Chapter 24
charclone
Well-known member
They hadn't told her absolutely everything Philip remembered. But they told her most of it. That this was Philip's second life, about Ophis, the Khaos Brigade, Rizevim Lucifer's plans with Trihexa. Philip noted he was mildly disturbed at the look Kuroka had when he talked about Vali, Issei, Ddrag, and Albion.
Once he had finished speaking, Aya left to clean herself of the mud, and Philip had realised the time. Thus, Kuroka was left alone with her thoughts.
Part of her hated that her sister would be in danger. That she had been in danger. That she had been hurt. Another part of her believed Shirone, or Koneko, wanted nothing to do with her. It would be… easier, to simply move on.
But Philip had said he remembered something about Koneko also being hurt by her disappearance.
"You alright?" Philip asked as he moved the boiled potatoes off the stove to drain the water. "You had a look on your face that reminded me of how I felt a little while ago."
"Just…" Kuroka shook her head. "I'm fine. So, what are you making?"
"Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots." Philip replied, removing the pot of carrots from the heat. "Can you pass me the milk and margarine?"
Kuroka watched as he mashed the potatoes, adding the milk and margarine.
"How did you learn how to cook?" She asked him as he set the mashed potatoes on the table, next to the cooling carrots. "Your past life?"
"Kinda, yeah. But my parents, here, well, if I didn't cook for myself, I'd be eating fast food all the time."
"Fast food isn't that bad." Kuroka pouted at him. She liked some of the options here and there was no need to exhaust oneself cooking.
"Not all of us can magic away fat and muscle loss." Philip poked. "But eating it all the time would get tiring as well."
Kuroka shrugged.
"Oh, right, meatloaf in the oven." Philip said, remembering to check on it. "Seems done. Can you tell Aya dinner is ready? Minori seems to be running late again."
Minori groaned as she pushed the door open.
"Sorry, that took so long. Client was… an entitled idiot. She caused her case to be thrown out." Minori shook her head. "But at least I'm not going to be punished for it. My boss is annoyed that we even accepted it, with how bad we now know she is."
She blinked, looking around.
Kuroka was playing with Aya's console on the couch, though she looked distracted.
Philip and Aya were washing dishes, though both seemed upset. Philip more so, though Aya kept trying to stick to his side. Which wasn't unusual, but Philip didn't usually flinch when she was the one to do it.
"Alright, what happened?" She demanded, closing the door behind her.
"Kuroka knows about DxD, and I blasted my parents with a mind spell. I'm worried I'm becoming a sociopath because my first impulse was to kill them, Aya is worried about me getting hurt, or losing me, and I assume Kuroka is still dealing with the whole… future events thing." Philip summed up, over his shoulder. "Oh, and I'd be dealing with canon being slightly off the rails, and the Sacred Gear still. Did I forget anything?"
"I don't think so." Aya said, drying a plate and putting it away.
"I see." Minori frowned. "Well… lying to Kuroka while asking her to trust us wasn't going to be stable in the long run anyway, not to mention was morally wrong. But… what happened with your parents Philip?"
He sighed. He dried his hands and sat at the table before explaining the series of events for a second time.
Minori sat across from him and listened. She noted Kuroka was paying attention, even as she played the game, and Aya kept glancing at him, even as she kept washing the dishes.
When Philip finished telling her what he had already told Aya, looking more drained than before, Minori stood and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Philip." She stated firmly. "You are okay. With how they act, it's okay to feel angry at them. To want to lash out. You had the willpower to resist the temptation to kill them, even though you could."
Philip slumped, hanging his head.
Aya hurriedly dried her hands and hugged him.
Minori sighed.
"Philip. You are not a monster." She said. "You don't use your power for amusement. You don't enjoy hurting others. You were the only person to befriend Aya, and you didn't hold it against her for not telling you she was a kitsune."
Philip said nothing, and Minori noted tears slowly falling down his cheeks.
Before she could say any more, a knock sounded at the door. Minori cursed whoever it was. Philip was not her child, but she hated seeing any child in pain, physical or otherwise.
With a glance at Philip, she got up to answer it, a bitter tone on her tongue.
"Hello." Minori blinked down at the person at the door. "Is Philip here?"
Kuroka's mad scramble to disappear before Serafall Leviathan saw her was audible and defeated any progress she made to being unseen.
