"A new tenant," Miya said with a gentle smile.
"Hello—I'm Kagari," Homura introduced himself politely.
"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Uzume. Please take care of me."
"Son Goku—just call me Goku."
After a few simple introductions, everyone had at least learned each other's names.
"In that case, I'll go buy some daily necessities. See you later!" Uzume waved and left Izumo Inn for the moment. Kagari excused himself as well; he had work to attend to.
Watching Uzume's figure grow smaller, Goku glanced at Miya. "Tell me—why is it that everyone at Izumo Inn turns out to be a Sekirei? Do you ever get a normal human tenant?"
"Eh? She was a Sekirei too?" Mitsuha asked, curious.
Goku nodded. "Mm."
"By the way, Goku—there's something I've been wondering since this morning." Miya's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied his expression with unusual seriousness.
"What is it?" Goku's face remained calm.
"When I woke up, their complexions were… different from usual. Why do you suppose that is?" Miya's smile stayed soft, but a glint in her eyes made the question feel like a blade.
At her words, Hikari, Hibiki, and the others stiffened. Memories of last night flashed through their minds, and a faint blush climbed their cheeks.
"So there is something," Miya thought, more certain than ever.
"Want to know?" Goku arched a brow, grin turning incorrigible. "If you've got time, I can tell you privately."
For no reason at all, Miya's heartbeat lurched—thump-thump, thump-thump. For an instant, her gaze went unfocused. Then she drew a steadying breath and smiled serenely. "I think… I will pass." With that, she turned quickly and left.
'Damn it,' she scolded herself inwardly. 'That feeling is getting stronger…'
"Let's go. I'm taking you all out shopping!"
Morning had barely settled after breakfast when Goku announced his plan. He was curious which Sekirei fate might drop into their path today.
"Really? That's great! Long live Goku!" Hikari, Hibiki, and the others cheered in unison.
"That won't do," Miya said pleasantly, snuffing their excitement with a smile. "We have plenty to do today."
"W-What? Miya, you're so mean! Can't we do it when we get back?" Mitsuha protested.
"Afraid not. The yard is full of weeds, the flowers need watering, and Izumo Inn is overdue for a deep clean. Since we suddenly have so many helping hands, I'll be counting on you."
"You're the worst!" Hibiki pouted, thoroughly deflated.
"Since Miya asked, help her tidy up," Goku said, smiling. "We live here now too."
"Goku understands," Miya replied, looking pleased.
"If Master says so… I suppose we must," Mitsuha sighed.
"Do your best. I'll take a quick look around the neighborhood," Goku added, rising and heading out.
"I'll protect Master," Akitsu said simply, immediately following.
"M-Me too," Kunō blurted, cheeks pink. She glanced left and right shyly and then hurried after them.
"Eh? We can do that? Then I—" Mitsuha tried to edge away, only for Miya to plant a broom in her path.
"No. Those two are enough. Besides, with Goku's skills, he hardly needs protecting."
"That's not fair! Akitsu, Kunō—you're too sneaky!"
The streets, usually lively, felt a touch subdued today. A light breeze chased fallen leaves along the pavement and deposited them at the feet of a lone woman ahead.
Goku stopped, considering the swordswoman blocking their way. Behind him, Akitsu's expression tightened. "Her. MBI's hound."
The woman was striking—long sword in hand, every inch a warrior queen. Beneath her beauty, Goku sensed a heavy reek of blood. No need for a fight to know: this one lived for the kill.
"No. 04—Karasuba," Kunō whispered, going pale as she ducked behind Goku, trembling.
"What's there to fear? As you are now, you're no weaker than she is," Goku said, drawing Kunō into a reassuring embrace and smoothing her hair. The warmth of him steadied her quaking heart, though she still lacked the courage to face Karasuba head-on. Anyone who knew that name felt fear—Miya herself would grow solemn before this woman.
Karasuba knew no such thing as mercy. Those who crossed blades with her rarely lived to speak of it. Her absolute loyalty to MBI had earned her a nickname among Sekirei: MBI's Dog—the current captain of the Disciplinary Squad.
As Goku moved to pass, Karasuba stepped in front of him and held out a phone and a card. "From the President. For you."
Every Ashikabi received one of those phones—and that card was an MBI special: effectively, unlimited withdrawal.
"Don't need it." Goku brushed past without breaking stride.
"As the President predicted… you refuse." Karasuba's tone remained even, but the air around her sharpened. The bloody reek swelled; steel flashed into her hand. "Those who try to slip MBI's leash must be punished."
"Are you sure you want to draw on me?" Goku turned back, curious. A whisper of his aura slipped free—and pressed down like the weight of the sky.
Karasuba shivered. Then she laughed—low, delighted, mad. "Terrifying. Terrifying! You make me tremble… You're no ordinary man."
The killing urge surged out of her like a pack of slavering beasts. The blade lunged for Goku's heart.
Goku didn't even shift his feet. He simply watched the point come on.
A winter chill slammed over the street; the temperature plunged below freezing. Ice blossomed across the pavement, and a spear of frost erupted from beneath Karasuba's boot.
She twisted with inhuman grace, contorting around the spike, and her sword still drove toward Goku—
—but a hail of ice lances screamed past Goku's shoulder, tearing at Karasuba from every angle.
Karasuba's brows drew together. She checked her advance, sword blooming into a whirling flower that shattered the barrage. She vaulted back, eyes narrowing at the figure now standing before Goku.
"The crest on your brow… You're the discarded Sekirei," Karasuba said, surprised—and then amused. "So the unwingable one has been winged… and has the strength to match me. Interesting."
"But you understand the price of defying MBI's orders?"
"I know only this," Akitsu replied, voice flat as falling snow. "Anyone who stands against my Master—must die."
The air around her grew razor-cold; frost crawled over every surface. To Akitsu, Goku was everything. If that meant turning the whole of MBI into an enemy, so be it.
"So you're resolved to oppose MBI. In that case, I'll hold nothing back." Karasuba's smile widened, feral and elated. "Let's have ourselves a proper slaughter."
The bloodlust spiked. If what came before had been a probe, the real battle began now.
Silver flashed. Karasuba's gaze was ice; her aura, suffocating. In a heartbeat she became a beast bred for killing. Many opponents would wilt from that intent alone.
But Akitsu was not "many opponents." The three-no kuudere's face did not so much as flicker. Feeling the storm of violence roll off Karasuba, she raised one slim hand. Cold welled outward; frost condensed midair and hardened into a rain of icy spikes that screamed toward Karasuba.
Crack—crack—crack!
Karasuba's blade traced cold arcs; the shards burst apart one after another. She slipped through the gaps with impossible speed, the rain glittering into shrapnel around her—beautiful in the sunlight, and deadly as falling glass.
..
🔥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Read ahead! 🔥
If you're loving the story, you can unlock 90+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS right now for just $4/month on my Patreon! Not only do you get a massive backlog to binge-read, but you also directly support my daily translation work. ❤️
👇 Grab your early access here:
🔗 [patreon.com/user?u=79514336]
(Or simply search for Translator-Sama on Patreon!)