Chapter 184 - My SI Stash #84 - Mockingbird by Drogoth (Sekirei) (2/2)

I blinked bemusedly at such frank and offhanded response.

Oh-kayy?

Well she's certainly honest one, I'll give her that...

I swear if this was an anime I would be sweatdropping right about now at her remark... And I immediately felt like facepalming as I processed that thought through.

Right, I'm currently LIVING one...

”You... feel weird...” *cue eye-twitch* The corner of my lips was curving into a strained smile. Yes, I HEARD you the first time and—

”And—” She cut me off with my thoughts...

Oi...

”...you smell...”

EXCUSE ME!?

I begun to sputter incoherently and let me tell you, if I had screamed that out loud there would've been one heck of a raise in the pitch of my voice... Though seriously how the hell does someone who I know for a fact wasn't even trying to be insulting (at least not intentionally), could kick one's self-esteem off a cliff and right down to the bottom with barely even a sentence!?

The fact she's being honest with herself made it feel ten times worse!

It is like my high-school years all over again! Oh crap... Now I started to feel depressed here just from the reminder...

”...Like a Sekirei...”

”Que?” With that tidbit any sense of depression that was about to form got immediately replaced by honest confusion and the sheer incredulity of her statement caused me to fall into my odd habit of ”When in doubt go Spanish” namely me blurting out Spanish one-word queries despite me being a Finn in origin...

For a moment I just stood there slack-jawed like an idiot before I finally shook my head to clear my mind, before refocusing my attention on the Ice woman. ”M-mind repeating that?” I mean I had to hear that part wrong or simply misunderstood the context somewhere in-between... Albeit her sentence earlier being less than 10 words long...

Anyhow as I asked that; Akitsu actually broke character, for how her practically permanent blank expression got replaced with a God to honest frown as she tilted her head . ”Ah... You feel... weird... You feel... and smell like Sekirei...”

My eyes widened at that. Okay so I didn't mishear her statement earlier... Still, feel and smell like Sekirei? The hell does that mean? I'm like, super confused right now... Though on the sidenote I was now kinda curious about Sekirei actually recognizing their kin through scent. I have a fairly decent knowledge of Sekirei canon (as far as the animated series went), but that particular trait is news to me...

”And yet...” Akitsu's cold tone brought me off of my musings as I refocused my attention back to her, watching as she narrowed her eyes at me, though whether that stare was that of judgement or curiosity I couldn't tell... ”At the same time... you are not...” Her frown deepened, though this time I have a pretty good guess it was out of confusion this time... ”...Why?” She finished her piece, a brow raised with her head tilting to the opposite side this time... Seriously the way she's doing that reminds me so much of a curious bird... The irony of it was not lost to me either...

Anyhow, seeing as she's waiting for my response, so better not repeat my moment of SASLI (Stand And Stare Like an Idiot) from before and go with an honest approach. ”Uhm... Not sure if I can really answer that...” I told her. I seriously had no idea what the hell she's talking about...

Akitsu blinked, tilting her head straight. ”Ah... I see...” With a nod she turned away and went back to staring at the ground.

...

Wait, that's it!?

Oi oi oi oi! Don't go back to ignoring everything and leave a man hanging here! What do you mean I feel (or smell) like a Sekirei!? I have so many questions right now! If the ROB (or whatever the hell those omnipotent beings, that turns random people into fanfic-based Isekai characters, are called) had tampered with my body (beyond my animefication (which I'm pretty sure is not even a word...)) I'd like to know!

”Anoo, Anesan(2)?” Uwaah... now that I became conscious of it; it feels bizarre as all hell to feel my lips instinctively spout out words in a language different to that what is simulated inside my head! As if there was some kind of translation filter installed between my brain and mouth... ”If it isn't too much to ask... What exactly do you mean by that? What do you mean I feel like a Sekirei? I mean, the last I checked I was a hundred percent human being...” As I asked that, I took a seat beside her on the rim of the stone-crafted fountain (to her left), though I made sure there was a respectable distance between us.

I'm well aware the manner I'm intruding her personal space without permission in advance can be considered rather inconsiderate, but in her current state of mind I very highly doubt she'd be willing to even give a single damn about anything happening around her, much less someone taking a seat next to her...

