"Teacher gave this to me; she said it's a product of the Underworld."
Asuna Yuuki was clearly not explaining this for the first time. She had likely already explained it to Yukino Yukinoshita and Utaha Kasumigaoka earlier, as she spoke with practiced ease.
The "Teacher" she referred to was, of course, Musashi Miyamoto. The latter had officially begun teaching Asuna the Niten Ichi-ryu style, essentially passing on her signature skills. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her Asuna's master, so Asuna naturally addressed her as Teacher.
"Teacher said she used this back when she was training. Sometimes, when she would forget to eat or sleep while practicing her swordsmanship, she would drink a cup. It has a powerful refreshing effect, but it's only suitable for devils. If humans use it, it might cause brain damage."
Asuna poured a cup for Leon as well, a beautiful smile gracing her face as she spoke.
"President, please have a taste as well."
Hearing this, Leon picked up the teacup and took a large gulp.
And truly, this tea was quite delicious, with a very unique sensation.
While other teas are served steaming hot and provide a warming glow that leaves a lingering fragrance, this refreshing tea didn't feel like it was flowing into his stomach. Instead, it felt like it was surging straight to his head. After the initial surge, it turned crisp and cool, making his mind feel as though it had been cleared, instantly becoming alert.
His sleepiness vanished, and his originally heavy, groggy head felt light. His eyes grew sharp and bright, no longer listless. As for dark circles, they vanished instantly, without leaving so much as a faint mark.
"Good tea," Leon couldn't help but praise. "How did I not know the Underworld had such good stuff?"
If he had known, he would have definitely kept a constant supply for himself. If nothing else, it would certainly be useful during training.
"This tea must be a rare commodity. Even in the Underworld, it's probably not something just anyone can drink," Yukino Yukinoshita saw through the essence of it immediately, speaking calmly. "I haven't read about it in any books, which proves it's not a common item. Ms. Musashi is likely able to enjoy such a luxury only because she is a dependent of a Devil King."
"Is there any more?" Utaha Kasumigaoka didn't care about the details; she looked at Asuna with considerable anticipation. "I think I'm going to really need this tea."
If she could drink a cup like this every day, would she ever have to fear being lethargic during the day again?
She was a bit afraid now; being a newly reincarnated devil made the daytime truly grueling. Unfortunately, this condition would persist for a while before she adapted, which was truly unpleasant.
"There's no more. Teacher only gave me a little, and I've used it all here."
Asuna held up the teapot; the tea leaves inside weren't many. It was estimated that after a few more steepings, the effect would be gone.
"It seems it really is a rare item, otherwise Ms. Musashi definitely wouldn't have been stingy with the amount."
Leon believed this and began to treasure the remaining tea in his cup exceptionally.
Yukino Yukinoshita and Utaha Kasumigaoka reacted similarly, appearing reluctant to even finish their drinks. If the tea could be bottled and preserved, they certainly wouldn't have minded doing so on the spot.
The four of them sat in the clubroom, drinking tea and chatting; the scene appeared exceptionally warm.
Just as Leon was about to inform everyone about Sona Sitri's invitation, there was a sudden knock on the clubroom door.
Everyone fell silent at once and looked toward the entrance.
"Please come in."
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke out of habit, only realizing a moment later that this was no longer the Service Club's room and she was no longer its mistress; she shouldn't have been the one to speak.
But Leon didn't mind at all; instead, he was surprised by the person entering.
"...Excuse me, is this the Occult Research Club?"
The person who entered while speaking somewhat hesitantly was a beautiful girl whose appearance was in no way inferior to the girls present. She had long, straight flaxen hair that was slightly brighter than Asuna's and caramel-colored eyes.
It was Mahiru Shiina.
"You are..."
"Shiina-san from the first year?"
"That 'Angel-sama'?"
Yukino Yukinoshita, Asuna Yuuki, and Utaha Kasumigaoka spoke in succession with surprise.
Especially Utaha Kasumigaoka; her "Angel-sama" made the entering Mahiru Shiina look a bit embarrassed.
"Please just call me Shiina, Senpai."
Mahiru Shiina bowed politely to the group; her posture was dignified and courteous, making a favorable impression.
"Why did you come over?"
Leon was genuinely surprised that Mahiru Shiina would proactively come to his side.
"I..."
Mahiru Shiina still looked hesitant, even stammering a bit, appearing as though she didn't know how to start.
At that moment, another voice came from outside the door.
"Excuse me, may I come in?"
Upon hearing this voice, before the others could react, Utaha Kasumigaoka was the first to freeze.
"Why are you here?"
Utaha stood up, speaking with immense surprise to the second person entering the room.
