Chapter 32 - Joining A Club?
Aika's quip about her sight and hearing being "ruined" by the class might've been an exaggeration, but the girls' enthusiasm for Roy was undeniable.
Outside class hours, Roy's desk was swarmed with girls.
They peppered him with questions, their eager gazes practically peeling back his layers.
Aika, already chummy by mid-morning, poked Roy during the last class and whispered slyly,
"So, feel like you're picking a girlfriend?"
[Congratulations, host. 24,000 dimension points absorbed.]
Roy's expression twitched.
He hadn't expected to snag Aika's points like this.
Her points were nearly same as Riser's, which made sense.
In DxD, Aika's screen time as a cheeky side character far exceeded Riser's.
"It's fine, just… a bit much," Roy said, shaking his head.
"You're awfully chill. Thought you'd be smug like some guys," Aika said, her eyes flicking to Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama, the Perverted Trio.
"Smug? Nah. They're just curious about the new guy. It'll die down," Roy replied.
"Oh, you think so?" Aika grinned mysteriously, chuckling.
"Don't underestimate the thirst of Kuoh's girls.'
"Even a 'big size' like you'll get drained if you let your guard down!"
"Old driver, huh?" Roy teased, feigning shock.
He knew Aika's bold persona from the anime, but her ladylike act earlier had almost fooled him.
Less than a morning, and her true colors were out.
"Cough!" Aika's face reddened.
Caught up in the banter, she'd dropped her prim facade.
"Don't get me wrong! I'm just stating facts."
"Sure," Roy said, smirking.
"Facts girls don't like hearing, right?"
"That's why your friends call you an old driver?"
Aika puffed up, mock-serious.
"Exactly. I tell it like it is, and they slander me for it."
"What's 'big size' mean, then?" Roy asked, playing dumb.
Aika nearly faltered but rallied.
"It's my boy-ranking system. Size equals quality."
"Bigger's better."
"So, I'm rated pretty high?" Roy said, rolling his eyes.
'If I didn't know the story, I might've bought that.'
"You didn't hear the others—" Aika started.
"Ow!" She jolted upright, rubbing her back.
"Kiryuu, don't cause trouble!" a girl behind them snapped, brandishing a triangular ruler.
"Katase, what the hell? Stop poking me!" Aika hissed, glaring at the girl.
"You were going too far," Katase huffed, ruler poised for another jab.
"Yeah, don't corrupt Roy," Murayama, the other girl, chimed in.
"Corrupt? I'm helping you!" Aika shot back.
"Helping, my ass," Katase scoffed, unconvinced.
"Answer me this," Aika said, undeterred.
"Is Roy a warm prince like Yuuto, all smiles but zero interest in girls?"
"Or is he a normal guy, curious about girls and open to dating?"
Katase and Murayama paused, pondering.
"Murayama, she's got a point," Katase said, eyeing Roy.
Kiba's charm was legendary, but his lack of romantic rumors sparked whispers he might be gay.
"See? I'm right!" Aika smirked, regaining her swagger.
Roy rolled his eyes.
'They're not even trying to be subtle.'
"Kiryuu, Katase, Murayama, what's so fascinating? Care to share with the class?" the female teacher called from the podium, her smile laced with danger.
The trio shrank, grabbing their books and staring at the blackboard like model students.
The bell rang, signaling lunch break.
Roy, not one for bentos, headed for the cafeteria but was mobbed by girls.
"Roy, share my bento!"
"Try mine! My mom's a certified chef!"
"I made this myself. Give it a taste!"
The girls, learning he hadn't brought food, circled his desk, dissing the cafeteria while hyping their bentos.
"Sorry, I'm looking for Roy. Is he here?" Kiba's voice cut through, his appearance at the door sparking another frenzy.
Popularity like that was Kuoh's trademark.
"My friend's here. Gotta go. I'll try your bentos another time," Roy said, flashing an apologetic smile before bolting to Kiba.
"Ugh, if Kiba-kun's gay, I could live with it," a girl swooned.
"No way Roy is! He's our class's treasure!" another protested.
"They do look good together, though," a third giggled.
The girls spiraled into a heated debate as Roy and Kiba left.
"Heard the girls buzzing about a hot transfer student this morning. Knew it was you," Kiba said, grinning.
"Shame we're not in the same class," Roy said, shrugging.
"Yeah, pity," Kiba nodded.
He could ask Rias to pull strings, but it wasn't worth bothering her.
"You're already a hit, though. Adapted to Kuoh like that," Kiba teased, snapping his fingers.
"Thanks to you bailing me out back there," Roy said.
"The enthusiasm's a lot."
"Told you you'd be popular," Kiba chuckled.
"Nailed it."
"You're one to talk, Your Highness," Roy shot back, smirking.
"Quit it," Kiba said, wincing.
Girls hounded him constantly too.
They hit the cafeteria, neither packing a bento.
Unlike UK canteens, Kuoh's was quieter.
Ordering lunch, they chatted.
"By the way, Roy, thought about clubs?" Kiba asked.
"No clear picks yet," Roy said.
"Didn't you mention introducing me to your club?"
Kiba's expression turned odd.
"You don't know who's in it, do you?"
"Nope. Someone special?" Roy asked, feigning ignorance.
"Didn't the girls in your class fill you in?" Kiba said.
The Occult Research Club's members were school idols.
"They were too busy grilling me," Roy said, shrugging.
"Why?"
"Nothing," Kiba said, shaking his head.
"My club's not in the activity room at noon."
"I'll check with the president this afternoon. If she's cool with it, I'll bring you to meet her."
"Sounds good," Roy nodded.
"Your club's sounding more mysterious by the minute."
"It's mostly girls. They're cautious about outsiders. Sorry," Kiba said, chuckling apologetically.
"Doesn't sound like I've got a shot at joining. Seems strict for a new transfer," Roy said, faking a sigh.
"Yeah, the president's picky. Tons of students apply, but she turns them down," Kiba admitted.
"Might check out the Student Council," Roy said casually.
"High schools there, don't do clubs, but we had student reps."
"Feels familiar."
"Student Council?" Kiba's face twitched.
'Why's he picking devil hotspots? Can't he go for something normal?'
"Roy, the Student Council's even stricter than my club," Kiba said, steering him.
"Maybe try other clubs first, get a feel for Kuoh, then think about the council."
"Other clubs?" Roy mused.
"How's the Kendo Club?"
---
Read advance chapters at:
patreon.com/verse7
Powerstones:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter