An hour later, James sat quietly in a cozy room with Kusano, Saya, Rei, and Jasmine. The atmosphere was calm.
Kusano was sprawled on the floor. She was drawing with colored pencils. Her tongue slightly out. Saya and Rei lounged on the couch and scrolled through their phones.
Jasmine sat nearby, watching them with quiet curiosity. "I forgot to ask... what are those?" she said as she pointed towards the phones. "Everyone here uses them, but I didn't see many when we were in that world when we met. And my world, I've never seen anything like it," she added.
Saya looked up. "We had phones too before the outbreak. But when they attacked, they destroyed most of the infrastructure. Communication collapsed," she responded.
Rei chimed in as she held up her phone. "They're pretty useful. You can play games, talk to people, take pictures and even track locations," Rei said.
Jasmine's eyes widened. "I didn't know they could do all that," she replied.
Rei smirked. "I'm surprised you didn't. You are sharp so you will pick up easily," Rei responded.
"We should get you a phone," Saya added.
Suddenly, James stiffened. He had a vision of a blonde woman dressed in black, her eyes burned with fury. "I've found you," she said. "I will kill you," she added.
The Ultimatrix on his wrist began to glow green. The faceplate started to rotate. James snapped out of the trance and gasped slightly. The glow went away.
"James, are you okay?" Kusano asked as she looked up from her drawing.
Jasmine leaned forward. "You looked like you saw something," she added.
James gave a smile. He looked down to the Ultimatrix. "I'm fine," she said. He stared at the device. It had activated on its own. He thought that was interesting.
He stood up and brushed off his shirt. "Let's go meet Matsu. I have a few questions for her," he said.
He looked out the window and smiled. He thought he was taking it slowly here but maybe that was necessary. He thought too much disruption, and the timeline could fracture. He also thought it was nice to take a few things slowly and enjoy life.
James, Kusano, Rei, Saya, and Jasmine made their way down the corridor to Matsu's hidden room which was tucked behind a false wall. James pushed the wall and the wall opened. They saw a dimly lit room with a mattress on the floor. There was a table and the room was filled with monitors and cables.
"Hi Matsu," James said.
Matsu turned in her chair. She saw Rei and Saya. She thought they had large breasts. Her eyes went to Jasmine who looked elegant. "Hi Matsu," Jasmine greeted. Rei and Saya followed.
"We had a question for you, what is the Sekirei project?" James asked.
"Did you not already tell us?" Rei asked.
"There might be more detail and it is useful to have common understanding," Saya replied.
Matsu nodded. She tapped a few keys, and the monitors started to show maps, profiles, and a central logo: MBI.
"The Sekirei Project," Matsu began, "Is the orchestrated arrival of 108 Sekirei upon Shintou Teitou. It's a survival game, each Sekirei must fight alongside their chosen Ashikabi until only one remains," she said.
"Teitou? This city?" Saya asked.
Matsu nodded. She pointed to a photo of a man in a white suit, smiling unnervingly. "The game master is Hiroto Minaka. The twisted genius behind MBI, a global corporation with reach far beyond what most realize," he added.
"The guy we saw on the TV," Jasmine commented.
Matsu carried on. "As long as Sekirei and Ashikabi remain within MBI's nest—this city—they're trapped in the system," she continued. "There's no escape from the Sekirei Project once you're inside," he added.
Rei frowned. "So it's a cage disguised as a city," she said.
Matsu nodded. "Exactly. Up until now, the goal was to make Sekirei take wing, to bond with their Ashikabi and fight. And now, nearly all have done so," she said as she leaned forward. "Which means the real battle begins," she said. "A battle royale," she added and paused. "Everyone against everyone. The last pair standing receives an incredible reward," she said.
Jasmine blinked. "Battle royale?" she asked.
James nodded. "Free-for-all. Some fight solo, others in teams. But in the end, only one pair survives," he replied.
Rei's expression darkened as she recalled the wounded Sekirei they'd seen. "We won't let Musubi, Kuu, Akitsu, or you end up like that," she said as she clenched her fist.
James smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I won't let that happen," he said.
His hand slipped lower, and Rei gasped as he squeezed her breast. His hand moved up and down and James squeezed it harder. "James," Rei said as she looked red.
"Pervert," Saya commented.
Rei flushed red as she swatted his hand away. She looked a little red however it felt good.
James turned to Matsu and gently took her hand. "If it comes to it, I'll fight to make sure you win too," he said.
Matsu blushed as her fingers tightened around James` hand. "You have confidence in yourself and in those around you," she said. Her eyes went towards James's wrist. "And you're strong. That device… it's not ordinary," she added.
James raised his arm. "It's called the Ultimatrix. It lets me transform into different beings each with unique abilities," he said.
Saya leaned forward. "James, didn't you say you saw something earlier?" she asked.
James nodded. "Right. I had a vision of a blonde woman in black. She said, 'I've found you. I will kill you," he said.
Matsu's fingers flew across the keyboard. "She's reacting to you," she said.
"Reacting?" Saya asked.
"Yes. The more Sekirei an Ashikabi wings, the stronger their bond and the more powerful Sekirei are drawn to them. You've winged four already, James," she said and paused.
Matsu pulled up a profile. A hologram of a blonde woman with long hair, large breasts, and a black dress appeared. "Sekirei No. 09, Tsukiumi," she said.
"That is her," James replied.
Matsu's face turned grim. "This is bad. Very bad," she said. She turned to everyone. "Tsukiumi controls water. But more than that, she's infamous for her hatred of Ashikabi. If she's reacting to James, it's likely wounded her pride deeply," she added.
