Three Hundred And Sixty-Two
“So why am I here again?” Eri asked, looking at Daiyu and with a wry expression on her face. “I don’t think you need my help with what you’re planning. Not in my current health anyway.”
At that Daiyu flushed a little, which made sense as I had sought her out and told her we needed to discuss Dao Companions and Dual Cultivation. Even so, her expression was serene and resolute, as if she had no doubts. Which is amazing, as I’m full of doubts myself.
“Actually you’d be surprised.” I answered, reassuring them. “But rest assured, we’re largely just going to be talking tonight. It’s a sha Shaeula and Hyacinth are dealing with matters at the Spring, but you’ll do fine.”
“I see, I’m second, no third choice, huh?” Eri pouted, though her onyx eyes were sparkling with bitter humour. “Well, fine. Talk huh? Disappointed, Daiyu?” she asked, and Daiyu frowned, trying to understand the Japanese. I then translated for her, and she shook her head.
“I am beginning to understand his character, Eri. He is quite cautious when it cos to commitnt.”
“Really?” Eri raised an eyebrow. “I agree he used to be like that, but if you push hard enough he crumbles. He did for , Shaeula, Hinata and the others. It’s only Hyacinth and Shiro who didn’t really ask him, though Hyacinth… well, trying to understand Hyacinth hurts my head sotis. But she’s a good girl who deserves so happiness. I think you’re in that situation too, Daiyu.”
At my translation Daiyu looked a little surprised, but she bowed gratefully. “I have suffered loss and hardship yes, but life is full of sorrows. Only through adversity shall strength be forged. Though I admit…” she let out a soft, quiet giggle. “… I would have preferred a little less adversity.” Her expression turned serious. “But what is done is done. The will of the Heavens cannot be turned aside so easily. Now I am here, and I thank you for your kind words. It must not be easy, a stranger such as I, one who is not even Japanese, coming into your lives and making demands. I am ashad, but… I do not regret it. The will of the Heavens is clear to .”
After that lengthy translation Eri snorted, managing to shrug a little, waving her one good arm. “Well of course nobody likes to share. Ordinarily love is between two people, right? But then ordinarily the world isn’t full of Fae, Yokai, Cultivators and more. I’ve been through this with Akio, but he doesn’t quite get it. He says the words, about making us all happy, but he’s still carrying so guilt. So this is probably a good ti. We might as well use this opportunity to clear the air yet again, hopefully for the last ti. He’s almost there, but he’s still got a few peculiar hang-ups. Daiyu, tell honestly, what do you like about Akio? I’ll tell you what I love.” She took a deep breath. “I love that he thinks of . That’s all there is to it. Love is very simple, I found. Back when I was a child, and Akio and Aiko were the only friends I had, I didn’t even realise I was different to other people. Everyone, my parents, those at school, they just thought I was quiet, shy. And I suppose I am. Less so now.” she pursed her lips self-deprecatingly. “But really, I had an empty, selfish heart. But when Akio saved , when he used to take stargazing on the mountains, or to a festival, or even just listened to talk about my day, asked how I was doing, my quiet, empty heart felt full. That’s all there is to it. And when my empty heart was full, I wanted to spend my life with Akio and Aiko. Forever. And I wanted to make their hearts feel full, like mine did.”
“So, you love Aiko too?” I said mildly, and she rolled her eyes.
“Stupid. Of course I love Aiko. Not like I love you. I’m not bisexual. Girls can love girls without it being about lust. Look at Motoko and Natsumi. You can’t tell they don’t love each other.”
That’s true. I thought they might have loved each other in a sexual way as well, but from when we made love, it seems not. But their bonds are definitely deep. “I know. I was just joking. There’s lots of types of love. Family, romantic, more.”
“Well, my love for Aiko is deeper than familial. After all… we’ve shared so much normal people never do. All this.” She gestured with her good arm. “I can hardly wait until Aiko graduates so she can move to Tokyo and be with us. We’ll have adventures, spend ti together, laugh and cry. And not just with Aiko. Shaeula and the others too. The good thing is… all the others are easy to love. Shaeula especially, she’s a force of nature that changed our world, isn’t she? Without her, we’d have stayed apart, you’d never have made it as far as you have… really, she should be your first wife, not .”
