Scarlet 41

Scarlet 41

…

Commissioned by Sivantic

Wordcount: 2500

…

“I feel like a few steps are being skipped here.”

Yeah, it feels like some hack author is just making an excuse for the underdogs to start off in the big leagues right away. This is dumb.

I ignored Ddraig’s attempt to equate my life to manga and anime.

It’s low hanging fruit, but you can’t deny it’s accurate.

I just ignored him.

“The issue is something that was intended to cause war between the Three Factions, so it can’t be helped that everyone would want to meet and discuss it, Issei-kun.” Rias sighed contently as I spread some sunscreen on her back. Summer vacation started early for us, because the school needed to be repaired. Officially, a gas explosion during the night caused some damage and so students had their semester tests as homework. Rias took the opportunity to arrange a beach vacation and ‘train’ me to restrain my increasing desires. Honestly, I felt like she was getting cheeky and asking to be bullied. “It would be the same as three superpowers meeting officially to ensure that peace is maintained, after one of the power’s agents tried to instigate a massive conflict.”

Mhmm, yep.

I was barely getting any of the geo-politics involved in this, because putting sunscreen on Rias’s lightly-toned and blemish-less back was taking up a all my attention. A few centimeters away from this hard-working back were two pieces of paradise… and she must work out regularly to make sure that she didn’t get back pain. Her back was slightly firm, but smooth to the touch, as she lay on the beach blanket with her bikini-top’s straps undone. Hnngh.

Fanservice and exposition at the same time is a pretty good tactic. It really worked for that one cooking manga.

The ending was average at best.

You only read it for the fanservice, so I don’t expect you to understand.

Anyway, I went ahead and started lathering Rias’ very nice and long legs since I was done with her back.

At least deny it and say that some of the cooking battles were good!

“Neh, Ise-kun, don’t you think you missed a spot between my back and legs?”

“I wouldn’t be able to hold back if I did that or your front, even in public.” I stated the fact so calmly that Rias couldn’t help but giggle. Now that I thought about it, Devils were weaker in the sunlight, but did that apply to their skin, too? They walked around fine at school and there should be magic that can do this. Then again, if I asked that question, I wouldn’t have the chance to touch Rias’s back and legs and thighs. Yeah, I’m not asking. “Still, having a giant meeting with every big shot involved sounds like trouble. We normal humans can get away with it because we’re pretty weak and don’t want to die. If one of the Three Factions decides to just eat the losses anyway, so that they can win by starting with a sucker-punch…”

I let the issue drift off into the ether, but Rias was quick to respond.

“That is possible, but those arriving are anything but normal. The leaders of the Factions are as strong as one another and the strongest of their people.” Rias suddenly hummed and began to turn. My heart nearly stopped as she didn’t reach for her top’s back straps, and the red-haired Devil giggled before covering her chest and top with one of her arms and laying on her back right in front of me with a nearly-undone bikini top and easily-removed bikini bottom. She looked amazing in red. “It’s less leaders coming to speak with guards and more… whole armies coming to neutral grounds knowing that they’ll annihilate one another if they fought.”

I nodded dumbly at the statement, wondering if it was even possible to argue for a moment, while Rias’ smiled thinned in just the right way to be more flirtatious than cute.

I had no choice but to flip her back over, because even I had lines I wouldn’t cross.

“Not in public.”

Only because others would see and you’re possessive.

I ignored Ddraig again, while Rias giggled and I dragged a towel over to cover myself up, until I could head into the surf.

Still, I did wonder how I could use the upcoming opportunity to my advantage.

When powerful people came together, it usually meant that they were followed by people who were influential and capable. They could just be their guards, or retainers, but even those people were people of interest that could help me out. In the end, I couldn’t be picky, and I had to build up my power base.

Then, there was the other issue.

This gathering was also a prime target for whoever else wanted to end the current peace.

If I were in the shoes of a person who opposed the peace, I’d have had a backup for killing Rias and Sona, and what better way to do that than during a peace talk set up by the prior failure?

