Part 1
A certain day's afternoon.
I was relaxing in the clubroom after lunch when Koneko-chan and Ravel appeared with severe expressions on their faces.
The girls opened up by saying.
"...Issei-senpai, I have a favour to ask you".
"Please join us for our training!"
When they suddenly asked me that, I...…
"...Heh?"
I could only reply like this then.
"I want you to come along with us for our training--"
My two kouhai asked me this when Ravel started living at my house, and she was already used to life at Kuoh Academy, where she had transferred to.
Then, the next holiday. We started with their training.
The Gremory family's financial resources enabled the Hyoudou residence, which was extensively renovated during the summer holidays, to become a large mansion with six floors above ground and three below ground. There, Koneko-chan, Ravel and I, were gathered.
Koneko-chan and Ravel, who had changed into their Kuoh Academy-designated gym clothes, were in high spirits and were striking their fists against the sandbags placed in the training room.
"...That Werewolf and Lizardman".
"I'll never forgive them!
The two girls continued to pound the sandbags incessantly, with flames of anger in their eyes.
There was a reason why they asked me to train them and why they were so angry. The other day. When Koneko-chan was summoned to do Devil's work, she said that the Human who contracted her had picked a fight with her.
"Who is stronger, you or my friends?" They said,
The other party――to our surprise――was a man who uses monsters, a "Beast Tamer". Moreover, the man is a cousin of Abe Kiyome-senpai, the Buchou of the Tennis Club at Kuoh Academy and a Beast Tamer, which makes us feel like the world is a small place.
The cousin of Abe-senpai wanted to test the strength of the lycanthrope――Werewolf and Lizardman he was bringing with him, so he summoned the devils, who have this town as their territory, in other words, us, the Gremory peerage.
The Beast Tamer man must have heard rumours about us from his cousin, Abe-senpai. It was Koneko-chan who coincidentally responded to his summon.
Koneko-chan seemed to have received a lot of verbal abuse at the place where she was summoned and returned to the clubroom with her face unusually distorted with anger.
After that, many things happened, and it was decided that Koneko-chan and the beastmen commanded by the Beast Tamer would battle.
Abe-senpai apologised for her cousin's rudeness to us, but our Onee-sama just laughed it off, saying, "Well, it looks interesting. I'll let them try".
As usual, our Master is open to all kinds of challenges.
――So, Koneko-chan decided to accept the fight. She is full of enthusiasm and so full of fighting spirit that even I can feel the pressure.
"...That Werewolf contracted by that Beast Tamer called me a tiny cat, said that I smelt just like a cat and smelt of pee...! I will never forgive him! I will gouge his abdominal muscles with my fists!"
While saying that in a powerful tone, Koneko-chan punched the sandbag with all her strength.
The clasp broke, and the sandbag was blown away with such momentum that it crashed into the wall!
...Like always, she has quite ridiculous power! If I were to take a hit like that with my flesh body, I'd be KO'd in a single blow!
"That's right! It's as Koneko-san said! A puppy and a lizard-human like them should be burnt!"
Next to her, Ravel, with wings of flame sprouting from her back, was also hitting a sandbag.
I can feel her spirit, but she is somewhat, or rather, considerably less powerful than Koneko-chan. W-Well Ravel is focused on using her demonic power――a wizard type. So her direct power is probably inferior to Koneko-chan's.
However, despite being so cute, she has the attribute of immortality. So you will not be able to take Ravel down with something small.
Now, the question is, why is even Ravel training?
The reason is probably that... she is a meddler.
"It's not elegant".
That was the first thing Ravel said when she heard the story from Koneko-chan.
Ravel said that the act of accepting a fight because someone asked to fight was something below her, who was brought up as a genuine aristocrat and that if she knew that the other party wasn't even a Devil, it wasn't even necessary for her to touch them.
...The Gremory peerage keeps accepting the fights offered to us, though. But is that somewhat different from Ravel's perspective?
