Issei Hyoudou, the Red Dragon Emperor and the Harem King, arrived at the university battleship called the Little Garden. He was here for a vacation, to be away from the ORC and whatnot. It was still around morning time after he exited his plane.
"All this atop an aircraft carrier? That's pretty hard to believe..." Issei murmured as he had a tour of the place.
Boasting a surface area of more than four square kilometers, there was a town atop this aircraft carrier. Simply by scale alone, no one could ever find anything in the entire world that could be its equal. In order to preserve its freedom, Little Garden never stopped sailing. For something of this scale, this was undoubtedly a world's first. This ship wasn't attached to any nation.
Little Garden had its headquarters in the federal state of Liberia, where the production company responsible for developing fighters, military ships, and so on, was located. Even though the Warslan company was a PMC (private military company), they had built Little Garden themselves to serve as a base both for battling the Savage and for the research and development of the Hundred weapon. For the sake of training Slayers—those who wielded the Hundred—no expense was spared when it came to this huge aircraft carrier. That rationale had manifested itself in every aspect of its design.
There was one main reason Issei was here: to meet the queen known as Claire Harvey. He had read up on her previously: Claire's 'Hundred' boasted extreme mobility, and true to its nature as a Dragoon-type model, could freely employ heavy weaponry. Its name, carrying the meaning of 'Noble War Princess', was Alystherion. Counting from when Little Garden and the Bugeika had been founded two years prior, she had never once lost, and so she'd come to be known as the 'Perfect Queen'.
She was someone who had battled twelve Savages as a lone Slayer in the two years since her admission. The total number of sorties against the Savage to date numbered 17, and thus she'd not only participated in nearly every battle, but she'd dealt the killing blow in over half of the battles she'd taken part in. Her merits in battle had earned her the nickname 'Rose Guardian'.
There was a ceremony going on for the Little Garden students in the auditorium. Issei was on the sidelines and watching, waiting for Claire to show up. He had even gotten autograph requests by boys and girls who were familiar with him. He found it quite amusing.
Lots of boring stuff went on first, but then...
A girl with brown hair and glasses named Erica Candle was making an announcement. "Next, a word of greeting from the captain/commander of the Academy Battleship, Little Garden; the supervisor of the elementary, middle, and high school section of the Bugeika infantry; our student council president; and she, who holds the position of Queen. I'd like to introduce you all to Claire Harvey!"
A nervous energy filled the auditorium. Issei, however, was excited!
Appearing from the side of the stage, an extremely beautiful girl walked up to the stand. It was clear from the way she walked that she was definitely the princess type. She was a student council president who holds immense power. Her curly blonde hair, blue eyes, incredible body and massive breasts made for quite the sight. She was the captain of the little city garden, and the president of all the students in the General Division.
Excited cheers could be heard with Claire's entry. It wasn't just the students of the Bugeika; the students of the other schools and the people of Little Garden in general idolize Claire as well. She was tremendously popular.
Claire Harvey was the highest-ranked Slayer in Little Garden, from the United States of Liberia; she was called the Queen. Despite having been called a 'Queen', she was of an age comparable to Issei and his friends. That said, she had a strong, keen gaze and an aura of majestic dignity which made it clear the title was well deserved.
'Damn... She's really hot!' Issei thought as he looked at the beauty. He was taken aback by how gorgeous she was, for a human. He was definitely gonna enjoy meeting her when he had a chance.
Queen Claire finally reached the podium. Silence immediately filled the room as the audience awaited her words. "Hello students, my name is Claire Harvey." Her voice was elegant and nice to listen to.
'Prez's thighs are amazingly plump,' Issei thought. 'She reminds me of my girls back home!'
However, before Claire could continue...
"E-Excuse me―!" "Sorry for being late!"
The sound of a door opening could be heard, followed by two voices echoing throughout the silent room. In a flash, everyone's gaze spun from Claire, on the stage, to the entrance, where the voices had originated. There stood two girls of Oriental lineage. They wore Bugeika uniforms, the collars of which had a noticeable absence: badges.
"Arriving late on your very first day? You two sure are brave." From her spot on the stage, Claire cast the two a withering glare, leaving them trembling in fear.
"Um… we went out earlier this morning to pick up a few things at the shopping center, but it took more time than expected―"
"I didn't ask for your excuses. You were warned in advance of the need to be punctual." Claire's tone was flat, drowning out the girl's words. Sternly, she continued, extending her left index finger and pointing at the girls, declaring firmly "Little Garden has no need for those who can't keep their word. Promptly pack your belongings and leave."
The girls sighed in defeat and left.
This impressed Issei. 'Man... she's tough, that's for sure.'
