Chapter 6 - "To Face The Beast or Stand Your Ground"

The stillness of death hangs in the air. Who's death? Now that's a good question. One would think this matchup would be a foregone conclusion. She's someone that uses a sword and I can use Telekinesis. If things worked by normal rules, all I'd have to do is grab her and smash her into the ground repeatedly.

Unfortunately, Haihane proved that trying to do that isn't very reliable. She was faster than me and could somehow tell where I was aiming, dodging any attempts easily enough. Why was that? I don't know, but If I were to guess, maybe she could sense what I was thinking? Strange, yes, but while Hans and I are the only psychics here, Sekirei were similar... or something. I can't really remember.

Still, that begs the question- how could she do that in the first place?  Was it a one-time thing? Did it only happen because Hans and I were here, somehow making out "auras," for a lack of a better word, stronger? Maybe it was because we were panicking and not trying to restain the weird energies that gush out of us when we're using those powers?

Too many unknowns. If Karasuba could also predict my attacks, she'd easily be able to cross the distance and cut our heads off. Hans is the fastest person here, but is he faster than her? She's no doubt faster than Haihane; faster than me.

The most annoying part of everything is that I can't get my stupid barrier to work. Sometimes it can block a spear chucked at incredible speeds while other times a punch is enough to get through.

A part of me is starting to think I might not be using it correctly. Maybe there's a trick to it? Could attacking turn it off? Maybe I have to focus on it while also focusing on what I'm lifting up? All of these are questions that need to be answered, but I don't have the time at this very moment.

Karasuba is right here, in front of us. Her bloodlust alone is enough to steal the breath of the agent and the men that came with her. Even Haihane and Benitsubasa seem a bit stunned by the sheer weight of her presence.

Oddly, Hans and I are fairing far better. I don't think of myself as someone with an incredible will, especially when put up against those bodyguards. No, it probably has to do with our powers, doesn't it?

"Now, hold on," I say, stepping forward and locking eyes with the monster in human flesh. "This is all a big misunderstanding, and in fact, we saved your friend from being killed."

I say, pointing to Benitsubasa.

"You can back me up here, right?"

The pink-haired girl gives a soft nod.

"Y-Yeah," she says and clears her throat. A small smile worms its way onto her face. "I-I'm pretty sure he winged me too."

Karasuba's lip churns in disgust. She turns to the agent, frustration building within her.

"Is that true?"

The woman's eyes widen for a second, and the spell holding her in place breaks.

"There's strong evidence for it," she says and clears her throat. "She's got the mark, but I've yet to see her wings."

"And I don't see why she'd lie, but still, best to be sure." Karasuba raises her sword and aims it at me. "Go ahead. Kiss her and show us those wings."

A thought comes to mind, everyone here is speaking English. I can understand the woman, but what about the Sekirei? Do... do all of them know English? Or is this, like, part of their weird physiology. Can they just understand any language?

God, I just have so many questions and it's getting incredibly annoying at this point.

"K-Kiss?" I cough, eyes snapping to Benitsubasa. The idea isn't all that bad, but would she even accept that?

Her cheeks turn into tomatoes and she lets out a sigh.

"Fine," she grumbles. "I-It's to prove it, after all!"

...

This is, uh, completely unexpected, but not something I hate at all! Everyone wants to kiss a pretty girl, right?

I swallow some saliva and slowly start walking towards Benitsubasa. Kurasaba stands firm, sword pointed to the ground and eyes locked onto me like a hawk. Part of me feels that this is some trap. She's right in the middle of a straight path to Benitsubasa. It feels like if I get too close, she'll just cut me in half. Yet, at the same time, this is a test, I think. I could go around, but that would only be showing her that I'm afraid- that she has every right to see me as someone inferior. In other words, she can kill me off as she pleases.

If I want to hold some leverage, then I have to stand up to her, whether I'm afraid to or not.

In the end, I take a big breath and resolve myself to walk straight past her. I don't even look at her as I do so, making it to Benitsubasa with so much as a scratch.

Her lips are like tiny cherry blossoms, just waiting for someone to reach out and pluck them. My eyes meet hers and I spot the nervous excitement within. What her lips can't say, those orbs of her happily tell me.

The kiss isn't anything smooth or masterful. I press mine up against hers, feeling their warmth and the taste of cinnamon. She steps forward with a surprising amount of initiative, hungrily devouring my own. Quite frankly, I'm probably the most embarrassed of the two of us and it shows. Of course, the show can't last forever.

I pull away just in time to see the marvellous pink wings of light that explode from her back. Tiny bits flake of and dance in the wind, much like the very same thing I compared her lips to. But, above all else, is the overwhelming sense of completeness that washes over me. The faint aura that surrounds her expands by an order of magnitude. It's like night and day.

"I guess you're not full of shit," Karasuba says with a sigh. She turns back to the agent.

"So, what now? Do we take them in? Or are we going to leave them alone for now? This wasn't part of the plan."

A bead of sweat rolls down the woman's temple.

"This is your fuckup, though I'm not surprised," Karasuba grumbles.

The agent takes a moment to think.

This is my chance.

The two are already trying to figure out what to do with me. It's as good of an opportunity to try and swing the conversation to my advantage as any. Though, what do I want exactly? To be left alone?

I glance at Benutsubasa. Her eyes are locked onto Karasuba's figure, specifically, that sword of hers. She's sheathed it already, though, I can't quite recall when. Was it the moment I took my eyes off here? I didn't even notice...

