Chapter 10
Clearly something's up, Toujou and Himejima taking the time to find me yesterday is just more evidence.
I don't know all the behind the scenes supernatural stuff, but I assume this is leading up to a Rias recruitment pitch.
I've nearly thrown my lot in with the devils anyway. I don't think Momo is a master manipulator and I'm not going to pretend I haven't grown fond of her. With both of those I can't, or I guess more like don't want to, leave them alone if I can help it.
It's not like there aren't benefits to being a devil anyways. The longevity, inbuilt magic, and languages to name the main ones.
All of that and a couple weeks of going through the same thoughts again and again to say, it comes down to how the whole reincarnated structure works in this world. I barely know how it was in the original material, if at all given the source of most of my knowledge.
Frankly, I don't mind serving under someone else, I'm not so prideful that I can only ever accept my own way, but there's limits to that. Like if I'm not going to be able to say no or have any way out ever that's not something I can stomach. I don't want to have to fight my way out when it comes to it.
Oh well, all this will wait until they approach me. For now, I just need to focus on being in the best possible position when they do, and that means tickets.
That early morning thought process has bought me further afield than I've gone before, setting out an hour or so before first light on Saturday away from civilisation. Luckily for me, there's a reason Hawks was renowned for his speed, and I make it to Yoshino Kumano National Park as the sun first starts peeking over the horizon, hoping that the fact I found monsters and strays in the forests around Kuoh would extend to other areas.
~~
Pulling my flight feather and impromptu sword out of the back of a fanged lizard the size of a large dog, I feel pretty confident that I was right, even more so as I get a ping.
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Feat Achieved! Defeat 10 low ranked monsters +1 Gold Ability Gacha Ticket
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Nice. I may as well roll that now, might be something I can practice with while I'm out here.
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Rolling Gold Ability Gacha Ticket
An Uncommon Ability!
[Lightning Spear]
|Uncommon Ability|
Allows the user to conjure a spear of lightning that they can throw as a projectile,(does not travel at lightning speed). This spear possesses penetrative power and deals increased damage against draconic entities.
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Nothing too crazy, but it's nice to have an offensive ability that would actually work against fire wielders or anything that's more physically resistant. What I really need now is to get my second active ability slot, because while this is useful, losing the mobility of Fierce Wings is a huge risk.
Well, my wings are doing more than fine while I'm not super deep into the wilds, given that I've taken down nine and got the feat for ten, they've clearly all been low level. I'd assume the more dangerous foes are deeper in, something to keep in mind but I'm not sure how smart that would be right now.
I still want to be out here for a good few hours yet, so lets see if we can't work out what the next milestone is?
~~
Sitting down for lunch, it turns out the answer is 'more than 21'. Hopefully I'd get something different for a middle class, assuming I could even take one down, which means all 11 have been low class. Though I was able to find a group that didn't seem to have any ranged abilities, so landing myself on a tree let me practice with Lightning Spear for a bit, and between the practice with my feathers and my Novice Shooting skill I'm fairly accurate.
Ignore the scorched and broken tree please.
I'm also sick of the big lizards. I've taken down 20 monsters, and 13 of them have been these fuckers. The only saving benefit is that they mostly focus on biting and stomping, but discovering they could apparently spit some kind of acid was not fun, and it was only the danger sense of my cloak that stopped me from being down rather too many of my feathers.
I'm just sitting admiring the scenery when I notice - it's silent. I've seen enough nature documentaries to know what this means, and I leap up into the air, eyes scanning around the clearing I set down in and focusing my senses, spreading feathers towards the edges.
One moment.
Two.
My feathers and my danger sense scream at the same time, something leaping at me from behind. I move as soon as I can, but the sudden burning on my side tells me it wasn't fast enough. A creature looking like a big cat wreathed in smoky shadows lands in front of me, tensing and snarling up at me.
I can feel the blood dripping down my side and leg, but there's no time to focus on it for now, as the shadows around the cat reach up before wrapping over its body, seeming to bulk it up. As it does so I fire some feathers down, but just too slow as they impact it's 'armour', sinking in an inch or so but I don't see any pain on the creature, just annoyance as the impacts themselves make it stagger slightly.
In a frankly rude display it decides to copy my signature move, and fires some kind of shadowy needles up at me. Luckily between the wind up of the shadows and my danger sense I can boost straight up, sending wind around the clearing and dodging the projectiles.
It tries another barrage, but as the needles crest the tree top they lose cohesion, so it seems we're at a bit of an impasse right now. Oh to be able to fly and throw lightning spears at the same time.
It bares its teeth up at me, but it's apparently intelligent enough to know that expending more energy as it is isn't useful, and starts to stalk around the clearing, staying close to the edges.
I have one major advantage as it stands, as far as I can tell it hasn't noticed the rest of the feathers that are still floating around just into the treeline that I scattered when everything went silent.
The downside is those were all small ones, and they won't be able to break through whatever shadow armour it has.
I also outrange it, unless it has some secret technique it's holding back like a real anime character.
Sending another volley of feathers down it dodges out of the way of some while others sink slightly into its armour. It manages to claw at a few before I can bring them back, so at least I know not to try a battle of attrition.
Alright, I either need quality or quantity, to find a weak point or overwhelm its defences. The first is safer realistically but there's no guaran-
I have to dive to the side as a much larger spike of shadow goes sailing past, it's a good 10 metres behind me before it destabilises. Shit, I guess it did have a hidden move.
I've played enough games, if there's no glowing weak point we're going for the eyes.
It managed to react to my attack before, so I'll need a distraction, and what better than a flying dude with a sledgehammer?
Pulling out my Hardware Duffel, I reach in for the highest quality sledgehammer I can think of, before returning the duffel. The heft makes it a bit unwieldy for a regular use melee weapon, but funnily enough precision isn't what I'm going for here.
Spreading my wings while detaching a number of feathers, I make sure to float them behind me from the monsters perspective.
I can see it charging up another fuck-off shadow spike and I'd rather not be diving straight down when it's done.
With everything pointed in the right direction, I hold the sledgehammer so it's aligned with my leg, and fire myself down. With the limited feathers I'm not at full speed, but I still cover the couple of dozen metres in just under two seconds.
Flaring my wings as I approach, and pivoting to swing the hammer, the monsters speed doesn't disappoint as it leaps up and back, easily avoiding the hammer even at my speed.
Which is good, because otherwise the feathers would have missed.
Thirteen are on target.
Eight dig into the armoured body with little effect.
Three hit the head, slicing in a bit further, a gush of green blood coming out.
One slams through it's open mouth, piercing the bottom jaw.
The final one shoots straight, some combination of my practice and my luck pulling through, impaling the monsters eye until only the end of the calamus is sticking out, the monster immediately going still.
Most of this I only notice a minute later, since I had to spend a bit of time pulling my aching body out of the small crater in the ground. Turns out I can't go from 40-odd miles per hour to zero in the distance I left myself, oops.
My bleeding side and aching everything else are soothed by my favourite ping.
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Feat Achieved! Defeat your first Middle (just about) class monster +1 Advantage Gold Ability Gacha Ticket
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Fucking sweet.
As much as I want to go home and lay down, I want to gamble, show me them rolls O Mighty Gacha!
