Conviction and Girls' Talk

After Akitsu accepted my invitation, we have no business there anymore, hence we quickly returned to the North. Yashima is carrying me on her back, while Akitsu, wearing her bloodstained lab-coat, is following us closely.

On our way to my base, I feel a vibration in one of my overcoat's pockets. It is likely an incoming e-mail, but I wait for us to arrive at my apartment first before I check it out.

And soon, I can see my apartment building.

"Yashima, pass the gate and go for the lift directly."

"Understood, Rio-sama," Yashima acknowledged my order immediately.

Yashima jumps over the gates and heads for the lift with Akitsu following silently. After she stopped in front of the lift, I climb down from her back and wait for the lift's door to open. Soon, the doors open, and I step inside. Yashima and Akitsu follow me inside the contraption.

Yashima stores her hammer in her interspacial ring after we entered the lift.

"Ah…" we turn around after we heard Akitsu's lazy drawl, "It disappeared."

Turning to Akitsu, I see her curious expression. "I will explain later," I replied shortly.

Trying to distract myself from the boredom of waiting, I take out my smartphone and check it out. As expected, I have got a new e-mail from Minaka, announcing the status of Akitsu who has become my Sekirei. There is also his congratulation for me for becoming the Ashikabi of the North in another message. He also notifies me that MBI agents will visit later to hand over Akitsu's belongings and MBI Card.

"So, I'm now the Ashikabi of the North, huh? What an annoying bastard…" I cursed under my breath as I pocketed my smartphone.

"What's it?" Hearing my complaint, Yashima asked.

"Minaka just labeled me as the Ashikabi of the North. It is troublesome because I don't want to attract the wrong attention from Miya."

"Well, I can see that it's a problem if we attract Miya-sama's ire…"

"Ah…" Akitsu chimes in lazily, "Who is Miya?"

"The Hanya of the North," Yashima replied.

"Sekirei #01, the Pillar Sekirei," I added.

"Oh…" Akitsu's expression is still bland, "I see."

I shake my head in exasperation. Any normal Sekirei would have been surprised, at the very least. After all, I just drop the bomb regarding the existence of the strongest Sekirei in the North. The Queen of their kin, so to speak.

The lift's doors open up, wrapping up our short chat. I step out and led my two Sekirei to my room. Yashima and Akitsu are following me dutifully. After stopping in front of my room's door, Yashima enters the room after me, then I invite Akitsu inside.

"Home sweet home!" Yashima twirled and cheered after stepping inside.

"Yashima, can you help Akitsu freshening up? For the time being, she can wear something in our wardrobe that fits her," I said to her.

"Leave it to me, Rio-sama!" Yashima bumped her knuckle on her chest, making her breasts jiggle. She then turned to Akitsu. "Come one, Akitsu," Yashima called Akitsu, who was watching me silently, and dragged her to the bathroom.

After Yashima and Akitsu left for the bathroom, I sit down and turn on the TV. Yet, my concentration isn't on the program presented there. Inwardly, I'm contemplating what happened and how it will affect me later.

Since I have taken Akitsu under my care, she has become my responsibility. Her existence is going to affect my dynamic with Yashima. I'm scared of the change, but I steel my nerves and prepare myself for it.

I have learned why procrastinating is a bad habit. The news about Akitsu blindsided me and made me flustered. If I can settle some problems early, I should do it quickly so that I won't lose my mind when the deadline comes.

However, there are many wrongs things with this Sekirei Plan, and my sensibility and principle urge me to fix it if I can do it. If I choose to be a goody-two-shoes, it isn't different from seeking problems from myself.

I don't want to live a stressful lifestyle. It will stretch out myself to fix everything that I perceive as wrong. It will become an endless and tiring task.

'I need to focus on something that I can see, and stop being affected by my foreknowledge,' I made up my mind and resolved myself.

