Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!

Blue Eyes Pendulum Dragon; Yup, everyone's going to be training hard. Oh, they will be quite smart with their plans, just wait, and see what they do~ Erm, I dunno honestly, I guess he'd be a mix of a few of them. And for that, I honestly, wouldn't really know who I'd want, it would depend on a few things.

DocSlendy; Cool, thanks for the vote!

Harem Master123; Thank you very much! He surely is, each volume, he'll have some sort of problem, or help others with their own problems. Cool, thanks for the vote! Hmm, I guess something like that could happen. I wouldn't really know what kind of personality she'd have honestly, since we've never really met her before. Cool suggestions.

Nivek Beldo; Yup, you guessed correctly, it was quite logical reasoning's that she'd show up now. Hehe, it was quite the chapter huh for some insane yet tender, and loving moments as well. She is brilliant, she is in charge of foreign affairs, so she'd have to be quite intelligent, she just shows her cute side more than anything else. Thanks, I thought that it would be a good way for the pair of them to bond with one another. Yeah, after it had been festering, somewhat in the background for the past few chapters, he finally told her, and she relieved him of the worries, and allowing him to try and get better on with her. You're right there, things like that would happen, and thanks for the vote!

hellspam; Thanks, I'm glad that you like it! They'll be getting sometime together quite soon, Makoto having good advice from her, and such. And thanks for the vote, you're right about that! I at least think that it is heartwarming!

Anime PJ; Thanks mate! Hehe, she surely isn't going to give that up anytime soon. Well...you never know what might happen in the future. Yeah, thanks! They are going to be going through their own thing, even after the events of this chapter, Makoto doesn't want to have Serafall put into an unfavourable position thanks to what happened. Yup, they'll be making up this chapter. And yeah, you're right~ Thanks for voting~

Tohka123; Thank you very much! Yeah, they are quite the pair, making plans and such, bouncing off one another in a good way. Princess always seems to go for the most, inappropriate place for her to sleep. Almost, but Ravel came in, so it kinda ruined it...though it'll happen eventually. I'm glad that you do yeah, they have a great bond with one another, that shall come into play later on~ She is showing signs that she is jealous, she is discovering her feelings for the boy. He is quite nervous about it, he doesn't want her to be in trouble, even if she says she's not. She'll begin to see in this chapter that Makoto truly doesn't care about her being a Nekomata, and just cares about her. Asia's surely going through quite, many things. Elmen is going to have a difficult time, but it is going to be worth it eventually. They do yeah, it's quite informative, you know~? Cool, thanks for the vote! And thank you!

ShadowUzumaki55; Aah, thank you very much! Yeah, they're getting their acts together now. And yeah, Ravel's gonna be assisting them during the games! It is going to be, quite something when it happens~ Yup that might come into play later on, we'll have to wait, and see what happens~ They have been, and Makoto and Koneko shall be getting right back on track from this point onwards. Yeah, that's right, Serafall's putting Makoto's worries to rest. And thanks for the vote!

dragonsayianblue; Hehe, glad that you enjoyed it~ I suppose that he does, though since it was Ravel asking, I can't see him refusing her. Hmm, I guess they could be like that. His Balance Breaker will be cool, no pun intended, but it is going to be awesome~ Can't wait to show it~ Actually, as the chapters go on, you'll see how different Makoto uses his Sacred Gear. Yeah, they might be, dunno about them yet though~

Justin D; Yup, the training has begun, and it is going to be interesting seeing where this is going to be going as well! Ravel came to offer her support and is going to be showing quite a good help when the time comes. It was mentioned in chapter 15 that they knew one another, as they greeted one another, last chapter just confirmed such things. They surely are, they both desire connection, especially Serafall since she felt Makoto pulling away from her. Well, there will be lemons eventually, just not right now. Yeah, Serafall let that drop, but Makoto now knows what she is, and what she could do. Well, thanks for the vote. That sounds great...for people who make Issei type stories, or main character from canon type stories in general, but I can definitely say that I'm never going to make a story with the main canon character as the main protagonist, I just don't like doing that, I prefer making a protagonist, as it opens up a different world to me, and I respect people who do make canon type character the main character, to each their own, it's just not for me. And that sounds like a fun idea to do! Thanks for the suggestion! And thanks!

Guest; First of all, thank you! And thanks for the vote! Well, there will be some good moments coming up!

Vizard Issei; Thanks very much! Well, her Queen and Bishop are on it, so yeah, they wanna help out and so does she~ They have begun the lines of conversation between one another. You're right there, and something like that goes down in this chapter, somewhat like that anyway. Well, things like that could be transferred to other places, like, a future Rating Game Rias has, with Ise on her team, and such. Well, that does sound like a good idea for a future part of the story, though they'll be making up in this chapter.

Skull Flame; I suppose that she is yeah, though she hasn't shown drinking any, yet. Princess is fearless, and fearsome too~ Hmmm, I am surprised more people didn't guess her, but either way, she's on the team now~ At least a little bit was influenced from there yeah~ Okay, thanks for the vote~ And thank you!

UsagiAngelRabbit; I know, he really does~ But he'll get one eventually~ I remember that song, quite catchy.

Naroku; Cool, thanks for the vote! And thank you! I'll try!

Mr. unknow; Well, I am glad that you like it~ So thank you, and here's the chapter!

Cf96; Thanks, and thanks for the vote!

Z-Frost; If she joined the game, no one else would be needed~

Primevere; She wouldn't be able to no, but there are other ways that she's gonna help out Makoto, and they'll be shown soon enough~ Princess is just a beast, there's no one she can't handle~ And I'll try~

Makoto; That sounds, great~ That sounds like a great concept~ And cool ideas for a team~Those ideas sound pretty cool too~ And cool, sounds good to me~

And that's it for the responses, time for the chapter to begin!


The training part two

A few days into the training, and Makoto was realizing how difficult it was going to be. With Koneko refusing to train with him, with Elmen pushing herself, even though she won't listen to him, and take it easier, and other things happening, it slowly was becoming harder.

While laying in his bed, he saw Serafall soundly asleep next to him, cuddling him tightly.

He also saw Millicas having snuck into the room, and clung to him tightly.

Surprisingly, Yumi hadn't come in. Maybe, she was too frightened to walk into the room too because of Serafall. But it didn't matter to him, he did wish that she was in his room too, so he could just give her a cuddle, something that he loved doing.

"This training is intense…but, I can't give up now. I'm going to become stronger, and use my Sacred Gear to the best of my ability…I'm going to learn its true name, and I am going to use it to freeze anything that comes before Millicas-san and the others…I'll make sure that I win too."

Makoto was finding it difficult, but he knew that he didn't have a right to complain this time.

In that regard, he had grown because when he was human, he probably would've complained about how tiring it was, but not now. He didn't have the luxury to complain about anything, he needed to do his best for himself, for Millicas, and Serafall too.

While thinking about it hard, his finger brushed over Millicas' face, making her smile to herself.

But then he looked towards Serafall, and the awkwardness of the feelings between the two was becoming a problem.

It wasn't the feelings themselves, it was because of their status'.

Even if Serafall didn't feel like it, Makoto felt like if he tried to actively pursue a relationship with her, she wouldn't be able to look at society normally again. Possibly due to overthinking it, that could've been the reason why he was hesitant to do anything with her, he didn't want her to suffer because of his status.

As he was thinking about it, the door to his room opened, revealing Kalawarner dressed in her maid's outfit.

"Good morning, Master~"

As usual, Kalawarner was quite happy, and cheerful.

"A-Ah, good morning, but you don't have to call me that."

He reasoned with her, though Kalawarner didn't care, as she enjoyed calling herself that.

"Don't worry my sexy Master, I enjoy being your humble slave like this. That's why, I've decided Master. For all of the enemies I defeat, I'm going to do more and more things with you, Master."

Makoto gulped as she strode towards the bed, her womanly hips swaying, as well as her large assets.

"W-What kind of things…"

He wished he didn't ask as Kalawarner with no shame dropped her outfit and revealed her breasts, and panties towards him, she didn't even bother wearing a bra either, so everything about her body was known by Makoto.

"Like this Master? I've decided to give myself up to you~ So, do you want me here, or somewhere else?"

Makoto's face was flustered, holding a hand out towards her.

"D-Don't show such a thing! I-I can't have you do something like that!"

Kalawarner didn't care, and walked forward, her breasts jiggling.

When she got to the bed, Makoto's fresh eyes went towards her boobs as Kalawarner smirked to herself.

"Ooh Master, your eyes on me feel really good right now. So, what do you want to do with me right now Master?"

"N-Nothing! L-Let's not do anything, okay!?"

Kalawarner didn't stop though, grabbing his hand, and then placed it on her bust, causing her to release a cute moaning sound as his hand unintentionally groped her breast, Makoto's eyes fluttering around wildly.

"Ooh Master, you don't even realize it! I want to have fun with your hand Master!"

Kalawarner straddled Makoto's hips, and bounced up and down on his hips.

"W-What are you doing!? D-Don't do this!"

Kalawarner didn't pay any heed, and leaned down, gently pressing her lips against his cheek, and allowed his face to fall against her breasts.

"Shhhh Master, I've come to make your life easier, allow me to carry out this will. I wish to come together with you my adorable Master, and then we can have fun together. You know Master, I've enjoyed spending time with you Master, and I am glad that you asked me to become a member of the group, it means that you really don't hide any naughty feelings when it comes to someone like me."

Makoto, in the midst of Kalawarner doing what she was doing, said some words that actually did resonate with him.

"I already said that I don't blame you girls for what Raynare, and Dohnaseek did. They were bad people, but you aren't bad Kalawarner-san. This is a good chance to live a new life…b-but, living as a servant and all...d-do you get paid a lot?"

Kalawarner nodded her head.

"I do indeed my cute Master. But the best thing is that I get to have fun with Master. Because, you don't know it Master but you've treated me so kindly since the beginning, even when you were afraid of me, you didn't look at me with disgusted eyes…unlike others from my life…"

"Kalawarner-san, I know you went through something bad with judgement against you…but, you won't find that here with me, I won't ever judge you. You're just a girl to me…with really large breasts, it is true, but that doesn't matter right now."

Just those words alone made Kalawarner feel good inside of her chest.

She couldn't stop the emotions from springing up inside of her. It was simple to most, but to her it was amazing, it was radiating, it felt amazing that she would receive such things from Makoto, and she couldn't help but allow herself to continue to please him with her body.

"Ooh Master, enjoy my boobs as I bounce up and down~"

Makoto couldn't answer as his head was stuck between her large chest cushions. Makoto himself attempted to remove his head, but Kalawarner held his head there, bouncing on his lap again and again.

