In a corner of the Shintō Teito.
"Hah… Hah… Damn it! Shiina, are you okay?" Yukari, panting heavily, asked the girl beside her.
Unlike her usual spirited self, the girl known as the "Demon Queen" was now in a sorry state. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes torn, and her body bore numerous signs of battle.
"Yukari-san, I'm fine. You should run! I'll hold them off!"
The girl called Shiina clutched her stomach, her hands stained with blood, clearly injured.
However, this usually shy and introverted girl now showed her resilience. Despite the pain, she didn't utter a sound and even urged Yukari to leave her behind and escape the danger.
"Idiot, what are you saying! Shiina got hurt protecting me. I'll never abandon you and run away!" Though deeply moved, Yukari was also a bit angry at Shiina's words.
Asking her to abandon her Sekirei, her dear sister? Absolutely not!
"Hmph! Those damn bastards, just wait until I get my hands on them!"
Seeing Shiina's bleeding wound, Yukari's heart burned with rage. She was used to being the one who bullied others, but today, someone had dared to mess with her!
"Let's go, Shiina. As long as we get back to Izumo Inn, we'll be safe." Feeling that she had rested enough, Yukari didn't dare to delay any longer. She helped Shiina up and prepared to leave.
But at that moment—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Several sounds of rushing wind echoed.
In the next instant, multiple figures appeared before Yukari and Shiina, surrounding them!
"Ara ara, Yukari-san, your Sekirei is already so badly injured."
"My master truly means you no harm. If you just give up and come with us, we promise not to hurt you."
A bespectacled man stepped forward, a smile on his lips.
"Hmph! You think I'll just go with you? Dream on!"
Yukari wasn't the type to submit to threats. She would never agree!
Shielding Shiina behind her, strands of black destructive energy coiled around her hands. She was ready to fight to the end, refusing to yield.
Though he admired the girl's determination, the man could only shake his head helplessly. He had his own mission, and if the other party refused to surrender, he would have to resort to force.
With a wave of his hand, the man stepped aside, and the Sekirei surrounding Yukari and Shiina launched their attacks…
After dealing with Tanigawa, it was already late, so Sora parted ways with Karasuba, taking Nanami and Yashima with him.
Since both girls had been rendered inactive and could no longer participate in the Sekirei Plan, Sora decided not to bring them back to Izumo Inn. Instead, he called Yomi to take them to the base.
There, they would find many companions, and it would be a suitable place for them.
Returning to Izumo Inn, Sora handed over the items to Minaka and Chiho, then prepared to rest.
However, at that moment, Kusano ran over, holding Sora's phone, saying there was a call for him.
Picking up the little loli, Sora opened the phone. Seeing the caller ID, he was surprised—it was Takami.
A hint of confusion crossed his face. Takami and Sora were practically an old married couple, long past the stage of calling each other every day to say "I love you." Usually, when Takami called, it was for something important.
"Hey, Takami, what's up?" Pressing the answer button, Sora asked while playing with the little loli in his arms.
"Oh, nothing major. Just letting you know that Yukari's getting married." Takami's voice came through the phone, sounding nonchalant.
"Oh, Yukari's getting…" At first, Sora didn't fully process the information and responded reflexively.
"WHAT?! Yukari's getting married?!!!"
The next moment, Sora finally realized what he had just heard and was utterly shocked, jumping to his feet and nearly throwing Kusano out of his arms.
It wasn't surprising that Sora reacted this way. The news was simply too shocking—Yukari, of all people, was getting married out of the blue!
"Damn it, you almost blew out my eardrums!"
"What's the big deal? Do you think my Yukari is so bad that she can't get married?"
Takami's annoyed voice came through the phone.
"Cough… Takami, that's not what I meant! You know, Yukari's still young. How can she be getting married already?"
"And who's the guy? Who dares to set their sights on my precious princess?" While comforting the startled little loli, Sora quickly added.
Damn it, he had even entertained the idea of being a "devil father" or something, and now this girl was suddenly getting married?!
And who the hell was this guy, daring to steal from Sora's backyard?!
Though he was furious, Sora decided to hold back for now. He needed to hear the full story from Takami before dealing with the bastard who dared to steal his girl!
"Still young? Hmph! Who was it that tricked me into bed at that age?" Takami's voice was filled with disdain as she called out Sora's obvious excuse.
"Uh, hehe, little Takami, let's not talk about that. Just tell me who the bastard is that dares to take advantage of my Yukari!"
Seemingly recalling something, Sora felt a bit awkward, but now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Yukari's situation was more important.
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what's on your mind! Fine, for the sake of our precious daughter, I'll let it slide this time."
"It's that guy from the east. He called me this morning and even addressed me as his mother-in-law! Yukari seems to have been captured by him, and since he knows about Yukari's relationship with me, he's probably trying to use this to infiltrate MBI and secure the final victory in the Sekirei Plan."
Takami sounded equally displeased with the guy and patiently explained the situation to Sora.
"That guy from the east, Higa Izumi? Hehe, what a bold kid. Seems like the lesson I gave him last time wasn't enough!"
A cold smile spread across Sora's lips. Last time, he had taken three of Higa's Sekirei, but apparently, that wasn't enough!
Originally, Sora had planned to deal with Higa during the final battle, but since the guy couldn't wait, Sora didn't mind playing with him now!
Damn it, trying to steal his Yukari? Not a chance!
"No matter what you do, bring Yukari back to me. If she loses even a single hair, hmph, you'll see how I deal with you!"
Without waiting for Sora to respond, Takami hung up the phone with her usual commanding tone.
Sweating a little, Sora knew that Takami was dead serious this time!
However, he wasn't too worried. Now that he knew who was behind this, he had plenty of ways to handle it.
"Kusano, tell everyone that I have something to take care of and might not be back tonight." Putting Kusano down, Sora said.
The thought of Yukari being forced by Higa Izumi made Sora uneasy, and he couldn't wait any longer.
"Okay, big brother! Make sure to bring Yukari sister back safely!" Kusano nodded obediently.
"Hehe, Kusano's such a good girl! Big brother's leaving now, bye!" Smiling, Sora patted the little loli's head and then disappeared in a flash…