"Tatseyo-san, could you help me brush my hair?"
Aya asks while handing me a hairbrush
"Of course" - I say giving a small laugh
"What is it?"
"Are you really looking forward to school that much?"
She nods
"I never went to a normal school before, so I'm actually a little nervous too..."
I tap Aya's shoulder trying to reassure her
"Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine, my situation was kind of similar to yours and if there's any problem, I'll be there for you"
Hearing my words, Aya-chan smiles
"T-thank you"
I start brushing her hair
Today will be Aya-chan's first day at Kuoh Academy and she's fuzzing a lot over it, during the weekend she kept questioning me about it, even though I keep reassuring her that everything will be fine
"Tell me if I do something wrong"
I say as I brush the green waves of her hair
"It's alright, have you done it before?"
I shake my head, I never brushed a girl's hair before, but I did saw mom taking care of her hair and, well, they are very similar...
"No it's just that your hair is a lot like my mom's you know? The colour, the shape, it's all is very similar, though your hair is longer"
"Tatseyo-san's mother..."
Aya-chan says looking at the mirror with a pensative look
"She's very pretty"
I give a laugh at her reponse, Aya knows my mom and dad through a photo that I've showed her once. She thought mom was my little sister at first, I told her that it was okay saying it in front of me, but to never even mention that in front of mom if they meet someday.
"Yup, she's very pretty..."
I then squeeze her cheeks with my hands
"Just like you! Hahaha!"
After I let her go, Aya-chan pouts and answers with a flustered face
"Mou, Tatseyo-san, don't tease me like that!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry"
For some reason I liked doing this, hah, I wonder if Liliana and Mayumi's behaviour is starting to rub on me...
Part 2
It's a beautiful day today, the sky is blue with very few clouds
"Ahaha!"
By my side there's a very cheerful Aya-chan, she's really hyped about it
In that matter we are completely different, I spent most of my life being home schooled and working as an esper, when mom finally decided I should have a normal education at least in the final years of school, I wasn't very excited. The thought of being a fish out of water kinda scared me, I had to hide my powers and try not to draw attention.
But in the end look where this got me, not only I'm involved in more paranormal shit than I ever was in my entire life, almost all of the school thinks I'm a deliquent because of my appearance.
Still, I'm happy. I managed to make some normal friends and after the initial shock, I'm getting used to this new world I've been introduced to.
The other students we meet on our way are throwing us very curious stares
It's obvious that a girl like Aya will draw attention, even if she's using magic to hide her tail, ears and horn, she's still a very cute girl, but I soon notice that's not the only problem here...
(Look, Kageyama is walking with that little girl)
(Eeeh, is she his sister?)
(No way, they are way too different!)
(Maybe she's his girlfriend? I've never seen her before)
(But she looks like a child!)
(Idiot! Do you think a deliquent like him cares? He must have devoured her like a wolf!)
What the hell is up with these conclusions! Do I really look like that to you?
"Hey, I can hear you!"
""""""Iiiiiiiiiiihhhhhhhh!""""""
The crowd dismiss and runs away
I sigh heavily, I'm really getting sick of this
Aya-chan has a confused expression
"Tatseyo-san, why were they talking those things about you?"
I sigh again before answering her
"Because I have a scary face, frankly, this is such a royal pain..."
Aya clings to my arm and looks at me
"I like your face! I don't think you're scary at all!"
I'm taken back by her reaction and put a hand on her head
She never fails to put a smile on my face, such a good girl!
"I know, this means a lot to me"
She smiles as I pet her, she's so cute! My anger totally disappears with Aya-chan's smile!
"Let's go, if we meet with Rias on the way, we can explain things to her before class starts"
"Yes, let's go!"
Everything was going on as usual, except that after we entered the school ground, Aya stopped and started sniffing the air
"Uh? Aya-chan, is something wrong?"
"T-this smell..."
She says while still sniffing the air, just like a dog that noticed something
"I know this smell!"
Aya-chan yells and her eyes gain a dangerous green glow and her teeth start to become sharp
"NEKOMATA!"
