“I’m quite excited about this. How do you feel, Hinata?” Mayumi said as she settled down into the fortable seat on the private jet they were taking to Europe.

  Happy, of course. Hinata merely smiled knowingly for a while, before answering. “I’m pleased to be going abroad with Akio. I was a little jealous of Motoko and Natsumi before.”

  “Oh, and you areed to be travelling with us? I’m hurt, Hinata-.” Ichijou Kira-sama said, amused. Mayumi smiled at that, befreeing.

  “That’s right, grandfather! Hinata should be delighted to take a trip with me, her best friend. Besides, you see Akio-kun whenever you want, but you’re always too busy for me, isn’t that right, Katana?” Mayumi addressed her bodyguard, who as usual was in pristine male clothing, tight trousers and a shirt with a jacket wor, rounded off with a tie. Her hair was cut somewhat short and bu the bato a ponytail. I wasn’t really able to tell before, but now I’ve been training with Motoko, Natsumi and Kazumi, as well as the others, I see the quality of bodyguards by their attitude and how they move…

  “That’s right.” Tsuchiya Ohta, who Mayumi always called Katana, agreed loyally. “Any time spent with you is precious, Mayumi-sama, and with me here, you’ll never fay danger.” She then looked at Kazumi, who was beside Hinata, also dressed in more male fashion, though that was for ease of movement in bat rather than Hinata’s preference, unlike poor Katana-san. “I will allow Kazumi-san is detly skilled.”

  “Of course she is.” Hinata piped up, not offended, but actually pleased by the praise her friend was receiving. “I won’t trade her in, not even now I’m a daughter of Takatsukasa house. Besides, she’s been trained by the best.” In fact, when it es to bodyguards in Hanafubuki, while most noble daughters have them and also attendants, when it es to actual skills… the ninja sisters, of course, Katana-san, my Kazumi, Natsumi, definitely, though she probably shouldn’t t as a bodyguard now… and a couple of others. Most are simply from branch families or cousins, more as a way of practising for the future, or upholding family traditions. In a real fight… they’d be rather hopeless. Those were the sorts of things Hinata thought about nowadays, surprising herself. I’m more open, always watg. After all, I don’t just have to think of myself anymore…

  In that vein, the two bodyguards who had apanied Kira-sama weren’t ones she reised, and she had made a number of trips to Mayumi’s home in the past. While her bat senses were woefully g pared to Motoko’s or Natsumi’s, Hinata had a quick brain and sharp eyes, and it had only been strengthened by Chirurgery and training. They’re likely some of Ichijou House’s Chosen. They don’t look too impressive at first gnce, but who knows what Skills they are hiding?

  “Yes, it’s refreshing having real bat experiehat’s not something we usually expect.” Kazumi agreed politely, mindful of who she eaking to.

  “That aside…” Hinata ged the subject. “…you are my friend now Mayumi, and I like you, but… pared to Akio, I’m sorry, but you lose.” Her impish smile robbed that of its sting. “Besides, while it’s hardly as gmourous as meeting the Queen of Great Britain and the Princes and Princess, for my e debut, this isn’t so bad.”

  “True.” Mayumi allowed. “It’s a very important stage in any of our lives. Making the right impression is vital. Even more so for you now, Hinata. You’re not one of the Three-Hundred any more. No, you have to uphold the honour of the Takatsukasa house.”

  “The Oshiro house too.” Hinata giggled, and Mayumi agreed, which surprised her a little.

  “That’s true as well. Which is why you should be grateful to me.” Mayumi straightened her back proudly, looking very pleased with herself. “After all, we graciously allowed you to join with Ichijou House on this venture, and even gave a substantial stake in Ichijou Heavy Industries!”

  “I remember it differently.” Hinata wasn’t willing to let that pass unchallenged. “And it’s most definitely you who is getting the better deal, Mayumi! W with Akio will bring immense profits. In fact, I feel we were almost cheated!”

  As Kira-sama chuckled happily, watg his granddaughter and Hinata banter, Mayumi shook her head. “Hardly. At least say that when the profits e rolling in. But my point is that there will be a signifit number of important people at Miss Lindiwe’s ba and ga. Heads of panies as rge globally as Nichibotsu, and powerful politis from all over the Afri ti. Perhaps even some royalty. So rest assured, things will go well for you.”

