Shirone's Pov
We were brought to the old school building. As far as I know, it is completely at the disposal of Rias Gremory and her Occult Science Club. Having spread my senses, I sensed five sources of life. There was also a room that was protected by barriers, so I was unable to sense anything in it.
Unlike Kiyoshi's average skills in senjutsu, my talent is much better. Of course, not at my sister's level, but I am not much inferior to her. Therefore, when concentrating, I can sense all the emotions of those around me. Even the most insignificant fluctuations will not escape me. And Kiyoshi has to concentrate on an individual, and even then, he will only sense the strong feelings that prevail in a person.
All the demons were in one room. Among them, one aura stood out many times stronger than the others. As I understood, this was Grayfia Lucifuge, the queen of the current Lucifer and the strongest woman in the underworld. She felt indifference, calmness and slight disgust.
— Buchou, Grayfia-sama, I brought them, — after the introduction, the blond stood behind his king, looking at us with caution.
Entering the room, I quickly glanced at everyone present. A gloomy Rias Gremory was sitting at her desk. The heiress's mood was far from good.
The blonde, whose sacred gear now belongs to me, hid behind Hyoudou Issei when we appeared. You don't need to be able to feel emotions to understand that she was afraid.
One of the trio of perverts looked beaten. His face was decorated with an impressive bruise under his eye and a split lip. He felt anger, irritation, slight fear. There was also lust when his gaze sometimes fell on the maid's chest. Now I can understand the reason and source of Lucifuge's disgust.
Akeno was the only one who was happy here. She was in the corner of the room, fiddling with the tea utensils. Infatuation and attraction directed at my husband had already become a familiar picture for me when meeting her. Although Kiyoshi himself does not see her as anyone more than a friend, and has repeatedly told Akeno about this, the girl does not give up. I have already come to terms with this situation and am following my sister's advice: I will leave the decision to my man. He loves us and will not change his attitude, even if he gets another wife.
A beautiful silver-haired woman with an outstanding figure, like most girls in the supernatural world, in a maid uniform greeted us first.
— Good afternoon, Zankoku-sama, Shirone-sama. Thank you for accepting such a sudden invitation. Please sit down,— she pointed to the neighboring sofa.
— Greetings, Grayfia-san. So, what is the reason for your meeting with me? — Kiyoshi spoke calmly and politely. He was not averse to showing respect if the other person deserved it.
— For that, I should explain the entire situation that the heiress of the clan found herself in, — she paused briefly when cups of tea were placed on the table. After thanking Akeno, the demoness continued:
— Due to the great losses during the war, pure-blooded demons began to enter into arranged marriages in order to maintain their numbers and the special power of the pillars. In the past, Lord Gremory entered into an engagement with the third son of the Phenex house.
— I don't see any problem with that. It's a common practice to enter into political marriages, — Grayfia nodded at Kiyoshi's remark and continued:
— That's right. According to the original agreement, the wedding was supposed to take place after the Gremory heiress completed her training in the human world, but on the instructions of the clan elders, the date was postponed. Riser Phenex, the mistress's fiancé, arrived today to notify about it.
— No way, — shouted the beaten Hyoudou, interrupting Lucifuge's story. — That fried chicken told Rias to come back. The freak acted like the bucho belonged to him, — a red glove with a green stone appeared on his left hand. — Next time, I'll kick his ass.
— Aha-ha-ha, — while Kiyoshi laughed at the words of this pervert, I looked at the sacred gear with interest. This is the first time I see a longinus, except for my husband's Incinerating Hymn. Although there is only purple flame from it.
— You amuse me, kid, — the half-demon finished laughing and wiped the tears from his eyes.
— I'm not much younger than you, — the brunette was indignant, — and what are you talking about?
— As I understand it, Raiser is the third son of the Phenex clan, which means a higher devil who was trained from birth. Not to mention the strength of the clan itself and the retinue of the boy himself. You're just an ordinary teenager who recently became a demon. You're just a worm compared to him. Even the fact that you're the owner of the strengthening mechanism won't change anything, — Zankoku turned to the red-haired girl, — Rias, you still haven't taught your servant etiquette.
While the Gremory heiress was gushing with embarrassment and anger, I watched the maid carefully. Grayfia was irritated by the interruption. She also felt satisfaction from Rias's humiliation and a bit of disgust towards the young heiress.
— You shouldn't butt in when adults are talking, — Kiyoshi's words lost their humor. Anger began to build up inside him. I had to take his hand to calm him down. He squeezed my palm gently. — I already told you this. There won't be a next time, kid. Let's get to the point. My mood is ruined and I don't intend to waste my time here anymore.
— Hyoudou-sama, — the silver-haired maid's cold voice rang out before Issei could say anything. —I strongly recommend that you remain silent and not interfere in the conversation anymore.
Lucifuge said all this calmly, without changing her tone, but everyone in the room felt a chill from the woman's words. She looked into Rias's eyes.
— I will be forced to inform your brother and parents about what happened. I apologize for what happened, — Grayfia bowed to us.
— This is not your fault. Only a master should be responsible for his subordinate, — Kiyoshi waved his hand dismissively, adding a jab at Rias. — Let's get back to the topic.
— Yes, thank you. There was a conflict between the Gremory heiress and her fiancé — Rias herself does not want to get married. As a solution to the dispute, it was decided to hold a Rating Game in ten days.
— So, what does this have to do with me?
— Sirzechs herself wants to make a deal with you so that you will play on his sister's side in this match.
