[Undertale OST: 022 - Snowdin Town]
BANG!
The dull clanging of metal echoed through the blue sky.
"All right. I've got this one."
I quickly caught the gliding baseball with my gloved hand.
"Nice catch, Aki."
I received thumbs up from the smiling Rias-buchou. We, the Occult Research Club, are practicing baseball on the backyard of the old school building where no grass was growing. By the way, this is not a Devil's job.
"Next week is Kuou Academy's 'Ball Tournament'. It's a battle between clubs that we can't lose."
That's what Rias-buchou said with a strong voice. Yes, one of the school's biggest events, the "Ball tournament", is closing in. Overall, it is an event where we play ball-related sports, such as baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. These matches include contests between classes, genders and obviously, there are also some between clubs. Whether or not you belong to a sports club, it's club mandatory; naturally, that includes the Occult Research Club. What the clubs actually play is announced on the day of the event, we don't know what it will be. When club member numbers differ, the set up is for fair play, at least number wise. According to the Student Council announcement, some sports may require more players, so we need to make sure we have the reserves. And in conclusion, we are practicing sports for the occasion. Today happens to be baseball. As it was evening, the sky was beginning to darken. Typically, we spend our time chatting away in the clubroom. Recently, we began to change into our PE uniforms and practice sports. Well, while I don't hate moving around for fun, for someone like me who trains in the morning, my stamina is drained the entire day. Training in the morning, lectures at school, practicing sports and Devil's jobs at night... These are my current duties that could lead to my death… Well, it can't be helped since I'm a Devil…
"Batting practice is fine now. If it's baseball, then Koneko will be the fourth batter."
"...Affirmative."
Well it is natural for the superhuman girl, Koneko, to be the fourth batter. No need to complain about that. Even if we voted on it, Koneko would have won.
"Now we'll practice a knock (Hard hit)! Everyone put your gloves on and spread out!"
Rias-buchou is filled with energy. She is so energetic and lively that she is basically burning.
"Ufufufu. Buchou likes these kinds of things."
Said Akeno while chuckling.
"I think I understand. Our Master hates to lose."
"Yes, that's it. Of course, there's no way that we can lose unless we make mistakes."
I approved. As Devils who are essentially stronger than humans, on the sports day we will have to hold back. Naturally, we wouldn't have a hard match. On the other side, we had to learn the rules and features of baseball. Which is the reason why Rias-buchou is making us practice.
"Even if your brain knows, your body has to as well."
Said Rias-buchou. That's rather a remarkably tough attitude. That's our Rias-buchou, theory and practicality. Regardless of our superior builds, this is necessary because we don't know what might happen.
"Here, Asia! Here I go!"
KLANG!
Rias-buchou hit the ball towards Asia.
"Haaan! Aaau-aaau-aaau... Aah!"
The ball went through Asia's legs. Needless to say, Asia's sports sense is below exceptional. At times, she'll even trip over nothing.
"Asia! If you fail to catch it, go fetch it!"
"Yes!"
Since the Raiser incident, Rias-buchou started to show a lot of concern about matches. She doesn't want that to happen again. But, at that time they overpowered us. But that damaged Rias-buchou's pride... If I were much stronger…
"Next is Yuuto! Here!"
KLANG!
Rias-buchou hit the ball to Kiba. This should be a piece of cake for Kiba; he's the fastest runner in our group. He can do pretty much anything. That was what I thought…
"..."
SMACK!
Kiba stood there like an idiot and got hit. Hey!
"Kiba! Get a hold of yourself!"
I yelled at Kiba. He then looks at me with a confused expression!
"...Aah, sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Kiba picked up the ball and threw it back to Rias-buchou. Rias-buchou caught the ball with a sigh.
"Yuuto, what's wrong? You've been acting rather strange lately. It's not like you."
"I'm sorry."