Serafall yawned, apparently unconcerned with the stray devil's presence.
"Sorry, up for a week straight." Serafall lacked any of her normal cheer, looking asleep on her feet. "I don't suppose I can speak to Philip? It's not urgent, but I do have something for him."
"Hello, Serafall." Philip greeted, stepping to the door. His eyes were red and puffy, with streaks from his hastily wiped tears still visible on his cheeks. "I assume you found something?"
"Yeah." Serafall yawned again. "Are you okay?"
"It's… a… person issue. I'm fine." He said, in a tone that convinced no one.
"Are you sure?" Serafall asked, frowning.
"So, what contract did you make with the Leviathan, Philip?" Minori asked, concern colouring her voice.
"Uh…" Philip blanched, trying to remember what had been spoken of.
"It wasn't a proper contract." Serafall shook her head. "But we can make it one. I would only need you to do part of my job and deliver something for me."
"Who would it be to? I can't exactly teleport well." Philip said.
Serafall grinned and pulled a pair of large manila envelopes out of thin air.
"This one is yours, and this one is for Kuroka." She grinned as she handed them to him. "I just need you to deliver it to her."
She yawned again.
"Blegh. I hate working straight through a week." She shook her head. "Even if it's for a good cause. Well, that's all. Oh, right, you can also call me Levi-tan! Okay, that's it. I need to be off. My So-tan is Student President and is working hard. I can't wait until the school break to see her."
"Uh, sure… Levi-tan. Thank you." Philip said. He paused. "That is a terrible pun, by the way."
Serafall just stuck her tongue out at him.
Minori frowned as the devil vanished in a teleportation spell. She was certain Serafall had teleported here inside the barriers and wards. They apparently needed more work.
Philip glanced at the envelopes in his hands.
"Okay, she's gone, Kuroka." He called back into the house as Minori closed the door. "This one is for you… and let's see what is inside."
"You don't know?" Kuroka gingerly took the envelope.
"Oh, I have an idea." Philip said. "So, basically, all I did was ask Serafall to look into your story… both of us knowing part of the official story is garbage."
Kuroka gave him a slightly hurt, and confused, look. She hooked her finger like a claw, tearing the top of the envelope open.
Philip read through the contents of his envelope. It was a series of news clippings translated into English about a series of arrests that had taken place, as well as a couple of fights as some people resisted arrest. There was also a press release about illegal experiments that had been done, against Underworld law, and the perpetrator's fates.
"It's… they… dropped all charges," Kuroka mumbled as she read her contents. "I'm… I'm free. I can even take the exams if I was sponsored as part of a peerage."
She froze.
"I could visit Shirone."
Philip squawked as she tackled him in a hug.
"Thank you." She sobbed.
Philip gently pushed her off and rubbed the back of his head. Something that Kuroka seemed slightly disappointed with, and Aya slightly smug, before turning to concern.
"Ow." Philip clutched the back of his head. "My head hit the floor. And it was the right thing to do, I think. Canon's is already off the rails, so why not help you two heal, and give Rias' rook an option to learn senjutsu sooner?"
Kuroka sat on the floor, looking at him.
"Your right." She shrugged. "Well, I guess that means I need to step up both of your training."
Aya flinched.
"Eh, your lazy enough that it's an empty threat." Philip said, still lying on the floor. "Aya, can you get me an icepack? And Kuroka… how old is your sister?"
"She would be thirteen. Why?"
"Because that means we have around three years until canon, assuming my memories are accurate." Philip said.
"Not going to ask how old I am?" Kuroka teased.
"It wouldn't help, from what I know." Philip shrugged, taking the icepack from Aya. "Besides, it's rude to ask a lady's age, here in Canada and the West."
"I'm eighteen." The nekoshou pouted.
Minori coughed to cover her amusement.
"Oh, right. So, I received an email on my way home," She looked at the three of them. "Someone put out a general call for magicians, and anyone willing to help them. I recognise the name, an Inuit Elder. They are asking for anyone willing to help them with a recent upsurge in Mahaha attacks. They plan to wipe out as many as they can. I… dislike the idea of sending any of you into a fight, but, Philip, it might be an opportunity to meet other magicians and find another group to work with and learn from, and Aya has already done far better than I did in training."
