Waking up was a pleasure as always, my body aching and covered in blood. Ether Healing and my body’s ever-increasing Fortitude meant that most of the injuries were little more than fading bruises and scabbed-over cuts, but that still didn’t make it any more pleasant. Beside me, Shaeula opened her eyes slowly, eyelids fluttering. Wrinkling her nose at the smell of blood and sweat she sighed.

“I feel-feel we should take a bath before doing anything else. We are in quite the poor-poor condition.” With that she dematerialised her yukata, standing up naked and unconcerned. Seeing her body I flushed, and her expression changed, now a wolfish grin.

“Okay, I get it.” I answered her with a smile of my own. “But before that…” I reached for my mobile phone. Typing out a message to Karen-chan for her Monday morning task (it wasn’t worth making her do overtime on it, as we had time before our next push) I asked her to investigate any Kondou’s who were male and had connections to the area around Hisuikomushi shrine, paying particular attention to any hospitalisations and so on. Of course, I stressed she was to do it subtly, that it was more important that no-one found out she was digging into him, rather than getting information carelessly. Moments later I had a reply, complaining that the task was strange, but that she’d get right on it, so I had to send her another text, reminding her not to do overtime unless it was an emergency… seriously, I am not her ex-boss. I don’t run a black company! Weekends are for resting… though damn, I should take my own advice sometimes…

Heading to the bath, in which Shaeula was sunk happily up to her neck in the hot water, her amber hair billowing out behind her, floating, I quickly stripped off and sank into the warm water myself, unable to hold back a sigh of contentment as the heat was soothing on my wounds.

“I must thank Eri for allowing me to finally join souls with you.” Shaeula mused. “I am far-far stronger than I was before. We may not-not have defeated our enemy, but next time…. I shall not-not be stopped from crushing all our foes.”

Curious I used Kin Examination, Shaeula blushing and squirming at the sensation, and I let out an exclamation as I saw her rapid growth. In addition, Kin Examination broke through to Rank 6, her League becoming visible as well.

Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan [Noble-Fae] [Wind and Flame Aspect]

[Material Statistics]

Might 227 +5

Fortitude 225 +5

Intellect 261 +5

Resilience 226 +5

Alacrity 273 +5

Precision 242 +5

Aether 1315 +5

[Intangible Statistics]

Fortune 16

Majesty 8

Charm 17

League 10

Determination 6

Foresight 3

??? 1

[Material Skills]

[Aetheric skills]

Silver Cord - Rank 3

Eight Moons Chakra Network - Rank 6

Aether Manipulation- Rank 4

Heart Chakra of Wind- Rank 6

Wind Manipulation- Rank 5

Aether Combat Technique - Rank 3

Solar Plexus Chakra Of Flame - Rank 2

Flame Manipulation - Rank 3

Lunar Chakra Of Wind And Flame - Rank 1

Aetheric Chirurgeon - Rank 3

[Physical Combat skills]

Spatial Perception - Rank 2

[intangible skills]

[Unique Skills]

Mystic Eyes of Perception - Rank 5

Kin Restoration - Rank 5

Blessing Of Fortunate Winds - Rank 4

Blessing Of Befuddling Winds - Rank 2

Foehn, Wind-Eating Breath - Rank 3

Lovers’ Link – Rank 4

[Level] 16/20

[Class] Great Wind and Flame Fae 12/20 Pledged One 8/10

[Mastered Classes] Wind Fae 10/10

“Well damn.” I whistled, impressed. “Your stats have nearly caught me up, you weren’t kidding. I don’t have to worry about you when you are out on your own or with the girls any more. I’d have to worry about anyone trying to harm you instead!”

“No, you should still-still worry about me, I insist!” Shaeula mock-pouted, and we laughed heartily, more of the stress of the life-or-death battles sloughing off us.

“I really need to improve my Chakra network. If I can reach your level then…” I ran some quick calculations. “Wow, I’d gain well over a hundred points in everything, and more in aether.”

“Well, no need to be jealous. I do not-not mind looking after you, making you a… how did Karen put it that time… a toy-boy.” After more merriment, she turned her gaze on me, eyes serious. Noticing the change in mood I met her gaze quietly. “Seriously though, Akio…” she continued. “I can not-not thank you enough. All this is because of you. We are already making good on my promise to brother Shaeraggo. Soon he will be-be forced to acknowledge us. Thank you.”

“Don’t be a fool. It isn’t just down to me. Your hard work is why. Besides, I don’t need thanks for that, do I? After all, you will be my wife soon enough. Love doesn’t need thanks or a reason.” Blushing at the cheesy lines I had just delivered (though I meant them too), that set Shaeula off, her breath coming in hot gasps. She scooted over, muttering about how I was becoming dangerously charming and started hugging me, nibbling at my neck and ears, and we spent a rather pleasant time in the bath, soothing away our remaining tension from the ferocious battles we had endured in the Territory battle in each other’s arms…

********

Once out of the bath and dressed in fresh clothing we were relaxing with a few beers when our doorbell rang. I wonder who that could be?