Y-yeah, I thought about that too.

We both have our talents, Ddraig.

Shut up!

…

The day at the beach continued after I managed to surmount the difficulty that came with Rias’ teasing. Since I didn’t want to have to endure another Devil’s seductive nature, I avoided Akeno and went over to where the food for the outing was being prepared.

“Ise-kun.”

“Kiba.”

No, I’m not calling him Kiba-kun.

Avoiding calling him that just makes things worse. You’ll look like a tsundere. Or an uk—

Shut up, Ddraig.

“Need a hand?” I barely recalled if I ever grilled and enjoyed a party on the beach in my past life. It was a hallmark moment of most teenager’s lives, if gossip and cultural reference points were to be believed. I was sure that most teenagers took the train instead of having private vans, and they probably raided convenience stores, instead of having ice boxes full of premium meat and whole rice cookers. “Just tell me what you need looked after.”

“Thank you, please look after the steaks at that end. They’re almost finished.” Kiba nodded at me and gave a smile, while I took the spot next to him. He wore blue trunks, sandals, and an apron. I fetched a spare apron and fitted it, before tending to the skewers he’d pointed at. “Enjoying the beach?”

“Enjoying looking at Rias and everyone else, mostly. The beach is… okay.” I told him the truth and he chuckled. Kiba knew how to be nice and act cool, but that was because he could pull it off with his looks. Personally, I didn’t think I looked bad, but there was a difference between being handsome and fit and fit and not-bad. This guy wouldn’t look out of place on a magazine cover, while I was more like the boy-next-door that worked out. Well, with the changes to my body, maybe a muscle magazine? The centerfold of Horny Perverts Publishing. Shut up, Ddraig. “It’s the company, more than the atmosphere, I guess.”

“Careful there, you’ve already got a lot of hearts pining for you. If keep up being a straight-shooter too, then you’ll achieve your dream-harem sooner than you think, maybe before you can support them.” I shivered at the implication and Ddraig’s nodded in the depths of my soul at Kiba’s words. There was something wrong about the thought of having what I wanted, but not taking good care of it all. Ddraig told me that dragons protected and cherished their wealth and treasure. I suppose that it was the same for me. “Do you have a plan on how you’re going to support the family you’re going to get? Are you aiming to be a new Pillar Family, or something?”

“Or something.” I agreed with a sigh and placed the cooked and lightly-charred skewers into the waiting tray. There was a lot of meat being prepared, since everyone present at the beach had a large appetite.. . and Devils didn’t need to worry about looking fat or chubby. As for me, I needed a lot of meat just so that I didn’t waste away. At least ten pounds a day. It was getting tiring fast, so I was looking into protein shakes and other ways to quickly chug nutrients, if I didn’t have time. “How much do you think being a Longinus-user for hire makes?”

“More than enough, I suppose. You might be unaware, but the Devils, Grigori, and Heaven all have very deep coffers.” Kiba gave a hum and looked upward while he thought. Damn, it’s no wonder girls are falling all over him, if this is how he acts unconsciously. I had to work on being super strong and do my best to kill powerful things while sacrificing my humanity. This guy can just look cute. The world is unfair. “If you ask Rias, she’d gladly give you a monthly stipend from her allowance. The territory her family owns in Hell is about the size of Japan and is as developed.”

On one hand, it felt wrong to ask for money, especially since I technically had plenty.

On the other hand, I needed more money and funds to get ahead in my new life than I did as a normal human being.

“I’ll ask then. I need more training, more weapons, and just about everything that I can use. Besides, I’m not planning one working against her.” Kiba nodded serenely at my words, and I helped him with the grill for a few moments. I considered trying to make small talk, but we weren’t that close to one another. It was better not to force things. The guy could handle his own life just fine. “Well, see you around.”

“You too, Ise-kun. Oh, and I consider Akeno and Rias to be very good friends of mine. Treat them well, or you’ll force my hand.”

