Ko-chan’s Chronicles

Hours passed and the sun was now high in the sky. Matsuko was the first to awaken from her meditation. Looking around, the room was a disaster zone, looking like a hurricane had torn it apart. She stood up and checked on each girl one at a time. Hinari was in the worst state, since she had already passed out when the Power of Compulsion forced her to keep channeling the spell.

Matsuko carried her out of the room back to her bed and then came back to help the other two girls. By the time she made it back, Naruyo had awakened and was currently sitting cross legged, circulating her magic to recover.

She looked up weakly as Matsuko entered the room. "Danger passed. Saved Ko-chan. Must recover."

"Yeah... we saved her... I couldn't have done it without any of you." Matsuko smiled and walked over to carry Sakari back to her room.

This time, when she returned, Naruyo was leaning over Kogamo, inspecting her condition with magic.

"Stable, but unconscious. Duration, unknown." She spoke like a doctor giving their prognosis.

"She'll wake up. I won't let it end any other way." Matsuko picked up Kogamo and carried her back to her own bedroom and put her in her bed and covered her with the blankets. She just sat there on a chair watching her sleep gently. Through her magic sight, she could see the tiny lock in the center of her chest, the symbol of her new power. She didn't know what it meant, but it didn't matter. She would find out, and help Kogamo develop her new power.

A while later, Naruyo entered the room with a cup of tea. "Status check. Brought refreshments."

"She's still sleeping. The black light radiating from her spirit heart is currently flowing through her body, it may take time until the transformation is complete. Did you find out what the form of a lock and key means?" Matsuko took the tea, but her eyes never left Kogamo.

"Source unknown. Next step, family library." Naruyo replied. "More important. Your spirit heart's change."

Matsuko looked inside herself and realized what Naruyo was worried about. Normally, her spirit heart was a blazing hot sun, but now, inside the sun was a key made of fire. It spun slowly inside the sun as if absorbing the light and radiation to become more corporeal.

"I don't care. Whatever happens, I'll just deal with it." Matsuko's reply was callous.

"Don't ignore your safety. Obligations cannot be ignored, Young Mistress." Naruyo seemed grim.

"I'll care about myself once Ko-chan is awake and safe. If you're going to keep nagging, go check the family's library for clues about Ko-chan's spirit heart." Matsuko snapped back in annoyance.

"As you wish. Young Mistress." Naruyo nodded and started to be surrounded by snowflakes.

"Stop calling me that. I don't like it." She quipped again as Naruyo disappeared.

* * *

Several more hours passed, and this time, it was Sakari who came in.

"How is she? Has she awoken?" She brought a chair over and sat down next to Matsuko.

"The body transformation is nearly complete. Advancing from a mortal body to an immortal body with no foundation step takes a very long time." Matsuko seemed frustrated.

"So, she'll be just like us from now on?" Sakari seemed a little excited to have a new peer.

"We still don't know what her spirit heart represents. What if it is a useless ability?" Matsuko's doubts slipped out.

"Ma-chan, you saw her advancement. There's absolutely no way she won't have an amazing power after that kind of scene. Cheer up, I'm sure it'll be fine." Sakari gave her a pat on the back and stood up. "I'm starving, can I bring you something?"

"...I'm fine. Just bring me some more water." Matsuko said. "By the way, is Hinari still sleeping?"

"...She hasn't awakened. Will she be okay?" Sakari frowned.

"...I hope so. If I sacrificed one friend to save another, I could never forgive myself." Matsuko seemed very depressed.

"It was a critical situation. If you hadn't done that it wouldn't just be Ko-chan that was in danger." Sakari tried to comfort her.

"Easy words to say, for sure..." Matsuko sighed heavily.

* * *

Later that night.

Matsuko was dozing in and out of consciousness after her death-defying battle for Kogamo's spirit heart and then sitting and focusing on Kogamo for the entire day without rest. She denied every offer to take a break and kept going herself.

In her daze, she started hearing Kogamo's voice again. She started to think it was a dream, but it was so persistent that she finally snapped back to consciousness.

"My Lady... you're here..." "My Lady... I saw you.. in my dream..." "My Lady..."

Matsuko jumped to her feet and looked over, and found Kogamo laying there awake and staring at her.

"Ko-chan... you're awake.. thank god..." She knelt down onto the bed and embraced her.

