‘What “buddies” are you talking about?’ Oliva demands. ‘Most of my comrades have been killed by you!’

   ‘No no no, I’m not talking about them. You Christians are divided into 5 groups, right? I was requested by 3 guys. One of them’s called Jona…Jona…um, what was it again?’

   ‘Perhaps it’s Jonathelio?’ Albanese suggests softly.

   ‘Right. That’s it. Jonathelio. Man, you Westerners have such complicated names!’

   ‘And the other two?’ Oliva asks, also softly.

   ‘One’s Richard Mathias, and the other’s Abba Georwagis.’

   I have no idea who any of those people are, but apparently the Inquisitors, the knights and Madoka do. And all of them are ashen-faced.

   ‘Who are they?’ I ask Madoka in a small voice.

   ‘The leaders of their respective denominations. They’re around the same rank as His Holiness the Pope.’ she whispers back.

   I can’t see my face right now, but I’m pretty sure it’s as pale as the people around me, if not even paler after figuring out the implication.

   ‘Are you certain of it?’ Olive demands again. ‘I swear, if you are lying-’

   ‘I’m telling you the truth, alright? I’m well aware that I’m just one step away from the gallows. Why should I lie about my employers?’

   ‘To drag as many people down with you before you kick the bucket?’ I suggest.

   ‘Look, buddy. I may be a murderer, but I’m not a liar! And I definitely won’t do something like that!’

   Now, I’ve been calling the denomination that these people belongs to as the Church for convenience’s sake. In actuality, its formal name is the Roman Catholic Church. The other four are Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Protestantism, and the Orthodox Catholic Church. And three out of four of their leaders have asked Morcos to kill the Roman Catholic’s most high-ranked priests.

   ‘Why? Why would they hire you to kill our priests?’ Oliva asks Morcos.

   ‘They didn’t tell me the full story, but I reckon that it’s something to do with keeping a secret.’

   I think back of the conspiracy that those dead priests had been planning, the one to overthrow the Pope and form their a new Church of their own. I suddenly figured out where they got the galls to plan the coup.

   ‘So, those dead priests were in cahoots with the leaders of the 3 Churches. And to make sure that none of them spill the beans, they agreed to have their lives taken should the coup fails.’ I conclude.

   ‘That’s probably it.’ Oliva agrees.

   Albanese looks at Oliva.

   ‘Signore Oliva, if he’s indeed telling the truth-’

   ‘I keep telling you that I am!’

   ‘-then we would have a huge trouble on our hands.’

   ‘Indeed we do, Signore Albanese. Indeed we do.’

   Oh boy. And here I thought I’ve stopped a war way back in Season 1. Now, we may get a civil war instead.

   Olive addresses the girls and I.

   ‘You kids. Head back to Japan right now with that friend of yours. I sincerely thank you for your help so far, but from here on is a matter between Churches. I do not want outsiders to get caught up in it. No need to worry about saying farewell to His Holiness. I’ll just make up some excuse.’

   ‘Yes, sir.’ I agree obediently.

   He’s right. We don’t belong to any of the denominations, so we should stay out of it.

   ‘Good. Signore Albanese, please see to their transportation.’

   ‘Right away.’

   While Albanese is busy, I ask Morcos about the wound he gave Sakuya.

   ‘Your teeth aren’t poisonous or anything, are they?’

   ‘Nope. I may look like a snake after I transform, but my teeth are venom-free.’

   He looks at Sakuya.

   ‘Sorry about the bite, missy. It was nothing personal.’

   ‘There’s no need to apologize.’

   I’m looking at him suspiciously at this point.

   ‘Why are you being so honest? I was expecting you to be extremely tight-lipped.’

   He shrugs. ‘I’ve heard what the Pope will do to prisoners who clamp up their mouth. I prefer to avoid myself from suffering the same fate. More importantly, I had a nagging suspicion, but I need to ask anyway. That Wilson guy doesn’t really know the secret I’ve told you guys, doesn’t he?’

   ‘Nope. It was just a trap to lure you in.’

   He sighs. ‘I knew it. Even so, I had to kill him just to make sure.’

