After wrapping up the contract with Le Fay, I changed for the outing and waited at the entrance. A pair of long boots sat by the door—probably Rossweisse's. Miu and Alice don't wear these, and they don't seem like Rias's or Akeno's.
Footsteps descended the stairs. I looked up to see Rossweisse in a trench coat and a short flare skirt, looking like a trendy teenage girl! Usually, she's all suits or tracksuits—this stylish look is rare!
So rare it's legendary!
As I gawked, Rossweisse squinted at me. "You were just thinking something rude, weren't you? I do dress like this sometimes."
"N-no! I was thinking how great you look!" I said, shaking my head.
Ugh, she read my mind! Was it on my face?
"Shall we go?" I asked.
Just then, two figures approached—Rias and Akeno, looking uneasy, almost sad.
Rias said, "Be back by tonight. We have a meeting before heading to the Underworld."
"Got it," I replied.
"Understood," Rossweisse added.
Our date plan was vague: some shopping, dinner out. It's last-minute, so it makes sense. Rias gave a wry smile. "I'll make sure Xenovia and the others don't interfere. We won't follow you either."
Oh yeah, during my first date with Akeno, everyone tailed us. Some split off to shop, but still. As I reminisced, Rias and Akeno's expressions grew heavier. Guess our date's not sitting well with them…
I sighed and said, "Rias, Akeno, how about a drive sometime? If your schedules line up—"
"Yes!" they both blurted before I finished.
Their gloomy faces lit up, eyes sparkling, smiles dazzling. Bidding them farewell, Rossweisse and I headed to the garage. I opened the shutter and started Sleipnir, sans sidecar for just the two of us.
"Motorcycle?" Rossweisse asked. "I thought we'd take the train."
"Trains are fine, but for longer trips, this is faster," I said. "Way faster."
"It's Azazel-sensei's handiwork, so probably faster than human trains," she said. "But no speeding violations, okay?"
"Haha… got it," I said, dodging the fact that my license might not cover this.
I put on my helmet, handed one to Rossweisse, and straddled Sleipnir. "Hop on."
She nodded and sat behind me. Then—oh man—her boobs pressed against my back! Tandem rides with girls are the best! Gotta keep inviting girls for this! For the boobs!
And so, our date began.
Our destination wasn't our town—Sleipnir's speed took us to Japan's capital, Tokyo. Rossweisse had business here. We parked Sleipnir near our target, hitting the stealth button to hide it. It's big, flashy, and we might need to teleport it later—can't risk it being spotted.
Tokyo's packed, as expected. Rossweisse stood out like crazy. Passersby whispered, "Is she a foreign model?" and "She's gorgeous…"
No surprise there. Rossweisse is already stunning, and now she's dressed to kill, radiating a beauty aura like a sparkling filter. But her vibe was so intense, no one dared approach her. She looked a bit embarrassed by the stares.
"Maybe I wouldn't stand out in a tracksuit or suit…" she muttered.
"Nah, you'd still turn heads," I said. "You're beautiful no matter what."
She blushed and clammed up. Where's the cool Rossweisse?! Why's she all shy and girly?!
Ten minutes of walking led us to a station building floor—her destination: a massive 100-yen shop, Bella, specializing in women's trendy, practical items, all for 100 yen. Rossweisse's face lit up with joy.
"This is the dream women's 100-yen store!" she gushed. "Bella's lineup is stylish, high-function, and so practical! Look at this!"
She dove into the aisles, passionately grabbing items. She's having fun, but… really? I mean, it's fine, but… a 100-yen shop?
"Look, Issei-kun! These, those, everything—100 yen! No 200 or 300 yen items here!" she exclaimed.
Yup, that's Rossweisse alright.
Shopping done, we rested at a café's terrace. "Sorry… I got carried away," Rossweisse said, looking apologetic.
Why? Well…
"Are you sure it's okay? Paying for all my shopping?" she asked.
"It's a date," I said. "Guys paying looks cooler."
"But 10,000 yen…"
Yeah, my wallet's screaming. Who knew she'd buy 100 items? A 10,000-yen hit was unexpected. Good thing I brought cash. We had the haul shipped via a nearby delivery service—too much to carry.
