The wind was blowing the majestic reds and golds of autumn around was when he saw her. He sat on a park bench, his long coat hiding his uniform, admiring the scene with his eyes. As they roamed the view, his gaze was drawn to her. A simple girl in her mid-twenties clad with a navy peacoat over her dress, small shoes tapping lightly against the sidewalk. The leaves that swirled around made her look like an etherial being that shouldn’t belong in this… HOLD ON! What the fuck was he thinking?! As he mused to himself, a small, round, white kitten peeped out from the top of his coat.
“Nyan~ Pretty girl,” came a soft voice at his shoulder.
“Shh! Not so loud Neko,” he hissed.
“Nyan,” the kitten sulked as it crept back under the collar of his coat.
Seiji then touched the small bluebird pin that was tucked right under the lapel of his coat. It was from his former flame and partner, Kazuki. The one woman he’d given his heart to in their organization. That incident wasn’t his fault, as fellow commander Hideki Ishigami/Cyber Kamen would tell him, but he still blames himself for her death. Within their ranks of their organization, Shadow Claw, only the elite of the elite of any field can enter. Seiji’s skill was great enough to get in and climb the ranks quickly to where he is but not enough to save Kazuki during that battle…
As he let out a sigh, the girl walked over. Seiji nearly fell over but maintained his composure and nodded at her. Imagine his shock when she waved back at him with an innocent smile on that innocent face.
“Are you alright miss,” he asked her, professionally.
The young woman shook her head, her smile disappearing, as she turned to leave. Then the kitten decided to show itself.
“Nyan~” it greeted.
The girl turned around to see the kitten and her smile returned. As she reached out to touch it, her hand pulled back and she looked at him, her eyes asking if it was alright. With a sigh, Seiji pulled Neko from his coat and handed it to her. Before Neko could protest at being treated roughly, the girl’s eyes brightened as she held the kitten. Neko went from pissed to content in zero seconds within the girl’s embrace. Seiji’s eyes widened as he realized what happened but didn’t ask as the girl looked happy with Neko. After holding it for a few minutes the sky suddenly grew darker. The girl’s expression faltered as she handed the kitten back. Before Seiji could say anything, she ran off. Lighting struck where she’d been minutes before, startling them both.
“Mina! You won’t get away,” snarled a voice.
Then it was gone as soon as it came.
“Nyan… This isn’t good Goto-sama,” Neko mewed within his arms.
“You’re right… I’ll need to look into this,” he mumbled as he tapped a device under his gloves.
Within seconds he was sitting at his desk in his living quarters. He removed his coat as Neko jumped to the floor, fear evident around it. This wasn’t a good sign. Whomever it is was definitely not on the Shadow Claw’s target or enemy list. The voice also sounded intimidating, deep and threatening yet also cunning and wily. Unfortunately Seiji couldn’t think of who would sound like that. He definitely needed to ask for some help, OUTSIDE of Shadow Claw. His archenemies. The SFS, Safety Force Sentai. The group acted like police officers, fire fighters, first aid and bodyguards but they all had one augmented ability that they specialized. The one he needed to talk to was the leader, Subaru Ichiyanagi, Safety Force Red 1. While his nickname for him was feminine, it was always to the latter’s annoyance, as Subaru was skilled in cooking and loved anything cute. Subaru’s special ability was to create invisible barriers that allowed his teammates to jump over or for protection during serious battles with their grunts.
Pulling his metal machine half-faceplate on, Seiji left the living area and headed for the police headquarters to see if they were there. The lady at the front desk, trembling, told him that they are at their group compound relaxing as it was a day off when he arrived. Nodding once at her, Seiji tapped his device again as he walked outside. A sleek black car pulled up to the front of the building and he entered it to see that Neko was there too in the passenger seat.
“Nyan. Look nyan,” it said pointing at a picture with its paw.
Seiji looked to see that it is the picture of the girl from earlier with her name written on the back. ‘Mina’ was written with Neko’s best tail writing.
“Good work Neko, now…” Seiji nodded as he shifted the car from automatic driver to manual.
It took some time to get there as Tokyo’s traffic wasn’t commuter friendly. Neko complained the whole time that it was hungry but Seiji didn’t have the luxury of stopping by a pet store and getting it some food. By the time he arrived, it was already afternoon. The SFS compound resembled a simple apartment complex surrounded by a brick and iron gate fence but Seiji knew that like the Sentai that was housed inside, the appearance was deceiving. As he pulled up to the entrance, alarms sounded until somebody switched it off. A panel on the brick sign post slid down to reveal a screen that showed the unmasked face of SF Pink 4, Mei Noda, the task force’s only female member. Her light brown hair was pulled back by a pink headband with her matching eyes glaring at him from the screen.
“What gave you the idea to come here in the first place Metal Kamen-sama,” she snapped at him.
Seiji sighed as he rolled his window down.
“Calm down Noda and let me in. I just need some help from Rosemary,” he said flatly.
“That’s all. No tricks or your grunts hiding in the trunk,” she asked skeptically, with a small smile since Seiji calling Subaru ‘Rosemary’ keeps her in giggle fits.
“None of those. I only need to talk,” he growled.
“Fine. But nothing stupid or else,” she threatened as she switched the screen off.
As the gate opened, Seiji shivered. SF Black 6, Daichi Katsuragi, and SF Violet 2, Mizuki Fujisaki, had given him a severe pounding before with their respective powers of super strength and sonic voice. Combine that with Mei’s skill of power mimicry, that’s enough to make anybody wish that insurances covered for injuries sustained in super battles. He rolled up the window and drove in. He parked the car under one of the awnings and got out. Neko jumped onto his shoulder, holding the picture in its mouth. He walked up to the front door only for it to open to reveal SF Blue 3, Kaiji Akizuki, the team’s fastest and skilled fighter.
“I heard from Mei that you wanted to see Subaru,” he said coolly.
“I’m in no mood to have such t-” Seiji started.
“Hey there Neko~ Oh what’s this? Did you get a girlfriend Mr. Bad Guy,” sang a girl in yellow as she noticed the kitten and the picture in its mouth.
“Sora cool it and let’s let him in,” Kaiji snapped.
“Oh right,” she giggled as she became a smiling young man.
Seiji sighed as he walked in. SF Yellow 5, Sora Hirosue, has the ability to change shape, which included his gender. He wasn’t the happiest camper when Kaiji and Sora are around as their respective Safety Force color and number. The two make the most battle taunts when fighting, driving the entire Shadow Claw up the wall. As he was lead into the main living room, Mei was already there preparing food and drinks with Subaru, Daichi, and Mizuki there as well. Seiji couldn’t blame them as they were enemies, but occasional allies. As he sat down, Neko jumped from his shoulder and padded over to Mei. She noticed Neko as it offered the picture to her, took it, and looked at Seiji with a funny look in her eyes.
“What is with this,” she asked him.
“That’s what I wanted to talk with Ichiyanagi about,” Seiji said with a straight face.
Daichi walked over to where Mei was to get a better look at the picture. She handed it to him while she resumed working on the refreshments for the meeting and he did, brows furrowed. Subaru raised an eyebrow at him.
“What happened Goto,” Subaru asked him.
“I was with Neko when she…”
“It’s Mina, Nyan.”
“… Mina walked up to me but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t say anything to ask if she wanted to hold Neko. She spoke with her eyes. As she held Neko, the sky turned black-”
“What? The sky turned black,” Mizuki said in surprise as he looked over his coffee cup.
“Yes. Mina handed Neko back and ran. After she left, a lighting bolt-”
“That’s enough,” Subaru frowned. “I don’t need anymore information. Kenta!”
“Yes sir,” came a voice over the room’s speaker.
“Search for information on the Fighter Mage,” he ordered.
“Right away sir,” Kenta answered crisply.
“Who’s Kenta,” Seiji asked as he accepted a warm coffee mug from Mei.
“Kenta-sama is our official AI/Human informant,” she explained. “Circumstances allowed us to accept him to help us with gathering, scouting and telling us information that is much needed.”
‘Ah… That must be how they know how to fight us…’ Seiji mused as he took a sip from his mug.
Neko was content with the handmade kitty kibble and nutrient filled soy milk. Subaru wasn’t looking too happy as he contemplated while Daichi looked at Mei.
“Do you know anything about Mina,” he asked her.
“I only remember that she is a happy person and likes certain types of people. She loves interior designing that sometimes Sorako-sama and I help her with our opinion,” she answered.
“Oh yeah! I remember! She also had this one boy who she dated a few times. We didn’t see her again after she said that she was going to break up with him,” Sora recalled.
“That’s right. We haven't heard from her since then,” Mei nodded.