Kiba honestly apologized. Rias-buchou is right. This guy has been thinking about something serious lately. Even during discussions in the Occult Research Club, he would look somewhere else and not participate. I even heard that it became a hot topic in his classroom, "A prince in his thoughts." The girls are worried and excited over his expression. But even I thought that he is acting strange lately. This guy was always smiling so this is rather unexpected... If my instinct is right, he started acting strange after we had that club "activity" in my house. Was it the photo? In the Raiser match, his voice concealed some hatred while he spoke to the enemy "Knight". Apparently, Kiba is like this because of "Holy swords". But that's that; for now we have to work hard for the "Ball Tournament".
"Hmmm…"
Oh, Rias-buchou picked up a baseball manual. Rias-buchou tends to read when things come up. She is relatively a bookworm. At home she reads some complicated texts.
"Ara ara. By the way, Aki-kun, did you know?"
Asked Akeno.
"What do I know?"
"Recently, Buchou started reading a love manual."
"...A love manual?"
I don't know what to think of it... For Rias-buchou to be reading a book about love... Does this mean she found someone that she likes...? Maybe she is curious about love…? I don't really know…
Akeno begins to laugh.
"Ufufufu. Aki-kun, do you know it's impossible for Buchou to have a lover while you're around?"
"Are you sure about that? I'll believe in you."
"If Buchou were in your shoes, she'd be deeply shocked. Ufufufu, it's her first time. You'll be in trouble, Aki-kun."
"?"
While I didn't understand what Akeno was trying to say, it's not important for me right now.
"Okay, continuing!"
Rias-buchou swung her bat once, and the training resumed.
Lunch time, the next day.
The "Ball tournament" is approaching. Today we would most likely train hard as well. We were informed to go to the clubroom after lunch. Apparently, this would be our last meeting. Rias-buchou sure is serious.
"Club-room today as well?" Asked Makoto while eating his curry-bread.
"Yes, training for the tournament."
"The occult research club practicing to play ball. But... everyone in your club is athletic, right?"
"Yes."
We're Devils after all. Compared to humans, we're strong.
"Aki. Have you seen Occultic;Nine." Maes said suddenly while fixing his glasses.
"Yes, there are some messed up things in that anime."
"You have to see Trickster, it's interesting I can tell you that, and the other one is Drifters, it has a lot of blood and deaths."
"Hmmm… Seems interesting."
I got interested. It's because I'm an anime fan.
"I think you have seen them, but I recommend watching Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru, Shokugeki no Souma, Tales of Zestiria the X, and Nejimaki Seirei Senki."
"Yes, I have seen them. I agree with you."
The anime mentioned by my friend received good ratings. I really liked them.
As enjoyable as lunchtime with my friends is, I have to go to the clubroom. I left after putting my empty lunch box in my bag. Where's Asia? Oh, she's having her lunch with another girl in the corner. I'm glad that she's fitting in. She did tell me that she made a friend.
"Sorry Makoto and Maes, I'll leave now for the club room."
"Oh, you're working hard. That's good for you."
"Were you that into sports?"
"Can't help it. This is an order from Buchou. And since I'm training I'll definitely win this."
"Energetic. Until recently you only became hyped up over anime related stuff."
"You really did change. Did you eat something bad? Does your life change when you get popular?"
"Well, it's amazing to be popular I can tell you that. I got to go now, so bye."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Did I really change? Really? Well... I did turn into a Devil.
"Hey Asia. Finished lunch?"
"Asia, your boyfriend is calling."
The glasses wearing girl sitting near Asia, Kiryuu Aika, said so with a perverted face.
"Boyfriend? Boyfriend!"
Flustered. I've never seen her like this before. Well, any girl would get flustered if someone calls her close guy friend her "boyfriend".
"Huh? I'm wrong? But the two of you are always together, so I thought you two were going out."
"That's...Auu..."
Asia's face began to turn crimson. If you say something like that in a classroom, everyone will look at you... And I'll get embarrassed!