I, for one, am full of apologies for her. I'm sorry, there are only people who fight for the slightest reason in this peerage.... If you're wondering, we're part of a High-Class Devil's peerage!
Anyway, when Ravel found out what had happened, she went to the Beast Tamer in question by herself and stated.
"My classmate is a member of the Gremory family. She isn't that free to have time to fight with you, and above all, it's not beautiful to pick fights with others. I have come to ask you to spare my face as the eldest daughter of the Phenex family and to ask you to cancel this request to『Fight Against a Devil』. What do you think?"
Although I didn't see it in person, it was easy to imagine that Ravel must have talked in a domineering tone.
Then, the other party's reply was...
"Heh, don't be naive, you shit-smelling grilled chicken girl!"
"Oh, it smells like a bird, smells like a bird. It also smells burnt".
What came back was the greatest contempt from the Werewolf and the Lizardman.
The look on her face was even more outraged than Koneko-chan's, and as soon as she arrived home, with a blazing fire on her back, she said,
"...A whole roasted lizard and doggy would be elegant too...!"
Thus, Ravel reached a mutual understanding with her bickering partner, Koneko-chan. They formed a duo and vowed to fight both the Werewolf and the Lizardman.
"...I was the only one requested to do it, so don't stick your nose into it".
"What did you say!? I acted in the best interest of Koneko-san! Either way, it doesn't change the fact that the Werewolf and the Lizardman will be roasted whole!"
While they argued, their raised fists were powerful. Now for the important stuff. How should I accompany them in their training?
"Let's spar for now. Well, who wants to spar first?"
Sure, I'll go first!
They said in unison. ...Well, let's take it slow.
A few things I've learnt from practising with them.
"...You have to hit it as if you're going to gouge it!"
A sharp, gloved fist was launched at me. With a good sound, I felt the impact of the blow on the mitt I was holding.
First, about Koneko-chan. Naturally, as a『Rook』, Koneko-chan has superior power and is good at joints and throwing techniques. I don't know how strong the Werewolf and Lizardman are, but Koneko-chan will have the advantage if she gets close.
"Flames are the characteristic and symbol of my family!'
The next one is Ravel, the daughter of the Phenex family and a High-Class Devil. As expected, she excels in the use of demonic power. While some aspects of it are being boosted by the『Bishop』piece, the flames she releases are powerful. If this training room had not been built so solidly, it would have been on fire.
And above all, Ravel is immortal. She recovers quickly from damage; as long as her spirit――her heart is not broken, she will be able to fight. I had a lot of trouble with this immortality when I fought against Riser...
Ravel also would have experienced a few professional matches in the company of her brother. So it's not like she doesn't have some real battle experience.
...Well, from what I've heard, she didn't move much in the game and just often watched from the sidelines... I heard that Riser made her stay away from dangerous situations as much as possible or something like that.
Okay, I have a good idea of what each of them is capable of. The question is their chemistry―― whether they can work together as a duo.
"It's two-against-two, isn't it? Then, it is only natural to consider how the both of you will fight together. Try to come at me simultaneously".
I said this to the two of them as I suppressed my power since I was in my armour, my Balance Breaker state.
They nodded and came running out at once.
"...You're in the way".
"Ah, hey! That is my line. Could you not come out in front of me!?"
Koneko-chan was in front of Ravel, who had spread her wings of flame and tried to head forward.
Both had tried to set up first and failed to make the first impact.
...Their breathing is completely out of sync. I guess they don't have the same wavelength because both are trying to get in front of each other while thinking [I, I, I].
Usually, Koneko-chan would never do such a thing, but perhaps because her partner is Ravel, she's striving to be the first to go. I think the same could be said for Ravel.
...Hmm, it would be easy if this was something that they could correct if I pointed it out, but in the end, I don't know if they can function as a duo in the short term...
"..."
Koneko-chan was staring at me as I bent my neck.
"Hmm? Is there something wrong, Koneko-chan?"
"It's just that although we were the ones who asked for your help, you're working more seriously than usual..."
...Although she was grateful, Koneko-chan was feeling a little sceptical.
