Chapter 27. New Year Group Meeting and Enemy Lurk in the Dark.

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{POV: MC}

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Several weeks after that, currently, we are about to enjoy the new year together in Chiba Shrine.

Ravel has come back to stay with us again as her family business is completed. When I ask what it entails, she said it was about his older brother's engagement with the heir of the Gremory family.

So Rias is still engaged with Chicken.. even something is still not changed huh.

What is gonna happen with Rias though since I won't let her take Akeno as her queen. I won't even let her be harmed.

Well, it doesn't matter and is not my business. At least I decided that I won't disturb Issei for now in case she wants to take him as a pawn later.

Also my contract with Serafall, it will begin next year since the director said they need to complete full season first before adding new character. 

I don't really understand how film works so I don't care.

And lastly about Asia.. she is adapting fast to our environment, as everyone in the group already accepting her too. Her sacred gear also has been awakened and it was said she is coming following Kaori everywhere as she loves her new sister dearly. Everyone agrees that they are really fit together as sisters.

Well, no one in group know Asia roles and we agree that it would be stay as secret.

>>>>>

Currently at 7 am on the first day of the year, the Chiba shrine already full of people.

All of our friend group members agree to meet in front of the Chiba shrine.

Only me and my sister are here now, Ravel and Akeno will be going with their family in the ing for some reason first. And Azazel said the fallen angel faction has their own event every new year.

....

After waiting for a while... not surprising, Hachiman coming first after us.. with someone? Ohh?

"Satoru-san, you are coming with Satou-san. I thought she would be sleeping at this time." Hachiman said.

"Right? Also, look at my sister! She is the cutest person here without a doubt!" I said to Hachiman as I nodded to myself.

It is indeed surprising for my sister to be already awake now.. but she forces herself to be awake because she wants to show her new year kimono to me! 

Its traditional red kimono with pink sakura motive around, and really fit her appearance! Extra cute 300%!

....

"Onii-chan stop it! it is embarrassing!" My twin sister said to me as she tugging my clothes.

...Damn she is so cute.

"...Etto Satoru-san, Can I Introduce my friend? she is my new neighbor from 1-2 months ago.. and we are friends.. she is from a different class though.." Hachiman said to me as he scratching his head.

My attention back to him, and then look at the little girl behind him. Blonde girl.. quite cute too. Good taste Hachiman.

["Now I wonder if you actually have taste for blonde."] The system said to me.

.....

Not really, I think I prefer pink hair like my sister way more but pink hair is rare right?

"Ohh sorry, I didn't notice. My name is Matsuzaka Satoru, and here is my sister Matsuzaka Satou. We are classmates of Hachi." I said as I introduce ourself.

My sister also nodded beside me.

"...Oh, Both of you are the famous Matsuzaka twins. My name is Miura Yumiko from 1-B.. Nice to meet you." Yumiko introduces herself.

"Ohh? Hachiman got himself a good girl, huh?" I said to tease Hachiman.

"It is not! She is just my first friend outside our friend's group." Hachiman replied.

...

Friend huh? 

I look at Hachiman and Yumiko and they seem pretty close.

Oregairu canon also ducked huh, I don't think Hachiman has this good relationship with Yumiko in his childhood.

....

Well, no negative Hachiman is better for everyone.

>>>>>

.....

We are talking to each other for a while and my impression of Yumiko is that she is nowhere become her counterpart as her canon. I hope she stays like this.. for her own personal quality.

After Hachiman and Yumiko, It is Ravel who arrived in the Chiba shrine.. walking alone?

Ravel running toward us when she saw me.

*Tap* *Tap*

"Sorry, Satoru-san! I'm a bit late to arrive. Also Happy new year!" Ravel said as she bows to apologize.

"Happy new year. Nah you are early, Ravel-chan. Don't worry. A lot of others are not here yet. You are alone?" I said to her.

"Y-Yes! My whole family attend new year in the underworld so it is only me able to go here..." She answered.

I see, so they teleported you alone and go somewhere else.

....That's cold.

"Underworld?" Both Hachi and Yumiko are confused.

!!??

"Awawawawa!!" Ravel realizes her blunder becomes panic.

"Nah it is rich people's new year party name. They probably name it 'underworld' because it sounds cool" I said to Hachi and Yumiko hopefully they believe my lies.

"Ohh... It's something like that." Hachiman nodded, followed by Yumiko.

Safe...

...

