DxD: Wrong Way

Miyajima Dojo was filled with tension as Miyajima Sosuke, his face lined with age and frustration, berated a group of disciples.

"Idiots! Look at Uesugi-kun! If you were even half as capable as he is, I wouldn't have to worry so much!"

He spat out his words, scolding the young men until they hung their heads in shame. Just as he prepared to unleash another round of reprimands, Aoki and Miyajima Sakura strolled in hand in hand.

"Miyajima-sensei, we meet again," Aoki greeted, glancing at the dejected disciples.

"What has you all so riled up?"

"Ah, it's just these incompetent disciples," Miyajima Sosuke replied, managing a smile despite his earlier anger.

One brave disciple piped up, "You obviously got beaten up this morning and are now taking it out on us…"

A vein throbbed on Miyajima Sosuke's forehead as he struggled to contain his irritation. It took all his restraint not to reprimand the bold disciple right then and there.

Aoki looked sympathetically at one of the strong men with short hair in the crowd. While others might not have recognized who had spoken out of turn, Aoki certainly did.

"Well… Miyajima-sensei, please continue your training. Miyajima-senpai and I will wait for you outside."

"Okay, Uesugi-kun, do as you wish," Miyajima Sosuke said through gritted teeth, using the last remnants of his patience.

He turned to his daughter and added sternly, "Sakura, take good care of Uesugi-kun; don't neglect him."

"Of course, Father," she replied obediently.

As Aoki and Miyajima Sakura left the dojo, they could still hear her father's thunderous voice echoing behind them.

"Uesugi-kun, have you been to my house before?"

Miyajima Sakura asked thoughtfully as they walked away.

"It seems your father values you quite a bit…" Aoki remarked casually.

"Well, I'm not sure where Miyajima-senpai transferred from," he continued.

"I came to the dojo this morning to ask about it. Due to a small misunderstanding, I ended up having a brief conversation with your father."

He shrugged off the topic

After all, it wouldn't be appropriate to mention that he had bested her father in combat.

"Then it seems Uesugi-kun has come out on top," she smiled sweetly.

She knew her father's temperament well

If he hadn't lost that fight, he would never have been so polite to a young man like Aoki.

Previously, he had always looked down on Aoki when mentioning him.

Aoki chuckled lightly.

"Of course I'm not as skilled as Miyajima Sosuke in kendo; I've just had more experience fighting."

The implication was clear: your father may be strong but he's no match for me now.

After confirming her suspicions about Aoki's strength, Miyajima Sakura was still somewhat surprised.

"Uesugi-kun is so strong? This is the first time I'm hearing about it!"

"It's just that I've taken a few detours along the way," Aoki explained modestly.

"I visited your club last time because I wanted to try practicing an orthodox style like kendo."

"If Uesugi wants to practice fighting techniques seriously," she said earnestly, "sports clubs won't offer much help."

She continued passionately, "Our family's kendo is inherited from Shinin-ryu…"

"Wait a moment…"

Aoki interrupted her with a wave of his hand.

He wasn't particularly interested in kendo itself; even if he were to learn weapon techniques, he'd prefer exploring martial arts from other cultures.

Each discipline possessing its own unique skills and philosophies.

Moreover, Western martial arts such as knightly swordsmanship or dual-wielding techniques also intrigued him for their practicality and power.

"Actually," Aoki stated bluntly, "I'm not really interested in kendo per se. I just want to see if there are any parallels I can draw."

Miyajima Sakura closed her mouth and smiled knowingly. "I guess I was worrying too much then! If you can defeat my father like that, Uesugi-kun really doesn't need my guidance."

They chatted for a while longer until Miyajima Sosuke hurried over after venting his frustrations on his disciples.

"Uesugi-kun! My incompetent teaching must have made you laugh," he said sheepishly.

"Miyajima-sensei is joking! Who doesn't know the reputation of Miyajima Dojo?" Aoki replied warmly.

Miyajima Sosuke had heard many similar praises before but felt particularly gratified hearing them from Aoki.

"Haha! Those are just empty titles, not worth mentioning compared to someone like you! You possess such strength at a young age without being arrogant or impetuous. Much better than my incompetent disciples!"

Aoki didn't want to engage in further pleasantries with an older man; conversing with beautiful girls was far more enjoyable.

After nodding politely at Sosuke's compliments, he turned back toward Miyajima Sakura and resumed their conversation.

