~Hachiman pov~
On the road
The morning after the first day of school as a new student, I set off for school as usual, while reflecting on the events that occurred yesterday.
I had been analyzing the possibilities for the story from here on all night. First of all, that fallen angel girl isn't one of the protagonist's harem members. Therefore, that performance will end soon. Or to be more precise, the ending of this play might not be a simple breakup, but rather a disposal.
Looking at it from the perspective of a fallen angel tasked with observing humans with latent powers like Sacred Gears, the easiest way to manage risk is to nip it in the bud. She probably intends to find an opportunity when Issei reveals a gap after playing around with her theatrical role, and then finish him off while he's stunned.
'That girl's taste must be truly twisted; otherwise, she wouldn't have been cast out from Heaven.'
Maybe because an incident like this might happen, Azazel sent me as another person, just for peace of mind.
Of course, I don't generalize the whole race that it must always be that way. I'm not stupid enough to judge a race by the actions of one person. Some people might have accidentally slipped up and done something unintentional, leading to their expulsion from Heaven.
No matter which race, they aren't much different. Every race has both good and evil sides; they only differ in proportion. Some are more good, some are more evil, or some are about equal. In the end… they all have both sides.
I sipped a can of Max Coffee bought from a roadside vending machine. The throat-stinging sweetness helped wake up my brain that had been working hard all night.
The problem is, what should I do next? Should I just go and warn him directly, "Hey friend, your new girlfriend is actually a giant ostrich coming to kill you," or something? If I said that, Issei would surely call the police to arrest me on charges of attempting to destroy his pure adolescent love. Or he'd think I've gone crazy from jealousy.
While I was occupied with my thoughts, my eyes caught sight of the two pervert duo standing still, as if waiting for someone.
I slowly walked closer until they finally noticed my presence.
"Osu! Good morning, Hikitani!"
Matsuda greeted loudly, causing the surrounding students who were walking—especially the girls—to turn this way immediately.
"That's Hikigaya-kun!.. but why is he with those perverts?"
"Probably just a normal greeting between guys, I guess."
"That's right! It must be that. There's no way Hikigaya-kun would associate with perverts, right?"
When Matsuda saw the reactions of each of those girls, he immediately made a smug face while thinking in his heart, 'Heh heh, look at those girls' responses… our plan worked!'
"Those girls are staring at you with twinkling eyes. Man... your 'dangerous guy' aura is really doing its job well, friend!"
"Yeah," Motohama adjusted his glasses until they reflected a sharp glint.
"But still, no matter how much the girls look at you, in the end, you have to sit in a group with us anyway. Because you've accepted joining our alliance. Congratulations on choosing peace over popularity, Hikigaya-kun."
Matsuda walked over and gave my shoulder a heavy thud while whispering in a lecherous tone.
"Hey... last night, did you sneak a peek at the masterpiece on the net that I sent the link for in the group chat? It's 5-star level, man! If you watch it, I guarantee the wild animal instincts in you will surely surge!"
I looked at these guys' faces with double the dead-fish eyes... That link sent last night? I deleted it the very second I saw the file name.
"Mornin'... and stop calling my name wrong already."
I replied in a flat voice.
"As for that link... I don't have the taste for watching something that... raw."
"Aw, come on! Acting all tough!" Matsuda laughed heartily.
"Whatever, today we have a plan to peek at the Kendo club practicing in the evening. Want to go together? Think of it as a freshman initiation into the group!"
"I'll pass... even if I join your group, it doesn't mean our tastes are the same."
I replied dismissively while asking a question I couldn't help but wonder back.
"And what are you two standing here for? If you don't hurry, you'll be late."
"It's that damn Issei! Last night he told us to wait here. Seems like he's got some kind of surprise for us."
"By the way, didn't you check your messages?"
I pulled my phone out of my pants pocket to take a look. It appeared there was one message sent from Issei.
"I guess so—"
"Hey! You guys, look at that!"
Suddenly Motohama shouted while pointing to the other side of the bridge road. What appeared caused them to gape, eyes wide as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Before that momentary silence was shattered by a clamorous outcry.
"Hey… isn't that Issei!?"
"And that guy… he's even walking with a girl…!"
"Oh, is that so.."
I responded with an indifferent tone. Because I knew beforehand. Yesterday that idiot shouted so loud while going home; it would be weird not to know.
Issei walked this way alongside a young girl with a beaming, joyful face, as if expecting the reaction that followed.
"Yo! You guys, you're right on time—"
Before those words could finish, Matsuda stepped forward, grabbed Issei's collar, and shook him violently.
