XXXI

Calm Before the Storm

Kouji found himself waking up extra early the next day, sneaking off into the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. There were more people then usual this time so he needed extra time to actually make a full meal for everyone. It was the first time in awhile that he had real alone time, just him prepping and cooking a traditioonal Japanese breakfast. Soon enough, the boiling pot of miso soup filled their entire renovated church.

He was deep in thought as he grilled the salmon and waited on the rice to cook. Kouji wondered what Irina was up to right now. He wanted to call her and ask her to come eat with them, as if there weren't a world ending prophecy hanging over their necks…but he still wanted to. The world may have thought he was dead but there were loved ones who still remembered him.

Kouji was thinking so much about Irina and their childhood that he hardly noticed the door opening as Karina and Winter casually strolled in carrying multiple bags full of clothes.

"Good morning," said Karina. "Are you making breakfast?"

"Is that miso soup?" asked Winter.

Kouji smiled as he stirred the pot. "We're having Japanese, hope you guys are okay with it."

"Oh I'm okay with everything you make," Winter set down the bags before hugging Kouji from behind. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Only had a few hours but it's enough for me," Kouji smiled. "Did you guys go shopping? It's like 7 AM, what's even open?"

"Oh we went to Seoul," said Karina, taking off her shoes and setting down her bags. "It's too early for anything in Japan."

"Seoul? What the hell did you guys get in Seoul?" asked Kouji.

Winter eagerly grinned as she dug through her bags. "Oh you know…clothes, shoes, some watches I thought would look good on you…and," she pulled out a black box before running over to the kitchen island. "This!"

He glanced back to see Winter holding a new phone. It was one of those new Samsung flip phones.

Kouji's jaw dropped as he set down his laddle. "You guys got me a phone?"

Karina smiled and ruffled his hair. "You can't use magic right now so we have to communicate somehow. Plus it's been a hard year…We thought we'd do something nice for you."

Kouji held back his tears from swelling up.

"Oh!" Winter grabbed her bags and set them on the island as well. "After we eat, fashion show. I picked out some great pieces and Rina even pitched in too. Oh Amy is going to love this."

Kouji furrowed a brow. "Amy?"

Karina smacked the back of Winter's head as if she was being punished for something as Winter slapped her hands over her mouth.

"Amy, Giselle, and NingNing," Karina corrected. "It's nice to spoil our little brother, you know?"

Kouji smiled as Karina and Winter leaned against the island, telling him about their trip to Seoul as he continued making breakfast. Time flew by until Amy woke up, entering the kitchen with a big yawn.

"Morning sleepy-head," Karina smiled. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Morning guys," Amy stretched and yawned as she collapsed on the island counter seats. "I don't know what NingNing did to make those beds but Lord have mercy…Did you guys go shopping?"

"Tons," said Winter. "We got some clothes for you too Amy."

"Me?" her eyes perked up. "G-Guys you didn't have to, I don't know how to pay you back."

"Pay us back?" asked Karina. "Amy, I don't know if you realize but money isn't really an issue for us. Besides, we mostly went shopping for Kouji so we're getting a fashion show from him after we eat."

Amy's eyes widened as her cheeks somehow got red. "F-Fashion show?"

Winter smirked as she swung an arm over Amy's neck. "Yup. Kouji in brand new clothes, quite a sight huh?"

"Y-Yeah…" A smile tugged at Amy's lips.

"It's just clothes guys," said Kouji. "Now can you please get washed up and help me Amy? I can't trust either of these two behind this island."

"You don't wanna ask Giselle?" asked Amy. "She's been up for a few hours with Mal."

"She has?" asked Kouji. "For what?"

"She's teaching him the basics of magic," said Karina. "I'm surprised you didn't notice. Aren't you guys sharing a room?"

"I just thought he was a deep, quiet sleeper," said Kouji. "Where are they?"

"Are they not in the backyard?" asked Amy. "You don't hear all of those explosions?"

Kouji set down his laddle as he finally heard it. Every few seconds, explosions would happen that nearly shook the ground. He hadn't realized it but without the Mystic Eyes…his magic perception was completely shot. He couldn't detect magic anymore and it was a pain in the ass to see out of one eye.

"We should leave them," said Karina. "Giselle gets kind of pissy when we interrupt her sessions, we just gotta pick up the pieces when she's finished."

Amy's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Oh she's gonna practically kill Mal," said Kouji. "She's a monster…I'll make extra for when we drag him back in."

