In the clubroom, the group was watching the recording of the Zephyr vs Sairaorg Rating Game.
Most of them were sitting down normally, with Takashi being one of the exceptions. He was too busy sitting on his stomach, his legs curved as he snacked on some Dorayaki while Asia and Koneko were both resting on his back.
"Well, that was a curb stomp," Mitarai muttered, getting ready to input the last amount of the Japanese-styled, sweet-filled pancake into his mouth.
Only for a tail to snatch it from him, and Mitarai tilted his head to see Koneko giving him a middle finger while finishing it.
"That was for eating my chocolate from before," she said, making Mitarai contemplate whether he should just accept the punishment or run his hands.
Asia and a few others sweated and dropped while the other boys laughed at what happened.
Before Mitarai could even come to his final conclusion on what to do, Rias stood up cautiously as the Astaroth's green gate appeared on their floor, bringing out the squinted-eyed scumbag, Mitarai wouldn't accept any other way to describe him, unless it was negative.
Normally, Rias would have had a meeting set up to be more courteous, but even she really didn't like the way Diodora was. So it was pretty basic, no tea given.
"What do you want?" Rias asked.
'That fake smile of his is absolutely nauseating to look at! How anyone can take it seriously, I don't know.'
"I've come to propose a trade. For your Bishop."
Gasper shut his eyes in fear. "D-does he want me?" he fearfully asked.
Mitarai just ruffled Gasper's hair. "No, Alucard."
Rias kept a calm look. "I immediately decline! You could offer me your whole Peerage, and I still would refuse. There is nothing for you to gain here!" Rias was struggling to restrain her frustration, needing a moment to breathe and calm her hot heart.
Diodora briefly opened his eyes, showing a less complacent face. He sank back into his slimy smile as he stood up. "I see I have failed, but I'll still come tomorrow; I won't give up easily."
The Astaroth heir walked close to Asia, getting down on his knees and reaching out to grab his hand. Only to blink in confusion as he found himself standing up and his arm raised, clutched by claws.
"It's very unbecoming for someone of such a noble status to be bowing down so easily," Mitarai spat with an annoyed look on his face.
"You're just like Riser, so fuck off, bastard!"
Diodora gripped his strained arm, an annoyed look on his face. His pupils were mostly red, and a dirty amber made his iris. "Don't touch me so casually, filthy dragon!"
Asia was the first to respond, leaving Diodora on the ground in shock. A red mark was already on Diodora's cheek, making him hold his scarred cheek in shock as Asia gave Diodora an annoyed look.
Everyone was surprised to see Asia act in such a way, but they all understood and supported her decision.
"Don't insult Mitarai like that!" she shouted.
Getting over the pain that pulsated around his face, Diodora resorted to his fake facade. "Very well, I'll defeat you, Red Dragon Emperor! Then I'll have you accept my love, Asia!"
Mitarai gave a middle finger as Diodora left. "I should have smacked the bitch there."
Rias nodded, her own aura calming down. "I wouldn't have blamed you. Even if we are already a strong enough team, last-minute training won't hurt. Though I shouldn't need to tell any of you not to go overboard. Rest is important."
Munching on the dorayaki that he bought, Mitarai was scratching his scalp at the sight of one depressed Rossweisse on the couch.
Comforting her were Ravel and her mother, stroking the downcast bodyguard.
"What even happened? Shouldn't you be with your god?" Mitarai asked, his mouth a bit full but still coherent.
"Lord Odin left me behind when returning to Valhalla! Even though he made me his bodyguard! What kind of god does that?!"
Takashi shook his head, groaning into his palm and murmuring the same point Rossweisse tearfully made.
"I can't fucking believe it! Just what is wrong with the gods these days?!" Mitarai spoke, Ravel and Layla laughing, but later nodding in agreement.
"I could quit being a devil and be a therapist at this point," Mitarai commented, patting Rossweisse on the back. "But that's too much to deal with..."
Rossweisse blushed as she felt him continually stroke her back. It sent a tingling feeling running throughout her body, making her rub against him as she enjoyed the small time Mitarai gave her to be forgotten.
Rias noticed the looks the Valkyrie was sending, smirking at the bigger blush at Mitarai offering her something to eat.
'Oh, she'll be eating, alright,' Rias mischievously thought, a lightbulb popping up in her mind.
—
——
'Xenovia usually trains in the basement, so she should be there. Though Yuuto is fine either way. As long as I can train in some swordsmanship before this Rating Game~! I mean, Ascalon is too cool to neglect,' Mitarai thought.
As Takashi left, Rias called out to Rossweisse with a smile. Almost like a drug dealer in an alleyway, Rias dragged her along with an offer that she could tell Rossweisse was going to bite on.
Reaching the bottom of the mansion, Mitarai looked in confusion as he found the place almost flooded, like it was a New York City subway station.
"Did Loki put a curse on me?" Mitarai questioned, confused as to all the events happening at once.
The girls of the Sitri Peerage were standing around in disbelief while Ingvild bowed in utmost forgiveness to the Sitri heiress. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it!"
Usually, Sona might have acted more annoyed at the situation, but she was too busy comprehending the event. "J-just try to exercise more caution".
"So what happened?" Mitarai asked.
Sona straightened up her glasses. "It seems she's also inherited an ability exclusive to the Leviathan clan: Sea Serpent of the End. Probably the first person to have it since the Civil War. This technique has the ability to control the sea and draw large amounts of water. If mastered, it'd be like having a water controlling Sacred Gear similar to the level of a Longinus."
"Thank fuck she's on our side."
"I'll have to call my sister about this. We should organize a better place for Ingvild to train!" Sona mentioned, stepping up to Mitarai and kissing him.
"I'll be off!"
Ingvild carefully approached the Longinus user. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked, looking at the giant mess she had made.
Mitarai quelled her worry with a kiss, pulling back and leaving her previous shy face sunny. "Well, yes, but actually no. It just turns out you're more amazing than before."
Beaming with joy, Ingvild turned to the other Sitri Peerage members. "I'm sorry for ruining your training. It might not be much, but I can sing very well," she said.
'Can she?' Mitarai thought, not really expecting it. After all, she had been trapped in a deep sleep, and the rest of his knowledge of her was limited.
Surprisingly, it was beyond beautiful. The way she carried herself was like a professional, and it showed.
An amazing feeling began to surge up in Mitarai... but it was built differently. Nothing that the girls of the Sitri Peerage were feeling. "What is this feeling?" Mitarai remarked, feeling his whole body drawn in by her esoteric energy.
"Look at the girl's eyes."
Following the advice, Mitarai noted the lavender light coming off her eyes and the periwinkle particles sprinkling the atmosphere.
'Ingvild's powering me up subconsciously,' he thought, thinking about what this meant, especially as it appeared to only be affecting him.
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Read Early at: [email protected]/Cid_Kun
24 Advanced chapters already published at:[email protected]/Cid_Kun