"Now then, I'm opening the door."
With Rias's words, the crimson sigils covering the old classroom door began to fade. The complex web of sealing magic that had shimmered faintly like molten metal now dulled, disappearing one rune at a time. Soon, it became just a simple wooden door.
Rias placed her hand on the handle, turned it slowly—and the moment it creaked open—
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
A shriek so sharp it could've shattered glass erupted from within.
Rias didn't even flinch. Akeno just smiled, her usual calm expression not budging an inch. Meanwhile, the rest of us jumped in surprise, especially Asia, who nearly grabbed onto my arm.
"Ah… the same as always," Rias said, letting out a long, tired sigh before stepping in with Akeno.
"Good day to you," Akeno added, her tone as soothing as ever. "It's nice to see you all… energetic."
"W-W-Whyyyyyyyyyyyy!?" came the panicked, high-pitched reply from inside.
Judging by the voice, it sounded like a girl—maybe a middle schooler? But there was something strange about it too.
"Ara ara, the seal got removed, you know?" Akeno said, her voice laced with gentle teasing. "You can go out now. Everyone's been waiting to see you."
But her kindness was met with another drawn-out scream.
"Nooooooooooo! This place is fineeeee! I don't wanna go outside! I don't wanna meet peopleeeeee!"
...
That voice. That tone. And the ridiculous level of panic.
That "beautiful girl" was, in fact, a boy.
A very pretty, very delicate-looking boy.
I blinked twice, unsure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. "…Why do I feel like I should be jealous?" I muttered under my breath.
Asia tilted her head in confusion. Xenovia frowned. Kiba just smiled bitterly, and Koneko sighed like she had seen this scene a hundred times before.
The room itself was… weirdly adorable. The curtains were drawn tight, leaving the place dim and cozy. The walls were lined with cute posters and fluffy stuffed animals. A large coffin sat in the corner—yeah, a literal coffin, like the kind you'd see in an old European funeral.
Right. I almost forgot. Gasper Vladi — half-human, half-vampire, and one-hundred-percent hikikomori.
Rias and Akeno moved further inside, and then I saw her—no, him.
Sitting on the floor, clutching his knees, was a breathtakingly beautiful blonde with pale skin and crimson eyes that shimmered like rubies. His hair was silky, his features delicate, and he was wearing Kuoh Academy's girl's uniform.
If I didn't know better, I would've sworn he was a doll come to life. Actually, scratch that—he was prettier than half the girls in the school.
"Appearance-wise," Rias said, "he looks like a girl. But make no mistake, he's a boy."
"… no way. That's not possible. You sure?" Xenovia said.
"Positive."
Xenovia blinked rapidly. "Eh? No, come on! He's totally a girl! ...Wait, seriously?"
Akeno giggled behind her hand. "He just happens to enjoy dressing in female clothes. Isn't that right, Gasper?"
Gasper immediately buried his face between his knees. "D-Don't say it like that!"
Asia peeked curiously. "B-But he's really cute…"
Rias smiled gently. "Gasper, these are your new clubmates. Hyoudou Issei, Xenovia, and Asia—our other Bishop."
We greeted him politely, but Gasper only let out a strangled squeak. "Eeeeeeh?! There are more people now!? That's so many! Too many!"
Oh boy. Yeah. Definitely phobic.
Rias crouched a little, her tone soft. "It's all right, Gasper. You don't need to be sealed anymore. You can come out now. I'll be with you."
But his reply was instant, loud, and filled with panic.
"Noooooooo! I'll hurt someone again! I can't go outside! I'll only cause trouble for everyone!"
Rias sighed again. Akeno's expression turned sympathetic.
I leaned closer to Asia and whispered, "He can literally freeze time when he panics. Imagine that—screaming and time stopping."
Asia blinked. "S-So he's that powerful?"
"Yeah," I said, rubbing my neck. "Scary powerful. If he learned to control that… he'd be unstoppable."
But for now, he just sat there trembling, clutching his stuffed bat plushie like his life depended on it.
Rias finally stood, brushing her hair back. "Let's leave him be for now. Forcing him won't help."
We all nodded.
As we exited the room, I looked back one last time. Gasper was peeking out from behind the coffin, his red eyes wide with fear but also… curiosity.
For a second, I thought our eyes met.
And then he squeaked again, "D-Don't look at meeeee!"
...Yeah. Definitely going to take a while.
~~~
Give me a comment and thought on this fanfic. Support me by giving me a power stone.
I have posted 100+ advanced chapters on my Patreon. If you are interested, join my Patreon.
Support me:
patreon.com/BlackBolt517