The gathering of the young devils!-II

Part 6

The summer vacation that I longed for.

Me, Matsuda and Motohama had promised at the beginning of the year that we would find girls and have an ero-ero summer vacation this year, but…For some reason, I was instead being shot at by a monster on a mountain in hell.

Dogooooooooooooon!

Nearby, trees went flying, rocks crumbled and a crater was created in the ground!

"Uwaaaaaaaaaah! I desperately avoided the breath of fire from the monster—the dragon Ossan!

Tears still came out of my eyes even though I thought that they had dried out, you know? Because I was facing such a scary feeling every single day, my tears couldn't dry out! No, enough already! This kind of life! Where is there a high school student that gets shot at by a dragon every day!?

"Come on, Sekiryuutei kid. If you don't dodge quicker, you'll become charcoal."

No! I don't want to become charcoal before I have sex with Buchou! I have to do it with the virgin Buchou! My plan was to throw away my virginity by having sex with Buchou!

I also wanted to have sex with Akeno-san! I wanted the virgin Akeno-san too! I also wanted to make children with Xenovia! And I also wanted to get along with Asia more!

—Why am I on this mountain while on the verge of death!?

Several days had passed since I came to this mountain and I was completely worn out.

My fatigue was at its peak in both mind and body. Because I was being chased around every day and night by a monster, you know? Even every once in a while, when I launched a counterattack, I could never turn the tables. Even if I punched the scales of such a tough dragon, not only did it do no damage, it conversely hurt my fist instead.

Even using my transfer power was insignificant, so I could only spent my time running away and hiding every single day. That guy was mercilessly trying to kill me!

Moreover, that fire breath attack…It had blown off a section of the mountain with a single breath. If I get hit directly by that kind of attack, I'll die from a single hit!

Since my power has risen, my left arm has essentially become a dragon arm, since I gave it as payment to the Sacred Gear in the battle with Raiser, but thanks to putting a ring I got from Sensei on my wrist, my arm wouldn't transform. Sensei really makes lots of things.

But the time we are in hell is limited. When we return to the human world, my finger will be sucked by Buchou and Akeno-san again!

However, even just running has given me considerable training. At present, I hadn't even received a single hit from that breath…but my jersey was in tatters. It was full of holes.

Once the gruelling training during the first part of everyday ended, basic training began. It was mainly muscle training. When that was done, I was always in immense pain as my entire body screamed, but it felt better than being chased around by the dragon Ossan, and I could surprisingly perform it normally.

I had no choice but to secure my own meals. Rather, as I was ignorant of the animals and plants of the Underworld, I caught fish in the river only after confirming whether it was edible or not from the dragon Ossan, and I gathered nuts from trees that grew on the mountain.

I got fire by creating it somehow with my unskillful magic. Fufufu, I've only improved my fire-making magic, you know?

…Huh? Why was I a living such a life? When I caught a fish, I

unconsciously said "Tottado!" | 3 | . This is bad. Aren't I steadily becoming a wild child?

I've been spending everyday here doing this and that. I wanted to meet with Buchou! I wanted to talk to Asia! I wanted to have tea from Akeno-san!

Uu, there weren't any girls here! It's a true hell for me! I longed for Buchou's lap pillow! I wanted to savour the feeling of Buchou's thighs again!

Delusions were the only pleasures that came to me here.

When Ossan's harsh training ended, I went to the world of delusions. Buchou and Asia were there, and they welcomed me warmly… Recently, I even became able to enter delusions while being chased around by the dragon Ossan. Even I thought that I was ill.

Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

Another fire ball was shot! Uwaaaaaaaah! The rock I was hiding behind was destroyed, and I was found by Ossan.

"Here you are, here you are. It's no use even if you become good at just running away. Come on, fight back."

"It's impossible! You're too strong! Could you, be even stronger than Vali!?"

"Well, I have often been said to be Maou-class in terms of pure power."

