High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

Rias

I gave Ise a small smile as he mentioned his worry of being unable to hold back his power during our match.

“I understand. This time, things came out the worst possible way for you Ise. The battlefield and rules for it are normally random, but this time they were set up in a way that is detrimental to us. Your power can become enormous, but right now that’s not something that you’d want. I'm sure there will be a chance for you to use your Balance Breaker, but hold back your power when you fight. You’ll have to stick to hand to hand combat as you can’t use your Dragon Shot,” I gave him a wry smile. “I’m sorry that I have to ask that of you.”

Ise still looked concerned. 

“It’s alright Buchou. But I’m still pretty worried if I’m being honest….”

I understood his worry.

He was one of the people the destruction rules of our match affected the most.

If he was reckless as he fought it could cost us the whole match. 

But he would need to understand how to be aware of his surroundings in a fight and how to hold back.

If we fought a stray Devil in Kuoh, he could be blowing away sections of the town with his attacks.

So like Akeno had said, this would be a good opportunity for us to fight while restricting our strength. 

Ise looked worried still, but I had to keep moving forward with our planning.

“If we want to go on the attack, the atrium of the shopping mall will be an important position,” I said pointing at the map. “From there you can observe the movements of our opponent on the first and second floor. This is a detail that Sona wouldn’t have missed either.”

“We could also try an attack from the parking garage, as it’s separate from the rest of the mall,” Akeno said. “But Kaichou would have likely also thought of that and would be prepared for it 

I nodded at Akeno’s words.

This was the issue with facing against Sona.

We knew each other well enough to predict what the other would think to an extent, but Sona had always been a better tactician than I had.

I normally would rely on my strength and the strength of my servants to make up for that shortcoming, but this time, it would not be nearly as effective.

“You are correct, Akeno, but the rooftop, the parking garage, or the center of the mall are the three main routes that will need to be taken to advance to our opponents base. Sona will realize this as well as we cannot leave the mall itself.”

Akeno hummed in agreement.

“Seeing as the items in stores and on shelves have been replicated, we can assume that the cars in the parking garage would have been replicated as well,” she added.

Yuuto raised her hand as we spoke.

“Buchou, I can go scout out the rooftop and parking garage. There should be some stairs nearby that I can use to get to them quickly.”

I nodded.

“Go, Yuuto. Come back quickly so that we can discuss what you find.

She nodded and then turned and headed out immediately.

Yuuto was a [Knight] that focused almost entirely on her speed.

She would be able to head in and get back before the match started without wearing herself out.

Ise watched as Yuuto left before looking at me.

“Is there a reason it's important if there are cars in the parking garage?” He asked.

“Becuase they can be used in multiple ways. They can be dropped through the atrium into the mall as a weapon, used to barricade doors, and even rigged to explode,” I said listing out a few options. “Though I doubt Sona will use that last example as it may damage the structure of the mall.”

“It sounds like you’re being pretty cautious, Buchou.”

“Of course,” I replied. “Even so, I feel like any caution we take will still not be enough. There are too many variables for us to be ready for everything,” I paused as I looked at the map. “Another thing to do would be to inspect the staff rooms. None of us are familiar with them, so we should inspect them to see if there’s something not shown on the map…. On top of that, while we have Ise’s Dress Break, there are plenty of spare clothes around the mall. This doesn’t mean that it won’t be worthwhile to use, but any of the girls affected may be able to recover,” I sighed. “There are so many things to consider.”

I took a moment to look at the map and think further.

Then I looked up at Ghasper.

“Gasper, at the beginning of the match I want you to transform into bats and fly across the mall in order to observe Sona’s team. We will need information on their movements as soon as possible if we want to try and anticipate their plans.”

Gasper hastily nodded.

“R-Roger!”

He sounded determined despite his nerves.

It was his first Rating Game since he wasn’t able to participate in our last match.

Yuki, who had been studying the map quietly, spoke then. 

“I can also scout out our opponents alongside Gasper-kun.”

I turned to her.

I hadn’t thought to have her act that way during the match.

“How would you plan to do that?” I asked her.

“I can use illusions to conceal myself and use Misstep to move through the mall,” she replied calmly. “The area already is cluttered with items in the stores and plenty of hiding spots. It won’t be too difficult to watch them without being spotted. Additionally, my Veil sight will allow me to spot any traps they lay or any illusions they use. I can lighten the load Gasper-kun will need to take in order to observe our opponents. And if I am caught, I can also use Shadow Briar to slow down any pursuers.”

