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Chapter 23: Of Quarrels and Musings

I will admit that I was kind of intrigued by the prospect of having Ravel study at Kuoh Academy so earlier than expected. She was one of the few characters that wasn't instantly ensnared by Issei's own charms.

To be fair, I wasn't even sure if the blonde ever studied in a proper school. From the way Ruval had made it appear, his sister didn't have the same interest as either Rias or Sona to actually be enrolled in a 'human' situation.

From the way she was gripping at her notebook, scribbling left and right the words of advice I was offering over the school day's general schedule, clubs, and other basic stuff gave me the impression that while she didn't have experience on the matter, that Ravel was at least trying to make an effort to this new development.

The tiny scowl on her face as I first found her waiting by the entrance beside a calm-looking Sona had faded in little time, but I could only correlate this compliance more to the fact I wasn't trying to make her uncomfortable.

Maybe she had expected someone with 'crass mannerism', and from the way she had given a surprised look at my introduction, I was quite sure that Ruval did leave her with some positive comment about me.

But the job of making sure that the new student was best accustomed to this environment was also directed to Ingvild. The young woman offered some quick nods the more I talked. I could tell that her attention was on me, but I could also see that she was paying minimal attention to my words.

All in all, while this behavior would've caused no less than a hundred of headaches if she had been in a different class than mine, since we were going to be classmates I could at least help her understand how Kuoh Academy worked in due time.

And while I made my own prayers for this day to be devoid of any 'external' issues, my own concerns about a sudden intrusion from a certain club ended up turning true.

My expectations of Rias actually sending someone to keep an eye for Ravel proved to be correct when I found my left arm engulfed by Akeno's noticeable chest as she rushed from behind with a quick pace.

But I wasn't actually expected the way she swiftly had reached for my unsuspecting limb, and that shock was enough to elicit a shocked look on my face. The 'Oneesan' giggled at the fact that she managed to get me surprised if not flustered at the sudden interaction, but her mirthfulness faded as quickly as it flashed from her beautiful visage.

The reason behind the panicked look than ensued shortly after that quick victory was warranted by the powerful glare that she was receiving by someone that wasn't enjoying the immediate.

Ravel was slightly fine about this, deciding to pay more attention to Kunou as the girl told her more about the clubs available for those of their school years. She looked incredibly irritated by the sudden sight, but she shrugged it off as something not planned for the tour from the grimace on my face.

The real issue was created by Ingvild's frustration at that scene. While she didn't have anything to back up any threat, the glare she was offering at the 'distraction' in front of her was fueled by her demonic energy.

Akeno felt that 'attack', and her surprise swelled before that sudden Killing Intent slamming onto her like a murderous tsunami. Her violet eyes matched with the full-blooded Devil's orange stare for a couple of quiet seconds.

It's surprising how feasible it is now for two women to fight for a single man. In the past, it was always two men fighting for the heart of a single maiden.

'Things change surprisingly fast.'

And Anime logic was painfully real from time to time, despite my best hopes of being spared by the worst of the cliches.

"Akeno-san, what are you doing?"

Losing her momentum because of this sudden counter-attack, the young woman actually released me from that hold but still kept close enough to assert some stance against such a threat.

Did I notice that I was being subjected to the classic 'harem-esque' issue presented by two girls competing for my affection?

Yes, I did. And the reason why I wasn't actually reacting suddenly at it was because of the suddenness of it all.

I wasn't hoping to have the flawless solution from this kind of encounters, but I also wasn't planning to allow both to maul each other up for silly reasons.

"Good morning to you too, Hoitsu-kun. I was sent by Rias-buchou to help you with Ravel-chan since she is the young sister of a friend of hers," The woman admitted with a tense tone, her stare still held hostage of the fellow young woman stopping to gaze at her furiously. "But I see that Ravel-chan isn't the only newcomer today."

I was about to introduce Ingvild to the conversation myself, but the girl surprised me by reacting faster than expected.

"Ingvild. And I've heard much about you, Akeno-san."

