"Hi yah!" A clumsy Asia attempted to hit the volleyball up and over the net, however, it didn't quite reach over.
"I got this," Xenovia, her partner, said, assisting with hitting the ball over.
"I'll pass," Yumma said, setting up her partner.
"This'll hit!" Koneko stated, slamming the ball to the ground.
"I won't let it!" Xenovia shouted, diving towards the ground, hitting the ball back up.
"U-um, good job, Xenovia-san!" Asia said, bringing the ball back to their opponents' side.
The gang was enjoying their beach vacation and groups had been divided depending on the activities. Some swam in the waters, some relaxed, and some yearned for competition… while others were along for the ride.
"I wonder which side will give first. Any bets?" Issei asked his wives, who were reclining next to him.
Irina excitedly spoke up first. "I have faith that Xenovia and Asia will last longer than Koneko and Yuuma. They've gotten closer after that misunderstanding was cleared up!"
"And? Are you sure that has nothing to do with any bias towards your friends?" Rias pouted.
"Nothing against Koneko-chan or Yuuma, but I just want to root for my long-time friend!" Irina admitted, "Just as I bet you want to vote for the other side."
Rias let out a small laugh. "Koneko-chan is my cute rook. I know she'll pull through for Team Rias!"
"So Yuuma is an honorary member?" Issei asked.
"I'll allow it for today. Akeno will have to bear with it," Rias said.
"So then Xenovia and Asia would be on my team?" Irina asked.
"Wait, that can't be! Little dear Asia has to be on my team as well!" Rias said.
"Yes, but she's Xenovia's partner right now. That means, I get Asia!" Irina said.
"No! I miscalculated," Rias despaired.
"Careful," Issei said, "Some might get jealous." He gestured over to one of the members on the court.
Koneko looked over at her master, blank faced. She had felt as if she wasn't being appreciated as much in this scenario. Her worth should be high, right?
Rias waved at her, saying, "I love all my pieces, Koneko-chan. Now win and I'll buy you a mountain of sweets as a victory prize."
Issei could barely see her ears twitch on her head as she was rejuvenated with motivation. The only thing on her mind was winning.
"I would hope that my wives wouldn't fight. It'd be tragic if you both got too heated and needed some sunscreen to be applied," Issei smiled wide, lowering his sunglasses.
Both turned red and turned away. "Ahh, Ise, you're no fun! We were just having a friendly match!" Irina said. "Rias is one of my best friends!"
"Exactly! There's no need for drastic measures such as that," Rias agreed.
Issei smiled wide as both of them shivered under his gaze. There were a lot of uses for tentacles and it was very easy to gently apply sunscreen, sometimes, Issei has gotten a bit more… touchy.
"You're safe for now," Issei said to the two of them. "I'll be rooting for both of them." Issei raised back his sunglasses and resumed reclining.
"It's really too bad Rossweisse couldn't come along," Irina said.
"It couldn't be helped," Rias commented, "She has a lot of teacher duties back in Kuoh. Sona didn't allow me to pull any strings for her and Rossweisse didn't want me to."
"We'll get her to come along next time. Doesn't matter when. It's summer vacation," Issei grinned, ulterior motives unspoken. He was already imagining her smoking hot, Valkyrie bod.
"And I assume I'll be funding these potential trips?" Rias asked, teasing him.
"Of course," Issei grinned.
"As long as I'm always invited."
"And don't forget me too!" Irina added.
Issei rubbed both of their heads as the two leaned into his touch. "I couldn't forget either of you if I tried."
The three of them sat in a comfortable silence as they watched the energetic battle of wills that is the volleyball match.
Pretty soon, someone won between the two teams and one pouty kitten was the result.
"W-we did it!" Asia said.
"It was a tough battle," Xenovia solemnly nodded.
"Buchou, I want sweets. Yuuma didn't try. She sabotaged me."
"N-no I didn't!" Yumma denied, shaking her head fervently.
Rias comforted the little underclassman. "There there, Koneko. You know that you can't just blame Yumma like that." Koneko's expression darkened. "I'll buy you 5 sweets since you tried so hard though. It was a fun match to watch." Koneko's expression became brighter.
"I did expect to see a fallen angel of Yuuma's caliber to put up more of a fight, but I assume you have your own reasons," Issei noted.
Yuuma looked away. "Nothing in particular. Congratulations to the winners."
"It was truly a lot of fun!" Asia said, grasping Yuuma's hands. "I'm very happy to be able to play a game like this. I've never done it like this before!"
"Neither have I, actually," Xenovia said, shivering, "A certain… figure in my life showed me the 'joys' of training."
