Chapter 24

''- Talking

"" - Thought

{} - Sparda

[] - Ddraig

….

There was a certain boy (let's call him Boy A) who had two working parents. In the mornings, the three members of the family left for work and school at the same time, regularly enough that it was basically a family rule. But they didn't come back together. The dad's work involved a lot of overtime, and the mom had a part-time job as a supermarket cashier.

Often both came home at around eight at night, so it was Boy A who gets back first. He wasn't old enough for school clubs or cram school, so Boy A always went straight home. Even if he stopped by at a friend's house, curfew was at six, so he'd never end up returning home later than his parents. Boy A would come home and take out the clothes his mom had put in the dryer that morning, or whatever.

Then he'd wait alone in the brand new house, alone for hours until his parents arrived.

That was his day. And on that day, like the rest, he waited.

There was nobody else in the house.

On that day, the wind was strong starting in the afternoon, blowing whooo~ almost like a typhoon.

It was the chilly wind of winter, its fierce sound echoing in the two-story wooden house like… like the growl of some huge beast.

Hearing that bleak and unending noise, the boy became strangely unsettled.

He should already be used to watching over the place, but now being alone was suddenly dreadful.

It was like a monster was growling, and roaming just outside the walls, shaking the windows and trying to get in.

Panic seized him. But no matter how helpless he felt, his parents were at work.

He couldn't be selfish enough to ask them to come home early because of scary-sounding wind.

He was old enough to know that, and besides he was a man, even if a young one.

It was too embarrassing to say out loud.

So the boy, suppressing his feelings, hid himself in his room on the upper floor and finished up his homework.

Hours passed that felt twice as long as usual… Jingle jingle, click… The sound of keys, and the door opening…

"I'm home." He heard his mom's voice downstairs.

The dread drained from Boy A's body and vanished. When he turned his attention, he no longer heard the growling of the cold wind outside.

The thing that made him afraid was already gone, so he ran down from his room to the lower floor to welcome his mom back.

He saw the kitchen lights downstairs.

She must have turned them on.

After coming back from her job as cashier, it was normal for her to go straight to the kitchen to start making dinner.

Ring, ring… On his way to the kitchen, the phone in the hallway sounded.

It was a bit annoying. Why couldn't the call come earlier, and given him the relief he needed then?

But his mom would get mad if he didn't pick up, so Boy A reluctantly picked up the handset.

"Hello, _ speaking…." With all the practice of a latchkey child, he waited for the voice on the other side of the line.

"A-chan? It's Mom. The rain's coming down, so could you bring an umbrella to the market?"

"AAAHHHHH!"

...

The student council room was lit by a single candle's flame, and all the space from wall to wall was filled by Stella's high-pitched scream.

Hagun Academy student council vice president Utakata Misogi, whose story she had interrupted, spoke with candid exasperation.

"Freaking out before we even get to the punchline is… something that makes storytellers cry, you know."

"B-B-But his mom on the phone! Then who's in the kitchen!? It's way too scary~!"

On one side was Stella, attached shakily to Ayato's arm with tears in her eyes.

Touka sat nearby with a face equally pale.

"I-It's fine, Stella-san. There's also the possibility that the one on the phone wasn't real…."

Touka suggested that positive interpretation with shaking lips, but…. "Well, no one knows what happened to him that day. He was never seen again, reportedly." The two girls trembled at Utakata's eerie voice and screamed in despair. Watching them, Ayato gave a wry laugh.

If Boy A was never seen again, the vice president wouldn't know this story to tell it….

"But it seemed Stella and Touka were far too rattled to notice something this simple. Why were they here in the dark student council room?

Some days ago, the Hagun Academy Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival had ended with the match between Touka and Ayato. The closing ceremony and the transfer of the school flag between team captains had occurred, and the school term was basically almost over.

The student council business regarding the representative selection battles, including the affair during the Okutama training camp, were settled for the time being, so Utakata created a plan to recognize everyone's services.

Gathered in the student council room, they were passing the hot summer under air conditioning and with food, treating each other to bone-chilling ghost stories. And he had also invited Ayato and Stella, who helped the student council with the matter in Okutama.

At any rate…. Ayato had no idea Stella was so scared of ghost stories.

"I didn't expect you to be weak to something like this, Stella. Back then, you were so hyped up about the Okutama giant, so I thought you'd really be into this kind of thing too." Compared to Stella's usual unyielding spirit, she was now acting in a very girlish way, and it made him smile.

"Because… you can beat up a giant, but not a ghost… right!?"

"…Oh. Right. Now I get it." Well, he loved the headstrong Stella too, so it was no problem.

"Okay, now it's Kanata's turn." Utakata, who was finished with his story, slid the small dish holding the candle in front of him over to the student council treasurer Kanata Toutokubara to tell the next tale.

"Make us shiver, Kanata-senpai!"

"Yes, please leave it to me." Returning a nod to Renren Tomaru, the student council general affairs manager, Kanata straightened in her seat.

At that motion, Touka and Stella gulped and held their breaths.

But while the two of them were miserably shrieking, they were paying more attention than anyone else.

