“I don’t think this is such a good idea…” Adelheid pined as she kicked her legs restlessly, her mannerisms childish. We were in the private lounge of the nearby airport, waiting for Hinata’s flight to arrive, where it would be refuelled, and then we’d be on our way. Adelheid g the pair of suitcases beside her, remembering our shopping spree earlier, and her expression ged. “Did I need all this? Don’t mistake me, I deserve it, but…”

  “You’re on my team now. And you have your own money.” I assured her. “And as for the dresses… yeah, we’ll be taking you to a rather high-profile event, you ’t just turn up in jeans and a jumper, even though you look cute like that.” At my gentle smile, Adelheid flushed, shaking her head, cheeks puffed out grumpily.

  “I get that, but… that store… so… so annoying!” she grumbled, and I didn’t think she was thinking of all the measuring and choosing. The store Karl took us to was a small yet very upmarket tailors, which had a very wide sele of geous dresses and gowns for both older women and young girls. The owner seemed to know Karl, and was very surprised at him making the call. Then… When he said he thought Karl was ing with his daughter after so long, the situation was so awkward… Karl had ged the subject, and the owner rofessional, glossing over the messy mistake, but it had taken a while for Adelheid to rex her tension.

  “It ’t be helped.” I gently soothed her. “Thinking about it won’t do you any good. From the sounds of it, it was due to a divorce, rather than his daughter dying or anything like that. Or is it jealousy?”

  “Me? Are your eyes w, fool? Shit, crap. I’m not jealous of some girl who doesn’t see her father anymore. I never want to see my shitty parents again.” Adelheid’s blue eyes went wide and angry, and oddly I could feel aether surging within her.

  “All right.” I apologised. “o use your Favour here. Calm down. I tell that Karl is very protective of you, no matter the reasons. And… well, it’s none of our business, but where there’s life there’s hope. Hinata’s people will look into his background, to make sure it’s safe to have him work for me, so…” At my meaningful gnce she tossed her head, not meeting my eyes.

  “I said I’m not jealous. Stop making me repeat myself!”

  “Yeah, my bad. Anyway, shall we tinue?” We had taken a small break, but I had been teag her English. She remembered a little from her school days, but had never paid much attention in css, so I had been going through the basics, though with my German far from perfect, we couldn’t really discuss plicated cepts, but I could teach her versational English at least.

  “If it’ll shut you up talking nonsense.” Adelheid ceded, and we resumed me repeating phrases in both English and German, Adelheid parroting it bae, and then having to remember it a few mier. Her memory was far better than an ordinary person’s, though obviously vastly inferior to mine, but with her learning capabilities she soon was able to verse at an amateur level.

  “I’ve had enough!” Adelheid finally said, before ratting off a number of swearwords in both German and English. I had taken the archetypal route of also teag swearwords, as it was almost a meme nowadays that the first things anyone did when they got a diary in anuage was to find the rude words. Besides, it’s part of her speech patterns. She swears more than Shiro does, aainly with more feeling.

  “I’m done!” she reiterated, nearly kig me as she swung her legs. Gng at my watch, I saw that a couple of hours had vanished during my teag, so it wouldn’t be long before Hinata and the others arrived.

  “Yeah, take a break.” I allowed, handing her a drink. She twisted off the top of the bottle savagely and took a swig. “But at least you’ll be able to follow along with the basics.”

  “Why not teach me Japanese?” Adelheid asked, and I shrugged.

  “English is the universal sed nguage. Sure, you’ll probably want to learn Japaoo, but this is a rush job, so for now…”

  “I hate you!” She interrupted me with a childish howl. “I’m already doh school!”

  “Sorry, but if you want to be strong, then you have to keep learning. You ’t just rely on your Favour alone, or you’ll eventually lose.”

  “You just love lecturing me, don’t you?” Adelheid rolled her eyes. “Think you’re a teacher or some shit?”

  We tinued our pyful argument, and through the high windows of the lounge I could see a jet ing in to nd. “All right, fun’s over.” I told her, and as the jet taxied up to the terminal, Adelheid watched with some i.

  “I’ve never flown before…” she said quietly, and I resisted the urge to pat her head. She’s not actually a kid, despite how she looks.

  “Lucky you, what better way to experie for the first time than flying in private luxury?” My attention was taken by seeing Hinata and the others disembarking, though I suppressed a grimace at seeing Christina also leaving the pne. Not like I put her off forever, might as well bite the bullet.

