Chapter 10

Classes finally ended, and Issei was now headed to meet up with his new self proclaimed best friend. Unfortunately, fate decided to test his patience first as he did run into Genshirou Saji and Momo Hanakai, along with other members of the student council. Genshirou glared at him and clenched his fist. Issei simply glared right back, unflinching and it made Momo nervous as she dragged Genshirou along before he did something stupid. The other members did not glare at Issei, but they were wary of him, he simply ignored them. That is until one of them decided to come up to him.

"Well, this is new. Were you waiting for me?"

"Hmm? Oh, hey, Yuuma." Issei greeted to the one council member that he could tolerate.Full novel: High School DxD: A Fighting Chance — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠

It made Yuuma smirk inwardly as her 'plaything' didn't turn away from her.

"What brings you here?" She asked.

"I was looking for Raichi, she’s supposed to be in this class."

Yuuma's shoulders dipped ever so slightly. "Ah… she's talking to the teacher about something. Why do you need her?"

She tried to sound casual, but the jealousy was obvious. Luckily for her, Issei was dense and didn't really know that because why would a girl get jealous about him?

"We're in the same club." Issei deadpanned.

"Oh, right." She facepalmed. "Wait, that means that blue‑haired chick is in the same club."

"You mean Renka‑senpai. She’s awesome!" Issei lit up. "She’s been training me in the afternoons. I aim to do her proud in the upcoming tournament that we have."

"Haha, yeah, I think Raichi mentioned something about that."

"By the way, isn't Kiba in your class?"

"Yep. But he's absent. I thought Akeno told you about this." Yuuma replied back.

"She did… I just didn’t think it would go into effect so quickly."

"Meh, it happens." She shrugged. 'All the more reason why you can worship me and I may give you what your heart desires.'

A familiar voice called out. "Oh? Ise, what are you doing here?"

"Yo, Raichi. I figured that we might as well head to the dojo, so I could get more training tips from you." Issei answered back.

"Sure! Hey, Yuuma." Raichi greeted the fallen angel hybrid.

"Hey. So… it's Ise, huh?" Yuuma raised her eyebrow at the distinction in his name.

"Only my friends call me that." Issei noted to her.

"Oh? We're not friends?" Yuuma smirked.

"I'd say we're acquaintances."

"Unless you're trying to be more than friends." Raichi chimed in.

"I wouldn't mind that." Yuuma answered, while thinking, 'Yes, that would work to my benefit.'

"Nuh uh, I don’t need a girl who randomly offers sexual favors like it’s nothing." Issei shook his head.

"Eh? You did that?" Raichi looked at Yuuma.

"Uh‑huh. But he declined." Yuuma nodded, "He told me that he wants a relationship before he gets to that point and I should not treat it as a meaningless thing."

Raichi's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 'Not surprising for a fallen angel… they're pretty lust‑driven. Then again, good for you, Ise. Oh, man, this is so funny, he's limiting his perversion and now a girl is seeking him out? But hey, I'd be skeptical, too, given his reputation but I know Yuuma would let me play with those babies, if I want to.'

"Yeah." Issei nodded.

"Is that why some people consider you to be a slut, Yuuma?" Raichi teased.

"No," Yuuma scoffed. "It’s because of the rumors that those two had spread. I admitted that I would have let Issei feel my tits if he helped me out. Since the majority of the school still sees him as a pervert, they think that any girl that would give him the time of day is a slut."

"Well, you don't act like that from what I've seen." Raichi was slightly surprised.

"Same here." Issei nodded in agreement, "However, you can be a little promiscuous for my taste. Just stop with the sexual favors, okay? I already knew that anyone getting involved with me would have some negative impact."

"Don’t worry about it, I’m already an enigma in the student council, so I’m used to it." Yuuma waving her hand dismissively.

"Well, if you ever need company, you can hang with us." Raichi offered. 'I definitely have to see how she acts without the other student council members. Let's just see how she misbehaves.'

Yuuma blinked. "Really? Issei, you okay with that?"

"I don't mind." He shrugged.

"Well, sure why not. At least I can hang with someone since Akeno is not here." Yuuma sighed.

"You hang out with Akeno‑senpai?" Issei asked.

"Oh yeah." Yuuma nodded. "After all, we have an understanding with one another."

"That's nice, I mean you two seem related."

"Anyway, I better go. See you two around." Yuuma waved and walked off. 'Well, I'm sure Kaichou will be pleased about this.'

"See ya!" Raichi waved back.

"Bye." Issei also waved as they watched her leave.

Then Raichi slowly turned toward Issei with a look of utter disbelief. "Wow. I can't believe you rejected that."

"As I said she was a little too promiscuous for me. You don’t just offer someone sex without getting to know them."

"What exactly did she say?"

"She offered 'unbridled, full on naked, gratuitous sex', those were her words."

'Yeah, they may think of you as a loser, but also as idiot for not losing your V-card. I don't think she's got any diseases on her, but if I had a dick. I'd probably be in between those legs.' Raichi snorted. "Are you holding out for Renka?"

"We've been over this, Raichi." Issei rolled his eyes.

"I’m just saying," Raichi held her hands up defensively. "I mean I guess since you are a boobs guy, you would prefer Renka over Yuuma, since she has a bigger bust. I’d say both have about the same butt size"

"And they say I'm the pervert?"

"Haha, it’s as you said... we all have perverted thoughts." Raichi laughed.

"True."

They continued walking toward the dojo.

"Though I would be worried if you played for the other team. I mean you got a girl that was willing to bang you and you said no. That probably will be a shocker if word of that got out." Raichi pointed out.

"Yeah, so let’s not let it happen and not talk about it anymore."

"Fair enough. Hmm, it’s a good thing that you told me about what you are looking for because I would have been worried that you may swing for the other team." She teased with fake concern.

"Says the one that was literally checking out another girl’s body." Issei retorted.

"Oh, I can do more than just check them out. Besides, all girls do that, they compare and contrast. Similar to guys who talk about their dick size in the locker room, girls are the same way. I thought you would know that, since you used to peep on them."

"I would be lucky to get a peep, but honestly, I would be lost in my perverted thoughts back then. I don’t think I ever paid attention to what they were saying. I only really got commentary from Matsuda and Motohama."

"Exactly, but at least you’re doing better at listening now." Raichi gave him some credit.

"Thanks… I think." Issei didn't know how to respond to the backhanded compliment.

There was truth in her words because he didn't listen before and remained stubborn by hanging with those two and going to try and continue to peep. Now, he wasn't peeping and he realized how he didn't really think much about oppai, but did silently appreciate them. He just wasn't as vocal about his thoughts as before. His mind was more geared towards on how he could improve in his training, since he usually got his butt kicked around and had the welts to prove it.

"You don't think so?" Raichi sensed his concern, she was rather good at that. "Let me remind you of your biggest improvement, you were told to stop being a pervert, stop with the peeping and look at you now."

"I see."

Raichi's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Hey, Ise?"

"What?"

"If Renka offered you the same thing Yuuma did… would you accept?"

The question made Issei stiffen and stumble, not just because of the prospect of Renka doing that. It was also more of a surprise to be asked the question. However, he never got a chance to answer. Raichi just knew that Issei was interested in her fellow Chinese woman as Renka could easily be compared to Chi-Chi.

"If I offered what?" The girl in question spoke up as Raichi had known that she was there, while Issei practically turned to stone.

Raichi didn't miss a beat and answered Renka. "Hmm, if you offered to cook for him. I got to try some of his cooking earlier today."

"Huh? You cook? And you didn't tell me!?" Renka grabbed Issei by the shoulders and shook him like a ragdoll.

Issei silently thanked every deity that Raichi had lied for him, even though he didn't want someone to do that, this was one of those times that he was glad someone did. Raichi was a true best friend and was owning up to that title. However, she did put Issei in a bind because even though Issei had told Renka that he would make her a mooncake, he gave no indication that he could cook.

"You wouldn't have liked it, Renka‑senpai!" Issei finally answered.

