(Nanami P.O.V)
I have found him. My Ashikabi-sama. My Ashikabi-sama is a very wonderful boy. He's nice, caring, warm, loving and he always has a smile for me, even if it is timid. I think my Ashikabi-sama is a shy boy. And his Onee-sama is a nice girl. We spent until visiting hours ended with her.
We then started walking towards the stairs so we could leave the hospital. I haven't a clue as to what we are going to do now but as long as I'm with Hidaka-sama, I don't care what we do.
As we reached the stairs, my Ashikabi-sama faced me with an adorable smile.
"Nanami-san, I have to go to work now. So, erm… I guess you are going to follow me huh."
My Ashikabi-sama has a job? He's only 16. What kind of work could Ashikabi-sama have? Does he work at some local restaurant? Does he work in a candy shop because he is so sweet?
As I was thinking about it, my Ashikabi-sama offered me a heartwarming smile. The smile made my face heat up slightly at how caring it was. Ashikabi-sama is a caring person and I know that. It's only been a few hours but I know that Ashikabi-sama and I will become… lovers soon. Even if we didn't meet in a good way.
"I guess you might find it strange but I work as a waiter of sorts. It's kind of a cross between a waiter and a host at one of 'those' types of clubs. I cosplay as a Neko-waiter!"
He seems really happy about it. I can actually feel his happiness through our bond. I wonder if he can feel my happiness through the bond? I'm happy by just being so close to him. Being near him. Being so close to Hidaka-sama is such a nice feeling...
"Why do you have a job like that, Hidaka-sama? If you don't mind me asking, that is."
I hope he doesn't mind me asking. No, Hidaka-sama wouldn't mind me asking about such things. He would encourage me to ask questions, I think. Yes, I believe that he would encourage me to be my own person like he wants me to be.
"That's the only job I could get Nanami-san. I mean, if you look at me, you see a 12 year old. I look like a 12 year old, and not many people would hire a 16 year old, much less one that looks like a 12 year old. Plus I'm not that good with interacting with people, but I try my best when I'm at work. I have to pretty much be the opposite of who I usually am and try my best."
"But, Hidaka-sama. Why do you work at all? Aren't you still in school?"
He nods which confuses me even more. So he's still at school yet works as a waiter-host? Why would he have too? I don't really understand.
"I have to work Nanami-san and I am still in school. You see, it's only me right now. Onee-chan is in hospital and I don't have any other family so I have to work, go to school and visit Onee-chan whenever I can to cheer her up. I guess I am a little busy but I can handle it. I have to handle it because the money that pays for Onee-chan's hospital bills is the money our parents left us. And I don't want to be selfish by taking that away. I… don't want to lose Onee-chan ever. I want to be with Onee-chan for as long as humanly possible. Sh-She's my only family after all."
So… he does all of that, for his Onee-sama? He works, goes to school and comes to visit his Onee-sama who is in the hospital when he must be truly exhausted from doing all of that. And to be on his own… no. I am his Sekirei so I will always support him!
"Hidaka-sama..."
"Hmmm? Is something wrong, Nanami-san?"
"N-No. I was just thinking about how amazing you are. You do all of that and still have a smile for everyone. Even for someone like me when I..."
He chuckled a little in my direction. I thought that it was a little cute.
"Naw, don't flatter me like that. I'm not doing anything special Nanami-san. I just do what's necessary to survive. But never mind that now. Come on, I will treat you to a meal, on the house of course since I work there, hehe."
T-Treat me to a meal? Ashikabi-sama is going to treat me to a meal.
"Really Hidaka-sama?" I asked as we started going down the stairs. He beams up at me and tilts his head.
"Yup! Since you are… well, I guess the word is my Sekirei, I will have to treat you to a meal. But, I don't want to think of you being mine. I want you to be your own person. Don't think you belong to me, alright? I don't know if it would be good if you thought about it like that. Just say that we are… friends. I don't own you and you don't own me. We are partners after all."
I gained teary eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck! He's so nice! I can't believe the luck! I got the best kind of Ashikabi-sama!
"N-Nanami-saaaaaaaaaaaaan! Y-Your boobs are being pressed into my f-face again!"
