(Homura P.O.V)
I've been called by someone that I know very well. Takami-san has requested that we meet up again. But the strange thing is, she wants something from me. Or more like, she wanted me to acquire something for her. Even though I find it a little strange, I got it for her anyway and right now, we are sitting in the usual limo with her looking at me with anticipating eyes.
"Homura, did you acquire the items for me?"
I nodded with a wary look on my face. I'm still a little unsure if I should give her these items. It's a little… personal if I do say so myself. I mean, more pictures of him… of Hidaka-san. She asked me, a few days ago, to get more images of Hidaka-san, so I asked Matsu and she did it, for a price. The price was… well, I would rather not talk about it. But I don't know why exactly Takami-san wishes for me to acquire these images. I can only take a guess, and I'm not sure I would be right.
"I did, but Takami-san. I don't think I should give it to you."
She raises an eyebrow at me. She shouldn't do that because it's kind of creepy if I do say so myself.
"Homura, explain yourself."
Why does she say it like that!? With such venom. Is it really so important that she gets these items!?
"Takami-san, these images are a little unhealthy to have."
"Why? I need them Homura for my research. At least I didn't ask you to acquire DNA or anything so invasive."
If she did, I would've questioned her sanity. She shouldn't ask about things or even talk about it. And if the DNA is something I am thinking of then, Takami-san needs a little help.
"True, but Takami-san. You've been acting a little strangely since you first saw a picture of Hidaka-san."
She waved me off with an unfocused expression on her face.
"It's nothing to concern yourself with Homura. I am merely trying to figure out why he was able to wing the former discarded number. It isn't like there's another reason."
She said with twitching eyebrows and a twitching upper body also. Yeah, there's nothing wrong with you at all. You are purely in it for the scientific aspect. It hasn't gotten anything to do with anything else.
"Homura, just give me the images and no one will get hurt."
Why did that sound so threatening right now!? I-I'm a little scared now!
"Takami-san..."
She held out her hand and made a grabbing motion. I don't think I should give her the images. I'm afraid of what she is doing with it. I got the… indecent images out of my pocket (which I haven't looked at… okay maybe a peak but don't judge me) and was about to present them to Takami-san, that's when I noticed her drooling a little bit.
"Takami-san, is something wrong?"
She shook her head with blank eyes! W-Why does she have those kinds of eyes!?
"No, just give me the images."
I don't want to know! She has a strange look in her eyes and it is scaring me very much right now!
"Takami-san, I don't think you should have them."
"But I need them!"
She snapped at me, so I jumped back in surprise! I didn't expect her to do something like that. She raised a hand to her face, and let out a deep calming breath.
"Homura, listen to me. I need these images so I can study this boy's body… study this boy so I can find out about what's happening, and why he was able to wing No. 07. Don't you find it a little odd that he did that."
I must admit that I do, and sometimes whenever I see him, I feel hot all over my body. I can't be reacting to him right? I can't be reacting to that boy, can I? I don't understand why… no, maybe I don't want to believe I am.
There's nothing wrong with him. He seems to be nice enough and he looks after the Sekirei he has, but I never thought that I would react to a high schooler that looks like a 12 year old. But he is cute...
"I do but Takami-san..."
"Homura, just give me the images."
With a cry, I handed the images over to her. Her eyes immediately brighten up like a thousand suns. She looks at the images with contentment. The look of someone who has found the answer in life. Is this Takami-sans answer in life?
"Oh yeah baby..."
Oh no baby! That's weird Takami-san! I looked at Takami-san who seemed to be in a trance-like state.
"Alright Homura, since this is good for now, I shall drop you off at Izumo Inn. And if you happen to know his likes, dislikes and such then I am all ears."
I chuckled nervously as she told the driver to take us to Izumo Inn. That's good actually, Miya should be doing breakfast right about now.
"Well, I don't know much about him. I know that he has an obsession with anime, and that's only because I saw him watch it for 7 straight hours the other day."
Yeah, that was very creepy. He didn't even blink, or if he did then I didn't see it. It was kind of fascinating though, even if creepy. And somehow, he got Miya watching anime as well and they… enjoyed it together. I was just content with watching them watch it together. It's the first time I've seen Miya open up to someone like that in a long time. And, I think that he has turned Miya into an otaku.
"Anime huh. Yes, Yukari also likes that. Maybe, I could ask her about what anime is in right now."
"Ehehe, Takami-san. Even if you did, your daughter's opinions might be different from Hidaka-san's opinions. Because, everyone is different after all. And the types of anime they watch might be different..."
I then thought. She's going to make me find out about the types of anime he watches, isn't she? I can see the look in her eyes.
"Homura, I have a task for you."
Of course you do. I cried to myself as Takami-san handed me a notepad and pen?
"What's this for?"
"Record down what anime he watches and give me the names the next time we see one another."
I knew it! I knew she would make me do it! I nodded in her direction with a small sigh.
"I, surely will Takami-san."
"Good Homura."
And like that, the rest of the journey consisted of me and Takami-san talking about her latest obsession… I mean the Ashikabi who winged No. 07. But after returning to Izumo Inn, I headed inside straight away.
"Oh, Kagari. What a pleasant surprise. Are you joining us for breakfast?"
The kind, yet scary landlady came to the doorway and said.
"Y-Yes, I don't have work this morning."
"Oh, what a surprise. Has something good happened?"
I tilted my head to the side in a wondering look.
"What do you mean?"
"Kagari… or rather Homura. I've… seen how your face flushes when in Hidaka-san's presence. The way you look at Hidaka-san's Sekirei with envious eyes. It's clear as day Homura. You are reacting to him."
"D-Don't be silly. I am not reacting to him, or anyone else!"
"If that's what you believe. But, he isn't bad, you know?"
