The dull clanging of metal reverberated through the azure sky.
âAll right. I've got this one.â
I promptly caught the soaring baseball with my gloved hand.
âNice catch, Ise.â
Buchou smiled and gave me a thumbs up. We, the Occult Research Club, were practising baseball on the backyard of the old school building where no grass was growing. Nope, this isnât a Devil's job.
âNext week is Kuou Academyâs 'Ball Tournament'. Itâs a battle between clubs that we canât lose.â
So said Buchou with a firm voice. Yeah, one of the schoolâs biggest events, the âBall tournamentâ, was closing in. Overall, it is an event where we play ball-related sports, such as baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. These matches include contests between classes, genders and obviously, there are also some between clubs. Whether or not you belong to a sports club, it's club mandatory; naturally, that includes the Occult Research Club. What the clubs actually play is announced on the day of the event, we don't know what it will be. When club member numbers differ, the set up is for fair play, at least number wise. According to the Student Council announcement, some sports may require more players, so we need to make sure we have the reserves. And in conclusion, we were practising sports likely to arise. Today happens to be baseball. As it was evening, the sky was beginning to darken. Typically, we spend our time chatting away in the club room. Recently, we began to change into our PE uniforms and practice sports. Well, while I donât hate moving around for fun, for someone like me who trains in the morning, my stamina is drained the entire day. Training in the morning, lectures at school, practising sports and Devil's jobs at night... To tell you the truth, it wouldn't be surprising if I died... Being a Devil is the only reason for my prolonged survival.
âBatting practice is fine now. If itâs baseball, then Koneko will be the fourth batter.â
â...Affirmative.â
Well it is natural for the superhuman girl, Koneko-chan, to be the fourth batter. No need to complain about that. Even if we voted on it, Koneko-chan would win.
âNow! We'll practice a âknock"[1 1]! Now everyone! Put your gloves on and spread out!â
Buchou was in high spirits. She was so energetic and lively that she was basically on fire.
âUfufufu. Buchou likes these kinds of things.â
Said Akeno-san while giggling.
âI think I understand. My âOnee-samaâ hates to lose.â
âYep, thatâs it. Of course, thereâs no way that we can lose unless we make mistakes.â
I consented. As Devils who are fundamentally stronger than humans, on the sports day we will have to hold back. Naturally, we wouldnât have a hard match. On the flip side, we had to learn the rules and features of baseball. Which is the reason why Buchou is making us practice.
âEven if your brain knows, your body has to as well.â
Said Buchou. Quite an amazingly strong spirit. Thatâs our Buchou, theory and practicality. Regardless of our superior physiques, is necessary because we don't know what might happen.
âHere, Asia! Here I go!â
[KLANG!]
Buchou hit the ball towards Asia.
âHaaan! Aaau-aaau-aaau... Aah!â
The ball went through Asiaâs legs. Needless to say, Asia's sports sense is below exceptional. At times, she'll even trip over nothing.
âAsia! If you fail to catch it, go fetch it!â
âY-yes!â
Since the Raiser incident, Buchou started to show a lot of concern about matches. She seemed to really regret that loss to Raiser. However, it is obvious that we were disadvantaged. But the fact that we lost damaged Buchouâs pride... She did say she really wanted to win... If only I weren't useless...
âNext is Yuuto! Here!â
[KLANG!]
Buchou hit the ball to Kiba. This should be a piece of cake for Kiba, he's the fastest runner in our group. He can do pretty much anything. -Is what I thought...
â...â
[SMACK!]
Kiba stood there like an idiot and got hit. Hey hey hey!
âKiba! Get a hold of yourself!â
I yelled at Kiba. He then looked at me with a puzzled expression!
â...Aah, sorry. I wasnât paying attention.â
Kiba picked up the ball and threw it back to Buchou. Buchou caught the ball with a sigh.
âYuuto, whatâs wrong? You've been acting rather strange lately. Itâs not like you.â
âIâm sorry.â
Kiba sincerely apologised. Buchou was right. This guy has been thinking about something serious lately. Even during discussions in the Occult Research Club, he would look somewhere else and not participate. I even heard that it became a hot topic in his classroom, âA prince in his thoughts.â The girls were worried and excited over his expression. Die, handsome person! -Is what I usually think... but even I thought that he was acting strange lately. This guy was always smiling so this was rather unexpected... If my intuition is right, he started acting strange after we had that club "activity" in my house. Was it the photo? In the Raiser match, his voice harboured some hatred while he spoke to the enemy âKnightâ. Apparently, Kiba is like this because of âHoly swordsâ. But that's that; for now we have to work hard for the âBall Tournamentâ.