Seiji’s eyes widened in surprise. He knew that Mei often went out when she had a day off but never suspected that Sora joins her and this woman. Mina… She was definitely different from his Kazuki. Wait a second where did that come from?! No… he can have another woman falling for him again. Not after what had happened that day… with Kazuki… Then an electronic chirp threw him back to the present.
“Subaru-san, I found him,” Kenta reported.
“Proceed,” he acknowledged.
“The Fighter Mage is a young man named Haruki Tanemura. He specializes in floral and earth based spells with vast knowledge in other spells. He did have a girlfriend with the name Mina,” Kenta started.
“Hold it! You said girlfriend?! OW! Mei!”
“That makes more since,” Mei said calmly despite having to hit Sora on the back of his head. “He is rather possessive at times.”
“Indeed,” Kenta moaned. “Clearly Miss Faye did something that angered him. Now she cannot talk until she decides to accept his marriage proposal.”
“Whoa. Somebody was jumping way too far ahead,” Mizuki whistled.
“Indeed. Apparently Miss Faye turned his offer down. I did communicate to the Rose Mage and he gave me little help as to how to break the spell,” Kenta moaned.
“Did Edward-sama speak in riddles again,” Mei asked.
“Yes. He said that ‘The fairy shall speak again when her true prince comes’,” Kenta answered wearily.
“How many riddles does that man have to speak,” Sora asked in annoyance.
“It’s his way of speaking Sora,” Mizuki reminded him firmly. “Also he is much closer to nature than Haruki is.”
As he took another sip from his mug Seiji wondered how it happened. He’d not heard of mages before and he is only aware of two flower shops in Tokyo. Wait a minute, Edward-sama…
“Does this Edward-san own a flower shop,” he asked them.
“Yes,” answered Kenta. “His just opened a few years ago but Haruki’s was open for ten years. They’re on different streets but girls are avid fans of theirs.”
“Why aren’t you interested in them Mei,” Seiji asked.
“I just don’t have a thing with men selling flowers and trying to charm me,” she sighed depressingly as she sipped from her cup.
“Charm,” Neko mewed as it looked up from the bowl of almost finished kitty kibble.
“My ability to mimic powers once I’ve touched someone isn’t helpful when I’m in either store,” Mei admitted. “Worse is that I still have all those other powers I’ve mimicked before. So the charm spells set in the store have minimal affect on me.”
“Is that the other reason why you don’t go to either stores,” Seiji prodded.
“Yes but I like Edward-sama store better. It has a gentler atmosphere on its own. The one Haruki-sama owns is mostly flocked with girls who are naturally charmed by him. He looks okay but I just don’t like the feel there,” she answered.
“Hmmm,” Seiji frowned into his cup.
“Then where’d those pink roses come from,” Kaiji asked nodding at the vase in a corner of the room.
“I bought them myself from Edward-sama,” she replied.
As the others let out a collective sigh, Seiji’s mind was whirling. Mei said that both men ran flower shops and, from what Kenta had reported, Haruki is a natural lady killer. He needed more information…
“So how is Mina faring,” Daichi asked Mei as he looked up from the picture again.
“Last I heard was that she’s going to tell that ‘loser’, Haruki-sama, that it’s over between them. She was so pumped up that I didn’t dare tell her to stop,” Mei sulked.
“Do you know where she lives,” Seiji finally asks.
“Of course we do,” Sora smiled the same time Subaru said “No.”
Seiji was confused but Mei’s question made more sense because she asked, “Why do you want to know about Mina-sama? This isn’t the same as what happened with Kazuki-sama that time.”
Before he can blast her with an energy beam, he remembered that the SFS was there as well that fateful day. It was a serious battle that made Safety Force Sentai and Shadow Claw to team together to eliminate a threatening organization that planned on recreating the Earth. He and Kazuki were on a cliff fighting when it happened. Pink 4, who was with them, had helped him to try and catch Kazuki when she was about to fall. Pink 4 yelled a warning but Kazuki got shot still and fell to her death. Blue 3 took down the shooter but it was too late. Pink 4 became his crying shoulder as clean-up happened. He wasn't the same man after that but somehow… Mina inspired him… rekindled something. A spark.
With a sigh he replied, “I want to protect her.”
As the room fell quiet, Mei pulled something from her waist pouch and handed it to him. Seiji looked at it and was surprised to see it in Kazuki’s handwriting.
“Kazuki-sama wanted me to give this to you if she died but with our factions it was near impossible,” Mei said softly. “I didn’t believe that she’d trust me and not Amy-sama.”
Amy Ishigami is Hideki’s wife and top supporter. The two had met during a risky mission that involved her research that she had done under a professor at a lab and now she is one of their researchers as well as his wife. When he and Hideki both found out that their girls hung out with Mei, off duty for both sides, it surprised him on just shows how much Mei didn’t care about sides but more about the nature of the person. As a result trust was built in between the three girls. As he looked up at Mei, he realized that he wasn’t looking at Pink 4. He was seeing Mei Noda, a simple civilian woman.
With a nod, Seiji accepted the letter and tucked it into a pocket of his uniform. As he did, Subaru let out a sigh.
“We will disclose some information but we won’t give everything. We’re not supposed to do this but since we have fought together at times, I’ll let this slide. Just this once,” he said firmly. “Kenta will give you the information before you leave.”
“Thanks Rosemary,” Seiji said with a straight face.
Mei ran out of the room with a hand covering her mouth. Daichi let out a deep breath while Mizuki walked over to a console in the room, typing something. Kaiji was patting Sora’s back as the young hero had his coffee go down the wrong tube. Subaru openly bit his lip. He hated being called ‘Rosemary’ but he couldn’t afford to loose his cool now, especially that he’s the leader. But he did mutter, “Not a problem Pajamas.” causing Seiji to finch slightly. Neko was just looking around, confused as it had no idea what was going on, before resuming its meal. Mei came back, cheeks matching her designated color, with more kitty kibble.
“Just to keep Neko-chan quiet when you’re driving,” she explained. “It’s hard to focus with all that fuss.”
Seiji nodded and was about to call Neko when Mizuki walked over with a piece of folded paper.
“This is all that Kenta can give for right now. I hope that this is helpful,” Mizuki told him.
“Thank you. Neko, we’re leaving,” he barked.
“Nyan…,” Neko sulked as it jumped up and onto his shoulder.
“Thank you for the coffee Mei,” he nodded to her as he left.
Mei only winked to show that she heard as they all went back to what they were originally doing. As Seiji walked out, the strain of a flute could be heard with the melody of a piano. The SFS was defiantly much more than what people perceived them to be, including him. He entered the car and set the bag of kitty kibble in the passenger seat. Neko jumped down and pawed at it that he relented to open the bag. Neko had a happy ride home as it stuffed itself full, meaning he ate half the bag once they returned to the headquarter’s residential area. Seiji needed to ask Mei the next time they fight to give him some more of her handmade kitty kibble. There was no way that Subaru can make kitty meals without knowing a lot about animals. For all he knew, Mizuki and Mei loved animals and vice versa. Seiji unfolded the paper to look at it and realized that he was given not only an address but a cell phone number with a tiny note from Mei. ‘Tell her that she’s a brave girl’ was all that the quiet girl wrote.
With a small dark grin on his face, Seiji walked back to his room and gave Mina a text.
[text] Mina, are you alright. We met in the park earlier.
After he hit send, he mentally kicked himself. He should’ve just introduced himself and explain how he’d gotten her number. Any girl would just freak out and call the SFS or police on them. As he berated himself, his eyepiece told him that he got a response.
[text]: yes... who r u?! how did u get my #?!
Go figure… Wait!
[text]: I’m friends with Mei. She told me a bit about you.
A lie but not at the same time. He knew her but not that well or intimately. How’d he win her from the SFS is a riddle he cannot solve. Mizuki had fallen for her and she’d reciprocated. Also, Mizuki entered her life way before he did. He didn’t know much about her life before the met the music star turned super hero but he only knew that she was Kaiji’s neighbor and childhood friend as well as a possible candidate for the police department’s Special Investigation team. He’ll need to look into those… Whoop! She responded!
[text]: mei! is she alr8?
[text]: She’s worried about you.
[text]: oh D: i wish i can talk 2 her
[text]: What happened?
[text]: boifrnd mad that i dmped him. he cursed me so i cn’t talk, i’m scared 2 talk 2 her.
[text]: Send her a text. She’s worried for her brave friend.
[text]: me brv?! 8{ i’m not brv.
[text]: You are. To be with someone like him and then tell him no is brave
[text]: tnx… what ur name?
Seiji paused for a bit he can’t reveal that he’s Metal Kamen but he decided to do:
[text]: My name is Seiji Goto.
[text]: tnx goto-san.
Seiji ended the messages there. He wasn’t that willing to… What is this? He pulled the envelope out again. It was definitely Kazuki’s writing. He used the laser in his mask to open the seal and took the paper out.