If they were to firm up, there was no way they would panic so.

Perhaps the part of the brain that would revel in this common stimulus was starved.

Kanata smiled at their serious gaze and full attention.

"…I've mentioned before that I'm not very familiar with ghost stories, so I prepared something this." Kanata quietly slid a single tablet PC past the remains of the delivered pizza they had been eating, and with a thin finger she tapped on an icon on the liquid crystal display to start a video. What appeared on the screen was… a sickroom-like chamber palely lit by a nightlight.

Next to a bed located in a corner of the room behind a hospital curtain, there was a human anatomy model. Ayato recognized the layout of the room.

"This is the infirmary, isn't it."

"Kana-chan, what's this footage?"

"It's a recording from the infirmary surveillance camera, which Madam Director gave to me a few days ago. Well, you'll be able to see it in detail, so I'll refrain from speaking."

Kanata turned her gaze to the table, but only the unchanging image of a deserted infirmary could be seen. What was about to happen?

"Maybe the anatomy model starts moving by itself?"

"Once again, you're going with a cliche, Stella."

"Maybe we'll see some students do phys-ed self-study!" Utakata's words were slapped back by both student council secretary Ikazuchi Saijou and Touka.

"Vice President, that would not be a ghost story, but a dirty one." "And it'd be an awful thing to bring to the student council room." Seeing that take place, Kanata smiled with her usual dignity.

"President, please be at ease. It's not that kind of recording. Ahh, and now it begins." She murmured this while her gaze fell on the table, and as she said…

"Huh!?"

Within the still image of the infirmary deep in the night, something moved.

A clank… and then the desk, bed, chair, medicine cabinet… all began to tremble slightly, then to shake.

The desk's legs began to rise as if dancing.

The bed threw off its pillow and sheets.

The chair began to circle the infirmary room on its rollers.

The glass windows of the medicine cabinet flapped open and closed, tossing out its contents like a mouth guffawing.

"W-W-What is this…!? Earthquake!?"

"No, if that were true, the camera would be jerking around." As Ayato said, the infirmary was being shaken as if by an enormous earthquake, but the view of it was not.

This meant the surveillance camera and the building it was installed into were not moving.

"I'd suspect that this poltergeist activity is caused by a student with psychokinetic ability, but… since you said the teachers were on the case, they must've already followed this line of investigation, right?"

Kanata nodded gently at Ayato's question. "Yes. But it seems that none of psychokinetic Blazer students were responsible."

At Kanata's words, Stella gulped.

"Th-Then it really is the work of a ghost?" Kanata's reply suggested a possibility even worse than a ghost.

"That, or perhaps the work of an intruder beyond the academy's knowledge."

"But Kanata, why'd you bring this?"

"Well, the truth is when I told Madam Director about the ghost story party in the student council room today, she said, 'Instead of a story, wouldn't something real be more interesting? Since we have this footage, go show everyone and have them look for the culprit.' and gave me the recording. How kind of her, wouldn't you say?"

Kanata smiled, probably thanking the Board Director wholeheartedly for providing something to share at this gathering. But everyone else in the student council made sour expressions.

"Hmm… she really does see us as a means to take care of odd jobs."

"That's really dirty of her, the middle-aged woman."

"Middle-aged women are dirty. It's written so in the Tale of Genji."

"Renren-san, Vice President Misogi… I believe there are surveillance cameras in the student council room too." At Ayato's mention, the two's expressions froze, but by then it was already too late. Moving past that, Kanata looked at everyone present in the dark room.

"It's true that they're small jobs, but searching for a poltergeist in the school at night sounds fun, like a trial of courage, right? How about we all do it together?"

"…That's true. I'll join in." The one who agreed to the proposal first was Ayato. He was grateful that Kanata had brought this up in an effort to interest everyone, and besides, it was relevant to him as a student of the academy. He did not want to ignore a responsibility and leave handling it to the student council. But… Ayato looked toward Stella sitting next to him. "Stella, if you're that scared then I guess you won't participate?"

Choosing to join might make it hard for Stella to refuse, so out of consideration he did not neglect this follow up statement. Stella took quick advantage of Ayato's lifesaving gesture, replying with a relieved face.

"Th-That's right. I think I'll stay here with Touka-san and wait for everyone else." But… though she was scared like Stella, Touka did not choose to stay.

"N-No, I'll join too. It's a problem that we students must not ignore. I'm the student council president, so if Kurogane-kun's willing then I can't refuse!"

Despite shaking mightily, Touka spoke with her lips pressed together tight. She seemed to be pushing her dread aside with her strong sense of duty. And after Touka spoke….

"I'll come along, of course. No doubt it's hiding and moving between security rooms. My sixth sense tells me so."

"How surprising, Vice Prez! I'm suspicious of the security rooms too." Saijou spoke up at Utakata and Renren's announcements. "

You two will only be hiding, I think."

"Sh-Shut up. And what are you gonna do?"

"A student council member has no choice but to participate." All members of the student council thus declared their willingness to participate in Kanata's plan. As a result….

