(Totsuka P.O.V)
Last night, I had a date with Kagari-san. I think it was a date anyway. I tried to be confident like it was something I do all the time but on the inside I was a nervous wreck. But… did that come off like that? I hope so as I wanted it to be nice for Kagari-san. I didn't know she liked me like that. Or have I mistaken everything and it was just a simple outing between friends?
I think that's how Kagari-san sees it. Yes, I think that's how Kagari-san sees it. But I felt something… strange. Like a certain… pulling? Yes, I felt like I was getting pulled towards Kagari-san. But she seemed to blush around me a lot. I wonder if she felt something similar to I did?
I don't know if she did because I haven't seen her since last night, and I haven't had a chance to see her today because I was at work nearly all day so… yeah. Although last night we laughed with one another but she did grip her chest a lot. I don't know what that was about but… eh, she wouldn't tell me.
But my Sekirei… they didn't like that I went out with Kagari-san. They haven't said anything, but I felt the annoyance that I went out with Kagari-san. Nanami-san felt mixed about it. It was like she was sad and happy at the same time. Kuno-san felt something similar to what Nanami-san felt.
However there's someone who felt even more sad that I went on a date. My most vulnerable Sekirei. The Sekirei that thought she couldn't be winged. I am of course talking about Akitsu-san. I would say that she was the most angered by it, even if she never lets it show. Yes, she never let it show that she was angry or any of her emotions.
So that's why I've pulled Akitsu-san aside after I finished my shift at work, to see if I can make her feel better about it. I also plan to do this later with Nanami-san and Kuno-san. But I think for this, Akitsu-san takes priority.
"Akitsu-san. Are you alright?"
"Ah… Master. I am fine."
I placed my hands on her shoulder and placed my forehead to Akitsu-san's.
"You don't have to lie to me, Akitsu-san. I would be happy if you told me what's happening. If you are angry, upset or what have you. Please tell me Akitsu-san."
"Ah… Master, I wish to… if it is permitted then… I wish that I… Master will… Master will you… take me on a… on a… date."
A-A date huh? Akitsu-san wishes for us to go on a date.
"Akitsu-san… wishes to go on a date huh. Y-Yes, if you wish to go on a date with me Akitsu-san then I would love too. I just want to make my Sekirei happy."
Akitsu-san's face turns upwards ever so slightly in happiness. Just the corner of her mouth lifted up on the left hand side. I thought that it was cute that Akitsu-san did such a cute action.
"Ah… I'm grateful Master would take me on a date."
She's grateful. She wishes for a date, that's good and healthy. People that are… connected like we are wish for such things. Kagari-san was the first person that I've… been out with like that. Even if she is a little older than I am. That's okay, I like older women.
"Hehe, you are so funny Akitsu-san. I want to go on a date with you, a-and Nanami-san and Kuno-san. I wish to get to know all of my Sekirei. All three of them. They are all precious to me."
"Ah… me? I… am precious also?"
I wrapped my arms around her neck, and brought her closer to me. Even though she is taller than I am, I am able to get her head to my neck. She has hugged me back in a loving embrace.
Because she thought she couldn't be winged, she thought that she wouldn't be precious to someone. I still think that's sick, really. She told me about it and I felt anger towards Minaka the dodgy bastard.
"Of course you are, Akitsu-san. You, and my other Sekirei, are very important to me. Akitsu-san is my Sekirei after all. I'll never let you go."
I told her what's in my heart and I hope that gets through to her.
"Master… I'm grateful to Master. He winged me and said he wanted me. I… never thought that someone would want me."
"Akitsu-san… so cute. Don't worry, I'll always want you. Since we are bonded together forever now. Me and you, together."
"Master..."
I smiled in her direction and patted the back of her head in a comforting manner. Akitsu-san is so sensitive. Even more sensitive than Kuno-san. Well, Kuno-san has been getting better with her nervousness. I think I am also. But, it's not at a level that I wish it to be at.
"Well Akitsu-san, I'm going to go for a bath!"
"Ah… I will join Master for a bath also."
Ehehe! Please don't say that! My young mind won't be able to take it! Plus, Miya-san might be around someplace. You don't want to mess with Miya-san after all. She's got the floating demon head on her side! She's that powerful! I wouldn't be shocked if she was a secret Sekirei… haha, yeah right. She's just a landlady… right?
"A-Ah, Akitsu-san! I-It's really alright! D-Don't worry about it! Y-You can have the bath first if you really want to!?"
"Ah… Master. I wish to bathe with you."
"B-But Miya-san might..."
I couldn't finish that sentence as I felt a cold chill go down my back! N-No! It can't be! She couldn't have heard it right!? And why can I sense impending danger!? Have I developed a sixth sense for this crap now!?
"Akitsu~"
I heard it! And so did Akitsu-san! She tensed and looked around, looking for Miya-san. But I can see her right away. Behind Akitsu-san, the beautiful landlady with the demon head floating around her that has a huge horn and rotting skin, stood looking confident.
"Ah… landlady. Reveal your presence."
I sweatdropped and pointed behind her. Akitsu-san stiffened her position and looked right away, trying to be as cool as she could. Akitsu-san faced Miya-san who is smiling, but has a very dangerous look on her face.
"Ah… landlady."
"Akitsu, you wouldn't be trying to break one of the rules of Izumo Inn, would you?"
Akitsu-san shook her head gently, trying to get out of this it seems. Yeah, Akitsu-san, that isn't going to work. Landlady-sama is a very scary woman when she is in scary mode!