‘Seiji,
If you are reading this, it means that Mei has given you my message and I’m already dead. Seiji, do you know the story of the ‘Bluebird’? Mei told me and Amy this story a few times and that a bluebird represents the happiness one brings to another. You were my bluebird Seiji. I was happy whenever I was with you. I wished you the same when I gave you that bluebird pin. I wished for someone to bring you happiness as well if I’m gone. Please, Seiji, be happy for me. Keep on living and being the best Metal Kamen I know you to be. I love you Seiji.
With love,
Kazuki’
Seiji’s eyes widened at the letter. Kazuki was fearing the worst and gave him a gift to help him move on… He needed to contact Pink 4 again. He was about to contact her when something tapped at his window. He turned to see a barn owl tapping his window. He opened it as Neko hid under his desk. The owl flew in and landed on the top of his dresser with a small cylinder on it’s leg. Seiji closed the window and went to the owl. The owl stuck it’s leg out, allowing Seiji to free the contents of the cylinder. It was a small note from her.
‘Can’t talk much but we have trouble. Cyber Kamen-sama isn’t involved and neither is Amy-sama. The sky is now starting to get dark and storm is going to happen. Tsukikokoro is able to fly through this upcoming weather. Send me a message back using her. She may be small but she’s the fastest flyer that I can trust. Be careful. It turns out we can’t do anything to help Mina-sama right now. Mina-sama has a friend’s brother she is helping and his group of friends. Too many boys=trouble.
-Mei’
Seiji, frowning in disgust, typed a message back on his mask, printed it on the in-room printer and tucked it into the tube. Tsukikokoro flew to the window and he opened it. She went out into the sky, soaring back to where the SFS compound is. Seiji frowned and hoped that Mei got his message. Once he closed the window, he walked to the main building of the Shadow Claw organization. Cyber Kamen was already there with a frown of his own on the exposed portion of his face. The gears and wheels turned on his mask as he looked at the screens in front of him. He looked up when he heard footsteps and saw Metal Kamen
“Metal. Look at this,” he said as he gestured to one of them.
The screen displayed a group of several young people all being attacked by wild branches and were-animals. One of them was…
“Mina,” he whispered.
“Pardon,” Cyber Kamen asked.
“It started earlier…”
After Metal Kamen finished telling him what happened, Cyber Kamen had a scary look on his cold face.
“Amy did talk about her but I haven’t been able to spare resources to look into this,” he frowned,
“But we do have hope. I can only hope that Pink 4 can come. She knows the mages,” was his reply.
“Why did you ask for her to come? It’ll only be trouble,” Cyber Kamen answered, his frown growing deeper.
Then there was a loud, “Oi! Metal Kamen-sama invited me here! Oi!” and multiple shouts of: “Get her!”
The two Kamen whirled to see a young woman wearing pink costume with a black 4 on it and a same colored helmet, holding a bag while speeding around their foot soldiers and generals.
“She’s right I asked her to come here,” Metal Kamen spoke up. “Stand down. Resume your stations!”
“Yes sir,” was heard as the men stopped trying to catch her and went back to work.
“Mou! Metal Kamen-sama, do all your fighters do this to every girl who just randomly teleports in,” Pink 4 asked as she looked at the two commanders with a ticked expression.
“Simple. You’re an enemy,” Cyber Kamen answered instead.
Pink 4 bit back her normal nickname for him, Mecha Brain, as she turned to Metal Kamen.
“I also have what you need for Neko-chan and why did you need me to come,” she inquired, holding the bag out to him.
“What do you know about mages,” Metal Kamen asked as he accepted the bag.
“I only am aware that there’s two major ones here in this area and several minor ones scattered everywhere else. The same with other cities but there’s a supreme mage in each prefecture and those two are vying for that title,” Pink 4 answered as Cyber Kamen scanned the bag she’d handed over.
Metal Kamen opened the bag and smiled as she talked. The bag held two sacks of handmade kitty kibble and two bottles of the same soy milk mix that Neko drank earlier. He requested it so that he can at least keep the resident kitten in his quarters quiet and sate so that it won’t keep begging for food when he’s around.
“This is the other reason why you called this pesky pink butterfly here,” Cyber Kamen asked as he readjusted his eyepiece manually.
“I can’t find food that Neko is willing to eat,” Metal Kamen snapped.
“Is there anything else you need my help with,” Pink 4 sighed before anything else can happen.
“One.”
-~-~-~-~-~-~
A few hours later the three were standing outside a simple and floral embellished flower shop that had the sign Flower Fay in elegant script. Cyber Kamen adjusted his mask’s eyepiece and looked around before back at Pink 4 with a skeptic expression. The shop was set in the middle of a noisy business area right next to a cafe, Forget-me-not Coffee, that was equally quiet. The patrons in both stores were smiling and chatting within the homey atmosphere that each gave off. Pink 4 had a calm expression as she gently stroked the petals of one of the hibiscus that was growing right on the wall to the flower shop.
“Is this the right place,” he asked.
“It is. Edward-sama should be here soon. I called him before we arrived,” she answered, still looking at the simple bloom.
Before Cyber Kamen can fire a retort back at her, a young man with silky silver hair and lavender eyes walked out of the cafe with a thermos of tea in one hand. He immediately recognized them but acknowledged Pink 4 first.
“It’s good to see you here today Miss Pink,” he smiled at her.
“Edward-sama it’s nice to see you today,” she greeted. “I just can’t help admiring this hibiscus.”
“Ah. A beauty indeed,” he agreed.
“Who is he,” Cyber Kamen interrupted.
“He is the owner of Flower Fay, Edward Levaincois,” Pink 4 introduced. “And the Rose Mage.”
“May we not talk about this outside Miss Pink,” Edward requested her. “I feel really uncomfortable talking about my current position.”
“My bad. Can we talk in your apartment? There’s some… topics we don’t want to be overheard,” Pink 4 requested.
“Of course,” he smiled. “Right this way.”
Edward guided them to a gate that lead to a staircase to his apartment over the store. Metal and Cyber Kamen looked around. There was no signs of a trap anywhere but both men weren’t that convinced that it was safe. Even as they were lead into the nice and comfortable looking flat. Directed into the living room the three sat down as their host prepared some food and drinks for everyone. Cyber Kamen looked at Pink 4 as she settled on an armchair, while removing her helmet, from where he was on the couch.
“Is this a trap,” he asked her.
“No. Edward-sama is a white mage. A good spell caster,” she pointed out as she studied the planet mobile on a cabinet.
“Yes I am Miss Pink. I do not see any point in harming any forms of life,” came Edward’s voice as he carried a tea tray in.
Metal Kamen stiffened at the sight of the tea pot. He didn’t want to have anything hot whither it was food or drinks.
“Edward-sama, is it possible that Metal Kamen-sama has coffee instead,” Pink 4 inquired the mage as he set the tray on the table.
“Of course my dear but why,” the surprised mage asked.
“I don’t like anything hot,” Metal Kamen stated.
With a nod, Edward poured coffee from the tea pot into Metal Kamen’s cup. That surprised Cyber and Metal Kamen as they’d not seen magic in action before but both men still retained their cold exterior. Once he’d finished Metal Kamen’s, Edward switched back to the gentle rose and hibiscus tea that was originally inside the pot. As he finished filling his cup he turned his attention to Pink 4.
“Why did you call me so suddenly Miss Pink? Did something happen?”
“It started when Metal Kamen-sama was relaxing and Mina-sama came up to him. After Haruki-sama scared her off just because she was looking at a koneko-chan, Metal Kamen-sama came to see us personally and asked about Mina-sama. That’s when Kenta-sama explained that you said something about how to break Mina-sama’s curse that Haruki-sama set on her,” Pink 4 summarized.
“Ah, so that was what that ugly disturbance was,” Edward mused as he listened.
“But what did you mean by ‘prince’ in that riddle? I don’t understand,” Metal Kamen asked.
“My, my. You really are worried about breaking it,” Edward chuckled. “Well, that was a counter spell I casted on Miss Mina to help her get her voice back while getting around Mr. Haruki’s curse. I only want her to be happy with the one she truly loves.”
‘The one she truly love… Well it isn’t Tanemura-san,’ Metal Kamen happily pondered. Then he asked, “Do you know who’d she be happy with?”
“Unfortunately no. I do not specialize in feature telling or predictions,” Edward sighed sadly. “But I did allow for her to decide. I cannot force a woman beautiful as Miss Mina to not go with that which her heart wishes.”
“I see…” hummed Metal Kamen.
“So how do we get her to tell? We can for-” Cyber Kamen started.
“Stop that Mecha Brain. Mina-sama will tell us once we, specifically Metal Kamen, gain her trust,” Pink 4 chastised.