Those were all good points.

Yuki’s abilities made her a good choice as a scout.

But it also made her a good choice to place her anywhere else on the field. 

“Yuki-san is pretty good at noticing things that we miss. It’s a good idea,” Ise said.

“And she would be able to quickly retreat if she was spotted as well,” Xenovia added.

I thought for a few seconds.

“It’s an option that we could use, but you are someone that can be impactful anywhere you are sent, Yuki. I want to wait until we have spent more time planning and hear from Yuuto about what she’s found before I decide on where you should go.”

Yuki seemed satisfied with that and nodded. 

I continued to discuss strategies and issues that may occur with the group.

Akeno and Yuki were the ones to chime in the most during the discussion.

Eventually I checked the time and saw that we only had about fifteen minutes remaining in our prep time. 

I looked around at everyone.

“We only have half of our thirty minutes left before the match begins. I want you all to take the next ten minutes to prepare. You can stay here or head to another one of the shops nearby, but don’t wander too far.”

After I informed them everyone began to separate.

I called out to Ise before he could wander off. 

“Ise.”

He stopped and turned back towards me.

“Since you attained your Balance Breaker, all five of your [Pawn] pieces have been unsealed,” I said “Due to the power that you obtained, the seals I placed on them to protect you are gone. Because of this, you will be able to harness all of Ddraig’s power through the Boosted Gear, but your body still isn't strong enough to handle it. Be careful, if you make a mistake with the power of the Sekiryuutei, you could be seriously injured.”

He hesitated before nodding.

“I understand Buchou. I will be more careful.”

He turned and continued on his way out of the food court.

I turned towards one of the food shops that I saw Akeno enter.

She had mentioned that she would be making tea, and that sounded good right now.

It would be calming, and I needed that right now.

We only had a little bit of time left before our match, and we were as ready as we could be.

________________________________________

Koneko

I joined Yuki-senpai in the book store after the group separated.

Asia-senpai and Xenovia-senpai went to one of the burger shop and were talking while getting themselves some food.

Gya-kun went to a doughnut shop and was eating sweets by himself.

I had grabbed a few things from the same store to snack on myself before going to find Yuki-senpai.

Akeno-senpai and Buchou had gone to one of the food shops and were drinking tea while chatting.

Yuuto-senpai had returned from inspecting the parking garage and was looking through a drug store for bandages and medicine before the match.

Issei-senpai had headed downstairs to the first floor and was wearing a familiar grin on his face as he went.

I didn't know what he was going to do, but it likely was something perverted.

I walked down an aisle in the bookstore and found Yuki-senpai sitting on one of the waist height shelves while slowly flipping through the pages of a book.

I paused and watched her as she looked over the book in her hands.

Her purple eyes moved over the pages and her brows were knit as she flipped through them.

Her lips moved as she read quietly to herself as she went.

Her tails swayed behind her on the other side of the shelf.

She put the book down and looked at me.

“Hello, Konkeo-chan, did you come to join me, or did you need something?” She asked.

“...I came to see what you were doing.” I replied, then I held out the plate of snacks that I had brought with me.

Yuki-senpai gave me a small smile before taking one of them.

I realized that I didn't think of much to talk about with her once I found her.

I looked around the shop for a moment.

“...do you buy books from here often?” I asked.

Yuki-senpai picked up another book from a small pile next to her and started leafing through it.

“On occasion. I’ve already read most of the books in the old school building and this store has a fairly nice selection of books,” She stopped on a page in the book. “Would you like to come here with me sometime? If you’re looking for something to read, I can point something out to you.”

I nodded.

The idea of heading to the mall with Yuki-senpai sounded nice.

I wasn’t much of a reader, but maybe if she suggested something interesting I could get into it.

“...that sounds nice.”

“Good.” She replied as she looked back at the book in her hands.

It was silent for a little while, but it wasn’t awkward.

Silence around Yuki-senpai never felt uncomfortable.

 I moved to sit next to her on the shelf.

After a minute or two I asked another question.

“Have you always liked reading, senpai?”

“I guess I have,” She replied as she continued to look through the book. “It was something my mother liked to do, so we had a decent collection of books at home. I picked up the habit from her. It’s … It’s always calming, to sit somewhere quiet and lose yourself in a story.”

I nodded along as she spoke.

“...what kind of books are your favorite?” I asked.

“Fantasy, I’d have to say,” She chuckled at herself as she set down her book and looked at me. “It’s kind of funny, considering what we are, and what we are capable of doing. I mean, I’ve read books written by humans that have my own people and your own as fantasy beings.”