"So Stella-san's the only one who'll stay, right?"

"Wha?" Somehow it ended up with Stella by herself.

"In the school where a ghost might be roaming, Stella-san will stay and guard the student council room by herself, right? In the pitch-black student council room with nobody else around. Just like the first sacrifice in a horror movie, alone—"

"I-I guess I'll go after all! It's not something a student of Hagun can brush off!" At Kanata's deliberately agitating tone, Stella, with jaw clenched and face stiff, finally switched over to joining. Ayato spoke up in worry.

"You don't have to force yourself. If you'd like, I'll stay here with you." But Stella shook her head vigorously at Ayato's proposal.

"I-I'm fine! Ghosts don't exist in the first place! Th-That's not scientific…! It's more likely someone's prank! I'll find out who it is and give them a piece of my mind!"

Kanata let slip a satisfied and slightly mean smile at Stella for putting on a brave face and raging.

"Hehe, that's the Crimson Princess indeed."

And thus, Ayato and the others went forth to find the poltergeist, on a trial of courage to explore the dark academy building.

Though they were going to search the school at night, Hagun Academy was large, and traveling as a group would take a bit too much time.

More than anything else…. 「Having a huge group throws a damper on the whole test of courage thing, right?」

That was Utakata's view, so they split into three random parties and went off separately.

The time was ten o'clock at night, past the time when any students or teachers were left in the main school building.

As a result of the random drawing, Ayato was paired with someone unexpected, and all that was audible in the quiet as profound as the deep ocean was their heels hitting the floor.

Ayato turned his gaze, as if beckoned by the sound. The one walking next to him was a tall lady wearing a white dress and a wide-brimmed hat, Kanata Toutokubara.

Nothing was said between them as they walked through the school at night.

Or rather… I can't think of anything to say. With Utakata or Saijou, they'd have enough in common to find a topic.

Renren and Touka were opponents he had faced directly, so dealing with them would be relatively easy.

Stella, certainly, would mean no shortage of conversation, and even if they did not talk, just being together would make this a fun time.

But Kanata was the one member of the student council he shared no common ground with.

For Ayato, who could not be described as a naturally good conversationalist, this was partner of high difficulty.

The atmosphere around her was another hurdle. She felt like a well-bred lady, someone on a completely different level.

Rude as it may be, if he compared Kanata to Stella the princess, Kanata was the one who seemed more upper-class.

And in truth, the Toutokubara family was a wealthy one that, through the Toutokubara Foundation, contributed to all kinds of philanthropy around the world and represented Japan internationally.

Kanata was the daughter of that family.

Ayato came from an equally famous family, but he was not raised in a way appropriate to high society, so there was no way for him to have the same kind of atmosphere and bearing.

But… still…. He was interested in Kanata Toutokubara as a knight.

She was the daughter of one of Japan's prominent and wealthy families, and second place in Hagun Academy's internal ranking.

Like Raikiri, Kanata was among a rare class of student knight who had real combat experience from participating in many special missions.

Ayato remembered the day they had first exchanged words, and the ferocious presence that gave the impression her white clothing was soaked in blood.

And now she was like him, a representative to the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.

It was entirely possible that they might face off in front of the entire country.

So he was interested.

What kind of person was she? What motivated her, and how strongly?

As a knight who valued understanding his opponent, Ayato's clinical interest was deep.

If he allowed this chance to escape, he might not get another chance to be this close to Kanata.

That… would be a waste, so Ayato decided he would try to come to grips with her.

But…

"Now that I think about it, this is the first time we've been alone, isn't it?" Just as he was about to speak, Kanata took the first word, seizing the conversation at the same moment that Ayato was going to step up. Perhaps she thought the mood was bad.

"…Sorry, I'm not much of a talker."

"I don't mind. Friendly chatter would be strange in a test of courage." Kanata, not appearing especially troubled, gave a characteristically elegant smile. But it only appeared for an instant. She immediately returned to a serious expression, and lowered her voice.

"In truth, I've wanted to speak with you for quite a while. Perhaps it would dampen the pleasure of this event, but may I ask something?" She said something he did not expect.

Toutokubara-san wanted to talk with me? About what?

Maybe she was interested in him as a knight, the same way he was interested in her. There was little else they shared for a topic.

Well, Ayato was quite ready to take up the matter. He had no reason to deny her or keep her in suspense.

"Yes. If there's something I can answer, I'll do my best, so please ask."

"Thank you greatly. Then I won't hold back…." At Ayato's acceptance, Kanata spoke the thing she had always wanted to ask him.

"Kurogane-kun… does a kiss feel good?"

"…Huh?"

Ayato's thoughts lurched to a stop at the unexpected question. "U…Umm… that's what you… wanted to ask me?"

"Yes." Kanata nodded eagerly at Ayato's response. And as embarrassment shaded her cheeks, she tapped her index fingers together in front of her chest.

"It's embarrassing that I have no experience with these relationships, but… kisses are… interesting. Since you and Stella-san are a couple, I was wondering if… I would understand after asking you…." She peeked at Ayato from under the brim of her hat. Hope shined in that gaze.