"Hmmm… Is that so? You guys look like a couple. You 're always together and get along well, kind of like a combination. You guys are also living together with your parents' permission, right? That's a young boy and a girl living under the same roof. That'll be... Mufufufu. By the way, I was the one who told her about 'bathing together'! So? Did you enjoy it?"
"It was you! What do you mean combination? Don't say things as if we were robots that can combine! It's rude! I can't do something like that to Asia!"
That's right! I'm the one who has to protect Asia! So I can't do something like that!
"Hmm… That's weird. Asia likes... Mugah!"
Asia covered Kiryuu's mouth with both hands.
"Aaaah! Please stop, Kiryuu-san!"
Asia...? I'd never seen her face so red before... Her eyes were watery as well. Does Kiryuu hold some secret that Asia doesn't want me to know? Hmmm… It's probably girls' talk so it's hard for me to intrude.
"Anyway, Asia. We were told to go to the club room so let's go."
"Okay!"
Asia had yet to calm down. Well, discussing things like this is too stimulating for her when you consider where she was raised. Even I would feel embarrassed if I were told that she were my girlfriend... But, if Asia were my girlfriend, then I would live a happy life. However, right now, I have stronger feelings of protection for Asia. I couldn't consider my life without Asia any more. Asia's smile became a part of it. Thinking about my happy life, we neared the clubroom.
When we entered the room, the other members were already there…and there were also those who didn't belong to the club here as well.
I got shocked when I saw the person sitting on the sofa besides the club members.
"Student Council President…"
Yes, the person sitting on the sofa is our school, Kuou Academy's Student-President-sama. Student Council President is a beautiful and slender female student, and has a cold and strict atmosphere around her. She is so beautiful that she doesn't look Japanese, but her name is Shitori Souna. She is my senior who is in third year. At school she is the third most popular. Of course the most popular is Rias-buchou, followed by Akeno. She has a scary atmosphere that won't let anyone come near her. It's also because she has the eyes of a strict person, but she is also quite the beauty. She's more popular amongst female students than male students, and she may be more popular than Rias-buchou and Akeno with girls. If I looked carefully, there is one other male student besides Kaichou who is from the student council.
"Oh so you didn't mention us to Akita, Rias-senpai? It's also weird not to notice us, when we are Devils as well."
Isn't this the guy who joined the student council recently as a secretary of the council? Kaichou then said it quietly to the secretary guy,
"Takumi, it can't be helped because we are not supposed to contact each other at normal times. Also it hasn't been that long since he became a Devil. Akita-kun is responding like he is supposed to."
What? By the way she just clarified, then that means that the people of the student council are also Devils…? So there are other Devils the members of the occult research club! Akeno explained to me who got really surprised.
"The Kaichou, Shitori Souna-sama's real name is Sona Sitri. She's a High-class Devil who is the next heir of the house of Sitri."
She is a High-class Devil? And she is from the house of Sitri? I'm not actually sure about it, but I know that it's a significant house just like Rias-buchou's and the house of Phoenix! What… I became flabbergasted. I became really stunned to find out that there is another High-class Devil in this school! Akeno then further explained to me.
"The house of Sitri is one of the 72 pillars that survived the Great War just like the house of Gremory and the house of Phoenix. This school is actually controlled by the house of Gremory, but at daytime, it is the student council…in other words the house of Sitri is in control. The time of being in charge is split between day-time and night-time."
Is that so… Then the members of the student council are… The secretary guy spoke,
"You guys are getting peaceful school life because Kaichou and us, the Devil servants of Sitri, are working at daytime. It won't be bad for you to remember that, you know? By the way, my name is Takumi Nishijou. I'm in second year, and I am Kaichou's "Pawn"."
"You are in the same year as me and also a "Pawn" just like me!"
What an unexpected meeting! I'm somewhat happy. For there to be another [Pawn] besides me and also in the same year as me! The secretary guy, Takumi, made a reply.
"Well it's nice to meet you, fellow pawn."
"Nice to meet you too."
He seems like a nice guy.
"By the way, even if I look like this, I'm a "Pawn" that consumed 4 pieces of "Pawns". I also just turned into a Devil."