Either way, she's moved closer, taking a sort of defensive position in front of me. I don't think she's noticed it herself, but honestly, it makes her look kinda cute. Like a honey badger, to be honest. So tiny and adorable, but also fearless and ready to take on a lion if it needs to.

Heh. Yeah, Benitsubasa is a honey badger.

Her eyes suddenly snap away from Karasuba and to me. A look of annoyance and confusion flicker across her face. It's as if she were trying to challenge me but then forgot why halfway through.

"So, what does it mean to have a Sekirei?" I blurt out, trying to give myself a bit more time. Think. What can I do now? Surely they're going to try and figure out how I can use my powers, right? How can I leverage that?

...

Damn it...

The agent bites her lip and blows a sigh.

"It means you'll be participating in a... game."

Karasuba laughs.

"It certainly is a game, isn't it?" she blows a hum as a malevolent grin slips across her face. "The most dangerous game of all."

"Right, open your ears wide and listen," the agent grumbles. "I don't like to repeat myself."

Of course, she doesn't. I blow a sigh and pretend to listen. To be fair, it's been quite some time since I watched the show. She fills me in on the basics. Sekirei like Benitsubasa need to find their "Ashikabi" and pair up with them. Once enough have been "winged" a sort of battle royal will take place to thin the numbers.

Honestly? I want no part in this.

"Tough luck," the agent spits out. "She's part of the Disciplinary Squad, so she wasn't supposed to participate, but you went and winged her."

It's not like I was planning on it...

"This Is why I kept insisting that management gets you girls winged, then-"

Karasuba's sword is at the woman's neck. I didn't even see her move, let alone draw her weapon. A trickle of blood runs down her blade, staining those pale fingers of her. She doesn't say a word, but her stare carries the message across clearly.

Speak another word and your head will roll.

The agent gulps, sweat sliding down her face. She lets out a nervous chuckle and backs away.

"M-Maybe that can wait."

The neutral expression on Karasuba's face fades as the corners of her mouth rise back into a grin. Like a child toying with an insect, she chuckles and sheathes her sword.

Does... does she find pleasure in scaring others half to death?

"I suppose that means pinky can't be on the disciplinary squad then." Karasuba shrugs.

"Ah..." Haihane mutters, her gaze falling to the ground. "I guess that means I can't use your clothes anymore."

"Stop ripping yours, then!" Benitsubasa grumbles. "But..."

Her eyes snap to me then back to the agent.

"Can't I work part-time or something?"

"No," she answers almost immediately. "Any Sekirei participating in the game cannot be in the Disciplinary squad. Your job is to hunt down those that try to run, so of course, it's impossible."

She shakes her head.

"The only way it would work out is if he," she says, pointing to me, "were to come work for us and take over the disciplinary squad."

Yeah, that sounds like something I don't want to do. Work for the assholes that set this stupid shit up? I'd rather burn the fucking place to the ground!

"I see..."

Benutsubasa says with a sigh. A surge of hesitation, guilt, and frustration hits me. The emotions are not my own, yet they weigh just as heavily on my mind as if they were.

My pink-haired Sekirei looks up at me, a silent question on her lips. She doesn't need to speak. I know exactly what she wants to ask, but, now's not the time. My answer would be an unshakable no. I needn't speak, though. She never asks the question.

Would saying no really help us here? They already know we exist and it'll only be a matter of time before they try to act again. As much as I fucking loathe the idea, maybe working for them would be the best bet?

...

Motherfucker. She's doing this on purpose, isn't she?

I glance at the agent, and though her lips are set in an emotionless mask, the glimmer of opportunism flickers in her gaze. What a manipulative bitch. I want to spit in her face for even trying.

Not again. I won't go back to another prison- another lab beneath the earth where not a single ray of the sun's light can reach. A prison of steel and wires.

"Give me some time to think," I answer with a sigh. "This isn't something that I can just decide."

Premature victory glints in her eyes.

"Of course," the agent says. "Here's my card."

Taking the flimsy block of paper from her hands is like touching a red-hot poker.

"We'll need to sort a few things on our end too, but we'll stop by when that's all sorted out." She looks at the bruised and battered men she came with. Disappointment drags itself onto her face.

"Don't try to run." Karasuba points out. Literally. She unsheathes her sword and points it at me in one, fluid motion. I barely have any time to react before it's tip it touching my nose. "Or, do run and make it more interesting." She laughs.

"I'm really curious how two little bugs managed to beat a Sekirei."

I lock eyes with her.

"I'll show you. Maybe it won't be now, but I'll be strong enough one day."

I reach out with my telekinesis, grabbing ahold of her sword. Slowly, but surely, I move it away from my face. The instant she realizes what's happening, she fights back. My control wavers, and for the first time since I've used this power, I come crashing into an unshakable wall.

God! It's like trying to lift a mountain!

Her lips slice into a bemused smile.

If one wants to catch a fish, they lay bait. However, even if you're aiming for tuna, there's always the chance to hook in a shark. Thus, you have to be very careful when laying down the bait. Still, this is a risk worth taking.

Leave the small threat to grow and strengthen into a worthy challenge, Karasuba.

"Hmm. Don't make promises you can't keep," she huffs and turns around, sheathing her sword. "I'm bored. Going back."

Karasuba waves dismissively over her shoulder at the agent.

"You tell the lunatic how you fucked up. I'm going to go blow off some steam."

And that was it. It was finally over. As if a hundred pounds were lifted from my shoulders, I almost fell to my knees.

The only question left, was... what now?