Although I agree with Spider-Man's famous quote "With great power, comes great responsibility", I cannot take responsibility for everything just because I have the knowledge about it or understand what is happening. Having a foreknowledge is a double-edge. It can make me fixated to the predestined outcome because it's the nature of humans to fear the unknown.

I convinced myself that my responsibility is to myself, Yashima, and Akitsu. Someone else problems are not my responsibility. I shouldn't be ruled by foreknowledge. Instead, I should use my foreknowledge to create advantages for me before it lost its usefulness.

After I became convinced that I have made the correct choice, I feel like a great burden has left my shoulders. My mind clears, I feel calmer, and I become less stressed.

I wait for my girls to finish their business in the bathroom while watching the aired programs on TV.

***

As Rio has his introspective moment, Yashima and Akitsu are inside the bathroom. Yashima has made Akitsu sit on a small yet durable plastic stool. She is kneeling behind Akitsu's body and is scrubbing Akitsu's back carefully. She is wearing only a towel to cover her body from breasts to upper thighs.

"Hey…" Akitsu called Yashima with a lazy tone, "Can I ask a question?"

"You have asked a question," Yashima answered cheekily.

"Can Ashikabi-sama really fix me?" Akitsu questioned Yashima, ignoring Yashima's joke.

"Yes. Rio-sama can really fix you. Rio-sama is special, after all."

"Mmm… really?" Akitsu asked again.

Despite her bland tone and lazy expression, it's obvious that she's still skeptical.

Yashima doesn't answer immediately. For a while, Yashima scrubs Akitsu's back in silence. After she rinsed Akitsu's back, she moves to Akitsu's front. Yet, she doesn't immediately continue and watches Akitsu's bland expression. Her expression is serious and a bit thoughtful.

To be honest, Yashima is feeling irked by Akitsu's skepticism, but she is trying to empathize with Akitsu's plight, hence she holds back her temper.

After Yashima lived together with Rio for a month, Rio has become the center of Yashima's universe. She dearly and deeply loves Rio and can sense his love for her through their bond. Thus, she normally would feel offended when someone dared to question the love of her life.

However, Yashima knowing Akitsu's issues is the reason why she didn't lash out at whom she perceived as someone who has slighted Rio by questioning his credibility.

"Rio-sama truly can fix your issue. He wasn't lying when he said he can."

"Mmm…" Akitsu paused shortly, "How so?"

Yashima thinks carefully for a moment. She has promised to her Ashikabi that she won't share his secret to Minaka, Takami, or anyone from MBI, even her adjuster whom she trusts.

'I don't think that Rio-sama won't mind it if I am telling Akitsu. Moreover, we are discussing this topic in a safe place.' Yashima thought and soon made up her mind.

"Rio-sama is a little similar to us, Sekirei. He isn't native to this world."

"Ah… is Ashikabi-sama also alien?" Akitsu tilted her head quizzically. She displayed mild curiosity.

Yashima shakes her head in "no" and then clears up Akitsu's misunderstanding.

"Rio-sama is a human, but he came from a parallel dimension from this one. While we, Sekirei, originated from another planet within the same dimension, Rio-sama is a human who came from another version of Earth. He has a strange power, and that is why he can fix your issue."

Akitsu watches Yashima's serious expression blandly. Inwardly, her mind is mulling over the information.

Truth be told, Akitsu is grateful that Rio has accepted her, a broken Sekirei who couldn't emerge normally. But, she was still skeptical of Rio's claim to be able to fix her.

After Akitsu listened to Yashima's words, her skepticism disappears. She doesn't care whether Rio is an alien or a human; she feels a sense of urgency to get fixed by him as soon as possible.

Akitsu tries to stand up, but Yashima quickly holds her shoulders, stopping her. She can't overpower Yashima's physical strength. She frowns deeply at Yashima and speaks up.

"Unhand me. I want to get fixed quickly" was Akitsu's demand. She used a threatening tone, and the temperature inside the bathroom dropped slightly.