As Makoto was unwilling in this partnership with Kalawarner, Serafall and Millicas looked towards them with annoyed eyes, having woken up at the same time.

"Ma-tan…to think that you'd do that with her all of a sudden?"

"I-I Sera-tan that's!"

He didn't even realize she was awake until she spoke, but Kalawarner herself kept bucking up and down on Makoto's hips, the boy releasing some tears at the dangerous face that Serafall was making right now.

Millicas on the other hand held a cute expression on her face.

"Makoto-san, how cruel…you could've done something's with me too…"

"M-Millicas-san…"

Makoto watched as Millicas continued pouting, Serafall on the other hand loved seeing Makoto looking like this, and grabbed his hand, shamelessly groping her own breast with his hand, and made a cute expression on her face.

"Iyaaaaaa~ That's a lovely grope Ma-tan~"

"S-Sera-tan that's something that-"

"N-No! Makoto-san…m-mine too! E-Even though mine aren't big like theirs…p-please, with my boobs too…"

Makoto was surprised by her boldness, and was worried that because of Serafall, and Kalawarner, Millicas was being brought into a world that she was quite innocent about, hoping that he wasn't doing it just because of them, and actually wanted to do that.

"Millicas-san that's…"

"Sorry Millicas-sama~ But this boys hand is on my breast, and his Master has the other hand!"

Millicas didn't like that at all, so she took Makoto's hand, and placed it on her bra covered breast, making her release a cute moan.

"Makoto-sans hand is good on my boob…d-do you like it Makoto-san?"

Makoto couldn't devastate her, knowing that she was more reserved and shyer, so it took a lot for her to do this. He couldn't shatter her like that, unlike the other two who he could fight against to a certain degree.

"Y-Yes, your boobs are great, Millicas-san."

Hearing that, Millicas became happier, allowing his hand to mesh with her breast, Serafall taking advantage to do the same thing, and Kalawarner didn't know what she would do, but she kept her hips and his own interlocked with one another.

And, this was how Makoto's day began…not that he was complaining.


"Ara, are you okay Makoto-kun? You seem to be having a troubled mind right now?"

Akeno spoke while standing in the kitchen, with Ise, and Asia stood nearby, Ravel watching from the side as she took notes on various things.

"O-Oh, I'm okay about that Akeno-senpai…s-so, what are we doing?"

Akeno nodded to herself, as she looks at the people around.

"Because Serafall-sama is currently busy helping the others prepare for the fights at hand, giving Elmen-chan and such a good talking over with, especially Millicas-chan herself, she asked me to oversee your demonic power training, Asia-chan and Makoto-kun, and of course Ise-kun also while we're at it. Now, Makoto-kun, and the others, it's time to gather the ball of demonic power in your hands."

Nodding, Makoto, Asia, and Ise did what they were asked.

Since Makoto had done it before with Akeno, he was able to manifest his pretty easily which formed the shape of a black, and golden aura in his hands, a duel type, even though he didn't know why that actually happened, something Asia seemed happy about.

"Well done Makoto-san! I knew you could do that!"

"Aah, well, I've done it before so it isn't anything really worth praise."

Makoto giggled nervously as Asia continued to try her best to do it too.

"Uuuuu, I wish I could do it too."

Makoto placed a reassuring hand on Asia's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"Don't worry Asia-chan, I know that you can do it."

With encouragement from Makoto, Asia tried her hardest to summon a sphere of magic, while Ise did the same thing, trying his best to manifest his power, though he was having more difficulty due to the fact that it was Makoto's own hard work that allowed him to be at this step so fast, already having tried his best with everything that he needed to do.

"That is good though, you do have a good level of demonic power."

Ravel commented from the side, as she wrote something down.

Ise felt uneasy about Ravel being there, he was sure that she was a spy, even though that had been debunked.

"Really? You think?"

"Yes, that's right. Well, it is only natural because you are the Queen of Leviathan-sama. if you couldn't do this at least, then it wouldn't make sense that you are a Queen of a Maou-sama." Ravel got off the table, and examined the power for herself, leaning closer. "With this level of control, you'd probably be able to come up with an attack. If you have time later, I'd like to go over some possibilities, since I've been studying you personally for the past few days."

From Akeno's point of view, it sounded a little…bad.

"Yeah, sure. If you have any ideas…"

"O-Of course I do! I've got plenty for all of the peerage of course! Just leave that part to me, I'll make sure that I come up with many ideas for Makoto-sama!"

"Damn Makoto, how do you do it?"

Makoto held a question mark above his head towards the grinning Ise.

"I don't know what you're talking about Onii-chan."

"Gwaah! You don't even realize that the girl is practically asking to spend time alone with you!? Maybe she wants to show you her oppai!?"

Ravel tightened her expression, glaring at Ise.

"I assure you, I do not have such intensions with Makoto-sama, I merely am trying my best to help him fight to the best of his ability, is all."

Akeno though was in the same opinion as Ise, and framed it slightly different.

"Ara, since when did the Princess of the Phenex clan allow herself to become immersed in the working's of a Low Class Devil exactly?"

Ravel's face flashes through several shades of red, shaking her head again and again.

"Aah, that's because he is also helping Millicas-sama! I wouldn't have a weak member of her group losing to Zephyrdor-sama either! S-So, I have had to study the best of my abilities to make sure that he does his best, is all!"

Though it seemed like Ravel was lying somewhere, Akeno didn't press the issue, and allowed the others to catch up, which Asia did her very best to do so.

"Wow, I've made it too Makoto-san~"

In contrast to his own orb, Asia's orb was green, and felt just like her Sacred Gear.

"Expectedly, of Asia-chan to have such a talent. Well, she is the Bishop of the Maou-sama too, so it does make sense for this to happen too. Good on you Asia-chan, you've done something amazing with this."

Asia's face turned red at Akeno's compliment, Makoto giving Asia a thumbs up.

"Well done Asia-chan, I knew that you'd be able to do it."

"Now lets change those demonic-power into fire, water and lightning. You can make this by imagining it, however, it will be easier for beginners to actually move fire and water using their demonic-power. Makoto-kun, why don't you do this too?"

"A-Ah, erm…"

Akeno giggled to herself, and then went around to his back, pressing her large breasts against his back, hugging him from behind, and allowed her hands to dance up his arms, sending shivers down and up his spine.

"Shh, Makoto-kun, you're cute too, don't worry about such things. Just allow me to work my magic on you…"

Makoto's breathing became shallower as Akeno's head rested against his shoulder, breathing against his ear. A shiver went down Makoto's spine, and so did one of Akeno's hands, leaving his arm, and travelled down his back.

"A-Akeno-senpai I…"

He tried to speak, but Akeno blew into his ear hotly, his body heating up by the second.

"You're so cute Makoto-kun, you are trying to suppress your moans, but with me, you don't have to do that, you can be cute with me too. I've always found the cuteness of boys like you to be the most entertaining, so do you want to want to show me such a cute expression too?"

"Fueee…A-Akeno-senpai I can't…"

Akeno's hand reached its target, his butt, and she gave it a hard squeeze, making him moan out, causing Asia to blush, having never heard such things out of his mouth before, even Ravel was blushing at the sound, Ise just looked away with a mixture of jealousy and shock.

"As I said, such cute noises from you Makoto-kun. I find myself enjoying your cuteness." Akeno's tongue went up Makoto's neck, a moan escaping his closed mouth, a trembling body turning Akeno to enjoy herself. "What a cute reaction. Fufu, I wish Makoto-kun always showed me such cuteness. Maybe when we're alone, we can have some play? Maybe, Makoto-kun could play with my boobs too?"

"Fueeee! A-Ah, I couldn't do s-something like that Akeno-senpai! C-Can't we co-continue onwards!?"

Akeno teasingly kissed his neck, and hugged him from behind as the stimulation got a little much, the boy falling backwards with a red face. Akeno always had that effect on him though, and it always made him feel good, and bad at the same time.

"Fufu, don't worry my cute Makoto-kun, I've got you right now, I won't allow you to go. But, yes. Why don't you do that Makoto-kun? Don't worry, I'll keep a cute tight hold of your sweet body, since it needs me, doesn't it Makoto-kun? You need me to hold you like this?"

"I-I erm…"

He didn't know how to answer, so Akeno held onto him tighter and tighter. He could feel her hands on his chest, rubbing all over the chest that he had, and made him squirm in her captive, and not knowing what he was supposed to do now.

Makoto sends his demonic power into the water inside the water bottle.

SPIKE!

The water that received the demonic power formed into the shape of a spike and ripped the water bottle from the inside.

"Asia-chan, I want you to copy what Makoto-kun just did next. Ise-kun, I want you to continue on to concentrating your demonic powers. The source of demonic power is imagination. Anyway it's important to materialize what your imagined."

Ise was having a difficult time in doing it.

Makoto adopted a smile, and directed it towards him.

"Ise-nii, why don't you imagine Buchou-san? If it is Buchou-san, then I am sure that you'd want to also imagine many things with her…w-whatever you think about Buchou-san that is, I'm sure that if it is something like that, then you'd be able to do it too~"

"With Buchou…Buchou! I need you Buchou!"

Ise ran out of the room, leaving the others to just stare in his direction.

"Well…if nothing else, the sexual desire thing seems to be quite true…"

Ravel didn't know how else to say it, and felt embarrassed that she would be feeling like that.

Akeno though patted Makoto from behind, and then ran a finger across her own lap.

"Do you want to sit down on my lap Makoto-kun?"

"W-Well, that wouldn't be right…"

When Makoto tried to deny her, he felt the sorrowful stare from a certain nun in the area.

"…Uuuuu, Makoto-san…e-even though we're engaged…"

Asia made a cute pouty face, wanting Makoto to look towards her.

He would look towards her, but Akeno dragged his face towards her own, and moistened her lips.

"Makoto-kun, don't be naughty and sit on my lap already. Fufu, if it is embarrassing, we could do it in private?"

"Ooh…"

Makoto didn't know how to respond to that, as Akeno allowed her hand to wonder around his body, causing him to blush brightly.


"Aah! Makoto-nii! You summoned me again! I'm so good! Kunou is so happy! Kunou was waiting for her time to come to Onii-chan and hold onto him always! Kunou doesn't want to stop hugging Onii-chan for anything!"

Kunou jumped onto Makoto's lap as he sat on the bed, cuddling against him. The young fox surely was a clingy type of girl, and kept a tight hold on the young boys body, even rubbing her head against his chest.

She loved doing that.

She always did hug him tightly like this. Though she hadn't been with him for all that long, being his technical contract partner over actual familiar, she still loved hugging him tightly, and loved to have some fun with the boy she affectionately called elder brother.

Makoto himself actually enjoyed Kunou hugging him, even as tightly as she could, and that was always a good experience to feel. Makoto himself even felt Kunou's body against his own to be an enjoyable experience.

