Have you ever encountered it? A situation you've tried to avoid all along, but no matter how deep a hole you dig to bury yourself in, or how much you try to blend into the background like a pebble by the wayside, in the end, fate always drags you out into the spotlight anyway.
…Just like my situation right now.
'How did it turn into this!?'
I stood still, my eye twitching repeatedly as I looked at the newcomers who had emerged from the red magic circle in front of me.
'Why show up now…?'
In the past, I tried to avoid everything so as not to stand out, and it had always worked well. No one suspected anything; no one noticed any abnormalities.
But then… why has the situation turned upside down like this again?
Even though I've said it once already, am I really that unlucky? Or does the fate of this world really want to drag me up to stand on the main stage? Whether it's with good or ill intent, I don't know.
—Oh, that's right.
I almost forgot who I'm with right now.
The person who can be called the true 'nexus of misfortune' is standing there stunned, staring at the scene in front of him without blinking, right next to me.
Hyoudou Issei… the protagonist of this world.
Just being me alone is unlucky enough, but now I have to carry the misfortune value of the protagonist on top of it; life is just becoming even more of a struggle.
It's like when you're sitting and eating quietly, and then the table next to you suddenly starts a brawl.
In the end, whether you're involved or not, chairs are going to fall, plates are going to fly, and the person who gets hit by the crossfire before anyone else… is always the one sitting closest.
…And right now, that person sitting closest is me.
'What should I do? What should I do? What kind of excuse can I find to survive? Should I just bolt...? No, it's probably too late... Even if I escape now, I'll inevitably be dragged in for interrogation tomorrow anyway.'
Ah! God help me!.....
While I was still grumbling and screaming in my mind, trying to find an excuse for after this battle ended, the situation in front of me continued to unfold, not caring about my despair in the slightest.
"Dammit! Who the hell are you!?"
The middle-aged Fallen Angel uncle shouted loudly in irritation at being interrupted. He no longer cared about me and Issei, but turned toward the source of the massive red energy that had just destroyed his light spear.
Then, he created a light spear once again.
BUZZ!
A blue light spear was recreated in an instant. He swung his arm with full force, throwing it at the body of the mysterious red-haired young woman who had just appeared from the red magic circle.
CLANG!!!
The sound of the impact resonated loudly like heavy metal colliding, but it wasn't the young woman's body that was pierced. Because suddenly, the small frame of a white-haired girl popped out to block the front. Using only her bare fist, she punched the side of the light spear until its direction veered off elsewhere.
"It was intercepted!?" The Fallen Angel gritted his teeth.
"In that case... how about this!"
SHWIP!! FWOOSH!
This time he didn't throw from a distance anymore. He decided to lung in at close range, attempting to stab and take the lives of the two in front of him. But before the tip of the spear reached them—
CRACK-BOOMMMMMMM!!!
BOOM!!
Golden lightning struck down from the once-dark sky, striking precisely in front of him until an explosion occurred. Dust and smoke swirled throughout the area, along with the appearance of another young woman with a seductive figure, in a school uniform just like the other two.
"Ara~"
'Wow, each person's entrance scene is really well-directed. It's like a Sentai team.'
If it were any other situation, I might have stood there looking forward to the next scene with childish excitement, like watching a hero's entrance on a TV or computer screen.
But not with this one….
As the dust began to clear, the dim light from the lamppost revealed the figure of the red-haired young woman standing in the center of the red magic circle, along with the two newcomers.
"Am I dreaming?.. Plus, that's Rias-senpai? Himejima-senpai? And the other one, if I remember correctly, first-year Tojou Koneko-chan?"
Issei stood with his mouth agape, looking at the beautiful, top-tier senpais and kouhai of the school who had suddenly appeared, displaying supernatural powers as if they had dropped straight out of a fantasy world.
WHIP! THUD.
The Fallen Angel uncle jumped backward after being struck by the lightning right in front of him. He surveyed the three newcomers with wary eyes, before his pupils dilated slightly with realization.
"Hmph... that red hair... I see. People from the Gremory Clan, then." He cursed, his voice full of indifference.
"That is correct. I am Rias Gremory. Pleased to meet you, Fallen Angel-san."
"Heh heh ha ha ha. I never imagined this town was already under the jurisdiction of the Gremory Clan… and are those two over there your people?"
'Hey, hey, you crazy crow, don't include me! I'm a human!'
"Yes. If you dare to harm them, I certainly won't show restraint."
'You too, don't just go along with what he's saying!'
As the scene in front seemed to be nearing its end, I decided to step backward one step at a time, trying not to let anyone notice, and turned my back, preparing to flee.
'To hell with it. Tomorrow, I'll just act normal. If I'm interrogated, I'll just say "I don't remember anything about what happened." That should be enough.'
There is a saying: 'Sometimes playing dumb… is the smartest way to survive.'
"Hmph, I'll let it slide for today… but if you keep neglecting things like this, someone like me might just come wandering by and hunt them down, you know?"
"Thank you very much for the warning. As for me, if I see you doing this again, I won't hesitate to take action either. Take care of yourself."
"Heh, I'll return that sentence to you, next-in-line of the Gremory Clan."
FLAP!
He spread both of his black wings and flew up into the sky, along with one final sentence.
"My name is Donaseek. Let's hope we don't have to meet again."
And he flew away.
While everyone was focused on the entity that had disappeared.. except for one person who noticed my movement.
"Senpai, where are you going?"
"—! Ah! You startled me."
The white-haired girl had appeared standing beside me I don't know when, like a cat stalking its prey silently, until I accidentally jumped backward automatically.
And that caused the rest, who were focused elsewhere, to turn this way.
"Whoa, hey! Hikigaya, where are you going!" Issei shouted in a panicked voice, after just noticing I had disappeared from his side.
"Going home, obviously… why even ask?" I replied with a deadpan face. 'Looks like I need to go back to sleep and finally wake up from this crazy dream world.'
I started walking while speaking sentences to make them feel that I myself thought I was dreaming, in order to create an excuse against the Devil girls who were focusing solely on me at this moment.
"What a pity, I'm afraid I can't let that happen~"
Suddenly, a black-haired girl with a long ponytail appeared, cutting off my path with a playful, feigned smile, making it so I really couldn't escape now.
Rias Gremory was also slowly walking in with a pressure that could be felt without even releasing any power.
…In short, I was completely surrounded.
'Is this a scene for catching a low-level criminal?'
"Uh… if I said I had a sudden stomachache, would you guys let me pass?"
"No~"
That was a fast answer.
"Hikigaya, are you okay!?" Issei rushed toward me with a frantic expression.
'I'm not okay at all, you source of misfortune.'
"Where exactly do I look like an 'okay' person to you?"
"U-uh…"
Issei stopped in his tracks immediately.
Rias stopped in front of us, before using her blue-green eyes to evaluate something.
"Hikigaya Hachiman… a newly transferred student in 2nd Year, Class B."
"At first, I didn't think anything of your presence in the school, because I couldn't see or sense any magic power from you at all. So I thought you were just an ordinary human…"
She narrowed her eyes, frowning slightly while trying to diagnose my identity.
"But after the incident just now… it seems I was wrong."
"Despite being right in front of a battle, you were too calm… no, calling it calm wouldn't be quite right."
"It's more like you're accustomed to this kind of situation."
Rias stared at me suspiciously.
"…Or to put it another way, there are only two possibilities."
"One—you are truly an ordinary human who happens to have an unusually strong mind."
"And the other…"
Rias paused for a moment, before narrowing her eyes even further.
"You have some way of concealing your identity from our perception… but unfortunately, Koneko sensed a strange scent from you, which is different from normal humans."
A few steps away, Koneko stared at me silently before speaking briefly.
"Senpai is extremely suspicious."
'Oh, great.'
From a background character with no lines, I've now been upgraded to a suspicious person.
I sighed quietly in my heart, turning to face Rias while trying to keep my expression as flat as possible.
"And if it really is as you suspect, what are you going to do with me?"
"That depends on your answer. Tell me, who are you? How much do you know about the supernatural world? And what exactly is your reason for entering Kuoh Academy…. and most importantly, what is your purpose for approaching my servant?"
'Going that far already? You're claiming this guy is your servant even though you haven't explained a single thing for him to understand yet?'
"Eh.. what is this about? I don't understand even a little bit?" Issei, who was beside me, muttered in confusion at the conversation in front of him. 'Why is no one interested in me?'
I took a deep breath before slowly letting it out, trying to calm my mind which was starting to get restless, while searching for an answer that contained some 'truth' mixed in, to make the story look smoother and more credible.
Because the best lie isn't making up the whole story, but taking the truth and twisting it for the other party to believe.
'Alright, let's try crafting a whole new role.'
"First of all… I'm a mercenary mage." In a sense, it really was like that.
As soon as those words slipped out, the atmosphere around us changed slightly.
Rias narrowed her eyes immediately.
Himejima-senpai was still smiling, it's true, but her gaze sharpened noticeably.
Even Koneko went silent for a moment.
"…A mage?" Rias repeated in a low voice.
"Yes. While I don't belong to any major organization or family lineage, I take jobs periodically according to the situation, like a salaryman."
I shrugged slightly, trying to act like it was a normal thing.
"Secondly, I know well enough that this world has more to it than meets the eye. Especially regarding your identities… including that black-winged uncle from just now."
"As for the reason for attending Kuoh Academy…" I glanced at Issei beside me.
"It's nothing complicated. I just entered because of a job related to the final purpose."
"A job? What is it?" Rias tilted her head in curiosity.
"The job I received is to keep an eye on Hyoudou Issei, to see if he is a dangerous threat to the world or not—"
"Wait! Wait! Hikigaya, what kind of threat am I!?"
Issei, who had been listening quietly until now, immediately interrupted the conversation. At first, he just felt a bit down that no one was interested in him, especially the girls in front of him.
But after listening on, suddenly he was being talked about as if he were some world-class dangerous object.
"First of all, what on earth is this? Can you please explain what happened!"