  “Huh, you seem happy.” Adelheid observed. “That’s almost cute. Or is it creepy? Not for me to say…”

  A couple of mier, the door to the lounge opened, and Hinata rushed in, throwing herself into my arms with a smile. “Akio, I’ve missed you! But I’m here now, and ready to show off to the world!”

  Mayumi-san had followed her in, apanying Ichijou-san, as well as two bodyguards I didn’t know, but could feel the strength within them, as could Adelheid, as she was immediately on the defensive, bristling like an angry cat. Kazumi-san was with them too, and Mayumi-san turhing. “I see Hinata couldn’t even wait a mi least her marriage should be a loving one. I’m jealous!”

  “She is very deeply in love.” Kazumi-san agreed, smiling. “But she’s also being needy, as if she wao see him, she could anytime.”

  “Oh yes, being in two pces at once.” Mayumi-san agreed. “I still ’t quite uand how that works, but…” She narrowed her eyes, gng at Adelheid, who was looking wary and defensive now all the newers had arrived. “…so, who’s this? Your new girlfriend, Akio-kun? If so, she’s a little… young… don’t you think?”

  Fortunately she eaking in Japanese, or Adelheid would no doubt deny it furiously. Shaking my head, I expined. “She’s a Chosen I’ve picked up to be on my team, Adelheid Richter. She’s got talent, and will be an asset, I’m sure. As for her age, she’s not much different to you and Hinata actually. She’s just youthful…”

  “I see. She doesn’t seem to uand us. How about English?” Mayumi-san ged nguage, while Hinata watched on from my arms, a wry smile on her lips. Yeah, Hinata knows me well and trusts me. Besides, she’s aware of my itinerary.

  As Mayumi-san began to speak, I noticed Christina looking at me with an indecipherable expression. It left me feeling unfortable, but it was better than the sloppy, lusty grin she had on her face whe the st time.

  “o meet you, Adelheid-san. I’m Iayumi, granddaughter of Ichijou Kira, and Akio-kun and Hinata’s business partner!” Mayumi-san puffed out her chest proudly, and her smile was regal, but that didn’t impress Adelheid.

  “Rich girl, huh? What’s so special about that? Try living a life where you drift day to day, never being safe, and see if you boast about whose granddaughter you are.”

  Mayumi-san was left blinking in surprise, while Hinata stifled a giggle. Ichijou-san merely nodded, uanding. “It’s true, my Mayumi hasn’t faced many hardships in her life. But then, there’s o be proud at fag sufferiher, young miss. Hardships may build character, but just because one is rich doesn’t mean one is weak.”

  Adelheid tossed her head, and I decided to calm things down. I released Hinata from my hug, though she still g to my arm happily, and as I asked everyoo rex, she nodded. “Yes, Mayumi, I’ve told you to restrain your aura of being a queen. We’re not at Hanafubuki now. Besides, if she’s w for Akio now, to my mind, she outranks you!”

  “Cheeky girl!” Mayumi-san chuckled. “Is that any way to talk to your best friend?”

  As the cheerful bickering tinued, Christina came and sat beside me. She opened her mouth but didn’t speak, seemingly unsure of what to say, and so I spoke first. “Do yret it?”

  She uood what I meant, and after a while, shook her head slowly. “I’m a stist. Knowing is always better than ignorance. And I am prepared to pay any price for enlighte. Even this. But I thought… I didn’t care about being hurt. I don’t relish pain, but I don’t avoid it, and… it felt strange when you were cold to me. It hurt, but… also felt fizzy, bubbly. I ’t meaningfully describe it.” She sighed. “I hate imprecision. It’s why this avenue of study is so fasating, so meaningful, and you are the best. Y crity to the fuzzy, light to the darkness of ignorance. So I thought if I uood what I had dohat was s, I could uand you better. At the least, you’d five me, like me more.”

  “It be not that simple.” Titan said softly, and Hinata agreed.

