made it difficult for Akio to accept me. After all, he saw me as a sister, loved me as a sister. But I wanted more. To be honest, you all wanted more for me, didn’t you?”

Hana nodded. “Of course. It was adorable how you clung to little Aki as a child, following in his footsteps. And, just as Emily treated you as her own, I treated little Aki and little Ai the same. It would have been wonderful, joining our families in ties of marriage too. Becoming one in truth. But I’d thought your chance had gone, my dear daughter.”

“Unless she and Ai…” Emily murmured bitterly, and Aiko exploded.

“Oh, come on, mom, you’re being such a bitch. You had absolutely no problems when Akio got engaged to Shaeula too. Hinata, then Motoko and Natsumi, Hyacinth… even now, with every new addition you smile. And I get it. Though I was conflicted. I felt sorry for Eri, but I knew it was for the best. I never expected it to grow quite so grand…”

“My apologies…” Tsukiko murmured, and Aiko flushed.

“Oh, shit, no, Tsuki, I didn’t mean to imply anything…” Aiko waved her hands in a panic, before taking a deep breath and calming herself. “…mom, you might think that, and… I can certainly see a world where that would have been true. If Akio married Shiro, say, so Eri was all alone… yeah, we’d have ended up living together. I… well, I’m as curious about love as Eri is, and we’d have been lonely.”

Damn, this is so embarrassing, talking about this with our parents… Aiko complained. …it’s true though. Don’t mistake me, I’m not a lesbian, bro. I… don’t really see myself as anything. I just love who I love. I can appreciate gorgeous women and cute girls just as much as I can appreciate handsome guys. It just so happens that my bro is the hottest, most heroic guy around, and always has been, and my childhood friend, despite her well-hidden YandERI nature and vile temper, is as beautiful as she is kind to those she loves.

I know. Even so, I understand my parents. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a big step for me to take, changing how I see you, but.,.

It’s not like you to hesitate, Akio. Be honest, you find Aiko beautiful…

At Eri’s chiding, I mentally sighed. Of course I do. That’s an objective fact. Aiko’s the must beautiful… blood-related… sister around.

Wow, smart move clarifying that, Akio, else I’d tattle on you to Suzu-chan and the others… Aiko seemed delighted at my praise. But I get it. I’m your sister. It’s ingrained into you it’s wrong to think of me that way. But… I’m basically Eri. This is what mom and dad don’t get, and it pisses me off. Besides, where’s the harm in love? What mom said was bullshit, but…

“So yeah…” Aiko finished with a shrug. “…don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t planning on hooking up with Eri. After all, she’s Akio’s girl, always has been. But… hey, love can change, can’t it?”

Eri rolled her eyes. “You think highly of yourself, Aiko…”

“Don’t say you wouldn’t be tempted, Eri…” Aiko chortled, before she glanced at mom. “So, you wouldn’t have minded that much, would you, mom?”

“I’m open-minded…” she insisted. “…I’m not a bigot. I’d be disappointed that neither of you had children, but so long as you were both content…” She choked up, her blue eyes, so reminiscent of Aiko’s, wet with unshed tears, as if she knew where this was going.

“So yeah, Akio and Eri is fine, me and Eri is fine…”

“Do you really not get it?” father asked. “There is an insurmountable difference between you and Eri. And nothing can change that.”

“Yes, Ai, you have to understand…” mom sounded desperate. “…it does you no good to cling to your brother. It’s good that you get on well, and that he’s helped and protected you, but… you’re his sister. It’s unnatural to be too close. Immoral. Akio should have known better, he should have been the adult and laid down a firm line…”

Aiko’s teeth ground together, and she wasn’t alone in that. Eri might not be manifesting her ears and tail now, but her black hair stood up like a tail.

“Always Akio’s fault, isn’t it? I guess I’m just a worthless, stupid girl who has no agency or will of her own?” Aiko narrowed her eyes, furious. “What, are you claiming he meant this to happen, that he’s been seducing me all these years?”

“I think we should all take a breath, and not do this again.” Hana broke in, her eyes compassionate, though the faint twitch of her lips was noticed by me, by Eri too. “I for one understood the lesson of the day.” She then finished her wine, before patting mom’s shoulder. She jerked, as if reflexively trying to pull away, only to calm herself, allowing Hana’s reassuring touch.