"I…I see…." She seemed quite serious. Who could have thought that someone so adult like Kanata would ask this question while acting in such a childish way?

Ayato twitched at his unpreparedness, but the romantic relationship between him and Stella was already widely known.

There was nothing to hide, so Ayato answered Kanata honestly.

"Hmm… does it feel good? How to put it…? If you do it properly, I guess."

"It can be done improperly?"

"When we weren't used to it, well, our teeth bumped together, stuff like that."

"Oh my."

Those were the heavy words of experience. Perhaps Kanata was imagining a shameless scene. She was giggling in a strange way. "But if done properly, kisses feel good?"

"That's right. And most of all, it's an important expression of love… so it's also exciting in a way."

"Speaking of expressing love, is it different from holding hands or embracing?"

"Those are ways to do it, but I feel kissing is still one rank higher."

"In other words, kissing is special." "Putting it that way seems plain, but it does feel so. Compare to holding hands or hugging, you get happier. Taken all together, kisses have a different kind of appeal and pleasantness. That's what I think." Talking so seriously about kisses was a tad embarrassing, but Ayato still answered Kanata despite the blush on his face.

"I see, I see…." However….

"Incidentally, when you and Stella-san kiss, how happy do you feel, in detail?"

"D-Detail!?" Kanata charged forward at an unbelievable angle, and she did it with a maidenly expression shining with hope and curiosity.

"Do I… have to answer that?"

"If you can, please."

"U…Urk."

Having said he would do his best to answer, the sincere Ayato could not go back on his word. He brought the memories of his kisses with Stella to mind, and crafted his next words.

"W-Well… umm, through touching lips, you can feel the other's warmth, and… the sensation… it feels good, and I like it. And also, Stella begs me for kisses like a puppy, which is really cute… and having someone who wants it like that… makes me happy, I'd say…. It's lovely…." W-What am I blabbering right now?

Ayato's face boiled, and he was steadily losing his grasp on the things tumbling from his mouth, but his was not the only red face. Kanata had her own blushing cheeks and watery eyes as she listened. "I-It seems that merely hearing it has made me embarrassed."

"Then please don't make me say it." He could not hold back the complaint. Seeing Ayato this way, Kanata smiled apologetically, but then she immediately mumbled with her eyes closed as if daydreaming. "Thanks to you, I now understand that the wonderfulness of kissing is exactly as I imagined it. ….How nice. I'd also like to have such a kiss someday. A kiss as happy as what you and Stella-san share."

"Nnn… anyway, that's the best answer I can give. N-Now let's get back to finding the ghost. If we just stand around here, it'll never get done…!" The inquiry had left both their faces aflame, so Ayato escaped the situation with quick steps. And as he did so….

(Few Minutes Later)

White cracks suddenly appeared in the glass, and in a blink, glass in the hallway windows from one end of the wall to the other all burst apart.

"Watch out!"

"Ah!" Shards flew like daggers. Ayato, with outstanding reflexes, immediately took action to avoid them, pushing Kanata flopping down to the floor.

"That was dangerous… are you okay?"

"Y-Yes. Thank you." Because of Ayato's fast response, Kanata had not been injured.

"B-But umm… your hand is…." Kanata turned her face and the direction of her gaze. It immediately became obvious that Ayato's outstretched right hand was flattening her full bosom.

What the? Did I do something- Ddraig…?" he thought, realizing that his pheromones are being released and finding her to be the culprit of Kanata' current condition.

Before he could do anything else, Kanata grabbed a hold on him and pressed her chest onto Ayato's own.

"Help me! I don't know what's happening! My body's getting hot and it keeps getting hotter!" Kanata cried, pushing him into a Table before he could respond.

"Kanta-chan I-hhmmp!" Ayato started, but was interrupted when Ayato kissed him right on the lips, her passion and lust for him having reached the point where rational thought flew straight out the window.

" Enjoy, Ayato-kun. Her loins were already frothing when she witnessed your power against Touka. I just happened to amplify those feelings. Give into your desires, so that no one, not even the Biblical God, can take you away from each other. " Ddraig giggled as he watched the two make out.

As they kissed, Ayato knew something like this would happen, but not this soon.

That and his demonic side was enjoying Kanata' aggressiveness, if wrapping his arm around her and grabbing her rear end isn't any indication.

When they parted, Kanata gasped for air.

"Ayato-kun…your lips…your hands…feel so good… Please, take me now!"

They shared another kiss, this time more fierce and passionate, with their tongues dancing around each other's until they broken apart again due to a lack of air.

(LEMON: Ayato x Kanata, don't want to read, scroll down to the next bold line)

Kanata fell back first onto the middle of the Table, with the owner on top of her, kissing and caressing her body that was still wrapped in the white dress. While she looked damn sexy in it, Before he could do anything about it, Kanata slipped her hand down to his couch as he groped her breasts.

Ayato slipped away from the kiss and started to plant kisses on Kanata' neck as he rubbed her breasts. Kanata squirmed under his touch as her own hands began massaging his shoulders and back through his clothes. She whimpered when Ayato slipped through her grasp as he traveled downwards to the area of her sacred garden.