Daiyu watched us as I translated rapidly. The conversation was intense, so I tried a little trick I had been thinking of. Using Split Thoughts I used wind elent to create vibrations in the air, mimicking sounds. It was fiddly and difficult, and my first efforts sucked, though it gradually beca intelligible, though Daiyu frowned at the lousy accent and pronunciation. Still, I’ve created real-ti translation. And it’s excellent practice for Split Thoughts. Split Thoughts was one of my most powerful skills, as it let perform multiple tasks at once, though obviously they had to be largely ntal, as it wasn’t as if my body duplicated.
“I get it.” Eri continued. “Shaeula enjoys standing beside us, pushing us onwards. Whether that’s because of her upbringing, or because she’s a Fae, I just don’t know. But I do know if I’m ever in trouble I can turn to her. The others too… Shiro still makes jealous, I can’t help it. You’ve shared so much of your adult life with her I don’t know about, but… she’s just so… forthright. There’s no lies with her, no masks.”
“That’s only recent. She used to hide all her fears, her pains. But now…”
“Now she’s free.” She eyed Daiyu. “I filled my empty heart. Shaeula found soone who would accept and support her for who she was. Hyacinth found soone who would love her despite her past and broken nature. Hinata found soone who sees that she’s noble as anyone else, and is willing to back her dreams. Motoko and Natsumi found a way to avoid sacrifices, and also remain together. Shiro… I think Shiro needs soone like Akio, soone who will accept any absurdity. And she found soone who truly understands her heart. Tsukiko-san, she found soone who would face the world for her, and would even try and turn aside death. Kana-chan… well, Kana-chan is the most puzzling. She’s an ordinary girl, who finds herself loving extraordinarily…”
Hang on a minute. “I think you’ve got a couple of unnecessary nas there.” I pointed out, and Eri shook her head, a proper firm shake, though she grimaced in pain doing so.
“No. We’re not doing this. I’m not letting you play the naïve idiot anymore. It’s frustrating. I have made my peace with most of it, though I admit I have to get over my jealousy with Shiro. This is Polygamy. It’s never going to run smoothly. You’ll be consoling various girls, soothing our worries and diating squabbles for the rest of your life. Get used to it. But in exchange, you have the love of so of the finest girls in the world. I have to believe that. That I’m a match for Shaeula, Shiro, Hinata, the others… otherwise I have no business being with you, and I can’t bear that. So, Daiyu here wants to join our circle. It’s too late to worry about one or two more now. But… I want everything sorted. Dragging this out is only hurting everyone.” She paused. “When you went looking for Daiyu, Kana-chan ca and spoke to . She was pretty upset at you being so insensitive. You can be a jerk sotis, you know. Don’t you like Kana-chan?”
“Of course I like Kana. What’s not to like? But… it’s a case of need, isn’t it?” I said, a subject I’d thought about too much.
“No, it’s a case of liking.” Eri disagreed. “You know she likes you. She’s taken the risk to say so a number of tis. And that’s hard.” Eri’s eyes went distant. “I was really scared when I confessed to you, you know. If you said no… I’d have been devastated. I’m not sure how I would have recovered from that. But… I would have had to. Just because soone confesses you don’t have to accept them, do you? That’d be stupid. But… it’s worse to not give closure. You know, I’m getting a bad feeling sothing is going to happen soon.”
“Is that Foresight?” I asked, and she shook her head.
“Well, I don’t think everything in life is about stats, Akio. Even before you got any, you were still a hero to . Perhaps it’s just everything that’s happened recently, but… I worry.” Eri said earnestly. “But, put aside Kana-chan for the mont.” She looked at Daiyu, who had been listening to my wind-translations intently.
“Daiyu, I want you to be honest. Well, I think you always are. You don’t seem a liar, you’ve too much pride for that.” Eri continued. “You’ve said you want to be Akio’s Dao Companion. That’s like marriage, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Daiyu agreed. “Though…” she paused, unsure of how to say what she wanted.
