~ 9 ~
This is a few days to a week after leaving the forest. When we got out, I had the debacle of figuring out getting clothes for Nevarra. Understandable, given she hasn't much use for clothes when primarily in her other form. Rias and Akeno were kind enough to help shop for anything needed. Tiamat had her own set, when I asked her why she was naked when I met her the first time around she said she hates wearing clothes while in Dragon form.
...Well people have their quirks.
Nevarra's crashing in my place now, though she stays in her wolf form as it's the most comfortable for her. Those cases include walking with me to school, then simply waiting at the club-room until after school. The looks on the student's faces were priceless to say the least; for the past few days they were watching a live rendition of Hachikō with a wolf. Another is when she sleeps in my room; thankfully she wears sleepwear before changing into a wolf.
Tiamat makes a habit of visiting every so often. She has business to do too as a Dragon King even if she's my familiar, so it takes her away from the house. Even with a free room open, she takes the couch in the living room. One occasion she joked about sleeping in my bed for the fun of it. I was tempted to offer her the idea. Turns out I didn't need to.
My eyes groggily raise up to meet a sight seen by young men my age provided they have a girlfriend and they're rucking in bed together or is playing hooky with other females. The sleeping form of a woman in a tank top and shorts laying next to me. The blue hair my indicator to who invited themselves into the room. I guess she was considering it herself as well. Hope she slept well enough. Brushing a strand of hair that stuck to her lips stirs her from her dream.
"Mm...morning Takeo. Hope you didn't mind me intruding." She raises herself off the bed and stretched while giving a yawn. The clothes come up from the stretch, slightly showing her soft toned abs and creamy skin. No Tiamat I don't mind at all.
"You weren't kidding about that joke were you?" she looks away, a slight pink on her cheeks. "To be fair, I considered offering the same idea. Though you beat me to the punch." the shade turns brighter. "Got anything planned?"
"Nothing earth shattering. May just walk around the town with Nevarra."
"Try not to cause too much trouble and don't talk to strangers. If you see something for sale, consider if you need it." I jump out of bed for school, while she lets out a chuckle at the joke. Nevarra wakes up from the bed also and walks out. I turn around to see Tiamat is still sitting there, grinning playfully. What, am I putting on a show? I tug at the boxers close to revealing everything to see what reaction she'd make.
"Careful kid, you might be way in over your head if you go any further." she licks her lips. She's probably right, I don't know where I'm going with this at all. I turn back to the closet again abashed and strip down. She lets out a whistle. I look over my shoulder at her incredulously. "What? You have a nice rear." ...did...she just?
I went back to clothing myself, now self conscious about my...rear. That event past us, we go downstairs where Asia and Raynare cooking up breakfast. Nevarra is in human form, looking at the two attentively. Tiamat stayed in while Nevarra changed into wolf and walk with the three of us. After leaving the house, the commute is the same as before, the comments dialed down a notch. Though it didn't change the looks the girls were getting. We reach homeroom, and began classes. Like any other day, Ryu and I kept up the friendly jabs during lecture.
Class is dismissed, thankfully. Which is what I would say most cases. But not this one...
"I can't take it any more!" sigh. Matsuda slammed on my desk again. One of these days that table is going to break, and it won't be from him slamming repeatedly on it. "You're hiding something! Spill it!" I could just brush it off, though Motohama is blocking my way from moving out. There is the window, though we're on the second floor. How would it look that someone jumped off the building? Wished I had a grappling hook, or even Ryu's Kusari-Gama.
"The two of you should stop harassing Takeo." I look to the source. Asia stood with a cute expression for a scold, while Raynare beside her has an irritated look.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll listen to her." the later spoke.
"Yuuma-chan! Asia-chan!" Motohama slightly terrified. Nothing like the wrath of a woman's scorn. "It's alright to tell us! Has this bastard done anything to you to be this way?" Nothing made me want to punch his face in. We knows they're not going to stop until the truth comes out. Raynare looks at me just as tired of what's going on. I weigh my options...and shrug, giving her the go ahead.
"If you want to know; Asia and I live together with Takeo!" the entire room goes silent. That window idea is looking good right about now. I open it without anyone noticing and leave it there.