I looked down to see… him blushing up at me so cutely. His bottom lip is trembling. Is Ashikabi-sama not used to hugs like this? Uuuu, that isn't good! I will just have to hug Ashikabi-sama even more than a normal Sekirei would hug their Ashikabi-sama!
"Ooh, I'm sorry Ashikabi-sama."
"N-No, it's fine. You are the excitable type huh. Say, can I ask you a question once we get outside Nanami-san?"
I nodded and let go of him. We then continued down the stairs until we had reached the bottom. We exited the stairway and went towards the entrance, passing by various people who were visiting either relatives or friends.
But I have to wonder. What kind of illness does Hidaka-sama's Onee-sama have? Is it really serious? I don't know if I should ask Hidaka-sama or not. Would it be rude if I asked him about it? Would he not want to talk about it with me?
We walked out of the hospital. Then Hidaka-sama turns to me.
"Nanami-san. Is it possible to have more than one Sekirei?"
"Y-Yes, it is possible, why do you ask?"
"I was just curious about it. It's just what Minaka said before. About there being 108 Sekireis out there, and you said something about me being a kind Ashikabi. Are there Ashikabis that are bad?" He asked me as we started walking to… where he works apparently. I can't wait to see where my Ashikabi-sama works! It will be really good to see him in action!
"There are bad Ashikabis. Ashikabis are humans and as you know, there are bad humans and good humans. And Sekirei are the same. There are bad ones and good ones. I'm a good Sekirei but I've met bad ones. Like No. 16. She just wishes to get ahead in the game. I never want to fight unless I have to." I told Hidaka-sama my honest feelings. I don't want to fight. I don't like fighting but if I have to fight for Hidaka-sama then I will fight to the last breath leaves my body. I just want to be with Hidaka-sama forever.
"I see. Then what if a Sekirei gets winged by a bad person? Do they have to stay winged to that person? Or is there a way for someone to break the bond… I am right in saying those terms, right?"
I gave a big nod with my head at his question. Well, one of his questions anyway. He is wrong about what he said but the terms he used were correct.
"Yes, you are right Hidaka-sama in those terms. But once a Sekirei has been bonded to an Ashikabi, there isn't a way for the bond to be broken. And it doesn't have to be a mutual agreement either. Like when I kissed you. You didn't consent but I still got winged. And the reverse is also true. If an Ashikabi kisses a Sekirei, then that Sekirei will become emerged, whether they want it or not."
"Oh, I see. That… isn't there a way at all?"
"If we win the game, then maybe we could?" I suggested.
"Winning the game huh. Wouldn't that involve taking out other Sekirei? No, I don't want you to do that. Let's just enjoy what we do together… ehehe, I just thought of something. If you are bonded to me, does that mean that we are actually… you know, boyfriend, girlfriend?" He said while a massive blush crawled its way onto his cheeks. Hidaka-sama is blushing at me right now? It's really cute! But if I think about it, then even my own cheeks are burning because of what he just said. Yes, thinking about it, we are d-dating...
"Y-Yes, if you want to be that is. Some Sekirei Ashikabi pairings don't date. But some do. It all depends on the person. B-But I'm completely devoted to Hidaka-sama."
"Totsuka." He pointed to himself and said his first name. Eh? What was that all about?
"Hidaka-sama?"
"No, don't call me Hidaka-sama. I don't think it's personal enough. If you are… whatever you are to me now. You should be on the first name basis and I guess that you don't have a last name so I'm already on a first name basis with you."
"S-So, I can call you Totsuka-sama without reservation then?"
"Y-Yes, you can call me that. Although you don't have to add sama to my name."
"B-But I must! To...Tot...Totsuka...Totsuka-sama is my Ashikabi-sama and I must show Totsuka-sama the proper respect! I want to take care of Totsuka-sama!"
He shook his head at me. But he doesn't understand. Totsuka-sama is my Ashikabi-sama. If I didn't find Totsuka-sama then I would still be on the run from No. 16. I don't want to be on the run anymore. I wish to spend my life with Totsuka-sama.
"Heeee, Nanami-san sure is strange. But if that makes you happy. Now come along because I'm going to be late for work."
"Okay Totsuka-sama!"
So Totsuka-sama and I went towards his work! I really can't wait to see Totsuka-sama's workplace. I wonder what it's like? Is it big? Is it a small family place? Well, I will find out soon enough!