Then I stroke Ravel's head.

*Stroke*

"No worries... You are won't be alone, after all, we are all here. Let's having fun, shall we?" I said to her.

"Awawawawa... T-Thank you Satoru-san" Ravel said.

!

...?

My sister tugged my clothes then she put her head down a bit... Indicate that she also wants a stroke?

Oh... She is jealous and wanna get stroked too?

Don't worry, Onii-chan will be fair!

*Stroke*

...

"Munyaaa... Thank you Onii-chan"

!!?

My sister's expression suddenly relaxed... She is so cute!

....

"S-Satoru-san, do you like my kimono?" Ravel suddenly asked me while being stroked.

I take a look at her appearance now.

Ravel wearing bright pink kimono with a yellow flower motif on it.

"Very cute.. also why pink?" I asked her.

"...Because I like ..pink.. It gives me a lot of happiness." She replied.

"I see." 

....

I keep stroke both my sister and Ravel's head.

....

I will pretend that I didn't get what Ravel mean and won't elaborate further.

Though she as good impression of me sure a good thing.

["Good call, user. You really need to train your stamina soon."] The system said as he chuckled.

Sure, I also need more chakra capacity to train Rasengan later.

And more control over my abilities.

I notice so far that in any fight, I'm always trying to overwhelm my opponent with strength and it doesn't work very well.

All wins I got also due to a surprise attack that my opponent doesn't know.

But what if my opponent already knows all my skill set?

....

...

...

"Nee, Hachi. It is always like this with your group? Satoru looks like a pet master there." Yumiko asked Hachiman.

"...Yes." Hachiman replied.

>>>>>

Few minutes after Ravel coming, it is Asia and Kaori who arrived. Both of them wearing light yellow kimono with red flower motive. Opposite combination of what my sister wearing huh.

"Awawawawa H-Happy new year Satoru-san. Also Ravel-san, Satou-san, Hachi-san and..." Asia said to me.

"Hello, my name is Miura Yumiko. I'm a friend of Hachiman." Yumiko came forward as she introduces herself.

"Yumiko-san! I'm Miyazono Asia! Nice to meet you!" Asia replied as she introduces herself.

Yeah, of course, her last name would be changed. She is adopted after all.

....

"Happy new year Asia-chan, Enjoying new year with your new sister?" I asked her.

"Y-Yes! Thank you for bringing this opportunity to me to having such a loving family and sister... I never knew that growing with family is so warm." Asia replied with a bright smile.

Well, It is because Miyazono Household is full of good people.

You are thinking too much about me.

"Happy new year everyone also, stop being embarrassing Asia! I swear Asia you don't need to say that! You are also such a cute sister!" Kaori said to Asia and hugging her from the side.

....

Both girl's smiles are so bright that other people probably won't even notice that these girls aren't related by blood.

"Kaori nee-san!" Asia responds to her sister's hug by hug her tightly.

"Nee-san?" I asked as I am confused.

"You know Satoru-san I always wanted a cute sister on my own and now I get one." Kaori explains to me as she nodded to herself.

"But she is the same age as you, Kaori-chan.." I said to her.

"Umm... But your sister also calls you Onii-chan despite you both in the same age." Kaori replied as she looks confused about what I said.

....

["Well, that's true, user."] The system also agrees with Kaori.

....

"Understandable." I said as I nodded to her.

Then I keep stroking both Ravel and my sister's head.. huh? They have such happiness look in their eyes.

Do they are indulging in my stroke? Did I awaken my hidden skill stroke master?

No wonder they are not responding to Asia and Kaori's greeting.

.....

....

...

"Nee Hachi.. now the new girls are hugging each other too in your group... Is this normal?" Yumiko asked Hachiman.

"...It is new.. but It is better to ignore it, Yumiko." Hachiman replied.

>>>>>

The next one coming is Akeno and Shuri Obaa-sama. I bet Baraqiel isn't here mean he must be with Azazel on fallen angel headquarter.

Both mother wearing purple kimono with white flower pattern. Good choice.

...

Since the winter holiday and negotiation stuff, I haven't trained again with Baraqiel.. we are so busy with our own stuff after all.

It will begin again on next day though.

"Happy new year everyone, As Akeno mother, thank you for being friends with Akeno-chan." Shuri Obaa-sama said as she bows to us.

"E-Etto! Akeno is also a very good friend of us so it is us who should be thankful!" Hachiman quickly replied.