Amy's eyes were as confused as they were scared. "S-Should we be worried? Are you guys all like this when it comes to training?"

"Go on," said Kouji. "Ask her Amy, don't make me ask her for you."

"What?" asked Karina. "Ask me what?"

Amy fidgeted with her fingers. "I was going to ask…if you'd be willing to train me, Karina."

"What?"asked Karina, a pleasant smile tugging at her lips. "Are you sure?"

"I've been feeling inadequate ever since I met you guys," said Amy. "You guys are all amazing…even Mal. I don't know I just…I don't want to be a burden. There's a whole war coming and I wanna be able to hold my own…I wanna stand by your side, not behind you."

Karina smiled and walked over to her side, placing a hand on her head. "You're not a burden, Amy, if you've been feeling that way. But if it's really what you want, of course I'll train you."

"I love it when everyone gets along," Winter smiled sheepishly. "I guess it'll just be you and me Kouji until NingNing gets better."

Kouji's brow furrowed. "NingNing? What's wrong with NingNing?"

"Arthur Pendragon," said Karina. "His Holy Sword had some kind of had a weird reaction when she got hit. She isn't healing as fast as we thought she would."

"Is she alright?" asked Amy.

"Giselle called Griselda for help," said Winter. "She's coming by later today to check up on her."

"I'm fine!" NingNing cried from upstairs. "Can you please save me some breakfast? I've been smelling the miso soup since it started boiling."

"I'll bring some up to you!" cried Kouji.

Amy quickly washed up before putting on an apron and hopping behind the counter to help Kouji finish up breakfast. NingNing and Winter put in a feature on the island to make it extend out long enough to fit the entire platter of food Kouji had prepared. Grilled salmon, cucumber salad, kimchi radish, rice, miso soup, seaweed salad, omelettes, even nori. Everything was all set as Karina held back Winter from devouring the entire spread.

"God it smells good down there!" cried NingNing. "Rina, don't let Winter eat it all!"

"Promise!" cried Karina with a smile.

The backdoor shot open as Mal limped back inside, charred and baggy eyed as Giselle followed behind him with a smile. Kouji and the girls had their eyes on Mal as he collapsed onto the living room couch as Giselle casually washed her hands at the kitchen with a gleeful smile.

"Alright, ask," she said.

"Is he dead?" asked Kouji.

"No but he's exhausted," said Giselle. "There's still a few cards we haven't tried but I've just been teaching him basic mana control but he's outputting way too much. I'm starting to think that's what the cards are for."

"What do you mean?" asked Amy.

"The cards gather all of his released magic and disperse them," said Giselle. "It's why when some of them activate, they look like magic circles."

"I can't feel my everything…" Mal said muffled through the sofa cushion. "Can I get a double portion?"

Amy leaned over to Karina. "Are you going to do that to me?"

Karina's brow furrowed. "Amy I am offended. Of course not!"

Winter leaned over to Amy. "Good luck…You're gonna need it."

"Get showered Mal," said Kouji. "Let's start eating."

…

Kouji had never subjected to more humiliation in his life then during that entire "fashion show". He had ten different outfits that consisted of various different pieces that Karina and Winter had picked out for him, he and Amy even took turns walking down the aisle from the backdoor to the living room as everyone clapped and Winter took pictures. It was the most humiliating experience of his life…especially since he had bandages wrapped around his left eye.

After their makeshift fashion show, everyone broke off into their own groups to do their own thing. Giselle, being the sick and twisted teacher she was, gave Mal 15 minutes to shower before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and dragging him outside to continue their training. Karina, on the other hand, had taken Amy to the outskirts of the town and set up a bounded field, not telling him what they were going to be training on. That left Kouji alone with Winter, taking care of NingNing upstairs.

"She's gonna kill him," NingNing shifted her position in bed. "You guys know she's going to kill him, don't you?"

"Probably," Kouji smiled as he set her tray of food down on her bedside. "You doing okay though? You don't look entirely fucked up."

NingNing tied her hair back in a ponytail and stretched her arms. "Physically I healed almost immediately but that stupid sword cut deeper then I thought…You're not the only one with messed up circuits Kouji. I can barely create fire."

"Don't even think about it," said Winter. "Griselda's coming later tonight to check up on you so until then, no magic. Did you set Kouji's number in your phone yet?"

"All set," said NingNing. "You guys going out?"

"Yup," Winter stood up and stretched her arms. "We gotta report to Rias…Apparently something's cooking with the three factions because of the prophecy."

"I'm just tagging along," said Kouji. "Call us if you need anything, alright?"