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Rolling Advantage Gold Ability Gacha Ticket
[Kirin Physique]
|Elite Ability|
Monster Hunter - You are able to transform into a Kirin or a Kirin Hybrid at will. As a Kirin you possess enhanced physical stats and speed as well as increased lightning affinity. While in Kirin form or Hybrid you possess the ability to summon down powerful bolts of lightning from the sky.
OR
[Fire Absorption]
|Elite Ability|
Allows you to absorb fire into your body, either storing it to release it later as your own flames or converting it into energy for your own use. But strong enough flames might be impossible or painful to absorb. Absorbing too much fire without release can cause internal burning.
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Fuck, both elites, couldn't have spread out my luck a little? Is this because I praised the O Mighty Gacha? Should I start a pre-roll ritual?
I don't know much about Monster Hunter, but from the image and vibe the gacha is giving me, Kirin's seem pretty damn cool.
But I love my wings, and Fire Absorption can eliminate or least reduce their biggest weakness.
Fun or smart?
Gods dammit I'm going to be smart aren't I?
Elemental magic and abilities are never going away, and my wings have so much utility I can't really see myself ever stopping using them completely.
Ughhhh.
I'll be back for you Kirin Physique!
Letting a single tear out, I lock in Fire Absorption.
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Note: Threshold Met
Five abilities have been acquired, +1 Active Ability Slot, and Fusion abilities unlocked.
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Fusion abilities?
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Explanation: Ability Fusion
When two or more compatible abilities are in your active slots, you have the option to fuse them, this Fusion Ability takes up the same number of active slots as the abilities used to create it, but is often stronger than the sum of its parts though takes more energy to use, akin to an ability of a higher rarity. Abilities can be fused and unfused at will.
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Well hello there.
I could wait, or...
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Fusing [Fierce Wings] and [Fire Absorption]
[Hellfire Wings]
|Epic Ability|
Allows the user to grow wings that they can freely telekinetically control the feathers of that they can use projectiles, extra limbs or improvised weapons. In addition, the users body including all feathers are immune to all fire below Epic level. Fire can be absorbed and released or converted to energy for other uses. Finally, moving fast enough generates a base level of heat, allowing the user to charge their fire storage without external sources provided they or their feathers can move.
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Ooohhh yeah, I can work with this.
Wrapping my new wings around I see that they haven't changed that much, still the same red colour, still look like normal feathers, but as I sweep them to and fro embers and small wisps of smoke fly off, and looking closely I can see the edges glowing like kindling just lit.
I wouldn't say I'm a pyromaniac or anything, but fuck this is cool.
As I have to quickly stomp the grass however, it's probably not the kind of cool to use in a lovely national park.
Unfusing the abilities I swap Fire Absorption for Lightning Spear, but given the blood still running from my side maybe I shouldn't play around - I mean practice, any more for today.
Less time out and more injured than I wanted, but I can't say today wasn't worth it.
I pull a couple feathers off and use them keep pressure on my side, better safe than sorry, before taking off towards home. I'm a little shaky in the air now the adrenaline has worn off, so it takes me bit longer to get back, especially since I'm flying in the light now and I'd rather not get some fighter jet intercept or overzealous hunter on me.
~~
Finally back home, and suitably scolded by Mia for getting injured and promising to call her if I need her in future, I sink into the sofa with her.
I have to try and explain that she's really strong, and I need to grow, I won't be able to have her fight me for every time. She pouts a bit but grudgingly accepts, once I agree to bribe her.
We indulged in another food delivery because she wouldn't let me stand and cook, and hasn't left my side since. It's sweet, even if my arm is losing blood flow from her grip.
I do win some extra points with her though, since my wings are effectively now heated when using my fused ability, Mia insists on me wrapping them around her so she can snuggle.
It's not long before she 'gently recommends' an appropriate bed time, my Hypnos' mask should help me recover energy even if it's not a true healing factor.
~~ R18 ~~
Waking up I thankfully feel rested, even if I could still go for a long warm soak in the tub. As usual Mia is wrapped around me, her head is resting on my chest, facing down to the bottom of the bed as much as possible with her horn in the way.
As I stir I feel her shift a little, but as usual makes no move to actually get up.
Unfortunately for me there's a monster girl head on my chest and hand on my stomach, and I am back to a teenage boy, so I can feel my cock straining against my shorts.
Sitting up a little, Mia hums before turning to look at me, raising an eyebrow.
"cough uh morning Mia."
"You know, as my master, it's my duty to help you however I can~" she whispers, pressing down a little with her hand still resting on me.
I can only gulp as my eyes flicker down to her hand, something she clearly notices given the smirk on her face.
"I... Mia, you know you don't have to do anything right? Like you-"
"Mhmm~" she hums, her fingers reaching down, just brushing my waistband.
"But master~ have you considered what I want? Besides, you'll ensnare some of those devil women sooner or later, and I want you to remember who was by your side from the start." She says with grin, though I can see a hint of vulnerability in her eyes.
"Mia, I could never forget you." I reply, reaching out to her trailing hand.
"I know, just call this insssurance~" she hisses out, moving her hand out of my reach and into my shorts, brushing against my shaft.
I inhale sharply at the feeling of her slender fingers starting to gently stroke my length, her eyes not leaving mine.
My entire body twitches as she speeds up slightly, her thumb just gently rubbing my tip.
"Fuck, Mia." I manage to groan out, her smile growing wider.
"Fufu, it's my duty to look after master~"
She lets her mouth fall open, her long forked tongue exposed for a moment before her head dips, turning until I can feel her breath just above my shorts.
"Is this what you want master?" she murmurs, the vibrations being felt across my body.
"Fuck, yes Mia, I want it!"
She lets out a pleased hum before pushing my shorts down, the tip of her tongue trailing her hand until it makes contact with the base of my cock as I hiss.
Ever so slowly she runs her tongue up, flicking it over the tip causing me to twitch, to her amusement.
She slides her body down the bed, pivoting until she's looking up at me from behind my cock, the contrast over her red face a very enticing sight.
She gently pumps the base of my cock while running her tongue around the head, a shiver of pleasure running through my body.
"Hmhm what should I do now master?~" she says with a smirk, her eyes hooded and staring at me around my length, her hand lazily stroking me.
I reach my hand down, running it over her left horn and pulling her face into the underside, which she gives a quick lick.
"Shit, suck it Mia, take my cock." I grunt out.
She gives me a smile before licking her way up, at the top, she gives a small kiss before opening her mouth wide and slowly engulfing me, her eyes shining.
I feel her tongue writhe around me while she keeps my cock halfway in her mouth.
I can't stop my hips from twitching up, making the corners of her mouth turn up, and she hums in pleasure, the vibrations doing wonderful things to me.
After a minute or so of languidly bobbing her head and stroking me she reaches up, grabbing both my hands and putting them on her horns, making sure I have a good grip.
Breathing heavily I can just about raise an eyebrow at her, but all she does is nod as best she can around my cock, stopping her bobbing.
There's not even a chance for me to think straight, as I pull her head down, burying myself into her throat.
I feel her convulse around me, but she doesn't gag, twisting her head a little, grinding her lips into my base with a small grunt.
The tip of her tongue pokes out below me, my crotch getting covered in saliva as she lets me use her mouth and throat, pulling her up and down by her horns.
