Touji had a very dark face. He was more embarrassed than angry. Miki had a sharp and unrestrained tongue. He'd known that for years, yet she could still garner a reaction from him, especially given the church's biggest shame.
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|DxD|- Chapter 96- Must Smile
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Igor was a very, very, VERY dangerous anomaly. This energy he possessed made no sense. It wasn't senjutsu, but it also wasn't quite lifeforce, yet it looked like a bit of both…or not? In his thirty-nine years, Touji had never seen quite anything as confusing.
Minutes had passed since they both found another bench. It was in one of the park's corners right by the curving path. From here, they could see everyone, and he could see just how far Igor's energy reached.
It was…bottomless, a golden pool of lava that had no definable depth. His glasses were artifacts designed to gauge a person's level of power, yet they failed to calculate Igor.
Touji revealed nothing behind his expression. He leaned back and smiled to himself. In just a year, Igor had become unfathomable, became so strong even he was unsure of victory with help from the holy sword.
"You know, Igor, I'm curious. To reach High-Class in a year is nothing short of monstrous. I've only heard of Longinus wielders having that sort of talent, yet even they aren't this absurd."
"Mn."
Igor reacted calmly. His eyes remained on the children while posing his own question.
"What do you see from that artifact, sir?"
"You wound me, Igor. At least call me 'uncle'. And to answer your question…"
Touji was neither surprised nor offended at Igor's question. He looked the blonde up and down before answering.
"...you resemble a pyre, one with bright orange flames. I once assumed you had a Longinus or were even an angel's spawn."
Touji chuckled at his own joke.
"But yours has a different feel to it. It's certainly a first."
"I know. I'm uniquely different from everyone else."
The conversation was calm with no rising tensions, but there was an unasked question. Igor mirrored Touji and leaned back on the bench. Without a shadow of doubt, he knew the man was subtly asking to know how he got vitality.
"Did aunty ever tell you of how she found me?"
"No. She mentioned it was a private matter."
"It is."
"..."
Touji took off his glasses as a gesture of goodwill. Igor was politely telling him to back off, and he would do so—
"I was ten when it happened. I had to face a stray devil with nothing but a spear in my hands."
Igor's gaze turned listless, as if reliving that day.
"It turned out about the way you expected. After a few nicks, the stray took the kiddie gloves off and knocked me down."
Touji was silent. He found no humour in Igor's telling.
"I was dying from blood loss, but I awakened this power and turned the tables."
Igor looked at him with a polite smile.
"You know, it was actually another person who found me. They're the ones who took me to aunty for a bit of healing."
A 'bit' was a grave understatement. Touji knew exactly how stray devils fought. Their violence was gruesomely known and infamous.
"And that's how I'm here, uncle."
Igor raised a finger near his face and a tiny amber ball bloomed on the tip.
"With a power that came in my time of need."
A smile, one that hid many things behind it. Touji knew how much strength it took to hold those corners up. Igor always had the scent of blood, but he never knew it'd be from such a young age.
"Well, I'm glad you survived, Igor. I was tired of being the only man in our little group."
"Yeah? I thought most men would be happy, uncle."
"You're dreaming. Woman are like mischievous children. You saw Miki for yourself, didn't you?"
"Yeah…"
Igor chuckled.
"I did. She's…outspoken."
"Tch."
Touji clicked his tongue.
"Be more confident. She has a foul mouth."
"And apparently, it helped bring Irina."
"..."
Touji looked directly at Igor who innocently looked ahead.
"Oh? So you have jokes now, Igor?"
"No, uncle. I'm only parroting."
"Then this parrot has quite the spine."
Touji leaned in close like an interrogator. Igor faced ahead and didn't dare look at the looming presence to his side. He kept calm and nonchalant, but a smile kept tugging at the corners of his mouth.
*Ring!* *Ring!*
A ringtone played in Touji's pocket. He took out his phone and flipped it open. He grimaced when he saw the contact, but still answered.
"Miki?"
"{Touji I swear to your God, if you corrupt my handsome hunk, we will have words.}"
"What?"
"{Go back to your altar boys if you want affection of that kind.}"
*Duuu…*
"..."
A choked snort came and went like the breeze, but the culprit remained. Igor had closed his eyes and jailed his laughter behind a smile. His tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, for he knew if he breathed, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. It was only moments later that he regained control.
He opened his eyes and faced Touji. His face was covered in a dark soot of grievance like the inside of a chimney. Igor closed his eyes, yet a sharp wheeze had escaped him. He looked away and held his laughter, desperate to leave Touji some dignity. But his shoulders? They couldn't sit still.
"I see you find this amusing, Igor."
Igor dared not reply. He was content to respect the generational gap and remain seventeen in their eyes, but these people were too unrestrained before him.
"Hmph. Very well then. I dare you to laugh, Igor. I dare you."
Touji's words were threatening, but he wasn't angry in the slightest. That blonde boy from yesteryear had grown more asocial, so a bit of a laugh was needed, even if it meant becoming the butt of the joke.
Chapter 96
END