So with that being said; so long I'm not giving her the reason to ice me (in this case quite literally) and keep my hands to myself; I should be alright.

As I made myself more comfortable (leaning forward with my forearms resting against my knees), Akitsu gave me a short, uncaring side-glance before she hefted her shoulder in a barely noticeable shrug and went back to staring at the ground before her... Splendid, the mood went from awkward staring contest to awkward ambience between us!

This made me sigh, I suppose that's the best I'm going to get for now—

”You know...”

Akitsu's next words caused me to freeze in my tracks, as I was caught completely off-guard. I turned to her my eyes blinking in honest confusion ”Fueh?”

She gave me another side-way glance. ”You know about Sekirei...”

Uh-oh...

”W-what makes you think that?” I instinctively tried to avoid her question.

Raise of a brow was the only change in her facial expression, as if telling me 'you think I'm stupid?'. ”Your body language told me enough... Ah... And you called me... by name earlier...”

Aw shit... I did let that one slip didn't I... And I know I'm not supposed to know her... not yet at least, considering how she probably only just left from MBI's... care... But then again I have no recollections of whether Akitsu's escape from MBI occured before or after where the anime begun...

Sighing in defeat, I averted my gaze from the woman and nodded.

And through that admittance; from the corner of my eye I noticed how she turned her head to fully address me... Eyes dangerously narrowed and I could immediately tell my next words could easily be my last...

”MBI?” Akitsu accusingly hissed in a very cold tone, making me wince, before I sat straight and dared to meet her gaze... her steel grey eyes showing actual emotion for the first time I met her... Hatred...

Ooooh f_u_c_k...

I swallowed nervously and quickly shook my head in denial, while making placating gestures with both of my hands in a hasty manner. ”N-no! I-I admit I know way more than I frankly should about MBI secrets, including you and your race, but I'm not one of them! I swear, cross my heart!”

The ice woman kept her interrogative stare upon me for what felt like an eternity for me; before her eyes finally softened as her demeanor returned back to aloofness... ”Okay...” She nodded before she faced her front again, gaze downwards.

Seeing I was let off the hook; I placed a hand over my heart as I let out a breath I've been holding to this point.

Jesus F_u_c_k-Mothering Christ that was tense as f_u_c_k!

While I was sitting there doing my best to calm my breathing; interestingly enough it was again Akitsu, who broke the silence between us.

”I don't know...”

”Huh?” I gave her another owlish look, with an eyebrow raised. What she's on about?

The stoic woman once again regarded me with one those side-glances of hers. ”You... you have an odd... Air about you... It is similar to Sekirei's own, but... very vague... As if you're a Sekirei yet to...” I nearly missed it, but I noticed the slightest winces of emotional pain running across her beautiful visage. ”... emerge... But other than that... I can't explain...”

I blinked. ”I-I see...” So she's answering (or at least trying to) the question I made earlier... That's very thoughtful of her despite her situation...

”Ah... You said you're a human...?” Then all of sudden she begun to turn her body towards me to face me properly and this time giving me her full attention... ”No human has such... presence... Which makes me... curious...” By instinct; my eyes slowly trailed slightly downwards and (OH. MY. GOD) immediately felt my face heat up a storm... No doubt imitating a glowing tomato...

Why?

When Akitsu had tilted her upper body my direction entirely; she inadvertently gave me the full front seat view of her big, round, magnificent and glorious OPPAI!

*SMACK!*

I literally punched myself in the face when that particular word somehow surfaced to the forefront of my mind.

To think I nearly went full ISSEI(3) right there for a moment...

I've seen some decent b_o_o_b_s before I got here (both IRL and p_o_r_n) nor did my Ex have anything to really scoff about in her body either, however I can easily testify that Akitsu has hands-down the best pair I've ever witnessed in my life! Both in size and shape!

”Ah... You... okay?” Akitsu's asked with a curious tilt of her head. Though it's kinda funny how she inquires about my health with such aloof tone.

”A-aye... No worries here...” I removed the fist from my face (resting the said limb back on my lap), before I opened my eyes and took another peek towards her, though as I tried to keep my eyes averted downwards to avoid direct sight with her bazoogas... Big mistake since I now instead got the full view of her b_a_r_e, flat abdomen and those luscious h_i_p_s and tights... Luckily (or unluckily depending how you look at it) her sacred flower was hidden between those closed toned legs of hers... But in the end the teasing glimpse only made it more enticing...

