Chapter 12 - As Serious Of A Talk You Can Get With Koko

Author Note: If you feel that the perspective is hovering alot around Okita and other people, then that's on purpose. A big part of why I'm writing this is to read it myself and I like reading others' reactions and thoughts to whatever the MC is up to.

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Okita eventually found himself seated on one of the old rusted cars that had been fashioned into a chair placed in a sort of outdoor area. Glancing around there were basically just a bunch of junk in a loose circle, a few of which had been made into chairs.

A few minutes later Koko emerged from one of the scrap piles carrying what looked like something that came out of a steampunk world. It was tubular in shape made up of various different mismatched metals a few dials, cogwheels and a handle on the top of it's lid. On the side of it, glowing blue lines ran through it's length while pulsing slightly.

Okita raised an eyebrow in curiosity as Koko sat down a few meters away.

"What's that?" He asked as she put it down on the ground next to her while turning a few of the dials. Flicking the clasps on it's side, the lid opened with a hiss of steam as cold air gradually emerged from the slightly glowing opening.

"The holy grail." Koko answered simply as she reached into it while Okita's eyes instantly widened in shock.

Did she somehow steal if from the church? There hasn't been any signs of it missing but in all fairness, the church likely wouldn't broadcast losing one of the few holy relics they had. Was that container something capable of completely suppressing holy aura? He didn't feel anything even when it was opened but maybe-

While Okita was thinking of the repercussions of a holy relic being seen so close to the two devil heiresses, Koko reached down into the opening and pulled out a glass bottle before popping the cap and started drinking.

Hearing the pop Okita emerged from his thoughts seeing Koko drinking something. Connecting the dots in his head, his face went blank as he asked monotonously.

"Koko?"

"That's my name."

"What is that?" Okita pointed at her drink.

"The holy grail?"

"No, the drink. What are you drinking?"

Koko had a confused face for a few moments before she got what he was asking and declared proudly.

"Chocolate Milk!"

"..."

The air stilled for a few moments before Okita cradled his face in his hands and let out a groan as he felt his mental health gradually slipping away. Just staying like that for a few seconds, he eventually looked up. Seeing the milk moustasche on Koko's still proud face as she displayed the bottle, it took a tremendous amount effort to not walk over there and start shaking her, asking if she was doing this on purpose.

---

After recovering his mental strength for a few minutes while Koko continued drinking, he eventually got to the reason he was here. Leaning back in his chair, his voice gained a slighty serious tone as he turned towards her.

"Koko."

"Myes?" Hearing her name, Koko looked towards Okita.

"Is there any specific reason that you're in this city?"

"Because my scrapyard is here?" Koko tilted her head and answered in confusion, her face saying that it should be obvious.

"Any other reason?"

"Nope!"

Okita went quiet for a moment before thinking that the information was eventually going to spread anyway. Rias' hair wasn't exactly subtle and seeing her, they'd probably quickly identify Sona aswell since they had been friends since they were children, courtesy of their siblings, and stuck together alot.

"Koko." Okita started as he organized his thoughts.

"Mm."

"You know the school in Kuoh, right?"

"The one where you were spying on girls?" Koko nodded.

Okita felt his eye twitching again as he contemplated trying to change her mind about what he was doing there before eventually just deciding that it wouldn't be worth it. His hand quickly started to nurse a headache as he spoke up with a sigh of resignation.

"Yes, that one. During the next week two relatives to the current four Satans, and heirs to their respective families, will be transferring in and their siblings are a bit worried with someone of your strength being this close to them. I was sent as reinforcement just in case anything bad happened, but I want to know if you intend to do anything knowing this before declining into hostility."

Okita finished his speech with a serious face, he was very unsure if he could take her on by himself if she were to turn hostile, and it could also put Rias and Sona in danger if two Ultimate-class beings were to fight so close to them. Thinking up a few strategies based on what he'd seen so far, he steeled his nerves for a tough fight as he waited for her answer with a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"..."

"Don't care." Koko said flippantly with a wave of her hand before going back to her drink as she kicked her legs in the air looking like the epitome of carefree.

Faceplanting onto the ground, Okita wasn't even sure why he expected anything else in the first place. From what he'd gathered on her personality from what little interactions they've had, Koko probably wouldn't care even if one of the Satans moved in next door, unless they were to mess with her scrapyard which he had a feeling she was very territorial and protective of.

Getting back up in his seat, Okita felt like he'd just gotten done with a few years worth of paperwork. Looking at Koko who was oblivious to his plight, he sighed slightly before deciding to relax for the rest of the day. Just sitting in companionable silence for a few moments, he eventually got curious and turned his head towards her as he asked something he was confused about.

"Koko is the container the holy grail, or the drink the holy grail?"

"Both."

"..."

Taking a deep breath while resolving himself to stop being so surprised by Koko's... Koko-ness he pointed at the container.

"Can I get a holy grail from your holy grail?"

"Kay." Reaching down into the opening Koko grabbed another bottle and chucked it at him.

Catching it, he looked at it curiously before shrugging as he popped the cap. Just as he was about to take a sip, his eyes widened as the smell from contents of the bottle hit him. Giving it another look, he went quiet for a bit before taking a small sip. Confirming that it was what he thought it was, he turned to Koko again.

"Koko are you sure this is chocolate milk?"

Koko looked at him again before shrugging.

"It is whatever you subconsciously want it to be."

A bit stunned and confused about how that was even possible Okita remembered that he'd already resolved himself to not be as surprised anymore and calmed down while taking another sip as he closed his eyes, muttering in reminiscence. His face gaining a slight smile.

"Didn't think I'd taste the sake I had celebrating my first successful task in Shinsengumi again."