rson?'
…..And then I started to get a little annoyed.
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
I raised my fist and brought it down firmly on that idiot Issei's head once, until this guy agreed to let go of my collar and retreated back to hold his own temple.
"Can you not be so overly dramatic... I was just speaking jokingly."
"R...Really?"
Issei raised his head to look at me with sparkling eyes, even though his voice still harbored unwavering suspicion.
'Sigh... What a moronic protagonist.'
I let out a long sigh in my heart while adjusting my collar into place.
"Just what kind of person do you see me as anyway?"
I asked while sending a tired, dead-fish-eye stare directly at this guy.
"Uh... Well..."
"If the answer doesn't please my ears... you're definitely getting a second hit."
I threatened repeatedly while lightly twirling the fist in my hand.
"I'm sorry!"
"Issei-san, did something happen?"
Argento-san, who was standing and talking with the girls on the other side, walked over toward Issei with a worried face, after seeing his unusual behavior just now.
"It's nothing! Asia! Hikigaya and I just happened to be playing a betting game!"
Issei quickly waved his hand to make a flimsy excuse to cover up his own embarrassment.
"A bet... is it?"
Asia blinked her eyes repeatedly before noticing that Issei's eyes were still red with tears welling up. Suddenly, her expression brightened up as if she remembered something.
"Oh! So that's how it is! You two betted that... whoever cries first, that person loses, right!"
ns the winner of this betting game is 'me'."
"That's not it, Asia!... Hey! Hikigaya! You intentionally messed with my head to trick me for revenge regarding the matter I boasted about earlier, didn't you!"
Issei just realized that he had been played with and tricked all along, and immediately made a loud scene right away.
"Not at all."
I replied back in a flat voice.
"I just wanted you to recognize clearly that between me and you... we are on completely different levels, that's all."
"...?"
"Think about it, just being tricked a little by me, you almost cried this much. Then if it were to become real... what do you think your condition would be like?"
"Ah.."
Thud!
As if being struck right in the forehead by a sledgehammer of reality, Issei's knees collapsed to touch the floor immediately. The light in his eyes was blank, as if his soul had already drifted out of his body.
"I... lost..."
He murmured in a faint voice, with a hopeless and despairing face.
"Even though I... haven't even started to do anything yet... the gap between us is... this far apart..."
"Issei-san! Are you okay!?"
Argento-san quickly knelt down beside Issei's body in shock, before asking about his symptoms in a worried voice.
"Oh hey! Issei! In the end, you got knocked down completely by Hikitai, didn't you!"
"Damn it! Even Issei, who is considered the coolest and has the thickest skin in the group, didn't survive!?"
Matsuda and Motohama, who had just walked into the classroom, upon seeing Issei's condition kneeling on the floor, quickly walked over to join the circle immediately.
Both of them placed a hand on each of Issei's shoulders, before speaking up at the same time.
"Don't worry, dear friend! You still have us standing by your side, man!"
"That's right! If our Trio of Perverts cooperates, there is nothing impossible!"
Even though they were words that sounded like they were giving encouragement, the expressions and voices of both were filled with more satisfaction instead, as if they were glad that Issei finally got a taste of defeat just like themselves for once.
It's understandable... because these two were not a little jealous of Issei as well.
"Matsuda... Motohama... You guys..."
Issei slowly raised his tear-stained face to look at both of his close friends with eyes full of deep gratitude.
"Stand up on your feet, Issei! You... haven't lost yet!"
"Most correct! Since the three of us are the same team, even if you fall down completely, you will always have us to pull you up to stand strong again. Therefore... you haven't lost!"
Motohama raised his finger high with high spirits, before shouting loudly.
"No... it is us who haven't lost yet!"
"...That's right!"
Issei clenched his fist tightly. The hopeless and despairing face from moments ago had a fire blazing up in it once again before he stood up.
"We haven't lost yet! Matsuda! Motohama! If it's the three of us cooperating... we can definitely defeat that guy!"
"Of course!"
"Absolutely certain, friend!"
"Then let's go make that guy choke on his own words!"
"OH!!!" ×3
All three of them stood with their arms around each other's shoulders, raising their fists to the sky, while shouting spiritedly as if they were going out to war. Even though in the eyes of the people around them, they were merely a gang of three lustful madmen making a noisy racket and causing a nuisance in the classroom
'...And why are you guys coming to compete with me? From the very beginning, I have never even agreed to participate in the competition... Furthermore... isn't it that I already defeated all three of you?'
Sigh…
Whatever, utterly ridiculous.
(Break)
..
.
Knock Knock Knock
"Come in."
Click
I opened the door into the clubroom immediately upon hearing the response.
Once it reached lunch break, I headed straight to the clubroom right away, without finding anything to put into my stomach at all, letting my stomach, which was rumbling and protesting all the way, go.
When opening the door inside, within the clubroom there were only two people, which was Rias who was sitting on the sofa across from me... and uh... Nee-san, who stood quietly behind her like a bodyguard.
Hmm…?
Suddenly, a faint aroma that was both familiar and nostalgic drifted to touch my nose.
This scent is…
I turned toward the source of the scent, before seeing snacks placed on the table between both sofas.
Sandwiches, cookies, and tea. It was clear that all three things were just freshly made, because there was still faint warmth drifting up.
'Gulp...'
I swallowed saliva down my throat immediately upon seeing the food in front of me.
'This is... Nee-san's cooking…'
"Sit down and eat first. You haven't eaten lunch yet, right."
Rias invited while raising her teacup to take a sip in a comfortable mood.