She jumps in front of me
"N-nekomata?"
I ask and she nods
"There's a nekomata in this school, I can sense it's smell"
Ah, she must be talking about Koneko-chan
Aya-chan then starts looking around
"Always stealing food and playing tricks, they are the worst! Be careful master!"
She says in a nervous tone, I guess her instincts as a protector are kicking in. Being sacred youkais means they get along with humans, but on the other hand it means they don't get along with other youkais who cause mischief to humans.
"Don't worry Aya-chan, you are probably just feeling the smell of Koneko-chan"
She throws me a confused look
"K-Koneko-chan?"
I nod
"In this school there's a little youkai girl just like you, she's one of the last nekoshou, I think she's going to be one of your classmates since you're both first years..."
"Me and a nekoshou? In the s-same class?"
She looks nervous, I really didn't thought this through, but a guardian dog youkai and a mischievous cat youkai really wouldn't get along
"Koneko-chan is a good girl, she's not a bad nekomata, I think you two will get along"
Aya-chan pouts for a moment
"Alright, if Tatseyo-san is saying it..."
She reluctantly agrees and we walk inside the highschool building area
Again, finding Rias is one of the easiest things in the world
"Hello, Rias-senpai"
She's talking with a group of other third-year girls, who tense up when they see me
"K-Kageyama!"
They exclamate, Rias however, only throws me a curious glance
"Ara, Kageyama-kun, did you need to talk with-"
Rias cuts her own sentence short after she sees the girl who is hiding behind my back
"Oh, you must be Aya-chan, correct?"
She addresses the green haired girl who meekly nods
"Y-yeah..."
Seeing Aya behind my back, the girls talking to Rias look surprised
"Ah, what a cute girl!"
"Are you a new student?"
Aya-chan shyly grabs into my clothes
"Y-yes, please look after me"
She politely greets and I pet her head
"She's my cousin, Aya-chan is going to start attending the first year from now on"
An interrogation appears on the heads of the two girls
"Cousin?"
"Kageyama's cousin?"
They look at Aya-chan and then at me
...
Then at Aya-chan, then at me
...
Then at Aya-chan and at me again
I feel a tick appearing on my forehead
"Stop doing this!"
"Kyah! Sorry!"
They exclamate with frightened expressions
"Fufufu"
Rias is laughing at the situtation, this ain't funny!
"It's a third degree thing..."
I say putting my hand against my forehead
I said that she was my cousin at the heat of the moment, I really should have thought this through
"Fufufu, so Aya-chan, are you liking Kuoh town?"
"Y-yes, thanks for letting me stay" - Aya says getting out of my back and properly greeting Rias
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be safe here"
The two girls throw us curious glances, but before any question can be issued, Rias speaks
"Well, why don't you take Aya-chan to class, Tatseyo? Class is about to begin, we should head to mine too"
I look at my phone and she's right, it's almost time for class
"Ah, damn, you're right, let's go Aya-chan, see you later Rias-senpai!"
I wave her goodbye and take Aya-chan by the hand towards the first year classroom
When we arrive there, several first years are talking
"Woah, look at that girl!"
"She's so cute! Is she the new student we were warned about?"
"She looks half-foreign! I'm so happy that we are receiving a new foreign student after Gya-kun!"
She's talking about Gasper, well, if Aya can become as popular as him, then it won't be a problem
"Uh..."
Aya-chan seems nervous and grabs tighter on my sleeve
"Don't worry, Aya-chan"
I say as I pet her head, the compliments towards her are actually a good thing, however...
"Iiih, isn't that the second year deliquent?"
Ah shit, here we go again...
"I heard that he intimidates even the Student Council"
"They say he can break your bones without even touching you!"
Hey, hey, hey! That's actually very close to the truth, who told you that?!
"Aya-chan, don't be shy, go make some friends, alright?"
I leave her at the front door and she takes a deep breath before asserting it with a 'yes!' and entering the classroom
I stay hidden to observe how things will play out
Right after she takes a seat, several girls and a few boys surround her and start making all sorts of questions
I thought that I should step in, but even though she looks nervous, Aya is actually handling it quite well!
