I couldn't finish my sentence as I noticed something. The sleeping light red haired girl is stirring away. She's moved her body from lying completely still, to wriggling around. The body of the sleeping girl lifts up, ever so slightly but her eyes haven't opened yet.
She lifted up her body, and then finally her eyes opened ever so slightly. They look like slits for eyes. She looks around lazily, before her eyes fall upon Nanami-san and I. We smiled at her, as she looked questioningly at me.
"Hello there!" I said cheery, but she just looked at us with a tilted head and a questioning gaze. By now, her eyes have fully opened.
"Hello… where am I?" She spoke in a melancholic voice. Ehehe, even though it was spoken like that, I thought that it was kind of cute.
"You are at Izumo Inn. Yesterday, you came crashing through the wall of the bathroom. It was kind of scary if I'm honest. I didn't know what was happening, but you're safe here. Don't worry about it… erm… sorry. May I ask you your name?"
She raised a lazy hand to her forehead and wiped it, knocking off the damp cloth off her head. I took the cloth that fell onto the bed, and placed it into the bucket with water in it.
"I'm… No. 86, Katsuragi."
No. 86 huh. That's her number. Well, there are 108 of them out there, or so I'm told. I wonder, if I'll ever meet all 108 of them? It would be cool to see what all of the Sekirei are like. I know that there are some bad ones out there, but its the same with the human race.
"Katsuragi...san? Is that acceptable?"
She simply nodded, not uttering a word. I smiled at her weird ways. She doesn't seem to talk that much, but I can tell from her eyes that she isn't bad. Toyotama had bad eyes, not visually, but the look she had in them. The look of pure ill intent.
"My name is Hidaka Totsuka, call me what you like. And this girl is No. 78 Nanami-san. She's my Sekirei."
Nanami-san bowed her head at Katsuragi-san who looked back at her with a face that didn't have much emotion on it. But she then gripped her stomach! I-Is she in pain!?
"A-Are you okay Katsuragi-san!?"
"I'm… hungry Hidaka-kun. If it isn't too much trouble, could I have something to eat? I… I've not eaten for awhile. How long was I out again?"
"You've been out for a full day, and an hour afterwards. If it isn't too much trouble, could you tell me what happened? And here, you can have this food."
I offered her my food. Its barely been touched so, it shouldn't be a problem to give it to her. Katsuragi-san looks at the food in my hands, then looks back up at me. I give her a reassuring smile, which makes her face light up a little.
"T-Thank you."
With a small smile, that's barely noticeable, she took the tray of food away from my hands and placed it on her lap. She picked up the chopsticks, and went straight for the rice, but then pulled back her hand.
"It's okay Katsuragi-san, you can eat it you know?"
She nodded. It seemed like she was looking for reassurance. She then went for the rice, and picked up a clump between the chopsticks. She then lifted her chopsticks to her mouth, placing the food inside and started chewing it.
When she had swallowed it, she gave a nod to no particular direction. So I guess she was nodding at herself.
"It's good. Hidaka-kun, did you make it?"
"A-Ah, no I didn't make it. Our landlady made it. Her name is Asama Miya-san. She's a lovely lady. Anyway, if it isn't too much trouble, is it alright if you tell us about what's happening with you? I'm sorry if it sounds a little rude, but we need to know if someone is going to come here and attack you."
"I understand. I will tell you since you don't seem to be bad. If you was then I'm sure that when I was unconscious, you would've killed me or something."
That just sounded really depressing then. And I bet that somehow, Minaka is involved with her feeling like someone would do that to them. One day, I'm going to meet him and tell him what he's doing is crap. Even if he doesn't listen to me, I still need to convey my feelings to him.
Katsuragi-san raised her head ever so slightly while eating at a fast pace and looked at both Nanami-san and I with a neutral expression.
"Before crashing through your… bathroom wall, I was in fact being chased by someone. No, make that two people. Two girls that could shoot off lightning from their hands. They looked alike, although one had a smaller bust size than the other one."
Where does that sound familiar...? Shooting off lightning...! A-Ah, I remember now! The first time I was alone with Toyotama! Sh-She attacked me but those two got in the way and stood up for me… but if they did that for me, then why chase Katsuragi-san?
"They… didn't happen to wear what looked like S&M type of outfits on, right?"
She cracked her neck to the side and gave me a look of wonder.
"What is S&M exactly, Hidaka-kun?"
I shook my head to the sides quite violently! I-I can't tell her what S&M is! I-It would be pretty bad since she doesn't know what it is! I-I think that it might even destroy her mind! Ehehe, that's a little far, but I still don't think I should tell her about it.