  “While there’s definitely a pce for an eye for ahat’s not all there is to justice.” Her words were soft but heartfelt. “If you had dohe same to Akio, or any of my fellow sisters, and then accepted equal suffering yourself, it wouldn’t y anger. It doesn’t undo what you did. But… I hardly bme you for wanting to appeal to Akio. I did the same, in the end. I entrapped him. I’m not going to say I regret it, because I don’t…”

  Yeah, Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi still feel guilty for the way they pressured me into our retionship. Even though they shouldn’t. Who cares how it starts? Now it’s love. And I’ve shed my resistaed unions, even if I’m not going to simply sit bad accept them either. I’ll take eae on its ows. But I also uand guilt. Even if I’m trying my best to make everyone happy, and I rationalise it, and it makes nobody unhappy… humans are plicated. No, not humans. All living beings…

  “I… wasn’t prepared. I thought I would uand it, hurt and suffer, but it was all abstract. Perhaps I’m too cold. Poor little Christina, beautiful genius stist…” Even now she couldn’t resist her usual inappropriate humour, though her expression was sorrowful. “…everyone says I’m a robot, who doesn’t uaions. Maybe they were right. So I thought… it would be like I was detached as always, ical. Feeling it, studying it, but…”

  “What’s she talking about?” Adelheid couldn’t follow most of the versation, only some of the words. I waved a hand, promising to expin ter, and she pouted, puffing her cheeks out in annoyance.

  “…instead it was like you were the one going through it? But… also not you?” I remembered being exposed to Haru’s Light before. It was a plicated feeling, and as Christina nodded, I expined my thoughts. “Before, you were just watg experiences as an outside observer, like it was a stream of a game pyed by someone else. Haru… she’s basically allowed you to emute it, as if you were running different software. The experience is very different. And you ’t be detached anymore.”

  “It seems so. I… don’t sleep well.” Christina agreed, and she did indeed look worse than ever, her skin pale, hair nk and her eyes were ringed by dark circles. Perhaps another woman would have covered herself in makeup to hide it, but not her. “But I still don’t regret it. If I did… I wouldn’t be myself. I still believe that what I did was right. The good of the many requires the sacrifice of the few. It’s… not like I khere were better ways. We ’t all be like you.”

  “All right, enough of this gloomy talk.” I shook my head. “We’ll have time to talk ter. It won’t take long to refuel.”

  “Yeah, let’s talk about something happier!” Hinata grinned. She sent the two bodyguards of Ichijou-san off to pick up a few bits from the airport shops, but that was clearly to get them to leave. “Eri’s delighted with her Favour. And so are we. I feel especially pleased. I respect Eri, I really do. She’s opened my eyes to my own shortings. I’ll not break her trust again. And I’m happy to see she finally stand at your side without fear.”

  “Jealous?” Mayumi-san asked, curious. “You could ask too, and I’m sure Akio-kun would buy you one as well, if it be bought. How mu the end?” She was curious. Adelheid was trying to pretend she was happy to be ignored, but the way she puffed up like an angry cat was cute.

  “Ten million euros, plus some guarantees of aid. For Eri… it’s a price I’m happy to pay.”

  “Quite a price, but not unaffordable. Perhaps you should find me ooo, grandfather.” Mayumi-san’s eyes sparkled, but Hinata giggled teasingly.

  “Oh really? And how will you find a suitable Favour? It’s not easy at all. Maybe there’s not even one you’re patible with in the whole world without some effort. Even if you could, and they were willing to make a deal, how would you extract it and give it to yourself? Or will you be persuading Akio to do it?” Her smile was cheeky, and Mayumi-san looked sullen. “Besides…” Hinata tinued. “While Akio likely would help if you asked, since he’s kind like that, do you really want to fight? Because if you have a Favour, that’s what’ll happen. It’s not like Chirurgery, or learning elements, which we make avaible to more people. Favours are a dwindling resource.”

  “That’s not true. Miyu-san isn’t involved in fighting.” Mayumi-san protested, but I shook my head.

  “That’s being a little too optimistic. Yes, there are support Chosen, but even they have to fight in the end.” I warned. “Besides…” I gnced over at Adelheid, who asked me why I was staring at her.

  “Adelheid here, she’s been trying to keep to herself, but others keep ing after her. It makes sense. I don’t need my Eye to tell other Chosen in most circumstanow. And as Territories expand, flict is iable.” I switched to English so she could uand.

  “Idiot rich girl.” Adelheid scoffed. “This isn’t a game. It’s kill or be killed. But then, so is life. You’ve never had to put yourself at risk just to have food to eat or a pce to sleep.”

  “What did she say?” Mayumi-san asked, and I softe a bit, but she was still offended. At that moment the Chosen Ichijou-san brought as security returned, and I took that as our cue to head to the jet, which was almost refuelled. Ihe jet, I saw that Aliyah and Treyvon had remained inside, and while Aliyah was sleeping, catg up on her rest while she could, like a professional, Treyvon had remained awake to protect the luggage. He me, and I returhe gesture.