"My lady.. It's embarrassing!" She heard Kogamo's voice again.

This was enough to make her raise herself off Kogamo and look at her. Sure enough, she was still in her tutu, and she still had the face mask covering her face, so.. how did she just hear her voice?

"Um... Is something wrong? Why are you staring so intensely?" Kogamo turned her head to the side slightly.

"Ko-chan? How are you...talking?" Matsuko's confusion grew.

"Talking? Hmm, maybe it's more like thinking? Whenever I think of something I want to tell you, I feel something leave my body. I think... it's that feeling I've been chasing for a while." Kogamo smiled with her eyes and she sounded happy.

Matsuko laughed out loud. "This is..." She had to sit down to recover her composure.

"The feeling you were looking for was the ability to talk to me even when you were gagged?" Matsuko smiled and put a hand on Kogamo's cheek.

"Hey, stop laughing! It's important to me!" Kogamo tried to puff up her cheeks, but the face mask prevented her from doing so. Instead all she could do was scrunch up her eyes to look mad.

Matsuko helped her sit up and then sat next to her and just put her arm around her.

"So...Ko-chan... Tell me what you were dreaming when you saw me in your dream." Matsuko turned to more important topics.

"...I was scared...I kept reliving all the times where I was trapped with no way out. No matter how much I yelled for help, no one came. Finally, when I was tied, blinded, and hurting all over and couldn't think, I kept wishing for My Lady to come save me... And, after I wished hard enough, it really happened. My Lady cut me free from my bindings and flew me away from trouble." Kogamo started to tremble again, remembering what happened.

"So it really was that scene. Ko-chan, I'm so proud of you for facing your fears. You called me to your side, truly." Matsuko's eyes even started to tear up as she too remembered the previous night. It might even be the most panicked she had ever been in her entire life.

They spent some long moments just embracing before Matsuko smiled and stood up. "Shall we go downstairs? The others are very worried for you."

"Sure, I also want to see everyone." Kogamo put her feet on the ground to stand up, but before she realized it, she was flying through the air towards Matsuko. "Ehhhhh??!"

Matsuko caught her in mid air and laughed "Careful, your immortal body is a bit stronger than you're used to."

"Immortal body? I have that?" Kogamo looked blankly at Matsuko.

"It's a long story. Let me just carry you for now, you'll need time to get used to things." Matsuko smiled, happy to carry Ko-chan anytime, anywhere.

"Y-y-es...My Lady." Kogamo blushed again.

* * *

Hinari spoke out something she had been thinking about for a while. "Hey. Don't you think Ma-chan's behavior has gotten more extreme lately? She totally flipped out at the students and caused such a big scene. In addition, she's been much more prone to punishing us with nudity or other kinds of restraints."

Sakari smiled "Well, I don't mind, it just means I don't have to make up reasons to get punished to train myself anymore.

Naruyo looked pensive. "Extremely protective. Will do anything for Ko-chan. Even change behavior. Ko-chan's ideal. Cool, domineering Matsuko."

Hinari sighed. "Well, we can only hope that Ko-chan is okay, or else I don't know what Ma-chan will do."

They sat in silence for several minutes until they heard a sound coming from upstairs.

When Matsuko carried me down the stairs, it caused a commotion in the foyer. Sakari jumped to her feet as she saw us.

"Ko-chan, you're awake!" Sakari shouted out in surprise.

"...Sorry for worrying everyone." I replied like usual, but I didn't get the response I expected. Everyone but Naruyo winced and looked confused.

"What was that voice? I heard it in my head" Hinari seemed confused and looked around.

"Don't look so confused, the source of the voice is right here." Matsuko sat down on the couch and put me on her lap.

"Um... hi?" I spoke cautiously again.

"Ko-chan? ...It can't be... you wanted to speak so badly you awakened the ability to communicate telepathically?" Sakari seemed incredulous.

"That...seems to be the case. Now I can talk to you guys like normal again!" I cheerfully responded.

Hinari burst into laughter. "That is the most Ko-chan thing I've ever heard. I'm so glad you're okay, Ko-chan~"

"Is it really that strange of a power? I think it's quite useful!" I continued to try and defend it.

"Oh, no, it's extremely fitting. In fact, I can't think of anything more fitting for Ko-chan, other than maybe learning telekinesis because you always have your arms tied up." Sakari teased me a bit, but it gave me an idea.