Takumi made a comment, while Kaichou looks at him.
"Takumi."
"Yes Kaichou!"
"The reason we came here is to introduce our new servants amongst fellow High-class Devils where we both have this school as our base. In other words it is a meeting to introduce you and Rias's servants, Akita-kun and Asia-san. I will tell you more about Akita-kun."
Kaichou then looks at me.
"Takumi, you can't win in a battle against Akita-kun right now. He is the one who defeated the third son of the house of Phoenix. Consuming 8 "Pawn" pieces are not just for show."
"8 pieces? Wait, this is the guy who defeated the Phoenix! I did not know that. I thought that it was Kiba or Himejima-senpai who rescued Rias-senpai…"
What? What are they on about? Takumi is looking at me with an amazed expression. Am I that amazing? Then Kaichou bowed her head down.
"I am sorry Akita Akio-kun, Asia Argento-san. My servant hasn't experienced as much battles as you two, that's because he is new. If it's okay, can you please get along with him?"
Kaichou said it to us while smiling. I think you call this a cold smile. I didn't feel anything bad from the smile, so she must be a person who can only smile like this.
"Takumi."
"Yes! Please get along with me."
Takumi also bowed his head down at me. He seems well mannered.
"Yes. Let's get along."
Asia replied back with a big smile. Asia sure is a good child.
"Asia-san, let's get along."
Takumi replied to Asia. Well that's nice.
"Takumi-kun! Please look after me as well!"
I said it with a smile. Then he also smiled.
"Yes, Let's get along Akita-kun."
We made comments to each other. It's good to meet other fellow Devils! He seems like he will be a good friend. Actually, he is my friend! Asia seems happy about gaining a new friend.
"They seem to get along."
"Yes, I agree."
Rias-buchou and Kaichou both smile while looking at us.
"In my opinion, I think the members of the student council are stronger than the members of your club."
Takumi said. So the members of the student council belong to Kaichou's household and are Kaichou's servants. Kaichou took a sip of green tea and said it with a small voice,
"I love this school. I also think that the work of the student council is worth the effort. That's why I will not forgive those that ruin the peaceful life of this school. Whether they are human or Devils. That applies to you, the people in here, and also Rias."
I understood immediately that those words were directed to us the new Devils that are I, Asia and Takumi. In other words she will not forgive anyone that ruins the school life. So this person loves this school, Kuou Academy, that much. No wonder she is the kaichou.
"I think this is enough for introducing our beginners. Then we will pardon ourselves now. There's also a document which I want to finish during lunch time."
Kaichou got up and tried to leave.
"Kaichou… No… Sona Sitri-sama. I will be in your care from now."
"Yes! Please take care of us!"
I bowed my head towards Kaichou and greeted her, and Asia did the same. It's a greeting as a newbie Devil. She is a High-class Devil and also Rias-buchou's friend. I think it's an understandable thing to do as a new Devil of the Gremory household.
"Yes, let's get along."
Kaichou replied and smiled at us.
"Rias, I will be looking forward to the "Ball Tournament"."
Kaichou said to Rias-buchou with a smile, before she left the room.
"Yes, me as well."
Rias-buchou smiled back at her. I understood immediately that these two are really close. Then she could have helped us in the argument between the old houses from the preceding incident. But then I thought that it's not that simple to put your head inside the problems between High-class Devils. Or did she believe that Rias-buchou would be able to clear the problem herself? Kaichou left the room after saying that.
"Aki, Asia. Get along with Takumi-kun. You will also meet the other members of the student council who are Devils, but don't fight with them. Since we are all spending our school life at the same school. Okay?"
Rias-buchou said to us while smiling.
"Yes!"
If Rias-buchou says that, then I will listen to her without complaining! I won't fight them. But for there to be Devils besides us at this school… Seems like there are more secrets within this school…
BANG! BANG!
The sound of the start of the ball tournament echoed in the sky. From today's weather broadcast, it's going to rain in the evening. Please don't rain until the tournament finishes.
