“We will soon arrive at Kyoto.”

The announcement echoed through the train.

Finally here!

The Shinkansen stopped at the platform, and we stepped out with our luggage.

“Man, we made it,” Matsuda said, scanning the surroundings.

Other students, not just from Kuoh Academy, filled the area. As Kiryuu mentioned, this was peak school trip season.

“Let’s go, through the gate!” Kiryuu led us to the ticket gate.

“Wow, it’s huge!” Miu exclaimed, her voice bright.

Kyoto Station’s vast atrium ceiling and numerous escalators rivaled Tokyo’s grandeur.

“Look, Asia! It’s Ise○an!” Xenovia pointed, excited.

“Yes, Xenovia-san! Ise○an!” Asia echoed, thrilled.

They reacted to everything with such joy.

“Heaven needs a station like this!” Irina said.

“Instead of tinkering with Sacred Gears, the Governor should build something like this,” Reyna added.

Isn’t that just complaining, Reyna? Still, Sensei could probably make it happen.

“Meet at the hotel’s first-floor hall,” Kiryuu called. “Hurry, or we’ll lose time!”

As group leader, Kiryuu checked the itinerary. “Hotel’s here… we’re at the west gate, so this way.”

“Let’s go, it’s close,” Matsuda urged.

“Don’t underestimate an unfamiliar place, Matsuda,” Kiryuu warned. “Careless moves could get you hurt—or killed—in a battle.”

“This a warzone now?!” Matsuda shot back.

With that banter, we left Kyoto Station.

A short walk from the station stood a grand luxury hotel: Kyoto Serafall Hotel. A bit further off was Kyoto Sirzechs Hotel. The Demon Kings’ names carry weight, even here. Though, since this isn’t devil territory, they could’ve been subtler. Probably got permits, though.

The hotel, run by the Gremory family, offered us discounted rooms. The lobby was dazzling, a testament to Gremory opulence. Matsuda, Motohama, and Kiryuu were awestruck.

We’re used to it—Rias’s mansion and Alice’s castle are even grander.

In the spacious hall, many Kuoh students and teachers had gathered. Roll call began, checking for absentees. We sat on the floor, listening to the teachers’ instructions.

Our homeroom teacher, in a white lab coat (why?), spoke up. “Alright, listen up! School trip nights mean Pillow Throwing Festa. Face shots are fine. Three hits, you’re out. One pillow per throw. That’s the rule. No ‘that’s how it was in middle school’ nonsense, or you’re out!”

Just pillow fighting, huh? Classic, but why the English? And why mention it now? So many questions.

Beside me, Xenovia muttered, “So this festival happens on school trips…”

“There’s so much I don’t know,” Asia added, listening intently.

It’s not that serious, guys!

Sakata-sensei finished his pillow talk and handed off to Rossweisse-san.

“There’s a 100-yen shop in the station’s underground mall,” she said. “Get what you need there. Budget wisely—careless spending empties your wallet fast. Use the 100-yen shop. It’s Japan’s treasure.”

A 100-yen shop lecture?! Sure, they’re handy, but…

Former Valkyrie, is this okay? Rossweisse’s been hooked on them since coming to Japan. She wrapped up her passionate speech.

Rossweisse, a beautiful yet quirky teacher, became a student favorite at Kuoh. Her age and charm earned her the nickname “Rossweisse-chan.”

“Be careful. Drop your luggage in your rooms; free time until 5 p.m., but don’t wander far.”

“Got it!” the second-years replied, concluding the briefing.

Kuoh students got spacious Western-style rooms: two boys per room, three girls. With more girls at Kuoh, it made sense. Matsuda and Motohama’s room had two large beds and a stunning view of Kyoto Station.

“Insane!” Matsuda shouted.

“Joining Kuoh was worth it,” Motohama added.

Definitely fancier than most schools.

Now, my problem: I’m the odd one out, so I get a room alone… on a different floor, two above the boys’, tucked in a corner.

This feels ominous.

I opened the door and—

“…Huh?”

An eight-tatami Japanese-style room. A small TV, a tiny table, bare essentials.

“Hahaha! Seriously? Only your room’s Japanese-style?” Matsuda laughed.

“No bed, just a futon. Alone. Budget cuts hit you hard, huh? Tough luck,” Motohama analyzed, trying to console me.

I’m punching Matsuda! Why me?! Am I hated? Can I cry? Can I bunk with Miu?

A knock. “Issei-kun? You here?” Rossweisse, in a tracksuit, stood at the door.

I whispered, “Explain, please. I’m about to cry.”

“Bear with it. Here’s a handkerchief. This room’s for devil-related discussions if something happens in Kyoto. You were the odd one out, so we assigned it to you.”

“Fine, but why Japanese-style? Couldn’t I get a better room?”

“Other rooms are for regular guests. This one’s isolated, perfect for us.”

“What about Azazel-sensei’s room?”

“Good point, but it’s too late to change. Just deal with it.”

Harsh! I wanted a fancy room like everyone else!

At Inari Station, a short ride from Kyoto Station, we reached the path to Fushimi Inari.

“Lots of unique stuff for sale,” Matsuda noted.

“So many cute foxes!” Asia chirped.

“Can we buy souvenirs?” Irina asked.

