- Long chap ✏ -
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Ophis and Ravel eventually began living in the Vermillion household. One night, Archaea gathered the teens to discuss an agenda.
"We have to buy Ophis-chan's everyday goods.”
"Hmm. That's right. Ophis doesn't possess any items, starting from her clothes.." Erin mused.
And so, the teens started their mission on gathering Ophis' insights. The contents of their questions are, "Since you’re living here, is there anything you want?” and “How did you live your life till now?”
First was the former. Rias was the representative of the group and she interrogated Ophis first.
“Ophis, do you have anything you want right now?”
While staying expressionless, Ophis tilted her head and let out one sentence.
“Great Red’s head”.
*(DING!)*
“Since we’re not the Khaos Brigade, please don’t think about dangerous things?” said Erin with a sigh.
Akeno decided to ask another question and she spoke it with a small smile
“Ophis…….chan, is fine right? In what way did you live till now?”
When Akeno asked that, Ophis thought just a bit and then wordlessly shook her head to the left and right. The action is so cute that the members couldn't think that she is the strongest and invincible dragon.
“I just sat on a seat in a room. I said my wishes. I gave snakes. Just that.”
Due to that simple answer, the room's atmosphere turned into one where you couldn't say anything. It’s a harsher lifestyle than they imagined.
“One more thing..." Ophis added as if remembering something. "Vali, became my partner in talking.”
"That bastard Vali.. He’s a helpless battle maniac but I can’t think of him as one worrying about strange things." Issei remarked.
"For the time being, why don't we just go to the department store and buy all the necessary things that we can think of?" Erin suggested.
“Um, there’s something that really bothers me. More than that, if we don’t hear about that firstly, the everyday items that we buy will change.” spoke Irina with a puzzled expression.
The group shared curious looks and waited for Irina to continue.
“Is Ophis-san.... a girl, right?”
"Ah. I see. What Irina-san was bothered about was.. this person’s gender." Azusa mused.
"From appearance it’s a girl. Not to mention, a girl wearing black Goth Loli clothes. However, from what Azazel says, Ophis' appearance in the past was that of an old man."
"That’s right, this is a human shaped dragon. It can change its appearance at will. Right now it’s a human girl. However, for this Dragon God, the concept of a gender is not present." Kiba added.
"Is it fine to treat the current Ophis-san as a girl? Depending on the answer, even the everyday items we buy will differ. Since a girl requires more items than boys." Irina said
While everyone’s gaze concentrated on Ophis, the Dragon-God only said a single sentence.
“I don’t know.”
“Then, which underwear are you wearing right now? Isn't it faster to decide what to buy that way?” Xenovia said.
“I don’t have underwear.”
*(DING!)*
Ophis starts to roll up the skirt and Issei was waiting with anticipation. The latter's fantasies were shattered when Rias immediately restrains Ophis.
“Stop, Stop!”
“Are you thinking of some perverted things?” Asia asked with a pout upon noticing Issei's dejected face
"Ah- No- Not at all!"
“Is that so? Eyeing even the Dragon God in a sexual way isn't good, Issei-san!" Ravel exclaims.
“Sorry! My sorrowful nature unknowingly turned into regret! Girls not wearing pants are attractive!”
“Oh, leave it to me, pants right? If it’s for Issei, I will remove them anytime."
While being embarrassed, Asia tries to remove her pants and Erin face-palmed at this.
Looking at that exchange, Akeno gave a little weird smile, and Rias sighed.
"Since Issei recognizes Ophis' conduct as a girl, there’s no question of treating her as a girl or not. Then let’s do the shopping as that of a girl as well."
Everyone agreed with Rias.
"Well, anyone who looks at Ophis right now, will think of Ophis as a girl. So I guess that's fine." said Erin
“Next time’s holiday, let’s go buy the necessary things for Ophis’ living. There’s no need to go in a group. Erin and I will accompany Ophis. It’s fine, right Erin?”
The Goddess blinked in surprise but eventually nodded since there was no reason to refuse Rias' invitation.
"Oh Um. Yes, it's fine."