"WHAAAAT!?" the class erupts in shock. They now turn to the culprit. I let out a sigh as the questions kept coming in unison. The Perverted Duo push through and get up in my face. A new hatred plastered their faces. I look away indifferent.
"There was a reason why I didn't say anything. No matter how much I explain nothing is happening between the three of us, everyone would have this reaction. Some; and I mean you two idiots, would go off on their own tantrum and delusions." I step up from my chair and place a foot near the window to everyone's confusion. "That being said, I wash my hands of this mess. Asia, Yuuma, see you at the club-room." I jump out with shouts of surprises behind. Landing on my feet, I stand in a Y-pose and look up at the window I jumped out of. Waving to the students that just witnessed and walk off like nothing happen for club activities.
~ Time Skip: Night ~
I got back from my contracts and schoolwork late in night. Asia and Raynare are fast asleep; the former from her contracts as well, the later from simply spending time in the club-room talking to the others. That being done, we reported back a mission success. Despite being happy about it, Rias still had that distant look on her face. Hopefully whatever's going through her mind, she can handle it.
I'm currently fiddling with a Wing Zero Honoo model from the series Build Fighters. It's calming being able to focus on creating something and listening to some music in silence. No sexually frustrated guys ranting, no raving fan girls, no life or death situations to deal with. Just a man with his hobby and love for rock music. I close my eyes for a bit, blinking the tired lids to exercise the nerves, and stretched out the tense muscles in my arms.
A red glow bathes the room as a magic circle appears on the floor. Gremory. I thought as I see the symbol of her house appear. In a bright flash of light, the heiress of said house appears. Her face of someone backed into a corner. The same face from before. I turn down the music and set down the pliers. Rias was silent as she came up to me.
"Make love to me." making a sudden request with her unexpected appearance. If this was another time where she didn't have sadness cloud her eyes, I probably might have. I stay silent, not sure how to broach the subject of what's causing her to do this. "I want you to take my virginity. Immediately." stating again as if I as confused. Well I am, but for other reasons.
"Rias, if this is suppose to be that surprise you promised before, I am sorely disappointed. We didn't even have our first date, let alone a kiss." I deflect the command with my usual jesting as I get out from the chair...
She's already stripping down!? The skirt falls down to reveal pure white laced panties...Oh dear Maou...
"Hurry to the bed while I get ready." she guides me to the bed by grabbing on to my arm. I sit on the edge, not budging to move any further.
She unbuttons her shirt, now standing completely in her underwear. Alarm bells keep ringing in my head. As much as I would like to have one night with her, it can't be like this. She walks closer to me. I back up unintentionally from the proximity of half naked skin before pushing me down to straddle my hips. Her hair spills down beside us. Taking in the scent, I'm beginning to enjoy strawberries more and more.
"I thought about all sorts of things, but this is the only method left." whatever must have driven you to this has complicated written all over it. So she's trying to force herself on me; what could be the cause? "If there is evidence, then they can't complain about it. The only person close enough to me that is able to do it is you."
"And Kiba?" the only two guys that Rias knows is me and him. Knowing Kiba, he would refuse.
"...Yuuto won't do it. He's a pure knight so he would decline for sure. Besides, I wouldn't mind if it was you to begin with." that last part surprised me. Here I thought I was the last resort. She reaches back to unhook her bra. The piece of clothing fell instantly, nearly exposing herself all the way. I swallowed down a gulp of my saliva at the sight of her nipples already erect. "It's your first time as well Takeo? Or you have experience?"
"First." I answered shortly after, fighting urges to pin her down, and the ones in my pants.
"I guess we'll both be going in blind. So don't stop till the end even if we don't have any experience." she raises herself slightly, hands tracking towards the edge of my shorts.
Powering through the instincts to take her for my own. I grab her shoulders and pin her back on the bed, by the time she was aware she was below me she blushed from the sudden action.
My breath haggard and short. Taking a deep breath, I get off her and went to scoop up her clothing. She gets up confused. I take her shirt and drape it over her to cover her upper body. Before she could protest why I stop, I pull her into a hug and stayed silent. She doesn't say anything as well, so we stay like this for a few minutes.
"...It's not fair..." she mutters. I chance a look at what she meant. What I saw brought everything crashing down on my heart. Her eyes were watery mixed with sadness, fighting to keep the tears from falling. She's doing a good job trying not to let out a cry. "If it wasn't for this sham of an arranged marriage..." so that's been bothering her for the longest.
