Tenra stepped out of the student council room, feeling more than satisfied, and led Asia and Ravel to the assembly point.
"Captain!"
"Asia-senpai! Yuma Amano-senpai!"
Over a hundred kendo club girls stood in crisp sailor uniforms, each with a wooden sword strapped to her back. Tenra's rule—no true swordswoman ever travels without her blade, even on a school trip. With a group this dazzling, full of beautiful girls, they were bound to attract attention. The wooden swords weren't just tradition; they were insurance against wandering hands. Anyone foolish enough to try something would quickly learn why flowers bloom so red.
As a club, their assembly was set apart from the regular classes. Tenra ran through the safety briefing, then told the girls to mingle and stay put until the school signaled departure.
The air buzzed with chatter. Tenra bantered with his club members, while Asia and Ravel found themselves surrounded by admirers. Asia's gentle warmth and Ravel's "Yuma Amano" persona made them school idols. Plenty of girls in the club idolized them—though if those girls ever learned that the "pure and adorable Yuma-senpai" was actually a twisted, dark-hearted woman, heartbreak would be inevitable.
It wasn't long before staff arrived to announce departure. Tenra gave the nod and led the girls toward the station.
Their destination: Kyoto. The shinkansen from Kuoh Town would carry them straight there. With so many members, the kendo club got their own dedicated train car, right next to the other classes.
Onboard, Tenra spotted a familiar face.
"Oh, Issei-kun. Been a while."
"Ha… haha… Tenra-kun, long time no see." Issei's smile was stiff, his greeting awkward.
Motohama and Matsuda flanked him, apparently back in school. How they managed it, Tenra couldn't care less. After a few polite words, Tenra left them behind and settled his girls in their car.
Only then did Issei let out a long, shaky breath.
He used to think Tenra was just another annoyingly perfect guy, always surrounded by beautiful girls. But ever since awakening his Sacred Gear and fighting monsters, every time he saw Tenra, he felt a crushing pressure. Terrifying. Suffocating. He didn't understand it, but instinct screamed—this neighbor was not what he seemed. Best to keep a healthy distance.
"Asia-senpai, Yuma-senpai, and all those cute kendo girls…"
"Ugh… I'm so jealous of that bastard!"
"Damn life-winner! Just drop dead already!"
Motohama and Matsuda's voices dripped with envy as they watched Tenra walk away, tears in their eyes.
Issei grimaced. Could these idiots be any more embarrassing? He was about to warn them when someone beat him to it.
"Hey! Who just hit me?!"
Motohama and Matsuda clutched their heads, spinning around to find Aika Kiryuu and several kendo club girls glaring at them.
"Kiryuu, you crazy woman! Why'd you hit us?!" Motohama sputtered.
"Motohama, Matsuda, you were just badmouthing our captain, weren't you?" Aika's smile was ice-cold.
"We were just talking to ourselves! None of your business!" Matsuda tried to sound tough, but guilt flickered in his eyes.
"Oh, it's my business, alright. I'll end you both!" Light flashed off Aika's glasses. Her arm moved in a blur—before anyone could react, she'd already sheathed her wooden sword. Motohama and Matsuda collapsed, eyes bulging, clutching their stomachs.
Even Issei's eyes widened. He hadn't seen Aika move at all.
He'd heard Aika had become a kendo club ace, but this was something else.
"You pathetic trash. Insult our captain again and I'll cut you down for real!" Aika spat, then stalked off with her squad.
"Trash? Pathetic?" Motohama and Matsuda's faces turned green with rage.
"K-Kiryuu! Don't you dare run away!"
"Issei! Give us Sacred Gear power! I'll blast that woman to bits!"
Issei's mouth twitched. Can you two stop humiliating yourselves? Everyone's staring like you're total creeps. He turned away, pretending not to know them. No way was he getting involved with those violent kendo girls.
"Lord, please save my soul and guide me to the light…"
Asia sat in her seat, hands pressed to her chest, praying with heartfelt devotion.
No matter where she was, Asia never missed her daily prayers—confessing and purifying her mind and soul.
When she finally finished, Murayama, Katase, and a few other club girls gathered around, curiosity sparkling in their eyes.
"Asia-senpai, were you praying just now? Are you religious?"
"I suppose so. I have faith in my Lord."
"That's amazing! Will you tell us about your Lord?"
"I want to hear too!"
"Of course. My Lord is the greatest deity in this world. When I was at my lowest, He brought me light. He…"
Asia spoke with reverence and longing, describing her Lord's greatness and radiance. The girls listened in awe, gasping at every miracle.
Tenra, sitting nearby, watched with a bemused smile. Asia was evangelizing about him, unwittingly turning half the club into his disciples. The feeling was… strange, to say the least.
The journey passed with snacks, chatter, and Asia's impromptu sermon. Hours later, they arrived in Kyoto.
"So this is Kyoto…" Stepping out of the station, the girls erupted in cheers.
Kyoto—an ancient city, filled with history and famous sites. Rias had recommended plenty of places to visit, and Tenra planned to explore as much as possible in the coming days.
The school had booked a nearby hotel for all the students. Tenra let the girls pick their own rooms and settle in, then took Asia and Ravel to a special suite reserved for them on the top floor.
Asia, ever diligent, immediately started tidying the room. Ravel yawned and headed for the bathroom to wash up. Tenra grabbed a cold soda from the fridge, messaging Rias and the others as he sipped.
"Asia, take a break," he called, watching her work up a sweat.
Asia was the picture of a perfect wife—caring, meticulous, always looking after everyone. Ravel? She was hopeless at housework, but if you needed someone to commit arson or murder, she'd be first in line.
"I'm not tired at all! Just being here with Tenra-san makes me happy." Asia beamed, her simple joy infectious.
"Tired or not, go rest. Wash up and change—we're heading out soon." Tenra flicked her forehead, smiling.
Asia's eyes sparkled. She hurried off to shower and change, emerging soon after with Ravel, both looking fresh and ready.
Tenra nodded in approval and went to open the door—only for several figures to tumble inside, having pressed their ears against it.
"What are you all doing here?" Tenra stared at Murayama, Katase, and Aika sprawled on the floor.
"C-Captain, we… we…" Murayama and Katase stammered, faces burning with embarrassment. Aika, on the other hand, scrambled up, eyes gleaming.
"Hehe! Didn't expect Captain to share a room with Asia-senpai and Yuma-senpai. Planning to do naughty things with them, aren't you?"
Planning to? Tenra thought. We've already done everything worth doing. But he wasn't about to answer that. Instead, he knocked Aika on the head.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't."
"We're heading out. Anyone who wants to come, come along."
He closed the door and led Asia and Ravel out, Murayama and Katase trailing behind. Aika lingered, tapping her foot, a witch's smile spreading across her face as she hatched some new scheme.
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