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Chapter 62: Plans were Made
Kuroka stared quietly as Shirone tried to complete the experimental technique.
It has been… some interesting days the one that followed the diplomatic meeting as some the pace once more returned stale as it was just hours prior to the event. There wasn't much to do other than poke her head around, looking for anything intriguing or even remotely amusing.
Things were just… that dull.
Training was nice for a while, but then the lack of her usual sparring partner did leave a strange sense of annoyance in Kuroka. The kind of annoyance one would have when dealing with the lack of fun stuff to do.
With Hoitsu gone for the first half of that day, the young woman found herself lacking anything to do for the time being.
Quite an irritating situation to deal without her romantic interest as he was the only one able to give her something to do for the rest of the day.
Something that could keep her busy and interested at the same time, something that could help her in the long-term plan she decided to implement after the developments that have been unfolding until very recently.
It's been a long time now that they hadn't gone for a date, two weeks actually. A detail that further soured the dark-haired Nekoshou's mood as she needed to get some progress made.
There was a proper agreement with the two other girls that had stated they were romantically invested with the young man, something that mostly erased any chance of rivalry that could one way or another screw with her attempts.
Kuroka was ready, confident and determined to score something out from the next step of her plan. Things were set, she had rehearsed this crucial move with the help of Akeno and Akua, partly intrigued by the possibility of integrating the vampire in what was going to happen very soon.
Hoitsu was distracted, completely unaware that what would seemingly pass like a simple sparring session would end up in a… more interesting session.
Nothing sexual for now, but a predicament that would allow the trio to extort some specific promises out from the ever-elusive Sakakibara.
Nothing too forceful, but also something that would push him to accept their demands without hesitation. It was a matter of tact and persuasion, something the woman was proudly a master of both.
The only flaw being the hesitation the youngest and the broodier of the bunch would have regarding some 'big plans' like the one Kuroka wanted to accomplish.
Amateurs of the more intimate details of love, with only the Himejima having some partial experience with the anatomy of both men and women… from indirect sources.
The Shuzen was forgiven just a bit, having mentioned how this was the first time she felt attracted to someone. Tall words, but considering the young woman's past, the Nekoshou wasn't as skeptical as she would be if the case had been a normal one.
The case is never normal, the dark-haired woman wished to remind to her ever-working brain.
Yet said instrument within her body was clashing, two necessities starting to get annoyingly conflicting as she found her whole attention divided between those thoughts and… her sister's training.
After what happened in the diplomatic meeting- After seeing how Kunou had gotten far with her training, Shirone decided that it was high time to pace up her usual training regime, hiring Kuroka's help in getting her new schedule well-planned and ready to yield some good results.
The woman was certain that the silver-haired girl would have easily out-powered the blonde in a regular fight. It would be a close match, but her Shiro-chan was just getting that stronger.
The partial transformation Hoitsu's loyal step-sibling had sported just a few days ago was something that Kuroka had already tried to attain back when she was younger, but after what happened with her… former peerage, she ended up forgetting about this and focused on issues that pressed on her at the time.
Now that she had some… safety and some time to spare, achieving this boost proved to be far more easier than planned.
It was… amazing.
The raw power and the overall improvement of strength, speed and perception was an optimal result, something that definitively helped with the incoming threats along the way…
But there were two major issues about it.
Differently from normal Senjutsu, which draws from natural energy scattered all around the planet, the Wild Frenzy was a form that strained to a dangerous degree the entire body of the user, increasing the chances of muscles' painful swelling and over-production of energy within the core.
The second and possibly the most infamous flaw that user could easily lose their mind during this state. It was a situation that could happen just in two occasion, the first being if the user lacks proper control over their mind, the latter one could be caused by a situation of intense duress.
Quite the problematic cons to this impressive ability, but Kuroka was more than determined to get this crucial technique down and within her repertoire. It was important for… what was going to happen later that day.
Shirone took a little more time to get the basis done, yet the pacing was still acceptable and promising. The younger Nekoshou was cautious in her eagerness, something that persisted even after opening up… so much.
It was odd to say but, Kuroka was glad that her little considered found another sibling in Hoitsu.
Not only it eased her attempts to get his affection, but the silver-haired kitty found once more the balance she was deprived when… the woman decided to go rogue after killing her opportunistic Master.
She sighed tiredly, pushing back the memories of that dreadful day away by having her whole attention shifted at Shirone.
The girl was sweating, her breathing was slightly irregular but the young warrior wasn't showing any sign of backing away from the challenge.
It was a matter of pride for the girl. It was to show that she was still a senpai and… stronger than her kohai. Kunou was unaware of the stirring emotions, Koneko's need to prove her worth to her younger friend, and thus actions had to speak instead of mere words.
