On the Shinkansen bound for Kyoto, second-year students from Kuoh Academy were making their way to their school trip. I sat next to Issei, naturally, since we were grouped with Matsuda and Motohama, we ended up close by.
It felt like deja vu, almost the same male composition as in middle school trips: a testament to our enduring camaraderie.
We rotated a cluster of four seats to face each other: Issei, Yuuto, Xenovia, and myself. Though Yuuto was from a different class, he'd joined us briefly to finalize the trip details.
"So, you've left Durandal at the church? No weapon with you now?"
Xenovia had just informed us she was "unarmed." Subtle mental wards kept others from noticing our conversation.
"Yes. They've suppressed Durandal's destructive aura while preserving its power. But sometimes I joke that it's still running me."
"I got it. If anything happens, I can lend Ascalon," I offered.
"Couldn't you store another sword in your pocket dimension? A backup weapon might be useful."
My weapons were divine artifacts, if unusable, I'd resort to martial arts.
"True. Our swords are divine, so they're durable, but each time Durandal is tweaked, I lose it. We can't always rely on Issei or you."
Yuuto's point weighed on Xenovia.
"Agreed. But I can't use just any blade. We can't borrow a holy sword from anywhere on a whim."
Yeah, you can't exactly walk in and ask to borrow Excalibur's lesser sibling.
"Then… for now, carry this," I said, and quietly pulled out the wooden practice sword I'd been swinging since Toyako, the "Star-smasher."
"That's the wooden sword Issei got from a hermit, right? It feels more… significant," Yuuto observed.
He misunderstood, but over time it grew subtly divine, absorbing my blood-soaked swings and spiritual energy. Used correctly by Xenovia, it won't snap easily.
"Thanks. This is inconspicuous in Kyoto, and I heard it's tradition for students on trips to join sword-battles at tourist spots. Good for claiming priority."
Good grief, lock and load at tourist traps, or face the wrath of rival classes?
"Anyway, we have Issei's route info now. I'll head back to Ascalon, Irina, and Asia, I hear there's night-time events at the hotel."
Yuuto and Xenovia returned to their groups. Issei turned to me, tilting his head.
"Hey, Ikki, did our schedule say anything about hotel events at night?"
"Why are you so innocent sometimes? Are you an angel now?"
We both knew exactly what "hotel advice from Kiryuu" meant.
"I'm a demon, of course."
When I returned from the restroom, I caught Matsuda grabbing Motohama's chest.
"Uoooo!!! Boobies!!!"
"Matsuda, what the hell? Men's boobs don't count!"
"I… I don't know! I just had a sudden urge!"
Girls in the class shrieked and cheered, some backed this development, claiming Matsuda × Motohama is canon. One even praised them as a precious "fujoshi dream pairing."
Their fandom might be beyond saving.
Despite the chaos, we reached Kyoto. Walking out of the station:
"Wow! The ceiling is so high, it feels expansive!"
"Look, Kyoto Tower! I've always wanted to go up there."
"Will we see Kokono again?"
Our Church trio beamed with anticipation.
"Kokono joins on day three. We'll treat her like royalty, not a tour guide for four days straight."
"Stop staring, let's check in," Kiryuu teased, and we headed to the luxury "Sirzechs Hotel" a few minutes away.
Everyone was awestruck, even Motohama looked heaven-struck holding a sleek card key.
After Rossweisse-sensei's safety briefing, seriously focused on 100‑yen shop etiquette, we split by gender floors. Issei and I got a special halfway room. Apparently, we could quickly regroup discreetly if needed. Lucky us, not sleeping on tatami.
Once we dropped our bags, we met the gang at the lobby and headed to Fushimi Inari Shrine. With limited time, we planned to visit one or two main spots.
Climbing through souvenir shops, Issei nudged me.
"Hey, Ikki… do you come to Fushimi Inari often? With foxes and all?"
"Not really. I come to Kyoto occasionally, but only here during New Year's. It's not exactly a casual hangout, and Yaska-san and Kokono prefer less formal events when I'm around."
That makes sense, I'm something of an event magnet for them.
We wrapped up sightseeing and returned to the hotel. While eating kaiseki dinner, I sensed something off below…
Matsuda and Motohama were sneaking toward the women's bath. I sighed.
Time to step in, old habit after four years and a half. I told Issei I'd step out; he nodded halfheartedly.
Downstairs, I found Saji and Hanakai stationed by the bath corridor. Yura and Kusaka, were probably already inside.
"Hey, what are you doing here? Boys' bath time isn't until later."
"I'm on duty too. Came for the nightly patrol," I shrugged.
I slipped to a window, yanked it open, and hauled in Matsuda and Motohama, caught climbing out like monkeys.
"W–What are you doing?! Stealing out? And Saji's here too?"
They shrieked that peeking at girls is their sacred mission, referencing co-ed baths and demanding it's only fair.
Saji and Hanakai exchanged looks, then rendered judgment: "Disgusting," "Confess your sins", then knocked them out cold.
A demon demanding repentance, ironic, but effective. I used my qi to make sure they stayed unconscious until the women's bath ended, then parked them in the lobby under watch.
"I'll go back. Seems Issei's heading upstairs, with Rossweisse-sensei."
"Damn, you're the stopper for these perverts, huh?"
"You want to swap? Go ahead."
He grumbled, I'm not fast or sharp enough yet. Good luck, Saji. These perverts evolve daily.
The girls snapped photos and cheered over the unconscious pair, but I never saw it.
Issei and Rossweisse-sensei were sparring on the emergency stairs, Issei's clothes torn by a Dress Break.
"Using a move that destroys clothes is… not eco-friendly!"
Rossweisse-sensei glared at me, suspicious I was there for… er, ecological reasons?
"Wha, me? You think I'm here for sexual motives? Or that I blow through tissues at night?"
"Your anger is… off-kilter, sensei. And yes, I do use many tissues! Sorry!"
What is this… battle of sex and resources? I just want to go to sleep.
"Rossweisse-sensei…"
I fixed my gaze; she darted.
"Y–Yes, Ikki?"
My expression was deadly calm:
"My house demons, Kuroka and Shirone, were once cat Youkai. They have heightened senses. You really think I can hide tissue usage? Kuroka would warp me on the spot if she detected that. If I gave in… I'd be wiped out."
We'd have no succubus aftermath, just devastating reality.
"But I'm okay. It means I restrain myself so Kuroka doesn't starve. With Shirone and Ravel around, I couldn't be less simple."
"She, she's right. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry."
She apologized, still half-naked in torn clothes. I accepted it, pulled Issei, who had nothing useful to say, toward our room.
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