Slender and graceful, with exquisite features, golden twin-tails, clear blue eyes, and porcelain-like skin... it was another girl whose beauty was not less than those already in the room.
The newcomer—who else could it be but Eriri?
"Shiina-san? You're actually here too?"
Eriri was stunned by Mahiru Shiina's presence.
Everyone looked at one another, and the scene fell into a bizarre silence.
"Ho ho..."
Leon looked at the five girls before him, a look appearing on his face as if he were watching a good show.
And why wouldn't he?
Mahiru Shiina, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Utaha Kasumigaoka, Yukino Yukinoshita... the flowers of the four seasons of Sobu High had actually gathered together.
Add Asuna Yuuki, the rising star who had transferred halfway through the year, and well, the five "Flowers of the Heights" of Sobu High were all present.
These five flowers, who usually never occupied the same space, were gathered in this small Occult Research Club room... how could this not be interesting?
Leon already felt like sitting down, grabbing a handful of melon seeds, and watching the drama unfold.
Unfortunately, Leon, who was preparing to enjoy the show, was quickly disciplined by Yukino Yukinoshita.
"...As the president of the Occult Research Club, shouldn't you say something?"
Yukino pinched the soft flesh at Leon's waist, speaking in a rare, gritted-teeth voice. Leon felt a sharp pain in his side, and his mouth twitched.
The other four flowers also looked at Leon, their gazes becoming somewhat unfriendly.
"Welcome to the Occult Research Club, Sawamura-san and Shiina-san."
Leon pushed down Yukino's soft little hand and forced a smile onto his face.
"Have a seat first. Asuna, pour them some tea."
As it turned out, Leon, who could intervene in this atmosphere, was undoubtedly a brave man.
But he did indeed bring the situation under control, easing the tension considerably and making everyone sit down obediently as instructed.
Asuna Yuuki poured tea for Mahiru Shiina and Eriri. Of course, it wasn't the refreshing tea from earlier; she had already explained that it wasn't something humans could drink, so she poured ordinary black tea.
"Thank you, Yuuki-senpai."
"Thank you very much, Yuuki-san."
Mahiru and Eriri both thanked her politely.
"You're welcome."
Asuna returned the gesture with a shallow smile, possessing a certain "good wife" aura that made both Mahiru and Eriri feel a sense of kinship toward her.
"So, tell me, what did you come here for?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka squinted her eyes at Eriri, looking rather annoyed.
"I came to visit a new club. Is that not allowed?"
Eriri didn't act as unceremoniously as she did in private. Instead, she put on some airs, keeping a smile on her face, actually possessing the aura of a dignified young lady of a noble family.
"Visit a new club?" Utaha's eyes squinted even harder as she spoke bluntly. "The ace of the Art Club is visiting an Occult Research Club?"
No matter who heard it, it sounded suspicious.
"Because I was curious." Eriri shot a quick glare at Utaha, and as if it were truly the case, or rather as if she had prepared her excuse long ago, she spoke righteously. "A club that Yukinoshita-san, Yuuki-san, and Utaha-se... ahem, Kasumigaoka-senpai joined together—there are many curious people in the school, and I am just one of them."
"So, I wanted to come for a visit, to see the daily activities of the Occult Research Club and see if it really is that attractive."
That was Eriri's goal for this trip.
She wanted to see exactly what kind of club activities this Occult Research Club engaged in on a daily basis that made people's imaginations run wild.
"And what about Shiina-san?" Seeing this, Yukino Yukinoshita turned to Mahiru Shiina and asked, "Is Shiina-san also here to visit the club?"
"Me?" Mahiru Shiina looked at the people present and noticed that Leon had been maintaining an air of indifference, as if nothing had happened before. This made her go silent for a moment before saying, "May I visit?"
Her purpose for coming here was naturally not for the Occult Research Club, but for Leon.
She wanted to know if the events of last night were actually real.
Although she wasn't here to visit a club, Mahiru keenly noticed that the relationship between the three girls in the Occult Research Club and Leon seemed extraordinary.
In that case, did these upperclassmen also know about Leon's true identity?
Or perhaps... were they actually devils too?
"Occult Research Club"—the name of the club itself gave off a feeling that made one think in that direction.
However, before she could confirm this, Mahiru Shiina didn't want to directly verify the truth in front of so many people.
Thus, she also followed suit and requested a visit, intending to see what the club's daily activities were like first, just like Eriri.
"A visit to our club activities, huh..."
Leon finally spoke up at this point.
As if he could see through the thoughts of Mahiru Shiina and Eriri, he suddenly smiled.
"Fine. Then I'll let you take a look."