Jasmine stood tall. "James will help her. He'll show her the beauty of connection," James replied.
Saya rolled her eyes. "That pervert will," Saya replied. She had a smile on her face.
Just then, Akitsu entered the room. Her expression was blank. "James, I drank all the drinks," she said.
Rei gagged. "Those things are repulsive," she said.
Jasmine smiled sweetly. "I'd drink them for James," she said.
Matsu blinked. "Drinks? From that vending machine?" she asked. She thought it was a strange machine.
Saya nodded. "They grant temporary powers. But we're still unsure of the full effects," she replied.
"Interesting," Matsu said. She cleared her throat. "Well, let's get her here. I'll scan the area with my surveillance system. Cameras can catch most things but Akitsu can go where they can't," she added.
"And we use James as bait to lure Tsukiumi in," Saya added.
Matsu nodded. "If a Sekirei comes close, the Ashikabi will react. It's inevitable," she replied.
"Kuu should go with James," Saya suggested.
"Should I do something?" Jasmine asked.
"You and Rei stay nearby, ready in case things go wrong," Matsu replied. She stood and raised a finger dramatically. "Our mission: Do or Die Take Sekirei to Love," she said.
Rei groaned. "That's a terrible name," she said.
Jasmine giggled. "Sounds fun," she added.
An hour later, James and Kusano walked beneath the canopy of a quiet tree-lined street, the sun casting soft golden light across the pavement. Kuu trotted beside them as she cradled a small potted plant in her arms.
"How are you feeling?" James asked as he looked down at Kuu.
"I'm good," she replied with a smile. "I like being outside with you," she added.
James smiled. "I like it too," he responded.
They continued down the road when suddenly, a figure descended from above. "You there," the woman snapped. "You're in my way. Move," she added.
James instinctively stepped forward. He stretched his arms and caught her mid-fall. "Hello," he said as he looked at the striking blonde woman in his arms.
Her eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed. "You monkey," she shouted as she leapt from his grasp. Her heart pounded in her chest. "How dare you touch me! I'll finish you here before I let this body be disgraced," she added.
She raised her palm. "Hydra Blast," she said as a surge of water shot toward James.
He dodged as he skidded to the side. "Hey," James said as he brushed droplets off his jacket.
"James," Kuu called out.
"It's okay, Kuu," he replied. "I've got this. I'm going to convince her to join us," he added.
James stepped forward. He met Tsukiumi's fierce gaze. "I want you to become my Sekirei," he stated.
Tsukiumi's eyes flared. "You, Hydra Blast," she said as another torrent of water surged toward him. James dodged again. He thought of using the Ultimatrix however that was not necessary. .
Her fists clenched. Her heart thudded louder. "Me? Your Sekirei?" she repeated. "Is that truly what you said?" she asked.
"Yes," James said firmly. "You are my Sekirei," he added.
Tsukiumi flushed. "Have you no shame?" she asked.
James grinned. "Shame?" he asked.
"Water Arrow," she shouted as she formed a sleek water projectile and hurled it at him.
James leapt aside. He narrowly dodged the attack. He thought that was close.
Akitsu looked from above at Tsukiumi. "Flying Icicle," she said as she created ice shards in the air around her body. She then launched them at Tsukiumi.
James saw it and lunged forward. He pushed Tsukiumi out of harm's way. They tumbled to the ground.
"Akitsu, it's okay," James called out. He looked down at Tsukiumi. "I'll protect you," he added.
Tsukiumi's heart fluttered. "You… protected me?" she questioned.
James stood and offered his hand. "Always," he responded.
She stared at him. Her cheeks were flushed. "He used his body to shield me," she said. She rose slowly. "You will take responsibility for your words," she added.
"Gladly," James said. "You are my Sekirei," he added.
Tsukiumi's voice softened. "You didn't fear me. You risked your life for me. It's strange… my heart screams resistance, but," she said as she stepped closer. "What is your name?" she asked.
"James Everhart," he replied.
She nodded. "I don't know much about you but I feel we'll understand each other," she said. She placed her hand in his. "Very well. This Sekirei, Tsukiumi, shall gracefully accept your marriage proposal," she declared.
James smiled. "I will," James responded. He was going to marry them all eventually.
Tsukiumi leaned in and kissed him. A blue aura erupted from her body, and the Sekirei crest appeared on her back. Transparent wings shimmered behind her. She thought his lips were good. Her mind was going crazy. She was feeling all sorts of feelings. She then let go.
At that moment, the Ultrimatrix had glowed for a second and then went down.
She touched his chest. "We are now wed," she said. Just then, Kusano ran up and hugged James's leg.
James smiled and patted her.
"So she's your Sekirei now? Fine. I'll overlook the fact that she's a girl because I'm your true wife," she said as her brow twitched adorably.
Akitsu landed beside them. "I'm sorry, James," she said.
James patted her head. "No worries. You did great. She's joined us now" he responded.
Tsukiumi looked at the women. She turned to him. "How many Sekirei do you have?" she asked.
"Including you? Five," he replied.
"James," Jasmine called out as she arrived with Rei. "We came as fast as we could," she added.
Tsukiumi narrowed her eyes. "Who are they?" she asked.
"We're his wives. Part of his harem," Jasmine said proudly.
"Wives?" Rei echoed. She thought it was true. Her heart skipped a beat.
"How many women do you have?" Tsukiumi asked.
"James said five Sekirei," Rei added. "But the harem's probably twenty and counting," she said.
"What?!" Tsukiumi shouted. Her face was red with fury.
James just smiled. He thought life was good.