Members of Rias’ group, please think of this place as your home. Having just come to the Underworld, you’re in an environment you don’t understand. If there’s something you want, please say so to the housemaids without reserve. They’ll prepare it right away.”
Buchou’s father cheerfully told us this. No, there’s nothing in particular that I want anymore. Ah! Is it okay if I borrow the maid onee-sans for a night? I want ecchi service from the maids! Of course, it’d be the best if they could attend to me all night! —As if. I’ve been looking at too many Galgeand manga, haven’t I…? “By the way, Hyoudou Issei-kun.”
Buchou’s father turned to face me. Uwah, I’m nervous! What will he ask? “Y-Yes!”
However, the topic Buchou’s father brought up was unexpected. “Have your parents been well?”
“Y-Yes! The two of them are fine! W-When I told them that I was going to Buchou’s…Rias-sama’s hometown; they just expected a souvenir from me! F-For them to say such a thing after their house was so wonderfully rebuilt, they really are selfish parents…Ahaha.”
I said all that as a joke, but…
“Hmm. A souvenir, huh. I see.”
Buchou’s father rang a hand bell beside him. A butler-like person then immediately approached. “What is your order, master?”
“Yes. Prepare a castle for Hyoudou Issei-kun’s parents.”
A caaaaaaaastle!? A castle as a souvenir!? What the heck is that!? Is this some kind of Underworld joke!? “Yes. Shall it be Western-style? Or Japanese-style?”
The butler also responded normally! Is it normal to give a castle as a present!? “What a worrisome choice.”
“P-Please wait a moment! G-Going that far for a souvenir is a little too much!”
I quickly tried to restrain Buchou’s father. O-Our cultures and living levels are too different! “Dear, since the land in Japan is too small, it’s impossible for a commoner to have a castle.”
That was the voice of Buchou’s mother. Thank you very much for your help! Yes, I’m just a commoner! “What? Certainly, Japan is small. Hmm, if a castle is no good, I wonder what else would be a good present…”
“Father, worrying about it that much will just trouble them. Ise’s parents don’t possess strong worldly desires anyway.”
So said Buchou! Yeah, because Buchou knew my father and mother well, her words were persuasive! Buchou’s father also said “I see” and nodded deeply. Thank goodness. The castle was averted. My family wouldn’t know what to do with a castle, and it would have surely become a hot topic of conversation among people! Please don’t make my family stand out like that…
“Hyoudou Issei-kun.”
“Y-Yes!”
For some reason, Buchou’s father kept calling out to me. Was he very interested in me? Because I possessed the power of the Sekiryuutei? Besides that, I don’t really have any characteristics that make me stand out. “You may call me “father-in-law” from today on.”
What unexpected words. Now that I think of it, hadn’t Sirzechs-sama also asked me to call him “onii-san”? Was this the same thing? “C-Call you “father”…? T-That’s too great an honour for me!”
I waved both of my hands from the side and showed my restrained will. As expected, such an honour was impossible for me! “Dear, you’re being too fast. There’s such a thing as order first.”
Buchou’s mother scolded her husband. “Y-Yeah. However, it’s even crimson and red. Doesn’t it make you happy?”
“Dear, I said that it’s still too early to celebrate.”
“That’s true. It seems I just tend to be too hasty.”
Buchou’s father let out a deep breath. It seemed that he was completely dominated by his wife. So the words of Buchou’s mother had a lot of power in this household. If I watch Buchou’s family closely, tonight’s dinner may be a huge profit for me. The person in question, Buchou, was in a state of embarrassment and didn’t continue eating. “Hyoudou Issei-san. Is it fine if I can call you Issei-san?”
Buchou’s mother asked this. Somehow, it seems I was the centre of attention at tonight’s dinner! “Y-Yes! Of course!”
Naturally, I had no particular problem with it, so I consented! “Will you be staying here for a while?”
“Yes. While Buchou…Rias-sama is here, I’ll be here too…But, what about it?”
“I see. That’s perfect. Since I have to have you acquire gentlemanly behaviour as well. You’ll study manners a little while here.”
Huh? I have to acquire gentlemanly behaviour? What do you mean by that? Bang! The sound of the table being hit! When I looked over, Buchou had stood up at her seat. “Father! Mother! I’ve been listening quietly until now, but what kind of thing are you trying to advance while leaving me out of it! ?”
Buchou’s mother narrowed her eyes at those words. There was none of the smiling face from when she had pleasantly greeted us before. “Be silent, Rias. You already canceled your engagement with Raiser, remember? The fact that we just permitted it should be thought of as special treatment. How much effort do you think your father and Sirzechs had to put in in order to take care of things with the other high-class devils? Do you know that he told one noble that “my selfish daughter canceled her engagement using the legendary dragon”? You may be the younger sister of the Maou, but there is still a limit.”
—My selfish daughter canceled her engagement using the legendary dragon. Based on the words of Buchou’s mother, that party that I barged into was being thought of like that…Did I do something selfish? But I didn’t want Buchou to be taken away by him, and Buchou also said that she didn’t want to marry Raiser either. But, the action I took then—was it right? No, I’d like to think that it was right. “Onii-sama has nothing to—”
Buchou’s face became clouded by anger and she tried to speak out, but Buchou’s mother didn’t let her. “You mean Sirzechs is unrelated to what you do? Officially, that is true. However, everyone sees you as the Maou’s younger sister. Right now, when the three great powers have formed an alliance, your position is known even by the lower classes of the other powers. You can’t behave selfishly as you have in the past. And, above all else, everyone will pay attention to you from now on. Rias, you have been placed into that kind of position, you know? There will be no second instance of that kind of selfishness. Do not carry any spoiled thoughts. Understood?”
Buchou seem to be mortified by those words and couldn’t retort back. Still looking unconvinced, she forcefully sat down in her seat. After letting out a single breath, Buchou’s mother turned to us with a smile. “I’ve shown something ugly to Rias’ group members, haven’t I? Getting back to the topic, you will go through special training during your stay here, Issei-san. Since, you have to experience the upper society and nobility even if only a little.”
Seriously? I have to learn what it means to be a noble? Then what about Kiba? And Gasper? Why only me? Could it possibly have something to do with the discussion my parents had with Buchou’s father the other day? Like “Please teach our stupid son about the refined world”?