High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 63: Chapter 61: The Sizzling Cosplay Showdown

The night Diadora visited the clubroom.

I took Miu to the nearby convenience store—the one where I’d get a nosebleed every time we went.

The mission: buy ice cream for everyone. Despite autumn approaching, the heat lingered, and nothing beats a cold treat. We’d stocked up on ice cream before, but with the Occult Research Club’s female members now living at my place, our household had grown, and so had our consumption.

I tossed everyone’s requests into the basket—box purchases only. Would it all fit in the fridge? No issue. After the house renovation, everything got bigger, including the industrial-sized refrigerator.

”What’s your pick, Miu?” I asked.

”Garigari-kun’s energy drink flavor. Tried the Napolitan one last time—it was a bust,” she replied.

”You ate that? Brave,” I said, chucking it into the basket.

At the counter, the familiar clerk smirked. ”No nosebleed today?”

”Haha... my sister conquered the automatic door,” I quipped.

Outside, Miu whispered, ”Hey, we’re being watched, right?”

”Sharp as ever. Just noticed?” I replied.

”Yeah, just now. What do we do?”

”No hostility, and they’re not the sneak-attack type. We’ll leave ’em be, but I’ll call them out.”

I took a breath and shouted into the darkness, ”What’re you doing there, Bikou? ...And Vali?”

A presence stirred. From the shadows emerged a guy in casual clothes.

”Figured we’d get caught, Vali. Long time, Red Dragon Emperor,” Bikou said, grinning.

Another figure stepped forward. ”Two months, Issei Hyoudou,” Vali said, wearing a white shirt.

Miu gripped my sleeve tightly, clearly uneasy around Vali. Understandable, given he’d once threatened to kill her, even if he wasn’t serious.

I patted her head to calm her. Then, to Vali, ”What’s up? No rematch nonsense, okay? I don’t want the ice cream melting.”

Vali gave a wry smile. ”Disappointing. I’d love a rematch, but that’s not why I’m here.”

”Then what?”

”You’re in a Rating Game against the Astaroth heir, right?”

”I’m not playing, though.”

”Really? Well, I came to warn you. Have you seen the footage of Diadora versus Agares?”

After Diadora left, I’d watched that match with Rias and the others. Diadora won, dominating with overwhelming power mid-game, crushing Agares and her peerage. His servants barely supported; he fought like a one-man army. A wizard-type with magic surpassing even Rias, he’d turned the tide abruptly.

Everyone found it suspicious. Diadora had been strong but not that strong. Agares had him cornered early on, yet he suddenly powered up and won. Even Azazel, who’d seen it live, questioned the unnatural surge. Rias agreed: ”Diadora wasn’t that powerful before.”

”Even if higher-ups don’t buy it, you should know,” Vali said.

”Thanks, I guess?” I muttered.

Then, a shadow moved. Everyone turned.

A massive figure in a gothic lolita outfit emerged, muscles bulging, cat ears on their head.

Mil-tan!?

My demon business regular!

Vali did a double-take. I got how he felt.

”Nyo!” Mil-tan greeted, raising a hand.

”Hey...” I replied, forcing a smile as they passed.

”Cat yokai? I didn’t sense them until they were close. Senjutsu?” Vali asked Bikou, dead serious.

”Nah, maybe a troll? Cat-troll?” Bikou scratched his head.

They all looked at me for answers. Don’t ask me! I wanna know what Mil-tan is too!

”Whatever. Let’s go, Bikou,” Vali said, turning to leave.

”That’s it?” I called.

”Just dropped by to warn you,” Vali said, walking off. Then he paused. ”Oh, Miu Hyoudou, right?”

Miu flinched, gripping my sleeve harder.

”What?” she asked nervously.

Vali closed his eyes. ”I made you uncomfortable last time. Sorry.”

Miu blinked, stunned by the apology.

With that, Vali and Bikou left. ”Later, Red Dragon Emperor. Hey, Vali, let’s hit that ramen joint!” Bikou called.

Is Vali a good guy or a bad one? Hard to tell. Probably not bad, though.

”Your rival’s a weird one,” Ddraig said.

”You think so too?” I replied.

”You’re pretty weird yourself, partner.”

Rude. Who’s the weirdo here?

”But I’m glad you’re my host. You talk to me more than anyone before. First time I’ve enjoyed it.”

”Really? Well, I’ve had tons of questions. Needed your guidance.”

”Maybe that’s why. You treat me like a being, not a tool.”

”C’mon, you’re my partner. And a mentor who taught me how to fight. You’re important to me, Ddraig. No way I’d treat you like a tool.”

”...That means a lot,” Ddraig said.

”Count on me, partner.”

