Fate DxD Vol.9

Chapter 46

(...What's going on?)

When I open my eyes, I find myself in a Shinto temple, surrounded by lots of people, many of whom I recognize. When I look at myself, I'm dressed in a dark-colored Haori jacket and a gray Hakama.

"Damn it! Why is Senji getting married first!" Matsuda seems wound up.

"There's been a mistake! It's some kind of conspiracy!" Motohama can't believe it.

"Senji! I'd love to have a little sister!" I can see Fuji-nee in tears, next to her is her father and members of the Yakuza.

I keep turning my head to see Chiyo, the members of Maken-ki etc... everyone I know is here with me.

(But what's going on? Wait... this looks like a marriage... my marriage?!)

As I see a Shinto priest approaching me, my brain starts to race, trying to figure out why I'm here, I start to shake and sweat, I'm scared, I turn to the other side, to see my "family", their faces don't exist, they're just children's doodles, fidgeting but above all even without eyes, I can feel their stares piercing me. I stare at the ground, unable to take it anymore.

(So... who am I getting married to...?)

"Senji, everything's fine, so lift your head." A familiar voice comes from beside me.

Looking up, I can see Rias Gremory, her hair and make-up probably done for hours. She's wearing a long-sleeved white kimono, an Obi and a long coat. I'm stunned by her beauty.

(If she's next to me, in those clothes... is she the one?)

"President, you're so beautiful!" Akeno praises Rias.

"Live a long and happy life." Koneko said calmly.

The Shinto priest begins the ceremony, but my head is elsewhere, in panic.

(So this really is the marriage of Rias and I... There's no doubt it's a dream. Why am I dreaming this in the first place? I've never done one before! Is it stress?! Maybe it is. Or maybe the situation with Erina has got me thinking too hard? It's already more likely, but to get to this point...)

"I would have said both, plus the fatigue and mental load you have right now."

Suddenly, everything disappears, giving way to this desert, a graveyard of swords. I turn to see the huge red dragon staring back at me with calm eyes.

"Ddraig... thanks for getting me out of there, that was... weird..."

"Too bad, I wanted to see the rest but well, you don't look ready for that so better stop there for now." He said mockingly.

"Hey, I can hear it in your tone that you're making fun of me. But you're right, it's ridiculous the way I'm reacting... Maybe I should have been proud? After all, Rias is really beautiful, strong, intelligent... Nah, she deserves better than me."

"...Hmpf..." Ddraid blows his nose, creating a cloud of sand, forcing me to cover my eyes.

"Hey, what was that for?" I ask, pulling the sand off me.

"...Nothing."

"…"

"…"

"Um..."

"It won't be long before you wake up, but first I'd like to have a private chat with you."

"Privately?...Now that you mention it, I don't feel his presence."

"Yes, I've cut off his presence, it will only be for a few seconds, but it's enough. Senji, as you may have noticed, his aura is more and more present. The seal of the fox demon still holds, but it's you who's weakening. You and I don't want to prove All Might, this kid with explosive power, right to everyone. But if this keeps up, he's going to devour you."

I don't say anything, just touch my belly, frowning.

"The fact that he was able to communicate with you and get you to use his aura in such a short space of time doesn't bode well. So from now on, if you have to fight, I'm asking you to pull out my Boosted Gear straight away, and not wait like you usually do."

"... All right, I'm counting on you."

"Good."

Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

I open my eyes to a familiar ceiling. I turn my head to see that it's getting ready to be 5 o'clock. But I feel a weight on my stomach. I look up to see Monji, the little white cat, sleeping peacefully curled up into a ball.

I caress him gently. At my touch, Monji makes a trilling sound, stretches and begins to purr.

"Hi Monji, excuse me but I have to get up. What are you doing here anyway? Are you tired of sleeping with the girls?" Monji settles for a morning meow.

I get up, taking care to dislodge him from me, then get ready for my morning workout.

It's 5 a.m. and I'm outside at the entrance to the gate, starting to stretch before my run.

"Senji! Wait for me!" I hear a familiar voice coming from further behind me.

(Why does it sound like I heard it not so long ago...)

I turn to see Rias, on a bicycle coming towards me with a big smile.