*Splurt*

”Ah... blood...” The Sekirei stated with a blink.

”P-physical reaction...” I mumbled out in a dazed tone, as I took a tissue out from one of my pockets (Yup, there was actually a small box of tissues among the crap I left unmentioned before) and wiped my face from the excess blood, before plugging my bleeding nasal canals with a piece of tissue each.

Once I regained my composure. I made sure to face away from her this time as I regarded her. ”Uhm... Akitsu-san? C-could you please cover yourself? I-it's really distracting...”

From the corner of my eye, I saw the woman tilting her head at me again in curiosity, before looking down at her c_h_e_s_t. ”Ah...” She Ah'd as if realizing her puppies were out in the open for the first time, though despite that; there was barely even a twitch in her aloof expression. ”I forgot...”

At her infamous line from the show, my lips quirked upwards from the barely held amus_e_m_e_nt.

”But can't...” Akitsu followed.

I blinked at her, though I kept my gaze away from her lest I start bleeding again... Or feel other unfavorable bodily reactions... ”Why?” I asked of her.

”Too tight...” She replied in her usual deadpan tone.

I blinked in an owlish manner. ”Oh... okay then. Hold on—” With that I quickly pried the jacket I was wearing off of me (leaving me in my long sleeved V-necked black shirt), before I offered it for Akitsu to wear, while closing my eyes. ”Please put this on... It should be big enough to hide your... assets. And I'm sure it's far more comfortable than whatever you're wearing now.”

But after about a half-a-minute with me waiting and still feeling the weight of my jacket over my offered limb; I opened my right eyelid to check and see what's taking her...

Akitsu seemed absolutely taken aback for some reason... As if unable to comprehend me offering my jacket to her. ”Well?” I softly called out, which seemed to succeed in bringing her out of her shocked state.

”Ah... T-thank you...” Did she just stutter? During my musings she reached over for the offered jacket with both of her hands, then held it in front of her to inspect it (I think)... And was it only me or is she blushing a bit... huh?

Then all of sudden she begun shrugging the tattered labs-coat off of her shoulders, making my eyes widen comically, due to her not giving a single f_u_c_k about modesty and that she had an audience of opposite s_e_x right next to her! Being the respectful man that I am; I turned my head and closed my eyes to give her some privacy. While at it; the nose bleed seems to have calmed down by now, so I finally removed the makeshift blugs off my nostrils and threw them away a second after.

Still though, now that my eyes were closed; my other senses got enhanced instead, namely my hearing, and now I found myself solely focusing on the sounds of a girl disrobing right NEXT to me!

*Gulp!*

I'mnotapervert!I'mnotapervert!I'mnotapervert!I'mnotapervert!I'mnotapervert!

After hearing the telltale sounds of a zipper being pulled up; I took a deep breath. ”Y-you decent?”

”Ah... Yes...” With that I sighed in relief before I faced her again... but ended up blushing anyway!

Sure she was more decent than before, but the way my coat's zipper-line was actively straining against her bust (which were only half-covered with the zipper unable to go all the way, exposing the upper portion of her b_r_e_a_s_ts)! Not to mention; with the zipper's bottom end starting just above the mid-t_h_i_g_h region and with Akitsu's very delightful hip proportions; made my coat kind of a tight fit downstairs as well, causing its dark fabric to hug her h_i_p_s in a VERY delicious manner.

While her modesty was at least somewhat covered (albeit barely) with my coat acting as makeshift dress; All-in-all it still was one arousing heckuva spectacle! ”A-Awah *cough* Uhm, y-you comfortable?”

Akitsu nodded mutely, her hands were grasping around the high corners of the coat's collars, before she pulled them against her skin over the neck and cheeks. ”Ah...” She closed her eyes contently. ”Warm...”

*Doki!*

My hear skipped a beat, seeing the heartwarming scene for how content Akitsu's current expression is and I could already feel my face heating up for what had to be like umpteenth time today. Though this time at least it was not out of perverted reasons... Either way I smiled her way in a warm manner. ”Glad you like it. You can keep it on until we can find you some appropriate clothing.”