“Emi, I told you it was different, a daughter to a son. I can see why you are delighted little Aki… no, I should probably stop that childish nickname. Akio’s a grown man, shouldering many burdens we can’t understand. My Eri, for one. She’s a heavy woman…”

“So everyone says. I think I’m actually rather supportive…” Eri disagreed, though her anger was diminishing a little.

“Oh, how nice it is to be young.” Hana shook her head. “…my point is, Emi, I warned you. Besides… my Eri is quite right. Your double standards are aggravating. It’s immoral for Akio to marry multiple women, by our standards, yet you embraced it.”

“How could I not…” she whispered in a barely audible buzz. “…everyone seemed so happy, and it wasn’t hurting anyone. Not even Eri!” She spoke up more firmly at the end, and Hana shrugged.

“Yes. I understand that. I can hardly keep pushing my own dissatisfaction on my daughter. My daughter who…” she swallowed, suddenly pale. “…beheaded a woman before my eyes.”

“An enemy. Who ambushed us and nearly killed Hyacinth.” Eri corrected.

“We get it.” Junpei added. “Killing… we Japanese are so insulated from such. Violent crime rates are vanishingly low, our army is for defence, since we lost the war long before we were born… but it was thrust in our faces, in stark contrast to what we know. Killing is immoral too…”

“I disagree. Murder is wrong.” I pointed out. “But if someone’s holding a blade to the throat of Eri, or you, father-in-law, and the only way to protect you is to kill… I no longer hesitate. I did, and it almost got innocents killed. I’m a hypocrite, but I’m also fair. One day, if I fall in battle, I reaped what I sowed. But when it comes to immorality…”

“It’s not the same!” mom insisted. “How could it be? Ai, you… will give everyone the wrong idea! Clinging to Aki, dancing with him like you’re his fiancée… wanting to spend so much time with everyone at night, when… when they’re doing adult things…”

“You can say sex, mom. I’m nineteen in a couple of weeks.” Aiko was disdainful. “I know how it works, you know.”

“…my point is you need suitable distance. You need to find someone to date, you’re a beautiful girl. Even Eri, if she wasn’t already...”

“Even?” Eri raised an eyebrow peevishly. “I’m rather offended…”

“Even if it is innocent…” mom ignored Eri, her tone pleading. “…you have to believe the world won’t see it that way, Ai! Do you want to be looked at as if you’re filthy, as if you’re an abused victim of assault? Do you want your brother to be seen as a perverted monster who…”

I winced. Mom had repeated what had truly triggered Eri before.

“A monster? You’d call your own son that for cherishing his sister?” Eri’s words were calm, almost eerily so, but that was the most terrifying thing of all. Everyone’s faces were like blank masks, and I was glad nobody could hear us. I wove a little light too, generating a mosaic privacy effect, no doubt enthralling the other patrons in this quiet backroom.

“Cherishing? There’s only so far…” mom began, but Eri shook her head.

“Then you should loathe Akio for loving me. Shouldn’t you?”

“It’s different, and you must see that!” mom broke in, and Aiko was the one bitter now.

“The way you’re talking, it’s like Akio schemed this, manipulated naïve, stupid, innocent me. But you have to know that isn’t the case. Not unless you think being the best brother anyone can be is immoral? I hate this situation. I… despite everything, despite my harsh words, I don’t hate you, mom, dad, but… I do despise the way you treat us unfairly. I chose who I love. Akio’s not some God, who has power over me and my actions and desires. Even though he could be, and not just for me.”

“That is correct.” Tsukiko agreed. “You have seen it. Akio’s might and influence means he could do as he pleases, to an extent. But he is actually rather moderate in his demands to others. And I assure you, as someone who has seen their relationship, it is an enviable one. It makes me wish I was not born so late in my parents’ lives, a sibling would have perhaps made me far less lonely.”

“Not every sibling matches up to Akio.” Eri shook her head.

“Look, I get it.” Aiko tried to keep her cool, learning from before. “Plenty of people hated Akio for his polygamy. Even Eleanor was repulsed by it. But look at her now. She made the effort to understand and empathise, and now she’s as in love with him as any of us. Because… while you blame Akio for our actions, you should be praising him for his deeds. It’s not fair to always think the worst. Besides…” Aiko’s expression shifted. “…the way you go on, you’d think we were fucking…”

“Language, Aiko!” father warned reflexively, only for mom to interrupt, voice shrill.

“I don’t care about swearing! Aiko…” Using Aiko’s full name meant my mom was angry. “…you can’t even joke about such things!”