"Ooh, Kunou-chan. You're very cute all of a sudden, what's going on with this cuteness right now?"

Kunou looked up towards the young boys face, and smiled her cutest of smiles.

"Mako-nii-chan, not that Kunou isn't happy, but why was Kunou summoned? Does Onii-chan need something from Kunou? Could she wish to have a cuddle from Onii-chan? Does Onii-chan wish to have lots of cuddles from Kunou? Kunou doesn't mind at all~"

Makoto petted the top of the young girls head.

"Actually, I do need to ask you something Kunou-chan."

Makoto's voice suddenly became serious, Kunou tilting her head in a very adorable manner.

"Hmmm? What is it Onii-chan?"

"Yeah, you see…I found something's out about a certain…erm, girl that I know about, and I just wished to know something is all…you know, with the erm…well, truthfully, I don't know much about Nekomata's, and Youkai in general, and since you're a Youkai, I thought that I could ask Kunou-chan about it. I don't think Sera-tan is gonna tell me much about them, and I don't really feel like asking Millicas-san right now with her own problems, and the others are training, so I thought of the cute Kunou-chan to help me in this assistance. Of course, I'd repay you with whatever compensation you'd like."

Kunou placed a finger on her cheek, getting into thought about it.

"Oh…Nekomata's and Youkai huh…well, I do know something's about the Nekomata's and such. All Kunou would want is to stay on Onii-chan's lap, and cuddle Onii-chan for a little while longer~ Kunou loves sitting on Onii-chan's lap after all~"

Makoto didn't have to worry about that, since he happily would have Kunou just sit on his lap, and she'd be adorable like she was.

"Sure, that's fine for me Kunou-chan~"

Makoto didn't mind admitting something like that, since Kunou was cute, and he actually liked her sitting on his lap. Though, he wouldn't admit to something like that, since it would seem a little weird to others.

"So, with that settled Onii-chan, what would you like to know about exactly~?"

"Hmmmm, just what they are I suppose. I know what Nekomata means, but I don't know what else they could be."

Kunou nodded, thinking how to explain it.

"If Kunou remembers correctly, then the Nekomata are a rare species. Something happened a while ago, years ago, and then there aren't many remaining now."

"Really…? So, they are near extinction or something like that…?"

That's what he got from her talk. And he was right too, when Kunou nodded her head adorably.

"That's right. Something bad happened, and they were nearly wiped out. But, there are still a few out there. Nekomata-chan's are quite good with their noses, and have heightened senses, more than normal humans anyway, even Devils."

"So that's why she could smell the blood that time…"

Makoto recalled when Koneko spoke about the blood on the first Stray Devil hunt, it made sense now that she was smelling blood because of her Nekomata side. Though, he didn't understand why she was angry that he knew about it.

"Hmmmm? What did you say Onii-chan?"

Kunou's cute face made Makoto melt. Almost, he felt like losing himself with Koneko.

"O-Oh, I was just thinking aloud. Please continue."

Kunou nodded, bouncing on his lap, Makoto supressing a moan when feeling a certain something rising to attention because of Kunou's actions against his lower body.

"Right! Yes, there are some rare Nekomata's called Nekoshou, and they have an even rarer status. I haven't even ever come across one before. I've seen a Nekomata before, but never a Nekoshou before."

"I see, so a rare species already in a rare species huh. Damn, it seems like she's really been going through many things…aah, I see, Kunou-chan. Is there…hmmmm, is there some kind of special power that Nekomata's, and Nekoshou's have that others don't…?"

"Why do you ask Onii-chan?"

Asking curiously, Kunou showed a cute smile.

"It's just…I heard someone mentioning it is all…I was wondering if it was such a thing Kunou-chan?"

"Secret power…all I could think of is Senjutsu, and Youjutsu. I have heard that their race in particular excel in those areas. Even Nekoshou's are said to be able to Master it to a very high degree, so I could see it happening…but, why are you suddenly talking about such things Onii-chan? What's going on?"

"Well…you see, I think that one of my friends, is avoiding me because she is a Neko girl, Nekomata, or whatever, and I just wanted to know why. I couldn't ask anyone else, so I thought I'd call upon the Princess of Kyoto for some answers. I hope that I didn't disturb you."

Makoto apologized while bowing his head, surprising the likes of Kunou, but then she became hyper, and jumped him, hugging him around his neck tightly.

"Nope! Not at all! Kunou loves spending time with Onii-chan! Any chance that I get to do it, then I can have fun with Onii-chan! Especially if I can help Onii-chan too! Kunou really does love doing something like that!"

"Ooh, I love having Kunou-chan around too. But, I have to get going soon, gotta train, and become stronger and stronger."

"Oh? What's Onii-chan doing?"

Kunou wasn't privy to the information on what Makoto was doing, so he explained it while smiling.

"I'm going to be fighting in a Rating Game in just under a week, so I have to become stronger."

"Onii-chan's fighting in a Rating Game!? B-But you're a Maou-sama's Queen!? W-Wouldn't you be hurt!?"

Makoto shook his head, and explained what had happened.

Once he did, Kunou put a hand to her chest, and said with a clear voice.

"Don't worry Onii-chan, Kunou will also offer you support too! Even though Kunou might be cute, she'll also offer her support the best that she can! So, don't worry Mako-nii-chan! Kunou is going to support like no other too!"

"Then, if Kunou-chan is going to stand beside me, I possibly won't be able to lose, will I?"

"Nope! Kunou will make sure that you don't Onii-chan!"

Kunou hugged Makoto tighter, who held her too, thankful for the information that she gave him, and now was one step closer to getting Koneko back in his life.


"Haaaaaah!"

"Hah!"

In the midst of the field nearby the mansion itself a day later, was Yumi, and Makoto, swinging swords of a wooden nature at one another. Yumi came in fast, and hard, Makoto barely able to parry each of her attacks away from himself.

Though he had the same power of the Knight that she had, Yumi clearly was more skilled than he was in a fight. The way she moved was evident on such things, it truly was a mess in the way that he used his sword, and the way she used it was elegant.

"Haaaah!"

Makoto leapt up into the air, and swung from the sky as he went overhead.

Yumi smiled, deflecting the blade away from her body and then jumped up, swinging her sword without a care…well, truthfully she had much care, so she didn't go for anything deceive either, Makoto on the other hand didn't expect it, and put his sword in front of him, blocking the attack from hitting his body, but the force of Yumi's swing was something that caught Makoto off guard, knocking him down to the ground.

"Aah Makoto-kun, you okay?" Yumi landed on the ground, and bent towards him, offering her hand. "Honestly, I didn't mean to do something like that, I didn't want to hurt you or anything, I'm just glad that you're not hurt."

Yumi's hand was taken by Makoto, who then took his sword.

"Ready, Yumi-senpai?"

"Eeh…erm, don't you wanna call it quits now? We've been doing it for about an hour now, and you haven't been able to get the upper hand on me thus far. Wouldn't you rather take a break right now Makoto-kun?"

Yumi tried to make Makoto see sense, at least from her point of view, but Makoto himself was adamant about continuing on, pushing the sword she had to the side, and then thrusted the wooden blade for Yumi's chest, Yumi being surprised, and took a few steps back enhanced with Knight's speed so she didn't get a strike against her body.

"I'm sorry Yumi-senpai, but I need to train harder. Unless of course, you don't think that you'll be able to do anything like that with me~? Maybe you're afraid that I'm about to make my comeback, and beat you at your own game~ I understand, you wouldn't want to lose at the best thing that you do. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

It was clear that he was trying to antagonize her, and it worked, as Yumi's face contorts into one of victory.

"If that's the case, then I don't mind coming at Makoto-kun in a fight. Yes, why don't we do something like that Makoto-kun? Though, if he asked, I wouldn't mind receiving his 'sword' to places on my body~"

Blushing at the basic go ahead from Yumi, Makoto looked down at the ground, biting his lips together.

"Yumi-senpai, when we're alone, you really do turn into a naughty girl, don't you?"

Yumi matched Makoto's smile, and adorned her own smile.

"It's because of Makoto-kun after all. Until recently, I haven't had the chance to do something like this, well ever. Because it is my cute Makoto-kun, I know that I will be able to have fun with Makoto-kun too."

"Ah…well, that's good too, so I'm glad that Makoto-kun said something like that…yeah, I'm glad that you think things like that…b-but, let's get back to training, so try this!"

Makoto came from the left, making a stabbing motion with the blade that he had. It was fast, the sword being quite due to Makoto focusing on the Knight speed of his Queen piece, and he knew that this would be the best way going about it.

"Nice try!"

Yumi pushed the blade away from her, and went to strike Makoto…

But she stopped right as he was about to be hit.

He could literally touch the blade with his tongue if he so desired, but now, he was confused why she had stopped all of a sudden.

"What are you doing?"

Makoto was…actually, he was a little angry that she suddenly wasn't attacking him with full force, even when she pulled the wooden blade away from his face, he fixed his features, and just stared at her for an answer.

"Don't worry Makoto-kun, I wouldn't ever hurt you really~"

Yumi was nonchalant about the whole thing, but Makoto didn't like that and swung for her head, Yumi parrying the attack with a little difficulty.

"Don't hold back on me Yumi-senpai! If you do, I won't be able to learn, would I?"

He had a good point.

Holding back on him wouldn't do him any good, no matter how much she was hesitant to actually strike him down. She, just didn't want to hurt the boy that she had deep feelings for, yet at the same time he was here, practically begging for the fight to occur between the two of them.

"Makoto-kun…okay, let's go faster then."

Yumi suddenly became faster, and whizzed towards Makoto.

Yumi came from the left, slashing towards Makoto's chest, and he gasped, barely managing to block the strike from the sword, but Yumi disappeared and came from the right.

Makoto ducked the blade, and rolled, only for Yumi to stab right downwards towards him like a savage.

"Y-Yes, this is it Yumi-senpai! Don't hold back!"

Makoto took to his feet, and swung for the place he thought that Yumi was…but she wasn't.

She had disappeared with her speed, only for her to reappear behind Makoto himself, knocking the young boy to the ground with a single sword swipe, Makoto falling flat on his face with his butt stuck up in the air, groaning.

"Sorry Makoto-kun, that's how it is now."

SMACK!

"Iyaaaaaaa! S-Senpai! D-Don't smack my butt so hard with your…eeh, I'm not finishing that…"

Makoto got up from the ground and looked towards Yumi who held a breath taking smile on her face.

"Sorry, Makoto-kun, didn't mean to make you suddenly gasp like that. But, it was just something that I couldn't resist, you know how I feel about your butt, and how I like to do things…b-but, I won't ever take it too far!"

