“Don’t you look very self-satisfied?” Mayumi-san pouted, sitting up in the bed, Ohta-san beside her, relief showing on her face. Mayumi-san was still rather pale, but she was smiling at least. “You could have visited me a little earlier, Hinata, Akio-kun!”

  “Sorry, but I had better things to do.” Hinata replied teasingly, clutg my arm tightly, her flushed, satisfied fad bright eyes showing her satisfa after our love. “Besides, you’re Iayumi, right? A little thing like an attempted kidnapping won’t get you down.”

  “Little?” Mayumi-san managed a weak snort. “There’s kidnappings for ransom, then there’s… that.” She took a long, shuddering breath, clearly still not over the experience, but her smile came back, even if it was a little wobbly. “But you’re right. I have to set a good example for other noble daughters. After all, we must always remain posed!”

  “How did things go?” Ohta-san asked us, surprising Mayumi-san, who didn’t expect her taciturn guard to be so close with us.

  “All good!” Hinata held up her hand in the victory pose. “Much as I’d have loved to have Akio beat that crude blowhard to a pulp and teach Zozibini a lesson she wouldn’t fet… this isn’t our backyard. We’ve already caused a lot of trouble here for the South Afri gover, even if it mostly wasn’t our fault.”

  “Yeah, although…” My grin was rather savage. “Settling the score isn’t something we abandoned. I beat Miss Zozibini at her own game, plundered a little of her Intangible Statistics. It probably doesn’t quite offset what she gained from this mess, but it’s a warning, and I assume she’s smart enough to heed it. But… the beauty is, they missed the real kicker. In being forced to allow us to set up a Territory, they haven’t realised they’ve been outmanoeuvred.”

  Hinata nodded. “It’s only natural of course. They’ll be Rank three, certainly. But from three to four is su incredible jump in time and resources, it seems impossible to get there any time soon. But…” She gazed lovingly at me, talk of expansion, power ah exg her as much as our lovemaking. Yeah, she’s certainly perfect for Ajé-Shaluga’s Favour.

  “We do it. Early year, we’ll hit Rank four in Tokyo. Then it won’t take more than a few months to do the same in Kyoto and help Princess Eleanor advan London as per our alliance agreement. Then, while ood friends here in South Africa are proteg our Territory, they’ll be forced to watch as we leap ahead of them, reach Rank four ahem in. They’ll end up as isoted bubbles of Territory within reater dominion, aually they’ll have no choice but to submit, or be choked out.”

  She cpped her hands happily. “I hardly wait to hear that boorish Nkosi swearing, ahe look on Zozibini’s supercilious face. They don’t know it, but they already lost. sider it a little revenge for you, Mayumi. Although the true perpetrators are dead.”

  “I see.” Mayumi-san’s face rexed, her smile seeming more natural. “Of course, as my best friend, you uahat nobody gets to disrespect the Ichijou house. Well, you carry the same burden as me now, so it’s only natural.”

  “It’s not a burden. Being Takatsukasa Hinata is something I had to do to raise my value for Akio.” She smiled at me teasingly, before her expression turned serious. “You’re right though. Akio be a bit passive. promise is good, business is built on it, but when we’re going for a win-win, it o be at least sixty-forty in our favour from now on. But from a loerm standpoint, we need footholds everywhere. Just thinking of Japan isn’t enough. After all, I don’t know about you, Mayumi, but I’m not tent to leave my fate in the hands of some other Astral Emperor. No, it’s got to be Akio.”

  “I don’t disagree, but…” Mayumi-san looked at me seargly, before shrugging. “…well, it’s not like we were Chosen, were we?”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Hinata teased, before being serious once again. “There are also other bes to g a Territory here in South Africa. With Ginneka’s abilities and Ixitt’s teologies, it won’t be long before moving materials between the Boundary and Material bees routihat way we use Ring Gates to directly traffic ores aals between here and the factories in Tokyo, making our supply resistant to external troubles. I think that’ll be important…”

  Seeing them chatting away happily, I disentangled myself from Hinata, and headed to the other room. Aliyah and Trey were in there, recuperating well after my Ether Healing, while Adelheid had joihem. She was reading a magazine she had found somewhere, though it seemed she was more looking at the pictures idly, not speaking the nguage.