I let her pull away to put on her clothes as I turn back for some sense of privacy. Turning back around silently after making sure she's clothed, I embrace her again with her back towards me. Astonished by the gesture, she stopped any sound from coming out and went silent. Letting her take in the same warmth from the first time we slept here
"...Thank you..." speaking up, a cute hiccup escaped in the appreciation. I reluctantly let go, to see if she's alright. She turns to me, smiling sadly. "You probably hate me now..." I cup her cheek to make her stop.
"I can't, won't, and don't hate you." emphasizing this further, I brush off the bangs on her forehead to give her a kiss there. She sucks in a breath, but doesn't move away. Instead she comes closer to initiate a hug.
"...I know it's wrong to ask. Can you let me sleep here? I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Anything you need." I pull away with a small grin. "The clothes stay on though. I don't need another surprise like last time and you still owe me that reward from the match with Sona." granting the request while defusing everything to a light atmosphere. She looks up with a pout and giggles. Where has that sound been all my life? "If I try to force myself on you, you can dish out whatever punishment you deem necessary to the crime. Throw me in a dungeon with Akeno as my torture master or something." getting in bed.
"You might enjoy that though. Would doing that count for your reward?" I look at her with mock terror. Seeing this, she lets out a light laugh. I mentally breathed out relief as she's back to her usual self. She jumps in as well, laying herself next to me. I sidle next to her and pull her in a hug. She looks at me with a brow raised but doesn't complain as she returns the hug also. I grunt in approval and closed my eyes. I may never get the chance to do this again, so I'll appreciate whatever time we have together. Just like this.
~ Narrator's POV ~
She wasn't expecting this at all. When Grayfia arrived where Rias was, she wasn't sure how to take what she was looking at. They're not naked so she won't have to assume the worst right off the bat. Though she would need to be sure when the two wake up. The other half of her astonishment was who Rias was embracing with. It couldn't be the same boy that she accompanied on a mission before.
Looking closer, it was in fact the same man that took the attack for her. She could have handled it, but he moved on instinct. She scolded him for the action as if a mother would scold their child yet thanking him afterward. For someone to have a reputation as a silent and stoic mercenary on his own and take damage for someone else; it simply confused her yet bolstered the image she had of him.
That's not to include the fact why he would hide his face behind a mask. When she first laid eyes on him; a face of a young man that knew about the dangers of the world, yet has eyes with an innocent light looked back at her. Not wanting to divulge that fact; she kept his identity a secret. Was it out of respect for him as a warrior, or motherly concern directed towards a son?
'They certainly look peaceful together' she silently smiled to herself. Perhaps it can wait in the morning. For now, they can rest. Grayfia looks around the room to gauge a better understanding of its owner. Simplistic in design and colors of white with details of black. Shelves of books ranging from fantasy to sci-fi, game cases with a similar theme to the books and a little more variety. Scaled models of futuristic robots posed in their signature stance, fighting a battle royale. Guitar sitting against a side of the table, and a sketch book to the side by an unfinished plastic model of a robot. A child with an artistic mind. She wonders if him and Millicas would get along together, talking about stories of heroes battling monsters. She mentally giggled at the scene. Not wanting to bother them, she steps out quietly. Allowing them to fly in their dreams together.
~ Takeo's POV ~
I had the craziest dream last night. One minute Rias appears in my room all of a sudden, the next she asked me to take her virginity away... Oh wait...that happened. I begrudge the thought of denying Rias as a woman, but the circumstances warranted the action as it would be something we'd regret. That and I couldn't let her first be used for something like getting out of an arranged marriage.
I'm staring at the ceiling now. It's morning and I didn't want to go to school at all. Mainly because that would mean leaving this room and enter an awkward situation afterwards. I let out a sigh before slipping away from her. I get half way through when she begins shifting to keep her hold. Still unconscious and lets out a murmur.
"...Takeo..." dreaming about me, Cheri? I lean down for a forehead kiss, and she releases content. I chuckle a bit. Moving towards the closet, I pull my uniform along with my schoolbag, and step out. Taking care not to interrupt her dreams. Five minutes in the shower and I'm out, dressed and ready.
