A few days later, at the breakfast table. My mother spoke up while passing the rice.
"Issei, the parent-teacher-student conferences are tomorrow. You remembered, right?"
"Ah—right. That's tomorrow, isn't it?"
The dreaded "Future Path" conferences. It's that time of year where we have to sit down and talk about what we're doing after high school.
Mom sighed, sounding exasperated. "Honestly, you forgot, didn't you? Please get it together."
Guilty as charged. I had completely forgotten. Though, to be fair, my "future path" is basically already set in stone—mostly in terms of my career as a Devil.
Mom turned to Miwa and Asia with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Miwa, Asia-chan. I'll be handling the meetings for both of you as well."
"Thanks, Mom. You did the same back in middle school, too," Miwa said with a nod.
"Yes, we're in your hands, Mother," Asia added with a bright smile.
Xenovia set her bowl down with a clink. "Career counseling, huh? If anyone were to come for me, it would be Sister Griselda... but she's likely far too busy. I shouldn't get my hopes up."
Irina tilted her head, clearly conflicted. "For me... since both Papa and Mama are over there, I suppose Griselda-san would be the one for me as well?"
Reina followed up. "I've asked Lord Shemhaza to handle mine. To be honest, our homeroom teacher already knows our true identities, so it's a lot less stressful than it could be."
That's true. The conference consists of the student, the guardian, and the teacher. Our homeroom teacher, Sakata-sensei, knows exactly who we are... in fact, I've basically become his best customer.
I have a feeling this meeting isn't going to be particularly "deep."
By the way, Alice has a conference too. And the people going as her guardians are...
"I'll go for Alice. I'm basically like her older sister, anyway," Risha said cheerfully.
"And don't forget me!" Old man Maurice added.
Alice let out a shriek. "Why are there two of you?! Isn't Risha enough!?"
"Eh? You got something to hide, kid?" Maurice grinned.
"That's not it! I'm a model student!"
"Then there's no problem. Look... the late King entrusted you girls to me. Besides, I've watched you since you were this small. You're like a daughter to me. That's why, as your 'father,' I'm going to hear what you have to say!"
Oh, wow. The old man was actually projecting a touching, fatherly aura. Risha even dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, pretending to be moved to tears.
However...
"You're lying! You two are just bored, aren't you!?"
" "Oh, you caught us." "
"YOU GUYYYYS!"
Yeah, this household is as rowdy as ever. Breakfast was taking longer than usual.
Rossweisse chimed in. "I haven't been assigned a homeroom class yet, but I've been helping out with data collection. Regardless, your future is important. The most vital thing is to consult with your parents and choose a path that fits your abilities."
When Rossweisse says it, it carries weight. Back in her Valkyrie days, she was a magical genius whose talent never quite got the chance to bloom. Even as Odin's attendant, she couldn't show her full potential. It wasn't until she became Rias's familiar that her brilliance was truly utilized. She's seen a lot to get where she is now.
Mom turned to Rias and Akeno. "Rias-san, Akeno-san, you two are just waiting for graduation now. Since your paths are decided, you can relax until spring, right?"
"I wish that were the case, but there is so much preparation to be done that we rarely have a moment's peace," Rias admitted.
"Ufufu, we'll be 'flower-like' university students soon," Akeno added playfully.
"I see. University. It'll be quite a change from high school, so preparation is key," Mom nodded.
University... campus life. I plan on going to university after graduation too, so I wonder if I'll be in the same position as Rias and the others this time next year?
Xenovia looked over at Koneko-chan. "What about you, Koneko?"
"...For me," Koneko started, but Kuroka immediately cut in.
"I'm going! ♪ After all, I'm her big sister!"
"...I told her she didn't need to come, but she seems quite determined," Koneko sighed, her eyes half-lidded.
Kuroka patted Koneko's head. "Don't be like that, nya. Leave it to me. I'll just go in and say, 'Please take good care of my darling little sister ♪' while I seduce the teacher. Your internal reports will be golden, nya."