"Eek!" Kanata cried as Ayato tore the skirt part of her wedding dress down the middle, revealing her beautiful legs and white panties that was completely soaked with her juices.

"Mou! Not fair, Ayato-kun!" she whined as Ayato took off her panties, despite her cooperating by raising her legs to allow Naruto to do it, allowing his to see her wet, glistening, hairless womanhood.

Ayato gave a Draonic grin that sent shivers down her spine, spread her legs, and began licking at her womanhood, making her moan as she began to fondle her own breasts.

"Oh my, Ayato-kun! That's-that's it, right there!" Kanata cried, prompting Ayato to continue his assault.

This continued for the next five minutes, with Kanata' moaning getting louder as Ayato inserted his tongue into her womanhood while she finally freed her breasts from the confines of the white wedding, allowing her to fondle her right breast directly while putting her hand in Ayato's hair and pushing down lightly.

As Kanata' pussy tightened a bit around his tongue, Ayato channeled magic through it, increasing the pleasure for Kanata' tenfold that caused her to reach her limit.

"Ayato-kun! I'm about to cum!"

"Then cum, my beautiful Scharlach Frau (Scarlet Lady)."

"AYATO-KUN!" Kanata yelled as she released all over Ayato's face, her body spasming as Ayato licked every drop of her love juice from his face and her nether regions.

Ayato then moved up and kissed her, making Kanata taste herself, causing her to blush as she helped Ayato undress.

"I hope you're not done yet, Kanata-san…" Ayato teased her, massaging her breasts and rubbing her nipples as she tossed his shirt and pants to the side,

"We only just begun…" Kanata countered, reaching down Ayato's black boxers to grab his hard cock. "

Her eyes widened as he felt his appendage with her hands, measuring it at 10 inches, "

He's so big! No wonder he's able to keep the others happy! Akeno, Rias, Stella, and Touka going to have a field day when she gets with him!

Wanting to see for herself, Kanata pulled the boxers down and nearly got hit by Ayato hard-on as it now stood at full mast.

"Oh, there's no way that'll fit into me dry…"

"What's wrong, Kanata-san? You're not giving up on me are you?" Ayato taunted, stroking her beautiful hair.

Snapped out of her musings, she gave a playful glare and retaliated by gripping his shaft and took it into her mouth. Ayato groaned when Kanata started bobbing her head up and down.

She is an amateur at this, completely inexperienced since it was her first time doing something like this, only seeing it one when she caught Akeno looking at a porno, but it didn't stop her from doing her best, with her slurping, sucking, and moaning echo through her lover's room, with said lover moaning himself at the feel of his manhood inside Kanata' warm mouth.

"Does that feel good?" Kanata asked, letting up for bit.

"Yeah." Ayato replied, nodding. Kanata smiled at that, happy that she was satisfying her partner, and decided to try something new by wedging his cock between her breasts and continued sucking on what she could fit it her mouth.

"Oh damn!" The pleasurable sensation of her soft breasts was enough to get Ayato thrusting up into Kanata's mouth while put his hand on her head, controlling her pace.

Kanata moaned as the tip of Ayato's cock hit the back of her throat, causing her to groan, but not far enough in to hit her gag reflex.

A few minutes passed, and Rias started moving in sync with him, sucking harder, making Naruto reach his peak.

"Ugh, here I come, Kanata!" Ayato warned her, with her responding by bobbing her head faster until he finally released in her mouth, filling it until he moved back, taking his cock out of her shooting more cum on her face and breasts.

Ayato then blinked as he saw Kanata swallow his essence to the best of her ability and opened her mouth with her tongue hanging out to show that her mouth was empty.

"Are you sure you never done this before?" Ayato asked skeptically while keeping his lustful Draonic urges in check at seeing Kanata' current appearance,

"Because I was completely blown away by that bold performance."

"Well, I had plenty of practice with vanilla ice pops and read a lot of erotica." Rias replied in a sultry tone, looking at herself,

"Mmm, I'm such a mess!"

"Which make you all the more beautiful." Ayato countered, stroking her hair.

"Mou, I bet you say that to all the girls." Kanata groaned, wiping her face with the sleeve of the red wedding dress.

"Aren't you happy that you're one of them?" Ayato questioned. Rias leaned forward and kissed Ayato full on the lips while gripping his cock and stroking it.

"Does that answer your question?" she asked lustfully, pulling back and groped her breast while continuing to stroke Ayato's hard-on,

"A-ya-to-koi?" All of Ayato's self-control went out the window as his demonic instincts kicked in, pushing Ayato onto the bed, spreading her legs and lining his cock up with her drooling pussy.

"Mine!" Naruto declared, in terms of Rias being his new mate, NOT as a trophy, as his eyes turned red with slits.

"Yours!" Rias cried out as he felt Naruto's cock poking at her entrance, with her eyes turning red as well. With a quick, strong thrust, Ayato speared himself into Kanata's pussy, breaking her hymen and taking her virginity in one move, filling her to the brim, making Kanata' large breasts bounce as she arched her back and cry out in pain and pleasure.