I looked away. He isn't all that bad. I know that but...
"Takehito said that the chances of me finding an Ashikabi were low, my power is unstable..."
"Yes. But, you have found one, right? Didn't he also wing the unwingable Sekirei?"
I nodded. We've previously discussed it when she asked about Akitsu.
"But that's different to me. Yes, he winged Akitsu… say, he isn't around is he?"
"Hohoho~ Thinking about your future husband already~?"
I glared and shook my head.
"As if! He isn't my future husband! I just don't want him to know about my Sekirei status."
"He's upstairs getting dressed for going to the hospital I imagine."
Oh, that's a relief. At least he isn't listening to our conversation. I sighed in relief.
"But, don't you think on some level, he already knows? Didn't he call you No. 06 that time? Clearly, he knows something about you is different. And I'm sure that one of his Sekirei will catch on eventually to your Sekirei status and inform him about it, if he doesn't guess it again and stick with it."
"Even if he does know on some level, he doesn't know on the level that counts. I wish to disassociate myself from that person."
Even if my words sound cold, there's a reason I think it. I just don't...
"Homura, whether you like it or not. If you're reacting to him, I suggest that you either get to know him, or even get winged by him. But only this once will I let you do any illicit activities in Izumo Inn~"
I sweatdropped, but getting to know him huh. I guess, if he is my future Ashikabi… maybe my future Ashikabi, I might as well find out what he's like. And Takami-san wants me to find out about this anime obsession he has because she's got Shota on the brain.
"Thanks… I guess?"
"Ara, yes~ You should be thanking me~ Now, if you'll excuse me~"
I nodded as she split apart from me. Get to know him huh… get to know him. Fine, I'll take Miya's advice and get to know him better. And it will help me help Takami-san also.
He's upstairs… I'll go upstairs and ask him… ask him… ugh! I couldn't do it! It's too embarrassing! Why is it embarrassing!? I am Homura, I am not going to be defeated by embarrassed emotions.
So, I set off up the stairs after traversing the corridors, hoping to God that he is alone. I can't ask him if his Sekirei are around, and Matsu better not be watching either. And as for Uzume… she best be not there either.
I got up the stairs and walked towards his room. I stopped outside, and hesitantly reached out my hand, but then retracted it. I don't feel so good about this now. No, I need to do this for… myself. I need to see if this is a genuine reaction, or just a faux one.
"Because I'm happy~ Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof~"
Is he singing? H-He doesn't have that bad of a voice… ehehe, I need to get this over with.
Knock knock!
I knocked on the door, waiting for a reply. Please don't let any of his Sekirei be there. I just don't want them to be there… so I can talk with him alone...
"Uzume-san? Is that you?"
He thinks I'm Uzume huh. Does she come by a lot? Sounds like something Uzume will do.
"N-No, it's me. Kagari."
"O-Oh, Kagari-san~! Please come in~!"
"You are… dressed right?"
I said warily. I… well, I've seen him… agh! I can't think about that now!
"Yup! I'm dressed! Please come in!"
I opened the door, and… I'm sure God is testing me! He really is testing me right now! Hidaka-san is… Hidaka-san is… erm... He's… bent over, showing me his… butt… at least he is dressed but still...
His Sekirei aren't here. That's good. I can at least only make a fool of myself in front of him, not them also. I took a small breath and tried not to stare.
"... Hidaka-san… what are you..."
He stood up straight and turned around… my heart skipped a beat when he smiled at me. W-Why? This feeling in my chest, why am I feeling like this? It can't be...
"Sorry about that. Just packing my bag for the Onee-chan day, but at least I'm not at work tonight~ Hehe, I'm sure you know what that's like. So erm..."
I need to get out of here! I-I can't do this. My chest feels too hot… I can't do this...
"Kagari-san? Is something the matter?"
"N-No! I-If you'll excuse me!"
I turned and was about to leave when I felt a hand touch my arm. I turned back to see him… looking at me with...ba happy smile...
"Kagari-san, is there something you want to talk about? Since you came and all."
"N-No, it doesn't matter."
"But… you seem to want to ask me something. And you came here, so please ask away. If it's something I can do for you, then I will try and do it for you."
So… kind. Even though I'm not his Sekirei and we haven't… talked that much… saying things like to me is...
"R-Right. I'll come out with it… no! I can't! It doesn't matter Hidaka-san!"
I tried to leave again but he clung to me. Damn, I've got a Shota clinging to me!
"But, it seems to matter to you. You're so flustered all of a sudden. Are you hot?"
You have no idea. My body feels so hot right now… I can't...
"N-No. Hidaka-san… you aren't… ummmm… busy… today… right?"
"Hmm? I am a little busy during the first part of the day. But I'm free for the rest of the day."
"I… see. Then, do you want to… erm… do you want to go… what I'm asking is… erm… I'm not good at this type of thing..."
"Kagari-san? Is there something you want to do together?"
I gained a shy smile and nodded. Damn it. He's made me this shy. I'm never like this. I can't let these emotions beat me. I can't let anyone do things to me like this. Least of all him. A high school student at that.
"Y-Yeah! Haha! S-Sure! Let's go… umm, out together!"
He blinked in surprise, I just wanted to go. I don't want to do this anymore. I feel like something will happen. Something… will happen.
"G-Go out together? L-Like a date!?"
"Ehehehe… out! Tonight! You! Me! Go out together! Tonight!"
Yeah, I could've done that better, but I didn't… dammit. Ugh! I could've done it way better than that!
"G-Going out together? T-Tonight? S-Sure! It sounds like fun~"
"Great! Gotta go! Bye!"
Before he could reply, I got out of there. I couldn't stand it much longer. I just couldn't do it but I'm going out with him tonight… ugh! Where the hell are we going to go!?