"Promise," NingNing smiled. "Oh can you guys get me some donuts on the way home? Glazed, no powdered sugar."

"Got it." Winter ruffled her hair before the two headed downstairs.

Winter looked like a full blown idol again. Apparently she had dyed her hair when she and Karina were at Seoul, which made Kouji wonder how long they were actually out. Silvery locks flowed down her back with the ends dipped in azure, curled to perfection as it flowed down her back. She wore a white crop top with a long and oversized beige cardigan over top with black jeans. It felt strange to be walking by her side, he even wondered if anyone would recognize her as they walked.

"Admit it," Winter clung to his arm. "You love your clothes. Say you love them."

Kouji was dressed like the CEO of some big company who was just out for a walk in the city. His brown coat reached his knees and sat atop a black buttoned shirt partially tucked into a pair of chinos and sneakers, the only thing that Winter would have allowed him to wear that was actually his.

"I love my clothes," Kouji smiled.

The eyes that lingered on them were definitely something Kouji would have to get used to. Unlike in Seoul when Winter had laced his arm bandages with perception filters, everyone could see them this time. If he were by himself, he would have been self conscious but with Winter by his side, he felt comfortable in his own skin as she talked about everything she and Karina did back in Seoul.

"Do you think Amy's gonna be okay?" asked Kouji.

Winter's brows furrowed. "Oh? You're worried about Amy?"

"I know how she's been feeling lately," said Kouji. "Honestly it was how I felt back then when I met you guys…I wonder if there's anything I can do to help her."

"Funny you should ask…" Winter dawned a devious smile. "There's a water lantern festival in Kyoto tomorrow and Rina and I just so happened to buy two tickets for our two favorite little siblings. You should take her."

Kouji raised an eyebrow. "You think she'd want to go with me? Wait doesn't that sound like a date?"

"So what?" asked Winter. "A date, not a date, who cares? Just take her out and have fun…" She pulled her credit card and snuck it into his back pocket. "There's no passcode and it's unlimited use…you go all out big boy."

"You're insane," Kouji smiled. "But yeah…maybe she does need a day out without all of this to worry about."

The Kuoh Academy students, like everyone else, gave them mesmerizing looks as Winter clung onto Kouji's arm while they walked through the school. He hadn't been here in awhile but walking through the actual school building, Kouji was reminded once again of everything he didn't have.

"You okay?" asked Winter.

"I've always wanted to go school like this," Kouji smiled. "Settled in one place…making friends, going to after school clubs."

"I'm sorry…" said Winter. "If we manage to save the world before you're 18, maybe we can ask Rias to help you get in?"

"I doubt it," Kouji smiled. "I skipped a whole year of school Winter, no academic facility like this is going to accept me. It's fine Winter, I'm content with my life."

"Kouji? Winter?"

Kouji turned around to see Issei. He was with a student Kouji didn't recognize but they were all looking at the two of them with wide eyes…the boy especially so when he saw Winter.

"A-Are you…Are you Winter? Winter from Aespa?" asked the boy.

Winter beamed with happiness. "Hi! It's nice to meet you."

"Cool it Saji," said Issei. "What's up man? What're you doing here?"

"We're here to talk to Rias," said Kouji. "Is she there right now? I know classes are still going on."

"She should be in the Student Council Office," said Saji. "It's on the third floor. Do you guys want me to-"

"I said cool it," Issei frowned. "Third floor, big wooden doors, you can't miss it."

"Thanks man," Kouji smiled.

"Are you good by the way?" asked Issei. "Your eye?"

"Oh yeah," said Kouji. "Had a run in the Snake Demon in my eyes, no big deal."

"Oh…kay," said Issei. "If you guys are sticking around, we're meeting after school at the club."

"We'll see you there," Kouji smiled.

Kouji and Winter waved as Issei left with Saji.

"You miss it too, don't you," said Kouji. "Being an idol?"

Winter smiled as she clung onto his arm. "Maybe a little…I love to sing. It's not like we haven't talked about it Kouji but things are different now. I gotta help take care of you, not to mention Amy and now Mal. You guys are important to me, I can't just leave you guys alone."

"How about after this is all done?" asked Kouji.

"I would love to be an idol again," Winter smiled. "I miss the performing, I miss the singing, the dancing…I miss practicing new choreography, I miss the recording sessions, meeting MYs, traveling…but I know you don't wanna travel so…"

"What do you mean?" asked Kouji. "You…You wanted me to come with you guys?"