"In that case, I won't be polite."
Since someone handed free food right to the spot, how could a thrifty person like me refuse?
I sat down on the sofa, before reaching my hand out to pick up a sandwich on the plate to bite into immediately without waiting.
Nom Nom Nom~
As expected... Nee-san's cooking is truly the best.
Plus, she even put my favorite things in it for me.
...I'll take back the words I complained about this morning then, at least at the moment when her cooking is right here in front of me...
'Nee-san is the older sister I love the most!..'
I ate the sandwich while closing my eyes in a good mood, without caring about the gazes of both people who were looking from the sofa on the opposite side even the slightest bit.
One looked at me with a gentle gaze... while the other narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to catch me doing something wrong.
"You look very happy, Hikigaya."
"Of course.."
I answered while still chewing the sandwich.
"..When getting to eat food when hungry, anyone would be happy."
Rias shook her head lightly.
"But from what I've observed all along... you have never smiled like this even once when eating food..no matter when."
"It's probably because this food is delicious, I guess."
"It has to be delicious, of course, because the person who made it is the number one head maid of our Gremory Clan."
Rias spoke while casting her gaze to look at the silver-haired young woman standing behind her for a brief flash.
"Is that so."
I nodded lightly before taking another bite of the sandwich.
"It's considered my honor, to get to taste the cooking of a person of that level."
Rias let out a sigh while giving a strained smile upon seeing that I still refused to fall into her trap.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
She placed the teacup down on the table, before looking straight at my face.
"You probably already know, don't you, why I called you here."
"Well... I can guess a bit."
After managing the last piece of sandwich properly, I raised the teacup to take a sip in a comfortable mood.
"It must be about the matter of me entering Issei's room at the wrong time, right."
"No!"
Rias replied back almost immediately, as if not thinking at all that I would answer with a completely different matter like this.
"Hmm? It's not? Then what matter is it?"
I feigned an innocent face, as if not knowing truly that I guessed wrong.
"Don't play dumb, Hikigaya."
Rias narrowed her eyes slightly.
"From your reaction last night, it's very clear that you know my servant..."
She paused for a moment, before asking directly.
"Answer me... You know Grayfia, right?"
...Strange.
Nee-san hasn't told her yet?
At first, I thought Rias was just testing the waters to have me be the one to speak it out by myself. But from her manner right now... it seems she really doesn't know yet.
Why?
If she asked Nee-san directly, shouldn't she have gotten the answer already? As the head maid, no matter how personal a matter it is, she should follow the master's orders...
I glanced my eyes up to look at Nee-san, as if hoping to get an answer through eye contact.
But what a pity…
She turned out to close her eyes calmly, making a flat expression, as if saying
'For this matter, Onee-san begs not to take part.'
Ugh… It seems Nee-san intends to let me handle the situation myself… It can't be helped, then let's play with her a little bit.
"Of course, I must know her."
I shrugged in response unbothered.
"Lady Grayfia is a very famous person in the Underworld. If I didn't know her, that would be strange."
Rias nodded lightly.
"The matter of you knowing her through general information or rumors, I won't deny that, Hikigaya…"
"But... how were you so sure last night that it was her? Grayfia is the head maid of the Gremory Clan. Even though she is very famous, normally she barely shows her face in public... especially in the Human World."
"Uh... about that.. yes, I happened to have seen a photograph of Lady Grayfia's face pass through my eyes from a black market network group before."
I answered in a flat voice, trying to make it sound as natural as possible.
"You should understand, Buchou ..being an independent stray mage, sometimes one has to study and find information on important figures in the supernatural world. This kind of thing is considered normal, isn't it?"
Rias asked further.
"Then why last night did you run away immediately upon seeing her face?"
"Well... because I heard of Lady Grayfia's reputation, that she is a scary—...ahem... very awe-inspiring person. Choosing to retreat first is considered a survival instinct of a normal person, isn't it?"
"Normally... no one runs away immediately upon seeing a stranger's face. And there is even less reason for Grayfia to quickly follow you out, if you two had really never known each other before..."
Rias let out a soft sigh.
"Stop lying to cover it up already, Hikigaya. Even if you try to think of excuses to deny it, it's useless…. Speak the truth better."
That matter, I knew it already.
Even if bringing up this or that reason to claim, it would be useless anyway when in front of Rias. This woman is the next head of the Gremory Clan after all. If she couldn't even see through a matter of this level, she probably wouldn't be suited for that position.
Besides... it's not like I intended to succeed in covering it up from the very beginning anyway.
Originally, the reason Nee-san had not yet revealed our relationship was because she intended to open an opportunity for me to be the one to choose the answer myself on how to respond.
Even if calling it "choosing"…
But in reality, there was only a single answer that Nee-san expected to hear from my mouth.
To put it simply, it would probably be a feeling like…
Wanting her own Otouto to be the party to express love for his older sister in front of other people by himself more.
...What a truly troublesome selfishness, but it's a slightly playful selfishness according to her style.
And this side of Nee-san's personality.. only I alone know, because she uses it to play with me only.
"Sigh... Fine, I give up."
I raised both my hands slightly, adopting the posture of someone who had already surrendered.
"So... what exactly did you hear about me from Grayfia-sama's own mouth?"
"She only said that everything I wanted to know, I would hear from your own mouth."
"....."
Selfish as always…
I glanced back over at Nee-san once more.
She still stood in the exact same serene posture as before, looking as though she had absolutely nothing to do with this conversation.
...Except for the corners of her mouth, which were tugged up just a tiny bit.
