Chương 7: Unexpected Reunion
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Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
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Today was the day, he was going to discuss the renewal of his contract with Rias Gremory. And plant the seeds that would be necessary for him to obtain the Parasitic Familiar he coveted.
For once he had actually taken Akeno's advice to heart and rested properly by his own volition. Making him appear significantly more rejuvenated than usual.
He ensured that his hair was combed neatly, and his glasses wiped squeaky clean.
"This should do."
Since it was Sunday school was off, so instead of his uniform he decided to wear a well-ironed dress shirt and black slacks, accompanied by his thoroughly polished loafers.
"Even if I'm doing this for my own ambition and greed, it's not as if this will be a disservice to her. On the contrary, if all goes according to plan this will only serve to her benefit in the long run."
Although he had already taken a shower, he opted to put on a bit of deodorant just for good measure.
"Now then, time to face the music."
He stepped into his living room, prepared to head out the front door before he noticed a presence starting to appear behind him.
"A teleportation circle? I wasn't expecting them to come to me, how unfortunate. I could've flattered them by arriving earlier than they had anticipated."
Three figures had appeared through the circle.
Two of which he had expected, being his contractor and her Queen.
"Why are you here?" However, it appeared that he didn't quite enjoy the presence of the third.
A bespectacled young woman entered through the circle, with black hair fashioned into a bob cut and violet eyes just like Akeno's.
"When I heard that you had become her contracted Magician I was beside myself at first, but lo and behold it turned out to be true." She was Souna Shitori, the Student Council President of Kuoh Academy.
"You know each other?" Rias questioned.
"Know each other, is an understatement." Takauji replied with an audibly bitter tone.
"Don't look so grim Ashikaga-kun, now you'll be able to lose to me even after you graduate." She said with a venomous smile.
"First of all, Shitori-san. I'm up one point as of last week. And secondly, you still haven't told me why I have to put up with the displeasure of having your feet sully the sanctity of my floorboard."
The two of them were long time exam score rivals, ever since they were first-years. They constantly allocated points against one another whenever they scored higher in their exams, but because they both shared an equal amount of pride in their intellect, the rivalry between them had become fairly hostile to say the least.
"Oh please, I doubt it could get any more rotten if you've been stepping on it your whole life. You could probably cut the flooring up and sell it as radioactive material if you so wished."
You could basically see the sparks of electricity clashing between their steeled gazes, causing the other two present in the room to become increasingly uncomfortable as time went by.
"That's enough you two," Rias intervened. "Listen, I'm glad you guys are having your little reunion and all, but right now I'm here to discuss Takauji's contract. So it will have to wait."
"Indeed, we are here to discuss my contract." He turned to her. "So pray tell, why must she disgrace me with her existence?"
"Because Sona like me, is a Devil." He was taken aback. "And on top of that she's the heiress of her household like me, as well as the person sharing ownership of Kuoh alongside me."
"I see, that probably explains why this town has been having problems as of late." Takauji spat. "The title of Devil suits you well, Shitori-san." He responded with some venom of his own.
"I'll take that as a compliment, after all I can't deny the pleasure I get from torturing you."
Rias cleared her throat in order to gain their attention. "Didn't I say that was enough?" They both just silently glared at one another.
"Good. Now then, first I ought to apologize for appearing without telling you. But I thought it rude to make you walk all the way over to the clubroom."
Takauji forced himself to plaster on his usual smile.
"There's no need to apologize, actually I'm thankful that you would hold me in such regard." Sona wanted to refute, but as a friend she didn't want to get in Rias's way.
"I see. Shall we take a seat?" She motioned to the couch.
"Of course. Can I get you two anything to eat or drink?"
"No, we're quite alright. But thank you." He nodded as he sat down opposite to Rias and Sona, with Akeno sitting down next to him.
I'll have to buy a new couch later today. Don't want her germs giving everyone who enters my house e-coli after all.
"I know you're not one for beating around the bush so I'll just cut to the chase. You said you were willing to extend the contract to a month?" She seeked to confirm.
"That is correct."
"That's pleasing to hear. But I noticed you didn't request any added stipulations from me?"
"That is also correct, honestly speaking I'm quite satisfied with the material you've been supplying me. And I'd like this arrangement to continue for the time-being, but."
"But?"
"There is one small clause I'd like to add to the contract," Sona's ears perked up.
"And what would that be?" Rias raised her brow.
"I want to add a condition where any members of your peerage may request to summon me," everyone in the room found the clause quite random. "Of course that means I get to choose whether I answer it or not."
Rias narrowed her eyes, playing close attention to his face which seemed to display no oddities.
Obviously she found the request somewhat suspicious, but not nearly as much if he had asked to make it so he could teleport to any of the members if he wanted to.
"I must confess, I don't quite understand why you'd make such a request. Could you explain your reasoning to me?"