“It’s fine to ask the Gremory household’s servants as well but since Ophis is living in this city, it’s better to at least let her see the human world for herself. The shopping would be a good experience for her and she can follow us on things she doesn't know.”
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It was around noon of the appointed day of shopping. Rias, Erin, and Ophis went to a department store. The ceiling of the store was an open atrium and diverse genres of all types of shops were lined up inside.
While expressionless, Ophis kept turning her gaze to the left and right as she observes the interior of the store.
“Now, first is furniture. Let’s start with choosing a bed.”
Rias says and starts walking briskly towards the furniture store. Erin pulled Ophis' hand as she followed the red head.
The 3 roamed around ordinarily in the furniture room looking for a bed and bedding. Erias made Ophis lie down, and had her confirm the size of the bed and comfort. Since Ophis' thoughts were all “It’s not bad”, it became Rias' judgement on what to get.
Rias orders a bed with a pretty expensive tag using her card.
"No matter how expensive a shopping is, every time the single crimson colored card gets summoned, the shopping gets done. It seems like a special card with no credit limit.. Just how much is Rias' bank balance?" mused Erin.
The Goddess also have a new passbook after becoming part of the Gremory family. As a rule of the Gremorys, if you become a devil then it automatically gets made. After doing the job of the devil, the wage etc. also gets deposited over there.
Erin doubted the amount of cash deposited on her account since it was obvious that you can't earn such a huge amount by doing devil jobs. She asked Grayfia about it and the woman responded that it came from the publishing rights etc. of Toppuresu Dragon.
“The amount of money for today’s shopping is already decided by Onee-sama. If we use too much then it seems we’ll be scolded later.” whispered Rias to the Goddess.
"I see.. Grayfia-san manages the group's passbooks so I guess that's understandable." Erin then thought for a while.
"Since Rias is using her card so heartily, I thought she was buying things without a money limit. However, that part is properly set, huh."
After finishing the purchase of a complete set of furniture safely, it would be delivered to the Vermillion Household later on. Erias and Ophis left the furniture store and they happened to overhear a bargain sale on the opposite shop.
“A limited time sale! You can put as much as you want in your bag! No matter how much you put in, 1 bag is 5000 Yen! 5000 Yen! It’s limited to one bag per person so please be careful! If your bag gets torn out then it will become invalid.” announced the shop employee from from a loudspeaker.
There was a crowd of people gathering in the shop. The crowd was mostly composed of girls who had a sharp glint in their eye and were stuffing clothes in their bag.
“Hey! I grabbed that cloth first!”
“No! It was me who grabbed it first!”
The voices are filled with fighting spirit and a terrific tug of war of clothes is being created at every place of the sale corner.
“That’s what I grabbed first! I won’t hand it over! Since I lived for this day, I definitely won’t lose!”
Erin blinked in surprise when she recognized the voice.
“Oh, It’s Rossweisse. She’s holding a huge pile of clothes under her arms.” said Rias as she observed the commotion.
Rossweisse is mixed in with old ladies and her expression was a serious and sharp one. She was picking up a jersey with a speed unperceivable by the eyes and Erin wondered whether her speed is exceeding Kiba's sword speed.
The silver-haired woman quickly stuffs the jersey in her bag and as soon as she secured it, she let out a cute smile on her entire face.
“Today’s the best day!”
“So she exudes so much happiness just by securing a jersey from a time sale?" Erin remarked and she chuckled at the thought.
"Rossweisse doesn't spend too much money on cosmetics etc, her dress at home is also a jersey without flowers. Her everyday goods are mostly 100 yen items and her clothes are also from time sales."
"Rossweisse seemed to be saving the change she got in a savings box bought from a 100 yen store. She said that it was her day’s enjoyment shaking it and checking how much she had saved up." Rias informed.
"That is kind of practical.. and her attitude on saving money is really ideal." Erin replied. "But I also think that she should spend some higher priced things for herself from time to time. Well, if her happiness lies on buying the lesser priced items then we can't really argue with her about that."
