Sato wasn't the only male member within the Kendo Club, and naturally, there were many other men, so frankly, usually, at this moment, there should be many of them, yet now?
All of them seemingly disappeared, as if they had made an appointment to go home early after the club, which led him into a situation where he stayed with Kiba in the shower room.
Fortunately, the shower area was divided by many cubicles, and there was even an opaque glass shower door that protected everyone well, so they wouldn't see each other, so those with the small one wouldn't be shy.
If there was something that made some of us worried, it was how there was an open gap at the bottom area of the cubicles, which made those who took a bath, could see each other's feet.
Then again, he had nothing to worry about, especially with his size, but he couldn't help but look at Kiba's feet, which were white and delicate, like a girl's.
"...."
"Sato-kun, can you pass me the soap? I have forgotten to bring it."
"...."
No, Sato didn't use a bar of soap; instead, he used the liquid one, so nothing strange would happen.
"Here."
"Thanks."
Kiba's hand stretched out from under the gap of the wall cubicle and accepted the soap from Sato.
Still, in his mind, Sato wondered what this guy wanted to do.
Also, this guy should be a man, right?
It wasn't that Sato tried to doubt Kiba's gender, but many things could happen, after all, especially when he seemed to become someone who was sought by Sona and Rias, as they wanted to invite him into their group.
'If I am not wrong, there should be an episode or a moment when Kiba became a real woman in the story.'
It had been so long since he had watched DxD, but even so, his memory was twice as good, so he more or less remembered it, even though it wasn't perfect yet.
Still, previously, he might not have cared much, but at this moment, he realized that this Kiba was a bit weird.
Yet, as he wanted to think more, Kiba didn't let him. "By the way, can I ask you something, Sato-kun?"
"What's wrong? Ask away."
"I have never asked you this, but why did you want to grow stronger? Is there something that you want to achieve?"
Unlike him, who had a certain goal that he had to achieve no matter what, Sato was different.
Sato was a normal boy, so why did he work so hard?
"Why did I work so hard?"
Sato thought for a moment and said, "Because I want to live well."
Why did he work hard?
Wasn't it because he wanted to live well?
By working hard now, his life in the future would be easy and relaxed. Instead of working hard later, he felt that working hard now was better, as in the future, he wouldn't be as strong, considering he grew older.
"Also... I just don't want to feel regret in the future, thinking that I am too powerless, unable to do anything because I am lazy now."
"You are amazing." Kiba couldn't help but say when he heard Sato's words.
"I think so."
"...." Kiba.
"You are so narcissistic!"
"It's because you suddenly talked like something serious is about to happen. What's wrong?"
Sato wasn't sure, but as Kiba asked him that question before with a solemn attitude, it made him a bit nervous somehow.
"No, it's just... I'm just wondering whether there is something that you want to achieve."
"Well, I just want to be happy."
"Happy?"
Was that it?
Kiba thought, but was it easy for one to be happy?
"How about you? You have been working hard on your swordmanship, even though you aren't a member of the kendo club. Is there something that you want to do?"
"Er..."
How should Kiba answer that question?
"Well, it's fine if you don't tell me, though."
Sato didn't force Kiba when he noticed Kiba's hesitation, since, more or less, he knew that it would be a revenge story, considering Kiba's background and all.
Probably, the others would say that it was better not to be swallowed by hatred and revenge and move on to a better life.
Yet, Sato didn't think so, since how could you expect one to be happy and move on when they knew the ones who had caused their lives to be in hell, to live a great life?
"...thanks."
Kiba felt guilty, but at the same time, he knew that if he continued this conversation, he was the one who was being led around by Sato, so he decided to be straightforward. "Say, Sato-kun..."
"Hmm?"
"If you are given power and many things, but in exchange for something, will you accept it?"
"A power, and many others?"
"Yes." Kiba nodded. "Hypothetically, if you were given an offer like that, would you accept it?"
"I will."
"Huh?" Kiba was surprised, then quickly confirmed, "Are you sure? You might need to pay for something important, right?"
"As long as it isn't something that touches my bottom line, then it doesn't matter, and how can you expect others to give you something without paying something?"
Whether it was food, electricity, water, or all other necessities, one needed to pay for them if they wanted to get them, so how did one expect not to pay anything to get something?
"What is your bottom line?"
"Er... to take away my loved ones?"
Sato might not have a loved one, but even so, if he were asked to give up powers and the rest, he definitely wouldn't accept.
At what age?
Well, sometimes, living shorter was much better than longer, especially if one's life was horrible.
As for servitude?
Who could truly escape from it?
Even if he graduated from a high school and university, instead of starting his own business, he would likely work under others. While the income and stability might be good, considering his quality was, if he could get a better boss, why should he refuse, right?
Fortunately, he knew where he should work.
"Why did you ask me this?"
"N-No, I am just wondering."
"Is that so?"
"Yup, but between Rias-senpai, or Sitri-kaicou, who is your favorite?"
As Kiba asked this question, he waited for Sato's answer, but unexpectedly, he didn't receive an answer. "Huh?" When he took a peek, he realized that the shower had been turned off and Sato had run away.
"..."
Did Sato notice the strangeness of this school?
Letting out a helpless sigh, Kiba didn't really want Sato to enter this side of the world, but he knew well that he was helpless and could do nothing to save him.
At least, he knew that whether it was Rias or Sona, they were all kind and gentle, but if possible, he hoped for Sato to join Rias, so that they could be together.
Shudder!
While Sato wasn't sure, he wondered why he felt strangely uncomfortable.