"What do you mean 'on time'! Tell us! Who is that girl beside you!"
"Calm down, my shirt is getting wrinkled."
Issei wasn't angry at all, even though his friend was shaking his shirt so hard it was almost torn, because he was in an especially good mood today.
"Ahem… let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend, Amano Yuma-chan."
Then, he gestured towards us.
"Yuma-chan, these are my friends. Matsuda, Motohama, and Hikigaya."
Yuma turned towards us and greeted with a face full of smiles.
"Pleased to meet you."
After finishing the greeting, she suddenly felt eyes fixated on her. It was a frigid gaze that gave a goosebump-inducing feeling.
She swept her gaze over Issei's group of friends one by one, until she stopped at me.
The moment her eyes slid to meet mine, that perfect-looking smile suddenly froze for a flash.
'Stared a bit too long, huh.'
I didn't avert my gaze, but instead narrowed my eyes, intentionally sending pressure to let her realize the danger coming from me. It was the gaze of a predator watching its prey... or the gaze of someone who knows the secret behind her rotten mask.
Yuma flinched immediately. Her body trembled uncontrollably for just a fraction of a second. Her pupils dilated slightly out of defensive instinct. She took a half-step back without realizing it, as if she had just been splashed with freezing ice water in the middle of summer. A chill ran down her spine so much that she reflexively rubbed her own arm.
"Is... is there something on my face, Hikigaya-kun?"
Her voice trembled slightly. That fake smile began to distort visibly. She quickly avoided my eyes and turned to cling to Issei's arm more tightly, as if wanting to use that guy as a shield against the threatening aura I was emitting.
"Eh? Yuma-chan, what's wrong? You look pale."
Issei asked with concern, in his typical innocent protagonist style.
"No... it's nothing. I just felt like the wind was a bit strong." She replied while crafting a new smile, but the corner of her mouth twitched a bit, trying to maintain the grin.
'Hmph... wind, huh? That's an excuse as stupid as the reason you asked this guy out.'
I stopped staring at her and continued sipping my Max Coffee as if nothing had happened. Her expression just now served as a great confirmation of my hypothesis.
"Is that so... the wind here is exceptionally strong. Especially the wind blowing from the sky." I spoke aimlessly in a flat voice.
—!
Yuma jolted again. She stared at me with extreme suspicion and confusion, as if assessing who exactly this guy was and what those words just now were intended to convey.
"You guys better get to school quickly. Standing here, many people are looking. It's annoying." I cut the conversation short and immediately walked ahead of the group.
Matsuda and Motohama could only follow while whispering to each other about Issei's luck. As for Issei, he walked flirtatiously with Yuma happily, unaware that his girlfriend was walking with tremors and kept glancing at my back with suspicious eyes all the way before parting ways.
.
.
{Break}
Classroom
At Issei's desk, Motohama and Matsuda were standing surrounding Issei's table. Both of them had faces like people about to die of withdrawal from jealousy.
"Tell us everything, Issei! Where did you meet her! And who confessed first!"
Matsuda shook Issei's shoulder frantically.
"Hehe... it's a secret. She's my first girlfriend, you know. Oh, and tomorrow we both agreed to go on a date too…. You guys better find one quickly too."
"Aagh!!"
'A date, huh. Ends faster than I thought. Or did that girl hurry because of me?'
"Why!... why does it have to be you first!!"
....
…..
…
..
.
While those two were still complaining about their dissatisfaction to Issei, I, who had been sitting quietly all along behind Issei, decided to interject in a flat voice.
"Congratulations... on the first girlfriend."
Issei turned to look at me.
"Oh! Hikigaya! Thanks, friend. Even though you look a bit creepy, I know you're probably truly happy for me."
I looked into his eyes... the eyes of an ordinary human who doesn't even know yet that he's standing on the edge of an abyss.
"Yeah... you better be a bit careful. Love sometimes comes with dangers we can't see... especially those who come to greet us first out of the blue like that."
"Aw, come on, Hikigaya, you're being too pessimistic! Yuma-chan is so cute. There's no harm in her." Issei waved his hand dismissively without a care.
I didn't say anything further, only leaned back against the chair and closed my eyes gently, letting everything proceed according to the outcome it should be.
'Whatever... at least if his situation gets really bad, I'll help then. Besides, it feels like the story is still following the context, even if I'm not sure.'
.
.
Late afternoon
The bell for the last period rang along with a bit of chaos in classroom 2-B. Matsuda and Motohama still hadn't stopped muttering curses at Issei's luck. As for the culprit himself, he quickly packed his bag with a beaming face, preparing to go find his girlfriend who was likely waiting somewhere.