The rough face fucking, her moans, and whatever control she has over her throat muscles quickly bring me to the edge, and I barely get a chance to think as I pull her head flush, letting out spurts of cum straight down her throat. Not that it stops her from gulping down, draining me for everything I have.
I feel her shiver as I release her horns, and she slowly pulls her head up, running her tongue around my length as she does.
"Mmm, thank you for my treat, master~"
"Fuck, Mia, that was, wow..." I pant out.
"Hehe, thank you master, it's my pleasure to help you~"
~~ R18 End ~~
Stepping out the shower to find Mia lounging on the sofa, a content look on her face.
I can't say that was how I expected my morning to go, but I can't exactly say I regret it, and the Gacha clearly wants to encourage me.
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Feat Achieved! Receive your first blowjob (from your familiar no less, how scandalous!) +1 Silver Trait Gacha Ticket
Rolling Silver Trait Gacha Ticket
An Uncommon Trait!
[Free Flier]
|Uncommon Trait|
You are a master of flight, you are almost more comfortable flying than walking.
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Correction, the gacha approves of my getting with Mia, and of my love of flying.
What a day.
____________________________________________
A/N: First lewd, hopefully it wasn't too bad for my first ever, I'm mostly happy with it.
Haruto got lucky with this fight as well, I had a few ideas for encounters and rolled for it, and he got an ambush predator, and with his sensory abilities, danger sense, and speed he was in a good position to deal with it.
See you next time for Rias' (attempted) Recruitment Extravaganza!
Side A/N: I've had a new project dropped on me, so my work schedule is changing. Not too sure yet how it will affect writing and posting but if it does or I'm less active here apologies!
Also, entirely in opposition to the above, I'm planning to start a celestial fic in DxD since I want to explore a non-peerage story now I'm getting a bit more confident writing, and a different system. Not sure when it'll start posting but the muse is a fickle bitch. As evidenced by the two other other fics I've written a first chapter for.
Chapter 11
Walking to school on Monday, I can't quite manage to wipe the smile off my face. It certainly wasn't how I was expecting my Sunday to go, but I haven't really had much of chance to uh, take care of myself with Mia around and being busy, and combined with Mia's teasing I was pretty pent up. Something Mia was more than happy to assist with it turns out.
I probably make for a slightly strange sight, a grin on my face but still walking a bit slowly from my soreness and wincing if I turn my torso too much.
It's something Momo notices as I lower myself into my seat.
"Morning Haru-chan -" Blush. Cute. "- you okay? Looking a little stiff there?"
"Heya Momo, yeah I'm fine, just overdid it a bit this weekend and I'm still a little sore that's all. How was your weekend?" I ask.
"Make sure you rest plenty! But yeah, not bad thanks, pretty quiet for the most part, though I did spend some time with Kiyomi-chan to help her out with a bit of school work."
"You're way too helpful Momo, make sure you take some time to yourself, I only see you half the time and you're busy enough then to make me tired!" I joke, mostly.
"Hm, how sweet to care about my well-being Haru-chan~" She replies, fluttering her eyelashes at me briefly, though the blush on her cheeks give off a slightly different vibe to the teasing.
I spent my weekend fighting monsters and then doing other things with the best monster (tied with Slimey the trash disposal, an official title - Mia got him a name badge that he then ate) so I'm good to play this game.
As the door starts to open I have a couple seconds to win this round between me and Momo, and I turn to her with a little tilt of the head and a small smile - "Of course Momo, I need you to stay in good health for when I get enough confidence to ask you out." I say, doing my very best to say it just conversationally, nothing crazy here!
Her face explodes in a blush at the same time whispers do around us, and some noise comes out of her, not that I could tell you what it was specifically.
And despite how I spent a not insignificant part of my Sunday, I can feel a blush creeping up my own face. I've never been the best at flirting, let alone doing it in public. Thankfully Ikuta-sensei saves me, though she does ask Momo if she's okay, getting a shaky nod in response.
Heh, my win Momo, and I'm sure she will in no way get back at me!
~~
I made it the whole day without her getting a point back, and it appears I may have gotten complacent.
As we're packing up for the day Momo steps out of her seat towards me, leaning into my side gently.
"You know Haru-chan, you shouldn't wait too long, a girl might think you're not interested" she whispers with a small smirk, and just to accentuate her point she presses her chest into my side before gently blowing my ear, sending a full body shiver through me.
This may be a draw today.
I can only turn towards her as she skips out, and she glances down to my crotch and gives me a wink.
Fuck I want her. Her pouty lips wrapped around me, her tits bouncing while I fu-
"You seem a little lost in thought there Ski-kun" Himejima says, having just appeared in front of me for all I know.
I splutter, my thoughts derailed, though possibly for the best given the tightness in my pants I'm feeling right now.
"Uh yeah, just, stuff ya know? Anyways, is there something I can do for you Himejima or just taking the chance to chat?"
"Well you did promise to spend more time with me no? I'd like to cash in now you've flirted with Hanakai-kun for the day."
"Oh, right, sure I can be free now, did you have something in mind or?" I ask, trailing off as she gives me a beaming smile.
"Great!" she exclaims as she grabs my elbow, pulling my arm to her prodigious chest and leading me out of the classroom. Phenomenal, more rumours.
Once again suffering from whiplash between Momo and Himejima, it's not helped by the weight and warmth of her boobs pressing into my arm or the way her fingers trail over my forearm, and I can just about walk without stumbling.
"So, Himejima, can I ask where we're going?" I say, as we get out of the main building. It's not like I don't have an idea, but maybe this isn't devil business.
"Well, as you may or may not know I'm part of the Occult Research Club, along with your dear Koneko-chan, and since you've already won over half the club, promised to spend more time with little ol' me, and haven't joined a club yet, we were hoping to poach you!" She answers, with a sweet smile.
Okay, so this is the recruitment pitch, or at least some sort of pre-qualifying round from Rias.
I'm not sure what Himejima gets from my short silence, but she's quick to jump in further.
"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you -" she says giving my arm a squeeze and pressing it into her breasts "- if it's not for you, we're not kidnapping you."
"Uh right, sorry Himejima, just uh wasn't expecting it I guess." She lets out a hum at my response but takes no other actions, just leading me to the old school building. She's not holding me so tight I couldn't slip out I think, though aren't devils crazy strong compared to humans?
Well, I'll trust them enough to hear them out, I do think they'd let me leave or take some time, and if I'm wrong then I guess I just finally lost a gamble. Eventually I'll be either dead or strong enough to break whatever magics are in place. Plus for all the personal power, having a faction behind me will always be beneficial.
I give Himejima's arm, and inadvertently breast, a small squeeze by pulling my arm towards me slightly. Hopefully it came off as reassuring and not harassment, and I think I'm safe as I feel her relax a little.
Himejima leads me inside the old school building, the outside criss-crossed with ivy but looking in good shape. The inside is warmly lit and clean, though I don't get much of a chance to look around as she leads me upstairs and down the hall to a set of ornate double wooden doors on one wing of the building.
She pauses to glance at me, and I can see a glimmer of uncertainty and maybe hope in her eyes, I give her a nod in response and she opens the doors, leading me inside.
What I believe was the old student council room has been expanded and redecorated, at least I assume. Fine dark wood cabinets take up half of one wall, the rest adorned in white panels and Victorian style wallpaper. In the middle of the room on a large plush rug is a set of two sofas and two chairs, surrounding a large expensive looking coffee table.