"Calm down, you idiot," I sighed softly. "As for the explanation, let the senpais in front of you explain later… because anyway, you are already one of them now."
"One of them?"
"Ah… what I mean is, now you yourself are a Devil just like them."
SHWIP!! ×4
"Aghhh!! What is this!? Why did wings suddenly sprout from my back!?"
Issei cried out in shock, turning to look at the foreign objects that had just grown out of his own back in a panic.
"Th-that! Rias-senpai! Himejima-senpai! Koneko-chan! You guys have wings too!?"
"Fufu~" Himejima-senpai giggled slightly at the panicked behavior of the boy in front of her.
"Annoying," Koneko replied flatly, while still staring at the endlessly frantic Issei, as if looking at some kind of rare animal.
"It's exactly as you see," I replied nonchalantly. "You're no longer a human; you've completely become a Devil now."
"Huh? How!? I'm a human! How could I become a Devil…!"
Issei clutched his head in confusion, the black wings on his back fluttering back and forth until they almost hit his own face.
Rias stepped forward, looking at him with a serious gaze.
"Issei… do you remember what happened yesterday evening?"
"Eh? Yesterday…"
Issei began to review his memories, his expression changing little by little.
"I came to the park here with Yuma-chan after our date… then Yuma-chan… changed into a sexy woman with wings…"
His voice slowed down.
"And then she… used a light spear to stab me…"
—!
Issei's eyes widened immediately, as if all the memories finally connected together.
"Now you probably understand, Issei," Rias spoke softly.
"…Yeah."
Issei looked down at his own hands vacantly.
"Then that means… I really died?"
The atmosphere around them went quiet for a moment.
"Yes," Rias answered directly.
"Then why am I still alive?"
"Ise, do you remember this flyer?" Rias pulled out a flyer.
"That's…" Issei's eyes widened immediately upon seeing that piece of paper. He remembered it…
While waiting for Yuma-chan at the meeting spot, a strange cosplayer woman had walked up and handed him a flyer. It was a flyer with a strange magic circle design, along with the text 'We will grant your wish.'
"When a human has a strong desire or wish, just by holding this flyer and sending out a prayer, the magic circle will activate and immediately send an summoning signal to the Devil who owns that flyer to appear."
"And yes, Issei, you called me while you were dying."
I stood watching while thinking to myself.
'I'm certain that before dying, this guy probably wanted to see… or maybe even do more than that with this woman's breasts.'
'Even though his life was almost at its end, this guy could still think about lewd things… truly fit to be the protagonist of this story.'
"When I was summoned and saw you… at that time, you were in a near-death state. And in that state, I saved your life by turning you into a Devil… and you were reborn as my servant."
Issei went still for a long time, before slowly looking up.
"…Why do I still feel the same?"
"Because your identity is still the same person," Rias replied. "Only the race has changed."
"…Sounds just like an RPG," I murmured softly.
"This isn't the time to talk about games, Hikigaya!!"
"Whatever… let's get back to what we were talking about earlier—"
"Wait!"
"What now… you've interrupted me for the second time now. If it keeps going like this, when is it ever going to finish?"
I was starting to feel a bit annoyed with this protagonist. Just let me finish speaking first; after that, feel free to cry, shout, or even fall into shock.
Right now, I want to go home and eat more than anything.
"I can't help it! I'm still confused…" Issei quickly argued back.
"And about what you said just now, saying that I'm a threat… what does that mean?"
I looked at his face for a moment, before asking back.
"Issei… do you know why you were killed yesterday?"
"Hmm?"
Issei frowned while trying to review his memories once again.
'Sorry, you're a danger to us, so we had to get rid of you early… if you're going to blame anyone… blame God for sealing a Sacred Gear inside your body.'
"Ah… if I remember correctly, Yuma-chan seemed to mention something like.. uh… sac… gear?"
"Sacred Gear~"
Akeno-senpai gently corrected the name.
"It is a special power sealed within the bodies of only certain humans. It is said that many important figures in history… were all once possessors of them."
Rias-senpai continued the explanation.
"And some Sacred Gears possess power that is fearsome for both Devils and Fallen Angels."
"Fallen Angels?" Issei murmured in surprise at the new term.
"Like that uncle from just now… and that girl too, your girlfriend."
"Yuma-chan is a Fallen Angel…?"
Issei murmured vacantly, before his expression changed as if remembering something.
"—Wait a minute, Hikigaya."
He turned to stare at me immediately.
"I've been wanting to ask… Did you already know that Yuma-chan was actually a real person?"
"...."
"Then why, earlier when I asked, did you act like you didn't know her!?"
"I just didn't want to act differently or look strange compared to others, so I just went along with it."
"Ugh!.."
Seeing that Issei had nothing else to ask, Rias began to explain further.
"Fallen Angels… are former Angels who were expelled from Heaven because they had impure thoughts or committed acts that went against God's teachings. And for that reason, they lost the Light of Heaven and became entities called 'Fallen Angels' instead."