I stood up, brushing off invisible dust on my pants.
'Tomorrow's date...'
If following the formula of novels or manga, a date day is usually the peak point of the story. In Issei's case, it probably won't be just going to an amusement park or watching a movie normally, but it will also be the execution ground prepared by that fallen angel.
I walked out of the classroom without waiting for the trio group. My dead-fish eyes swept across the hallway, seeing Issei's back disappearing around the corner of the stairs.
"Hey Hikigaya! Where are you rushing off to? Come watch the Kendo club together first!" Matsuda's voice shouted after me.
"I told you I have business... watch it for me too then." I replied without turning back to look.
I walked down to the school's front yard. My eyes noticed Yuma waiting for Issei under a large tree. She had changed her demeanor from the suspicion of this morning back to being a perfectly modest, shy girl amazingly. As soon as Issei ran towards her, she offered a sweet smile that would melt anyone who saw it. But for me... it was like seeing a cobra spreading its hood at a naive mouse.
'Truly Oscar-level acting skills, that girl.'
I walked away in another direction, trying to blend in with the other students so that girl wouldn't become suspicious again.
The place where tomorrow's date ends.. it's expected to be a spot where screams will be swallowed into silence.. 'And where is that?... Should I try tailing them?—No! No!' I shook my head, rejecting the stalker-like thought.
I don't intend to throw away an entire precious holiday on some corny adolescent romance drama. Especially when it's still a fake one.
As I was walking past the school fence, I sensed some power from a woman—both familiar and new at the same time.
A small girl with shoulder-length white hair was standing licking an ice cream under a tree on the other side, while staring towards the fake couple.
'Gremory family person?'
It seems Sirzechs' little sister herself has started moving too. She should have noticed by now that the woman with Issei is a fallen angel, so she sent someone to keep an eye.
I focused magic power into my left eye another level to inspect the strangeness sensed just now.
'Stare~'
If you enhance magic power a bit more, you will see energy flowing along the pulse points and meridians throughout her body, similar to the vascular system. With just this, you can roughly conclude what her identity is.
'A Yokai? Before this, there was already one fallen angel… Gremory's subordinates really have every species.'
Surprised, huh… that I can distinguish which ones are yokai.
Half a year ago, I wondered if other cities in Japan were still like the old world. Whether it's locations, buildings, or anything… even though I had read about it in books, the real thing is never like the letters anyway.
In the end, I used money earned from work to go out and explore—consider it a trip in itself.
Overall, the various places are hardly different at all, even if minor details might deviate. Especially in Chiba… because 'my house' is no longer there.
And the last place I went was… Kyoto.
That was the starting point of something in my body. Cells that had never awakened before were instead roused—simply because I touched a small child.
Not long after that, I started applying new abilities. Power born from the awakened cells merged with the power skills from my devil cells.
The result? The elimination jobs received after that, I barely had to move my body. On the contrary, I had to move my brain more than usual instead.
The whole story is about this.
Back to the present.
I gazed at the white-haired girl quietly.
If Rias moves… that means tomorrow I don't need to do anything myself, right?
To be honest, I'm starting to worry about my own behavior too… if I accidentally nudge something that causes her to become suspicious… even with a magic-concealing bracelet, I probably couldn't fool instincts anyway.
But if she really starts to get suspicious, as long as the matter doesn't escalate to the point of having to report about me to the Underworld, that's enough… yes… only this matter is absolutely unacceptable. Even if I have to bow my head, I'll accept it.
Then, after a while, not sure if she could feel my gaze or if it was because of some instinct, she flinched slightly like a cat wary of everything, and then turned this way immediately… but then I had already disappeared from there.
{Break}
~3rd Person Perspective~
The following day
In front of the clock tower in the city center.
The late morning atmosphere of the holiday was filled with people coming out to live vibrantly. Among those crowds, Hyoudou Issei stood in front of the clock tower in casual clothes that looked specially intended. He was standing, checking his neatness through the reflection of the buildings nearby with a slightly frantic manner.
"Good grief, is Yuma-chan arriving yet... Ouch, I'm so excited! This is the first date I've been looking forward to my whole life."
He muttered while taking a deep breath, as if to store the air of happiness.
While he was craning his neck looking for his girlfriend, suddenly a young woman in a short cosplay dress walked towards him quietly. she didn't say much, only handed over a small piece of paper with a strange dark red pattern engraved in the center.
"Please accept this..."