“Why? I’ve waded through a river of blood and death. Hell, I could die, any day. Any of us could.” She smirked then, her fury leaking a little. “If it’s a choice between me and Akio, he has to let me die, dad says so… and I know you’ll say you didn’t mean it, but it’s hypocritical valuing me over Hyacinth, for example. Honestly, she, Shiro and Asha have far more value than any of us, if you’re talking purely about saving the world. But we’re not… seriously…” She winked at me, suddenly aggressive. “…this is pissing me off enough that I’m sorely tempted to drag you off to the toilets here and you can test-drive all my holes…”

“Aiko!” mom was aghast. Father however…

“That is a step too far, Aiko. If you wish to be treated like an adult, then behave like one, and stop provoking your mother.”

“I will if she stops calling Akio a pervert. I mean, he is…” Aiko’s chuckle was gently mocking. “…but not in the way you think, mom. You and dad always jump to the worst conclusions. I haven’t forgotten when you thought he was yakuza or a drug dealer. Akio’s done more good already than any of us ever will.”

“Yes, we should all relax.” Hana agreed. “Aiko, dear. Tell us… what did you do last night?”

“I had a wonderful night. Spent it playing videogames, chatting and drinking beer with Akio, Eri, Shaeula and a few others. It was a whole lot of fun. Like a sleepover, a pyjama party. Sure, mine are a bit on the sexy side, and so maybe there was a nipple slip here, panty flash there…” Mom winced at that, and father’s expression was stiff. “…but be realistic, it isn’t like Akio’s Eyes are Evil and hurt when they look at me.”

I don’t remember any nipple slips…

Just rubbing home the point, bro. You’re not denying the panty flashes then?

Kind of hard when all you were wearing was a t-shirt and panties.

You know you loved it. Everyone else had fun dressing that way too…

I’m not sure how to answer that, especially now, but… I had fun because you did.

Lame. Being a big bro moonstone will only get you so far with me nowadays. You know that, right?

Oh, I do, certainly. Just… let me get my head in the game. And please don’t drag me to the toilets, my heart isn’t ready for that, even if our parents weren’t here listening.

Oh, poor big bro moonstone. You make me wonder which of us is the young virgin girl here again, it’s hard to tell in this moment! Don’t worry though, I wouldn’t have the nerve either.

“It’s not exactly proper behaviour, Aiko…” Hana’s tone was gentle. “…but it’s not exactly criminal, either. Weird, will raise eyebrows, but… that’s just for now. If things were to change…”

“I’ll be honest. I don’t know what shape my future with Akio will be. But I know one thing without question. I don’t want my relationship to be defined simply because of an accident of birth. If I was Eri, and Eri was me…”

“I assure you, blood-related brother or not, I’d love Akio as a woman, and I’d probably have given myself to him far sooner. Aiko as a threat would have spurred me on.” Eri insisted.

“I’d have shared, I promise you that.” Aiko giggled, and the stunned silence around the table at Eri’s bold words stretched out, until Eri slapped her hands on the table, making it tremble.

“What? Do I disgust you, Emily, Taichi? I am not lying, not trying to defend Aiko. I am simply being true to myself. I know I wouldn’t feel any different about Akio. It would have been difficult. He resisted me enough as a sister who doesn’t have any blood relation. But I’m beautiful, and… I was so terribly needy. Akio’s heart is kind. He wants to heal the wounds of those who are in pain, especially beautiful woman.”

“I believe her.” Junpei sighed. “I know our daughter. Whether the world sees what she wants as wrong or evil, she doesn’t care, so long as it makes her content. Just like she wielded her axe.”

“Yes. I understand why some of us feel disturbed or sorrowful about killing. Me, I don’t spare them a thought, which in itself worries me, I suppose.” she shrugged. “Maybe I’m actually a wicked person. Queen Of The Night indeed. Aiko isn’t like me… she worries and frets, always overthinking. If she didn’t, she’d have won a number of Kyūdō tournaments. The enemies came to take from us, we defended ourselves. I love Akio, so it doesn’t matter to me whether we’re allowed to be together, we will be.”

“But what if that causes Akio trouble, even gets him arrested and imprisoned?” Junpei asked, seeming genuinely curious as to his daughter’s thought processes.

“I wouldn’t want that.” Eri agreed. “But… you don’t get it, father. None of you do, except Aiko and Tsukiko. Akio’s always been a hero to me, now he’s a true hero. If it’s for us, he’ll find a way for our happy ending. That won’t ever change either.”