Miyajima Sosuke watched them interact with relief

Aoki seemed entirely worthy of his beautiful daughter

Not only in appearance but also in strength.

The reputation of Miyajima Sakura as a genius swordsman wasn't unfounded either

At her age, she was already stronger than her father had been at the same stage in life.

Had Aoki not appeared on the scene when he did, Sosuke's original plan had been to find a new wife and pass down the dojo's legacy to his daughter someday…

The wooden door creaked open, and Miyajima Tsubaki entered the room with a tray in hand.

"Why so slow?" Miyajima Sosuke frowned, his dissatisfaction evident.

"Anata…"

Tsubaki began to explain herself, but Aoki interjected smoothly, "Please, Ms. Miyajima, it must take quite a while to prepare everything on your own."

Tsubaki cast a grateful glance at Aoki, her charming smile brightening the room.

"No problem! It's rare for Uesugi-kun to be our guest," she replied warmly.

Miyajima Sosuke's frown deepened

He felt that Aoki didn't need to be so polite to women

Especially not to someone like Tsubaki, who lacked physical strength.

However, he didn't want to embarrass Aoki in front of his daughter and decided to address the matter privately later.

As Tsubaki approached Aoki, she knelt gracefully before him, placing the tea and snacks on the low table.

Each time she bent over, her plump figure brushed against Aoki

Sometimes her legs, sometimes her chest.

Their eyes met frequently, filled with an unspoken allure that made Miyajima Sakura increasingly uncomfortable.

The ambiguous glances exchanged between Tsubaki and Aoki were unmistakable.

Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she observed her mother's behavior toward Aoki.

It was clear even to her that Tsubaki's gaze held a provocative undertone.

Unfortunately for Sakura, her father seemed oblivious to the tension in the air

He was too focused on his own thoughts.

As Tsubaki finally stood up after what felt like an eternity

Though it had only been a minute or two

Sakura glanced at her father beside her. S

he wanted to remind him of the situation but hesitated, fearing she might be overthinking things.

Moreover, she wasn't particularly fond of Miyajima Sosuke's domineering nature and knew that Tsubaki's life hadn't been entirely fulfilling either.

After weighing her options, Sakura chose silence but looked at her mother with a hint of seriousness in her eyes.

If Tsubaki sought companionship elsewhere, that was one thing; however, she didn't want Aoki caught up in any potential drama involving other women.

After spending an afternoon contemplating their relationship with Aoki, Sakura realized she wanted to be with him more than ever.

They had already shared so much

How could they let it slip away?

After sipping tea and nibbling on snacks for a while, Miyajima Sakura finally broached the subject that had been weighing on her mind since noon.

"Uesugi-kun," she said hesitantly, "you mentioned I'd be in danger. What happened?"

At the mention of danger concerning their daughter, both Miyajima Sosuke and Tsubaki froze momentarily.

They quickly turned their attention away from Aoki and asked urgently, "Sakura! What's going on? What kind of danger?"

"I'm not sure," Sakura admitted nervously.

"It was Uesugi who suddenly found me and warned me about some recent threats."

All eyes in the Miyajima family shifted toward Aoki expectantly as they awaited his explanation.

"Ahem…"

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Aoki discreetly withdrew his hand from where it had rested on Tsubaki's thigh

A guilty conscience creeping in as he realized how distracted he had become by flirting with her.

"Um…"

He pondered for a moment about how best to explain the situation without causing alarm or misunderstanding.

Finally settling on starting from Kuoh Academy itself, he continued cautiously:

"Miyajima-senpai transferred to Kuoh Academy recently. You should know there are some unique circumstances surrounding that school."

Miyajima Sosuke raised an eyebrow while Tsubaki leaned forward slightly in interest.

"Kuoh Academy has its share of unusual occurrences," Aoki elaborated carefully.

"There are supernatural elements involved. Things you might not encounter elsewhere."

He paused for effect before adding gravely, "And I have reason to believe that those elements could pose a threat."

Miyajima Sakura listened intently as concern etched itself across her parents' faces.

"What do you mean by 'supernatural elements'?" Sosuke pressed further.

Aoki took a deep breath before continuing:

"There are beings there, some powerful entities. That may not take kindly to outsiders or those connected with them."

He glanced at Sakura meaningfully before returning his gaze to Sosuke and Tsubaki.

"I just want you all to be aware of this potential danger."

The atmosphere grew tense as everyone absorbed what Aoki had just revealed.