  On board, Hinata tactfully ged the subject. “So, we’ll be flying directly to Cape Town Iional. We’ll take some rest, and then we have Miss Lindiwe’s ga in the evening.”

  Mayumi-san nodded proudly. “You don’t have to thank me, Hinata, Akio-kun! Without my introdu this wouldn’t be happening.”

  We were speaking English for the sake of our travelling panions, so Adelheid, who was looking out of the window, having never flown before, merely rolled her eyes, irritated. Hinata raised an eyebrow as well. “Oh? While we’re grateful, I think it’s Akio’s ability that made the difference.”

  “Let’s not dwell oails.” Mayumi-san said airily, having an amazingly thick skin. She waved one hand dismissively, while her grandfather chuckled. “What matters is, we have this opportunity.”

  “That’s right.” I agreed. “The day, we’ll cross the border into Botswana, and try and track down the location of our target.”

  “I’ve made arras, local guides and so forth.” Hinata was excited, and so was I. The seeds were important to me, and this was the first opportunity we would have.

  “Midas is active in that area.” Christina spoke up. “He’s a very dangerous man. We’ve tried and failed to deal with him before. Though Adam won’t give up easily. In fact, you’re the only one he’s really backed down oe that… he’ll have his agenda. So be very careful when you meet him.”

  “Should you be telling us that? Aren’t you worried?” Hinata asked, and Christina shrugged, looking at me, much calmer than I remembered her.

  “I’m a fool, it seems. When I took the Vermillion List, I had already crossed a line I shouldn’t. I got too excited. A character fw of mi seems.” Her tone was bitter. “I had hoped that you would protect me… no, I had hoped for more.” She flushed, clearly mortified. “I still do.” We barely heard those whispered words, before she raised her voice again. “But then, nobody loves little Christina. Men are… more plicated than I imagined. Objectively, I am quite the catch. I have rge breasts, a pretty face, I’m intelligent, not poor…”

  “Modest too…” Aliyah yawned, having woken up from her sleep. “Damn, woman. I have no i in men and I know more about them than you do. Don’t you agree, Trey?”

  “Oh?” Christina asked, ied.

  “I’m sure you could easily get id in a bar, so long as you kept your mouth shut. You ain’t my type, but I admit you’d up well, I imagine. But nobody wants a retionship with someohat looks at it like it’s a sce experiment. And you’re hardly like a woman at all in terms of personality. Too ed in work, and too cold, too… too logical. Women should be passionate!”

  “I’m passionate about knowledge, sce. But… my heart races differently now.” she admitted. “I suppose perhaps this is my punishment. If I’ve done wrong, then maybe it’s some sotion. Anyway… Titan, you’ll tell Adam about my leaks, won’t you?”

  The big man shrugged unfortably. “I have to, ya know? I don’t want to get ya in trouble, but what choice do I have?”

  “None.” Christina agreed bitterly. “I… hate leaving work unfihat would make everything I’ve dorue crime. All my efforts for naught, their… their suffering for nothing.” She sighed. “Anyway, you’ve read the files. Midas is dangerous. I worry he might interfere in your matters. As for me… I don’t have anything you desire, it seems. I’ve already shown my hand.”

  “I won’t let Adam make you disappear. That’s my promise.” I reassured her. I didn’t like her, but… after her brave, stupid and reckless request to Haru, she seemed ged. More introspective, slightly more empathetic. She was still definitely abnormal, but it was less… off-putting, for ck of a better term.

  “I’d very much appreciate that.” she chuckled. “Of course, my offer still stands. I’m now being aware I’m perhaps not quite the trophy I thought I was, but… I still have plenty to offer.”

  “No thanks.” Hinata shot her down. “I’m not having you as a sister, and I know Eri would agree!”

  “How rude!” Christina protested, squirming a little, breathing a touch heavily. “I’ve ged, I’m turning over a new leaf! And if I’m a woman without any uanding of emotions, what better way to help me learn to be a woman he likes?”

  As they bickered, Hinata holding my arm defensively, Adelheid grumbled.

  “So noisy, so crazy. You know a great number of weird people.”