Truly curious, but… can I say that I fond them both annoying if they're trying to make this much of a scene in public?

'Not… truly.'

A simple smile settled on the dark-haired woman's face. "I hope Hoitsu-kun mentioned only good things about me."

"Hoi-kun said positive things. But he also mentioned that you could become… quite unpleasant with how intimate you tend to force him into."

Did I actually say that?

Sure, I might have told her that Akeno could become overbearing from time to time- Also, I don't remember ever mentioning the Fallen Angel-Devil Hybrid's name before now. I guess Ingvild connected dots between tales and real deal.

"I'm not imposing myself on him. Rather, I find his presence enjoyable enough to show some closeness."

"Yet you enjoy his unsettled look."

"Only because I know it's exaggerated," Akeno rebuked. "But I suppose you know him well to make this stand."

"He's my first friend."

That claim actually was… heart-warming. I did forget that Ingvild wasn't blessed with a nice childhood, so to be bestowed with so much devotion and affection was nice.

"I wonder why-"

"Both of you, stop."

There was silence, and their stare was on me.

Commendable reaction. I might have some reservation on being too rude on ladies, but I guess this spectacle was going a touch too far.

"I don't wish to inquire as to why you two have decided to quarrel over this situation. Akeno-san is a friend of mine, and I consider her as close as you are to me, Ingvild," I continued with a calm tone. "But I would also request that you don't antagonize each other, especially by going down that 'path', Akeno-san. I know you're better than this."

They both bowed their head in shame, displaying some understanding that they were both escalating the situation beyond comedic. I can understand some eccentric instances from both, but going as far as insulting each other in that personal manner wasn't something I was willing to condone.

Kunou hummed as she took a few steps towards me and took hold of my left hand. I glanced down, noticing her happy look. "Can I hold your hand, Niichan?"

I forgot how tiny she is.

Confusion roused at that sudden request and the inner comment, but I offered a silent nod at the calm Kitsune. It was in that moment that I noticed that we were starting to run a little late with the first lessons, and I decided to switch my priority to get both Kunou and Ravel to their respective classrooms before I guided the two embarrassed girls now behind me to our classroom.

The young Phenex decided to offer some of her own questions regarding the school's swimming pool and if it was mandatory to know how to swim to make use of it.

My answers were highly-detailed as I needed to make a good impression, but the gist was that Kuoh Academy allowed students to make use of it either to learn how to swim, or during special P.E. lessons that happened mostly during summertime.

The discussion lasted up until we arrived at the young Devil's classroom.

Koneko was waiting by the doorstep, her stare locking onto us as we approached. But while there was a sense of lightness in her expression as she regarded those she knew, confusion and curiosity exploded before the new faces.

"Senpai," She regarded with a nod before turning to greet the girls. "Akeno-san, Ku-kohai."

"Ko-senpai," Kunou returned with a mirthful tone. "Today you're getting a new classmate!"

The news were already known by the silver-haired Nekoshou from the way her expression hardly changed at the words. "Really?"

Everyone could tell how unimpressed she was by her tone.

"Kohai, I hope you understand that you shouldn't behave this grumpily with someone you've yet to met," I chided softly. "After all, you did give a chance to Ku-chan, didn't you?"

I can tell that there is a degree of trust between you and this 'Koneko' that isn't anywhere as low as the one she has for others in this school.

'You can… read emotions?'

Not truly. But I can tell if someone is selectively at ease with people by the way their energy pattern feels.

The Nekomata actually offered me a brief pout before sighing. I took the opportunity to gesture Ravel closer.

"Introduce yourselves to each other," I requested and the blonde was the one that, despite her uneasiness before the task, took the initiative.

"I'm Ravel Phenex, and it's nice to meet you, Koneko."

Koneko actually blinked at that introduction, perhaps surprised by the lack of arrogance she had expected from a member of the Phenex family.

If I remember correctly, Raiser was the only contact she had with that Clan, so I wouldn't be surprised she had built up a negative look over that group of people. But these polite words accompanied with the most genuine of voices drawn a surprised look out of her.

