After they calmed down with a few deep breaths, I asked Rose, "Um... Rose, didn't you already take a bath?"
"I-I was reviewing that paper again... and then I got delayed getting into the bath... I thought a sauna might be nice for a change, and when I entered... W-Well... you two were in that state..."
I-I see... So she was still researching even after coming home. Hmm, I feel bad about this! Naturally, I couldn't complain about this, and Rias also had a complicated expression.
A heavy silence filled the sauna room.
Wh-What should I do...? Both Rias and I were already in the mood... stopping now would be a bit... But in front of Rose... More importantly, I feel sorry for Rose.
Then, Rose, her cheeks flushed, opened her mouth.
"U-Um!"
"What is it?"
"T-This way, I feel bad for both of you, or rather... it's like that... S-So... I too..."
"Eh?"
"C-Can I... join in?"
Time stopped for one second.
That one second felt like hours to me—
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
Rias's and my astonished voices echoed!
Eh, no way!? Rose is joining in!?
I grabbed Rose by the shoulders and said, "C-C-C-C-Calm down! That's too impulsive! This isn't something you decide on a whim!"
"I-I know! B-But, Grandma said great-grandchildren..."
"No, no, no! Even so! Great-grandchildren are too soon!"
"T-Then, at least for practice..."
"Practice...? You shouldn't think about it so lightly!"
"...Issei-kun... am I not good enough for you?"
"!"
"...I-I didn't decide this lightly either. ...I-If it's going to be that kind of relationship, then I want it to be with Issei-kun... Do you dislike me, Issei-kun?"
Th-That's... when you put it like that...!
Certainly, Rose is an attractive woman. If asked if I'd want her as my girlfriend, I'd immediately nod. The same goes for Rias. Especially since I know Rias has feelings for me. Rose is usually so strict about these kinds of things, so for her to say this, it must be her true feelings.
If that's the case, I want to respond to both of their feelings. I want to.
As I struggled for words, Rias and Rose sent me passionate gazes with moist eyes.
This is... this is—
I said nothing, and pushed both of them down—
[Miyu side]
After returning home from Auros Academy.
Alice-san and I were called by Ignis-san and were now gathered in Alice-san's room. When we entered, Ignis-san was already there.
"Miyu-chan, you're sooooo slow. I'm so tired of waiting, I've already had two beers!"
"Ahahaha... Alice-san, what is this...?"
"As you can see. She said she couldn't start talking until Miyu-chan arrived, so there. But Miyu-chan, you were late too. What were you doing?"
"Me? I had some business in the bathroom."
"In the bath? You already took one, though?"
"Um, I saw Rias-san go into the bath after big brother..."
"Ah, I see... That's what it is."
She understood just like that... The reason I was late was because I saw Rias-san go into the bath after big brother, so I made some preparations. I thought Rias-san might make a move on big brother tonight. Ever since big brother sucked her breasts, her gaze towards him has been different.
Ignis-san said, "As expected of Miyu-chan! So thoughtful!"
"I feel like she's too thoughtful, though," Alice-san said, holding a beer.
Well, it might not have been necessary, though. Ever since what happened in the infirmary, big brother has been keeping condoms in his own subspace.
When I sat on the bed, Alice-san handed me a glass.
"Miyu-chan, is orange juice okay?"
"Yes, thank you."
I took a sip of the orange juice Alice-san poured for me, then asked Ignis-san, "So, what did you want to talk to us about?"
"Come to think of it, you were about to say something at Auros Academy, is it related to that?" Alice-san added.
At that time, Ignis-san had a very serious expression, thinking about something, and seemed about to tell us something. But we had to deal with the Evil Dragon, and I missed hearing it. ...Could it be related to the Oppai Dragon? When big brother's clone appeared, she also said something outrageous with a serious face...
Ignis-san placed her beer on the table and stared intently at Alice-san and me. ...What is it? Ignis-san seems a little different from usual now. Alice-san must have thought the same, as she had a puzzled expression.
Then, Ignis-san opened her mouth.
"Hey, you two. After fighting Veeka-chan and Bell-chan, did you think you could win?"
"––––––!"
It was a sudden question. Could we win against those people...? The answer to that question, without even thinking, was—
"As we are now, it's impossible."
"That's right... It's frustrating, but they're incredibly formidable opponents." Alice-san bit her lip, looking regretful.
Alice-san had been completely defeated by Veeka once before. Her life wasn't taken then, but Veeka reportedly left with these words:
—If you stay like this, you'll just drag down the Hero-kun, you know?
These words were humiliating for Alice-san... and an undeniable truth. What if Alice-san had been taken hostage at that time? What if Alice-san had been brainwashed and became an enemy to big brother? She would undoubtedly be a hindrance to big brother. The same could be said for me; if I had fought Bell alone like that, I would have definitely lost.
Ignis-san said, "Their true strength could be considered God-class, don't you think? Well, their abilities are specialized, but they still possess immense power. The only one among you who can currently stand against them is Issei. With the EXA form he gained in this battle, there's a good chance of victory. However, that would place too great a burden on Issei. If things continue like this—he'll eventually collapse."
––––––!
Alice-san and I widened our eyes. Big brother is certainly strong. But there's a limit to what one person can do. That's why we vowed to support him... Yet, we haven't been able to help.
"Don't get too down. It's not like you're not helping at all. You're still a support for Issei. ...But when we consider future enemies, your current strength isn't enough."
"But then, that means we'll be dragging Issei down. ...I don't want that."
"I don't want to see big brother collapse either."
We don't want to lose big brother again because of our lack of power. We don't just want to be protected; we want to protect him. To do that—
"You want to get stronger, don't you?" Ignis-san said, as if seeing into our hearts. "Stronger than now. Strong enough to protect Issei, right?"
"That's right."
"Yeah."
As we nodded, Ignis-san smiled brightly. Then, she placed her hands on our shoulders.
"If you have that will, it's enough. You both have talent. Miyu-chan is a descendant of a Maou. And Alice-chan is chosen by the Spirit Spear 'Albris.'"
—Spirit Spear Albris.
The silver spear Alice-san uses. Alice-san's country, Odilia, is blessed by the Four Great Spirit Gods, beings close to gods who govern fire, water, earth, and wind. Albris is a legendary weapon passed down in Odilia. It is said to have been created with the power of the Four Great Spirit Gods, and its power is immense. It's said that if mastered, there's nothing it cannot pierce. Well, that's all I know about it.
As for Alice-san, she said, "My normal spears break quickly because they can't withstand my power, so I just used this spear. Huh, so I was chosen."
Th-That's too casual! Well, it is like Alice-san, I suppose!
"In Alice-chan's case, you are chosen, but it feels like it's not letting you use its true power. Anyway, that's why you both have talent. So, my proposal! This is something only you two can do."
Something only we can do...? Something only I, a descendant of a Maou, and Alice-san, chosen by the Spirit Spear, can do. What could it be...? We swallowed hard.
And then—
"How about you two... become 'Gods'?"
"...Huh!?"
It was a proposal that far exceeded our expectations.
[Miyu side out]
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