(Damn, it's really her! What's she doing here? I know it's not her fault, but I can't look her in the eye, not after that stupid dream!)

"Hello Senji, how are you so early in the morning?" She asks, stopping next to me.

"Um... Hello President, how are you?" I turn my gaze and refocus on my warm-up. "What are you doing here?"

"Hm? Well, you're the one who told me you were starting at this time." I see she's also wearing a sports outfit.

"Indeed, it was you who asked me to tell you..."

"That's right! That's why I'm here! As your master, I have to see your training. I promised to make you stronger, so I have to at least start by seeing how you practice, don't I?" She explains, winking.

"..." I remain silent for a few seconds, just long enough to finish my warm-up, before turning to her. "President, don't worry, I'm fine, it's not a crazy gang that's going to scare me."

"Ah... I guess I can't hide it. But it's not just that, I really meant it when I said I wanted to observe your training Senji, so let me come along. Besides, I've got nothing else to do and I'm not going back to bed anyway."

"...Well, okay, no problem. Let's go then."

"Okay, I'll follow you!"

I take off, running through the snowy streets of Fuyuki. Being early in the morning, the snow is still hard from the cold, crunching on my feet with every swing. We pass the empty park. The shopping street, whose shops are beginning to open. Running along the beach, watching the sun gradually rise, then up into town and running home. When we arrive, I finally stop, catching my breath.

"Wow... I must say... I'm impressed, Senji... Running without stopping... for so long... even I was getting tired on my bicycle..." Rias also catches her breath.

"I can do it now... but before it wasn't possible..." I explain before drinking almost the entire bottle of water.

Hearing the door open, I turn my head to see Sakura waiting for us.

"Hmm, should be about the time she gets here..." Rias looks down the street.

"Um, who's coming?" I ask, turning my attention back to her.

"Excuse me!" I turn my gaze in the direction of the familiar voice to see Asia running toward us, basket in hand. "...Ah!...hauuu!" And she trips over.

"Asia?" I approach her and help her to her feet. "is everything okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you Senji-san."

"What are you doing here?" I ask, but I think she'll have the same answer as Rias.

"...Well, you explained to President that you train every morning..." Asia's cheeks turn red. "And I knew she was going to accompany you today, so I wanted to help you too Senji-san, even if I could only make tea..."

"I see, thank you Asia." I reply simply before inviting her to head towards the house.

"Hello Senpai... Um..." Sakura is hesitant towards the two girls accompanying me.

"Good morning Sakura."

"Hello, Sakura-san, this is Asia Argento, a friends of Senji and mine." Rias introduces Asia.

"Nice to meet you!" Asia bows.

"Yes, nice to meet you." Sakura bows too before looking at me strangely.

"Um... Is Fuji-nee here already?" I ignore Sakura's insistent gaze.

"No, still no news." Sakura moves to let us in.

"Hmm, I hope she woke up, not like yesterday..." We enter the house, following Sakura to the front of the dining room.

"Don't worry Senpai, she still has a little time. Speaking of time, Haruko and Inaho -senpai are already in the dojo."

"Very well, then we'll go too." I signal Asia and Rias to follow me.

"Um Senji-san, what is a dojo?" Asia asks as we cross the garden.

"Usually it's to practice martial arts."

"Oh! I see! That's the first time I've heard of a small gymnasium in a garden!" Asia is amazed by this discovery.

"Well, the house Senji lives in is a traditional one, so I guess it comes with a dojo at the back of the house. By the way, do you know how long ago it was built?" Asks Rias, I've never seen her so curious.

"Hm, well like most of the housing in Fuyuki, so for nearly 10 years now."

"Ah... Yes, that's right..." Rias is embarrassed, she's probably forgotten the incident. I can't blame her, she wasn't there when it happened.

I slide open the dojo door and enter with my guests. We put down our sneakers and step onto the floor, seeing Inaho and Haruko chatting.

"Hello, both of you, I see you're working hard." I greet them, approaching them.

"Hello Senji-chan." Haruko greets me, slightly embarrassed.

"Hello Senji-sama! We've been waiting for you!" Inaho is energetic this early in the morning.

"I see you've brought back some people, Hello Rias-senpai, Asia-san." Haruko turns to my two companions.