Wait... that's...! If I were the teacher, I would definitely succumb to that! I'd be totally hooked by Kuroka's sex appeal! I'd give Koneko top marks in a heartbeat!
Wait, but Koneko's teacher is...
"...My homeroom teacher is a woman."
"Oh my, that's a problem, nya." Despite her words, Kuroka didn't look bothered at all as she popped a piece of tamagoyaki into her mouth.
Even though Koneko sounded annoyed, she actually looked kind of happy. Their relationship as sisters really is returning to what it once was.
Koneko turned to Ravel. "And you, Ravel?"
"My eldest brother will be attending. My father and mother are... quite busy at the moment." Ravel trailed off.
She still hasn't told her parents that Riser is safe. Well, that's because I told her not to. Based on what Tiamat said, the Riser situation isn't something we can talk about easily. It hurts to keep her in the dark, but Ravel is being a good sport about it.
Rias let out a breath and looked around at those of us still in school. "You'll have a lot to think about, but these conferences are very important. Akeno and I don't have much to do now that we're on free attendance, so we'll handle everything else. You focus on school and your futures. Understood?"
▽
The next day, after school. The conferences were officially underway. Students were waiting in their respective classrooms or designated areas for their turn.
Those of us in the Occult Research Club were hanging out in the clubroom in the old school building. The club members' parents were also gathering there while they waited for their turn.
As we were chatting, someone walked in.
"Well now, hello everyone. And hello, Irina-chan."
"PAPA?! You actually came?!" Irina let out a startled yelp. She was genuinely shocked to see her father.
Touji-san was supposed to be in England. Irina had assumed Griselda-san would be standing in for him.
Touji laughed heartily. "Hahaha, of course! This is a consultation about my precious daughter's future! I skipped out on work just to fly to Japan!"
You can't do that! Why are you skipping work?! Just how much do you love your daughter?!
"Lord Michael is going to be furious!" Irina scolded him, looking adorably angry.
But knowing Michael-san... he'd probably just laugh it off. That man is incredibly lenient... maybe even a bit too "loose" when it comes to things like this.
Touji rubbed the back of his head. "I'm joking. I actually had some business in Japan, so I was able to stop by. But really, even when my angelic daughter is angry, she's still so cute. Yes, yes."
He hasn't changed a bit. It was a heartwarming, if slightly eccentric, father-daughter dynamic.
Suddenly, Touji leaned in and whispered in my ear.
(By the way, Issei-kun.)
(Yes?)
(Did you... make use of 'that'? How was it?)
He had a look on his face that was nothing short of lecherous.
Yup. He's definitely talking about that room. The special room developed by Heaven where Angels and other races can... get intimate.
(A-Ah... well...)
To be honest... I use it!
I mean, they invite me! If a beautiful girl invites you, you do a Lupin-dive! It's a man's duty not to let a "prepared meal" go to waste!
But I have one grievance.
Could you please stop putting that doorknob on the toilet door when I really have to go?!
When I'm just going back to my room, or when I'm tired from Devil work, that's fine! I can handle that! But the bathroom is off-limits! That is a cry from the bottom of my heart!
For the record, Irina, Xenovia, and Asia use that room on a rotation. Lately, even Akeno and Kuroka have been begging to borrow the doorknob.
And I even overheard a rumor that Reina has been consulting the teacher about a "private room." In other words, she wants her own dedicated Reina-doorknob...
Am I going to survive this?
Anyway, yes, I'm using the room. But reporting that to her father is incredibly embarrassing!
(I'm looking forward to grandkids!) Touji-san said, slapping me on the back.
...The pressure for grandkids from the adults is intense. Even Governor Azazel has gone as far as saying the fate of the species rests on my shoulders! Though he's clearly just enjoying the chaos.
"Hey, Papa! What are you talking to Issei-kun about?"
"Hahaha, I was just asking him about the 'condition' of that room!"
"M-Moooom! Don't bring that up in front of your daughter and her childhood friend!" Irina turned even redder, fuming.
Even though she was acting all innocent, Irina is actually quite naughty herself—to the point where you wonder if it's okay for an Angel. Well, let's just blame it on the room.
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