[Saji Genshirou-kun of the "Manga research club", Hitomi Ishigami-sensei is calling you. Can you please come to the teacher's room immediately?]
The speaker that is placed throughout the school ground is making endless amount of announcements. All of us members got changed into our PE uniform and gathered at one place and resting up till the start of the match. But the club matches are at the end. First of all, there are the class matches. I think my class is going to compete in baseball. Asia and I also have to participate. The practice we did after school wasn't in vain. After that there is a match amongst genders. Then after lunch there is a match between clubs. I did some light exercises as a warm up. Asia is stretching with the help of Akeno. Koneko is sitting on the plastic mattress on the ground reading the rulebook for ball games. Kiba…is still thinking about something. He had been staring at the sky. Rias-buchou went to check the category sports for the club matches… Oh… She came back. Rias-buchou, who just came back, is smiling fearlessly.
"Fufufu, we have won this match already."
"Buchou, so what are the sports we are playing then?"
"Dodge ball!"
I only had a bad feeling about this.
"Buchou! You can do it!"
I'm cheering for Rias-buchou from the tennis court fence. Rias-buchou is in a tennis uniform that has a mini skirt. Rias-buchou is representing the girls of her class, and competing against other senior girls.
SLAM!
Rias-buchou is playing around with her opponent with her smooth move, but the opponent was quite good as well!
"Kaichou-sama! Kyaaaa!"
The girls are shouting with a high-pitched voice. Yes, Rias-buchou's opponent is none other than the student council president, Shitori Souna.
"Ufufufu. It's wonderful that we can see a match between High-class Devils in a place like this."
Akeno is also enjoying watching it beside me. It was just like she said. I never expected that there would be a match between the High-class Devils here. And both of them weren't holding back. They are seriously hitting the ball with their racket.
"Here I come, Sona!"
"Yes, you may, Rias!"
Both of them are exchanging words like that, and they are both really into this match. It looked like a situation in a sports-comedy manga! Even I'm getting fired up just looking at them!
"Kaichou! Please win!"
Ah, Takumi is also cheering in the fence opposite of me. He is even swinging a flag that is written "Student Council" on it. Wow, he's also fired up!
"Take this! Shitori-style spin-ball!"
The ball Kaichou had just hit went rushing towards Rias-buchou.
"You are too naïve! Take this Gremory-style counter!"
Rias-buchou tried to hit it back with her racket, but the ball changed its direction and went down! Is that a magic ball?
"15-30"
"No, it's Kaichou's point!"
"You are doing well Souna. To be expected from my rival."
"Ufufu. Rias, you haven't forgotten the promise where the loser has to pay for the udon with all the toppings at Kobashiya, have you?"
"Yes, I haven't. It will be my shame if you taste that before me. That's why I will definitely win! Did you know that I have 108 styles of magic ball?"
"I will accept that challenge. I will hit back all the balls that come into my "Shitori-Zone"."
I don't know why but both of their eyes were burning... But princesses, why is the thing you two are betting so…common? Well maybe that's the good thing about Rias-buchou and Kaichou. Maybe they started to have sense as human because they lived in the humans' world for so long. After the entire final match between Rias-buchou and Kaichou lasted so long, that both of their rackets broke and they both got first places. Well, of course, a normal racket would break if they do an intense rally like that. Then the tournament moved to the club matches…
"Bloomer…"
I became surprised after seeing what Asia was wearing. It was not the school's PE uniform shorts but a bloomer! Before the start of the club matches, Asia suddenly disappeared, and when I thought she came back she was wearing a bloomer. Asia was wriggling while making her face red.
"…Umm…I heard from Kiryuu-san. That the proper uniform for dodge ball is a bloomer…and also that Aki-san will be happy if I wore this…"
Kiryuu! That damn bitch! Why on earth did she teach Asia this shameless thing! Dammit! Kiryuu's, also known as "Master-mind", actions are making me angry!
"You don't like it?"