...Ah, as always, she's sharp! No, that's not what I mean!
I coughed and seriously told Keneko-chan,
"Isn't that natural? Koneko-chan and Ravel are my precious kouhai. I don't know if the opponent is a Werewolf or a Bearman, but my kouhai shouldn't lose against such people! I'll always help you with everything I can!"
When I declared powerfully, Ravel's eyes lit up, and she said, impressed, "As expected of Issei-sama!"
――However, while Kenoko-chan was half-convinced, a tinge of suspicion remained on her face.
As I said, I'll help these girls and these are my true feelings. There is no way I could disregard a request from my cute kouhai girls. Instead, I can assure you that I would spare no effort to help them.
...But, the look of suspicion from Koneko-chan is correct.
This is because I received a small offer from Abe-senpai on this occasion...
Abe-senpai was a little afraid of the power of the Werewolf and Lizardman under her cousin, perhaps because she isn't deeply aware of Koneko-chan and Ravel's abilities.
"...Even if Toujou Koneko-san and Ravel Phenex-san are devils, they will have a hard time against those two beastmen in a fight. Hyoudou-kun, please, support them with the Sekiryuutei's power. And this may not sound like an apology for my cousin's rudeness, but I would like to introduce some familiars to you, Hyoudou-kun".
Abe-senpai said. To be honest, I don't think Koneko-chan and Ravel would have a hard time against those beastmen. But familiars are a good thing!
A familiar! I don't have one yet... Somehow, regardless of all the powerful enemies I've encountered, I'm still a newbie in this area...
Since this is an excellent opportunity, I should get a familiar! I thought about asking her to introduce me to some cute girl to be my familiar, but then, the image of a super-tough Yuki Onna and a mermaid――a big fish with legs passed through my mind.
Yes, Abe-senpai's taste in familiars is quite bad. No, among her familiars, there is also the Lamia-san, whose upper body is that of a beautiful girl and lower is that of a snake. And Harpy-chan, whose hands are wings. But the ones I got involved with were the most inhuman among the inhuman and had appearances suitable to be called magical beasts.
I would rather choose the practical one than expect those beautiful familiars from the start and be betrayed!
That's why I warned her from the start and said.
"――Introduce me to a slime that melts women's clothes and tentacles that like to feed on what is secreted from women's bodies".
That's right, all I wanted was a replacement for my once bereft soulmates, Slime-Taro and Tentacle-Maru.
Fufufu, Slime-Jirou, Tentacle-Emon, wait for me. We'll see each other soon! And when you become my familiars, you'll have plenty of action! Let's melt women's clothes and make them slimy with your tentacles!
"...You're having dirty thoughts after all, aren't you...?"
Koneko-chan was staring at me with scornful eyes! As expected of Koneko-chan, she is very strict in her checks! But don't worry! I won't use Slime-Jirou and Tentacle-Emon on you, Koneko-chan! Because if I do so, they will end up getting killed anyway!
"Hahahaha! But anyway, let's resume our practice, Koneko-chan, Ravel! Let's defeat the Werewolf and Lizardman!"
I forced myself to switch gears and told them so!
"...Well, I know that, but".
"Of course!"
Despite all that happened, the two of them sparred with me enthusiastically.
Thus, I spent the rest of that day training with them, trying to take back what I lost that day.
Part 2
Late at night on the day of the decisive battle.
Koneko, Ravel and I gathered at the designated place of the battle――Kuoh Academy's gymnasium.
A square ring was set up in the centre of the gymnasium and there was even live coverage.
『Oooh, here comes the Hellcat and Phenex Girl duo! Their second is Hyoudou Issei-kun, the Red Dragon Emperor! Today's live commentator is I, Shidou Irina, AKA, Michael-sama's Ace! Best regards!』
It was Irina who was in super high spirits on the microphone! What the hell are you doing!?
