Four, well, technically three members, but a little fib here or there never hurt anyone, yeah?
That's enough, right? That would mean we should be good to go, right?
Well, as it turns out.
"Uwah~! I didn't think this far ahead!" Avi cried and exclaimed.
Why?
Well, I asked who I had to contact to get the club approved if Schwe here joins.
The answer?
The Student Council.
Not Sona's student council, as she runs the high school division, but the junior division's student council.
In specific? The president of the junior high student council needs to approve, and I have no idea who they are.
This could be an issue, turns out. Sona will do what I say, purely via the threat of my annoying her.
This person, though? Threatening them with such pranks could either make things worse or just not affect them at all. There's also the case of whether or not this guy deserves my particular brand of convincing.
So far, all I have to go off of are the vice presidents actions, but that's not going to tell me anything about the president themself, is it?
Lost in thought as I was, I didn't notice until I snapped out of it that all the girls were crowding around Avi, who had practically curled up in a ball on the ground, shuddering as though she was freezing.
Well. I may not know anything about this mystery president, but Avi sure seems to.
Zekka was uttering, "There, there…" and patting her on the back, trying to soothe her, to no avail.
Lilibette stood, arms crossed, appearing deep in thought, likely about how to solve the issue at hand.
While Schwe looked like she had no idea what to do, all former aggravation at me was lost, replaced by this awkward unassuredness.
"Uh," Schwe began, unsure, "is the student council president that scary?"
Avi's expression became horrified, "Scary!?" She exclaimed, as though she couldn't believe Schwe said that, "If you think Mina-chan is bad, wait until you meet the president she…" Avi looks around, as though expecting the girl to spontaneously appear, "I'm not sure she's even human!"
Yikes, that's harsh and ironic, coming from the literal devil of the group.
I wonder, considering the junior division's obsession with power and martial arts, the student council president then would logically have to be pretty strong. So, maybe I'd recognize the family name from somewhere?
"Pinky." I spoke up, the girl not moving even at my voice, "What's the president's name?"
"...Yagyuu Gichou Z-Zaemon." She almost chanted it in terror, like saying it would summon the demon herself, "Why, sensei, do you possibly…?" Her voice trailed off. I could feel the hope inside her rising that I might know what to do about this.
That was all crushed once I shook my head; I could almost hear something like glass shattering from Avi as I made the motion.
"Nah, I don't know the girl." I capped it off, practically killing Avi off.
But.
That family name, that sounds familiar, surprisingly enough.
I only heard it once before, way back when Uzume first filled me in on all the supernatural goings on in Japan.
We didn't end up going into too much detail about it then, but Yagyuu, that's one of the old samurai families that make up a group called the 'Eight Roaring Generals.'
Now, they sound important, and technically, they are. The Generals are practically the Five Clans…but for the East.
See, the Five Clans are based in Kyoto, and they focus on the West. I'm not aware of the General's base. Tokyo makes sense considering their founding and all that, but then it's weird, I never ran into any of them before while I was in the capital.
Ah, well. I never really expected to meet any of them in any event. Especially not so soon.
Unlike the Five Clans, the Eight Generals never needed actual divine intervention for their problems, or so Uzume has said, so the Shinto generally left them to their own devices.
"But," I continued, Avi peeking up as though revived, "I do know of her family. I never met them, don't know much of anything about them, but…who knows?" I shrug, before standing up from the comfy position on the floor I was sitting in and stretching, "The only way to find out more would be to meet this president myself, I guess?"
"Eh?' Avi gaped at me, and then, without prompting, launched herself out of her fetal position and attached to me, "W-Wait! Sensei! You don't have to go so far for us!"
I deadpan down at the shrimp attached to my torso, "She's a girl around the age of you lot. I don't think I have anything to worry about."
For some reason, that didn't seem to assuage Avi even a little, as she rapidly shook her head, "No, no, no! You don't understand, she's… it's, hnn-"
I reach down, grabbing her by the back of her collar, and easily pull her off before she can start crying or something.
With a deep sigh, I state firmly. "I will be fine. Understand?"
Avi looks almost like she's ready to have a breakdown, while the other girls look on, visibly concerned.
I rub the bridge between my eyes, the phantom buzz of a headache passing through me momentarily as I set Avi down amongst the other girls.
"Keep an eye on her." I don't address any of them specifically, pointing instead at Avi, "And once I get back, I need to test to Lunaire," said the girl's lone eye widening at that, "then maybe Schwe-chan as well, we'll see, alright? I shouldn't be long."
I get a chorus of hesitant nods from the girls, Lunaire's in particular being more so, before the group's focus snaps to Avi.
Who has once again curled up into a ball, muttering something about having to find a new advisor after this, since I'm as good as gone.
Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder how much of this is actual terror or played up for dramatics' sake.
Either way, I guess I've a new student council president to meet all of a sudden?
~ A New Sun ~
It took me until now to realize I had never actually been inside the junior division school building proper before.
By that, I mean I walked into the building, realized I was in the junior division version of the high school one, and didn't realize that fact until I pointed it out to myself.
Weird go around, I know, but it was needed because both buildings look the same!
