One night, after finishing the day's tasks, I was lounging on my bed, reading manga. Too early to sleep.

"Um… Issei… can I… sleep with you tonight?" Alice asked, stepping into my room in pajamas, clutching a pillow.

"Huh? Sure, no problem… but what's up?" I replied, surprised.

It'd been a week since we returned from Ast Aade. Alice had been sleeping in her own room, so her sudden request caught me off guard.

Burying her face in the pillow, she mumbled, "You're… going somewhere soon, right? I thought we'd be apart again…"

I chuckled. "Come on, it's just four days. It's only Kyoto, not far."

The second-years at Kuoh Academy were headed to Kyoto for a three-night, four-day school trip. I'd already packed—just needed to pick souvenirs and visit landmarks. We'd move in groups, so I'd plan with Kiryuu and the others.

It's not a big deal like going to another world. Kyoto's a few hours by train, or an instant teleport with a magic circle.

"I can contact you anytime. It'll be fine," I reassured.

Alice peeked over her pillow, eyes glistening. "Is it… not okay?"

Gah! That look! So cute! Was Alice always this type!?

"Alright, let's sleep," I said, heart racing.

She climbed onto the bed, seeming shy but happy. Or was I imagining it?

Silence fell. Awkward, like that hot spring incident.

Alice rolled over, facing me. "Issei… you always sleep with everyone, right?"

"Well… yeah." Two nights ago, Rias and the others clung to me naked. Alice saw and flipped out.

"I… want to, too," she whispered, snuggling close.

What!? My heart pounded. Was this really Alice? She's usually the one smacking me for pervy stuff!

Our faces drew closer. "Issei, I…" she started.

Click.

"Big brother, you asleep already? That's early—huh!?" Miu walked in.

Worst timing! A guy and girl pressed together—what excuse do I have!?

"Oh? Miu, what's—!?" Rias froze, spotting us.

Then the others piled in.

"My, my…" Akeno smirked.

"I'm late!" Asia gasped.

"A moment's gap is fatal," Koneko muttered.

Everyone stared, stunned. Fatal? What!?

Miu trembled. I cautiously said, "Miu…?"

"Alice-san, that's not fair! I want to cuddle with big brother too!" Miu cried.

That night, I couldn't sleep, smothered by the girls.

"We plan to establish a Norse magic academy in Gremory territory, train female demons as Valkyries, and start new ventures," Rossweisse shared her vision.

"As an angel, it's an honor to visit a high-class demon's estate! Thanks to the Lord and the Demon Lord!" Irina beamed.

"Thank you for inviting us. I never thought I'd visit Rias-san's home," Reynare said politely.

The Gremory retainers, plus Reynare and Irina, were having tea with Rias's parents.

Miu and Alice were out with my parents, exploring town. Alice, still new to this world, was getting used to it. She's considering enrolling at Kuoh, maybe in the university division, but that's later.

We were here to formally introduce the retainers to Rias's parents, delayed by my hospitalization after Loki, the otherworld trip, and reports to Sirzechs. Geotics and Venelana didn't mind the delay; they knew about my hospital stay.

"Haha, Rossweisse's business ambitions are promising for the Gremory head," Geotics said, laughing. Dandy as ever.

Venelana set down her teacup. "By the way, Issei-san, your second-year school trip is soon, right?"

"Yes, to Kyoto."

"Rias brought back delicious Kyoto pickled vegetables last time," she said.

Right, Dad sent those as souvenirs. Rias loves them too. Guess the Gremorys are pickle fans—doesn't fit their image.

"I'll get some," I offered.

"Oh, I didn't mean to trouble you…" Venelana blushed, covering her mouth.

So cute! She looks like Rias's older sister!

"No, I enjoy picking souvenirs. Any requests?"

"Well…" The tea party continued with light chatter.

After tea, we stopped by a Gremory-owned castle to greet Sirzechs, who'd returned from the Demon Lord's domain.

"I'm coming too!" Millicas joined to see his dad.

At the residential area Sirzechs used, we ran into him and a black-haired guest in noble attire—Sairaorg.

"You're looking well, Rias, Red Dragon Emperor," Sairaorg said, his aura brimming with intensity, purple eyes blazing. He grinned challengingly at me, itching for a fight.

"You too, Sairaorg," Rias replied. "Brother, greetings. We heard you were back and wanted to say hello."

"Sorry for the trouble. Thank you, Rias, and your retainers," Sirzechs said, hugging Millicas.

He didn't seem like a Demon Lord—reuniting with Sirius softened him.

"Why's Sairaorg here?" Rias asked.

"He brought specialties from Baal territory. I feel bad for my cousin's thoughtfulness," Sirzechs said.

Right, Sairaorg's Sirzechs's cousin on his mom's side. A Demon Lord's relative and next Great King? Wild position.

"We also discussed the upcoming game. Simple field rules, no complex battle restrictions. And… he wants to fight Issei-kun," Sirzechs added.

Everyone but me gasped. I kinda saw it coming.

"Sairaorg, are you serious? Issei's—" Rias started.