At the far side of the room is an executive style desk sat in front of expansive windows looking out over the woods behind the school. Various pieces of art and warm lights dot the walls, and there's an open door on both sides, one that I can see leads to a small modern looking kitchen, and the other to some sort of storage room I think.
Himejima gives me a moment to take it in before leading me to one of the sofas.
"Quite nice hm?" She says with a knowing smile, "Buchou will be with us shortly, would you care for some tea while you wait Shi-kun?"
"Sure, thank you." I answer, giving her what i hope is a polite smile and not an anxious one.
She slips out the side and I hear her put on a kettle, moving about the kitchen to prepare some tea.
I open up my phone while I'm waiting and send a message to Mia to let her know I'll be home late today, and she rapidly answers with a sad face, a thumbs up, and a number of food emojis, and mentally checking my Mia dictionary tells me that it's okay, but she's sad and I owe her food to make up for it. I then get a picture attachment which I open before thinking about. I'm presented with the view looking straight down on her, her mouth wide open and tongue lolling out, letting me see straight down her throat, her eyes sparkling.
Oh she's fucking getting it when I get home, the minx.
Speaking of, Himejima comes back and I have to quickly lock my phone and adjust my seating. She sets down a tea set and pours me a cup with a small smile.
"You seem nervous Shi-kun, whyever might that be?" she asks with a tilt of the head.
"Heh, my hot scary senpai has invited me to a club meeting, headed by the other renowned hot senpai, and the club also includes the cute 'mascot' and the school prince. People would probably kill me for being here." Not that that's the entire reason, though I hope that fact is hidden enough from her.
"My, how sweet Shitara-kun." Comes from the side as the door opens, Rias Gremory stepping in. The crimson Queen of Kuoh or whichever title you want to use has arrived.
She saunters in, though I notice a bit of stiffness in her shoulders, she still gives me a smile, placing her bag down beside her as she takes a seat opposite, Himejima immediately pouring her her own cup of tea.
"Thank you Akeno, for the tea and for escorting Shitara-kun." she says with a nod.
"Of course Buchou, and Shi-kun had no problem being escorted~ by me, did he?" She responds, turning to me and tilting her head with a smile.
"Uh, no, yep no problem Gremory-senpai."
She keeps her small smile on her face, but I can see her take a breath as if preparing herself, Himejima sitting down beside her, presumably for support.
"So, Gremory, Himejima, can I ask what this is about? You were rather vague senpai." I ask, the second directed with a pointed look at Himejima, to which she only responds with a small giggle.
"Apologies, Shitara-san, that was at my request. I don't know exactly how this is going to go and I wanted to make sure we could talk in peace." Gremory explains, well 'explains' is probably a stretch.
I give her a curt nod, "Okay, so what did you want to talk about? As far as I know we haven't really interacted, and I've only spent a little time Toujou or Himejima."
She pauses, taking a moment to collect herself, Himejima reaching over to squeeze her hand, before looking up at me and speaking.
"To be completely honest, I wanted to wait longer before getting to this point, but a number of factors that I promise I will explain changed that. This may be hard to believe or you may already be aware, but the supernatural - gods, devils, monsters, vampires - all of it exists."
I have a split second to decide if I want to try and pretend not to know, before deciding that no I don't. It'll make this easier, and assuming I do get involved in some fashion with the devils starting it off with a full lie can only go badly.
My lack of reaction seems to be enough.
"Okay, well that makes this easier, I guess firstly then, do you know what we are Shitara-san?"
"Not definitively but I suspect devils, based on the summoning flyer I received the same time Toujou and Himejima started spending time around me. But I haven't seen any definitive proof, and don't really have any ability or experience detecting magical power or anything."
"Hm, well you are correct, we are devils, does that not bother you?" She asks.
"Nah, not really. I have a vague idea of the some factions so I don't believe that devils are all evil or anything, plus unless all of you are master manipulators your behaviour doesn't match with the classically evil devils." I answer, getting a smile from both girls opposite me.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. So then, are you aware of devil reincarnation?"
Straight to the big thing huh?
"I'm aware of it in the loosest sense, but the specifics I have no real idea on. To be frank from what little I know I have my concerns about the system."
"Understandable, and yet you're still here listening to me?" She questions.
"I am. I have enough trust that you won't attempt to force me, and in the worst case I think I could get out." I answer with a shrug.
"Well, thank you, but also - you're aware of whatever your abilities or gear are then?"
"Yeah, I've had them for a while and done some practice and some monster hunting."
"Interesting, nearby or further afield if I may ask?"
"A bit of both Gremory-san." I answer, not elaborating.
She gives me a small accepting smile.
"Right, well then, obviously I am interested in recruiting you. We've had our eyes on you since the start of the year, but I effectively got dibs to try first. You should know your energy is rather tumultuous, so it's quite difficult to get a read on your strength."
"Okay, I mean it makes sense why you would keep an eye out for new recruits, but you said you wanted to wait longer, can I ask why you're not?"
"Of course Shitara-san, I know you have your reservations but I want you to have the information beforehand, I treat my peerage like family. I have a forced marriage upcoming. I was meant to have a lot longer before it happened, but the death of the other family's second son has caused them to push for it to be bought forward, to almost certainly single digit weeks from now. The only way out of that is by something called a rating game, effectively a battle between my peerage and his, and if I win the engagement is off." she explains.
"And you don't believe you can win as it is?"
"As much as I love my family, no. For all my problems with my would-be husband, he himself has some notable abilities, and his peerage is experienced in rating games where mine is not."
"Okay, I appreciate the explanation Gremory-san, but then why me? Unless I'm mistaken you have no idea what I can do, and only a handful of interactions to know what sort of person you're inviting to your 'family'?"
"You're not wrong, though my recruitment process isn't that involved, to be honest most of my peerage members I've come across in a situation where reincarnation was their only option to live, so not having time to get to know them doesn't matter much. Really I've just been lucky." She says, looking a little embarrassed.
"Alright, still though, why me?"
"I... Because I don't have any other options. I know that's probably even worse than to save someone, I'm effectively asking you to join me to get me out of my situation. I mean I do think you'd get on well with us and stuff, but that's what it comes down to."
I take a moment to collect my thoughts, I wasn't expecting her to be this direct honestly.
"I appreciate the honesty Gremory-san, though you don't even know if I'd be able to help you, how does this go? By your own admission you haven't really recruited many of your peerage."
"You're not wrong, and please call me Rias, I'm asking you to help save me I think we can do first names, I prefer it in informal settings. But to your point, I was hoping we could perhaps take turns asking questions if you're open to it?"
"Sure, feel free to call me Haruto if you'd like, and I think I can agree to that, I do have a potential addition to that, while offering an olive branch from my side. I have a power that compels truthful answers. Obviously a truthful answer could be 'I don't want to say' or the like, but I admit having it in effect would set my mind at ease somewhat. While I'd like to trust you there's a lot riding on this."
She looks some mix of slightly hurt, understanding, and interested, and gives a questioning look to Himejima.
"It's up to you Buchou, I don't believe our cute Kouhai would leave if you say no, just that this would help him." Himejima answers Rias' unanswered question.
Rias turns back to me before nodding, and I give her a thankful smile, slotting in Confessors Light and activating it for a meaningful situation for the first time, the feeling washing over me. I won't reveal that I'm immune to it for now, if I need to lie this will help me convince them, and I can always sell it as a new development down the line if needs be.