"Koneko Toujou," She replied quietly. "Nice to meet you."

A smile adorned Ravel's face and she nodded at the curt introduction.

Then Koneko glanced back at me. "Also Senpai, I wished to know if it would be fine with you and Kunou if I could spend the night at your house."

I frowned at the request, but Kunou gasped loudly and giddily at the prospect. "A sleepover?"

The Nekoshou offered a smile and a nod, prompting the Kitsune to glance at me with a single powerful desire.

"Please?"

Closing my eyes at the powerful display of the puppy-eyes technique, I gave a slow nod. "It wouldn't be a problem. Only thing is that you both would've to do your homework."

The girls both nodded and with that little situation concluded, Koneko and Ravel entered the classroom as their teacher was just approaching by the corner.

With this little situation done, we went to leave Kunou right to her classroom and I offered a quick hug before letting her go.

The walk that followed, the one that saw Akeno, Ingvild, and I directed at our last destination proved to be more intriguing than I had expected.

"So, how did you meet Hoitsu-kun?" The Himejima decided to ask out of pure curiosity.

"I've met him while he was working in Germany a couple of weeks ago," The lavender-haired Devil answered, her tone quiet and tight. Maybe she was still unsure if the previously tense atmosphere had truly settled.

"I… I didn't know that Hoitsu-kun went to Germany," Baraqiel's daughter admitted truthfully, offering me a confused look. "When did it happen?"

"When I was away from Kuoh for a full week," I answered calmly. "I work for someone quite rich and that has plenty of establishments around the world. Nothing truly important, but his activity is growing each day."

Akeno nodded, turning her attention back on the fellow girl.

"So you two have been friends until that point, right?"

Her question was met with a nod, but then she continued. "And I guess he told you a lot about Kuoh Town."

Ingvild actually smiled at this. "It's just as he told me it was. It's a nice place with so many kind people."

"That's good to hear. I think that Kuoh Town is truly a happy place myself," Akeno agreed eagerly. "But I wonder… what do you think about occult, Ingvild-san?"

...Oh no.

I think someone is asking for trouble. But… I wonder what your dear friend will do now.

"Occult?" The Leviathan inquired innocently. "What is that?"

"The research of what can't be explained by science. Creatures that we can't understand by normal means and-"

"Like Santa?"

…

Oh my, let's see what little joke this lovely lady has concocted in such a short amount of time.

"Uh… what?"

"Santa- or the Easter Bunny. Aren't those beings that we can't explain through Science?"

"Y-Yes, but-"

"Are those topics of the 'Occult' you're talking about, Akeno-san?"

The Himejima seemed unsure how to answer that particular point raised by the 'naive' girl, and I could tell from her distracted look that she wasn't going to recruit anyone in her club.

With that curious parenthesis coming to a simple ending devoid of any major escalations, our walk continued uneventfully. The two would just share some looks, keeping quiet up until we arrived at the classroom in question.

Ingvild took a seat near to mine, happily drawing some attention on herself from the other classmates because of her exotic beauty.

In less than a couple of hours, rumors of a possible contender to the Ojousamas' reign started to spread all over Kuoh Academy.

But I didn't offer it too much interest considering that now I had to cover for both Ingvild and Ravel about club assignments.

Ingvild managed to surprise me with the way she was capable of dealing with the lesson.

While she wasn't outright showing that she had studied the arguments beforehand, her deductive skill and her capacity to improvise moods helped her earn some good rep from various teachers.

Rias noticed this very instance, and I could tell from her curious blue eyes that she was not only curious to understand how a supposed rival to Sona's sister was allowed to study here at school, but also how she was supposed to handle it without irking her 'school partner'.

Sona had surely given no words to the redhead, this suspect cemented as the truth from the frustrated trail of thoughts visible on the young Gremory's face.

But while the scene itself warranted amusement from my part, I also disliked the way Rias was already eyeing her newest 'interest'.

Which is why, despite my little rule to keep away from actually going against Rias' plans, I decided to make some plans to disrupt any unneeded developments.