Money aside, is a 100-yen spree in Tokyo really what a young woman wants? When I shop with Miu, she's all "This dress is cute!" or "Does this suit me?" Rossweisse was just "It's 100 yen?!" How many times did I hear that word?
I'm worried about her future. She noticed my pensive look and said, "Was it… boring? Sorry, I got too excited."
"Nah, seeing you so hyped was fun," I said. "You're usually so cool—this was refreshing."
Her rare side kept things interesting. No boredom here. Sipping her coffee, she said, "This is my first date with a guy."
"Really? I mean, is I okay for your first date?"
Honestly, Kiba's better at escorting, and Azazel-sensei would pick flashier spots. I'm just average at this. She blushed, continuing, "If I had to pick a guy, it'd be you… N-not like that! Just hypothetically!"
"Haha, you don't have to stress it," I said, chuckling.
She sighed, her face clouding. "I spent my student days studying. While other Valkyrie candidates gushed about Valhalla's cool warriors, I hit the books. While classmates chased romance, I kept pushing forward."
Looking distant, she added, "I became a Valkyrie by sacrificing my youth, but looking back, maybe I should've had more fun."
"You're still in your teens," I said. "Plenty of time for youth. I'm the one who's already past that."
Three of my teenage years were spent in another world, training or fighting. What a bloody youth… But I decided to live it up as a "17-year-old" high schooler! I'll seize my youth!
"So, you've got time to enjoy your youth," I said.
"How so?" she asked.
"You're still young. You can totally live it up. I mean, the 100-yen obsession's a bit much, but you're gorgeous and sweet—you've got this."
Being Odin's aide in your teens is huge. "That's amazing, right?"
"…I was left behind," she said.
"That's just that old man's senility," I said. "Don't sweat it."
"…I won't."
Oof, stepped on a landmine. She looked even glummer. Still, her coming here made her our comrade, so maybe it's a silver lining.
Looking wistful, she said, "I'm not as great as you all say." She pulled out a patch with circular runic patterns, like Göndul's teleportation circle.
"This is my family's crest," she said. "The firstborn inherits it, etching it into their heart and body. I was the firstborn… but I couldn't inherit it."
In Asgard, demigod clans hone unique magic, techniques, and traditions, passing them to successors who etch their crest as proof. Rossweisse's family was no exception, but no matter how many rituals she underwent, the crest wouldn't take.
With no siblings, a cousin inherited it effortlessly. Holding the patch, she said, "Maybe I wasn't compatible. My family balanced runes, gandr, and seidr, but I couldn't master seidr. Instead, I absorbed Valkyrie combat spells like a sponge, becoming one of my clan's top offensive mages. I'm the odd one out. I became a Valkyrie, but my record pales compared to my grandmother's…"
She confessed, dejected. "My family excelled at spirit communication and seidr, but I soaked up attack magic and got good at efficiency and low-cost casting. My parents were beyond proud—they were dumbfounded."
"That's still amazing," I said. "Miu said your skills and talent are incredible."
"It's not," she said. "As a kid, I thought I'd inherit our legacy and become a Valkyrie like my grandmother. Everyone expected it. But I failed."
She tucked the patch away, sighing at the sky. "I graduated early without enjoying my youth, failed to inherit the crest, and didn't shine as a Valkyrie. I became Odin's aide, came to Japan, turned into a demon, and became a teacher. Looking back, I've drifted so much… I don't know what I want to be."
She's had quite a journey. The Gremory crew's full of people with wild pasts—Rias attracts the complicated ones. "I feel guilty toward my grandmother," she said. "I never met her expectations…"
She really feels bad about the crest. Looking at me, she apologized. "Sorry, I dumped my life story on you… You've had it way harder. This is just whining."
"No, I'm glad you opened up," I said. "Whining's fine. I'll listen anytime."
She rarely talks about herself, so this was a chance to know her better. I'm happy she shared. Scratching my cheek, I said, "Not many people know exactly what they want. I've just been charging forward. If you don't know what you want, focus on what's fun now. That might lead to your future. What's fun for you?"