"Yes, I was born and raised there"
"I love it! I could eat it everyday!"
"Thanks, I got it from my mom, hahaha!"
I smile seeing her answer all the questions like this, I think about leaving, but then I see a head standing up in the middle of the class
At this motion, Aya stops talking and stands on alert
"Oh no..."
I say as she starts sniffing the air like a hound dog
"Eh? Aya-chan, is everything alright?"
One of her classmates asks
"Y-yeah, it's just..."
She keeps sniffing the air with a concerned expression
"Is something smelling bad? I'm pretty sure we had cleaning duty yesterday"
One of them says
"No, it's-"
Aya stops when her eyes and the eyes of the small figure that had approached her desk meet
"You must be Aya-chan"
The white haired school mascot, Koneko Toujou, says to her while extending a hand
"..."
Aya looks firmly at Koneko's eyes for a long and uncomfortable moment, both have an intimidating look in their eyes
"So you two know each other?"
A classmate asks, seemingly unaware of the huge hostility
"No, but Tatseyo-san told me about you"
"Rias-senpai told me about you too"
They both answer without adverting their eyes from each other, the atmosphere around them is warping! It's actually warping!
"It's nice to meet you"
"Equally"
They say this, but it's clear that they are not even a bit happy at being close to each other!
Aya extends her hand and shakes Koneko's
CRACK CRACK
Veins! There are veins popping from their hands! How much strength are you two putting on this handshake?!
"Hah, it's good to see two popular girls getting along" - One of them says and the others start laughing
Getting along my foot! How can't you see that these two are an inch from getting at each other's throats?!
Hey, where's Gasper by the way? Shouldn't that hikikomori vampire try doing something here?
"Uah... scary..."
When I turn to look, he's curling himself in a corner of the classroom covering his head with his hands! You good for nothing crossdressing vampire! I should have hit your harder when I had the chance!
I think about going inside the classroom, but that would just make things even more troublesome, also, it's almost time for class, I should really get going
I walk away from the class with my head still on Aya-chan, I hope things won't get too crazy between her and Koneko...
Once I get inside my own classroom, I'm greeted by my usual trio of friends
"Hey, Tatseyo! I heard you were walking with a cute green haired girl by your side, was she Aya-chan?"
Kanae asks and I nod
"Yes, that was her, I just went to the first year classroom, she's at the same class as Koneko and Gasper by the way"
"Oh! That's awesome! If she's in the same class as them we might be witnessing the birth of a new popular first year trio, aren't you happy Kageyama?" - Eizo says cheerfully
"Maybe she won't like the attention though" - Koji carefully states
I shake my head
"No, I think it's good if she gets to make friends, it's just..."
I then think about the scene in her classroom, it's going to be really troublesome if she and Koneko can't get along
"What is it?" - I hear Kanae asking
"No, it's nothing"
It would be impossible to explain to them why there would even be a rivalry between the two in the first place, so I decide to shut up about it
"Hey, Kageyama-kun"
Oh no, this voice...
I definitely know this voice
I've been able to avoid her untill now, but it seems that my time has come
"What do you want, Kiryuu?"
The pervert glasses girl from our class, Aika Kiryuu, has finally decided to talk to me
My "bad boy" fame was enough to keep her away from me, but it seems that bringing Aya-chan along was the spark she needed to approach me
"Aw, don't be so cold towards your classmate, Kageyama-kun~"
She says in a cheerful tone
"Hey, Kiryuu, I wouldn't piss Tatseyo off if I were you"
Kanae warns her, but Kiryuu acts offended
"Eh, why do you think I would piss him off? I just want to know more about the cute little girl that says she's his cousin, that's all"
I sigh, she's not letting me off the hook untill she gets what she wants
"Tell me already, what do you wanna know?"
She makes an impish smile and answers
"I just wanna know if the most recent school idol, Aya-chan, is related to you"
I throw her an annoyed look, this girl spells more trouble than the pervert trio, unlike those three, people actually take her seriously sometimes
"Yeah, she's my cousin, why?"