'You seem quite pleased with this situation, don't you…'
"I get it... I'll tell you."
I let out a soft sigh before speaking the truth.
"Actually, I am Grayfia-sama's disciple."
"A..a disciple!?"
Rias's eyes widened, and she let out an exclamation of shock.
This was an answer completely beyond her expectations, causing her to immediately whip her head around to look at Nee-san, who was standing still behind her.
"Is what this guy saying the truth, Grayfia!?"
Upon hearing that question, Grayfia finally opened her eyes slowly before replying in her usual flat tone.
"Yes, ojou-sama... Hachiman is indeed my disciple."
Having received official confirmation from Grayfia's own mouth, Rias was struck dumb for the second time.
Not only that... what shocked her even more was that Grayfia called me by my first name so familiarly.
"Hachiman"
Not "Hikigaya," not "Hikigaya-kun."
And not the distant way of addressing someone that was typical of her.
For as long as Rias had known Grayfia, she had never seen this woman, who was so strict about rules and etiquette, show such closeness to any human before.
Rias truly couldn't fathom that her sister-in-law, who was hailed as the "Silver Queen of the Underworld," would personally accept an ordinary human as her disciple.
And she could fathom even less that the relationship between the two would be close enough for Grayfia to call him by his first name so naturally.
"Since when did you take him as a disciple, Grayfia?"
"I went to receive Hachiman in the human world about five years ago."
"Five years...?"
Rias repeated the words with a stunned expression, before her eyes widened as if she had suddenly realized something.
"Wait a minute!"
"Back then, wasn't I still living in the Underworld!? Plus, I hadn't even enrolled at Kuoh Academy yet!?…"
Rias paused to think for a moment, before pressing further with doubt.
"Grayfia, if you really took him to the underworld, then why is it that in all this time, I've never seen or heard anything about him? ...No, where exactly was he residing back then?"
"I had him reside at a certain mansion, located in the center of the forest to the north, away from the Gremory Castle."
"That abandoned mansion?.."
Rias frowned, before immediately firing off a succession of questions.
"Why did you choose to have him live in an abandoned mansion in the forest like that? Wouldn't it have been better if you had him come stay at the main castle with us… or perhaps.."
"…Is it because of his identity?"
"It is exactly as you say, ojou-sama."
The moment the reply ended, Nee-san shifted her standing position. She walked around from the opposite side and came to a stop right behind me, before reaching down to place her hand upon my head as I sat comfortably sipping warm tea.
Fwip!
A pair of black wings, the symbol of a Devil, suddenly unfurled from my back.
"—!?"
Rias's eyes widened to their limits, staring at the sight before her in utter shock.
"Hachiman is a special existence. He is a human who possesses both demonic power and devilish nature within his body. Calling him a Half-Devil wouldn't be quite right, because the origin of the demonic power inside him did not arise from a relationship between a Devil and a human like an ordinary Half-Devil."
It seemed Nee-san didn't want to reveal the other detailed parts about my identity just yet. Perhaps for a matter that delicate and complex, she preferred to leave it so that I would be the one to pour it out myself when I was more ready.
That was quite a good thing for me too, because just what she had revealed a moment ago was already enough to go way beyond the common sense of ordinary people.
What a sister who really cares about her younger brother's feelings... it would be so much better if she would soften up and take back her words about that plan to push my back so I could climb up to become a High-Class Devil or whatever, too.
If she really changed her mind, I promise I would willingly tell Nee-san I love her ten times a day.
I'm not bragging, I really would do it.
Even if it was an embarrassing matter that made me want to sink into the ground and disappear, telling Nee-san I love her was still better than having to drag myself into giving myself a headache with a high position where there'd only be annoying people constantly looking to badmouth and gossip about me behind my back.
...Too bad my Nee-san happens to be the type who doesn't do things half-heartedly. Whenever this woman has made a firm decision... don't ever hope that she will change her mind easily.
"As for the matter of why he possesses demonic power... I would like him to be the one to tell it himself."
Grayfia concluded in a flat voice, pulling Rias back from her thoughts.
"Right... I understand."
Rias wasn't stupid enough not to read the situation. She knew well what Grayfia was trying to imply. A past background that wasn't very pretty was bound to be a delicate, fragile matter, and hard to bring oneself to speak out for others to know.
Especially with someone who wasn't close enough yet, one shouldn't rush them to reveal it even more.
After that, Rias turned to ask me.
"Hikigaya… If that's the case, the part where you said you were a freelance stray magician, and that you entered Kuoh Academy to keep an eye on Issei... all of that.. was it a lie you made up?
"No, that part is the truth."
I shook my head slightly.
"I returned to the human world since one year ago, but because I had no proof of identity in this town, finding a regular job was rather difficult. In the end, I turned to being a stray magician instead."
Even if it was a job that was forced upon me, though.
Truth be told, if Azazel hadn't invited me to work with him back then, I wouldn't have known either what profession I should use to survive.
Hmm... calling it an 'invitation' probably wouldn't be right.
It was more along the lines of 'forced participation', because if I had rejected that guy's offer, maybe the person getting eliminated would have been me. So I chose to agree and go along with the flow for the time being. Besides, at that time I was still too weak to have many other choices.
Sometimes, making a small decision can be what determines life or death. If you know from the start which choice isn't safe, steering clear of it from the very beginning is the actual answer that will allow you to keep living…
At least, that was the philosophy or survival method that had brought me through alive to this day.
Suddenly, Rias felt something strike her as odd.
"Wait... just now you said 'returned' didn't you?.. If that's so, then why did you run away from Grayfia last night?... Shouldn't you be happy to have met her again?"
