"Ugh... I'm beat..."
Thud
After wrapping up the study session and my devil duties, I dove onto my bed.
I'm seriously exhausted... Not physically, mind you, but mentally.
There's another late-night study session coming up. With midterms at the academy and the high-class devil promotion exam looming, I'm pushing myself to the limit.
Right now, Miu and the other girls are preparing a late-night snack to recharge before the next round of studying. They're all staying up late every day to help me out—Rias, Akeno, and Ravel with the promotion exam, and Miu and Asia with the midterms. I'm truly grateful.
...Okay, I might've snuck out of class to nap in the infirmary during the day, but cut me some slack!
Everyone's doing so much for me. I can't afford to complain. I'll rest a bit, then get back to it.
I set an alarm on my phone and close my eyes. A quick nap always helps me stay sharp later. The only risk is sleeping through the alarm, which I absolutely can't let happen.
"Ddraig, wake me up when it's time."
["Got it. I'll call out when the alarm goes off."]
"Thanks, man."
Just as I was about to drift off—
Click
The door creaked open.
"Huh? Snack's ready already? That was fast."
I glanced over, expecting food, but there stood Koneko-chan in a white robe, her cat ears and tail out in full nekomata mode.
She'd been feeling off and skipped school and devil duties today. I tried adjusting her spiritual energy since it seemed slightly off, but...
Her flushed cheeks suggested my efforts didn't do much. And there was a certain... allure in her expression.
Koneko-chan approached, her face dreamy, and she lifted the hem of her robe.
...Wait, she's not wearing anything underneath!?
No panties!?
I couldn't hide my shock, my jaw dropping. She just waltzed in and—bam—no panties! Anyone would be floored!
I couldn't help but stare, but I quickly shook my head. "K-Koneko-chan!?"
She let her robe fall open, climbed onto the bed, straddled me, and clung to me. Her ragged breaths filled the air, her small, soft, slightly sweaty body pressed against mine.
"...Senpai... I ache..."
Her sensual whisper in my ear sent shivers down my spine. Then she grabbed my hand and placed it on her chest. Small, but unmistakably soft.
"...Nya... Senpai..."
What the hell's going on!?
Koneko-chan's clingy, sure, but this is way out of character!
Her rough, cat-like tongue grazed my neck. She was licking me!
"Koneko-chan!?" When did she learn to use her tongue like that!?
Her eyes, filled with longing, met mine as she murmured, "...Senpai's... ah..."
"What?"
She looked me dead in the eyes and said, "I want a baby."
...
...
...WHAT!?
A BABY!?
We're still students—! No, that's not the point! What's wrong with her!?
Koneko-chan shed her robe completely, now stark naked and still straddling me, her body pressing against mine in all the wrong places.
Then—
"Ise, the snack's ready—oh my."
Ignis walked in.
Perfect timing! Maybe she can stop Koneko-chan!
...Or so I thought, foolishly.
"I see. A little pre-study workout? Good idea. Hold on, I'll grab the others—"
"WAIT, NOOOO!" My scream echoed through the house.
"It's her nekomata mating cycle."
That was the first thing Sensei said after rushing over, summoned by the others.
We called in Abe-senpai, a third-year beast tamer from Kuoh Academy, to check on Koneko-chan. Her diagnosis: Koneko-chan's instincts were in overdrive, urging her to reproduce.
She's now resting in her room, calmed by a potion Abe-senpai prepared.
"Mating cycle, huh..."
I don't know if it's exactly like a cat's, but it explains why adjusting her energy didn't work. It's a primal instinct.
"Nekomata females enter a mating cycle periodically once they're capable of bearing children," Sensei explained. "Their instincts kick in, driving them to mate with a male they favor—usually of a different species. In this case, that's you, Ise."
"Me...?" I pointed at myself, and Sensei nodded.
"Koneko's a rare nekomata—a nekomata spirit. A child with the Red Dragon Emperor would be ideal. But... she's still young."
"You mean her body's not ready for a baby, right?"
"Exactly. Childbirth is risky for an immature body, human or youkai. If Koneko got pregnant now, both she and the baby could die during delivery."