Cyber Kamen fell quiet. He hated that nickname as much as Metal Kamen, as Seiji, hated being called ‘Pajamas’ by Subaru. But he’s gotta be grateful that his nickname from her wasn’t as bad as Red 1’s and Metal Kamen’s at each other.
“I believe that will be much easier than either of you can expect,” Edward smiled calmly from behind his cup.
Everyone gave him a puzzled expression before Metal Kamen asked, “Are you suggesting that her trust is already gained?”
Edward nodded, “Yes. Miss Mina trusts Miss Pink and I believe that she’ll trust you Mr. Metal.”
As they talked a bit more on how to avoid Haruki’s watching eye, since Edward enchanted his living area, store and all of his close acquaintances’ business with an anti-scrying spell, the two villains and heroine left with a pendant each that protected them from the scrying spell that Haruki had casted over… whatever it was that he used to spy on people and keep an eye on Mina. But at least Haruki wasn’t twisted enough to peep into the bathrooms. As they all drove back in Cyber Kamen’s car, Cyber asked, “Metal Kamen, with that crazy wizard attacking Mina when she’s with men how are we going to find her?”
“Simple. We track her,” was all Metal Kamen said.
“And I know just the person,” Cyber Kamen remarked.
“Are we seriously going there? Those men, except him, have no sense of respect for women,” Pink 4 groaned from the back.
“Yes there,” Cyber Kamen answered cooly.
Metal Kamen and Pink 4 exchanged a quick glance. The underworld of Tokyo wasn’t someplace that either liked that much. For Metal Kamen, girls just drape themselves all over him while shoving their boobs into his face! Pink 4 didn’t like the sleaze bag men that loitered around as they always make passes and whistles at her. But that was the only place where the best techie lived, away from the conflict but still continued his work by repairing devices. They all stopped at the entrance of the rundown building he worked from and got out. As Metal Kamen opened the door for Pink 4, a girl ran up to him, nearly making him close the door on poor Pink 4! Lucky Pink 4 raced out and tapped the newcomer on the shoulder. The busty woman glared at her.
“I’m not his date but the three of us have to see Shinonome-sama,” she said calmly.
The girl’s eyes widened then she whispered something into Pink 4’s ear before getting ready to leave. But Pink 4 stopped her and handed a small amount of yen to her. The woman smiled back then left.
“What did she say,” Cyber Kamen asked.
“There’s an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) field surrounding that door,” Pink 4 reported grimly.
Both men exchanged a quick glance before switching everything to manual power. Pink 4 had her communications device that she carried. Her jewelry arson was back at the base so one less thing for her to worry about. They walked up to the door, both men keeping a protective distance near Pink 4′s shoulder, worried for her safety. The bums lounging around backed off at the sight of the villains escorting her into the most protected building on the block. Ayumu Shinonome’s resident and shop. Just getting past the EMP field was a challenge for anybody. Cyber Kamen pounded the door.
“I’m coming… I’m coming…,” grumbled a young man’s voice.
The door opened to reveal a man in his mid-20’s with sandy hair and eyes wearing a headlamp that had several magnifying glasses and lamps of varying strength dangling from it and clothing that was stained with oil, polish and other liquids.
“Wha-! Oh. What do you need from a tech like me,” Ayumu asked them.
“We need a tracking device that cannot be detected that easily. One that can also resist the elements as well,” Cyber Kamen instructed.
“Hmmm…. Lemme see… I know… it should be here….” Ayumu grumbled as he searched the many pockets that littered his work apron and overalls. “A-ha!”
He pulled a device that looked like…
“Why earrings,” Cyber Kamen asked.
“Simple. They won’t be easily recognized as devices,” Metal Kamen smiled.
“Got any other designs that can fit a girl around my age,” Pink 4 requested.
Frowning, Ayumu put them back and started looking agin until he pulled out a pair of red crystal heart earrings.
“Perfect. And I have the right box to put them in~” Pink 4 grinned.
“Thank you,” started Cyber Kamen.
“Hold on. You need to pay me 70 yen for this,” Ayumu butted in.
Before either man could protest, Pink 4 dropped the correct amount into his hands and took the earrings.
“That should be all for today. Thank you Shinonome-sama,” Pink 4 called out as she turned back to the car.
Cyber and Metal Kamen nodded before following her. They drove back to the SFS compound’s gate and allowed Pink 4 to get out. It wasn’t long before she came back with the earrings placed inside a dark violet velvet earring box.
“Better to surprise her than just be brisk about it,” she advised before going back in to finish the rest of her day off.
As Cyber Kamen got ready to leave, they heard a loud: “SORA! WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME?!” from the compound. Both masked men exchanged glances before returning to their base. Whenever that yell happens, Sora did some stupid prank again on someone or he did something worthy to be called stupid. That didn’t matter as Metal Kamen, now Seiji needed to let Neko out for this part of the plan.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
A few weeks later Seiji looked at the tracking device icon, making a mental note that Mina was having a good time with Neko. He was glad that she was happy to see him, without his mask, on day one when they’d met. They were still inside her apartment when the icon started to move. He was about to call a subordinate to help when a loud bang was heard.
“Where the hell did that come from,” he muttered.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
At the police headquarters, all the SFS looked out the window and saw a huge pillar of ice. Red 1 looked at his team and they all nodded. This was going to get rough.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
From a window at his store, Edward frowned as he watched the sky turn grey. He turned the sign to indicate that he was closed and changed into his mage robes.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
At the center of Tokyo a black hooded figure watched as his magic circle tormented a man wearing a pristine suit, smiling as the man cried out and as the ice column grew bigger and bigger. He’ll need more power if he was to win her heart. He’ll never let her go.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Inside her apartment, Mina cradled the white kitten as she heard the bang. What is going on? She didn’t have a good feeling at all. Then her vision turned black as a blindfold covered her eyes and she clung onto the kitten while the little one snagged its claws into the fabric of her shirt.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Metal Kamen ran to the command center and Cyber Kamen was there with Amy, a worried look marring her face.
“What happened,” he asked.
“Trouble,” Cyber Kamen answered as Amy added, “The ice dragon has been awakened!”
That was bad news right there. The ice dragon posed as a human named Soryu Oh and loved to watch people while engaging in the occasional fights. But when he’s angered, he reverts to his true form of a pale blue Asian dragon! Soryu wasn’t one to mess with but to do something of this caliber of causing him pain is bad. Metal Kamen looked at the screens to see that it was a hooded figure who’d trapped the mighty dragon in his human guise with the SFS arriving on the scene riding their team cycles. The hooded figure turned and started striking at them with various spells. They all dodged with almost perfect ease… Wait. There was a were-cat as well dragging Mina and Neko to the scene!
“We have to go,” Metal Kamen snapped.
“But how? It’s suicide if you both go,” Amy fretted.
Cyber Kamen grabbed her chin with his gloved fingers and kissed her lips for a long time before letting her go.
“It’s our job to terrorize the country. We won’t lose to some wannabe,” he comforted her.
“… Be safe. I’ll look into seeing how we can bring him down,” Amy nodded reluctantly as she went back to work. “Keep your comm channels open.”
Both men rolled their eyes. They know better than to leave their comm channels turned off.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
They arrived seconds later with their soldiers and commanders in time to help the SFS hold off newly created ice clones of the hooded figure as it continued to torment and drain Soryu’s power. Metal Kamen wasted no time in hitting the were-cat with an energy blast. The were-cat yowled in pain as he teleported over, removing his mask before he caught her.
“Mina! Are you alright,” he barked.
Mina feebly opened her eyes and nodded, still holding Neko. With a look of relief, Seiji shielded her with his body as the copies struck him hard. As he heard Mina gasped he gazed at her and grunted, “No matter… what… I will always… protect you… Mina…” Her eyes widened at his confession with not only surprise but love as well. Mina had grown fond of Mr. Goto and his other identity which he struggled to hide. She didn’t care if he was a hero or not because he was her hero. Her kamen hero. Then one of them was about to land a killing blow when a wind of rose petals came from nowhere.
“This is…” said Blue 3 as he looked around.
“Without a doubt,” Black 6 nodded.
“Curse you Edward,” yelled the hooded figure.
“My my. It seems that my presence isn’t appreciated by all,” came a gentle voice.
“Come out and fight,” the figure called out.
“I wouldn’t say that Mr. Haruki. Especially after what you’ve done is inexcusable,” Edward responded, the warmth in his voice gone.
