Protest or not, as a small cat, Kuroka couldn't do much. Hissing at Xenovia was useless; after all, those two had known Rhodes longer than she had.
"Sister Griselda told us to stay in Kuoh Town," Irina said cheerfully. "She said the higher-ups want to use this opportunity to sit down and talk. So, we've been temporarily stationed here as guards for the VIPs."
The reason Irina was so happy was that they were allowed free time in Kuoh Town until the summit began. For Holy Sword users who had never had a day off since joining the service, this was the best gift imaginable. Any "corporate slave" working a 9-9-6 schedule would be just as thrilled about a paid vacation.
"Stay if you want. There are a few empty rooms," Rhodes said. Since the timeline had changed, Xenovia hadn't "fallen," and Irina didn't have to return to the Vatican because Rhodes had already handed over the three Holy Swords to Griselda. This was likely Griselda's own way of being kind to them, feeling she owed them something.
"Hehe, I knew you were a good guy, Rhodes! But don't worry, we've already picked out our rooms," Irina laughed.
"You really don't treat yourselves like strangers. But don't call me a 'good guy' anymore. I don't like it."
"Got it. You're so weird; most guys would be happy if a girl called them a good guy. Is this that 'Good Person Card' thing you told me about before?"
"Precisely." Rhodes sat on the sofa and called out to his "resident cook," Raynare. "I'm hungry. Make me some noodles."
"Huh? Right... right now? With so many people watching?" Raynare's face suddenly flushed red.
"?" When Rhodes sent out a question mark, it wasn't because he had a problem—it was because she did.
"I... I'll go right now!" Raynare realized Rhodes meant actual food and scurried into the kitchen with her head down.
"Make a bowl for me too. I didn't eat enough at dinner, and an empty stomach makes it hard to sleep," Xenovia added, not being shy at all.
"Make enough for everyone then," Rhodes said, noticing the expectant look in Lavinia's eyes.
Before long, the Fallen Angel trio served up bowls of hot ramen, and the room was filled with the sound of slurping. Raynare watched the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces and felt a surge of happiness. Perhaps she really was suited to being a chef.
After the meal, the girls began taking turns in the bath. Rhodes didn't fight them for the first-floor bathroom and headed to his master bedroom, which had its own private shower.
A lot had happened between yesterday and today, not to mention the "workplace harassment" from Katerea. Even though he'd cleaned up a bit before returning, he couldn't go to sleep without a proper shower.
Just as Rhodes was lathering up, the glass door to the shower was pulled open. Lavinia, wearing only her underwear, walked in with a yawn. When she saw Rhodes, her pale silver eyes lit up with a happy expression. "Oh, little Rhodes, you're here too!"
"That should be my line. Weren't you downstairs?" Rhodes asked helplessly. As a man, he tried not to sweat the small stuff, but being stared at by someone as "natural" as Lavinia was still a bit awkward. Fortunately, he had the "assets" to make other men feel inferior, so he wasn't too self-conscious.
Lavinia tilted her head in confusion. "There were too many people on the first floor and I didn't want to squeeze, so I came up here. I didn't expect you to be here too." She smiled brightly, seemingly oblivious to any hidden meaning in Rhodes' words.
"Then let's wash together! ~~~"After she said that, Lavinia began to pull off her clothes.
Before Rhodes could even process it, she was standing before him in total transparency.
"Let me soap you up. If you don't wash properly, your body will start to smell, you know? ~~~"
Snatching the soap from Rhodes' hand, Lavinia stepped behind him and began scrubbing his back with single-minded focus.
Seeing how open she was being, Rhodes finally cast aside his awkwardness and relaxed, focusing on enjoying Lavinia's scrub-down service.
Before long, the sound of rushing water filled the room.
He had to admit, having someone help scrub your back was incredibly convenient. It was difficult to reach every spot on your own, and over time, grime could really build up there.
"You have to rinse one more time," Lavinia said from behind him, working the soap into a thick lather against his skin. "Rhodes, sit down for a moment. You're too tall; I can't reach."
Rhodes wasn't entirely sure how she "couldn't reach," but he complied regardless. He wasn't about to file a complaint against a service provided by a beautiful girl.
However, when Rhodes felt the weight of two magnificent "Mount Fujis" press against his back and begin to slide, he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
"Hiss... ~~~"
"Lavinia, where did you learn this?"
"I learned it from manga! I heard boys really like it when girls do this. Do you like it, Rhodes?"
"I like it. I like it way too much."
Rhodes couldn't help but marvel. Japanese manga is truly a treasure; there's so much to learn.
Looking at the devoted girl behind him, Rhodes only wished he could have more bath sessions like this in the future. Despite being "enthusiastically hosted" by Katerea earlier that day, his "calmness" was rapidly evaporating.
"By the way, Lavinia, is your 'period'..."
Given that she hadn't rejected his previous advances, he figured it was only a matter of time before they "crossed the finish line."
Before he could finish, Lavinia shook her head. "Not yet. I think there are still two or three days left."
Rhodes instantly cooled down. While he wasn't necessarily opposed to "fighting a bloody battle," he had enough self-awareness not to do something that might hurt Lavinia.
"Heehee..."
Sensing Rhodes' change in mood, Lavinia let out a soft giggle behind him.
"I learned a lot of other things from manga, too. For example, like this..."
Before Rhodes realized what was happening, Lavinia's nimble little hands began their very first "rock climbing" expedition.
"..."
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High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (216 Chapters – Ongoing)
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