No one else is awake yet so I head down to prepare breakfast. I reach the living room to notice someone is in there. It isn't Tiamat, she's out and about doing business. Nevarra followed along with her. The girls are asleep, so who...
I walk in to see our Goldilocks, and the answer was a woman with silver hair in a blue and white maid costume. The woman is sleeping, sitting on the couch upright. She must have been here for a while and the night took her. I've only met her on a few occasions after our mission. Some of them were by coincidences, other times were for picking up a mission from the Maou Lucifer because he was away on other business.
I shake my head hoping it was a mirage but it wasn't, and went to the kitchen to prepare some coffee for the both of us as we might be needing it. The machine lets out a ding, letting me know its ready. I pour the two caffeinated drinks in a cup and carry them to the living room. I hold one back, and held the other under Grayfia's nose. Gray eyes pop open at the scent, startling her slightly before looking up. I arch a brow and smiled between playfulness and fondness.
"So I heard about this one morning where a maid was sleeping in my house..." now it's her turn to arch an eyebrow, she wasn't pissed at the comment or action. "and I thought, what better way to help a lady start her day than a cup of coffee." she gave me a small smile after she takes the cup, blowing the heat away before taking a sip. I take one myself and walk back to the kitchen.
"It's been some time, Blackgrave." following me in the kitchen. Been a while since someone called me that.
"Takeo." I say while still prepping breakfast. "You already know the face. So the name should follow. Takeo Mugetsu." she stares for a moment and nods a smile. "I get the impression you're not here for me." considering what happened I'm not surprised if Rias and Sirzechs were related somehow when I spotted it before. The family resemblance between the two known through the crimson hair they share. I only know that Grayfia works as a maid for the Gremory family, yet she's Sirzech's Queen and wife oddly enough.
"An accurate statement, Takeo. I came here under intentions to prevent Rias from committing something rash."
"I can assure you, I didn't go through with her attempt to get out of her engagement." she stayed silent.
"So you know?" I take a sigh shortly after that.
"Only that she's betrothed to someone. I don't know who, so he better not be the reason why Rias did what she attempted to do." I set the meals for everyone, including a meal for Grayfia if she accepts. "By any chance, are you under oath not to tell anyone who she's marrying?"
"I would not blame her if she did hate the man, though with Rias's personality; that plays another reason in her disdain for the arrangement." she considers her words for a moment "As for the groom, he's one of the sons of the Phoenix House." Phoenix? ...Like the bird that was spying on Rias in the club room?
"...the immortal fire bird 'Phoenix'?" she nods. I narrow my eyes in disdain at the thought of the fiance being a lech spying on Rias. "Then I don't like the bastard already." I sit down, furiously scarfing down the meal. She takes a seat as well, taking the meal though more calm than I.
"You haven't met the man, and already you hate him?" her attempt to jest made me somewhat smirk. "Is there any particular line of reasoning to the ire when I mention Phoenix?" I finish up the meal, and gulp down the rest of my coffee.
"It was after the church incident where Asia died and reincarnated as a Devil. During a club celebration to welcome her and Raynare in, I spot a bird spying on Rias. Guess what type specifically?" she goes quiet, then disgust filled her eyes while keeping a stoic face. "Exactly." I grab the empty plate and took it to the sink to clean. She finished as well, cleaning her own plate and placing it on mine. We enter the living room with her taking the couch, and I sink into the armchair. Footsteps near the bottom of the stairway.
"Takeo?" Rias popped out the corner. I smile in greeting, and she returned it before noticing Grayfia sitting across from me. "Grayfia? ...If your wondering; nothing happened. He turned me down to begin with."
"He already told me what happened. And I expected no less from him." that confused Rias for a moment. "That aside, I came here for another reason."
"...I see. For you to come here personally, as my brother's Queen."
...wait...brother's Queen? -Rias is Sirzech's sister?! I've been having lustful fantasies for a girl who is a sister of one of my strongest client in existence!? I paled up and gulp audibly, which goes noticed by the two women.
"Takeo, are you alright?" that snaps me out of my trauma.
"W-What? Oh, right. S-Sorry, went off in my own world there. Grayfia, if it's alright with you, can Rias stay for a while to eat some breakfast." changing subjects. Grayfia allows the request with a nod, and sits down with Rias in the dining area; while I go to the other girls' rooms to wake them for breakfast. Keeping my mind off the fact I was close to getting into trouble with Lucifer of all people.