Kuroka blinked as her golden slits spotted the clock and… it was starting to get a little tardier than planned. The woman stood up from the floor and silently walked towards the small rune carved on the wall nearby where her sister was training. Removing the energy, the system quickly deactivated, disabling the attacks and leaving a confused Shirone to frown at her.
"It's… that late?"
"We are an hour late for lunch." The dark-haired girl replied. "I think Hoitsu left some food in the fridge, it will take a few minutes to get it warm and ready."
The younger sibling nodded and the two walked out of the training arena, slowly making their way to the living room and…
The table was mostly devoid of people.
Akeno was there, Lith and Ophis silently helping her in picking up the plates to take those to the kitchen's sinks. The Himejima paused to nod and greet the two, receiving two more nods in return.
"I've prepared the food for you, but I think the dishes are cooler than a few minutes ago-" The girl tried to explain.
"We will survive." Kuroka mirthfully interjected. "Still, thank you for the kindness. We will personally bring the plates to the kitchen once we are done." She concluded, getting the fellow girl to retreat away from the room and… leaving just the two of them by the table.
"Curious." Shirone commented softly, picking her usual seat and glancing at the still-steaming steak, her lips watering and her belly growling a little at the rediscovered hunger.
A tiny but teasing smile appeared on the older sibling's face, the woman taken mostly distracted from acting upon the opportunity as she did feel too the need of eating something.
"What is curious, Shiro-chan?" The dark-haired Nekoshou asked quietly, drawing a quick glance from her sister.
"Just finding the… fact we are alone, interesting." The girl admitted, taking the first bite out of her steak before continuing. "It brings back some… memories."
Kuroka had to put some effort to not flinch at that specific reference. "You mean when we used to live together, just the two of us?" Part of her wanted to deflect the topic, feeling rather nervous of discussing about that early period of her life.
The silver-haired teen nodded. "I remember how you were always fretting all over the kitchen to get something done to leave me for lunch and dinner." She mused calmly, slowing down her eating process. "You were always… moving fast."
It was when the frequency of contracts assigned to her turned to an unbearable level. It was a miracle of sort that she didn't collapse by how many things she had to face on a daily occurrence.
"It was difficult, yes." The woman admitted with some hesitation pending over her tongue. "But the money was good enough to keep us living in a comfortable fashion."
Shirone smiled, her cat ears twitching happily at that. "I don't think I ever thanked you for-"
"Nonsense, Shiro-tan~!" The older Nekoshou jumped in with a smirk. "It was my job as your Oneesan to have my imouto to live a good life."
The silver-haired girl nodded. "But still… I wish to ask something from you. Something about… Hoitsu-nii." Her voice started to get… softer, frailer.
The young woman frowned. "Something I should be concerned of?"
"Nothing… dangerous." The young sister promised. "It's… about what you wish to do when he comes back from the important lunch."
Kuroka tensed up a little, her smirk falter just a mere instant but… it was enough to reveal her surprise. The plan was supposed to be known only by the three girls interested in Hoitsu, how did Shiro-chan got hold of this sensitive info.
"I don't know what you-"
"Neesan, I remind you that I have these." She pointed at the cat ears that she was nowadays showing more than a month ago. "And you aren't particularly good at keeping things 'whispered' between the others."
The woman pouted, arms crossing beneath her generous bosom. "I can be quiet when I want and… what do you wish to tell me about it?" She ended in an interested tone.
"Hoitsu-nii… I hope you now know that he isn't someone keen in any unwarranted… perverted act." The girl spoke, drawing her sister's confusion.
"I know that. That's why I will be careful with the plan-"
"It's not that." Shirone nervously interrupted. "It's… about something I wish to gift to you, Neesan."
Golden slits narrowed on the hesitant mess known as Shirone Toujou.
"Shiro-tan~! What are you hiding from me?" Kuroka pressed on, trying to get any hints about what was going on with her sister.
Then, the girl replied with a clear answer. "Kunou and I decided to host a sleepover by her room for tonight, that means that Hoitsu will be alone..." There was a brief pause. "I want you to try and-"
"I could ask that to him, but I think it's up to him first and… can I ask why are you interested about my progress so suddenly?" The teasing tone had little effect as the teen merely nodded.
"I… I want him to become my real Oniisan." Koneko admitted with a small blush on her cheeks. "I- I want to make it official and-"
"Ara Ara, is someone trying to use her kind Oneesan to get her surrogate Oniisan for herself?" The dark-haired Nekoshou chuckled teasingly, while the sibling panicked.
"I-It's not like that!" She exclaimed, mouth open and ready to continue, Shirone paused and frowned at the half-devoured steak. "I… I just want to spend some more time with him."