See! You're a monster! What's with the Maou-class talk!? Why am I trying to survive on a mountain with a Maou-class dragon!?

Damn it! If it's like this, I should have gone to the sea with Matsuda and Motohama!

I want women! Even though I had only beautiful girls and beautiful women around me, there wasn't a single flag being raised! | 4 |

Aah, it was the best when Buchou and Akeno-san became those girls. I had confessed once with the resolution of a dying man. But they seemed to say "sorry" at that instant…

Even I was surprised at myself that my horny nature wouldn't stop having delusions while I was being chased by Ossan. But I wouldn't be able to survive in these conditions if I didn't have delusions!

"Oh, you're doing it. How is it going?"

I heard a voice that was familiar. Looking behind me, the Fallen Angel Governor was there.

"So good! So goooooooooood!"

While crying, I was eating rice balls made by Buchou that Azazel-sensei had brought. So good! It was Buchou's flavour! It had Buchou's love in it! Since I also had a boxed lunch made by Asia, it was the best!

"There's also a boxed lunch made by Akeno. Eat that too. Since she made it while causing a show of sparks with Rias. But, hahahaha, you've gotten a bit of a good face in the several days that I haven't seen you."

Sensei said that while patting my shoulder.

"Don't joke around! I almost died! I really almost died! This dragon Ossan is insanely strong! Even if you told him to teach me the battle of a dragon, when he uses too much of his real power, it's just absuuuuuuuuuurd!"

I cried out while rice flew from my mouth! Because it's harsh! A modern-day kid like me can't endure it, coming to an empty mountain for several days with a Maou-class dragon! Worst of all, Buchou's breasts weren't here!

"Tannin-ossan doesn't know how to hold back! I'm going to be killed! I don't want to die while still a virgin!"

"You idiot. You've decided not to die, right? If I was so inclined, you would become charcoal by my breath of fire. If you don't want to have these painful feelings, then reach Balance Breaker quickly."

Ossan said that to me with half-opened eyes while resting on a rock face.

"Even if you say that! If someone with a human base like me takes a punch from someone monster-sized like you, I'll be turned into itty-bitty pieces with one blow!"

"Hmph. How foolish, when you call yourself Miss Rias' strongest [Pawn] in that kind of condition. Do you know how many devils would want to be Miss Rias' servant?"

…Now that you mention it, Buchou is a celebrity in the underworld. Even when she just briefly appeared in that city station before, high-pitched cheers had risen out for her.

Now that I thought about it, there were many devils who wished to become Buchou's servants. Does that make me lucky?

Yeah, I really am the luckiest, because I can live with such a beautiful and kind Onee-sama with big breasts.

Ah, Buchou. The person I yearned for. I'd like to marry her one day…Well, it's a distant and empty dream.

I sighed. Azazel-sensei spoke while looking at the training diary that I kept.

"Even so, you've also been including basic training, right? Then, it's fine. If you don't do this much, your body won't be able to keep up when you attain Balance Breaker. There is too much that you are lacking in. You wouldn't be able to win against Vali with magic even if he was doing a headstand. Therefore, you have no choice but to raise yourself up through physical strength."

I understood that, it was exactly as Sensei said. Vali is a descendant of the Old Maou. In terms of magic, I absolutely cannot win. But even so, how could I win with physical strength…? There was a big of gap between me and Vali in terms of basic specs.

"Umm, back then, Vali was trying to do something, but what was it?"

I asked Azazel-sensei this. Before Vali left, he tried to do something. Though Albion also tried to restrain him from doing it…

"Ah, that was the [Juggernaut Drive]."

"Is it something above even the Balance Breaker?"

"No, there exists nothing above Balance Breaker. The ultimate and final form of Sacred Gears is the Balance Breaker. However, there are several things inside Sacred Gear that have a magical being sealed in them. A peculiar restraint is applied on those ones. Your Boosted Gear and Vali's Divine Dividing are examples of that."

