Igor perked up when the gate rolled open. He spotted the security guard who shrank beneath his gaze. Igor wasn't offended for he knew his figure was a bit…intimidating. Rather, his focus was on the little bundle of energy scurrying through the corridors. Only one person dared to leave class before the bell rang, and Igor only smiled at the thought of her approaching figure.
He pushed himself off the tree and walked to the gate. His chest would be slammed into, but it was a small price to pay to see her smile.
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|DxD|- Chapter 93- Adult Issues
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Kuoh Academy was a very prestigious institution incorporating the elementary, middle school, high school, and university divisions. Students as young as seven to their twenties were all present, both locals and foreigners alike.
It was truly, truly, massive and occupied four separate blocks of land. It was unknown who the founder was to afford such a scale of construction, but one thing was true amongst the faculty: whoever the founder was, was most likely related to Akeno Himejima.
Akeno had bypassed national enrollment regulations and begun school at five instead of six. It would've been understandable if she were in the top ten, but she always roamed the middle rankings. Regardless, everyone knew what to ask and not to ask.
This little princess of Kuoh Academy was special and as long as she never went overboard, most teachers were willing to look the other way.
And so Akeno left class ten minutes earlier than everyone else. Mirriam Payne watched helplessly and stopped teaching. Akeno was out the door before she could even call out.
[This child…]
She'd heard of the rumours, but this was the first time Akeno left her class this early. She could only swallow her words and look at the rest of her class with a smile.
"Alright, everyone. Why don't you all pack up, hm?"
"""YAAAYYYYY!!!"""
The children cheered and celebrated until the very building shook. Beyond their noise, Akeno was running down the stairs. Her breaths were heavy, not from exertion, but from a mix of excitement and anxiousness.
She jumped off the last step and made a mad sprint for the glass doors. She saw the familiar figure standing beyond the gate, and a bright smile spread across her face.
"B-BROTHER!!!"
She ran past the door onto the stone walkway. Trees lined the edges and cameras captured her movement. The distance closed and Akeno widely stretched out her arms. She jumped into a pair of waiting arms and was caught into a heat she pressed herself against.
"Hello, little chick."
"Hihihihi~!"
Relieved—she was truly relieved.
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|DxD|
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"Apu! Apu! Do that thing. Do that thing where we go 'whoosh' and 'whoosh'. Come on!"
Akeno excitedly bounced on his shoulders. The town bustled with cars and she wished to relive the moment when Igor could dart through them.
"Maybe another time, little chick."
"But—ow!"
Igor flicked her forehead and smoothly replied.
"Let's go. I'm craving something to chew."
Igor opened the door to a candy store, leaving Akeno completely dumbfounded. The busy intersection had been replaced by a quiet street with parked cars. She was sure she wasn't hallucinating because this store sat a few streets from the city centre.
"No fair, Apu! I wanted to…see…"
Her words died in her throat as her eyes fell upon candy paradise. Large bottles with assortments of sweets, big boxes with cookies of different flavours, chocolates galore, and stacks upon stacks of bubblegum—the shelves brimmed with sugary goodness so potent she could barely sit still.
"Ow! Stop hitting me, Apu."
"Be still, Akeno."
Igor lowered his hand and gave the cashier a polite smile. There were several other patrons in the store with trolleys. He took a trolley and browsed around the shelves. Akeno pointed at the shelves and tried to sneakily take a few sweets. A few well-timed slaps to her wrist cancelled those thoughts.
"Ooh! Can I take those, Apu?"
Igor glanced where Akeno pointed. She could see the top of the shelves from his shoulder and there was a row of big jars full of sweets.
"Take four of them. We can give two to Issei and Irina."
"We're gonna see them?"
Akeno chirped enthusiastically.
"Of course we are. Do you still meet at the park?"
"Yep~."
She happily handed one jar after another to Igor. They went around the store and got a few more things before heading to the cashier. He had to admit. She was certainly a pretty woman.
"Hello, miss."
"Sir."
She replied in kind and scanned his purchases. Igor took a few extra glances at her. She was twenty-five at best and wore a cap. A simple pair of earrings and a small ponytail only enhanced her innocent look.
"Will it be card or cash, sir?"
"Cash."
Igor shifted Akeno's leg and pulled out a wallet. He took out the needed amount and gave it to her. She took the money and handed him his change. In the midst of it, their hands touched, and he only had one thought.
[Soft.]
Her hands were small and soft, pleasant to the touch. Igor showed no outward reaction and tucked his change into his wallet. The woman packed his items into two bags and bowed in thanks.
"Thank you for visiting Sweet Haven. Please come back again, sir."
She spoke with a slight pep and Igor thanked her politely. He took the bags and left the shop. He kept pace and closed the door behind him. Akeno was more focused on her sweet than him, something he was thankful for.
Any longer and he would've proposed marriage to the woman. A casual touch had stirred his heart even when she wasn't paying him attention.
[I'm a mess…]
He chuckled to himself and continued walking. He blamed Shuri for stocking the chamber full of very questionable novels.
"Are you enjoying your sweet, little chick?"
"Mn~!"
Chapter 93
END