The Sekirei seemed to tense for a moment before she opened her eyes and turned to look at me (Dontlookatherc_h_e_s_tDontlookatherc_h_e_s_tDontlookatherc_h_e_s_t), blinking in confusion. ”We?”

I raised an eyebrow. ”Well, yes. I can't just leave a beautiful half-n_a_k_e_d lady alone in the streets now can I?” I rhetorically asked, with small grin.

Akitsu's eyes widened quite a margin. ”Ah... b-beautiful... me?” She hesitantly asked.

My grin widened a bit, feeling a bit flirty. ”Who else do you see here.” I replied with a wink. I've never really considered myself a ladies man, hell I've only been in like two relationsh_i_p_s and both of them were rather short-lived in the end. So to witness a woman of Akitsu's caliber to blush in such pretty way from my cheesy flirting skills; I consider that one heck of an achievement!

”...But why... I'm... Ah...!” The Sekirei next to me paused all of sudden, which too brought me out of my self-praising mindset.

”Hm? What's wrong Akitsu-san?”

The said woman didn't respond, and instead (with intrigued look) was staring glaciers (yeah I know that joke is getting old by now) at something around my... crotch area... F_u_c_k did I leave a fly open!?

I snapped my neck down to face my crotch and immediately felt myself paling whiter than a sheet, with my eyes twitching madly...

JUNIOR WHYYYY!?

It was worse than open fly...

”Ah... A tent...”

For my (now not so) little Arata Jr. is being a tad bit too honest again as he is standing full attention and ready to combat, straining against my pants in plain view for a beautiful woman to see... I plugged my nose for like four minutes to prevent the blood from coming out and THAT's the place it decided to go after next to compensate!?

”Ah a-ah phawawa~ T-t-this is—” My voice cracked as I desperately tried to hide my boner with both of my arms, my face burning with shame... ”I-I can e-explain—!” I was about come up with an excuse, but she cut me off... again...

”Ah... you're aroused?”

Someone end me please...

I leaned my face against the palm of my left hand (elbow resting over the left knee) while groaning in utter humiliation. ”Sorry...” I muttered out, with my voice partly muffled by the palm.

”Ah... With...” She seemed to hesitate for a moment. ”me..?”

The sheer hope in her voice made me perk up (my shame replaced with confusion in an instant) as I rose my head from its makeshift (palm) pedestal and addressed the ice lady with curious brow raised.

”Well... yeaahh?” I was admittedly quite hesitant and my words ended up in a drawl, but even so I gave her my honest response. Typically any guy would reply with an immediate denial (or ”F_u_c_k yeah!” in case of the more honest perverts), but I had the feeling that would've do far more damage in this very situation...

”Ah... Why?”

”Huh?” I blinked.

Akitsu frowned deeply, actually biting her bottom lip in an anxious manner. ”I'm... I'm broken... just a scrapped number... I... I can never have an Ashikabi...” One of her hands raised up to prod the red tattoo on her forehead as she told this. Her tone may've been done in a deadpan throughout her sentence, but the utter sadness behind it could be heard practically miles away. It also seems that my own encounter with Akitsu was not excluded to this overused ”I'm broken” dialogue that is used practically in every single Sekirei fanon out there that had Akitsu pairing included... This alone made me want to sigh, but I held myself back, since (as I mentioned just before) I know that any action or word made from here on out will be the deciding factor of our fate in this franchise.

Akitsu then dropped the limb she had on her forehead down to her l_a_p, before she looked up to meet my eyes as if seeking for an answer she's desperately looking for. ”How can you feel arousal with... someone like... me?”

My jaw dropped. Someone like her!? I-is she being serious?

(Luckily even my Jr. could read the mood for once, as it limped down and went back to its standby mode.)

”Akitsu, dear?” I duly raised a brow when her spine practically snapped straight while looking at me in disbelief when I dropped the honorific from her name, while adding the 'dear' remark, but for now I decided to ignore it. ”You... you are aware there is this thing called, physical attraction, right?”

Akitsu blinked at me, then all of sudden her eyes widened before she averted her gaze away from me... ”Ah... y-you're... you're attracted to me?” I honest to God nearly squealed in utter glee for how cute she looked when she's actually acting shy, which is definitely a welcome contrast to her aloof persona.