"I know I can't win yet," Sairaorg cut in. "But I won't run from Issei Hyoudou's strength. No… my soul craves this fight."

His intensity hit like a wave—pure, untainted fighting spirit.

"S-Scary!" Gasper shivered behind me.

Our eyes locked. Sirzechs suggested, "Why not spar lightly?"

Sairaorg blinked. "Is that okay?"

"You want to test your strength, right?" Sirzechs said.

"Yes."

"Then do it—if Issei-kun agrees."

All eyes on me. Now?

I wasn't expecting this, but… "Fine. My Sacred Gear's out of commission, though. That okay?"

"Really?" Sairaorg looked disappointed but grinned. "Doesn't matter. Show me your fists."

In the Gremory castle's underground training room, big as Kuoh's field, Sairaorg stripped to gray underwear, revealing a chiseled body honed by intense training.

"Thanks for this, Issei Hyoudou. I've been waiting," he said.

"No prob. I've wanted to face you too," I replied, both of us smiling.

His thick aura screamed battle-ready. Same age as Rias, yet stronger than Diadora with Ophis's snakes. Comparing them's unfair to Sairaorg.

Tension filled the air.

"Here I come!" Sairaorg lunged.

Fast!

His punch was straightforward but packed with insane intent. A direct hit would hurt.

I focused ki into my fist and met his punch head-on.

CRACK!

Our fists collided, cracking the ground. We both leapt back.

Insane speed and power—way above my street fights. The strongest young fist!

"You trained to that level alone?" I asked.

"No magical talent, just this body. So I forged it," he said.

We're alike, walking similar paths.

Like fighting a mirror.

"My turn!" I charged, circulating ki to boost my body, swinging at Sairaorg.

THUD!

He crossed his arms, blocking, but slid back, unable to fully absorb it.

He grinned fiercely, thrilled. "This… I haven't had a fight this good in ages!"

His aura surged, and he rushed me faster, the ground cratering from his step. No demonic magic or spells—just pure martial arts. Fists and kicks flying.

No tricks, just a brawl!

"Bring it!" I advanced, trading blows, dodging, and aiming for his face, body, legs. Each clash cracked the ground deeper.

"Hah!" Sairaorg's fist roared.

WHOOSH!

The air screamed from its pressure. I dodged minimally, grabbed his arm, and threw him over my shoulder.

He slammed into the wall, coughing blood.

Blood trickled from my forehead. I dodged, yet still got hit?

"Even holding back, few demons could match you in a brawl," Ddraig said, impressed.

True. And Sairaorg's not even debuted, like Rias. Insane training.

He stood, aura blazing. "I'm not done, Issei Hyoudou!"

"Let's crank it up!" I raised my ki, powering up.

I'm no battle maniac like Vali, but this fight got me hyped. It's a light spar, so I'm holding back, but Sairaorg's enjoying it, ramping up too.

I'll match his spirit, entering my zone—

"Enough!" Sirzechs stepped in, stopping our fists.

WHOOSH!

The clash whipped up a gust.

"Sirzechs-san…?" I blinked.

"Issei-kun, Sairaorg, I get your passion, but let's stop here. This room can't handle more," he said.

The ground to Rias and the others was cracked. Our fists overdid it.

"Sorry…" I mumbled.

Sairaorg gave a wry smile.

"No blame," Sirzechs said. "But seeing your full strength now feels like a waste."

"Will Issei join the next Rating Game?" Sairaorg asked.

"I'll talk to the higher-ups," Sirzechs replied.

Sweet! An official Rating Game? Sirzechs'll probably pull strings (hopefully)!

Sairaorg grabbed his coat. "I'll take my leave. Let's fight again, Issei."

"Count on it." We shook hands, and he left.

Sirzechs asked, "How was his fist?"

"Rare to trade blows like that. And he had restraints, right?" I'd noticed magical patterns on his wrists and ankles—probably seals.

"Correct. Few high-class demons could withstand his fists, even as a rookie," Sirzechs said.

Sairaorg Baal. A demon born without destructive magic, wielding only his fists.

I want to go all-out with him next time.

Days later, at Kuoh Academy.

"This schedule work?" Kiryuu showed her notes.

I was planning the trip with our group. Kiryuu's the leader.

"Covers landmarks and souvenir time. Looks good," I said.

"We'll adjust based on crowds. It's school trip season," Kiryuu added.

Everyone nodded.

Akeno mentioned Rias got too excited last year and missed some spots. With first-timers like Xenovia hyped for Kinkaku-ji, we planned flexibly to avoid that.

"Schedule's set. Prep if you haven't," Kiryuu said.

"Got it," we replied.

Ding-dong-ding-dong.

The bell rang. I returned to my seat for the next class—Japanese history.

Slide.

"Get to your seats!" Mr. Sakata, our homeroom teacher, walked in.

Wait, he teaches literature, not history.

The class looked confused. He scratched his head. "Was supposed to be history, but Mr. Hattori's hemorrhoids flared up, so it's literature. Open Kazan volume 10."

Uh, sir, I don't have it.

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