I walked into the lobby of the hotel, exhaling as I approached him in the lobby of the hotel where a rating game meeting was taking place, including a debrief on the eventful Gremory v. Bael match. "Diehauser! Great to see you again."

He shook my hand. "Milcom. Great to see you. Thank you for working with me on keeping the Naberius situation under control and agreeing to arranging his detainment."

"The pleasure's all mine."

"I also hear you are helping handle your mother's supervision after her whole mental episode a while back," Diehauser added. "How's that going?"

I chuckled nervously. "Funny you should mention that. It has to do with why I've come here today."

"Oh, really?" he asked, curiously.

"Both of them have escaped my custody and they have gone missing."

Volume 7: Recovery at the School Trip

"Hello! Name's Rahab Amon! Pleased to join the class this term!"

There was applause from the class, but not without a bit of apprehension.

"Not complaining about another totally cute transfer student," Matsuda said, "but she kinda looks like bad news."

"Yeah," said Motohama. "Are you sure she's not one of those delinquents?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny the details of whether Rahab is a member of a deadly gang."

"What about the details of that injury?" Matsuda asked, motioning towards my right arm in a sling. "Can you confirm or deny that?"

"I can confirm that. I got beat up."

"By whom? Arnold Schwarzenegger?" he replied.

…

"I can neither confirm nor deny the identity of whoever gave me this injury."

"Just leave him be," Aika said. "He's gotten all mysterious ever since summer vacation."

"What are you talking about?" I said. "I've been nothing but forthright."

"Right…" the three of them said in unison.

"There is another student joining our class today," the homeroom teacher added, "but said student is not feeling well and is in the nurse's office right now."

"Oh. Speaking of which, I gotta go to the Nurse myself," I suddenly said.

"Oh, right. You told us the Nurse wanted to keep an eye on that arm," Motohama commented.

I nodded as I headed out the door. "Mm hmm. I told you I've been forthright with you."

"See you later!" Matsuda called out.

This time, I was honest about having to go to the nurse. Though, I was referred to the nurse in the Middle School wing, Ruri Mari.

Where Ms. Mari came from is a mystery to most of the school, but mom says she's a friend of hers and entrusted her with me confiding in the true nature of the injury.

I took the sling and bandages off and she examined the arm.

"The wounds seem to be healing well so far," so observed. "The Sitris' medicine is definitely effective."

"I still won't be able to take the sling off before the trip?"

Mari shook her head. "I am afraid not. It will take a couple weeks to fully heal even with the advanced Underworld medicine."

"Ah…" I scoffed in frustration

"Don't fret," she said, "I'll be coming with you to make sure you're properly taken care of."

"Ms. Mari… What time is it…?"

I turned towards the woozy-sounding voice to find the new student the teacher mentioned earlier was the pretty boy I saw next to Elmenhilde Karnstein at the news station! And judging by the white bra and panties I could see under the unbuttoned shirt, "he" was actually a girl!

The student immediately noticed my gaze and frantically buttoned her shirt. "My apologies!" she immediately changed her tone, put her hand on her chest and bowed. "Brooke Toro at your service."

"Brooke was suffering from fatigue on account of the fact that she's a dhampir," Ms. Mari explained.

"As in, a part-vampire?"

Brooke nodded her head. "I am a half-breed, which allows me to be exposed to the elements in Lady Karnstein's stead."

"Just because you're a daywalker does not mean you should push yourself," Ms. Mari replied. "You are still at a higher risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke than even your devil peers."

Brooke looked up at the window introspectively, "A blessing, yet a curse…"

"Deep…" I remarked.

So… vampires are real…

After a few more exams, Brooke and I were excused from the Nurse's office, the former of which was holding an umbrella given to her by Ms. Mari.

She was also wearing the men's uniform with a bowtie. Its condition was very crisp.

I glanced at her appearance, "Any particular reason, other than personal preference?"

