High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 307: Chapter 297 Countdown to New Year’s! (Part 1)

One random day toward the end of the year.

Rias, Junou, and I had ridden out on my custom bike to a huge shopping mall a couple towns over from Kuoh.

Christmas was already behind us, and every store in the mall had ”Year-End Super Sale!” banners flapping everywhere.

We’d come partly to stock up for New Year’s... but mostly to keep a promise the three of us made right before the hot-spring trip with the whole Sekiryuutei peerage.

I’d promised to take both of them on a date riding Sleipnir, the eight-legged motorcycle Governor Azazel built specifically for me.

Sure, we could’ve done the shopping closer to home, but a date’s a date. So the three of us roared out of town on Sleipnir-style.

On the way here, Junou rode in the sidecar while Rias sat behind me, arms wrapped tight around my waist...

Her breasts pressed right up against my back, and even though her cheeks were bright red, she deliberately pushed them harder.

”...Your back really is big and warm, Ise,” she’d whispered in my ear.

I spent the entire ride trying not to pop a boner while steering.

Today’s haul was mostly food and daily necessities for New Year’s, plus a mountain of clothes for the two of them. And of course, that included picking out lingerie...

Just like with Miwa and Alice before, they dragged me into the fitting room.

Watching two perfect-10 bodies changing in front of me, showing off every new bra and panty set... it was a feast for the eyes. Those images are permanently burned into the hard drive between my ears. 100% backed up.

While we were at it, they also picked out a bunch of clothes for me. Both of them have killer fashion sense; they kept pulling outfit after outfit off the racks, holding them up against me, nodding with serious faces like professional stylists.

We did have a couple of tiny arguments over taste, but... I somehow managed to smooth things over. Go me.

Right now we’re taking a break at a café inside the mall.

”Think that’s everything?” I ask.

Rias brings her teacup to her lips. ”Yes. All that’s left is heading home... but...”

Junou smiles sweetly. ”Since we’re already came all this way, I’d love to go for a little drive before we do.”

I’ve got zero objections. Cruising with two gorgeous girls? That’s every guy’s dream.

Sleipnir has a pocket dimension for storage, so we stuffed every single shopping bag in there. No luggage blocking our legs this time either.

”Deal,” I say. ”Let’s go a little farther out.”

”Ufufu, thank you♪ This time I get to ride behind you, Ise-kun.”

”I know, Junou. Fair’s fair,” Rias answers with a slightly pouty but still smiling face.

During shopping they were in full ”normal teenage girl” mode; none of that ”Two Great Onee-samas of Kuoh Academy” aura at all. Crimson-haired princess, perfect Yamato Nadeshiko beauty... but deep down they’re just super girly maidens. And that gap is lethal.

We chat idly for a while until Rias suddenly remembers something.

”By the way, Junou, didn’t you say you were planning a big cleanup at the shrine soon?”

”Shrine cleanup?” I echo.

Junou nods. ”You’ve been there before, Ise-kun. The day you received Ascalon from Michael-sama.”

Oh, that place.

After the previous head priest passed away, the shrine was abandoned for a long time. Rias secured it for Junou, and Junou actually lived there for a while before moving in with us.

I only visited once, that day with Michael. I didn’t even know the shrine existed until he summoned me there.

Junou continues, ”Hardly anyone came after the old priest died, but locals still drop by occasionally. Especially for hatsumōde right after New Year’s.”

”That’s why the big cleanup,” I say.

”I’m technically the caretaker, so I do regular maintenance... but I’ve been so busy lately.”

Summer was nothing but young devils’ meetings, training, Rating Games, and now I’m part of the anti-terrorist team [D×D] too.

”So I thought I’d do a proper cleaning over winter break while I actually have time. It’s scheduled for tomorrow, but...”

”Want me to help?”

”That would be wonderful. It’s a bit much for one person.”

”Then let’s make it an official cleanup day tomorrow,” Rias declares. ”I’ll help too. Anyone who’s free can join.”

Junou and I nod happily.

After wandering the mall a little longer, we head to the parking lot, stuff everything into Sleipnir’s pocket dimension (it really is like Doraemon’s fourth-dimensional pouch), and get ready to ride.

Since Rias had the back seat on the way here, Junou gets the sidecar this time.

I help her in, fasten her helmet, everything’s ready...

And then Junou looks up at me with those moist, expectant eyes.

Yep. Same move Rias pulled earlier.

So I walk over, scoop her up, princess-carry style.

I did it once for Ravel and apparently it became the new standard. Girls apparently dream about this stuff.

The blissful smile on Junou’s face right now is criminal levels of cute.

I gently set her on the rear seat, put her helmet on, then hop on myself and fire up the engine.

”Alright! Quick detour drive, then home!”

”Ufufu, I’ll be clinging to you the whole way♪”

Ooooh! Junou’s breasts, pressing, pressing into my back! Even through clothes the softness is unreal!

Tandem rides with a girl are the best invention in history!

And the way she’s snuggling like a total maiden... I’m in heaven.

