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FICTION

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Chapter 9: School Visitin'

A quick glance at the mirror as I finished fixing my outfit reminded me that it's been so long since I wore this kind of formal clothes.

Not long enough, I thought tiredly as I felt the collar and tie were being as tight as I remember those being. It was a matter of bad luck tied to the fact I got such a small tie and how it ended up grasping more around my neck. Unpleasant, but 'eye-opening' as I felt more focused on what was happening around me. It was that sharp sensation which drove me to focus less in thoughts and more in talking and acting. Right now, that was ideal. I was still frustrated by the situation, but I managed to calm down Ise and Saji. Both were going to be fine and they decided to actually go to school today. I waited an hour after they left for the academy, then I found an empty bag, a detail which heightened my 'formality' and proceeded to wander off to reach the very place I had planned to never visit but was now forced to.

You would say 'but why? why screw your cover like that?' and let's be clear about this. I knew the risks I was incurring. The chances of running into Koneko were the most terrifying due to her heightened nose having the means to pick up Kuroka's scent from me. But when I saw the issue turning more into a scandalous exchange which could 'only partially' lead to my demise, I was quite sure that if I left this business untouched, it would leave a bigger issue for me to deal with. And now the big question: 'What is this bigger issue?'

I don't need to remind anyone that Grigori might be nice at times, but it has a rather severe policy towards possible unstable Sacred Gears users, especially those that could be seen as impossible to control in case they go ham at everything around them. I didn't report the recent development with Issei, but I didn't need to be a genius to know that the quickest reaction would be to kill the brunet before he becomes a problem. A pain-stricken Booster Gear User? That was just begging to get him killed at once. And that wouldn't do for me for many reasons. Yes, I'm trying to keep away from Canon, but I can't let the main MC die. Not when he was also getting 'better' in social situations. He was still a shy mess at times, but he was working on it. And he didn't bring up about Boobs unless around Saji. Both were perverts, but weren't exactly being too open about it.

Still, back to the current business. Kuoh Academy was- Well, I don't need to tell since if you know this world, you also know the very place where most of the early shit happened. Big school, formerly an all-girls one which became a mixed one. The style was shaped after western private schools with little to no resemblance to Japanese public ones to some degree. Specifically the classes. Now, I wasn't going anywhere near those, but this thinking about the architecture gave me a chance to clear my mind to the point where just enough irritation persisted. As I wandered inside the complex, bag close to my chest and my posture exuding a level of seriousness that was rare for me to show around with that ease, I proceeded to reach for the entrance room and try to get someone who could give me direction.

A few girls paused at times to stare at me. I was no teacher, that much they were aware of, and those stares were quite annoying to be subjected to. Did they really think all guys were perverts? The accusing looks- I bet those were making the life of some boys here quite tough, but I had something many students didn't have. And that was a lack of interest to entertain that shitty behavior. A stare that tried to brand me as a possible pervert? The glare they got back was sharp, unforgiving and just exploding with serious frustration which had them tense up and walk away in embarrassment.

That behavior, obviously, lessened my chance to get some directions. And while I was tempted to just start wandering around and hopefully stumble onto my destination somehow, my presence did attract someone to actually check on me. And by checking, I mean getting my attention by kicking me in the shin. It wasn't a harsh kick, but definitely it had me pull the leg back and flinch at the sudden pain.

"Gah! What the-"

"Why are you here, oldie?" A rude individual spoke, and I turned to glare at a fairly short brunette which hardly looked ready to pay any respect to anyone.

The short girl's hair were combed in long twin ponytails, her green eyes boring into mine with dullness and resilience to possible annoyances. She was wearing the standard school uniform, plus a pair of green clips in her hair and striped green stockings. Ruruko Nimura was what some of the Light Novel knew her as 'Mini-Xenovia' due to her 'Violence first, Diplomacy later' policy. At this point, I think she was in her last year of middle school, going to join the high school section of the Academy next year.

"Not in the mood for shenanigans, I was trying to get to the Student Council classroom so I can get some issues dealt with. Specifically tied to two students which I represent."

She raised a curious eyebrow. "Represent? Are you a lawyer or something?"

"Temporary guardian, and a concerned one at that."

A bit of a lie, but the way I stressed this seemed to get through with the brunette as her mood switched from annoyed to curious instantly.

"Sounds important. I can help you with the directions, but I might end up skipping class if I do that," The girl remarked calmly, a small smile on her face. "But for good reasons."

Ah, Ruruko-chan was trying to skip class with this opportunity? Truth be told, I did something like that when I was in highschool for similar reasons. I decided to humor her. After all, kids will be kids.

"Incredibly good reasons. In fact, I bet I could ask the Council's president to provide you with an appropriate justification for being absent for a while."

Her eyes glowed in amusement and she nodded. "You are not as old as you appear, oldie."

"And you're not as bratty as you pretend to be, young lady," I remarked and her lips twitched in delight and soon she began taking me around and giving me the silliest explanation of the school's halls and rooms, doing just a silly impression of what a tour should be.