“It’s all right.” I sighed. “Eri is right. I need to be clear. I’ve largely stopped feeling guilty about polygamy now. I genuinely believe I can make those I love happy. Whether that’s arrogant or not I don’t much care. But what I do worry about is whether I’m splitting myself too thin. That’s one thing I can’t change, there’s only one of . To think I’d be surrounded by a lot of gorgeous won and girls who seem to want , despite all of you already. It makes uncertain. So… we need to be clear, Daiyu. Though whatever happens, I’ll protect and help you, and get you enough Spirit Water to improve your Foundation. You don’t have to do anything but reach your potential, and use your gifts for the good of the world, Japan and your Sect.”
“That’s not being clear.” Eri said. “Though it’s very like you.”
“I shall speak. Eri, you are right. Dao Companions are a sacred bond. Not every Cultivator finds a Dao Companion they can share their lives and Dao with. But there is no greater comfort or joy. Love breaks, couples separate, but our Dao, they endure.”
“Not ours, it doesn’t break.” Eri disagreed. “That’s part of the issue. Akio, I’d be really sad if you were the sort of man who slept around, looked at girls lightly. But conversely, it ans that you end up too passive, led into things. That’s bad too. I thought that after Shiro, you’d got better, but there’s still problems. You believe that every woman now you accept will stay with you forever. And we all intend to. But we never know the future. So of us could die, or fall out of love. Not .” She insisted. “But you have to prepare for that.”
“I have.” I sighed. “I know it isn’t fair, having all you girls and demanding faithfulness. Well, I guess that’s just how n are. How I am, anyway. I’m hardly an expert in romance. But then, you and Shaeula both told that being so pathetic about it just hurt everyone, and deaned you all, and your resolve and feelings.”
“And she’s right. I’m right.” Eri agreed. “We’re not idiots falling for you for no reason. Sure, so reasons were perhaps less sensible that others, but we’re all our own people, and we chose this, chose you. But Akio… we have to accept reality. Not everything in our lives are perfect. Look at right now. You think I want to be like this? But life is about making an effort, right? I’m not a passive, clingy girl anymore. Because if I was, eventually I’d end up alone. We’re not normal. Our paths go beyond what we could have imagined before. So, Daiyu…” she continued her questioning.
“Don’t you think that this talk of Dao Companions and Dual Cultivation are just ways to pressure Akio into accepting you?” she narrowed her eyes.
“I disagree.” Daiyu said imdiately. “In fact, I am a little affronted. I genuinely believe that Akio is the one for . You are not a Cultivator, you do not understand our ways, our Fates. I am in awe of his skills, his drive to improve. I have always been a prodigy, respected by others but never liked. Even the rare few others who broke Foundation Realm at my age were behind in skills. I never… I never had sobody I could compete with earnestly, research with, share triumphs and failures with. Then, in my lowest point, when I was alone in a foreign land, my Sect destroyed, I t Akio. And I knew. He was the one I did not even know I was searching for.”
“So, it’s all about power, this Dao of yours then?” Eri pressed, and Daiyu shook her head.
“Perhaps in the past it would have purely been about that. Cultivation was my all. I certainly would never have considered Dual Cultivation, considering it beneath .” She paused, face pink. “I confess, it is a Technique that was much derided in Kunlun, and that stigma has persisted through to this day with the new Great Sects, even though it is wildly efficient in allowing males and females to share their Qi, especially Yin and Yang. But often those who take this path are those who struggle with other Techniques, or those that have a promiscuous nature. Most do not have a Dao Companion, that deep connection.”
“So why you then?” Eri asked. “I can’t believe you are one who isn’t skilled enough to use other Techniques. You are a prodigy after all. Or is it you just felt you had to offer sothing?”
“No.” she shook her head as I watched the two converse via my translations. They were very different people, Eri a largely ordinary girl, who had accepted the absurdity of our lives to get what she wanted, and Daiyu, an ascetic, disciplined, dedicated martial artist who already knew the impossible, hidden side of the world. I have accepted Daiyu as soone to protect. Dao Companions… well, that’s perhaps another matter. “I am not interested in bribes. Though I confess that strengthening each other is a welco prospect.” She smiled then, a full, genuine one. “I wish my Dao Companion to be strong, and kind. I am not promiscuous, I have never really considered romance, up until I lost everything. Now… I seek a family, no, closer than that. Really…” she reached out a hand, touching my cheek, and I didn’t stop her. “I do not see why you lack so much confidence. You do not believe I could like you so soon, do you?”