Suddenly Yumi's face turns redder, and she pokes her fingers together shyly, not wanting to show another thing other than a cute little face that she has on. However, that was just so cute in Makoto's eyes, and he enjoyed seeing Yumi look like that.

"I'm sure that you wouldn't Senpai…but maybe you might do…"

"I-I wouldn't, I'm not like that at all, I promise you."

Makoto mused his thoughts with a smile on his face, so Yumi went over towards him, and stroked his hair.

"Makoto-kun, you're pretty good, with a sword. I mean, you're improving, I'm just glad that you've taken an interest in fighting with swords, it means that we can become even closer than before. And also, with us together, I'm sure that we can come up with a good few techniques."

Makoto cocks his head.

"You think we could?"

She nodded at his doubt.

"That's right, you and I could come up with something great Makoto-kun. I can imagine you and I getting closer together, and making a new and interesting technique. Don't you think that we would be able to do something like that?"

Makoto didn't even have to think about it, since it seemed quite interesting to team up with Yumi to fight against the enemies, and he could see the same thing happening again, and again.

"Well…I suppose we could use our Sacred Gear's together, it would be interesting. I mean, my ice, and your demonic swords, I do wonder what we could potentially do together. It really would be quite good if we did team up together if I'm honest with myself."

"Good! I can't wait, I know that me and Makoto-kun can make the best combination. Hmmm, I also do have to wonder what kind of power we could birth together." Yumi looks towards Makoto and saw that he was smiling. "Makoto-kun, your smiles are really the best ever. I'm glad that you're smiling…but, is something worrying you?"

"You can tell quite easily, huh."

She nodded, as she sat down, gesturing Makoto to do the same which he did, sitting opposite from her, and held her hand, Makoto doing it before Yumi even did it, and she enjoyed it, feeling like they were quite a couple.

"I can, because of Makoto-kun's cute face too. But, is it because of Koneko-chan not talking with you?"

"You know me after all…that's how it is."

Makoto knew Yumi knew of the thing that was happening between the two of them, even if he himself didn't have an idea on what truly was going on when it came to Koneko, and how she was acting with him lately.

"Don't worry Makoto-kun, I know that Koneko-chan seems like she's being off with you, it is because she's…well, honestly, I can only guess why she's being like she is, and I know that if Makoto-kun is the one who is going to talk with her, then he'll get through to her no problem!"

Makoto was glad that she had such confidence in himself, he didn't know if he had such confidence in himself.

"Yumi-senpai, you think that I'll be able to get through to Koneko-chan?"

To answer his doubt, Yumi leaned across towards him, and cupped his face with one of her hands. The slightest touch of her, and he felt weak, but not in a bad way. He felt, safe, and secure in her touch, and even more so when she chose to embrace him too.

"I know that you will Makoto-kun, I know that you will. Because, Koneko-chan doesn't hate you…I mean, if she did, she wouldn't want to spend time with Millicas-sama, and certainly wouldn't be able to join the group if she despises you. No, there's something else going on inside of her mind, and I am sure that you intend to find out what that is, right?"

Makoto nodded with a determined look to his eyes.

"That's right, I wish to find that out too."

Makoto was now ready to find out what was going on in Koneko's mind. All he needed to do was approach the subject too.


By the time that Makoto was finished with his training from Yumi and was going to get something a drink, he came across the unusually panting Elmenhilde…but something was different about the girl this time.

Though she shouldn't be as tired as he thought that she would be for this time in the morning, Elmenhilde was on the ground, sweat dripping from her face, and a pool of it was on the ground before her.

Makoto was immediately sick with worry, and rushed over to her.

"Elmen-chan! W-What's wrong!?"

Makoto made it to Elmen, and saw how tired she really was.

Her eyes went towards Makoto, and she adopted a sad face.

"Elmen-chan, what's going on? You have been…you haven't been doing this all night, have you?"

Elmen clung to Makoto's arm as she nodded.

"I don't want to be the weakest of the group."

"Hey, just because Sera-tan said that, it doesn't mean that it is-"

"It is though!" Snapping at him, the boy wore a surprised face as Elmen's eyes turned downwards. "You all have something to offer this team, I don't. My role, could be filled by anyone else in the team, I don't have a defining purpose in the team now. I want to do something unique for the team, I want to train my hardest, and I want to do something that no one else can do, I want to offer my support to you guys, where no one else can do the thing that I can. Everyone has a unique place on the peerage."

Elmenhilde sighed out with her negative insecurities coming right back for her again, and wished that she would be able to fight as well as the others, but as the days kept going, the feeling that they would actually be able to win with her help just seemed to be dwindling.

"And you do too."

Makoto spoke kindly, wanting to connect with her.

Elmenhilde on the other hand wasn't so receptive to the idea.

"I'm not on a level where I can fight with my fists like Koneko-san. I don't use swords like Yumi-senpai. I don't have light powers like that bitch Kalawarner, and I am not immortal like the Phenex girl. Even Asia-san has a healing power that I don't have, and also, there's Makoto-kun who has a Sacred Gear that can be useful too. Millicas-san, I don't even have to explain her powers. It just seems that I am the odd one out, huh. I'm going to be the least useful on the group."

Makoto wished that she didn't feel like that, but it was quite clear why she did feel like that, and what she listed off was true. But, also, Makoto thought that it wasn't true enough to say the least in his eyes.

"No…you're not the odd one out at all Elmen-chan, don't ever think that. I don't think that's true. I asked you to join the group because you were the first person I could think of. My best friend, the friend that I've been through some shit with, I knew that I would be able to do something amazing if it came to Elmen-chan and myself. We just have to find something that is unique to you, Elmen-chan. No one on this team is useless, I just know that everyone on the team is going to contribute something amazing. Without all of us, I don't think we'll win. Even if it is small, or large, we'll be able to actually do something amazing like that."

"I wish that I could help out even more…I just wish that I could help out even more than before…the others are so much stronger…"

"I'm not stronger. I'm only a beginner, you can do more things that I could. You've got magic skills above myself, you've got your Vampire powers to aid you in your fighting. You can like…eeh, turn into bats, and such, can't you?"

Elmen whined as she nodded.

"I-I can…"

"And you can wield darkness, right?"

Makoto pressed, wanting Elmen to see that she isn't useless.

"…Not that well…"

Makoto knew that she was only trying to admit the obvious now, and he didn't want her to worry so much about anything like that.

"But, you can also use mist as a barrier, and to search for enemies, we could use that during the fights. Remember, fighting isn't just about who's the strongest. Even the strongest can be beaten with tactics. That's what Sera-tan keeps saying to me. Plus, we're gonna be together. If we can fight together, then we'll be able to come up with some amazing attacks. Plus you've got the whole drinking blood power absorption going on. You can use that to fight too. Like, I don't know, drinking Ravel-sans blood could give you that power, or…I don't know if you could use my blood to replicate my Sacred Gear, but certainly, you could also use Millicas-sans to use the POD as I've heard her call it. Even using the enemies blood against them, wouldn't that be a good thing to do? Just think about it. One bite of jerk face, and you can use his unique powers, if he has any that is. We've got to think together, think of a plan that we all can use our best moves together, and most of all, we've got to fight to win, right Elmen-chan? We've got to fight to win?"

That's how Makoto saw it, and how he wished for the young girl to see it too.

He didn't want her to feel like she was useless, when it was far from the truth, he wanted to see the same things that others could see in her too. Even if she didn't believe it yet, Makoto knew that Elmen was going to be able to fight strongly.

Elmen's face turned upwards, nodding as she hugged him.

"Makoto-kun, if we fight together, we'll be able to do pretty amazing things, won't we?"

"Well, yeah of course! We can do amazing things if we work together!"

Elmen found that to be the best thing that he could've said, since it made their friendship strong, stronger than it had been before. She couldn't fight with him before, but now…she could fight right beside him, and show amazing techniques.

Once finishing their conversation, Koneko happened to be walking past, and saw how tired Elmenhilde was, walking towards her in concern.

"Elmen-san, are you okay?"

Elmen placed a hand against her heart, nodding her head.

"Y-Yes, I'm okay…just need to rest now…sorry for worrying you."

"Yeah, don't worry Koneko-chan, she's going to be alright, she just needs to rest her body."

Koneko looked towards Makoto, and then turned away, leaving the pair alone, which Makoto didn't like at all.

"Damn, that's really the cold shoulder, isn't it?"

Elmen commented, as Makoto pursed his lips.

"It's not just now…it's been like this for a while, ever since that damn time in the club."

"Yeah…you know, it isn't right that she does that. Even not giving you an explanation."

Makoto nodded, and then his eyes went towards the door where Koneko walked in, and from the glass, and his eyesight, he could see the fact that she was walking up the stairs, and probably was going to her room…so, this was the chance that she was looking for.

"I'm going to go and find out what that was about right now."

He had made up his mind, and he knew that he would have to do something like this, this time.

"Makoto-kun…I guess that you're right, go and find out what's wrong with her. This is just getting…she's supposed to be friends with you, and she's acting like this…go, and find out what's wrong with her, and make sure that she understands whatever it is that she needs to understand."

"Are you going to be okay?"

As he said that, Serafall came bouncing along. It was perfect timing, Makoto even had to wonder if Serafall was watching on from afar somewhere, and just chose this time to come out. It, wasn't out of the realm of possibilities in his mind.

"Hey! What's going on!? My cute Ma-tan seems to have a serious face all of a sudden, and it seems like Elmen-chan is also going to be out of commission for a little while. So, what's happening with my fav Queen, and my fav Vampire-chan? Is this a love meeting or something~?"

"Aah, perfect timing Sera-tan! C-Could you stay with Elmen-chan for a little while? I've just got to do something's."

"Sure my cute Queen! I don't mind! I need to talk with her anyway's!"

Makoto didn't know what that was about, but thanked her, and rushed off to find Koneko.


He went through the halls of the room, and walked all the way towards her room.

During that time, he kept thinking about what he was going to say, what he was going to do, and what she might do too. He didn't want her to be worried, yet at the same time he couldn't and wouldn't be able to understand this until he gets answers from her.

Makoto got to her door, and knocked on the door.

"Koneko-chan, please open the door."

[…I'm busy right now.]

That's the reply that Makoto got from Koneko, but he wasn't going to take that this time, he had questions, and he also had an answer to what she really was, thanks to Kunou herself being right there for him.

"Koneko-chan, I know what you are. If you don't open the door, I will start speaking about it."

Silence.

Makoto didn't hear anything from behind the door, so he had to play his hand.

"Nekomata-chan, right? Is that what you are, Koneko-chan? Or, are you even rarer than that, and are a Nekoshou-chan? You're one of those Youkai, aren't you Koneko-chan?"