"Thank you Rias, I appreciate the trust. This just means questions have to be answered truthfully, as long as the answer is true as you believe it's fine. If you try to answer a question untruthfully you'll feel a pressure as the words try to come out. Please, take the first question.."
She takes a moment to think, glancing at Himejima before her eyes steel, "Okay Haruto, what is your power or sacred gear, magic, whatever you have?"
Well, I knew this was coming. I could refuse to answer or lie since the ability doesn't affect me, but I did dislike the 'keep as much as possible secret from your allies' trope. I mean we're not allies yet, but if we're going to be then I want to be seen as worth as much as possible. I don't want to come out as an isekai I don't think, so the source and all of that I won't tell if it goes there, but I think I'm willing to share in slightly vaguer terms. Unless a Satan teleports straight in I still think I can run if I have to.
"So, I don't know everything my power can do in the long run, the short of it is that achieving things allows me to develop new aspects, for instance hunting a stray got me this truth ability, but what I develop is somewhat random."
I think that's good, accurate but not the full truth, also makes me seem like an investment.
Rias and Himejima seem somewhat shocked, Rias breaking out of it first.
"That's... That's not how power works! You can't just get new things whenever you want!" She exclaims.
Out of context powers babyyyy.
I just smirk, both because it's fun and because I don't want to give more away accidentally.
"Ugh, fine, your question!" She huffs.
So, what do I want to get out of this? There's how the peerage system works, what she'd expect specifically, and then there's a bunch of stuff I could use knowing about the supernatural in general. Well, we know what's the most important, the answer to this could end the whole recruitment prospect.
"I guess the main thing I need to know is how your peerage system works, from what little I know it's basically slavery with some employee benefits." I say, trying for some levity while basically accusing them of slavery.
Rias gets a conflicted look, which from experience is roughly what Mia looked like when I asked her to test lying under Confessors, interesting.
After a moment she lets out a half laugh.
"Well, I just tried to completely deny that but it wouldn't come out, guess I'm more humanised than I thought." she says with an almost smile.
"So, I can't deny that it can be used that way, and especially was in the past. To reincarnate someone either a contract has to be agreed or the person being reincarnated has to be recently deceased. Until relatively recently, like 40 or so years ago, the contract part wasn't part of it, a Devil could promise anything, use torture, coercion, whatever to get the target to 'agree'." She begins to explain, and already I'm seeing differences to what I thought I knew.
"But Satan Beelzebub who invented the Evil Pieces - I know, the name doesn't help the cause - made changes a few decades ago. It was changed to use a contract with intent base rather just a blanket agreement to reincarnate a living soul. It's not perfect for the recently dead since souls often don't want to die and aren't in the best place to negotiate. There's still obviously ways for devils to abuse it, but it's a lot better than it used to be."
Okay, very different from what I thought I knew, what the fuck happened to cause that?
"These and some other changes for reincarnated devils came about after a big incident in the Underworld. Quite a few pillars and old powers from both sides lost people in that, and from what I understand the new Satans frankly needed the support of the reincarnated to keep everything going. This isn't secret information or anything don't worry, in fact we aren't the only faction to have been victim in the last hundred years or so."
She pauses to take a drink, Himejima refilling her cup and giving her a smile.
"Sorry, I'm rambling a bit, but yeah, reincarnation is based on an agreement between the King, that's the Devil leader of a peerage, and the person being reincarnated." She finishes, giving me a chance to respond.
My thoughts are still racing, because that's notably different, and the history of the devils is different I think, I don't remember anything about a past monster attack, especially of that scale.
"Thank you Rias, that is different from my understanding, vague as it was. It has helped with a number of my concerns." I say giving her what I hope is a reassuring smile, "I'll need to mull it over a little, but please, go ahead with your next question."
"Thank you Haruto, and I'm glad that helps you feel a bit better. For my next question, I'm going for something equally important -" gulp "- What's going on between you and Hanakai-san?" She asks with a smirk as I choke on my tea.
I let out a long sigh before responding.
"You're going to give me emotional whiplash Rias. But to answer your question, I really like her. She's sweet, cute, smart, and I have a thing for girls with white hair -" the look on their faces tells me I shouldn't have included that part "- and I plan to ask her out, hopefully soon." I can't help the smile spreading as I talk, what a damn simp.
It does get a smile out of Rias and Himejima, though Himejima's one is more, uhh predatory?
"Fufu, a thing for white haired girls hmm?~ My my, remind me who you've had cute little lunch dates with Shi-kun?" She asks, putting a finger on her chin and tilting her head, Rias struggling to maintain her composer.
You know, I've always agreed that discretion is the better part of valour, and I haven't taken a close enough look at the art around the room, I should do that now!
Thankfully they seem to be willing to drop it, though not before a few more giggles escape the devil girls.
"I do believe it's your question now Haruto." Rias says, thankfully giving me an out that I will gladly take.
"Mhm, right. I suppose, what reasons are there to join you? I can think of a couple but I'd like to hear it from you, and there's probably things I don't know of."
She brightens up at that, presumably excited to sell it to me, but it's still pretty cute.
"Yeah! So there's like the basic package of improved physical abilities, you'll get a massively increased lifespan, the ability to fly, and inherent magic based on imagination. Beyond that there's the ability for you to become a high class devil of your own, which would grant you your own evil pieces and ability to form a peerage. There's also the fact that harems are the norm, well even encouraged in devil society, so if you want to collect beautiful white haired girls that could be important!" She says, giving me an overexaggerated wink.
"Then there's the whole being in a faction thing. Like going solo can work for sure, but being part of a major faction has its benefits. Plus, as a major faction we have a good amount of resources and pull. Like if you need a good trainer or a blacksmith or something, that's something I could help setup for you as a member of my peerage."
That pretty much lines up with what I knew, thankfully.
"And finally, are you really saying you don't want to spend a lot time very close to Rias, Koneko, and I?~" Himejima pipes up, giving me a smile as she leans forward, somehow causing her breasts to bounce.
Dammit, they both absolutely saw my eyes track them. If I ignore their smirks and chitters then they aren't real.
"Ahem, your question Rias."
Very smooth Haruto.
She doesn't stop the smirk but oh so graciously does move on.
"You said you got your truth light from your powers after an achievement, would you be willing to share some others? And/or the achievements you did?"
Again, it's better to show my worth, and if I just grind I can make their information outdated in a week if need be, though Helltaker is staying hidden, I'm not being obliterated by Rias' brother for mind controlling her or something.
"Sure, when my power first awakened I got what's been my main ability so far, wings where I can telekinetically control the feathers -" I start, slotting in my wings and spreading them.
There were a couple reactions I expected, what I didn't is Rias slamming her hands down on the table, rising up - with a lovely bounce - and shouting "You!"
"Me?"
"Yes you! The exploding stray! I found a charred red feather! Do you know how much time we spent searching the forest for whatever creature had those!? And you were here?!"
"Ah. Yes that may have been me. Anyway, I also got an item that lets me pull out anything that could be found in a hardware store, a kind of lamia familiar, a lightning spear ability, and the ability to absorb flames. There's a few others but those are the most interesting I think."
Rias' glare at me being the cause of the explosion is wiped away when she hears the final ability in my list.