"Oh hello you two! What are you doing here?" Inaho asks.

"Hello girls, I've come to see how Senji is training and Asia is here to accompany me." Rias explains, while Asia nods shyly.

"By the way, didn't the alarm clock go off?" I ask Haruko, who blushes.

"...I... Sorry... I couldn't get up... But I really wanted to run with you this morning!" Haruko shakes me, showing her displeasure.

"Were you supposed to accompany Senji on his run?" Rias asks.

"Haruko-senpai yes, but I'm unable to get up that early, so I'm content with training at the dojo!" Inaho replies.

"Precisely, this little discussion is coming to an end, we should start, otherwise Fujimura-sensei might not be happy." Haruko stretches.

At these words, Rias and Asia step back, giving us room. Then we begin, squats, abdominal exercises, push-ups, sheathing. Then, as Inaho leaves first, Haruko and I finish with Kendo exercises. Under Asia's impressed gaze and Rias' watchful eye.

"Phew..." Haruko lets out a long sigh, gently setting down her shinai. "You've made good progress Senji-chan, but I saw that towards the end you were having trouble keeping up."

"I also noticed. I've really lost a lot over the years..." I open and close my left hand.

"...Don't worry about it, yes you've lost a bit in shinai handling but you're definitely more athletic than us, so it's only a matter of time before you pick it up again..." Haruko reassures me.

I don't answer, just finish my bottle of water. I use the bottom of my T-shirt to try out my sweat-dampened forehead. This makes all three girls blush.

"Ah... Sorry, force of habit." I stop immediately, embarrassed.

"N... No everything's fine Senji, but I have to say I'm impressed with you two and Inaho." Rias says.

"It's like you've been doing this since you were born!" Asia is still embarrassed.

"..." I don't answer, avoiding eyes contact.

"Ah..." Seeing this, it's Haruko who answers for me. "Well, Senji's uncle runs a famous dojo and so we started training in martial arts and kendo very early on, but it's slightly different for Inaho."

"I see, it's very interesting! Why didn't you say anything Senji?" Rias smiles at me, but my mood drops stiffly.

"Because there's nothing to say." I'm not paying attention to what I'm saying and I realize I've just crushed the mood. "I mean... it's complicated..."

"...I'm sorry Senji, I'm really clumsy, I forgot what happened to you, I..."

"Everything's fine President. It's nothing serious, I'm used to it." I cut her off, not wanting to continue. "Anyway, we should get going, I imagine Sakura's waiting for us..."

I don't have time to finish my sentence when Sakura opens the dojo door, somewhat confused.

"Um... Senpai? Fujimura-sensei is at the entrance, with lots of cardboard boxes..."

"Ah, excellent timing, the luggage has arrived, let's go Senji." Rias gestured for me to follow her, closely followed by Asia.

Haruko and I look at each other, confused, then follow them.

When I get to the front of the house, I can see several boxes and Fuji-nee, with an embarrassed smile.

"...This is?" My eyebrows twitch at the sight.

"I tried to tell her no, but she's just too strong, almost as strong as Minori!" Fuji-nee scratches the back of her head.

"So now Senji, carry all this to a room." Rias asks me.

"Excuse me? I have to carry them... But whose are all these?" I'm getting more and more confused.

"Yes, these are Asia's belongings, you carry them like the gentleman you are, can't you?"

"..." I can't believe my ears. "Wait a second there... Do I need to remind you of the current danger? Then why make her live here?"

"That's what I said too! Rias-san, the house is possibly going to be a source of attack! It's too dangerous to have Asia-san living here!" Fuji-nee points at Rias.

"I know all that, and that's precisely why I'm reassured that she'll be living here. After all, this house is pretty well guarded, isn't it, Chiyo-sama?" Rias turns towards the entrance, where Chiyo can be seen just awake.

"Hello everyone, what's all this racket?" Chiyo asks, coming up to me for a hug.

"Wait, do you know who Chiyo-san is?" I ask, before being caught in Chiyo's arms.

"Of course." She replies with a small smirk.

"I didn't know I was a celebrity with the Devils!" She exclaims happily, resting her chin on my head.