"Of course I do," said Winter. "I don't even remember what my life was like before you…but if you wanna settle down, I'll settle down with you. You're saying you don't want me?"

"Never said that," Kouji ruffled her hair. "I can't imagine what my life would be like without you guys either. We'll have plenty of time to talk about once this is over."

Soon enough, they made it to the Student Council Office. Behind the great wooden doors, Rias Gremory and the Student Body President sat across from each other. Kouji had to admire the office itself, walking in was like walking into a symmetrical masterpiece. Matching oak bookshelves on either wall, the glass window on the back wall, the great wooden desk, even matching couch sofas facing a glass coffee table at the center of the room.

"Oh, hey guys," Rias smiled. "Been wondering how long until you'd get here."

"So you're the Nephallem," said the Student Body President, a girl Rias' age with short cut black hair and thick framed glasses. "A pleasure to meet you. My name's Sona Sitri, the Student Body President."

"A pleasure," Winter bowed her head. "I'm Winter, an Angel in the service of Lady Gabriel. This is my younger brother, Kouji."

"Sitri?" asked Kouji. "Like…Serafall's sister?"

Sona sighed. "Yes…Serafall Leviathan is my older sister."

Winter smiled. "Mind if we join you? There's a lot we have to discuss."

Rias swapped seats, sitting alongside Sona as Kouji and Winter sat opposite from them.

Winter had shed her outgoing personality and dawned a more serious demeanor as she informed both Devils of the events that transpired since their last meeting. Everything from them visiting Valak Manor to finding Mal, the Reincarnation of Merlin. Safe to say Rias knew nothing of it. Azazel said he'd tell Sirzechs but it was clear the Devil King hadn't mentioned it to either of them.

"That's…not good," Sona crossed her legs. "Our enemies are in possession of a weapon that potentially kill you, not to mention we don't know the exact number of seals that have been broken."

"That's not even our biggest issue," said Rias. "The Seven Deadly Sins?"

Winter nodded. "So far we know that Wrath, Lust, and Greed have awoken. Wrath in particular seems to have our interest."

"I'm guessing Wrath is the one that attacked the exorcists?" asked Rias. "And the one who gave Kouji that injury?"

Kouji was about to speak however Winter's hand on his shut him up. "He stole the weapon that the Church cooked up…We don't exactly know how far they've gotten along with this drug and how many people they've already turned but it can't be good. Lord Azazel's looking into it right now but I don't know how long it'll take."

"I'm sure that'll be discussed at the summit," said Rias.

"Summit?" asked Kouji.

Rias sighed and scratched her head. "My brother only just told me about it. The three factions are going to be holding a summit to discuss a potential alliance to fight against this prophecy. Lady Gabriel hasn't informed you."

"We don't really talk to her as often as you'd think," Winter smiled. "But Karina told us. Of course we'll be attending but we still don't know enough about this prophecy…especially how many seals have already been broken."

"My sister has intentionally dismissed the question no matter how many times I've asked her," said Sona. "Honestly the fact that she's dismissed it so many times makes me think of the worse."

"Speaking of which," said Rias. "How goes the recruiting?"

"Recruiting?" asked Kouji.

Winter smiled. "There's seven of us now…but even then I'm fearing that it won't be enough."

"What are you guys talking about?" asked Kouji.

Winter did something he never thought she'd do…she held a finger to him, gesturing for him to be quiet while she talked. Sure she was an excellent negotiator but he never thought she'd do that to him of all people.

"Did Lady Leviathan excavate the manor?" asked Winter.

"Every square inch," said Sona. "She was especially interested in that lab…I didn't even know Space-Time magic could be utilized in such a way."

"We've already locked down that magic circle," said Rias. "Lord Beelezebub is currently investigating it right now, hopefully he'll have answers at the summit."

Kouji frowned. "When is it exactly? The summit?"

"In three days," said Rias. "Right after the academy's open house. Oh wait, Sona didn't you want to ask them about that?"

Sona's eyebrow twitched. "Why thank you Rias…I had almost forgotten."

"Ask us about what?" asked Winter.

Sona took a deep breath. "On behalf of the Student Council, I would like to ask if Aespa wants to perform for our students, faculty members, and the parents coming to visit. A lot of our students have seen Aespa's members around town and rumors of your comeback have begun to swirl, they all want you guys to perform again."

Kouji smiled and nudged Winter.

Winter smiled. "Yeah…Yes, we'd love to perform at Kuoh Academy. I'll talk to Rina and she'll contact you about the details."