I see. Mine and his Sacred Gear are the type whose power comes from having a magical being—in other words, a dragon sealed inside it.

"Those ones are strongly restrained, taking out power while in that state and making sure that the host can use it. In the case of the Sacred Gears of the Sekiryuutei and the Hakuryuukou, forcing that restraint to temporarily release and unleashing the sealed power is the [Juggernaut Drive]. It temporarily gives one power rivalling that of God, but the risk is also huge. It greatly shaves off one's lifespan. And it also makes one lose their sense of reason."

"You mean you run out of control?"

"Yeah, to a violent degree. One would destroy all of their surroundings, and even start to destroy oneself before finally stopping. It's impossible to master that power in actual combat, but…Vali can handle it for several minutes by consuming an enormous amount of magic power—he should be able to do so, anyway. Since Albion was impatient back then, I guess that it still has its dangers. Naturally, it's not my place to say this as one who uses an artificial Sacred Gear in a Burst state, but the way to use a power that throws away one's future like that is essentially different from the way to use the Sacred Gear's power. —It's an accursed method of fighting that just uses the power of people that are transformed into the dead. You should absolutely never copy it."

There was sorrow in sensei's eyes. Was he worried about Vali? He had talked about teaching him how to use his power when he was still his subordinate.

"So the current Hakuryuukou can handle the [Juggernaut Drive]? That's a problem. The Sekiryuutei kid would be killed if he didn't become desperate. The way either the white or red awakened that power before certainly let them surpass the other. In some sense, it's first come, first served."

Tannin-ossan said such a shocking thing! Seriously!?

Then, it's my turn to die!? …No, I can't die yet. I still have a dream to fulfil! My harem! My high-class devil promotion! If it's like this, I'll even aim at being an ultimate-class devil like Ossan! It's huge that I've found out that it's possible even for a reincarnated devil!

…But, can I endure Ossan's harsh training?

Ossan is too strong. I can't win. He's a monster. That breath of fire is foul play. Since I'm not some huge and special hero who can shoot beams from my hands, such an opponent is impossible for me.

"Ise, let's change the topic."

Sensei called out to me, who hadn't looked at him since before, with a suddenly formal tone.

"Yes?"

"How do you think of Akeno?"

That's sudden. What was this about?

"I think that she's a good Senpai."

I immediately spoke my honest feelings. Her S-mode is a bit scary, but she's usually very gentle and the girlish part of her that she sometimes shows is really cute.

"That's not what I meant. I mean as a woman."

"She's attractive! She's one of the people that I want to be with!"

Sensei nodded at my question with a "Uh-huh" while seeming somehow relieved.

"I see. You see, I also have to watch over her in the place of a friend of mine."

"You mean Akeno-san's father, who's one of your subordinates, right?"

"Rather than a subordinate, Barakiel is a comrade from ancient times like Shemhaza. A friend, a friend. We did a lot of stupid things together. So, before I realised it, everyone around me besides myself had gotten wives and kids."

Sensei sighed deeply. Ah, this person, is he the type to worry about being single?

"You were beaten to the punch, huh?"

"…It's fine, since I have so many women for me."

Ah, he got a faraway look in his eyes for an instant there. Is the subject of marriage taboo for him as I thought?

"Well, leaving that aside, I'm very concerned about Akeno. Though, to Barakiel and Akeno, it may be none of my business."

"Sensei, you're unexpectedly a heated, or perhaps I should say meddlesome person. You also involved yourself in our training."

"I'm just an ordinary Fallen Angel with free time. —Though, it was because of that that I also raised the Hakuryuukou."

That's not true. I think that he's just a nosy person. With me, with Akeno, and with Vali. He has poked his nose into each of our business. What a strange Fallen Angel. With him as the Governor, I can't understand the whole aspects of his organisation.

"In any case, I'm thinking of perhaps entrusting Akeno to you."

