Train Ride to Kyoto

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

Two and a half months have passed since Sarutobi Ayame joined James' peerage. In those two and a half months there were no events of significance. The final exams for the first term came and went. The group of second years' ranks did not change. They kept the same placings as they did on the mid-terms. The first years did, however, see a change. Mizore was able to climb to second place in the year over Yuuto. Other than that, summer break came and went uneventfully.

The group trained in the Underworld until the last week of the vacation. Then, they spent the last week in Hawaii, enjoying the beach and local culture. After that, it was back to Kuoh Academy. In the month after the term started, two things happened worth taking note of. First, Sona successfully invited three new members to her peerage, all of whom are first year girls from the Student Council. First, Hanakai Momo, a [Bishop]. Second, Meguri Tomoe, a [Knight]. And third, Yura Tsubasa, a [Rook]. Rias also successfully invited Issei to her peerage. Unfortunately, his [Sacred Gear] has yet to awaken.

Today, there is a significant change from the usual school days. For the second years, anyway. Today the second-year students of Kuoh Academy have all gathered at Kuoh's train station. Their destination? Kyoto. Why? The school trip begins today. For four days and three nights, the second-year students of Kuoh academy will have the opportunity to explore the historical city of Kyoto in groups of five to seven.

"Seems like abuse of authority." James said sarcastically while he looked at Sona.

In response, Sona only snorted and turned her head away.

"I'm sure the VP just wanted us to be able to travel the city together." Flora said with a smile. "Right, VP?"

"Exactly right." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "Besides, why would you even complain about this? Shouldn't you be happy? Surrounded by beautiful girls."

"There are two things wrong with what you just said." James replied in a deadpan. "First, I'm always with you girls. So, immunity is building..."

*Swoosh!* *Swoosh!* *Swoosh!* *Swoosh!*

Without even looking, James evaded the slaps from Rias, Sona, Akeno, and Flora that would have undoubtedly landed on his face or head. Without changing his expression, he continued.

"Second, one of the girls is dating my best friend, one is head over heels for a younger guy who isn't here, and one is engaged to another man. So why should I be happy when I can't even touch half of the hot girls I'm surrounded by"

At that moment, Rias was unsure whether she should be angry or happy. Angry because he mentioned her engagement or happy because he called her hot. Either way, James' words forced her into inaction. Reya, on the other hand, did not have to think about it. She blushed immediately when James called her hot. While Tsubaki smiled brightly as she thought about her awkward boyfriend.

"Tch!" Sona clicked her tongue. "It amazes me sometimes. How that tongue of yours gets you out of sticky situations."

"Oh, does it?" James said with a mischievous smile while waggling his eyebrows. "My tongue has gotten into quite a few 'sticky situations' with you. Now that I think about it, you're always amazed then, too."

In response, Sona's blush was fierce and immediate. Rias, Tsubaki, and Reya also blushed at the innuendo. Akeno and Flora only adopted sloppy smiles, remembering the "tongue lashings they often receive from James made them shiver.

"Onii-Chan, why are all the Onee-Sans making funny faces?" Kunou asked innocently.

That's right, Kunou was joining James and his group on their trip to Kyoto. Having received a message from Yasaka at the end of spring break that requested their help in escorting the little fox girl home during their school trip to Kyoto.

"Don't worry about it Kunou." James said while he patted the blonde girl on her head. "They just remembered something funny."

Not sure what would be so funny as to make people make faces like those, Kunou moved on quickly. She was just excited to see her mother again. Almost a year and a half had passed since she began staying with James and his family.

"I can't wait to see mommy." Kunou said with a smile.

"I'm sure she can't wait to see you either." James said with a warm smile.

Seeing James gentle smile, most of the females nearby, including the teacher in charge of the students blushed and felt their heart start to race. Seeing how the women around reacted, James' smile changed from a warm one to a wry one.

Something that he noticed, even though he had always been handsome, the stronger his demonic power became the more handsome he became. James theorized that his demonic bloodline was starting to completely overwhelm his human blood. And with that, came some race corrections to his physique and appearance.

After a moment, the teacher in charge came back to her senses. As she got her wits about her, she shouted to get all the students' attention back on her. After a few more minutes, the teacher's instructions ended. A few minutes after that, they were allowed to board the train. Shortly after all the students were on board, the train pulled away from the station.

In their train car, James group of eight were split into two groups of four. Separated by the aisle were James, Kunou, Flora and Reya. On the other side of the aisle were Rias, Sona, Akeno, and Tsubaki. As the train was picking up speed once it cleared the station, James frowned.

*Sigh* What is that girl thinking?" James asked rhetorically. He did not believe there was a soul alive who could completely understand what that girl was thinking.

"What's the matter, James?" asked Akeno from across the aisle.

