A New Motivation: Chapter 5
The warmth surrounding me was comforting and all consuming. My tired mind didn't even care that it obviously wasn't my bed, merely content with the incredible softness and coziness that seemed to seep throughout my entire being.
Unfortunately, like all good things my bliss had to come to an end.
“..ake…up…ero”
I scrunched my face at the voice that spoke softly above me, breaking through that sleepy haze between unconsciousness and wakefulness. I muttered something sleepily as a hand gently shook my shoulder, bringing an arm up to smack it away and burrow deeper into my covers. So soft.
The voice seemed surprised at my actions, speaking loud enough that even my tired ears could make out the words, “Oh my, so feisty! Well then, if you don't want to get up I suppose we're going to have to do this the hard way.”
…What?
All at once, the sheets were ripped out of my grip and off of my body. My eyes snapped open as my naked skin was exposed to the freezing air outside of my cocoon and shot up in the bed, reaching out to grab the sheets from whoever had taken them from me.
Said person didn't try to keep them from me, instead staring at me with wide purple eyes as they got an eyeful of my naked body. It only took a moment for my frantic mind to recognize the perpetrator.
“Akeno!?” I nearly screamed at the girl as I covered myself up again, “What the hell!?
“Oh my!” Akeno brought a hand to her mouth, smiling behind her digits, “I’m very sorry, Nero. I had no idea you prefer to sleep naked.”
I looked away from her, my face burning red. Whatever drowsiness I had been feeling was long gone, replaced by a deep embarrassment at what just happened. “I get hot when I'm asleep.” I muttered.
Akeno's eyes twinkled with mischief and I got a sinking feeling in my gut as a sly smile appeared on her face.
She giggled lightly, placing a hand on her cheek as she flushed deeply,“Oh trust me, Nero, I understand completely. I also enjoy the feeling of soft silk rubbing up against me, caressing my nude skin as I fall into a fitful slumber all hot and bothered. Why, it's one of the best parts of my day I'd say.”
I stared at her, open-mouthed. I knew that Akeno could be a tease but jeez, already? We literally just met!
“That-I… that's not what I meant!” I managed to get out with some difficulty.
Akeno's giggled transformed into full on laughter, “Oh I know Nero I was just teasing.” She said as she shook with chuckles.
“Still, I suppose I should apologize for uncovering you like that. I'm very sorry.” She said after calming down a bit, though I could still hear the blatant amusement in her voice as she did so, “Rias asked me to come retrieve you so you won't sleep through lunch. Your reincarnation requires a lot of nutrients and you already missed breakfast.”
Lunch? I looked out the nearby window, noting that what I had mistaken for the morning sun was actually midday. How tired had I been?
I turned back to Akeno, feeling oddly put out by how long I had slept. Seems I was more exhausted than I thought I was, “I don't suppose I could take a shower first?” I asked, “My power lets me remove the dirt and stuff from my body, but I still haven’t actually had a shower since I got here.”
She nodded, “Of course, I understand.” She pointed a delicate finger towards a nearby doorway to the side of the room. I blinked, surprised that I had missed it, “The shower is just over there. Though I will warn you, the hot water takes a little while to get, well, hot.”
Just before she left, she turned to me with a mischievous grin on her face, “And if you need any help washing your back, I'm just a room away. Don't hesitate to ask.”
She left, leaving me to stare at the closed door, open mouthed.
~~~
After a shower that was probably a touch too long, I was back in my room. It looked like either Akeno or someone else had cleaned my clothes because they weren't where I left them last night, instead folded neatly on the nearby dresser.
Alongside them were a bra and panties that I didn't recognize, mostly due to the fact that I hadn't appeared in this world wearing a bra, merely some chest bindings that got uncomfortable after a few hours.
The panties were easy to get on, barely any different from the boxers I had worn in my old body. The bra though…
“Come on you stupid thing! Close!” I grunted as I fiddled with the clasp behind my back. The bra seemed to fit just fine, but my demonic hand and lack of knowledge was making it extremely difficult to clasp the damn thing!
I had been trying for nearly five minutes at this point, and just before I decided to give up and just not wear one, there was a loud knock at the door “Is everything alright in there? You sound frustrated with something.”
It was Akeno, I didn't realize I was being so loud. Still, she probably knew how to clasp a bra, or at least I hoped she did. I debated for a moment before shrugging mentally, it wasn't like she hadn't already seen everything.
“Hey uh, Akeno? Do you think you could give me a hand with this?” I called out to her, turning around to face my back towards the door.
“Of course Nero, what’s the issue? Oh, I see!”
I kept my face pointed away from the other girl as she closed the door softly behind her. I tried to clasp the bra again with no success before looking at her, flushing lightly at the amused smile on her face, “Do you think you could lend me a hand here? I've been trying to get this thing to close for like five minutes.”
“Of course! I'd be happy to.” Akeno nodded, closing the door softly behind her.