She held up her hands.
"I'm not saying you should. I'm just letting you know it's there. Though, with how dangerous Mahaha apparently are, it would be good to remove them. Think it over for a while, please?"
Once he had finished speaking, Aya left to clean herself of the mud, and Philip had realised the time. Thus, Kuroka was left alone with her thoughts.
Part of her hated that her sister would be in danger. That she had been in danger. That she had been hurt. Another part of her believed Shirone, or Koneko, wanted nothing to do with her. It would be… easier, to simply move on.
But Philip had said he remembered something about Koneko also being hurt by her disappearance.
"You alright?" Philip asked as he moved the boiled potatoes off the stove to drain the water. "You had a look on your face that reminded me of how I felt a little while ago."
"Just…" Kuroka shook her head. "I'm fine. So, what are you making?"
"Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots." Philip replied, removing the pot of carrots from the heat. "Can you pass me the milk and margarine?"
Kuroka watched as he mashed the potatoes, adding the milk and margarine.
"How did you learn how to cook?" She asked him as he set the mashed potatoes on the table, next to the cooling carrots. "Your past life?"
"Kinda, yeah. But my parents, here, well, if I didn't cook for myself, I'd be eating fast food all the time."
"Fast food isn't that bad." Kuroka pouted at him. She liked some of the options here and there was no need to exhaust oneself cooking.
"Not all of us can magic away fat and muscle loss." Philip poked. "But eating it all the time would get tiring as well."
Kuroka shrugged.
"Oh, right, meatloaf in the oven." Philip said, remembering to check on it. "Seems done. Can you tell Aya dinner is ready? Minori seems to be running late again."
Minori groaned as she pushed the door open.
"Sorry, that took so long. Client was… an entitled idiot. She caused her case to be thrown out." Minori shook her head. "But at least I'm not going to be punished for it. My boss is annoyed that we even accepted it, with how bad we now know she is."
She blinked, looking around.
Kuroka was playing with Aya's console on the couch, though she looked distracted.
Philip and Aya were washing dishes, though both seemed upset. Philip more so, though Aya kept trying to stick to his side. Which wasn't unusual, but Philip didn't usually flinch when she was the one to do it.
"Alright, what happened?" She demanded, closing the door behind her.
"Kuroka knows about DxD, and I blasted my parents with a mind spell. I'm worried I'm becoming a sociopath because my first impulse was to kill them, Aya is worried about me getting hurt, or losing me, and I assume Kuroka is still dealing with the whole… future events thing." Philip summed up, over his shoulder. "Oh, and I'd be dealing with canon being slightly off the rails, and the Sacred Gear still. Did I forget anything?"
"I don't think so." Aya said, drying a plate and putting it away.
"I see." Minori frowned. "Well… lying to Kuroka while asking her to trust us wasn't going to be stable in the long run anyway, not to mention was morally wrong. But… what happened with your parents Philip?"
He sighed. He dried his hands and sat at the table before explaining the series of events for a second time.
Minori sat across from him and listened. She noted Kuroka was paying attention, even as she played the game, and Aya kept glancing at him, even as she kept washing the dishes.
When Philip finished telling her what he had already told Aya, looking more drained than before, Minori stood and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Philip." She stated firmly. "You are okay. With how they act, it's okay to feel angry at them. To want to lash out. You had the willpower to resist the temptation to kill them, even though you could."
Philip slumped, hanging his head.
Aya hurriedly dried her hands and hugged him.
Minori sighed.
"Philip. You are not a monster." She said. "You don't use your power for amusement. You don't enjoy hurting others. You were the only person to befriend Aya, and you didn't hold it against her for not telling you she was a kitsune."
Philip said nothing, and Minori noted tears slowly falling down his cheeks.
Before she could say any more, a knock sounded at the door. Minori cursed whoever it was. Philip was not her child, but she hated seeing any child in pain, physical or otherwise.
With a glance at Philip, she got up to answer it, a bitter tone on her tongue.
"Hello." Minori blinked down at the person at the door. "Is Philip here?"
Kuroka's mad scramble to disappear before Serafall Leviathan saw her was audible and defeated any progress she made to being unseen.
Serafall yawned, apparently unconcerned with the stray devil's presence.
