The Occult Research Club was located in the old school building behind Kuoh. The building was a three-story building styled with its third story serving as a clock tower. The building was white save for the black tiled roof and had vines creeping up to its second story.
Haru, Kiba, and Asia ascended to the second floor where they were greeted by everyone else, including their new additions to the club. Koneko sat on one of the couches, eating snacks as a blonde-haired kitsune sat next to her, trying to grab some for herself. This girl was Kunou, the Princess of Kyoto, a Kyuubi, and daughter of the current Kyuubi no Youko, Yasaka.
There was another girl with white hair and blue eyes sitting next to Ravel. She wore the Kuoh Academy Middle School Uniform. She was Tosca, a survivor of the Holy Sword Project and Kiba's old friend and now adopted sister. There were two more members but both were away on duties. Le Fay Pendragon, sister of Arthur Pendragon, and Bennia, a reaper under the service of Sona Sitri.
Haru's eyes traveled immediately to the red-haired beauty sitting behind the desk, sipping a cup of tea. Next to her stood a woman with long dark lavender hair and violet eyes, pouring another cup for herself. To the men of this school, she was described as a Yamato Nadeshiko or a perfect woman. These two were Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima, the former president and vice president of the Occult Research Club.
Rias. Akeno. Haru forced his thoughts down as he greeted them with a smile on his face.
"Hello, Rias! Akeno!" Haru said.
"Ah, hello Haru," Rias said in a tone that was not characteristic of her. While it sounded happy, it felt like she wasn't all there. Like she was forcing it.
Asia and Kiba looked at each other confused. What was wrong with her? She sounded off.
Deciding to test the waters, Asia moved up to greet them. "Um, hello, Rias-oneesama. Akeno-oneesama."
Rias's face morphed into genuine happiness as she turned to her bishop. She gave her a warm smile before greeting her.
"Hello, Asia," she greeted her happily.
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "Rias-sama. Akeno-san. Where have you been? We haven't seen or heard from you in two months," Kiba said evenly.
Not noticing his tone or just choosing to ignore it, Akeno answered his question. "Oh Yuuto, we've been busy is all. You know how university is or will be like. Lots of work and no breaks. Good thing they bring stress dogs onto campus for us to pet. I'm sorry if we worried you."
Asia and Kiba were floored at the differing reactions. Why were they acting like this? Why were they being weird in front of Haru? Even Haru noticed and he's normally as dense as a black hole. They looked at their friends and noticed that Xenovia, Koneko, and Ravel were all ignoring Haru's existence while the new members just looked confused. Even they were wondering just what was happening.
"Anyway, Akeno and I just came to check up on you. To see how the club was doing under Asia and Yuuto's leadership," she said.
Asia nodded while Kiba simply remained silent at her words.
Koneko spoke.
"We've been doing well, Rias-sama. Asia and Yuuto are good leaders and despite the pervert's antics, the club has been doing well with contracts. Also, my sister sends her regards as the newest ambassador to the Youkai of Kyoto," Koneko said.
Haru felt as if a stake had been driven into his heart. How could Koneko say something like that? Sure she called him a pervert all the time but the way she said it now… it was like he was just a stain on her shoe.
"Ah, I see. Good for her then," Rias said.
"Is that all you came here for?"
Asia and Yuuto turned back to Haru who was now shaking. Asia moved to place a hand on his shoulder only for Yuuto to place one on hers. He shook his head and motioned for her to watch.
"You came just to CHECK!?" Haru asked, his tone rising.
Rias glared at Haru, causing him to shrink back. Realizing his mistake, Haru hurried and spoke once more, this time in a warmer tone.
"I mean, can't we spend some time together as a club again? Or maybe we can talk about college life so we know what to prepare for?" Haru asked.
Kiba and Asia were now worried at the brewing storm between Haru and the girls.
"Well, Haru , that is all we came for. College has kept us rather busy so we came to tell you to expect a few things in the near future. And do not ever raise your voice towards me again," Rias said in a frigid tone that sent a chill running slowly down Haru, Asia, and Yuuto's spines.
"Yes, well, what Rias is saying is that we're going to be the President and Vice President of the Student Council of Kuoh University so we won't have as much time to check in on all of you. Our Senpai has been kind enough to show us the ropes and to help us win our elections," Akeno said, trying to defuse the situation.
The way she said senpai sent a wave of suspicion running through Haru. It was flirty, seductive, and had sexual undertones. Call him paranoid but Haru had read enough NTR doujin to know what was going on or at least have a sense of what was happening. He just hoped that wasn't the case and it was just paranoia.
"Yuuto. We have had a recent increase in Devil Contracts and I want you and Haru to pick up on the extra load so as to not overburden Asia", Rias said to her Knight.
Kiba nodded, still trying to figure out their odd behavior.
"I'll take your silence as a yes. Now, if you'll excuse us. We have much to do," and with that, Rias and Akeno left the room.
*Drip*
*Drip*
Haru looked up, noticing no one else in the room except for Kiba and Asia and the new members. He looked at his hand and saw crescent-shaped wounds from his fingernails digging in. "What the hell! Five months without seeing them and that's all they say! Whatever happened to being together!?" Haru yelled as he punched a wall completely breaking the wood and drywall. Asia ran over and grabbed Haru's hand. It had small cuts on it which she began to heal immediately.
Kiba looked at his friend worryingly. He saw his suffering and honestly, it didn't surprise him. Five months without contact and the few times he did interact with any of the other girls, they always blew him off. It was always "I'm sorry Haru. I have some student council work to do.", "Get out of my face pervert", or "Maybe next time, Haru. I'm studying for an exam." so he wasn't surprised that Haru reacted the way he did. But what could he do? He tried talking to Haru about it but completely avoided the topic and the one person who could get him to talk was off on a five-day mission. In those five days, Kiba had sparred with Haru to get those feelings out. On top of the girls, the dreams Haru has been having. He had heard him talking to Ruby-sensei about them. The minute Haru mentioned the dragon, Kiba felt his soul and blood freeze despite not knowing why. Kiba felt weak. Useless. The one person who he regarded as a brother was suffering and there was nothing he could do. Just him speaking to Haru wouldn't be enough. This was an effort that all his friends needed to take part in but the others in the group were busy.
Gasper was staying with Valerie in the hospital.
Azazel was always with the Grigori due to past events.
The girls, well…
Rossweisse was in the north.
What remained of the Student Council was too busy dealing with the school under Xenovia and Sona with her pet project.
And the Four Satans, Vali Team, and Grayfia were busy dealing with the fallout alongside the other leaders. The only solace Kiba, Asia, and Haru's twin sister had was that Irina would be back in a few days to snap Haru out of whatever funk he was in. But for now, there was nothing that could be done. He snapped out of his reverie when he heard Haru run out of the building.