The halls of Kuoh Academy were alive with their usual life—noise, laughter, the rustle of textbooks. But for me, this trek down the familiar floors was soured by the presence of the Student Council Vice President, Tsubaki Shinra, walking beside me with an impassive look, and the black rabbit, stubbornly perched on my shoulder. Being summoned to the student council over a "pet" seemed like the height of absurdity after everything that had happened recently.
"By the way, Izayoi-san," Tsubaki suddenly broke the silence, her voice was level and businesslike, but there were notes of… respect? "Congratulations on your recent victory. Rumors of your duel have spread quickly. You made an impression."
I glanced at her briefly. What duel was she talking about? With Riser? In any case, her awareness wasn't surprising—the student council was clearly in the loop on many events.
"Thanks," I tossed out curtly. "Though it was more entertainment than a victory."
Tsubaki just nodded slightly, not delving into details. We reached the familiar door with the "Student Council" plaque. She opened it and let me in first. The rabbit on my shoulder twitched its ears nervously, sensing the strict atmosphere.
The office was just as impeccably tidy as last time. Behind a massive desk sat Sona Sitri, the Student Council President. Her black hair was neatly styled, and her gaze behind her glasses was sharp and attentive. A few other council members stood nearby, but they were silent, playing the role of extras.
"Izayoi Jin," Sona gestured to the chair opposite her. "Have a seat. Tsubaki, thank you, you're dismissed."
The vice president nodded and exited silently, closing the door behind her. I sat. The rabbit hopped from my shoulder to my lap, looking around warily.
"So," Sona began in a calm, even tone, folding her hands on the desk. "The reason for your summons is, I assume, known to you."
She nodded at the rabbit, which immediately tried to hide behind my arm.
"Kuoh Academy's rules forbid bringing pets onto school grounds without special authorization. Your… companion... is a violation of this."
I was silent, waiting to see where she was going with this.
"I understand, Izayoi-san, that you are an extraordinary individual," she continued, her gaze direct and discerning. "Your abilities, your power, are beyond the ordinary. And I appreciate the assistance you've provided in recent incidents, albeit unofficially. But rules are rules. Especially those concerning order and safety within the walls of this institution."
She paused, giving me a chance to respond.
"He's not a pet," I finally said. "He's a familiar. He attached himself to me."
"A familiar, unregistered and not bound by an official contract, is no different from a pet from a rules standpoint," Sona countered, without a hint of a smile. "And his presence here is a violation. One that I, as Student Council President, am obligated to address."
There it is. The game was on. She knew she couldn't take me with threats or force. So she decided to come at me through formalities, through bureaucracy.
"However," she continued, her tone softening slightly, "I also understand that your position is unique. And your power could be... useful... for maintaining stability in this city and at this school. Therefore, I am prepared to compromise."
She leaned forward, her gaze growing even more intent.
"I am offering you a chance to join the Student Council. Not as a regular member, of course. But as… let's say, an independent consultant for special situations. You would not report to me directly in a hierarchical sense; you would retain your freedom of action. But you would be officially associated with us, able to receive information and coordinate your actions with ours in the event of a threat. And in exchange… I will turn a blind eye to the presence of your… familiar. And to certain other minor infractions of the charter that might arise due to your... specifics."
A clever move. She was offering me official status, access to information, and some freedom from the rules in exchange for formal loyalty and the ability to use my power for the student council's interests (and thus, the Sitri clan's). All under the guise of solving the rabbit problem.
I had already opened my mouth to give my standard answer—that I don't submit to anyone, don't join organizations, and I decide who I help and when…
But Sona beat me to it. She raised a hand, stalling my protest.
"Before you refuse, Izayoi-san, allow me to remind you of one important point." Her voice became firmer, with a hint of steel. "You may be incredibly strong. You may be able to ignore our laws and hierarchies. But here, within the walls of Kuoh Academy, you are a student. An ordinary student, subject to the rules of this educational institution. And I am the Student Council President, responsible for order and the enforcement of those rules. You aren't breaking the laws of the Underworld. You are breaking the simple, human rules of this school. And I have every right to demand compliance. Or apply the appropriate sanctions. Think about it."
Her words hit unexpectedly hard. She wasn't trying to pressure me with power or demonic authority. She was appealing to something else—to the rules of the human world, to my status as a student, to her formal authority here, in this school. And it… worked. I felt… stupid? Me, capable of fighting Satans, arguing with a student council president over a rabbit? Absurd. But she was right. Formally, she had every right to kick me out of school for violating the rules. And arguing the point would be beneath me.
I fell silent, stunned by her argument. She really was smart. She'd found my vulnerability—not in power, but in status. I stood up and walked to the window, trying to gather my thoughts.
Outside, a normal school day was underway. Students were walking in the courtyard, laughing, kicking a ball. The sun was shining… Wait. What is that?
My gaze snagged on a strange scene unfolding near the main entrance to the old club building. A semi-transparent barrier enveloped the entire building and the surrounding area. Two girls. One with blue hair and a large sword on her back. The other with brown pigtails. They were standing opposite… Issei. They looked aggressive, demanding something from him. Issei was trying to make excuses, waving his arms. A typical situation for him—getting into trouble.
And then Issei did something unimaginable. He yelled something like "Secret technique!" and made a sharp thrusting motion with his hand. And the clothes on both girls—their prim dresses or whatever they were wearing—ripped… to shreds. Evaporated. Leaving them standing in the middle of the schoolyard completely naked, shocked, and crimson.
I froze. My normally impassive face, probably for the first time in a long time, must have twitched. I had seen a lot of weird things in this world, but this… This level of perversion, applied as a combat technique… It was beyond the pale. My brain refused to process it.
I heard the girls shriek something about a "pervert" and charge Issei with their swords and light-weapons. He ran off, howling, as they chased him across the courtyard.
I yanked the cord on the blinds, snapping them shut. I did not need to see that.
I turned back to Sona. My face, I assume, was still frozen in an expression of utter bewilderment mixed with disgust.
"Fine, Sitri," I said, my voice hollow. "I agree. I'll join your student council as a consultant. On the condition that I'm not bothered with trivialities and you stay out of my personal affairs. And yes, the rabbit stays with me."
Sona Sitri allowed herself a faint, barely perceptible smile. A victorious smile.
"Excellent, Izayoi-san. I'm glad we'll be working together. I am certain it will be productive. Tsubaki will prepare the necessary formalities."