Habit is a strange thing. Even for someone who possesses the power to crush mountains. After moving into the mansion Sirzechs had gifted me, my routine shifted slightly. The most notable change was the walk home from Kuoh Academy. My new "digs" were located in the same quiet neighborhood as the Hyoudou family home. And that meant Issei had now become my unwilling companion.
...
At first, it was irritating. His chatter about harems, about "leveling up" his dragon gear, his endless clumsy attempts to look cooler—it all seemed like a waste of time and oxygen to me. I preferred to walk in silence, lost in my own thoughts about power, about boredom, about the strangeness of this world. But Issei, with his impenetrable cheerfulness, stubbornly ignored my desire to be alone. He'd tag along, peppering me with questions, sharing school gossip and his "genius" plans.
And gradually… I started to get used to it. His chatter became background noise, sometimes even amusing. And his sincere, albeit naive, enthusiasm… there was something endearing about it. Something human. Something that I, perhaps, was lacking.
That day, we were walking down the familiar street, bathed in the warm afternoon sun. Issei, as usual, was rattling on about yesterday's training with Kiba and how he had "almost" mastered a new move. I was half-listening, gazing at the neat houses with their well-kept gardens.
'Stop sitting on the sidelines,' I thought suddenly. The thought was sharp, unexpected. 'Stop hiding behind boredom and laziness. I am here. In this world. With these people. Maybe it's time to stop being just a spectator? Time to try... to open up? At least a little.'
This thought was unfamiliar, almost alien. I had always kept my distance, considering myself above all this fuss. But the victory over Riser, the attention from the clans, even this stupid house—it all changed the rules of the game. I was no longer invisible. And hiding behind a mask of indifference was becoming more difficult. Besides… why? Maybe in interacting with these strange, but in their own way alive, beings, I might find something to dispel my eternal apathy?
"By the way, Issei," I interrupted his latest story about "Buchou's boobs." He stopped in surprise, clearly not expecting me to initiate a conversation. "Remember that letter from the Phoenixes I mentioned off-hand?"
"Huh? From Riser's parents?" Issei frowned. "Yeah, I remember. Weren't you going to throw it out?"
"Changed my mind," I shrugged. "They sent a formal apology for their sonny boy. And an invitation to their estate. You know, to 'establish relations' and all that."
"What?!" Issei's eyes bugged out. "To the Phoenixes? To their territory? Are you seriously planning on going?! After everything that happened? It could be a trap!"
"I doubt it," I smirked. "After I publicly humiliated their heir and Sirzechs made it clear the wedding was off, attacking me openly would be suicide for their reputation. It's more likely a face-saving attempt. Offer peace, so they can try to use me in some other way later."
"But still… it's the Phoenixes! They're treacherous!" Issei was clearly worried.
"I know. That's why I'm going," I said. "It'll be interesting to see their lair, listen to their apologies. Assess the situation. Besides,"—I smirked—"it's better than sitting at home and staring at the ceiling. Got to have some entertainment, right?"
Issei looked at me with a mixture of amazement and admiration.
"You… you're just insane, Jin! Walking right into the Phoenixes' den for entertainment! But… that's cool! In its own way. Just be careful, okay?"
"I'll try not to smash the place to bits," I gave a wry smile.
We reached the fork where our paths split—my mansion was a bit further down the street, and Issei's house was around the corner.
"Hey, Jin," Issei said suddenly, stopping. "Since we're pretty much neighbors now… You wanna come over? You know, for some tea? My parents are home; I'll introduce you. They're just normal people, of course, don't know anything about demons and all that, but… they're good people."
The invitation was unexpected. I had never been "a guest" at someone's house in this life. Or in my last one… not really. The thought of meeting Issei's normal, unsuspecting parents sparked a strange, unfamiliar feeling. A mix of curiosity and… awkwardness?
"To your place? Home?" I repeated, surprised at my own hesitation.
"Yeah!" Issei beamed his wide, guileless smile. "What's the big deal? We're friends… well, sort of. Come on, don't be shy! Mom probably baked something good."
I hesitated for a second. Part of me wanted to refuse, to retreat to my empty but safe mansion. But the other part… the one that had decided to "open up"... was pushing me to accept. This was a chance. A chance to take a step out of my shell.
"Alright," I nodded, trying to make my voice sound as indifferent as possible. "Why not. Only…" I faltered, "...you can't go to someone's house empty-handed, can you?"
Issei blinked in surprise. "Empty-handed? Come on, Jin, we're not going to an audience with the queen! You're just stopping by for tea!"
