During the days of the opening ceremony and club activities, we in the D×D group spent most of our time exchanging greetings with various high-ranking officials. The remaining winter break was then spent individually, some returning to their hometowns, others going on short trips. Issei, for his part, had returned with his parents and Asia to his grandmother's home in the countryside. There, he somehow ran into Seekvaira and a vampire named Elmenhilde, who were apparently there for a "model kit raid" and official duties. And, as usual, things escalated into a battle against an upper-class vampire obsessed with plastic models.
Yeah, I still don't really get it. Interestingly, Seekvaira and that vampire, both fellow model-kit enthusiasts, didn't bond at all. Instead, they clashed violently over subtle differences in their "otaku philosophies." Seekvaira, despite being the same cool, glasses-wearing type like Sona, apparently had a deep love for robots. Rumor says it was thanks to the education of the current Archduke of House Agares. Well, it's just a hobby. A little strange maybe, but nothing worth complaining about.
And so, the third term began, the afternoon of the opening ceremony. Under the leadership of Asia, our new club president, our first club activity of the term began. Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai were not present. They had decided to refrain from visiting the club room until the new system stabilized, saying it wouldn't be right for former seniors to interfere too much. For now, they were in the third-year classroom chatting with Sona President and Tsubaki-senpai. The student council still hadn't held elections for their successors, so Sona President and her group still had a bit of leftover work, mostly handover duties.
As for Asia, even when someone called her "President," she sometimes didn't immediately realize they were talking to her. It was decided that we would respect Rias-senpai's former club policy for now, while gradually adjusting things and introducing new ideas. Next came the topic of new members.
"Hey, what should we do about new recruits? Our club is basically tied directly to our devil activities. Wouldn't it be hard for normal students to join unless they know the hidden world?"
"Is that so? Most clubs end in the evening anyway. Even if a normal student joined, we could just relocate our base or pretend to leave, then regroup later in the clubroom. It would be troublesome, yes, but not impossible."
"I agree, but it would feel like we're deceiving them." From an outsider's perspective, it would probably look like we were isolating someone in a bullying kind of way.
"In that case, I do have two candidates," Ravel said as she stepped in gracefully. "It seems that Mr. Le Fay and Mr. Bennia are enrolling in Kuoh Academy this spring. Bennia is uncertain, but Le Fay has expressed interest in joining our Occult Research Club."
Both Le Fay and Bennia are fans of the "Oppai Dragon," after all. Bennia had once considered joining the Sitri peerage through the student council, but her laid-back personality probably wouldn't fit that environment. If Xenovia became student council president, that might change things, but for now, nothing was certain.
"So Xenovia is still in talks, huh." Issei sighed and turned his attention to the absent member. Xenovia and Irina were currently in another unused classroom with Kiryuu, discussing tomorrow's student council election strategy. While the church trio and Kiryuu got along well, Asia had chosen to prioritize her responsibilities as club president.
Just then, "Heyyyy! Check it out! I picked out Xenovia's campaign outfit!" Kiryuu burst into the clubroom dramatically. BOOM! She turned with exaggerated flair as if announcing a grand reveal.
"Hmph. How do I look?" Xenovia stepped out wearing a noble-style medieval European outfit, male attire. A "handsome cross-dressing noblewoman." It looked like she would instantly attract cheers from the female student body.
"Hmm, not bad. Though I guess it's like putting fancy clothes on a monkey."
"Hey, Irina, that's not a compliment."
"Hey, Issei! If Xenovia used charm magic or something like that, she'd be unbeatable!"
"That's true, wait, no! She can't do that to normal students!"
Everyone burst into laughter. "Ahahaha!" "Ahahah-ha, huh?" Issei suddenly froze. "It was to make sure I wouldn't be noticed while I was sightseeing at the Red Dragon Emperor's house. You see, you were training techniques before bed, right? I figured my concealment technique would be exposed if I got too close."
So that's why he came early. Magari must have warned him after learning Issei was meditating using the "Ittou Shura" technique. If things had gone wrong, Kuoh Town might've gone into full emergency alert mode. Still, it's hard to say whether sneaking in is right or wrong. After all, surprise inspections reveal truths you wouldn't normally see. And technically, higher-ups had already approved it. From our perspective on the ground, though, it was hard to accept.
"So basically, you're asking us to just look the other way?" In other words: "I'm going to illegally enter Issei's house next, so thanks in advance." Azazel-sensei and probably Sirzechs had given permission, but it was still unauthorized entry. No matter how you spin it.
After escorting Nurarihyon off toward Issei's house, Kuroka collapsed onto the tatami. "Nyahhh, finally gone." She lay flat on her back, completely exhausted. "If I knew ahead of time, I would've killed time properly."
"You say that, but he's technically an ally."
"Exactly because he is. I can't relax around him, it's exhausting." She absentmindedly rubbed her shoulder while lying down, causing her chest to shift slightly with the motion.
I forcibly averted my gaze. Just in case that stealth old man came back unexpectedly.
"Still, you don't act that formal with Magari-sama, do you?"
"I've known Magari-sama since I was little. It's different. You can't be casual with someone you barely know but who's in a position of authority."
That makes sense. The issue is distance and lack of familiarity.
"No, that's not it," Shirone said firmly. "Kuroka should be more respectful to elders in general."
"She's right. We'll likely be invited to more formal gatherings in the future."
"I'm fine. If it's too formal, I'll just skip it or stay near the food." That's one way to avoid social obligations.
After that, we went to bed. Tomorrow, Kunou would arrive, and according to Nurarihyon, anti-peace factions might appear. Kuroka even reinforced the room with a barrier before sleeping. Honestly, I understood the feeling.
Since school had been on Friday, today was a holiday. After breakfast, everyone gathered at my house to welcome Kunou. Just then, a red torii gate appeared above the magic circle in the transfer room. Kunou had arrived, alongside her were two fox attendants carrying wrapped gifts.
"Happy New Year, everyone! I'm glad we could meet again so soon!"
At the same time, I noticed something. Of everyone here, one person was particularly excited. "O-Ophis!"
"Kunou!" The two of them rushed toward each other, holding hands like children reunited after a long time.
Meanwhile, Rias-senpai brought up something serious. Apparently, Issei's group had a strange encounter the previous night with an unfamiliar old man, and they all experienced the same dreamlike haze. Which meant it wasn't a dream.
"So it really was Nurarihyon." I muttered.
From the corner of the room, "Hoho, you noticed faster than expected." He appeared. The stealth had been lifted. Everyone immediately went on alert.
"Kunou, is that really him?"
"Yes. There's no doubt." Rias and Akeno exchanged looks. "So Azazel was involved again."
I immediately threw him under the bus. Problem solved.
Nurarihyon explained everything again, just like last night. Then he dropped the main point, "I want your help in the final step of forming an alliance. I want to see how you fight."
"We will cooperate," I replied. "Shall we gather everyone?"