Asia asked me with a shy voice while looking up at me…
"No… It's great, Asia."
Asia smiled after she heard my reply.
"Raise your spirit up, you two."
Rias-buchou is still energetic even after that intense tennis. Well, I also got fired up!
"Yes! I'm getting fired up! I'm not going to lose!"
"Good reply, Aki! I will give you a reward if you work hard!'
Rias-buchou is rewarding me? That's fine by me!
"Yes!"
I definitely can't lose!
"Aki-san how about you hand that out to everyone?"
Asia said that to me. There is something I have that I wanted to give to everyone. Fufufu, I made it last night.
"Everyone! Let's put this as a team!"
What I got out is a Bandana, which had embroidery "Occult Research Club" imprinted on it. It was handmade by me.
"Ara, you are well prepared."
The first one to take it from me is Rias-buchou.
"Yes, Aki is more skillful than I thought. It's well made."
"I'm secretly practicing."
Yes I was using my spare time to practice making it. I'm not good with home economics, but I believed that I would get good at it if I practiced little by little every day. Thanks to it I gained a skill for it. Well, it's not good if you compare it to one made by a person skillful at it, but it still should look good.
"…It's good."
Thank you Koneko!
"Ara ara. Certainly the other clubs are wearing an item to symbolize the team. Like uniforms and caps."
"That's right Akeno-san! That's why I also made it!"
Everyone took them from my hand and put them on their head. It made me happy. It is worth the effort making them at night. Then I gave it to Kiba who is still acting weird.
"Here Kiba."
"…Yes…Thanks…"
"…Let's concentrate on winning now."
"…Win, huh…Yes…Winning is important…"
Hmm? He sounded as if he meant something. He seemed like he lost at something.
[Members of the occult research club and the baseball club. Please gather at the ground.]
The announcement that called for us! Our battle was about to start!
"Aim for him! Aim for Akita!"
"Screw you guys!"
I'm shouting while I'm dodging incredibly fastballs. The match between clubs that started! The sport we had to do is dodge ball and our first opponent was the baseball club. These guys couldn't hit anyone besides me from their viewpoints!
Rias-buchou. She is one of the "Two Great Onee-samas'". She is a really popular school idol. Can't aim for her.
Akeno. She is one of the "Two Great Oneesamas'". School idol. Can't aim for her.
Asia. She is the Angel and the number one beautiful girl of the second year. And also a Blondie! Can't aim for her.
Koneko. She is a small girl who is our school mascot. You feel bad if you hit her.
Kiba. Enemy of every male student in our school, but the girls will hate you if you hit him. Can't aim for him.
Aki, that's me. Everyone thought, "I don't understand why that guy belongs to the occult research club". It's not a problem if you hit him. No, you have to hit him instead. Aim every ball at him!
I felt like I could hear their thoughts! The ultimate way to eliminate me! And everyone's evil intents concentrate at me! From every student of this school!
"Hit Aki!"
"Asia-chan! Bloomer is the best! Aki, get hit!"
"Please! Take Akita down! For Rias-oneesama's sake! For Akeno-oneesama's sake!"
"We have to retrieve Asia-san back to us!"
"Hit him!"
"Hit him! For Koneko-chan's sake!"
"You wouldn't have gotten hit if you didn't come out!"
Even the crowds are telling me to get hit! Screw all of you! All of their eyes are sending killing intent that is directed at me! Damn it! Why did this happen? My bad feeling turned into reality!
"All of the balls are concentrated towards Aki! In terms of strategy, this would be "sacrifice"! Aki, this is a chance!"
"Buchou! I will do my best! Dammit! I'm not doing this for fun!"
If Rias-buchou is counting on me, then I had to work hard even if that meant using my body as a shield! Koneko blocked a ball aimed at me. Then she used the ball to take down the opponent in one shot! Yes! At this rate we could get first place! The only thing left to do was for me to dodge the ball and run! When I was thinking like that, one big built baseball boy came and aimed for Kiba!