  Hinata blushed a little, seeing the genuine in Mayumi’s expressions. Before, she would have expressed it, yes, but… she would have seen it as a shame, that someone she ehe pany of was having a hard time. But now… we finally stand as equals. And Mayumi only see those equal to her as real. Even poor Katana-san, who Mayumi is clearly deeply fond of, isn’t on her level. And I have Akio to thank for this…

  Akio would deny it, of course, saying it was through Hinata’s own efforts, her own charms, that finally won Mayumi over. And to aent that was true. Hinata wasn’t oo downpy her own hard work and value. After all, she had long striven to be accepted, her mother’s bloodline as noble as any. But I’m also never going to deny the tribution of others. Akio’s least of all. It was Akio who helped her stand on this stage, to make her shine. And he’s also captured Mayumi’s i. After all, as a daughter of nobility, and more so as the prized granddaughter of Ichijou house, she was kept away from men. In fact, Akio’s surely the man she’s ied most with outside of her immediate family, pitiful though that is…

  Saying nothing of what she was thinking, Hinata nodded. “I do hope so. After all, I don’t oftehese opportunities.”

  “It’s important for us as well, Mayumi.” Kira-sama began, but then the door to the private jet opened, and their other passengers embarked. First owerful, well-muscled dark-skinned man with a strange hairstyle. Dreadlocks, are they? He was tall enough to have to stoop a little to ehe pne, and he was in a suit, looking unfortable. Immediately, Katana-san and Kazumi tensed, sensing his threatening presence, but Hinata pced her hand on Kazumi’s, calming her down.

  “It’s not like he’ll cause any trouble.” she said, but that didn’t mollify Kazumi. I suppose I should be proud of her resolve and professionalism. In parison… Kira-sama’s guards didn’t react, showing that ihey weren’t ordinary bodyguards, but almost certainly Chosen.

  Behind the man, who went by the ame of Titan, was a woman. She was a strange ohe stist Christina Bakker, someone who would cheerfully it unthinkable acts in the name of experimentatio seemingly had no care for her own safety or welfare either. She was certainly rather pretty and had a body that Japanese women seldom could match, with fuller waist and chest, though she wore tired, ill-fitting clothes, and her hair was messy and uncared for. She looks… quite dreadful.

  Indeed, it seemed the woman wasn’t well, as her blue eyes were somewhat listless, and her face ale as paper. She saw Hinata and the others looking over, and she gave a small nod, before sitting down on one of the vat seats, looking lost in thought. Before anyone else could speak, a harsh voice barked out some words in English.

  “Stop blog the aisle, you big ass.” Hinata saw that it was Aliyah, followed by her equally as imposing brother Treyvon. They were smaller than Titan, but still towered over Hinata and the others, and the pair of them were smartly dressed in tight bat clothing, and a number of ons, both visible and hidden, were on their person.

  “Calm down woman, this be a private pne, ya know. No rush to board.” Titan huffed, but he did sit down quickly, beside Christina Bakker.

  “Sure, but the sooner you shut your mouth and take a seat, the quicker we be going.” Aliyah tinued, ill-humour pin. “And don’t try any shit… I mean… cause trouble…” She amended her nguage, which made Hinata have to hold in a giggle, being aware of how furiously the big woman usually swore. I guess Akio’s told her to be on her best behaviour, since Mayumi is present. He knows I don’t care about bad nguage. After all, Shiro swears regurly.

  “Why would I do that? I be just here to protect Miss Bakker. And nobody wants to hurt her, ya?”

  “Just don’t get any ideas.” Treyvon said, g his sister on her shoulder. With a grimace she sat down in one of the remainis, and as the personal attendant who was looking after the private flight went to close the doors, he also sat. “We’re well-equipped to handle any trouble.”

  At that, Titan snorted, a great sound like ripping cloth. “Ya think? Don’t get cocky, man. I may not be a match for ya boss, but I’m Titan! That be no mere niame, ya?”

  “Sure, you’re right. We’ve already taken a beating from Akio.” Treyvon agreed ruefully.