"And why not?" She leaned in so close he had to bend backward.

"It had cilantro in it." He replied.

The anger in Renka’s face disappeared as she blinked and looked at Issei. "…Really?"

"Yes, it did." He nodded.

"Oh. Okay then." She released him and he fell to the ground as Renka had literally shaken him out of his shoes.

He never understood his senpai’s strength sometimes, it was terrifying, but he was aware of her anger. He remembered how Kenichi told him how Renka kicked him down for the little things, such as him learning multiple fighting styles. Issei was grateful that she had calmed down her violent antics. Raichi was snickering at him being put on the spot.

"But it was good, they were fish tacos. He’s going to be my personal chef." Raichi clamored out.

"Absolutely not." Renka instantly rejected the idea.

"Why not? You already get massages from him and now you want more?" Raichi retorted back.

"Tch." She shot Raichi a sharp glare.

"Raichi, please don't antagonize her." Issei asked the pink haired girl.

"Alright, alright." Raichi put her hands up in mock surrender.

One would think that Issei would be glad about two girls fighting over him, but he didn't see Raichi in a romantic sense and Renka liked Kenichi. Of course, Raichi was testing the waters and considering Renka's reaction, Raichi was wondering is Renka was beginning to stake her claim on the dense brunette.

Renka crossed her arms, still irritated. "You'd better get changed. Thanks to this new information about you, I might not go easy on you today."

"Wait... Renka‑senpai, did you tell anyone that I sing?" Issei asked as he remembered that she was a suspect in his own search.

Renka stiffened. "I… uh… well… it might've slipped out." A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"Haha! Wow, looks like you figured it out." Raichi laughed.

Renka turned to her, "You told him!?"

"Nope! He just put two and two together." Raichi answered.

"Really?" Renka turned from Raichi to Issei.

Issei answered her, "Yeah. It was between you and Ikki‑senpai. Since you're here, I figured I'd ask you."

Renka huffed, then jabbed a thumb toward the locker rooms. "Go get changed. We've got work to do."

"Hai, senpai!" He hurried off toward the men's locker room of the dojo, greeting the guys heading out as he passed.

Raichi watched him go, then leaned toward Renka with a sly grin. "You know… he's kinda like Kenichi. Why don't you go for him?"

"Huh? And let that blonde bimbo win? Absolutely not." Renka retorted.

"You do realize you two have the same body type, right?"

Renka blinked. "…What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're also a bimbo." Raichi stuck out her tongue and bolted toward the girls' locker room.

"Get back here!" Renka chased after Raichi, their footsteps echoing down the hall.

Outside the boundaries of Kuoh, there was a mansion that was owned by Rias’ family, which she said was their summer home. Asia being the newest member was impressed by the structure, when they arrived. However, in one of the rooms was Akeno, standing in front of a full-sized mirror.

She was looking at her reflection, or rather a particular part of her reflection as she had a single black wing out. It was her fallen angel wing extended from her back. She was glaring at the abomination that was a part of her with a mixture of resentment and resignation. There were times where she wanted to cut them off and be free of them, but she would be lying to herself.

She pondered about the words that Issei had told her that morning about holding herself back. She wondered what Issei would think if he saw these wings that she had. They were a part of her like Issei said, as she brought her hand out and watched as yellow and blue lightning crackled around her arm, illuminating her reflection.

"This power… is what will help Rias." Akeno stared at it, somewhat in fascination, then a knock sounded. "Who is it?"

"It's me." The voice of her king called out.

"Come in." Akeno answered, never taking her eyes off the lightning.

Rias entered and immediately froze. "Oh, wow… you have your fallen angel wing out."

"Yes. It's part of me, after all."

"Are you still… hating yourself for it?" Rias asked.

"I would only hold myself back if I continue to hate it." Akeno sighed. "I need to let it flourish."

Rias blinked. "This is new, but I'm not denying the truth about it. You should flourish. I feel like I should have talked about this with you sooner."

"Maybe... I feel like you wanted to for a while." Akeno replied. "And maybe we need something new. After all, didn't Riser say that I had the capability to end this?"

"Then he won't know what hit him, when he learns of this." Rias smirked.

"Isn't that why we're here? So he can't spy on you like he has been doing for a while?"

"Yes, you are right about that. Speaking of new, it's a pity you couldn't recruit Hyoudou-san."

"It's fine."

"We could've used him. If he can fight, or has martial arts experience..."

"It wouldn't have happened." Akeno shook her head. "He has a tournament to prepare for."

"A tournament?"

"Mhm. On the same day as our rating game."

Rias sighed. "I see. Then we'll have to win without him and overcome this."

"We will." Lightning crackled again around Akeno's arm.

"You seem confident about it."

"Riser is right, my power gives us an advantage. Have you seen something in the footage of his previous games?" Akeno asked.

"I haven't reviewed all his past matches yet. His two losses happened because he did it as favors to those families for his own." Rias sighed.

"So he's technically undefeated."

"Yes."

Akeno smiled darkly. "Ara~ ara~… then we'll be his first real loss."

"What's gotten into you?" Rias raised an eyebrow, but she couldn't help but smile. "I kind of like it."

"Nothing… yet. I'm just being me." Akeno flinched as she unfurled her wing fully. "Or rather… who I should've accepted long ago."

Rias softened. "If you say so. Anyway, I need your help teaching Asia magic."

"Very well. How's Takeshi doing?"

"He is also a competent fighter in close combat, considering his past experience at his former school. He does not seem interested in wielding weapons. He is confident in his fists and he should be... after all he is the Red Dragon Emperor."

"He shouldn't let it get to his head." Akeno warned.

"I believe he is capable of handling several of Riser’s pieces." Rias said. "The ones that would give him trouble are likely those with weapons or with long range magic."

"You're right. After all, Issei handled one, but that was Riser's weakest servant."

Rias sighed. "Maybe next time."

"That’s right, you do want to be queen of the rating game. Not only that, Kiba-kun is intrigued to work with him, since he also practices with a bokken."

"So he trains in mixed martial arts and kendo? I guess he was right." Rias mused.

"About what?" Akeno asked,

"Maybe we should take the time to sit down and talk with him. All we know is that he’s a massive pervert." Rias sighed as that had been her plan to coerce the boy.

Akeno couldn't help but agree, but they wouldn't have helped. Akeno knew that her teasing would only confuse Issei and likely send his perversion to override. They wouldn't have been able to bring out the other aspects of the boy, something that Kenichi was able to do. Not only him, but also Elize, assisting with reforming the brunette and being better role models than his previous ones.

Akeno giggled. "Aren’t we all? I bet you have your fantasies about Takeshi ufu~ ufu~"

"Shut up!" Rias' face turned crimson. "I will admit that he is handsome."

"If that was all we wanted to look for in a partner then we are indeed superficial and shallow." Akeno admitted as Rias would have just accepted Riser, since he was also handsome.

Akeno also had her fair share of suitors, but she was disinterested in men. She only had an understanding with Issei because he had become self-aware of his perversion. It became something that he began to hate of himself, and he was using it a means to become better. She, on the other hand, was sheltering herself from what she hated.

"Maybe, but there’s no such thing as a perfect being." Rias said.

"And yet there are people that make themselves out to be."

"Yes... I would say there are several of those kinds of people on the council." Rias sneered as she knew noted of other political marriages that have been arranged for the sake of developing the so-called perfect devil.

Akeno retracted her wing and slipped on a shirt. "I'll go help Asia."

"I notice that you changed ribbons, this one is crimson red and not orange."

"Ara~ ara~… just representing the team."

Rias smiled faintly. "Oh... right." She remembered that her hair color was the same as the color of the ribbon.

The two headed off to go see how the rest of the team was doing on their first day of training.

The week had gone by and Sona was seated in her office, beside her was Tsubaki, but also Yuuma. In front of her was a hologram of both the Maou Lucifer and the Maou Leviathan. They were discussing the impending meeting that was happening soon with Azazel.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Sirzechs asked the student council president.