She said in a soft voice before walking away, leaving Issei standing confused with the paper containing a peculiar magic circle seal in his hand.
"What is this? A fortune-telling flyer? Will it make a wish come true... Hehe, if I wish to see those two mountains up close today, would that work?"
He giggled alone and crumpled the paper into his pants pocket without a care, before turning to see the awaited target.
"Issei-kun! Sorry for keeping you waiting!"
Amano Yuma jogged in wearing a white short-sleeved shirt paired with a short skirt that fluttered according to her stepping rhythm.
"It's no problem at all! I just arrived too. Yuma-chan, you're super cute today as well!"
The date started smoothly. Both walked along the commercial district filled with music and bustling people. Issei took Yuma to play games at the city center. He proudly showed off his master-level crane game skills.
Then they stopped to sit and eat burgers at a famous fast-food restaurant. The smell of grilled meat and french fries wafted through the shop. While Issei was chewing a big bite of burger, Yuma, sitting on the opposite side, started an opening with a voice that sounded like general conversation.
"Hey... Issei-kun, can I ask you something?"
"Hm? Sure, Yuma-chan, what is it?"
"That friend named... Hikigaya. What kind of person is he? It seems like he's not quite... like others much."
Issei paused for a moment before swallowing the meat down his throat.
"Oh, that Hikigaya guy? That guy just moved from the countryside. I heard he's the shut-in type who moved according to his father's work, I guess. He's just a foul-mouthed guy who likes to act against the world."
"Moved from the countryside, I see... and does he have power—no.. I mean, does he have any strange hobbies? Like, playing with occult stuff or being interested in mysteries?"
Yuma tried to pry with eyes that hid suspicion.
"No way! That guy is just an ordinary dead-fish eyes fellow who just sips canned coffee all day." Issei laughed heartily.
"Why, is Yuma-chan getting interested in that guy? I'm getting secretly jealous!!"
"No... it's not like that!" Yuma quickly waved her hand in denial.
"Just... when we met yesterday, his gaze made me feel a little scared. Like he was... looking to pick a fight or something."
Seeing his girlfriend making a fearful face, Issei immediately took on the hero role. He moved to hold her hand.
"Aw, Yuma-chan, no need to be afraid of that guy! That Hikigaya guy is just a stone-faced delinquent. His real personality might look a bit creepy, but if he dares to do anything to Yuma-chan, I'll blow him away myself! You can count on it!"
"Is that so... if Issei-kun says so, I'm relieved." Yuma smiled back. It was a smile where the eyes didn't smile along in the slightest.
'Hikigaya… that guy is clearly dangerous. The aura emitted isn't just that of a normal human. It means he's hiding himself more smoothly than I thought...' Yuma thought in her heart while tightening the plan in her head.
"Issei-kun, next let's go walk at the park over there. I heard the atmosphere is very good during the evening."
"Mhm! Sure, I'll go anywhere Yuma-chan takes me!"
Issei answered with enthusiasm, completely unaware that the place he was just proposed to go was the spot where he would never return as a human again.
{Break}
~Hachiman pov~
The Park
I am currently sitting on a long wooden bench situated deep within a thick grove of trees, far away from the central fountain that's supposed to be the popular meeting spot. The evening breeze carries a damp chill that brushes against my face. I gaze up at the sky as it slowly shifts from brick-orange to a dull purple.
In my hand is a can of the same old coffee, but this time, the taste is strangely bitter on my tongue.
'I wonder how it's going by now...'
I mutter to myself, thinking of that unlucky protagonist who, by this point, is probably walking gleefully behind that fallen angel girl into a blind spot.
Even though I guessed the Gremory lot were watching—I can't help but feel anxious anyway. It's true I don't want to get involved, but if a mistake happens and the protagonist of this world actually dies... this world is truly screwed.
Someone like Hyoudou Issei might look dim-witted, lecherous, and nonsensical in my eyes, but he is the "protagonist." This role has one thing other characters don't... a predetermined victory.
In a twisted world like this, no matter if the enemy is strong enough to destroy the universe or has the most sophisticated plans, they will eventually lose to that man's stupid efforts. That is the protagonist's power that I will never have, and never want to have.
'But if the protagonist happens to die in Episode 1... a Bad Ending will begin immediately.'
I lean my head back against the bench, watching the crows flying back to their nests.
If Issei disappears, who will stop the war between races? Who will go slap the faces of the gods who act irrationally? Me? Heh... don't make me laugh. I'm just a side character who strayed into this world. All I can do is support from a distance.
—!
