“Hey, what’s with your faces?”

After breakfast, I joined my group and found Matsuda and Motohama with swollen faces, covered in bandages and gauze.

“Just some honorable wounds,” Matsuda boasted, puffing out his chest.

Right, these idiots tried sneaking a peek at the girls’ bath, didn’t they? Judging by their state, it seems the infamous peeping spot was guarded by Sitri’s crew. And these two probably tried to force their way through.

As if they could beat Sitri’s group. They’re girls, sure, but they’re demons. Plus, ever since losing that game to the prez, they’ve been training like crazy.

Oh, and earlier, I got dragged into their mess too. The Sitri girls grilled me about it. They asked for my alibi, but… last night, I was, uh, busy with Miu. No way I could admit that, so I was in a bind.

Thankfully, Miu and Kiryuu, who knew the deal, backed me up with a cover story. Still…

Ugh. It feels like Kiryuu’s got some serious dirt on me now. She’s a decent person despite her attitude, so it should be fine… I hope.

“Muhehe!”

Kiryuu’s smirking with her hand over her mouth, looking way too smug!

Is this really okay!?

Really okay!?

Motohama, eyeing me suspiciously, asked, “So… what’s up with you?”

“Huh? W-What do you mean?”

“I mean that,” he said, pointing at me. Or rather, at us.

Xenovia muttered, “Miu’s being extra clingy today.”

Let me explain my situation. Right now, I’m walking arm-in-arm with Miu. Have been ever since we left the hotel.

“~♪”

Miu’s humming, clearly in a great mood. It’s cute, and I don’t mind, but she’s being so forward today that everyone’s staring.

“Everyone knows you two are close, but this is next-level,” Xenovia added.

Ugh… I can’t say anything. No way I can explain this—not now, not ever. If I did, Matsuda and Motohama would probably chase me down crying blood. Worse, Miu’s one of the most popular girls in our grade. If this got out, the so-called “Issei Extermination Committee” would come for me in droves.

…Wait, what even is the Issei Extermination Committee!?

Anyway, I’ve gotta dodge this somehow!

“I-It’s just your imagination! We’re always like this, right?”

“Your voice is cracking, and why’s that a question?” Motohama pressed.

“Haha, w-what’re you talking about?”

Please, Motohama, drop it! Some things are better left unknown!

Today’s all about sightseeing in Arashiyama. First stop: Tenryu-ji!

I’m one of the Two Heavenly Dragons, so I feel like I’ve got some connection to this place. Right, Ddraig?

(Not sure. I might’ve fought in Kyoto ages ago… or maybe not.)

Sounds like his memory’s fuzzy. If he caused a ruckus here, it was probably way back.

We passed through a grand gate and headed into the temple grounds. After paying the entrance fee, a blonde girl in a miko outfit popped out from behind a building.

“There you are!” she called.

“Yo, Kunou! Thanks for guiding us today!”

“Aye, leave it to me!” she replied energetically, no trace of the gloom from before. Her beast ears and tail were hidden—makes sense with regular people around.

Matsuda and Motohama gawked at her.

“Wow, cute girl! Issei, when’d you pick up a kid like this?” Matsuda said.

“…Huff, huff… So tiny… so cute…” Motohama’s breathing turned creepy.

Crap! I forgot he’s a hardcore lolicon! A girl like Kunou is right in his strike zone!

Should I turn him over to the cops!?

“Kyaa! So cute! Where’d you find her, Hyoudou?” Kiryuu shouted, shoving Motohama aside and hugging Kunou, even rubbing her cheek against her.

“Stop calling it ‘finding’ her! It’s a long story!” I snapped.

“Let go, you brazen girl!” Kunou protested.

“So cute! That princess tone is just perfect!” Kiryuu gushed, ignoring her.

Yeah, this is hopeless. Kunou’s cries aren’t getting through. If I leave them be, Kiryuu might spend the whole day fawning over her. She’s that type.

I peeled Kiryuu off Kunou. “This is Kunou, an acquaintance. She’s our guide for today.”

“I’m Kunou! Pleased to meet you!” she said proudly.

I ignored the way Motohama and Kiryuu’s glasses glinted creepily.

“Let’s get started, Kunou.”

“Aye!” she chirped.

With Kunou leading the way, we toured Arashiyama’s highlights, starting with Tenryu-ji. Her enthusiasm was infectious as she guided us through Nison-in, the Bamboo Grove, and Jojakko-ji. Thanks to her pre-planned route, we saw more than expected. Even Matsuda and Motohama were impressed by how capable she was for her age. Kunou seemed to take her guide duties seriously, eager to make sure we had fun.

“Phew, we walked a ton,” Matsuda sighed.

Following Kunou’s suggestion, we stopped at a yudofu restaurant for lunch. We were tired, and the timing was perfect. Apparently, Kunou had consulted her fox-eared sister and a tengu geezer for the best spots to visit. Thanks to that, we had a blast—especially riding the rickshaw through the Bamboo Grove.

“The yudofu here is exquisite,” Kunou said, serving us tofu from the pot.

She’s so responsible for her age. And she looked genuinely happy, probably showing her true, carefree self.

“Here’s yours, Issei.”

“Thanks!” I took the bowl, the aroma of kombu dashi making my mouth water.

Oh, man, this is good! The tofu’s texture was unlike anything I’d had before, and the condiments—like grated daikon with ponzu—were perfect.

“Delicious!” Xenovia and the others savored it, huffing as they ate. None of them had tried yudofu before, so this was probably a memorable experience. They might even want to eat it again back home.