“Onee-sama praised Rossweisse as a wonderful woman who can have self
control.”
"Grayfia-san said that?" Erin was mildly surprised. "Now that you mention it, somehow or other, Grayfia-san and Rossweisse's personalities may be resembling. Being minute in everything and a cool side..."
*(DING!)*
" However, Grayfia-san won’t fight with the old hags during a time sale. But then again, it’s good that Rossweisse has her own distinctive personality." thought the Goddess sheepishly
“Since she’s still looking for clothes, and calling out to her isn't good too, let’s go ahead.” Rias said and Erin nodded at this. They resumed going to a different shop while taking along Ophis.
“The Ma’am over there! We’re going to cut a hard pumpkin easily now with these special make kitchen knives so please have a look!”
The old ladies were clustered at one corner of the floor. Erin took a small peek and it seems like it’s a sales stage show. A handsome looking man was waving the kitchen knife in a skilful way and Erin's eyes widened at the familiar person.
“Here, those two sisters over there! Woah, it was a mother and daughter huh! Well, that’s young! I completely thought it was an elder sister and a little sister!”
“No way, Azazel-san! You’re always saying that to me!”
"What is he doing in the department store on a holiday?" uttered Erin on confusion.
“How is it, ladies! This is it, the trump card, treasured sword, Blazer Shining Aura Darkness Blade, kitchen knife type!”
“That knife, is a sacred gear which Azazel made after researching and getting results, an artificial sacred gear.” explained Rias with a sigh.
"It looks like something he wrote down in the data when he was in heaven after having wild ideas. According to what he said to Michael-san, 'it’s the strongest sacred gear I have thought about!' "
Azazel who is showing the cut melon to the ladies, chops off a paper or wood made chopping board and even slices off a metal easily.
“Please have a look at this sharpness! It cuts even wood or metallic things!
Not to mention, even when being handled so crudely, it doesn't have a single chip!"
Azazel points to a customer in the crowd.
"The Ma’am over there! This kitchen knife is great! It even easily cuts off the evil spirit or your unfaithful husband’s partner! From the solution of household problems to exorcism, you can do everything with this one thing!”
“Ara, no way! You’re joking too much!”
“Shall we buy one!”
"Pfft. This rascal old bird." Erin said as she contained her laughs. "Gotta give him A+ for creative sales talk though."
While being bored Rias murmurs while sighing.
“The funds of Grigori he used without permission, he’s trying to recover
them by doing that….. However to sell artificial sacred gears to normal humans is going a bit far. Well, since it’s Azazel, he probably made it so that it doesn't affect humans much……however even I can’t leave it as it is."
Rias takes out her mobile phone and started conversing with someone. After the call ends, she smiles to Erin.
“I told the other side to inform Governor General Shemhaza. As expected of the new system Grigori, they responded as soon as you told them. They’ll probably seize him urgently.”
"Wow...." Erin was slightly worried. "But reporting him is a bit- Nevermind..."
“Now then, if you buy these kitchen knives today then as a bonus this comes with it! What a thing! Disaster of Burning over freeze pot! No matter how much you boil, it won’t get burned, the best and hardest hot pot!"
Erias and Ophis left after Azazel said that. Minutes later, Azazel was no longer inside the department store. Seems like he was caught by the people of Grigori.
After buying all the everyday dry goods at the dry goods store, the 3 girls happened to meet Kiba and Gasper.
“Buchou, Erin. Are you finished shopping with Ophis?"
“Not yet. How about you, Yuuto? What were you shopping?”
When Rias asks that, Kiba shows the inside of the bag. The bag contained food products.
“I thought of having food with Gasper in the afternoon.” said Kiba with a smile.
“What did you buy, Gasper?” Erin pointed to the bag which Gasper was holding.
“P-Parts of a computer.”
“Isn't this Rias-san and Erin Vermillion-chan."
The vice-president of the student council approached the group. Kiba turned towards her direction and she became shocked as if she was confused.
“Good afternoon, Shinra-senpai. Are you doing some shopping?” asked Kiba with a smile.