  “But you ain’t him.” Aliyah butted in, her smile almost feral. “No kidding, even with our training, we ’t match you for strength or speed, but we’re professionals, and we know what the f… what the hell we’re up against now.” Aliyah gnced over at Hinata. “For now, we’re here to protect her. So don’t force our damn hands.”

  “No way. I’m no fool.” Titan snorted. “It be a brave and stupid man who provokes him.” Crossing his arms, Titan nodded firmly.

  “They raise a good point though.” Kira-sama said, breaking the awkward mood. As now everyone was boarded, the pne was taxiing for take-off, and the attendant was asking who wanted drinks or food. “You’d be a very tempting target for bckmailing Akio-kun.” At his words, Hinata nodded, having sidered that herself.

  “I’ll protect her!” Kazumi decred, and Kira-sama nodded.

  “I know you will do your best. Kazumi-. Just like any bodyguard. But against this man here, for example…”

  “Leave me out of it…” Titan grumbled, but the point was made.

  “…could you win? I know you’d y down your life to buy Hinata- time to escape, but… the world isn’t so kind. Especially now.”

  Kazumi had to cede the point. She’s traio her limits. Without a Favour or some other means, Kazumi’s peaked. “I uand, but… if I aim to die with them, I could take them by surprise…”

  “It might still not work. But that aside…” Kira-sama was serious now, and Mayumi looked on, also p it, as it was an ever-present danger as a daughter of such a prestigious family. “…if you were taken, Hinata-, how would you mahe situation?”

  “That’s easy.” Hinata answered without hesitation, having sidered it already. In fact, everyone’s worried about it at some point. Akio’s… no, nobody’s invincible, but we have faith there are few that match him. So we be his weakness. And that… none of us abide. “I’ll simply bite my tongue and die. I’ll not be a tool to hinder Akio, and more importantly…” She paused, everyone’s eyes on her as she answered the question. “…we’re women, and daughters of the nobility. You uand, don’t you Mayumi? I’ll never let someone else have their way with my body. That’s for my husband, for Akio, and nobody else!”

  Mayumi nodded slowly. “If I was defiled, my aors would cry in shame. Death would be better than living in disgrace, to be sure, but…”

  As Kira-sama looked on, troubled, Aliyah spoke up, her tone oddly gentle.

  “You sure? Much as I hate the guy, I think he’d rather have you back safe and sound, even if you were… abused… than lose you. Even now, you’re thinking of him, the other cuties do too. Those smiles ’t be faked, I know. Besides…” Her words were solemn. “Take it from somebody who knows. Dying that way won’t be gentle. Choking on your own blood and severed flesh isn’t a nice way to go. It’s not certaiher. If they’re quick, they do field first aid and clear your throat…”

  She must have seen a lot, being a merary. “I see. I’ll bear that in mind. Maybe I should have a poison capsule or something simir with me… I o be certain.”

  “Don’t… don’t you fear death? Or is it that you think it won’t happen?” Treyvon asked, equally gentle.

  “I believe in Akio. But I also know the dark side of the world. Poor Haru-san attest to that fate.” Hinata replied seriously. “I believe it won’t e to that. After all, even now, we have Kazumi, Katana-san and you two here to protect us.” Her smile was warm. “But I must never be na?ve. And if it es down to it, I’ll die rather tha Akio down, or myself. Maybe Akio would be happy to see me reture enduring cruelty, but… I couldn’t accept that. I have my pride. Besides…” She g the two Chosen she didn’t know, as well as at Titan and Christina Bakker. “…you know of Tsukiko, don’t you Kira-sama? I hardly think Akio loves me any less.”

  “I see.” Kira-sama scratched at his . “It’s still… rather a lot to risk, Hinata-.”

  “But that’s my resolve. If you want to stand beside Akio, that’s the resolve you need.”