"Precisely because she lives with you, I'm reassured to know that Asia lives here..." Rias tries to explain her point of view, but Fuji-nee cuts her off.

"I'd like to point out that I still don't agree!" Fuji-nee steps forward, facing Rias. "I remind you that this is our house and you should ask Senji and me for permission first of all. Secondly, there are other people living here too now, did you ask Inaho, Haruko and Himegami-chan's opinion? I don't think so! And finally, Asia! Do you really want to live here, when a sword of Damocles is about to fall on this house?"
Asia doesn't answer, hesitating, looking for help in my eyes, but this situation is all the harder for me, she's already dead because of my incompetence, so for her to be in danger because of me...

"Fujimura-sensei, Asia is a great believer in Senji, really. It's the same for me. Senji is strong and intelligent, even though he's very direct and simple, he has such a burning soul that he could walk in front of any obstacle and overcome it. Both Asia and I are drawn to that, aren't we?" Rias turns to Asia.
"Y-yes! Senji-san saved me by risking his life. He is my savior. He also helps me a lot at school!"

I'm speechless; I wasn't expecting all these compliments, especially so early in the day. I can feel Chiyo pressing her hold on me. I can clearly see that she's jealous. I can also see that Fuji-nee is in a delicate situation, but knowing her, she can't accept it, the stakes are too high.

"What if this home-stay is also bride training, then?" Then President give Fuji-nee the final push.

"Brides?!" All the girls repeat, shouting.

Chiyo is squeezing so hard I'm starting to have trouble breathing. Looking at Asia, I can see she doesn't understand the situation, more confused than anything else.

"He... There's no question of marriage, Senji and Asia -chan are far too young to think about that!" Haruko raises her voice.

"I'm of the same opinion." Chiyo says calmly, even though I can sense hostility in that smile.

"What the hell's the matter with you, Haruko-san, that you start shouting?" Himegami shows up, looking like she just got out of bed.

"Himegami-san! Rias-senpai wants to make Asia-san live here! Tell her it's a very bad idea!" Haruko briefly explains the situation.

"Hmmm..." Himegami takes the time to look at all of us before answering. "I don't see the problem, there's one room left if I remember right."

"..." No one said anything after Himegami's intervention.

"You're really not helping, Himegami-san..." Haruko looks exhausted.

Meanwhile, Fuji-nee remains completely frozen, lost in thought. The truth is, it's pretty easy to convince Fuji-nee, you just have to get her by the emotions. And the fact that Rias spoke of marriage surely hit her right in the heart.

"Asia..." She finally opens her mouth, turning to Asia. "Are you sure you want to live here?"

"Yes! If it's possible..."

Hearing these words, Fuji-nee lets out a long sigh and grabs my arm, freeing me from Chiyo's grip. She places her hand on the back of my head and, bowing, forces me to bow to Rias as well.

"Rias-san, we will look after Asia Argento-san in this house."

"Thank you very much, Fujimura-sensei." Rias smiled as she heard Fuji-nee. "Senji, I leave Asia in your hands. Asia, you'll be staying here with Senji and everyone here, so be careful not to be rude. And get along with everyone."

"Is it really alright? Won't it... be a burden... if I stay..?"

"To get familiar with Japanese culture and lifestyle, it's best to stay with the people from that country. When I asked you who among our club members you wanted to live with the most, you did say Senji without a second thought, right?" Rias replied to the confused Asia.

Oh yes, that's right, I remember, Asia currently lives in the old school building.

"Y-Yes. I indeed said that, but..."

"It's fine, Asia-san! Get used to Japan at Senji's house!" Exclaims Inaho.

"Well, if Fujimura-sensei accepts, I guess we have nothing to complain about..." Sakura seems to be perplexed.

Seeing the others accept, Asia finally begins to smile.

"I understand, President-san. There were things I didn't quite understand, but I will be in your care, Senji-san, Inaho-san, Haruko-san, Sakura-san, Himegami-san, Chiyo-sama Et Fujimura-sensei."

Fuji-nee was completely fooled, talking about this bride thing was a perfect coup. So with that, Asia will start living with us.

"...Bride, huh." I see out of the corner of my eye that Rias looks rather sad at her words.