"..Uh… that matter.. I mean, I.."
While I was stammering, searching for an answer, I suddenly felt a pair of palms gently placed upon both of my shoulders.
"Ojou-sama... The truth is, he secretly 'escaped' to the human world without telling me even a single word…"
Nee-san feigned a soft sigh, as if she were having a headache over her younger brother's behavior.
"That is therefore the reason why last night, he immediately ran away the moment he saw me."
Oh, come on! Why did it turn out like this, Nee-san!? You didn't have to throw the whole truth out stark naked like this at all, you know!?
Rias knitted her brows tighter than before, but before she could open her mouth to ask anything, I quickly beat her to the punch.
"I didn't lie! Contextually, it can still be called 'returning' to the human world... it's just that Ne—Grayfia-sama explained the additional details, that's all!"
"...."
No matter who looked, anyone could see that I was desperately trying to make an excuse.
"Haa..."
Rias raised her hand to clutch her temple while letting out a soft sigh, before turning to ask Grayfia.
"Grayfia... Does Onii-sama know about this matter?"
"Of course. Concealing Hachiman's identity is a direct order from Sirzechs-sama."
Rias stared intently at me, as if she were trying to pierce right through to the secrets hidden inside me.
"Who exactly are you... Hikigaya?"
"Even if you ask me straight out like that, you won't get an answer."
I shrugged my shoulders slightly before continuing.
"Since even Grayfia-sama chose not to tell you... don't even hope that you will hear the answer from my mouth."
"Oh well... I wasn't expecting you to answer anyway."
After that, Rias glanced at her wristwatch before speaking further.
"It looks like it's about time for me to go... Sorry for disturbing your lunch break."
"It's fine. I didn't have anything to do anyway, plus I got to eat delicious food, so consider it worth it for me."
"Is that so... hearing that makes me feel a bit relieved."
Rias smiled faintly before nodding.
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
With those words, Rias's figure rose from the sofa, before walking straight toward the clubroom door and stepping out.
Click... Thud.
"..."
"..."
The moment the clubroom door closed, along with the sound of Rias's footsteps gradually fading away, the atmosphere inside the room shifted in the blink of an eye.
A suffocating silence began to blanket the room, before slowly launching an unmerciful assault on my mind.
Rustle.
The feeling as though the sofa beside me shook slightly pulled me out of my chaotic train of thought.
When I turned to look to the side... I found that Nee-san, who was standing behind me just a moment ago, had now moved to drop herself down to sit right next to me.
The distance between the two of us was close enough that I could hear the faint friction of the maid outfit's fabric. At the same time, her unique, gentle fragrance drifted over to touch the tip of my nose at close range.
She still didn't say anything, merely sitting with her eyes closed quietly, as if waiting for me to be the one to open my mouth first.
"...Uh, Nee-san, thank you for the refreshments. They're as delicious as always, unchanged."
"With pleasure."
"So... aren't you going back to the Underworld, Nee-san?"
"...Do you want Big Sister to go back that much, Hachi?"
She turned to look at me with eyes tinged with hurt, as if understanding that I didn't want her to stay.
"Don't misunderstand, Nee-san!"
I hurriedly waved my hands in denial instantly.
"You know I didn't mean it that way... It's just that you are the Head Maid, so I thought you probably still had other work or duties to be responsible for, that's all."
Grayfia sighed slightly before replying.
"You do not need to worry about that matter, Hachi. Right now, my only duty is to act as the mediator for the discussion regarding the marriage between the two houses, using this clubroom as the meeting venue."
"Rias's fiancé is scheduled to arrive in the evening. Therefore, until that time... I still have free time."
Riser Phenex is coming here…
…Heheh.
Just picturing it, I can already tell that that idiot Issei is definitely going to lose his temper if he ends up meeting a guy like him. The two of them are the type that absolutely cannot get along anyway. One is brainlessly perverted, while the other is so full of himself it's sickening.
Thinking about it, this is starting to get amusing…
"What is it, Hachi? Why are you smiling like that, so strangely?"
"Ah... No, nothing. I was just lost in thought for a second..."
I glanced at the clock on the wall before scratching my head lightly.
"But... it's almost time for the afternoon classes..."
The implication was clear: I had to go to class and couldn't stay any longer.
"School, or staying with me—which one is more important?"
Huh? What?
I stared at her, dumbfounded, my face blank with astonishment.
Nee-san... the very person who had constantly lectured me about discipline and responsibility... the one who was stricter about my education than anyone else…
For her to suddenly be the one uttering words that sounded like an invitation to skip class…?
"Don't misunderstand, Hachi..."
"Of course, knowledge is important. It is a highly valuable weapon, and in many instances, it triumphs over all else."
"But wasting time searching for the exact same knowledge you already possess... not only yields no benefit, but it is also a complete waste of time."
Hearing Nee-san's rationale, I felt a distinct prickle of irritation and was just about to open my mouth to argue…
But she cut me off instantly, as if reading my thoughts beforehand.
"If you are about to claim that attending class serves as a review to prevent forgetting... I do not deny that."
"But that applies to ordinary people... not to you."
"Especially now that you hold the entirety of my knowledge within your memory. Even things I have yet to teach you, you already know and remember them all... Correct, Hachi?"
"H... How did you know, Nee-san!?"
Ever since we met last night…
The fact that she could sense her own demonic power's aura mixed within my body was something I could somewhat understand. After all, a high-tier existence would likely detect it without much trouble.
Just like a year ago, when Azazel himself noticed it too.