Mina curled into Seiji’s arms at the mention of her ex’s name. Then all of the clones shattered and everyone, sans Edward as he really wasn’t in the area, turned to see that Violet 2 had used his sonic voice. He saw that Pink 4 was pinned by one of Haruki’s ice clone that was ready to drain her power mimicry ability. Angered Haruki casted another spell and this time more clones of him appeared in the form of wood and ice. This angered Seiji but he couldn’t do anything… wait. He can even without his mask on. Holding Mina closer with one arm, he pounded the ground with his free one, causing huge energy shock pulses in the earth. This toppled the clones’ balance but it gave his and Cyber Kamen’s men the time they needed to shoot at the wobbly beings. Meanwhile Haruki was having a hard time on sustaining his spell as the rose petal wind grew stronger, preventing him from seeing what is happening.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
“Metal Kamen please fight,” Mina pleaded a she felt Seiji stiffen.
He looked at her with a confused expression. ‘How’d you know?’ was all it asked. Mina gave a small smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I knew since you first started attacking Tokyo and I couldn’t keep you out of my mind. I couldn’t forget how you moved, your voice,… Everyone said that you are cold but I don’t think so,” Mina answered him.
“‘Cold’ eh,” Seiji muttered as he teleported them to safety, ignoring Neko’s protest as the kitten hated being teleported.
“You are always passionate about what you did. I cannot deny anyone who is this passionate about protecting me the benefit of a doubt,” she continued.
“Mina…”
Seiji spared her one quick kiss before putting his mask back on.
“Captain! Have a squad protect Mina and don’t let anyone through,” he ordered.
“Yes sir,” the captain replied as a squad battled their way over.
The small squad pulled shield units out and overlapped them. Before he teleported out Metal Kamen heard his comm piece beep.
“Go ahead Amy,” Cyber Kamen responded.
“What is it,” he asked.
“It looks like the only way to take Haruki down is by destroying that orb laying next to him in that bag,” Amy told him. “That orb also holds the energy needed to sustain the curse on Mina. It looks like Metal Kamen being close to her is enough to lift the spell and break it. But to prevent it from happening again, smash that orb.”
“Got it,” Cyber Kamen nodded.
“Roger,” Metal Kamen acknowledged.
“What now,” Mina inquired.
“I’m going to stop Tanemura-san. Stay here,” Metal Kamen told her before he vanished to continue battling again.
“He’s still hurt…”
“He wants to protect you, nyan,” Neko pointed out.
“He does…”
“Nyan, yes. He loves you too much, nyan.”
“Goto-san…” she whispers as she looked out a crack to see him fighting the clones.
As she’d watched him the whole time, Mina’s feelings for Metal Kamen didn’t change. They only grew bigger and warmer.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Metal Kamen grunted as some of his wounds stung from swinging his arm around and firing his arm-mounted blaster. Nearby, Cyber Kamen mercilessly sliced and mowed through the mass with his blades flashing as his shoulder cannon fired. Violet 2 and Pink 4 were singing a duet with the vibrations and echoes shattering the summoned warriors. Blue 3 was running at his top speed while cutting the clones down with another clone thanks to his Judo or with his firearm. Black 6 was causing mini earthquakes under Red 1’s shields to get them closer to the destructive sound waves. When Black 6 uses his powers like this, it leaves him vulnerable so Red 1 compensates.
Yellow 5 had changed forms to that of a young elephant, using his trunk as a melee weapon and spearing clones with his sharp tusks as he cleared a path to the wounded dragon. Cyber Kamen saw the opening and gestured Metal Kamen to follow. The Metal Kamen nodded and teleported to the open path as Cyber Kamen vaulted over. They ran after Yellow 5, covering his back as they moved forward as the clones struggled to fill the gap quickly. Inside his prison of flower petals, Haruki struggled to summon a spell that can destroy the roses. The problem was that his magic tool, a glass orb, was outside. Edward knew his opponent’s weak spot as he personally carried a rose quartz inside his pockets to use his powers. The said mage was actually in a secret level under the store that was shielded with many spells to keep others from finding him.
Yellow 5 trumpeted as the ice warriors stabbed him in the sides, forcing him back to human form. Cyber Kamen melted them with his cannon as Metal Kamen turned to the young man saying, “Grab that bag. We need it.”
“But won’t you use it,” the young hero asked skeptically as he shot a wood clone that burned up right away.
“It will allow us to stop him faster,” Cyber Kamen answered. “We want to stop him as much as you and your team do.”
With a nod, Yellow 5 turned into a cheetah and raced in between clones as his enemies did what they could to cover him. The speeder ran to where the bag laid, right between the mage and the magic circle, nabbed it then sped back to where the two masked men stood back to back, dodging the sentient copies while he was at it. He arrived, with a few new scratches, near them and set the bag down. Metal Kamen kicked and tossed eight clones away as he reached for the bag, and got it. Cyber Kamen struck the bag with his cannon, forcing Metal Kamen to drop the burning fabric. The magic bag wasn’t plasma cannon or science proof. As the bag burned and the glass melted, Mina felt her voice coming back to full power while Soryu stood up inside the disappearing circle. A loud roar was sounded as Soryu became his dragon form. Everyone ducked as Soryu’s tail swung around, destroying all the copies that Haruki made of himself from wood and the stolen ice powers. When all of the manufactured troops were destroyed, Soryu moved his head to give Haruki a very cold glare.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Edward watched the whole thing happen from his reflecting bowl within his hidden chambers. The smile he had on his face was a victorious one as he released his control over the rose tornado he’d set on Haruki. He was also happy that he’d managed to get his message of that he is supporting them as well via the wind he’d created and his magic tool. His smile grew bigger as he observed Haruki’s expression from the smooth surface of the water. The normally happy looking florist from a few streets over now had the same facial expression as a child who’d just lost his favorite toy for good mixed with an angry ex who just found out that their partner had been cheating the whole time. While Edward wasn’t in for revenge or to knock Haruki out of the competition for prefecture mage, he was happy that he was able to knock Haruki’s ego a few notches down.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Haruki looked around him as the rose petals flew off, allowing him to see again. The first thing he saw was an angry Asian dragon’s glare. As he was about to run off he heard, “Going somewhere Haruki.” Panicked, that’s what he did and hit an invisible wall as he attempted to book it. As he fell down, another person said, “Not that way.” Haruki stood up but had his staff knocked away by someone speaking, “Not this time.” He was suddenly picked up by a wounded adult African elephant’s trunk in a tight hold as a young woman smashed another glass orb, set in the staff, with a simple stomp of her foot.
“Haruki Tanemura, you are under arrest for kidnapping and forcing powers from a sentient being,” she said firmly.
He struggled but the elephant didn’t let go. Before he can cast a spell he could hear Mina yelling, “Metal Kamen! You’re alright!”
Red 1, Violet 2, Blue 3, Pink 4, Black 6 and Cyber Kamen stepped aside as the small woman ran up and hugged Metal Kamen tightly, catching him off guard enough that his hat fell.
“Mina,” he smiled. “Thank goodness.”
“Why didn’t you pick me?! I- MMMPHH!”
Haruki had a handkerchief, curtesy of Violet 2, stuffed into his mouth. Mina was happy right now and Violet 2 didn’t want the moment ruined as much as Pink 4 did. The superhero couple didn’t want her to hear her pushy possessive ex talking. Yellow 5 trotted off with Pink 4 so she can put the specially anti-magic handcuffs and head-cover on him. As they left the other SFS men decided to leave.
“Where are you going? We did not give you permission to leave,” Cyber Kamen pointed out.
“Look at how cozy Metal Kamen and Mina are. I don’t want to be around for this,” Blue 3 explained.
“Don’t you have a wife waiting for you,” Black 6 asked.
“Yes. I’ll see you back at the headquarters soon Metal Kamen,” Cyber Kamen nodded.
“Of course,”he replied as he held Mina.
Then Soryu bent down and nuzzled the couple as a sign of appreciation. The dragon crouched and then left as he had a maiden, his wife, at his home waiting for him. While the dragon flew away, Metal Kamen reached up to take his mask off. Mina’s small hand stopped him.
“I don’t mind if you are Metal Kamen or Seiji Goto, you’re still the same person to me,” she said softly.
“How long have you known,” he asked as he lead them to one of the quiet areas.
“You had your mask knocked off once but Cyber Kamen had a smoke screen so nobody could see any else while everyone who saw your face had their memory suppressed. Neither of you saw me since I was watching from a corner,” Mina explained.
“I see,” Seiji said as he took his mask off and looked at it. “But I’d rather you see me like this than as Metal Kamen. Mina… *sigh*… I’m just a man with emotions under this. I’m not invincible as I seem. I have my weak points like other men.”
Mina’s eyes widened at the confession but then she relaxed and placed a small hand on his.
“Mask or no mask, I’ll always love you Seiji,” she whispered.
Seiji’s expression went from sad to surprised at the kind gesture. No one has ever touched him like this since he’d lost Kazuki. Not even Mei as herself or as Pink 4. He also felt something that he’d thought he’d never felt again.