Everyone nodded at Hachiman said.

...Wow Hachiman actually replied without being socially awkward.

"Happy new year everyone! Sorry for the late arrival. I was meeting with my cousin this morning with my mother." Akeno said to us.

Cousin... Does that mean Suzaku? Hmm... Did Azazel already recruit Slash dog too then?

He knows the plot after all. He could do something about it.

"No problem, Akeno-san. Everyone doesn't wait that long anyway."Kaori replied.

"A-Ano we are also just arrived, Akeno-san." Asia also followed.

"Ah? That's good then. I see a new person is here. Are you also a new member like Asia?" Akeno said as she looks at Yumiko.

...Oh right she is joining with Hachiman.

"H-Hello my name is Miura Yumiko, I'm a neighbor of Hachiman. Nice to meet you!" Yumiko said as she introduces herself.

"Oh... I thought you are someone that Satoru-kun brings. For some reason, he loves bringing the blonde girl to this group. I wonder when a black-haired girl would join." Akeno said while looking at me.

"Maybe you should begin to dye your hair blonde, Akeno?" Shuri Obaa-sama said to her daughter.

Everyone look at me, probably curious what would be my response.

....

...

"Err... I have no explanation. It is just short happening... Yeah." I said as I raise both my hands. 

...

Because of it, I stop my stroke on Ravel and my sister.

!!!

Their eyes suddenly open wide as they just seem to wake up in the world.

???

"Huh? There is already Asia-san, Kaori-san, and Akeno-san here?" Ravel said she seems puzzled.

My sister nodded at what Ravel said.

Everyone shook their head to both people antics 

"Welcome back to the world, Ravel and my sister. You guys really enjoying my stroke, huh." I said to them.

"Unn.." 

"Onii-chan really good at it."

Both of them looked away as they feel embarrassed.

....

Well, you bet. I have trained my stroke skill for you since you are still very young, my lovely twins.

>>>>>

The last one that arrived obviously is Kaguya and her attendant, Ai with a luxurious car and ton of bodyguards, which gather a lot of people's attention on this shrine.

...Shinomiya family always exaggerated when it comes to their family member safety huh.

Kaguya and Ai leave their car as the door is opened by their bodyguard.

Kaguya wearing black kimono with dark purple flower motif and Ai wearing white kimono with golden flower motif on it.

Ai choice is not bad, but Kaguya sure really love black.

.....

Then the bodyguards leave them alone as seems Kaguya and Ai instructed to not follow them.

I wave my hand to them.

"Oii, Black queen!! You are the last one has arrivd. Are you want me to add 'Slowpoke' too on your nickname? Also happy new year." I said to her.

Kaguya who hear what I said her expression darker and replied "Well... Even in the new year, you are brute as always Matsuzaka Satoru. Sorry for the late arrival and Happy new year too."

"Happy new year to everyone, sorry we are being late. It is the first time that Kaguya-sama attends in public place at new year so we are a bit confused about where is the meeting place." Ai followed Kaguya and explained to us.

"I see. Well, Happy new year, Kaguya and Ai-chan." Kaori said as she hug Kaguya.

"Happy new year, Kaguya nee-san, Ai nee-san." Asia also followed hug Kaguya.

"A-Ah... Happy new year to both of you. You guys seem to get along well." Kaguya replied with a smile while being hugged.

Kaguya also already knows Asia's circumstances as an adopted daughter. Now she always treated her carefully as she treats Kaori.

Kaguya seems really have soft spot for Miyazono siblings.

"Kaguya-san, where are your parents? They are not with you? Are they also go to the underworld like the Ravel family?" Hachiman suddenly asked.

"Underworld?" Kaguya said as she was confused.

!!!

Distraction!

"A-Anyway, since we are completed. Let's go to the shrine quickly. We are already a bit late from the time we have planned" I said to the whole group.

Everyone nodded and following me behind me.

["Good job user."]

Yeah, I swear it is not good for my heart though.

>>>>>

We are currently walking following the shrine area direction, and damn there is a lot of people!

"Sticking close to each other everyone!" I yell toward my friend's group.

Everyone nodded and sticking to each other in pairs.

Me with my sister.

Akeno with Ravel.

Hachiman with Yumiko.

And Kaguya with Ai.

I feel this group is already completed right now.

["There would be more if you increase your 'fiancee' though, user."] The system replied.

...I won't comment on that. It is already hard for me to manage this group.