Back home, I had to report Vali’s warning to Rias and Azazel. Diadora’s power spike hinted at something dangerous. Why else would Vali bother?

Opening the front door, I was greeted by—

”Welcome back, Issei-kun!” Akeno, in a skimpy game-character outfit. A miko costume, but with thighs fully exposed and barely covering her chest.

”Akeno-san, that outfit!” I stammered, eyes glued to her.

Who wouldn’t stare? It was practically lingerie!

”Erotic, right?” she said, twirling, her chest threatening to spill out. ”Does it suit me, Issei-kun?”

”Absolutely! It’s perfect!” I shouted, grinning like an idiot.

”Good. Shall we make it a viewing party? Or...” She traced her chest seductively. ”A hands-on experience in bed?”

Spurt! My nosebleed erupted.

”Yes!” I started to say, but—

”Noooo!” Miu tackled me, tears in her eyes, her soft chest pressing against me. ”Akeno-san, stop tempting Onii-chan! That outfit and those words—he’ll give in!”

”Oh? Are you jealous, Miu-chan?” Akeno teased. Then, outrageously: ”Why not join us? Me, Issei-kun, and you—together.”

”What!?” Miu’s face turned crimson.

Then, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, and Koneko appeared—in similar revealing miko outfits! Thighs, cleavage—everything on display!

”It’s easy to move in, but no underwear makes it... functional,” Xenovia said.

”It’s so breezy! I feel exposed...” Irina blushed, tugging her skirt.

”They’re... see-through,” Asia mumbled, covering her chest. Pink was faintly visible.

Koneko approached, cat ears and tail out, striking a ”nyan” pose. ”Does it suit me? Nyan♪”

Adorable! Too adorable! Was this a dream? Don’t wake me!

”Why the cosplay?” I asked Akeno.

”To thank you for always helping us. I mentioned it to the others, and this happened.”

No clue how it led to this, but thank you! My eyes were in paradise.

Everyone’s figures made the costumes pop. Could I snap photos? For... personal use?

”Where’s Buchou?” I asked, noticing Rias’s absence.

”Rias is strategizing for the next Rating Game,” Akeno said.

Then, from upstairs: ”What’s all the noise?”

Rias appeared in casual clothes, not cosplaying. Made sense—she was focused.

Akeno smirked provocatively. ”We’re making Issei-kun happy.”

Rias said nothing and returned to her room.

Did we upset her? She’s serious about the game, and we’re messing around. I should apologize.

”I’ll be back,” I said, heading upstairs.

A shadow descended. ”Look, Issei. Mine’s better, right?”

Rias, in a sultry demonic outfit, wings fluttering cutely, posing proudly. Her chest jiggled.

”Yes! It’s amazing!” I said.

Rias and Akeno’s rivalry was intense.

Akeno reappeared, now in a barely-there outfit. Spurt! Another nosebleed. It was practically nudity!

”This is what you like, right, Issei-kun?” Akeno purred.

I could only stare.

”Point up,” Akeno said. I raised my finger, and she guided it to her chest—squish!

My finger sank into her softness. ”Oh... Issei-kun’s finger...” she moaned.

Then Rias grabbed my other hand, pressing it to her chest—squish!

I was touching both their breasts! Best day ever!

”I won’t lose to Akeno!” Rias cried.

”Neither will I!” Akeno shot back.

They stormed off, still holding my hands, bickering. ”I’m Issei-kun’s type!” ”No, I am!”

Friends, rivals—who knows? I love them both.

My sleeve tugged. Miu stood there in a nurse outfit—not too revealing, but insanely cute. ”H-How is it?” she asked, blushing, eyes glistening.

Gush! Another nosebleed. I collapsed.

”Are you okay!?” Miu cradled my head.

I gave a shaky thumbs-up. ”Great job, Miu... I’m happy to be alive...”

”Onii-chan!” she cried as I passed out.

An hour later, thanks to Miu’s care, I recovered. Now, I was talking with Rias.

”Sorry for the chaos,” she said.

”No, I loved it. Sorry for distracting you from strategizing.”

”It’s fine. It was stress relief,” she smiled, then turned serious. ”Vali sneaking into town is one thing, but his warning about Diadora worries me.”

”Yeah, he came just for that. We should tell Azazel and Sirzechs.”

”I’ll handle it,” Rias said, contacting them via magic circle. Their voices sounded concerned, but we didn’t get further.

Vali’s warning: beware Diadora. What’s he hiding?

No answers yet. I glanced at the clock—past midnight. Time to rest.

”I’m heading to bed,” I said.

”Me too. We’ve got the Underworld tomorrow,” Rias replied.

”For what?”

”Oh, I forgot to tell you. We’re being interviewed for a TV show—young demons special.”

”TV show!?” My shout echoed through the house.

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