   ‘We were counting on that fact.’

   ‘And I fell right into it.’

   Albanese is already done with his phone call and tells us to wait at the entrance for a van that will drives us to the airport. Someone is already on his way to get Kaoru to join us.

   ‘Well, I guess this is goodbye. Hopefully, we won’t be seeing each other again.’ I tell Morcos.

   ‘A shame, that. I was hoping to have a second round with you.’

   ‘You should worry about your own survival, first.’

   ‘I guess you’re right.’

   After Kaoru is here, we head for the entrance right away. Oliva and Albanese send us off.

   ‘Be careful on your way back.’ Albanese tells us.

   ‘We will.’ I assure him. ‘Please be careful as well.’

   ‘Once again, allow me to thank you for what you have done.’ Oliva says to us. ‘And on behalf of His Holiness, I would like to apologize for getting all of you caught up in our mess.’

   He bows at us. Albanese follows suit. Once again, I’m surprised by Oliva’s demeanor. We said our goodbyes and get inside the van.

   On the way, we told Kaoru what had happened. He went quiet for quite a while after we’re done.

   ‘Are things always this high-staked for all of you?’ he asks.

   ‘Pretty much. You better prepare yourself mentally if you really want to join us next year.’ I tell him bluntly.

   He looks at me with determined eyes.

   ‘I think I can handle it. No, I will handle it. As a proud member of the Ueyama Group and one of your junior.’

   ‘That’s good to hear. Just don’t hesitate to come to us for help if you ever get into trouble, alright?’

   He flashes that bright smile of his at me. Once again, I’m almost blinded by it.

   ‘Of course! I’ll be depending on you, aniki!’

   He’s a guy. He’s a guy. He’s a guy…

   I suddenly remembered that I’m supposed to get Assaf-sensei a souvenir. Luckily, we passed by a sweets shop. I ask the driver to stop for a while so that I could get down and buy something.

   I was about to go in when I realized that I don’t have a single Euro with me. I’m so glad that there’s a money changer a few blocks away. I changed some of my Yens to Euros there, and then I go inside the shop.

   ‘Good afternoon, sir.’ one of their staffs greet me politely.

   ‘Hello. I want to buy a souvenir. Can you recommend me something?’

   ‘In that case, perhaps you would like to get some torrones.’

   I follow her to a display case where some white nougats are in display. Those are probably the torrones she was talking about.

   ‘They’re our best sellers. Locals and tourists alike buy them in bulks.’ she says.

   Now that she mentions it, pretty much all the customers who are lining up at the cashier are holding at least 3 packets of those.

   ‘All right, I’ll buy some.’

   ‘Thank you very much.’

   I got enough not only for Assaf-sensei, but Kaoru and the girls as well. After I paid for them, I got back to the van and hand them the torrones. Mashiro wastes no time in eating all of her share, even though it’s almost time for dinner.

   Not long after we reach the airport, we’re greeted by the 2 air stewardesses who were inside Albanese’s private jet with us the other day. I believe their names are Nancy and Claudia.

   The two of them bow at us.

   ‘Good evening and greetings once again, everyone. Albanese-san has informed us of the situation. Allow us to guide you to his jet.’ one of them says.

   ‘Yes. Please do.’

   To be honest, after we were arrested by Wilson and his corrupted knights, I keep expecting someone to arrest us again and therefore can’t stop being jumpy.

   ‘Aren’t you being way too nervous, Akira-kun?’ Sakuya asks me after I flinched at a group of airport security guards who were just passing by.

   ‘I can’t help it, senpai. After that arrest, I just can’t calm down.’

   ‘The same goes for me too.’ Yui confesses.

   ‘If you are innocent, there is no one who could convince you otherwise. If you are afraid, it only means that you have something to hide. So walk with your head held high like the innocents you are.’ Ichika tells the two of us.

   ‘No fair, Ichika-chan! I was about to say that!’ Sakuya complains.

   ‘Honestly, it sounds more convincing coming from Ichika.’

   ‘Is it because it’s Ichika-chan? Or is it because you don’t really think highly of me?’

   ‘Well-’

   ‘Never mind, don’t answer that.’