『I'm Xenovia, also a commentator. Hello there.』
『My name is Abe Kiyome and I am also a commentator. Today I hope to explain about familiars.』
It was Xenovia and Abe-senpai, who were sitting in the live coverage seat with Irina! There are also audience seats available, but only a few people are sitting there. Or rather, everyone, how much were you all looking forward to the fight between Koneko-chan and the others!? We have a ring, live coverage and spectators' seats! You guys are too well prepared!
Or rather, I'm their second!? I didn't even hear about it! I just helped them practice!
"I'll cheer for you today".
"If you get hurt, I'll heal you".
Kiba and Asia said from the spectators' seats, waving their hands! You're excited to watch the fight, huh!?
『By the way, Rias-san, Akeno-san and Rossweisse-sensei won't be coming today because they have some business!』
Irina provided additional explanations. Oh, so the Onee-samas didn't come today.
But all the other peerage members are here... Huh?? I didn't see someone I knew, so I felt suspicious.
The bastard Gya-suke is missing. His friends and classmates Koneko-chan and Ravel are fighting, so it wouldn't be surprising if he were the first to rush to the scene... Did he have a cold or something?
As I was thinking this, the lights in the gymnasium went out, and a colourful, flashy beam and mist came from the ring.
『Ah! The latecomers to Hellcat & Phenex Girl team are the Perfect Beastmen team!』
Irina's announcement was followed by the appearance of a humanoid monster with a wolf's head and a humanoid monster with the head and features of a lizard.
"Hehehehe! I've come to bully the tiny cat and the birdy girl!"
"Gururururururu! Let's have fun today!"
I see, so this is the Werewolf and Lizardman who have agitated Koneko-chan so much. They've got a villainous look on their faces and were saying villainous lines!
But I think that a Lizardman, who laughs with [Gurururururu], is too precious nowadays!
Behind them was a skinny, evil-eyed man.
"...Fufufu, there's no way my friends can be defeated by mere devils".
Ah, that's Abe-senpai's cousin, isn't it? He has quite the wicked look on his face, doesn't he...?
Both teams went into the ring. ...It's wrestling. They are trying to imitate professional wrestling. So the duel was in a wrestling format....
The referee between the two tag teams is a woman with glasses and big tits who appeared in the middle of the ring.
"My name is Shinra Tsubaki and I will be your referee. I am the vice-president of the Student Council".
Vice-President!? Why are you refereeing!?
Kiba, in the audience, said apologetically.
"We needed a referee, but we didn't have one, so I consulted the... student council, and Shinra-senpai came out to help us".
"Kiba-kun's request... No, if it's a request from the Gremory peerage, whom I am friendly with, then I, as vice-president of the student council, should participate. Please leave it to me today".
She looked cool with her glasses shining and everything, but she was definitely doing it because Kiba asked her to!
W-Well, since this match was officially approved by the student council, does that mean we have at least a minimum amount of permission to do so?
After the referee checked for both teams, the bell rang with a "Khan", and the match began!
I'm the second for Koneko-chan and Ravel, so I watched them fight from below the ring.
Koneko-chan and Ravel took off their coats. Koneko-chan was wearing her old school swimsuit, and Ravel was wearing a cute frilly wrestling outfit!
The first two to fight were Koneko-chan and the Werewolf!
"Heh heh heh heh! I'm going to show you how scary wolves can be!"
That's a very template line! This Werewolf is so much on his villain act that it's frightening!
Koneko-chan unhesitatingly went straight at him, and "Boom!" punched him so hard that the air shook.
The Werewolf successfully avoided it and ran around the ring with agile movements like a wolf. He's pretty fast. I can handle it, but I don't think a weak Devil could cope with it. After moving around the ring for a while, the Werewolf caught a blind spot and jumped at Koneko-chan! An attack from the left rear!
But Koneko-chan seemed to have grasped it and turned herself and dodged her opponent's lunge. While avoiding it, she unleashed a kick at the flank of her opponent!
"Uh-oh!"
The Werewolf rolled to the side on the spot and dodged even this attack! As I thought, if it's about just moving, this guy is quite something.