There was silence, Eri’s profound confidence having halted everyone’s thoughts, before Hana murmured a saying. “A hero everywhere, except in his hometown and with his family…”

“What was that?” Eri asked, and mom sighed, answering her.

“It’s a bible quote, or close enough. I think I must have said it before…” At her explanation, Hana nodded. “A prophet is not without honour except in his hometown and in his own household.”

“Yes, that fits.” Eri nodded approvingly. “You don’t see us as what we are now. I’m still pitiful little Eri, Aiko is a flighty, fumbling daughter, and Akio… no, you never saw him properly. Even after the dog incident, you scolded him for putting us in the situation, didn’t you, Taichi?”

“I did. Perhaps… I regret that now.” He scratched at his cheek, awkward or embarrassed. “And how long are you going to call me Taichi, Eri?”

“As long as you and Emily keep this nonsense going. I’m not crass enough to tell you to just shut up and agree with us, no more than I expect everyone to take fighting and killing as indifferently as I do. But you must treat us with dignity and respect. Love would be nice too, you are our parents, remember?”

“Fairly terrible ones, it seems, for it to have come to this.” father mourned, only for Tsukiko to disagree.

“If you look at the situation objectively, I beg to differ. While Eri is correct, and you do not see the truth of them now, it is undeniable that Akio has grown to be a great man, and Eri and Aiko to be women of firm character and importance.”

“You’re making me blush, Tsuki…” my sis did indeed redden at her praise. “…not sure dad and mom agree though, they think Akio and I have no morals…”

“I’ll be honest, Aiko. It should repulse you. It’s wonderful being close to your brother, but… to want to…” mom tried to explain, falling silent at the end, unwilling to go further.

“Hey, I get it. But there’s an exception to every rule, isn’t there? And I called you a hypocrite, but I am too. I’d find it weird and creepy if another sister was hitting on their brother, or the other way around. But I wouldn’t hate them for it. Love is love, yeah? And blood is just an accident of birth.”

“That accident is important.” father added, before Hana chuckled.

“Eri doesn’t think so.” At Eri’s nod, she continued. “Emi, let me lay it out for you, okay? I admit to feeling bad that you have to face this, but… having a daughter can be rough. It’s still better than her moving to Tokyo and getting into trouble, ending up as a hostess or AV star, or a poor woman addicted to drugs…”

“Is it?” mom bit her lip. “I mean, yes, Ai would be happier, and I’d be less worried, but it’s still…”

“Wow, yeah, mom, you’ve got to be crazy if you’d rather have me sleeping with guys for cash than close to Akio! I have my self-respect, you know? And I’m not some horny woman. I’m curious, same as everyone, it’s just…”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have quipped about getting Akio to rail you in every orifice then…” Eri chided playfully, and Aiko flushed.

“I know, I know! Just got pissed off, but…”

“…but we’re talking it out like adults. Heated, yes, but like adults.” I finished. “Just as we did with Yu-mi’s mother. Now then…”

“Yes. Let me be blunt.” Tsukiko, who we’d brought to be a voice of reason, suggested a course of action. “Let us lay out the objections, and we can see if we all agree.”

“It’s immoral! Disgusting!” mom added immediately.

“Noted.” Tsukiko managed to keep her tone even. Father however, gave it genuine thought.

“It certainly does make me feel disgusted, but to be fair, so does the idea of a man cheating on his wife, or a wife her husband. Akio’s… polygamous marriage… certainly feels unfair and exploitative to me, but if all participants are fully informed and satisfied…”

“Adults, you mean? So stop calling me a kid! I’m older than Hinata and Kana!” Aiko pouted.

“But perhaps not wiser.” Eri teased.

“As for the immorality of it… it certainly is illegal, for good reason. The issue of birth defects, for one…”

“Okay, cool. Easily solved. Just don’t have unsafe sex. Hell, it’s probably not an issue anyway…” my sis shrugged. I was going to say you could just do my ass, but… yeah, I’ll be serious. Since dad is…

Please, spare me. I’m not in the headspace to think about screwing my cheeky, troublesome sister in the butt right now…

“…Akio’s not even human anymore. From a genetic standpoint, we’re probably not even truly related now.” My sis shrugged. “And even if a child was born, Ether Healing and Chirurgery could fix any issues. This one’s a non-starter.”

“Are you sure you don’t have something to tell us?” Junpei narrowed his eyes, and my sis shrugged.

