Kazumi POV
It was afternoon, my girls and I went somewhere to have fun. From the arcade to the park. I've been busy for a while because of my devil work and my actual part time work. So far I only need four more to complete the side quest. But taking a break once in a while is not bad.
Akeno and Rias were not with us because they were called by the student council president.
And somehow... Kiba was missing. He didn't see our family album but maybe he bumped into Irina and Xenovia along the way or maybe he just saw the holy sword they were carrying. Either way, things are unfolding the same as the original.
"Onii-chan look!" "Kazumi, come here!" "Kazumi-san!"
"Okay, okay." They were pulling my arms, forcing me to go along with them.
'Oh well, as long as they're happy.' I thought to myself. Their bright smiles made my lips smile as well. Seeing them happy made it worth it to protect them.
~°~°~°~
While walking back home, I watched them as they talked to each other while holding the things I bought for them.
"Did I spoil them too much?" I asked myself. But the look on their faces meant I don't care. If they're happy, then I'm happy as well.
*THUD*
A chill suddenly ran down my spine. I was familiar with this sensation, it happened once when I got near something holy though. If what I felt last time was a needle prick, then this one was a cut.
'I forgot I was still on my devil form...' I could switch to my other forms... I think this is better. If they cannot accept me because I'm a devil then that's that. If Irina couldn't accept me as I am then she wouldn't accept Akeno and Rias for their race.
"Itsuki," I called out to her. "Irina is here, probably talking to Kaa-san."
"She is!?" She rushed inside with excitement.
"I'll go follow her," Yuuma replied, in her face was a hint of annoyance. She followed Itsuki inside.
'Is she jealous?'
"Asia, are you okay?" I grabbed her hand with mine, firmly holding it.
"I'm fine!" She replied, her training with Rafaela is coming along nicely. Rafaela doesn't only teach her about healing but also her mental health.
Unlike the clerics in the monastery of light, Rafaela was truly kind and would help anyone in need. In a way, she's very similar to Asia.
"If they say anything bad about you, ignore it okay?"
"Mmhm!" Asia smiled at me. Forming her resolve and taking a deep breath, we both entered the house together.
""We're home!""
"Welcome back!" Kaa-san, with an excited tone, replied. Her voice came from the living room. "Come here you two, we have guests. Quickly!"
When we went inside the room, there were two girls sitting across from my mother and Itsuki was clinging to the one with chestnut colored hair. Must have been Irina.
And beside her was Xenovia.
"Is that you, Irina?"
"!... How did you know? It was supposed to be a surprise." She replied with a pout.
"How could I not know? Look at Itsuki who's hugging you."
"That's true." Irina just looked at Itsuki with an expression that said 'Can't be helped'.
Yuuma on the other hand, simply stared at Irina, not saying a word. But then she sported a smug look on her face.
"What's that smug look on your face, Yuuma?" I asked in a teasing manner.
"It's nothing~."
"Okay, I'll leave you kids to it. Asia, come help me in preparing dinner."
"Yes, Okaa-san!"
With Asia in tow, they headed towards the kitchen.
Now with them out of the way, I finally got serious. I already know what they came for and what they need.
"Alright. What's your business here?" I asked, acting as the representative of Rias. Itsuki, understating what I meant, moved away from Irina and sat next to me.
"What do you mean, Kazumi-kun?"
"...Well, let's talk about it tomorrow." I already know why they're here so need to pry any further. "Would you two like to have dinner?"
~°~°~°~
Now in the club room, Rias was sitting in front of Irina and Xenovia while the rest of us, with the exception of Kiba, were standing behind our king.
Yuuma, Itsuki and Asia were not here even though they're technically part of the club because they're not in Rias' peerage.
"My name is Irina Shidou!"
"I am called Xenovia."
"So, what purpose does the servants of god have to meet a Devil?" Rias snarked.
"Although the last one has yet to be found," Irina said. If my memory serves me correctly, then that last piece of Excalibur is in the hands of the Pendragon, specifically Arthur Pendragon of this world. "the other six Excaliburs are held by the three divisions of the Church. Three of those holy artifacts were stolen by Fallen Angels. This one right here is the Holy Sword of Mimicry, Excalibur Mimic."