"You can counter fire?!" She exclaims, and is that literal stars I see in her eyes? Himejima is also looking at me appreciatively, again showing how she is the master of scarousal.
"Uh kinda yeah, I mean my most powerful is a fusion of my wings and the fire absorption. If two of my abilities are compatible I can temporarily fuse them into one, more powerful one."
Rias once again leans forward, shuffling towards me as well. The combination rides her skirt up and strains her shirt, and in what I think is an impressive display I only look at her thighs and chest like five or six times.
"That.. Is very interesting Haruto. My fiance and his family style themselves after the Phoenix, I'd love to see their face at your powers." Rias says after a moment, her smile growing, and it turns out Himejima is not the only one trained in scarousal.
"Well, your question Haruto."
"Right, I guess next for me would be, you mentioned what basically sounds like employee contracts, what does that look like?"
"Mhmm, so there's like the inbuilt stuff. If a servant - terminology, not how I think of it - betrays their king, the king can activate like a warning thing, which if the person doesn't turn themselves in they lose access to a lot of the devil powers over a few days. If the person gives in to their base desires during that time, they are warped into a Stray, the worst cases becoming no more intelligent than a rabid animal. I know that sounds bad, but it's a result of them fighting it with their own mana. There's been discussions about implementing a kill switch instead, but a lot of people said that could be abused so I don't think it went anywhere."
She pauses to take a sip of tea as I digest that. It's not great that the system knowingly turns people into strays, but it sounds like there's a chance for it not to happen, and this world was never going to be all flowers and sunshine.
Rias continues, "Beyond that and the race change, the specifics are down to the King, and in some cases their family or clan impose rules on all pieces under them. For me, there aren't any family rules thankfully. Personally, the only thing I have set for all my pieces is to take care of yourself and your fellow members. Notably that doesn't include me, if I ever go mad with power or something I want my peerage to be able to stop me."
And that gets a bit of a shock out of me, not necessarily that Rias would do it, but that the pieces would allow that. I guess if someone were to exploit it the 'global' rule could kick in, and if Rias only recruits people she trusts it's a good thing to be in place.
"Anything else I'd tailor to the person, usually in a similar fashion to a regular contract, for example if someone were to join my peerage with the express goal of graduating to high class, I'd probably try and negotiate a period of time to work with me, and then an agreement to sponsor them for the high class exams."
"No offense Rias, but is that not like way too nice?" I ask, honestly a little confused.
She lets out a wry chuckle, "Yeah, you're not the first to say it. I think it's partly because I'm so young, devils may age super slowly but I am the actual age to be here hehe, so I've grown up only with the much nicer system of recent times. From what I know there was almost another civil war before Satan Beelzebub made these changes, along with some concessions for the older pillars. Also, like I said, I truly want my peerage to be my family, some people only want a harem, some just good fighters, and to each their own for the most part, but I know what I want and this is how I'm going about it."
Honestly, I respect it. And it's kinda hot.
"That's really admirable Rias." and saying that under my truth spotlight makes her face light up with a grin, I mean, I am being truthful even if I'm immune to the effects.
I can feel the strain kicking in of keeping my Confessors up, and I think I've got the most important answers so I let it fade, Rias and Himejima giving me a questioning but I think pleased look.
"Okay, do you have anything else Rias?" I ask.
"Hm, nothing super urgent, it would mostly just be the more fun questions, but I know I've info dumped a lot on you, well you did ask for it. Though there is one thing you should be aware of, Sona Sitri - or Souna Shitori as you'd know her is also a devil ruler here, with her peerage as the student council. They're aware of my approaching you and our assumptions that you have your own powers. She knows I'm speaking to you, but do you want me to keep what you've told me private?"
On the one hand, spreading it around increases the risk. On the other, I want Momo at the least, and I wouldn't want to hide everything from her or expect her to hide it from her King.
"I think it's okay to tell her Rias, especially if she's kind of aware anyway, only for both of you to be careful who knows beyond that please, I'm not really in a position to get attention from the highest levels."
Rias nods and gives me a kind smile.
"Of course, thank you Haruto."
"It's not a problem, now then, would you mind picking this up another day? I want to take some time to digest everything, and get to know you a bit better before making any decision."
"For sure Haruto! Maybe you could join the Occult Research Club, even just as a temporary member? You could spend a bit of time with everyone, and I can answer any other questions you have?"
"Yeah, I'd like that, thanks." I answer with a nod after a moment of consideration.
"Great! Then we'll see you tomorrow?"
"Heh, sure Rias, if you're that eager to win me over."
"Looking forward to it Haruto!" she says, giving me a wink and definitely accidentally pushing her chest out slightly.
"Fuuu, Shi-kun is ignoring me again, whatever shall I do?" Himejima asks, placing her head in her hand.
"Terribly sorry Himejima, would you allow me to walk you here after school tomorrow to make it up to you?"
"Hmm, I suppose so~ Just try not to get too distracted by these~" she almost purrs, crossing her arms under her bust and hefting them up, I feel my eye twitch trying not to look down. I fail.
"Right, then I'll see you two tomorrow, have a good evening girls." I say, standing and giving them a polite bow.
"Goodbye Haruto!"
"Bye bye Shi-kun, sorry you didn't get to see Koneko!"
Deep breath Haruto, she wins if you react.
____________________________
A/N: My longest chapter by over a thousand as I finally get to explain a few of the changes I've made to devil society and the peerage system, at least through the lens of Rias. Hopefully the explanations make sense, there's a lot of changes in the background that I'm sure I haven't thought through completely, but I'm mostly happy with how I've set it up.
Obviously we'll see things in more detail down the line, once wider devil stuff is involved.
Bit of a late post, halloween party - which is also why I might not be active today!
Chapter 12
Pulling myself through the door, my head's still running around with everything I learned from Rias today. I don't know how much of it is changed here versus me not actually knowing how it was 'originally', but it seems a hell of a lot better for the reincarnated that I was expecting.
It all seems to tie back to whatever 'monster incident' happened 40-odd years ago, which I could do with learning more about, who knows what other things may have changed because of it.
Stepping into the living room Mia is looking smug, which instantly puts me on edge.
"Hello Mia, how was your day?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.
She just gives me a big beaming smile and hands my open laptop to me.
It's open to my online banking. Oh no.
Alright. That's a higher number. There's about eight million yen that wasn't there before. Are the police on their way?
"Do I need to get a lawyer Mia?"
"Fufu, silly master. You think I'd be caught?"
I can only let out a long sigh and rub my eyes. I mean, she's right, but still.
"Do I want to know what you did Mia?"
"Sure! I just did a little digging, found a few not nice people and rearranged some things! We'll make much better use of their money than they will!"
"You know what, yeah, fuck it you're right. Just keep it to genuinely bad people yeah?"
"Of course master!" She replies, the big smile still not having left her face.
Flopping down next to her, she leans into me right away, coiling around my leg.
"So, Rias approached me for recruitment." I start, Mia straightening up a little and focusing on me.
"She agreed to be under my Confessors Light, and I asked her about the devil and peerage structure and it turns out it's pretty different from what I thought. Apparently after some monster stuff and major changes a few decades ago it changed to be much more fair to reincarnated devils." I explain, Mia nodding along beside me.
I spend a bit of time going over everything Rias told me about the peerage setup.