She smirks
"Well~ I was just wondering if the school's deliquent is a cousin-con like everyone is thinking"
I choke at her words
"C-cousin-con?"
She nods and her glasses sparkle
"If the most scary boy in Kuoh academy suddenly arrives at school pampering a cute first year that he claims to be his cousin, of course this kind of rumour will be born"
I slap my hand against my forehead, how quick the assholes in this school are to create rumours? If you putted this much energy into your studies, Kuoh would be first rank in the nationals exam!
"W-well, it's weird that Tatseyo likes his cousin so much"
"Yeah, untill a week ago we didn't even knew she existed..."
You guys too?!
"Then suddenly, out of nowhere he shows up patting her head in front of everyone"
Wait, is everyone talking about that?!
"I'm not a cousin-con!"
I shout out, she's not even my real cousin!
"Aww, really?"
Kiryuu says with a disappointed voice and then gives a smirk
"But that's good, after all that means you won't mind if I hang around with her, do you?"
I turn to her, Kiryuu has a mischievous smile, maybe she's expecting that I would get jealous if someone tried to approach Aya-chan
"Of course not, it's good that Aya-chan will make new friends"
When I say this, Kiryuu and my trio of friends seem to have been taken back
"I actualy didn't expect this from you, Kageyama-kun... guess you are not that scary after all"
I nod
"I want this school to be good for Aya-chan, so I don't mind if she gets close to other people, but..."
I grab Kiryuu, who was just about to leave after losing interest on my reaction, by the wrist
Pulling her close to my face, I look her dead in the eye
"You better not teach any weird things to her, or so help me..."
Issei once complained about how Kiryuu was teaching indecent things to Asia and Xenovia, I don't care if he's okay with it, they do they, but there's no way I'll let this creepy glasses girl teach weird things to Aya-chan!
Kiryuu's face turns nervous, even though she's trying to keep her smile, she can't stop the cold sweat from running through her face
"Y-you seriously are scary..."
She pulls her hand away and I let her wrist go
"D-don't worry, I won't do any of that, besides, it's not me you have to be worried about"
She points with her eyes towards the pervert trio who, just like all the rest of the class, have been staring at us ever since Kiryuu approached my desk
I look back at her
"Point taken, but don't worry, I think they'll know better"
The glasses girl shrugs and stands up
"Suit yourself, see ya Kageyama-kun"
She goes back to her desk and I'm left with the whole class staring at me
"Do you all want something?!"
With this, everyone turns away
I sigh and lay my head against the desk hearing the words of my friends
"Cousin-con..."
"Definitely a cousin-con"
"Even if Tatseyo is a cousin-con, this authority of yours could really help at the Morals Comittee"
"Shut up! And I'm not a cousin-con!"
I reply exhausted
Part 3
At lunch time, Aya-chan came to eat with us, I introduced her to Kanae, Koji and Eizo.
She told me she's getting along well with everyone
"What about Koneko-chan?"
Aya tilts her head
"She's cool, I guess..."
Her answer doesn't encourage me a lot, but I'm glad she's getting along with everyone else at least
When we open our boxes to eat, I thank Aya-chan
"Thanks for cooking for both of us again"
"No problem, it's the least I could do" - Aya answers cheerfully
"So you made this, Aya-chan?"
Koji asks and she nods
"Uhum, I'm used to cooking at home, so it's no trouble"
"Ah, getting a cute girl to cook for you everyday, I'm so jealous of you, Tatseyo" - Eizo says
"Yeah, a cute girl cooking you food, sharing your house, sleeping under the same roof..."
Kanae says and the three look at me with suspicious looks
They better not call me cousin-con again, or so help me...
"Tatseyo-san, some people in class were calling you a cousin-con, why were they calling you that?"
The four of us turn our heads to Aya, who makes a clueless expression
"Huh? What is it, is there something on my face?"
"""Pfff, hahahahaha!"""
The three of them start to laugh and I facepalm
It seems that Kiryuu won't be the one teaching weird stuff to Aya-chan