Suddenly, silence begins to envelop the surroundings. The sky looks gloomier. The instincts in my body start to vibrate a warning.
'This feeling—'
"Today was really fun."
"Yeah, today was truly a great day."
Them?
I rise from my seat, slowly walking toward the direction of the voices. Close enough to see the figures of the two, I stop behind a tree.
"Hey Issei-kun, as a memento for our date…. can you do one thing I ask?~"
"W..what is it that you want?"
What I see is the two of them standing facing each other. It's a scene common after a date between lovers—a climax where the two would share a kiss. That is the conclusion of a normal date. Yes, normal… but it doesn't apply to the image before me.
Why, you ask?
"Can you please die for me?"
Where else would you find a spine-chilling line like that after a sweet date?
"Eh? What? Wait… uh, sorry, Yuma-chan, can you say that again? My ears seem to be playing tricks on me, ha ha…"
She walks closer to Issei and whispers the same words into his ear.
"Can you please die for me?"
FLAP
Black wings sprout from her back. Eyes that once looked cute turn into sharp, cold eyes. The innocent-looking clothes disappear, replaced by a skin-tight black leather outfit with strap-like features wrapped around her body, especially around the chest and torso.
'Are you serious… wearing just that, wouldn't it be better to just be naked?'
"It was really fun. Even if only for a short time, getting to date a naive kid like you as a boyfriend. And you even bought this for me. I'll keep it well, so goodbye then.."
Her voice has also changed to a more mature tone. The corners of her mouth pull into a cold, cunning smile.
!BUZZ!
Then, a red light similar to a spear appears loudly humming in her hand. She raises it in a stance ready to stab the young boy in front of her.
'After this is the most important part… Sorry, Issei, that I can't go help, but this is for your own sake.'
"Y..Yuma-chan"
"Just die."
With those words, Yuma stabs the light spear into Issei's stomach.
TSHHK—!
"Aa..Aagh!!"
"Sorry, you're dangerous for us, so I had to take care of you early on. If you're going to hold a grudge, go blame God for sealing a Sacred Gear in your body."
Thud!
Issei's body falls backward onto the ground. The body lying flat in a pool of blood shows no movement.
"Thanks for the memories. Although I'm still curious about one of your friends, whatever, it's over now."
FLAP!
She spreads her wings before flapping them to fly into the sky, vanishing before my eyes.
I stare at Issei's body, whose life force is dwindling every second. Even though I tell myself this is for him… the guilt still gnaws deep inside.
In my heart, I want to step out and check his condition to be sure, but in the end, reason pulls my body back.
Because if everything goes as expected, this should be the original path that must not be interfered with.
'Alright… based on my projections, there are two cases from here.'
'One—90%: The heroine will show up to help.
Two—50%: It's the cliché plot found everywhere in novels, manga, or anime… the protagonist will explode with power the moment they are backed into a corner. The desire to survive… or the resentment suppressed inside will be the thing that awakens his power.'
.
.
.
5 seconds pass.
'Hurry up! Come on! Anything! Just show up! Hurry!...'
.
.
.
10 seconds pass.
'Hey! Hey! Hey! Why hasn't anyone come yet! There isn't even a signal! The protagonist is about to freaking die!...'
.
.
.
20 seconds pass.
'Are you serious?…. This isn't funny, hey! Are you saying my projection was wrong? Don't mess with me! How long are you going to keep playing this joke!!…..'
.
.
Dammit!!
I take a step to run toward the dying Issei. But before my first step hits the ground—
Whooom
A red magic circle appears near Issei. What reveals itself is a beautiful red-haired girl. Her hair is long down to her thighs, her figure curvy and sexy, no less than the black-haired ponytail girl I met before. Her skin is fair and smooth like milk, with elegant and powerful blue-green eyes.
'..Sigh.. finally here. My heart almost stopped just now.'
"Was it you who called me out?"
"Since you're going to die anyway, I'll help you stay. From now on, live for my sake~"
Well, for now, I'll let the situation take its course. Tomorrow, that guy should have become a full-fledged devil. I'm certain that instead of being sad about being a devil, he'll probably be happy once he learns about the Evil Piece system.
I shove my hands into my pants pockets before turning my back on the scene and walking away quietly.
A teleportation magic circle slowly appears under the soles of my feet. Golden light mixed with darkness glows faintly.
In an instant, my body vanishes with the light of the magic circle, as if I had never existed there in the first place. Leaving only silence… and the background scene that continues to unfold.