"Dammit! I don't care whether I get hated! You damn handsome!"
That guy has so much hatred towards handsome guys that he aimed for Kiba instead of me. At least he didn't aim for me.
"What are you doing gazing around for?"
I went towards Kiba while shouting because he was still in his own world. I stood in front of him to protect him.
"…Ah. Aki-kun?"
Ah Aki-kun? My foot! What are you doing? And the ball came towards me! Can't be helped! I will use my body to stop the ball! When I was thinking like that, the ball hit me on the stomach.
SMASH!
"…!"
A direct hit…my stomach…got hit by…a ball…Guhaa…I held my stomach because of the insane pain it gave me…it is really painful…The club members came rushing at me. Rias-buchou held me up.
"…Buchou…my…stomach…"
"I have the ball! You did well Aki! Now, it's time to hunt down the prey who took down my cute Aki!"
Rias-buchou…you have really scary eyes…but…seriously my stomach…I can't even breathe…
"Ara ara. Buchou. His stomach is in a bad condition."
…That's right Akeno…Rias-buchou seems to realize the situation and became speechless…
"…! How can this be! Asia, please come over here!"
"Yes… Did Aki-san get hurt…?"
"Yes, apparently his stomach. Can you heal him behind the building?"
"Stomach? I got it!"
"Koneko. Can you take Aki to a place where there's no one around?"
"…Affirmative."
…Looks like they were discussing about something while I'm in pain.
"Buchou…I'm sorry that I couldn't be of much use…"
"It's alright, Aki. You did well. Leave the rest to us."
Rias-buchou patted gently at my cheek with her hand.
GRAB!
Someone grabbed me by my collar.
DRAG!
I was getting dragged. Of course the one dragging me is Koneko.
"Aki-san! Please keep a hold of yourself!"
Asia is cheering me while following me.
"This is a battle of revenge for Aki!"
I could hear Rias-buchou's energetic and mad voice from far away. She sounded as if I had died… If Rias-buchou gets serious, then it should be all right even without Koneko… Like this, I retired for the first match temporarily and was dragged behind the gym.
I was taken behind the gym where there were 0 sights of other people… My stomach still hurts…
"Aki-san, I will start healing."
"…Sure…"
Asia has a Sacred Gear "Twilight Healing" that can even heal Devils. It's also the lifeline of our group. It has a splendid healing ability and can heal most injuries immediately. I was sure it could also heal this damage… There was a warm light coming out of her hands. At the same time I could feel the pain disappearing from there. Amazing… What a warm light… The pain is disappearing as if it was just a dream… So Asia's Sacred Gear also works significantly for my stomach…
"…A situation I can't describe by words."
Koneko made a sigh. That's rare.
"Aki-san. Please rest for a bit."
I was lying down and Asia approached me and lifted my head… Then I felt a really soft sensation from my head. This sensation was the feeling of a thigh. Am I getting a "Thigh pillow"? Are you serious?
"Aki-san, you looked really happy when Buchou was doing this to you… Maybe I might not be good enough…"
That's not true! It's good!
"…Thank you..."
I thanked her.
"I'm glad to help."
[The Occult research club wins!]
The good news that the announcement just made also reached my ears.
RAIN
It is raining hard outside. We are lucky that it rained after the tournament.
SLAP!
There is also a bitter sound that echoed along with the sound of rain. Rias-buchou just slapped someone. Not me. It is Kiba.
"How is it? Did you wake up?"
Rias-buchou is rather angry. For the ball tournament, we, the occult research club, got first place. Me, Asia and Koneko went back and obtained first place as a whole team… But there is one person who didn't cooperate. I'm talking about Kiba. He did contribute a couple of times but he was doing nothing most of the time. Rias-buchou got angry with him a couple of times during the match but he didn't seem to care. I would have gotten angry if Rias-buchou didn't. Even if he got his cheek slapped, Kiba still didn't make any expression nor talked. What is this guy? Is he really Kiba? Because of the sudden change he looked like a totally different person. He was a good-looking guy who always had a refreshing face. Then he suddenly made the usual smiley face.