The church trio soaked up Kyoto’s vibe, acting like typical schoolgirls.

Nearby, Miu said, “This hairpin suits you, Reyna.”

“Really? It’s a bit pricey…” Reyna hesitated, eyeing a cute blue-and-white floral hairpin.

It’d look great on her, but 5,900 yen is steep. With other souvenirs in mind, I can’t splurge either. Maybe next time.

“Beautiful girls in Kyoto!” Matsuda snapped photos of Asia, Miu, and the others with his chunky DSLR.

“What about me?” Kiryuu half-glared.

Past the first torii, a large gate flanked by fox statues—wards against evil—stood. Normally, devils like us couldn’t approach, but the free pass from Rias worked flawlessly.

I’ve felt eyes on us since earlier. Surveillance? We’re outsiders, so it makes sense, even with the pass. Miu, Xenovia, Irina, and Reyna noticed too, exchanging glances. I nodded back. No hostility or killing intent yet, so we let it slide.

We reached the stairs up Inari Mountain, soon facing the iconic Senbon Torii.

Dozens of minutes into the Senbon Torii, the endless red gates were breathtaking. We snapped photos while climbing, but…

“Wait… I’m… done…” Motohama panted, exhausted.

“You’re pathetic,” Matsuda sighed. “Even Asia’s fine.”

Matsuda, athletic as ever, was unfazed. Asia, despite being bad at sports, held up thanks to her training. Kiryuu, sweating but uncomplaining, kept snapping photos.

Motohama, you’re weaker than the girls…

We climbed, pitying his grimacing face.

Then, a shift. Hostile intent surged toward us.

Xenovia whispered, “Issei, you feel that?”

“Yeah. About twenty,” I replied.

Different from the earlier gazes. Trouble here would be bad—too many civilians at this rest stop.

“Xenovia, protect Motohama and the others. They’re holding back because of the crowd. I’ll draw them out.”

“Got it. Be careful.”

“Will do.”

Now what? “I’m heading to the top,” I told the group.

“I’ll go too!” Miu said, nodding.

They don’t seem too dangerous, and Miu can set up a barrier to keep civilians out. “Alright, we’ll go ahead.”

“Sibling date, huh? Jealous!” Matsuda teased.

“It’s a brother’s privilege,” I shot back.

“Give me that privilege!” he whined.

“No way! My sister’s mine!”

With that, Miu and I left, climbing higher. The presences followed. Might as well head to the summit.

At the top was an old shrine, surrounded by dense trees, dim despite the daylight. No one else was around—perfect.

Miu and I nodded, facing the source of the presence. “Come out. I know you’re there.”

A cute girl in a miko outfit appeared. “…Not from Kyoto. Not human either.”

Miu’s eyes widened. “A girl?”

Golden hair, golden eyes, maybe elementary school age. Fox ears atop her head, like Koneko-chan’s, and a fluffy tail.

…I wanna touch it.

“Onii-chan, what’re you thinking?” Miu asked.

Whoops. Those ears and tail reminded me of petting Koneko-chan’s. So fluffy. Beast ears are the best!

The fox girl glared fiercely. “Outsiders! Attack!”

At her command, crow-headed tengu in yamabushi gear with black wings and fox-masked shrine priests emerged from the woods.

Tengu, huh? No talking, just fighting?!

She pointed at me. “Return Mother!”

“I don’t know your mom!” I shouted.

Ignoring me, the tengu and priests charged. I dodged their attacks, instructing Miu, “Set up a barrier! I’ll handle them!”

“Got it!” Miu deployed a dome-shaped barrier, shielding us from civilian eyes.

“Return Mother!” the girl demanded.

“I don’t know her!”

“Liar! My eyes see through you!”

I’m not lying! Listen to me! What kind of upbringing did your mom give you?!

Some Kyoto welcome!

“Filthy demons!” a tengu spat.

“Defiling a sacred place!” another added.

Their staves swung with lethal intent. “Listen to me!” I yelled, grabbing a staff, kicking the tengu back.

They’re not strong—I can handle them alone. I deflected attacks, keeping my strikes light. Rias told me not to wreck Kyoto, and a big fight could trouble other factions and the devil world. Gotta keep this contained.

Then, I saw fox priests charging Miu with katanas.

Something in me snapped.

“You bastards!” I roared, dashing to the priests, grabbing one’s head, spinning, and hurling him skyward. “Become stars! Try that again, and you’re done!”

Attacking Miu? Unforgivable!

“Onii-chan, too much!” Miu scolded.

“Sorry, I just… saw them go for you and…”

“Don’t bully them too much, okay?”

“Sorry…” I mumbled, chastised.

[“With Miu’s skill, she could’ve handled it,”] Ddraig said.

I know, but my body moved on its own.

[“Peak sis-con,”] he teased.

Haha…

Stunned by my strength—or maybe my outburst—the enemies retreated.

[“They’re freaked out by you,”] Ddraig quipped.

Shut up!

The girl glared hatefully, raising her hand. “Retreat. We can’t win now. Evil beings, we’ll make you return Mother!”

“I don’t know her!” I shouted.

Her glare sharpened, but she and her group vanished with a gust of wind.

Phew, drove them off.

“Return Mother,” huh? Something’s already afoot in Kyoto.

———————————————

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