Originally burying my face in her bosom was enough to make me temporarily forget about the school trip and sleep well, but due to the extreme excitement, I was unable to sleep for a short while! Truly, Buchou's breast pillow was the best! After this and that, our scene changed to the waiting area of the Tokyo bullet train station. The group has gathered in a corner of the waiting area, out of earshot of others. Of the ones staying behind, only Buchou came to see us off. Though Akeno-san, Koneko-chan and Gasper wanted to come, the first and third years had normal classes. Since they were not allowed to fall behind in school, only Buchou came to the station. By the way, about the preparations for the school festival, the first and third years have no choice but to cover the shares of us second years. As for what the Occult Research Club plans to do for the festival, it is a secret. "Here, this is a pass for each of you." As we second years were about to leave, Buchou was handing out to us something like a card. Everyone took one and confirmed. "This is the legendary...?" Kiba asked and Buchou nodded. "Yes, this is required for devils to enjoy Kyoto, the so-called 'free bus pass'." Since most of Kyoto's sights are temples, or in other words, Kyoto is full of sites heavy in spiritual power, this normally caused all sorts of inconveniences for devils. After all, shrines and temples are normally taboo for devils. However, devils can move freely using this pass which was issued by existences (like onmyoji and youkai) from the Kyoto office in charge of affairs there. Of course, a valid reason was required beforehand. "We used the same kind of pass last year. As long as there is a legitimate reason, they will issue passes even to devils. Gremory servants, Sitri servants, and Heaven's messenger, do you realise how fortunate it is to have certain forces backing you all?" Buchou winked and I cheered. "Wonderful! Long live the Gremory's! With this we can visit the temples of Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji?" "Yes. Just keep it in your skirt or a pocket in your uniform and you will be able to enter those famous sights. —Enjoy your sightseeing there." " " " " " "Yes!" " " " " "
After responding, we immediately placed the cards into our pockets. With that, things were OK now. Asia's mobile phone rang. "Hello. Kiryuu-san? Yes. Xenovia-san and Irina-san are together with me." It seemed to be Kiryuu-san calling. Asia bowed to Buchou after taking the call. "Then, Rias onee-sama. We will be taking our leave!" "We are going." "We are going now!" "Yes, take care." Asia, Xenovia and Irina bid Buchou farewell and turned to leave. Are they making final confirmations? I seemed to have packed handkerchiefs, tissues and underwear properly, but let me go check again later. "Then it's about time for me to go. I will bring souvenirs back." Kiba also bowed and turned towards where his class was gathering. Leaving only me and Buchou. Buchou began to adjust my collar. "Collar. Take care of your appearance. Even in Kyoto, don't forget you are a student of Kuou Academy." "Yes, yes!" Having adjusted my collar, Buchou leaned her face against my shoulder. "Buchou?" "...Even though I've been trying to hide it, I am the same as Akeno. I will be very lonely the days you are gone. Still, even if it's like this I have improved a bit? In the first term I really couldn't bear having you away from my side, but now I can at least endure not seeing you for a short while." Buchou... Perhaps she lavished too much affection towards me all the time, was that why she felt sad about being separated from me? And recently, she really treated me like true family. Certain rare expressions and actions have appeared more naturally from her nowadays. I held Buchou's hands and smile. "That's a bit exaggerated. Even if I'm not here there is Koneko-chan and Gasper." "I know. But... you still haven't realised your own attraction. But then again, I like that about you too." As Buchou smiled bitterly, she drew her face near— and our lips pressed together. "—"
...My ability to think went completely out the window, my face turned red, and I remained motionless! Because! Because...! This was such a sudden kiss! "Bu-bu-buchou." Buchou smiled cutely at my shocked state and stuck out her tongue. "This is a goodbye kiss. What are you panicking for? It's not even the first time we kissed. Let's just say, even if you were to initiate the kiss, it's totally fine." "But, but even if you say that...! Still, it's shocking!" Hearing my response, Buchou showed a regretful smile and said. "I am satisfied with this. Even if you are in Kyoto, I will be able to endure the loneliness. Take care, Ise." "Understood! I will take my leave!" Buchou's kiss! The best! Ah, I am being so spoilt by her... This felt like some kind of lucky omen! This trip will be a blast! And so, we began the school trip! It was roughly ten minutes after the bullet train had left Tokyo station. "For me, this is actually the first time taking the bullet train." Matsuda's face was full of excitement as he sat on the seat in front, chattering away. I still have recollections about the first time I took the bullet train. Still, it was in early childhood when I didn't know anything, so actually, there's not much to it... I was sitting on the last row of seats, alone. The seat beside me was empty, while Matsuda and Motohama were in front. Across the aisle was Xenovia and Irina's seats. The scenery outside the windows was changing rapidly due to the high speed of the train. Over there, Xenovia and Irina were happily chatting away as they looked out the window. Although the bullet train felt rather fresh to me, it didn't leave me an impression as deep as the train to the Underworld had. How should I put it? Perhaps it was because I saw with my own eyes the process of transferring to another world, which gave a feeling of entering a different dimension. Xenovia came over to me and sat on the empty seat. Her first words were:
"Ise, I want to tell you something." "What is it? Xenovia." "This time, I did not bring Durandal -- I am unarmed." Oh oh. She suddenly confessed something incredible. Was it really true? "You didn't bring Durandal, why?" "Yes, I think it's the alchemists belonging to the Orthodox Church. They discovered a technique to suppress Durandal's offensive aura. Hence, Durandal has been sent over to them via channels belonging to Heaven." The Orthodox Church was another major faction within the Church, but they did not help much in the Excalibur recovery affair...
Xenovia laughed ironically. "Even the Orthodox Church is coming out to help. Looks like it must be due to the efforts of the Seraphim under Michael's leadership. However, it is still a rare opportunity to have those alchemists reforge the sword." Due to the current alliance, it seemed like the conflicts between Christian factions have also lessened. Xenovia continued.