The door immediately opened, showing Koneko's distressed face.

Makoto himself hated that he caused that, but he needed to know why she was ignoring him, and what they could do about it to move forward.

"…How do you know about that?"

Her voice was more sombre than usual, something that Makoto didn't like since he hated seeing Koneko sad about anything, and wished more than anything that he would be able to fight together with her, not be apart like this.

"Oh, so we're finally talking, are we? I didn't want to do this Koneko-chan, I just want to talk with you. Please, just talk with me, I want to know what's going on with you. Please, can't we just talk about this?"

Koneko, suddenly changed from looking annoyed, suddenly looked down to the ground. Her neck bent further than he thought that it could do on its own. Her small body was trembling, like she had been found out by someone, and didn't know what was going to happen.

Makoto took in a deep breath, and inched closer towards Koneko herself.

"Koneko-chan…"

He tried to touch her shoulder, but she jumped away into the room.

"…Please don't…look at me…"

Her gentle voice almost made him sob due to how depressed she really sounded. Something that Koneko shouldn't ever use that kind of voice, it just didn't belong to the young girl, and it shouldn't make an appearance.

"Koneko-chan, if you think I care about you being a Nekomata, then I really don't."

"Lies…y-you're lying…"

Koneko was as sure as the sky was blue that he did actually find it freaky.

But Makoto shook his head as he entered the room, closing the door behind him as he did so. Koneko didn't offer any resistance as he placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her towards the bed.

"Look, I'm not lying about any of this…"

Makoto wanted her to know that, since it was eating him up that she thought that he was, against Nekomata's, or whatever she thought about him. He, just didn't want Koneko to hate him anymore, so he wanted to get it all on the table right now.

"…Did Buchou tell you about me?"

Koneko brought up, but Makoto shook his head.

"No, it wasn't Buchou at all."

He confirmed it while smiling.

"…Yumi-senpai, wasn't it? …Because you and her are…together, she told you about me…"

"Yumi-senpai didn't reveal anything to me. Only that you didn't hate me, that's all it was. She didn't say anything to me about you being a Nekomata-chan. And before you ask, no neither did Akeno-senpai, or Millicas-san either. I don't think the others in your group know about you…well, by others I mean Ise-nii, and Asia-chan doesn't know what you are, and I don't believe Elmen-chan does either. If Ravel-san does, then she hasn't said anything to me about it."

Makoto wanted to just cut to the chase, but there was one person he neglected to mention, which the young girl actually brought up into the conversation.

"…Then, it was Serafall-sama, wasn't it? …Because you're her Queen, she wished to actually tell you when I…"

Koneko was sure that it had to be Serafall, but once again, Makoto shook his head.

"That's not it. She just told me that you were a Nekomata, that's it, and I already knew you were a cat girl. Kunou-chan filled me in on the rest, and she told me something's about Nekomata-chan's, and such. Look, I don't know your past, I don't know how you feel about humans and what not, but honestly, I don't care that you're a Nekomata."

"…You're lying, I wasn't human before…you saw me like that…and then you looked appalled…"

Koneko thought she saw something like that, but Makoto wasn't anything like that.

"I wasn't appalled, I was shocked more than anything. You didn't give me a chance to explain, I was just shocked to see you with cat ears, and a tail. I wasn't disgusted by you, I mean, why would I be disgusted by you? You're my friend-"

"Stop lying!" It was the first time Koneko had truly yelled at him. "Y-You looked at me…and Fallen Angels have done things…the supernatural, I know that you don't like supernatural stuff…and now, you know that I wasn't human before being a Devil…because of everything going on…you must despise people that aren't humans…"

"I'm not human you dunderhead!"

Koneko stares at him strangely.

"Dunderhead?"

"Yeah…the only thing I could think of…but listen to me Koneko-chan! You really think that I don't care about you!? I've got a Vampire best friend, I've got pure blooded Devils as great friends! Heck, I'm a Devil too now! I might not like some of the supernatural stuff, but I don't hate it as a whole! Heck, Fallen Angels did torture my life at one point, but Kalawarner-san and I are now friends! I don't know why you'd think that I would ever judge you for being a freaking Nekomata-chan? I think that you're adorable, and hated that I could only see you for even a few seconds! I wanted to see the cuteness of the Neko-chan again!"

The sudden confession made by Makoto made Koneko jump back in surprise.

"…You aren't disgusted by me at all?"

"No, not at all. I don't think you're like that, you're just Koneko-chan to me. Nothing more, nothing less. You're still the same person that I knew before I became a Devil, the girl I knew after becoming a Devil. All that's changed is that you can show a pretty kitty form…but, why were you…thinking that I would hate you?"

Koneko's eyes looked towards Makoto's, and she gained a few tears in her eyes. Makoto didn't like that, placing a hand on her shoulder. At first, she flinched, so he pulled away, but then he reassured her with a kind smile. Seeing that, Koneko conceded, allowing the hand to touch her shoulder.

"…Mako-kun, I…I don't like myself…being this…it's a reminder that I am like…Nee-sama…"

"Nee-sama? I didn't know that you had siblings."

But then again, it made sense to Makoto why Koneko seemed sad when mentioning family during the time when they went out together when Serafall had disappeared. The family, Koneko probably didn't want to talk about, was this elder sister.

"…Just one, and it is her…Nee-sama, who…she did things and that…she did things…"

Koneko's eyes released a few tears, so Makoto hugged Koneko, causing Koneko to become shocked.

"You don't have to say anymore than that Koneko-chan. If you don't want to tell me, then you don't have to tell me anything. I can see that it is upsetting to you, so I don't want to push you. But whatever happened Koneko-chan, I'm here for you too."

Koneko looked towards his face, continuing to shed some tears. Makoto placed a hand on her face, stroking beneath her eyes, wanting to offer some comfort to the young girl, while wiping away the tears that she was shedding.

"…Why would you be here for me when I froze you out…?"

She genuinely didn't know why he'd still consider her a friend when it didn't make sense to her.

"Because Koneko-chan is my friend, that's why. Yeah, you froze me out, but I was always concerned about you. I was worried when you didn't talk to me. I gained advice from many people, and tried my best to talk with you. I'm just…sorry I didn't try harder than I did."

"…No, it's my fault…I'm the one that froze you away from me…Mako-kun, I'm sorry…because of me, we haven't been able to practice together…and we're behind the others now…"

"Hey, that doesn't matter now." Soothing the young girl, Makoto tilted his head. "Koneko-chan, I also heard from Kunou-chan about Senjutsu." Koneko's eyes turned sharp at the mention. "She told me that Neko-chan's like you are good at using it, yet I've never seen you use it either…"

"…It's a hateful power that I don't need."

Koneko denied wanting to use it, and didn't want to bring it up.

However, Makoto this time couldn't let it go.

"Koneko-chan, if this power is something that we could use then…"

"…The power is disgusting. …I don't want to use Senjutsu, I never want to use it…because if I do…I'll turn out like Nee-sama did…I don't want to turn out like Nee-sama…I never want to turn out like Nee-sama…"

"Did she, abuse the power?"

Makoto guessed, but he was wrong, sort of.

"…She became drunk on her power…Senjutsu uses the power around us, nature, and living things that is to turn that into power, and use that to…to fight, but it also…takes in the ill will, and the malice of the world…and corrupts…I don't want to become corrupt…"

"That's why you don't use it… You, don't want to turn out as a corruption because of this power, right?"

Koneko by now was in tears, sobbing her poor heart out against Makoto's chest. He couldn't react, never having seen Koneko be so vulnerable before. The best he could do was place his hand on her back, rubbing it silently as she poured her heart out towards him while crying uncontrollably.

"B-Because it's evil! I don't want to become evil! If I use it, then I'll become evil like Nee-sama, I don't want to do that! Serafall-sama told me that if I use it, the percentage of the Rating Game winning would go up significantly! B-But, I can't do it Mako-kun! I'm scared!"

"…I see…well, Sera-tan can be at times…quite blunt and honest…so, I'm sorry if she made you feel like you had to use it…but, it's your choice, Koneko-chan. If you want to use it, or not, is completely your choice, I won't allow anyone to force you into anything you don't want to do, even if it is Sera-tan herself."

Koneko looked at him, staring in disbelief as the tears kept flowing down her face.

"B-But if I hold back the team…"

"You're more important than holding anything back."

Koneko continued to shed tears as her hands tightly clung to his shirt, which was already stained with her tears.

"…But everyone is working so hard…I see Mako-kun day in and day out training and always doing his best…even that perv Ise-senpai is too…I even see Elmen-san working so hard that she's run herself into the ground…and I can't even use Senjutsu…something that would help…because of my own fears…"

"You're saying it like you've done nothing at all. Senjutsu…it sounds scary. Hearing you talk about it, I can understand why you wouldn't want to use it. Koneko-chan must be scared of turning evil, and doing wicked deeds because of this power, aren't you?"

"…I don't want to go mad…bad, and I don't want to hurt my friends…"

"I'll stop you from doing that."

Koneko was silenced by his words…

She looked at his face once again, staring in disbelief, not realizing what he was saying to be that powerful.

"…W-What are you saying…? I'd still turn into a monster…"

"I, wouldn't allow that to happen, baka." Tapping her on the head, Makoto then gained a smile. "I don't understand everything about Senjutsu, and from how it sounds, it does sound scary, and very worrying. But, if it is Koneko-chan, who is very worried, then I can only do my best to make sure that you don't feel like that anymore."

Koneko didn't know what to say, but she shed some more tears.

"…I'm quite jealous of you, Mako-kun."

"Oh? Why's that?"

Makoto didn't understand that, so Koneko told him strongly.

"…You and Ise-senpai…while being opposites, also have a good relationship with one another…you two seem to bond so well together…I wish that I could do the same thing with my Nee-sama…or, I wish that I could do too…"

"And maybe you can do Koneko-chan. You can do something like that."

Koneko shook her head, as she looked down.

"…She's really gone now…she's gone, and I hope she doesn't come back…she did things…with her Senjutsu…she used that power for bad intentions…and never did anything good…she always was vulgar, and other things to do with that too…"

"Even then, Onii-chan and I aren't similar. He's quite naughty with his actions, and I'm more timid with such things. Onii-chan's quite confident in his desires, and it took me dying, and nearly dying again before I could actually even get close to Yumi-senpai. You see, we're different but we can get along the best, and heck, we're not even full siblings. If you're truly full siblings with your Onee-sama…maybe one day, you'll get back that relationship, and if I can, I will definitely help you because…having a sibling is one of the best feelings in the world, and I wouldn't ever replace such a thing either."

Makoto's smile grew, as Koneko's face turns upwards too.

