Morning.
I woke to the familiar feeling of warm bodies clinging to me from both sides. On my left was Kuroka's beautiful sleeping face; on my right, Koneko's innocent one, she'd started sleeping with us only yesterday.
We'd been in this situation once before, after the Kokabiel fight, though back then three of us were jammed into a single bed. This mansion‑sized mattress is custom‑made, even wider than a king, so there's plenty of space.
I tried to slip out without waking them, peeling Kuroka's arms off me with my right hand, only to realize that the same hand was pinned by Koneko's. Bad. If Kuroka wakes up frisky and starts licking my neck again, I'm doomed. I've trained myself to rise before her, because once she pounces my self‑control goes up in smoke, and I can't rely on Ittou‑Shura first thing in the morning.
Sometimes I ask myself, Why am I fighting so hard? Truth is, if I slack off I'll probably push her down inside a week.
While I was wriggling free, Kuroka's golden eyes suddenly opened and met mine.
"Morning, Ikki "
Predator's eyes.
"You've been slipping away before I can cuddle you at night. I see, the kitten on your other side is the problem? Honestly, I wish you'd forget that 'wait‑till‑graduation' promise and just ravish me already. Maybe I should stop holding back."
Holding back? That was holding back?
She whispered in a honeyed voice, fingertips sliding up my thigh.
"After all, aside from the very first night we haven't even kissed properly. You know, tongues entwined, sharing each other's scent… Then we become one and keep going until we're both drained. Interested?"
Interested!? Any healthy guy would be! A man who could say "no" to Kuroka is either ascetic…or not into women.
=====================
Somewhere far away
"Achoo!"
"You okay, Vali? Catch a cold?"
"Nothing serious, Bikou. Just a sneeze… Perhaps someone's plotting to challenge me. I look forward to it."
"The battle nut's in top form again, huh?"
=====================
Back to reality…..
Kuroka loomed over me, loose white robe slipping to reveal far too much skin.
Amazing kiss scenario? Absolutely. But after what she just said, I could only picture myself being devoured.
Was she inspired because Koneko and I had a date yesterday, the same way Koneko was inspired by Issei's?
"...What are you two doing so early?"
Koneko's slightly sulky voice came from right beside us. Thank you, Koneko, perfect timing! Disaster averted.
Kuroka merely laughed.
"I was planning to become one with Ikki and claim his kittens, nya. Don't worry, Shirone, you're still too small to risk childbirth, so you can just watch."
"No way! I can do it too! I'm ready!"
Stop! My sanity can't take this!
I tried to change the subject. "Anyway, training starts soo—"
"Pipe down, Ikki!"
"Please be quiet, Senpai!"
"…Yes, ma'am."
Three seconds to total defeat.
Kuroka turned back to her sister. "Shirone, you haven't even gone into heat yet. You still value school life, right? It's too early."
"I… I know, but my body won't grow for another two‑three years. I don't want to wait that long!"
The conversation spiraled. I desperately needed to derail it.
Kuroka suddenly sighed, as if reaching a decision. "Fine. I'll hold off on babies till you've grown. Deal?"
Koneko pouted, then Kuroka leaned in and stole a quick kiss from me.
"Today I'll let you off with just that "
"Not fair! I want a kiss too!"
Face red, Koneko planted a shy peck on my other cheek.
H‑Happiness overload.
I failed to notice Kuroka's mischievous grin.
=====================
A few days later
After barely surviving what would look to outsiders like a murderous sister‑catfight of jealousy, our odd escort team, Occult Research Club, Kuroka, Azazel, Baraqiel, and newly arrived Ravel, had been dragged all over Japan, guarding Odin's sightseeing tour.
In theory it was "security detail." In practice Odin hit every cabaret club and oppai‑pub in the country while we cooled our heels in waiting rooms. Even Ravel grumbled, "I must revise my opinion of gods."
Today Kuroka and I rode up front on Sleipnir's carriage. The divine steed was smart enough to pull itself, so reins were for show. I can't fly, so when the rest take to the air I ride shotgun; running alongside wastes too much stamina. Issei, whose devil wings still wobble like a newbie's toy drone, sits here too.
The airborne guard was Yuuto, Xenovia, Irina, and Baraqiel.
"Maybe I really should learn long‑range flight arts," I muttered.
"Gravity‑subversion is an option," Kuroka said lazily from the roof, "but you're not quite there yet. Teleportation works fine for now, nya."
Xenovia, Yuuto, and Irina chimed in.
"Even Ikki has weak points," Xenovia teased.
Yuuto laughed. "But as Kuroka says, flight can wait."
Irina sparkled. "If you want wings, I can petition Michael! How about working for Heaven as well?"
"No thanks," I waved. "If I became an angel, I'd probably sprout black wings by morning."
Everyone laughed, then hostile mana surged.
"Battle stations!"
I hauled on the reins; Sleipnir halted mid‑air. A silver‑haired man in white robes appeared: blue gem on his brow, hair floating like live snakes.
"Greetings. I am Loki, the Norse god of mischief."
Tension spiked. Azazel stepped forward, cautious but polite.
But Loki wasn't here for pleasantries; he demanded to know why Odin sought peace, declaring it threatened Ragnarök. Odin bluntly replied he'd rather drink and swap stories with other pantheons.
Loki's answer was simple: a declaration of war.
Magic flared, but Xenovia struck first with Durandal. The blast cleared; Loki stood unharmed.
"Guess I didn't hit as hard as Ikki would have," she muttered.
I couldn't resist commentary. "You leaked aura, your blade wave scattered, and the power's too low. Three strikes."
Xenovia slumped mid‑air. Issei yelled, "Dude, not helping!"
I shrugged, then took Issei's boosted power and showed a textbook anti‑magic punch, shattering Loki's barrier with raw force. Even Azazel whistled.
"Oho! Almaros will love this, 'ultimate anti‑magic: pure physics'!"
Rossweisse groaned, "That kind of negates all spells‑casting pride..."
Loki's response? Summon his beloved son: Fenrir, a colossal gray wolf whose mere presence outweighed Loki's own.
I stared. "Not cute. Not cool. Next!"
Everyone's face‑faulted; even Fenrir looked self‑conscious about the oddly placed horns on his shoulders.
With a resigned sigh, Loki commanded the attack, and so the true battle began.
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