Kisuke immediately figured out where the conversation was going and said, "Hold on. I can't bring Sera-chan with me. She has too many important duties to fulfill here."
Serafall, who had just straightened her back, slumped a bit forward after hearing that. It was obvious that she was not happy about it.
But unlike her, the smile on Yoruichi's face didn't disappear as she crossed her arms, "And what if she doesn't have any duties to fulfill?"
Kisuke stopped for a moment to think about it, "...It's possible..."
The slumped Serafall instantly perked up but she still didn't say anything.
Kisuke did his best not to look at her but he could feel every little movement she was making thanks to his heightened senses, 'What the heck? That's cute.'
"That's exactly what's happening." Cleria suddenly said, "Serafall-sama is not really in a good position these days."
Kisuke turned his attention back to the topic and replied, "...Please elaborate."
"Serafall would have been in a better position if she was dismissed but as you know, she was just suspended." Yoruichi prefaced, "She still had the position of the Devil King but she doesn't actually have the authority of one. Those old geezers are using that to trap her into a limbo of unending legislation making her unable to actually do anything of substance.
"This wasn't originally a big problem but in addition to her prolonged absence and her closeness to our faction, those on the higher-ups are doing their best to limit her power and in some cases, using her to reach the Sitri House."
"Any methods for a forced dismissal?" Kisuke asked.
Cleria nodded and said, "There is. We could ask the other Devil Kings to forcefully remove Serafall-sama from her position, but that wouldn't look good on them and Serafall-sama herself. Since she hasn't really done anything wrong, a forced dismissal would only be seen as an unfair attack on her. And that might be what those old fogies are hoping for because they could reduce the other Devil Kings authority by using the backlash they would receive after they 'unfairly' dismissed Serafall-sama."
"Sera-chan could also get away from the position by endorsing someone else for the position and that someone has to win the popular vote of both the public and senate." Yoruichi continued, "But as expected, she can't just suddenly offer someone the position and none of us actually want the Devil King status because we'll just give them the other end of the leash that would be attached to the next guy."
Kisuke could finally see where they were going with this but still asked just to be sure, "And the solution?"
"The other Devil Kings will issue a 'secret' mission to Serafall-sama that'll allow her to leave with you, effectively cutting off the leash on her." Cleria answered, "We'll only need to disclose that you'll be going to a different world with her."
"But wouldn't they just jump on that and try to negotiate with me for 'benefits'? They know the value of what a new world could bring so there's no way they'll stay quiet with me just gobbling up everything."
Sakura patted Kisuke's shoulder and he looked into her bright eyes, "That's where the useless Devil Kings come in!"
"Sis!" Cleria raised her voice.
But Sakura only giggled at her, "It's fine, big sis. They're not here."
"...That's not the problem..." Cleria sighed while facepalming. She's really worried that Sakura would one day just go to one of the Devil Kings' faces and call them useless, 'I can't deny it though... They've been too passive these past few years. Oh well, thanks to that, we could have an easier time but maybe that's just their way of saying "Do what you want."'
Since Serafall had already stopped considering herself a Devil King, she didn't have any particular reaction, 'And I can't really go against mother-in... Ehem... Sona-chan's mother-in-law's words!'
Sakura ignored Cleria and continued, "We've already confirmed from them that they'll be pushing back against the old fogies in exchange for letting their subordinates enter the Dungeon world. Sona-chan already confirmed that it wasn't a big deal even if they set up an outpost on that side since that will also lessen the pressure on them from those who wanted the piece of the pie."
After that explanation, Serafall on Kisuke's side suddenly stood up and went in front of him with a serious expression. Kisuke watched her raise both of her hands and suddenly bring them down on her shoulders with considerable force, "In other words, bring me along too!"
Kisuke stared at her eyes and in return, Serafall glared back.
There was another silence and there was a heated atmosphere between the two of them but it was nothing romantic.
Moments later, Cleria also added, "Just so you know, Masaomi agreed thinking that Serafall-sama was going with them so you might change his mind if you don't bring her along."
"We know how you act and we're pretty certain that there will be days that you won't be able to watch over the girls." Sakura added, "In fact, they might act like your maids after realizing how careless you are with household chores."
Yoruichi smirked at him and said, "You'll be looking after them? Let's be real. After a few weeks, it's going to be the other way around. Be ashamed and don't let the kids pick up all the slack or you might just lose your 'cool big brother' status."
Kisuke had a complicated expression on his face and Serafall had a big grin on hers, "Is there no other way?"
And that grin instantly turned into the biggest frown everyone has ever seen from Serafall, "...Do you really hate the idea that much?"
From the corner of her eyes, Kisuke could even see some tears pooling, "Eh...? Ehh!?"
Except for Kisuke and Serafall, everyone else started standing up and leaving the room one by one.
"H-hey! Wait!" Kisuke tried calling out for them.
As the last one to leave, Sakura turned to him and said before closing the door, "This isn't our problem anymore."
With the click of the door, silence returned again, but this time, with awkwardness floating in the air.
"So you really do hate it..." Serafall said a few seconds later and removed her hands from Kisuke before sitting beside him again with her head down.
Kisuke looked at her for a while before taking a deep breath and sighing, "Of course not."
"They why?"
Kisule leaned back on the couch and replied, "Because Yoruichi already proposed for you to come with me some time ago... And it feels like I'm playing into her hands."
"Is that bad?"
Without hesitation, Kisuke answered, "No. I just hate losing, even if it's against Yoruichi. After all, we grew up competing against each other."
Serafall wanted to say 'Just because of that?' But refrained from it because she didn't know the significance of their competition and she didn't want to make light of it.
"But I guess it's my loss this time."
Serafall hurriedly turned to Kisuke and saw him grinning at her, "Prepare your stuff. We're in for a long trip."
She couldn't help but give Kisuke a bear hug.