“Well, he doesn’t see himself objectively.” Eri agreed. “I get it. I liked the modest, self-effacing Akio, even if it frustrated . It matched my personality better, but it also stopped us getting together. It took Shaeula rocketing into our lives, spreading her confidence, to change that. But Akio’s confidence is a fragile thing. Though recently it is starting to bloom.” As Daiyu stroked my face gently, tenderly, her dark eyes eting mine, I really considered her.
“Hinata was thrilled you stood up for her and your rights with the nobility. I know you like win-wins, even wins where you lose a little so that both sides profit in the end. And that extends to your relationships as well. Else you never would have accepted Hinata, Motoko or Natsumi. Or even .” Eri’s smile was bitter. “It’s hard changing how you see soone, and I was always another younger sister to you. Not anymore though.” she said proudly to Daiyu. “I won my war, Akio sees as a woman he loves, and the sa goes for the others. You… you need to step over that gap.”
“I genuinely wish for you.” Daiyu reiterated. “I never saw my Dao Companion, if I even thought of him, having other Companions, wives. But… as I have said before, I accept it. It is not like I do not know what you are, what is expected of . I find you handso, kind, supportive, intriguing… my chest feels tight when I look at you, and you make feel safe, despite the desperate battles we have fought together.”
“Well, most of that is likely because of what you’ve suffered.” I told her, and she agreed, both hands on my face now, holding , looking deep into my eyes.
“Of course. But we are what we have endured. After all, those that cannot endure will shatter, and their Dao shall break. However my feelings ca about, they are true. I… I wish to be with you. Do you not desire , like ? What can I do to make you like , want ?”
“Not just Daiyu. It’s ti to get things sorted.” Eri sighed. “Daiyu, I appreciate your honesty. I support you. I think that you’d fit in with us. We could be your family. I never saw myself being so open, not when I railed against Shaeula so, but that was jealousy, uncertainty. I was just insecure. Now I know that Akio will always love , spend the long life Shaeula has promised with , with us.”
Daiyu nodded, releasing my face, a touch regretfully, I thought, the lingering warmth of her hands on my cheeks.
“Yes, Akio, you’ve been rotten to Kana-chan. You rejected her in such a half-assed way it hurt to see. And you keep giving her hope. I get you don’t understand why she likes you, which makes it hard for you to consider her in turn. But forget that. I understand her quite well. She was protecting herself with a false, selfish shell her whole life. It’s hard being pretty, I know that. I hid from others, she presented a wall. Sure, she’s a bit of an annoying girl at tis, but I know… her interest in you isn’t just for what she can get anymore. She’s like Aiko. She wants to forge her own path, but a path you’ll respect, be proud of. She’s a fool, but aren’t we all?”
“I know. It’s just so hard to understand…” I complained.
“No, it’s easy to understand. It doesn’t matter why. Kana-chan likes you. So… what matters is how you feel about her. But I think I’m approaching this wrong. Ugh, I wish Shaeula was here, she’s good at explaining these sorts of things.” Eri rubbed her eyes tiredly with her good hand. “I really never thought I’d have to play matchmaker for you, Akio. It should be a bitter feeling, but I find I’ve already accepted this. We’ll try another approach.”
Yeah, I know I have to sort Daiyu’s status. I get that. But… no, Eri’s right. I have been pretty awful to Kana. But I do know why… “All right. I get it. This might be a good ti to hash everything out. But I have tried, haven’t I?”
“Yes, you have. But I still find it hard to scrape up any sympathy for you.” Eri smirked. “If you wanted an easy life, you should never have left Nishimorioka and just married . We’d have had a quiet life, I’d be a housewife, you’d be in a modest job. We’d be poor and happy, having a couple of children, a boy and a girl maybe, and we’d have to look after Aiko too, she’d be no good without us.” she sighed. “I could have loved that life. But that’s not the one we got. Instead, I’m going to love this one. But you have to resolve yourself as well. I don’t want you to be the sort of man who accepts girls recklessly, strings them along. Either take them or reject them. Don’t be like that trash that was hovering around Aiko back in Nishimorioka. You’re better than that.”
