James, Lois, Saya, and Saeko walked side by side down the road. Saeko had pressed her body against James. Her large breasts touched his arm.
"So what's the deal with that landlady?" Saya asked.
"She's hiding something," Saeko said calmly as she leaned more. "Or she knows more than she lets on," she added.
"Miya?" James echoed as he glanced back toward the Shrine.
"She seems kind," Lois added. "But after everything we've faced, monsters, zombies, robots,I can tell she's not just a regular human," she added.
James smirked. "She's not. Miya is Sekirei Number 01, one of the strongest if not the strongest. She was once the feared leader of the first-generation Disciplinary Squad," he added.
Saya blinked. "I never asked… what exactly is a Sekirei? I know Musubi's one of them," she asked. She remembered James mentioning it a few times.
"They're extraterrestrial super-powered humanoids," James explained. "Enhanced strength, speed, stamina and each has a core," James added.
"A core?" Saeko asked.
"It's the source of their power and life," James said. "When a human partner, called an Ashikabi, activates a Sekirei's powers through a kiss, they become stronger," he added.
Saya narrowed her eyes. "You pervert. So you already kissed her?" Saya asked.
James chuckled. "Well, I could kiss you too," he responded.
"Not now," Saya said as she rolled her eyes. Saeko and Lois giggled.
"Once a Sekirei is winged, they're bound to their Ashikabi and pulled into the Sekirei Plan," James continued.
"The Plan?" Lois asked.
"A battle royale," James said. "Sekirei and Ashikabi together against others to determine a winner," James added.
"What's the point of that?" Saya asked.
"Just the twisted idea of a madman. He wants to kill all Sekirei and choose which one lives. I don't plan on playing that game. We need to gather the key ones before another attack hits us in the dungeon." he replied. James was not too worried since he had Lefi, however back-up is always good.
"Are we going after the key ones now, Danna-sama?" Saeko asked.
James nodded slowly. "Not the key one yet… but she's strong," he responded.
Saya sighed. "Still, if Miya was part of the Disciplinary Squad, doesn't that make her an enemy?" she asked.
"The Squad enforced the rules of the Sekirei Plan," James said. "They terminated any Sekirei or Ashikabi who defied the system or tried to escape," he added.
"So it's a death match… even for those who just want out?" Lois remarked.
James's expression darkened. "Exactly. That's why I plan to beat him, the one behind it all. But not yet," he added. "Miya's different now. She's not winged, but her late husband helped her understand people… and the world," he added.
Lois smiled. "Sounds like another one who might join us," she said.
"She will," James stated. They got closer to the park and saw a woman on the bench. "There," James said.
They all nodded. James and the girls approached her. She had short, light brown hair. Her face had a blank, depressed expression. The Sekirei mark was on her forehead. She wore a white garment with long, flowing sleeves in a similar make to a kimono. The cutout for her head was lined with black fabric. It had a very low V-cut that showed off nearly a third of her chest and stopped at her upper stomach. A black obi with a bow in the front secures the shirt tightly against her body. She has grey chains in her ensemble, which were used to bind her clothes together above her breasts, while the other set loops around her neck and then extends down between her cleavage. Her eyes are brown.
"Hello, I am James, are you okay?" James asked. He knew the answer but he had to play along. "It is dangerous to be out here like this," he added.
"I have nowhere to go?" she replied in a cold expression.
Saeko and Saya looked at her. They both could see she was hurting.
"There is somewhere for everyone and since you have no one, come with me," James responded as he extended his hand. "I will protect you and take care of you," he stated.
The woman felt her heart beat skip. She looked up and saw a man. He had muscular arms, a broad chest, and strong, prominent elbows. He was about 6 feet tall. His legs were long and had muscles on them. He had a chiseled abdomen adorned with a set of six-pack abs. He had black black hair and black eyes. She blushed a bit. "A Ashikabi," she said.
"Come with us," James said once more.
Saeko approached her. "I am Saeko, this is Saya and Lois," Saeko said. "Danna-sama is not lying, he will protect you," she stated.
"I am Akitsu," Akitsu responded as she extended her hand toward James. Her fingers trembled slightly.
James looked into her eyes. He could see she was hurt. She had been through a lot. Without hesitation, he reached out, took her hand, and pulled her gently toward him.
Their bodies closed the distance. He leaned in. He could see her beautiful face. He went forward.
Their lips met. The moment ignited like a spark catching dry air. A pulse of energy surged between them. Akitsu felt the raw, ancient power surging inside her. She thought this was not possible. Akitsu's eyes widened as warmth flooded her chest, her core responded for the first time.
Suddenly, her body glowed with a soft, icy blue light. Crystalline patterns shimmered across her skin, and from her back, a pair of translucent wings burst forth. They were elegant and jagged like frozen glass, edged with frost.
"It is beautiful," Saya remarked.
"Very pretty," Lois added.
The air around them chilled. There were snowflakes swirling gently.
Akitsu felt his lips. They felt soft. She gasped and pulled away gently. Her breath was visible in the cold aura surrounding her. She looked down at her hands, then back at James.
"I… I've been winged," she whispered as she took a step back.
James smiled. "You're not alone anymore," he responded with a smile. She thought how was it possible. At that moment, the Ultrimatrix had glowed for a second and then went down.
Saya, Saeko and Lois noticed it.
Akitsu got on her knees. "This is the ice of my pledge. Shatter the misfortunes of my Ashikabi!" she said as her body glowed one more time.
"You pervert," Saya remarked.
"We are attracting a lot of attention," Lois said, looking around at the people.
"Let us go," James said. Akitsu was on her feet. They all looked at each other and nodded as they made their way out and back to the Shrine.
From the distance, a slim teenage boy of average height with brown hair and hazel eyes looked at them leaving. He had white and gold formal attire. He had white boots. "We were late," he said in an annoyed voice.