“I just didn’t want to see you hurt,” Seiji muttered as he lowered the mask. “My position is dangerous. Anything can happen.”
“I know,” Mina responded gently. “But that won’t deter me from being by your side.”
“Nyan! What about me?!”
“Neko, we were talking,” Seiji frowned.
“You call a kitten Neko. Why can’t you call it something else,” Mina asked.
“Nyan, I never minded,” the kitten mewed.
“Okay. Beachball,” Seiji said flatly.
“Beachball?!”
“It’s not ‘Neko’ Mina.”
“Well she does look like a beach ball,” Mina giggled.
“SHE?!”
That conversation was the start to a long-lasting relationship between them.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
It was a few months, multiple steamy action scenes, several dates and a ring later Mina is standing in front of a three-way mirror with Amy and Mei helping her with one big event.
“I honestly don’t think this will work,” she fretted as she looked at the off-shoulder, wide skirt wedding dress in the mirror.
“That definitely isn’t his style,” Amy agreed as she studied her.
“How about this one? I hope this one works,” Mei spoke up as she held up a simple gown that covered the shoulders, modest and flattered her curves perfectly with some slight flaring in the skirt.
“That would work,” Amy nodded thoughtfully as she accepted the gown from her and handed it to Mina.
With a bob of her head, Mina went back into the dressing room and closed the curtain. Outside Mei and Amy looked at each other with a slightly nervous expression. This was the second store that they’d went to with hopes that this store will have the dress that will work with the bride. The first one had many beautiful dresses but none fitted what she’d wanted. This was the second store and so far no luck. They knew that Hideki and Mizuki are with Goto on making sure that he didn’t see the gown yet, but the women knew better than to consider how lucky they are because Amy’s car was outside the store.
The curtain opened and Mina walked out smiling. The gown was a perfect fit. With a nod the girls purchased the dress and were about to walk out when Mei stiffened. Seiji’s black car was right across from Amy’s car. Thinking quickly, Mina handed Mei the dress bag and the startled girl nodded. As they walked out, Seiji ran right into Mina.
“There you are,” he sighed. “I was worried about where you were since you weren’t back at the apartment.”
“It took longer than we thought getting… Mei her dress,” Mina fibbed.
“Yeah. We weren’t really lucky until this store,” Mei played along.
“Really,” asked Mizuki, a tad confused.
“Yes. I’ll be back later so tell Subaru that he can’t touch any of my roasting pots or I’ll flip him into the pool again,” Mei answered.
“Okay. Can’t wait for that roast beef for tonight,” Mizuki smiled.
As the girls entered Amy’s vehicle, they can hear the others talking.
“Mei can cook roast beef,” Seiji yelped. “I thought she only baked!”
“Subaru says that he’s better but she can make serious roast beef that he has to admit defeat to,” Mizuki laughed.
“Subaru admitting defeat? This I have to see,” Seiji smirked, the whole while not buying the story.
“How much are you willing to pay to see it,” Hideki smiled.
But that was all they heard as they drove away to the Ishigami apartment. Mina was looking at Amy with a funny expression. Mei had a slight sulk on her face as her gown rested across her lap.
“Why are you sulking,” she asked her.
“Mei just cannot tolerate having Subaru touching her roasting pots as it was a gift from her mom before she went to take the exam for getting into the Special Investigations department,” Amy explained. “It turns out that she learned how to make the best roast beef from her. It is so good I have to bring some pudding so that Hideki won’t have a problem eating over at the SFS compound.”
“Is it that good,” Mina asked Mei.
“Yep. It’s much better than Subaru’s as his has taste but the flavor doesn’t last and it’s a bit dry,” Mei answered. “Mine’s moist and has flavor as well.”
Mina nodded pensively as Amy parked in the garage under her residence. Roast beef that can be moist and trap flavor at the same time was impressive. They all left the car and entered the sterile apartment.
“Where can we hide it,” Mei asked as she carried the bag into the living space. “If Hideki…”
“He won’t and he knows that I won’t leave him for anyone. My dear cyborg is such a sweetheart and handsome,” Amy laughed as she lead them to her bedroom.
“Didn’t you often talk about how he’s such a quick shot when it comes to pinning you to the bed,” Mei asked innocently.
“Have you done it at all with,” Amy started to ask but Mei butted in with a quick, “No.”
“You haven’t,” Mina and Amy stared.
“We’ve been too busy and whenever we do have time, it’s always quick as we can so that others won’t see,” Mei sighed as she held the wedding dress to Amy. “We really can’t have our relationship be public but I suspect that Seiji might know. There’s always issues with the public having heroes marry each other. But as Mei and Mizuki, there’s an issue. Everyone sees me as his little sister.”
“Oh,” Amy nodded as she took the dress.
“How can you two be together for so long and not have a moment in bed or the bathroom,” Mina asked.
“He’s worried about something but I don’t ask because I trust him enough to know that he’ll tell me one day,” Mei smiled.
“That’s wonderful you two get along quickly,” Amy sighed as she hung the gown up in her closet. “It actually took me awhile to get used to Hideki and as Cyber Kamen.”
“Not really. We did have issues at the beginning working as a team. Long story,” Mei disagreed.
Mina just had a blank look on her face as Amy nodded her head sagely. Apparently there was more to being heroes and villains, as Mina just learned. Then a chirpy tone played, making Amy and Mina confused until Mei tapped her earpiece. A small visor appeared across her eyes, projecting something and she sighed.
“Amy-sama, how fast can you cook pudding,” Mei asked.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Two hours, a bucket of pudding making supplies and two packages of roast beef later, the trio arrived before any of the men did, as Subaru, Daichi, Sora, and Kaiji were out taking care of the paper work for some recent crime at police headquarters. As Mei escorted Amy to the kitchen, Mina looked around surprised and awed. The inside of the compound was just like an ordinary house with the exception of multiple projection cameras and terminals. Then she remembered Mei telling the compound’s AI that there was going to be guests so the additional machinery had to be for interacting with him. But the kitchen was another story altogether. Mina’s jaw practically dropped at how big the kitchen was while admiring how well it was furnished and stocked. Mei’s chuckle brought her back to reality.
“Yeah it’s big because it’s mostly to entertain those in the police and security forces that Subaru and I are mostly stuck in here instead of socializing,” the youngest girl smiled as she carried ingredients for her cooking.
“Wow,” was all Mina can whisper as she walked over to where Amy was stationed at a stainless steal table to see if she needed help.
As Amy and Mina working together to get enough pudding ready for everyone, supplies and ingredients scattered, Mei worked on her roast beef with the same scene on her’s. An hour later, they were all enjoying a cup of Mei’s hand-ground coffee with all the prepared pudding in one of the many refrigerators and the two roasts cooking away in one of the ovens, lids on the pots. The girls chatted about cooking secrets and coaching young Mei how to get around with Mizuki basically anywhere. The latter topic proved to be more embarrassing because Mei’s cheeks are now bright pink from all the ideas that her seniors were telling her. Then the door opened with some familiar footsteps. It was their men.
“I’m home,” Mizuki called out.
“Welcome back,” Mei replied. “I have some coffee ready as well as some green tea.”
Hideki nodded to show that he heard the other option of drinks. Then he saw something on the tray that made him run over to the sets faster than a cheetah. It didn’t take long for Mina to figure out what made Hideki run like that. On the tray was six bowls of pudding, one for all those who went out today. As Mei worked on stifling her giggles, Mizuki and Seiji calmly walked over with the latter noting one thing.
“Are you alright Mei? Your face is bright red,” Seiji asked as he helped himself to a cup of coffee.
“Hideki-sama is so funny when he sees pudding,” she snickered out.
“Yes, he loves his puddings,” Amy smiled as she scooped her bowl up. “Better get your own servings or Hideki will eat all of them.”
Mizuki helped Mei by getting her bowl as she was still smiling a bit harder than she should, not knowing that it was a cover up for earlier.
“So did you girls do anything else while we were out,” Mizuki asked Mei.
“……… We went food shopping for tonight and prepared everything,” Mei finally replied after finishing a bite of pudding.
“Is the only thing left to do is setting the table?”
“Yep. But we’ll need four more places. I don’t think Subaru will be too happy.”
“He probably won’t but we don’t need to pull the wine out.”
“Right.”
“What’s wrong with wine,” Mina asked.
“Sora is a light drinker,” Mei sighed softly.
“Once he’s drunk, does things and then he’s unaware of what happened during that time,” Mizuki frowned.
“What happened,” Seiji asked, interested.
“One time… He used Mei as a pillow,” Mizuki grumbled out.
“That was mostly because I was asleep on the couch already. I was tired from cooking and keeping up with Subaru,” Mei moaned.