  “Why are you looking at me, Hinata?” Mayumi said, tilting her head. “I do suppose as a business partner, when it takes off, there might be simir risks that I’ll be a target…”

  Keep thinking like that… As the attendant pushed a drink into her hands, Hinata leant ba her chair, the topic turning away from such a grim o least nothing should happen before I meet with Akio. Titan has o cause trouble, and if he did so, that would set us against America for certain. As for the two apanying Kira-sama… Hinata observed them subtly. They don’t seem particurly nervous or wary. I doubt Kira-sama would allow potential troublemakers to guard him and Mayumi… no, the greatest danger will be in America, which is why I ’t apany Akio there, much as I wish to. Which is why we have to make the most of this trip while we’re together… Taking a sip of her juice, Hinata found herself smiling again, looking forward to what was to e…

  ***

  “…the timing is perfect.” Mayumi was saying happily, their versation back to Japanese now that their guests and guards were settled. “The factory site is progressing far faster than anticipated, so soon we’ll o take advantage of our sweetheart deal with Kumba-Stillwater. Our es with Miss Lindiwe and her father, the pany President, will start bearing fruit! And that’s all thanks to me!”

  Mayumi’s excitement was iious and was one of the reasons Hinata was so drawn to her in the past. Most of the nobility is quiet, calm, unruffled. But Mayumi’s like the Queen of Hanafubuki, her status unchallenged. Miyu was too quiet, Honoka-san too young, and Sakura… well, Takatsukasa house is on the dee, and then there’s… Not wanting to think of that, Hinata nodded. “And it’s for that reason that you disappointed me, Mayumi. You were too greedy! Anyway, yes, Kana’s done a fine job w oe. The others as well. We’ve moved onto the underground transit systems now, well ahead of schedule. So the upper factory is in the process of being fitted for produ.”

  “Yes, we have our own pnts ing out mae parts, ready for onsite assembly. Though the pns are… rather problemati some respects, so our foremen tell us.” Ichijou-sama said, a gss of fine brandy in hand, though he had been drinking sparingly, keeping a clear head.

  “Of course. Those maes aren’t purely sd engineering, but Mortal Engineering, as Ixitt would no doubt put it. But it certainly helps for all the ordinary pos to be fabricated, as our Mortal Engineers are still deeply involved iher tunnels and underground spaces. So only having to prepare the… specialist… parts is a great help to us.” Hinata’s smile turned cheeky. “Which is the least you do, Mayumi. After all, you’re our partner, but you need us far more than we need you! And you’ve already beed greatly from Akio’s Healing services, despite doing little yourself.”

  “Nonsense! I know that you are delighted to work with me. And Akio-kun is too! He would hardly begrudge me my referral fees.” Mayumi chuckled. She was drinking champagne, ae having had Chirurgery, boostiats, she was still a little tipsy, her face flushed, which certainly suited her beautiful features. I don’t lose though! I may not be as elegant as Mayumi, but I’m certainly cute!

  “Don’t fet we have a lot of projects you’re not a part of.” Hinata couldn’t resist teasing her. “When our new ventures exceed the value of Nichibotsu, or even Ichijou Heavy Industries, maybe I’ll take pity on you a you be my secretary.”

  “Cheeky girl!” Mayumi snorted. “I doubt that’ll happen. Ichijou Heavy Industries is only matched by Fujiwara House’s assets in Japan!”

  “Oh, it’ll happen.” Hinata promised, the revolutionary battery and recyg teologies on her mind. “But our joint projects will be up and running first.”

  Christina Bakker, who had been listening listlessly, a half-drunk gss of wine in her hand, suddenly spoke up, flickers of curiosity in her eyes again. “I would very much love to see this facility. We’ve been experimenting on such ourselves, but… well, we had reports on Kyoto, of course…” She seemed back to her usual self as she enthusiastically spewed out words, seemingly having uood enough Japao at least get the gist of their talk. “…and the method of transp people and materials betweewo worlds was sadly not one we could replicate. But despite that, Ameri sce is cutting edge, so…”

  “Are ya sure ya want to be spilling out ya guts here?” Titan said, frowning. “Ya supposed to be a diplomat, leakis is bad.” Now the versation was ba English Titan was able to follow it again.

  Christina’s eyes lost their focus for a moment, before she swallowed. “Too te for that. I’ve made my choice. I’m relying on Akio to protect me now. Even…” She looked at Hinata, and actually seemed trite. “…I’m not a woman who uands others. I know that or thought I did. Now… I angered Akio, but holy… I wasn’t lying. Nobody makes me feel like he does… I didn’t think I could feel that way.”