(The Next Day)
Kuoh Academy
At the stairs
What I projected for Issei's situation today was that he would take a leave of absence, or walk to school with that red-haired girl. But the truth was neither of those two things.
"Don't you guys really remember anything about Yuma-chan?"
"I told you, we don't know her."
"How many times do I have to tell you that you never introduced us to any girl like that? Hikigaya, you too, right?"
"Yeah, I don't know her either."
"That's impossible! Just yesterday you warned me to be careful, Hikigaya. Besides, I have Yuma-chan's contact—Eh? It's gone?"
Strange… not only does he not know that she's a fallen angel, he doesn't even know that he has already become a devil. That red-haired girl didn't reveal herself to him? Why?—
"Oh! That's Rias-senpai."
"Where? Really?"
"Wow! No matter how many times I look at Rias-senpai, she's so beautiful~"
Tap… tap…tap
She slowly steps down the stairs elegantly.
Her mere presence causes the surrounding atmosphere to seem still for a moment.
I immediately turn my face away, closing my eyes, trying not to look at her, making myself blend into the background… as if I don't exist here.
Tap… tap…
The sound of footsteps is faint but clear in the silence.
In the moment she passes, she turns to meet Issei's eyes before giving a small smile.
That alone was enough to make his face flush slightly.
Then she walks past, disappearing from our sight quietly.
"Whoa, truly beautiful, isn't she? Rias-senpai."
"Yeah, just being near her is the greatest honor of all."
"Alright, Issei, to alleviate your illness, all of you come to my house after school today. Let's look at my secret collection together."
"I'm not sick! It really happened!"
"Alright, alright, I get it. So what's the answer?"
"Fine! Fine! Let's go buy some sodas and chips, and watch some adult DVDs together!"
It seems this guy is really losing it after realizing no one knows Amano Yuma.
"Haha! That's the Issei we know."
"What about you, Hikigaya?"
What's this?… Can't you just pretend I'm invisible regarding that disgusting stuff?
"Why even ask when you already know what I'll say."
"Who knows? You might have a high-energy period, so I invited you."
"No thanks, I'll pass."
I reply indifferently before stepping away from the pervert group.
"Or are you… have you already lost your virginity, Hikitani?"
—!
My steps stop immediately, as if frozen. Memories of that night flash back.
The shaky breath… the silhouette under the moonlight… and the touch that still haunts my skin.
'This damn guy! Why ask something like that out of the blue!'
The image I tried to bury deepest in my brain is replayed scene by scene. Even the faint scent from then is too clear.
My heart skips a beat.
"W...what are you guys talking about? How could I do something like that?"
I try to answer as flatly as possible, but my voice isn't as steady as I thought.
"Hmm…. what's with that reaction? It's like you've been caught red-handed doing something wrong."
Motohama raises his hand to nudge his glasses slightly.
The light reflects off the lenses—the stance of someone who thinks they see through everything.
'Don't start acting smart now, Four-eyes!'
"Hey, for real, Hikigaya? You've already lost your virginity…"
Issei asks with a trembling voice, as if he's about to cry.
"How could that be! You idiots! I'm only 17! And think about it—I'm not even close to a single girl… even though I'm surrounded all the time!"
"Ugh!… You're right, but you didn't have to add that last sentence! It hurts!"
.
.
After arguing about nonsense for a while, I split off to go home alone.
As for those three perverts, they went to do their depraved activities as agreed.
Sigh…
Aren't they ashamed? Saying stuff like that with a straight face. This world is truly hopeless—
…No.
The world was built to be like this from the start anyway, wasn't it?…. Whatever, as long as it's not a Bad Ending.
{Break}
Apartment / Dormitory
Click…
"I'm back."
There is no reply…
Well, of course—I live alone.
I take off my shoes and step into the room. The cold floor tiles send a sensation up my soles. The sound of footsteps echoes faintly in the silence.
The room is simply arranged. Pale walls, furniture only as necessary. Desk, sofa, shelves—no extravagant decorations beyond necessity.
Everything is placed for utility, not for beauty.
This room is nearly double the size of others in the same apartment. It's not because I got lucky.
But because it was determined from the start.
After all… this entire apartment belongs to me.
Simply put, I am the landlord here.
Three months ago, I bought this place as an investment. Renting it out, collecting a small income for daily expenses. It's just side income, on top of my main job.
I drop myself onto the sofa emotionlessly, eyes staring at the plain ceiling that has nothing interesting. Silence still covers everything as usual… suits me well.
.
.
15 minutes pass.
Growl…
A protest from my stomach echoes loudly through the silent room. I, who was lying spread out on the sofa, jump in surprise.