I then sat up straight and in a rather bold move; I actually reached over with my right hand. Sure there was some hesitance along the way on my part, but I pushed through my courage and gently cupped her cheek. The broken— no not broken; WRONGED Sekirei initially flinched and became very tense from the first physical contact made between us (and likely anyone else before her escape from MBI), but fortunately after few seconds she finally begun to relax and to my surprise (and none too little to my delight) she actually leaned into my touch.

I trailed my fingers very softly along her jawline, grinning a bit when I noticed how her eyes begun to flutter from my touch with her blush spreading. Seeing her reacting positively; my previous hesitation was slowly but steadily being replaced with confidence instead.

Once my fingers had reached under her chin, I lifted it up so we were gazing each other's eyes.

”Yes Akitsu... I... Well... I find you very attractive... incredibly so...” I then averted my eyes, feeling my blush return full force as I removed the hand from her chin (missing the longing gaze Akitsu got from the loss of contact) to use it to scratch the back of my neck (at the base of my ponytail) in a very embarrassed demeanor. ”My reaction... *groan* downstairs back then was pretty much a solid proof of it...” I ended with mumble (not even realizing I inadvertently slipped in a rather suggestive pun at the end...), though I was sure she heard it fine enough.

If this were your typical ”human” girl; I bear no doubts, such admittance would've been rewarded with me slapped silly while being called a perverted pig (at least in cases if we've just met not too long ago).

To be fair I would've liked to complement her cool persona as well, since I did found it cute and endearing, but in the end I thought against it since her cold attitude came likely as a side effect from her self-winging in the first place. So it would not be a good idea to remind her of it, until she at least comes in terms with it to finally move on...

I then cleared my throat. ”In fact would you... Well... I-if it isn't too much to ask... Would you like to be my Sekirei?” As I asked that (albeit with some awkwardness); a big part of my being felt genuinely disgusted with myself, since I felt I was taking an advantage of her when she's at her most vulnerable state and would've likely reached for any sort of comfort (or in case of Mikogami; a substitute Ashikabi as it basically was in the start of canon). But after witnessing Akitsu's stunned expression and after so many emotions went through her eyes; the moment her visage settled into an emotion of barely held happiness and hope; I knew I did the right thing...

While in a way I may have had taken an advantage of her, things considered; resulting myself with an incredibly powerful ally and immensively beautiful love interest in a single package with barely any real effort. However I will swear to myself; I will NEVER abuse this relationship. I WILL do anything to make sure she is dearly cared for and perhaps... even love her in return, given some time...

While I genuinely wish to say that I can love her right off the bat, but alas I'm a mere human and unfortunately humans typically do not fall in love the way the Sekirei do (basically love at first sight moments)... For humans; forming love between two individuals is like growing a tree. They start from a puny seed, which after enough time will spread its roots and once a healthy sapling finally starts peeking out of from beneath the soil; that's where the true maturation of the tree begins. Some grows faster and some grows slower, however just like any living being... deny the tree its nutrients and it will only meet an early end...

Anyhow my point being is that Akitsu deserves better than some half-assed confessions done on the spur-of-the-moment... She has been wronged enough as it is and I would rather cut my own throat than use her (or any other Sekirei) like some disposable toy! (*Cough!*Mikogami*Cough!*Higa*Cough!*)

”Ah... B-but...” Her voice became really shaky now. Likely from the overload of emotion, she couldn't handle. ”I-I'm broken..! J-just a Scrap—” Okay this is where I need to cut in.

”Don't ever call yourself that.” I cut her off in a very stern tone, making the poor woman flinch. While I did not outright shout at her, but there was a noticeable heat in my tone to get my point through. Seeing her flinch, my eyes softened. ”I'm sorry for raising my voice at you Akitsu... But please do not sell yourself short. You are much more than some number to be disposed...” I c_a_r_e_s_sed her left cheek with the back of my knuckles for emphasis of my words. ”In fact, hehe! If anything I'd probably be the luckiest son of a bitch, if you were to accept a nobody like me!” I said that with a hearty chuckle along with a toothy grin.

Her lips were trembling now and her eyes begun to tear up. ”A-ah... y-you want... m-me...?” Even her voice was barely above a whisper...