"Are you done now? The ball tournament has finished as well. We won't be practicing anymore so can I take a rest until it's nighttime? I'm a bit tired so I will take a break from the usual club activity. I'm sorry for my behavior this noon. Seems like I didn't feel well today."
"Kiba, you are really weird lately?"
"It's none of your concern."
I asked him but Kiba replied coldly with a smiley face.
"Even I'm getting worried about you."
"Worried? Who worries about whom? I think it's normal for Devils to live by how they want. Well, I think I'm at fault for not listening to my master this time."
Hmmm, maybe I should tell him a bit. But why am I supposed to do this? It's usually the other way around. I say something, and Kiba calms me down.
"It's troublesome a situation like this when we are trying to form a proper group. That's how we felt after we went through that bitter experience in the previous match. Remember. Don't we have to cover for each other's weak points from now on? We are comrades."
"Comrades…"
Kiba then made a gloomy face.
"Yes, comrades."
"You are always burning… Aki-kun, lately I started to remember the basic things."
"Basic?"
"Yes, that's right. The reason why I am fighting."
"Isn't it for Buchou?"
That's what I thought. That's what I believed in hard. Just by my own thinking. But he rejected it immediately.
"No. I'm living so I can seek my revenge. Holy-sword Excalibur. Destroying that is the reason why I am living."
Kiba had a face with a strong determination. That time, I thought that I had seen his real face.
Yuuto Kiba is walking without using an umbrella under the heavy rain.
He thinks it's a good rain that can cool his head off.
He had a fight with Rias Gremory.
He rebelled for the first time against his master who saved his life. It was a failure as "Yuuto Kiba".
He had never once forgotten his revenge towards the holy-sword Excalibur. He was just getting forgetful with the lifestyle at school.
He had made comrades, obtained a lifestyle, and received a name. He also received a purpose in life from his master, Rias Gremory.
Asking for more happiness is a bad thing. It's certainly bad.
Until he achieves his purpose, He has never thought that he can continue to live on behalf of his comrades.
Splash.
He heard a sound of water that is different from the sound of rain.
There is a priest in front of him. By hanging a cross around their neck, they speak of the holiness in the name of God that he so despise.
They are one of the things he hates. The target of his hatred… He even thinks that he don't mind killing him if he is an exorcist.
The priest has a blood patch on his stomach and when he coughs out some blood, he falls down.
It looks like someone attacked him.
Sensing an abnormal presence, Yuuto Kiba created a demonic-sword instantly. There is killing intent.
SPARK!
There is a reflection of a metal under the rain, then there's a spark.
When he moves his body towards the place where the killing intent is coming from, there is someone wielding a long sword that comes to attack him.
This person is wearing same clothes as the priest that just died in front of him.
A priest, but this one is giving off a powerful killing intent clearly.
"Yahoo. It's been a while."
He knows the boy priest who is giving a disgusting smile.
He is the white-haired crazy priest, Freed Zelzan. He's the one he fought in the previous incident involving the Fallen-Angels.
He is showing the same disgusting smile that is ticking him off like before.
"...Looks like you are still in this town. What is your business today? I'm sorry, but I'm in a really bad mood today."
Yuuto Kiba said that with an angry tone, but he simply laughs it off.
"Well that's good timing. Wonderful! In my case I'm so happy that I'm going to shed some tears because of my reunion with you!"
He has a cocky way of talking. He really hates the priest.
Yuuto Kiba tries to make a demonic-sword in his left hand; the long sword the priest is wielding starts to emit a holy aura.
Yuuto Kiba couldn't forget that light, aura, and glow.
"I was getting bored of priest hunting, so this really is a good timing. Very Good… Nice timing indeed. My Excalibur and your demonic sword, can you let me check which one is stronger? Hahahahaha! I will repay you by killing you!"
The sword the priest has is the Holy-sword Excalibur itself.