Some girls kept on looking, but at this point it was more a situation where they were trying to understand why I was here and who I was. The walk lasted for a while, and I got her name and a general rundown of what Ruruko's school life was. Nothing private, everything was relayed in a lazy manner and she was quick to anger at anything mentioning her height. Poor girl, she was going to eventually get taller through puberty. But for now, she was just a head-pat stool in my opinion. Not a loli, but an entity between that and an adult. So yeah, she was adorable and headpattable.

Eventually we reached our destination and... the room was mostly empty. Except a single individual. The young bespectacled woman inside paused for a moment as she was tidying up the room for the others' arrival. She had long straight black hair that reached all the way down to her knees, with split bangs and heterochromic eyes, with a violet left eye and a light brown right eye. In addition to wearing the Kuoh Academy girls' school uniform, the girl also wore blue, semi-rimmed glasses with square lenses. Tsubaki Shinra, Vice-President of the Student Council and Sona's Queen.

"Uh, is there something I may help you with?" The older lady asked, eyes and questions aimed at the brunette.

"Yes, Tsubaki-san. Bukharin-san here says that he has some grievances which he wishes to bring up to Shitori-san," The brunette said. "And I was escorting him here."

"Truly?" She inquired with a surprised tone and I used this chance to speak up.

"Ruruko-san was such a model guide. I learned more about the school than I did through my wards," I replied politely and the girl accepted a tentative head pat. Either she was acting pleased with it, or deep down the mini-Xenovia mindset there was someone that was born to accept headpats. And if it was indeed the latter option, then I was blessed to have found her. "Alas, I would like to know if it would be possible to speak with Sona in private about this matter since it's particularly important."

Tsubaki looked thoughtful for a moment. "How important?"

"Enough to upset Sona's older sister if things aren't solved at once."

That sent a signal that Ruruko, still far from becoming part of the peerage, didn't catch but didn't see any reason to press on due to it possibly being family-related. To her credit, Tsubaki's eyes widened a fraction as she understood what kind of shitstorm I was bringing.

"I see... Well, I will try to reach out for the president but... It will take a while."

"I can wait. And I believe Ruruko-san wouldn't mind if we continue our conversation inside?"

"Doesn't she have classes?"

"Hmm, I think she does. Alas, I think she was so engrossed in explaining to me more about the school and I don't wish to burden Shinra-san with a duty that could distract her for the time being."

I think Tsubaki picked up what was going on, her eyes narrowing at the uneasy look on Ruruko's face, but she allowed this to stand this time around. The brunette looked relieved and we took seats by the table, talking about the school and her current grades, offering some advice on how to recover with some subjects she was having trouble with. At the same time, Tsubaki used this chance to call Sona through her mobile and then resumed her task of getting the room fixed for when the council session would begin in a few hours from now. The door finally opened to reveal Sona Sitri herself. The bespectacled girl held with a slim figure, black hair styled in a short bob cut and violet eyes. She was slightly shorter than Tsubaki, but nonetheless as serious-looking as her second-in-command.

"Bukharin-san, right?" The president inquired, bowing slightly. "Apologies for the wait, I was busy with other affairs."

I nodded. "It's alright, Sona-san. I didn't wish to be so sudden with this matter but... I would dare to say that it was already well beyond my hands when this happened and thus my presence here was needed."

A fascinated look crossed her face, but I took a moment to look at Ruruko. "Now, Ruruko-san, I suppose you wish for a justification paper to explain to your teacher how you took time off from your normal school day to assist me up to this point."

A nod, and while Sona wasn't exactly sure what I was talking about, she understood I was indirectly asking for her to provide Ruruko with signed paper to bring to class and explain why she had been missing from it for a while. Once the paper was finished being written, the brunette was off to resume her school day, leaving just me, Tsubaki and Sona in that room.

"Now, Bukharin-san, from what Tsubaki told me, you were concerned about a subject which could, in theory, led to some issues with-"

"Lady Serafall Leviathan, and perhaps the rest of the Maou, yes," I interrupted carefully. "I'm sorry for saying this out of the blue, but I prefer we have this discussion drawn quickly and directly."

She blinked, a bit surprised by this pace but nonetheless nodding at my honesty. "I see your point. How about you start explaining the situation then?"

"My name is John Bukharin, and I'm a support agent for Grigori. I don't need to explain what the group is, but I can tell you my job is to report on a few individuals that are currently not within either yours or Lady Gremory's reach," I introduced myself thoroughly. "Right now, one of those individuals has reached a point through a recent acquisition of yours within the peerage, or better the sudden 'no-contact' via harsh rejection from said recent acquisition, where they may start to use their Sacred Gear in a fairly problematic way. Especially since it can lead to their termination."

Tension picked up at this last word. It was a common practice even for some parts of the Underworld. I could tell neither Rias or Sona were fond of that practice, but they knew why it was a necessity at times. Plus, Sona definitely knew of a single recent acquisition and she could slowly understand what I meant through a single name which would help her finalize her suspicions.