"Entrusting her…to me?"

What do you mean, entrusting? Do you mean protecting her with my body during games and battles? In that case, protecting her is no problem for me. I think it's also the role of the [Pawn] to protect the [Queen] Akeno-san with one's body.

"You're an idiot, but you're not a bad guy. Rather, it would be better to call you a loveable idiot. Above all, you don't seem to have discrimination towards her."

"? I don't seem to get what you're talking about…"

"Hahahaha, that's why I'm relieved. If you were really deceiving her, things would have already descended into carnage. If you do it poorly, it will have an effect on things from now on and you'll also see blood. The type like you that takes form from winning the trust of those around you can feel at ease without resenting anyone. In some sense that's a privilege, or rather a talent." (!)

"??????"

My brain was full of question marks. I didn't understand it very well, but—. "I understand. I��ll protect Akeno-san! Of course, I'll also help my master, Buchou, and protect Asia too!"

"Alright. Well, I'll entrust the matter of Akeno to you. More importantly—the problem is Koneko."

"? What's wrong with Koneko-chan?"

Sensei let out a breath at my question.

"There's nothing that can be done about it. She's impatient—or rather, she feels doubt in her power."

I suddenly remembered how Koneko-chan didn't seem to be feeling well recently. Was something the matter with her?

"She overdid the training that I gave her. This morning, she collapsed."

"C-Collapseeeeeeeeed!?"

I was shocked at this bad news about my Kouhai. Seriously!? Was Koneko-chan all right?

"Asia can treat injuries, but she can't do anything about physical strength. Overworking in particular certainly hurts one's physical strength and has adverse effects. Because the time left until the game is limited, that's dangerous."

"U-Umm, if overworking is no good, what about me…? Aren't I close to death by being chased around by a dragon monster every day…?"

I asked this while pointing at myself. No matter how you think about it, it's inhumane!

"Ah, it's fine for you. Something of this extent isn't enough for that."

You said so readily! Is that so!? How is it fine for me!? It was just too much to handle, and my tears wouldn't stop!

"Now then, we should go. Ise, I was told to take you back just this once. You'll return to the Gremory annex only once. Tannin, he'll be going back for a little while. I'll return him tomorrow morning." "Yeah, then I'll return to my territory for now."

So said sensei and Tannin-ossan.

Eh? I can temporarily come down from the mountain?

"Heh? Sensei, from whom did the order for me to return come from? Buchou?"

"—from her mother."

Buchou's mother…What business does she have with me?

Part 7

"Yes, turn there. That's no good. The sharpness isn't good. Come on, Issei-san, do it from the beginning without acting stupefied."

I was in the annex that was detached from the Gremory main residence. I was making an effort in dancing practice with Buchou's mother in a room there.

…Why was I doing this kind of thing?

As soon as I returned to the annex, I was led here by Buchou's mother. Then, we started dancing practice just like that. Because I had never done something like this before, I was completely no good at it.

Buchou's mother was wearing a dress as usual. I was having a dance lesson while being glued to Buchou's mother! I sometimes came into contact with her breasts. They were wonderfully soft! How to say it, it had a matured feeling in elasticity and texture! I don't understand it that well, but that's how it felt! And her appearance was the same as Buchou's! Was this the charm of a married woman?

However, this mother. she's seriously pretty. Because she looked about the same age as me, I was conscious of her! Moreover, she had the same face as Buchou who I yearned for, you know? She was a flaxen-haired version of Buchou! F-Furthermore, her style was also exceptional just like Buchou! Her breasts were big! Buchou's breasts were hereditary. Thank you very much, mother! Your breasts' genes were safely handed down to Buchou!

"Shall we take a short break?"

And so having been given permission, I sat down right where I was with long, drawn out breaths.

Ah, I had been chased around by a dragon since this morning. My stamina was…well, this is still far better than having fire shot at me by that monster Ossan.