"That girl—no, that Fallen Angel approached you because she wanted to investigate whether there was something dangerous hidden inside you. She must have sensed a faint response from it. That was the reason she spent time investigating you for a while, and finally, she was able to confirm… that you are a human who possesses a Sacred Gear."
"So in short, because I have that Sacred Gear thing in my body, Yuma-chan killed me…"
"That's right, Ise. After that Fallen Angel succeeded, she disposed of all records and evidence related to herself entirely."
"No wonder.. others couldn't remember her."
Rias gave a thin smile to her new servant. It seemed the confusion within his heart was finally starting to clear up a bit.
Before her gaze slowly turned toward me instead—a gaze still full of wariness, as if weighing whether… I was a friend or an enemy.
"Let's return to your issue, Hikigaya."
Rias crossed her arms while staring at me.
"You said the reason you approached Issei… was to keep an eye on whether he is a threat to the world, right?"
"That's right," I nodded slightly.
"Even if he has a strong Sacred Gear, it doesn't mean I have to kill him off."
"What's truly dangerous isn't the power… but the method of use by the person who possesses it."
"Or in other words…" Rias narrowed her eyes slightly while staring deep into my eyes.
"If Issei uses that power in the wrong way… you will kill him, won't you?"
"…That's my job," I answered flatly with a slight shrug.
The atmosphere around us went quiet for a moment, but not long after, I let out a sigh before continuing.
"But you don't need to worry. From what I've observed of this guy for a while, he isn't any kind of danger to the world right now…"
I paused for a moment.
"…Just a threat in another way instead."
"Hmm? What does that mean?" Rias frowned.
I turned toward Issei before giving a slight sneer.
"A threat to women, that is."
"I agree," Koneko nodded seriously.
"Fufufu~" Himejima-senpai laughed heartily at my teasing answer.
"Wait a minute! Why did you guys agree so easily!?" Issei protested immediately.
"This is clearly slander!"
"Whether it's slander or not, why don't you look at your own group's nickname first?"
"Speaking like that, you yourself are in the same group as us!" Issei quickly argued back immediately.
"But I don't have the same tastes as you guys," I replied nonchalantly.
"The reason I joined the group was just to observe you closely, and to keep away those women who like to swarm around me, that's all."
"Y-you traitor!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
"That wasn't a compliment, damn it!"
I sighed softly before raising my hand as if to cut the conversation short.
"Anyway… as long as this guy only uses his power for lewd matters and peeping at people's breasts, the world probably won't reach the point of collapse."
"Why is my image in your eyes that bad!?"
"I'm just speaking the truth."
"Don't say it with such a straight face, damn it!"
Rias, who had been listening quietly for a while, finally began to ask again in a serious tone.
"Hikigaya… you said you're a mercenary mage, right? Then who is the one who hired you?"
"…I can't tell you that."
I answered immediately without even having to think.
"If I blabbed about a client, I certainly wouldn't receive pay ever again."
Rias narrowed her eyes slightly but continued to listen quietly.
"There's no need to be that wary of me."
I stopped for a moment before continuing.
"Even though I'm an employee, it doesn't mean I'll do everything according to the employer's orders. I'm an independent mercenary mage."
"Whether to take a job or not… in the end, the person who decides is me."
I looked Rias straight in the eye.
"To put it correctly, the job I take must be a job I agree with."
Rias stared at me steadily, as if weighing those words.
"Meaning… if an employer ordered you to do something that went against your own principles, you would refuse, wouldn't you?"
"Correct.. though money is important, it's true… but if I have to do something stupid because of it, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep."
"Fufu~ It seems Hikigaya-kun has his own ethics, doesn't he?" Akeno said with a smile.
"Don't look at me like some heartless hitman," I replied immediately.
"At least I have my own standards too."
Rias stared at me for a moment before speaking slowly.
"I see… In that case, it means I myself can hire you as well, right?"
"That depends on the amount of money… and the details of the job."
"You really sound like someone who only cares about money," Koneko said flatly.
"Can't be helped. People have to eat and live," I shrugged. "Magic power doesn't help pay the water or electricity bills."
"You're just like a salaryman…" Issei murmured.
"Because life isn't that much different… so, how about it? Can you rest easy now, Rias Gremory?"
'It's over now, I guess… I can't take much more.'
Rias thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Hmm… let's leave it at this for today. But for the safety of all parties… I'll have to ask you to come and talk with us further tomorrow."
"No problem."
At least I survived today.
"After school tomorrow, I'll send someone to pick both of you up."
Rias turned to look at her members before giving a brief order.
"Akeno, Koneko… let's head back."
"Yes~"
"Understood."
Vwooom!
A large red magic circle gradually appeared beneath the feet of the three of them. The dim red light reflected their faces in the night.
Before the figures of Rias, Akeno, and Koneko gradually sank away with the light of the magic circle together.
And finally… the area of the park that was chaotic a moment ago returned to silence once again. As if nothing had happened at all.
Only I and Issei remained standing there amidst the cool night breeze.
"…So I've really become a Devil, then."
"In that case, I'm going back." I turned my back and walked away immediately without any thought of staying to comfort the man beside me.
