NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 54: Honesty
"Are you okay...?" asked Vahn, squeezing Akeno's hand supportively as the world around them gradually dissolved into multi-colored grains of sand or light.
"I will be..." assured Akeno, nodding as she used the sleeve of her Shrine Maiden outfit to wipe away her tears. The experience had allowed her to put to bed two of her biggest regrets: being powerless to help her mother and not telling her enough how much she loved her. Now, for the first time in years, she felt like she could truly move forward...forgiving both herself and her father...
sheeeeeeeeen
Surprising Vahn and Akeno, a golden light abruptly appeared before them, materializing into the shape of a spear-length wooden stick with a pair of long white streamers that formed a zigzagging pattern. Vahn had no idea what it was, but Akeno immediately recognized it, extending her left hand to grab it as she asked, "What's a Gohei doing here...?"
"A Gohei...?" repeated Vahn, grabbing Akeno and teleporting them away from the rapidly collapsing space before taking a closer look at the simple but unnerving stick. It was difficult to explain, but he got the feeling that if the stick were to strike him over the head, it would hurt a lot...
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[Ancient Shinboku Gohei]
Rank: S [Growth]
P.Atk: 1
M.Atk: 30
Enchantment(s): [Enshrinement(-)], [Spirit Refinement(-)], [Mana Conductivity(A)], [Indestructible(A)]
A replica of an ancient Gohei used to seal a Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that devoured a God. It has the power to purify evil beings, and when used to enshrine a Spirit or Kami, it improves their growth and grants a fraction of their power to the wielder.
Special Property: [Purifying Blow]
Enshrined Spirit(s): N/A
Usage Restriction: [Himejima Akeno]
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Though she was surprised by the sudden change in their surroundings, Akeno smiled and dutifully explained, "A Gohei is a type of wand or staff used in various Shinto rituals. But this one appears...special. It's much like the broom you gifted me, but the spirit energy within is significantly more potent."
Nodding, Vahn offered a smile of his own and supplanted, "It seems to be a growth-type weapon made specifically for you. It's not that strong right now, but it possesses a high rank of indestructibility, and if you enshrine a Spirit or Kami within it, they will grow stronger alongside you."
"Oh? It almost sounds like a Sacred Gear..." remarked Akeno, staring at the deceptively simple-looking staff and gradually inserting strength into her hands and arms. As a Queen, she possessed the extraordinary power and resilience of a Rook, so if it were an ordinary Gohei, she would have been able to snap it like a dried twig.
"Well, according to the description, the Gohei it's based on was used to seal a Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that devoured a God," revealed Vahn. "It's also S-Rank, so it should at least be as powerful as Rias's Frost Queen's Frozen Baton."
"Ara? Then I'll be sure to cherish it dearly~" hummed Akeno, closing her eyes and rubbing her right cheek and body somewhat sensually against the staff. Vahn got the impression that she was forcing herself to act normally, but instead of calling her out on it, he extended his hand and suggested, "Let's find a Checkpoint to rest. I don't know about you, but even though I didn't do much, I'm exhausted..."
"Mnnn...I could also use a long rest..." affirmed Akeno, causing the Gohei to disappear into a crimson Magic Circle before surprising Vahn by falling into his embrace, entrusting her weight to him. Fortunately, while he was still lacking in common sense, he could be surprisingly quick at times, his expression softening as he picked her up in a bridal carry and ascended unhurriedly into the sky, ferrying her to their destination as she closed her eyes, smiled, and shed one final tear...
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As they still had more than six days remaining until they were set to return to the real world, Vahn and Akeno spent the better part of two whole days lounging about, relaxing, and simply enjoying each other's company in the Checkpoint housing the luminous, blue-green hot spring. Grayfia dropped by once to check on them and prepare breakfast, but after learning what had transpired, she apologized and promised not to interrupt them for the remainder of their stay in the Corridor...
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'Hmmmm...!?'
Rousing from his dreamless sleep with a start, Vahn was surprised to find Akeno's head rather aggressively bobbing up and down as she awoke him with a vigorous deepthroat. The unanticipated suction and pleasure were jarring, but after realizing what was happening, Vahn allowed the tension to leave his body as he instinctively extended his right hand to caress the back of Akeno's head.
Realizing that Vahn was awake, Akeno met his gaze with mischievous, upturned eyes, her violet irises glistening within the room's low light as she slowly released him from her warm and moist mouth, licking her lips in an overtly seductive manner before asking, "Did you enjoy my surprise wake up~?"
"Of course," responded Vahn, nodding without hesitation. He was a little confused about why Akeno was waking him with a deepthroat, but since they had been in a relationship for a while and were even planning to have children, he didn't question it and just felt grateful.
"Ufufu~"
Following her characteristic laugh, Akeno held and rubbed her right cheek against Vahn's not-so-little brother as she relaxedly explained, "I've been thinking a lot these past few days, and since we originally came in here to learn more about one another, there are some things about me I'd like you to know..."
Nodding, Vahn confessed, "I would like that a lot...but since we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, you don't need to push yourself to reveal everything at once..."
"Mmm...it's just some things I discussed with my mother before our final moments..." muttered Akeno, rising to a seated position and giving Vahn quite the surprise as she was wearing a glossy, form-fitting black leather bodysuit with some very precariously placed zippers and an opening to highlight her bust. Then, as a pair of black angelic wings spread behind her, she revealed, "You've probably already realized by now, but my father is one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels, Baraqiel, a man once known as the Lightning of God..."