"Aw… I think someone is suffering from some 'neglect', even though he was there all over helping you yesterday."
The girl's blush flared back once more at that reminder as Hoitsu did spend some hours trying to help the silver-haired Nekoshou to properly channel her energy for the Wild Frenzy.
"It's just that… I don't want it to be training." The teen admitted. "I want to… to..."
"'To be spoiled as my Kohai is!', I can see that being a good reason since you have to be frustrated by this much training and… I will see what I can do." The woman promised, getting a shaky smile from the chibi in front of her.
"T-Thank you, Neesan-"
"Oh, there is no need to thank me." She smiled smugly. "After all, you just gave me the chance to get some real progress done and… I can also promise you that at least two nieces will come out because of your 'lovely' support-"
"N-NEESAN!"
Giggles filled the living room, while plates went flying and Koneko gave chase to a laughing Kuroka all over the house.
Somehow, I survived the astonishing menu deployed in what was supposed to be a normal dinner for the Phenex Clan.
The Devils looked all fine, the only exceptions, excluding me, being a very cautious Baraqiel that left more than half of the share of food given to him and Kunou looking rather tired by eating so much and using Fox Fire to consume faster the delicious treats.
Revel Phenex's wife seemed to be doing fine, even asking if there was a little more to… help with her cravings. The comment was enough to draw attention to her stomach and… how big it was.
Maybe that's why they were actually invited. It isn't unusual for a family to reconnect if there is a child soon to be born.
It was difficult to discern how many months before the babe would be born by the partly-exposed belly but… I could only assume she was five or more months pregnant.
With the food finished, the discussions resumed with less-important topics, switching to a family-related situation rather than the stiffy situation I had to deal prior of the food being delivered.
My information regarding the warmth shared within the family members of the clan was expanded with some funny and embarrassing tales being dispensed by Lady Phenex, much to the four Phenex siblings as they were all subjected to the horror of having their 'childhood secret' exposed by their mother.
The woman was relentless, always wearing that happy and carefree smile while describing each of her children's naughty moments without hesitation, nor doubt.
Just like… mom used to do.
Nononono! We aren't having any nostalgic remembrance right now, we aren't in a proper spot to recollect those thoughts.
I know but… it's not my fault that-
We miss home. We will always miss it as it is… well, it is still home to us.
Ravel and Revel were the one suffering the worst, the former being the youngest and the latter having his own wife tell her own embarrassing tales about her lover.
It was overall a very amusing spectacle of scenes between the various members of the warm family that I found extremely amusing and interesting, an emotion that was shared by the other guests.
The Lady paused a moment, giving a serious look at Sairaorg before sighing calmly. "By the way, little Sai, is Misla's condition improving or-" She tried to ask tactfully.
"She is responding a little better with the latest solution. The doctors say that she has now higher chances of waking up." The Bael interrupted, his tone missing just a few notes of boisterousness the man had been boasting until now.
It was that very interaction that brought me some… important info I had forgotten about.
Misla Bael, née Vapula, was the first wife of Lord Bael and… Sairaorg's mother.
The only individual that cared for him from the very beginning, driving him to become stronger for the sake of good rather than revenge. A kind soul that was sadly confined in a comatose state even now.
It's not truly specified what kind of coma she ended up into and how it truly works, the only knowledge about it being that it was something that happened to Devil… rather commonly. Like a disease that generally ended with… the patient's death.
We should try and see if we can cure her.
If we get some medical books from the Underworld, that is a possibility… but I don't think we should lift his hopes right now. The chances of finding a cure are… slim at best.
I… I see.
It wasn't because I could cash in some secret favor with the Bael Heir, but I felt like someone like Sairaorg deserved that kind of happiness. He was the pure example of a character that perfectly represented the classic Anime hero, with proper backstory and reasoning.
Just like it… happened to Baki. The Hanma did start as a rude brat, but after losing his mother because of Yujiro, the youth started to train until he was able to beat the man once and for all. Yet during that journey, that vengeful mentality softened to a calmer and powerful behavior.
It wasn't revenge any longer, it was a matter of common justice.
Thus, feeling rather unwilling to give up on the topic, I decided to join in before the discussion resumed properly. "Sairaorg, can I ask you something personal?"
Violet eyes narrowed on me, his face sporting a confident smile. He was surely aware that the mere mentioning of his mother was going to bring some interest on him, a sore button that just waited to be pressed before apocalypse truly began.
"If it's not overly-rude, go ahead." He answered quietly, a contrast compared to mere moments ago.
I nodded. "The reason you fight, you train, you go forward so confidently..." I muttered with utter clarity and determination. "It's your mother, isn't it?"