"Ah... come to think of it, I haven't eaten lunch yet."
I mutter to myself with a dry voice. Hunger begins its assault until my stomach starts to twist. I push myself up lazily, dragging my feet into the kitchen zone to check ingredients for tonight's meal.
Clatter—
I open the refrigerator door, hoping to find some pork or vegetables that could be conjured into a great dish. But what appears is only emptiness and cold air blowing out. There's only a soy sauce bottle with a bit left at the bottom and a few liters of drinking water.
"Ah... forgot about that."
I raise my hand to my temple. Lately, there's been too much to think about. That giant ostrich fallen angel girl, Issei's business, and that red-haired girl. All that chaos made me completely forget the important mission of stocking up on ingredients.
"Whatever. Eating instant food once in a while is fine for a change of atmosphere."
Because I received top-tier cooking skills, I cook for myself every day. Normally, I'd definitely just eat instant noodles.
I grab my wallet and put on a coat over my loose t-shirt. I turn off the lights, lock the door, and head to the nearest convenience store.
'I hope finding something to put in my stomach will be a peaceful time..'
.
.
.
Convenience Store
Ding~
"Thank you for your business."
The female clerk's polite parting words follow behind me as I walk out carrying a plastic bag with a warm curry rice that smells delicious. The heat transferring through the bottom of the foam box to my fingertips makes me feel that at least tonight, my stomach is cared for.
I walk along the street with dim lighting. The silence of the night feels peaceful. But as I walk past the same street corner heading back to the apartment, my eyes catch a familiar silhouette.
"That's..."
A few meters away, Hyoudou Issei is standing by the road. He clearly looks frantic, looking left and right, rubbing his eyes repeatedly, and occasionally looking down at his own hands with a suspicious expression like someone who just saw a ghost.
I heave a long sigh while tightening my grip on the food bag.
'Always trouble… and I truly can't seem to escape troublesome matters.'
"Hey... what are you doing acting all suspicious here? You're blocking the way."
"Waaaaah!"
Issei jumps so high he almost leaps into the air. He snaps around to look at me with eyes wider than usual.
"Hi...Hikigaya! You scared me! Don't just walk up silently like that, my heart almost stopped!"
"I walked normally. You're the one acting like a pervert peeking at people's houses." I reply flatly.
"So what are you doing? I thought you were going to look at that nonsense collection at Matsuda's house after school."
"Oh... I just got back from there. Was about to walk home..."
He answers weakly, but the confused look hasn't faded.
I narrow my eyes at his face, which looks unusual, plus sweat is seeping along his hairline.
"You don't look good. Is something wrong? Or did you watch those DVDs until you had a total nosebleed?"
"It's not like that!"
Issei shouts back before lowering his voice and walking closer to me.
"Look... maybe I'm seriously ill, man. My body has felt strange since a while ago."
"Strange how?"
"It's... hard to explain." He scratches his head.
"Suddenly, I feel like I can see everything in this dark night clearly as if a spotlight was turned on. Plus, at night, my body feels like it has massive strength as if I got a stimulant shot. Even more, just now, I heard people talking from a house three blocks away clearly as if they were talking right in my ear… It's so silly, right? I must have gone crazy."
I stare at him silently. 'Because you've already become a devil.' It's not strange for it to be like that. Physical performance, sight, and hearing are already superior to normal humans. But the guy thinks his brain is broken.
Why hasn't that red-haired girl told him yet? Is she stupid? Given Issei's current situation, the sooner he knows, the better. He needs to be more careful of his surroundings.
"Hmph..." I give a small smirk while raising the curry rice bag to look.
"So silly, you say? It might not be as silly as you think."
"What do you mean?"
"Well... maybe you actually developed superpowers like those protagonists in manga. Who knows."
I reply indifferently.
"You might wake up as a superhuman who has to save the world... But then again, the real world probably isn't that kind."
"Superpowers? Hilarious! I'm not a dreamer like you, Hikigaya!"
Though his mouth says that, his eyes are filled with a mix of hope and fear.
"Whatever. If you can still stand, hurry home and sleep. Get plenty of rest. Maybe tomorrow morning you'll wake up as your old self... or as something even weirder—"
—!
My words are cut off immediately after sensing a foreign energy approaching from behind.
'Good grief… I just prayed a moment ago for a peaceful time. Why does it have to flip like this?'
"It is truly a rare thing to find someone like you in a place like this... and with a normal human tagging along, too."
A deep, cold voice echoes from the darkness behind a lamp post. Issei and I slowly turn to look at the source of the voice together.