Ugh, like Kenji-san, huh? No, I never want to be that sort… “You’re right.” I admitted. “I’ve been selfish.”
“Well, being selfish is fine. We’re all selfish, and you’ve earned a little selfishness. But do it right.” Eri sighed. “So Yae-san, Rika-san. Do you want to go out with either of them? Well, Yae-san would say she was your first date, and it annoys that’s technically true, but nothing happened there, did it?”
“No. it didn’t.” I promised. “It was just showing a younger girl a good ti, like I would for Aiko. Just so dinner and a little gift. As for dating them…” No, they’re nice enough and friends of my sis and Eri, but I don’t know them that well. They feel like friends or younger relatives, not anything more.
“Or Kana-chan’s friends and the other shrine maidens?” Eri pressed, not letting sidestep the tangled web of relationships I was weaving.
No, I an, they all seem to be good girls, and I feel rather guilty towards Hotene-san and Keomi-chan, since they got so hurt and traumatised, but… I don’t really have any interest in them that way. I want to see them grow, flourish, but… that’s all. Shaking my head, Eri smiled in triumph.
“Now we are progressing. We went through this before, where you told us the truth, about wanting Shiro, despite already having us. That was good. But you’ve been backsliding, and as first wife, I should be the one to talk to you about it. So, how about Karen-chan, or Haru-san?”
“Karen-chan huh? It wouldn’t feel right. I’m her employer, and she’s had a bad ti with her previous employer and harassnt. She likes her career now. No.” I shook my head. “As for Haru-san, that’s worse. You know how she’s suffered. I could never betray her trust like that, I respect her too much for that. I’ll not do anything that’ll jeopardise her newfound happiness.”
“Hmm.” Eri looked at , thinking. “All right. Interesting. Well then, what about Tsukiko-san?” she said, and I paused at that, rembering her death, the kiss she snatched, the look she gave .
That… Tsukiko-san… how do I feel about her? She was beautiful and tragic and heroic, and she deserved happiness, so much so that most of my struggle in Kyoto had been designed to save her life. I had been prepared to marry her, even if it was a sham, but instead, she had given a great gift, part of her identity. “I…” my mouth closed as I confronted it, really thought about it. “… the thought of her being unhappy, of not being rewarded, it makes angry, unhappy. I am determined to make sure she returns and that she lives the life she wants. I have to admit… she’s truly gorgeous too, almost unreal. Shiro’s as beautiful, but Shiro feels alive, vivacious, whereas Tsukiko-san is epheral, sohow sad. I hate that.”
“Of course you do. Daiyu, what do you think?” Eri asked.
“That sounds rather like love to .” Daiyu agreed with Eri. “You wish for her happiness, you desire her, find her beautiful.”
“No, it’s not love, it’s sympathy.” I shook my head.
“And you don’t imagine holding her, soothing away her tears? Akio, you’re deliberately evading the truth again. For you, love is rooted in sympathy and compassion a lot of the ti. It’s sothing I feel bad about, but I’ll never regret. But that’s not all. We’ll continue. How about Princess Mikasa?”
I nearly choked at that. “Why Yukiko-san?”
“Well, firstly, calling her Yukiko-san is pretty suspicious.” Eri snorted wryly. “But more importantly, Shaeula and Shiro are two of these Six Princesses Tsukiko-san told you about, right? Two is a bit early to be a pattern, but I’m still wary you’ll end up with the others too.”
“Honestly, I really don’t know her all well. I’ve even spoken to Daiyu a lot more, but I liked her. She’s a bit quiet and withdrawn, except when she’s with Tsukiko-san, and I know she worries about the burden of her role as Amaterasu’s Chosen, as well as being Imperial Princess, but when I’ve talked to her we’ve got on quite decently. I think we can be friends, and we’ll have to spend more ti together as ti goes on, in both the Boundary and the political sphere.”