"So, the money gained from the spectacle is donated to charities?" Ingvild inquired delighted as she listened to Asia and to the young woman responsible for the female actors in the Theater Club.

"Most of it, yes. A small percentage of the gains are used to pay the costs of the club, but the rest is offered to those organizations that help with hospitals and orphanages."

It was quite easy to convince the Devil to try her hand at this endeavor. With her unique singing voice, it was just natural for her to pursue a club that could help her in not only refining her talent but also using it for the sake of good.

Once she was shown how things worked and she was introduced to Asia, which she found out she shared a fair lot of qualities and interests with, I knew that I got her on board with this idea.

A quick examination ensued to show how good as a singer Ingvild was and, despite some minor reluctance to sing before so many people at once, the lavender-haired girl managed to stun the entire room to abandon their tasks to listen to her.

A standing ovation was the logical aftermath to the exhibition, and her acquisition was confirmed with the signing of the proper documents.

I decided to leave her to enjoy some of the practices that were developing after her successful test. Since I had work to do at the Council's room, I swiftly went there to start drowning in paper and ink.

Ruruko huffed as she was dragging around big boxes around to pick the proper documents I needed to keep up with the paperwork. Reya had to skip her role for today because of an unexpected session of the volleyball team, leaving her partner alone to face the daunting assignment.

Or at least that would've been the case if I had kept myself from joining in with the fun task.

The brunette was unreasonably annoyed by my initiative, but she reluctantly let go of this issue when I pointed out that we were meant to be quick and efficient, and that pride over her manual work wouldn't do the Student Council any good.

She was trying to show her determination before her seniors, something that I had suspected first, and then was confirmed as a fact by Tsubaki. I wasn't against allowing people to work hard to show their worth from time to time, to make them display their true selves before any troublesome tasks. But I was also not going to abuse that situation out to avoid making some hard work myself.

The boxes were slightly lighter than how I remembered those being, and I thought that this was a fact related to how intense training had been with Baraqiel.

And after what happened, in that fight against Rizevim, I needed to pick up a greater pace if I wanted to make a serious difference.

It will take years to get to the point you're trying to reach. At this pace, at least.

'Then I will-'

Which is why I will bestow you with some advices during the next training sessions. Something to bring a touch of 'seriousness' in your understand of Shadow Magic.

'And this case of sudden kindness is driven by?'

Why does anyone do anything nowadays? Sheer, absolute boredom!

And a need to copy of Ala- Hold up, how do you know about Hazbin Hotel?

Are you seriously going to question the progenitor and the strongest of all Devils, a race meant to be able to use magic in which limit is mere creativity? I'll have you know that the Fourth Wall and I are not in good relations.

Ignoring that strange comment that further deepened my confusion over the mysterious figure that was Lucifer, I continued with my hard work, stopping only to prepare some coffee for Ruruko and I.

The brunette offered a thankful nod as she stopped to sip at her warm cup, while I did the same while checking back on the last papers I had signed. It would be a shame if I got distracted and somehow messed up some of the writing in there and-

The door of the room opened without notice, with a slightly annoyed Ravel entered inside without offering any greeting nor comment.

A scowl was on her lips, and I could tell that she had been crying from how red her eyes were in that moment.

I glanced at her with a perplexed look, questioning what happened to her to bring her to such a furious state of self.

She stared at me for some time and… then spoke.

"I want to quit."

I frowned. "Why?"

She slowly took a seat by the chair in front of me.

"I'm not wanted here."

My frown deepened.

"Who told you this?" I asked calmly, a longer pause following shortly after.

…

"It doesn't matter," Ravel mentioned tiredly. "I just want to quit Kuoh Academy."

"I want you to tell me, Ravel, because it's the right thing to do."

She snorted. "Says who?"

"I do."

…

The girl returned my frown with her own. "What do you get out of this? Do you wish to fix this, or maybe worsen things up?"

Surprise flashed from my eyes at that defensive approach, and I knew that I couldn't trip on myself about this case.