Shaking his head to regain his senses, as he had been awed by Akeno's beauty, Vahn met the alluring Devil's gaze, nodded, and affirmed, "I knew you had something to do with him after Asia mentioned it was his symbol on the gate, but it wasn't until I heard your mom keep repeating the name Baraqi-kun that I realized he was your father..."
"For a long time, I refused to believe that was the case..." admitted Akeno, exhaling sadly from her nose as she confided, "I blamed him for not being there when my mother and I were attacked, but the truth is that he came rushing over as quickly as he could. I'm only here today due to my mother buying time and him arriving to rescue me, but since I had no one else to blame and was too fearful of the Himejima Clan, I pushed everything onto him and ran away from him..."
Understanding that the best thing he could do at the moment was remain silent, even as Akeno straddled and began grinding against him, the silver zipper of her peculiar outfit causing him slight discomfort, Vahn placed his hands supportively on her waist and held her gaze.
"In hindsight...I was a pretty terrible daughter..." sighed Akeno, her eyes narrowing sadly and seductively as she stated, "That's why I've decided that, until I can make amends with my father, I want you to punish me for being a bad, bad girl..."
"Punish you...?" repeated Vahn, his expression a mix of incredulity and discomfort as he asserted, "But you didn't do anything wrong...it's your family, the Himejima Clan, that should be made to pay..."
"Mmnn...you're not wrong..." affirmed Akeno, licking her lips as she added, "But you're misunderstanding something. The truth is that while I'm most definitely a sadist, I'm also a masochist...I've been longing for a Master to punish me, and since Rias is too easily embarrassed, you're the only one I can depend on, Vahn-sa-ma..."
Feeling chills permeate his body as Akeno spoke his name in an especially seductive tone, Vahn considered his words before answering, "I want you to be able to depend on me, Akeno, but isn't masochism where you enjoy pain and shame? I don't want you hurt or humiliate you..."
"You wouldn't be hurting me..." contended Akeno, narrowing her violet eyes as she demonstrated her point by undoing the zippers on her breast, exposing and pinching her nipples, causing her face to flush as she smiled and explained, "It's similar to how Rias enjoys it when you're a little rough and forceful. I just want you to be more direct in your forcefulness. And if it makes things easier, we can start slow...after all, we have the rest of our lives to expand our horizons and learn each others' limits..."
"Mnn...okay then..." responded Vahn, wanting, first and foremost, to make Akeno and, on a broader scale, those close to him happy. He also trusted that she knew what she enjoyed, so after a curt nod, he caused the smile on her face to broaden as he reached up and replaced her fingers on her nipples with his own, gently and then firmly pinching them before pulling them with gradually increasing force.
Demonstrating that it was okay for him to be even more forceful, Akeno arched and leaned her head back, increasing the tension on her nipples and moaning sensually as she continued moving her hips. Vahn honestly found it a little strange and disconcerting, but since he didn't want Akeno to think he thought she was weird, he decided to change perspective and regard it as a bonding and a learning experience...quite literally in the first case...
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"Welcome back, Goshujin-sama..." greeted Tsubaki, offering a courteous bow as Vahn and Akeno arrived at the 19th Floor's Ending Zone.
"Is this week's theme Tennis uniforms or just sports in general...?" asked Vahn, sizing Tsubaki up in her sleeveless white jersey with turquoise trim and a pleated skirt that matched her half-rimmed rectangular glasses.
"Kuoh Academy's annual Ball Tournament is coming up soon, so Sona-sama felt it would be beneficial for us to get accustomed to wearing and moving around in our sportswear," explained Tsubaku, raising the hem of her skirt to show off her frilly white Tennis bloomers.
"Ara ara...it is around that time, isn't it~?" hummed Akeno, cupping her left cheek as she wondered if she should also try modeling a Tennis outfit for Vahn. At the very least, he seemed interested in the bloomers' design, his eyes widening and brows rising slightly as he lowered his gaze to stare at them with undisguised intrigue for several seconds.
"Indeed. And don't think we'll go easy on the ORC just because you have Vahn-sama with you..." warned Tsubaki, narrowing her violet left and light brown right eye at Akeno before turning around and lifting the back of her skirt next.
"If you want me to stare, I won't hold back..." remarked Vahn, squatting down with his elbows resting on his thighs, his aquamarine eyes focused on Tsubaki's tempting bottom and her cute and very comfortable-looking bloomers.
"By all means..." responded Tsubaki, ensuring her inordinately long hair wasn't in the way before bending over slightly, a hint of red bleeding into her cheeks as she, once again, met Akeno's gaze. Like their Mistresses, she and Akeno had been rivals for some time, so since Vahn had yet to make a move on her despite her recurring presence at Sona's side during their lovemaking, she was trying her best to signal that she was okay with him doing more without directly propositioning him...
Making things easier for her would-be rival, Akeno covered her mouth and issued an amused laugh before humming, "I'm going to head inside. Don't forget to put up a soundproof barrier~."
'Soundproof barrier...?' Vahn repeated in his mind, looking between the retreating figure Akeno and the butt mere centimeters away from his face, the gears in his mind gradually but eventually falling into place, causing a cramped smile to develop across his face. Tsubaki never really flirted with or teased him, so while she was almost always present when he and Sona made love, often in the same risque outfits, he assumed she was there for moral or emotional support. Now that everything had clicked into place, he felt obligated to grab her butt and bury his face into it to demonstrate he wasn't completely oblivious to her charms...
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