“*cough-cough* What,” everyone sputtered.
Mina, Amy, Seiji and Hideki all had the same shocked expression as they stared at Mei and Mizuki. They’d not heard of anything like this before. Mizuki looked ticked while Mei appeared like a child who just got scared by a really bad prank. Then Seiji spoke up with, “Okay so keep Sora away from any alcoholic drinks so that he doesn’t do anything that he won’t remember.”
Mei and Mizuki nodded. That was basically a perfect summary of a drunk Sora right there. Mina suddenly smelled something really wonderful and she wondered what it was. Before she can ask, Seiji beat her to it by questioning, “What is that smell?”
Mizuki smiled, “Mei’s roast beef! Subaru’s doesn’t produce this nice smell after a few hours.”
Mei’s blush went deeper at the praise and pride in his voice. Being able to produce something like this wasn’t as easy as it looked. She made many mistakes when she learned with her mother’s help. But the way how Mizuki spoke made her feel like he was starting to really be more open to other options. Then Mina spoke up, asking her, “Will you please teach me?”
“Yes, I can teach you,” Mei smiled. “But I need to ask Amy if she can teach me how to make pudding. I’m actually looking for something to quiet my sweet tooth.”
“You bet,” Amy laughed as Hideki muttered, “Sweet tooth?!”
Hideki had no idea how much Mei’s sweet tooth often craved for pudding.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
It was seven thirty and everyone was having a grand time, talking over handmade food and various soft drinks. There were talks of school memories and childhood incidents that brought embarrassment and laughter. But the highlight of the evening was the fact that Seiji wouldn’t stop rubbing in that he loved Mei’s roast beef and everyone teasing Subaru that his roast beef was more like burnt beef, resulting in two heavily blushed faces. Later everyone was sitting in one of the side living rooms facing the outdoors and sky, enjoying coffee or tea when Mina saw a shooting star and quickly made a wish on it seven times.
“What are you doing,” Seiji asked as he walked over to her.
“Just looking outside,” she quipped.
“No you had your eyes closed for a few seconds muttering. Were you making a wish on a shooting star?”
“You caught me,” she sighed. “How are you so good at figuring out how I was thinking?”
“It’s written all over your face,” he replied smugly. “And puzzle solving is a hobby.”
“Then why aren’t you playing with them,” Mina nodded behind him.
At a table, Hideki and Amy were going against Mizuki and Mei in a game of Scramble trying to figure what word fitted in each set square. Another table had Subaru and Daichi versus Sora and Kaiji at air hockey. The atmosphere was warm and friendly that no one would suspect that enemies are in the same room. Seiji shook his head as he faced her.
“I’ve beaten Mizuki and Mei in that game many times,” Seiji smiled. “And air hockey is for four people only.”
“Oh. But I won’t tell you what I wished for or it won't come true,” Mina sulked.
“Even if I persuade it from you,” he whispered dangerously into her ear.
“Mnmm,” she answered, shaking her head.
“Looks like I’ll have to interrogate you when we get home,” he muttered secretively.
That was enough to make Mina’s face flush under a second. Then a loud yell broke the silence and everyone turned to see that Sora had the disc plastered onto his face. It wasn’t Daichi’s fault as he was struggling to keep a straight face, as was Kaiji. That meant it was Subaru and his face was shocked as he couldn’t believe what he’d done. Mei, Mizuki, Amy and Hideki were already laughing at Sora’s mishap. As the disc fell from his face, Sora’s frame shimmered and Subaru started booking it out of the room, screaming like a girl, with a lion!Sora on his tail. Kaiji and Daichi leaned against the air hockey table as they laughed. The ones playing Scramble were now having a hard time getting their breath back. Mina and Seiji both smiled at the scene. It looks like things never stay quiet when the SFS are on break or off-duty.
“Looks like it’s time for us to leave now,” Hideki nodded after he regained his breath. “Thank you for inviting us over Fujisaki-san.”
“You’re welcome,” Mizuki breathed out. “Later.”
Mei showed Hideki, Amy, Seiji and Mina to the front door as a loud girl scream was still heard. Mei shook her head as she unlocked the door with a small smile on her face.
“That happens whenever Subaru isn’t careful when playing air hockey with Sora as his opponent,” she chuckled. “Good night everyone.”
“Good night Mei,” Amy smiled.
“Later Mei,” Mina grinned.
“Good night Noda-san,” Seiji nodded.
Hideki just nodded at her but she still smiled back with a polite wave, closing the door once they were at their cars. Once inside, Seiji and Hideki drove home with their significant other beside them. They all talked about the dinner and different topics but Mina did forget about her fiancé’s interrogation. Seiji didn’t forget as he made a point in finding out what she’d wished for. In Hideki’s car, Amy was showing her husband a new recipe that Mei had shown her. Tapioca is apparently her favorite pudding that she’d learned how to make it on her own and gave it her, hence a reason for the pudding recipe. Hideki was intrigued. He’ll have to try this…
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Once inside their bedroom, Seiji caught Mina’s chin his his slender fingers and started to kiss her. Mina was caught off guard but then relaxed as the kiss started to deepen and grow more passionate, stealing her breath more and more. Their fingers then started freeing themselves from their clothes feverishly, feet skillfully removing their shoes and socks. When Mina nearly fell over, Seiji caught her in his arms, his arousal pressed against her. Mina shivered and moaned as she felt the pulsing heat against her skin. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked them to their bed and laid her. Then he quickly freed himself from her grasp and tied her wrists to the headboard with a blindfold around her eyes.
“Goto-san?! Wha,” she whispered, clearly startled.
“I told you that I will interrogate you once we come home,” he muttered into her ear seductively. “You’ve been a bad girl for not telling me.”
Mina’s body jumped at those words and the tone of his voice while a shiver ran down her spine at the lack of sight. She was about to say why she didn’t want to tell him when a whine left her throat as she felt something wet tracing the shell of her ear. A chuckle told her that he had just used his tongue on her! Before she can react further, she could feel him gently nibble, suck and lick her ears while his hands gently palmed and tweaked her breasts. Tortured moans and whimpers of pleasure filled the room woven with soft phrases of “Will you tell me now?”, “No? Hmm.”, “Give up already?”, “Naughty girl.” and “What did you wish for?” with “Say my name.” “Goto-san…” “Seiji.” “Seiji… Seiji…” in between the ministrations of skilled fingers, passionate heat, and gentle sounds. Surprisingly, Seiji got some glimpse of the wish when Mina unwillingly muttered “… happy forever…” as he pleasured her. Smiling he stood up and removed her blindfold. Mina grunted as her eyelashes fluttered. This made her upset as she was so close to her climax and he knew it.
“Seiji,” she whimpered, unhappy that she was now sexually frustrated.
“I won’t let you come until I hear the rest of your wish,” he answered, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Mina squirmed but the expression on her beloved’s face made her think. Should she or should she not was the question. Thinking as she squirmed for relief, Mina let out a frustrated sound.
“I wished that we’d be happy forever together,” she moaned. “That’s all-”
And that was all Seiji needed as he suddenly sheathed himself in her warm and wet core. It caused the both of them to groan at the speed and deliciousness of the union. As he slowly pumped, he freed her hands. Her small hands and legs then wrapped themselves around him, bringing him closer in desperation. His moaned at her actions and that made him close to the edge. Worse, her fingers were digging into his scalp and her legs hugging him tighter.
“Mina, come with me,” he spoke. “Let’s be one. Together.”
With a nod from her, they came after one final thrust. Mina could feel her channel milking his length, as if she wanted all of him, as Seiji sensed her tightness growing tighter around him, making him somehow and surprisingly come again. Mina had no reservations left within her as he came again, making her his, as a soft moan transitioned into a whimper. Panting, Seiji lifted himself up and looked at Mina.
“You silly girl,” he breathed out. “You didn’t need to make that wish.”
“Why,” she asked, slightly dazed.
“I’ll always make sure that you are happy Mina,” he whispers huskily.
“Seiji,” she pouted.
This is going to be a long active night.
-~-~-~-~-~-~
A month later, Mina was in the dressing room of a wedding hall with Amy and Mei helping her to get dressed. Mina was relieved that Mizuki understood their little act because he trusted Mei enough to know that she wasn’t the type to go shopping for wedding dresses without asking him first on what he’d like for her gown. The planning with the wedding planner, the bridal shower, and buying her friends’ bridesmaid dresses went smoothly with occasional interruptions from an angry Haruki whenever he was free to move in his cell. Thankfully Violet 2 and Pink 4 managed to knock him out for the rest of the year with their visit, making her the happiest and luckiest bride. Then a knock was heard and Mei stiffened, her fingers almost dropping the hairpiece. Amy walked over as Mina calmed down Mei by rubbing her back. Amy took a peep out and shrieked.