”That's right Akitsu... While it saddens me I can't become your Ashikabi through the usual means officially, BUT I'd love us to become partners in this wretched game that idiot Minaka had put up for his own sick amus_e_m_e_nt... And... and perhaps something more even somewhere down the road. IF you're willing that is.” I told her softly, while giving her my gentlest smile.

Akitsu shifted on her spot, before she suddenly leaned forward towards me with both of her hands placed against the fountain's rim we're both seated on and gave me the look of absolute determination, all the while she ignored the happy tears flowing down her cheeks. ”Ah... I-I want to be yours... Please, take me with you!” She passionately declared.

I gave her a wide, toothy grin, before I stood up (wincing a bit since stony surfaces were not the bests of seats for your bum for long periods), turned around and offered her my hand in the form of shake. This specific gesture made Akitsu give the offered hand a look of both confusion and curiosity. ”Then, with shake of hands the contract shall be sealed!” I said in a faux professional tone.

Judging by her expression, she seemed to be pondering about something as she stared between my offered hand and my face for few times. Then to my complete confusion; she shook her head. ”No...”

”Eh?” My shoulders dropped as I blinked at her in shock (and some hurt even). Did I mess up somewhere? W-was she having second thoughts about this? But it seems my worries were for naught as all of sudden Akitsu too stood up from her seat, before she encircled both of her arms around my neck, with her face only inches apart from my own (I took a note she was few inches shorter than me). Needless to say I became fl_u_s_tered as I felt my face become hot again. It was also worth the mention her b_r_e_a_s_ts were currently pressing right against me!

WUNDERBAR! NEVER FELT ANYTHING SO SOFT IN MY LIFE!

”A-Akitsu?”

”Ah... Not with a shake... I want to seal it like Sekirei... as YOUR Sekirei... Master...” And then she leaned up and stole my lips.

The moment our lips met I felt intense shivers running across my spine and it didn't take all that long before my instincts took over; I returned the kiss with equal passion, then placed my left and right hand onto her shapely h_i_p_s and upper back respectfully before pulling her half-n_a_k_e_d form even closer to mine, embracing her full-heartedly. And judging by her content m_o_a_ns; she approved of the closed proximity between us.

”Mmh~ Mhah! Ma-master—*kiss*Mmmh~!” Her muffled m_o_a_ns outright torturous just as they were heavenly in my ears; I was actively forcing in my immense urges to simply ravage her right here on the spot!

What started as a chaste, innocent lip lock had already turned into a full make out session, but at the very moment we begun exchanging each other's saliva; something weird occurred within me... There were the distinct feelings of—

Blizzard forming inside my gut...

Chills running through my skin...

Ice filling my veins...

However at the time I payed no attention to any of that, as I was way too submerged into the bliss that was the feeling of Akitsu's luscious lips and tongue.

I wasn't exactly sure for how long our make out session lasted in the end, but we both still needed air to function, so it was done with great reluctance that both of us finally parted away from our first game of tonsil hockey. But as we did that I immediately felt a sense of longing to feel her soft lips against my own again... And judging from the small whimper that escaped Akitsu's lips... I wasn't the only one in that regard.

”Wow...” I opened my eyes to take a look what kind of expression she has. ”T-that was—” A loud gasp escaped me when my eyes trailed slightly upwards and saw the cursed mark on her forehead...

The LACK of it thereof!

”A-Akitsu... Y-your Crest!” I pointed towards her forehead with a finger for emphasis.

”Ah...” She blinked at me, before she brought a hand up and begun to prod at the said spot with her fingers in a tentative manner.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but seriously how!? It shouldn't be possible for it to be removed! Well, not yet at least... From what I've heard; Akitsu's actually did get herself winged by Mikogami during the later stages of the S-Plan, but the means how she rid herself of the Crest that symbolizes her status as the... Scrapped Number still remains very much unknown to me...

”Hold on!” Either way, I quickly begun digging through my pockets in search for the phone I had on me. Once I dug it out; I started the device up (luckily didn't take even a minute for it to do); started its camera function; with few setting changes in the camera app, I finally managed switch over the front camera view into the phone's screen.

Funny how I subconsciously knew how to use the damn thing right at the beginning, despite never even seen, much less used this specific model before...

Anyway with a wide grin I turned my hand holding the phone around, showing the baffled Sekirei her reflection seen on the screen...

