The Snow Ashikabi

Knowledge and Suduction

"And we are here!" 

Homura had replaced his mask and overcoat with mundane black dress pants and a white button-up shirt.

"This is Izumo Inn. Matsu and Uzume live here with me, along with 108's new Ashikabi."

Behind him is a two-floor building built in a traditional Japanese style, with a large wooden privacy fence around it. A white tile path leads to the front stoop, where one step up will lead to the front door. There’s a row of shrubs lined up along the base of the house, going all the way around the side towards the back. Well-walked grass grows in the yard; it looks so nice, I just want to lose my shoes and take a stroll through it.

"Thank you, Homura!” I say.

"Your welcome, but once inside please call me Kagari!" 

"Okay, Kagari!" I say as follow Kagari towards the doors to Izumo Inn. 

"Miya, I'm back! " Kagari calls as he steps inside. As he starts to take off his shoes, a woman appears from one of the rooms.

Her long lilac hair cascades down her back stopping at her waist and is held in place by a white ribbon.  Her eyes are a dark brown with slight hints of red. She wears a purple hakama, a white haori with a sash-like belt, and wooden sandals. She was a perfect vision of beauty, but something about her seems familiar.

"Umm… Hello ma'am," I say, not making eye contact with beautiful woman in front of me. "I'm here because Kagari told me you know something about some people I've been looking for."

"I see. Well, I will help anyway I can," she replies with a smile as she holds out her hand to shake. “I’m Asama Miya. Welcome to Izumo Inn.”

The mention of her last name hits me like a ton of bricks. It makes me realize why she was so familiar. This woman standing before me is none other than Sekirei Number 1. She fell in love with her adjuster Takehito Asama, and must have taken his surname. Takehito tragically died in an incident a few years ago, and Number 1 left MBI shortly after.  He was not able to wing her because he did not have the Ashikabi gene. That didn't diminish her strength; she is considered the strongest and deadliest of all Sekirei. Even if Minaka knew that they were hiding here, he wouldn't dare oppose Number 1. 

"Is something wrong, miss?" Miya’s voice arouses me from my thoughts. 

"Ah… No. I'm Shirayuki Saya."
 
"And your friends?" She looks behind me at my Sekirei.

Akitsu is looking down at the ground as she says, "Akitsu." 

Haruhime on the other hand is more formal. She gives a slight bow and says, "I'm Haruhime. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miya-san."

"Well, it's my pleasure to meet all of you." She turns back to me. "Shirayuki-san, do you know anything about the people you're looking for? Their appearance, or distinguishing features?"

What in the world could I tell her? ‘Hi, I'm looking for Numbers 2 and 10 and heard they were hiding out.’ She would probably kick me out for being part of MBI. Multiple other scenarios run through my head, each one worse than the last. I decide that, either way, I have to say something to her. I decide it would be best to just tell the truth. 

"Asama-san?"
 
"Yes, Shirayuki-san? And please, call me Miya."

"Very well, Miya-san. I will tell you, but is there somewhere more private where we can speak? It’s an urgent matter; my number one priority, in fact."

Miya must have instantly caught on to what I was implying, as she gestures for me to follow her upstairs. She leads me into a room, which I can only assume is hers.