DxD: Analog Destruction

Level #2. - Sidetracked.

The sky had adopted a dull grey hue as the sun prepared to set. The only sound resonating through the neatly ordered tree line were the footsteps of a raven-haired beauty and her junior.

The two hadn't spoken since they had begun traveling in the same direction, but the younger student had to get something off of his mind.
"Mind if I ask you two questions?" asked Kyu.

"Of course. I'm always happy to clear something up." Himejima answered.

"Okay, that's one question down." He smirked. "Okay, that aside. Why do you serve someone like Gremory? Or, why haven't you taken over your group yet?"

"That's a strange question. Why do you ask?" She inquired.

"Well, you seem much more put together, smarter, and just... calmer, than Gremory."

"Ara~ You're going to make me blush." She said, pressing her hand against her cheek.

Kyu immediately wondered if that odd sound she made was a catchphrase of sorts. He didn't think Japanese people actually made that sound. But regardless, he pressed on.

"Compared to Gremory's inexperience and incompetence, you seem like an ideal leader. So, what's up with that?" Kyu asked as he turned his head to look at Himejima, making sure to glance ahead of himself to make sure he didn't walk into any obstructions.

She still had her smile plastered on her face. Her violet eyes were pointed towards Kyu, but she kept her head facing forward.

"Rias is my best friend. I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for her. Besides, she's a natural leader and incredibly talented, even if you can't see it yet."

The boy narrowed his gaze to focus entirely on Himejima. He didn't have any reason to think she was lying, so he took her words at face value.

"I'll have to believe you on that one. Because honestly, she doesn't seem as incredible as you claim," he admitted monotonously. He didn't say this as an insult; it was just a fact to him.

"You'll see. Especially because this is exactly why I wanted you in the peerage," she explained, her polite smile unchanging.

"What do you mean?" Kyu turned his head away from her to focus more on the path ahead of him.

"Rias is strong and capable. But lately, we've been entering into a routine. There aren't many people that can push her. That is why when I saw you, I thought you would be perfect."

"Does that mean I can say whatever I want to her and I don't have to hold back?" Kyu asked with a grin forming on his face.

"Sorry, Suzuki-kun. You've used up all of your questions!" Himejima teased.

"Oh, come on. Do I have to buy more questions? Only the first two are free? You're like one of those creepy seers at the arcade. You know, the ones covered in dust that'll kill you in your dreams."

Himejima moved her hand from her cheek to her mouth as she began giggling nigh-uncontrollably.

"I shudder to find out where you think my coin slot is." She jested.

"Shut up. You're literally a pay-to-win magic eightball. I never should've talked to you," Kyu said, his joke coming out harsher than he intended.

Himejima's stock had risen with Kyu. He definitely considered her weird, but he didn't dislike her.

The two split off once they made it to the main campus. Luckily Himejima didn't take Kyu's last remark seriously, so they left on good terms.