âHmmmm...â
Oh, Buchou picked up a baseball manual. Buchou tends to read when things come up. Quite a book worm she is. At home she reads some complicated texts.
âAra ara. By the way, Ise-kun, did you know?â
Asked Akeno-san.
âKnow what?â
âRecently, Buchou started a manual on love.â
â...A love manual!?â
I-Iâm quite shocked... For Buchou to be reading a book about love... Does this mean she found someone that she likes...? My Buchou... getting touched by another man... Noooooo! I donât want to think about it! Seeing me grabbing my head in shock, Akeno-san began to laugh.
âUfufufu. Ise-kun, you donât have to worry about it. It'll be all right. It's impossible for Buchou to have a lover while you're not around.â
âA-are you sure? I'll believe in you. Ahhh, if Buchou were ever to get a boyfriend I would die...â
âIf Buchou were in your shoes, she'd be deeply shocked. Ufufufu, itâs her first time. You'll be in trouble, Ise-kun.â
â?â
While I didnât understand what Akeno was trying to say, it's not a problem as long as Buchou didn't fall for another man.
âOkay, continuing!â
Buchou swung her bat once, and the training recommenced.
Part 2
Lunch time, the next day.
The âBall tournamentâ was approaching. Today we would most likely train hard as well. We were informed to go to the club room after lunch. Apparently, this would be our last meeting. Buchou sure is serious.
âClub-room today as well?â Asked Matsuda while eating his curry-bread.
âYeah, training for the tournament.â
âHah... Occult research club practising to play ball. But... everyone in your club is sporty, right?â
âYeah.â
We're Devils after all. Compared to humans, we're strong.
âIse. You should be careful. There're bad rumours about you.â Motohama said suddenly while fixing his glasses.
âWh...what are you talking about?â
âThe wild beast Ise, playing around with beautiful girls. He's got a hold on Rias-senpai and Himejima-senpai. He's forcing them to do evil, sexual acts against their will. "Fufufu. The dignified Ojou-sama is making such a slutty face for me! You pig!". Then you abuse them with words and violence.â
âHeeeeeeeey!! What the fuck is thaaaaat!?â
I shouted over these insane rumours. Of course! The hell's with that!?
âThereâs more. The beast finally set his filthy fangs on the schoolâs mascot, Koneko-chan, who has a loli body. Then he instigated intense sexual intercourse that could easily break her body. He feasted on an underdeveloped body. "Senpai... please stop...". But her words were futile to the beast. His lust for sex then reached the Angel who had just transferred to our school; he attacked Asia-chan on the first day. "I'll teach you about Japanese culture with my special after school lesson". He made theăAngel fall down to the abyss at dawn... You took her into your house. The never ending hell took place in your small room. The brute Iseâs hunt for beautiful girls never ends....Well something like that.â
â...Are you serious? So everyone is seeing me like that?â
I made a sweeping look around the class. It may be a mistake but it felt as if there were people looking as if I were a lusting animal... Uuu! Itâs just my imagination! Iâm just imagining it! Damn it! Who the hell is spreading rumours about me!?
âWell, we spread those rumours.â
âYeah.â
Motohama and Matsuda confessed without remorse. It sounds like a lie, right? These guys are my friends!
[KNOCK!] [BANG!]
I hit them without a word! Of course! These fucking sh*t-heads!
âIt hurts, you brute!â
âYeah. Donât take it out on us, you beast!â
âDonât fuck around! Spreading rumours about me?! You guys! Do you really want to die, seriously!?â
âHm... We'll go crazy with jealousy if we don't do things like this.â
âHahaha! More like our heads are already fucked over!â
âRegret a little! What are you guys trying to do to my school life!?â
âBy the way, thereâs also a rumour about you and Kiba being a gay couple.â
âThe beast's lust for sex finally reached the school prince! We spread that as well.â
âItâs really popular among some girls.â
âKyaaa! Whoâs bending down and whoâs sticking it in?â
âDie! Seriously die!â
They are the worst friends possible! Sh*t! If I didn't known them for so long, I would have beaten the crap out of them already! Seriously these guys! Hah...
As enjoyable as lunch time with my friends is, I have to go to the club room. I left after putting my empty lunch box in my bag. Where's Asia? Oh, sheâs having her lunch with another girl in the corner. Iâm glad that sheâs fitting in. She did tell me that she made a friend.