"Oh cmon, Lady Griselda isn't that bad," Irina laughed. "She does give the impression of someone with a strong will though.
"You haven't experienced it yet. Not like I have." Xenovia had a blank look in her eyes. "You were a guest, so she was nicer."
"I see. I wonder if I could catch some tips from her," Issei thought out loud. Although he had been beaten within an inch of his life, he hadn't been so intimately involved in her training.
Everybody acquainted with Griselda looked at him in almost terror. Although Issei was a powerful being that lazed around with his wives most of the day, he also took training pretty seriously. Matsuda and Motohama were especially afraid of being the punching bag as Issei had no qualms about beating them up.
"It was a joke!" Issei laughed the silence off. "I have my own secret training tricks you know. I'd rather be original," Issei allowed his tentacles to flow a little from him, showing off his command over his body.
"Ara ara, would you mind teaching me your secret training tricks?" Akeno walked into their conversation.
Issei's eyes caught mirth as he flirted with Akeno. "It has to be in secret, I wouldn't want my wives to find out about our little… affair."
"You don't seem to care much when you're within earshot of them."
"They don't mind me though. You, on the other hand, must know how to keep quiet or else I'll be rougher on your training," Issei grinned maliciously, his tentacles curling with anticipation.
Akeno's breath got rougher upon hearing Issei's threats. "I'm always pleased by your good will in taking care of our training."
"As you should be."
Rias and Irina looked at them flirting. Rias had an expectant smile on her face while Irina just frowned.
As the day went on, general shenanigans flared up for the day as a barbecue was manned by Issei, his tentacles multitasking in the grilling.
However, it seemed some had unresolved issues that wished to be aired. Before Xenovia said grace and ate her food, she walked over to an unexpecting Asia, who was fiddling with her food. It was the poor girl's first time eating barbecue and she was unsure how to proceed with the meat on the stick. Issei hadn't taught her how yet so she was left to her own devices.
Asia thought about putting the whole stick in her mouth. That was a bad idea though and she nearly poked her throat. There was no cutlery to remove the meat from the stick and the meat was still too hot to be held like a burger— another new food that Asia enjoyed.
"Oh, Xenovia!" Asia waved with a bright smile on her face. "Can you help me? I don't know how to eat a barbie que."
Xenovia naturally smiled softly. "You eat it like this," Xenovia held the stick sideways and bit into the meat.
"Oh! I see now!" Asia's eyes sparkled. "So, it's like a burger!"
"...yes, just like a burger," Xenovia nodded as she took a seat on the blanket, beside Asia. She sighed. "Asia, I've made a grave mistake before. I'm sorry I said such terrible words to you," Xenovia bowed down, Japanese dogeza. "I hope you can forgive me."
"I forgive you Xenovia," Asia turned to Xenovia. "I have forgiven you long ago. There's no need to bow to me."
"No, my words were very hurtful and can't ever be taken back. I can only do this much, but even then, I wish I could do something to make it up to you."
"Hmm," Asia thought, "Maybe be my partner in volleyball again. We were a great team and I'd love to be one again!"
Xenovia raised her head and smiled. "I'd like that. We'll defeat all in our path!"
There were only a few listening in on this with Issei being one of them, smiling at their friendship. It was nice to be able to forgive and forget, but some things were harder to forget. Issei looked over at the person who attempted to impale him.
That person was a little nervous, but her behavior in today's match showed she was holding back for some reason, not that Issei cared. Whatever the reason, it seemed that she was hovering around Asia in a subtle way.
"Ah, a perfect western meal. Did you watch some western reality television? How'd you learn how to grill, Ise," Irina said. She had been to America once and so had experienced some food there.
"I've seen a few and some videos have been helpful. Refining the art of grilling a good hamburger is a great skill!" Issei raised his nose to the air in cockiness.
Issei's attention went back to the burgers. 'No matter what Yuuma's intentions are, I won't allow anyone to hurt my precious people,' Issei thought. A great darkness loomed over him before he shook it off.
Dusting his hands and setting out another plate of perfectly made burgers and hotdogs and barbeque sticks, Issei called out, "Alright, who wants another serving?!"
Special chapter, this time written by DarkDrawer and edited by me! A round of applause everyone!
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So, I basically live in this Discord server. There's plenty of other writers there that you can chat with. You'd be surprised at the number of big (they are big to me!) names there. I'll not spoil them though. :D
discord .gg/5TaUq3brxa
Hope you guys enjoyed. Reviews fuel the writing.
PS. No, this chapter didn't nearly become explicit cuz Drawer-kun is fluffy.
PPS. Ignore the retarded guest review ty.