『Oh! You're pretty fast, Werewolf-san! He even dodged that attack!』
『When it comes to werewolves, speed can be considered their weapon. I heard that werewolves reincarnated as devils with the『Knight』piece move even faster.』
Irina and Abe-senpai explained so. Indeed, with that speed, he would have outstanding compatibility with a『Knight』piece.
"Here I go, tiny one!"
As soon as he dodged, the Werewolf attacked Koneko-chan with its sharp claws――but the attack was meaningless against the『Rook』, which boasts a robust defence.
His claw attack couldn't even cause a single cut on her little body!
"...Tsk! You're hard, you damn cat!"
Cursed the Werewolf. Although he was able to avoid his opponent's blows, he seemed annoyed that his attacks were not getting through.
『Ah! Koneko-chan's defence exceeded the Werewolf's attack power!』
『Hmm, Koneko-chan's defensive ability is tremendous after all. Because we have been fighting so many formidable enemies, people tend to think that her defences are paper thin.』
Irina and Xenovia explained as much.
If her attack hits, Koneko-chan will probably win. The opponent may still have an ace up his sleeve, but it seems unlikely that he possesses anything that might exceed Koneko-chan's attack and defence capabilities.
If she keeps making him move around and drains his stamina, Koneko-chan will win! All she has to do is aim and shoot when the Werewolf can't move anymore! I knew he wasn't Koneko-chan's opponent!
Koneko-chan also seems to be aware of this and is putting pressure on the opponent by not moving too much and gradually pulling in closer.
If she keeps going like this, she'll win!
I thought so, but the opponent's second, the Beast Tamer, also seemed to have grasped this and shouted at the Werewolf.
"Machida-san! You should switch with Ikushima-san! If you continue like this, your situation will worsen and you will lose!"
The man said so to the Werewolf. Machida-san!? The Werewolf's name... is Machida-san!? And that Lizardman... is called Ikushima-san!?
The familiars' I've met before had Japanese names too! Isn't the world of familiars too Japanese!?
"Gururururu! We don't need to do such a crafty thing such as switching places. We just need to attack her at the same time!"
The Lizardman, who was at the edge of the ring, said that and then entered the ring!
Oh, that's dirty! He entered the ring when we didn't even touch and switch!
"Tsk! It can't be helped! It's better than getting pummeled!"
The Werewolf, Machida, accepted the Lizardman Ikushima's plan, and they started attacking Koneko-chan simultaneously!
"I won't let that happen!"
Ravel entered the fray with her wings of flame spread wide! She stood next to Koneko-chan and attacked the Werewolf and Lizardman duo!
"Firebird and Phenex! Take the hellish flames of my clan, which is called the immortal bird, Phoenix! Take it in your body and burn!"
With the exact words as her brother, Riser, Ravel was covered in flames!
"I won't let you do that!"
The Lizardman, Ikushima's abdomen swelled up to a bizarre degree, and he spat out what came out of his mouth!
The thing was spat out with such force that it landed spectacularly on Ravel's face!
"...N-Nooooooo, what the hell is this! It's sticky!"
It was a sticky, gel-like substance that struck Ravel in the face! Receiving the spit out from the Lizardman on her face, Ravel temporarily lost her will to fight, and the fierce flames, which had been roaring until a moment ago, vanished!
"Gurururururu! You're full of openings!"
The Lizardman unleashed a sharp kick at Ravel's abdomen as she tried to remove the vomit covering her body――but flames immediately engulfed the damaged area. And it returned to normal as if nothing had happened!
"T-That's not enough to defeat me! H-However, this gooey thing!
As expected of a Phenex. They recover quickly from a half-hearted attack. But it seems that the vomit from earlier was more disgusting from Ravel's point of view.
Unexpectedly, it may not be impossible for them to have a scheme of using that to make her build up mental fatigue and collapse... I'm a bit worried now.
"I will not tolerate any more disorder!"
The referee, Shinra-senpai, couldn't stand it and tried to stop them, but――
"Shut up! Elder sister with glasses!"