But the issue lay in the way she spoke.
"...So, the aura of my demonic power is mixed into your body now, isn't it?"
That was not the tone of someone who had just discovered something new; it was the tone of someone who had known all along that things would inevitably turn out this way.
Ever since reuniting with her after a year apart, I began to feel that Nee-san seemed to hold more secrets than ever, particularly regarding myself.
...It was as if she knew something that even I, the person in question, did not yet know.
Nee-san looked at my face silently, as if weighing whether she should reveal the truth.
In the end, she simply…
"If you want to know so badly, figure it out yourself. Hmph."
Having said that, she snapped her face away, puffing her cheeks slightly with a sullen expression.
...Oh? Is she sulking?
I blinked repeatedly in surprise.
I rarely got to see this side of Nee-san... Come to think of it... how many years had it been since she last made a face like that? I could probably count it on one hand.
This childish trait of Nee-san's... it only slipped out once in a long while, though most of the time it happened when she was drunk.
...I had experienced this point before.
There was only one way... I had to coax her until she softened up.
"Come on, Nee-san... This matter is really important to me. If you tell me, I'll even confess my love to you in front of other people."
Whatever the secret was... even a mere fragment would be fine.
At least it was better than knowing nothing at all... otherwise, I definitely wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
"Don't look down on me, Hachi…"
"I do not desire love from my otouto... that is born merely out of a insincere compromise like that."
Man... looks like this time it's going to be difficult…
"T-Then—"
"Enough, Hachi."
'Hic!'
I flinched instantly.
Even though her voice hadn't grown the slightest bit louder... the sheer coldness laced within it caused me to shut my mouth automatically.
"Whatever reason or excuse you bring up, forget it..."
Her tone softened noticeably.
"...Is it really that difficult, Hachi?.."
"To think that… I just wanted to spend some time with my own otouto for a while without any other matters disturbing us..."
Grayfia paused for a moment, before adding in a faint voice while still looking away.
"...You disappoint me a little, Hachiman."
'Gulp...'
Just hearing that sentence, my heart felt tightly constricted for no reason, to the point where my breathing hitched momentarily.
Strange…
Even though she didn't raise her voice, criticize me, or even show signs of anger.
But the word "disappoint" that slipped from her mouth felt heavier than any reprimand.
...And it felt even heavier because she chose to call me "Hachiman" instead of "Hachi" while we were alone together.
Just that slight difference in the honorific let me understand immediately…
This time, Nee-san was truly hurt.
I had just promised myself last night that I wouldn't disappoint her.
….Yet I managed to screw up on the very first day.
'Damn it! I really hate myself!'
If I couldn't even handle something like this, I shouldn't even hope to handle bigger things… Judging by the current situation, there was no way I could coax her with words anymore.
That left only one option, which was..
Offering my own body as a sacrifice to make her stop sulking, then.
...But before that.
I fished my mobile phone out of my trousers pocket, unlocked the screen, and scrolled to find the contact I needed.
[Issei]
Calling.
Beep... Beep…
Beep... Click.
『Hello, Hikigaya? Is something wrong?』
"I have a small favor to ask... For the afternoon class, please tell the teacher for me that I have a headache and don't feel well, so I'm resting in the club room."
While I was talking on the phone, I didn't notice at all that... the woman sitting beside me was curling the corner of her lips into a satisfied smile.
『Huh!? Did something happen!?』
"No, I just have a minor important matter to take care of... I'll leave it to you."
『Oh! No problem—...Wait, as if! Is Buchou there!?』
"What... are you thinking about?"
I sighed softly.
"Buchou already went back to the classroom, so there's nothing strange going on like whatever you're imagining. Rest assured."
『O-Oh... What a relief.』
"Is there anything else in your head besides that kind of stuff?"
『Well, you know... when I thought that you—』
"I'm warning you... before you say anything, think carefully about what your words will bring back upon yourself."
I paused slightly before continuing in a cold voice.
"Otherwise... next time, I will make you cry from both envy... and actual pain."
『Okay! Okay! I won't say it! Leave your sick leave to me! So calm down, alright!—』
Clack.
I hung up immediately.
Sigh…. Alright, as for the rest..
I turned to look at Nee-san.
She still sat silently, not even turning to meet my eyes or speaking a word to me, as if waiting to see what I would do next.
I stood up from the sofa, walked around to stand right in front of her where her line of sight was directed, before dropping down on one knee. With my back straight and my head raised slightly, it was a posture no different from a knight showing loyalty to a queen.
"...."
'If I'm offering my body as a sacrifice, I might as well play the part properly.'
My hands gently reached out to clasp her hands, which were resting quietly on her lap.
That sudden touch caused Nee-san to slowly turn and look at me for the first time.
I drew her hand closer before leaning down to press a gentle kiss onto the back of her hand.
Then I raised my head, looking straight into her beautiful silver eyes, and spoke in a pleading tone.
"My beloved Nee-san..."
"..?.."
"Please forgive the foolishness of this otouto. You are the most important person in my life, and that feeling will never change."
"Just seeing you act distant from me even a little... both my mind and body ache to the point where it's almost unbearable."
I slowly lowered my head, bringing the back of her hand to rest against my own forehead, as if surrendering to the queen who was my liege.
"I was foolish not to notice that you simply wanted to spend time with me. As an atonement... please give your command."
"No matter what it is... this otouto will perform it to the absolute best of his ability."
After spouting all those cringe-inducing words, I closed my mouth, remaining bowed and still, awaiting her judgment.
Inside the club room, silence fell once again.
No answer…
Not even the sound of a sigh.