— What benefit do I get from this?
— I was asked to convey that you can choose the reward yourself.
Kiyoshi fell silent, thinking about the offer, and at that moment his voice rang out in my head:
— What do you think about this?
— I don't know. You will have to play anyway, so the decision is yours. I don't think it will be difficult with your strength.
— Okay. I'm a little curious to meet my relatives, so I'll agree.
— I don't mind, but with two conditions, — the blond voiced his decision, holding up two fingers.
— Let me hear them first.
— First, I'm not going to do all the work for Rias. I'll fight Riser's pieces, but he himself must be defeated by his fiancée, — Kiyoshi chuckled slightly, calling her that,
— Second, I'm not going to obey Rias's orders. I can listen to her words, but the freedom of action is mine. And since this is a duel against the Phoenix House, it would be symbolic to receive ten bottles of phoenix tears. It's quite a useful and expensive commodity, but the freedom of his beloved sister is more important to Sirzechs, right?
— Let me clarify this, — receiving a nod, Grayfia contacted her king with magic. — Yes. These conditions are feasible.
— Then let's make a contract, — a magical contract appeared in Kiyoshi's hands.
End Shirone's Pov.
Having finished their business with the demons, Kiyoshi and Shirone, as usual, teleported to their home in Kyoto. As soon as they appeared in the room, the patter of little feet began to approach them.
— Dad! — a little girl ran into the room screaming, — I missed you so much!
— I missed you too, Kumiko, — the blond held his daughter in his arms and gently hugged her.
— You broke up this morning, — said Kuroka, who entered the room, — There's no need to dramatize.
— But I missed dad!
— Yes, yes, I missed my kitten too, and also, — the young man pulled the black—haired nekoshou to himself and kissed her, — I missed my beloved wife.
Zankoku felt something tapping on his leg. He looked back and saw Shirone's tail wagging furiously, and the girl herself was pouting. The blond smiled crookedly and hugged his second wife.
— Of course I love you too, — Shirone's mood improved after receiving a kiss.
— Me. I want to too, — the little girl intervened and received a kiss on the cheek, — Yay!
After finishing the greeting, they settled in the living room. Sitting on the couch, Kiyoshi found himself sandwiched between his two sisters on each side, and Kumiko sat on his lap. He told her about what happened at school.
— How was your day today? — the young man asked.
— Not bad, — purred Kuroka, snuggling up to Zankoku. — Today we visited Magari in the nekomata village, Kumiko was able to awaken her senjutsu. We will start training tomorrow.
— Isn't it early? — Kiyoshi looked worriedly at the girl who fell asleep under her father's caresses. — She is still too young for training.
— Don't worry, dear. It's just meditation and attempts to feel natural energy. There is nothing wrong with that, — assured the nekoshou. — Usually all nekomata undergo such training at the age of four or five, but our girl is special.
— True, — continued the second girl. — Kumiko took the best from you. She is far ahead of her peers both in intelligence and talent. I'm sure the little one will surpass us in senjutsu and yojutsu in the future.
— Well, if you say so, then I don't mind , — the young man resigned himself, — but let her not overwork herself. I want Kumiko to enjoy her childhood.
— Of course, Kiyoshi nya. I don't want to deprive my kitten of her childhood either.
The Zankoku family enjoyed the cozy silence until the girl's voice rang out in the house:
— I'm home! — This voice was familiar to everyone. Its owner had become a member of the family over the years they had spent together.
— One-chan! — Kumiko woke up and ran to her adopted sister with a joyful smile.
The half-demon and the nekomata also followed to meet the guest. Seeing how the black-haired girl hugged Kumiko with a smile, the others could not hold back their smiles.
— Welcome back nya!
— Welcome home.
After the girls, Kiyoshi came up and hugged the new arrival as well.
— You were gone for a long time this time, sweet tooth, — the half—demon chuckled. This nickname always makes her pout, just like now.
— Stop calling me that, — the girl was indignant. — It was still normal when I didn't understand anything, but not now.
— As you say, sweet tooth.
Their interaction made the others laugh, because this was a familiar scene in their family.
***
The allotted time before the Rating Game flew by quickly. While Rias and her retinue were training, Kiyoshi lived in his usual rhythm. For the half-demon, the upcoming battle was just a game. Having received information on Raiser Phenex and his retinue, Zankaku completely lost interest in the battle. The only one who could make him laugh even a little bit in a fight was Raiser, but that wasn't his goal. So the half—demon was just deciding how much of his power he would show.
He was currently in the old school building with Rias's team and Grayfia. While most of the others were nervously waiting for the start, the leader of Hyakki Yakou was sitting relaxed with his eyes closed. Kiyoshi felt someone sit down next to him and snuggle up.
— How many times do I have to tell you that we're not a couple? — The blonde didn't need to see it to know who it was.
— No matter how many times you reject me, I won't give up. — Akeno laid her head on the boy's shoulder. — How about we go on a date after we win?
Kiyoshi turned around and looked into the girl's eyes. He noticed traces of nervousness, but Himejima didn't doubt her words, so he decided to give her some advice:
— Listen, Akeno. If you want to continue trying to win me over, you'll have to win today's match first. If you don't take it seriously and play around with your opponent, you'll lose, — the blond squinted and his voice grew colder. — The outcome of this game will determine whether you'll become Raiser's bedfellow, like your queen, or not.
Akeno didn't have time to answer — Grayfia announced the start of the game:
—Please get ready. I'll transfer you to the playing field now.