"…Mako-kun, Senjutsu is scary…"

"It does sound like it. But, I will protect you, and make sure you don't go off the deep end, no matter what happens. Even if you choose not to use it, we'll still do our best for Millicas-san, and everyone else, right Koneko-chan?"

Koneko showed a cute smile on her face, as she nodded her head.

"If it is you saying it then…Mako-kun shall definitely be able to protect everyone…and I will also help too…"

A small change happened with her heart.

A small light was shining in the sea of sadness that was her heart with her elder sister.

"Koneko-chan…can I see?"

Knowing what he was referring too, Koneko wasn't afraid anymore to show him.

So, she got out her tail, and her ears too. They sprouted from the top of her head, cat ears at that. Makoto watched as the tail also came out of her back, near her butt. Makoto's face turned redder and redder by the second, as it wriggled around.

"S-So, that's…"

Makoto was getting overcome by cuteness. It truly was shining in his eyes right now, how cute Koneko was, and how he wished to hug her tightly too. He, couldn't ever deny that she was the embodiment of cuteness right now, something that he couldn't contain for very long.

"…Yes, this is it…"

"CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!"

HUG!

"Waaah! Ma-Mako-kun you're hugging me very tightly!"

"I'm sorry Koneko-chan! But I love adorable kitties! I love Princess, and now Koneko-chan is the cute cat girl too! I've decided Koneko-chan! You always have to be cute like this! I'm going to have to keep you beside me always! Cat girls are actually one of my loves! I love you like this Koneko-chan!"

Koneko held an embarrassed face, however a smile was on her lips too.

The worry she had been holding for so long, the way that she thought he'd hate her for being this…all melted away, and what was left was Makoto, and Koneko's friendship burning brighter than ever, and a new path to Koneko's heart had been opened up too, and that path, went towards the blonde, and black haired boy.


A few nights later, Makoto went down stairs to get a drink from the kitchen.

His mind replayed the days that had been going on, and how overwhelming everything could've been. But fortunately, he knew that now, he had the tools to cope with such things, but the people like Elmen, Koneko, and others going through personal battles, something that he wished he did help for. He did hope that he did help them in some way.

Once making it to the kitchen, he got a drink of milk, and a cookie, something he always enjoyed.

Sighing, he went to go back to his room, when he saw that in the living room, a light was on.

"Hmmm, I thought everyone was in bed…?"

Since standing there wasn't going to get him any answers, Makoto walked towards the living room.

Once getting there, he saw that it was Millicas sat on the couch, with her knees against her chest, and it seemed like she had a depressed face on. Papers were scattered in front of her, Makoto noticing that they were different names of things for the Rating Game, having already been privy to such things before.

"Millicas-san, what's going on?"

Millicas gasped, not even realizing that he was there, and turned to see Makoto giving her a smile.

"Makoto-san, it's late. Why are you still awake?"

Makoto found it ironic that she was asking him this now, when it was clear that she had been awake, at least downstairs longer than he had been, so it was kind of funny to the young boy that she was like this now.

"I should be asking you that, we've not got long left until the fight with the enemy, you know? You don't have to tire yourself like this…if there's something wrong, why don't you let me know about it for a bit? Everyone knows that you listened to my problems, so let me return the favour."

Millicas was reluctant to say it at first, she didn't know how to speak about it.

But when seeing his eyes, and how kind and comforting they could be, she was suckered into them easily.

"Makoto-san I…"

She didn't know how to begin, so Makoto sat beside her, and gave her head a pat.

"Millicas-san, there's been something I've been wondering for a while now, can I ask you about it?"

"Erm, what's that then?"

Makoto nodded as if confirming something inside of himself, and then faced Millicas seriously.

"You see…why was it him that was chosen to be your fiancée? I also don't know much about Rias-senpai's problem so I couldn't comment, but yours…don't your parents even realize that you and this guy just don't fit together?"

"Truthfully, the reason why Zephyrdor-san was chosen, was because his family, can offer my own things that wouldn't be able to have alone. I suppose you could say that it is more like a business partnership than anything else. Though, it's only because of the pressure from the Devils of old to have me wed someone and produce, strong offspring. Because, he came from the family that also produced a Maou, and I am the same, they think…well, you get the idea."

Indeed, Makoto got the idea alright, and it didn't sound right at all.

"Because they want you to essentially mate, and create a strong offspring for the future of the Devils race, right?"

Millicas didn't want to accept that as truth, but it was the truth.

"You're right about that. When it was first heard, Otou-sama and Okaa-sama were against it, of course they were. No matter how good friends Otou-sama, and Asmodeus-sama really is, e-eh, that's the relative of Zephyrdor-san, it was seemingly likely by the Devils of old to just pair us up. The real heir to the clan was also considered, but that person became engaged to someone else, and then there's Riser…but, they felt Rias-nee-sama would be better there. So I was left with…I just…found Zephyrdor-san really repulsive since the day that I met him and the way he spoke to me, I didn't like it at all…eeh, I'm sorry, it's not nice to say that…"

"Not at all, it's the truth. He is a really disgusting type of person. I only met him once, but he really got under my skin for many different reasons. Millicas-san though…you know, I don't wish for you to be married to this jerk. You deserve much better than that."

Millicas' eyes went towards Makoto, and her face turned pink as she leaned closer.

"I…deserve better?"

It wasn't her trying to be superior, she genuinely thought that it was weird for him to say something, since no one had ever actually said that to her before, that she deserved better than what she had gotten with Zephyrdor.

Makoto leaned closer towards her, his hand resting on the top of her head.

"You deserve much better. You're bright, kind, cheerful, really cute, and have an amazing personality. It would be wasted on this jerk. Clearly, he's just an idiot anyway, the way he spoke to you, it took everything that I had to not deck him myself, and I'm usually not that violent either. He's just not right for you at all."

"Then who is right for me?"

At that, Makoto didn't know how to answer, and held an embarrassed look on his face.

"W-Well, I don't know! W-Whoever! A good someone that is!"

"But, who…?"

Millicas leaned closer, and closer, her hands resting on his lap. He could feel her small hands immediately, and felt his face heat up. The light of the single bulb in the room illuminated how cute she really was, and how Makoto…quite liked how she was, and how cute she was too.

Makoto didn't really want to answer that, he didn't know if he could actually answer something like that personally, he was too worried that he could say the wrong thing.

"A-Ah erm…Millicas-san, there's also something else I'd like to know, you know?"

"Oh? What's that?"

This was a question Makoto had for the longest of times, since meeting, and understanding about Devils, he just never had the chance to bring it up, he didn't know how he was supposed to bring it up right away.

"Your peerage…why don't you have one exactly?"

"O-Oh, I didn't think that you thought about that."

Makoto furrowed his eyebrows as she seemingly dodged the question.

"It's just, you are old enough for one, right? I remember Yumi-senpai telling me that she was 12 when she got turned into a Devil, and she's 17 years old now, so Rias-senpai would've been younger than you when she received her pieces. So, I was just curious, why you don't have one. Are you, not allowed one?"

"Actually, I could have my Evil Pieces any time that I want them…I just don't want them."

Makoto cocked his head to the side, confused.

"Why don't you want them?"

"Honestly…I just don't think I'm cut out to be a leader of a group. Onee-sama is strong, confident, and knows how to display leadership. During this time, I realized that you showed more leadership skills than I did-"

"But that's because I gained confidence from you!"

Millicas was surprised, even gasping at the thought.

"Makoto-san I…"

"I did. I, gained the courage, because I saw your face, and your sadness. I, couldn't stand it. Seeing you so sad, a face like that doesn't belong to someone as cute as you. I, didn't like how you didn't seem like yourself, Millicas-san doesn't belong in sadness at all, so I wanted to make sure that it disappears, so I was able to draw courage from you."

"Makoto-san that's…I'm glad that you do…but, I myself, I just can't lead that well…I know that I wouldn't make a good one. The Devils have always been asking me about it, but I honestly just don't think I would be able to do it well. However, I do wish that I could help someone one day, build a strong peerage…I do wish to be apart of a good team, a team that is built with love, and friendship, and strength. I just…" She briefly glanced at Makoto, and gave a small smile. "Makoto-san, in your future peerage, have you decided who you're going to have on it?"

"M-Me? Eeh…besides Asia-chan, not really. Asia-chan wants to join my team, and Sera-tan pretty much has handed her off to me…and technically she thinks she's my fiancée…long story there, but yeah, beyond Asia-chan being my Bishop, I haven't decided yet. But, that's not going to be for a while yet, I'm not going to be gaining my pieces for a long time yet. Maybe even years, who knows. But, why do you ask anyway?"

Millicas' face turns a little more red as time goes on, inching closer towards him.

"Makoto-san, can I always stay with you?"

"Stay with me…well, of course. I'd love to have you beside me always."

Millicas gained a large smile, as she boldly sat on his lap, facing Makoto as her legs wrapped around his form. Makoto supported her by putting his hands on her back, and pulled her closer to his body, where her hands fell against his unclothed chest.

"Makoto-san…I'm glad…you know, when we first met, I truthfully was shocked that you had been treated so badly by everyone, and as going through all of that, Makoto-sans luck became worse and worse, and everyone was turning their backs on him too…but, I never once did, because I saw something special in you."

"You did?"

Makoto was quite surprised that she'd say something like that.

"The truth is…Makoto-san, was the choice that I actually made when I was considering staying here."

"Huh…? You chose to stay because of me?"

Millicas' cute face turned even more red by the second, as she leaned closer.

"Makoto-san, I actually was about to head home the day that I crossed paths with you. Humans…I didn't really understand them that well. They were brought up different to me, and well…you know the naughty boys of your Onii-sama's friends…those people, they really give me a fright."

"Hehe, yeah no kidding. They surely are pervs alright. And not even good ones like my Onii-chan."

"Right…but then, I bumped into Makoto-san that day, and he helped me find my way. It might seem small to you, but to me…it's huge. You see, in the Underworld, people treat me differently than they treat Onee-sama. I am…I don't want to say more important but…erm, I'm seen as more…valuable I guess. But, that severally limited my life, and how I wished to lead it. I wanted to live a relatively normal life, but it was always difficult."

Makoto's hand went down Millicas' back comfortingly, and then went up again, and got into a rhyme of rubbing his back.

"I heard a little from Ravel-san, she said something like that. I'm sorry that you had to go through something like that Millicas-san, it isn't fair."

"Thanks…but yeah, when I was thinking about leaving, Makoto-san came to my mind. I thought about it, after hearing from Onee-sama about what was happening in his life, and thought that if Makoto-san could go through that and still continue on, then I could put my worries about being with humans aside and do my best to brave it."

"Oh right…I didn't know that…"

Genuinely, he hadn't heard this before, so hearing it now, Makoto was quite shocked to say the least.