âSorry Matsuda and Motohama, I'll leave now for the club room.â
âOh, you're working hard. Thatâs good for you.â
âWere you that into sports?â
âCanât help it. Buchouâs order. And since I'm training I'll definitely win this.â
âEnergetic. Until recently you only became hyped up over porn and stuff.â
âYou really did change. Did you eat something bad? Does your life change when you see real tits?â
âWell, no matter how many times you see real tits, itâs always amazing.â
âDie!â
âDie!â
Hmph! Hate me all you want. While you guys are talking crap about me, I'll get to see Buchouâs tits! But... did I really change? Really? Well... I did turn into a Devil.
âHey Asia. Finished lunch?â
âAsia, your boyfriend is calling.â
The glasses wearing girl sitting near Asia, Kiryuu Aika, said so with a perverted face.
âB-b-b-boy friend!!?â
Flustered. I've never seen her like this before. Well, any girl would get flustered if someone calls her close guy friend her âboyfriendâ.
âEh? Iâm wrong? But the two of you are always together, so I thought you two were going out.â
âT-t-thatâs...Auu...â
Asiaâs face began to turn crimson. If you say something like that in a classroom, everyone will look at you... And Iâll get embarrassed!
âHmmm. Is that so? You guys look like a couple. You 're always together and get along well, kinda like a combination. You guys are also living together with your parents' permission, right? A young boy and a girl living under one roof. That'll be... Mufufufu. By the way, I was the one who told her about 'bathing together'! So?! Did you enjoy it?!â
âIt was you! What do you mean 'combination'!? Donât say things as if we were robots that can combine! It's rude! Well... I do want to do these things, but I canât do something like that to Asia!â
Thatâs right! I'm the one who has to protect Asia! So I canât do something like that!
âHmm. Thatâs weird. Asia li... Mugah!â
Asia covered Kiryuuâs mouth with both hands.
âAaaah! Please stop, Kiryuu-san!â
Asia...? I'd never seen her face so red before... Her eyes were watery as well. Does Kiryuu hold some secret that Asia doesnât want me to know? Hmmmm... itâs probably girlsâ talk so itâs hard for me to intrude.
âAnyway, Asia. We were told to go to the club room so letâs go.â
âOkay!â
Asia had yet to calm down. Well, discussing things like this is too stimulating for her when you consider where she was raised. Even I would feel embarrassed if I were told that she were my girlfriend... But, if Asia were my girlfriend, then I would live a happy life. However, right now, I have stronger feelings of protection for Asia. I couldnât consider my life without Asia any more. Asiaâs smile became a part of it. Musing about my happy life, we neared the club room.
Part 3
When we entered the room, the other members were already thereâŠâŠ.and there were also those who didnât belong to the club here as well.
! I got shocked when I saw the person sitting on the sofa besides the club members.
âStudent President......â
Yes, the person sitting on the sofa is our school, Kuou Academyâs Student-President-sama. Student President is a beautiful and slender female student, and has a cold and strict atmosphere around her. She is so beautiful that she doesnât look Japanese, but her name is Sh*tori Souna-senpai. She is my senior who is in third year. At school she is the third most popular. Of course the most popular is Rias-buchou, followed by Akeno-san. She has a scary atmosphere that wonât let anyone come near her. Itâs also because she has the eyes of a strict person, but she is also quite the beauty. Sheâs more popular amongst female students than male students, and she may be more popular than Rias-buchou and Akeno-san with girls. If I looked carefully, there was one other male student besides Kaichou who is from the student council.
âOh so you didnât mention us to Hyoudou, Rias-senpai? Itâs also weird not to notice us, when we are Devils as well.â
Isnât this the guy who joined the student council recently as a secretary of the council? Kaichou then said it quietly to the secretary guy,
âSaji, it canât be helped because we are not supposed to contact each other at normal times. Also it hasnât been that long since he became a Devil. Hyoudou-kun is responding like he is supposed to.â
âŠ..WhâŠ..what!? By the way she just explained, then that means that the people of the student council are alsoâŠâŠ? So there were other Devils besides me and the members of the occult research club!? Akeno-san explained to me who got really shocked,
âThe Kaichou, Sh*tori Souna-samaâs real name is Sona Sitri. Sheâs a High-class Devil who is the next heir of the house of Sitri.â
H-High-class Devil!? And the house of Sitri!? Iâm not actually sure about it, but I know that itâs an important house just like Buchouâs and the house of Phoenix! WhaâŠâŠ. I became speechless. I became really shocked to find out that there was another High-class Devil in this school! Akeno-san then further explained to me.
