(Issei)
- Occult Research Clubroom -
SLAP
"Ah!"
"YOU FUCKING BITCH! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"
My eyes were wide in shock, staring at the scene that just transpired.
Currently, the people in the room were Buchou, Akeno-san, Kiba, Koneko-chan, Asia, Sona-kaichou, Shinra-senpai, Hanakai-san, and the washboard (AKA: Nimura Ruruko).
Asia was currently on the ground, tears forming in her eyes as she touched the tender, red, hand-shaped mark on her face with shock.
In front of Asia stood a deeply distraught Nimura, her hand trembling and anger on her face after she just slapped Asia in front of all of us, the others around her being deeply shocked by the act.
It was rather sudden.
While Akeno-san was getting Kaichou to discuss the strategy to retrieve Haruto, Buchou had been talking to us about what would happen to Asia while we were away. As there was no chance of us handing Asia over to the ones who kidnapped Haruto, Buchou decided that we would request Kaichou to have her Peerage protect Asia while we were busy retrieving Haruto. What happened to Asia afterward would have to be settled after we rescued Haruto.
Then all of a sudden, the washboard walked into the room and slapped Asia right across the face. Akeno-san, Kaichou, Shinra-senpai, and Hanakai-san all came running in afterward, panting as if they had been running as fast as their legs could carry them. My bet was that they had been chasing after the washboard to try to prevent exactly what just happened.
"I-I—" Asia just stared in shock, uncertain about what just happened.
"If Haruto hadn't gotten involved with you, he wouldn't be in this situation in the first place!" The washboard screamed in rage, the rest of us having finally snapped out of it. Hanakai-san and Koneko-chan were the first ones to act, running forward to restrain Nimura who was struggling violently. "Let me go! I'll kill her! Dammit! Let me goooo!" Nimura cried, flailing about as she wanted some way to vent her anger, her pain, and her sorrow.
Then she suddenly sank to her knees, no longer resisting.
Tears began to roll down the sides of her face as she began to let out loud sobs, seeming to go from berserk rage to intense depression.
A moment ago, she looked ready to kill, but now she was a sobbing mess, looking like she desperately needed a hug.
"It's alright." After Nimura had calmed down, Koneko-chan had released her and Hanakai-san enveloped her in Ruruko arms, patting her on the back and speaking calm, soothing words. "It's fine…"
Funny, I always thought they hated each other due to their rivalry over Haruto (the only reason I knew about that was because I walked in on them tearing at each others's clothes… hehehe… that was kind of hot—NO! Have to be serious! ...Besides, I always have those images saved to my mind for future references).
Then again, I guess they just haven't been put in the right position in which they COULD get along.
I walked over to Asia and offered her my hand, an apologetic look on my face. Asia grabbed my hand and I helped her back to her feet.
"Sorry… Haruto's kidnapping just has us all on edge, Asia." I rubbed the back of my neck as we all turned to the sobbing mess that was Nimura. "...I guess the was—I mean—Nimura is taking it the hardest. She's Haruto's official girlfriend after all."
Asia frowned. "'Official girlfriend'?"
"Oh, I mean that since Haruto will have a lot of girls, his official girlfriend is—" I stopped, realizing what I was saying.
Shit! I realized my mistake. Telling people not in the loop about Haruto's harem was a no-no!
"So she is Haruto-san's girlfriend…" Asia said with an oddly disappointed tone. As if possessed by an unknown feeling, Asia walked over to Nimura, getting on her knees so she could stare right into the broken girl's eyes.
Nimura looked at Asia, uncertain what it could be that the nun wanted.
Asia's expression, as surprising as it was, became one of apology. "I'm sorry… Haruto-san promised to be my friend… I was so selfish. I ended up letting him sacrifice himself for me. I did this without thinking about those close to him." Asia became teary-eyed, an adorable expression that almost caused me to have a nosebleed. It was as if the nun had unleashed a wave of power that completely mollified each and every person in the room, including Nimura. "I'm sorry."
All at once, the washboard stopped crying. She turned to Asia, stone-faced. She placed her hands on Asia's shoulders.
"All is forgiven."
It was as if an unknown force compelled her to say those words. But then the washboard's face became sad again. She took a deep breath. She breathed in… then out.
"I'm sorry…" Nimura apologized. "I just… I'm worried about him…"
Asia clasped Nimura's hands in her own, smiling softly. "It… It will be fine. Haruto-san is really strong. And so is Issei-san and Rias Gremory-sama. They will definitely rescue him." Then she turned towards both me and Buchou, a sad questioning look on her face. "You will save Haruto-san… right?"
Buchou maintained a soft expression, not showing any ill intent despite Asia having technically been on the same side as our enemies.
"Yes. We will certainly rescue him. He is the Queen of Leviathan-sama after all."
It was at this that Asia's eyes widened to the size of plates. She looked rather shocked.
Eh? Come to think of it, everyone seems to act very respectful and nervous when speaking of Serafall Leviathan. Is Haruto's King really that important of a person?
"Ahem." We all turned to Kaichou as she cleared her throat to gather all of our attention. "Now that we're back on the main topic, we should begin to discuss our plan more seriously."