“Y-Yes, I came to buy a new bookshelf….K-Kiba-kun, you’re also here for shopping?”
Erin smirked internally and watched their exchange with amusement.
“Yes, even though I say that, we have completed our shopping.”
“It’s food ingredients right, a-are you going to do some cooking?”
“Yes, I thought of making some dishes with Gasper-kun this afternoon.”
“….F-For you to even be able to cook…..it’s amazing. You’re the opposite of a Japanese man!”
Kiba was troubled on how to respond to that so he just replied unsurely.
“Well.. thank you for that?"
Rias who was looking at it pleasantly cleared her throat and said to Kiba.
“Yuuto, help out with Tsubaki's shopping. If she’s buying a bookshelf, it would be better to have more helping hands, right?"
“H-However, Rias-san! E-Even if you think so much for me…..!”
Shinra was blushing while saying the words clumsily. She must have sensed the true meaning behind Rias’ words and thus, was getting flustered.
“Understood, Buchou. Shinra-senpai, if you’re fine with me, I will help you
out in shopping.”
Hearing this, Shinra lets out a cute squeak which made Erin chuckle.
“Gasper, I leave the two to you.”
“Y-Yes, I don’t really get it but, understood, Buchou!”
"Playing as the matchmaker, I see." spoke Erin after the 3 teens left.
"After the incident where Yuuto saved her, I guess Tsubaki developed a crush on Yuuto. I want to cheer for Tsubaki. I feel she’s quite a good match for Yuuto.”
"I think me and Kiba are a better match though." Erin said as she referred to their friendly ship names.
Hearing this, Rias glared teasingly and interlaced their hands.
"Nope. You and I are the best match. Romantically and forever."
"Well, I can't argue with that." replied Erin with a roll of her eyes but she held a smile.
The girls continued walking towards the next store. While they happened to pass by the musical instrument store, Riser came into view together with Ravel and Koneko.
“Rias and…..Erin Vermillion, huh.”
“Riser! You had come to the human world?” asked Rias with a surprised look
While making an embarrassed expression, Riser stroked his cheek.
“Ah, a bit of uncouth work.”
“Since he’s worried about me, he came to play alongside.”
Ravel was laughing in a small voice. Besides her, Koneko murmured “I am an escort.”
"And, who is that little lady over there?" Riser asks as his gaze landed on Ophis.
"Riser doesn't know anything about Ophis, and he shouldn’t know
about her."
While Erin is thinking, Koneko quickly comes up with an explanation.
“It’s Buchou’s and Erin-senpai’s child.”
"Huh?"
Erin stared at Koneko in shock while Rias blushed faintly.
"Impossible. It is only recently that Erin Vermillion and Rias started dating."
"Well, they had sex, used a spell, and there goes the child."
Erin was slack jawed upon hearing Koneko's response. Ravel also gaped while Rias' blush darkened.
"Koneko-chan, why are you turning into another Xenovia? You're adopting her vulgarity!"
Riser was expressionless, and his entire body was stiff. Ravel peered into his face with an “Onii-sama? Onii-sama, what happened?”. As if confirming, Ravel waved her hand in front of Riser's face but she got no response.
"...................................."
After a pause, Riser twitches his face, and started wailing.
“Shit! Rias’ virginity is alreadyyyyy!”
Riser is in rage and flames are rising from his entire body. Erin looked around in worry since other people might notice his powers.
“Onii-sama! Koneko-san was joking! Geez! There’s no way that a child can be born between Rias-sama and Erin-sama so quickly! Please hang on! More like, it’s embarrassing so don’t say such weird things in front of peopleeeeee!" said Ravel as she tried to calm Riser. The latter had tears flowing out of his eyes and banged his fists on the floor repeatedly.
“Fufufu, hey, Erin! Let’s run away!”
Pulling the Goddess hand, Rias dashed away from the place and the Goddess likewise pulled Ophis with them.
“Shiiiiiiiiit! Next time, have a duel with me again, Erin Vermillion! Betting Rias' boobs on it!”
"Onii-sama stop shouting embarrassing things!"
- End of Chapter -