There was only the soft touch of the back of her hand still pressed against my forehead, and the warmth from her palm slowly transferring over.
Only a few seconds passed…
But to me, it felt as long as several minutes.
I didn't dare raise my head to look at her expression, nor did I dare to even move, fearing that the slightest action would make all my efforts go to waste.
Right now, the only thing I could do was wait to hear the words from her mouth.
...Please, Nee-san.
Even if it's the most selfish command, it doesn't matter... just stop making that face.
And finally…
"Fufufu~"
A faint laughter escaped from her lips.
It was a laugh I was familiar with.. gentle, warm, and filled with affection.
The tension that had blanketed the club room just a moment ago slowly dissipated as if it had never existed.
...It worked, then.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief in my heart. At least... Nee-san had probably stopped sulking at me.
"Raise your head, Hachi."
I slowly raised my head according to her command.
This time, the face looking down at me was no longer the sullen expression from earlier, but rather that deeply familiar, gentle smile.
"Because it is something you have never done for me before, this time... I will grant you a pardon as a special case, then."
I was about to open my mouth to express my gratitude.
But—
"...But that matter is separate."
The smile on her face deepened slightly.
"Since you offered yourself... I suppose there is no need for me to be reserved anymore, is there?"
"...You wouldn't think of going back on your own words, right... Hachi?"
"..."
My eyelid twitched slightly.
...Hang on? Could it be that from the very beginning... the disappointed face, the aggrieved tone, including the atmosphere just now…
All of that... was her acting?
I narrowed my eyes to look at the gentle smile on Nee-san's face once more.
...If all of that just now really was an act.
Nee-san is truly quite devious... playing with my feelings so perfectly.
"Yes, Nee-san... if it will make you smile and be happy, I am willing to do anything."
She narrowed her eyes slightly before sliding the hand I was holding up to cradle my chin instead. Her thumb gently stroked across my lips before she spoke in a sweet voice full of charm.
"Hachi... Are you trying to hit on me~?"
No way!
"Yes... I love Nee-san very much. So much so that I would willingly sacrifice this life for you alone."
What kind of crazy game am I playing here?
"My~ What a sweet tongue you have."
Grayfia laughed softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile while both of her cheeks slowly blushed a faint crimson, as if my words just now made even her feel quite embarrassed.
"This is getting bad... If my otouto presses an offensive this hard, I might end up even more attached to you than before, you know?"
"Then... I will—uh... tone it down, if you want..."
"No need, just like this is fine."
After that, she withdrew the hand holding my chin and pondered for a moment, as if choosing an appropriate command, before uttering something that left me thinking hard.
"Hachi... Just now you said both mind and body... right?"
She paused slightly, her silver eyes locking onto me without wavering.
"In that case, please me... by whatever means... as long as it satisfies both my mind and body... that will be enough."
"..."
Hey, hey…
What kind of command is that? Why does it sound so ambiguous? No matter how one interprets it, doesn't it lead my thoughts in only one direction…
...Nee-san is teasing me, right?
...Or am I the only one with a dirty mind?
I looked at Nee-san's face with a troubled expression, trying to read the thoughts behind her face.
But that calm countenance did not reveal any emotion whatsoever. The faint smile gracing her lips made it even harder for me to guess whether she intended for me to misunderstand, or if the command truly carried the meaning I was thinking of.
She stared into my eyes fixedly before tilting her head slightly, then asking in a gentle voice.
"Why are you silent? Can't you do it, Hachi?"
"No... I can do it. I can definitely do it!"
Even though I answered back with such confidence…
...Where on earth should I start?
Mind and body... huh.
If one wants to satisfy someone's body, first of all, they must understand that person's condition.
Humans seek happiness from different things at each stage of their lives.
In childhood... simply running around, laughing, and doing silly things with friends is enough to make exhaustion vanish.
Upon entering adolescence, interests begin to shift. Many search for dreams, many reach for love, and many simply want someone who understands them.
But.. when growing into adulthood, those things are slowly swallowed by the reality of life. Duties, responsibilities, competition, and the burdens that must be carried each day force many to drag themselves forward, even when their minds and bodies are almost at their limits.
Especially those in high positions…
The more responsibility they hold, the less time they have to rest.
They have to work day and night until exhaustion becomes a normal part of life.
And when the body begins to push back…
What those people want, sometimes, is not valuable items or flattery, but perhaps just a brief moment that allows them to relieve their fatigue, lay down all their burdens... and feel that someone is staying right by their side.
And all that has been mentioned... does not differ much when applied to devils or other races.
Even though they possess superhuman power, long lifespans, and a different status, as long as they have duties to fulfill, people to protect, and burdens to bear…
Exhaustion is something no one can escape.
...Looking at it from this perspective.
Nee-san's command... might not mean what I thought it did.. or perhaps, I was the one overthinking things from the start.
...Alright, now I've figured it out.
I stood up from the sofa before walking around to stop behind her.
"Excuse me."
Even though I said that, I didn't wait for her answer.
Both of my hands gently reached out to rest on Nee-san's shoulders, before starting to knead rhythmically with the skill I had acquired from her.
"Ah... Ugh.. ..... Mnh~..."
A faint moan that invited suggestive thoughts escaped from her lips almost the instant my fingers pressed down.
I couldn't tell at all whether that was a sound of comfort... or because I had accidentally applied too much force.
Good grief...
Can't you respond a bit more normally like people usually do when getting a shoulder massage?
If someone walked past the front of the room and happened to hear that sound... just thinking about it gave me a headache.