That thought stuck with me as I walked through the halls, peering through the windows into classrooms here and there, and it was only then that I could see the minor differences.
In particular, the classrooms had more decorations that made it feel pampered toward those younger, while the high school division classrooms were far more boring in that regard.
Different countries, different school systems entirely, and even across the waters, some things never change, huh?
In any event, this familiarity didn't ultimately surprise me. I considered it a big help.
It meant I knew exactly where to find the student council room, without having to find a map or something.
I do love me a good time saver here and there!
It was almost automatic then, reaching the student council's room.
It was also incredibly odd, though, because I know the council would be operating by now. Hell, they were just out chasing my girls!
Yet, there's only a single soul, a single presence inside.
And I can barely feel them. If it were me from a few months back, and my senses weren't as sharp, I'd probably assume whoever this is is on the verge of death or something.
But no, they're just very well trained at hiding their presence, that's all. Almost unnaturally so.
I reach up to knock, as politeness dictates.
And yet-
"You may enter."
A voice rings out just before my knuckles rapped against the wood.
Well, alright then.
It was the voice of a girl, soft, but not gentle, not so rough either. It was almost mild. Neutral. No, maybe even tone deaf or emotionless?
That's, hmm…shaking my head, I decide to stop trying to decipher what she sounds like, and just enter.
I open the door and step in without issue, closing it behind me just as easily.
The room is exactly as I expected it, nearly identical to the one Sona and her Peerage reside in, yet without the obvious markings of a devil peerage base of operations, such as the giant demonic summoning circle in the middle of the room.
And there, at the far end of the room, where evening sunlight bore into a large desk, sat a girl.
She wore the same uniform as every other junior division girl I've seen, and thank me, she had normal bodily proportions as well. Her jet-black hair was straight and cascaded down her back.
All in all, she looked almost like your incredibly stereotypical Japanese girl. Exactly what you'd expect.
Except for her eyes.
Like her hair, they were jet black. Also, like her hair, they held no shine. No sparkle. It was like looking at a soul taken directly from Yomi, given a flesh and blood body.
The girl stood from her chair, and without saying any further, she made a bow, slow and deep.
"Norihito-denka."
The hair on the back of my neck bristled. If she addressed me at all, that was the last name I expected her to refer to me by.
"I had never expected to meet you one day, yet it seems our paths cross nonetheless." She raises a smile plastered across her face. I could tell it wasn't real, yet it held no wroth, not for me. "I had sent everyone away when I sensed your coming. Please, take a seat." She motioned for the lone chair in front of her desk.
"Thank you," I sigh, moving to do so, "but please, there's no need to call me that, Yagyuu-san."
Her smile twitched. "To do so otherwise would be the greatest sign of disrespect."
I lean back in the chair, my eyes narrowing at her, "And I'm no prince, not officially anyway, it's just…don't. If you must, Kusanagi-sama, alright?"
She stood there for a moment before nodding deeply, "If it is your wish, this Yagyuu will follow it, Kusanagi-sama."
Alright, I'm going to come out and say it.
I just met this girl, and I can't tell whether or not she's a puppet or a robot, and it's sort of creeping me out.
Granted, I don't at all feel threatened, but still. Just had to get that off my chest.
"Am I correct in judging by the fact that you know my family name, you already know who I am?" She promptly asks.
I nod, "That is correct."
"Hmm, I see, yet protocol dictates I introduce myself to you regardless, I hope you understand." She gives me a small apologetic wave before putting said hand to her chest, "I am Zaemon, of the Yagyuu Family. It is with my greatest honor that I welcome you here today."
I wanna call her Zae-chan. Purely to see how she'd react. Maybe her face would do more than smile?
I wave her off, "Hah, there's no need for that. I didn't come for anything official."
She tilted her head, slowly lowering herself into her seat, "Ah. I am aware, Kusanagi-sama. You came about the Occult Sword Research Club, you have been sponsoring, haven't you?"
I'm not shocked she knows about it. It's not like I've been hiding my presence, especially on that first day.
"That's correct, yes." I affirm once more, before adding, "Though, I gotta say, if you already know about it, I'm surprised you haven't tried to shut it down yet."
"I was about to." She states matter-of-factly, her smile never leaving, "But then you came into the picture, and in addition, took the Niten Ichi-ryu girl under your wing as well."
I blinked at that casual info dump, "I'm sorry?" I tried, only for Zaemon to wave me off in return.
"There's no need, Kusanagi-sama. In the end, perhaps this outcome was more preferable after all?" She leaned forward, "You see, I assume you don't know this, please chastise me if you do, but my posting here in the junior division was because of the Kami."
I perked up at that, listening intently as she went on.
"Due to the Grigori's untimely end, and the rebellion in the aftermath, the gods deemed it necessary to send someone to protect this place, this academy, due to high-value targets nearby." Her head nodded in the direction of the high school campus, "As you can imagine, it's an interesting challenge."
I had to resist the urge to snort at that.
Of course, it would be. It's Rias and Sona after all, they probably attract all sorts of crazy shit by themselves.
"I didn't know about your posting here, no." I confirm, not all mad about this fact.
