The SS-Class Stray Devil Aura

Several days had passed since Kazuki was tasked with capturing the SS-Class Stray Devil, Kuroka.

After confirming Kuroka and Bikou's entry into the Underworld, the two had vanished without a trace.

Currently, the Demon King's direct intelligence unit was scouring every corner for them. Kazuki's role would begin once Kuroka was located—until then, he was instructed to assist with his peerage's training.

And so, he found himself observing their progress.

A lewd, wet squelch echoed through the room.

"Haaah… nnnh… Hahhn! S-Senpai, not there…!"

"Hm? What's wrong with here?"

"Nnngh! If you keep doing that, I'll… ahh—ahhh~!"

Kazuki sat behind Yumi on the bed, his hand slipping beneath her skirt to tease her through her soaked panties, fingers tracing the outline of her slit with deliberate strokes.

"C'mon, training's only just started. Push through it, Yumi."

"Fuu… kuuun… B-But Senpai, you're…!"

"I'm what?"

"You're—squishing my pussy like this… Ahhn~!"

Her panties were already drenched, heavy with her love juice, doing little to contain the slickness. Kazuki tugged them aside and slid two fingers deep into her dripping entrance.

"Nnhaaaahhhhnnn!!"

Yumi's body jerked violently, her movements freezing. At the same time, the Balance Breaker of her Holy-Demonic Sword, Sword of Betrayer, flickered out, reverting to its base form.

"Thirty minutes… That's not gonna cut it."

"Haa… Haa… W-Who could endure this…?!"

"You can't release your Balance Breaker no matter what happens. That's the whole point of this training. You have to endure."

Not that he was just fondling Yumi's body, of course. This was purely to help her maintain her Balance Breaker under extreme conditions. Totally.

"…Then at least go easier on me. Senpai, you're too rough!!"

"What're you saying? If I go easy, it defeats the purpose. C'mon, let's go again."

"Haaai… W-Wait, just a second!"

Yumi stood up, peeling off her sticky panties—now thoroughly drenched—and wiped her glistening folds with a tissue.

From Kazuki's angle, he could only see her from behind, but the sight of the usually composed Yumi hiking up her skirt, legs slightly spread as she cleaned herself, was undeniably arousing.

"S-Sorry for the wait… L-Let's go! Balance Breaker—Balance Break!"

Focusing her mind, Yumi manifested her Twin Holy-Demonic Swords: Sword of Betrayer once more.

"Good. This time, hold it for at least an hour."

"Nngh… I-I'll try… whew… ahh~!"

It didn't take long before the room was filled again with the obscene sounds of wet flesh and Yumi's helpless moans.

The next morning, Koneko collapsed…

The cause? Overwork and exhaustion. She had pushed herself beyond the training regimen Azazel had assigned, desperate to grow stronger before the upcoming Rating Game.

If it were an injury, Asia could have healed her, but fatigue was another matter.

The pressure of the looming deadline and her own perceived weakness had driven her to self-destructive extremes. Kazuki had noticed her odd behavior but hadn't intervened in time.

Now, guilt gnawed at him.

When he visited her room to check on her, he found Akeno and Issei already there.

Lying on the bed, Koneko's usually hidden cat ears stood upright, twitching adorably.

"Issei, you're back already?"

"Ah, Kazuki-senpai. I heard from Sensei that Koneko-chan collapsed, so I rushed over…"

Typical of Issei, he always cared about his comrades. Kazuki gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving him to listen and taking his place beside Akeno.

"I was worried when I heard you had collapsed. How are you feeling?"

"..."

"I've heard everything, but you really shouldn't push your body like this."

"…I want to."

"Huh?"

"I want to be strong. Like you and the others, in both body and heart. I'm the 'Rook,' meant to fight, but… I'm the weakest. If I stay like this, I'll just be useless…"

Tears welled in Koneko's eyes as her ears drooped, her voice barely above a whisper.

"But even if they tell me to embrace my true nature… that power sleeping inside me, the power of a Nekomata… What if I end up like Nee-sama? I'm scared… I don't want that!!"

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she laid bare her fears. Seeing the usually stoic Koneko cry like this struck deep into Kazuki's chest.

Her sister, Kuroka, had lost control of her power in front of her, killing their master before abandoning her. That image must still be seared into Koneko's mind. To rid her of that fear, she would have to face her sister and overcome it—that much was clear.

"Issei-kun, we'll take care of things from here."

"Yeah. You go do what you need to do."

"Akeno-san… Kazuki-senpai…"

Issei, seemingly unable to find the right words, clenched his fists in frustration before standing with sudden resolve.

"Akeno-san, Kazuki-senpai… I'm gonna go!! Koneko-chan… I'll do what I have to."

With that, Issei left the room.

"Well, I should get going too. Take care, Koneko-chan."

Following Issei's lead, Kazuki stepped out as well. 'Time to take care of some business.'

——

———

For the first time in years, Kuroka laid eyes on her little sister, and a storm of emotions raged within her chest.

Truthfully, she wanted to meet the girl directly. But after abandoning her when she was still so young—no matter the circumstances—'what right do I have to face her now?' Kuroka thought.

She couldn't exactly call it a happy reunion, but just catching a glimpse of her was enough. With that thought, she leapt down from the wall—only to be met with a sharp voice.

"Peeping's a bad habit, y'know. —The hell are you?"

A black-haired, black-eyed man stood before her. Startled, Kuroka remained in her black cat form—surely she could bluff her way out.

"Meow~☆"

She let out a cutesy purr, attempting to slip past him. But—

"Waste of time. Cut the act and show yourself."

"…Tch."

'So much for that.' Clicking her tongue, she finally spoke.

"How'd ya figure it out, nya?"

"Seriously? A cat with presence like yours? No damn way."

Kuroka hadn't expected a reply, but the man answered with an exasperated sigh.

"Presence… I was sure I hid it properly, nya."

"Yeah, well, a cat that goes out of its way to hide its aura is suspicious as hell. Use your head."

'…Huh. Fair point!!' Kuroka would have to remember that for next time.

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