Takauji smiled internally. He would now use a present truth to conceal a future lie.
"Well. if I remember correctly you did inform me once that you were experiencing trouble with some sort of group in Kuoh." She still hadn't let him in on what was going on, whether for good or bad purposes he knew not.
"Mhm."
"And, I figured that I may be able to be of use should they find themselves in a pickle of sorts." Sona could tell that he was being truthful, but that only confused her all the more. This attitude was not in line with her image of Takauji.
"I appreciate the sentiment, and don't mean any offense. But right now your strength is still underdeveloped, are you sure you'll be able to help should one of my members find themselves in the pickle?"
Sona breathed a constrained chuckle.
And Takauji, and open one. "You misunderstand me, I am by no means doubting the strength of your subordinates nor overestimating that of my own. But as you know Darkness Magic proves quite useful as support, and like the spell I've shown you. It could surely turn the tides of a battle if used correctly."
He made sure to speak calmly, preventing himself from appearing arrogant.
"Indeed, you have a point. But you're basically giving me more in exchange for you elongating the contract. I find it hard to see reason in your abrupt generosity." Even she could tell something wasn't right.
And he had expected as much.
"Then let's even the table, you're Knight is quite the skilled swordsman is he not?"
"That he is."
"Then have him become my instructor," he had read that weapons worked in tandem with Darkness Magic, so there really wasn't any reason to not take advantage of someone proficient in them who happened to work for his contractor.
"You wish to learn swordplay? Now that's surprising." Her eyes rounded. "But it is something I can arrange, are there any more terms you wish to add?"
Asking for too much or too little and you'll be outed, balance between what was lost and what was gained was key when it came to negotiations on even ground.
"Splendid. I suppose that means we have a deal," he extended his hand to which she returned the gesture.
"I suppose we do," she conjured her contract. Adding down the added clauses and handing it towards him to sign.
Takauji firmly embedded his name into the slip of paper, officially starting the one month relationship between Rias Gremory and himself, a month that would determine how their relationship proceeded as the contractor and the contracted from this point onwards.
"Yuuto-kun takes swordsmanship very seriously, so you'll need to be at the clubroom first thing after school." She advised.
"Understood." They all stood up as Takauji waved them goodbye while they left his abode through a teleportation circle.
At least that was how it was supposed to go.
"Sona?" Rias noticed she wasn't going with them.
"I'd like to stay and chat with him for a bit if that's alright with you," their relationship taken into account, Rias wasn't exactly in a position to tell her no when it came to things like this.
"Very well," she replied with a tinge of hesitation. "Just try not to do anything rash."
"Who do you think you're talking to? I know that much." Rias had never seen this side of Sona in spite of knowing her basically all her life, but she could tell right now wasn't the time to question it.
"Alright," Akeno and Rias made their departure.
And the exact millisecond they were gone, Takauji completely dropped any and all pleasantries found in his expression.
"What do you want?"
"I should be asking you that. Just what type of scheme are you cooking up against Rias?"
He laughed. "Even if I was scheming, why on earth do you think I'd tell you of all people?"
Sona paused for a bit. "I expected as much, but listen to me closely when I say this," she looked him dead in the eye with a virulent look. "If you so much as become the cause for a scratch on Rias in any way, shape, or form, I will kill you."
Her aura flared to life, pressuring the atmosphere itself as a dangerous glint shone through her pupils.
"Empty threats from an empty woman," but to her surprise. He wasn't affected in the least, not because of his strength, but rather because of his immortal level of confidence as of now. "Threats themselves are just a result of one's inability to take action."
He stepped closer even with her aura still active, a burning sensation coursing through his skin as he ignored the pain.
"Don't test me, even if it came with some backlash I'm not opposed to putting you down where you stand if it would ensure her wellbeing in the future," she was dead-serious.
"Unlike you, I'm not ignorant. I know your strength exceeds mine both physically and politically, but fearing your strength would be a form of admiration. And admiration is the farthest thing from comprehension, so I will not grant you that luxury."
They stood only centimeters away from each other, his common sense telling him to retreat, but his will refused to listen.
"If you want to kill me just do it. The less I have to look at you the better," a stare off ensued. Lasting for a good few breaths before Sona ultimately relented.
"This is your one and only warning, I suggest you treasure it." She glared at him before making her departure, not even interested in hearing his response if he had one.
But he merely sighed as he looked up at the ceiling.
"Foolish girl, if I were to genuinely scheme against anyone. It would be you, not her." He returned to his room, eager to continue his studies. "After all, I loathe you just as you do me."
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Doubt most of you were expecting Sona and Takauji to have been old rivals.
I thought it would be a fun little addition, where the "intellectual" characters would be at odds with one another because of their pride.
Word Count: 2081
10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
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