Feeling those glorious sensations against my back, I twist the throttle and we blast off into the sunset.

▼

The next day.

I’m standing in the shrine courtyard wearing hakama and holding a bamboo broom.

Never worn hakama much, but they’re surprisingly easy to move in.

Today’s cleanup crew: me, Rias, Junou, Koneko-chan, Reya, Asia, Irina, Miwa, Alice, Ravel, Diarmuid, Tia, Ophis... plus Kiba and Gasper, the only other guys.

Basically the whole Occult Research Club minus Xenovia, plus a few extras.

(Xenovia got summoned to the local church by Griselda-san and left with the most reluctant face ever. She really can’t say no to that woman.)

I turn to Kiba, who’s also in hakama and sweeping nearby.

”You’ve been here for this before?”

”Every year-end. Last year it was just Minister, Koneko-chan, Junou-san, and me.”

”So the original ORC members helped out. You always dress like this?”

”Sacred ground demands proper respect. And we clean with our own hands, no magic.”

Makes sense. Using demonic power on shrine grounds feels like it’d earn you a divine lightning bolt to the face.

Though this particular shrine has had special rituals performed so we’re technically fine.

Kiba chuckles. ”The rituals mean we won’t get smited, but tradition’s tradition.”

At that moment,

”Sorry to keep you waiting, onii-chan, Kiba-kun!”

I turn around, and every girl in the ORC (minus Xenovia... plus Gasper in spirit) is standing there in full miko outfits!

White kosode, scarlet hakama, pure, divine, breathtaking.

When I think ”miko,” I picture graceful black-haired beauties, and Miwa, Junou, and Reya hit that image perfectly. Long raven hair + miko outfit = perfection.

But the non-black-haired girls look incredible too. Rias, Alice, and especially Tia radiate mature sensuality; it’s almost unfair.

Asia, Koneko-chan, and Ophis lean more toward pure, overwhelming cuteness.

”I tried one on too,” Ophis says, spinning once.

”Yeah, you look adorable.” I pat her head, and she immediately demands uppies. Naturally I comply.

”How about me?” Tia steps forward, a little shy. ”First time wearing something like this... does it suit me?”

As said, Tia in miko clothes is pure adult allure. The blue hair adds a mysterious, almost divine layer.

”You already give off mystical vibes, so you look like an actual goddess right now.”

”I’m a Dragon King, you know? ...But hehe, I’m happy you think so.” She smiles and pats both Ophis’s and my head.

Yep, she really is everyone’s reliable big sister. A completely different flavor from a certain other ”big sister.”

”That’s cruel! I’m everyone’s big sister too— hyah!”

Right on cue, Ignis bursts out of the main building in a flying leap, landing dramatically in her own miko outfit.

Except hers is... modified. Deep plunging neckline, micro-mini hakama. Maximum sex appeal mode.

”Ignis-oneesan☆ Miko Version, reporting for duty!”

Called it.

Whenever Tia’s around, Ignis is never far behind. They really are a package deal.

Tia sighs. ”Ignis... that look only works because girls like Miwa are still growing. Think about your age.”

I mean, personally I think Ignis looks hot no matter what, but...

Ignis just flashes a fearless grin.

”You’re right, that’s a fair point. Which is exactly why I’m going to shock everyone today. Never underestimate a goddess’s power♪”

Her body erupts in crimson light.

The glow grows blinding, then fades, revealing not a busty redheaded bombshell, but a petite red-haired loli with a completely flat chest.

”Ignis-oneesan☆ Loli Version!”

”

””””WHAAAAAAT!?””””

The entire courtyard screams in unison.

Because the ultimate hourglass goddess just turned into an actual little girl!

Loli-Ignis throws up a V-sign.

”Explanation time! Thanks to my goddess powers, I’ve mastered the forbidden art of loli-fication! This miko outfit auto-adjusts to my size☆ Call me Ignis-chan from now on! VwV☆”

”W-Why!?”

”New fetish!”

”FETISH!?”

”Exactly! I wanted to explore the possibilities of loli-dom. For example—”

She pinches the hem of her tiny hakama and lifts, revealing absolutely nothing underneath.

”See? Instant immorality factor☆”

...Yeah, I can’t deny it’s effective.

▼

”Eiii!”

”I won’t lose to Ignis.”

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump

Two lolis race down the hallway furiously mopping as they go. Ignis-chan and Ophis, neck-and-neck.

I knew the Goddess and the Dragon God were close, but I never expected this.

They’re cute. Insanely cute.

But the shock factor is bigger than the cuteness right now.

And every time Ignis-chan runs, her skirt flips up...

That hopeless goddess really isn’t wearing anything, so every few seconds I get an eyeful.

Kiba’s so flustered he’s gone outside to rake leaves by himself.

Thump-thump-CRASH!

”...Owww! I slipped!”

Ignis-chan wipes out spectacularly.

Normally wiping out while mopping isn’t a big deal, but in her current outfit!? Everything’s on full display!

She notices me staring and gives a devilish grin.

”Ufufufu~ Pervert Ise♡ Getting excited over a loli body?”

