The Last Day of Spring Break

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

Today, on the last day of Spring break, James, Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, and Flora appeared in front of James' house from a teleportation magic circle. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the second year of high school at Kuoh Academy for James, Rias, Akeno, and Flora. While Yuuto would be starting his first year.

"Thanks for helping us with our training." Rias said with a sweet smile while looking at James.

"Don't worry about it, Riri." James said, smiling back in return. "It was fun for me."

"I had fun, too." Flora said with a smile that screamed: "I enjoyed more than just the training."

"Fufufu." Akeno giggled while adopting the same smile as Flora. She hid it behind a hand, though.

Looking at Akeno and Flora, Rias' jealousy began to spike. Before it could get out of control, she shook her head. Then, with determination burning in her eyes, she clenched her fists and thought to herself.

'I'll challenge Riser to a [Rating Game] over Winter break, Spring break at the latest. Then, I'll finally be free to choose who I will spend the rest of my life with.'

As she finished her thought, Rias gazed at James longingly. At the same time, Yuuto was deep in his own thoughts. For the last few days, he has been constantly replaying the conversation he had with James. Back in the Underworld, Koneko was in a state similar to Yuuto. Thinking about tapping into her racial traits to get the answers she wants about her sister.

"Well, I'll head over to Sona's house." James said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I need to pick up Kunou."

"Okay, we'll head home, too." Rias said, putting on a smile after breaking away from her inner thoughts. "We need to get settled in for tomorrow, after all."

"Alright, I'll see you all tomorrow." James said with a smile.

"See you tomorrow, Darling." Flora said excitedly as she rushed in and hugged James.

Once Flora separated from James' embrace, Akeno stepped forward elegantly. Placing a kiss on James' cheek, she spoke, as well.

"I'm already looking forward to tomorrow."

Once again, Rias pouted jealously. Her desire for intimacy, through the roof. She then turned away and began to walk.

"Okay, Akeno, Yuuto, let's go." Rias said as she walked. "I'll see you tomorrow, James."

With that, Akeno and Yuuto followed Rias away from James' house in the direction of Kuoh Academy. Flora, deciding now was a good time to leave as well, walked alongside them and chatted with the trio. James saw them off with a smile. However, before long, Rias, Akeno and Yuuto turned toward the house next door to James's. Seeing this, James and Flora froze in shock. Once they reached the front door, Rias reached into her pocket and pulled out a few keys. Handing one each to Akeno and Yuuto, then she turned back to the door and inserted her own key into the keyhole. Once she unlocked and opened the door, she turned back to James.

"Hello, neighbor!" Rias said excitedly while waving her hand. "I just moved in today. I hope we'll get along."

Flora was the first to come out of her stupor. And when she did, she laughed... Hard. Hearing Flora's laughter, James also came back to his senses. When he did, he could only smile wryly at the slyly grinning Rias and Akeno. Yuuto was smiling awkwardly off to the side.

"Hahaha!" James wry smile eventually turned into full-blown laughter. When it died down, he spoke. "Okay, you got me there. Well, I'll see you all tomorrow."

James then turned toward Sona's house. At the same time, Flora made her way back home, while Rias, Akeno, and Yuuto went inside their new home. Once James reached Sona's front door, he rang the doorbell. After a few moments, Tsubaki opened the door. Dressed as if she were about to go somewhere, James could not help but ask.

"Got a date with Lancer, huh?" James said with a smile.

Smiling in response, Tsubaki nodded her head happily.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school, then." James said. Before he could ask about Kunou, the adorable little girl came running from the house's interior.

"James-Oniichan!" Kunou shouted as soon as she caught sight of James. Then when she was in range, she jumped and wrapped her arms around James' neck. Then, with a bright smile, she continued to speak. "Welcome back."

"It's good to be back." James replied with a smile. "Did you have fun with Sona and the girls.?"

"Uh huh." Kunou replied with a nod. "Everyone played with me lots. Sona-Oneesan told me stories about when you were little, too."

"Oh, and what did she tell you about me?" James asked curiously.

"Well, she told me..."

As Kunou went on about the stories Sona told her over the past few days, Tsubaki smiled and nodded at James before walking across the street to get Cu Chulainn. Shortly after, Sona came to the front door and greeted James with a smile.

"Welcome back, James."

"Glad to be back." James replied with a smile. "Have you talked to your sister... since that day?"

"No, not yet." Sona said as she shook her head. "If I don't hear from her by Golden Week, I'll go to the Underworld myself."

"I'll go with you." James said resolutely.

"As much as I'd like to have your support with that, I think there's something I need to talk with her about, alone." Sona said while she shook her head to James' offer.

"If you say so." James said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Just remember if you need me for anything, all you have to do is ask."

"I know." Sona said with a smile and a nod. "And thank you."

With that, James turned to leave. With Kunou still in his arms he looked at his house. Unsurprisingly, he could see a pair of light blue and a pair of red eyes peering at him through one of the windows. He then turned back to Sona and spoke.

"Well, I better get home." He said with a wry smile. "It seems two of my cohabitants are getting impatient."

Sona giggled when she saw James' wry smile. Then, she stepped forward and raised herself on the tips of her toes and kissed James on the cheek.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Sona said as she pulled her lips away.

"See you tomorrow." James said in reply.

After bidding Sona goodbye, James turned toward his house and crossed the street. Then, when he and Kunou reached the front door, the door opened before he could do anything. On the other side of the open door, Mizore and Moka smiled. Clearly, they were happy he was back. Putting Kunou down, James opened his arms and spoke.