"Ahhh~ This isn't a…dream. You're… inside of me. We finally…become one…" Kanata cried, tears of happiness flowing down her cheeks.

"And not a moment sooner…" Ayato agreed as he began to thrust into the redhead, holding onto her legs and screwing her in the missionary position on his knees,

"Ugh, you're so tight!" Kanata could stop crying out and moaning as Naruto dominated her.

She could feel the power of his thrusts and his control over her, and boy did he enjoy it.

A few moments later, she found herself being lifted up as Ayato laid on his back with her on top, putting her in the cowgirl position that made her lean on his chest.

Kanata just looked at her lover before flashing a beautiful smile and began to ride him.

Ayato groaned as Kanata bounced on his cock, her breasts bouncing about as well as her hair.

This continued until Ayato grinned mischievously and thrust up, causing her to gasp as Ayato grabbed her hips and controlled her pace.

Once again, a horny Kanata found her pace being controlled as Ayato found her G-spot and thrust into it.

Kanata moaned louder at that move, with Ayato sitting up, grabbed her breasts, and suck on him through the nipples, his dancing tongue around them driving Kanata crazy and close to insanity.

What amazing is the fact that Ayato is continuing to pound into Kanata while doing it.

Ayato then let up on his breast-sucking and thrusting, with Rias suddenly looking confused as Ayato turned her around while still being connected to her, her back now facing him. Ayato then continued his siege onto her body, thrusting into her while kissing her neckline and massaging her breasts. Kanata could barely form words due to the insane amount of pleasure she was receiving. After a few more minutes of this, Ayato pushed Kanata back onto the table, this time fucking her doggystyle.

. "Kanata-san, I'm going to cum soon!" Ayato warned her, but not letting up on his inhuman pace. "Please cum inside me, Ayato-koi! I need it!" Kanata wailed.

"Uwaaahhh!"

Ayato brought Kanata up to him and kissed her while thrusting rapidly into her body with Kanata moaned into the kiss.

"I'm cumming! I'm cumming!" she cried as both their restraints snapped. Ayato groaned, filling her with his huge load as Kanata screamed in pleasure.

"S-Sorry! Th-That wasn't on purpose!"

"Hehe, it's fine. I know that." Ayato was a person of virtue, so Kanata understood the situation without needing him to explain. "I'll keep Our sex Session a secret from Stella-san, okay?"

"That'll really help…."

(LEMON OVER, you kiddies can come out now. It's safe!)

"But unfortunately, it looks like our fun test of courage ends here." Muttering this with disappointment, Kanata looked toward the classroom whose window had first broken as she got a new white dress and Ayato got his clothes back.

It could not have done so without reason. The poltergeist seen in the recording should be found within.

"Here we come, Francesca." Standing up, Kanata manifested her Device, a rapier formed from transparently pale glass.

Grasping it in her right hand, Kanata raised it horizontally, and thrusted it into her own left palm, but the blade of Francesca was rather fragile, and it broke into dust as it entered to dance as glitter in the night air.

This was the Scharlach Frau's preparation for combat.

She spoke to Ayato with a voice not at all like the schoolgirl she had used a moment ago, but the dignified voice of a knight who has answered many special summons to straddle the line of life and death.

"I'll assist. Shall I leave the front to you?"

"…Yeah!" Kanata's effective range was mid to close, while Ayato was only capable in long to mid to close range, making it the correct choice for him to proceed first. He had no complaint.

"Come forth, Ryuuzetsu"

Ayato charged into the classroom with his Device in hand. What came into view was the same as depicted in the recording.

Chairs, desks, cleaning tools… everything inside the classroom was dancing and circling in midair. And in the middle of that commotion, a single small shape was standing.

With a white cloth over its head like a curtain, it could not be viewed clearly, but there was a slit where its head would be, and a pair of blazing eyeballs glared through at Ayato.

Those were doubtlessly the same eyes last seen in the video footage. It's you…!

"Hold it right there! If you surrender, I won't get rough—"

But before Ayato could complete his demand, the criminal turned to face Ayato, and all of the classroom's chairs and desks dancing in midair were launched at him in unison.

His field of view was covered by a barrage of flying furniture.

No intent to surrender could be found.

"In that case…!" Ayato launched himself forward.

He did not protect himself against the desks and chairs raining down.

Why?

Because Kanata said that she would assist him. And so—none of the malice aimed toward him could possibly reach.

Before the dozens of desks and chairs thrown by psychokinetic power could strike Ayato, they were all cut to shreds that dispersed in the air.

It was the power of Kanata's Diamond Dust, a Noble Art that manipulated many invisibly small blades.

Even now, those blades whirled around Ayato like a rock shredder, slashing apart everything that would touch Ayato into millions of tiny pieces.

The criminal could not hide its shudder at seeing this.

It immediately turned, and with very agile movements—it leaped through another classroom window that opened to the outside of the school grounds.

But this was the third floor of the school building. Jumping out was not safe even for a Blazer.