"Wait! Wait for me!"
'Good grief… today was exhausting.'
(Break)
The following day.
.
.
.
2nd Year, Class B
After school...
The atmosphere inside the classroom at this time was filled with the noisy chatter of students preparing to disperse to their own paths. The weak afternoon sunlight cast through the window panes, throwing long shadows of desks and chairs onto the floor.
"Hey! Matsuda, isn't there a joint practice for the Kendo club today? Hurry up or the seniors will smack your head." The voice of a male student shouted across the room while stuffing a thick notebook into his bag.
"I know that! But before going, can't I stop by to peek at the gymnastics club first? I heard their new model tracksuits arrived today, man."
Matsuda replied with his usual lecherous tone, acting secretively with Motohama.
"Disgusting. You guys are truly beyond saving."
A short-haired girl sitting in the front row let out a long sigh while turning to talk to her group of female friends.
"Hey, hey, you guys. Shall we stop by to eat at the newly opened crepe shop in front of the station this evening? I heard there's a student promotion."
"Let's go! I saw in the reviews that the whipped cream at that shop is very soft."
Amidst the chaotic but normal life of teenagers who each have their own goals—whether it be dedicating themselves to a club, hanging out with friends, or rushing home to watch the latest anime episode... everything seemed to be a bright world far removed from the supernatural.
Except for one corner of the room.
At the desk by the window... the spot where the air seemed to circulate the best.
I sat with my chin in my hand, staring out the window vacantly with dead fish eyes, trying to act like a feelingless stone.
"Hey... Hikigaya..."
A whisper laced with anxiety came from the person in front. Hyoudou Issei sat huddled in his chair, turned toward me. His demeanor looked like someone who had just undergone a system reboot.
"What." I replied shortly without turning to look.
"Uh.. do you think Rias-senpai will really send someone to pick us up?" Issei moved his chair closer.
"Just wait and see. They'll probably be here soon." I let out an exhausted sigh before slowly turning my face to meet his eyes.
"I think you should worry about yourself more, Issei." I spoke in a flat voice.
"What do you mean?"
"The day before yesterday.. you almost died. Then you became a Devil. Today you might be called to do something stupid, who knows."
"I know you're excited because you'll get to meet those two top-tier beautiful senpais again. Maybe in your head right now, you're thinking lewd, perverted things about them… like imagining some kind of reward a beautiful Devil might give to her new servant."
"I-It can't be helped! Any normal guy would think about it!" Issei protested while his face turned bright red.
I shook my head slightly at Issei's straightforwardly honest answer.
"Don't let outward appearances deceive you, you moron. As the saying goes, 'A beautiful rose has thorns.'"
"The things that look most beautiful and have the most vivid colors are usually the things that have the deadliest poison. Don't just look at the soft petals until you forget to look at the thorns underneath."
"And don't forget that they are Devils. Devils always have schemes. Maybe… the fact that you became a Devil might be part of a plan they laid out in advance already."
Of course, they weren't truly evil. Even if there were secrets or something hidden in the thicket… because in the end, they are the heroines who stand on the same side as the protagonist of this story anyway.
Yes, because I already knew they were the 'heroines,' that's why I said that.
As for the reason I had to warn this guy to be careful… it's because besides them, I myself don't know whether other women who will get involved with Issei in the future will be on the good or bad side.
Just like the case of Amano Yuma. Fortunately, in this case, there was still some information left in my memory, so I could still piece together the situation and conclude the trend of what would happen.
At the very least, I have to let this guy know the social circles of women at a level where he can distinguish who approaches with sincerity… and who approaches because of a hidden agenda.
"Y..you're probably overthinking it…" Issei laughed dryly while scratching his head.
"How could there be that many dangerous women showing up? Even if they are Devils, both of those senpais don't look like bad people."
"Well, whatever you think. I only warned you out of good will. In the end, every decision depends on you yourself—"
"Kyaa!! Kiba-kun!"
"Hello."
"Is something the matter~ Kiba-kun?"
"May I trouble you for a moment?"
"Please do~!"
I turned toward the classroom door, which was the source of the screams, before seeing a good-looking blond boy standing there with a gentle smile.
As soon as he appeared, the girls in the room flocked to surround him. The atmosphere in the room changed in an instant, just as if a famous idol had stepped into a fan meeting.
If this school had a rowdy group like The Perverted Trio to cause headaches, there certainly had to be an opposite pole as different as heaven and earth... and that person was the young man right there, the possessor of the title 'Prince of Kuoh Academy' that the girls had unanimously given him.
"Tch!.. Is it the handsome prince himself… go die." Issei cursed under his breath.
"Calm down, Issei. He's here to pick us up."
"Eh? This guy? The one Rias-senpai said she would send someone to pick us up."
That boy—Kiba Yuuto scanned his eyes around the room before his gaze stopped at us and he walked toward us.
"Hyoudou Issei-kun… and Hikigaya Hachiman-kun, right?" He smiled politely.
"I have come for both of you as Rias-senpai told me. Please follow me."
"Oh."