  As Mayumi ughed, Hinata clicked her tongue. Sometimes I uand how Eri feels. Akio being so wonderful is certainly something I delight in, but it attract… problems. I… I won’t sideline Eri again, nor anyone else. I was wrong, and she’s fiven me, so… I ’t break trust anymore. Even if I know Adamant is necessary. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’re his type. Although…” The treacherous thought leaked out. I’ve listeo Shiro’s tales and talked to Tan. What she repared to do, could certainly potentially have done more harm than this mad stist ever did. No, it’s not the same. Akio loved Shiro long before this. He won’t…

  “Although?” Christina asked, seeming slightly hopeful.

  “Although Akio is hardly cold enough to disdain you for that.” Hinata dissembled. “But what does anger him is your as in the past. But despite that, he won’t abandon you.”

  “I know. I… uaer now. I’m a stist. The best in the world…” She then tittered nervously, looking pale. “I don’t uand what ’t be measured empirically, what ’t be categorised. Humaions, hopes, dreams… sustific things.”

  “Just because they aren’t tangible doesn’t mean that they don’t matter.” Hinata pointed out. “Just look at the world now. All sorts of things that we thought were just stories are real.” Hinata pointed out, and Christina nodded.

  “You sound just like Akio. And I… figured if I made an effort to uand, even if I didn’t, that would be enough. And if I showed I was repentant, even if I wasn’t quite sure why… isn’t it the same? Just as you ’t tell the differeween two eles.”

  “I think you’re wrong.” Hinata shook her head. “This is where your i matters. Though I suppose first steps aren’t something I should criticise you for. But no matter your reasons, you’ve provided help to Akio and he’ll not fet that.”

  “Help. I made a mistake, went further than I should. But isn’t that the story of my life? Adam is going to be furious. Poor little Christina, going to disappear.” She sounded back to her teasing self, though her eyes were still a little numb. “I ’t ge the past. Ohing I believe with certainty is that even in a world of magid uifiseime travel surely is impossible. The past is gone, as if it never existed. Else… the universe would be in stant flux. Reality itself would colpse.”

  Mayumi, who was listening, eyes sparkling, perhaps enjoying the unusual versation, offered an idea. “What about parallel realities? That could allow travel to… if not the past, a past?”

  “I’ve sidered that.” Christina mused. “But… even if that ossible, doesn’t it just mean I still ’t ge the past, only move to an alternate one? I’ve… done what I did, and I still believe it was necessary, no matter how cruel. But… I repared to suffer the same. I did… I think?” She shook her head, as if to clear the cobwebs from her thoughts. “Perhaps it doesn’t matter, but… if it made him like me more…”

  I hate that I actually feel sorry for her, at least a little. I remember how I felt, when I wasn’t sure whether pursuing Akio was the right thing to do. Motoko and Natsumi uood that as well. We were selfish too, pushing ourselves on him. Well, there’s no parisoween us and her, of course… and we’ll spend our lives making him happy, whereas Christina Bakker doesn’t eveo uand what human happiness is… no, she’s no good, but… I still sympathise. A little. “I think you should give that up. At least in the short term. Don’t be in a rush. I get that you’re o these feelings, but… to us, you’re still plicit in the kidnapping, torture ah of a lot of i people. No matter how good your reasons, so you see them… that’s not something we just five and fet.” Seeing the half-puzzled, half-guilty look on the stist’s face, Hinata relented a little. “Just… keep being useful, and try your best, okay? Now, maybe we should get off this subject, it’s just making everyone gloomy.”

  “Yes, I agree!” the tipsy Mayumi agreed brightly. “We were talking about our future successes together, Hinata.”

  “Yes, we were.” Hinata couldn’t help but smile ruefully, as they switched back to Japanese. Everyo Hanafubuki learns English of course, and now thanks to the boost in my Intellect, I speak it near-perfectly, but… Japanese is more rexing. And as we’ll be speaking English on a lot of our trip, I might as well make the most of this time. “Though mine will be greater than yours, I promise you that. Takatsukasa House will be rebuilt by my hands. As for who sires the heir, I don’t care much about that. Be it me, or Sakura, or even little Minoru-kun.” Hinata paused for a sed, her smile now fond. “He’s throwing everything into being a superhero, it’s very cute.”

