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Chapter 98 - Chapter 96: Drink, But Don’t Be Drunk

"Everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Alice Oudiria, first princess of this kingdom. I'm twenty, same age as Issei. Two years ago, I traveled with him, Morris, and Lisha—who's not here. Pleasure to meet you all," Alice said, introducing herself.

"I haven't introduced myself either," Nina added. "I'm Nina Oudiria, seventeen, Alice's younger sister and second princess. Nice to meet you!"

Watching them, I couldn't help but notice… Nina's chest has grown insanely. That cleavage—wow! Absolutely stunning!

"Issei, where are you looking?" Alice asked, giving me a deadpan stare.

"Just, uh, feeling nostalgic…" I stammered.

"Really?" she pressed, sparks practically crackling around her.

Honest, I swear! Please, no lightning!

Kiba turned to Nina. "You didn't travel with them?"

"Nope," Nina said. "Unlike my sister, I'm not a fighter. While they were off adventuring, I helped rebuild the country and worked on policies with the townsfolk."

"You were fifteen then, right? That's impressive," Kiba said.

Nina blushed, clearly flattered. But she's seriously sharp—her efforts basically kept the kingdom running, letting us travel without worry.

Alice scanned our group. "You brought quite a crowd."

"Haha, yeah, didn't expect it to get this big," I said.

"And all beauties…" Alice muttered, sounding a bit miffed.

Okay, the Occult Research Club girls are gorgeous, and life with them is a blast. But something felt off…

"Wait a sec," I said. "Gasper's a guy, despite appearances."

"What!?" Alice, Nina, and Morris exclaimed in unison.

Gasper's beauty-queen looks throw everyone off.

I glanced at Valkyria—she was silent, eyes wide. The ever-cool Valkyria, rattled? That's a rare sight!

"Gasper," I said, "you're something else."

"What?" he replied, confused.

Morris clapped. "Lots to catch up on, but first, eat! You're all hungry, right?"

Maids laid out a feast on the long table. It was lunchtime, and I was starving. The local dishes, some unique to this world, caught everyone's interest.

I sat between Alice and Nina, with Morris, Azazel-sensei, and Tiamat across from us.

"Azazel, Tiamat, you two drink?" Morris asked, pulling out a bottle.

"Hell yeah," Azazel-sensei said.

"I'll partake," Tiamat added.

He poured them glasses. Daytime drinking? Bold move.

"Morris, drinking at noon?" Alice chided.

"It's fine once in a while," Morris said. "We're celebrating a reunion! Here, Alice, have some."

She sighed. "Fine. Issei, you too."

"Sure," I said.

Alcohol, huh? Back home, I stuck to the underage excuse, so I've never tried it. Might as well sip a little.

Alice poured me a glass. Sniffing it, I caught a floral scent—nice!

"Is this your first time drinking, Issei?" Alice asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Underage back home."

"Right, you mentioned that," she said. "It's weird—three years here, but time didn't pass in your world."

Exactly. That time freeze saved my bacon more than once.

"To our reunion!" Alice toasted.

"Cheers!" we echoed, clinking glasses.

I took a sip—surprisingly good! Booze ain't bad.

The girls stuck to juice or tea, being underage. Alice, though, was already holding out her glass. "Morris, refill."

Already!? Second glass?

Morris poured, grinning. "Alice can drink. She beat me in a contest once."

She outdrank him? That's hardcore!

Alice smirked. "Wanna try, Issei?"

"Nah, I'm good," I said. A rookie like me against a pro? No way!

She downed her second glass and dug into the food, chugging like she hadn't just scolded Morris. Same age as me, but that pace is wild!

"I was shocked," Alice said. "You're not even human anymore—a demon now?"

"Had my share of adventures," I said.

"Adventures, huh?" she said. "Ddraig told me you've had it rough."

Yeah, big battles, near-death moments—peace talks, terrorists, Loki. That guy was a nightmare: Fenrir's bites, Loki's slashes, and a damn bomb drop!

"But I'm happy," I said. "Life with everyone's great."

"Everyone?" Alice asked. "You live with all of them?"

"Not Kiba, Gasper, or Azazel-sensei," I said. "Started with Miu, then Asia, Rias, and it snowballed into a big family."

Had to remodel the house, but it's lively every day. No regrets about becoming a demon… well, maybe that one moment meeting Mil-tan.

"Got it," Alice said softly, her cheeks flushed—probably the booze. Her smile made my heart skip, and damn, she smelled amazing.

"Your face is red, big brother," Nina teased. "Got a crush on my sister?"

"N-No, just the alcohol!" I laughed.

Sharp, Nina! She's got my number.

She scooped some food and held it to my mouth. "Say 'ahh'!"

Here it is—Nina's "ahh"! A two-year reunion special!

"Ahh," I said.

"Good?" she asked.

"Delicious!" I grinned.

A piercing stare hit me. Oh no…

"Big brother…" Miu whimpered, teary-eyed again.

Sorry, Miu! Forgive me today!

"No fair, Nina," Alice said. "Here, Issei, my turn—ahh!"

What!? Alice doing "ahh"!? She's never done this! Is she drunk?

"Morris, what's going on?" I asked.

"She's plastered," he said.

"I thought she could hold her liquor!" I said.

"She can," he replied, "but that much would floor anyone."

Behind her, empty bottles rolled—over ten! She drank all that? I'm only on my third glass!

Someone should've stopped her! I didn't notice either, but still!

"She was hyped to see you," Morris said. "Drank three times faster than usual."

"What is she, a red comet!?" I yelled, pointing at her flushed face.

Drunk Alice wasn't slowing down. She grabbed my head, pressing it into her chest.

Mmmph! Her breasts—not as big as Nina's, but plenty assertive!

"They're small, but I've got 'em, right?" she slurred.

This isn't Alice! She's a whole new person!

But damn, I'm loving it! Drunk, sexy Alice is a win!

"Never seen her this gone," Morris said. "Valkyria, stop her before it's too late."

"Understood," Valkyria said, stepping behind Alice.

Thwack! A precise chop to Alice's neck, and she went limp.

"Just knocked her out lightly," Valkyria said. "She'll wake soon."

Valkyria's scary good—perfect strength, perfect spot. She's a master at everything.

"Guess her stress exploded," Morris said. "She's been swamped lately. Let her cut loose."

Cut loose? This is overboard!

Alice slept peacefully in my arms. She's had it tough, huh?

"Issei, take her to her room," Morris said. "You know where it is."

"Me? Sure, but…" I hesitated, worried she'd kill me later.

No choice. I lifted her gently.

A chilling pressure hit me. The girls were staring, their smiles terrifying.

I'm dead later, aren't I?

"This is gonna be a hell of a show!" Morris laughed.

"Do your best, Issei!" Azazel-sensei added. "We'll watch the chaos!"

Shut up, you old geezers! How much are you gonna roast me?

I'll punch you with Tenbu!

"Do it, partner!" Ddraig roared. "I'm ready! They mocked Oppai Dragon!"

See? Even Ddraig's pissed!

I carried Alice out, dreading what came next.

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