âThe house of Sitri is one of the 72 pillars that survived the Great War just like the house of Gremory and the house of Phoenix. This school is actually controlled by the house of Gremory, but at day time, it is the student councilâŠâŠin other words the house of Sitri is in control. The time of being in charge is split between day-time and night-time.â
Is that soâŠâŠ.. Then the members of the student council areâŠâŠ The secretary guy spoke,
âYou guys are getting peaceful school life because Kaichou and us, the Devil servants of Sitri, are working at daytime. It wonât be bad for you to remember that, you know? By the way, my name is Saji Genshirou. Iâm in second year, and I am Kaichouâs âPawnâ.â
âOooh, the same year as me and also the same âPawnâ as me!â
What an unexpected meeting! I was a bit happy. For there to be another [Pawn] besides me and also in the same year as me! The secretary guy, Saji, made an opposite reaction to me and made a sigh.
âActually you damaged my pride very badly. For you, one of the three pervs, to be the same âPawnâ as meâŠâŠ.â
âW-What did you say!?â
This bastard! I was thinking of getting along with him!
âOh? You wanna go at it? Even if I look like this, Iâm a âPawnâ that consumed 4 pieces of âPawnsâ. Even if I just turned into a Devil, I wonât lose against someone like Hyoudou.â
Saji made a provoking comment against me, but Kaichou glared at him sharply.
âSaji, stop that.â
âBuâŠbut Kaichou!â
âThe reason we came here is to introduce our new servants amongst fellow High-class Devils where we both have this school as our base. In other words it is a meeting to introduce you and Riasâs servants, Hyoudou-kun and Asia-san. If you are my servant, then donât make a shame out of me. BesidesâŠ..â
Kaichou then looked at me.
âSaji, you canât win against Hyoudou-kun right now. He is the one who defeated the third son of the house of Phoenix. Consuming 8 âPawnâ pieces was not just for show.â
â8 pieces!? Wait, this is the guy who defeated the Phoenix!? For this guy to beat that RaiserâŠ.. I thought that it was Kiba or Himejima-senpai who rescued Rias-senpaiâŠâŠâ
What, what? What are they on about? Also can you stop looking at me with those weird eyes. Iâm not an animal in the zoo that is doing something weird. Then Kaichou bowed her head down.
âI am sorry Hyoudo Issei-kun, Asia Argento-san. My servant hasnât experienced as much battles as you two, so he still has some rude attitude in him. If itâs okay, can you please get along with him?â
Kaichou said it to us while smiling. I think you call this a cold smile. I didnât feel anything bad from the smile, so she must be a person who can only smile like this.
âSaji.â
âEh? YeâŠyes! Please get along with meâŠâŠ..â
Saji also bowed his head down at me reluctantly. He seemed like he wasnât satisfied with it.
âYes. Letâs get along.â
Asia replied back with a big smile. Asia sure is a good child.
âIf itâs Asia-san, then I am very happy!â
Saji grabbed Asiaâs hand and made an attitude opposite to the one he gave me. ThiâŠ.this bastard! I took Sajiâs hands off Asiaâs, and shook his hand while gripping it hard.
âHahaha! Saji-kun! Please look after me as well! Also Iâll seriously fucking kill you if you lay a finger on Asia. Okay, Saji-kun!?â
I said it with a fake smile. Then he also smiled and held my hand stronger.
âYes! Yes! Letâs get along Hyoudou-kun! To have the blond bishoujo for just yourself. You really are a Brute-kun! Man, I wish there was a divine punishment which falls on you! I wish you die when a lightning falls on you while you are on your way home!â
We made negative comments against each other. It must have looked weird. But I couldnât forgive this guy! He was different than Kiba but I couldnât stand guys like him! Actually, I seriously wanted to hit him! I seriously wonât let him walk alive if he touches Asia!
âYou must have a hard time.â
âYou too.â
Buchou and Kaichou both made a sigh while looking at us.
âChi. Members of the student council are stronger than the members of your club.â
Saji said it while letting go of my hand. So the members of the student council belong to Kaichouâs household and are Kaichouâs servants. Kaichou took a sip of green tea and said it with a small voice,
âI love this school. I also think that the work of the student council is worth the effort. Thatâs why I will not forgive those that ruin the peaceful life of this school. Whether they are human or Devils. That applies to you, the people in here, and also Rias.â
I understood immediately that those words were directed to us the new Devils which are me, Asia and Saji. In other words she will not forgive anyone that ruins the school life. So this person loves this school, Kuou Academy, that much. No wonder she is the kaichou.
âI think this is enough for introducing our rookies. Then we will pardon ourselves now. Thereâs also a document which I want to finish during lunch time.â
Kaichou got up and tried to leave.