My respect for the pretty boy jumped up a few notches.

Even though he saw me bring down a former Archangel and savage the vanguard of a whole Fallen army, he still stood his ground for the sake of his friends.

Yeah, even if we weren’t going to be close, he was a good guy to know.

…

“W-what? Are you finding me lacking?”

“Not at all. All boobs are great.”

“Pervert.”

“Yeah.”

Sona glared at me, but there was a light blush on her face as she met with me. We were both going snorkeling. Her swimsuit was modest. Sure, there was plenty of skin showing, but it was practical. A light purple two-piece with frills on the sides of the top and bottom that didn’t have any strings. They were closer to a sports top and bloomers, which made them good too. A sporty and safe outfit is nice.

A bit of seawater formed into an orb and splashed on my face.

“Have you cooled off enough?”

“Sorry, Rias and Akeno made me put sunscreen on them, and I’ve been holding back because I don’t want to share.” I bluntly told her the truth, because she’d figure it out anyway. The bespectacled, short-haired Devil snorted at my words and shook her head. But a smile did form on her face. Open communication is essential to achieving my dreams. I need to make sure that my intentions are clear, so that I could be rejected cleanly by someone who wasn’t interested. It was the least that I could do for my former fellows in physical sex. “I’ve been doing my best to stay in the ocean this entire trip.”

“Ah, well… then, you’re forgiven for at least trying to overcome your base impulses.” Sona sighed and snapped her fingers. Through magic she accessed a small circle and pulled a jacket out of it. The sports kind that didn’t look out of place on the beach. She put it on. The long, bare legs were very distracting, but most of her was covered now. “Is that better?”

“Yep, thanks.” I gave her a thumbs up and a smile, which got another sigh out of her, as we waited for our snorkeling instructor to arrive. “So, how’s preparation for the coming conference coming?”

“As well as it could, given that we’re hosting the most powerful and influential beings in contemporary history at our school to speak to one another.” Sona did that cute thing where she pushed up her glasses and brushed back her hair in the same movement. “In human terms, this is akin to the three leaders of three most powerful countries going to a high school for peace talks, if you must know.”

I nodded.

“So, it’s going terribly.”

“Indeed, we’re working with schedules and systems from three differing factions.  Everyone wants priority, has their own security measures that they want installed, and people they want in places where others want to be.” Sona gave a smile of defeat and slumped. I didn’t hesitate to place a hand on her back and give her a reassuring pat, while she covered her face and gave a haggard exhale. “It’s horrible. All we can do is compromise and compromise, so everyone is equally disappointed. No one’ll be happy and I need to do it, because if I don’t everything can go wrong.”

“Sounds like you’re doing everything right, honestly.” I told her simply and supported her the best that I could. Neutral ground was something special and temporary. Like the Olympics, they were best shuffled between hosts and the burden of compromise lay with the host. If the Devils made it clear that they weren’t playing favorites for themselves, and accommodating everyone else, it only meant that they were doing things right and putting everything in their favor. “If you need any help, you can just ask me.”

“Can you stabilize all of Japan’s supernatural population, so that they aren’t a possible threat to the conference?”

“I can try?”

“You don’t even know where to start.”

I shrugged.

“That’s not much of a problem. You do, you can have me taken there, and I can do what I need to with Asia’s support.” After all, with my capabilities, I’m basically a tyrant unless someone had a countermeasure against me. I can easily wreak havoc with my experience backed up with sheer power and durability, even without using Ddriag’s power completely. “Say the word, give me the job, and I’ll get on it.”

For a second, I thought Sona would just nod and keep the offer in mind.

Instead, she glanced my way and asked a simple question.

“How do you feel about Kitsune?”

“…Are they clever tricksters that happen to be blonde?”

“Oh, you know about them.”

Oh no.

Lisa.

I’m sorry.

And, here I thought that phase was over once you got a girlfriend.