The rumors, which were heavy enough as it was, would probably escalate even further. Fortunately, in this building, apart from the club members, there was no one else who set foot inside.
"Is this amount of pressure alright... Nee-san?"
"Mmm~... Yes... right there..."
Nee-san moaned back softly in her throat while letting me continue massaging her in a thoroughly relaxed mood, without showing the slightest sign of resistance.
"Not bad at all... Hachi~"
"You praise me too much... Originally, it was your own skill to begin with."
"Don't look down on yourself so much... Mnh~..."
She closed her eyes tightly while letting out a long, relaxed breath.
"Even if you have my skill... Nnh~... in the end, it still requires... experience after all... Ha... Hah..."
She fell silent for a moment before asking.
"...Have you ever massaged anyone before?"
"Well... never."
My voice faded away without me realizing it.
I tried to recall my past memories. Even back in my former world... I had never given anyone a massage.
...To be honest, just touching someone normally was a rare occurrence for me. Only with Komachi... was I familiar enough to do something like that naturally.
...I miss it so much.
I tried to picture the face of Komachi... my only younger sister, but no matter how hard I tried, the image remained blurry, like a mist that could never be grasped.
Sigh...
It wasn't that strange, really. Too much time had passed. And it wasn't just Komachi; even the others at school like Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, Zaimokuza, or even Hiratsuka-sensei…
Everyone who once played a part in my life, their faces... had all completely faded from my memory.
The only thing left was their names... and faint fragments of memories. And even what remained would likely fade away before long as well.
"Is something wrong, Hachi? Your hands have stopped moving."
Nee-san's voice snapped me back to reality.
"I'm sorry... I just got lost in thought for a moment."
I replied as I began to massage her again.
"...By the way, Nee-san, your shoulders are even stiffer than I thought."
Her shoulders were so tense that I could feel it clearly through my fingertips. So, I gradually increased the pressure a bit more, focusing on the spots where the muscles were tight to relieve the fatigue.
"Is that so... I didn't even realize... Mgh!~"
"That's because you keep overworking yourself and stressing out too much over work, Nee-san. ...Sometimes, even if you just let everything go and give yourself some rest, no one would complain."
I muttered softly out of genuine concern.
"Mhmm!~..."
Grayfia immediately raised her slender hand to cover her lips, as if trying to suppress the sound that had accidentally slipped out from becoming any louder.
Her smooth, white cheeks were gradually stained with a faint blush.
She remained still for a moment before turning to meet my eyes with a gentle smile that hid a touch of happiness.
"Hachi… Are you worried about me?"
I looked straight into her eyes before speaking back with a serious tone and expression.
"Yes, I am worried about you."
"..."
Grayfia's eyes widened slightly, as if she didn't expect me to answer so directly without even a hint of hesitation or trying to cover it up like usual.
Those silver eyes stared deep into mine.
As for me, I had no intention of looking away either.
The atmosphere inside the clubroom returned to a quiet stillness once more.
There was only the gaze of the two of us locked together for a long time, as if each side was trying to read the other's feelings through their eyes.
After a moment passed…
Grayfia slowly averted her gaze before turning back to look straight ahead as before.
"...Very well."
She spoke in a softer tone than usual.
"I will take what you just said... into consideration then."
"I'm glad you're willing to listen, Nee-san—"
"...However,"
Nee-san immediately interrupted in a flat, chilling tone.
"The main reason I accumulate stress every day until my shoulder muscles get this stiff..."
Grayfia feigned a slight, sharp glance back at me.
"...Ninety percent of it mostly originates from you... Hachi."
"..."
I fell silent instantly. The hands that were massaging her shoulders came to an abrupt halt.
...I can't even argue with that.
I could only give a dry smile, completely surrendering to her logic and evidence.
"Sigh... I'm sorry."
I sighed softly before slowly shifting my hands from her shoulders, moving up to gently cradle the back of her neck.
Both of my thumbs gradually pressed down on the tense spots, tracing the pressure from the base of the neck up to the nape of the neck slowly, then circling back down to repeat the motion in a steady rhythm to help relieve the fatigue and stress accumulated over the past several days.
"I promise that from now on, I'll try to behave better, and I will make up for the one year I was gone as best as I can."
I gave a faint smile while continuing to massage gently.
"So stop frowning and stop being mad at me... Nee-san."
"Hmph... Considering your effort, I won't hold a grudge over this matter this time."
"A... A grudge?"
The exclamation slipped out before I could think.
...Just for running away from home? Since when did it escalate from being "pouty" just now to a "grudge"?
...Is Nee-san really the type to hold onto things that deeply?
Or could it be that throughout the past year, she had been secretly keeping a ledger of grudges every night, just waiting for the day to settle the score with me...?
...This won't do.
If I let the atmosphere carry on like this, I'm sure old matters will be dug up one after another, and worst of all, every single one of them happens to be caused by me.
To prevent her thoughts from dwelling on those things any further, I decided to change my tactics immediately.
I slowly removed my hands from the back of her neck before lifting them to place them gently on her head.
All ten fingers slowly slid through her silver hair, which was as soft as silk, before using my index, middle, and ring fingers to massage in small circles along her scalp, moving from both temples up to the crown of her head with the steadiest and gentlest rhythm I could manage.
"...Please relax, Nee-san."
"Clear your mind and don't think about anything at all."
I whispered softly from behind, placing all my hopes on the art of head massage.
At least... if it could help dissolve even a fraction of the grudge this older sister had accumulated against me, that would be good enough.