"I’m sure. You’re already under enough stress with Rias’ rating game coming up, but you can be on standby to listen to what he has to say." Sona answered.

"I understand, plus Serafall is here and she can make him think otherwise. If what your pawn says is true from what Azazel says, this changes everything." Sirzechs noted.

"Very well." Sona nodded.

"Don't worry, So‑so! I'll be with you every step of the way!" Serafall cheered.

"Maou Leviathan, please refrain from calling me that." Sona groaned as Serafall pouted.

A magic circle appeared in the room and Azazel appeared, he was dressed in a casual kimono.

"Oh? How wonderful, the Maous are present that makes this easier." The leader of the fallen angels greeted.

"Greetings, Azazel. We have not spoken in a while." Sirzechs looked at the cadre.

"Not since you contacted me about several fallen angels that I had to mark as rogue for their insubordination." Azazel glanced at Yuuma, who looked away in embarrassment.

"Indeed. Now, what's this about one of your colleagues starting a war?" Sirzechs questioned.

"Hold on, there’s one more that should be involved in this meeting." Azazel raised his hand and a knock was heard. "And I think that must be them."

It was a bit of a surprise to hear Azazel’s voice become grave and serious.

"You may enter." Sona called out as she was feeling nervous by the amount of pressure that the person behind the door was emitting.

The door opened and a blonde man stepped inside. Despite the supernatural presences before him, he was calm, composed, yet radiating an overwhelming presence that made even devils straighten their posture.

"Never thought you'd show up, Saiga." Azazel answered.

"Of course I would come. You invited me, after all." Saiga bowed politely. "Greetings, Maou Lucifer. Maou Leviathan."

"Who is this?" Serafall asked.

Sirzechs' eyes narrowed, though his tone remained cordial. "Saiga Fūrinji. Tell me... How is your father?"

"Still spry as ever." Saiga answered.

Azazel folded his arms, expression turning serious. "I'm sure your informants told you about Kokabiel."

"They did. But what do you intend to do?" Saiga asked as he had his own plan prepared.

He was only giving Azazel the chance to bring order to his faction, otherwise Saiga would. Since this was on Japanese soil and would need to be handled soon before someone else stepped in.

Sona adjusted her glasses. "I believe that is where my pawn comes in."

Serafall turned serious and looked at Sona. "Explain."

Yuuma stepped forward, posture straight, voice steady. "I was contacted by a former colleague of mine, Freed Sellzen. He wanted to know if I was in on his boss’ plan, who we believe is Kokabiel. We do not know of Kokabiel’s plan, which is why I request to go undercover and work with Freed to know more about the plan and how it pertains to Kuoh."

Azazel nodded. "I wanted this meeting, so everything is transparent and not have any secrets on either side and I assure you that I am not involved with whatever Kokabiel has planned. I just want to learn about sacred gears and enjoy my life. I feel no need to start a war."

"I understand. And you, Saiga... how do you fit into this?" Sirzechs noted, while turning to the human present.

Saiga's expression hardened. "My team has been eliminating Kokabiel loyalists and reducing his forces. If he plans to strike Kuoh, we intend to weaken him beforehand. I don't know if he intends to drag Heaven into this. If he does, it won't be through us. We're neutral compared to your two factions."

"That is true. I don’t know if he plans to get them involved." Azazel shook his head.

Sirzechs turned to Sona. "Are you certain you're willing to send your piece undercover?"

Sona nodded, "Yes, Lucifer-sama. We had discussed this earlier in the week, and she was the one that informed me that Azazel-sama wanted this meeting. I was not aware of Fūrinji-sama’s presence."

Azazel chuckled. "He was a surprise entry. When he contacted me about a crime organization and wondered if Kokabiel had any involvement."

Sirzechs' expression sharpened. "A crime organization?"

"Yes. I was once part of it. It's called Yami." Saiga answered.

Serafall blinked. "Yami?"

"An organization of martial artists who desire war so their skills never die. My father and his group dismantled them, but we believe remnants have joined supernatural forces. They have enough funds to become a nation of their own."

Sirzechs frowned. "That is… concerning."

"No. Even if most members dispersed, they likely replenish themselves with supernatural forces. The good thing from what I have gathered is that Kokabiel is not associated with them."

"Who knows what he could do if he had access to such an abundance of funds." Serafall frowned.

"Why did you join Yami, Saiga?" Sirzechs questioned.

Saiga's eyes darkened. "My heart was in a dark place, considering that my former best friend had masqueraded as me and killed my wife. Even worse, when said best friend is the organization’s leader. He’s dead now, but I did not kill him, which worries me as to who could be in charge of Yami’s funds now."

He looked at the Maous in the eyes to convey his emotions and they could determine whether or not he was telling the truth. The Maous exchanged glances, reading the sincerity in his voice.

Sirzechs exhaled. "Then what do you propose?"

"I propose a temporary alliance." Sona announced, turning all the attention towards her.

"Sona…" Serafall started, but Sona shook her head.

"Think about it. If what Saiga-san says is true, then it means that there are rogue fallen angels out there."

"Or rogue exorcists and Freed is definitely a rogue." Yuuma informed, "And I had other rogue exorcists that joined me as well. I don't know if some escaped, when my former group was attacked."

"Correct, they could be deceiving Azazel-sama and could be working for Kokabiel." Sona nodded.

Azazel nodded slowly. "Since I've been here, I haven't given any orders of attacking Kuoh. If I were to show my presence, they may alert Kokabiel. So it's best for Saiga and his team to continue handling fallen angels in the area."

"Will that be a problem?" Sirzechs looked at Saiga.

"Not at all." Saiga answered the Maou.

"I also have a backup plan in case things go wrong." Azazel informed them.

Sirzechs raised an eyebrow, "Backup plan?"

"My adopted son. He's on standby."

Saiga's eyebrow twitched. "Don't let him interfere with my team."

"I’ll be sure to warn him, but if I may ask..." Azazel's eyes narrowed. "Is Mitsuya joining this brigade of yours."

Saiga's expression cooled. "No. I don't know what he's doing, and I'd keep him away regardless. Both your factions have… complicated feelings about him and Cross Times Kiss."

Sirzechs sighed. "Ajuka has mentioned something about him."

Serafall nodded in agreement. "Yes, he's a problem."

"He won't be a factor." Saiga shook his head.

Sirzechs nodded, then shifted the topic. "Very well. We'll leave the undercover operation to you, Yuuma‑san."

"Thank you, Lucifer‑sama." Yuuma bowed.

Sirzechs turned back to Saiga. "One more thing. Are you training another Mitsuya?"

Saiga blinked. "Another Mitsuya?"

"Grayfia informed me of a human in Kuoh capable of using ki."

Sona adjusted her glasses again. "I believe you are referring to Hyoudou Issei."

Saiga gave nothing away as what they did not know was that the entire MMA club was capable of using ki. Unlike Issei, they could control it and thus remain hidden under the devils' noses.

Sirzechs nodded, "Indeed, a human should not be able to damage a devil, even a low class, unless they have some special capability. In this case, it would be ki. So tell me, are you?"

Saiga smirked. "No. I am not. But in time, perhaps I should and just so you know, I did not train Mitsuya. I had another disciple, who I had trained. He’s out there somewhere in the world."

He was curious about whether or not he should speak about Mitsurugi, but decided to say nothing about the ronin's presence.

Sirzechs leaned back. "I see. Then you have no objections to him joining my sister's peerage?"

"What!? Sona saw him first!" Serafall argued for her sister.

Saiga chuckled. "Haha, I was informed about that. But I believe that he has rejected your sister, so she will be without his help in her engagement."

Sona sighed. "Due to my other pawn’s actions, I don’t think he would join my peerage either."

Azazel shrugged. "I don't think he would. I've spoken with his father... he has loose ties to the Church."

Sirzechs raised an eyebrow. "The Church?"

"Yes, a family friend was a part of the Church." Azazel answered the Maou.

"Hmm, but he has no other ties, correct?" Sirzechs asked.

Azazel shook his head. "None that I know of."

"Neither do I." Saiga informed, "But I have a request."