”This is a shrine! A sacred place!”

”I’m a goddess, so it’s fine♪”

”Correct yourself to hopeless goddess!”

Damn it, this useless deity!

She’s been running wild ever since she went loli... well, to be fair, she was running wild before too.

Anyway!

”Tiaaaaaaa! Do something about this hopeless goddess!”

I run crying to Tia, who’s polishing a pillar.

Only our reliable big sister can stop a rampaging Ignis.

”Good grief... is this part of a familiar’s job too?”

”You’re the only reliable big sis we have! Tia-neeeee!”

”There there, don’t cry. Big sis will take care of that useless goddess, okay?”

She pats my head gently, then grabs Loli-Ignis by the collar and drags her away.

”Ehhh!? Tia-chan, where are you taking me!?”

”You’re putting on underwear.”

”But going commando is the whole point of loli mode! Ise was staring every time my skirt flipped up!”

Don’t out me like that!

”Idiot,” Tia sighs. ”Ise would stare at any girl’s body no matter her age.”

Tia... is that supposed to be defending me!?

Because it’s 100% true!

Then Ignis-chan remembers something and smirks.

”By the way, Tia-chan blushes super hard when Ise calls you ’Tia-nee,’ right? You looked so happy just now~”

”...I-I do not...”

She said ”do not” with a ”mon”!

Tia is blushing! Hard!

She was that happy being called big sis!?

”Uwaaaaa! S-stop it! When you call me that I... I go all dere!”

”Whoa!? Tia!? You’re going full dere!? And stop reading my mind!”

Still dragging Ignis-chan, Tia bolts off at full speed.

I’ve... never seen Tia that flustered like that.

Guess she really does love being called big sis.

Decision made: from now on, only ”Tia-nee.”

”Tiamat, dere?”

”Yeah, apparently... wait, Ophis, where’d you get a banana?”

”Banana. Want some?”

Munch munch. She offers me half.

Dragon God-sama is free as ever.

Perfect timing, Ise-kun,” Junou calls, walking over.

”I’m about to organize the storehouse. Could you give me a hand?”

▼

The storehouse sits a little away from the main hall.

It’s packed with ritual implements, wooden statues, scrolls, folding screens, old documents, and archaeological finds, apparently quite a few valuable items for a shrine this size.

Inside are several wooden shelves lined with boxes.

”Is this box okay here?”

”Yes, right there, please.”

I follow Junou’s instructions, moving stuff from the main hall into the boxes.

After setting one down, I let out a breath.

”Shrine cleaning is serious work.”

”But it’s going much faster than last year. We have you and everyone else this time,” Junou smiles gently.

Last year it was just four people. This year we’re a small army; of course it’s easier.

Junou points to a high shelf.

”Could you grab that box up there?”

”Sure, uh... ladder?”

”Yes, over there.”

I find the ladder she indicates, but it’s ancient. The rest of the shrine is well-maintained, yet this thing looks like it’ll crumble if you sneeze on it.

”...This the only one?”

”I thought there was a newer one... maybe someone else is using it?”

Junou tilts her head, finger on her cheek.

No use complaining. This’ll have to do.

I lean the death-trap against the shelf and start climbing. It creaks ominously with every step.

Suddenly Junou murmurs,

”...By the way, you’ve already... done it with Asia-chan and the others, haven’t you?”

”Huh—!? W-well... yeah...”

I nearly miss a rung.

Why bring that up now of all times!?

Yes, I did it with Asia and the girls.

And of course everyone found out the next morning, as usual.

Junou looks up at me, eyes slightly misty.

”Then... next, please do it with me.”

”!?”

The shock almost makes me fall off the ladder. I scramble down, set the box on the floor, and face her.

Junou gazes at me with those moist violet eyes.

”Rias has... Asia-chan has... been loved by you. I... want to be loved by you too, Ise-kun.”

”Junou...?”

”Or... am I not attractive enough?”

”That’s not true at all! You’re sexy, cute, way more than enough!”

But isn’t this moving a little fast!?

Because right now she’s guiding my hand under her miko top!

My fingertips brush bare skin, no bra, nothing.

”You’re... not wearing underwear?”

”Miko are traditionally supposed to go without undergarments.”

That’s a tradition!?

But forget that, this softness against my fingers...!

My index finger accidentally brushes something stiff, and Junou’s whole body jolts.

”Nn...! Your hand is so warm... Hey, Ise-kun... why don’t we... right here...?”

The dim, narrow storehouse. Just the two of us. A black-haired miko beauty begging me with upturned eyes.

My throat goes dry. I swallow hard and reach for the collar of her white kosode, sliding it off her shoulders,

CLUNK

The storehouse door suddenly slides open.

Here it comes, the legendary interruption!

Who,

”Junou? I was nearby, so I thought I’d stop by and...”

A suited, muscular man with a dignified air.

Junou’s father, Barakiel-san.

In that instant every drop of blood drains from my face.

...I’m dead.

(Ignis-neesan, you actually went full loli. I’m never recovering from this.)

-------------------------------

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