"Erm… it… it doesn't matter. Let's just say… yes. Let's say leather type of outfits. Yeah, leather outfits, that are tight fitting. And they… you said they looked like one another, so twins?"
"Twins… yes, I think they were twins. They said something about taking me out of the game."
Nanami-san did mention something similar before, saying that there are some Sekirei that are taking out other… unemerged Sekirei.
"And they chased you to Izumo Inn?"
"That's… right. They chased me all the way here from the centre shopping district of Shinto Teito, and shot lightning at me… that's the last thing I remember. That must've been when I was sent crashing through your bathroom wall. They had numbers on their side, so it was difficult."
So that's what happened and she doesn't seem to be lying about it either. I thought those twins were nice. Yet they did stuff like that? I, don't understand them. Maybe they leave humans alone while only chasing Sekirei? Even then, it isn't right for them to do stuff like that. Sekirei's are people too, just different types of people to human people. But they are still people after all.
"I'm sorry that happened Katsuragi-san. But I promise that you are safe here. I'm sure Miya-san wouldn't mind letting you stay here, until you at least fully recover. I know how important it is for Sekirei to go and find their Ashikabi so, I guess asking you to stay would be pretty pointless. But I'll ask anyway. Katsuragi-san, if you don't have anywhere else to go, then please stay here."
"I… thank you Hidaka-kun. Yes, finding my Ashikabi is very important to me..."
She trailed off while poking her chopsticks together in a shy manner. Ehehe, that's actually adorable.
"Katsuragi-san..."
"Is it okay if I go to sleep again now?"
She said while putting the chopsticks down. I simply nodded and took the tray off her lap. I then stood up with Nanami-san and went towards the door. But then I turned back to Katsuragi-san.
"If you need anything, then my room is 201. Don't be hesitant to come and ask for anything you might need."
"Thank you Hidaka-kun."
With that, I exited the room and together with Nanami-san, we went down the stairs. I split off from Nanami-san who went into the living room while I went into the kitchen. I got to the kitchen, and went towards the sink.
"My, it seems like you've finally come out of her room."
I heard a voice that sounded a little angelic. So, I turned to that direction… and I saw that Miya-san is standing there with a cheery smile adoring her face.
"Y-Yes, she woke up briefly. It seems like she's been in a little trouble with people chasing after her and such. That's how she ended up coming crashing through the bathroom wall."
"I see. The poor dear getting chased after."
"Yeah, it seems so."
I placed the plates and such into the sink and started washing the plates as Miya-san moved from her position at the doorway to my side, within seconds. S-She's really fast.
"So, tell me the whole story Hidaka-san."
"S-Sure."
So I started to 'explain' to Miya-san about what happened to our guest. I couldn't tell her about the Sekirei and such, but I gave her a semi real story. I think it was pretty accurate, as accurate as I could have been anyway without giving anything away.
After confirming what I had said, Miya-san nodded a little in my direction while raising her sleeve to her mouth.
"I see. That doesn't sound like a good situation. Well, she always has friends here at Izumo Inn."
I love Miya-sans hospitality. She has such a nice way of living. Her outlook on life really is a good thing indeed.
"That's really generous Miya-san. But, don't you turn anyone away at all?"
Her eyes became a little gloomy. She shook her head very swiftly yet elegantly.
"No. My husband… my late husband never turned anyone away so I will also follow that ideal and never turn anyone away. That's how I wish to live."
"It's a very good way to live in Miya-san. If more people were like you, then the world would be a better place." I said what I thought to be true. However I then heard giggling coming from Miya-san. She has a wide smile on her face that could only be described as a teasing smile.
"Fufu, is Hidaka-san thinking of coming onto a old housewife like myself? My, I didn't know you liked me like that."
I did a small spit take and shook my head strongly.
"D-Don't s-say things like that Miya-san! I-I wouldn't e-ever do things like that with you!"
Wait, that could be taken a different… oh.
"N-Not to say that you aren't attractive as you are very much! You are very beautiful!"
I then face palmed. I-I can't say things like that to Miya-san! S-She might take it the wrong way and think that I really am attracted to her! Geez, why can't my life be simple!
Miya-san patted my head with an adorable smile on.
"You really get worked up too easily. Its actually cute..."
Miya-sans face then shifted from happy to a little...sad? Why does she have such a face on right now?
"If you'll excuse me."
Without any chances to say anything, she left. What was that about?
***
… I'm at school right now. Since last night, Miya-san was acting a little strange. This morning, Miya-san didn't really make eye contact with me at all. She just ate her meal normally. She didn't even say good morning to me or anything. When I tried to make conversation, she quickly ended the conversation.