"Ikushima! That technique, let's do it! "
"Gururururururu! Good!"
The beastmen duo signalled each other and gathered in one place!
The Werewolf, Machida, grabbed the Lizardman, Ikushima, by the legs and started to make giant swings with him!
"Here we go. This is my and Ikushima's combined special move!"
"Vomit Bomber, Gugueeeeeeeeeee!"
The Werewolf was swinging the Lizardman! The Lizardman, being spun around, opened its mouth wide and started spraying the gel-like vomit all around it with great force!
I was covered in vomit... Or rather, a gelatinous vomit-like thing all over my body!
『Alas! This is filthy. No, this is a fantastic combined technique! Here, Xenovia, Abe-san, an umbrella.』
『Um, thanks. As expected, I don't like this.』
『...This attack isn't beautiful.』 The reaction from the live audience seems to be the worst! I know, right! This vomit smells kind of fishy on top of being sticky!
Kiba and Asia in the audience were spotless, thanks to Kiba's quick response.
"...Really, this is the worst match".
The expression on Koneko-chan's face was bleak as she removed the vomit on her body. An aura of what appeared to be Touki started well up from all over her body!
"Fueeeee, I'll never forgive you for this!"
Even the teary-eyed Ravel was covered in flames of anger. However, her flames were slightly shaken, perhaps because she had vomit covering her body. The mental damage must have been great. This kind of filthy attack must be unbearable for a girl who grew up as an Ojou-sama.
Even though it's a terrible attack, they were doing well against Koneko-chan and Ravel, who are superior to them. I was impressed, but....
"...I can't vomit anything anymore... also, my eyes are spinning... this is bad...."
The Lizardman in question who had his eyes rolling furiously, was emaciated and wobbly! I see. He had wounds all over his body because he kept vomiting and being spun!
It was a filthy attack in many ways, but the tables have turned!
One more step! I was thinking so, but then the Beast Tamer fearlessly smiled.
"Kukuku. I think it's time to show that one".
When he said this, the man snapped one finger.
A stage assistant dressed in black appeared from the shadows and placed something in the centre of the ring. It was a cardboard box.
Suspiciously looking at it were Koneko-chan, Ravel and me. But somehow, we knew what was inside. Yes, because that guy was not here today.
Koneko-chan fearfully opened the cardboard box. And there was――
"...I c-can't eat garlic anymore ohhhh..."
There was Gasper, wrapped in a large amount of garlic!
As soon as the man confirmed this, he showed a sickening smile.
"Fufufufu, I invited this Vampire boy who is good friends with you guys ahead of time. I've heard interesting things about him getting over his weakness for garlic, so I had him challenge himself to the limit. As a Beast Tamer, I found the data quite interesting".
What a bastard!!! He caught Gya-suke and did that to him! Y-You've got a lot of time on your hands, don't you!? They fed Gya-suke garlic and measured his limits! Despite his dislike of it, that guy has learnt to eat garlic to a certain extent to overcome it, but I'm sure he still can't eat that amount of garlic.
The Werewolf, Machida, laughed when he saw Gasper slumped in the cardboard box.
"Gwahahahaha! I hate vampires! You deserve it! I hate garlic too, though!"
The Werewolf was picking his nose! Meanwhile, the Lizardman fell quietly to the ground next to him!
"...Gu.....rurururu..."
Hey, hey, hey, your partner seems to have reached his limit!
Without caring about that, the Beast Tamer continued to shout.
"That's right! This is what happens when you go against us! Hahahahaha! Look, a garlic-soaked Vampire is in ultimate despair! Now, be afraid! We'll defeat the Nekomata and Phenex failures!"
This bastard is crazy!
I'm sure he was trying to instil fear and despair in Koneko-chan and Ravel by doing terrible things to their friends. What he's doing is small, but it will undoubtedly be enough to irritate them. However, my kouhai――instead of fear and despair, their whole bodies shook with rage!
Koneko-chan said while holding the garlic-soaked Gasper.
"...How dare you do this to my precious friend....."
