Rowan sat in the middle of class, yawning, bored out of his skull as the teacher droned on.
Aika said, "Aww, are you tired, handsome? What, were you out with a girl all night?"
Rowan replied in a tired tone, "Something like that."
"Whoa, seriously? Nice one! Anything happen?" she asked, leaning in eagerly.
"Now Aika, it's not polite to kiss and tell," Rowan said.
"Oh fine, you spoil sport," Aika pouted. "But in all seriousness, you all right?"
Rowan gave her a soft smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking, Aika. You're a good friend."
Aika smiled and said, "Oh, we're friends now, huh? All right then—you're welcome, chum!"
Then, a transparent screen appeared in front of Rowan:
---
Aika Kiryuu Affection: +6
Current Affection: 11
Current Relationship: Target
---
"What the hell does that mean?" Rowan thought to himself.
Sora replied mentally, "It means you were nice to a pervert who wants to get laid. Now you suffer the consequences".
"Oh hell", Rowan thought. "Well, at least she's just perverted—not crazy".
The rest of class went by uneventfully, and then the bell rang for lunch. Rowan went outside to eat under the shade of a tree. As he sat down, there was a flash of movement, and Koneko appeared next to him, staring at his lunchbox and drooling a little.
"That smells amazing," she said.
Rowan said, "Hey, that's mine—but I brought this one for you." He handed her a second lunchbox he had brought.
She eagerly opened it to find a juicy double cheeseburger, a side of mozzarella sticks with marinara dipping sauce, and banana pudding for dessert. She didn't say anything—she just devoured the food.
As she ate, Rowan heard Sora in his mind: Hey boss, that was my lunch!
Sorry, Rowan replied mentally. Wasn't expecting her to zero in on me like that. I'll make it up to you with your favorite for dinner.
Sora grumbled, You better. I want extra. And you'd better make sure I get lunch tomorrow.
No problem, Rowan said.
As Koneko finished her lunch, Rowan handed her a can of juice, which she took happily.
"That was delicious. Thank you, senpai," Koneko said.
Rowan smiled and said, "I'll bring you more tomorrow."
She didn't say anything. She just gave him an excited thumbs-up with a gleam in her eyes.
Another system notification appeared:
---
Koneko Affection: +9
Current Affection: 20
Current Relationship: Personal Chef
---
Are you fucking serious? Rowan thought to himself. Now I've got three damn mouths to feed.
In his head, Sora cackled. Serves you right.
Rowan mentally replied, Oh sweet—back down to two then.
Without missing a beat, Sora said, I can't control you, but I do have influence over the quests you get sent on. And I swear, if you actually stop cooking for me, you'll find out what it's like to live in Silent Hill.
Rowan paled and mentally replied, Hey now, let's not be hasty! I was just joking!
Sora said, I thought you'd see it my way. Also, is there any more of that banana pudding?
We live with a gorilla. What do you think?
Damn it. Well, I can't be mad at Bancho. By the way, she's trying to talk to you.
Oh shit, Rowan thought, then turned to Koneko. "Sorry, what was that?"
"I said thank you for the food, senpai."
"Oh. You're welcome, Koneko," Rowan replied.
Then she asked, "By the way, senpai, do you know anything about a gorilla terrorizing the perverted students in this school?"
Rowan looked a bit nervous. "Why would I know anything about that?"
She replied flatly, "Because I can smell it strongest in your immediate vicinity."
Rowan sighed. "Okay, yes. He's my familiar. But he kind of just does what he wants."
Koneko's eyes lit up. "I want to meet him."
Rowan thought, Why not? and said, "Bancho, show yourself."
Bancho appeared and looked at Koneko, then signed: Greetings, fellow warrior of justice. I hope you're doing well this fine day.
Koneko jumped up and ran over to Bancho, respectfully bowing like a student before their master. "Thank you for all that you do. The world is a better place with you in it."
Bancho signed, It's wonderful to be appreciated. I thank you for your praise, little one. But the fight against perverts is never-ending.
"Can we be friends?" Koneko asked eagerly.
Bancho let out a chuckle and signed, Of course we can, little one.
She pumped her fist and said, "Yes!"
Rowan watched, dumbfounded. Issei better behave himself in the future or he might literally die.
After Bancho and Koneko finished bonding, Rowan told her, "Koneko, don't tell Rias or Sona about Bancho."
"Why not?" Koneko asked.
"Because then they'll make me take responsibility for everything he's done to the perverts."
Koneko nodded in understanding. "Don't worry, senpai. I won't tell anyone."
Bancho patted her head and signed, Thank you, my friend.
She gave him a thumbs-up as he once again hid his presence. Rowan and Koneko became confused about why he left so abruptly—until they heard Rias shout, "There you two are!"
As she walked over, she said, "Rowan, you're not trying to steal my rook, are you?" with a pout on her face.
Rowan said, "Please, Rias. If I wanted to steal her from you, all I'd have to do is tell her that if she doesn't join me, I'll never cook for her again."
Rias said, "Ha! That would never work."
Then she looked over and saw Koneko innocently whistling and avoiding her gaze.
Rias slumped over in defeat, then sighed. "In all seriousness, how's the hunt going?"
"It's not," Rowan said.
"What do you mean, it's not?" Rias asked, frowning.
Rowan replied, "You didn't give me names or descriptions. I have no idea who I'm looking for. And while I can sense other supernatural beings, that's kind of hard to do in a city of over 37 million people."
She held up a finger and said, "You know what? That's fair. Sorry about that."
"It'll take a bit more time. I've got some leads I'm working on," Rowan added.
"All right. Keep me posted."
"Will do," Rowan replied. "I'll see you later," he said as he walked back to class.
---
Meanwhile, back in Tokyo (yeah, I know—cliché)…
Majima was pacing in his hideout, his men watching him nervously. Then he said, "I have to kill that little bitch as soon as possible. She's the biggest threat to my plans. But how? Shooting her won't work—she's somehow always able to avoid getting shot. And the most annoying part is she refuses to kill anybody."
He gritted his teeth. "That Shinji asshole had her artificial heart sabotaged, so she'll die eventually. But that's not good enough. I want to kill her myself!" he shouted in outrage.
As he continued his rant, a suspicious old man dressed like a priest walked in, flanked by two tall, demented-looking men—one wearing a suit and trench coat with black hair and hazel eyes, the other dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans with long brown hair and black eyes.
"The hell do you want? The nearest playground is several miles from here," Majima sneered.
The priest rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, like I haven't heard that one before. No, me and my friends have come to you with a proposition. We'd like you to work for us. In exchange, we'll help you with your... good work."
"Oh yeah?" Majima said. "And how are you gonna help me, old man? Even with your two backup dancers, I don't think you can do that much."
The priest nodded to the two men. From their hands, they created spears of light and skewered several of Majima's men.
Majima stared, wide-eyed, at his fallen men.
The priest said, "My friends here can take care of that girl for you. We can also provide you with weapons and supplies to continue your work."
Majima thought for a moment. "What are you?"
The priest smiled and said, "You don't need to know that. What you do need to know is that we are your friends—and we will help you. My name is Father Sullivan. Now... what do you say to our proposal?"
Majima said, "You got a deal. Help me kill the girl, and we'll do whatever you want."
Sullivan smiled. "It's a deal. Within the week... she will die."