"Yes, because Makoto-san had survived having to kill on his first day of a new life, I had to at least try my best to go forward in the human world, if I wanted to have any kind of life. So, I did just that, and went about my days as best I could. But then, I came across Makoto-san again, and he had been given work by Sona-nee that was too much…and I felt something about you, something about the way that, despite never surrendering, always doing his best, so I wanted to do that too. I wanted to do that Makoto-san, and slowly, day by day, I gained courage from Makoto-san and how kind he really was to everyone, even when they weren't kind to him. I, love that about Makoto-san."

"L-Love?!"

Millicas' face went through many shades of red as she spluttered.

"I-I-I just m-mean t-that w-we did something t-that would…eeh, s-sorry! I didn't mean to put you on the spot or anything! I-I just really like Makoto-san! I-It's strange because my heart keeps beating fast, and all I keep thinking about when with Makoto-san is sitting on his lap, and cuddling him all day long! I-I even t-think about k-kissing sometimes! B-But, I'm too shy to a-actually do something like that! I-It's just…uuuuu, I don't know how to say it Makoto-san…b-but, I want to spend more time with Makoto-san."

After she was finished freaking out, Makoto put on a calming smile, giving the girls head a comforting pat.

"After this, we can spend as much time as you want together."

"But, what if I don't…"

"We're going to win." Millicas wasn't as confident as Makoto was. "Millicas-san, we're going to win, don't worry. Just do your best, as you don't even know it, but you've got amazing powers inside of your body. You can do it if you try your best."

Millicas turned her eyes downwards, as tears danced within her eyes.

"I-I know this is stupid…b-but, I'm scared…"

Makoto hugged her into his chest, Millicas offering no resistance as his hand calmly stroked the back of her head.

"I know sweetheart, I know. But, you don't have to be. I'm here, we're all here for you. We came together for you, and we'll beat back this piece of trash, we'll make him suffer, and pay too. We'll blow him away from you, and even if not, you'll blow him away yourself I know that you'd be able to do it too."

Makoto's words slowly brought a new sense of happiness to her being.

Though she still was worried about what would happen in the actual fight, and that brought down her confidence again, her worry always being something that she would have to personally overcome, she knew that to be true.

"I…lack confidence Makoto-san…"

"Then look at me." Using his thumb, he dragged up her face to meet his own. "Whenever you're in doubt, or afraid, look at me, look at Ravel-san, look at anyone that you think would be the best person to look and think about them and then your strength. But just remember, you're not alone, we're right here for you. No matter what else happens, we'll all fight together, and come out on top together, I can promise this. Even if this is Zephyrdor, he wants to have a fight, I say bring it on."

Millicas' face turns upwards even more, placing a hand on both sides of Makoto's face, and smiled enchantingly.

"Makoto-san…if we win…"

"When we win, you mean."

Millicas giggled, nodding her head.

"When we win…Makoto-san, I know that when we win, there's something that I want to tell you. So, when we win, will you listen to what I have to say too?"

Makoto nodded his head, knowing that it seemed important to her, and if it was to Millicas, then it was to him too, and he made sure that whatever was going on, he was going to make sure that she was going to be taken care of.

"Sure, I'll listen to anything you've got to say."

"Then, can I stay with you a little longer? Please Makoto-san…just a little longer would be nice…"

"Sure, stay as long as you want."

Millicas rested her head on Makoto's chest, snuggling against him. And even though he seemed confident…he was truly nervous himself, but he couldn't show that to Millicas this time, knowing that he needed to be strong this time.

By the time that Millicas was done hugging, she had fallen asleep, so Makoto put her in her room, and went back to his own room, and it was hitting him, how important this was, and how he had to pull out all the stops this time.

He didn't have time to think over the last few days, but now the time was drawing closer, and how this was Millicas, and how she was on the line here, he couldn't afford to make mistakes, he had to do it for the best thing ever.

Millicas was someone that helped him, someone that made him feel good, and better too.

But then that means that he would have to do his best, and that was a scary thought.

Of course, he did want to do his best for Millicas, he wanted to do his best, it was true.

But something inside of him was worried about what could happen. He tried pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, but now that they were truly close to the fight, he wished he had thought about it sooner, especially just after comforting Millicas, and the others during the past week or so.


By the time that he made it to his room, he saw that Serafall was siting down on the bed, and there was a certain…tension between the two of them.

It had been there since the first night that Serafall attempted to kiss him…

No, it was before that.

Ever since she came back from the Underworld, and how much time they had spent together, it was a hard thing to swallow, the tension between the two of them, and while she was perfectly willing, his own doubts stopped him from doing anything.

He couldn't dream of doing anything, because it was Serafall, his Master. He thought that laws would be against the pair of them doing anything, and even if they weren't…she was older than he was, and she probably wasn't looking for someone as inexperienced as he was.

Serafall herself couldn't hide her worry when seeing Makoto's down looking face, and how he seemed to be playing with many things in his mind. She was his King after all, and liked to think she could tell Makoto's worries by just a single glance, and this time, she was dead right that he was worrying about something big.

"Hey, my cute Ma-tan, you've been gone for a little while. I was getting worried."

The concern on her face was very real.

While he wasn't in danger, she still was worried, she had been for a little while now actually.

"Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so late…Millicas-san was just…going through something's, is all…I just needed to have a talk with her about it, and help raise her confidence from what it was before…I'd like to think that I have done well…"

Makoto walked over to the bed, as Serafall got on her knees, lifting her body so it was upright. Sliding across the bed, she grabbed Makoto's hand, and led him to the bed, allowing his body to fall against the bed, but his chest crushed against her own chest.

"Ma-tan, you know that I'm also worried for you."

Makoto's eyes fluttered, trying not to reveal anything.

"I'm okay, what matters is that Millicas-san is taken care of too."

He was diverting his own problems, something that Serafall knew all too well when it came to things like this.

"Yes, but my main concern is my Ma-tan. You're my Queen after all, I couldn't have my Ma-tan feeling worried, or scared, or anything else like that. I'm here for you. I know that during the beginning of your Devils life, I couldn't be here for you. But, I am here for you now…but, you keep pulling away from me."

"…I don't mean to do it, I'm just used to keeping things to myself…"

"But, you have your Onii-chan, and other things like your cute parents too. Don't you share with them when you're sad?"

To her surprise, he shook his head.

"I don't want to worry my parents or Onii-chan, so I don't really worry them with my problems…a-and this isn't about me anyway. This is about Millicas-san, not me. I'm just going to do my best to fight for what I wish to fight for…"

"It's okay Ma-tan, to be worried."

Serafall soothed, placing a hand on his cheek.

The touch alone caused him to sink against the hand. It was his Master's touch, Serafall's touch. He didn't know why, but he always felt better when she touched him. It didn't even have to mean anything sexual, just a single hug, a handshake, or any kind of physical touch from Serafall just made him feel, good inside of his body.

"Ma-tan, you know that I really do love you, right?"

"W-What are you saying all of a sudden!?"

Makoto was flabbergasted, but Serafall had a straight face.

"I'm seriously serious Ma-tan. Ma-tan thinks that it is wrong for us to do things because of my status as a Maou. My Queen is my Queen, and I will do what I want with my Queen. I don't care what others would say."

"M-Maybe you don't, but I care about what happens with you too! I don't want you to be the disgrace of the Underworld because of me! I don't want Sera-tan to face adversities because she wants to do something's with me…I mean, why would you even want to do something with me? Yumi-senpai is in this too because…you're both so beautiful, and way out of my league…I couldn't ever get a girl like the pair of you…it's just weird…"

Serafall hugged Makoto tightly, the boy trying to squirm away, but he couldn't get away. She held him tightly, and honestly, her face displayed the kindness that Makoto always longed for when someone would stare at him like that.

"Ma-tan is adorable though, I can't speak for Yumi-chan however. My feelings for Ma-tan are because he's very cute, cuddly, and also kind~ I've been witnessing it since I made you my Queen. Helping Asia-chan even to the point where you almost died. Helping Millicas-chan now even though you're very scared of not wanting to fail her either."

"I just was doing what others would do…"

Serafall denied that while shaking her head around.

"That isn't true Ma-tan! It takes special kind of bravery to do what you did! You, did so many things for that girl, is it any wonder why she has cute feelings for you? Is it any wonder why Asia-chan wishes to become your bride? You nearly died for her again and again. Asia-chan loves you because of that, and so do I. My Ma-tan is the best boy ever, and always has kindness for anyone else that comes within his path. My Queen, is my very adorable boy. I mean, look at your face, you're so cute! Delicious looking! I might've not been a Shotacon before, but you've turned me into a fully blown one!"

"T-That's so embarrassing…"

Serafall didn't care, and flipped Makoto onto the bed, getting on top of her, allowing her chest cushions to squish against his body, causing his face to heat up. Serafall, teasingly pinned his hands to the bed, to the side of his head, like she had captured him.

"Ma-tan, you think that you might not believe you did something wonderful, but you did. You've done nothing but amazing stuff since becoming a Devil. Protecting yourself, helping others, defying your orders, to follow what you think is right. Ma-tan is the best Queen I could've hoped for. No matter what comes my way, even if someone one thousand times stronger came alone, I do know that my Ma-tan one day is going to become the best Queen ever. I know that he is going to become the best Queen."

"Sera-tan I…if it was Onii-chan over me…w-with his Longinus, and all…"

It was always a thought.

If it was Ise, with the Longinus, Serafall probably would be raised up in status.

But with him as he was, he probably was looked down by other Queen's of the Maou. At least, that's how he thought of it, and worried about it, if he was just making her a disgrace because he wasn't lucky enough to be born with the Longinus.

He, just wished that he didn't embarrass Serafall, even though she didn't believe that for even a second.

"Longinus' don't matter to me Ma-tan. What does matter to me is who you are. You could be the weakest Queen ever, when that's not the case. Even if you were, it wouldn't bother me, because Ma-tans got a lovely spirit, and a fantastic heart. That heart, draws me closer and closer to my cute Queen. Because it is my Ma-tan, I can't resist you my Ma-tan. I enjoy everything about Ma-tan. His cuteness, his loving heart, and his inquisitive mind, everything about my Ma-tan is what I enjoy the most. Though Ma-tan was frightened, and alone, he still protected Asia-chan. I heard about it from Sona-chan and the others, how you truly felt during my absences, and how scared you felt…"

Makoto's eyes danced with tears, trying to get away from her, but Serafall kept his hands pinned, but not to the point that he would be hurt, knowing that this would be for the best now, and help him move on too, wishing that she had done it sooner.

"P-Please, let's not talk about that…"

"But Ma-tan, you know, it was also my fault that time…"

Serafall's eyes became teary too, facing down with a saddened smile.