   Similar to last time, we don’t have to pass through the security checks and manage to reach the jet without a single hassle. After we got inside the jet, we get comfortable around the sofa. The two air stewardesses then go to the cockpit to inform the pilots that we’re ready for take-off.

   It’s another torturing flight that takes 12 and a half hours to complete. While we’re eating our dinner, Yui, who looked like she was bothered by the fact that we’re basically abandoning those people back there, speaks out.

   ‘Should we really have left just like this? I kind of feel bad.’

   ‘I understand how you feel, Yui. I really do. The thing is, it’s not our fight. It’s theirs. And as outsiders we should stay out of it. I know I sound cold, but that’s how it is.’ I tell her.

   ‘Akira-kun’s right, Yui-chan. We’re just students. If we butt in at matters that have nothing to do with us, everyone else at the Academy might suffer repercussions for our reckless behaviors.’ Sakuya adds.

   Yui nods her head while having a melancholy expression. ‘I understand.’

   In an attempt to comfort her, I offer to give her head pats. She accepts it, and looks much better after after I did it. Meanwhile, Sakuya talks to Kaoru about her plans after we landed on Japan.

   ‘We’ll get you to see the principal to tell him of your situation. Hopefully, he will accept you as one of his students next year. After we’re done, we will send you back to your father. Is this all right with you?’

   ‘Yes. Thank you very much for helping me out.’

   ‘Think nothing of it. It’s our job to help out those in need.’

   After we’re done eating, I start to get sleepy. The events of the past few days had been stressful, to say the least. I’m probably tired out from all those running and travelling and fighting. I let out a huge yawn.

   ‘I’ll be sleeping now.’ I tell the others.

   ‘Would you like a body pillow?’ Sakuya asks while smiling mischievously.

   Normally, I would accept the offer. Unfortunately, Kaoru is here, so I have to act like I’m not interested.

   ‘No thanks. Well, good night, everyone.’

   They wish me good night as well, and I lie down on the edge of the long sofa and close my eyes.

   When I wake up, most of the lights inside the plane are switched off, and everyone else is already asleep with blankets covering their bodies. I don’t know who did it, but there’s one on me as well.

   I take out my phone to look at the time. There’s still one more hour until the plane lands at the Japan’s airport. I get up to use the toilet. By the time I got out, everyone except Kaoru is awake. For some reason, all of them are lining up.

   ‘What are you girls doing?’ I ask softly so as not to wake Kaoru up.

   ‘Lining up to get a morning kiss from you.’ Mashiro, who’s at the front of the line, answers.

   Well, it’s been some time since we started dating, so I guess we should move on to kissing now.

   I bent down to kiss Mashiro on the lips. This is my first time kissing a girl, so I was kind of nervous. Thankfully, I didn’t mess up and kissed her tiny lips successfully.

   Mashiro’s face blushes furiously after the kiss. I feel that mine’s burning up as well.

   ‘...It doesn’t taste like lemon at all.’ Mashiro complains in an attempt to break the awkwardness.

   ‘I know, right? I wonder who said that in the first place.’

   Next, I move on to Sakuya. She licks her lips in a lewd way.

   ‘Can we do french? I’ve studied extensively just for this occasion.’ Sakuya asks expectantly.

   If Ichika wasn’t being busy having nervous breakdown behind Sakuya, she would probably tell her to keep the kiss wholesome. I would take over and be the straight man, but I’ve always been curious about french kissing.

   ‘Please show me how it’s done, senpai.’

   ‘Leave it to your big sister~.’

   She grabs my shoulder gently and presses her lips against mine. She then inserts her tongue into my mouth.

   I don’t really remember what happened next, as everything went fuzzy after we start to kiss. I do vaguely remember that our tongue are coiling around like two mating snakes. I think I even swallowed some of her saliva.

   In the end, Sakuya has to break off the kiss since we’re running out or breath. She licks her lips once again.

   ‘How was it, Akira-kun?’ she ask me.

   ‘That was…quite sensational.’ I admit. ‘Thank you for the wonderful lesson.’

   ‘You’re welcome. If you want some more, you could always ask me.’

   ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

   I look around. The other girls are blushing furiously from the wild display we showed them, even the usually calm and collected Mashiro and Madoka. Ichika is covering her mouth with both her hands so that her yelps would not leak out and wakes up Kaoru.

   Speaking of Kaoru, I sneak a glance at him. He’s still sleeping soundly, but I better finish this quickly before he wakes up. Next, I turn my attention back to Ichika.

   ‘Are you okay?’ I ask. ‘We could always do this another time.’

   Ichika suddenly becomes much calmer and removes her hands. She shakes her head firmly.

   ‘No. As one of your girlfriends, I cannot run away from this.’

   ‘Alright. Let’s do this, then.’

   She nods and closes her eyes. She proceeds to tremble like crazy from being nervous. I have to cup her chin so that no accidents happen.

   My lips touch hers gently, and her trembling stops immediately. I wait for a few seconds before pulling back. She slowly opens her eyes.

   ‘That wasn’t so bad, was it?’ I ask her.

   ‘I-Indeed…’ she stutters bashfully.

   Next, it’s Yui. I start to realize that they’re lining up according to the time they spent with me, starting with the longest.

   Yui looks quite nervous too, although not as much as Ichika. She’s currently taking deep breaths. I wait for her patiently. After a while, she’s finally done.

   ‘I’m sorry for this, Akira-kun.’ she apologizes.

   ‘Don’t be. It’s fine.’

   Once again, I have to bend down to kiss her lips. She closes her eyes right before our lips touch.

   Perhaps she was trying to pull a french kiss like Sakuya, which explains why her tongue is touching my lips. Just as I was about to open my mouth to let it in, she accidentally bites her tongue.

   ‘*!#%^&@!@^!%%&*@~!’ she’s trying frantically to stop herself from screaming in pain.

   ‘Hey, are you all right?’ I ask in concern.

   ‘Please…don’t mind me and…move on to Kojima-san…’ she says while pausing every few words.

   After making sure that she’s fine, I did as she says. Madoka manages to regains her composure and wait for me to kiss her. She’s so emotionless that I decide to mess with her.

   I raise up my hand slowly. She flinches the moment I do that.

   ‘What are you planning to do with that hand of yours?’ she demands.

   I put down my hand.

   ‘Nothing. I just felt like raising it up all of a sudden.’

   ‘Well, stop it. It’s distracting me.’

   ‘Alright. If you say so.’

   I hear Sakuya chuckles behind me.

   ‘Looks like he’s learning from the best.’ she whispers.

   ‘And that is supposed to be a good thing?’ Ichika asks.

   As I’m kissing Madoka, I couldn’t resist to place my hand on her hair. She flinches once again.

   The more I pat her, the more her legs tremble. Eventually, I have to hug her waist so that she doesn’t fall. After I have enough fun, I let go of her lips and head. She’s all flustered and has an expression that’s kind of erotic.

   ‘I…I hate you…so much…’ she pants.

   I merely smile at that. ‘Glad to hear it.’

   Now that the morning kiss session is finally over, we sit down at the sofa and wait for Kaoru to wake up. While doing that, we just sit in silence. I don’t know about the others, but I’m busy reminiscing the amazing kisses I had. Some of them could have been better, but still.

   Kaoru wakes up around 30 minutes later.

   ‘Morning, Kaoru.’ I tell him.

   He rubs his eyes and stretches his body. ‘…Good morning, aniki. Good morning, everyone.’

   The girls greet him a good morning as well.

   Soon, the plane finally lands, and we’re back in Japan. Nancy and Claudia come out of the cockpit to send us off.

   ‘We hope to see you again.’ Claudia says to us while bowing. I know it’s her from reading her name tag.

   At her side, Nancy is also bowing.

   ‘Likewise. Will you be staying here until Albanese-san calls you?’

   ‘Yes. That’s how it’s always been.’

   After we say our farewell, we leave the jet and go inside the airport.

   ‘Can we have our breakfast here? Mashiro is hungry.’ Mashiro asks.

   ‘Of course.’