"Sorry, up for a week straight." Serafall lacked any of her normal cheer, looking asleep on her feet. "I don't suppose I can speak to Philip? It's not urgent, but I do have something for him."
"Hello, Serafall." Philip greeted, stepping to the door. His eyes were red and puffy, with streaks from his hastily wiped tears still visible on his cheeks. "I assume you found something?"
"Yeah." Serafall yawned again. "Are you okay?"
"It's… a… person issue. I'm fine." He said, in a tone that convinced no one.
"Are you sure?" Serafall asked, frowning.
"So, what contract did you make with the Leviathan, Philip?" Minori asked, concern colouring her voice.
"Uh…" Philip blanched, trying to remember what had been spoken of.
"It wasn't a proper contract." Serafall shook her head. "But we can make it one. I would only need you to do part of my job and deliver something for me."
"Who would it be to? I can't exactly teleport well." Philip said.
Serafall grinned and pulled a pair of large manila envelopes out of thin air.
"This one is yours, and this one is for Kuroka." She grinned as she handed them to him. "I just need you to deliver it to her."
She yawned again.
"Blegh. I hate working straight through a week." She shook her head. "Even if it's for a good cause. Well, that's all. Oh, right, you can also call me Levi-tan! Okay, that's it. I need to be off. My So-tan is Student President and is working hard. I can't wait until the school break to see her."
"Uh, sure… Levi-tan. Thank you." Philip said. He paused. "That is a terrible pun, by the way."
Serafall just stuck her tongue out at him.
Minori frowned as the devil vanished in a teleportation spell. She was certain Serafall had teleported here inside the barriers and wards. They apparently needed more work.
Philip glanced at the envelopes in his hands.
"Okay, she's gone, Kuroka." He called back into the house as Minori closed the door. "This one is for you… and let's see what is inside."
"You don't know?" Kuroka gingerly took the envelope.
"Oh, I have an idea." Philip said. "So, basically, all I did was ask Serafall to look into your story… both of us knowing part of the official story is garbage."
Kuroka gave him a slightly hurt, and confused, look. She hooked her finger like a claw, tearing the top of the envelope open.
Philip read through the contents of his envelope. It was a series of news clippings translated into English about a series of arrests that had taken place, as well as a couple of fights as some people resisted arrest. There was also a press release about illegal experiments that had been done, against Underworld law, and the perpetrator's fates.
"It's… they… dropped all charges," Kuroka mumbled as she read her contents. "I'm… I'm free. I can even take the exams if I was sponsored as part of a peerage."
She froze.
"I could visit Shirone."
Philip squawked as she tackled him in a hug.
"Thank you." She sobbed.
Philip gently pushed her off and rubbed the back of his head. Something that Kuroka seemed slightly disappointed with, and Aya slightly smug, before turning to concern.
"Ow." Philip clutched the back of his head. "My head hit the floor. And it was the right thing to do, I think. Canon's is already off the rails, so why not help you two heal, and give Rias' rook an option to learn senjutsu sooner?"
Kuroka sat on the floor, looking at him.
"Your right." She shrugged. "Well, I guess that means I need to step up both of your training."
Aya flinched.
"Eh, your lazy enough that it's an empty threat." Philip said, still lying on the floor. "Aya, can you get me an icepack? And Kuroka… how old is your sister?"
"She would be thirteen. Why?"
"Because that means we have around three years until canon, assuming my memories are accurate." Philip said.
"Not going to ask how old I am?" Kuroka teased.
"It wouldn't help, from what I know." Philip shrugged, taking the icepack from Aya. "Besides, it's rude to ask a lady's age, here in Canada and the West."
"I'm eighteen." The nekoshou pouted.
Minori coughed to cover her amusement.
"Oh, right. So, I received an email on my way home," She looked at the three of them. "Someone put out a general call for magicians, and anyone willing to help them. I recognise the name, an Inuit Elder. They are asking for anyone willing to help them with a recent upsurge in Mahaha attacks. They plan to wipe out as many as they can. I… dislike the idea of sending any of you into a fight, but, Philip, it might be an opportunity to meet other magicians and find another group to work with and learn from, and Aya has already done far better than I did in training."
She held up her hands.
"I'm not saying you should. I'm just letting you know it's there. Though, with how dangerous Mahaha apparently are, it would be good to remove them. Think it over for a while, please?"