Claire cleared her throat, then got into a big speech. "The single most important duty is, of course, to battle the Savage, however," Claire added in a tone which suggested such a thing was only natural, "Although Slayers belong to the Warslan company from the moment they enroll in the Bugeika, they are nevertheless still students, and thus participation in such duties is not mandatory; it is up to each student's own judgment. However, the way I see things…"
After a short pause, Claire continued with a serious expression.
"It's a matter of noblesse oblige. Those with power have an obligation to wield that power for the sake of those without. Such a thing is only natural. This is why the Warslan company provides suitable compensation for those who hold such power."
Issei was even more impressed now. 'I like her already!'
After the ceremony was over, Issei had a chance to do a meet-and-greet with Claire.
"It's great to finally meet you in person, Claire Harvey." Issei grinned and shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you as well, Issei Hyoudou." Claire shook his hand back; she grasped tightly the hand presented by Issei. A tie, a prove of friendship. A nice handshake. "As you said, I am Claire Harvey, the representative of Little Garden. Is it fine if I call you Mr. Hyoudou?"
"Yeah, that's fine with me." Their hands soon parted.
Claire then thought for a moment. She thought back on news reports of the Red Dragon Emperor. "...I've heard of you, actually. Your reputation precedes you, as a powerful fighter."
"Well, thanks for saying so!" Issei grinned more. "Oh and... I gotta say, you're as tough as they say." Issei told her, regarding the incident earlier.
"I am indeed. Those girls had butted in so belligerently... By all rights, I should have expelled them."
Issei chuckled. "Damn!" He enjoyed talking with her. "So you're the daughter of the family which runs the Warslan Company, and by extension, the Little Garden?" Issei asked her.
Claire nodded. "Yes. That means I wield an amazing degree of authority around here."
"I can see that, since you're the captain, the Queen, and student council president." Issei chuckled.
"Indeed. And I am not the student council president and captain because of who my parents are. That is a mistake, if anyone ever told you that. I do not stand here now because my father manages the Warslan Company. No, I am the student council president who oversees all students of Little Garden—primary, middle, high, and Bugeika—and captain because I am the Queen who holds the top rank among the Bugeika student body. More precisely, I am the one who has attained the throne of Queen."
"Wow, that's a lot to take in! Thanks for the info, though." Issei realized that Claire might be busy. "Oh, sorry for taking your time."
"It's fine. Well, I must attend to my duties now." Claire was about to leave and turned around.
Issei had something to ask her first. "Can I ask you a question before you go?"
"Go ahead. What is it?" Claire turned her head to look back at him.
"Will you join in this bikini contest this summer at Banoi island? I'm hosting it!"
Claire turned back around looked at him directly. "...That's quite a request, I'd have to say. I'll have to think about it." Claire had her hand under her chin and thought for a moment.
'I hope she says yes.'
"...Sure, why not?"
"Great! Here is the info." Issei gave her a piece of paper with written information on it.
Claire looked at it, then looked back at Issei. "Would it be alright if I added a condition?" Claire asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"I don't want to leave until I have completed all my work. And... winning a contest and enjoying beach activities... this is killing two birds with one stone, really."
Issei was surprised. "You're saying you've already won?"
She showed a cocky smile. "I'm quite confident, let's put it that way."
Issei grinned. "I like your spirit. Well... See ya, Claire!" Issei waved and took off.
"Goodbye, for now." Claire left as well.
Student council meetings began at 8:15 am precisely at the school. Everyone in the club was expected to be there on time.
The door opened to admit the student council president, Claire Harvey. "I apologize for the wait." Meetings would always begin with Claire looking gorgeous as always. A nervous energy filled the room, because she was indeed a student council president who held immense power. She had tea, folders, papers, pens, a computer, and files on the desk near her. "First things first, shall we have some black tea? Erica, the usual, if you would."
"Understood." As Claire lowered herself into the remaining chair, Erica made her way from seat to seat, filling their cups with black tea.
Claire then cleared her throat and officially began the meeting. "Hello students, my name is Claire Harvey." She was very elegant. "The Student Council President is the highest-ranking officer of a student government group or a student union association at the high school, college, or university level. It is in Elementary schools, too." Claire continued, "A student government president is different from a class president. Class presidents represent a specific grade level of students, while a student body president represents students of all grade levels."
"Class presidents are common in middle and high schools and some colleges and universities in the U.S. A close equivalent would be a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior class representative or senator." She explained the council stuff with an authoritative tone. She continued on with more lectures that were required.
Issei was outside the door to the clubroom. He had his arms crossed as he listened to Claire. 'She's really something.' He smiled to himself.
Later in the day, Issei found Claire practicing by herself at the school's outdoor training area. She seemed very focused, even though she had no one to practice with. She was wearing a Variable Suit; it was the same shade of red her uniform had been.