"W-What are you saying?"

"It was my fault Ma-tan! If I…if I didn't have to go back to the Underworld, I could've stayed with Ma-tan and held him when he was sad. I basically abandoned Ma-tan when he needed me the most. I should've come back earlier, I should've done something more for Ma-tan, but he went through all of that because I couldn't even think that my Ma-tan was more important than any stupid Underworld work! I'm sorry Ma-tan, I didn't mean to put work in front of-"

"Sera-tan…please don't cry…"

By now, she was shedding tears.

Because she was positioned above him, her tears fell down onto his face, and ran down his cheeks too. Serafall looked cute when she was crying. He knew that he should be sad for her to cry about such things, he just couldn't get out of his mind that she looked adorable when she was showing such a face towards him.

"I'm sorry Ma-tan…it's just, I feel so bad right now…I feel like a failure as a King for you…you've been hurt so much before…and it isn't fair that Ma-tan always has to feel worried too…even with this, Ma-tan is worried too…I thought that I was doing a good thing by giving this chance, but maybe I've just made things worse…"

Before she could set into deep depression, Makoto jolted his head up, pressing his lips against Serafall's cheek, Serafall gasping as her with his head sunk down to the bed, falling on top of one another, staring at one another lovingly.

"Sera-tan, don't say that…this is all because of you, that this is happening."

"I just worry that maybe, if someone else was Ma-tans Master then maybe Ma-tan wouldn't of been hurt as much…"

"It was my decision, regardless if you had been here or not. I would've still helped Asia-chan, even if you had stayed here. Please, don't cry now Sera-tan, you've done great. Since you came back, I got stronger, I got to help Millicas-san because of you. I got my cute Kunou-chan as my pact partner because Sera-tan took me with her. I even got to have Asia-chan on the same group as myself, because Sera-tan selfishly gave up things for me. I mean, there's no guarantee that I'd ever get to have Evil Pieces, yet you brought Asia-chan back for your new Queen, someone that you didn't even really know about, and even Asia-chan who you didn't know, brought her back only for me. because of Sera-tan, maybe this is the most important…but I still live because of Sera-tan, and if I ever haven't said it, then I'll say it now…thank you for giving me a new chance at life."

Serafall lost control, and cried harshly. But, rather than sad tears, she cried tears of pure happiness, something that she couldn't contain. She was truly happy right now, thanks to Makoto giving her such words.

She was sure that he didn't like her, or that he might've been mad because he was made a Devil by her. But, to hear such things like that, the girl really couldn't help but love Makoto more and more, and was extremely happy that he was her Queen, as she wouldn't choose anyone else other than him to be her Queen.

"Ma-tan…"

Serafall leaned closer to his lips, but he pulled away the best that he could do.

"Sera-tan, I don't wanna disgrace you because of me being inadequate like this…I'm not good enough to kiss a-"

Makoto was cut off when Serafall pressed her lips against his own.

Immediately, his eyes, and her eyes widened with the new sensations rushing through the pair of them. New and interesting feelings deeply affecting them.

He tried to fight it, he tried to make her stop…but there was a problem.

He didn't want too.

He didn't want to stop the kiss, no matter how much trouble he thought she'd get into, or he would, the kiss was…it was amazing. The feeling of her lips were different to Yumi's, but he was just as hooked as he was to Yumi's own.

Serafall tasted differently to Yumi, but it was still amazing all the same. He enjoyed it so much that his hands stopped tightening around Serafall's, relaxing on the bed, with her hands releasing his own hands, and saw that he put up no struggles, places her hands on the side of his face, cupping it sweetly.

However, as they kissed, suddenly tears began coming from his eyes, so she broke the kiss, concerned.

"Ma-tan, what's wrong? Did you not like it?"

"I-I just kissed y-you and th-then Y-Yumi-senpai is g-going to h-hate me b-because I just d-did that w-with yo-you and y-you're a Maou-sama, a-and I actually just d-did that with you, y-you'll be in lots of t-trouble, I'm j-just s-sorry that I actually…"

He couldn't stand it now.

He didn't want to hurt Yumi, nor did he want to hurt Serafall either.

He cared about them both, and whatever he did, he wouldn't be able to do it happily.

A harem…was Ise's thing, Makoto didn't actually think it would be allowed to have such things. Even then, he wasn't sure how Yumi truly felt about such things either. He didn't want her to be hurt, yet Serafall wasn't something that he couldn't hurt either. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and he didn't know where he was going to be going with this now.

Serafall giggled, placing her hands under his eyes.

"Hey. I thought that it was serious then. Geez, don't scare me. Don't worry about Yumi-chan…in fact be right back!"

Serafall hopped off the bed, and rushed out of the room.

Makoto was left staring at the place where she left, unable to comprehend what was going on as he dried his eyes, but it was clear that they were red, and puffy from crying, so he wasn't able to hide such things.

He didn't have to wait long, as Yumi was carried in by Serafall, slamming the door shut with her food, and thrown at Makoto.

"Waaah!"

Because he wasn't expecting it, he was tackled onto the bed, his face and hers being quite close to one another's.

"Makoto-kun…w-what's going on?" She looked to his face, and saw his eyes. "H-Have you been crying Makoto-kun? What's wrong?"

"Yumi-chan~ Ma-tan thinks just because we've shared a cute kiss, that you hate him now~ Please tell him that's not the case~"

Though she was slightly jealous that Makoto shared a kiss with Serafall, she didn't hate Makoto, and told him so while he looked into her eyes with unsureness, the young girl smiling when seeing his face, and how cute he was in her eyes.

"Makoto-kun, did you really think that I'd hate you if you kissed your own Master?"

"A-Ah well…w-we did kiss f-first, a-and I thought t-that y-you might hate me…"

"Makoto-kun, the thing is, I really like you." Makoto's face tinges pink as she sits up, Makoto sitting up too, and he got on one side of him, Serafall on the other. "Makoto-kun, didn't I say before? Devils have harems, it's just something that is bound to happen, and Makoto-kun is no different. Honestly, I assumed that Makoto-kun had a secret desire to have a harem, growing up alongside Ise-kun and all."

"W-Well, Ise-nii is different to me, I always just assumed it wouldn't happen because, it is like against the law or something…is it…I don't know…I just assumed that it wouldn't happen…I mean even Matsuda-senpai and Motohama-senpai say the same things, yet they aren't going to get one either…but if Yumi-senpai says it then…"

Yumi places her lips against Makoto's briefly, then passes his body towards Serafall, who hugs him tightly.

"Don't worry Makoto-kun~ I still want to be with Makoto-kun, even if you kiss Serafall-sama, even if it is others, as long as there is room in Makoto-kun's life for me too, then I am satisfied. Besides, Serafall-sama is your Master, and if she was around first then I am sure you would've gone for her first anyway…"

"N-No! I've liked Yumi-senpai since the beginning!"

"Fufu, that's good, because I have liked Makoto-kun since the beginning too. But now, why don't we all go to sleep?"

Serafall clapped her hands as she threw Makoto down onto the bed.

"Ooh yes! That's a great idea Yumi-chan! Bedtime Ma-tan!"

Together, Serafall and Yumi climbed into bed with Makoto, clinging to his body tightly, Yumi on his right, and Serafall on his left. Looking between the pair of them, he didn't think that this would ever actually happen.

"S-So, this isn't bad, right?"

Asking for confirmation, Yumi responded by kissing him gently on the lips, and then pulled away, resting on his chest with her head.

"Yes, it is. Good night Makoto-kun."

"Y-Yes, good night."

Serafall adopted a cute smile on her lips, and before he was ready for it, she crushed her lips against Makoto's own, making him groan out, and then she pulled herself away from the boy, resting her head on the other side of his chest.

"Night Ma-tan! Told you this would work out great! Yay, me and Yumi-chan are the first members of the harem of Ma-tan! Oooooooh! I could search for girls for Ma-tan! What a wonderful idea Ma-tan! Oh, also add Asia-chan too since she is a naughty girl too!"

"S-Sera-tan that's…"

Serafall didn't listen, and just smiled as she kissed his chest, causing his cheeks to turn red.

However, suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and before even waiting for them to answer, the door was opened to reveal, Millicas, Asia, Elmen, and Kalawarner all stood there, in their night clothes, besides Kalawarner who just opted to wear a pair of panties.

"W-What are you girls doing here?"

It was the obvious question, but it was met with wide smiles.

"As my Queen for this tournament, we have to always stick together Makoto-san, so I wish to sleep in your bed too."

"A-And, me too Makoto-san! T-Though I'm like this, I'm also your fiancée too!"

"Aah…I'm your best friend ever, so let's share a bed too~"

"I just wanna share a bed with a cute Shota-kun too~"

Makoto placed a hand on the side of his head, nodding his head.

"It's going to be cramped, but sure…why not."

Immediately they jumped onto the bed, and took positions.

Elmen hugged his right leg, and Kalawarner on the left. Asia squeezed between Yumi and himself, though Yumi managed to keep a hold on his arm, and Millicas did the same thing between him, and Serafall, but as with Yumi, Serafall kept a tight hold on his arm, the blonde Asia, and the redhead resting their heads on his stomach.

Serafall gained a wide smile, looking at each of the girls, and could even see that Koneko and Akeno both were outside of the door, pondering if they were going to come in too, and then looked towards the blushing Makoto.

"Ooh my cute Ma-tan, I told you that you were gaining a harem~"

Makoto looked between Yumi, Asia, Millicas, Elmen, Kalawarner, and Serafall, and felt himself smiling. This wasn't his dream by any means, but he didn't want to hurt either Yumi or Serafall, and having taken a liking to both, he didn't want to have to decide, so he was glad that they were okay with this arrangement, and even then…the other girls seemed to be determined for their own reasons too.


End chapter!

So yeah, that's the end of the training session…well, more like bonding than training, but his training did happen during these times, and will show during the Rating Game, maybe even a small flashback if something important comes up during the match, with any of the members, with said match starting next chapter! Not only Makoto, but the others are going to also show their stuff too! But for this chapter, major leaps happening with Koneko, Millicas, Yumi, and especially Serafall too, with her kissing him on the lips for the first time.

Oh, and thanks for everyone who voted! It truly did help me decide!

So, look forward to the Rating Game starting next chapter, and until next time!

Issei; Rias, Yura, Aika, Bennia, Jeanne, Walburga, Xenovia, Mittelt, Reya, Mira, Katase, Murayama. (WIP)

Makoto; Serafall, Yumi, Millicas (fem), Irina, Gabriel, Asia, Koneko, Kuroka, Rossweisse, Kalawarner, Ravel, Kunou, Tiamat, Akeno, Vali (fem), Sona, Le Fay, Elmenhilde. (WIP)