Being in such a hurry… was this a self-destructive act?

No.

The criminal under a white cloth went into freefall, and then floated upward gently.

This was psychokinesis, using its poltergeist power on itself. It wants to escape through the air!?

Such an escape would make it difficult to catch. If he jumped out the window after it, the one who would self-destruct was Ayato. So he slowed down, without another option—

"Kurogane-kun! Don't stop! Keep chasing it!" If he followed it through the window like this, Ayato would fall.

Surely Kanata understood this, and yet she was telling him to continue, shouting with confidence and determination.

In that case— I'll trust her!

Pushed on by her words, Ayato ceased slowing down, and without hesitation followed the criminal through the window, stepping into open space.

And when he did, his feet came into contact with something solid.

This is…. He saw faint, indistinct, transparent footholds being formed under his feet.

There was no need for wonder—it was Diamond Dust being gathered there.

Stepping on those footholds, Ayato again jumped upwards, and as he did so more platforms appeared, guiding him into the night sky.

Amazing.

Making such a quick judgment after seeing the enemy's movements.

Clarity of judgment that combined a changing situation with one's own repertoire to choose the best action moment by moment.

Observational powers able to grasp Ayato's physical ability & Generation and predict his footsteps, creating footholds with the optimal timing and spacing.

This was the knight with Hagun Academy's second highest ranking.

As Ayato appreciated Kanata's capability, he borrowed her power to chase the criminal into the sky.

The criminal eyed Ayato coming from behind, and tried to use its power to stop the pursuit. But….

"Do you think I'll let you!?" It likely did not expect this approach, and its reaction was a touch too slow.

Faster than it could unleash a psychokinetic blast, Ayato aimed at the criminal and threw Ryuuzetsu from his hand.

The black Nodachipoint neared.

Naturally, the criminal lashed out with psychokinesis to try and knock it away.

"Haa!" That opening was what Ayato wanted. With all his might, he stepped forward powerfully enough to break the foothold Kanata had made for him, and shot forward with greater speed, striking the criminal in the body as if gouging into it.

"I got you!" He held the criminal with both arms, cloth and all, clutching so that it could not escape.

But now they were even higher in the sky than the school's top floor, about fifty meters above ground.

With the criminal in both arms, he could not fall safely.

But Ayato was confident. He had a quick-witted and effective partner.

There was no problem leaving the fall entirely to her. "Diamond Storm."

Kanata, sent countless blade particles to the ground Ayato was falling toward, churning the earth and filling the air with powder that acted as a cushion, catching him

. "…As I thought." While marveling at the performance Ayato looked toward the criminal in his arms. It made no indication of movement, as if the blow had taken all breath from it.

Also… it was so small. Could it be a young child? With that question in mind, Ayato pulled off the cloth, and… "

Whaaaaa!?"

…gave a cry of surprise.

"What!? Th-The culprit was… a monkey!?" Stella yelled in surprise at seeing the offender Ikki had caught, now held in a cage. Indeed, it was actually a wild monkey. "But can a monkey, or actually can any animal use Noble Arts?" Touka was the one to reply. "The more distant from human, the less chance there is, but there are some examples." The magic of a Blazer was the power to impose one's will upon the world. Humans across history used magic to gain influence, but they were not the only ones to leave their names on that history. Sometimes unique non-human beings holding magic appeared. "Didn't the heroes of bygone eras have warhorses that galloped across battlefields, and didn't they fight legendary beasts that held such power? At least that's what modern mainstream scientific thought concludes, apparently." "Huh. I didn't know that…. Anyway, I guess it was a false alarm… ah?" Stella suddenly noticed the bandage wrapped around the monkey's back leg. "Was it injured?" "Yeah. It was already like that when we caught it." Ikki did not notice at first either, but with a chance to look closely, he had seen the deep bite mark on the monkey's leg. "It was probably chased out of its troop for using a unique power. You can see it's a young one. Wandering around this place by itself… wouldn't that be the reason?"

"I think it must've been trying hard to defend itself." Like it was an ugly duckling. A wild animal would be out of place in human society, so up until now it had not shown itself except at night, probably hiding out of fear of humans. After being caught and given food, it was so calm it almost felt like a pet. Maybe all that ruckus before was simply self-defense.

Hearing Ayato and Kanata's statements, Stella furrowed her eyebrows sullenly. She probably wanted to get even for being thoroughly scared. But….

"If that's the case, then I'll forgive it this time. Appreciate my mercifulness." Stella relinquished the idea of revenge, and did not sink into dark thoughts.

She only poked the monkey inside its cage on the forehead, and when she did…

"Kii!" Her extended finger was caught and held by the monkey's small hand.

"S-So cute…." But glancing sideways at that saccharine sight, Utakata spoke to Touka with a serious face.

"Taking into account the property damage, this guy was caught by Kouhai-kun and Kanata, right? Since it's a 'Unique' that could be harmful to humans, aren't we supposed to put it down?"

"…Yes. That's an obligation held in common by all nations of the League."