“Nope. Like I said, I’ve not done anything with Akio a super close sister wouldn’t. And I mean ‘normal’ close, not what you’re thinking. But last thing I want is to go through all this again. So best assume I’m sitting here after going a night on the bed with him, holding nothing back.”

As mom made a gagging noise at that, father pinched his nose, but managed a slow nod.

“That’s not the only reason such an act is taboo…”

“It is the largest reason for it.” I shrugged. “Though not the only one. Obviously marrying close family didn’t expand alliances and bring in new wealth, but I hardly think we need to worry about that. Aiko marries who she wants, not through some sordid political deal…”

“Careful, Akio, you’ll upset Hinata and the others calling it that…” my sis warned playfully, and I shrugged.

“It’s a bit different.”

Got it. You’re jealous. That’s fine. It’s better that way. Wow, this is super stressful…

No kidding. But… at least we’re not screaming at each other, or cutting them out of our lives…

I’ll cut them if they call you a monster or a pervert again… Eri grumbled. Everyone else present in our thoughts was wisely keeping silent, just offering reassuring wishes.

“Is it?” father shook his head. “Even now, such happens. Setting aside your acquaintances in the nobility, five percent of marriages in Japan are arrangements via the parents of the youngsters involved. It does happen.”

“Religious teachings are the other reason.” Tsukiko added. “The larger Western religions see it as taboo.”

“You can hardly tell me that Shinto or Buddhist religions don’t forbid it!” mom insisted, and Tsukiko shrugged.

“I can hardly deny that. It would be seen as a spiritual defilement…”

“So there!” Mom crossed her arms triumphantly.

“However… that is difficult to reconcile with the truth that Divine Tsukuyomi and Divine Amaterasu are married.” Tsukiko explained.

“Yes, but… they’re just myths…” mom began, only to falter at Tsukiko’s suddenly stern expression.

“That is factually inaccurate. Akio and I have spoken to Divine Tsukuyomi, and the Sun of Amaterasu Yukiko wields is proof of her favour and existence.”

“I’m sorry.” Mom did apologise, biting at her lip again. “That was crass of me. I’ve lived in Japan long enough to be less dismissive of other faiths. I know I went to a convent school when I was little, but I’m not especially religious.”

“I’d be less concerned with dismissing other faiths than not acknowledging the Gods are real.” Eri shook her head.

“Yes, but… you’re not Gods, are you?” mom pointed out, and Eri snorted.

“Nor is Akio human. I’m not, either. It’s only a matter of time before Aiko finds a path to transcending her humanity as well. If they have to become Gods before you’ll accept it, they’ll do it.”

“You’re awfully invested here, Eri dear.” Hana sighed.

“Of course I am. Akio and Aiko must be happy for me to be content. And they can’t be happy without each other, no more than I can. I just don’t get it. Intellectually, I do. It’s not normal, but…” Eri made a conscious effort to assume her Bakeneko form, so she could lash her tail and flicker her ears for emphasis. “…Emily…” As Hana clicked her tongue, Eri sighed. “…mother-in-law Emily then… you were so delighted for me, so sure I’d live a wonderful, fulfilling life with your son. Since then you’ve said the same to all who’ve craved him. How can you deny that to your own daughter?”

“You know why…” she grumbled, though the heat had gone out of her tone at Eri’s slight concession.

“Even setting aside that morality we have grown up with is not so easily set aside…” father added. “…and assuming that our daughter indeed has no intention of caring about the insults, the vitriol, mockery and hatred, and that she will become an unmarriageable pariah…”

“Hey, let them talk. Sticks and stones, right mom?” Aiko shrugged.

“What of Akio’s efforts you will damage, and worse… I find it hard to believe all of his fiancées treat this as calmy as you do. Would you ruin such?”

“Thanks, dad.” Aiko’s warm words astonished him, and as he blinked his steely eyes in confusion, Aiko clarified. “For once, you understood I’m choosing for myself. Whether you think I’m an idiot, or even sick, a freak, I’m just happy you see I’m me. Not some pathetic nonentity who just does what Akio says and wants. If anything, I’m the one forcing him. Power imbalance. I get it… that’s another reason our relationship is illegal and would be hated. After all, I’m younger, and a girl. Just like you, mom, dad, you see it as Akio pushing me into something. What a joke. He’s Akio. He’s going to rule this world! Nobody expect maybe Tan will be able to have a fair balance in that regard. So, should my bro never be allowed love? That’s bullshit. Again, I’m sure…” she repeated. “…that I’m the one pushing here. No, I know, I know…” she glanced at me. “…it’s why I love you, Akio. You genuinely would do anything for those you love. For me. What can I say?” She turned back to our parents. “You’re right. I’m hurting inside. I’d never want to be the cause of breaking any of Akio’s Connections. But you know what…?”