âKaichou. No Souna Sitri-sanâŠâŠ..sama. I will be in your care from now.â
âYâŠyes! Please take care of us!â
I bowed my head towards Kaichou and greeted her, and Asia did the same. Itâs a greeting as a newbie Devil. She is a High-class Devil and also Buchouâs acquaintance. Even if her servant is âthatâ, I think itâs an obvious thing to do as a new Devil of the Gremory household.
âYes, letâs get along.â
Kaichou replied and smiled at us.
âRias, I will be looking forward to the âBall Tournamentâ.â
Kaichou said to Buchou with a smile, before she left the room.
âYes, me as well.â
Buchou smiled back at her. Oh. I understood immediately that these two are really close. Then she could have helped us in the quarrel between the old houses from the previous incident. But then I thought that itâs not that simple to put your head inside the problems between High-class Devils. Or did she believe that Buchou would be able to clear the problem herself? Kaichou left the room after saying that.
âIse, Asia. Get along with Saji-kun. You will also meet the other members of the student council who are Devils, but donât fight with them. Since we are all spending our school life at the same school. Okay?â
Buchou said to us while smiling.
âYes!â
If Buchou says that, then I will listen to her without complaining! I wonât fight even though that guy is a jerk! But for there to be Devils besides us at this schoolâŠ.. Seems like there are more secrets within this schoolâŠâŠ
Part 4
BANG! BANG!
The sound of the start of the ball tournament echoed in the sky. From todayâs weather broadcast, itâs going to rain in the evening. Please donât rain until the tournament finishes.
[Tsukmoto-kun of the âManga research clubâ, Hashioka-sensei is calling you. Can you please come to the teacherâs room immediately.]
The PA which is placed throughout the school ground was making announcements endlessly. All of us members got changed into our PE uniform and gathered at one place and were resting up till the start of the match. But the club matches were at the end. First of all, there were the class matches. I think my class is going to compete in baseball. Me and Asia also have to participate. The practice we did after school wasnât in vain. After that there was a match amongst genders. Then after lunch there was a match between clubs. I did some light exercises as a warm up. Asia was stretching with the help of Akeno-san. Koneko-chan was sitting on the plastic mattress on the ground reading the rule book for ball games. KibaâŠâŠwas still thinking about something. He had been staring at the sky. Buchou went to check the category sports for the club matchesâŠâŠ. Oh she came back. Buchou, who just came back, was smiling fearlessly.
âFufufu, we have won this match already.â
âBuchou, so what is the sports we are playing then?â
âDodgeball!â
I only had a bad feeling about this.
Part 5
âBuchouuuuuu!! You can do it!â
I was cheering for Buchou from the tennis court fence. SobâŠâŠBuchou in a tennis uniform! The thigh you could see from the mini-skirt was wonderful! Buchou was representing the girls of her class, and was competing against other senior girls.
SLAM!
Buchou was playing around with her opponent with her smooth move, but the opponent was quite good as well!
âKaichou-samaaaaa! Kyaaaa!â
The girls were shouting with a shrill voice. Yes, Buchouâs opponent was none other than the student president, Sh*tori Souna-senpai.
âUfufufu. Itâs wonderful that we can see a match between High-class Devils in a place like this.â
Akeno-san was also enjoying watching it beside me. It was just like she said. I never expected that there would be a match between the High-class Devils here. And both of them werenât holding back. They were seriously hitting the ball with their racket.
âHere I come, Sona!â
âYes, you may, Rias!â
Both of them were exchanging words like that, and they were both really into this match. It looked like a situation in a sports-comedy manga! Even I was getting fired up just looking at them!
âKaichouuuuu! Please winnnnnnn!â
Ah, Saji was also cheering in the fence opposite of me. He was even swinging a flag which had a writing âStudent Councilâ on it. Wow, heâs also fired up!
âTake this! Sh*tori-style spin-ball!â
The ball Kaichou had just hit went rushing towards Buchou.
âYou are too naĂŻve! Take this Gremory-style counter!â
Buchou tried to hit it back with her racket, but the ball changed itâs direction and went down! Uoooooo! Is it a magic ball!?
