Parent-Teacher Visitation Day had arrived.
Though named "Parent-Teacher Day," anyone could visit Kuoh Academy today—not just parents. Technically, Jeanne Alter could bring Ophis with her… but that would probably give too many people nightmares.
Today, not only Rias's family but also Sona Sitri's would come—meaning two of the Four Great Satans would be visiting Kuoh Academy.
Jeanne Alter had been concerned that Asia might envy other students with visiting parents, but it seemed she'd worried for nothing.
"Because to me, Jeanne-san is already like a mother or a big sister," Asia said, her radiant smile brimming with happiness. "We go to school together every day, so every day feels like Parent-Teacher Day."
Being seen as a big sister is one thing, but… a mom? Jeanne Alter had complicated feelings about this.
When Jeanne Alter saw Rias that morning, the crimson-haired devil was visibly drained and listless—clearly not from lack of sleep.
It was rare to see Rias, usually so graceful and confident, looking this gloomy. Just how much did she dread Parent-Teacher Day? Given that both her father and Sirzechs were coming, Rias probably didn't want them to witness her classroom behavior.
Jeanne Alter understood this well. During her own high school days, she spent two-thirds of her classes sleeping. The mere thought of her parents watching from the back was suffocating, like being wrapped tightly by a python.
Ever since becoming a devil, Hyoudou Issei particularly enjoyed foreign language classes. Devils gained automatic proficiency in all languages, including dialects. Issei had startled his classmates and teacher when he flawlessly recited a foreign-language passage in his first class after reincarnation.
Jeanne Alter recalled the ability she'd most coveted during her school years: the Campione's "Language of a Thousand," letting the user master a new language after hearing it for three days. She had once wondered if it could even decode the dragon language from No Game No Life.
Unfortunately, that skill was limited to listening and reading, not writing.
At lunchtime, Jeanne Alter finally saw Rias and Sona's parents.
Rias's family was easy to spot—bright crimson hair practically glowed in a crowd. Jeanne Alter already knew Sirzechs, and the older man beside him, clearly Sirzechs's lookalike, had to be Rias's father.
However, when Sona's family appeared, even Jeanne Alter couldn't suppress her shock, her mouth twitching.
"Nice to meet you☆! I'm Serafall Leviathan☆! But you can call me 'Levi-tan'☆!"
Posing as a magical girl, winking and flashing a V-sign, Serafall introduced herself cheerfully to a crowd of snapping cameras.
Sona had already collapsed to her knees, hiding her burning face in her hands.
"I'm so sorry… My sister is truly an embarrassment…"
Soft, apologetic murmurs leaked from between Sona's fingers.
Jeanne Alter felt sudden sympathy for Sona—such a serious, dignified girl, yet burdened with a frivolous older sister who happened to be Leviathan herself.
Eventually, the Student Council arrived, dispersing the crowd to prevent a scene.
"Hey, Sirzechs-chan, is this girl the resurrected Saint Jeanne everyone's talking about?"
"Yes. Although she identifies more as a witch now."
Serafall and Sirzechs—Leviathan and Lucifer—seemed close, though calling him "Sirzechs-chan" seemed odd. Sirzechs merely smiled, unconcerned.
Hands clasped behind her back, Serafall circled Jeanne Alter twice, her scrutinizing gaze irritating the witch.
"Hey, hey! Jeanne-chan!"
"If you have something to say, just say it! And don't get so close—we aren't that familiar!"
"Aww! Jeanne-chan is so shy! You're so cute; wanna debut as a magical girl with me? Great benefits, guaranteed!"
"Absolutely not! Scram! Your disgusting proposal makes me sick!"
Only fools took up dangerous jobs like being magical girls.
"What a pity… With your looks, you'd do great… but since Jeanne-chan's refusing, I'll drop it." Serafall sighed lightly, then turned serious. "Actually, I came to thank you. I heard everything. Without your timely help, Sona would've been in danger. Damn Kokabiel—if he dared hurt Sona, I'd march right to the Fallen Angels' territory and kill them all! Every last one—even their watchdog, their potted plants, and I'd even scramble their eggs in the fridge!"
"That's exactly what the black-winged birdbrain wanted," Jeanne Alter snorted dismissively. "His aim was war. He was a textbook warmonger."
Now Jeanne understood why Sona had insisted not to call Serafall for help during Kokabiel's attack. Unlike Sirzechs, who was also protective yet sensible, Serafall wouldn't hesitate to wage war for her sister's sake.