I meet up with Kiba, along with the Asia and Raynare in front of the club building. When the two woke up to see Rias eating breakfast along with Grayfia, they were confused to say the least. I told them I would explain after class when Rias announces a meeting to allow everyone to know instead.
"Takeo. Is everything alright?" Raynare spoke. I must have hidden the concern poorly for her to notice.
"Sorry, Raynare. Had a lot on my mind." like the fact that Rias's fiance is a stalker. She doesn't push the subject further when we reach the door. Kiba was about to open the door when he stops.
"...For me to finally realize the presence here..." must be referring to Grayfia. I picked it up when it recently appeared as we arrived at the building. His eyes narrow to a serious face.
We walk through to be greeted by Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Grayfia. Saying the atmosphere's chilling is an understatement, though it could be worse. Rias doesn't look too happy, Akeno is smiling with coldness. Koneko is sitting while snacking, trying not to get mixed up. Grayfia in her usual calm. Asia and Raynare are feeling tense themselves, unsure to move. I give them a pat, and smiled to assure them it'll be fine. They nod back and sit on the couches along with Kiba and I who stood by them.
"With everyone here, before we start the club. I would like to explain something to you all." she goes silent for a couple of seconds before starting up "The truth is—"
She was cut off by a light of a magic circle in the room by the entrance. The symbol wasn't Gremory, looking closer I wanted to be able to close it off because I recognize the symbol. It belonged to the family of the man that's marrying Rias.
"—Phoenix" Kiba spoke. I just growled at the sign like a mad wolf. Then someone appeared in the circle. The room shoots up several degrees as fire spins around the figure. The person swings his arms, to dismiss the flames.
"Fuu, it's been some time since I came to the human world." the man wearing a suit spoke. The way he's wearing it makes me think 'douche'. His looks put him in his early twenties. He looks around the room, then smirks when finding Rias. "My lovely Rias. I came to see you darling." that's it I hate him! Looking at Rias, she's not enjoying this as well. Though the idiot at hand doesn't know this as he approaches her. "Now then, let's go and take a look at the ceremony hall. The date of the ceremony is decided so we need to check it before then." he takes hold of Rias's arm.
Something in me snaps. The heat from before drastically nosedived to sub-zero. Everyone notices the murderous energy emanating from me. Asia and Raynare backed off immediately, Kiba's and Koneko's eyes shot out, recognizing Noctis's energy. Rias and Akeno were surprised at the blast of power. Grayfia kept her composure, though she herself tensed up a moment. The culprit at hand looks at me and stares as if I'm trash under his heel.
"Ah? Rias, who's the servant that's directing such vile eyes at me?"
"Takeo Mugetsu, Pawn of my master Rias Gremory." he dismisses it with a grunt. "How's your pet? Does it still have nightmares about the oven?" I bait him after stating my name. He recognizes the meaning and points at me disbelievingly.
"Y-You! You're the bastard—!" he caught himself from digging his grave. It got people's attention. Grayfia kept her own anger in check with a stoic face.
"Takeo, you've met him before?" Rias spoke wondering why he knows me.
"Nope~! This is a first meeting him and I don't even know his name" I third lied making a popping noise at the end of the nope. The man's face writhed in anger.
"Rias, I'm hurt that your servants, mainly your servant over there shooting his mouth." recomposing himself.
"Frankly, I didn't mind her not telling us. It would be a waste of her time and mine." tick marks start appearing on his face. That's right, keep getting angry you punk.
"Takeo-sama. This is Raiser Phoenix. A pure-blood High-Class, and third son of the Phoenix family. The man I talked to you about this morning." the last part was all I needed to drop the room in absolute zero. I stop myself from giving everyone hypothermia and took a seat by the window. Seething at the man to marry Rias.
"The tea made by Rias's Queen is astounding."
"Thank you very much." even with the smile, Akeno's words were laced in venom against the man.
Raiser is sitting nonchalantly next to Rias. Feeling anything from her hair, her shoulders, arms. At this point I was about to take the tea he was drinking and smash it against his head. See how much he likes it then. His arms take a chance to lower to her thigh.
CRACK!
I make a motion to get up from reading my book but found it not needed. I sat back down, irritated I won't be able to take a whack at him.
