The Snow Ashikabi

The plight of 35

"You want my help, Honoka?"

"Yes,I need help!" She turned towards the doors leading to the market." That man, the dirty looking one who is offering to help people with putting their groceries in their cars…"

"What about him?"

She looks back down to the ground," I locked eyes with him once and since then I've been drawn to him. I keep seeing him everywhere, even in my dreams. I find myself thinking about him all the time, in the dreams he looks cleaner and he's actually quite attractive."

"Oh my god!" Haruhime shouts excitedly." You're reacting to your ashikabi!"

"My…My… Ashikabi?"

"Yes," I reply to her. " I believe Huru-chan is right. Trust me I should know, because I have had six sekirei react to me, five of which I winged."

"But every time I approach and talk to him, he runs away. He sees my weapon and yells, " You're one of them!" whatever that means, and then takes off. "

"No offense Honoka… but a muscular, 91 kilogram woman with a Kanabo could intimidate anybody. That homeless guy has seen Sekirei fighting, and the Sekirei plan terrifies him. Earlier today, I saw him run away in fear from a Sekirei."

"But if he is my Ashikabi, I need him if I want to have any chance of winning."

"Tell you want," I quickly write my address down on the back of her note. I also grab a 10,000 yen note from my wallet. I look down at my watch, it reads "2:17".

"Come to this address later tonight. Around 8:30. Find a safe place to store your weapon, and use the money to make yourself look nice. When you get to the front desk of my apartment building just tell them you're here too see Shirayuki-san in the penthouse."

" Right… But how is that gonna help?" She asks, as she takes the money and paper.

"Just leave everything to me! Now go, you only have about 6 hours to prepare."

She nods as she swiftly throws her weapon into the basket of the motor scooter. She gets back in it, which causes me to look over to her," by the way Honoka." She looks over to me as I continue. "Why are you riding around in that?"

She looks down at the motor scooter, and then back at me." Because I didn't feel like walking, and this mall provides them so it was convenient."

I mentally facepalmed, of course that was her answer. She was kind of lazy when it came to simple tasks, a rather undignified trait. But despite all that she was still an incredibly good person at heart." I see… anyhow, I've got to get home and prepare for your arrival tonight. So see you at 8:30."

I turned to look at my car, with all of the groceries in it. I didn't even have enough room for a person in the back." Ya-chan, go home and inform everyone else that we will be having two guests for dinner tonight. However,  you must find a way to hide Kazehana at all costs. If she doesn't cooperate, tell her I will buy her a few bottles of her favorite sake. I'm sure I don't need to remind you what happened when that homeless guy saw her."

I quickly hopped into the car, handing haruhime one of the two elevator keys.  "Huru-chan follow the car through the rooftops. I'm going to pick up the homeless guy and take him to our house, however, I'm not naive enough to trust that he won't try to do something to me. If the car stops for any reason, or you hear me scream, immediately come to my aid. When the homeless man and I are riding up the elevator, go to the parking garage and wait for me. I will be back down shortly to help you with the groceries."

She nods in agreement beforeI I taking off. I pull up next to the homeless guy.  "Excuse me," I say, catching his interest.

He looks up at me, "aaahhh! How can I help you young lady? "