…But still. I asked a question to Buchou's mother.

"U-Umm."

"What is it?"

"Why am I the only one doing this? And not Kiba or Gasper?"

Yes, why only me? Including the customary Gremory education as well, if it was to train me as a gentleman, even Kiba and Gasper should be…Though, I understood that I was the least like a gentleman.

Buchou's mother answered me.

"Kiba Yuuto-san has already mastered these sorts of techniques. As expected of a [Knight]. Gasper-san is a member of a distinguished vampire family. He may behave unreliably, but he at least knows etiquette. The problem is Issei-san. It can't be helped that you're a commoner from the human world, but even so it's troubling if you don't acquire etiquette beyond a certain level. Because you'll also have to make an appearance with Rias in high society eventually. You have to remember customary practices even a little during your stay in the Underworld."

I was dumbfounded by the words of Buchou's mother! Me in high society!? But didn't I hear that servants couldn't show their faces to such an extent?

"B-Buchou…Rias-sama and me will be in high society together!?"

As I was surprised, Buchou's mother shifted her gaze to the side and covered her mouth with her hand.

"…Oops, I carelessly let something slip out. That kind of thing is still talk of what may happen. Leaving that aside, calling her [Buchou] like that will not do. This isn't school, so you have to properly call your master by her name. Not to mention, Rias is…Oops, I nearly let something slip again."

Eh? Calling her Buchou is no good?

"Even if you suddenly say such a thing, since I've always kept calling her Buchou…Hmm, how about Rias-sama then?"

"Yes, like that. Or you can call her [master]. —Though, you have to call her differently in private as well."

"So [Buchou] is no good?"

"Think. If you had to give an answer on that within yourself, do you hate that girl?"

Buchou's mother said that while giving a wry smile.

No, no! There's no way I could hate Buchou!

"Well, it would be difficult for you to call her that all of a sudden, and Rias would also be bewildered if you did that suddenly. For this home visit only, you may call her [Buchou]. However, you have to be certain of what to call her eventually."

Now that she brings it up, what was the person in question, Buchou, doing right now?

She might be in dire distress with poor physical health like Koneko-chan. Hmm, I'm also a bit worried. I'd like to go see how she is at least once as her important Kouhai, but…If I go, that may seem like an overuse of my feelings with that…

"U-Umm, can I ask you one question?" "What is it?"

"What about Koneko-chan…? Is Koneko-chan okay?"

"Yes. It was just ordinary overworking, so she should recover slowly if she rests her body for one or two days."

"…I'm very worried about Koneko-chan, since she's been acting strangely since before we came here."

"That girl is doing her best to face her own existence and power right now. It's a difficult problem. However, she won't be able to advance forward if she doesn't find the answer herself."

"…Her existence and power?"

I was full of questions. What was in Koneko-chan?

"…Now that I think of it, you haven't been part of Rias' group for long. Yes, it's natural that you don't know. I'll tell you a little."

Buchou's mother sat down while facing me, and began to tell a certain story.

It was a story of two cat sisters.

The cat sisters were always together, when they played, when they ate, when they slept. With their parents dead, they had no home to return to and no one to rely on. The two cats struggled to live day to day while depending on each other.

"One day, the two of them were picked up by a certain devil. The older sister became a part of his group, and so the younger sister was also able to live with them. Having finally obtained a decent life, the two of them believed that they could pass time very happily."

However, something unusual happened. It appeared that the elder cat sister achieved rapid growth after gaining power. Buchou's mother said that her hidden talent suddenly began to overflow by becoming a reincarnated devil.

"That cat was of a species that naturally excels in youjutsu | 5 | . Furthermore, she bloomed in magic talent as well, and even invoked

senjutsu that was said only the last of the sennin | 6 | could use."

It seemed that the elder cat sister, having surpassed her master in a short time, was swallowed by power and was transformed into a wicked existence that only sought blood and battle.