Opening the door I saw an impatient-looking Kana-chan waiting, in her casual clothes, body-fit jeans and a dark red t-shirt cut daringly. She’s still wearing the hair ornament we got her I see…

On seeing us her expression brightened briefly, before she looked away, eyes watering, blinking. “Just what did you two do recently?” she gasped, rubbing at her wet eyes with her hands, blinking as though she had been blinded. “You were never so spiritually bright before big bro, Shaeula. My ability to see ‘abnormalities’ just flickered on and now my head is aching… you owe me now…”

“I see you have caught a mere glimpse of my greatness, Kana.” Shaeula crowed while holding my hand tightly. “After much battle in the Boundary, I have-have grown immensely!” she puffed out her modest chest, her summery dress making her look more fairy-like than usual.

“Battle, huh?” Kana-chan sighed, her eyes refocusing. “Sounds scary. I’m a girl who needs to be looked after, protected.” Her gaze strayed to where we were holding hands, and I momentarily saw darkness flicker across her features, before her usual pretty mask obscured her thoughts. You know, the more I see of Kana-chan, I can’t help but think she’s always putting on an act. Eri said she was false too… Still, we all tried to cover our true feelings and present ourselves in the best way possible to others. I had been doing it for years, after all. I wouldn’t hold it against her. And not just because she’s pretty cute. I guess I admire people who can live how they want, go after what they want…

“So, big bro…” Kana-chan said, tilting her head cutely, looking into my eyes. Yeah, exactly my point. That’s so obscenely adorable it has to be planned. But what’s adorable is adorable. “… should you really be holding hands so closely with Shaeula? If Mori-senpai finds out, you’ll be in trouble, right? I’m pretty sure I have her number in the group chat Shaeula was sending me pictures in. I might just have to let her know…” she fluttered her eyelashes at me, and her t-shirt showed off her decent chest and smooth shoulders.

Still, you can’t hide the distaste when you said Eri’s name. I guess you two didn’t exactly hit it off… ugh… I don’t know how these Harem Protagonists manage all those girls. Kana-chan isn’t even mine and she’s striking sparks off Eri anyway…

“I was so jealous of Shaeula and Mori-senpai enjoying that meal in Shibuya.” She continued, her tone wheedling. “And who was that girl in the photograph? She looked rich. You’ll take me along next time, right?”

Shaeula burst out laughing, having held it in for a while at Kana-chan’s antics. She stood on tiptoe, locking lips with me and forcing her tongue inside. The sudden attack shocked me, but I was very used to kissing her now, so responded instinctively, my hand grabbing at her ass, tongues tangling together wetly, damp sounds filling the night air.

“Eep!”

The pretty little noise jolted me out of the moment, and I relinquished Shaeula a touch regretfully, my face burning. Still, I’ve never heard anyone actually say ‘eep’ before. That’s just darling and I don’t think that was an act… as I wiped our mingled saliva off my face I looked at Kana-chan, whose skin was nearly matching her t-shirt for colour.

“I guess you are not-not so worldly-wise as you portray, Kana.” Shaeula smirked. “Still, that is cute, is it not-not, Akio?”

“I’m very popular with guys, I get hit on all the time. Everyone wants to date me!” Kana-chan protested, annoyed. “But what… what the hell were you doing? I know Mori-senpai lets you hang around with him, but… ki… ki… kissing!” she stumbled over the word.

“You think kissing is all we do?” Shaeula snorted. “Why, in the bath mere moments ago, we were joined as one. It was particularly fun-fun was it not, Akio? Quite the different experience from having sex on the bed.”

Kana-chan seemed to freeze for a moment, before she rebooted, covering her face with her hands. “Seriously… you… but you are engaged. Big bro… you pervert! Cheater! Enemy of women!”

“Hardly. Look here.” Shaeula thrust her hand with her own engagement ring under Kana-chan’s nose. She looked down to see the sparkling diamond, and swallowed.

“Is that…” she asked hesitantly, and Shaeula nodded excitedly.

“Indeed. I too-too am going to be marrying Akio. He even had to fight my fool of an older brother for the privilege.”

“Your brother…” Kana-chan still looked perturbed by the whole situation, which was outside her expectations. “… but he’d be a spiritual being, a kami, right?”

“Well, if he stands in the way of the dreams of those I love, he could be a kami or a devil, I’ll still sweep him aside.” Damn, delivering that line didn’t embarrass me as much as before, I guess I’m slowly getting used to this… again, I mean it though. For Shaeula, for Eri… nothing will stand against us.

“But… well, I guess you are a kami, so maybe Japanese law isn’t going to apply, but even so…” Kana-chan was struggling with the concept, and I sympathised, as it had taken me two weeks of very difficult contemplation to reach this point myself.