“No, but I suspect you will tell me.” father gave in.

“I will indeed!” she agreed. “I believe in them all. I believe they love my brother enough, and care for me sufficiently, that even if they, like you, dad, mom, find it understandably gross, they’ll never hold it against Akio. That’s his Path. And it’s strong. Bonds matter. But a Bond shouldn’t be rigid. I have a Bond as his sister, but that doesn’t mean I should be restricted, denied, constrained. After all… a Bond that can’t be changed isn’t a Bond at all, but…”

“Yes, it’s a chain, a shackle.” I agreed. “And I’m not going to chain my sister to her unhappiness. If I have to become a God so it’s no longer considered wicked and disgusting, then that’s what I’ll do. Though I’d hope such isn’t necessary.”

“For someone who insists she isn’t sure, you are being awfully decisive here, Aiko.” Hana couldn’t help but ask.

“Like I said…” her face reddened. “…my conscience is clear. Mom and dad may not like it, but I’ve not done anything bad. But I fully reserve the right to do so, should I wish to, and my dear brother consents in knowing understanding of both our wants and wishes, a perfectly balanced, fair relationship. Like good adults. Who have already stood on deadly battlefields and waded through blood. Which should alarm you all far more than what I do on the bed. Life’s too short… if things go badly and we do end up dying…” She paused for a moment. “…I don’t think that’ll happen, but it could, so then I don’t want to die regretting things.”

“Well said.” Eri approved. “More to the point, life will be too long to regret it. We’ve made laws for short, mortal lifespans. Longer-lived races don’t see family the same way as we do. Just as the Gods don’t.”

“Anyway… yeah, I trust everyone. Look at Eleanor, she’s awkward, but still super nice to me. Because she’s a kind woman, and a woman who knows what matters. Who Akio sleeps with doesn’t. Oh, poor choice of words. I mean to everyone who’s not us. So if people make trouble, or refuse to work with him, just because of rumours about me… well, their loss. I daresay some believers in monogamy probably feel that way already.”

“It’s a crime though!” mom parroted, and Eri rolled her eyes, ears waving for emphasis.

“Yes, and so was polygamy. Either Akio wins and becomes Astral Emperor, and he says what’s right and what’s wrong, and anyone who doesn’t like it has to find a new world to live on… or we lost and died, and then who cares?”

“I’m not trying to hurt you.” Aiko insisted. “I’m selfish, I know that. It’d be so much easier if I was different, or maybe if I could be happy with Eri…”

“I’m sorry, but the only way I could accept that would be if you were with Akio too. Like Miyu and Michiru.” Eri insisted, and my sis flushed.

“Please! If you’re trying to imply you are the Miyu, and I’m Michiru…”

“If the cap fits…” Eri countered, and Junpei burst out laughing. As we glanced at him quizzically, he brought his chuckles under control.

“Eri really has changed. To say such so boldly…” He wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. “…I sympathise. I really do. I can’t quite reconcile it. But… when I think of them when they were young, the three of them were inseparable. Though when Akio moved away…”

“It was too late.” Eri insisted. “I was a coward, but… together with Aiko I can be brave. We would have sought out the future we wanted, I know it. As we will now.”

“I just can’t…” mom pressed her head against the table, and I let a soothing breeze blow her sweat away. She raised her eyes a bit, and I smiled wanly.

“I know you can’t. But what you can do, must do, is still love Aiko. Because she’s not changed at all. She’s still your daughter, who loves you and wants your approval. If you must be angry, then blame me…”

No! Wow, bad bro! That’s exactly the opposite of what I want…

It’s not. Trust me, I’ve got this!

“…because I just happened to be just too wonderful to ignore.”

At that proclamation, Hana burst out laughing.

“He’s right, Emi. Blaming Aiko and Akio is foolish. No more than we can blame Eri. We… sowed the seeds of this mess. Through good intentions. I for one… sorry, Emi… but to me, it’s no worse than what he’s putting my Eri through already. Better even, as…”

“Yes. I think even in an ordinary world, where I married Akio, I’d let Aiko secretly tryst with him if she wanted. It wouldn’t be hard to disguise. Consider this… Aiko’s stopped hiding her desires, because this is a world in which she doesn’t have to. And I won’t let her!”

