It was too unbelievable! It was so unexpected, that something like would happen! Seeing me surprised and speechless, Kunou proudly raised her arm and said
“Ahem, it’s about time for me to go to learn about the human world. You could say that I want to go to a school which doesn’t have any problems for youkai! So after asking mother, then I just had to ask the legal wife Rias-sama!”
That is to say, Kunou will be coming to Kuoh Academy this spring. After all, the school had many people secretly studying there. From youkai to devils, there were all sorts of people. The most special people were probably the Occult Research Club and the Student Council’s members. Not only were there devils, there were also angels, youkai, Valkyrie, a werewolf and even a female grim reaper showed up…. …In true spirit of the New Year, it looks like there will be a lot of new things happening. …Which also means an approaching departure. Rias and Akeno-san, will be graduating in around two months…. New people arriving, also means their predecessors will be departing. Although this is the natural course of things, I don’t look forward to it and it’s only the first month of the year. “Yes, O…phis will be very happy.”
I should tell Ophis when we get back. While her face will certainly remain emotionless, she’ll definitely be happy on the inside. “Uh-huh! I look forward to seeing Phis again!”
After Kunou’s enthusiastic reply, I released the barrier and returned to normal space. We began climbing towards the top of Fushimi Inari Taisha again. After reaching halfway, we saw some familiar faces in Kyoto. “Ara ara, Rias, you finally came here as well.”
It was Sona-kaichou and her household! Those girls were also wearing long-sleeved kimonos. …But only the Grim Reaper girl Bennia was wearing a jacket. “You know, Sona. I heard you were coming to Kyoto, but I didn’t imagine that I’d meet you here.”
Rias had encountered a good friend early in the New Year, and those two stood there while talking. “It looks like they got here about ten minutes before the Gremory household.”
Kunou said. I see, so they got here just a bit earlier than us. “Yo, Ise.”
Saji greeted me. “Yo, Saji. Happy New Year. You also came here to pray for the New Year?”
“Ah, it’s great fun. Fushimi Inari Taisha is our fourth stop, after that we plan on going to two other places before heading back. A part of the New Year means us devils coming out, which is well deserved.”
As he said, Kyoto is a sightseeing spot for devils during part of the New Year — especially the devils who are part of ‘DxD’ as many places open up to them. The Gods that each shrine is dedicated to expressed their consent. Because of this, even though it’s not the school excursion, we were still able to come here. Then again, the Sitri group also came to Kyoto during the New Year for some sightseeing. This isn’t too bad. We planned to quietly celebrate the New Year at the Hyoudou home after we got back from our trip. “What, you’re going to wish to be elected Vice-President?”
Hearing me joke about him, Saji laughed. Suddenly glancing over, Xenovia and the Sitri group’s [Bishop] Momo Hanakai-san were staring. Between those two seemed to be a silent tension. This was inevitable. After all, they were competing for the position of Student Council President, in other words, rivals. “I won’t lose to you, Xenovia-san”
“Ah, Momo. I also, will definitely win.”
The two were shaking hands. Hmm, a declaration of rivalry is fine. It felt like they were full of competitive spirit. But speaking of that, Xenovia, when did she start calling Hanakai-san by her given name…? It seems like the Gremory and Sitri girls frequently spoke to each other, when the boys didn’t even know about it. Hearing the conversation of the two girls, Saji shrugged. “So on my side, besides me; the others are here to pray for the election. Well, if the Gods here really do show compassion to devils, then we need to thank them. See you, I need to head back down now.”
After that, the Sitri group began walking down the hill. There were people besides Saji and Hanakai-san who also wanted to be elected in the Student Council. But they didn’t have much chance, so the election would definitely be able to determine…. In other words, the closest competition in the Student Council election, would be between Xenovia and Hanakai-san for the position of President. Next, we should also continue heading up towards the top of the shrine. —Just as I was about to start walking, someone hugged onto my arm. It was Irina. It looked like she was in a very good mood, so much so that she was even humming a tune. “Hum, Kyoto at this time of year is really nice. Darling ♪”
…D-Darling. …That’s right, since the beginning of winter, Irina’s attitude towards me has completely changed, sometimes she would call me ‘Darling ♪’ and she became even more clingy than before! She suddenly started learning how to cook, she planned to take baths with me, and if there was any opportunity, she would sneak into my bed at night! A-Although it made me happy, it made me feel even more troubled. Everything else aside, just ‘Darling’ alone was enough to make my entire body go numb! “…S-Say, Irina.”
“What is it ~, Darling?”
Irina’s voice was sweet. …Her voice made me hesitate on how I should respond. “Why…why have you recently started calling me ‘Darling’?”
I worked up the courage to ask. I wanted to confirm it. “Annoying. You certainly are, Ise-kun. Hee hee ♪”
Hee hee ♪—was what she said! I roughly understand…that I’ve become ‘Darling’? “Just calling me Ise normally is fine. Otherwise, it feels like my brain will melt…”
Because my mind really will melt so I hope that she can stop. ‘Darling’ is just too nauseating. It already no longer has the same meaning as before…. I carefully but clearly told her. Whereas Irina looked like — she had been struck down, her expression could immediately be seen. “H-How can you…How could Ise-kun say that…! And when I kissed you was it just for fun! ?”
Why would she bring that up! Why would you say that here!? Everyone around here were just ordinary people headed to the shrine!? “Hey, hey. You don’t need to say that so loudly!”
I nervously tried to calm Irina down, next to me Xenovia sighed while saying
“Irina, just a kiss has turned you into a lover, you’re too impatient. After all, Rias-zenbuchouand Asia have already kissed Ise, and they did it more passionately than compared to Irina.”
Xenovia said tiredly in response to her friend. Uh, ah, Irina and I kissed on Christmas…. It was after that that Irina’s attitude changed. What can I say, it seemed like she was always staring at me with an affectionate gaze. But Irina didn’t continue her frustration, and instead made a stance to pray. “I don’t care! The forbidden love between Ise-kun and I will continue! Even if there’s an obstacle between us, there’ll be no problems as long as we have love!”
U-Uh, even her eyes were sparkling…!