“Before you ask if Eri is aware of this, she accepted me. It was-was rather touching.” Shaeula reminisced cheerfully. “She is a good girl, worthy of Akio. And afterwards… well, we served him together on the bed.” She licked her lips seductively, and Kana-chan let out another little noise of shock. “You like Akio, do you not-not? You should polish yourself so Akio takes you as well.”

Hey, what? Shaeula! Eri said you were to stop doing this! Besides… I accepted you because… well, damn, I love you. it’s impossible not to. Eri is the same. Kana-chan is… well, attractive to be sure, and she has that whole practised charm thing going for her, but… no, definitely not. Besides, she’s younger than Eri, it’d be weird, and Eri doesn’t seem to like her and… fuck, why am I even entertaining the thought. This is NOT going to be one of those ‘well, once you have a second wife, you might as well accept them all’ scenarios! I am going to be faithful!

As I stood there dumfounded, thinking, Kana-chan pulled her arms under her chest, adopting a stern pose. “No way. Sorry big bro, I do like you, and… well, you seem to be more handsome every time I see you… I wonder if that’s because you are… having sex with…” her words became inaudible. “… never mind. Seriously though, I don’t need to polish myself, Shaeula, I’m already a diamond. I’m no less beautiful than you or Mori-senpai, and I have natural talent in the spiritual arts, as well as an ancient bloodline. I deserve a man who will look after me, cherish me, dedicate himself to me, look only at me. And you I can see, you are special, but what does Mori-senpai have to offer, eh? What polishing has she done?”

Ouch, now that’s just bitchy. I mean, I like Kana-chan, but insulting Eri that way is going too far. Still, even before I could defend my childhood friend, Shaeula sighed, shaking her head. She reached over and surprised Kana-chan by gently flicking her forehead, causing her to flinch.

“Oh Kana. You remind me a little of myself, just a bundle of arrogance for all-all the wrong reasons. You are indeed very beautiful, and have an old bloodline. As did I. But-but is that really worth anything?”

“Of course it is… ouch!” she was flicked again as she tried to protest, and I stood watching, bemused.

“You need to find the value in you before you can be happy. You desire a male who will-will be yours and yours alone, worshipping you as his princess.” Shaeula was grinning, the idea amusing her. “Well if you wish that, you shall need-need more than looks, else when you grow old and they fade, your male shall abandon you. As for your talent… Eri has no talent. Yet she has slaved away on the training I taught her-her, and now were your eyes to see her, you would see the bright glow of aether. She did it not-not just for Akio, but for herself as well. Eri desperately craved Akio for her own all these years, yet when she saw-saw my pain… she proved herself a female of great kindness and charity. She extended a hand to me-me, and now we are sisters, loving the same male.”

“I can’t understand that. I dream of being treated right, showered in wealth, praised for my beauty and charm. I’d hate it if my man was even looking at other girls.”

“I get you, I do. I feel an utter bastard myself, knowing if one of my fiancées was to want another man I’d die inside.” I confessed. “But… I love them both, they like each other, and they both love me… they wanted this, so… I’ll do anything for their happiness, even if I end up hating myself a little for it.”

“That’s… sort of hot.” Kana-chan confessed, shaking her head, backing away from Shaeula, who was eagerly lining up another flick. “Maybe I get it, a little. But I have my own dreams.”

“In that case, you should pursue them.” Shaeula agreed, lowering her hand. “But remember this-this. Is it better to have a portion of love from the best male alive, or a full share from some inferior dolt? Besides, I do not-not mind being generous to those I like, but Akio shall save most of his efforts for his wives, so you shall just have to-to live with that!”

“Any man I get will be one of the best.” Kana-chan pouted in protest. “But still, okay, I get your point. I don’t really agree though. Anyway, this has totally thrown me off and we’ve taken ages, I’m in for a lecture now. I was here to tell you that Hikawa-sama is here, and my grandfather wishes to see you. Apparently the final list for those taking your training has been set.”

“I see. That’s good timing. We have important spiritual matters to discuss anyway. Lead on, and I’ll talk to your grandfather so he doesn’t blame you for the delay.”

“See, the best male alive!” Shaeula whispered, and at that even Kana-chan couldn’t keep from laughing.

“Damn, Shaeula. If he’s your man, even if you have to share him with Mori-senpai, stop trying to offer him to every super-pretty, adorable, witty and kind girl like me you run into. He’s only one guy, having too many girls will kill him off, especially if they are all horny like you. I never had you flagged for a pervert.”

“I am not-not a pervert, I merely wish to enjoy all the love a mortal and Fae relationship can offer!” she sniffed primly, bringing out Kana-chan in more gales of laughter. As they went back and forth as we approached the shrine proper, my phone started to ring, and looking at the screen it was Eri.

Oh yeah, she should be back in Nishimorioka by now…