I faced forward and tensed slightly as her fingers grazed my bare back. I relaxed relatively quickly though. She was just helping me out, there was no need to get worked up over nothing.
“It must be a bit disorienting to be a man and suddenly be dropped in the body of a beautiful girl.” Akeno said suddenly as she took the clasps in her hands, “How are you coping with the change?”
How was I coping? That question wasn't really one I had thought about, but as I did I found it surprisingly easy to answer.
“I haven't really thought about it too much. I've been too busy figuring out what to do about future events.” I responded finally, “But so far I feel… content? Yeah, content. It's like everything fits like it should.”
“Apart from my arm at least.” I turned a scowl at the thing flexing my fingers, “It works pretty much perfectly, but more delicate stuff is almost impossible to do. It's like having a hand that's completely numb and I have to watch how hard I grip stuff or I might break it.”
I glanced back towards Akeno who was watching curiously, “I might need your help to do this in the future. If that's alright with you.”
Akeno gave me a soft smile, “I'd be happy to help, Nero.”
The bra closed with a light click and I sighed happily as my breasts sagged but were immediately supported, “Thank you so much Akeno. I really didn't want to go without a bra again. People like to stare.”
I froze as a pair of hands reached around my body to lightly cup my chest. As the hands lightly squeezed the soft flesh, it sent a jolt of something I couldn't name down my spine moments before I registered what was happening.
“H-HEY!” I yelped, darting forward and away from her, whirling around to the other girl. I clutched my chest as I stared at the softly grinning Akeno with a burning red face, “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?”
Akeno gave me a smile that was far too innocent, “I was just checking to make sure you were properly supported. I know you've never put on a bra so I wanted to make sure you did it right.”
I just stared at her, mouth open as I tried and failed to think of anything to say. Akeno stepped back, apparently taking that as her cue to leave as she turned to the door.
“We're all in the club room when you're ready. Oh! I forgot to mention, the Student Council President, Sona is here and I believe she has some questions for you so please don't take too long getting ready. She can be rather strict.”
Just before she left, she turned back towards me, giving me a smile and a wink, “Oh, and if you need anything else, don't hesitate to shout.”
With that, she disappeared, leaving me standing in the middle of my room in a bra and panties, completely mortified and embarrassed at what just happened.
~~~
I didn't meet anyone's eyes as I silently made my way into the club room. Sona and Rias were sitting at the table, enjoying their respective lunches. Bento, it looked like. Rias gave me a light wave, her full mouth preventing her from speaking, while Sona gave me a shrewd glance, as if she was examining me.
Akeno was standing off to the side. She smirked at me as I glanced her way and I immediately looked away with my face burning in embarrassment.
Rias swallowed the food in her mouth, “Nero! Come and eat, we saved you some!” She gestured to the other side of the table where a bento box sat unopened.
I sat down across from the two Kings and opened my meal. Inside seemed to be the standard fare from what little I knew about bento. Rice, greens, chicken, and even some fruit all sat neatly packed within, looking oddly delicious for such a simple spread.
My embarrassment was completely overridden by my hunger as I saw the food. I picked up my chopsticks and began to tuck in. As I did so, Rias gestured towards Sona and began introducing her friend.
“Nero, this is Sona Sitri. She's the King I share the Kuoh territory with and also one of my best friends. Though I have a feeling you already knew all that.”
Sona didn't look surprised at her statement so I assumed Rias must have filled her in. I nodded, “Yeah, I did. It's still good to meet you in person though, Sona.”
She gave me a respectful nod, “You as well, Nero. Even if you have caused quite a bit more work for both Rias and I.”
Despite her words, I could tell that she didn't mean them by the tilt to her lips. Still I blushed sheepishly, “Heh, yeah sorry about that. But I know a way I could make it up to you.” I suggested.
“That isn't necessary. I actually sort of enjoy the work.” Sona denied before pausing, “Well maybe not all of it. I still need to get into contact with my sister which is always… an experience.”
I winced. Even seeing Serafall and Sona interact through a screen a world away had been hard to watch, I couldn't imagine actually experiencing it first hand let alone being on the receiving end of it.
Still, “Well even so. I have some information that you definitely don't want to miss out on. Honestly I probably should have told Rias this last night.”
“Oh?” Sona said, raising a brow in silent questioning, “It must be pretty important then.”
“Oh definitely.” I nodded, “If everything stays the same as it was shown in my world, you guys have two students with powerful unawakened Sacred Gears attending your school.” I said, and they immediately gave me their full attention, “Though, I will say that they both have their pros and cons.”
“Ooh! Really?” Rias's eyes glinted with interest as she leaned forward in her seat, “Who are they? I've had my suspicions about a few but I haven't been able to confirm them yet.”
I smirked internally knowing that she was likely referring to Issei. Boy would she be shocked.
“Well, the first one I know of is Saji Genshirou.” I said, looking towards Sona, “He would have eventually been recruited by Sona as a Pawn and become a member of the Student Council.”
Sona raised an eyebrow, “Genshirou? I recall a student by the name. He has a Sacred Gear?”
I nodded, “Yeah. He holds Absorption Line, one of Vitra's Sacred Gears. If things go as they did in canon, he'll collect at least three more which should be enough to wake up Vritra’s consciousness as it pieces together its soul.”
That raised some eyebrows, “That's interesting. Absorption Line alone is a rather strong Sacred Gear. If he gets even more and actually manages to awaken the Dragon King himself, he could become extremely powerful even for a reincarnated soul.”
I grinned, “Well if that interests you, then you're going to love this.” I paused for dramatic effect, “Issei Hyoudou is this generation's Red Dragon Emperor. Not only that, if given the right motivation he has the potential to be one of the strongest that ever existed.”
The reaction was exactly what I expected. It was a good thing nobody had been eating because I was sure someone would have choked with how shocked they were.
“SERIOUSLY!?” Rias shouted, leaning forward on the table And staring at me in disbelief.
“He's the Red Dragon Emperor!? Are you sure you aren't just misremembering!?” Sona nearly pleaded.
I nodded, “Yeah, pretty sure considering he was the main character. The entire plot basically revolved around him getting stronger thanks to the power of boobs.”
Sona groaned, burying her head in her hands.
“Why didn't you tell me about this yesterday!?” Rias asked me.
I felt heat come to my cheeks, “Would you believe me if I said I just forgot?” I said sheepishly, “Between everything that happened to me and being so focused on making sure everything went smoothly, it kind of slipped my mind.”
As Rias stared at me in disbelief, Sona turned and gave her friend the stink eye, “I assume that if she had told you, you would have informed me as well?”
Rias blushed, “Of course I would have! You know… eventually.”
Akeno giggled at the redhead’s words, “After you made sure to pay Issei a visit right?”
“Akeno!”
Sona sniffed, “As I thought. Your tactics are as dishonorable as always Rias.”
She brought a hand to her head, sighing, “Still… of course it had to be one of those three who was so important. Why couldn't it have been someone normal or at least even slightly well adjusted? Why did it have to be a pervert who is one wrong report away from a prison sentence?”
“Well, look at the bright side,” I said consolingly, “At least Saji isn't so bad. He actually fits in with your student council very well from what I can recall. Really well.”
Sona hummed, seemingly not catching my meaning, “Well I suppose that's something at least. And Absorption Line does have the potential to fit into my peerage’s ability composition very well.”
“So I can have Issei then?” Rias asked hopefully.
“I didn't say that.” Sona immediately shot her down with a glare, “Recruiting the Red Dragon Emperor would be well worth the possible mishaps that may occur if Hyoudou were a member of my peerage. Sorry Rias, you won't win that easily.”
Risa pouted, “Awww.”
Sona shook her head, “Anyway, this isn't the time for negotiating potential pieces. We can decide on who gets who later.”
“Alright, but just know I'm not giving up without a fight!”
“You never do.”
“Hey! What's that supposed to mean?”
I smiled as the two of them began playfully bickering as I finished my bento, surprised at how genuinely good it was. Seemed that Rias spared no expense. Either that or she knew someone with good taste.
As I did so, I caught Akeno's eyes for a split second. The girl gave me a playful smirk and I immediately looked back down at my food, fighting back a blush as I remembered what happened only a few minutes ago. That… was going to be a problem.
I was saved by Sona who had seemingly gotten tired of her and Rias's friendly argument, “Alright that's enough. Like I said, we'll talk about it later. I have something I need to take care of after this so I can't stay for too much longer.”
Rias pouted, clearly having been enjoying their little spat, “Oh alright. I guess we can shelve this for now. We're not done though.”
“I don't doubt it. Now before I leave there is one more important thing to attend to.” I watched curiously as the student council president reached down into her bag to retrieve something.
I startled in my chair as, with a loud thump, she set a massive stack of papers on the table rattling the plates on it.
“These,” She gestured with a smirk as I stared at the stack in confusion, “are the forms you will need to fill out in order to attend Kuoh Academy during this semester. Uniform sizes, electives, those sorts of things.”
She slid them across the table, placing the stack in front of me as I stared down at it with mounting horror. She placed a pen on top of the papers, “I need them finished by Monday so I can send them in with the rest of my paperwork at the start of the week.”
I looked towards Rias who was watching with amusement, “I don't suppose there's a spell or something to make this go by faster? Or maybe to do it for me?” I asked hopefully.l
“I wish. That would make my duties much easier.” Rias said, causing me to deflate immediately. She giggled at my expression, “Sorry Nero, this is something we all had to do. Just think of it as your first official task as a member of the ORC!”
Akeno giggled and Sona smirked as I sighed, picking up the pen, “Ah paperwork. It seems that no matter where you go, it's a universal constant. This sucks.”
Wait… what were my sizes?