“All right. I get it. Well, how about Moira and those two flirty elves?”
More? All right… “Well, I find Soliteare and Bellaera a bit… ugh, too pushy. I feel like they are eying up like at on a grill. Don’t get wrong, they’re gorgeous, but…their pursuit is a bit off-putting, and I’m not into more arranged marriages. Moira, I like her a lot. She’s all business, competent and a career woman. She’s easy to talk to as well. And the fact she has no interest in is almost relaxing…”
“Yes, the pieces are coming together now, wouldn’t you agree?” Eri said to Daiyu, who giggled a little.
“I see why you are asking all these questions. Making him think, making him analyse. It is a very Cultivator-like mindset.”
“So, onto the big question. What do you think of Kana-chan and Daiyu?” Eri said at last. “And I’m asking about what you think, not why you think they might or might not like you, or have any reason to.” She paused, looking at earnestly. “If I seem like I’m pushing you, I’m sorry. But… I feel like I’ll lose my place if I don’t. I’m your first, I understand you better than anyone else. I know it! You’ve largely stopped making those comnts about how you’re a sinful man or a cheat, which is good. They piss off. But… you still don’t understand the hearts of won.”
“Yes. To say that I do not know you well enough or have good enough reason to wish you as my Dao Companion is quite the insult to .” Daiyu agreed. “And to yourself. It is disastrous to be arrogant and overestimate oneself, but equally poisonous to the soul to be too humble. Accept the truth about yourself, and you can understand others.”
Wise words. “Fine. We’ve co this far. Kana… obviously we’ve not known each other long, but I’ve spent a decent amount of ti working with her. When we first t… I thought she was very pretty. And I liked her confidence.”
“Arrogance. She was so irritating when I first t her.” Eri grimaced. “So prickly and self-important, and so fake. But…”
“… well, I’m not a girl, so I don’t see these things. But what I do see… she’s gone from a girl who only wanted to play around to one that works very hard, far beyond what I could reasonably expect from her. She’s shouldered the burden of being a Chosen, and despite my blunders that almost ruined her, with the yakuza… she’s never blad for that. I respect her a lot, and she’s fun to be around, her humour reminds a bit of Aiko’s.”
“So… you like her?” she pressed .
“I do. But… is that enough? She’s not like Hinata or Motoko, she…” I paused as Daiyu shook her head, disappointed. Eri echoed her.
“We said you shouldn’t worry about her choices. Not every girl you like has to be a damsel in distress, or need you to solve all her problems. Nor do you have to think about carrying their entire life. Say you t Kana-chan in a normal world, a normal café, and you hit it off… could you see yourself dating her, if she was interested?”
A normal world. Say I was out with my sis, and we ran into Kana. We talked, we hung out… she confessed she liked … sobody I didn’t know, didn’t feel responsible for… “I maybe wouldn’t have refused, back before all this. I’d have certainly thought about it.” I admitted, and Eri nodded.
“Of course not. I happen to think I’m prettier, but… I confess, not by much. Others might disagree as well.” Eri gave her a complint. “More to the point, you need her in your life.”
“Why?” I asked, and Eri sighed, exchanging a long glance with Daiyu. Why do I feel like I’m having to translate a long serious of lectures and complaints about ? Oh well…
“Because you need a girlfriend who is fun, not tied down by emotional baggage. One who you don’t jump to marriage, shouldering her whole life. Kana-chan likes you, but she doesn’t need you. You see that as a negative, but I think it’s far from that. Just… hang out sotis, go on dates, talk and have fun. And if in the end it doesn’t work out, well, you still have us, and Kana-chan will always have the mories.”
“That’s unfair to her. I plan to treat everyone equally...” I protested, though her words did resonate with . Kana’s relaxing to be around. I don’t feel stressed when with her or her friends, but with Kana it’s easy, comfortable. That’s probably why I’ve been unfair to her. I liked what we have now and didn’t want that to change, to have to shoulder her life. Despite that, I’ve already changed her life, made her a Chosen. I was wrong. “… but, everyone is different, aren’t they?”