What appears before our eyes is an older man in a suit wearing a hat that covers half his face. His appearance looks dignified like a gentleman, but the atmosphere he emits is nauseating. It is an aura of negative energy so dense that the surrounding air seems to become heavy instantly.
"Huh... W...who is this guy? Cosplay? Or a con artist? Extortion?"
Issei's voice trembles. He scurries back to grip my sleeve tightly. His body shakes with survival instincts that are screaming.
"Hikigaya... I have a bad feeling, man. L..let's run!"
I narrow my eyes at the man in black.
'A fallen angel again? A friend of that ostrich girl? This is getting annoying.. I was going to report this, but the boss happens to be away.'
"Yeah... I strongly agree." I reply along, putting on a naive face acting panicked like a normal person.
"He definitely doesn't look like a good person. Run, what are you waiting for!"
"Go, fast!" Issei shouts at the top of his lungs before starting to run ahead immediately.
I quickly run after him into the darkness. The sound of our footsteps thunders against the concrete floor. Issei, who just mysteriously gained massive strength, runs so fast he could almost be an Olympic runner. As for me, I have to pretend to be huffing and puffing to keep up.
We weave through narrow alleys until we reach a deserted Park. Dim light from the lamp posts stretches across the silent grass.
Issei stops, huffing for breath in front of the fountain. His hands rest on his knees while looking left and right suspiciously.
"Hah... hah... should have... shaken him off, right? That guy walks so slow. He shouldn't be able to keep up… By the way, this place is—"
FLAP!
"Where do you think you're running to? Tell me, who is your master?"
The same voice echoes from above. This time it comes with the sound of flapping wings that sounds heavy. The man in the black suit is hovering in mid-air. Behind him, large jet-black wings are spread out, blocking the moonlight.
He looks down at us with eyes like he's looking at maggots, before slowly gliding down to the grass smoothly.
"Now, answer the question. Who is your master…. Wait, or do you not have a master at all… You're a 'Stray', aren't you? That would explain your anxious expression."
"T..those wings are just like Yuma-chan's!!... By the way, what is he talking about, Hikigaya?"
"How should I know."
"Wait, aren't you shocked at all?" Issei asks with surprise at seeing my indifferent attitude.
"Actually, I've encountered something like this before."
"Really! I encountered it too yesterday! The Yuma-chan I told you about—!"
"It seems you two really want to die, since you ignored my question. Since one of you is a Stray… there should be no problem killing you off."
"As for you… unfortunate human. Since you've seen my identity, I can't let you live any longer."
BUZZ!
As soon as that man's words ended, a blue light spear appeared from his hand, and he took a stance to throw it at us.
"That spear is..! Hikigaya, run, fast!!"
Issei panics, turning pale immediately after seeing the light spear which was similar to Yuma-chan's spear.
'Looks like my curry rice... will be eaten cold tonight.'
"Sigh… No matter how you run, you won't escape. That guy can fly."
"Then what am I supposed to do! Stand still and let him stab me!!"
"Take it easy. Anyway, that guy won't hit his throw—"
Before the words could finish, the man threw the light spear toward us immediately.
"Hmph.. Die!"
FWOOSH!!
"Aaaagh!!" Issei screams, closing his eyes tightly while raising his arms to shield his face, fearing the outcome.
What Issei thought was that some part of his body would have a hole just like Yuma-chan had done to him.
BOOM!
..But the result was not like that.
"...Eh?" Issei opens his eyes, and the image he sees is that the light spear didn't hit him, but instead hit the tree beside him.
"See, I told you. That guy won't hit with his spear throw.He's just a drunk old man."
I speak easily while still making eye contact with the fallen angel who is currently confused with the result.
"How! I'm certain I hit you both! You devil just now, what did you do!"
The man turns toward Issei and shouts in anger. He is certain that the human beside him couldn't be involved in his failed result, as he didn't see any leaking magic power at all.
"Eh? Me?" Issei points at himself in confusion. And why was he being called a devil?
"Stop pretending, you low-class devil!! Then how about this!"
Buzz! !Hummm!
This time, the man created a light spear even larger than before.
"Ha..ha..ha, this time I'm truly going to die…" Issei mutters in despair at what he sees.
"This time for sure… it's going to end!"
And just as he was about to throw it at us again—
BLAST! CRR-ACK!
A dense dark-red energy surged and destroyed the spear in his hand until it dissolved.
"Ugh!… Whose work is this!!"
"That's enough, Fallen Angel-san."
'Oh crap!! What kind of day is today!!!....