"Wha! W-We can't do that! Isn't that just cruel!?" Stella paled at the exchange between the two student council members. But Ayato knew that this question was already settled, so he spoke up.

"It's fine, Stella. That's something Toutokubara-san already took care of."

"What do you mean?"

"One of the organizations managed by the Toutokubara Foundation has a facility specializing in the custody and protection of Uniques. We contacted them once we realized this little guy would need to be taken in, so they'll come to pick him up straightaway. If it really is a Unique that poses a threat to humans, it has to be taken into custody anyway…." Fortunately the two of them had not been injured, so according to Kanata, putting forth the Toutokubara name would allow for this lenience.

At those words, Stella patted her chest in relief.

"Ah, so that's how it is… that's great! Kanata-san's family really is amazing. They do things like this, and support the institution where Touka-san and her family came from."

She agreed with a voice of admiration. At her words….

"…I guess so." Ayato nodded back… but he remembered his exchange with Kanata. After catching the monkey, Kanata had immediately called her family using her student datapad, and asked for the monkey's protection.

「—Yes. Then please process it. Yes. Thank you very much. Goodbye.」

「How'd it go?」 Kanata nodded to Ayato's inquiry.

「It was worked out. I hear that Father will see to the negotiation directly. This little one won't come to a bad end.」

「That's good. Being the ones to catch him, it'd keep me up at night knowing he might be euthanized.」

Ayato rubbed the head of the monkey he was holding.

「…But how amazing. They even have a facility to protect Uniques.」

Uniques were creatures with extremely dangerous powers, much like this one.

Mundane methods could not secure them well, so a dedicated facility needed both sturdiness and large space, as well as the power of knights that could pacify them when necessary.

Even a government would find the high cost difficult to work out, making euthanasia the common practice instead of captivity.

Ayato was surprised that the Toutokubara Foundation operated such a facility, but for Kanata, it was natural that the family would devote such resources.

「We Toutokubara are old nobility with names etched in history, from back before the French Revolution. The precept of noblesse oblige has been carried down in our blood for many generations.」

The rich give to the poor—but while the words were easy enough to say, not many took them seriously. The Toutokubara family, even as the name and country and era change, was one of the few that not only spoke of noblesse oblige, but acted. Even if some of the people heartlessly insulted them as hypocrites, they continued in this way through the years. Kanata was sincerely proud of that.

「You asked before, didn't you? What I was bitter about marrying for the sake of the family? Yes, I'd be lying if I said I haven't felt that way. I wanted to have a love like I imagined it. If I could, I'd stay in Japan with Touka-chan and the others, and live as a knight on my own… but my respect for the Toutokubara spirit I've inherited is more important. There are many problems in the world that only money can solve. Children who've lost their parents, or were thrown away, can be raised in institutions that need money. Safeguarding places where those with unique powers can live takes an enormous amount. That's difficult to do with my own power, but the Toutokubara family can accomplish it. They have the will to act. And I don't believe it's a sacrifice to give my life protecting that.」

To provide strength for many people, over the life of a single knight. Kanata was not going to waver from the path she chose.

「That is the path of the Toutokubara, and the path of knighthood that I, Kanata Toutokubara, will walk.」 Her voice was calm, strong, and beautiful as a bell ringing in the night. Hearing her, Ayato knew that his concerns were unneeded. And he knew of Kanata's strength.

"…She really is amazing." Ayato gazed in admiration at Kanata as he remembered back. What she carried was honor born of human strength. That gaze was a bit careless though. "

Oh dear oh dear~? I wonder why Kouhai-kun's looking at Kanata with such fiery eyes… ah! Could it be? When they were alone together, they did something that they can't tell Stellachan—"

There was someone right here who loved making things complicated. Ayato raised his voice to protest, but—

"Wha!? W-W-What are you saying, Vice President Misogi! I would nev—ah." His retort stumbled in the middle.

Something like that did happen, something that Stella could not be told… the fact that he and Kanata were the ones frightening her outside the washroom.

"Whyyyyy are you stammering just now~?" Brilliant red embers cracked from Stella's hair as she pressed Ayato for faltering. He could only speak candidly.

"Ah, no, you're mistaken Stella. You're making a huge misunderstanding right now. …Toutokubara-san. You can speak up for me, right!?" He implored the main offender, who smiled softly.

"Shh. That's a secret between us~ " Placing an index finger on her lips, Kanata bade Ayato be silent in what was quite a suggestive way.

"Wha…!" Ayato saw the mischievous gleam in Kanata's deep blue eyes, and knew his error. Sh-She's having fun….! He had not told Stella about Kanata's temperament, and now it was far too late. "Ayatooo….

Stella summoned Lævateinn in her right hand. All composure vanished from her eyes, leaving only fury. There was only one thing he could do.

"S-Sorry!"

"Ah, he's running."

"Stop right here—! What're you keeping a secret—!?"

"I'll talk! I'll talk! Just calm down and put away the sword—!"

"Do you think I'll calm down about this—!?" Afterwards, a rumor made the rounds about a female ghost wandering the school trailing a huge sword. But that was a different tale.

...