  “That I do.” I agreed. “Anyway…” I switched to German for a bit. “I hope you’ll apao Botswana. That way you protect Hinata. I sidered going alone, but I’d feel safer when she’s with me. Hopefully there should be no troubles, but…” Midas. Even if not him, a Chosen’s died in that area, so… either Boundary dwellers or other Chosen. If it’s the former, Hinata should be safe, the tter…

  “Fine.” She agreed. “It’s too te to back out now. It may seem like you’re demanding ara sausage, but…” Arange idiom, but one I just about grasped. “…when you’re paying for all my meals, grabbing one off my pte isn’t unreasonable. Shit.” She breathed, the swearifelt. “I… feel restless. Like I don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Don’t worry.” I reassured her. “You’re on my team now. I’ll look after you.”

  She gave me no answer, merely resumiaring out of the window, but from the set of her back it seemed she had rexed a bit. Hinata finished arguing with Christina, who was a little red-faced, and then Ichijou-san spoke up.

  “This was all very amusing…” Ihe old man seemed to have a rather more pyful disposition than Miyu’s grandfather. “…but while I have your ear, Akio-kun…” he addressed me familiarly, like Mayumi-san did. “…I would like to give you some thanks.”

  “Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, and he smiled.

  “The matter with the Tengokusentou. I know you have your Korean allies looking into matters, as well as that Ameri, Mr Kelly. It seems to be bearing fruit, though of course, we remain wary.”

  “Park Yu-mi is an excellent find.” Hinata agreed. “With her as the lead in Korea, supported by Kang Bora and her brother, we’ve got a very good ce of building up a signifit power base. She’s well-ected with the sons and daughters of a number of iial Korean businessmen, politis and more. I like her enthusiasm as well. Although, I question her judgement in one respect…” She grinned impishly. “If she wasn’t so proud, she’d already be the twelfth. Fancy turning down an arranged marriage to you. It’s too te frets now.”

  “Not everyone wants to marry Akio-kun, Hinata.” Mayumi-san ughed. “Less to share him. Besides, we grew up knowing we’ll be married off for our families. Ordinary people don’t uand that. Not every rich family is like the Three-Hundred.”

  “True. But it’s not necessarily a good thing.” I pointed out. “Or a bad thiher. As long as every party is happy in the exge I won’t judge. But that’s not what matters.” I frowned. “sidering Ruby Serpent and the Mizuhara house’s involvement in the mess, it seems uhey’d just give up, or don’t have a pn.”

  “True, and we are wary. Mizuhara house is being watched, and Shiraishi house, while effectively having colpsed, is being propped up for the time being.” Ichijou-san sighed, troubled. “The eldest Shiraishi girl should be made to i the family wherieve the Tengokusentou, but she’s far too timid. Her sister Arisa- is bolder, but far too young. In any case, their useless parents will be given a stipend but will have to relinquish the family assets.”

  “Nozomi and Arisa are under my care.” Hinata agreed. “They’re troublesome girls, but they are finally beginning to uand their position. But without the Tengokusentou there is no Shiraishi house.”

  “In any case, if it is simply a matter of extortion, to make a profit, then we will stuff their mouths with gold. After all, I am assuming that we will be wealthy after our iment in you bears fruit.” Ichijou-san tio smile. “If a problem be solved by mohen we’ll do so. Though Shiraishi and Mizuhara houses hardly escape punishment. If they assume we will bail them out every time they make mistakes, then other nobility will stop g, and not even Fujiwara and Ichijou houses carry all of the nobility alone.”

  “It seems things are in hand then. But… it just doesn’t make seo me. Even if they sell it back for ten times the price, was it all just some harassment?” I had a bad feeling about it, but then, I had bad feelings about everything at the moment. I warned Ichijou-san again, and he assured me that the iations were being carefully handled, and they were wary of traps.

  “All right, enough talk of business!” Hinata decred cheerfully, leaning her head against my shoulder fondly. As Mayumi-san accused her of flirting, she stuck out her tongue happily.

  “Of course I am. I’m excited! This is my debut ing up, and I want Akio to spoil me. I may not need a Favour for myself, but I’m still jealous of Eri, who wouldn’t be? So now… it’s my time!”

  “Sure” Ign the eye-rolling of Aliyah and the clear jealousy of Christina, I resolved to spend the rest of the flight spoiling Hinata, though despite her words, talk quickly turned back to business, and her eyes lit up when I told her about our pns to researd hopefully sell restorative potions and pills. Seeing her brilliant expression, I couldn’t help but hold her close. Yeah, Hinata shines brightest when she’s partaking in her is. That smile… I have to protect it.

  ShipTeaser