"Stop it already!" Rias stood up angrily "I told you before! I will not marry you!"
"I've heard it before Rias, but it won't do. The situation in your house is quite serious."
"That's none of your concern! If I am to be the next heiress of the Gremory house, then I will choose my next husband to be! Everyone is rushing it, and it was also a promise that I'll be free until graduating university in the human world!"
"That's right. Though your mother and father are worried. Their afraid that the household will go extinct as your the only successor to the household. Your brother already left to become Maou, leaving you to take the reigns as the next head. We've lost so much in the Great War. Nearly all of the pure-blood Devils died in battle. Even if it has ended, the rivalry between the other two never died down. Speaking of one of the two sides." he points at Raynare. "Why is there Fallen trash in the room. I can only ignore it for so long, but now it's beginning to stink here." I clench onto the arms of the chair. Raynare wasn't phased by it, though she wanted to kick his ass as well.
"Back on topic. With everything that has happened, we need to replenish our numbers. Sure the reincarnated Devils are powerful, not like that boy by the window over there." now he berates me. Yeah, I hate you too. I give him the birdie and he waves it off. "But we can't allow the future of the pure-blood Devils to go extinct. So it's no surprise how an arranged marriage like this could be conceived." he takes a sip of his tea before continuing. "Rias, as next in line of your house can you allow your house to be crushed when it has continued for so long? Because of the war, there's not even half of the Seventy-Two Pillars anymore. This marriage is our futures on the line."
During the Great War. All three sides were nearly decimated, leaving a bloody aftermath. The original four Maou were killed for wanting to continue the war. The Seventy-Two Pillars he mention were cut to little under thirty houses. God died, but Michael kept the system running. Because of the vacuum in power, he couldn't chance any bugs in the system. Possibly leading to Asia's excommunication. I don't blame him if he did. The idea of God dead would shatter Asia's fragile heart, causing riots, and leaving Heaven powerless. The Fallen Angel's numbers took a dive close to red, but Azazel pulled out first, saving his people. My recollection of the war ended when I notice Rias stands a little taller.
"I'm not going to crush my house, and I'm willing to take a husband." hearing this made Raiser smile.
"Oh, To be expected of Rias! Then let's—"
"But I won't marry you, Raiser. I will marry the one I acknowledge. Even Devils from the noble houses have a right to choose." she stating clearly when talking over him. Raiser's eyes become sharp, making a clicking noise with his tongue, and becoming very unpleasant.
"...You know, Rias. I'm also a Devil that carries the House of Phoenix behind me. I can't let that name be tarnished. I didn't even want to come to a building like this in the human world. I don't even like the human world at all. The fire and wind of this world is a mockery to someone like me that rules over fire and wind. I can't stand it!" Flames erupt suddenly in the room and surround Raiser. "I will take you to the underworld, even if I have to burn everyone where they stand!"
Before he could even move, I summon Force Edge and hold the blade near his neck in a reverse grip. He sneers at me, fires surrounding him hot enough to make my own blood boil. Even sweating and with flames flickering on my skin, I kept my gaze on him.
"Well, then. You'll be the first to die!" making the comment with a smirk that made me want to rip it off his face. The fist sails past where I disappeared. Appearing on his other side, I ram the pommel to his ribs. Stumbling back, he looks at me with killing intent. "You insignificant, pile of worthless-!" a bigger flame appeared in his hand. I stay still, sword held in a vice choke to the point of bleeding from my hand and a floating array of swords behind me aimed to hit Raiser. Rias takes a stance, and readies her Power of Destruction. The others were gearing up for a fight. Grayfia was the only one in a group with a calm expression as she intervenes.
"Takeo-sama, Oujo-sama, Raiser-sama. I ask that you calm down. If this were to continue, on Sirzech's honor, I will not be quiet nor hold back." the two look at her with serious faces after hearing such a demand. I didn't move from my stance. "Takeo..." she sternly adds again. I dismiss the blades and turn back to my chair.
"...To be told that by the Strongest Queen, even I would be scared...consider yourself lucky kid." I ignored the comment, picking up where I left off on my book. "Hey! I'm talking to you! Say something dammit!"
"How do you like your chicken? Grilled, Crispy, Extra Crispy, or Burnt?" I look up from my book. He got even more angry, but kept quiet. I smirk behind the pages.