“Goto-san what are you doing here,” she asked him.
The groom was right outside the door!
“I wanted to see my bride before I go to the chapel,” came his casual response.
As Mei stiffened again, Mina sighed.
“Let him in Amy,” she told the other woman.
Amy did open the door to reveal Seiji dressed in a tuxedo with a pinstriped vest. He laughed at how panicked Mei. This made the poor girl squeak causing Mina to glare at him.
“Seiji this isn’t funny. She was worried about getting my hair right and if Mizuki catches her looking like this,” she scolded him.
“It doesn’t matter now that I see how beautiful you look. I don’t want anyone to see you,” he replied.
“Same with you in the tuxedo,” she smiled back, hiding her thumping heart.
Then a voice called out, “Where’s the groom?!”
“I’ll see you at the chapel,” Seiji promised as he left the room.
Mina nodded back as she continued to calm Mei down. As Amy closed the door, Mei let out a sigh of relief. The simple bridesmaid dress flattered their natural frame and curves, matching Mina’s gown. But Mei’s shy nature made her nervous that the only thing that is helping her to calm down is making Mina’s hair. And now that she know that it wasn’t Mizuki, she was able to finish her work. Amy took her to where Hideki and Mizuki were waiting while Mina took a deep breath before leaving the room as well. Her father was waiting in the hall with a small smile. Walking up to him, Mina gave him a reassuring hug before the chapel’s organ started playing the beginning strains of the Wedding March. Hideki and Amy entered first, followed by Mizuki and Mei with the flower girl and ring bearer behind them. A few minutes after the little boy walked through, Mina and her father entered. She could see Seiji from under her veil, her heart now pounding in her ears. She can’t believe after witnessing his secret life, being cursed and then freed from it, they can finally be together. Not as Metal Kamen and a devoted fan but as Mr. and Mrs. Goto.
Time seemed to slow as she stood with him in front of the priest. She had no idea that Seiji casted her a few glances here and there in between exchanging vows and ring. When the priest said that Seiji can kiss the bride, she had no idea that his hands had slightly trembled before he lifted her veil up. The look that he gave her was filled with love and admiration beyond words that also reflected her love filled eyes as well. The kiss was quick but not with the lingering trace of a promise for more. The party then moved to the banquet hall and then a wind of white rose petals flew in from a window. The rose petals swirled around Mina and Seiji, startling everyone but the newly wedded couple. They saw the Rose Mage’s gift for them. Edward had created a protective charm for them in the form of a coat pin for Seiji and a brooch for Mina. The ruby rose accessories shone brilliantly beneath the spotlights as the white petals left the room. It was evident that only one person was unable to attend but that was mostly due to the gift that he made for them. There was no way Haruki can bother them now. Applause rang out for them as they marveled at the gift that was bestowed upon them.
As time passed during the banquet, it was the moment for something that one of the staff had suggested for Mina to do. As the bride stood on the stage with Seiji not far behind, they wondered where the staff member got this idea.
“Will all the single ladies gather at the front of the stage please,” the staff asked.
All the single girls, including Mei, did as they were told.
“One of these lucky ladies will catch the bride’s bouquet and become the lucky girl to marry next,” the staff explained.
That made sense now! The staff member must have a Western friend who gave him the idea. Only in the West they do this but not here.
Mina then turned around and threw the flowers into the air. All the girls tried to grab it but surprisingly Mei caught it without trying.
“Congratulations to the young lady. Now will all the single men gather around the stage?”
As Mei hid behind one of the columns in the room, the unmarried men stepped forward replacing the women who were there before them. Another staff member brought a chair up and indicated for Mina to sit down while gesturing for Seiji to come up. They did, confused again.
“Alright it’s now time for the garter toss! The man who catches it will be the next one to marry,” the staff announced.
Mina’s face went several shades red as Seiji became stiff as a statue. The thing is he has to remove her garter from her thigh! And in front of everyone too… Seiji steeled himself and knelt down at Mina’s feet. She lifted her skirt up enough so that Seiji can reach the garter and not show the other men her legs. Seiji reached up and held his breath as his fingers brushed against his wife’s thigh. Then he quickly touched the garter and slowly worked it off.
“Hey use your teeth,” one of the men in the crowd suggested.
That caused some laughter but Seiji managed to get it off, without his teeth. He’ll have to use them later there. As he slid the garter off, Mina released her skirt. Seiji stood up and slingshot it into the crowd. It fell silent before everyone started laughing, sans Mei as she was hiding her blushing face. The reason was that the garter landed on Mizuki’s head! Even Seiji smiled at how awkward the young man looked as he picked the garter off his head with two fingers and looking at it as if it was the most repulsive thing in the world. Well it was on Mina’s leg…
-~-~-~-~-~-~
Later on, in a top class hotel and hot spring, Mina was looking out the window to the hotel smiling as she waited for Seiji to come out from the bedroom. It was so beautiful from where they were in the couple’s suite. Curtesy of Seiji, who did it after asking for some help from his archenemies, because what they’d been through was guaranteed for a nice long soak in a hot spring. But neither knew that Mei pulled some strings so that they can have a private one! When he came out, he snuck behind her and nuzzled her ear.
“Seiji,” she moaned.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “You looked too cute in that yukata.”
Shivering, she suggested, “Shall we go to the hot spring?”
“Of course,” came the suggestive answer.
They walked, hand-in-hand and in their yukata, to the hot springs. Then a hotel staff member walked up to them.
“Are you the Goto family,” she asked.
“Yes,” Seiji answered firmly, as Mina clung to his arm.
“Will you please follow me? You have a spring reserved for you,” she replied with a bow. “Please follow me.”
They looked at each other before following her to a private spring.
“Enjoy your stay,” she said with a bow then left them.
“Did you know about this Seiji,” Mina inquired as she removed the belt to her yukata.
Seiji shook his head.
“Did you?”
Mina shook her’s. Then they noticed a note on the door to the hot spring.
‘Hey Seiji-sama and Mina-sama,
I may or may not have pulled some strings but I just wanted you two to have a spot all to yourself so that no one can bother you. I heard that hot springs can be beneficial for couples so… Yeah. Consider this as a thank you gift.
Mei’
They both had to smile at that. Simple and innocent Mei had no idea what she had hear but then it never hurt to try some rumors out. Which is what they did. Upon entering the spring, Seiji kissed Mina with a feverish passion that he’d held back since the garter. His tongue probed her lips until she opened them enough for it to slip through. Mina clung onto him as her tongue met his, dancing as they disrobed each other. Then he picked her up and carried her into the spring. That did little to cool their libido. It spurred them on. Once in the water, he set her on a ledge and slowly kissed his way down until he reached her thigh right were the garter had been. He started licking and nibbling there, causing her to squirm and curl her fingers into his thick locks. He growled as her nails raked his scalp and started to move up her thigh until he graced her lips. Before he can spoil himself, he repeated the same pattern on her other leg. Mewling and moaning, she was unable to hold back, basically rubbing his face once it was at her wet entrance, coating his face with her juices. He slid his tongue out and shivered at the taste that was Mina’s. He greedily licked and probed as her body clenched his wily tongue. Reaching one hand up, he rubbed her center of pleasure. This was enough to make her come, calling his name, as well as multiple smaller orgasms that blew her mind away. As she relaxed and moaned, Mina didn’t see Seiji’s skills fingers slipping into her again.
“Ah,” she cried out.
“Still wet I see,” he muttered. “Good.”
He removed his fingers, and licked them clean as her body was still slick with generous amounts of her cream. This made her even more hotter that she wanted to crawl out of her skin. But she didn’t as her own hand had been rubbing and arousing her breasts, making the sensations from earlier much more stronger and enjoyable. He’d saw it and it made him harder than he already was. Picking her up, he spun her around and entered her with a motion so swift that it caused them both to cry out in pleasure. As he pumped with his hips, he leisurely rimmed her tight hole with a slick finger then gently entered it.
She shuddered at the second invasion of her body, almost collapsing from the deliciousness of it that she had to lean more on her arms. That unfortunately caused her breasts to rub against the surface of the hot spring, making her even more aroused. And he noticed it. As he sensed she was comfortable with one finger, he placed another finger in. He groaned at the tightness there and at his cock. She was whimpering at the sensations from both invasions and the way he was moving. It was slowly becoming too much for either of them. Then they came together, holding still as their releases washed over them like ripples in the water. After a few minutes of stillness, he removed himself gently. She whimpered at the lost of his body but cooed as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Was I too rough,” he muttered into her ear.
“No. You… you were wonderful,” she hummed back, snuggling into his embrace.
“Mina. Don’t forget that you’re mine and mine only.”
“I won’t Seiji. I never will.”