She’s not kidding. When she shapeshifted into you when I was blindfolded, and I was greeted with a clone of you naked, dripping my sperm from your…

I get it. Wow, yeah, Eri’s a brute sometimes. But she does absolutely mean well. Even if I get pissed off sometimes, I never forget that. And… she’s not wrong. Even if all we do is hang out, kiss and cuddle, go on dates like we’re a couple, never go further… I still think that’s happiness.

Will that be enough though?

Honestly, probably not. I told you, I’m curious, and greedy. But that’s not the point, is it? The point is, Eri’s right. I need you both in my life, and I need no chains, only ties of affection. You know, like ribbons, tying our wrists together so we can’t escape?

How would we go to the bathroom?

Oh, eager to try out my holes as promised? Wow, joking, joking! It’s like I said, not like you seeing it will hurt me.

I didn’t have an answer to that, only rueful silence, as father gazed at Junpei, conflicted. “If the situation was reversed… how would you feel?”

“I’ll not lie. Stressed. Sick with worry. But… I think, if I love my daughter… Eri would never survive without Akio. Or so I thought. Seeing her now…”

“Don’t be mistaken. You’re right, father.” Eri insisted, brooking no argument. “I’ve told you. Without Akio and Aiko, I would at best live a solitary, lonely life. I’m… also pleased you’d set aside your distaste for me.”

“I only think I could.” Junpei seemed embarrassed. “I’ll never have to face the revelation you’d slept with your brother, or Kami forbid, were pregnant by him.”

“Can we please not say that!” mom cried out. “I… fine. I hate this. I hate this so much, but…”

Eri took one of her hands suddenly, Tsukiko rising and grabbing the other. Mom was startled, but Eri’s words stunned her more. “I know you do. And I’m sorry. But that’s no excuse to call Akio a monster or a freak, or to disdain Aiko. But since you’re upset, I’ll let it slide. This time.”

We all shivered at Eri’s tone, before Tsukiko took over.

“It is distressing. I… was raised differently. Divine Tsukuyomi was more my father than my actual blood-related parent. Not that they mistreated me, but distance and worship are poor substitutes for paternal love. And my Godly father married his sibling. I also had none of the social conditioning the average person receives. My schooling and socialising were far different, and my viewpoint… when one must prevent disaster, save lives, avert calamity… it is hard to care about such mundane matters, they seem so trivial. Rest assured, I shall never step aside from Akio, nor blame and disdain Aiko. Nor shall Asha, think of it. Soon, when you hold your granddaughters in your arms, how joyous you will feel…”

Eri and Tsukiko continued to extol the happiness ahead, distracting mom, while I gazed at father. After a long moment, he shook his head. “I know I am stern, rigid. But I do care. This is wrong, but I concede that we have… somewhat… misunderstood matters. Aiko…”

“Yeah, dad?”

“…tell me the truth. Have you slept with your brother?”

“Yes. Slept. We’ve not had sex, dad. Wow, making me say it sucks.”

“It is a bit late to be so prudish now, after your… suggestion… earlier…” he countered. “Do you intend to?”

“Not imminently. But I reserve the right to feel horny and see if he’s willing.” Mom let out a groan, but father merely nodded.

“And no argument we can make will change your mind?”

“I don’t think so. You have no idea how much I agonised over this, dad. I loathed myself, maybe even hated bro and Eri a bit. But when we had a bit of an accident, saving Mae, and our spirits overlapped, and I could feel that what I felt for him was genuine, and that his love for me was everything I ever hoped… don’t get me wrong, I’m the pervert and the freak…” Her gaze was solemn, and everyone was listening now. “…I’m the one who is attracted to my own brother, who wants to spend her life with him, as a woman. But Akio would kill for me, die for me, and most of all, he’d live for me, because if he did die, he knows I’d be devastated. He’s always looked out for me, even if the weight of my neediness, or Eri’s, nearly crushed him. But I know… if I’d have called, he’d have come back from Tokyo to fight for me, even before he gained the power to win. Mom, dad, uncle, auntie… I’m sorry, but I refuse to live in a world where my love for him is wrong.”

“I guess it’s fortunate that if we do live in such a world, when I rule it, that’ll change.” I declared, and Aiko’s smile in return said more than words could.