The reaction was immediate. Eyes widening with comical margins packed with loud gasp of disbelief ”AH...! G-gone...” Akitsu stared at the phone's screen for a good minute before her eyes moved up to meet mine. ”H-how...?”

I shrugged helplessly, not knowing the reason either. ”I wish I could tell you. I'd say miracle, but I ain't exactly the religious sort... But how are you feeling right now?” I asked with concern, while I put the phone back into one of my pants' pockets.

She blinked at first, before looking at the ground pensively. ”Ah... I feel... free? Not suppressed nor chained... As if I've learned to breath for the first time...”

”Perhaps you're... fixed?” I offered, in her terms. ”I mean, I can't really say for sure, but the Crest vanishing must mean something good, right?”

Akitsu looked at me with shocked look as if just realizing the weight of it. ”Ah... Fixed... I-I'm not broken... a-anymore?” But then she frowned, eyes lowered. ”Ah... but... I didn't emerge...” She stated in a highly disappointed and sad voice.

I frowned with her, before I cupped my chin in thought. ”Maybe...” I started, getting a hopeful look from her in response. ”It is only a thought, but perhaps the kiss we had first had merely reset your Tama back to its original state? Back at the state before you... well, in your words before you got broken... and fixing whatever damage that bastard at MBI did to you...”

”Ah...” She looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding at my reasoning. ”I see...”

”So if I'm right, it is very possible the next kiss you do will earn you your wings.” I theorized, but as I said that Akitsu suddenly clung on to me again with her hands pressed against my pecs, gripping on to my shirt like a lifeline. ”O-oi?”

She lifted her head to look into my eyes. ”Ah... t-then... please let me emerge... fix me more...!”

That's... a rather interesting way to phrase it (and dare say kinda e_r_o_t_i_c), but okay! However... There was one more thing I had to make clear... Mostly for my own conscience's sake...

”You okay with this Akitsu? You...” I hesitated for a moment, but she deserves to know. ”I mean with your... impure Crest gone; you'd finally be able to react and find your... real Ashikabi somewhere in the city... Are you still alright with me? Despite not reacting?” It was mostly a hunch on my part, but other than the slightest of blushes across her cheeks (which is likely from her being very emotional); I couldn't see any other symptoms indicating that I was her fated Ashikabi...

Don't get me wrong. I want her and BOY do I want her as my woman, but I also want to be considerate of her OWN feelings. I'm better than acting on my own selfish feelings.

”I want this!” Akitsu stated way more heatedly, compared to her usually absentminded sentences (not to mention an ironic contrast to her powers), and the unusual raise of volume startled me quite the bit. Then her heated expression turned docile, while her eyes trailed downwards towards my c_h_e_s_t. ”I... I'd like... Ah...!” She suddenly made a sound, earning a raised brow of interest from me.

”What's wrong?”

”Ah... your name... Never got it...”

...

I blinked stupidly at her for couple of times, before my eyes widened in realization. Oh f_u_c_k, right! I forgot to introduce myself entirely this whole time!

I immediately felt like punching myself in the face for a second time... We had like a full make out session going on not even a minute ago and I've never even told her my name!?

”I can't believe I forgot... I'm so sorry about that. That was embarrassing of me...” I told her while scratching the back of my head in a sheepish manner. I then straightened my back and met her eyes. ”My name is... Arata... Asakura Arata...” I told her my new name... Seeing as I somehow couldn't recall the one I was born with any longer... Frankly I should be freaking out by it, but oddly enough I didn't feel a single spark of attachment to my past. So I decided to put that shit to the back burner for now.

”Nice to meet you.” I finished with a kind smile, which she returned in kind, making my heart race. Smiling Akitsu had got to be one of the most beautiful things on Earth...

”Ah... S-Sekirei number seven... Akitsu... I'm yours...” Akitsu returned the courtesy, before she closed her eyes and leaned towards me for the second kiss (with me returning the action) to finally let her get her wings and become mine.

But before our lips could meet to finally seal the deal...

”Hey you, Kinpatsu(4)-san? If you were so kind to step away from the scrapped number? You're kinda in the way of my price.”

My eyes widened at the familiar brattish, haughty tone and I slowly turned around to see—

I scowled and grit my teeth together in distaste...

Mikogami...