"Ah… I wasn't trying, landlady. I...merely wanted a bath with my husband."
"Fufu, even though you say that, you should know that the rules by now~ No one gets special treatment after all~"
"Ah… I understand. Master… I shall bath later… Nanami wishes to see me."
And like that, Akitsu-san made her escape from here. So, Akitsu-san is using Nanami-san as an excuse huh. I wouldn't blame her really. I think I would do the same.
I then turned to Miya-san who seems to have a complicated expression on. She seems to be a little deep in thought. I waved my hand in front of her face to get her attention.
"Miya-san, is something wrong?"
"No, there's nothing wrong, Hidaka-san. I was just wondering about something that regards you."
I tilted my head to the side, confused as per usual.
"Hmmm? What's that, Miya-san?"
"Nothing bad I assure you. But, Hidaka-san. Have you ever considered what you would do with your life after high school?"
What a suddenly shocking question. A life after high school huh. What will do I...?
"Actually, yes. I want to go to university so that I can someday be a doctor and help the sick and dying… that's my dream anyway."
"Has it anything to do with your Onee-sama?"
I looked away and nodded.
"It does yes. I would be lying if I said that she hasn't influenced my life, even if only a little. But even saying a little would be lying. Onee-chan has had a big impact on my life because if it wasn't for Onee-chan, then I wouldn't be the person I am today. I want to help people in a similar situation to Onee-chan, so more people don't have to suffer if they don't have too. Onee-chan has looked after me long ago when our parents died, and in her time of need… I can't even do a single thing to look after her, beyond making her laugh a little by acting silly."
Miya-san came close to me, and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine. Takehito, my late husband, told me that long ago. So, you know. You are helping your Onee-sama by making her laugh. If she didn't laugh then she would be crying, right? And you wouldn't want that, would you?"
"N-No, of course I wouldn't. You're right Miya-san, thank you."
She raised her sleeve to her mouth and let a small giggle escape her lips.
"Fufufu, well I felt that you've been a little restless for a few days now. And those little trips downstairs at 3 o'clock in the mornings. It ruins my beauty sleep you know?"
"You don't need sleep to be beautiful..."
Wait, what did I just… aaah! I actually said that...!
"... Ehehehe! S-Sorry Miya-san! I didn't think then!"
I thought that she might be angry with me saying something so strange all of a sudden, but all she is doing is smiling in my direction. E-Eh? Why isn't she angry?
"Hohoho~ I believe a teenager is trying to seduce an old housewife such as myself~ What is a housewife to do~?"
I don't really get why she calls herself old. She only looks like she has just hit her twenties. And this marriage. I brought it up once, she went all quiet at it. She must've loved her husband dearly. I wonder what happened? How did he die? If it wasn't so bad to ask, then I would enquire about it.
"E-Eh… Miya-san… I'm not trying to seduce you..."
I whimpered out, but Miya-san continued to giggle. I'm sure she likes me to squirm. I shifted in my shot uncomfortably as Miya-san wiped a small tear from her eye. I guess she did that from laughing too hard.
"Aaaah, I've not had such a good giggle for a while. Now, go and have a bath~ The waters all nice and warm for you~"
"Y-Yes, thank you."
I bowed, then left the hallway, and made my way upstairs. Miya-san was a little different from usual then. I wonder what that was about? Hmmm, strange indeed.
Once upstairs, I ran into someone I hadn't expected to be here. Kagari-san, she has just come out of her room. I went over and was about to say something when I noticed the massive dark red that has stained her usually porcelain skin.
"A… Ah, Hidaka-san. What a surprise. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I-I live here though."
Kagari-san chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of her head.
"Y-Yeah, I guess you do. I only meant that it was surprising for you to be here now. So, Hidaka-san..."
"Erm, Kagari-san...I-I… erm… I-I am glad that I ran into you actually… Kagari-san. I had a really nice time on o-our… erm… on our… you know..."
I became extremely nervous and gripped the bottom of my shirt. I bit my bottom lip in such a nervous way. I didn't know how else to respond, so I just looked at her in silence.
"Y-Yeah… Hidaka-san. It was fun. I didn't expect to have such a good time."
"O-Oh… was it because it was me that you went with..."
She waved her hands in front of her face like she is defending what she is saying.
"N-Not because of what you think! It wasn't because of you that I thought that! It was… well, I've not been on a date for such along time. At the club, I am a hostess, but I don't feel anything towards the clients I see. It was different with you. More… exciting and unpredictable. I liked it very much."
"M-Me too."
I adopted a shy smile and directed it at Kagari-san. She's quite beautiful if I do say so myself. She has all the right curves in all the right places. She has such fair skin and fair hair.
"Kagari-san… if you aren't busy some other time then… we could go out again… if you want to… that is..."
"S-Sure. I would love to… ehehe, I must be going… work and all."
"A… Ah, okay Kagari-san! W-Well, I'm going for a bath now..."
I bowed and ran away at a quick pace. I needed to get out of there. I couldn't do anything else. I became nervous and hot. Kagari-san… I felt weird then. Strange indeed. I need to go for a nice hot bath.
I walked towards the bathroom and went inside the little section to take off my clothes. I don't really know what it's called, but it has baskets and such so we can leave our clothes in there.
I slipped out of my clothes and placed them into the baskets. Then, I went into the bathroom and went straight into the bath. Ahh, this water is so therapeutic. I can just let everything go and relax… I can relax… just let the water wash all over me…