"Fabulous," Rias smiled. "I'm sure our students can't wait."

…

Amy panted, wiping the sweat off her forehead as gripped her sword. Of all the training she had done at Vatican City, of all the battles she had fought, all the Stray Devils she's put down…this was by far her toughest challenge.

"What's wrong?" Karina grinned as she twirled her twin swords of light. "Out of gas already? I thought you wanted to get stronger, Amy."

"I do," Amy squared her feet and prepared to strike.

Karina was a fighter unlike anything Amy had ever witnessed. She wasn't so much a swordsman, rather an incredibly fluid ballerina. Predicting her movements was damn near impossible once she took into account Karina's fluidity and mastery of her weapons. By default, Karina held the advantage because she had more weapons…however Karina was holding back…a lot.

Amy launched forward and slashed her sword, however Karina perfectly side stepped her attack. In one fluid movement, Karina smacked Amy's wrists with the blunt edge of her sword with one hand and with the other, she chopped Amy in the back of her neck.

Amy balled her fists as she fell down. Why? Why was she so…weak? All this time she thought she could at least handle herself in a fight, but if she can't even make Karina break a sweat, how was she possibly supposed to take care of a Sin or the Hero Faction?

"You're overthinking it," Karina extended a hand to help Amy up. "Stop analyzing me Amy, focus on the flow of the battle. Don't let your mind wander so much that your body can't react in time."

"Easier said than done…" Amy gritted her teeth.

"Be honest with me," Karina smiled. "Why are you trying so hard?"

"Because I…Because I don't want to be a burden," said Amy. "Karina I can't just stand back and do nothing anymore…I don't have it in me to sit back and watch as he protects me forever. I want to fight by his side…stand by him…fight with him. I don't…I don't want him to protect me…not anymore."

Karina smiled as she placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. She had heard many wonderful things about Karina's hugs and it was definitely all true. Her arms wrapped around Amy, sinking her into a warm and gentle embrace that washed her worries away.

"You have feelings for him, don't you," asked Karina. "Kouji, I mean."

Amy gritted her teeth. "I don't know what to do Karina. I've never felt this way before about anyone, I've never felt this way period. I was always taught that emotions aren't necessary for an exorcist, that the mission comes first. I don't know how to-"

"It's alright," Karina's hand patted Amy's head. "Amy it's okay to have these feelings towards others, especially so towards the opposite sex. The question is, what do you want to do about it? What do you want to do with Kouji?"

"I want to hold him," Amy found herself tearing up as she thought about him. "I want to hold him, to ruffle his hair the way you guys do, to play with his hair, to tell him that this is all going to be okay…He lost everything because of me, because I blindly followed orders. I just want to…"

"I know," Karina smiled. "Kouji's my adorable little brother. Honestly if it were anyone else, I would have interrogated them until their minds broke…but I trust you Amy. I trust that you won't hurt him anymore, that you'll care for him in ways that my sisters and I can't. We'll be with you every step of the way Amy, you have my blessing."

Amy smiled. "I still don't know what to do Karina. I'm not exactly an expert at dating."

"Honestly we're as new to this as you are," Karina smiled and ruffled her hair. "But think of it like training. Baby steps until you're ready."

"Okay," Amy took in a deep breath, feeling relieved that she got Karina of all people's blessing. "Okay, should we get back to training?"

"You guys are so cute."

Amy and Karina turned their heads to see Azazel, sitting atop a magic circle and snacking on what looked like fish balls on a stick.

"Lord Azazel?" asked Karina. "What're you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how the girl's training is going," said Azazel. "Is it as bad as I think it is?"

Amy sighed and stabbed her sword into the ground. "I'm just a regular human…I don't have a Sacred Gear or able to wield a Holy Sword. I don't have extensive magic like Mal…I'm not an Angel…I'm definitely not a hybrid. I don't know how far I can go…"

Azazel smirked. "Well I can't help you with the Holy Sword thing…but I can help you with the other thing."

Karina narrowed her eyes. "You're not saying what I think you're saying…right?"

"It's exactly what you're thinking," Azazel smiled. "What do you say Amelia Lightwood? Care to get an upgrade to fight alongside your beloved Kouji?"

"W-What do you mean?" asked Amy. "What're you going to do?"

"Sacred Gears are kind of my thing," said Azazel. "What do you say so? It won't be the genuine thing but it'll definitely give you a leg up in the days to come."

"Are you…offering me a Sacred Gear?" asked Amy.

"I have the perfect one in mind," said Azazel. "What do you say?"