“As long as we can each believe you love us the most, whether it’s true or not, we’re happy. I think Kana-chan would be happy to win you. People don’t change so easily. It’s why she won’t go any further in asking you out like we did. She’s said she likes you, but she wants to be like Shiro, one you chase. That would validate her pride and her sense of selfishness. She doesn’t need you to carry her whole life, though she does need you to like her. In the end, I know you better than anyone, I’m sure of it. And I know you like Kana-chan.”
“Well…” my argunts against it were rather hollow. Legally, we had changed the law. I could date and marry freely. Eri and Shaeula supported Kana, and I myself was rather fond of her. It wasn’t love, though I liked her a lot, and was genuinely attracted to her great figure and looks, and her personality was so easy and fun, the sort boys liked, as Eri would say… I didn’t love Hinata at first, but I let her parents pressure into marriage. Now I’d kill for her. Motoko and Natsumi too. I like Kana now a lot more than I liked them at the ti… “…I have been unfair to her. Shit. Well, I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“That’s true. So, what are you going to do?” Eri pressed.
“I’ll ask her out. Properly. No pressure.” I promised.
“Good. Don’t jump straight to marriage like you did with us. Though I expect it’ll end up that way in the end.” Eri rolled her eyes. “Now just hope you haven’t upset her so much she turns you down. If she does, I’d laugh at you having missed your chance. But it won’t happen. Tell her what you like about her, like you told us, and she’ll be thrilled.”
“All this and we still haven’t addressed the main point.” I scratched my head, embarrassed. But I actually feel better, oddly enough. It has felt strange, Kana being so clearly into , the way our relationship was going. I have to rember that I fought to change the law just so I could be happy, make my girls happy. What’s one… no, two more? “Daiyu’er, I still think that Dual Cultivation is too soon. But… there’s a lot to like about you. It’s not just sympathy, though I admit Eri’s right, a lot of my feelings seem to be rooted in that. But… objectively, you’re stunning, and you’re brave, dedicated… I’ve already said this. Shit. Daiyu’er, I didn’t say it right before, but if you are sure, and you can accept that I’m a man who will have many loves, so I can only give you your share… then I would ask you to be my girlfriend. I don’t know about Dao Companions, or what it entails, but I’ll learn, and if I think it’s sothing I want to be with you, then I’ll not hesitate.” Okay, I actually feel better. Eri was right. Who am I to judge their feelings? I only need to judge my own.
Daiyu’s smile lit up the room, her eyes shining. She bowed to in Cultivator fashion, before leaning over and giving a kiss on my lips, her face scarlet. It was rather chaste, not a deep one, but even so, I could feel her sincerity. “Finally. Your words are resolute. Akio, I Zhao Daiyu, Matriarch of the Incorruptible Jade, am honoured that you would ask to be yours, as I wish you to be mine. Finally, we can begin to forge our path through the Dao together, seizing power from the Heavens, though…” she looked at Eri, great respect in her eyes. “… not rely for each other. We are a family. We shall strengthen and protect each other, and any others who may join in the future, and our children.”
“Well said.” Eri approved. “Well, it’s obvious that Tsukiko-san will be a part of this. Really, she’s so textbook a girl Akio would love it’s kind of annoying. Well, I can certainly live with it. As for the other answers to his questions…” they exchanged glances and smiled. “… well, we had best report to Shaeula and the others. Really, I don’t want to have to start forming a rota. It’s lucky we’re all so busy…”
Tsukiko-san? Well, I can’t lie to myself. I think about her dying declaration sotis. I don’t know if she will want to find her own path through life, but if she does want to hold our hands… I can’t turn that down. Not now.
********
“Well, this is rather later than planned. We got side-tracked. But…” I said as we were in the Boundary in a comfortable room in one of the kobold-built dwellings. “… Daiyu’er…”
“Call Daiyu. I would be addressed as the others.” She said, tinged pink.
“All right. Daiyu. I still think Dual Cultivation is unnecessary. Just because we are dating now, together, it doesn’t an we have to rush. You’re mature for your age, and yes, you are old enough for marriage, but… you’re still young. It makes feel a little uncomfortable.” Just like with Hinata. I an, a little skinship is fine, but going all the way…
“Such a fool.” Daiyu scoffed affectionately, before grasping my hand in hers. “I have made my decision. Power… power is to be used. I would put the arts to use, even those looked down on with scorn.”