Issei and I rose from our chairs and followed behind Kiba.
"Ehhh!? Wait, Kiba-kun is going with Hyoudou-kun!?"
"Noooo! Don't go near that guy, you'll catch his lewdness infection!"
"I absolutely don't agree! Why does Kiba-kun have to walk together with Hyoudou!"
"Kiba-kun's prince image is going to be ruined!"
The wailing voices of the girls resounded throughout the room immediately as they heard Issei's name.
Issei, hearing that, had a twitching eyebrow, his mouth twisting back and forth in restraint.
"Damn... these girls. Just a moment ago they had ecstatic faces, but when it's me, they curse me like I'm wet trash!"
While Issei's side was being swarmed with disgust by the girls as if he were a deadly germ, my side received a creepy reaction in another form.
"W-Wait… if it's Hikigaya-kun…"
"Ah… Kiba-kun and Hikigaya-kun…? How strange."
"The perfect prince… and the gloomy loner boy…?"
"T..this pair gives off an atmosphere just like a novel, doesn't it!?"
Some girls began to turn red before turning to whisper to each other with excited expressions.
"D-Don't tell me… Kiba-kun was the one who approached Hikigaya-kun first…"
"Kyaaa! This kind of gentle prince × cold boy is just too good!"
"I totally get it! Like a prince trying to melt the ice in the heart of a loner boy... Kyaa! This plot is so viable!"
'Huh? What ice plot? Are you girls reading too many BL novels?'
I thought to myself while immediately feeling a shiver down my spine. The atmosphere around me right now was no different from Ebina-san back at Sobu… those sparkling eyes were just like they were shipping a pair between me and Hayama.
No matter where you are, this world must always have this type of fujoshi, I guess.
"Stop it, you guys! I'm starting to see the plot now!"
I let out an exhausted sigh.
…These women are terrifying.
"Pfft… kiki…!"
Hmm?
I turned to the side before seeing Issei holding his hand over his mouth, shaking slightly as if trying to suppress laughter with all his might.
"What are you laughing at?"
"N..nothing! I'm just… pffft…!" Upon seeing my face, Issei burst out laughing again.
"Hahaha! S..sorry, but did you hear what those girls said… pfff… hahahaha!"
"If you don't stop laughing, I'll kick you out the window right now."
I spoke with a cold voice, along with eyes that slowly darkened until the other party flinched.
"U..uup…!" Issei immediately covered his mouth, but his shoulders still wouldn't stop shaking.
"S..sorry… but I really couldn't help laughing…"
"Then I'll help make you stop laughing myself."
"Wait, wait, wait! Calm down, Hikigaya! I was wrong!"
.
.
We followed that handsome guy further until we reached the area behind the main school building. The sight seen was a green area filled with trees large and small. The shady atmosphere around us helped relieve the exhaustion from earlier by a lot.
'Didn't expect there would be a blind spot from people's eyes hidden like this... Hmph. From now on, it wouldn't be bad to secretly hang out here for lunch.'
After walking for a while, a building was seen standing. It should be the old school building.
The building was three stories high, with a retro Western-style wooden architecture that looked strange and completely at odds with the modernity of the main school building.
The building was painted white, which now began to dim with time, contrasting with the jet-black roof that had fresh green vines and climbing plants clinging to it.
The most eye-catching feature was the large ancient clock tower on top of the third floor.
The surrounding atmosphere was filled with a mysterious, eerie aura, giving a feeling just like a haunted house in a horror movie.
We walked into the building before going up the stairs to the upper floor and continuing further inside.
Different from the exterior image that looked like a haunted house, the interior was unbelievably clean and orderly, to the point where one would hardly think it was the same building.
And then we reached the destination. Kiba stopped in front of a classroom.
[Occult Research Club]
…Hoh. They're using the Occult Research Club as a front, I see. Sounds reasonable enough.
"Buchou, I've brought them."
Not long after Kiba spoke, Rias-senpai's voice called back from inside the room.
"Come in."
Kiba opened the door and walked in, followed by me and Issei.
Inside the room, it was elegantly decorated, with two sofas placed facing each other, separated in the middle by a wooden table of appropriate size, giving an atmosphere more like a reception room than a typical club room.
On one sofa, there was a small white-haired girl eating yukan without minding her surroundings. Toujou Koneko herself.
"Oh~ My~ You've arrived? Then please sit comfortably for now. It happens that right now Buchou is taking a shower. I'll go prepare drinks for you."
A black-haired woman with a ponytail who had a seductive figure and a sharp, beautiful Japanese face—an image that people often call Yamato Nadeshiko. She was Himejima Akeno-senpai.
She walked out from another room before greeting us with her usual characteristic gentle smile.
'Still the same hypocritical smile as before… even that golden-haired guy too.'
SHA—
"A..a shower? Rias-senpai is taking a shower right now?"
Issei murmured while turning toward the inner room where the faint sound of water could be heard.
That room had no door, only a thin curtain blocking it. And when the light from inside reflected out, one could faintly see the silhouette of Rias-senpai's body as she was showering.