Asia and Nimura stood up, holding each others's hands reassuringly.
Wow… that happened. I honestly expected that damned washboard's rage to last a little longer. I guess that's just the power of Asia's adorable smile.
Kaichou and Buchou both gained incredibly serious expressions.
"I have contacted Onee-sama to inform her of the situation," Kaichou stated. "She was… extremely upset. So it would be best for us to rescue Namikaze-kun before she arrives."
"E-Eh?" I couldn't help but feel confused by that statement. "B-But if your Onee-sama is worried and is coming to help us, t-then isn't that a good thing? It would be good to have extra help in rescuing Haruto, right?"
Kaichou's expression became troubled. "That… That's a troubling question to answer. Onee-sama, she means well, but she tends to forget her own strength when she's in an extremely distressed emotional state." She then turned and stared directly at me. "Hyoudou, the last time Onee-sama was in such a state, she accidentally caused the Great Hanshin Earthquake." Then Kaichou's expression became even more intense. "This was because her favorite anime got canceled. How do you think she would act in an emotional state where her most beloved Queen, a servant she absolutely adores almost more than anything else, was kidnapped?"
Everyone paused, processing this.
…
""A-Apocalypse!""
Everyone else in the room screamed in unison, imagining the absolute destruction such an emotional girl would cause.
Eeeeeeh! How could such a cute girl with amazing-looking boobs be so chaotic?! Haruto, your master is bat-shit crazy! She destroys entire cities because of ANIME!
While everyone else was freaking out, I noticed Buchou moving close to Kaichou, whispering.
"What the hell, Sona?!" Buchou asked in a harsh whisper, too shocked and horrified to use proper language. "You never told me this! How could Leviathan-sama have allowed such a disaster to occur?!"
Kaichou placed a finger to her lips. "Shh. That was a lie, Rias."
"A-A lie?"
Kaichou nodded. "Yes. I just wanted to motivate them to work harder and move faster… To be honest, I just think the situation would be much easier if we completed the task without involving Onee-sama."
"Ah. I understand." Buchou said with a sneaky smile. "My lips are sealed."
I sweatdropped. What a sneaky duo those two are.
"Alright then!" Buchou turned back to us, drawing everyone's attention. They were seriously energized by the lie Kaichou told. They truly believed that saving Haruto would decide the fate of the world. Of course, that's not to say I'm not worried about Haruto to a large extent. I just think that telling such a lie was a bit unnecessary. "We all know the plan. The Occult Research Club will lead the assault on the Fallen Angel's hideout. Sona will be accompanying us as she is Haruto's 'legal guardian' for lack of a better word." Buchou crossed her arms. "While we are doing this, Asia Argento will be placed under the protection of the Student Council which consists of Sona's Peerage."
Hanakai-san placed a hand on Asia's shoulder. "Right! You guys leave protection Asia-chan to us! Just focus on getting our huggable Haruto-chan back!"
Both Asia and the washboard bowed their heads.
""Please bring him back safely.""
I managed a confident grin despite my nervousness and uncertainty.
"Of course! There's no way that idiot could possibly get killed in such a way! We'll definitely rescue him!"
I noticed that there was a powerful air of determination in the room.
Koneko-chan seemed attentive and alert.
Kiba clenched her fists, as if already preparing to summon a sword to cut down the enemies before her to rescue her target.
Akeno-san was not smiling. I couldn't help but notice that she and Haruto had become closer as well. Haruto seemed embarrassed around her and Akeno-san seemed more intent to tease him than me. Usually, I would immediately accuse the two of having done the deed, but then I realized it was crazy… Haruto would have rubbed it in my face at least ten times everyday if he lost his virginity before me. Anyway, Akeno-san actually seemed worried about Haruto. Not to the same extent as Kiba, but she cared.
Even Kaichou seemed to radiate the desire to rescue Haruto.
"Alright then! Let's move out! Akeno, prepare the magic circle!" Buchou commanded. "It's time to save Namikaze Haruto!"
Wait! That reminds me!
I raised my hand. "Um…Buchou…"
Buchou turned to me, confused.
"Yes, Issei?"
I swallowed, looking off to the side. "Well… it's not important, but… who IS Serafall Leviathan?"
GASP
Despite the seriousness of the situation, everyone gasped in shock.
"Issei-kun, you really don't know who Leviathan-sama is?!" Kiba asked in surprise.
I shook my head. "No… I've heard everyone talking about her with respect, but I don't actually know what position she has. Haruto didn't know either when I asked him."
Kaichou's eye twitched. "You mean that Namikaze-kun has gone several days without even recognizing the power Onee-sama's position entitled." She acted as if such a thing was impossible. "Surely the title 'Leviathan' would give it away?"
I shrugged. "We don't know too much about things related to religion."
Buchou massaged the bridge of her nose, seeming disappointed. "Once we rescue Haruto-kun, it looks like there will be quite a few things we need to teach you two."
Apparently not knowing about Leviathan-sama made me an idiot. Well, I'm very sorry for being an idiot then.
"Very well then," Buchou said. She walked closer to me. "Issei, the one known as Serafall Leviathan-sama is—"