I spoke to Kagari-san about it, as I thought that she might know something about it since, she is the most mature girl there, besides Miya-san of course, but she didn't have any answers for me.
I also spoke with Uzume-san, since she's been a tenant longer than I have, but all she did was offer me an apology for not knowing about it. But she did say something like "Don't worry my Totsuka-chan! Even if Miya hates you, I'll still love you!" or something along those lines. I thought it was a little nice of her to say such things.
And finally. Katsuragi-san. She seems to be doing well, although I don't think she'll be moving for a few days. Uzume-san said that Miya-san will look after her for me when I'm at school. Miya-san wouldn't talk to me, or just gave me one or two worded answers.
"Well girls, I'm off to class. See you later."
I waved to my Sekirei and they waved back.
"Goodbye Totsuka-sama! Have a fun day!"
"G-Goodbye Hidaka-san!"
"Ah… bye Master."
"Goodbye Nanami-san, Kuno-san and Akitsu-san. Lets get ice cream later."
"""Okay!"""
Well they seem spirited. After exchanging our goodbyes, I went into the schools gates and straight for the large doors before me. I walked with a quickened pace.
I walked into the school and headed towards my classroom, dodging the various students that have made it their business to stand in the hallways. I'm not a nerd… okay maybe I am a little, but I think just standing in the way of everyone else wanting to go past is stupid.
I made it to my classroom without much bother and sat down, waiting for the sensei to come. And there's also my… friend I guess you could say. She's made it her mission to be my friend anyway.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! Totsuka-kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!"
The scream of the girl called Oriha-san. She came through the classroom door looking like she is on a mission. Her eyes scanned the room, and finally they fell upon me. Her face turned upwards in delight, then she rushes over and hugs me very tightly! S-She's a very affectionate person… but she doesn't do it with anyone else.
"G-Good morning Oriha-san."
"Morning~ Say, did you hear about the new sensei that's coming today?"
Sensei? We have a new sensei?
"What happened to the old one?"
"Well, I heard that he broke his leg, so until it's recovered, we are going to have a sub sensei."
She unwraps her arms from my body and stands up with her hands behind her back. A substitute sensei huh. I wonder what he or she is going to be like?
"A sub huh. Do you know who it is?"
"Nope~ I just know that we have one~ But, aren't you like excited or something Totsuka-kun~?"
The same sing-song voice never gets me feeling anything other than good thoughts. She's really cute, Oriha-san. And outside Izumo Inn, she's the only person that talks to me. No, wait. There's Yukari-san… right, I have to go and meet her sometime soon. I don't even know why I'm agreeing to it… I'm too weird sometimes!
"I-I guess a little. As long as he or she is qualified then I don't really mind who this new sub sensei is."
"Hehe~ I guess that's right~ Although, I hope that it isn't someone who is stuffy, uptight, doesn't let us go on our lunch breaks early. Speaking of, I made you lunch today~"
Even though she practically sang that out, she has a massive crimson colour dusting her cheeks. She goes into her school bag and… then gets out a nicely wrapped bento box, with a big bow on the front of it. The bow looks similar to the one she always wears in her hair.
I took the bento box from her and thanked her.
"Thank you Oriha-san. Its really nice of you to do such things."
"W-Well, I don't mind doing it for you~"
"Hehe, thank you Oriha-san." I replied shyly to her. As she was about to say something, a boy of average height came into the room and said "The new sensei is a total sexy looking milf!" and then shot to a seat.
A milf? Doesn't that mean… ehehe, dirty minded person. She's a woman, not an object. But, we have a female sensei? It would make a little difference to the usual male sensei.
The door opens a few seconds later, to reveal a woman in tight fitting capri jeans that are black in colour and a matching coloured tank top that hugs her body very well. She's a slender woman with l-large assets with gray hair and matching gray eyes. She has a serious look on her face.
Oriha-san shot to her seat and has been looking at the sensei with a strange look in her eyes. W-Whats that about?
The class went silent as the mature looking woman went to the board and wrote her name on it. I noticed that Oriha-san has been shifting in her position since the woman came in. Once the sensei did that, the sensei turns around and looks at everyone with her same serious face.
"Hello everyone. My name is Sahashi Takami. You all may refer to me as Takami-sensei. I hope we all get along from now on."
Sahashi… where have I heard that name before? Sahashi… Sahashi...! I-Isn't Yukari-sans surname Sahashi!? D-Don't tell me that the new sensei is related to Yukari-san!