She turned her murderous gaze on the Werewolf and the Beast Tamer.
"...I've just transferred to this school, and the first person to speak to me in the classroom was Gasper-san. I'll burn you to ashes!"
Ravel flared her wings of flame more than ever before and glared at her opponent with her eyes filled with fighting spirit!
"Hehehehe! That's a good amount of pressure! With this, I'll become serious――"
The Werewolf, who was happily preparing himself, stopped speaking there. The reason is very simple. The aura and raging fire emanating from Ravel's entire body enveloped the ring. And Koneko-chan also emitted a dazzling aura from all over her body and held her fists in the air!
I'll definitely beat you!
The moment Koneko-chan and Ravel's shouts overlapped, the gymnasium was filled with flames and Touki.
『Winner! The Hellcat & Phenex Girl team!』
With Irina's voice, "Kan kan kan!" the gong sounded, signalling the end of the battle.
After witnessing the tragedy of Gasper, Koneko-chan and Ravel unleashed their serious auras and painted the gymnasium into a hellscape. Everything is charred black. It's going to be hard to repair it later...
The three people in the audience, Kiba, Asia and Shinra-senpai, the referee, and I were able to deal with it quickly. Still, the beastmen and the Beast Tamer in the ring were directly hit by the fire and Touki attacks unleashed by the two first-year girls and had collapsed.
"Well, this is what happens when I get serious".
"....This is just the obvious result".
Ravel and Koneko-chan are the proud winners in the centre of the ring. They were quietly high-fiving each other in triumph.
Yeah, when everything's said and done, they're a good duo! Rather than this being just the obvious result, I'd say it was a foregone conclusion. Because they have quite the high specs.
But it was an exciting fight. It's very precious to see these two fighting together.
"Gya-kun, I have avenged you. Sleep peacefully..."
"Gasper-san's death will not have been in vain!"
They looked at the cardboard box, crying.
"...I-I'm alive..."
I heard such a voice coming from the cardboard box. ... But well, whatever.
"Come on, now that you're done with your mischief, we are going home. You've seen a bit of reality, haven't you? You don't just recklessly pick a fight with a Devil. Besides, someone like you isn't enough to unleash the power of the familiars you contracted".
"Y-Yeash..." Abe-senpai harshly stabbed her charred cousin with words.
Ah, that's right! The thing we had discussed!
I quickly went to Abe-senpai and whispered in her ear.
"...Senpai! The thing we had discussed! What should we do about it?
When I asked her that, she started digging in her pocket as if she had just remembered, "Oh, that". Then, she took two glass cases from it.
"Inside these are the slime and tentacles... Ara".
The glass case was cracked, and the contents were... charred black! W-Wait a minute, this is...!
"It seems that the earlier attack cracked the case, and the familiars inside were burnt to a crisp. I was able to defend myself, but... it seems like I was careless".
Wha, wha, wha...
"What did you sayyyyyyy!? Are you saying that Slime-Jirou and Tentacle-Emon were killed in battle by the power of Koneko-chan and Ravel just now?"
I was so shocked that my eyeballs popped out of my head! Are you for real? We didn't even meet and ended up parting ways in death?
That's impossible! Why can't I have a connection with these guys?
――I just wanted to spend all my time having them help me do lewd things!
"...Slime-Jirou?"
"...Tentacle-Emon...?"
Shivers... I felt unspeakable pressure from behind me...
I saw a scary-looking Koneko-chan and Ravel when I looked back in horror!
"Senpai, what do you mean? Why are you talking to Abe-senpai about familiars? Those are the corpses of lewd familiars, aren't they?"
"...Lewd familiars...? ...Issei-sama? Could it be that the reason that you helped us in our training was..."
I backed away from them as they crept at me while telling them my excuses!
"T-This is, you see, girls! No! I really had no evil feelings when I went along with your training...!"
I don't care anymore!
That day, I was made aware of their chemistry as a duo to the bone.
Shit! Next time I'll get Slime-Saburou and Tentacle-Nosuke!