"Hey now, that's our private business. Why are you meddling?" Goku curled his lip and glanced at Asama Miya, muttering under his breath, "What, missing a man so much you can't stand seeing anyone else being affectionate?"
"What was that? Could you say it a little louder? I didn't hear."
Miya's smile was gentle, but behind her rose the faint image of a fearsome Hannya mask. A chill seeped into the corridor.
Goku stepped forward in a single, sudden motion. Before Miya could react, he drew her into his arms. He lifted his right hand and flicked a finger—snap. The spectral Hannya visage shattered at once and dissolved into nothing.
"I've got something to do, so I'll be off. Bye."
Under Miya's stunned gaze, Goku leaned in and tapped a kiss to her forehead, then turned and vanished into the curtain of rain.
Miya's slender fingers brushed the spot on her brow where a lingering warmth remained. Watching his figure fade into the storm, her expression softened even further. "Hehe… looks like this round of the Sekirei Plan has welcomed a very interesting player."
Rain poured down in sheets as Goku walked the street. Mist blurred the distance; yet the downpour curved away from him, never wetting so much as his sleeve. To avoid drawing attention, he opened an umbrella anyway and strolled on.
The rain only intensified. The streets emptied, save for the occasional car hissing past.
Beneath an eave, two voluptuous women—nearly identical—huddled together for shelter. The sight of them was pitiable, like two homeless sisters waiting for someone to take them in.
Goku approached through the rain, umbrella tilted. At some point, two steaming bowls of beef noodles had appeared in his hands.
"Hikari, someone's coming," one whispered.
"Don't talk. Let's see what he wants. If he tries anything indecent, we'll fry him," the busty twin murmured back. Then, with a blink: "Wait—he's an Ashikabi?"
"Sekirei, are you?" Goku's voice was mild as he stopped before them. "From the looks of it, you don't have a home. Still haven't found your Ashikabi?"
"You're an Ashikabi… Where are your Sekirei?"
The twins eyed him warily, glancing around as if expecting an ambush. But when they noticed the bowls in his hands, a naked, helpless longing flashed in their eyes. Their stomachs growled in unison—guuu—and both faces flushed crimson.
"Relax. I won't force you to wing," Goku said with a faint smile. "You just looked miserable. I wanted to check on you." He held out the bowls. "Eat. They're still hot."
"Eh? For us? Thank you—thank you so much!"
They stood at once, bowed repeatedly, and accepted the noodles with palpable relief.
Goku watched them dig in and sighed inwardly. "Why are the Sekirei I meet all so down on their luck?"
In moments, both bowls were scraped clean. They rose again to bow in gratitude. "Thank you… I'm Hikari."
"And I'm Hibiki."
"We're truly grateful for the meal."
"Hikari… Hibiki… I'm Goku. If you don't have anywhere to go—"
He didn't finish. A luxury car slid to a stop beside them. The door swung open to reveal a pampered boy with a rich-kid air.
"What luck," the youngster smirked. "Two unwinged Sekirei by the roadside."
"Minato's cousin, Mikogami Hayato…" Hikari and Hibiki's brows tightened. "We've heard the rumors—he abuses the Ashikabi bond to strong-arm Sekirei into winging. He's trouble."
Before they realized it, both had edged behind Goku, trusting instinctively that he would protect them.
"Ashikabi, are you?" Mikogami looked Goku up and down with princely disdain, as if regarding a beggar. In the car behind him sat a man and a woman—his Sekirei: No. 05, Mutsu, and No. 38, Mitsuha.
"What an insufferable brat," Goku said mildly, casting Mikogami a single, flat glance.
Before he could say more, Hikari and Hibiki each grabbed one of his hands.
"Hikari—"
"Hibiki—"
"We can't fight yet. We should run."
"Right."
With a synchronized yank, they swept Goku off his feet and bolted, dragging him along at astonishing speed.
"After them! Don't let them get away! Those two Sekirei are mine!" Mikogami shouted.
"Rest assured, Master," Mitsuha purred, snapping her whip as she leapt after them. "I'll capture them and present them to you."
"Mutsu, why are you still sitting there? Go!" Mikogami snapped at the swordsman in the back seat.
"Yes, yes… such a willful Ashikabi," Mutsu sighed, stepping out of the car and setting off in pursuit.
"Driver—follow them!"
By then, the rain was easing to a stop.
"I have to ask," Goku said dryly as the twins hauled him along, "if you're going to run, why take me with you?"
"Oh—good point. Why did we bring him?"
The twins skidded to a stop, blinking in unison. Even they didn't know why. It just felt… necessary.
"Heh. You've stopped already? Given up on running?"
The calm voice came from behind. Though Mitsuha had left first, it was Mutsu who caught up first—proof enough of his strength.
"So fast…" Hikari and Hibiki's faces tightened with alert caution.
"I dislike fighting you," Mutsu said evenly, drawing his katana with unhurried grace. "But my Ashikabi has given an order. I have no choice."
His spirit was tranquil yet crushingly heavy. Even from his aura alone, it was clear he was a master of the blade.
Goku's brows drew together. He knew Mutsu's level: enough to stand against Karasuba for a time. He couldn't defeat her, but remaining unharmed for a while was realistic. Against unwinged twins, he'd be overwhelming.
"Mutsu, stand aside. Those two are my targets," Mitsuha announced at last, arriving with haughty arrogance.
"You two, get back," Goku said, stepping forward to shield the twins. "Unwinged Sekirei shouldn't be fighting. Leave this to me." His eyes slid to Mutsu. "You've stepped in my path. Are you prepared to be 'reclaimed'?"
"This man… is no ordinary foe."
A chill crept up Mutsu's spine. His sword hand trembled, however slightly. If I draw on him… I might die.
"H-Hikari… why is my heart pounding so fast? My body's getting so hot…"
"M-Mine too… Ah—Hibiki, your Sekirei crest… it's glowing… Could he be… ours…?"
Staring at Goku's back, the twins flushed scarlet, eyes turning hazy. Their knees weakened and they toppled against him.
Goku was a Sovereign, a godlike being towering above creation. To Sekirei, that divine aura was an irresistible call.
Normally, he masked his presence completely. But facing Mutsu just now, he'd let the faintest breath of power leak. Hikari and Hibiki felt it at once. Their genes responded with overwhelming resonance—so strong they couldn't resist.
"Hey—are you two all right?"
"This burning heat… this racing heart… I can't—Goku…"
The twins seized him at once, pressing him down. Their eyes were a swirl of intoxication and yearning as they leaned in, lips parting—
"No!" Mitsuha cried, springing forward and snapping her whip—
Too late.
....
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