"Oujo-sama, my master and those from the house Phoenix knew something like this would happen. So they came together and formed a last resort. If you still wish to push your opinion forward, then you would have to settle it in a Rating Game against Raiser-sama." Rias became speechless hearing this.
"As you know, official Rating Games are restricted to the matured Devils. If its an unofficial version, then even immature Devils can participate. In this case, however..."
"When it involves the family and household problems." Rias finishes. She let out a sigh, before muttering to herself about her parents meddling in her life. "Let's settle this with a game Raiser."
"Hee, so you're accepting it. I don't mind, though I have you at a disadvantage as I've already won most of my official games. You still want to go through with this?"
"I will. I will blow you away, Raiser!"
"Fine. If you win, do what you wish. You lose, you will marry me immediately." the both of them glare at each other
"Understood. I have confirmed the opinions of both side. I will also be the proctor of the game. Is this okay?" the two spoke at the same time. Agreeing to Grayfia's approval. "Understood. I will notify the two houses immediately. She bows and takes her leave.
"Hey, Rias. Would this be your servants?" she twitches and eye to that.
"So what?" He starts laughing after answering him as if it was a joke.
"Then this match will be a laugh. Only your Queen, the Priestess of Thunder can fight on par with my adorable servants." he snaps his fingers, and his family's magic circle glows on the floor. What came out of it were what I would assume a full set in chess. Fifteen...girls appeared out of the circle and gathered by him. I don't know if I should applaud his audacity to make his peerage only girls, or be pissed beyond belief. "These are my cute servants." he takes one of the girls and begins frenching her. Rias and I didn't bother giving a reaction.
Let's see here. A knight in armor, a magician looking girl, Chinese dress, twins with beast ears, a loli, identical twins, two older girls, kimono, a wild looking woman with a sword on her back, a dancer, a half face mask, and one with drill tip hair in a European dress. I turn back to the book when something about the girl with the drill hair bothered me. Something about the faces and the color hair that look familiar but I'm not sure if their relatives or coincidence.
"H-Hey, Rias...your servant is ignoring me and my girls here." he was appalled at my disinterest. I was appalled at the sight and didn't dare look anymore.
"I wouldn't blame him for his lack of interest in a harem" she answers with as much disdain as I have.
Unlike a certain douche bag in the room that has fifteen women in his peerage. I find the idea of a harem mentally taxing to deal with. That and its weird. Speaking of weird, I'm still stuck about that one girl. I look at her for a moment...then back to Raiser.
"That girl. What is her relation to you?" I point at the subject with my book while keeping eye contact with the man. Raiser and the girl were stunned for a moment before the one in the mask spoke up to answer.
"That person is Ravel Phoenix. Master's little sister. She became his servant by a special method, but she is his actual sister." …What in the seven sins? Everyone from the club were speechless. I look at Raiser expecting an explanation to what I just heard. It better be a good one, otherwise...
"Having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. You know the significant view of having your close relatives? You know how there are people who look up to and also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not into little sisters, so I have her in my group as fashion."…Is there a ninth circle of hell for people like him?
"Dear Maou. Not only can he not pick up chicks without being such a douche bag, he's a lech that doesn't respect women, an idiot who's IQ is inverse to my irritation of the man, and a damn Yakitori..."
"Y- Yakitori!? Rias, don't you discipline your servants enough?!" he looks at her infuriatingly. She brushes it off indifferently looking the other way.
"—! And You! Who the hell are you calling a Yakitori anyway!?"
"I don't know; the man with fifteen women in his peerage because he's clearly compensating for something? The man who thinks it's cool to have his sister in his peerage cause that's smart to do. The man's blatant display of vulgarity in front of his fiance! Any of those alone would have made you undeserving to marry my master! Not to mention the turkey I should have roasted that was spying on Rias!"
"It's a Phoenix you cur! It was to keep in touch with her! Not that you would—!" realization struck him but it was too late. Checkmate. Everyone from the club was disgusted, though not as livid as Rias. So Raiser, care to explain?
"Would you like to elaborate, Raiser?" tone in her voice with enough anger to detonate like a nuke. Trapped in the corner of a woman's scorn Raiser, I'd like to see you get out of this one.
"Damn kid! You should know your place! Mira!" he shouts.