  “Settled things then?” Trey asked, and I nodded. Adelheid looked up, and I smiled at her. She puffed out her cheeks and looked away, sulking a little. Don’t worry, you’ll get your reward for the hard work you’ve put in this trip, I promise.

  “Yeah, all handled.” I agreed, expining what had transpired again. When I was done, Aliyah ughed until her ag body hurt.

  “Fuck me, that’s funny. But the bitch got off lightly. I mean, you busted up my ribs good, and that firecracker Shaeu, she…” Aliyah paused, gng across at Trey, who retending not to listen. Aliyah shrugged, trying to ugh it off. “…anyway, I get she doesn’t know you, but if she had half a brain she’d not have tried to rope you into her shit. I mean, I ain’t foolish enough to mess with you again, oten, twice shy, and you bite bad.”

  “Learning some wisdom with age, Aliyah?” Trey asked, and she snorted sourly, shrugging again, g one hand into a fist, showing off her impressive muscles.

  “I ain’t old, bastard. I’m in the prime of my damn youth. Which makes it so sad I ain’t got a girlfriend.”

  “With an attitude like that and your foul mouth is it any wonder you’re single? Especially as you like the cute types, sis.” Trey replied, and she smirked nastily.

  “Maybe so. But shit, Trey, you get to talk to me like that when you stay with a guy for more than two fug weeks. You alick a cheater or a fke.”

  As the siblings bickered, Aliyah g her words with vitriolic but harmless swearing, I couldn’t help but grin. They’ve got a good sibling dynamid obviously love each other, have each other’s backs. I respect that.

  Adelheid put down her magazine, sighing. “It is always like this. They argue incessantly. Fortunately, I only uand the train station, their nonsense makes no seo me.”

  Finding Adelheid’s eaining idioms rather cute, I simply smiled back, also ign the two siblings as they argued, seeing that they were clearly recovered enough to fight, though it would likely take a little loo fully restore them. “Yeah, that be a mercy.” I agreed. “Anyway, I’ll say it again. Damn good job during the battles. You proved why it was right to seek you out.”

  The blonde girl looked embarrassed at that, idly twirling at her long hair, looking more childish than she was. “It was nothing. It was kill or be killed there, and I embody the Furies. I’m not oo just lie down and die. Though…” She fixed me with her stern, blue-eyed gaze, looking anything but young for a moment. “…it’s looking like I might have been safer staying in Luisenstadt, waiting for others to e hunt me down!”

  “Don’t be like that.” I ughed ruefully. “We’ve strength in numbers. And I tell you’ve grown stronger.”

  Adelheid crossed her arms defensively. “It seems so, but I still don’t care for being forced into life-or-death battles stantly.”

  “Believe it or not, her do I.” I promised. “I hone my strength outside of battles just fihough there are bes to be had in flict.” Seeing that she uood, I ged the subject, asking her how Christina Bakker and Titan were.

  “That madwoman.” Adelheid sniffed, wary of the stist. “At first she seemed rather distant and possibly traumatised, but… after a few hours on the helicopter she seemed to recover, and while I don’t uand most of her jabbering, I get that she’s w on something.”

  I nodded, not sure whether to be relieved or not. No, I guess I am relieved. I’ve little liking for her and what she’s done, but… holy, even if her affes are a little, no… a lot creepy, it’s hard to absolutely hate someone who expresses a liking for me. Even to the extent to trap me into being her boyfriend… oh, no, wait, that’s just swung around to creepy again. But ohing is true… There would certainly be no bes to letting her die, and it might even cause problems in America. Though what with Adam White’s likely misuanding she’s provoked, as well as her stealing of his Vermillion List… there’ll be problems aplenty anyway…

  “Sometimes we have to make deals with our sce.” I remarked, once again thinking of Miss Zozibini and Nkosi. I’d do before, when I took Yamato-san’s Favour, rather than risking myself in a futile effort to rescue him from Nurarihyon, or on Nie Ling’s situation. Even something as simple as fiving Ginneka and her brother for attempting to murder Shaeu and me. Life was plicated and far from , but so long as I kept the main objective in mind, which was for me and those I loved to be safe and prosper, I could live with making hard choices. Especially when I don’t have to make them alohe others… they carry the weight with me.