"His name," She half-demanded and I hummed, knowing I could spare as much as I knew they were already aware of who had Sacred Gears in this school.

"Hyoudou Issei."

Tsubaki looked surprised. "Hyoudou-san?"

"I'm aware he has a Sacred Gear, but for Grigori to ask for his termination in case of instability," Sona pointed out in concern. "Surely that means his power is-"

"Destructive and worrying," I concluded for her, deciding to pull myself from revealing the full truth. "And as such it is only for the best if this situation is solved peacefully rather than cause a termination which would spike tensions here in Kuoh. And that would be awkward considering what happened a few years ago with the former holder of this territory."

Sona slowly nodded at this. "It would cause a diplomatic incident which would be troublesome, yes. But I suppose you don't just wish to spare explanations but start making some demands."

"Ah, 'demands' is a strong word. I would say we could find compromises which work excellently for both sides. Specifically about the resolution of this mess."

"Which is?"

I sighed. "Did you specifically tell Kusaka Reya to stop interacting with anyone who wasn't part of your peerage?"

Sona took a while to answer, her glance adopting a curious and yet uneasy look as she stared at Tsubaki for a moment, and I saw her vice look away out of nervousness.

"No."

I blinked. "Then please, if possible, explain to me in a rather convincing way why she decided to do so, thinking that it would be of help within the situation?"

Instead of answering outright, the short-haired girl glanced at her fellow young bespectacled woman. Tsubaki's unease was clear on her face.

"I told her it was for the best to cut any unnecessary contacts if she felt so. Stressing that it was best to distance herself from both Saji-san and Hyoudou-san... I may have made it feel like she had to do so as quickly as possible."

"Which turned bad," I summarized the ensuing result. "Now, nothing wrong in trying to keep the status quo by limiting friends from newly-made pieces of the peerage before their acquisition, but I hope Sitri-san has plans to handle a form of 'retribution' for this affair. All within the extent of justice that she believes in."

Sona offered a thankful look in that regard, but I wasn't done just yet.

"However I think I should handle Reya's own punishment. I understand she is part of your peerage and you exert influence within how to handle punishments of that sort, but I think that, due to the circumstances and the specific situation, I should be the one asking her to do some... bit of helping with the garden. I was planning to have Issei help me the most, but I believe with another one around I should be able to get the project finished quite quickly."

The girl raised a confused brow. "You would punish one of my Bishops with unpaid labor?"

"Considering I'm preventing a diplomatic crisis without being paid for it? Consider it an exchange, a lenient one at that," I flatly remarked, and the president sighed.

"I suppose that would be... sufficient."

I offered a smile and we shook hands about it. I left with extreme satisfaction, and the indirect promise that Reya would have to do a lot to explain later today. I knew for a fact she was going to pass by to apologize and I will have to get Ise and Saji at my house to deal with this. I left that room a happier man, but not a 'safe' one as I would soon learn the moment I turned the corner and spotted a certain red-haired girl walking by, seemingly moving to reach her club room at this hour. Rias' blue eyes, which contrasted with her blood-red hair, turned to glance at me as a hint of curiosity gleaned from the gaze she aimed at my face. She noticed I was a 'westerner', a detail which was unusual and yet interesting since she was the only other westerner at school and-

"Good morning," She said softly and politely.

Nothing else attached to her voice, no tricks or suspicions. Rather, brief interest in the matter. I merely nodded, trying to be limited in my reactions while also not appearing suspicious around her. It seemed to work as she didn't spare me any other words or stopped to look at me some more. I was free to go after a very close encounter, unaware of the fact that just because I dodged a mine, it doesn't mean I was dodging others in the process...

And I may have tripped into one as I failed to notice a certain Devil-Fallen Angel Hybrid staring at my retreating form from the ORC's room entrance, curious herself of who I was and why I was seen spending time talking about serious stuff with Sona.

AN

I wonder what Akeno will do with that interest of hers. And what Rias will also do with it. And what will Kuroka and Ophis (Mostly Ophis) do with these two.

REVIEW Q&A!

Dragon King of the West: "Mission Failed, we'll avoid them next time!"

Guest (Chapter 8): Dude, R/Whooosh.

Wade98: Sudden rejection and accusation which prompted him to feel at fault for this somehow.

ZINGNIZE-Fan: Truth be told? Yeah. Had it been for a single story, then yes, the schedule would burn me out in multiple ways, but I take my time off to play games, rest, eat, go through bathroom stuff at a modest rate and then go outside and touch the grass (since I live in the countryside, that's not exactly difficult). And yeah, I'm quite fine, but still thank you for asking. XD

Alasiir The Ranger: Apologies for the daily, I just have a scheduled update rate for these stories.

Crowbars357: Not yet. The age of Bitch Slappin' has yet to begin, the true hoes have yet to appear. But soon, very soon.