She looked down at the floor for a moment before continuing.

“I guess that I enjoy the way the stories play out and the different worlds that the authors create. I find it so easy to become fixated on the story and find myself wanting to read just one more page until I’ve already finished the book. Though fantasy wasn't always my favorite genre. I think that my…. experiences in other peerages made me appreciate the way that I could get lost in those types of books,” she paused as she looked out across the store. “I’ve always preferred the ones without a clean or happy ending. They always felt more cheap somehow. Too predictable.”

I watched her after she finished.

“I think I’d prefer to read a story with a happier ending.” I replied.

She turned back to me.

“Oh? Why is that?”

I looked down at our legs as I swung mine back and forth. 

“...I just think that it’s better that way. A happy ending doesn’t have to be neat and pretty, but seeing everything work out is more satisfying, I think.”

Yuki-senpai hummed.

“We will just have to find one of those stories for you then.” She said.

We sat together quietly after that.

Yuki-senpai looked over a few more books.

I finished my snacks and picked up one of the books she had been looking at and looked over the cover.

Yuki-senpai glanced at the clock before hopping off the shelf and standing.

“We have a few minutes left before we need to gather together like Buchou asked. Let's head back now just in case.”

I nodded and hopped down next to her, still holding the book.

I glanced down at it before throwing it over the shelf next to us. 

It hit another one further down and crashed to the floor.

Yuki-senpai raised an eyebrow at me.

“...it’s not real, so there’s no reason not to.” I said with a shrug.

That got a smile out of her.

“I guess you're right. Now, let's go.”

She turned and headed out of the store.

I followed her out and walk alongside her to the shop that Buchou and Akeno-senpai had been at.

We found Buchou there, dinking tea, but she was alone.

She noticed us and set down her cup. 

“Ah. Hello, Koneko and Yuki. You’re both early.”

“I figured it would be a good idea to come back before you had told us to, just in case.” Yuki-senpai said.

I nodded in agreement, but didn’t say anything more.

“That’s good then. Would I be able to ask the rest of you to gathered everyone else for me? We should meet in the food court where we first arrive,” Buchou said, gesturing outside the shop. “Yuki, would you gather everyone on this floor? And Koneko, could you go downstairs and get Ise and Akeno? Akeno said she was going to check on him, but knowing her she’ll probably be taking advantage of being alone with him,” Buchou frowned. “I shouldn’t have let her go alone when she said she would check on him.” She muttered.

“I can do that, Buchou,” Yuki-senpai replied. 

“…no problem, Bucho.” I said.

I’d rather not deal with Issei-senpai and Akeno-senpai, but there’s no point and try to make Yuki-senpai deal with it. 

Like Buchou said, if the two of them are alone, then something is probably going on with them, and it’s probably going to be annoying.

The three of us left the shop.

Buchou headed to where she wanted everyone to meet.

Yuki-senpai headed to the burger shop that Asia-senpai and Xenovia-senpai had been at before.

I headed to the escalator, to take me to the first floor. 

I had a guess as to where Issei-senpai had went.

I rode down to the first floor and walked past the large sporting goods store.

I headed towards the used books store, as I had guessed that this is where Issei-senpai would have gone.

I stepped inside the store and looked around.

I had been to the mall before so I already knew what the differences were between this store and the one upstairs were.

This store was much larger and the atmosphe was very different as well.

I stood by the entrance for a moment before heading to where I assumed Issei-senpai went.

To the adult and erotic book section.

Knowing him he would have gone straight to the only lewd thing in the area, and since the bookstore upstairs didn’t really have a adult entertainment section, this was the most obvious choice.

I had seen other students look at the section before as I had visited the store, so I knew it was here.

I walked through the aisles of bookshelves and heard Akeno-senpai’s and Issei-senpai's voices up ahead.

It looked like I was right, and that Akeno-senpai had thought of the same thing. 

When I turned the corner at the end of the aisle, I saw the two of them standing close together. 

Akeno-senpai was leaning on Issei-senpai’s back and reading from the erotic manga that he had been looking at.

There were multiple adult manga and lewd books gathered on the ground near them where Issei-senpai must have been going through them before Akeno-senpai arrived. 

“Would you like it if I wore something like this for you?” Akeno-senpai asked, pointing at a page of the manga Issei-senpai was holding.

“R-Really?!  You’d wear something like that for me? He asked, far too excited by the idea.

I sighed as I watched them.

I should have told Buchou no when she asked me to come get them. 

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