"No, that won't work," I argued, not entirely understanding why I was so insistent. But some part of my past "self," raised on different rules, was protesting. "We need to buy something. A small gift. For your parents."
Issei looked at me like I'd said something incredible. And then he burst out laughing.
"Ha-ha-ha! Jin, you're full of surprises! A gift for my parents? Seriously? They'll just be happy to see you! But… if you really want to… Okay! I know a bakery nearby, they have the most amazing cakes! Come on, we'll pick something out!"
And, clearly intrigued by my unexpected "politeness," he dragged me toward a small side street where, according to him, the best bakery in the neighborhood was.
It was a five-minute walk. The bakery was small, cozy, with a window display full of appetizing cakes, pastries, and cookies. It smelled of vanilla and fresh baking. I looked around at all the sweet splendor, bewildered. What to choose? I had no idea what the ordinary parents of an ordinary Japanese high schooler liked.
"Get these, with the strawberries!" Issei advised, pointing to some airy sponge cakes with a cap of whipped cream and berries. "My mom loves them!"
"Okay," I nodded and turned to the shopkeeper, a kind-looking elderly woman in a white apron. I tried to speak as politely as possible, but my voice still sounded a bit stiff. "Could we please have… six of those cakes? In a nice box."
The shopkeeper smiled, deftly packing the sweets. I paid with the card Grayfia had given me. The sum was laughable compared to its capabilities, but the very act of buying something "for others" was a new experience for me.
With the nice box in hand, we headed to Issei's house. As we approached, I involuntarily slowed my pace. The Hyoudou home. I'd seen it before, in passing, when walking Issei home or just going by. But now it looked… different. Neater? Fresher? The fence was painted, new curtains hung in the windows, and the small garden out front was well-tended.
"Something change?" I asked Issei.
"Huh? You mean the house?" He looked back. "Oh, yeah! After… uh… we had a little trouble here," (he clearly meant the fallen angel attacks or other supernatural events his parents knew nothing about) "Buchou helped out with the repairs. You know, told my parents it was compensation from the school for some 'gas pipe incident.' They totally bought it. So yeah, the house got a little upgrade."
I nodded. The cunning of Rias and her clan knew no bounds.
We reached the door. Issei opened it with his key and yelled, "Mom, Dad, I'm home! And I brought someone!"
A woman's voice called back from deeper in the house: "Issei, is that you? Who's with you? Come on in, don't stand in the doorway!"
We stepped into the entryway. Small, cozy, and smelled like home. And right then, I felt… incredibly awkward. As if I had invaded a foreign, warm space that was completely unknown to me. My usual confidence, my cold detachment, had evaporated.
Issei's parents came out of the living room. A sweet, smiling middle-aged woman with kind eyes—his mother. And a man, slightly plump, in house clothes, with the same good-natured smile—his father. They looked at me with curiosity.
"Oh, Issei, who's this? A friend of yours?" his mother asked, her voice soft and welcoming.
"Yeah, Mom, Dad, meet him! This is Izayoi Jin! He transferred to our school recently, and we're… well, like, neighbors and friends now!" Issei introduced me with enthusiasm, trying to break the ice.
I stood in the middle of the entryway, holding the box of cakes, and felt like a complete idiot. What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to act? I was used to dealing with demons, angels, and monsters. I was used to battles, threats, and intrigue. But a simple meeting with the normal, friendly parents of my… acquaintance… had completely thrown me off balance.
"Uh… Hello," I managed, my voice coming out unusually quiet and stiff. I bowed awkwardly, almost dropping the box. "I'm… Izayoi Jin. It's nice to meet you. This is… for you. A small gift."
I held the box out to Issei's mother. She took it, surprised, her smile widening even more.
"Oh, thank you so much, Jin-kun! You shouldn't have! What beautiful cakes! Please, come in, come into the living room! I'll put the kettle on!"
Issei's father clapped me on the shoulder so friendly that I involuntarily flinched.
"Come on in, son, don't be shy! Any friend of Issei's is a friend of ours! So, tell us, how do you like our school? Enjoying it?"
I muttered something unintelligible in reply, following them into the living room. I could feel my ears burning. I, a being capable of crushing mountains and ignoring the magic of gods, was standing here, in a normal Japanese living room, unable to string two words together in front of Issei's parents. It was… ridiculous. And incredibly awkward.
Issei was walking beside me, and I could see him trying his hardest to hold back his laughter, looking at my flustered face and clumsy movements.
'No way,' he thought to himself, watching me. 'Our cool and arrogant Jin can actually be this… funny. Looks like even icebergs have their own cute, awkward side.'
He snickered. It looked like this visit was going to be interesting not just for me, but for him too.