“Hey, Issei-kun!” I turned to see Kiba’s group eating at the next table.

“Yo, Kiba! You guys are in Arashiyama too, huh?”

“Yeah. Been to Tenryu-ji yet?”

“Yup. The dragon on the ceiling was epic.”

“We’re heading to Togetsukyo Bridge this afternoon, then Tenryu-ji. Looking forward to it.”

“Cool. We’re hitting the bridge next, so wanna go together partway?”

“Sure.”

As we chatted, another voice called out. “Yo, enjoying Arashiyama?”

I turned to see Azazel-sensei and Rossweisse-san at the table behind us. Wait—drinking in the middle of the day!?

“Sensei, you guys are here too? But, uh, teachers drinking at noon?”

“It’s pointless, Issei-kun,” Rossweisse said, fuming. “I’ve told him countless times to stop, but he doesn’t listen!”

She was pissed, veins popping on her forehead. Scary!

“Relax, it’s just a break after scouting the area,” Azazel said. “Don’t worry, I won’t end up like a certain princess who gets carried away.”

Sensei… you’re talking about Alice, right? Don’t say that in front of her—she holds grudges!

“It’s not about getting carried away!” Rossweisse snapped. “Teachers should set an example for students!”

“Chill, our kids know right from wrong. A little looseness won’t turn them into delinquents. Rossweisse, you need to loosen up yourself. No wonder you can’t get a boyfriend.”

Oh no… he said the forbidden word.

BAM!

Rossweisse slammed the table, face red. “A b-boyfriend has nothing to do with this! Don’t mock me! Fine, I’ll drink too!”

She snatched Azazel’s sake and chugged it.

Whoa! What a chug!

“Pwah! You’re always so sloppy!” she slurred, her speech already wobbly.

“She’s drunk off one cup!?” Azazel gaped.

I get it, Sensei! I’m just as shocked! And—oh no—she’s going for a second cup!

“Pwah!” Her eyes were glazed over.

“I’m not drunk!” she insisted. “I’ve been drinking with Odin’s old geezer since forever! I’m strong with alcohol!”

No way! She’s definitely not strong! Two cups and she’s a mess—worse than Alice!

Her rant continued. “Thinking about that geezer makes me so mad! If I see him, he’s done for! I slaved away for peanuts because of him! No boyfriend, no nothing… I don’t want to be a virgin foreveeeer!”

She broke into sobs.

Yeah, alcohol is dangerous for her. At home, only Dad, Mom, Alice, and I drink, but we’re careful. The prez and others might start at twenty, but Rossweisse? Never again.

Oh, and Miu reacted hard to the virgin comment. Please, be careful. And Kiryuu, stop staring at us! You’ll blow our cover!

“Alright, alright, I’ll hear you out,” Azazel said, handling her like a pro.

Rossweisse’s tears vanished, her face lighting up. “Really? Azazel-sensei, you’re not so bad! Waiter, ten more bottles! Hahaha!”

Nooo, she’s still drinking!?

“Stop her!” I yelled.

“Enough!” Azazel said. “You guys finish eating and go. I’ll handle this.”

“Got it…” We wolfed down our food and left.

“100-yen shops are the best!” Rossweisse’s drunken shouts echoed as we exited.

At Togetsukyo Bridge, we regrouped.

“Rossweisse-chan was something else,” Matsuda said.

“Yeah, her drinking habits are rough,” Motohama added.

I was stunned too. Kiryuu nodded sympathetically. “She’s got her own struggles.”

Guess so. She did deal with Odin’s antics a lot.

“Ye lot have it tough,” Kunou said, pitying us.

Let’s not tell Rossweisse that. She’d cry.

Anyway, time to move on! Togetsukyo Bridge awaited, its rustic wooden charm framed by stunning mountain views.

“You know,” Kiryuu said, “they say if you look back while crossing Togetsukyo, you lose all your wisdom. For you three perverts, that’d mean becoming plain idiots.”

“Shut up!” Matsuda, Motohama, and I shouted.

She’s too much! I’ve got more than just perverted knowledge!

“There’s also a legend that looking back breaks couples up,” Kiryuu added.

Grab!

“I’m not looking back!” Miu clung to my arm, her face desperate.

“Whoa, Miu, calm down!”

“You can’t look back either, Onii-chan!”

“Uh, okay…”

It’s just a superstition, but she’s so cute, I’ll go along with it.

“They’re siblings, right? They look like a straight-up couple,” Matsuda whispered.

“Definitely in lovey-dovey territory,” Motohama said, eyeing us suspiciously.

Ugh… They’re too sharp! It’s still safe, right!?

“No need to fret,” Kunou said. “It’s just an old tale about a couple who fought and split up here.”

Sounds like a typical story that got exaggerated over time. Still, Miu wouldn’t let go. She’s so pure.

We crossed safely, Miu breathing a sigh of relief.

But when I glanced back—

“Ugh… Issei-san…” Asia’s eyes were teary.

“Quite the show, Issei. Let me have a turn later,” Xenovia said, half-glaring.

“Total lovey-dovey couple,” Irina smirked.

“Issei-kun and Miu-san…” Kiba trailed off.

Oh no! Asia’s crying, and the others are giving me dirty looks!

“Time to call the committee,” Matsuda said.

“Already done,” Motohama replied.

Stop it! What even is this committee!?

Suddenly, a warm, slimy sensation enveloped my body—

———————————————

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