"I don't get anything out of it," I replied calmly. "But you get proper retribution out of it."

"Why?" She pressed on with a serious tone.

"Because it's the right thing to do. And because if you were hurt, I wish to know."

…

"Why?"

"Because I can't just ignore a problem, Ravel. Especially since I've gone through a similar situation to yours myself."

She looked shocked at that response.

"You- You don't even know if-"

"Did someone corner you and bull you, yes or no?"

Ravel offered a surprised look, but still answered my query.

"Y-Yes."

"What did they say to you?"

…

She sighed. "They said that- that I was some stupid rich girl. That I was fat and my hair are ugly."

"I know this might sound bad, but did Koneko-"

"She- She wasn't around when this happened," Ravel admitted. "It was after the second lesson for today and… I was put in a position where I couldn't use magic."

I sighed. "I suppose it wasn't the insults that got you, right? But how easily they got away from hurting you like that."

She looked at me with quite the intense look, with her blue eyes shining with interest.

"Yes."

I offered a tiny smile. "Bullies are… morons, Ravel. What happened today will be an isolated case, you can trust me on that."

"And- And how do you plan to solve it?" The blonde inquired, her interest growing.

"Tomorrow morning, I wish for you to wait for me at the entrance," I told her with a confident voice. "I will handle the situation myself."

A perplexed look appeared on her face.

"That sounds like… a threat?"

"It might sounds harsh to say, but if a situation like this happen in a school of this caliber, the resolution has to be serious and quick," I explained politely. "You might think that I'm trying to do something against the rules, and that would be a wrong assumption. This isn't the first time bullies made a move, but it would also not be the first time Kuoh Academy responded to such an issue with a proper punishment."

Ravel leaned on her chair, giving me a fascinated look but she kept quiet as I gazed down back to the paperwork.

...

"Thank you."

I blinked, my stare lifting up again from the desk and back to the girl.

"There's no need to thank anyone, Ravel. It's a line of work that dictates this."

She huffed. "You know, it's not nice to spurn a lady's compliment."

"But I didn't. I just pointed out that you didn't need to thank me for anything," I rebuked kindly. "And I think you should be praised for not acting too brashly about the matter."

"Y-Yeah, it's only natural for-"

"A proud member of the Phenex clan?" I inquired mirthfully, getting a quick nod from her… and then a shocked look.

"You- you know about… us?"

"I do know about the world of supernatural, Ravel," I replied happily. "In fact, I think your brother already knows of my awareness after our encounter."

"B-But why didn't he mention any of that to me?"

"Maybe he didn't want to drive any pressure on you. After all, this is a place where that side of the world hardly matter," I pointed out with a shrug. "You're here to learn away from political games and annoyances created by your status."

Ravel snorted. "But I'm still facing problems."

"Problems that can be solved without any major issue for anyone, I can assure you of that," I returned with a sigh. "Then again, I hope you're enjoying your stay here despite this bump."

…

Her stare turned away and I could see her cheeks flaring at the little poke.

"I-It's a school with decent standards. It could improve but- but I think it's sufficient right now."

I allowed a relieved sigh out of my lips. "That's good to know."

…

…

The blonde was still there despite the fact that our conversation was now over.

Her attention now moving to Ruruko as the girl resumed her work. I stood out of my chair to assist the humming brunette, ignoring for a while that Ravel decided to spend the day in here to see the unfolding of the Student Council's work.

I could see some interest over what we were doing, but the girl was restraining herself from directly asking about what we were doing by moving so much paper around.

Instead of completely ignoring the young full-blooded Devil, I decided to inquire about this curious decision from her part.

"Do you want to ask something, Ravel?"

A blink, then two. Finally her embarrassment settled as her face gained a darker shade of color.

"I-I didn't know that you- you actually had work after school… Hoitsu-senpai."

"Well, I have some duties as the Treasurer of the Student Council," I replied carefully while also paying attention to the boxes I was pushing left and right. "Some of which relates to the school's overall budget."

The Phenex frowned. "Isn't that a bit too much responsibility for a student to have?"

