Now that we had wrapped up our training, it was time for one last meeting before heading home.
“That’s the situation with us magic users. In short, my ultimate move still takes a long time to charge. Akeno, however, is getting better at transforming into a fallen angel without her bracelet.”
With that, the meeting came to an end.
“…”
Our leader, Dulio, was half asleep…
He tended to drift off like this after seemingly every training session…
“…Sister Griselda says it’s a miracle he even shows up at all,” Irina said apologetically. “So please, go easy on him!”
Rias heaved a sigh, then nodded her head. “It’s okay, Irina. His skills are real, so we’re not about to doubt or question him.”
Rias used to be more formal with Irina, but she was finally starting to relax around her. It did seem a little silly standing on ceremony after all this time.
She glanced across at us all before changing the topic. “As you all know, I’m helping with the open house events at Sona’s new school, but we also have a guest joining us at the Hyoudou residence tonight. She’ll be giving a special lecture at the school for prospective students and their parents, and I just received word that she decided to visit us on short notice before going there.”
Huh? Was this one of those guest lecturers Saji mentioned? But why was she coming to my house?
Only then did I feel the weight of someone staring at me. Glancing around, I noticed Rossweisse watching me intently.
The second she realized I had noticed, she looked away.
…H-huh? Did this have something to do with that question of hers the other day…? Yeah, I couldn’t see any other explanation…
C-could you be my boyfriend?
Talk about a surprise! And she had asked it in the shared bathroom, with everyone watching!
That being said, not much had happened since…
“…”
Rias flashed me a conflicted look.
“…”
Akeno was also glancing back and forth between me, Rossweisse, and Rias.
…Wh-what was going on…? The other girls all looked uncomfortable as well…
I could even hear our Church Trio whispering among themselves.
“…See, Asia, Irina? The older girls are making their move.”
“Does this mean Rossweisse is joining the fray?”
“…Rias and Akeno are usually so laid back…”
“The older girls have their own issues, Asia. See how flustered the vice prez is? She’s been caught off guard… This could be our chance!”
“Huh?! Wh-what are you thinking, Xenovia…?”
“Irina, Asia—this means we’ve finally got a chance to strive for heights that have been out of reach for us until now!”
“B-but we still have to think about Rias…”
“Don’t worry! We have to go on the offensive! This might be our chance to make off with him!”
“Th-that would be kidnapping! I—I’m an angel! I couldn’t go that far…”
“That’s rich coming from you, Irina. You’re already a horny angel! You’re always waltzing into Issei’s room without a bra on, right? You’re basically ready for action!”
“Th-that’s… I—I do that for my own health!”
“If you’re going to walk around braless like it’s no big deal, then you need to get your act together. All right, listen up, you two. Let’s huddle. In times like this…”
Without warning, our Church Trio gathered in a circle for some secret discussion.
…S-seriously? So Irina hadn’t been wearing a bra? I thought her breasts had a healthy bounce to them. No wonder! If she wasn’t wearing a bra, of course they were going to jiggle!
…I was at a loss for how to react, but that didn’t stop me from overhearing Kuroka and Koneko a short distance away.
“You know what this means, meow? This is your chance your start your own litter on the side.”
“…You’re shameless, Kuroka.”
“What are you waiting for, Shirone? You need to step up your game. At this rate, he’ll always think of you as a kid. If you put your mind to it, I bet you could manage something cute and purrfectly cheeky, meow!”
“…N-no!”
“Oh? You thought about it for a sec, didn’t you? You naughty kitty.”
“No, I didn’t! I’m shocked at you, that’s all!”
“Nekomatas are supposed to be sexy. There are some things you can only do when you’re on the small side, meow.”
“I’m not talking to you anymore! Gaspy! Let’s go over there!”
“…Huh? O-okay.”
After that sisterly spat, Koneko took off with Gasper. Meanwhile, Kuroka looked like she was having the time of her life.
Kiba flashed me an awkward smile as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “Hang in there.”
…Yeah. I didn’t really get it, but I would do my best.
“…Mmm. A heavenly all-you-can-eat Mont Blanc buffet…,” Dulio mumbled in his sleep.
…Our leader sure looked content!
✦ ✦ ✦
After our training session, we returned to the Hyoudou residence to get ready to welcome our guest.
For the time being, I had decided to prepare tea in the usual VIP room. Since Kiba and Gasper had their own living arrangements, they had headed home.
We were all in need of a wash after such a heavy workout, so we took turns showering. I went first. Once I was finished, I helped Xenovia and Irina tidy the VIP room.
Asia and Ravel had gone to prepare snacks—homemade cookies.
“Mmm…”
No sooner did they arrive than Ophis, our team mascot, started sneaking bites.
When at last we were ready to receive our visitor, Xenovia, Irina, and I headed to the living room on the first floor to take a break.
“Our guest will be here soon,” Akeno came to inform us. “Let’s all go to the transfer room.”
And so we made for the basement to offer her a formal welcome.
✦ ✦ ✦
We members of the Gremory Familia, along with Irina and Ravel, gathered in the transfer room in the basement.
It was decided Kuroka and Le Fay would stay in their own room, mainly out of concern that Kuroka might cause a scene. Le Fay felt it would be unfair for her alone to excluded, so she had volunteered to step out, too. Naturally, Ophis wasn’t with us either.
The floor of the teleportation square glowed with Norse magic, growing increasingly brighter.
“Sorry for the late notice, but our guest is Rossweisse’s grandmother,” Rias said. “I’ve heard she’s quite renowned for her magic skills in the Norse world—Asgard, I mean.”
…!
Shocked, we all spun around to look at Rossweisse, who wore an expression that could only be described as complicated.
The magic square burst into light, when—
An elderly woman in a dark blue robe appeared. She had a sharp, well-defined face, good posture, and a slender figure, and she was around the same height as her granddaughter, Rossweisse. If not for her face, she wouldn’t have come across as elderly at all.
She addressed us. “Nice to meet you, my Japanese friends. I see my granddaughter is in good hands.”
With that, grandmother turned to face grandchild. Rossweisse managed not to look away, but that didn’t stop her lips from curling in a slight frown. It wasn’t exactly a warm welcome, but it wasn’t a rejection either.
Rossweisse’s grandmother introduced herself. “My name is Gondul. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Only then did she flash us a warm smile.
Her sprightly demeanor seemed at odds with her age—though it somehow reminded me of Rossweisse the first time we met her.