Sirzechs nodded. "Speak."

"I request that Yuuma-san should contact someone from my group, so I can relay the information to either one of you. It would likely be you, Azazel, since you are here."

Serafall frowned. "Why should we allow that?"

Saiga's tone sharpened. "Because I am a wild card. Kokabiel is not aware of my group, unless he has dug into your research, Azazel, plus my group is full of humans."

"As far as I know, he only knows of Team Slash Dog and their identities." Azazel answered.

Saiga nodded. "Good, that means I have continued to hide my group well."

Yuuma stepped forward. "So… who would be the contact that I would go to?"

Saiga's lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. "I won't say. But she has been closer to you than you think."

Yuuma blinked. "She?"

"Or would you prefer a male contact?" Saiga offered.

"No… a female one will do." Yuuma obliged.

"Then we are in agreement."

Sirzechs folded his arms. "For now."

"Yes." Serafall nodded.

Azazel sighed, "A temporary truce, then. Let's hope the Church doesn't get involved."

"Indeed. If word spreads, they'll assume we're conspiring against them." Sirzechs nodded.

Saiga tilted his head towards the Maou Lucifer. "I assume you won't be informing your sister?"

"Not at this moment." Sirzechs shook his head.

"What happens here stays between those in this room." Serafall spoke to them all, her seriousness was back again.

"I am fine with that." Azazel nodded.

"Likewise." Saiga agreed.

"Keep us updated on any developments, Sona." Sirzechs looked at the Sitri heiress.

"Yes, Lucifer‑sama."

With that, Sirzechs gave a nod to Sona and then to Azazel and Saiga, before the hologram disappeared. Serafall did the same things. However, she gave a thumbs up to Sona in support of handling things before her hologram disappeared as well.

Azazel stretched. "I believe we’re done here."

"Not quite. There's someone else who needs to be informed." Saiga said, now that the Maous were gone.

"Who?" Sona asked.

Saiga's eyes glinted. "You'll see. Azazel, please bring Yuuma with you. She can brief you later." He said to Sona at the end.

"Why can't I come?" Sona questioned further.

"Because his subordinate may not take kindly to you." Saiga answered.

Sona inhaled slowly, regaining her composure. "Very well. Yuuma, go with them. I'll arrange your absence for as long as needed. But before you leave… Saiga‑san, may I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Your surname is quite familiar. I know that I have seen it a few times on my desk, but it was never anything too bad."

Saiga chuckled. "Probably because they are informing you of my bills, after all, I do pay for the dojo on your grounds." Sona stiffened, only slightly at the response as he continued. "Also, my daughter Miu is in your grade."

"I see." Sona sighed before she gave her nod to Yuuma.

Saiga turned and left the office.

Yuuma nodded, "I'll be going now."

She gathered her things and followed after the two men.

"So where are we going?" Azazel asked.

"To pay an old friend a visit." Saiga responded as they left the school with Yuuma following behind them.

The sun dipped low over the backyard garden behind the Shishi-Oh, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Issei's bokken sliced through the air, and it was definitely cleaner, sharper, faster than before, thanks to his training with both Shigure and Mitsurugi. He was mixing things up between thrusts and slashes, but Mitsurugi was amused at seeing Issei’s determination. Mitsurugi blocked each strike with effortless grace, but the smile on his face showed approval.

"You’re looking a little lighter on feet. What have you been doing?" Mitsurugi asked, while blocking Issei’s strike to his left and then he parried and went to kick Issei, who jumped back.

"Dancing." Issei answered, while searching for an opening.

However, unlike Ukita, Mitsurugi wasn't giving him such chances, and he was certain that he wouldn't be able to make one against his master.

"Dancing, you say?" Mitsurugi raised an eyebrow because it was not an option that he expected.

"Yeah, I’m trying to learn taekwondo for my upcoming tournament next week."

Mitsurugi's eyes gleamed. "Oh? Then why haven’t you incorporated your hand to hand combat? You saw how I aimed a kick at you, right?"

"Yeah?"

"You need to utilize all of the knowledge you learn in your battles!" He dashed forward. "Ha!"

BAM!

"Hngh!" Issei grunted as he went sliding back from the force of his master’s strike.

He was able to block the attack with his bokken, but the power behind was still immense. He didn’t have the time to catch his breath but quickly grounded as he held his bokken as he blocked an overhead slash from Mitsurugi.

"You noticed it, right?" Mitsurugi smirked as he pressed down on Issei's bokken. "I did not let you catch your breath."

Issei gritted his teeth as he could not push his master off of him because Mitsurugi's strength was overwhelming. He remembered what his master had just said and knew he needed to use all that he learned. Sticking with his kenjutsu wasn't going to cut it anymore in these spars. He sidestepped, hoping to use Mitsurugi’s momentum against him and went in for a punch on Mitsurugi’s left side. Mitsurugi smiled and grabbed the fist, pulling Issei towards him and countered by decking him with a blow to Issei's shoulder.

"You’re learning." Mitsurugi nodded. "Good. Don’t just stick with kenjutsu because I’m training you in that field. In a real battle, you need to utilize all that you learn, not just stick with one type of style. Think about it, what if someone you faced is well versed in a style that you know and are able to counter it? What would you do? Would you continue sticking to the same plan or switch things up?"

Issei rubbed his shoulder and winced. "Right… I get it. I would need to switch things up. If they already threw a wrench in my plans, I would need to throw one in theirs and switch things up a bit."

"Correct, you adapt." Mitsurugi nodded at the answer. "Another thing that I noticed is that you have gotten a little faster in your swings. I guess you are practicing them?"

"Yeah, I got a sensei at the dojo. She works with me on Mondays and Fridays. if she’s not critiquing me... you are or Setsuka-sensei is." Issei informed him.

"Hmm, that is a lot to…" Mitsurugi opened his mouth to reply but then stopped and looked over Issei’s shoulder.

Issei also felt something, it was a familiar aura that he hadn’t felt in a while, but he knew it was there. He gulped before turning around to see what caught Mitsurugi’s interest. Behind him was Setsuka, but with her was Saiga, Azazel, and Yuuma.

"So you've taken an interest in young Issei as well, Mitsurugi." Saiga spoke as he stepped forward.

"What do you want, Saiga? And why are you two here?" His eyes narrowed at the fallen angels, though Issei didn't understand the significance.

"There’s something that we would like to talk to you about." Azazel said.

"A job?" Mitsurugi asked, which made Issei raise an eyebrow.

"Not exactly. Though it may become one." Saiga answered.

"Fine. Issei, time for you to head home." Mitsurugi ordered his student.

"He can help me with my designs, while you have your talk." Setsuka spoke to her husband.

"Very well. And take the girl with you." Mitsurugi nodded.

"Of course." Setsuka smiled.

Issei blinked. "Yuuma… how do you know them?" He had met Saiga and Azazel before, but he was blanking on his classmate's connection to them.

Yuuma hesitated. "Well…"

"Ah, right. I guess I forgot to tell you that I had a daughter like Saiga haha." Azazel interrupted and laughing it off before she could answer.

"Daughter?" Issei stared at Yuuma, looking for certain features that could link them as being related beside their black hair, Sharp eyes, and a weirdly, certain aura. "I see." Issei bowed deeply towards Azazel. "I’m sorry for the trouble that I have caused your daughter."

Yuuma froze. "Huh!?"

"Trouble? What do you mean?" Azazel asked with intrigue and to further see Yuuma's embarrassment.

"Because of me, Yuuma had to beat up people that were spreading rumors about her, since she had offered me a chance to feel her breasts. Now some people consider her a slut because no girl would offer themselves to me, even though she did offer me sexual favors." Issei explained in his usual honest manner. "I will tell you now that I did not touch your daughter in any way, but I am still sorry for causing her and possibly you any trouble."

Yuuma could not pale anymore than she already had, Azazel was slack jawed, while Setsuka stifled a giggle. Saiga and Mitsurugi remained indifferent on the matter. Issei remained bowed, but Azazel came out of his stupor and started laughing, but it was not at Issei, but at Yuuma.