â15-30â
âNoooooo, itâs Kaichouâs point!â
âYou are doing well Souna. To be expected from my rival.â
âUfufu. Rias, you havenât forgotten the promise where the loser has to pay for the udon with all the toppings at Kobashiya, have you?â
âYes, I havenât. It will be my shame if you taste that before me. Thatâs why I will definitely win! Did you know that I have 108 styles of magic ball?â
âI will accept that challenge. I will hit back all the balls that come into my âSh*tori-Zoneâ.â
I donât know why but both of their eyes were burningâŠ.. But princesses, why is the thing you two are betting soâŠâŠcommon? Well maybe thatâs the good thing about Buchou and Kaichou. Maybe they started to have sense as human because they lived in the humans' world for so long. After all the final match between Buchou and Kaichou lasted so long, that both of their rackets broke and they both got first places. Well, of course, a normal racket would break if they do an intense rally like that. Then the tournament moved to the club matchesâŠâŠ
Part 6
âBlooâŠbloomers.â
I became shocked after seeing what Asia was wearing. It was not the schoolâs PE uniform shorts but a bloomer! Before the start of the club matches, Asia suddenly disappeared, and when I thought she came back she was wearing a bloomer. OoooâŠâŠher white legsâŠâŠher thighsâŠ..! Man! She has nice legs like always! Asia was wriggling while making her face red.
ââŠâŠâŠUmmmâŠâŠI heard from Kiryuu-san. That the proper uniform for dodge ball is bloomerâŠâŠ AnâŠand also that Ise-san will be happy if I wore thisâŠâŠâ
KiâŠ.Kiryuuuuuuuu! That damn bitch! Why on earth did she teach my cute Asia-chan this wonderfulâŠno I mean shameless thing! Sh*t! Kiryuu's, also known as âMaster-mindâ, actions are shaking my heart!
âYou donât like it?â
Asia asked me with a shy voice while looking up at me.!........ I felt something burst inside me.
âNo, no. Itâs great, Asia. Thank you very much. Thank you very much!â
I took Asiaâs hand and thanked her a lot. But Asia herself didnât know what was going on.
âRaise your spirit up, you two.â
Buchou was still energetic even after that intense tennis. Well, I was also fired up!
âOsu! Iâm getting fired up with Asiaâs bloomers! Since Iâm doing it, Iâm not going to lose!â
âGood reply, Ise! I will give you a reward if you work hard!â
âŠâŠâŠ! WhâŠ..what!! Are you serious, Buchou!? I felt some unknown power flowing within me!
âUooooooo! Oppai!â
I definitely canât lose! Buchouâs breasts are mine!
STEP!
âGyaaa!â
I screamed. Of course, because Asia stepped on my foot.
âIse-san how about you hand âthatâ out to everyone?â
Asia said it with a displeased voice. When I looked she had an unpleasant face. She was in a bad mood. SobâŠâŠlately Asia-chan had learned how to use violence against me. She must be at a rebellious age. Just like Asia said, there was something I had that I wanted to give to everyone. Fufufu, I made it last night.
âEveryone! Letâs put this as a team!â
What I got out was a headband, which had an embroidery âOccult Research Clubâ imprinted on it. It was handmade by me.
âAra, you are well prepared.â
The first one to take it from me was Buchou.
âYes, Ise is more skillful than I thought. Itâs well made.â
âHehehe. I was secretly practising.â
Yes I was using my spare time to practice making it. Iâm not good with home economics, but I believed that I would get good at it if I practiced little by little every day. Thanks to it I gained a skill for it. Well, itâs not good if you compare it to one made by a person skilful at it, but it still should look good.
ââŠâŠItâs unexpectedly good.â
Thank you Koneko-chan!
âAra-ara. Certainly the other clubs are wearing an item to symbolise the team. Like uniforms and caps.â
âThatâs right Akeno-san! Thatâs why I also made it!â
Everyone took them from my hand and put them on their forehead. It made me happy. It was worth the effort making them at night. Then I gave it to Kiba who was still acting weird.
âHere Kiba.â
ââŠâŠYeâŠyeah. Thanks.â
ââŠâŠLetâs concentrate on winning now.â
ââŠâŠWin, huh. YeahâŠâŠ Winning is important.â
Hm? He sounded as if he meant something. He seemed like he lost at something.
[Members of the occult research club and the baseball club. Please gather at the ground.]
The announcement which called for us! Our battle was about to start!
Part 7
âAim for him! Aim for Hyoudou!â
âUoooooo! Screw you guys!â
I was shouting at the same time crying while I was dodging incredibly fast balls. The match between clubs that started! The sports we had to do was dodge ball and our first opponent was the baseball club. These guys couldnât hit anyone besides me from their viewpoints!
Buchou. One of the âTwo Great Onee-samaâ. The really popular school idol. Canât aim for her.
Akeno-san. One of the âTwo Great Oneesamaâ. School idol. Canât aim for her.
Asia. The Angel and the number 1 beautiful girl of the second year. And also a Blondie! Canât aim for her.
Koneko-chan. A loli-loli girl who is our school mascot. You feel bad if you hit her.
Kiba. Enemy of every male students in our school, but the girls will hate you if you hit him. Canât aim for him.