  I spent a little while chatting to Adelheid, which relieved her, as I was the only German speaker here. My phohen rang, and I g the caller, only to see it was Buck Kelly. Hmm, about the Tengokusentou, I imagine? “Hi there, Buck.” I greeted him, and his boisterous voice came back over the speaker.

  “Akio, as I live and breathe. Good to speak to you!” He was as enthusiastic as ever. “Sorry for the te call, or is it early? Time zones are a pain to figure.”

  “It’s fine.” I reassured him. “I’m just rexing before I head for America. So, what’s up?”

  As expected, Buck mentioned he’d heard the Tengokusentou was being handed back, though he ologeti the end he hadn’t been much help. “…not like I didn’t try, Akio my man, I talked to a few people who had business dealings with the Ruby Group. But it didn’t amount to much. Mr Park had simir issues. Although…” Buck’s voice took on a sly tohat Yu-mi girl, she’s a real doll, yeah? So, you ied in her? Wouldn’t put it past you, my man!”

  Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Yu-mi’s a good woman, and she’s very keen on helping with our South Koreaions, but she’s already turned down an arranged marriage. I don’t bme her, really. She’s definitely good fun and cute though.”

  “Sure, okay man, that aside…” Buck didn’t seem vinced by my argument. “…you’re my lucky charm like always, Akio. Thanks to your support and the favot from the bigwigs in Japan for tossing my two ts’ worth ihis situation, I sorted my business in record time. Two locations for now, Tokyo and Kyoto, but with pns to expand to further sites in Tokyo and more cities in Japan assuming all goes well. Which it will.” His tone was certain.

  “…after all, you’ll be a friend and turn up trand opening, right? And bring your women with you, at least the ones who are of ao drink, yeah?” His tone was teasing. “Also, with the theming rights, we should be a smash hit. Think of a bination of cssic Irish-Ameri charm, coupled with a sports bar feel, only instead of sp memorabilia… well, you get the picture. It’ll be printing money!”

  “Sure, if we’re free.” I promised, and Buck tinued.

  “Of course you’ll be free. Your doll Shaeu won’t want to miss out on the fi of whiskeys, I know! Anyway.. so, you’re headed baerica, huh? In that case… I must insist you meet up at my bar for a drink or ten! I’ll get the old poker crew together. Holy, David Jacobson ’t believe he met you, sidering you’re all over the news nowadays. Eveer, he’s jealous as a green-eyed shat I’ve been making business es with you!”

  “It sounds fun, but… I doubt I’ll have much time to head to Vegas.” I’ll be in Washington Dd Marynd for most of the trip, as I’ll apparently be meeting the President, and the NSA headquarters are in Marynd. That’s the wrong coast. Damn, I ’t believe I’m meeting the most powerful man in the world, so they say. Even if not everything I’ve heard about him has been fttering. Still, I shouldn’t judge until I meet him…

  “No worries, Kelly’s Bars are a US-wide . Where will you be?” Buck asked, and when I told him his tone brightened. “Awesome. As it happens, one of my bars is in the viity. Aer still, my lovely wife Mary is eager to hoist a drink with you. My better half is quite a fan of your exploits, and sees you as my lucky charm, as I do. We never did get time to party in Japan, you’re too busy, my man. All work and no py… oh wait, when it es to debauchery with women, you’ve got me beat hands down, like a flush to a pair!” He then lowered his voice, as if he was worried about being overheard. “Also… you’d be doing me a favour. After all, that deal with your doll Shaeu roved in Japan just fine, but… well, there’s Ameri bureaucracy to tend with. So, making a bit of a show of you…”

  I uood. “Fine, if I make time I will. I might o unwind anyway.” It’s almost certainly going to be a trying time dealing with Adam White… and Christina is sure to cause more trouble. I paused then, my tone a little harsh. “Also, don’t call it debauchery! My fiancées and I are all going steady, it’s not casual!”

  “Sure, sure!” Buck ughed uproariously. “By the Virgin Mary, you make me smile. Fiancées. But you’re a good guy, if you weren’t, I’m sure little Shaeu would cut off your balls one night, she’s the sort.”