"With her increase in power not stopping, the elder cat sister killed the devil that was her master in the end, and degenerated into an "exiled devil". Moreover, she changed into one of the most dangerous among the "exiled devils". One that completely annihilated all the pursuit squads…"

It was said that the devils temporarily canceled all pursuit of the elder cat sister.

"The younger cat sister remained behind. The devils questioned her as a liability there."

[This cat may also eventually run out of control. It's better to deal with her now.] —So they said.

"It was Sirzechs who saved that cat that was planned to be disposed of. Sirzechs persuaded the high-class devils that the younger cat sister was innocent. As a result, the situation was settled by having Sirzechs watch over her."

However, having been betrayed by her elder sister, that she believed in and tortured by the other devils, the little cat sister's spirit appeared to be on the brink of collapse…What a sad story…

"Sirzechs left the younger cat sister that had lost her smile and the will to live in the care of Rias. After the younger cat sister met Rias, she recovered her emotions little by little. And then, Rias gave that cat a name. —Koneko."

—.

I was at a loss for words after hearing this much. So, the story just now was Koneko-chan's…?

Wait, then, Koneko-chan's true form is—.

"She was originally a Youkai | 7 | . You know of the Nekomata | 8 | , right? Cat Youkai. She is a survivor of the strongest species amongthe cat Youkai, a Nekoshou | 9 | . They are a high-level youkai species who can not only master youjutsu, but senjutsu as well."

Part 8

"Ah, Buchou."

"Ise!"

Having moved to the main residence after the completion of my dancing practice, I was welcomed by Buchou—Owaaah! I was hugged all of a sudden! Buchou was tightly hugging me. Ah, it's been a while since I've had this feeling…Though only a few days have passed, I missed Buchou's smell!

"…Ise's smell."

"Ah, umm, I've been sweating a lot…"

"It's fine. Your smell is still the same. —I was lonely, you know?"

When you say that with such moist eyes, my heart can't help but skip a beat!

"I haven't been able to sleep with you since arriving here, and I wasn't able to feel you like this every day either…Since, I can no longer imagine a life without you…What a pitiful master I am."

Aaaaah, Buchou! Has your level of dependence on me risen? I'm more blessed than I deserve as your servant! I also can't imagine a life without Buchou either! That's why the training on that mountain was so, so tough! I tried to say that, but—.

"However, a little endurance is needed. First, we have to both be strong. Ise, do your best in your mountain seclusion with Tannin! Blow away his breath of fire!" "—! Uuu, y-yeeeeees! I'll do my best not to become cindeeeeers!"

As I thought, Buchou doesn't compromise when it comes to training! I replied with tears in my eyes! I understaaaaaaaaaaaaand! If Buchou says so, I'll do my best with the resolve to diiiiiiiiiiiie!

But, leaving that aside, I shook my head again and asked Buchou a question.

"U-Umm, Buchou. How's Koneko-chan?"

Buchou's face became complicated at that.

"Follow me."

The room that I entered according to Buchou was—Koneko-chan's room.

Buchou had finished talking with her already, and Akeno-san was already inside, so only I was told to enter.

So I went to meet Koneko-chan by myself. Her room was wide. It was a wide room, when I turned my feet towards the bedroom—.

Akeno-san was standing by the bed, and Koneko-chan was lying down on that bed.

—.

I was surprised to see what had sprung up on Koneko-chan's head.

Cat ears! So she really was a cat Youkai known as a Nekomata. But! What to do! A Koneko-chan who has cat ears! So lovely, so incredibly adorable!

Since she usually hides them, did she also lose the strength needed to hide them when she ran out of physical strength?

No, no, it isn't the time for that now. I've come to see Koneko-chan's condition.

"Ise-kun, this is—"

Because of my reaction to Koneko-chan's cat ears, Akeno-san tried to explain the reason.

"No, I've already heard the general story."