Me, Ise. Everyone thought âI donât understand why that guy belongs to the occult research clubâ. Itâs not a problem if you hit him. No, you have to hit him instead. Damn it. Die. Aim every ball at him! Head shot! Die, die you wild beast!
I felt like I could hear their thoughts! The ultimate way to eliminate me! And everyone's evil intents concentrate at me! From every student of this school!
âKill Iseeeeee!!â
âAsia-chaaaaaaaaan! Bloomerâs are the best! Iseeeeeee, die!!â
âPlease! Take Hyoudou down! For Rias-oneesamaâs sake! For Akeno-oneesamaâs sake!â
âYou have to bring Asia-san back to the good side!â
âDie! Right! No, throw at head on!â
âKill him!! Die!! There should be only one loli-con, and that is me!â
âYou wouldnât have gotten killed if you didnât come out!â
Even the crowds were telling me to die! Fuck all of you! All of their eyes were sending an intent to kill directed at me! Damn it! Why did this happen! My bad feeling turned into reality!
âAll of the balls are concentrated towards Ise! In terms of strategy, this would be âsacrificeâ! Ise, this is a chance!â
âBuchouuuu!! I will do my best! Sh*t! Iâm not doing this for fun!â
If Buchou was counting on me, then I had to work hard even if that meant using my body as a shield! A ball aimed at me was blocked by Koneko-chan, who then used the ball to take down the opponent in one shot! Yes! At this rate we could get 1st place! The only thing left to do was for me to dodge the ball and run! When I was thinking like that, one big built baseball boy came and aimed for Kiba!
âSh*t! I donâ care whether I get hated! You damn handsome!!â
Ooou! That guy had so much hatred towards handsome guys that he aimed for Kiba instead of me! Get hit! Well thatâs what I thoughtâŠâŠ
âWhat are you doing gazing around for!?â
I went towards Kiba while shouting because he was still in his own world. I stood in front of him to protect him.
ââŠAh. Ise-kun?â
Ah Ise-kun? My ass! What the heck are you doing!? And the ball came towards me! Canât be helped! I will use my body to stop the ball! When I was thinking like that, the ball changed itâs direction. The ball came down like a fork-ball and came in to my crotchâŠ
SMASH!!
ââŠâŠ!!!â
A direct hitâŠâŠ My ballsâŠgot crushed byâŠa ballâŠâŠ Guhaa⊠I went down holding my crotch because of the insane pain it gave meâŠâŠ You canât explain how painful it isâŠâŠâŠthe pain only that guys knowâŠâŠ The club members came rushing at me. Buchou held me up.
âBuâŠBuchouâŠmyâŠâŠballsâŠâŠâ
âI have the ball! You did well Ise! Now, itâs time to hunt down the prey who took down my cute Ise!â
OâŠOnee-sama⊠You have really scary eyes⊠ButâŠâŠseriously my ballsâŠâŠ I canât even breathâŠâŠ Auaa auuuuuâŠâŠâŠâŠ
âAra ara. Buchou. You are wrong. It seems like a different ball is in a serious condition.â
ThâŠthatâs right Akeno-sanâŠâŠ Buchou seemed to realise the situation and became speechless.
ââŠ! How can this be! Asia, please come over here. I will be in trouble if it gets useless because of a thing like this!â
âYâŠyes. Did Ise-san get hurtâŠâŠ?â
âYes, apparently his important part. Can you heal him behind the building?â
âImportant part? I donât really understand but I got it!â
âKoneko. Can you take Ise to a place where thereâs no one around?â
ââŠâŠAffirmative.â
âŠLooks like they were discussing about something while I was fainting in agony.
âB-BuchouâŠâŠ Iâm sorry that I couldnât be of much use......â
âItâs alright, Ise. You did well. Leave the rest to us.â
Buchou patted gently at my cheek with her hand.
[GRAB]
Someone grabbed me by my collar.
[DRAG]
I was getting dragged. Of course the one dragging me was Koneko-chan.
âIse-san! Please keep a hold of yourself!â
Asia was cheering me while following me.
âThis is a battle of revenge for Ise!â
I could hear Buchouâs energetic and mad voice from far away. She sounded as if I had died⊠Aaah, if Buchou gets serious, then it should be all right even without Koneko-chan⊠Like this, I retired for the first match temporarily and was dragged behind the gym.