  “I ’t argue with that.” After some more light chatter, I agreed to liaise with him regarding the bar visit when I reached America, but it was tentatively set for Monday night. Hanging up, I realised that Aliyah and Trey were listening. Seeing me looking, Aliyah smirked.

  “If us ‘old poker crew’ are getting together, then shit, I’d better be invited, right? Drinks are on you and Buck, and this time I’m not on mission, so I get hammered if I want, yeah?”

  “You’re the boss. I’d advise against it.” Trey warned me, but I shrugged.

  “I don’t mind her unwinding. After all, you both had a brush with death. Besides, if she gets too wild I deal with it.”

  “How so?” Aliyah smirked. “Shaeu isn’t here this time. And you don’t have the guts, I know that!”

  “You’re thinking of that, are you?” I raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “I never would have guessed.” As Aliyah’s expression turned shocked and sullen at my retort, I dropped my teasing tone. “No, in all seriousness, purging alcohol from someone isn’t much effort. Holy… good job this trip.” I praised them again, embarrassing the two of them. “You proved worthy of a sed ce, and Mayumi-san will recover. Anyway…” Speaking of Mayumi-san, I checked my watch. “…it’s about time we finalised our pns for this leg of the trip.”

  As Aliyah started berating her brother, saying he was crampiyle like always, and Adelheid went back to peering at her magazine as if to pretend none of us were here, I stifled a smile. I couldn’t say I was eager to deal with the troubles in America, but seg the Seeds aramount, so… Guess I’ll have to bite the bullet a on with it. At least I don’t think the Ameris will be so foolish as to provoke me and Japan again, so the trip should be peaceful. I hope…

  ***

  “How fasating. Most intriguing ihe ability to transpnt abilities, these Favours, as you call them…” Christina Bakker was almost drooling as she ied the rather bemused Hinata. I had healed the fresh wounds Christina had accrued in the Boundary, not that such seemed to phase her for long. After a further day of dealing with the tense political situation our battles had left behind and some additional rest and healing, everyone seemed almost back to their old selves.

  “…it’s light years ahead even of your ability to ge us ordinary humans to be able to ehe Boundary, as you call it. Holy, I think Adam does you a disservice. He might o make a new priority on the Vermillion List, just for you!” She turo g me, her expression a sloppy grin, her eyes moist, her face red, her breath fast. I took an involuntary step back, but she didn’t seem to notice.

  “You should stop b Hinata now.” Mayumi-san pined, rather unhappy with Christina’s antics. We had all gathered, our final meeting before our two groups would part, some of us to America, the rest back to Japan. “Really, you have no de at all, it’s frustrating.”

  “Oh, don’t mind little Miss Christina. Or is it I shouldn’t mind it?” she cocked her head, and Hinata scuttled bay side, frowning. “Sorry, am I being off-putting again? I’m… trying my best, you know?” Her face twisted into the approximation of a sorrowful pout. “It’s just… so amazing. It’s like being there when Sir Issaewton discravity! How I not be moved… oh. I’m doing it again, yes?”

  “Yeah, you’ll never score like that, even with that body. Not if you want more than a piece of shit who just wants to fuck.” Aliyah told her unhelpfully, and I decided to step in.

  “All right, that’s quite enough of that.” I fixed Aliyah with a stern gre, and she turned her head aside with an irritated flounce. I then addressed Christina. “At least you’re reising when you’re being creepy. It’s a small step towards progress, I suppose. Anyway, you o stop thinking in the moment, and think loerm. I thought all stists were great at pnning.”

  Christina shrugged. Oddly enough, while she still wore her tattered, faded b coat, she was wearing and new jeans and a jumper underh, looking almost tidy. Her hair had been bed too, and hung down straight behind her. Wait? Is she wearing… makeup? It wasly a great job, but it seemed like she’d made some sort of effort.

  “Actually…” she remarked dryly. “…you’d be positively amazed at how many stists are living moment to moment. I’ve often been called a magpie, flitting to newer, shiny things. And I’ve never had much time or energy to spare for things that haven’t caught my i. I’m… regretting that now, I suppose. I’ve missed out on a lot…” Her smile was rather sloppy again. “…but then, I’m still young and fresh, it’s not like I’ve expired like stale milk, is it?”