I responded with this to Akeno-san. Just like that, I move to the side of the bed and examined Koneko-chan's condition.

I didn't catch sight of any especially bad injuries. Well, if it was just injuries, it would be no problem with Asia here. So she really did come here because she exhausted all her physical strength.

"Hey, is your body okay?"

I asked that with a smile. Then, Koneko-chan muttered with half-opened eyes.

"…What did you come here for?"

A sullen tone of voice, far more than the extent up until now. She was angry that I came, huh?

"…Would it be no good if I said it was because I was worried?"

"..."

Still acting sullen, Koneko-chan didn't respond. I continued.

"Koneko-chan, I heard about it, about all the various things. In any case, overworking yourself is no good. If you don't take care of your body…though, I have no right to talk while I'm receiving hellish training."

"…I want to…"

Koneko-chan muttered something very quietly, and since I failed to hear it clearly, I asked again.

"Eh? What is it?"

Then, Koneko-chan looked straight at me and spoke in a clear tone. While holding tears in her eyes—.

"I want to become strong. Like Yuuto-senpai, Xenovia-senpai, Akeno-san…and also Ise-senpai, I want to make my spirit and body strong. Gya-kun is also becoming strong. I don't have a healing power like Asia-senpai either…At this rate, I'll become useless. Even though I'm a [Rook], I'm the…weakest…I hate being useless…"

"Koneko-chan…"

So you were worrying about that…Certainly, Kiba has also become stronger. Xenovia is strong too. Akeno-san is the strongest piece, [Queen], and Gasper can stop time. Asia may be no good at fighting, but her healing ability was great, and then there was me. Even though I myself was weak, I hold a legendary dragon in my body.

Koneko-chan continued to talk even as she shed large tears.

"…But, I don't want to use the power sleeping inside me…my Nekomata power…If I use it, I…just like my Nee-sama…I don't want that…I absolutely don't want such a thing…"

For the first time—. For the first time, I saw Koneko-chan's crying face like this. Since she was a kid that hadn't directly shown much of her feelings up until now, seeing that was a shock to me.

Koneko-chan's Onee-san had her power run out of control, and killed her devil master. And then she had just left like that. Buchou's mother had said that this girl had seen all of that.

Because she knew that a dangerous power that could just kill her master was sleeping inside her too, she was afraid…But even so, when thinking of the situations in the coming future, she wanted power. This girl had carried these conflicting feelings even when coming to the Underworld…

So she overworked herself because she tried to become stronger without using the power sleeping inside her.

Koneko-chan possessed a warm heart with strong feelings for her friends. So she was vexed that she herself was useless. I think it was hard for her, not being able to repay Buchou who saved her.

I was also mortified at my lack of ability and uselessness to Buchou, and wished for power as well…

Akeno-san shook her head and spoke to me.

"Ise-kun, please leave the rest to us."

"But…"

"You're a kind person. But, it's also important to sometimes keep your distance just a little. Besides, you yourself have to become stronger. And I also…since I'm the same as Koneko-chan, we have to overcome this together. If one can't accept all of oneself and can't understand it, one can't move forward. Koneko-chan and I understand this in our heads. But…our courage is just slightly not enough yet. Please wait just a little longer. Koneko-chan and I will definitely get through this. Definitely—"

Akeno-san also displayed hatred towards the Fallen Angel blood sleeping inside her. But, if she didn't accept that power of light, she may not be able to play an active role in the tough games from beyond this point. I see, the two of them are similar in that regard. Denying the power that sleeps inside them, because those two have done that…

"Yes. Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, I'll…try to do the things only I can do."

I bowed my head to the two of them, and then went out of the room just like that.

…We each have our respective battles. We each have our respective trainings. We each have our respective walls that we must surpass.

Alright! I'm fired up! Akeno-san! Koneko-chan! Everyone! And Buchou!

I'll also surpass the training that only I can do!

After I slept soundly that day, I returned to the mountain the following morning.