   We find a simple cafe that’s not crowded with customers and have our breakfast there. After that, we book some cabs to get to the Academy.

   ‘We’re finally back.’ I remark after the cab stops at our destination.

   ‘The last few days had been quite rough.’ Ichika says.

   ‘No kidding.’

   Sakuya immediately brings Kaoru to see Principal Morifuji. Ichika followed them, but not me. I still feel kind of awkward after the discussion we had last time. The rest of us wait outside until they’re done.

   ‘How did it went?’ I ask after they come out.

   ‘It’s done. Karou-kun will be joining us next year.’ Sakuya confirms.

   ‘Well, looks like we’ll be senpai and kouhai soon.’ I tell Kaoru.

   ‘Yes. Once again, I’ll be in your care, aniki.’

   ‘Likewise. Well, let’s get you back to your father.’

   ‘Yes.’

   Ueyama-san couldn’t stop thanking us after we told him what had happened. He promised that he and his subordinates will aid us in the future should we ever need their help. We all thank him for the promise.

   After we leave the Ueyama Group’s HQ, we decide on what to do. Class has already started, but I don’t feel like going.

   ‘You don’t really have to go to class if you don’t want to.’ Sakuya tells us.

   ‘I guess it is fine every once in a while.’ Ichika says reluctantly.

   In the end, everyone decide to skip class, even Ichika. We promise to have lunch together later at my room. For now, the girls will be going back to their own room to get a shower and change into a new set of uniforms.

   When I got back into mine, my room is pitch black, as the curtains are down. However, I still know that someone is here due to the smell of perfume.

   ‘...What are you doing in my room, Assaf-sensei?’ I ask.

   ‘I was waiting for you to come back, of course.’

   ‘And how long had you been here?’

   ‘Around the same time you all came back. Kojima-san is not the only one from the Information Squad, you know.’

   ‘I know that. But, what about your class?’

   ‘I had someone replace me. This is much more important. Now where’s my souvenir?’

   ‘I got you some nougats.’

   ‘I believe I asked you to get me some sexy lingeries.’

   ‘And I believe I told you that it’s not happening.’

   Just as I’m about to turn on the light, I stopped myself as a thought comes to my head.

   ‘Sensei, you’re not naked, are you?’

   ‘My, you know me so well. I was all prepared to wear the lingeries you bought for me, but you let me down.’

   ‘Please tell me you have your clothes with you.’

   ‘Of course I do. Even I won’t come here naked.’

   ‘That’s great to hear. Could you get dressed?’

   ‘I need some lights.’

   I cover my eyes with my hand and switch on the light.

   ‘You can just look, you know.’ Assaf-sensei tells me.

   ‘No thank you. Now please hurry and get changed.’

   After a while, she tells me that she’s wearing her clothes now. I slowly remove my hand. She’s indeed wearing them.

   I walk to her and hand her the packet of nougat. She accepts it with a smile.

   ‘Do they contain some sort of aphrodisiac? Will they make me thirst for you like a wild animal?’

   ‘Im pretty sure they don’t. I got them from a normal shop.’

   She’s about to say something when something made her stop.

   ‘You had you first kiss, haven’t you?’

   I look at her in surprise.

   ‘How could you tell?’

   ‘Call it a woman’s intuition.’

   ‘Well, I’ve kissed everyone else back in the plane. And… you’re the only one that’s left, sensei.’

   ‘Finally.’

   ‘Yeah. Um…’

   ‘You can turn off the lights if you’re nervous.’ she offers.

   ‘No, it’s fine. I want to get a proper look at my girlfriend when I kiss her.’

   Assaf-sensei blushes a bit when I said that.

   ‘Well, here goes.’

   I move my head towards her slowly. Eventually, my lips touch hers. I was expecting her to do a french like Sakuya and Yui (who failed), but she didn’t. I pull back after a few seconds.

   ‘You were expecting me to become all passionate, didn’t you?’ she smiles.

   ‘Honestly, yes.’

   ‘Well, I’m going to leave those kind of things for when we’re making babies. Which can be right now-’

   ‘Sensei. Wholesome relationship, remember?’

   She looks disappointed at that, but didn’t push me any further.