  “It’s ly proper for a son of such a noble house to effectively do the same work as a bodyguard…” Kira-sama began, but Hinata interrupted him.

  “Mind what you say. Motoko and Natsumi might take offeo that. In fact, it’s old-fashioraditions that restrien which has led to Akio scooping us all up. Minoru-kun is young. Getting stronger now will help him iure, whatever his path is. Don’t worry, he’s always watched, and his training is very gentle pared to ours.”

  “Yes, it makes me wonder, just how far will Akio-kun go? Miyu- is rather close to him, no? I doubt Shige would refuse a marriage betwee this stage. While Honoka-’s prospective husband will surely i, having such a strong tie and a share of the Fujiwara fortunes would be a rge be… and then there’s talk of… well, never mind that one.” Kira-sama coughed theatrically. “Even your cousin Sakura-… there’s merits to it. But if Akio-kun takes too many daughters, then the bloodlines of the nobility will get rather tangled…”

  You’re fetting one hough that makes sense, Kira-sama. After all, you think of yranddaughter as special. And she is. But no more than Miyu is. No, less than her now. After all, Miyu is Chosen as well as a daughter of Fujiwara house. Keepihoughts to herself, Hinata merely brushed that question off. “I ’t say I’m entirely opposed to the idea, but… there has to be limits. There are better prospects for Akio’s future wives than more noble daughters. Not that we’d refuse if Akio was charmed by one. So long as she obeyed the rules we all agreed to.”

  “Better prospects, huh? I think I uand.” Kira-sama agreed.

  “Well, I don’t. Grandfather, Hinata, don’t keep me in the dark, I hate that!” Mayumi pouted.

  “There’s no mystery to it.” Hinata enjoyed Mayumi’s annoyance. “It’s btantly obvious that a political marriage between Akio and our allies is the way to eroions.”

  “Oh, I see.” Mayumi realised who Hinata meant. “That would be… iing.”

  “It definitely would. Eri’s sure it’ll happen, and I don’t see why she’d be wrong. But we’ve wandered off the topic again.” Hinata brought the subject back to the factory. “Unless you have a burning desire to express your own i?” Uo resist that teasing, Hinata waited for a moment, as Mayumi looked away, face pink. “No? Anyway… without talking specifics…” There are too many people I doirely trust here, and it’s sad, but… I think that Christina Bakker is probably less worrisome than Kira-sama’s new bodyguards, being as she’s not a native speaker. The risk of information leakage is small, but I still don’t like taking needless ces.

  “…yes, we’re at the cutting edge of cross-Boundary researd produ. We’ll capture the initial market. Sure, it’s o think that no-one else will manage simir teological breakthroughs, maybe other tries are w on them now…” Hinata g Christina knowingly, as if her words were accurate, the US was still far behind. “…but I’m fident we’ll get ours out first. At the least, our teologies will help make Japan self-suffit, which is vital as the wrows ever more uain, and we certainly make signifit profits selling the excess overseas and to our allies…”

  “The Ameri dream.” Aliyah she first words she’d said for a while. She was nursing a gss of juice like Hinata, and at her inquisitive gaze, Aliyah snorted sourly, tossing her head, beads jingling. “I’m on duty, despite what you might believe, I’m a professional. Work hard, py harder, right Trey?”

  “Leave me out if it.” Her brother shrugged, a eri his hands. “Besides, I ’t follow everything they said.” Since Hinata eaking in Japahey were following along as best as they could.

  “Your Japanese is as shaky as your Russian. Shit… uh… damn. Anyway, you o put more effort in. I ’t say I followed everything, but I uood enough. At least we won’t o worry about the pany’s paychecks boung…”

  As the two siblings argued, Hinata leaned ba her chair, amused by the distra. Looking out of the window at the clouds below, Hinata wished the flight would hurry up and reach its destination. While she enjoyed spending time with Mayumi, and talking about her pns… That’s nothing pared to spending time with Akio, and, more importantly… Her smile reflected in the gss of the window, unaware of how her expression was charming those around her, Hinata finished her juice, thoughts rag. If everything goes as we pn, then Akio will be able to reaew heights of power, and with him, all of us. I ’t wait! Every day is better tha, and tomorrow… it’s going to be just wonderful!

  ShipTeaser