Grayfia merely laughed softly in her heart at my sudden change in behavior. She knew exactly what I was worried about and how I was trying everything to please her.
And she certainly wouldn't stop it... She allowed me to continue quietly because the gentle touch from her otouto's fingertips... caused the fatigue accumulated over many days to slowly melt away, along with a faint smile that appeared on her lips without her realizing it.
"I feel very good right now... Hachi~"
Grayfia spoke in a relaxed tone while closing her eyes contentedly.
"It seems like from now on... I'll have to entrust my body to your care... as my personal spa provider."
"What?"
I froze instantly.
"Uh... That... might not be a good idea..."
The hands that were massaging her head stopped completely for a moment.
"What are you worried about, Hachi?"
Grayfia smiled slily out of the corner of her mouth without me noticing.
"After all.. you've already seen my naked body before, and you've even touched and caressed me all over. Just helping to take care of a simple spa for Onee shouldn't be difficult for you... right?"
It's not that it's difficult, it's just incredibly stressful!
Here I was, changing tactics and turning to the art of massage hoping to dissolve her grudge.
So why did the result backfire like this, turning into throwing a headache-inducing responsibility right back at me instead?
Even now, when Nee-san is fully conscious, she can already leave me completely at a loss like this. What if she gets drunk one day...
'...'
...Oh well, better stop thinking about nerve-wracking things that haven't happened yet.
"I... I will take that request into thorough consideration... then..."
"Fufu~ I hope your answer will be positive, Hachi."
"..."
A moment passed...
Finally, Nee-san uttered a sentence that made me practically dance with joy in my heart.
"Haa~... I'm starting to feel a bit sleepy."
...Here it comes! My golden opportunity!
"In that case, why don't you take a nap, Nee-san?"
I quickly pitched the offer that played right into my hands.
"But letting others see me sleeping in this worn-out state on the sofa... wouldn't be acceptable, would it, Hachi~"
Grayfia objected in a drowsy voice, yet still managed to maintain the perfect image of the Head Maid.
"Don't worry, Nee-san."
"That side of you, I would never let anyone else see it. Only I am worthy of it."
I quickly spoke up to shut down any chance of her refusing, completely unconcerned with how cheesy or cringeworthy the sentence sounded, or how much it resembled a male lead from a late-night drama.
At this moment.. as long as this Nee-san agrees to sleep, that's enough!
"Fufufu~"
Grayfia giggled in her throat in a good mood.
"How greedy of you... Do you really want to possess everything of Onee that much?"
"Yes!"
I responded immediately without even wasting time to think.
"So please rest assured... and leave the rest to me."
"It can't be helped then~ Since it's a request from my otouto... how could this Onee possibly refuse?"
As those gentle words ended, her beautiful eyelids slowly closed.
Her body, which had been tense all day, gradually relaxed before leaning back against the sofa, letting all the fatigue carry her into a peaceful slumber.
Her steady breathing made me let out a long sigh of relief.
'Whew... I survived.'
There was still a long time left before evening, and during that time, I didn't know what kind of dangerous words might slip out of her mouth if she were allowed to stay awake.
Therefore...
Having her sleep soundly like this...
.
..
...No.
Having her get a full, restful sleep like this...
Is for the best..
.
.
.
(Break)
Evening
Click... Clack…
"Hmm? Hikigaya?... And Grayfia isn't here?"
After school, Rias, Akeno-senpai, and Koneko, who made up half of the club members, had all arrived at the clubroom.
"Hikigaya-kun, is your class over already?"
Akeno-senpai asked curiously.
"..."
As for Koneko…. never mind.
"No, I didn't attend class this afternoon... As for Grayfia-sama.. she has already gone back."
"Eh? She went back already...?"
Rias frowned in confusion before her gaze swept over me from head to toe, as if she had just noticed something.
"By the way... what are you dressed up in?"
I was adjusting the new outfit that Nee-san had just given me.
It was a black three-piece suit, with a white shirt worn inside, black gloves on both hands, and the shoes were black as well.
"It's for the exact same reason that Grayfia-sama isn't here."
"...?"
Rias blinked in bewilderment before her expression instantly turned to shock.
"W... Wait a minute, don't tell me... you're going to act as the mediator in her place?"
"Correct."
I nodded casually.
"Shishou happened to have an urgent matter come up suddenly, so she asked me to handle the duty temporarily."
...Though in reality, that wasn't exactly how it went.
The thing was, after Nee-san woke up for a bit, she suddenly had some kind of thought pop into her head and turned to say to me:
"Hachi... from now on, I want you to take over my duties temporarily, alright?"
And my answer came out almost without thinking.
"No problem."
A promise is a promise, after all... It just so happened that today I felt like being a younger brother his older sister could rely on for once.
Even though I didn't know how much I could really help…
But since she was the one who asked, even if it meant forcing myself a little, I probably couldn't bring myself to refuse anyway.
...I suppose this can count as making up for the offense of running away from the Underworld last year.
As for the outcome of the upcoming discussion and meeting... even if Nee-san didn't tell me, I could pretty much guess how it would end.
In this supernatural world, strength is what determines whose "desire" will be acknowledged.
Everyone has the right to dream, the right to desire, and the right to demand what they want.
But in the end…
The right to make those desires a reality belongs only to the strong.
If you are strong, you can choose your own path, choose to protect what is important, or even change the rules that others have laid down.
But if you are weak…
You can only accept the decisions of the strong, even if it is not what you want.
In short, 'A desire without power is merely a dream, but when there is strength, desire becomes something within grasp.'
...And the events that are about to transpire after this are a clear example of this rule.