Right, it makes sense. Any devil with ambitions would jump at the chance to attend the same school as the sisters of two Devil heirs.
I think Sirzechs also serves as a board member here, so I imagine he or someone under him filters applications. It's not like you can let random humans decide that.
We checked out all the key spots, faculty office, infirmary, locker rooms, and planned to let Ravel explore the rest during normal school days.
"I am a professional Rating Game participant, after all! Scanning a battlefield and memorizing its layout instantly is basic training, you know!"
Apparently, strategic awareness is taught in noble devil academies. Whether it can be used in real combat is another story.
After returning home, Koneko-chan went off to do some devil duties, while I trained with Kuroka. Ravel watched us spar.
"Watching again, I honestly can't imagine my brother ever beating you in a direct fight, Ikki-sama. Even with our whole family fighting together, I doubt we'd win."
Phenex immortality is useless against senjutsu, after all.
"Ah… so, Riser still hasn't recovered?"
"...No. As shameful as it is, he's still my brother, so I want to see him stand up again. But right now, we can't even get him to leave his room… If he resists seriously, only Father or our eldest brother can restrain him."
Ravel looked embarrassed. Maybe I shouldn't have brought that up.
"Well, if you're ever out of options, I could go pay him a visit. Some kind of shock therapy might help… not that I recommend it."
"Nya haha, more likely it'd make things worse!"
"I-I couldn't trouble you like that, Ikki-sama!"
After a bit of chatting, I cleaned up and met Koneko-chan back home.
Since we had early training tomorrow, I planned to sleep soon, but, as usual, Kuroka and Koneko-chan came into my room. Just as Koneko stepped in, Kuroka gently pushed her forward, shut the door, and set up a barrier that was practically shouting No escape!
"Nee-sama!? What are you doing!?"
"Nya hahaha~ Shirone's shy. If she's not alone with you, she'll never say what's on her mind. Take this chance to spoil her, and if she's got doubts, let her vent them, nya! I'll hang out with Ravel for tonight."
…Well, I did say I wanted to talk with Koneko-chan. Just not by locking her in with me!
What should I say? How do I even start!? I was stuck in my head until Kuroka yelled, "Just ad-lib it like I did when I told Shirone the truth about your dumbassery!"
Okay. Screw it. Time to wing it.
Koneko let out a long sigh, then gave me a tired look.
"...Was this your idea?"
I nodded.
No point in hiding it, Kuroka made it obvious.
"...Sit down, at least."
She gently patted the bed next to her. After hesitating, she sat.
SO AWKWARD!! Whose dumb idea was "just go for it"? Oh right, mine!!
Eventually, Koneko broke the silence.
"...I'm sorry. Kuroka-nee-sama… even Kunou, who's five years younger than me, has already accepted things. But I've been sulking, troubling you with my feelings..."
Honestly, Kuroka's blunt honesty is rare. Most people can't act like that.
"So… what do you think of Ravel?"
I asked naturally. I felt like that was the heart of it.
"...I think she's amazing. She left home to grow stronger, has Rating Game experience, and after just a year and a half of knowing you, she already proposed... I can't compare. Maybe I'm just scared of her. Scared I'll be left behind..."
She trailed off.
So that's it. It's not that she hates Ravel, it's that she respects her and fears being outshined.
But how do I help her feel secure...?
Fine. I'll do something embarrassing.
I silently lifted Koneko-chan into my lap and wrapped my arms around her.
Physical affection: Kuroka's advice.
"You know, I like this too. Holding you like this… it makes me feel possessive in a good way. Embarrassing, sure, but comforting too."
"...Me too. When I sit like this, I feel like I can entrust myself to you. It's also my way of saying, 'I belong to you.'"
GUH! That's TOO CUTE!!
"I mean it. You can sit here any time. And know this, I'm always thinking about you when we're like this."
"...Okay."
Her mood softened.
Then suddenly, she giggled.
"Koneko-chan?"
"Hehe… because just a second ago, you were acting so uncharacteristic. When I look back on it, it's kinda funny."
Ugh. My face is definitely red now.
"Cut me some slack. I'm new at this, too."
"...Ikki-senpai?"
"Hmm? What's u—?!"
She turned toward me, and I kissed her.
"...I love you, Koneko-chan."
"I love you too, Ikki-senpai!"
As we leaned in for another kiss, I spotted golden and blue glimmers in my peripheral vision.
At the window.
Which has no balcony.
Ravel and Kuroka were watching us from outside.
Kuroka just grinned wider. Ravel tried to hide behind her hands, but I could still see her bright blue eyes through her fingers.
Wait, when did they get there!? I kinda get Kuroka doing that, but even Ravel managed to suppress her presence!?
Ah, Kuroka must've cloaked both of them using senjutsu. These two can fly after all… and that ridiculously obvious barrier earlier? It wasn't to keep people out, it was to make us think we had privacy!!
"...Senpai? What's…"
Koneko-chan followed my gaze, and saw them.
Her face turned bright red.
The two devils quickly disappeared out of sight.
….
Awkward silence, round two.
A moment later, the barrier faded and Kuroka strolled in with Ravel, who had let her hair down.
"Hey, Ikki, Shirone~ You two finished your little talk? I think everything's good now, so we came to check in!"
You think!? Don't play dumb, you two definitely saw everything. And you heard it too, didn't you!?
Koneko exploded at Kuroka, who dodged with ease. Unable to catch her, she turned her wrath on Ravel instead.
"Ravel…! You don't have to go along with every prank of Nee-sama's! You're a noble! You don't need to stop peeping!!"
She stormed over and started pinching Ravel's cheeks.
Honestly, this kind of peeping is almost tradition. Even Rias stalked Issei and Akeno's date last week.
"Nyah, nyahhi whahy're nyou dohying thihs, Shirone-shyaan!!"
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