"The Toro family serves as valets for the house of Karnstein," she interjected. "It is not personal preference."

I nodded. "I apologize for prying."

I received the silent treatment until one of the middle schoolers suddenly broke it in an instant.

"Hey! Senpai! You must be one of big sister Rahab's classmates!"

I nodded. "And you must be one of her sisters."

She had a lighter shade of pink hair like Rahab's purple. Though, her inner hair was a blueish color, unlike Rahab's.

"Yep! Avi Amon! Daughter of Lord Ahab and Jael Amon! My favorite words are 'spirit,' 'determination,' and 'passion'! Pleasure to meet you!"

"Makoto Fujiwara…" I introduced myself in turn.

"Oh! I gotta head to class! Seeya, senpai!" She waved herself off.

I gave her a casual two finger salute, "See ya."

"Jael Amon? I suppose there must have been an 'official wife' to obscure the fact Lord Amon had a certain angel mistress he eloped with behind the family's back after Mara's death..."

"You're talking to yourself. You realize that?" Brooke informed me.

I was startled for a sec. "I could've sworn that was my internal monologue…"

I then noticed another black-haired middle schooler looking lost.

"Excuse me!" I called out to her. "Are you looking for something? Someone?"

She leapt back, defensive like a swordman. "You two… cannot be human…"

Brooke stepped up to confront the girl, but I stopped her with my arm.

"That's a possibility," I replied. "I apologize if I startled you. The Middle School classes are that way, in case you were wondering," pointing in the direction of the hallway we just came out of.

The girl hastily nodded, "Thank you," and began to walk in that direction.

"Hey. Relax. It's gonna be okay," I assured her. "I was in your shoes a couple years ago. Had no idea what was where in this school."

"I… don't know how to relax…" she replied. "That's the only way I know to carry myself."

"Once you get to know some friends, it will be a lot easier. Trust me," I then reached out my hand. "I might as well be your first. Makoto Fujiwara, second-year high school. Feel free to call me Makoto."

She gave a small smile. "I am… Zekka Miyamoto... Second-year middle school"

She began to dash off as I struggled to remember something that was burning in my mind about her… about her uniform…

I pointed up, interrupting her. "Oh, just one more thing… Um…"

"What is it…?" Zekka asked. "I'm gonna be late for class…"

Brooke walked up to her, apparently being more attentive to the issue than I was (perhaps why she was confronting her earlier).

"Your ribbon is crooked," Brooke told her, adjusting it on the fly, "You must take care of your appearance."

I sighed, brushing my head, partly from forgetting something as simple as the ribbon being crooked and partly from Brooke's bluntness towards someone who was clearly a new transfer student (miraculously with no relation to my exploits).

"The name's Brooke Toro, by the way."

"T-Thanks…" Zekka said, observing Brooke. "It must be nice… having small breasts…"

Brooke suddenly got flustered at her somehow noticing her feminine features. "Uh… Thank you…?"

I only just now noticed her generous figure, especially compared to the much slenderer Brooke.

"If you are that conscious about… that…, you are welcome to come by the old schoolhouse in the high school division any time." I commented.

"What? Does a big boobs club meet there?" Zekka responded, with Brooke pulling a face in reaction.

"Uh… Not exactly…" I replied. "Let's just say I know a couple girls you might make quick friends with."

Zekka nodded. "I'll keep that in mind…"

She then dashed off. I sighed. "Rias would have done that way more gracefully."

"Comparisons do you no good," Brooke commented. "Focus on bettering yourself."

"Wise words coming from a guy I just met…" I said.

"I'm a girl," she reminded me.

"Sorry. I forgot."

Akeno poured out a teacup for me as I walked into the club room. Rias was right across from where I would be sitting.

"You wanted to see me, Akeno? Rias?"

Akeno giggled. "No. Just Rias. She wants to spend some quality time with you before you have to leave for Kyoto."