"Wait.. you mean..." I focused on the book in front of Naruyo and wished for it to move. I wanted it to float into the air and flap about like a bird.

In front of everyone, a book became a bird on that day. Sakari seemed to have a mental breakdown on the spot.

"I don't believe this is reality. Pinch me, Hinari-chan" Sakari held out her arm to Hinari as a joke, but she really pinched her hard enough to cause her to shriek in pain.

"Seems like it's reality to me, Sakari-chan" Hinari smiled at the little bit of revenge she was able to accomplish.

"Wah, Hinari-chan, you didn't have to pinch me so hard!" Sakari made a big show of acting injured.

"I could even talk to Asami-chan again with this." I smiled over at Asami, who was sitting in the corner bound and muzzled. All I got back was a glare and unintelligible noises.

"Well, maybe you can speak with her, but I don't think she can speak back." Hinari smirked and sent Asami a mocking look.

"Important book. Please return." Naruyo held out her hand and I guided the book into it.

"Page marked. Please check." She slid it across the table to Matsuko.

"Tome of Theoretical Constitutions. Records of powers that are said to exist but have never been confirmed." Matsuko read the front of the book aloud to everyone.

Matsuko shoved the book to Hinari. "My hands are full, you read it." She then wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.

Hinari opened the book and read the first page. "The records in this book are mostly hearsay and speculation, so we, as readers, can only get a rough idea of what the true abilities may have entailed. We will leave the details as an exercise to the reader."

Hinari skipped ahead to the page that was marked by Naruyo. "Let's see. 'Thousand Restrictions Body', spirit heart that is said to be in the shape of a lock and key. There are no confirmed holders, but some legend says that the daughter of a powerful family, kept in a prison from birth, developed this body from the longing for the lover she met through the barred window of her cell. The lock stayed with the girl and allowed her to ignore all manner of restraint, while the lover gained the key and an unbreakable connection to the girl. After she escaped from the prison, they were never seen again."

"Well, it certainly SOUNDS nice, but that legend could just be one person's made up story. How do we know if Ko-chan can really ignore all manner of restraint? Ko-chan, why don't you try and get out of that tutu right now?" Sakari seemed doubtful of the story in the book.

"I'll try." I focused on my body and wished to be released from my bindings. I followed the same procedure as when I moved the book around but... nothing happened.

"Um... It seems I'm still quite stuck. In fact, I couldn't feel any reaction from the locks or tutu whatsoever." I wasn't sure if this fact made me happy or sad.

"So you can't ignore being restrained in that way then. What could it mean?" Sakari seemed disappointed.

"Isn't it obvious when you think about it? She may not be able to free her mouth to speak, but she can ignore the restrictions and still communicate freely via telepathy. Her arms remain stuck tightly, but she can ignore that and move things around without her arms." Hinari spoke from a different angle.

"Hmm, that does make sense. But just those two powers seem a bit weak to have such a grand name as 'Thousand Restrictions Body', don't you think?" Matsuko brought up a point that no one had mentioned yet.

"Perhaps Ko-chan has more powers she has not discovered yet. It might take some time to realize them all." Sakari spoke up again.

"Um.. I think I know one more. Even though this corset is extremely tight, and cutting almost 20cm off of my waist, I can still take full breaths and feel no restrictions on my breathing. In fact, I feel like I could hold my breath for a long long time!" I said something I noticed back in the bedroom.

"He he, the treasure hunt for Ko-chan's powers begins. I can't wait." Hinari seemed quite excited.

"Wait, what about the other part? The key that the lover took. What does that mean?" Sakari dampened the current atmosphere.

"I don't know what all of its powers are, but I know I can feel Ko-chan's position and status even without using my spiritual sense." Matsuko seemed pensive.

"Can you feel any other powers? Something related to Ko-chan?" Hinari's treasure hunt resumed with a new target.

"Hmm... let me sense a bit more closely." Matsuko closed her eyes for some time.

"Yes, I seem to have some new senses here. Let me interact with them" Matsuko closed her eyes again.

"Can you tell what they d----" My question was cut off half way, and I found I suddenly couldn't send out my thoughts any more.

"What's wrong Ko-chan? You look panicked all of a sudden." Hinari stood up and asked.