"Hahaha, you must have wanted it bad, Yuuma! Hahaha!" The cadre laughed.

Yuuma fumed. "It's not funny! He was going to go into the ORC, when Riser Phenex was there!"

Saiga narrowed his eyes as this was what Shigure had been talking about, while Mitsurugi was intrigued. Setsuka also calmed her own laughter as she wondered what happened then.

"Oh? Issei, did you challenge him?" Mitsurugi looked at his student.

"No, shishou. I felt an uneasy feeling like I do with those involved in the student council and occult research club, but I still entered the building to overcome that fear. I was just going to give the apology gift that I had gotten to a girl that I felt that I owe it to. I know that the occult research club was challenging him to some competition, but I did not partake in it. I didn’t want to be some hero for the Gremory or make her feel that she owed me any favors." Issei answered, but he clenched his fist, "However... a part of me did want to fight him, since he sent one of his servants at me, but they were weak. I dispatched her weapon and threw her back into her comrades. I needed someone stronger to test myself, but I was too focused on my upcoming tournament that I didn’t and gave that thunder to someone else."

Mitsurugi grinned with a predatory gleam. "Take that fire with you into your tournament."

This could have been the moment that he could have told Issei about the supernatural, but he wanted Issei to be in a situation where he was unprepared. Thus, he would be forced to adapt just like how they discussed earlier.

"Hai, shishou." Issei bowed to his master.

Saiga nodded. "I look forward to seeing how you advance in the tournament."

"Setsuka." Mitsurugi looked at his wife.

"Come along, you two." Setsuka spoke as she guided Issei and Yuuma away from the area and back to the front of the shop.

Once they were gone, Saiga asked. "So, what piqued your interest in him?"

"I saw someone that wanted to change his ways, so I assisted and gave him something to strive towards. Now what are you here for, Saiga, that you had to bring the leader of the fallen angels to my doorstep." Mitsurugi spoke to the martial arts master.

However, there was more to this answer, but he didn't need these two to know what he had planned for the unsuspecting boy. All Issei knew is that through Mitsurugi, he was going to be a 'somebody' and possibly obtain a reputation that was similar to the ronin's.

"Oh? Sirzechs Lucifer is in on this? I wonder if he is still mad with me about dueling with his knight?" Mitsurugi pondered out loud.

Saiga shook his head, "I wouldn't know."

"He’ll be informed later. We just did not bring Yuuma’s mistress, Sona Sitri, because your student does not like the student council." Azazel informed him. "Only Yuuma is tolerable to him. Though I am surprised that you took on Souji Okita and lived to tell the tale. Then again, I should not be surprised by a warrior... such as yourself. I would have said 'samurai', but you got the ronin title and all."

Mitsurugi exhaled sharply, almost amused. "Hmph. I won that duel. But Sirzechs interrupted and burned my left side with his Power of Destruction." He slid the left half of his kimono aside to show a massive, jagged burn scar stretched across his ribs. It looked old and deep. "And before you ask... no, this has nothing to do with the sexual favors your 'daughter' offered him. He told me about it. She was doing anything she could to keep him from entering that building. How unfortunate that he won't be facing Riser Phenex, but he's not ready for that yet."

Saiga folded his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "He seems to have done well under your tutelage. I can feel his ki level increasing."

"And he is using it a little more frequently, but he doesn’t know that it’s his ki." Mitsurugi replied back.

"Are you planning to bring him into the supernatural world?" Saiga asked.

"He would need to, if he wants to become one of the strongest warriors." Mitsurugi informed them and signifying that it would be his own responsibility to speak with Issei on the matter and thus they would have to step back. "Now... what's this job?"

Azazel stepped forward, expression turning serious. "Well, one of my colleagues, Kokabiel, is planning something. Likely a war."

"So you want me to kill him?" Mitsurugi asked.

Azazel shook his head. "No. I was hoping that you could take on any rogue fallen angels that he may be gathering."

"The masters at Ryōzanpaku and I are also going about to limit his forces as well." Saiga waved his hand dismissively. "Let the kids focus on school and their tournament."

Mitsurugi raised a brow. "But your son‑in‑law..."

"He's not my son‑in‑law yet." Saiga interrupted.

"Uh huh. He could be almost on par with your Slash Dog leader, isn’t that right?" Mitsurugi turned to Azazel.

Azazel chuckled. "Considering that Tobio has a sacred gear, it’s pretty unfair... but without it, then I believe so."

"So, he can handle some rogue fallen angels..." Mitsurugi noted about Kenichi from the information that he had. "But I suppose you want him to focus on his tournament that we already know he would win."

"Maybe." Saiga shrugged.

"So I will get paid, huh?" Mitsurugi asked, inspecting the bokken that he used to spar with Issei.

Showcasing that Mitsurugi was more than just a ronin and he was also a mercenary. Needless to say, the two were lucky that they were the ones hiring the ronin. If it was Kokabiel that was aware of Mitsurugi's presence and requested his assistance, then things would be different.

"Of course." Azazel nodded.

Mitsurugi cracked his neck. "You know that if I do this... I may not be able to train Issei in his ki control."

"How have you been doing that?" Saiga asked.

"Simple, by distributing his anger into his fists and letting it out. His anger issues are still there, but he's masking them better. He has a short fuse and that makes him reckless, don't be surprised if he loses points in his tournament because of that."

"SI suppose that Shigure should be thanked for that." Saiga noted.

Azazel blinked. "Who's that?"

"Kōsaka Shigure. That explains it." Mitsurugi informed as he remembered that Issei had mentioned that name.

"She is becoming fond of him, ever since he has mentioned that she would be an awesome big sister." Saiga said.

"Is that so? My wife already sees him as a son, considering all the battles that we went through has left us with the low chance of having children of our own." Mitsurugi shook his head.

Azazel softened. "I see."

"I guess that's why you are passing your dream onto him." Saiga said as a form of a statement.

"Hmm, I never thought of it like that, but going back to the topic. So you want me to kill any rogue fallen angels within the area?" Mitsurugi asked.

Azazel nodded. "Yes, but not in the area, but rather outside of this area. They would likely be converging on this area."

"Good. It would be good to get out, at least Setsuka can handle running the shop. Good thing I hired the boy." Mitsurugi said, believing that would be a good excuse as a means to keep his true intentions to himself.

Saiga smirked. "So you pay him to train him?"

"No, he works around the shop and does his job." Mitsurugi corrected. "Then after his shift, he trains, he calls it his 'Goku' phase."

Azazel laughed. "Oh? I didn’t think he was a Dragon Ball fan."

"There’s a lot that people don’t know about him because all they see is the pervert at the surface. But now he doesn’t have that mask to lean on." The ronin informed them.

"A mask, huh? I think his father said something similar." Azazel began to reminisce about his talk with Gorou.

"Yes, once you sit him down and talk." Mitsurugi nodded as he remembered his talks with Issei. Although those talks were usually after he beat down Issei in their training and the brunette was left lying on the ground. "You will find that his perverted attitude that he uses is a shell. Break through it and you find your average boy that has many interests than just breasts. For example, he can sew, which is what he and Setsuka bond over. He also can give a great massage, according to my wife. It’s something that he did for his own parents, and he wanted to get better at. Of course, that stopped when his perversion took over."

"He can also sculpt quite well. Akisame brought in the statue that he made at the clinic." Saiga informed.

"Ah, I've talked with his father as you know. I learned that he is pretty good with computers and video editing. He also can cook as well, usually with his birth mother, something that they have bonded over." Azazel said.

"Yes, he sometimes brings in some of his cooking and hands the recipe off to Setsuka." Mitsurugi told them, knowing that it only helped Setsuka get even more attached to Issei.

Saiga crossed his arms. "I will say that he doesn’t have talent as a martial artist…"

"Or a swordsman, but he continues on through hard work and determination. He wants to be somebody, so I will make him somebody."

