Chapter 38: Life: 3.1 Heat Up Occult Research Club! : Part 1
[BANG!]
The dull clanging of metal reverberated through the azure sky.
"All right. I've got this one."
I promptly caught the soaring baseball with my gloved hand.
"Nice catch, Ise."
Buchou smiled and gave me a thumbs up. We, the Occult Research Club, were practicing baseball in the backyard of the old school building where no grass was growing. Nope, this isn't a Devil's job.
"Next week is Kuou Academy's 'Ball Tournament'. It's a battle between clubs that we can't lose."
So said Buchou with a firm voice. Yeah, one of the school's biggest events, the "Ball tournament", was closing in. Overall, it is an event where we play ball-related sports, such as baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. These matches occur between classes, genders and obviously, there are also some between clubs. Whether or not you belong to a sports club, it's a club mandatory; naturally, that includes the Occult Research Club. What the clubs will actually play is announced on the day of the event, we don't know what it will be. When club member numbers differ, the set up is for fair play, at least number wise. According to the Student Council announcement, some sports may require more players, so we need to make sure we have the reserves. And in conclusion, we were practicing sports likely to arise. Today happens to be baseball. As it was evening, the sky was beginning to darken. Typically, we spend our time chatting away in the club room. Recently, we began to change into our PE uniforms and practice sports. Well, while I don't hate moving around for fun, for someone like me who trains in the morning, my stamina is drained the entire day. Training in the morning, lectures at school, practicing sports and Devil's jobs at night...
"Batting practice is fine now. If it's baseball, then Koneko will be the fourth batter."
"...Affirmative."
Well, it is natural for the superhuman girl, Koneko-chan, to be the fourth batter. No need to complain about that. Even if we voted on it, Koneko-chan would win.
"Now! We'll practice a "knock"! Now everyone! Put your gloves on and spread out!"
Buchou was in high spirits. She was so energetic and lively that she was basically on fire.
"Ufufufu. Buchou likes these kinds of things."
Said Akeno-san while giggling.
"I think I understand. My "Onee-sama" hates to lose."
"Yep, that's it. Of course, there's no way that we can lose unless we make mistakes."
I consented. As Devils who are fundamentally stronger than humans, on sports day we will have to hold back. Naturally, we wouldn't have a hard match. On the flip side, we had to learn the rules and features of baseball. Which is the reason why Buchou is making us practice.
"Even if your brain knows, your body has to as well."
Said Buchou. Quite an amazingly strong spirit. That's our Buchou, theory, and practicality. Regardless of our superior physiques, is necessary because we don't know what might happen.
"Here, Asia! Here I go!"
[KLANG!]
Buchou hit the ball towards Asia.
"Haaan! Aaau-aaau-aaau... Aah!"
The ball went through Asia's legs. Needless to say, Asia's sports sense is below exceptional. At times, she'll even trip over nothing.
"Asia! If you fail to catch it, go fetch it!"
"Y-yes!"
Since the Raiser incident, our princess started to show a lot of concern about matches. She seemed to really regret that loss to Raiser. However, it is obvious that we were at disadvantage. But the fact that we lost damaged her pride... She did say she really wanted to win...
"Next is Yuuto! Here!"
[KLANG!]
Rias hit the ball to Kiba. This should be a piece of cake for Kiba, he's the fastest runner in our group. He can do pretty much anything. -Is what I thought...
"..."
[SMACK!]
Kiba stood there like an idiot and got hit. Hey hey hey!
"Kiba! Get a hold of yourself!"
I yelled at Kiba. He then looked at me with a puzzled expression!
"...Aah, sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Kiba picked up the ball and threw it back to Buchou. Buchou caught the ball with a sigh.
"Yuuto, what's wrong? You've been acting rather strange lately. It's not like you."
"I'm sorry."
Kiba sincerely apologized. Rias was right. This guy has been thinking about something serious lately. Even during discussions in the Occult Research Club, he would look somewhere else and not participate. I even heard that it became a hot topic in his classroom, "A prince in his thoughts." The girls were worried and excited about his expression.
"Hmmmm..."
Oh, Rias picked up a baseball manual. She tends to read when things come up. Quite a book worm she is. At home, she reads some complicated texts.
"Ara ara. By the way, Ise-kun, did you know?"
Asked Akeno-san.
"Know what?"
"Recently, Buchou started a manual on love."
"...A love manual!?"
I-I'm quite shocked... For her to be reading a book about love...
The first question is does she even needs one? I don't think, since when do devils need manuals of love!
Seeing me thinking about it Akeno-san began to laugh.
"Ufufufu. Ise-kun, you don't have to worry about it. It'll be all right. It's impossible for Buchou to have a lover while you're not around."
"Are you sure? I'll believe in you. Ahhh, if she were ever to get a boyfriend I would again beat the shit out of him as I did with Raiser"
"Ufufufu. Of course, you will! If Buchou were in your shoes, she'd be deeply shocked. Ufufufu, it's her first time. You'll be in trouble, Ise-kun."
"?"
"Ahhh…! I wish if I had someone like you who would care for me so much!"
Said Akeno-san to which I replied,
"If you want I could fend off every guy who would come for you!"
"Ara, that's very nice of you, then I will be counting on you Ise-kun~"
She said
"Also, I won't ask you do it for free. I will grant you a proper reward for it"
After she said this she put her hand below her chin and started thinking
"Now what should I give you as a down payment. Oh yeah!"
She leaned towards me squeezing her boobs on my arms and kissed me on the cheek
CHU~
"That will be the downpayment for now!"
"Akeno"
Coincidently, this little interaction was noticed by Rias. As soon as she heard her name called out by Rias, Akeno moved a step back and acted like nothing happened and said,
"Oh! Also, there was a summon for you in the swimming club. So visit it if you have time"
While I didn't understand what Akeno was trying to say, it's not a problem as long as Buchou didn't fall for another man.
"Okay, continuing!"
Buchou swung her bat once, and the training recommenced.
After training was over, I went to the Swimming clubroom. I knocked on the door and entered
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Pardon me. I am coming in"
"Ah! Issei-kun"
The one who answered was the PE teacher. He wasn't bulky with muscles but he was quite fit for his age. I am guessing he is a devil.
"Sensei, you called?"
"Yes. I heard from the principal that you are going abroad with your parents for a few days next week?"
"Yes"
"Well, the reason I called you because, after this ball tournament, we will have a swimming assessment so I wonder if you could do it now"
"Well, sure."
"Good! Let's get going then"
He stood up and we went towards the swimming pool
"Oh! By the way, Issei-kun, do you have your swimming suit with you?"
"I guess I have it in my locker."
"Okay, change and then come to the pool"
"Yes sir!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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