In just a few seconds, Issei's expression changed immediately. The smile on his face slowly distorted into looking like a complete pervert.
…No need to guess what was going on in this guy's head.
As for me, I walked to sit on the sofa next to Toujou Koneko, not caring about Issei's staring in the slightest.
'That woman did it on purpose, didn't she…'
Of course, I couldn't blame Issei, because once… I myself had fallen into that kind of trap before.
….10 minutes passed
"Before we get to the point, let's introduce ourselves formally first. Nice to meet you. I am Rias Gremory, a 3rd-year student and the President of the Occult Research Club."
"I am Himejima Akeno. 3rd-year student, Vice President of the club. From now on, please take care of me too~"
"Toujou Koneko."
"I am Kiba Yuuto. From now on, please take care of me too."
"Hikigaya Hachiman… likewise, please take care of me."
"I..I am Hyoudou Issei. Nice to meet you!"
"Welcome both of you to the Occult Research Club."
Now I was sitting on the left side sofa, with Koneko and Issei sitting on either side of me.
As for the sofa opposite, it was Himejima-senpai and Kiba, while Rias-senpai stood leaning against a table beside them.
Put that matter aside for now. What did she say just now?
…Hmm?
"Wait a minute. When did I ever say I would join this club?"
I frowned slightly. Suddenly being shoved into the club nonchalantly.
…Good grief. This is almost no different from the old world. When Hiratsuka-sensei dragged me into the Service Club without giving any chance to refuse.
"I've been thinking about this all night, Hikigaya," Rias spoke while clasping her hands on her lap.
"In order for us to be able to trust you, you need to join this club… at least so that we can keep an eye on you closely."
Shit… this is bad.
If I get tied to this club, facing that woman will only be a matter of time.
This is going to be a disaster.. despite trying so hard to maintain distance… don't tell me everything is going to be in vain.
"Uh.. isn't this a bit much? Just me coming to school every day is enough to keep an eye on me."
After hearing my words, Issei leaned in close before whispering in a low voice.
"Hey, you really don't want to join this club, Hikigaya? This is a golden opportunity, you know. If you don't grab it quickly, be careful you'll regret it later…"
"Shut up. I don't have perverted thoughts like you," I whispered back in a toneless voice.
"My apologies. We cannot trust you if we are not truly certain yet."
Her voice was still polite, yet contained clear firmness.
"As long as we are not sure whether you are friend or enemy, we cannot let you out of our sight. It's not a matter of hate or prejudice, Hikigaya… we just have to be sure first that you won't become a threat to our companions."
Wait…
…Just "be sure"?
If it's like that, there's still some room to negotiate.
"Then how about this? If your purpose is to keep an eye on me, then having me join the club permanently is a bit unnecessary, isn't it?"
I let out a soft sigh before continuing.
"I will join this club only temporarily."
Everyone's eyes turned to look at me immediately.
"During that time, I will prove myself… by whatever means, so that you are sure I am not an enemy and won't be a danger to your companions."
I paused for a moment before continuing.
"Besides… isn't it a bit strange? To have a human like me in a club full of Devils, where everyone is a family."
After finishing listening to my proposal, Rias was silent for a moment before frowning slightly, as if weighing the reasonableness of my words.
Not long after, Rias let out a soft sigh.
"...I understand. Let's do it that way, Hikigaya."
But my relief hadn't reached its peak yet.
After a while, Himejima-senpai continued.
"Ara ara~ But why does it have to be temporary, Hikigaya-kun?" Himejima-senpai smiled while staring my way.
"Or is it that we make you feel uncomfortable~? Even though everyone in the club welcomes you, right Koneko-chan?"
'What is this woman thinking?'
Koneko, who had been eating snacks quietly all along, slowly looked up before turning toward me with her usual flat eyes.
"No problem. Although he looks like a bit of a gloomy person… he doesn't look dangerous."
…Hey. That word 'gloomy' didn't need to be said out loud, even if it's true.
"Thanks for the opinion… but it's fine. It happens that I'm the type who doesn't really like participating in club activities much."
"Hmm.. how disappointing~"
What's disappointing! You should be happy!
And so my issue ended.
"Alright… now let's continue talking about you, Issei."
"Y..yes!"
"Issei… from last night's incident until now, how much do you understand about the supernatural world?" Rias asked with a serious voice.
"Uh…" Issei scratched his head awkwardly before replying.
"If we start from last night… I know a little bit."
"To speak frankly, my head still hasn't quite caught up yet," Issei laughed dryly.
"I just know roughly that this world still has other races… like Devils, Fallen Angels… uh, and magic exists, something like that…"
"Hmm.. what you know right now is only superficial, Issei," Rias spoke with a calm voice.
"The supernatural world isn't that simple. In your capacity as a Reincarnated Devil, I will explain to you roughly about the history of each race… including the various conflicts that have occurred between us."
"Now listen carefully, Issei. The story goes that...."
.
.
.
And then the story took up about 30 minutes.
"...Do you understand a bit, Issei?" Rias asked after finishing the explanation.