She left the room, giggling as she closed the door behind her.

"Don't ask me," Rias replied. "If anything, she would be the one wanting alone time with you before the class trip."

I shrugged. "Yeah. She's definitely the type to try and get one more lewd incident in before I leave her for two days."

She nodded. "Still be on your guard tonight against Akeno, though. Someone once said, 'There are no seniors or juniors in the bedroom. Just man and woman'."

"And who said that?"

"Akeno," Rias replied. "She was giving some first year a bit of scuffed dating advice,"

"Figures."

"Well. Are you excited for the class trip?"

I nodded. "I have been having trouble sleeping because of it."

Rias pulled a face. "Hmm? You wanted to get away from me that badly?"

"Oh! No! No!" I replied. "It was a joke. I am excited, but the pain in my arm was the main reason."

Rias giggled. "I was messing with you, too. But, while we're on the subject, how was the arm now Ms. Mari has had a chance to take a look at it?"

I motioned with the arm, "It's doin' alright. Still not healing as quick as I'd like. Hope this doesn't ruin the trip."

She shook her head. "Kyoto is one of my favorite places. I wish I could go with you."

"I'll make sure to bring back plenty of pictures."

She clasped her hands. "Please do," she blushed a bit. "A joked about it earlier, but it will get lonely without you around. You have brought a lot of energy to the Club."

I chuckled. "I have, huh?"

"Yes. Why else did I entrust you to lead my peerage when I was ill?"

I nodded and smiled. "You have a point."

"Do make great memories with your classmates in Kyoto."

After we finished with our tea, Rias led me to the door and turned the knob.

Which did not open.

"Huh? I don't remember locking this door," she said.

"That's odd…" I commented. "You shouldn't be able to lock yourself in from this side."

"No, you shouldn't," she replied.

"Crap. This is like a scenario in one of those erotic mangas," I muttered.

"Don't worry. This isn't something I can't fix." She stretched out her arm "Open for me."

A buzzer sounded.

"Huh?" I said. "Let me try. Open."

Buzzer sound.

"Open sesame."

Buzzer.

"Alohomora."

Buzzer again.

"Those types of spells don't work in this world," Rias told me.

"It was worth a shot," I commented. "I learned vampires were real today, so anything's possible."

"Plus, take a look at the text on the door."

"'First, please put on the maid outfit in the closet," I read. "… It can't be referring to me, could it?"

*BUZZER*

"You are to be the master," I read.

She opened the closet in the room. "Oh. There are some cosplay outfits in here."

"How'd those get in there?"

"Possibly Aika…" Rias replied. "Look away for a second while I change."

"Won't be a problem…" I turned around.

While I could hear the rustling of her clothes taken off, she said "I won't mind if you do look, though..."

I groaned and pinched my eyes. "True. You were perfectly fine with me seeing you barely covered by a bedsheet."

She giggled. "Sorry. I was messing with you again. You can look now."

She indeed had a classic French maid outfit on, complete with a headdress, and had tied her hair up for good measure.

"Do I look alright?" she asked. "I look like Grayfia, don't I?"

I nodded. Noting her similar figure "Yes… Quite."

"Sit down in the chair. I want to give you a back massage like she did after your training."

I sat down and she began rubbing my shoulders thoroughly.

"Wow. They are tense," Rias remarked. "Are you sure you are doing well after the injury?"

"I think so," I replied. "I'm just nervous after the incident."

"I see. Don't push yourself too hard. Remember, all of your peerage will happen to be with you to support, including Rossweisse as a chaperone."

"Thanks, Rias. I appreciate it."

She looked toward the door. "Is that good?"

*BUZZER*

"What? What am I missing?"

I put my hand to my chin. "Perhaps try going a little deeper into the role. I know some manga will have the maid act in the role a doting housewife."

"I understand. I am quite familiar with many of these shoujo manga tropes."