"Your samurai teachings are taking root and becoming instilled in him." Saiga was impressed at how far that Issei had come in these short months, but knew that Issei wouldn't have listened if not for Kenichi's guidance first.

Azazel grinned. "Yuuma knows how to pick 'em. And she's got competition."

"Competition?" Mitsurugi asked.

"For the boy's affection." Azazel chuckled, wondering how he could use that to his advantage.

Saiga laughed. "Kenichi had the same problem. I wonder who Issei will choose."

Azazel joked. "Let him have his harem. He'd treat them fairly. I can show him, if he wants."

"Tch, it's more than having a harem to galvanize, that was only to appease his grandfather. Despite his perversion, he wants a real romantic connection." Mitsurugi noted, having listen to Issei speak with Setsuka at times.

"Yes, his father has mentioned that he has some envy towards his parents about that. He’s got a girl possibly waiting for him in another country, if she’s still single... he’ll be alright." Azazel said.

Mitsurugi waved a hand. "Enough about my student. Why did you bring your 'daughter' here, Azazel?"

"Well, now that you have seen her... Hopefully, you won’t kill her." Azazel shrugged.

"She will be going undercover to figure out what Kokabiel’s plan is as right now. We wouldn't want the Church to be involved." Saiga told Mitsurugi.

Mitsurugi exhaled. "So, I should be on the lookout for exorcists as well."

Saiga relaxed. "I believe so."

"Hmm, give me the whole rundown on what you discussed with Sirzechs." Mitsurugi wanted all of the information that he needed.

As the three men continued to talk about the mission that Mitsurugi would go on as well as payment.

Meanwhile, in the front of the store, Yuuma was immensely embarrassed by how Issei outed her on her sexual advances towards him. Setsuka was just looking smugly at her, but snickering as Issei was a bit embarrassed, chastising himself for being so honest and true to his namesake.

"So, what exactly did she offer you, Ise?" Setsuka asked with intrigue.

"Huh?" Issei asked, confused by the question.

"What sexual favors did she offer you?" Setsuka repeated.

"Well… mmm..." Issei was unable to speak.

Yuuma lunged to cover his mouth. "She doesn't need to hear that!"

Setsuka raised a brow. "Oh?"

Issei gently pried Yuuma's hand off. "Knock it off. As I was saying, she offered to let me feel her chest to help with... her old boyfriend. Then she didn’t want me to go into the ORC building, so she offered sex as a means to keep me occupied."

Yuuma groaned.

"That's it?" Setsuka asked as she looked between the two teenagers.

"Yeah, pretty much." Issei shook his head at Yuuma's promiscuity as said girl glared daggers at him.

Setsuka chuckled. "Nothing to be embarrassed about there. Anyways, Ise, I have something for you."

"What is it?" He asked as he watched her disappear behind the counter and returned with a folded garment.

"Here." She showed the garment to be a black karate gi with red trim. "For you to wear in your tournament." Setsuka informed as she handed it over to him.

Issei's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Of course, plus it seemed that someone liked the kimono that you helped me design."

"Which one?" Issei didn't remember all of the ones that he helped her with.

"That sleeveless one that was half black and half silver with gold trim with the underlying color of the kimono being crimson. They even bought a crimson sash to tie it and some black fingerless long sleeve gloves. They looked like they could battle in it. So, consider this as repayment. You needed something new as those old gi pants of yours wouldn’t have lasted." Setsuka scolded him.

Issei hugged her tightly. "Thank you."

"Go try it on and come show me how it fits."

"Alright." Issei hurried to the backroom, but still away from the three men as to not eavesdrop on their own conversation.

Setsuka's expression sharpened as she turned to Yuuma. "You better not hurt him."

Yuuma was shocked by the woman's change in attitude. "Huh?"

"You think I don’t know how you fallen angels work, seeing humans as your playthings? I don’t even know why I sold the kimono to the other one that looks like you."

Yuuma stiffened. "The other one? Wait... you sold the kimono to Akeno?"

Setsuka crossed her arms, eyebrows raised. "Hair in a ponytail with an orange ribbon… violet eyes like yours? That girl? That's her name?"

"Yeah. And she has interest in Issei too. We… both do, but for different reasons."

"What's hers?"

Yuuma exhaled softly, her expression gentling. " Self-loathing. They have that in common. It seems that he sort of made her accept her fallen‑angel side. Told her that hating it would only hold her back and hurt the people she cares about. He said how he accepted his perversion. Even though now he does hate it, it is still a part of him, so he must accept it. He also knows that it is a detriment that others could use against him."

Setsuka nodded slowly. "And you?"

Yuuma smiled faintly. "Well… he likes my name. This one, at least. Even though he knows the other one. And he was honest with me... like completely honest. Even about being a pervert. You don’t usually say that to someone that you meet for the first time."

Setsuka laughed. "True. I made a bet with my husband that Ise would look at my chest, since he had told me he was a pervert, it was kind of funny, but now he doesn’t do that. We rather have a competition on who has the best abs."

Yuuma's eyes flicked to Setsuka's toned stomach and could see what Issei had seen. "You don't say…"

"So? What's your story? Why'd they bring you here?"

"Well, I..." Yuuma opened her mouth, but Issei stepped out from the back room.

"Whoa… it fits perfectly." Issei said as he somewhat flexed.

The black gi with red trim hugged his frame just right as it was loose enough for movement, fitted enough to show the results of months of training.

Yuuma smirked and licked her lips. 'Not bad, I can work with this. Mama likes.'

She had seen him grow bit by bit, since they first in the park, then during the week she spent hovering around him and Raichi. He had been lean before, skinny but lean. Now he was filling out, muscle forming where there had once been only boyish softness. She had been with Takeshi, well... for a date. She knew it was likely that Takeshi would put on some more muscle during his own training for the rating game.

She had kept her sexual advances to a minimum, when she was with Issei and Raichi. She had nothing to fear with Raichi, despite the bond that the pink haired girl shared with Issei, she didn’t seem to pose a threat for Issei’s affections. She got to learn about Issei’s training schedule as well, she knew she could not wake up at 4 in the morning to go work out. She had to admit that Issei’s commitment to his training was something else. Maybe if Genshirou actually took his own training seriously, he could get Sona to notice him. She knew that Momo and Ruruko definitely noticed the blonde pawn.

"I'm glad you like it." Setsuka noted as she walked up to Issei.

"Thank you so much!" Issei hugged her.

Yuuma could not help but look at them, if Setsuka was a brunette, she definitely could be considered Issei’s mother. After all, Issei did consider Setsuka as his third mother figure. The first was his own mother, nothing would take her place, considering that the woman had been by his side and all he had done was cause her problems. He was glad that he was relieving her stress by shifting away from his perversion. The second mother figure was Shidou’s mother, she would treat him to lunch and take him to shows with Shidou. If he wasn’t with his mother or grandmother, when he was young, he was in her care.

He could only hope that he could find a woman like Setsuka, when he got older or at least be a parent like she was one day. He bonded with Setsuka over bonding like he bonded with his own mother over cooking. He had a bond with Shidou’s mother, probably with his friendship with Shidou. However, she still felt like family to him.

Issei turned towards Yuuma. "Hey, Yuuma… sorry for embarrassing you like that earlier. I was too honest. You didn't deserve that."

Yuuma waved him off. "He was going to find out eventually." She knew how Azazel was and would have learned of her 'offers' one way or another.

"So… we're good?" He asked.

"Yeah, we’re good, but you’re going to owe me one, when I get back." Yuuma informed him.

"Get back? I’ll see you in school on Monday." Issei didn't understand what she meant.

Yuuma shook her head. "I got some things to do, so I guess I got lucky to catch you before I go."

Issei hesitated. "Oh… I see." He didn’t really know what else to say, since he was somewhat at ease with her. Despite the feeling that she gave him.

"Hey, don’t sweat it." Yuuma assured him. "You can always feed me some more of that cooking of yours."

"You and Raichi…" He deadpanned.

"Haha, yeah, I guess so. Maybe we can check out a movie or something instead." Yuuma laughed.