"I still want to get to know them better, Rias seems, well desperate honestly, and at the moment her problems aren't my problems. She wants to recruit me to help her out of her engagement, not to be a good fit. Like, I empathise, but I'm not signing up for potentially hundreds of years with them if I'm not going to like being there. Well, I say hundreds, at the current rate I reckon I could get out in a much shorter time if I want, if I keep trying my power should outstrip them pretty soon."
Mia gives me a proud look, squeezing my arm.
"But, it's an immediate power up, and longevity and imagination based magic are always going to be good, and they're things I have no guarantee of getting in any reasonable timeframe. There's also the backing of a pretty powerful faction, and the resources they can get me. Like Rias mentioned about trainers and blacksmiths, and yeah again it's stuff I can get access to myself, but a leg up is never going to hurt."
"Master -" Mia interjects "- it sounds to me like you want to, but you're trying to argue both sides. I think you're right, you will be amazingly strong. And if you want those devil girls by your side when you get there, then take them. And if it all goes wrong, we'll destroy them~" She says, giving me a smirk at the end.
I think that's the most she's said at once. And the most sensible as well.
"Yeah, you're right Mia. A lot of my reasons not to have been alleviated, assuming I can get a good contract and get along with them, and I'd get some damn good benefits. I will be strong enough to do whatever I want down the line, and being involved with a major faction and the 'main cast' will help me get more tickets as well."
"Mhmm, well there is one thing I found online that might help. I've heard you make better decisions after an orgasm, so -" Mia says, sliding down to the floor between my legs "- would you care to drain your balls down my throat sir?~"
She stretches her mouth wide, giving me an impish look.
And it turns out I very much would care to...
~~
Relaxing after having eaten, well Mia got fed twice, my phone goes off.
[Hey Haru-chan, I know you spoke with Gremory-sama today, and she said she told you about Kaichou's peerage. I'm not sure exactly what you spoke about but I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry for hiding all this. I hope it hasn't ruined anything, hopefully see you tomorrow.]
She's worried I'm not going to want to be around her isn't she?
Fuck it.
[Hey Momo, don't worry, I had my suspicions anyway, and it doesn't change anything at all, all it does is explain how you're so attractive. I hid my stuff too, maybe we could catch each other up sometime? Either way, sleep well, see you tomorrow.]
~~ Momo Hanakai ~~
I threw my phone across the room as soon as I sent my message to Haru-chan, but hearing it ping I literally fly across the room to grab it, before pausing.
I don't know if I can look.
What if it's him telling me to stay away? Or worse?
Ugh I hate caring about this so much! Stupid crush!
Okay, I'm not gonna sleep if I don't check. If it's bad I can just cry and ask Kaichou to curse him or something, I don't know.
Deep breath, and turn the phone over.
...
I can feel the blush of the compliment and embarrassment rising up my neck to my ears.
Of course he's fine with it, but he's had an idea all along and still said and did everything? Stupid boy.
I can feel my cheeks start to ache, even if I'm complaining about him in my mind. I let myself flop to the side in bed, and I'll go to sleep tonight not thinking about him at all.
Shut up!
~~ Haruto Shitara ~~
Heh, she was definitely worrying. She's so cute. I think I'll have to prove it tomorrow, she's right, I shouldn't wait too long.
~~
I come to consciousness with a groan, and it takes me a moment to realise the cool, wet feeling around my cock. The covers are slowly bobbing up and down, and I run my hand up Mia's body, placing it on the back of her head as she hums around me.
"Mm, fuck, g'mornin Mia." I breathe out, hissing as I feel her writhe her tongue, circling my entire length without it leaving her mouth.
Clearly, for once, she woke up a bit before me, as I can feel myself getting close already. Keeping my hand on the back of her head I buck my hips up, her swallows massaging my tip as I let myself go.
She takes it all before slowly rising, giving my cock little licks as she does. She pops up and slides up my body, emerging from the covers on my chest.
"Hehe, thank you for my breakfast master~" She purrs, laying her head down on me as I gently stroke her back.
"Hah, anytime." I pant out, hugging her a little tighter.
My alarm wouldn't go off for another 15 minutes or so, I've got time to cuddle my cute snake girl.
~~
I didn't account enough for her gremlin-ness, just about making it through the door as the bell goes, getting my breath back and giving Ikuta-sensei a polite nod that she replies with an amused look and gesturing her head to my seat.
I flash Momo a smile as I rush to my desk, settling in for the school day.
The first two periods go by quickly if a bit boring, but in my excitement I forgot what third period was.
I am once again faced by a sea of tight white shirts and tiny blue 'shorts', Something Momo is happy to remind me of by staying in my sight line as much as possible.
Not to say I'm not surrounded by beautiful girls, but I can barely take my eyes off Momo, which ironically given she keeps trying to get me to look at her, sends her blushing every time.
I make it through gym class, just about, and shooting a glare at Momo head back to get changed.
I join Momo, Nimura, and Umeda for lunch once again. Most of my pancakes are stolen by Momo and Umeda, and throughout lunch Momo leans into me a few times, getting sly looks from Nimura and Umeda.
As lunch ends and we make our way back to class Momo keeps brushing her hand against mine or bumping her shoulder into me, just reaffirming my decision.
Our afternoon periods are more standard fare, and I get a few chances to help Momo or vice versa, and it's a great source of amusement to give her small looks or touches and send her blushing and stuttering.
As the day ends Momo hangs back until we're the only two left in the class, a couple of the more gossip or shipping focused classmates shooing out the others to give us a privacy, leaving with a wink.
"Momo-" "Haru-" We both go to start speaking at the same time, but I give her a nod to go first.
"Um, right, I just wanted to make sure we were okay in person, like I know you've been fine all day but I still got in my head and that." She says, fidgeting back and forth a bit, glancing to and fro.
I reach down to take her hands, eliciting and "Eep!", her eyes rapidly going between our hands and my face.
"Momo, I promise we're okay, I don't mind that you are a devil or that you didn't tell me. As much as I like you, we haven't exactly known each other for ages, and like I said I didn't tell you about my stuff." I say, giving her a lopsided smile.
"But, if you'll allow me, I'd like to change that. Would you let me take you out this weekend? Like a proper date?" And I can feel the heat on my cheeks, though frankly it's no match for hers.
It takes a second, but she gives me a couple quick nods, and I feel my smile widen.
"Great, I'll sort it all out, and message you later to sort the time out?" I ask, Momo responding with just another series of nods.
"I umm, I have to go for council stuff Haru-chan, sorry." She murmurs sheepishly after a moment, though not pulling away.
"Of course Momo, have a good rest of your day and I'll message you later."
She gives me another nod and starts to move away. I go to release her hands but I see some thought flash behind her eyes, and she tightens her grip on me.
"Mo-"
I'm cut off by her lips brushing against mine, just for a split second as she invents a new shade of red from the tips of her ears to under her shirt, while all I can do is smile stupidly.
"Uhm, you should know Haru-chan, that devils are much more in tune with some sins and desires." She says, releasing my hands and stepping back a little.
"Hm, well, don't let me stop you Momo." I reply, and since she started it, I lean forwards, cupping her cheek and giving her a moment to pull away. When she just looks up at me, leaning into my hand slightly, I close the distance touching our lips together again. It feels electric.
