Chapter 33: Harsh Reality
Though they didn't need to meet for Vahn to expel everyone from the Corridor, he and Koneko arrived at the encampment set up at the end of the Floor to get a few hours of rest before the conclusion of the six-and-a-half-day farming and training session.
"Welcome back, Goshujin-sama," said Tsubaki, awaiting Vahn and Koneko at the ending zone's entrance at Sona's request, offering a courteous bow as they arrived. Vahn paused for a moment when he saw her, but that was to be expected since Tsubaki was wearing a dark pink leotard reminiscent of a bunny costume with pale pink frills, burgundy stockings with a garter belt, matching gloves that extended to her biceps, a frilly choker set with a red gem, and pink heels.
"I'm back..." affirmed Vahn, offering a curt nod and allowing his gaze to briefly take in Tsubaki's appearance before stepping past her, prompting her to rise and follow dutifully behind him. What awaited him inside was a sight that understandably had Issei salivating as every girl present, even Asia, was walking around in lingerie-like outfits. In fact, Asia's outfit was arguably the most daring, consisting of a frilly white apron, white panties, matching stockings, and white heels without a bra as she helped Kiba and two members from Sona's Peerage prepare food.
"Nn...looks like I'm overdressed..." remarked Koneko, backflipping down from her perch atop Vahn's shoulders. In actuality, her outfit was already plenty scant, but it became exponentially more so when she removed her dress, requiring Issei to cover the lower half of his face with his left hand and apply pressure to his nose to prevent it from bleeding.
Before Vahn could ask Koneko if she was okay walking around topless, Sona, wearing a pumpkin-orange bustier top with black trim, matching panties, a dark grey choker, garter belt, transparent grey stockings, and green heels, approached him to proffer, "Welcome back, Goshujin-sama. We have drawn a bath and are currently in the process of preparing your meal. Shall I keep you company until then?"
Feeling several gazes on him, Vahn turned his head to where Issei, the red-haired member of Sona's Peerage, and a boy with short, somewhat spiky blonde hair and grey eyes were sitting. Issei's gaze was fixed on Koneko until the red-haired girl mentioned something to him, causing him to laugh and scratch the back of his head, but the blonde-haired youth, who Vahn had learned was called Senshirou Saji, was staring directly at him with a pouty frown.
"Goshujin-sama need not concern himself with extraneous affairs..." said Sona, her violet eyes firm and determined. She was well aware that Saji had feelings for her, but while she had high hopes for him and his Sacred Gear, he lacked the talent and intelligence to fill the position of her future partner. He would at least need to be able to defeat her in a chess match, but unless she allowed him to win, that would never happen. After all, she had been a Grandmaster since the age of seven and was widely regarded as the most intelligent Devil born in the past five hundred years...
"I don't want to make Saji-kun feel bad or resent me..." confided Vahn, his smile and tone apologetic as he knew Sona was making an earnest effort to appeal to him.
Exhaling faintly from her nose, Sona decided to tell Vahn the same thing she had told Saji, specifically, "My status as heiress of the Principality of Sitri does not afford me the leeway to choose my partner carelessly. Saji-kun possesses tremendous potential, but the Sitri Clan does not want for powerful fighters. What I require is someone with exceptional genes or a partner who can contribute to the expansion and prosperity of my domain and its more than twenty million residents. Saji-kun became a Devil for his younger siblings' sake, and his love, while genuine, stems from feelings of gratitude and indebtedness. I need a partner who can stand as my equal or above me...someone I can lean on rather than having to look after..."