"Let's see… Perhaps I could be asleep on the couch and you, the dear maid/wife of the master, is trying to get him up."

Rias nodded, "Okay. I'll give it a try."

"I have faith in you, Rias. You can do this."

She gave an audible exhale as I laid down on the couch.

I was actually about to nod off for real as she called out to me, "Wake up! Wake up, master!"

I rubbed my eyes with my left hand. I groaned, "How long was I out for?"

"You have been out for several hours, now! Your friends have been worried sick about you, master!"

I looked around confused, second guessing whether I really did fall asleep for that long before remembering this was a bit and Rias and I were locked in this room by unknown forces. That would explain the maid getup.

"Tell me, dear master; are you really doing well as you said earlier?" she asked me. "Is the attack bothering you that much?"

I sat up, "Yeah. It is… That was the second time I feared for my life." I was shaking. "The first was when Halja cut my arm off, but that time I was still consumed by anger at her… that the adrenaline largely overshadowed the pain… and terror. This, though, I was genuinely scared for my life, especially as Akeno was not able to get us out of there and got injured herself.

Both times I made it out alive by the skin of my teeth due to dumb luck and someone's quick intervention. I'm not sure I will make it out alive the next time something like this happens."

Rias clasped my quivering hand. "You don't have to act so tough all the time, master," she said. "You have Akeno. You have Asia. You have me… your devoted maid. So please… be willing to lean on me more…"

There was a loaded moment where our faces got dangerously close to each other before…

*DING DONG DING DONG*

A bell chimed in the direction of the door, startling us.

Rias sighed in relief. "Finally!"

"Let's see if that worked…" I said as we walked to the door.

I got my answer. "What the hell…?"

"Now put on those ears and act like a cat."

"Oh, well that's easy," I said.

I grabbed the ears in the closet and put them on.

"Thank myew Rias-nyan! You have rhisstored my energy! Meow!"

*BUZZER*

"Nice try, Makoto, but you are still playing the master(?)" she read the doors response in disbelief as my left hand was still curled up like a paw.

I hand Rias the ears. "You got this…"

She snatched them in embarrassment, put them on behind the headdress, and breathed in.

She gave a big yawn. "Master?" she said, starting a sort-of singsong voice "Do you want to play with me?"

After giving the same paw motion I did, she turned to the door. "Okay. Is that good enough?"

*BUZZER*

"You can do a better cat impression than that, Rias(?!)," she read the door's response. "I- just can't! It's impossible"

"You can, Rias!" I replied. "Trust in me who trusts in you!"

She nodded. "And I have to trust in the me who trusts in myself! Who in hell does this door think I am? I am Rias Gremory!" pumping herself up, and muttered "…And I am a cute kitty!"

She slapped her cheeks in preparation.

"You got this, Rias!" I reminded her. "I believe in you!"

She suddenly approached me with a wide grin batting at my head. "Hello, myaster! Do nya want to play with me!?"

I was startled, but I played along and nodded.

She then began to nuzzle me, grabbing my right arm, "You are so anxious myowll of a sudden! I am always here to relieve nyall that pent up stress! Meow!"

She then, after a moment of obvious hesitation, she then nommed at my ear. I grew red.

"I want you to be the happy person I love you for!"

A victorious jingle sounded.

Immediately, Rias gave an exasperated groan of relief.

"We did it…" she said, hunched forward. "We made it through all those grisly challenges…"

"I knew we could do it…" I put up a fist, she responded by bumping it.

"Now let's get out of here," she remarked. "Whoever pulled this devious prank has some serious explaining to do…"

After saying that, she was finally able to turn the doorknob… that opened to reveal the culprit in smiling front of her.

"My my…" Akeno exclaimed. "A scary woman is glaring at me with my Makoto…," giggling.

Akeno got an earful from her after this…

Author's Note

If you didn't catch it, the scenario in the latter half of this chapter is inspired by the ASMR (those are the X's btw) CD released in May.