"Uh… sure. I guess." He looked towards Setsuka with a look that said 'Did she, a girl, just ask me out?'

Setsuka shrugged in response as she chuckled, while she watched the exchange closely.

Or rather she watched Yuuma, she couldn't really determine if the girl liked him. Fallen angels can be tricky, that much is obvious. She could not help but worry if Issei’s training would blind him from romance.

She could also understand Issei's confusion, due to his perversion, he didn't think a girl would ask him out. So he was rather unsure because he had seen her with Takeshi prior to this, so he had no idea what piqued her interest in him. Of course, Setsuka knew that Issei had an inferiority complex, thus he used his training as a means to blind himself from romance, too. Then again… Setsuka had met her husband through combat. Maybe Issei would meet someone the same way.

In Issei's state of confusion, Azazel, Mitsurugi, and Saiga entered, having finished their conversation.

Azazel stepped forward, eyeing Issei's outfit. "Oh? That’s a nice outfit."

"So that's what you've been making on the side?" Mitsurugi eyed the outfit and looked at his wife.

"Yes. He needed something new for the tournament." Setsuka answered with a shrug.

"I remember. He took that day off. Unfortunately, I won’t be in attendance. I would have liked to see your training come to fruition." Mitsurugi told Issei.

Issei snapped out of his confusion to answer. "That’s fine, my mother asked me if there was a link or something that would stream it. Luckily, there is, I asked Kenichi-senpai and he sent me the name of the website. I can write it down for you before I go, since I need to change out of this."

"You already know that I look forward to seeing how you do, Hyoudou-san." Saiga nodded.

"Th‑thank you, Fūrinji-san." Issei bowed and slipped into the back to change.

Once he was gone and out of earshot, Mitsurugi turned to Setsuka. "I’ll be heading out of town, could you handle Issei’s training? I don’t want him to get rusty.."

"One of these days, that boy will need to relax." Setsuka sighed, feeling that her husband was going to overwork the boy.

"If he wants to become one of the strongest warriors, I doubt that." Mitsurugi retorted back

Azazel hummed. "You really ingrained that into his head, huh? You do know that there are gods out there."

"So?" Mitsurugi looked at the cadre.

After all, it was he, a human, that had fought Sirzechs Lucifer. He may have escaped the battle alive, but not without damage as he noted that his left side was heavily damaged.

Saiga chuckled. "Haha, as expected of you. Always seeking strong opponents for you to fight, now you have him going down that route. However, he is doing it, so he can protect others, not for glory."

"He’ll do whatever he wants," Mitsurugi countered. "If that is why he wants to become one of the strongest warriors, then so be it... but I will make him somebody that people will be proud of."

"Looks like we can agree on that." Saiga nodded.

"You know he would like to fight you one day. You are his goal that he strives for." Mitsurugi informed the blonde man.

Of course, Saiga was aware that Issei saw him as a challenge. He was intrigued that he was also a goal for the boy to overcome, since he remembered Issei's look of fascination upon meeting him. It was what made Saiga believe that Issei would follow Kenichi's path, but in the process, Issei would start carving his own. It also made Azazel interested in knowing more about Saiga and his group, besides the one that was part of the incident with one of the clans.

"He hasn't met my father yet." Saiga responded back to Mitsurugi.

Mitsurugi grimaced. "I haven't forgotten that monster."

"Like you, he is intrigued with Issei. Your samurai mentality is also a benefit as I believe that he would’ve acted recklessly without it." Saiga noted.

"A samurai is a soldier and that is what he is." Mitsurugi told him, much to the chagrin of Setsuka, but she knew it was true based on their work ethics. "It’s why he’s so determined in his goals. Before it was to be a harem king and now look at him... taking my dream and he could likely go beyond that."

Azazel sighed. "Let's hope he doesn't become a battle maniac."

Yuuma groaned. "Ugh… I know who you're talking about."

Mitsurugi snorted. "So what? If he sees a threat, he'll handle it. That's who he is."

Saiga smirked. "He'll breeze through most second‑years. I've done my research on them, like him, they're mostly beginners. I am curious how he'll fare against Tenmon's daughter."

Yuuma blinked. 'Daughter? He must mean Raichi… Right? She's also in the tournament.' This was the first time that she was hearing Raichi's father's name.

Mitsurugi folded his arms, confidence radiating from him like a quiet flame. "He'll find a way."

Azazel chuckled. "You're awfully confident in your student."

Setsuka stepped forward, hands on her hips. "Of course, someone needs to have some confidence in him. He still has self-doubt as the voice in the back of his head still mocks him for being a pervert. I’m sure he would like to punch the voice out and continue to fight on his own terms."

Azazel nodded thoughtfully. "I see." As soon as he finished speaking, the back door opened.

"And done!" Issei announced as he emerged with his bag slung over his shoulder and his bokken strapped to his back. "Oh, I thought some of you had left."

"Not quite. But we're heading out now." Azazel chuckled.

Saiga stepped forward and extended a hand. "Good to see you again, Hyoudou-san."

"You as well, Fūrinji-san." They shook hands firmly.

Azazel grinned. "Considering we got off on the wrong foot..."

"No. I just get an uneasy feeling around you. And some others." Issei shook his head, while giving a sideways glance towards Yuuma.

Saiga raised his eyebrow in interest as he knew that Issei’s instincts would warn him of danger, when he was peeping on girls. He never expected that Issei could potentially sense the different auras of someone.

Saiga's eyes sharpened with interest. 'So he can sense it… his instincts are sharper than I thought. He might even become a sensor if he focuses on that aspect.’

Azazel raised his hands in mock surrender. "Oh, come on. I can’t be that bad."

"Maybe not. But I always have to keep my guard up." Issei responded back to him.

"Alright, alright." Azazel shook his head in amusement.

Yuuma stepped closer, smiling. "I'll see you around."

"Uh‑huh." Issei instinctively took a step back, which was noticed by all the adults.

"Don't miss me too much." Yuuma smirked.

"I think I'll be alright." Issei shook his head, knowing that she was back to her teasing ways.

She wiped that smirk off his face, when she stepped forward and hugged him, pressing her breasts into him.

"No. I’m not sure you will." She whispered in his ear, but then, unseen by the adults, she leaned in and licked his ear.

Issei jolted like he'd been electrocuted as he was not expecting her to do something like that. Now he knew that she was cranking it up on her end. He knew that a part of him was a little giddy about the prospect of a girl coming onto him. However, he knew that was too good to be true, so he calmed himself down.

"Just a little payback." Yuuma whispered.

She pulled away with a wicked grin and walked toward the door. Issei’s reaction indicated that something happened, but it confirmed what Setsuka believed.

'That's two girls to be afraid of. Better watch out for them both. She and Akeno-senpai must be related, if not sisters, then they are cousins, maybe.' Issei thought as he audibly swallowed.

Azazel gave Issei a mock salute before following her, but Saiga stopped them.

"Oh, Yuuma, Azazel. Please inform the council president of the new installment in our agreement." Saiga called out to the fallen angels, while giving a side glance to the ronin.

"I'll handle it." Yuuma informed as she continued to leave without looking back.

Azazel chuckled at her nonchalant attitude, knowing that she she got it from looking up to him. He gave a thumbs up as he left with his former subordinate. Saiga nodded to Mitsurugi and the remaining occupants before exiting the shop as well.

"Issei. I’m going to be leaving in a couple of days, so you likely won’t see me after tomorrow." Mitsurugi called out to his student.

"Oh? Then how do I train?" Issei looked on in confusion.

"I’ll be looking after your training." Setsuka answered.

"Really? Alright!" Issei's eyes lit up as he'd trained with Setsuka before, but never under her full supervision.

"Now go home. It's late and I’m sure that your parents are worried." Mitsurugi ordered him.

"Right. I don't want to stress kaa‑san more than I already have. But okay, see you tomorrow! Oh! I left a sticky note with the stream link on it." Issei waved and sprinted out the door.

"Stay safe!" Setsuka called out to him, once he was gone, she turned to her husband. "He's going to go far one day."