The loli from before rushes at me with a stick she pulls from behind and strikes forward in a spearing motion. Using the book in hand, I place it outstretched in front of me, cover facing me. The pole hits the spine of the book and I kept my position in the chair. Snapping the book to close, I kick downward with my heel to break the stick. Planting it back on the ground to spin out of my chair, my other leg kicks her square in her stomach. Sending the body flying towards the entrance and knocking it down. I sit back down and resume reading, further taunting them.
"Weak. If your going to teach me manners, never send a servant to do a master's job." I berate him, his servants wanting to gang on me but Raiser outstretches his hand.
"Rias, how about we have a match in ten days? We could do it now, but that wouldn't be interesting."
"…Are you giving me a handicap."
"Are you against it? Is it humiliating? [Rating Game] isn't something simple that you can win with only your feelings. If you can't use your servant's power to the fullest, then you will lose immediately. So it's not weird for you to train with your servants for your first [Rating Game]. I have seen Devils who lost without using their power to the fullest countless of times, no matter how great their potential and power was."
Buchou doesn't complain and listened quietly to what Raiser's said. When Raiser directs his palm towards the ground, the magic-circle starts to glow. "—ten days. If it's you, then you should be able to improve your servants." He looks at me. "Don't be a disgrace to Rias. Your blow is hers as well." shortly after saying that they disappear. Every blow I throw in that match, they'll be for her as well.
"Ten days from now, we will win." I assure, staring at the empty space where they left.
~ Time Skip: Evening ~
So that was a crap shoot if any. The Rating Game is set ten days, not much time to improve. Though he's right about one thing; if it's Rias, then we might see some improvement. She decided that the group will begin training at a private lodging estate her family owns here in the human world. Tomorrow.
I'm laying on the bed thinking of training regiments. The estate from what Rias told me is in a forest environment with mountains, lakes, and natural wildlife. I could put distance enough to train with Tiamat using Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing. Maybe teach Nevarra to use Invictus. Help Raynare with her combat skills. My sword skills and hand to hand are solid, my magic control could use more work. Akeno would be able to help me with that.
A shower sounds nice to clear my head. After Raiser's attempt to scorch the place, the heat from the close space I put between us made me sweat like nobody's business. I grab a towel, and a change of clothes as I haven't done so yet, and walk out to the bathroom. I open the door expecting no one to be in.
How wrong was I. The door was only half way when I notice someone was in. Asia. Asia naked to be precise.
"T- Takeo-san?" I curtly close the door without saying a word.
"Sorry Asia. I forgot to check if anyone was in." I reply outside the door. "I'll just take the one downstairs. Again sorry to bother you." I make a break for it but was stopped by something grabbing my wrist. I look back to see Asia with a towel on now, looking at me with puppy eyes. Asia, why are you looking at me like that?
"I-It's alright…I was told about the rule of bathing in Japan…there's this thing where you bath with someone you want to know better…" Asia, whoever told you all this must have been lecherous. "I-I was told…to do this with someone that I want to have a special relationship with…if it's Takeo-san, then I want to deepen my relation with him… That's why, will you have a bath with me…?"
I take her hand off of my wrist and stare at her intently. "Asia, when you take a bath under those pretense, normally you want to think it through before hand. You don't go around saying something like that to any guy, even me. Only when you have a definite trust of the person. Most men my age would take advantage of the situation." she considers this for a moment. "Also, when you do bath with someone else, it's mostly with the same gender."
"…o-okay then. Thank you for the words of wisdom." she nods and goes back in.
Phew! Situation defused. I head to the downstairs to see Tiamat and Nevarra talking in the living room. I find the door, with Raynare just getting out of it. With only a towel on. Well I did the same when it was only my house, now I have to stop it as it would be a bad influence on the girls. It didn't work clearly.
"Raynare, your going to have make it a habit to bring the clothes with you before a shower. Whatever will a guy like me think?" I raise a brow.
"Well I don't know. What would a man like you think about seeing a girl like me naked." she opens her towel like a window to her pale, damp body. Heat crept on my neck, though I keep eye contact with her eyes. I shrug with a low growl, and continued in the bathroom. She wraps herself again, and walked along while giving me a backward grin. Going to need a cold shower now. Maybe a couple of minutes will do.