"Y..yeah. I got about a certain amount…" Issei replied with a slightly confused face, as if his brain hadn't finished processing all the information yet.
…It's not strange.
This guy wasn't the protagonist type to use his brain for planning from the start anyway.
He's the type to fight with grit, determination, and not giving up.
"Would you like some more tea, Hikigaya-kun~?" Suddenly Himejima-senpai spoke with a gentle voice.
I looked down at my own glass before finding that it had become empty since I don't know when.
…It seems I accidentally kept drinking it until it was gone while listening to those long explanations.
"…Then I'll trouble you."
"Alright… let's continue to the matter of your Sacred Gear, Issei," Rias spoke while looking his way.
"Step forward a bit."
"Eh? Why?"
"Hurry."
"Ah… yes…" Issei rose from the sofa before standing in front of the room, then turned back to look at us confusedly.
"Then close your eyes, and think of the strongest thing that pops into your mind."
"The strongest thing?... Son Goku from Dragon Ball?"
"Yes, try to imagine him while he's using a finishing move."
"And try to imitate that person's posture. But do not force yourself under any circumstances, understand?"
"R..right here?"
"Yes, Issei. Hurry."
Then Issei slowly lowered his knees into a stance, both hands pressed together by his hip, before drawing his arms back slightly.
'Seems this guy is more into the situation than expected.'
A second later, he thrust both palms forward with full force, while shouting loudly.
"Kamehamehaaaaa!!"
Whoosh—
A gust of wind blew through the room softly.
"...Now you can open your eyes, Issei."
Issei slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing that reflected in his eyes was his own left arm…
No, it should be called something that was encased around that arm instead.
Dark red scales similar to armor appeared covering from the back of the hand up to the left forearm. On the back of the hand, a green gem was embedded in the center, and right now it was emitting a faint glowing light.
"…Eh?"
Issei's eyes widened immediately while turning his left hand back and forth with a stunned face.
"What is thisss!?"
"Issei, that is a Sacred Gear. And it belongs to you. You can use it anywhere and anytime, as you wish."
…Strange.
Its appearance doesn't look like the illustrations I've seen before. Normally shouldn't it cover the whole hand?
Or is this the first form?
.
…5 minutes passed
"Then if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Thanks for the tea, Himejima-senpai."
"With pleasure~ By the way, Hikigaya-kun, where did you learn the way to hold a teacup?"
"Eh?"
I paused my hand that was putting the glass down slightly, turning to look at Akeno with suspicion.
"Like… few people hold a teacup with such accurate, refined posture. It's like someone who is accustomed to ceremony, or has been specially trained before."
"Uh… well… sometimes I encounter employers who are… quite wealthy, so I had to practice table manners and how to carry myself in front of others to a certain level. Until it became a habit on its own, haha…"
I laughed dryly to cover it up, but in my heart I felt that question… it was a bit too observant.
How could I blurt out that I was taught manners by the 'Strongest Queen of the Underworld'?
"Hmm… is that so?" Himejima-senpai tilted her head slightly, eyes as if weighing how true that answer was.
"…Ah, yeah. Something like that." I answered dismissively to cover it up.
After everything seemed to have cleared up, I rose from the sofa, preparing to take my leave from this room.
"Wait! Hikigaya, I'm going back too!" Issei immediately rose to follow, but before he could step out of the room, Rias's voice called out to stop him.
"Issei, you can't go back yet."
"Why? Is there something else, Rias-senpai?" Issei paused, turning to look with a confused face.
"First of all, from now on, you must call me 'Buchou,' understand?"
Rias pointed to the flyers on the table.
"And this is your duty as a Reincarnated Devil. You have to go distribute these flyers to humans who have strong desires." Rias explained systematically.
"Devils have a special sense that can perceive those feelings of humans. Devils will use their own power to help humans, in exchange for compensation agreed upon under a 'Contract.'"
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"The reason for using this flyer distribution method is because nowadays almost no one draws magic circles to summon Devils anymore, so it was changed to a more direct method instead."
"Actually, this kind of work should be the duty of a familiar directly. But as a rookie Devil, you must learn from the basics first. Besides, right now you don't have a familiar of your own yet."
"…Uh, and why do I have to do that kind of thing?" Issei asked curiously.
"Issei, among Devils there is a hierarchy system called 'Titles.'" Rias began to explain further.
"I myself have one too. Both place of birth and family background affect status, but there are not a few Devils who climb up on their own."
"Everyone starts as a rookie the same."
"Or to put it simply, if you keep accumulating achievements, one day you might receive the rank of 'Peerage' and can have servants of your own."
"—! My own servants!?" Issei's eyes sparkled immediately.
"Yes, but it all depends on your own efforts."
"Th…that means, I can do whatever I want with my servants, right?" He asked further with a voice starting to sound a bit strange.
"That's right," Rias replied flatly.
"Heh… hehehe…" Issei lowered his head and laughed softly, before looking up while raising a fist. "I've decided! From now on, I will become a Harem King for sure!!"
"Fufufu~"
'..Sigh.. As I thought, this guy probably likes it more than being truly sad.'