She paused, then said, "Teaching. I never thought it'd be so fulfilling."
Her students love her—not just for her looks and personality. Her clear, focused lessons boost her classes' grades. Even senior teachers adore her, and she's respected for standing up to wildcards like Azazel-sensei.
Smiling, I said, "Then keep teaching. It'll be valuable for your future."
"You're right," she said. "A demon's life is long. Enjoying teaching now makes sense… By the way, Issei-kun."
"Yeah?"
"We're only a year apart, but you're good at life advice."
"Haha, that's all stuff I heard from Morris," I said. He gets consulted a lot, and I picked up his wisdom. I've gone to him for advice too. Man, that takes me back.
Meanwhile, with Morris…
"Uncle, Uncle," Nina said.
"What's up, Nina?" Morris asked.
"While cleaning Sis's room, I found this diary… I forgot to give it to her."
"Lemme see… Her travel diary, huh."
"What do we do? Can we read it?"
"Content's predictable, but sure. Probably."
"Probably?" Nina said.
"Won't know unless we look," Morris said. "You're dying to, right?"
"Yup. Wanna join, Uncle?"
"Hell yeah. I'm bored."
Nina opened the diary. "This… an observation log of Big Bro?"
"Knew it," Morris said.
Grinning, they flipped through Alice's secret diary.
End Morris scene.
"Speaking of, are you taking Sona's offer?" I asked. I'd heard Sona scouted Rossweisse as a potential magic teacher for her school.
"I'm still thinking," she said. "It's not immediate, so I'll check out the school this weekend and decide."
Makes sense. Better to see it for yourself. "I love teaching now," she said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to helping out."
Sipping my coffee, I said, "If I can help, let me know. Within reason."
She chuckled. "How about more shopping? 100-yen stores with you aren't bad. Plus, it's an excuse for my grandmother."
"Haha, you love those stores," I said. She's unshakable on that front.
"So, what's your deal, Qlippoth?" I said, addressing someone behind us. "Got so much free time you're crashing people's dates, Euclitt Lucifugus?"
Rossweisse, startled, tensed and faced the figure—a silver-haired young man, Euclitt Lucifugus. He let out an impressed hum. "Noticed me? I hid my presence, but you let me get behind you so easily."
"Like that'd take me out," I said. "That's not 'getting behind' someone. What do you want?"
His bold appearance in broad daylight threw me, but he must have a reason. Euclitt smirked. "I'm not here for you, Issei Hyoudou. I have business with her."
He approached Rossweisse, extending a hand. "Rossweisse, won't you join us?"
What?! He's recruiting her?! Why her?
Rossweisse paled, as if she knew why. Euclitt closed his eyes, reciting, "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666."
Ugh, my head. He's quoting the Bible—Revelation. He winced, rubbing his forehead. "That's from Revelation, as you know. I'd rather not say it—gives me a headache."
"No kidding," I said. "Demons shouldn't spout that stuff."
He gave a wry smile. Revelation mentions Great Red and the beast, Trihexa—666. Looking at Rossweisse, he said, "In Asgard, as a student, you wrote a thesis: 'On the Beast of the Apocalypse.'"
What?! Rossweisse wrote about Trihexa? So that's what Matsuda and the others meant about her library visit—recalling that thesis.
Her voice trembled. "I discarded that thesis—it was inconclusive. I submitted a different one. How do you… No way…"
She gasped, realizing something. "I told my roommate about it. What did you do to her?!"
"We only probed her memories," Euclitt said. "We got fragments, so we're resorting to recruitment."
"You attacked her?!" Rossweisse snapped, raising her hand. I grabbed it, stopping her.
She glanced at me, then at the crowd, reluctantly lowering her hand. He's done something unforgivable, but fighting here would harm innocents.
Euclitt smiled. "She's fine, not a hostage. But…" He stepped past Rossweisse, brushing her hair. "I want your abilities. And this silver hair is beautiful, like…"
What's that look in his eyes? It's not just her powers he's after… Or is it?
"Good day, Issei Hyoudou, Rossweisse," he said. "Think about my offer." He left.
I sighed deeply, called Rias, and decided to head home early.
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