"I'm home."

Taking the cue, Mizore and Moka rushed into James' outstretched arms. Hugging for a few moments, the girls released him and ushered James and Kunou into the house. Sitting at the entrance, James and Kunou removed their shoes. While they did, James asked a question.

"Anything to report for the last few days?" James asked without looking back.

"Nothing of note." Moka replied professionally. "Only one stray devil was reported. Lady took care of it easily."

"Lady's gotten pretty good." Mizore said with a smile. "When I limit my power to the same as her, we've had nothing but draws. Ever since we came back from training with Master Scathach."

"Well, there is a reason she has the title, 'Trainer of Heroes,' right?" James said with a smile. "Anyway, how is the ice mirror technique coming along?"

"Good." Mizore said with her eyes lighting up." "It's hard to react while moving as fast as I do between the mirrors."

"Mizore-Oneesan's mirrors are so cool." Kunou cheered excitedly. "She goes into a mirror, then she goes, whoosh! And then she's in another mirror."

After changing to indoor slippers, James and the girls went to the living room. When they entered, Leona was sitting on the sofa with a frown on her face.

"Mom, I'm home." James said with a smile.

In response, Leona did not even look in his direction. This caused the girls to giggle and James to smile wryly. Then, James walked toward the sofa she was sitting on.

"Mom, what's wrong?" James asked as he sat next to his mother. Then he wrapped her in a hug.

"Hmph!" Leona snorted but did not reject the hug from her son. "Now that my son has a few girls, he forgets about his mother, huh?"

"What are you talking about, Mom?" James said, smiling wryly. Although he knew she was teasing him, he did not know how to disarm the trap. "You know I love you; how could I ever forget about you?"

Trying to hold back a smile, Leona kept up with her teasing.

"Oh, really?" Leona asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course." James said with a genuine smile.

"Then, why did it take you twenty-five minutes to come and say hi to me after you teleported back." Leona asked with fake sobs.

James, after hearing this question thought.

'She's getting impatient, huh?'

"Mom... Are you saying I should have left Kunou until later?" James asked with mock shock on his face.

Leona's pupils quivered at James' question. However, before she could respond, James asked another question.

"And why didn't you tell me about our new neighbors?" James asked sadly. "I think it's you, mother, who has forgotten about your son."

Once again, Leona racked her brain for a way to regain the initiative in this conversation. But before she could come up with anything, James spoke once again. This time he put the nail in the coffin.

"Mizore, Moka, my mother doesn't love me anymore." James sobbed with the saddest face he could make.

Leona's eyes widened to a comical degree. Seeing this, Mizore, Moka, and Kunou giggled as they watched James' performance. Eventually, Leona regained her calm. Then, she hung her head dejectedly.

"How did you turn it around?" Leona asked frustratedly.

"Well, I have to thank Riri for that." James said with a smile.

"Rias? Why?" Leona asked confusedly.

"It's elementary, my dear mother." James said with a finger raised. "Nothing you've done so far can compare to a jealous outburst from the Gremory Princess."

Hearing that, the ladies burst into laughter immediately. Mizore shivered a bit, however, as she remembered the first time she met Rias.

"Because of my experience with Riri, dealing with your fake jealousy was child's play." James said with a victorious smile on his face.

"*Sigh* You win this round, boy." Leona said dejectedly. Shortly afterward, though, she smiled mischievously. "Anyway, on to something more interesting."

James had a bad feeling when he saw his mother's smile. And when he heard her next words, he knew it was much worse than he thought it would be.

"So, why don't you tell me about your time with Akeno and Flora." Leona asked, a victorious smile appearing on her face a moment later.

As Leona's words fell, James could feel Mizore and Moka's ears perk up in jealousy and curiosity. At the same time, Kunou tilted her head, cutely. as she was unable to understand the insinuation. James could feel cold sweat forming on the back of his neck. As he looked around the room, his vision settled on Kunou. Then his eyes lit up.

"I don't think now is a good time." James said with a solemn expression. "This is a conversation not suitable for children. Besides, I'm a bit tired from all the training. So... see ya later, bye."

With that, James [Flash Stepped away. Before anyone could react, the sound of James' bedroom door slamming shut echoed throughout the house. The ladies were surprised and a bit impressed at how fast his fight or flight instinct kicked in and made its decision on how to proceed.

"Well, damn, he got away." Leona said disappointedly.

===The next morning. First day of the new term===

James' usual group, with three new additions, Mizore, Moka, and Yuuto, were making their way to school.

"I wonder what classes we'll all be in." Mizore said excitedly.

"Well, if it's anything like it was with us, you three will be in the same class." Sona replied. "Since you three were the top scorers on the entrance exams."

"Yeah, and we get to hear Moka give a speech at the opening ceremony." James said with a smile. "Just like Sona did the year before."

I hate public speaking." Moka said with a blush.

At that, everyone laughed. And for the rest of the trip, they enjoyed their walk with laughter and chatter. Meanwhile, in a normal two-story home, in his bedroom on the second floor, a brown-haired boy was psyching himself up for his first day of high school.

"Okay, Issei. This will be the first step toward getting a harem!" The boy said to himself as he smacked his hands against his cheeks.

"Hurry up, Ize!" A middle-aged woman shoute from the first floor. "If you don't you won't have time for breakfast before you leave."