“Yes, well, I get it. You want to be strong. But Akio doesn’t want to risk accidents.” Eri backed up.
“That’s right. It seems you can gain Yang Qi by refining light elent, and if you can’t do that, I can teach you. But more importantly… you helped us out trying to map the differences and similarities in our bodies, and I noticed sothing. Kana gave the last push though. Really…” I used aether to display my own and Eri’s lunar chakras with an illusion of pretty lights. “Isn’t this very much like a Dantian? With Eri’s you can’t really tell, though it increases the aether she can generate and possess within her Astral body, but with mine…” I pointed to all the elents I possessed except wood, which were swirling around and within the lunar chakra, and compared it to the function of Daiyu’s proto-Dantian. “When I push my Eye, I can see there are definitely differences. But the similarities are more striking. So… I wanted us to explore other ways to gain you strength.”
“Why?” Daiyu asked, genuinely puzzled. “It will strengthen , the tags and scrolls were clear. I have no sha, I am not one who will offer my body recklessly. Only to you. There is no reason to reject it.”
Eri had a complicated look on her face. “Akio, it’s not much different to when we first had sex, is it? Thanks to that my body changed, right? Back then we didn’t have Chirurgery, we were doing it the painfully hard, slow way…”
“Behind my back. I’m still a little annoyed about that, though I accept Shaeula was thinking of us all.” I complained.
“Look. It’s just another similarity, right? Lovers’ Link. Through that I’m able to strengthen myself. I can gain levels, and I always draw on a little bit of your strength.” She looked at Daiyu, looking sly. “A little bit of Akio’s strength goes a long way. Besides, I think you’ll know soon. Akio, can you share Lovers’ Link with Daiyu now, the two levels, like you do with Aiko? And can you visualise it?”
“You’re well used to this.” I said, my idea having been similar.
“Of course. I’ve known you forever.” Eri confided pridefully. “But it’s not even that. We’re all learning together, to be stronger.”
I concentrated, and looking at Daiyu, who was now waiting expectantly, her solemn, almost unreadable expression definitely one tinged with excitent, her cheeks faintly flushed, I felt a warmth in my heart that wasn’t just pity and a need to protect her. Really, Daiyu would be a dream girl for many. Strong, proud, beautiful… my gaze strayed to Eri, who snorted, reading my thoughts as she seed to do often.
“I… ugh… I…” she started to weep, and I suddenly embraced her, letting her cry it out.
“You dummy, idiot, moron!” she wailed, heedless of her normal composed appearance. “You put through so much, you made wait. It’s not fair. You’ve always been so cool, when you saved , from then on… I couldn’t see anything else… you made the old farts in the faith kneel, made them look at with respect, our shrine too. I… I saw what the others had and realised I wanted it too. But… you kept … waiting! Made feel bad!” her fists battered . “I felt so wretched when you flirted with , like I was being… shown what I wanted but… couldn’t… ever have…” I stopped her words and tears with a kiss, and then she hugged back, brown eyes peering into mine. As our lips parted, she hiccupped once, before her tears slowly stopped.
“Damn, I must look a fright. I can’t go to school like this. You’ve scrambled my mind, anyway.” Kana protested. Then she visibly gathered herself, her flirty mask returning. “Well, at least I can tell everyone at school I’ve finally got a boyfriend, right? Tonight, at the party… you’ll escort properly, won’t you? You owe that much.”
“Already making demands. Another yandere get.” Shiro laughed. Eri sighed, saying she would allow it, and seeing how it went, Daiyu congratulated her in crude Japanese.
“All right then!” Kana declared. “Just give a minute to wash my face, okay? Uh… I’ll let you tell my dad. Good luck with that!” and with that she darted off, red even to her ears, the soft feel of her lips and the wetness of her tears lingering on my face. Well, the die is cast. But oddly enough, I don’t feel bad at all. Seeing her smile, a genuine one… I was an idiot not to reach out and grasp what was in my sight…
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