04/13/2012, Student Council Clubroom, After School.
The Student Council room was a bastion of quiet efficiency, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy that had just departed the school grounds. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and casting long, warm rectangles across the polished floor. The only sounds were the soft rustle of paper and the occasional click of a pen.
At the head of the large, central table, Sona Sitri sat with her usual impeccable posture. Her brow was furrowed in concentration behind her glasses, her focus entirely consumed by the document in her hands.
It was not a school-related memo or a budget proposal, but a detailed summary of the latest match in the ongoing Rating Game Championship, freshly entered into its second phase.
The report detailed the clash between the formidable Dragon King-turned-Devil, Tannin, known for his raw, overwhelming power, and the reigning champion, Diehauser Belial, the "Emperor" famed for his peerless strategy and tactical genius.
As expected, the summary concluded with the Belial's victory, but it highlighted the intensity of the fight, noting how Tannin's ferocity had pushed the champion to reveal several new, previously unseen maneuvers. Sona absorbed every detail, her mind analyzing the strategies, the power deployments, the feints and counter-feints. This was more than entertainment; it was a crucial study for any aspiring Devil leader.
The quiet was broken by the soft click of the door opening. Tsubaki Shinra, Sona's steadfast Queen, entered holding a single, cream-colored envelope. "President," she said, her voice respectful but carrying a note of significance. "A letter has arrived for you. It's from Mr. Kegawa."
The name caused a slight shift in the room's atmosphere. At a nearby desk, a girl with vibrant reddish hair tied in a high ponytail, Tomoe Meguri—Sona's Knight—looked up from her work, her expression one of open curiosity.
"Mr. Kegawa? Who's that?" she asked, her tone guileless.
From behind another of the large desks, Momo Hanakai, the council's Bishop, peered over the top of her monitor. "I've never heard that name before either," she chimed in, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"He is a yokai who resides here in Kuoh Town," Sona answered without looking up, her attention now fully transferred to the envelope Tsubaki placed before her. Her movements were careful, precise, as she used a letter opener to slit the seal, treating the missive with a respect that hinted at the sender's importance.
"A yokai?" Tomoe's curiosity turned to perplexity. "I thought they generally... well, didn't like us very much."
"Typically, that is an accurate assessment," Tsubaki explained, noticing that Sona was already deeply engrossed in reading the letter's contents. "However, Mr. Kegawa is a unique case. He is an old acquaintance of Lord Sitri, Sona's father. He provided invaluable assistance to both of them when Sona was first entrusted with the governance of Kuoh, alongside Rias Gremory. He knows the town's hidden rhythms better than perhaps anyone."
Sona's eyes scanned the elegant, spidery script. The message was concise:
'Young Sitri,
I have conducted some discreet inquiries regarding the oni that brought violence to our town on the tenth of this month. It displeases me to report that my efforts yielded little concrete information that could pinpoint the origin or masters of these attackers. The trail is cold and expertly covered.
However, a pattern emerges that warrants your attention. Kuoh is not the only locale in Japan under the stewardship of your factions to have suffered such an assault. Specifically, onis have been the common instrument of these attacks. The coordination suggests a purpose beyond mere banditry.
Should you wish to discuss this further, my door is always open. You will find me at my shop.
—Chomei Kegawa'
A faint sigh escaped Sona's lips as she finished reading. She placed the letter neatly on the desk, her mind already cross-referencing this information with the scarce information her sister had mentioned. A pattern. That was more than they had before.
"What does the letter say, President?" Tsubaki asked, her voice laced with a hint of unusual interest. She could read the seriousness in Sona's demeanor.
"Tsubaki," Sona began, steepling her fingers. "I would like you to pay Mr. Kegawa a visit on my behalf. My schedule is unfortunately overflowing with council obligations that cannot be postponed." She gestured to the piles of paperwork on her desk. "I hope he will not take offense at my sending a representative."
"Of course, President," Tsubaki replied with a slight bow. "I will convey your apologies and ensure he understands your regards."
"Take Tomoe with you," Sona added before Tsubaki could turn to leave.
The Knight blinked, caught off guard. "Why me, President?" she asked, confusion evident on her face. "I've never even met this yokai. I don't know the first thing about interacting with one." The idea was daunting; her experience was largely confined to devil society and the occasional fallen angel skirmish.
Sona allowed a small, knowing smile to touch her lips. "Mr. Kegawa is, among other things, a connoisseur of bladed weapons. A true addict, one might say. He has pestered me for years to bring my chosen Knight to him so he might 'test their mettle,' as he puts it. Consider it a learning experience, Tomoe. An opportunity to be assessed by a master whose experience spans centuries." She paused, her tone shifting to one of practical instruction.
"Furthermore, it is essential for you to begin gaining experience in diplomatic interactions with members of other factions. This is a safe, controlled environment in which to do so."
Momo raised her hand tentatively. "President, if the goal is diplomatic experience, shouldn't I accompany them as well?" she asked. "A Bishop's perspective could be useful."
Sona considered this, her gaze shifting to the other girl. "A valid point, Momo. However, have you completed the financial audit for the upcoming cultural festival?"
Momo nodded eagerly. "Yes, President. I finished it just before the letter arrived."
"Very well," Sona conceded. "You may go too. A broader representation of the peerage might indeed be beneficial. Observe, and learn."
A bright smile spread across Momo's face as she quickly gathered her things, excited by the prospect of a field trip into the town's supernatural underworld.
———
The three devil girls walked through the quieter streets of Kuoh, the setting sun painting the buildings in hues of orange and gold. The normalcy of the scene felt almost surreal given their destination.
"Senpai," Tomoe began, her curiosity getting the better of her nervousness. "Where exactly does this Mr. Kegawa live? And why are we walking? Couldn't we just use a teleportation circle? It would be much faster." The practicality of devil magic seemed wasted on a leisurely stroll.
Momo nodded in agreement, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Yes, it seems rather inefficient."
Tsubaki offered a patient smile. "Mr. Kegawa is... traditional. He prefers to do things the 'old way,' as he calls it. He has a deep distrust of modern conveniences, including teleportation spells and even more instantaneous communication magic. That is why he delivered his message by a physical letter, likely via a silent, unseen messenger. We are heading to his place of business—an antique shop he runs."
Tomoe's eyes widened in recognition. "You mean that old, dusty place near the Shinto shrine? The one with the wind chimes and the faded sign? But... I thought the owner was a sweet old human man."
The realization dawned on her.
"Oh. Right. Disguise. Yokai are experts at blending in."
"Precisely," Tsubaki confirmed. "The human façade is a part of his business and his privacy. The shop is a front for his true nature."