I don't need to be told everything that goes on all the time, and actually, I'm glad they took the initiative to send someone themselves, which means they are doing something, even if covertly.
Her smile turned briefly amused as she continued, "Truly, when I first took up the post, what the Amon girl was doing went right under our radar for some time. Minamoto's…dedication was how we ended up finding out at all. But as I said previously, your timely arrival changed things."
"For the better, huh?" I parroted her words from earlier, and she nodded once again.
"Considering shortly after, the Niten Ichi-ryuu girl showed up, along with a descendant of a particular French hero," she began to explain, "I believed keeping you around would be practical. Even then, however, I wouldn't impede your will whatsoever, Kusanagi-sama. Such a union of logic and duty is so rare nowadays not to take advantage of."
A particular French hero? Who could that-
Wait a second, who's the only other recent transfer student besides Zekka again?
Lilibette, then. I guess that explains some of her dress choices, doesn't it?
I sure hope when I test her, she doesn't surrender immediately! Har har!
Ugh. Come on, I know I can do better than that basic bitch joke.
Though now I'm curious, don't tell me she's like a Descendant of Lancelot or something, who knows what kind of baggage that would carry with it.
"Ah," Zaemon sighed, yet still, her smile persists, "it would appear I've gone horribly off track, my apologies. You came here about that club, yes?" She tactfully switched subjects, "Am I to assume you came here to make it all official?"
I blinked at the sudden switch in the conversation, "Yeah. Are there any problems in doing so?"
"With me? No." She shook her head, before her smile thinned, just a tad, "But with the rest of the council and school? Perhaps."
"Yet they don't particularly matter here, do they?" I ask, with a raised eyebrow.
At that, her smile becomes just a touch genuine, "That they don't, Kusanagi-sama."
With that said, she reaches behind her desk, I hear a drawer sliding out, the sound of papers rustling, before her hand comes back up with said papers.
"All it will take is a few forms filled out, and some time, and it shall be done."
A pen gently hit the paper, before it was all slid in front of me.
Well now.
I can't say I expected this to go quite so easily. The way Avi was hyping her up as this eldritch monstrosity, I thought I was in for a boss battle or something.
Ah, well. I pick up the pen…
~ A New Sun ~
It didn't take long to fill everything out.
What? It was for a junior high school club. Avi wasn't kidding; all that was truly needed were members.
Which we technically didn't have, but eh, I'm sure Schwe will warm up to them in time. Plus, she can leave if she truly doesn't want to deal with it all.
I don't want to say Zae-chan was sucking up to me, but I get the feeling she wouldn't exactly care if the club I'm advising for had three instead of four members.
Still, all that sitting and walking around, I really should have just teleported back, but eh, I'm not exactly in a rush. I'll start doing that more when it starts snowing and the weather inconveniences me.
I make it back to the dojo with plenty of light to spare, groaning as I stretch one last time before sliding open the doors.
"I can't believe I agreed to this…"
"Hnn! Lunaire-san, hold, hold it…!"
"This would be much easier if Zekka-chan would stop moving around!"
Hmm.
Okay.
In the center of the dojo stood a pyramid of girls.
Liliebete on the ground, who was holding up and trying to balance Zekka, who was in turn trying to balance Schwe-chan, who was balancing four swords, one in each hand, and two on her head.
It hasn't collapsed yet, and I'm somehow both appalled and in awe that it hasn't.
Why are they doing this, one may ask?
Probably to try and cheer up the pinky still sitting on the ground, curled up.
To be fair to the girls? It's not like it's not having any effect at all. Avi is looking at the tower of girls in much the same way I am.
I closed the door behind me, making sure the noise it made was pretty loud.
"Huh!?"
"A-Ah!?
"Zekka-chan, Schwert-san! You-"
The noise startled Schwe, who jerked around for just a moment, a moment enough to unbalance Zekka, who promptly fell on Lilibette, taking the Voyalkrie with her.
Avi looked down at them all before turning once she realized what that loud sound was, and swiveled her whole body around to face me.
It took only a moment for her face to light up, "Sensei!"
And only a moment longer still for her to collide with my torso once again.
She looked up at me, tears pricking the corner of her eyes, "You're alive! And not a soulless husk floating in a lake somewhere!"
Holy me, girl, what exactly do you think of the student council president?
"Yeah, turns out, she wasn't so bad…" I replied, slowly, before tacking on, "Really, shrimp, I don't know why you were so freaked about her."
Avi gaped up at me, completely and utterly blue screening.
Only for her to ignore everything I said about the girl herself and focus on something else.
"Wait, wait, wait," she starts, thinking hard, "if you're back, then…?"
"Well, I'd be back regardless of whether or not I got the club approved." I responded, making Avi slump, before casually adding on, "But ya. We'll see what happens in a couple of days once everything goes through."
Avi freezes and blinks, very slowly.
The other girls, sans Schwe-chan, who was pouting at me, also just looked at me.
Nobody said anything.
"...So anybody up for ramen to celebrate?" I added, amused.
Every single girl perked up at that, and all said as one, even Schwe-chan, "Ramen!?"
Haha, there we go!