There was a sudden tension coming from the bulky youth, silence preceding the heavy answer… and then-
"It is." Sairaorg replied curtly. "Why?" He added with a hint of annoyance.
"It's an admirable reason." I replied without hesitation, smiling at his confusion. "Fighting for those you care for. For those that cares back and..." I blinked, my smile widening. "It makes me eager to ask for a spar with you, Sairaorg."
His eyes widened, shock plastered all over his face as he tried to make sense of my words and…
Then he smiled brightly and nodded. "We could organize something in the near future. Do you wish for it to be a single fight or do you wish to bring your friends too-"
"For good reasons, I think it's best for it to be a single fight." I grimaced a little. "The group I'm leading isn't like a peerage and they are… not based connected to the rating system."
The young man nodded. "Fair enough. I guess the fun will be only between us, then." He muttered with a small smirk.
After that, with this good development set to properly unfold on a latter date, I expected the event to conclude uneventfully, most of the interesting topics having already been explored earlier that day.
But just like it happened to me on a normal basis, an unexpected situation crashed before I could see it arriving.
Until that specific point, Raiser had been quite keen to keep away from the spotlight, fidgeting here and there during the whole lunch. As the chat with Sairaorg concluded, the young man sighed and nodded to herself.
"S-Sakakibara-san?" He asked with a shaky tone, my attention directed at him as I glanced his way.
He flinched momentarily at the sudden look, but seemed to recover pretty quickly as he continued to speak. "I-I wish to ask you if- If it's possible for me to request… something from you."
I frowned, feeling some anger growing even though I couldn't exactly pinpoint any arrogance from him. The 'question' was formulated wrong, possibly because of how nervous he looked right now.
I decided to bite the bait. "You may ask."
He nodded, his eyes avoiding maintaining direct contact with me. "I know that I-I've been part, an accessory of what happened a-at the Gremory Mansion, of that I am deeply mortified and guilty of, but I wanted to ask if… I could seek some apprenticeship from you."
What?
What the actual fuck!?
"I-I understand if the request might sound extremely foolish, b-but the reason I'm asking you is..." He sighed, glancing at his plate and then… he went to glance right at me. "I wish to become a… better person. What happened, how things devolved in that… terrible ordeal. I know I can't fix it with simple words, with fake apologies and smiles. I wish… to truly have a chance to improve upon my being and… become a better living being."
There was silence at the table at that lengthy, stutters-free explanation and… I found myself shocked by the genuine tone assumed by Raiser.
I knew that after a few volumes, the man would turn out to be a good guy… but the way he was proving this much so early on was completely unexpected. I felt legitimately weirded out for a moment but… soon I decided to look more into it.
"You wish to 'improve' yourself?" I parroted quietly. "Is there any other reasons other than the one you mentioned?"
His mouth opened, but no words came. His cheeks reddened and he closed his trap down, contemplating the following words carefully.
"I… I know that…" He stopped again, breathing as he tried to normalize his heartbeat. "When… when things 'settled down', I realized how much of an issue I created with my poor understanding of the situation, how much danger I put on my family and my peerage. I wish… to become better in understanding if there is some… hesitation from people I know about, to act properly about it."
...Shit, I think someone in his peerage spoke up about the matter. That would explain why-
He look like he just received the worst news possible. I bet there is some distrust about them now that the escalation was properly identified and told.
It was an odd request… but not an unbelievable one.
Still, I couldn't certainly have him join in without any guarantee and-
"H-Hoitsu-san, I know that my… my son caused this much trouble," Lord Phenex stood up, looking serious. "But I beg you to consider the situation as my child's intentions are genuine. The Phenex Clan will be in debt with you."
There was silence and… I was put on a very difficult decision.
This… this is going to be a long day.
I can already feel a headache coming your way from here…
Thank the Gods that I've nothing else to do once this lunch is done. Bed, here I come~!
AN
Koneko feeling neglected! THIS IS A TRAGEDY WITHOUT PRECEDENTS!
Unleash the Chibi-Kraken! (Kingprotea comes out of a bush and roar an adorable 'Gao!')
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P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin
REVIEW Q&A!
Na2s: Right now? Close friends. Next chapter will bring… some changes to these dynamics.
MasterBlade47: BT!Hoitsu is still recovering from the aftermath of his 'brief story' and yes, his unsealed version would kick MT!Hoitsu without any issue.
Kolo555: Ya know, I want to say I'm angry at you… but the only thing I feel is… pity. Not only your review is terribly worded, but I hope your situation is better than mine. I don't care if this sounds like some lie to you or not, but I hope you have a long and happy life. Ciao.