Father paused, before standing, and he reached for me. He grasped my shirt, pulling me face to face with him, and his next words floored us all. “Just do not get Aiko pregnant. If you do, I swear, I do not know how yet, but I swear, I will kill you, son!”

“Taichi!” mom gasped, eyes boggling, and he grimaced, as if swallowing a bitter fruit.

“What can we do? They have made it plain if we do not at least acquiesce, they will cut us out of their lives. And while my principles scream at me to make a stand, they showed us today for a reason. That dreadful battlefield. Even if the law could hold them to account, which it clearly cannot, if we destroy the reputations and lives of our children by going to the police, or making a fuss, we doom so many. Can we have that on our conscience? You win, son. Though I expect the victory is bitter.”

“It truly is, dad.” I hated seeing father so defeated, mom so upset, but… “But I promise you this, I’ll never ruin Aiko’s life. I would die first. As for pregnancy…”

“Anal ahoy!” Aiko quipped, before apologising. “Sorry, the sudden release of the tension got to me. Wow, dad… I mean, wow, are you sure?”

“What do you mean, Aiko? You wanted this. Are you trying to be dense now? Please stop traumatising your mother. Just as Akio promised me, I want a promise from you too.”

“Sure, if I can.” she nodded.

“At least keep the indecency to indoors, in private. Do not tarnish Akio’s reputation. You can… continue… to be the overly clingy sister who acts almost like a girlfriend in public, it is too late to change that now. But do not get caught kissing or worse. Understand?”

“But Taichi…!” mom mourned, only for father to hug her, which was another shock, as his inability to display affection publicly was well-known by us all. As Eri and Tsukiko released her hands, he patted her back and let her cry softly. Once she started sniffling, tears drying up, he reassured her.

“We cannot stop them. And we love our children still, yes?” At her nod, he sighed. “Think of it this way. The modern world hardly demands a woman to be a virgin before entering a relationship. In the future, if Aiko… comes to her senses, so long as it is a secret, and she has not foolishly had a child… well, they said it themselves, Emily. Their lives will be longer than we could ever have imagined. This… it will be just a blip, a youthful indiscretion, that none will know of. Better than…” He glanced at Hana. “…falling into prostitution or becoming an adult star…”

“Wow, dad. Rude! How would that even happen now? I’m rich, bro…” She changed her manner of address back to her usual affectionate one now matters seemed settled, at least for now. “…will keep me like I’m a Princess, you know that. But… in a different life, nah… wouldn’t happen. I’m not so smart, but I respect myself. That’s why, only the best for me!”

“Aiko, my baby girl…” mom sighed. “…I hate this. Won’t you change your mind?”

“I doubt it. But mom, if you’re going to be fair, talk to us like adults, you can always try and persuade me. No arranging matchmaking for me though. If I ever want a man, or hell, a woman, since you think Eri and I are total lesbians for each other…” Eri’s snort echoed at that. “…I can get who I want. As I’ve proved here. Even if it’s impossible. But like I say… for now, I’m content with just being super clingy and affectionate. That may change, but…”

“I wish this was a bad dream, but…” Mom now glowered at me. “…Akio…”

Not my nickname, huh. Yeah, she’s serious. I nodded that I was listening.

“…she’s your sister. Please… just…”

“I know, mom. I know. I’ll never let her experience anything unpleasant. Whatever happens, I’ll always put her happiness first. As that’s mine.”

“This isn’t over. But…” Mom, defeated, reached out, grabbing what drinks remained, downing them recklessly. “…I can’t bear to lose you both, nor Eri, Tsukiko-chan and everyone else, my grandchildren… so, I’ll bite my tongue.”

“No. You can speak your mind, so long as you’re fair.” my sis reiterated, and a silence fell around the room. I reached out, Ether Healing not only purging most of the alcohol from mom but also restoring her puffy face back to a state before her tears.

“In that case, let’s put that aside. It’ll be tough, I know, but… we’ll try.” I let the barrier fall, wind and light dispersing, now three full tables of patrons watching with interest. “So, how about a more relaxing drink, and we can talk about the other impressions you have about the battles today, before I head off and mingle.” Across the bar I could see several of Adamant standing, attracting curious gazes from the people listening to the band.

Yeah, it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for this town. Now then… I had a great many Favours burning my adherence away at a rate that, while sustainable if I took from Hyacinth, was far greater than I wished. I wonder, can I hand out some rewards as well?