  “This is all very well…” Mayumi-san pined again. “…but we’re talking about serious matters, not your harassment of Hinata, and whatever this rather terrible attempt to appeal to Akio-kun is.” She waved a hand at Christina, her expression one of distaste. Behind her, Kira-san hid a smile behind one hand, careful not to provoke his granddaughter.

  “Oh, so you think I’m appealing? Good to know, I’ll make a note of it.” Christina smirked, as usual missing the point. She realised that, as she blinked, reorientatihoughts on the now. “No, I’m not dressed up for that. We’ll be b flights soon, and at the other end…” She g Titan, isely keeping his silence. He too had made an effort, and was wearing a nice suit, though with his frame and muscle he looked a little ical. “…Adam will be waiting. I have to… uh, well, it’s like this. Maybe if I seem more professional, Adam will go easy on me? No, probably not…” She ughed nervously. “I’ve heard it said that dying a virgin is a great shame, and we’re flying first css, so… at least give me a test drive on the flight. Who knows, you might like it?” More nervous ughter followed, her cheeks pink, and sadly I was sure she wasn’t joking.

  No way though. Objectively, she’s a woman with attractive features and a great body, her curves are different to the Japanese. But… Despite that, I certainly wasn’t ied ihat way. Though holy, I did feel a little sorry for her, and treacherously, a er of my Split Thoughts couldn’t help but repy the messy kiss she had given me when on the video call to Adam White. Bme my Intellect, fetting anything is near-impossible nowadays.

  Whether it was the brief moments on py-pretend boyfriend that had affected me, or it was my natural tendency to be too soft on women, I realised I couldn’t let Adam disappear her like she feared. No, it’s definitely just that she brought us helpful information, and I owe her for that. I’ll never five her for her experiments and plicity in the cruel acts of the Ameris, but… if she genuinely wants to make amends, then she should be given the ce, even if it takes her a whole lifetime. Though I just wish her reasons were rather better than she’s got a weird schoolgirl-in-love crush on me…

  Yes, women could be just as evil and dangerous as men. Kiku, some of the ese invaders at Kyoto, Chae Cho-Hee… I ’t be le, just because they appeal to my memories of my sis and Eri when we were younger. But that aside… “No thanks.” I deed her, making her pout. “I’m pnning on enjoying a rexing flight, it’s not often I get much time to myself.”

  “I be rexing…” she whined, and I heard the buzz of desperation in her voice. Yeah, she’s like a magpie in other aspects too. She stole Adam White’s shiny cssified data, not thinking of the likely sequences. If he’s noticed…

  “Sure you . I’m not feeling very rexed now.” I shot back, and those in the room who uood couldn’t hold in their ughter. “But seriously, I’m not going to lie for you, cover things up, pretend to be your boyfriend, but I’ve said I won’t let Adam arrest you without a fight. Be tent with that.”

  “You don’t have to pretend…” she whispered, and for a moment her expression ged. It was vat, distant, and her lips twitched, perhaps in fright. Is she… remembering? Christina had gradually started to return to her previous teasing, annoying nature, but in quieter moments, or when stressed, I could see the cracks in her fa?ade. To my great annoyahis made me sympathise with her more.

  It's at times like this, I need Eri here. Although… thinking about it, Eri, despite putting up a jealous, tough front, be rather teowards irls having a hard time, like Hyath, Asha, Daiyu and Tsukiko… nah, our mad stist here isn’t parable, I’m sure Eri would kick her to the curb without remorse.

  “I’ve got to appud you for persistence, but we drop the subject?” I shook my head as my answer. “Anylease stop b Hinata. If all goes well, you might get a ce for further study… humanly.”

  She didn’t look like she believed me, but she did remain silent, stopping her clumsy attempts at flirting. “So, those of us getting on the flight to Washington DC are me, Christina, Titan, Trey and Aliyah, as well as Adelheid.”

  “It’ll be good to be bae. The pce be shit, but fuck me if I don’t want a real burger. It’s just not the same in Japan.” Aliyah pined, and her brother echoed her.