'She is really hot, in any uniform!' He decided to ask her for a friendly challenge. "Hey Claire, do you wanna spar with me?" Issei approached her, keeping a fair distance between the two of them.
Claire stopped in her tracks and saw Issei there. "Oh, hello." She wiped her forehead. "That sounds interesting." She smirked lightly and turned her attention to him fully. "Let's see what you got."
"Sure thing!" Issei grinned. He summoned his red-colored boosted gear to his arm. "BOOST!" The sound of Ddraig was heard.
Claire was confused at this. "What was that noise? And what is that on your arm?"
"You know how I have a rep as a great fighter? Well, this bad-boy is part of it!" Issei boosted up again. "And inside my gear is a dragon named Ddraig. Cool, right?"
"I am the dragon, Ddraig!" Ddraig's voice was heard from the gear.
Claire blinked several times with a surprised face. "How on Earth?" Claire stared in wonder. "...Quite confusing, and odd." A chuckle slipped out of Claire's mouth, then she continued, "In any case, could you not stare?"
"…Eh?" Issei blinked.
"You were eyeing me right now… with that lewd gaze…"
"Oh, well...heheh..." Issei chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't deny it. It was true that he was fascinated, being the perv and Harem King that he was!
The Variable Suit clung to Claire's body, showing off her well-developed, womanly curves. It also exposed more skin than a student uniform. The two big bulges of her breasts and her figure, which made it impossible to deny her femininity, were so amazing that Issei couldn't help it!
"…I was just joking. Well then, shall I deploy my Hundred?" Claire didn't bother to wait for a reply. She flipped the Hundred she grasped in her hand lightly into the air. "HUNDRED ON!" Alongside her shout, the Hundred released an emerald green light which transformed into six, red gun pods.
"Interesting transform!" Issei had boosted one more time.
"Come, Issei Hyoudou! Show me what you can do!" Claire shouted as she fired Alystherion in his direction.
Issei grinned and jumped in the air, moving swiftly towards Claire. Dodging the six beams coming from Alystherion, he closed the gap between Claire and himself in no time.
"Wha―?!" Claire was caught off-guard, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You're so fast...!"
Instead of firing a boosted blast, Issei had something devious and pervy planned for Claire! He touched her shoulder, and a magic circle appeared at the point of contact.
"What the...?" Claire had no idea what Issei was up to.
"Dress Break!" Issei yelled out, snapping his fingers.
Claire's variable suit then blew up before her eyes! "KYA―!" Claire shrieked, kneeing on the ground with her arms covering her naked breasts. "Why you...!"
Issei grinned and had a thumbs up! "Dress Break: gotta love it!" Using his quick eyes, he had managed to see Claire's breasts before she covered them. 'Damn, her oppai are nice!'
"Y-You… What on Earth do you think you're…" Claire's face was dyed a deep red as she raised her eyebrows. Frankly, it was incredibly embarrassing. And she had never seen this kind of thing before.
No one else saw, though. So Issei was lucky this time!
Late that night, Claire being the student council president was burning the midnight oil in the student council room of the Bugeika school building.
She had matters which had to be resolved before the day was over, as well as a stack of official paperwork to be signed. The contents of the papers she held in her hands never entered her consciousness. She simply could not stop thinking about Issei Hyoudou.
With regards to the outcome of the earlier sparring match, her pride as the undefeated Queen with a two-year reign had almost been demolished. And by...a dress break?!
Thankfully, it was only considered a sparring match and not considered a full-fledged match.
"Claire-sama. Claire-sama…" A voice called her from her reverie. Erica had approached her without her realizing.
"…How long have you been there?" Claire turned to look at her.
"Since a moment ago. I called you once already, but you didn't respond, so I called once more."
"I apologize. I was lost in thought." Claire turned her gaze to Erica's hands. She was holding a teapot and a cup. "Black tea, is it? Thank you."
Erica placed the tea cup on Claire's desk before continuing. "Would you like anything to go with your tea?"
"No...thank you, though." Claire sighed to herself.
Erica had something to ask. "What's wrong, Claire-sama? You seem out of it today, ever since that guy Issei came to visit."
Claire was too embarrassed to say exactly what happened. She made a shorter version of it. "Well...we had a sparring match. And he won..."
Erica's expression clouded in an instant. "…Please don't worry about it too much. If it had been an ordinary duel, then it would unmistakably have been Claire-sama's victory."
"I'm not worrying about that." Claire then thought about the upcoming Banoi contest that was coming up in a few days. "Hmm.." Claire seemed deep in thought, her hand under her chin.
Erica tilted her head to the side, wondering what Claire was thinking about.