.

TBC

AN - There we go~ Chapter 2 finally finished and out for you guys to see!

Now then on the last vote; there has been some mixed feelings on what to do with the gun Arata has, however regarding Arata's flock; there has been some good pointers given that I should leave Minato's group be as it is (at least for the most of it) and I'm actually inclined to agree with that.

In fact I already have my ”dream” team all planned up by now, (so no further planning on that regard) BUT the team NEEDS at least one brain type in, however if I wish to follow through my wishes to steer clear of Minato's flock; that means Matsu is out of count and (I apologize in advance for those who voted her) unfortunately I'm not really all that interested in Kocho either.

Even though I didn't originally plan to do this; this calls for an OC... I know for a fact lots, and I mean lots of readers (me included) have mixed if not outright negative feelings over random OCs drop Authors sometimes decides to shove into their fics for plot convenience and whatnot, especially at the beginning when the said OC is first being introduced in the story... Anyhow as some has probably noticed of my writing habits by now; when it comes to female OCs I tend to possess rather unoriginal imagination by basing their appearance on characters of different animes most of the time. This Brain Type OC in question that I'm planning on; her appearance will be mostly based on Tabane Shinonono from Infinite Stratos, with personality more similar to Yuuna from ”Yuragi Sou No Yuuna-san” franchise (because that ghost is adorable AF and probably among the best waifu material!).

Anyhow the question is; what would your opinion be if I were to add an OC brain type with the appearance of Tabane from Infinite Stratos (with some mixture of Yuuna)?

I've made some Photoshopped variations for this specific OC and opened a poll for you guys to vote for the one you personally prefer over the others. So far I personally am leaning towards the white haired variation (mostly for the Yuuna factor), though I'm very curious for the 2nd/3rd party opinions. To find the picture with the OC chart; go to my profile and open the shared GoogleDrive link under the ”Mockingbird” header, with the name ”OC Brain Type Poll”.

.

Now to work on the Seiryuutei chapter... hopefully I can get some progress in it within this month...

Arata's Flock Status:

MEMBERS DECIDED!

[Harem Portrait Available in mah profile page!]

#07 - Akitsu

#? - OC Brain Type

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MC's Powers

[UPDATED!]

S-Mimic

Arata has the power to mimic the main ability of any Sekirei he gets into lip lock with.

When Arata kisses a Sekirei he's able to copy their power for his own use and is able to utilize the copied ability indefinitely until he swaps saliva with different (Sekirei) individual and that's where the mimicked power Arata possesses at the time gets overwritten and changed to match the ability of the Sekirei Arata had kissed with most recently.

Simply put, Arata can only mimic one Sekirei ability at a time. However if Arata were to kiss a normal human with no special powers; The current mimicked ability won't be removed in process.

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Purify

When Arata exchanges saliva with a Sekirei; this action will purify the said Sekirei's Crest from its impurities. All [̴D̶a̶t̶a̸ ̴c̷o̶r̵r̸u̷p̶t̵i̴o̸n̶ ̸d̷e̴t̵e̵c̴t̵e̷d̴;̷ ̸I̶n̵s̷u̶f̵f̸i̶c̵i̴e̶n̵t̷ ̵d̶a̵t̴a̴ ̶a̴v̴a̷i̶l̷a̷b̷l̸e̷]̶

This action however will not bond the Sekirei to Arata right after the initial kiss, since Purify will merely return the Sekirei's Crest back to its neutral state. But if Arata were to [̴D̶a̶t̶a̸ ̴c̷o̶r̵r̸u̷p̶t̵i̴o̸n̶ ̸d̷e̴t̵e̵c̴t̵e̷d̴;̷ ̸I̶n̵s̷u̶f̵f̸i̶c̵i̴e̶n̵t̷ ̵d̶a̵t̴a̴ ̶a̴v̴a̷i̶l̷a̷b̷l̸e̷]̶

(1) Jii = the typical anime ”stare” sound effect.

(2) To my understanding ”Anesan” is a Japanese slur to either refer your elder sister (like ”Aneki”) or a young woman (acquaintance or stranger) who's older than you. Kinda equal to the term when you wish refer someone as ”Miss / Ms. ”.

(3) DxD reference. (To those yet so see the series)

(4) Means blondie more or less.