A legitimate concern, but one that wasn't as easy as I had brought it to be.

"My job is to make alteration of the last month's budget to fit with the income entering the school. Then the modifications are reviewed by the School's Board and either accepted and implemented or rejected," I explained in greater details. "I don't actually have any major sway to the board, and my only task is to bring the most satisfy economic plan on a monthly basis."

The blonde's eyes widened and she nodded in understanding. "Isn't it still… tough?"

"A little bit," I said before huffing, letting go of the box I had on my hold up to that point. "Which is why I have both Ruko-chan and Reya-chan to help me out most of the times."

The brunette stopped as her name was mentioned and she locked eyes with the Phenex for a moment before she offered an apologetic nod.

"I understand."

…

…

"But how did you get this job? Did Sona-san pick you out of your merits?"

"There was an election," I mentioned with a nod. "Each year the seats of the council are put to a popular vote. The one with the highest amount of votes get the role."

"So you're not… doing this because you're part of Sona-san's peerage?"

I actually stopped at that. "I'm actually not part of a peerage. In fact, I'm still human."

Ravel looked surprised. "What? Really?"

"I'm a magician that works for another group and-" I paused, thinking about these words before giving her too much of a surprise. "Let's just say that I'm a good friend to Sona-Taichou."

A frown adorned her face at that sudden interruption, but she nodded nonetheless at my response as she took a moment to think a little more about my words.

I appreciated some silence, focusing once again with the task at hand and barely noticing that Ravel was now giving a look at the paper I was last checking.

"That looks… incredibly detailed," She commented with a hint of awe. "I suppose it's only legitimate for it to be this much… dense of words."

"The expenses are meant to include eventual school trips, upgrades to the clubs, and renovation of old classes."

Ravel hummed softly, appearing more and more bored as she waited in that chair.

Stopping as I finished with the last box that I needed to move, I decided to address the matter on a direct approach.

"Since you've decided to stay here, how about I offer you a little task?"

Her eyes shone with utmost interest at the proposal. Maybe the girl was expecting some assignment related to the current work, or maybe something of equal importance… but I had different plans in that moment.

Drawing my right hand to the collar of my shirt, I reached down to pat at a small bump in there and… prompting a tiny draconic head to pop out in the open.

"Kii~?"

Ravel's eyes widened in surprise and… interest at the cute sight.

"This here is Kimiko-tan. She's my familiar and… she loves it when people shows affection to her."

I lifted the tiny drake off my shirt and onto the surprised girl's lap.

"B-but what if-"

"She will not bite. Just try patting her head."

The Phenex still looked unsure of what she was supposed to do before such an adorable creature, but then Kimiko took initiative and she leaned onto the blonde's chest. "Head pats, pretty please~?"

I was quite sure that the Sprite Dragon didn't need any translation over this request as soon enough Ravel reached with her palms over the familiar's upper side of the head and her chin.

The sigh was relaxing despite the fact I wasn't the one doing the head-patting, but mostly because Kimiko decided to let out some delighted 'Kii~' at the pleasant situation she was left into for the time being.

Ravel didn't do anything else but accept this 'incredible task', abandoning any thoughts of inquiring more about the Student Council and allowing the cuteness to shatter any interest in keeping up some composure in that room.

She squealed quietly as the dragon curled warmly, letting out some purring onto the unsuspecting Devil.

It was only as Ruruko and I were done with the boxes that I noticed a strange look from the brunette. In the end, Sona's Pawn was allowed the very happiness Ravel was experiencing too once we were done with our work.

The real issue was when Reya called to whine about having missed such a 'fruitful session', only to be followed by the large majority of the Student Council.

AN

Next chapter… Operation SLEEPOVER!

It's been a while since we had some focus on Shirone and… it's about time to bring her back in the spotlight!

Fluff, feels, and maybe a change in relationship (nothing romantic/sexual, you pervs!)

Lastly, my sister has started drawing a sketch for Kimiko. And no, it's not traced from what I've seen as of now.

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