"This one is the Holy Sword of Destruction, Excalibur Destruction." Xenovia added.
"So, what does that have to do with us?"
"Nothing. This matter is between us and the Fallen Angels. We can't afford to deal with Devils like you right now. But if it were up to me, I rather deal with of all you right now, even if you're the Satan's sister." I was about to lift my hand but Akeno stopped me. I looked at her who just returned a smile. Seeing her smile calmed me down but her words still irked me.
Ignoring her last remark, Rias replied. "You think we would cooperate with the Fallen Angels?"
"It actually be a surprise if you don't. Holy artifacts such as these are your race's greatest threat is it not?"
"Well, let me tell you one thing: I would never involve myself with a Fallen Angel–"
*THUD!*
"–...with the exception of Kazumi. In the name of the Gremory, I swear that I never do anything that will humiliate the Satans."
I quickly recovered from "suddenly" falling down. I really thought she wouldn't exclude me. Well, if she did continue her words, I would have used that as teasing material against her.
"You were a Fallen Angel, Kazumi-kun?!" Irina, with a surprised tone, asked. I thought she knew that already?
"I thought you knew that already? Your father knew the moment I met him."
"He didn't tell me anything!" Irina pouted.
"I am glad to hear that. That was the preferred outcome of our headquarters. And I know that the sister of a Satan wouldn't be that foolish." Xenovia's snide remarks didn't fall on deaf ears.
"Then, you do understand that I would not side with you nor your god, yes?"
"We do. We simply would like to have a non-intervention pledge about this ordeal."
"Understood."
"Then, we won't be taking any more of your time."
"Question, would I be part of that non-intervention? You did say it was between you and the Fallen." Now in my Fallen Angel form, I asked. Although their rude remarks were unpleasant, I cannot let them die. Itsuki wouldn't like that after all.
Though if it was any fallen angel then maybe I'll leave them to their own devices. But this is Kokabiel, a Cadre and one of the leaders. Plus, I heard from Azazel that Kokabiel had a history with my parents.
"But aren't you–" Xenovia replied but she stopped herself. She probably noticed the aura I was letting off. None were those of the Devil, just a Fallen Angel.
"Part of Rias' peerage? If I feel like it, sure." It has been a while since I used my fallen angel form.
"We'll think about it."
"Bye, bye!"
With that, the two exorcists came out of the room.
"Fuuuuuh." Rias let out a tired voice.
"Good job, Buchou."
"Thanks. It was pretty hard to keep myself from laughing at them. They're so proud of themselves yet they don't even know who they are facing. This is your fault, Kazumi."
Kokabiel isn't just any fallen angel, so if they planned on facing him then they probably don't care if they die as long as their main objective is complete...
"It was you who wanted to learn about the future... Well, they did plan on destroying the excaliburs though they treated themselves as expendable."
"Are you really helping them, darling?"
"...Where did that come from? And yes, Itsuki would be sad if I didn't." I was certainly surprised by her calling me darling.
"....Sis-con." Koneko replied while munching on the snacks I gave her a while ago.
"Thanks! Alright, more snacks for you."
"...Yay."
"I'm pretty sure that wasn't supposed to be a compliment. Don't spoil her too much." Rias sighed. But seeing her rook happy made her smile. Knowing her past and her relationship with her older sister certainly weighed down her mind.
"I won't."
*CLANG!*
*CLING!*
The thunderous roars of steel clashing with each other filled my ears. Shit. I failed to stop them.
"Rias," I called out to her.
"I know. What a troublesome knight I have." Again, Rias sighed. But then she smiled.
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1,539 Words
Author's Words:
I'm on a spree lately. One chapter a day is certainly motivating.
I have been writing my best one yet but I would post it on another account. Why? I guess it's to separate my pen name from me. It was a name made by my younger self.
Ironic, my name is LoliConnoisseur but I haven't added Koneko to the harem. Funny how things turn out.
That's all.