["Full of people who soon grow up to be beautiful girls?"]

Hachiman and me is not a girl, system.

>>>>>

Everyone going into the new year's shrine doing the thing. Ring the bell of the shrine, throw a coin, and hope for something.

.....

I wonder if there is an actual Japanese deity around here watching this whole ordeal?

["Yes, I can feel it but we just can't see it. They especially watching you, I think its because you are now famous, user."] The system told me.

....

I don't know but a lot of humans.. mostly exorcists begin to challenge me often since I got the title of Champion. Especially, Griselda, she is a really tough opponent.

["But you can copy her swordsman skill, with your EMS. How you can forget such function on your ability is beyond me."] The system comment.

Yeah, thanks to her. I begin to pick up a sword. I copied a lot of swordsman style from my challenger and use it on my own. I didn't know it's actually able to copy magic too though.

["Remember my energy conversion?"] The system retorts me.

.....

Wow, I never thought that your new function was that helpful.

["You just never ask."] The system replied.

My fault indeed.

>>>>>

*Cling*

I throw my coin, clap my hand and begin to voice my hope for this year.

"I hope our peaceful day will be existing forever."

.....

..After doing mine, everyone in the group soon following after me.

Someone thug on my clothes.

"Mm... Satoru-san. Can you explain to me why we need to ring the shrine bell and throw a coin?" Asia asked me.

"Hmm... I don't know. Our tradition as a Japanese resident?" I said to her.

"But why? Everyone in the church never throws a coin when we are praying to god." Asia replied.

...Oh damn, I forget she is a former Christian nun.

Someone, please help.

["You should learn more, user."] The system said.

You are not helping.

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3rd POV

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In the dark castle where there is always dark as there is no sunlight ever reach, some people sitting each other at the big table as they are about discussing something.

....

"...Thank you for everyone who was able to participate. Today's meeting is about the info we got about fallen angel information that someone sends to us, admit herself as Miss Knife. And from what I have investigated, all information she gives to us was true."

*Murmur* *Murmur* *Murmur*

"Azazel-kun sure always smart, well played."

"It seems fallen angel faction really got their grip on humanity."

"...Humanity seems really fall far from it is former glory"

"Why we can't attack them now? I don't think they would be prepared for a surprise attack."

"Don't be haste. Fallen angels won't be survived for a long time if they are that easy to be removed. They are one of the smallest in number, yet they are also known for their domination in the human world. They also have a lot of allies that would be ready to help them."

"Nah... Be patient, big boys and girls. Azazel-kun might be not strong but he was known for his brain during the war, you know? He should have something prepared in case someone attacks them."

A masked girl among the group suddenly stands up and yells out.

"Then, We just let them wait?! This new information about Fallen Angel's grip on humanity, they are growing arrogant! I could go right now and destroy them alone"

A dark being with a grim voice with a very violent aura said something after the masked girl declaration.

!!!

"...Stay still, Eru."

...

"..Yes, Enosh-sama."

"For now gathering information of fallen angel faction is a priority, also we don't know whether the sender of information is our allies or enemies yet. When the times ready, we are going to destroy the whole world... Not only Fallen Angel faction. Well, we could start from them since they are trouble from the information we gathered. "

"Estimation time?"

"4-6 years... A lot of members of Qlipoth still tried to locate more evil dragon corpses and we are still looking for Holy Grail wielder too."

"That's a quite long time."

"Indeed. I thought we could go rampage within a year or two."

"...Just enjoy your time in this world as much as you can before it is the time we destroy this world. I won't accept any failure."

"Understand, Enosh-sama!" 

Everyone in the group answered.

>>>>>

After the meeting adjourned, the dark being meets Rizevim in a private room.

"How the plan of taking Ophis power, Rizevim?"

"...She seems still unaware of your presence, Enosh-sama. We also already get Samael blood, Eh.. we are just waiting for your instruction to run the plan."

"Again, don't be haste. She is still an infinity concept in this world even though she is just a little girl. Without my real body still unable to enter this dimension, She would easily beat me.. at least my avatar on this world.

I also have unlimited time to wait anyway, just strike her in time when all preparation is completely ready. I will support you with my shadow when it comes. For now, priority keeps collecting information and gathering troops within this world. "

"Alrighty, Enosh-sama. Your wish is my pleasure." 

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["It seems a lot of trouble awaiting mc in the future."] The system monologue as he ends the chapter.