  “No kidding. The booze is fioo, but sometimes I miss Ameri beer. And the men. Japanese guys are fine, but they tend to be a little sy for my taste.”

  “Shit, bro, you like pretty-boys, you should be in Heaven.” Aliyah shot back, and he shrugged.

  “There’s a differeween thin and lean, sis, just like there’s a differeween fat and stacked.”

  “What would you know? And don’t ogle your sister, pervert. Fuck Trey, you don’t even have any use for tits…” Aliyah crossed her arms under her ample assets as if to make a point, and Titan and I tactfully looked away as their usual arguments started. I had one , and that was Adelheid. inally, I hadn’t po take her with me to America, I didn’t want to put any other Chosen at risk of being used to try and leash me, but…

  “You should be assured.” Ohta-san was back to her clipped, professional manner of speeayumi-san was back with us. Her brown eyes were ear, and she looked rather noble in a sharp charcoal grey suit, with trousers rather than a skirt as usual. “I am hardly sant as to cim I protect Mayumi-sama and Ichijou-sama by myself now, but I assure you this…” She exged a gh Kazumi-san, who nodded reassuringly. “I most certainly buy time for Hinata-sama to act, even if I must die for the opportunity. My resolve is strohan the sword Mayumi-sama named me for.”

  “I don’t want you to die, Katana.” Hinata interjected. “But… I’ve got to respect yuts. Holy, I still don’t want to be a fighter, it’s not my style, but any wife of Akio’s has to be more than dead weight. I uand why Akio’s going alohe Ameris probably ’t do anything to threaten him, but they us.” She pulled out her phone and used the transtion app to vert her words to rudimentary German for Adelheid.

  “I uand why you’d want to stay with Akio. It ’t be any fun, nobody uanding you.” At the words ing out of Hinata’s phone, Adelheid nodded.

  “….and I hope you’ve seen that Akio is reliable, and he’ll treat you as a friend, not as a tool.” A slower nod this time, but she did nod, which relieved me.

  “So, keep yourself safe, Adelheid, and look after Akio.” Hinata sniggered then, her expression her usual impish one. “Not that you’ll be able to stop him getting into trouble. Just… keep an eye on our liability here.” She Christina, who managed a faint smile iurn.

  “Have no fear.” Adelheid gnced over at me. “I don’t thihe sort to pull me over the table.”

  As Hinata seemed fused, Adelheid sighed, finding different words for the phoo interpret. “I mean, he won’t try and use me one-sidedly. It’s all… give and take, yes? As for our liability, as you call her… I doubt there are many men who resist her if she tries so hard, even with a personality that shitty. So don’t ask for miracles.”

  “How rude. I’m simply ho…” Christina managed, but everyone ignored her. Hinata finished speaking with Adelheid, before she reassured me not to worry.

  “We’re taking a private jet back to Japan just after you leave. We’ll be in no danger. Instead, it’s you who is going into the lion’s den… no, wait, that was here, wasn’t it?” She giggled at her own joke. “Seriously, be careful. And hurry back, you don’t want to miss the start of the Pilgrimage, or worse, Shaeu’s birthday is at the weekend. She’ll make your life hell if you don’t spoil her that day!”

  “That’s true.” I agreed. “Yeah, at least after the middle of January my schedule clears up for a bit…”

  “I wouldn’t t on it.” Hinata shook her head. “That’s the thing about important people, their schedules always fill up. Isn’t that right, uncle Kira?”

  “I’m afraid so.” He ughed happily. “Now more than ever you’ll be busy. After all, work is going very well on the factory site, and I hardly wait to start produ, and I know Mayumi is the same.”

  Mayumi-san agreed. “Yes, it’s time to start making a return on my iment! If it’s a disappoi, I’ll lose respect for you, Akio-kun, Hinata!”

  Seeing her putting on a brave face, I nodded. “Don’t worry, even in just the parts you’re involved with, I’m sure profits will be huge…”

  As the versation turo ba Japan, my thoughts drifted towards America, and what troubles and opportunities I would find there. Surely it ’t be as much trouble as South Africa was. Although… I g Christina Bakker, who once more seemed lost in thought, disected from the versations around her. …there is this troublesome issue to resolve…

  ShipTeaser