Matsuko patted my head and rubbed a bit "That would be because she suddenly lost the ability to use telepathy."

"I seem to have a grasp on what the connection entails. I appear to have quite a bit of control over the use of her powers. In addition, I believe I can tap into and share in their use as well. Let me try." Matsuko quickly narrowed down the scope of her new abilities.

"Can you hear me?" Matsuko projected her voice into the others' minds.

"Ma-chan can do it too? Now I'm jealous!" Hinari pouted for a second.

"Indeed. It seems I can use the powers she has developed. I can also turn them on and off, at which point Ko-chan won't be able to use them. This seems quite fun and useful. I can think of many uses for--" Matsuko started teasing me again when I kicked her in the shin, causing her to flinch in pain.

"Oh, getting feisty, are you? Well, I think you can do without this then." Matsuko smiled happily and then out of nowhere, the vibrators in and on my body came back to life, more powerful than ever. I couldn't hold myself still and I pressed my legs together, shaking my head as the pleasure flooded my consciousness.

"How is it? I lowered your ability to ignore vibrators inside your body. It feels quite nice, doesn't it? You had gotten quite used to them before huh?" She hugged me and spoke quietly into my ear.

With my powers turned off, all I could do was squirm and shiver like before when Matsuko teased me. After about ten seconds, the feelings of the vibrators faded again and my mind cleared up.e

"Don't worry, we'll continue this later in more private surroundings~" She blew on my ear and let my powers turn back on.

"Matsuko! That was mean!" I protested loudly.

"It seems that, no matter how many restraints she can ignore, she'll never be able to get away from Ma-chan..." Hinari mused as she watched the interaction between them.

"Seems like that's about all we can get out of this book. Still we know more than we did before. Ko-chan, you'll need to keep developing new skills to unlock your true power." Hinari snapped the book shut.

"Well then, shall we call it a night? It's been a long day for all of us." Matsuko lifted me off her lap and carried me upstairs. I struggled to be put down, but she sshed me "Remember what happened last time? We will try to get you used to things tomorrow, but for tonight, just go to sleep." I settled down and just whined, but let her take me upstairs.

"...Stay here, I'll be right back" Matsuko's voice appeared in Hinari's mind.

* * *

Matsuko came back down and saw only Hinari in the foyer. "She's become quite a little bundle of energy since she awakened, it was hard to convince her to try and sleep."

"...It's fine." Hinari seemed to have an idea what this was about.

"Hinari-chan. I'm sorry." Matsuko said nothing but immediately embraced her and started to cry.

"This.." Hinari was surprised.

"I didn't have a choice... the circle was falling apart and it was about to explode... I didn't know what else to do... I had to save everyone.." Anyone else seeing this would never believe it was Matsuko there, crying pathetically.

"You did it... you saved everyone, Ma-chan. Even Ko-chan, who gained an amazing new power." Hinari rubbed Matsuko's back while she spoke.

"Besides.. This only happened because of my own failure. I wasn't able to keep the circle going, even with your elixir. It's only right that I pay the price." She said a bit sadly.

"But..you..what I've done..." Matsuko barely spoke audibly.

"Are you telling me you're going to treat me badly? Nothing has to change between us just because of a law of absolute servitude. Just act like you always have." Hinari continued to console her, which seemed strange for the one on the losing end of this master-servant relationship.

"Of course not.. I would never.. But I've stolen your freedom.."

"Let's face it, I was probably going to follow you around my entire life anyhow. Might as well make it official. Now then, how about you dry your tears and stop getting my shoulders wet, Mistress~" Hinari stopped patting Matsuko's back and pulled her away to arm's length.

"I need your help, Ma-chan. I can't face the fact that I nearly cost Ko-chan and everyone their lives. I know I said I would change before, but it never hit me until last night that there might not be a tomorrow to delay my training to next time. If being subservient to you is the price it takes for me to stand on my own feet and not cause another disaster, then so be it." Hinari gathered her courage once more.

"...So, this is your determination. I accept, as your new Mistress. I swear to raise you into a capable subordinate...No matter how much you may dislike me for doing so." Matsuko seriously made her pledge.

"Now, shall we start training tomorrow?" Matsuko winked at Hinari and stood up, offering her hand.

"Hah.. Fine.. One last tomorrow for the road." Hinari took her hand and pulled herself up. Tomorrow would surely be a brighter day.