So, she needs more time before she can safely have kids. It's possible, but dangerous.
But if her body's not mature, why's her mating cycle kicking in so early? Even Abe-senpai said it was premature.
"Why would her instincts—"
"Easy," Ignis cut in, drawing everyone's attention. "Ever since you and Miu got closer, Rias, Akeno, and the others have been more... forward with you. Koneko saw that and got worked up. 'I can't lose,' you know?"
My relationship with Miu triggered this...? Since the school trip, everyone's been more aggressive, true.
Rias murmured, "Our actions pushed Koneko into her mating cycle..."
"And," Ignis added, "that 'punishment' you gave her might've played a part."
"Hey!" That was your idea after the school festival, holding Ddraig hostage! He was begging for help! And why was everyone so into it!?
"You made Koneko feel really good—"
"STOP! Don't say another word, you useless goddess, or I'm seriously gonna lose it!"
She grinned. "Okay, fine. You made her super happy—"
"Changing the wording doesn't make it okay!"
This goddess always ruins the mood! And some of the girls are blushing—remembering that day!?
Sensei sighed, exasperated by the broken tension. "We don't know the exact cause, but suppressing her cycle with drugs long-term could mess with her instincts."
True. Over-relying on medicine might harm her body.
"The best thing is for Ise to hold out until Koneko's cycle stabilizes."
"Uh... yeah, I guess."
"It might be tempting, but resist. If you give in, Koneko could die. Think about that."
Resist temptation... Easier said than done when a girl's coming on to you like that. This is torture!
As I groaned, Ignis approached. "Ise, here's a little something for emergencies."
She handed me... a sealed plastic packet.
...
My brain froze. The room's atmosphere iced over.
Ignis smirked. "For when you can't resist♪ Gotta use modern tools in times like these♪"
She dangled ten of them.
Miu gasped. "Hey! Those are mine!"
"WHAT!?" Everyone except Miu and Ignis shouted in unison.
Why does Ignis have Miu's!? Why does Miu have them!?
"M-Miu...?" I stammered.
She blushed. "W-Well... Kiryu-san gave them to me... for, you know, us...?"
Us...? What!?
Kiryu, you again!?
Meanwhile, with Kiryu-san...
"Those siblings are probably going at it by now~ Maybe I should've given them twenty more, considering Asia and the others."
She was diligently studying for midterms.
End Kiryu-san interlude.
Ignis chuckled, hand on her chin. "This Kiryu kid's got style. We'd get along."
Yeah, you two perverts would!
"But she's soft. I'd have prepped ten per person, including Alice and the others."
Ten per person!? What do you think I am!?
Ignis put a hand on Miu's shoulder. "Miu, hold back for Koneko's sake."
"Y-Yeah... I'll hold back for Koneko..."
Wait, Miu's the one holding back!? Not me!?
Even Sensei looked stunned. "...Anyway, Ise, no baby-making with Koneko."
"Got it..."
"Good. Oh, Akeno," Sensei turned to her. "Barakiel's given his approval. I'm fine with it too. It's up to you now."
"My father... I see. Understood. If Gasper's working hard, I will too."
Akeno's face was resolute. Rias seemed to know what was up, but... did Akeno ask her dad for something?
Sensei nodded. "Alright. Now, everyone, one more thing."
His tone grew serious. "Tomorrow, we're expecting a visitor at this house. Rias, I need your approval."
"A visitor? First I'm hearing of it."
"Sorry about that."
So, Rias has the final say on this house, huh?
"You'll probably be upset with this visitor. Maybe even murderous."
Murderous!? Who's coming!?
Everyone exchanged shocked glances.
Rias frowned. "Don't tell me it's Vali and his team?"
Vali's group is part of a terrorist faction, so that'd stir some grumbling. But murderous?
"Half-right," Sensei said.
"Half? Someone else is coming?"
"Yeah. The problem's with them. I'm asking you not to attack. Just hear them out."
"That's all?"
"That's all. If it goes well, this could be a game-changer. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Please."
He bowed his head. For Sensei to go this far...
Who the hell's coming?
Full of questions, we'd meet this "visitor" the next morning.
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