Part 8
I was taken behind the gym where there were 0 sights of other peopleâŠâŠ My crotch still hurtâŠâŠ
âIse-san, I will start healing. Please show me the place you injured yourself.â
âŠâŠ! I canât do something like thatâŠâŠ
âNâŠno, I canâtâŠâŠâ
âWhat are you saying!? If you donât show me where you hurt yourself then I canât heal you!â
She seemed really motivated but I couldnât⊠We are talking about balls, you know? My balls. If I did that then my âstickâ will also fall out as wellâŠâŠ Thereâs no way Asia could handle thisâŠ
ââŠâŠAsiaâŠâŠI beg youâŠâŠ Please donât trouble me any moreâŠâŠâ
âNâŠno! I was just trying to helpâŠâŠâ
Aaah. She was making a really sad faceâŠ
âAsia, donât cry⊠Can you just use your powers around my hipsâŠ? I think it will heal that wayâŠâ
Asia has a Sacred Gear âTwilight Healingâ that can even heal Devils. Itâs also the lifeline of our group. It has a splendid healing ability and can heal most injuries immediately. I was sure it could also heal âthisâ damage but I just couldnât show it to herâŠâŠ There was a warm light coming out of her hands. At the same time I could feel the pain disappearing from there. AmazingâŠâŠ What a warm lightâŠâŠ Aaaah, the pain was disappearing as if it was just a dream⊠So Asiaâs Sacred Gear also works significantly for damages on ballsâŠ
ââŠâŠA situation I canât describe by words.â
Koneko-chan made a sigh. Thatâs rare.
âIse-san. Please rest for a bit.â
I was lying down and Asia approached me and lifted my head⊠Then I felt a really soft sensation from my head!? This sensation was the feeling of a thigh! Am I getting a âThigh pillowâ!? Are you serious!?
âIse-san, you looked really happy when Buchou was doing this to youâŠâŠ Maybe I might not be good enoughâŠâŠâ
Thatâs not true! Itâs a bloomer, you know? A thigh pillow, you know? Itâs a dream to get a thigh pillow while a girl is wearing a bloomer!
âSob⊠Thank you. Thank you.â
I thanked her a lot while shedding tears.
âUfufufu. Ise-san is thanking a lot today.â
[The Occult research club wins!]
The good news which the announcement just made also reached my ears.
Part 9
RAIN
It was raining hard outside. We were lucky that it rained after the tournament.
SLAP!
There was also a bitter sound which echoed along with the sound of rain. Buchou just slapped someone. Not me. It was Kiba.
âHow is it? Did you wake up?â
Buchou was quite angry. For the ball tournament, we, the occult research club, got 1st place. Me, Asia and Koneko-chan went back and obtained 1st place as a whole teamâŠâŠ But there was one person who didnât cooperate. Iâm talking about Kiba. He did contribute a couple of times but he was doing nothing most of the time. Buchou got angry at him a couple of times during the match but he didn't seem to care. I would have gotten pissed if Buchou didnât. Even if he got his cheek slapped, Kiba still didnât make any expression nor talked. What is this guyâŠâŠ Is he really Kiba? Because of the sudden change he looked like a totally different person. He was a good looking guy who always had a refreshing face. Then he suddenly made the usual smiley face.
âAre you done now? The ball tournament has finished as well. We wonât be practicing anymore so can I take a rest until itâs night time? Iâm a bit tired so I will take a break from the usual club activity. Iâm sorry for my behaviour this noon. Seems like I didnât feel well today.â
âKiba, you are really weird lately?â
âItâs none of your concern.â
I asked him but Kiba replied coldly with a smiley face.
âEven Iâm getting worried about you.â
âWorried? Who worries about who? I think itâs normal for Devils to live by how they want. Well, I think Iâm at fault for not listening to my master this time.â
Hmmm, maybe I should tell him a bit. But why am I supposed to do this? Itâs usually the other way around. I say something insane, and Kiba calms me down.
âItâs troublesome a situation like this when we are trying to form a proper group. Thatâs how we felt after we went through that bitter experience in the previous match, remember. Donât we have to cover for each otherâs weak points from now on? We are comrades.â
âComradesâŠâŠâ
Kiba then made a gloomy face.
âYes, comrades.â
âYou are always burningâŠâŠ Ise-kun, lately I started to remember the basic things.â
âBasic?â
âYeah, thatâs right. The reason why I am fighting.â
âIsnât it for Buchou?â
Thatâs what I thought. Thatâs what I believed in hard. Just by my own thinking. But he rejected it immediately.
âNo. Iâm living so I can seek my revenge. Holy-sword Excalibur. Destroying that is the reason why I am living.â
Kiba had a face with a strong determination. That time, I thought that I had seen his real face.
Notes:
1. One person bats, while others catch the ball
Liked it? Take a second to support Novels on Patreon!