In the Occult Research Clubroom...
"...Can I say something?"
Amidst the rising tension, Kousuke casually raised his hand like a student asking a question in class. All heads turned toward him, some wary, some irritated, and some—like Akeno's—amused. He pointed at the still-robed figure standing beside Xenovia, his tone laced with mischief.
"Is it normal for Church people to dress like they're sneaking into a cosplay convention? Like, really—what's with the robes? Are you guys worried about being recognized like celebrities caught buying instant ramen in public?"
For a moment, silence reigned—then:
"...Pfft, ahaha, you're funny~" Irina broke into a peal of laughter, clearly unbothered by the weight in the room. She pulled back her hood, revealing a stunning young woman with bright violet eyes and long chestnut hair tied into twin tails. Her smile was warm, but her eyes held a playful glint. "I said the same thing! But Xenovia here insisted we needed to be all 'mysterious' and 'intimidating.'"
She turned to Issei with mock solemnity. "Issei-kun! It's been forever! If only I had been there, maybe you wouldn't have ended up a devil... Aaah, Lord forgive me!" she added, making the sign of the cross dramatically.
"Huh? Do you know her, Issei?" Rias asked with a tilt of her head.
"We're childhood friends," Irina answered brightly before Issei could respond. "He even took my first kiss!"
There was a beat of silence.
"What—" Issei muttered, stunned, as if someone had just told him he had a stain on his pants.
"Wow, good job, man," Kousuke said with a clap. He vaguely remembered there used to be another girl hanging out with them when they were kids, but the memory had faded during his years in the Other World. Her admitting it now made something click.
On his lap, Koneko shifted slightly, her back still pressed against his chest as she curled closer, seemingly claiming the spot for herself. She made no move to get up. His hand continued to gently pat her head, a motion both soothing and absentminded.
"...Issei-kun, do you mind explaining yourself?" Rias's voice came out soft and dangerously calm. Akeno chuckled to herself nearby, clearly entertained by the drama.
Asia fidgeted beside her, anxiety visible in the tension of her shoulders. Her eyes kept flicking toward Xenovia, the memory of being called a 'heretic' likely resurfacing.
Issei could feel Rias's piercing glare. He tried to explain. It was true that he and Irina were childhood friends before she moved away, but he didn't remember anything like that happening!
"I-I don't remember anything like that!" Issei stammered, beginning to sweat.
Irina pretended to wipe a tear. "How cruel…" Then she grinned and stuck out her tongue. "Just kidding! I kissed him while he was sleeping~ Tehee!"
Slam!
"...Can we stop with the tomfoolery and focus on the point?" Xenovia suddenly slammed her hand onto the table, cutting through the light-hearted moment like a blade. Her sharp eyes scanned the room. "Irina."
"Yes, yes, you're always such a buzzkill," Irina said with a theatrical sigh. "Anyway, I apologize for Xenovia's… aggressive approach. But we were simply following our teachings. I'm sure the so-called 'witch' over there knows that."
Asia winced, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.
"She is not a witch," Rias said firmly, stepping in front of Asia like a shield. "You don't know what she's been through. You have no right to insult her."
"But how is she not a witch?" Irina tilted her head in honest confusion. "She used to be a nun, now she's a devil. That's practically textbook heresy. She even prayed in the old church, didn't she? Probably asking the Lord for forgiveness."
"You've said enough," Rias said, her tone dropping further as her power flared subtly. "If you're going to continue insulting my Peerage, there's the door."
"Hold on, Rias," Sona's voice cut through the tension like a knife through silk. She had arrived quietly with her Peerage, observing everything from the back of the room. Now, with her arms crossed and a thoughtful expression, she finally stepped forward. "We still don't know why they're here."
She turned her gaze to Kousuke, who had somehow managed to blend into the background despite being quite literally surrounded by devils—and having Sona's Queen nestled casually at his side.
"And can we talk a bit about the elephant in the room?"
All eyes turned again.
Kousuke gave a little wave. "Yo."
"Why is he here?" Sona asked, brows knitting together.
"What do you mean, President? I'm part of the gang," he replied casually.
"It's called a Peerage," Sona corrected flatly.
"Yeah, gang, Peerage, potato, po-tah-to," Kousuke said with a shrug.
Sona facepalmed. How had she nearly overlooked him again? His presence was so nonchalant it warped the tension in the room like a vacuum. Tsubaki, her usually reserved Queen, still had her head resting gently on his shoulder.
"He's human," Sona said. "This is a devil matter."
"Tsubaki~," Kousuke said, turning to her with exaggerated puppy eyes, "are you gonna throw me out for being human too?"
Instead of responding with words, she giggled and cupped his face. Then she leaned forward and kissed him softly. "That answer your question~?"
Kousuke turned to the rest of the room. "Yep. Loud and clear. Your President's just a racist devil."
Sona twitched. "I am not—"
"A racist devil? Ahaha, that's new," Irina laughed. Sona turned a cold glare toward her, only for Irina to smile back innocently.
"You still haven't told us why you're here," Sona snapped.
"Why do you want to know?" Irina asked, genuinely curious.
"If someone broke into your house, wouldn't you want to know why they were there? So you can decide whether to shoot them—or sue them," Sona replied coolly.
"Oh, if it were me, I'd shoot them," Kousuke said. "I'll listen to their explanation in Hell."
"That's something a devil would say," Akeno quipped with a grin.
"Well, you know," Kousuke smirked, "I'm something of a devil fu—" Before he could finish, Tsubaki placed a hand over his mouth, cheeks reddening. "Kousuke…"
"…Was he about to say 'devil fucker'?" Issei asked in a whisper.
"Mmmph! Mmm!" Kousuke attempted to reply, only to have it muffled by her palm. Then, with a devilish gleam in his eye, he licked her hand.
She yanked it away, flustered. "Pervert…"
Finally, Xenovia stepped forward again, reclaiming the conversation.
"Alright. I'll tell you why we're here," she said firmly. "We're hunting a stray exorcist. He stole something sacred from the Vatican, and his last known location…" She paused for dramatic effects. "…is Kuoh Town."