"You need to calm down first. I haven't finished talking. If you are going to do what I think, then you can only blame yourself if Rio-sama changed his mind and won't fix you."

Listening to Yashima's threat, Akitsu feels afraid to lose her chance to get fixed. Although she wants to get to Rio as soon as possible, she doesn't want to jeopardize her chance to get fixed.

Akitsu stops struggling and sits on her stool, reining down her impatience. Then, the temperature returns to normal.

Yashima nods her head and smiles in satisfaction. She feels relieved that Akitsu has listened to her. Then, she speaks up.

"Akitsu, please remember this. Be careful when speaking about Rio-sama's unique status. We only talk sensitive topics such as Rio-sama's unique status and special power in this bathroom or in the bedroom, hence I stopped you before you talk carelessly outside."

"Why?"

"Because some devices in the living room are bugged by MBI. Rio-sama doesn't want to attract troublesome matter and likes his peace. Don't worry. Rio-sama will fix you since you're his Sekirei too. Just remember to be careful. Never speak about Rio-sama's secret outside."

"Mmm… I understand." Akitsu nodded slowly.

With that, their talk is concluded. Yashima scrubs Akitsu's body again. After she finished, she washes Akitsu's body and helps Akitsu to stand. She hands over a towel to Akitsu.

"Do you need my help again?"

"Mmm…" Akitsu tilts her head to the side as she sees the towel contemplatively, "No need."

"Then, dry yourself. I will get something for you to wear."

"Ah…" Akitsu started slowly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Yashima walks out of the bathroom, leaving behind Akitsu who is drying herself.

***

When Yashima leaves the bathroom, I shift my attention to her. Her towel-clad figure is alluring, and I need to remind myself of the main issue to keep myself serious.

"How is she?" I asked.

"She has freshened up. Can I borrow your shirt and shorts for Akitsu? I don't think that my clothes will fit her," she replied.

"I don't mind. I will order some clothes for her." I nodded at her and grabbed my smartphone.

Yashima nods at me and then enters our bedroom in a hurry. Soon, Yashima comes out of the bedroom, already clothed in a simple girly shirt and hot pants. She is carrying what I think my shirt. She enters the bathroom again.

I watch her from the corner of my vision. At the same time, I am ordering a new wardrobe for Akitsu using my smartphone.

I remember that Akitsu's height is 169 cm and her three sizes are 89/57/88. Her waistline is slightly wider than Yashima, and she won't fit Yashima's bottoms. With her measurement, I can order some attires for her.

Yashima and Akitsu finally leave the bathroom together. I turn in their direction and raise my brown in confusion as I see Akitsu. She only wears my shirt but wears nothing else.

I can't help appreciating her sensuous figure.

Standing behind Akitsu, Yashima has a wry smile on her helpless expression. Then, she speaks up when my gaze moves to her.

"She didn't want to wear your shorts."

"Ah… do you mind?" Akitsu asked with a lazy tone.

I shift my attention to Akitsu and see her an almost unnoticeable pleading look. Her expression is bland, and I would have missed it if I have no high ranked Acuity and upgraded Tier.

Shaking my head, I answer with a simple "No."

"Mmm… Thank you, Ashikabi-sama." Thanking me, the corners of Akitsu's lips tugged up into an almost unnoticeable smile.

"Rio. Please call me Rio."

"Then… may I call you Rio-sama?" Akitsu mirrored Yashima's way of referring me.

"You may. I have become accustomed to it because of Yashima," I replied with a wry smile.

With her name mentioned, Yashima sticks out her tongue playfully.

"Alright, let's move to the bedroom. It's time to sleep. Yashima, you haven't slept tonight." I watched Yashima who nodded at me before turning in Akitsu's direction, "And you, Akitsu, I'm not sure about you, but after what happened, you need a rest too."

"Yes," Akitsu replied simply and presented a curt nod.

Then, we move to the bedroom after I turned off the TV.