One could only say Rias's flash of inspiration organizing this beach volleyball tournament was fortunate—it prevented anyone from questioning Bokue's half-day absence.
After all, with tonight's first shift on the line, every participant was giving their absolute best to claim that position.
When Bokue emerged from the villa, he saw a sturdy barrier rising high across the beach before the entrance. Inside the arena, the competition had reached its most intense moment.
On the left side, the fox sisters—Yasaka and Hagoromo-Gitsune—wielded nine tails each for a total of eighteen white-and-gold fox tails interlacing like an impenetrable net defending their line.
The right side featured Kuroka and Nagisa leading the offense. Both girls' forms flickered repeatedly through midair, creating afterimages as they returned the volleyball sent back by the fox sisters countless times.
What should have been a team confrontation had completely devolved into these four's private match. Other girls had either exhausted their stamina and could only rest on the sidelines, or found themselves unable to keep up with the escalating intensity and were forced to withdraw.
It gave off strong vibes of that Ant King versus Chairman Netero battle from Hunter x Hunter.
Naturally, the person maintaining the defensive barrier was Grayfia.
This silver-haired head maid—who always presented a steady, reliable image publicly—currently stood outside the villa's main entrance, hands folded and hanging before her skirt, gaze calmly watching the ongoing volleyball tournament inside the barrier.
Someone had to maintain the barrier like this.
Even though all participants had tacitly agreed not to use magic or techniques—competing purely through physical strength—considering that everyone still on the field possessed Satan-class power without exception, proper protective measures remained quite necessary.
Especially since one had even reached Transcendent level. At this magnitude, if someone accidentally hit the ball flying toward the house or forest, the next step would be planning the resort island's reconstruction.
Emerging from the villa's main entrance, Bokue shielded his eyes from the blazing sunlight overhead while approaching Grayfia's side, his left hand steadily settling on the skirt behind the silver-haired maid.
"This competition intensity... is it really necessary to take it this seriously?"
"Of course—after all, they all placed bets before the match."
Noticing the sensation at her maid skirt, Grayfia's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Bets? Uh, right."
Bokue hesitated briefly but ultimately chose not to pursue the bet's contents.
After all, judging by their current display of effort, the stakes could only be that one thing.
Though... mm, right.
"Lady Venelana..."
"Mother-in-law arrived long ago. She's resting in the parlor now."
"Mm..."
Hearing the word "resting," Grayfia understood instantly without needing further thought.
It was only noon now, and situations requiring Lady Venelana to rest obviously had only one possibility.
Meanwhile, the match continued on the field. Bokue passed the silver-haired head maid to reach the barrier's edge, clapping his hands.
"That's about enough—time to eat."
"Wait! Give us ten more minutes... no, just five!"
Inside the barrier, Kuroka's voice—her form a blur—stretched out in the whipped-up gale.
"We haven't decided the winner yet! How can we stop here? Victory must be mine~"
"...So stop fighting over that thing and just eat first."
Hm?
Hearing these words, Kuroka seemed to realize something. Her movements paused briefly before she actually stopped.
She landed lightly, coming to the barrier's edge to face the young man outside. Then she poked her head through the barrier, closing her eyes while leaning toward him and sniffing carefully.
Yet simultaneously, the volleyball tournament inside the barrier didn't stop. What had been a two-on-two doubles match became instantly precarious for Nagisa alone after losing Kuroka.
"K-Kuroka-neesan, where are you going? The match isn't over! I can't handle this alone—don't forfeit like this! If we just hold on, final victory will definitely be ours!"
"Mm... forget it, forget it. Nothing left worth fighting for~"
Reopening her eyes and withdrawing her neck, Kuroka seemed to lose all competitive spirit in an instant. Pouting, she waved dismissively, indicating her forfeit.
She stepped across the soft sand underfoot, slowly exiting the barrier. Then her legs suddenly powered up in a mighty leap toward Bokue, transforming into a facehugger as hands, feet, and both cat tails latched onto the young man. Drenched in fragrant sweat, she rubbed vigorously against him.
"So that's why Bokue took so long to come out! Hmph, watch me thoroughly overwrite this scent..."
???
Kuroka's voice wasn't loud, so others couldn't hear her specific words—they could only see a certain cat-eared girl suddenly forfeit before suddenly latching onto Bokue.
What is this—childish pouting?
Just then, Grayfia—who'd returned to the villa during Kuroka's facehugger tantrum—emerged from inside, approaching the red-haired girl to whisper in her ear.
"Lady Rias, your mother Lady Venelana is currently inside. Do you think perhaps..."
"Eh?"
Completely unprepared for such sudden news, Rias couldn't help but freeze.
"Mom came?"
"Correct."
The silver-haired head maid bowed slightly.
"Lady Venelana is currently waiting in the parlor."
"I... see??"
Though completely baffled why her mother would suddenly arrive at this timing, seeing Grayfia's expression suggested no joke. Rias had to choose belief.
After all, given Grayfia-neesan's personality, she'd never make such boring, people-fooling jokes.
"Understood. I'll go now."
Leaving these words, Rias turned and entered the villa.
Scene transition—when the red-haired girl passed through the entrance to reach the inner parlor, she saw her mother currently seated at the dining table, likewise wearing only a swimsuit, holding a cup of warm water and sipping in small mouthfuls.
Rias was utterly shocked.
"M-Mom? Why did you suddenly come? And dressed like this..."
"Mm, because there's a small matter."
Venelana set down her water cup, pressing her moistened lips together with a smile.
Except her cheeks' color was so flushed it made one strongly suspect she'd just finished aerobic exercise.
Including how her voice when speaking also sounded somewhat strange.
Vaguely sensing something off, Rias furrowed her brow slightly while carefully examining the mother before her.
But Venelana maintained her smile, legs pressing together slightly beneath the table at an angle her daughter couldn't see.
"Actually, your brother should have come, but Sirzechs has been too busy recently. So he asked me to come instead, and incidentally... I could also see you, Rias~♡"
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