Looking up at the ceiling of the train car, James' frown deepened. Then, he shook his head and turned toward Akeno.

"Ayame is sitting on top of the train." James said as his frown turned into a wry smile. "Directly above me."

"Why doesn't Ayame-San ride in the train like everyone else?" Kunou asked curiously.

"*Sigh* Unfortunately, Ayame isn't like everyone else." James said after a sigh. He continued after shaking his head. "Being unique is good. But she's just too much."

"Thump!"

At that moment, a light thump came from directly over James' head.

"Oh, lovely." James said with a deadpan. "And somehow she's listening to the car's interior."

"James, don't let it get to you." Reya said with a giggle. "Just don't think about her."

"Unfortunately, I can't do that in this situation." James said while massaging his temples.

"Huh, why not?" Reya asked innocently.

"Because if he does, Sarutobi-San will fall of the train's roof." Akeno said from across the aisle.

At that moment, everyone, except Kunou, remembered the mess Ayame became the day James accepted her into his peerage. After only a few minutes of being ignored, she almost orgasmed on her own. With that thought in their heads, the girls stared at the point directly above James with disgust in their eyes.

Fortunately for Ayame, she only feels excitement and pleasure from James' cold glares and words. Otherwise, they would have lost her pretty early into the trip.

"Anyway, are there any sights you girls are looking forward to seeing?" James asked in order to change the subject. Occasionally he would look up so that Ayame did not pass out from the self-perceived neglect play.

"Of course!" The six high school girls answered simultaneously.

Then, they began to name all the most well-known tourist attractions in Kyoto, such as: Nijo Castle, Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Kyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangen-do Temple, and Kyoto Imperial Palace.

"Wait, most of those places are shrines and temples." Flora said with a slight smile on her face. "Can we, as devils, even enter those holy places?"

"A very good question." Sona said. "Usually, we would not be able to enter. However, as we have an agreement with the youkai whose patrons are the gods of Takamagahara."

"So, as long as we don't cause any trouble while in Kyoto or destroy anything in the shrines and temples, we'll be fine." Rias said with a smile.

"So that's how it is." Reya said in comprehension.

"James, what about you?" Akeno asked, having noticed that James had not mentioned anywhere in Kyoto he wanted to go.

"Me?" James replied with a big smile. Then he turned his attention to Kunou. "Why do I need to think about what I want to see when I'm sitting next to Kyoto's cutest tour guide?"

In response to James' compliment, Although Kunou did not turn away from watching the scenery outside the window, everyone could see the big smile she was wearing thanks to her reflection in the window.

After that, the group spent the rest of the trip doing things to stave off boredom. Reya read a book, Flora and James switched seats before Kunou and Flora fell asleep. James sketched the sleeping pair as Flora hugged Kunou to her bosom. On the other side of the aisle, Rias, Sona, Akeno, and Tsubaki played old maid. It seemed as if the games were getting pretty intense, too. More than likely, there was some betting going on over there. And every now and then, James would open the window and throw a snack outside. At the same time, he would speak two simple words: "Have some." Then, before the snack or drink or whatever he threw out the window could get too far away from the side of the train, a chain with a weight on the end would shoot down from above. In an impressive display of skill, it would wrap around the item then quickly pull it upward. All without damaging the item.

"Ayame-San's skill with the Kusarigama is very impressive." Tsubaki said with some awe in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's too bad she isn't very impressive as a person." James said while shaking his head.

*Thump!*

"Fuck, I forgot she could hear inside with the window closed." James said after face palming. "Knock if you're still on the roof."

The group's little section fell silent for around two minutes.

*Knock!* *Knock!*

*Phew!* x 6

Simultaneously, James, Rias, Sona, Akeno, Tsubaki, and Reya sighed in relief. Although they find her level of masochism disturbing, none of them wish any harm to befall her. Well, no harm that she would not take pleasure from. Eventually, James grumbled.

"She almost gave me a heart attack."

"Technically, that was your fault." Rias said in response. She then quickly turned away with a smile when James glared at her.

"I understand that Ayame-San wants to guard you secretly, but couldn't she do that in the car, too?" Reya asked while tilting her head in confusion. "I mean, all she has to do is just sit away from James, right?"

*Thump!*

The group fell silent again.

*Knock!* *Knock!*

*Phew!* x 6

"Something tells me she never even considered that option." Sona said with a slight smile.

"Well, in her defense, she had never even hidden her youkai features before she joined my peerage." James said with a shrug. "So, even though she knows about modern technology, it's not her fault that using it isn't her first thought when she sees it. In fact, I bet she thought she was using it to carry out her mission, even now."

Then, James shook his head and said. "I really need to make some time to take her out and help her adapt to her new life."

*Thump!*

*Knock!* *Knock!*

I think the 'thump' sounded different this time." Akeno said with a smile.