True Magician

Chapter 18

Emiya Residence.

- "Akeno-san. What an unexpected visit. Did you want to see Issei?" Looking at my companion, I asked.

- "Who is the cutest animal? You, of course," Akeno cooed, playing with Fou, who was lying on her chest.

My eye twitched. Why did that rascal wake up at this very moment? As soon as Akeno crossed the threshold of the house, he immediately jumped to her and started making himself cute. And of course, no one in the damn world knows that this furry monster can kill them in a second.

Besides, where is everyone else? Not even Ophis and Tiamat were in the house. Where the hell did they go?

- "Akeno-san?"

- "Ahem," Clearing her throat, she pulled away from the bastard, "I apologize for that, Romani-sensei. Yes, I came to check on Issei."

- "Well, I'm glad to hear he's making progress. But he's resting now. Shall I call him?"

- "No need. I trust you," she shook her head, "And you promised to answer a few questions, didn't you, Romani-sensei?"

- "Suppose so," I shrugged.

- "Ara-ara. You're reneging on your word?"

- "Let's say."

- "It won't work on me, Romani-sensei," Akeno said with a sweet smile, "I'm very patient."

Oya? So they know about Sirzechs and I? I wonder what he was thinking sharing that information with them. Or did he want to give Rias and her entourage some leeway?

- "Оh? Then I think you should take Rias-san's brother's place. His patience wore thin rather quickly."

- "Perhaps you two are simply incompatible?"

- "Suppose so," I repeated in a relaxed tone. Although she said she was patient, I still noticed the tiny corner of her mouth twitching.

- "Anyway, I'll get started," she made herself comfortable and even put away Fou, who didn't hide his displeasure.

- "Fou, Fou!" He squeaked and jumped onto my shoulder and started poking me on the cheek.

- "What do you mean, it's my fault?" I asked him, grabbing his ear.

- "Fou, kyu."

- "I don't know what you mean."

- "Fou!" He yapped, and jumped to the floor and went upstairs with a haughty look on his face.

- "Good riddance," I shrugged and turned to Akeno, "Finally, that hairball was gone and we could get down to business. Ask your questions, Akeno-san."

- "I... got it," still in shock from the scene, she muttered, "My first question. Why are you helping us?"

- "It's an adult's duty to help children, isn't it?"

- "Ara-ara. Please stop talking nonsense, sensei. In all your time at the academy, you never crossed paths with us unless necessary. And all conversations have been limited to greetings, questions about work, and goodbyes," Akeno raised an eyebrow, "Even a blind man could tell that you weren't particularly interested in helping the students. Which is in keeping with your fickle nature. So why are you helping us? What's on your mind?"

- "How flattering. You've done a great job on your homework. But. I'm very interested in Issei's success."

- "But why?"

- "That's a second question, Akeno-san. Be more careful next time," I smirked and shook my finger in front of her.

- "I... understand," she nodded, "Then, my second question. Why do you hate us?"