Chapter 11 Understanding

Kimihito yawned and stretched as sunlight came through his window. He was dreading the meeting with his parents this morning. Granted, they seemed a little more relaxed around the girls after they saved their lives, but that could have worn off. Maybe the shock of being attacked by with a flamethrower hadn't hit them yet.

He walked downstairs to the kitchen and began to prepare everyone's meals. The girls came downstairs first and excitedly dug into the meal. Haruto and Hana were last to arrive. Hana looked visibly nervous as she sat down as her husband happily began to eat.

"Your food is delicious, son," Haruto said. "I guess the stomach is the way to a woman's heart as well."

"Thanks, Dad," Kimihito said, happy that his father was being nice.

Hana folded her hands and looked at the girls. "Listen, my husband and I owe you all a very big apology."

"Yes, we do," Haruto said. "But try to see it from our perspective first. We have been gone for months and left our son alone in the house. When we come back, we find that seven strangers are living with him, and the government has been tampering with out house. I'd like to think any good parent would be suspicious."

Papi looked hurt. "You called us a lot of mean names."

"Yes, and I am sorry," Haruto said. "I was just worried about my son."

"Me too," Hana said. "I know what young ladies are after in a boyfriend."

"Mom, please," Kimihito pleaded.

"Well, it's true," Hana protested. "Ms. Smith said that the full moon makes Liminals go crazy."

Cerea blushed. "It is true, and we are trying to better ourselves."

"Speak for yourself," Rachnee purred.

"It was also a shock when you said you wanted to be with everybody," Haruto said. "Son, marriage is hectic enough, no matter how much you love you wife."

Hana shot him a glare.

"But a wife and six girlfriends, all with children? Can you really support that?"

Mero let out a small giggle. "I am a princess of my people. My mother would be more than happy to give us some money."

"I see," Haruto said. "And you are all okay with living together? With one man?"

"We all love Master," Cerea said. "We are more than happy to be together if it means we can stay with him."

"Aw, that's so sweet," Hana said. "I only hope you treat all my boy well. This house is no sorority."

"We have been very well behaved," Miia assured her. "He has only slept with two of us."

Hana covered her ears. "Too much information!"

"Listen, we'd like to start over," Haruto offered. "You saved my son last night, and he loves you very much. We'd love to welcome you to the family."

"We would like that very much," Cerea agreed.

"We love it here!" Suu said.

"As the official daughter-in-law, I ask for your blessing to marry your son." Miia made a grand bow to Haruto.

The father, confused at the gesture, turned to his son for guidance. Kimihito just shrugged, thinking it was a Lamia thing.

"Uh, granted," Haruto said.

Miia squealed with delight. "It's official! Oh, I cannot wait! I just need a ring, and a dress, and -!"

"Miia!" Cerea interrupted. "We must not get ahead of ourselves! Master's family need to get used to our lives first."

The Lamia sulked as she sat down at the table.

"So, I think if we're going to get along, we should spend the day together," Kimihito said.

"I'd like to just relax in my own home," Hana said.

"Sounds good to me," Haruto said. "I wouldn't mind seeing some TV."

…

Raiko slammed his fist into the table. "Two of us down, one a traitor and one in America!"

"Well, Jonathan was crazy," Raizo said. "Maybe it's for the best."

Niko's hand curled into a fist. "Are you supporting the monsters, now?"

"No!" Raizo said. "But he burned plenty of humans too!"

"They lost their humanity when they sided with the enemy," Niko argued.

"Do you know what this is?" Raiko asked. "This is war. We tried to educate our people, they treated us like psychopaths. The monsters' influence runs too deep. It's time we take off the training wheels."

"Oh, here we go!" Niko said.

"Boss, you can't mean what I think you mean," Raizo said.

"I do. They wanted a war. Now they got one."

…

Cerea watched the living room from the kitchen. Kimihito was watching a movie with his parents on the couch. Miia was snuggled up against his legs on the floor while Rachnee perched on the ceiling, teasing her Honey's hair. The other girls had gone to the kitchen for "snacks."

Sneaking back into the kitchen, Cerea held up a series of straws. "I still don't know about this. His parents are in the house."

"They are moving back to their own room," Mero said. "And we were attacked last night. If we are to be with our Beloved, it will have to be soon, before we are attacked again."

"Agreed," Lala said. "We must live as if we will never see him again. I am in no hurry, but you all may not be as lucky."

"Alright," Cerea conceded. "Same rules apply."

The girls reached for Cerea's hand. Suu and Papi picked the wrong straw. Lala slowly reached for her own and pulled it as fast as she could.

To her small relief, she did not pick the bended straw. She was still too nervous. That left Cerea with the chosen one.

"Aw, lucky!" Papi groaned.

"Congratulations, Lady Cerea!" Mero said happily.

"Good luck!" Suu bubbled.

Cerea's face turned bright red as she stared at the straw. "Um, well, I will be certain to…make my Master proud. I will see you all tomorrow."

The girls left for the movie as Cerea stayed in the kitchen to drink water. She was nervous and excited at the same time. She had no idea what to do. There was no way she would ask Rachnera or Miia for advice. Miia would never give it and Rachnera would just mock her or make her look like an idiot. She eventually took her glass of water back to the living room.

After the movie, everyone began to go to bed. Kimihito said goodnight to his parents as they retired to their old room, taking time to say goodnight to each of the girls. Kimihito couldn't be happier that everyone was getting along. He smiled and walked to his room to get some sleep.

To his surprise, Cerea was standing by his door. "Hey, Cerea, what's wrong?"

She began to sweat. "Oh, nothing! Nothing's wrong! I'm just…a little nervous."

"About what?" Kimihito asked.

"Well, we drew straws again tonight….and…"

Kimihito's eyes widened. "Oh. You want to do that? Tonight? What about my parents?"

"We understand the risks, Master," Cerea said. "But we wish to spend as much time with you as we can. Sparta can attack at any minute, and we want to share our love with you as closely as we can."

"I see," Kimihito said. He looked back at his parents' room. "It's against my better judgement, but…"

He took her hand and lead her into the room. Cerea felt her legs stumble as she walked behind him. She closed the door and locked it, trying to appear calm.

"Wait, Cerea, before we do anything, I have one condition."

Cerea felt her heart drop. "What is it?"

"Tonight, don't call me Master. You're my equal. I want tonight to reflect that."

Cerea smiled and thought she would cry. "I accept your terms. May I still call you Milord?"

Kimihito thought for a moment, trying to come up with something charming.

"Of course. My Lady."

That broke the dam. Cerea grabbed Kimihito and pulled him into a deep kiss.

…

Raiko stood in front of the giant monitor screen, watching over his fellow members. A map of the world was highlighted behind it, revealing just how widespread Sparta really was.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen," Raiko announced. "We're ready to launch Operation Reclamation. We'll be striking monsters on every continent, wherever we can. Team leaders, are we ready for war?"

"Ready," said a woman with an American accent.

"Standing by," said a German woman.

"I'm ready," a Japanese man said.

"What are we waiting for?" A Hispanic man asked.

"Good to hear," Raiko said. "Now let's get moving!"

He clicked on the screen to close, sending Sparta to war against the world.