Pulling back after a moment her lips chase mine a little, and I don't release her face.
"I'll see you later Momo." I whisper, finally moving my face and hand back from her.
"...Mhmm" She squeaks out, glancing down at my lips before seeing the time and rushing out the door with a wave.
I'm still stood there with a dumb grin a minute later when Himejima talks in.
"My my Shi-kun~ I couldn't help but notice a rather flustered Hanakai on my way here, any idea what that may be about?" She asks, her eyes practically sparkling.
"Ahem, well if you must know I asked her out, and uh we maybe kissed a little."
Fucking hell, I'm acting like a blushing virgin. Well, in this life I guess I am. Hm.
"Oh, how forward of you Shi-kun~ And after leading on me and dear Koneko~" She says with a pout, somehow making her eyes start to water on command.
I could go down this path, on the plus side, maybe more devil girls for me, on the downside, Himejima already scares me and if she steps it up I have no idea what that'll look like.
"Well, you and Rias made sure to mention how harems are accepted and even encouraged, maybe I've just already settled on the first three I desire hm?"
She gets a dangerous look on her face. I fear I am about to be devoured and not in the way Mia does.
"Ohoh~ Shi-kun, don't make promises you can keep~" She trawls out, before giggling and grabbing my arm, pulling it between her breasts again and leading me out of the room.
Thankfully, between the two beautiful devils almost all the other students are already in their clubs or have left the school by now.
On the other hand, this makes Himejima even less proper, and she wastes no time as soon as we're outside the main building and heading to the ORC to pull my arm deeper into he cleavage, her shirt that was already struggling feels just a twitch away from popping open.
She clearly notices me stiffen up - dammit - and turns to look at me slightly.
"Fufu, is everything okay Shi-kun? You seem a little... distracted?~" She asks, pushing her boobs together around my arm.
"Nope, all good here Himejima, thanks!" And my voice definitely doesn't hitch.
"Hm, okay then, I thought you might have been thinking about what else could take the place of your arm, but I guess not."
Well that image isn't leaving my head anytime soon, she'd better be prepared to make good on her words one day I swear.
Alright, maybe playing this game with Himejima wasn't the smartest. Thankfully we're just about to the ORC, and she seems to take my silence as her win, which yeah fair.
This time, presumably thanks to my liaison, Rias is already there waiting for us, giving us a smile as we enter.
"Hey guys, thank you for coming Haruto!"
"Of course, I'd never ghost someone like that, and only a little because any of you could probably obliterate me."
There's a small snort from the side, and Toujou enters from the kitchen, giving me a nod.
Operation bribe the cat girl is a go.
"Ah, Toujou, hey. I have tribute so I can win you over before I ever negotiate with Rias." I say, pulling out a container with a dozen pancakes in and holding it out.
She steps forward, looking between the container and me. She takes is slowly before peeling the lid back slightly and giving it a sniff. Seemingly satisfied she closes it up and tucks it under her arm, turning to Rias.
"Hn, he can have what he wants." She says curtly, giving a single nod.
Of course, Himejima can't help but get involved, piping up "Oh, even if what he wants is you hmm?~" as she shoots me a look.
Am I about to get punched through a wall?
Toujou shoots a judging look at Himejima before turning to face me, and I'm fairly certain my gulp is audible.
I have no idea what the correct words are here, maybe if I just stay silent I can pretend I blacked out and missed all this.
After a solid five seconds of silence where Toujou just stares me down, before muttering "Maybe." and briskly leaving the room.
Huh?
Operation acquire cat girl is ahead of schedule it seems.
Himejima and Rias are equally as surprised apparently, just watching her go with a mix of amusement and bemusement.
"Well, I can't say I was expecting that. Are you planning to make a move on all of my peerage Haruto?" Rias asks, raising an amused eyebrow at me.
"Cough Uh not sure yet, there's at least three I've got my eye on for now though."
Himejima just giggles but I get to enjoy the way Rias blushes, her eyes widening a little.
"Well then Haruto, welcome to the Occult Research Club. It's mostly just a cover for my peerage at the moment. When things were calmer we did do some actual club activities but that has slipped as we've stepped up our training given what's coming. But for now, do you have any more questions for me after yesterday?"
Rias officially welcomes me as we take a seat, Himejima going off to prepare tea.
"Mm yeah, there was one. Obviously you told me how the bigger scale stuff with the contract could work, but what does being a devil in a peerage actually mean day to day? Like what would I be expected to do and that?"
"Oh right, of course! Again different Kings do it differently. For me, my long term goals are to become a rating game champion, and as the heir I will be managing my pillar territory one day, assuming no changes. So I do want my peerage to become stronger, but I also want all of us to get a normal life, like going to school for example."
She pauses as Himejima comes back with a tray, setting everything down and pouring out three cups.
"Thanks Akeno. So yeah that's the big picture, but day to day I'm pretty hands off. Like everyone does contracts but the amount and when is mostly up to each person. Beyond that, since we're partly in charge of this territory, we spend time making sure there are no dangerous strays or monsters putting the people here at risk. There's other territory duties but those are mainly done by the Kings and Queens."
"Huh, again I was expecting more honestly." I respond with a shrug.
"I mean, honestly I'm fairly content with the school life. Obviously my engagement is trying to ruin that, but devils live a long time, I want to enjoy as much of it as I can. Aside from the duties I do like us to do things together, like trying to eat together once a day, movie nights, stuff like that. We all live together in converted space here which I don't think I told you as well. You wouldn't have to move in with us if you didn't want to though, it's not like a requirement." She says, though I can see the desire in her eyes, she likes having a chosen 'family' and being together with them. Something else to consider.
"Thanks Rias, I was also hoping you could maybe explain a bit about monsters? As far as I can tell they're different from strays right?" I ask.
"Yeah sure, so monsters are kind of a constant of every faction and every place. Like for us devils, the underworld has 'The Pits', where monsters spawn. There's an effort to keep them contained and culled, but it doesn't always work. There's other sources of monsters around the world, a lot of them based on the various factions. Every faction deals with monsters in their territory as part of the deal to protect those living there. Is there anything specific you wanted to know?"
"I think that's it for now, thank you Rias. Now then, the other point of having Himejima drag me here -" "You wound me Shi-kun!" "- is to get to know everyone better, you said you had the more fun questions to ask?"
"Yeah! Oo okay, so...."
Like an excited puppy, Rias brightens up and starts peppering me with questions about my hobbies, life before coming here, thought on various topics, what anime I like, and many more things. The anime thing does almost trip me up, as while there are similar ones, they have different names here.
I end up spending a couple hours with Rias and Himejima, or now Akeno as she asks me to call her. Toujou reappears briefly to ask Rias about dinner and ends up questioning me on my cooking, to which Akeno asked if I was 'being vetted as a husband' and Toujou just said all her sense went to her boobs instead of her brains in lieu of an answer.
Kiba also sprints through, and that's saying something given his speed, as he apparently goes from sparring with the Kendo club to contracts.
It was nice honestly, I haven't spent time purely chilling since I came to this world, though I'll change that with Momo this weekend as well.
It'd be much easier if all these devils weren't so damn likable.
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A/N: Following all the information Haruto got from Rias, and vice versa, they speak with their respective confidants.
Momo panics once again, and gets a date out of it. Let that be a lesson, always panic and overthink ladies and gentlemen!