...
At dinner, the four gathered around the table.
Ophis still refused to feed herself, preferring Jeanne Alter to feed her instead. Jeanne didn't mind—feeding such an adorable child was a privilege—but Asia and Koneko seemed less than pleased.
"Koneko, are you all busy recently?" Jeanne Alter changed the subject to ease the tension. "Preparing for the summit?"
Koneko shook her head slightly. "No… Kuoh Academy is the president's territory, but Lucifer-sama sent his own people to help with preparations, so we're not overly busy."
"Then what's happening?"
"…Actually, when Sirzechs-sama came to the human world last time, he told the president she could finally unseal her 'Bishop.'"
"Bishop? Oh, right… Rias mentioned having one, but I've never seen them, even during her rating game against Riser. So they were sealed?"
Jeanne Alter spooned some lamb soup to Ophis, wiping the girl's mouth clean with practiced ease. When did I get so good at taking care of children?
Koneko watched Jeanne and Ophis quietly for a moment before continuing in her usual monotone.
"The higher-ups felt Gasper's [Sacred Gear] was too dangerous for the president to control, so they sealed him. Maybe because Kiba-senpai awakened his [Balance Breaker] recently, they now believe the president is ready and allowed Gasper to be unsealed."
"Right now, everyone takes turns teaching Gasper to control his powers. Issei-senpai and Xenovia-senpai are probably with him now."
Jeanne Alter was mildly intrigued.
"A [Sacred Gear] dangerous enough for those old fools to seal away…"
Koneko nodded.
"[Forbidden Balor View]—it stops time for anything in his line of sight. Gasper can't control it, and his powers activate whenever he's emotionally unstable."
"Oh, just time-stopping powers? Not bad, I guess."
Jeanne Alter immediately lost interest. Time-stopping was a cliché ability by now, and Gasper's version was limited to his vision. She'd seen much more impressive examples.
After losing interest in Rias's Bishop, Jeanne thought about the upcoming summit.
"Ophis, have you sensed anything familiar recently, or any of your own aura nearby?"
Ophis tilted her head, puzzled, then shook her head after a moment.
"I see… If you sense anything familiar, be sure to let me know," Jeanne Alter said, stroking Ophis's hair, making the girl close her eyes comfortably.
Sirzechs had warned that Khaos Brigade might appear during the summit. Ophis had previously mentioned giving out many of her "snakes," enough she couldn't even remember how many. Those enemies likely carried some of Ophis's snakes if they intended to confront multiple Satan-class opponents.
"Oh, right—I need to remind you..."
"Ophis, stay home for a while. Don't go outside," Jeanne Alter warned seriously, gently squeezing Ophis's cheeks. "Understand?"
Ophis frowned slightly, a hint of reluctance appearing.
"No ice cream trips?"
"Don't worry, it won't be long. After things settle, I'll take you out for all the ice cream you can eat."
"Hmm… fine."
Satisfied, Jeanne continued playing with Ophis's soft cheeks.
With Ophis suddenly leaving their ranks, Khaos Brigade would panic. Jeanne didn't worry about someone forcibly taking Ophis—her worry was that Ophis might still be easily tricked.
Though Ophis had learned some common sense, mentally she was still childlike. She wouldn't be tricked by "Follow me and I'll help you beat Great Red" anymore, but something like "Child, where are your parents? Let's go find them!" might still work.
The path of educating Ophis remained long indeed…
Jeanne Alter paused, noticing a grain of rice stuck to Ophis's cheek.
She decided to hint gently.
"Ophis… Ophis…"
When Ophis turned those dark, deep eyes toward her, Jeanne Alter pointed at her own cheek.
Ophis tilted her head, visibly confused despite her blank expression.
Jeanne Alter pointed again, hoping she'd notice.
Ophis's eyes suddenly widened slightly with realization. She nodded back seriously.
Jeanne relaxed her hand, thinking Ophis understood.
But in that instant, Ophis suddenly lunged forward, embracing Jeanne Alter tightly around the neck.
Chu!
A soft, delicate pressure landed on her cheek, fleeting yet distinctly warm.
A strange, indescribable warmth spread through Jeanne's chest, leaving her brain utterly blank.
Meanwhile, witnessing this shocking scene, Asia and Koneko's eyes widened comically, mouths agape.
Chopsticks and bowls fell to the floor, unnoticed.
After a moment of stunned silence, a sharp, shattering sound echoed through the room.