"One day. And we must be there to see it or we have failed."

"I’m going to check the back for the link for the stream of the tournament. If you cannot be there and I have to run the store, I might as well get some entertainment." Setsuka said.

"Just remain diligent of any threats." Mitsurugi warned her.

"I will." She disappeared into the back.

Of course, Mitsurugi watched his wife walk away before he headed to the front door. Looking out, he scanned the street and could see that Issei was gone, most likely biking back home. He was checking for any threats or potential spies, scouts, or Kokabiel's agents, just in case they may look to recruit. However, he was sure that they wouldn’t be able to pay him like Saiga could, unless they were backed by Yami, whom Saiga warned him about.

He felt satisfied, when he sensed no hostile ki or foreign presence, so he locked the front door. In addition, applied protection seals across the frame. He turned out the lights as well, so no one would believe that the store was still open as he headed to the back room to join his wife.

Meanwhile, Issei had pedaled home, completely forgetting he could have texted his mother. He paid for that mistake immediately as he walked through the door.

"Where were you, young man?" Miki scolded as he entered their home.

"I'm sorry, kaa‑san. I came from work and… got sidetracked."

Miki tilted her head in confusion. "Sidetracked?"

"Yeah, someone that I know stopped by to tell me goodbye, she said that she would be leaving for a while."

"Another female friend? Not your senpai?" Miki was surprised that it was another girl and could see that things were looking up for her son.

"Uh… I'm not sure I'd call her a friend. I only have like three female friends." Issei shivered slightly as he his hand went to the ear that Yuuma had licked.

He mentally listed the female friends that he had, which were Raichi, Renka, Kisara. He was not sure about Yuuma, but she was getting to that friend status, since she hung out with him and Raichi. In order to grow that friend status with Akeno, he would have to hang out with her more to see where that goes.

"I see. Well, I had to go with a simpler recipe since I didn’t have you to help me." Miki ruffled her son's hair.

"It smells great, kaa-san. Though, I don't think anyone can top you."

"I think your Aunt Mizuki would beg to differ." Miki chuckled.

"Aunt Mizu... oh! Shidou's mom!" Issei's eyes widened in recognition at the name.

"Looks like you remember."

"Yeah" Issei going back to his memories. "Mizuki-obasan had black hair, right? Although now that I think about it, Shidou looked more like her than he did his dad. He had his dad’s hair color. I guess that’s no surprise since I look more like you, but have tou-san’s hairstyle. I do like having the two tufts of my hair pulled into a ponytail."

Miki's eyes softened as she had slight hope that Issei would figure out that Shidou was a girl or the possibility of being a girl. However, he did have a point of both of them having their mothers’ faces and their fathers’ hairstyles, unless Mizuki’s daughter grew out her hair. She remembered the picture of the two children, when they were young, she wondered how Mizuki’s daughter grew up and looked now.

Issei snapped her out of her thoughts. "Hey, kaa‑san, check out my new outfit."

"Oh wow… it looks expensive." She examined the outfit that Issei had pulled out.

"You think? My boss’ wife gave it to me, since I helped with a sale on a kimono. She’s the one that upgraded the headband that I made earlier with baa-chan’s help."

"Speaking of which, you should call her sometime and send her the link to your tournament, so she can watch it." Miki reminded him.

"Good idea. But baa‑chan doesn't have a cellphone."

"Yeah, but she does keep pen and paper by her landline. Now go wash your face and come down for dinner, you can bathe after. Your father should be coming down now." She commanded.

"Alright." He rushed upstairs, nearly colliding with his father. "Hey, tou‑san!" Issei greeted.

"Easy there, sport. You'll hurt someone..." Gorou chuckled, wondering about his son's enthusiasm. "Or yourself."

"Sorry!" Issei apologized, while he carried on his way upstairs. "I’ll try to watch where I’m going."

"You better!" Gorou replied jokingly as he reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the kitchen, inhaling deeply. "You really know how to work a kitchen."

"Why thank you." Miki replied.

"So where’d you learn this one from?" Gorou asked as he came up behind his wife.

"The internet. Of course, there’s so much more than Japanese cuisine out there, you know." She smiled at the prospect of so many recipes that were out there.

"I know. After all, we are planning on sending our son off to a different country."

"Yes… but it seems like he is gaining some female attention here now." Miki informed her husband.

"Oh? Well, regardless, he is going to be reacquainted with a friend."

"That's right." Miki nodded in agreement.

"So what's for dinner?"

"Chicken with creamy risoni." Miki answered. "So many different ways to cook rice."

"It looks good and smells delicious, but then again, I should never doubt your cooking." Gorou joked, which made Miki laugh.

Unaware of the two of them, Issei was watching them, but he wasn’t envious like before. He was smiling as he could see his parents happy again and then he thought back to his childhood. He remembered seeing Shidou’s parents like that, teasing him and Shidou. He even sees it with Setsuka and Mitsurugi from time to time. As all he wanted to do was make them proud.

'One day…' Issei thought.

That was his quiet belief about romance but not now. He had to focus on his training for the tournament, then he could test himself against his first rival, who was his self-proclaimed best friend now. He was thankful for the dance lessons that he got from Raichi during the week that attributed to his hips becoming looser and his footwork was sharper. Even Kisara noted how his kicks were getting better as his hips were more fluid. She'd even drilled him on defending against kicks, which he was very impressed with how flexible she and Renka actually were.

He was true in his assessment about Kisara as well, she was a tough chick, he kind of wished that she was his sister. He kind of thought of it being cool to have a badass big sister. Of course, he felt that was Shigure, which kind of made him realize how different he was looking at women than before. he found it surprising at how young she was to be a master. He took that as inspiration to push himself in his training. The plus side of training with Shigure was hanging with Tōchūmaru, the smartest mouse he'd ever met. It only increased his praise and admiration for Shigure.

He decided to give one more look at his parents, who were laughing in the kitchen before he headed back upstairs to his room. He decided to do his nightly ritual, since he figured after dinner, he would just go to bed. He put down what he was grateful about and who he was grateful for. He kind of laughed at how the list of people seemed to be growing more than where it had been at the start of the school year. He could not help but look around his room as well, too. Before it was filled with perverted content, including pictures of a busty redhead.

That made him shiver a little because he didn’t want to be reminded of Rias Gremory anymore than he had to. Not because he hated her and wasn’t willing to help her out, but more about how she made him feel and that was uneasy, judged, and cornered. Now his room was filled with posters of Dragon Ball, reminding him of his martial arts and discipline that he was learning. He also had Gundam posters and figures, along with the Zoid raptors that he got earlier. His manga and light novel collection was organized on his bookshelf, so he knew which volumes that he had and ones that he lent out to Elize and Yu-Mi.

He let out a sigh as he looked at the final thing that he held precious to him, that being the black bokken that was given to him from Mitsurugi. It was propped up in the corner of his room, where he left it after coming back from work. He scooted his desk chair closer to it as upon further inspection, it was nicked all over and had some dents in the blade. This was due to his training with Mitsurugi, Shigure, and sometimes Setsuka.

"A samurai's journey is a katana of experiences… each blade sharpening their character." Issei whispered to himself, repeating Mitsurugi's words as they echoed in his mind.

He also remembered some of the welts and bruises that he had from his training. His bokken and body were his katana, as he had to endure the beatings in his training. These injuries came when he failed to block strikes from every mentor he trained under. Before he would be bruised all over, but as the training progressed, the number of bruises also began to diminish. His bokken gained more nicks in it, but that was to be expected. It was better that it was getting battered rather than his body.

He did admit that his pain tolerance was thanks to the beatings from the kendo club. It did help to take on the hits from training with Renka, Mitsurugi, Kisara, Shigure, Setsuka, Ikki, and sometimes Mizunuma and Kenichi.

"Ise! Come down and eat!" Miki called out from downstairs.

"Coming!"

He placed the bokken back in its corner, after all, he would need it for tomorrow. He did wonder what Mitsurugi had to do that he had to leave, but he could hang out with Setsuka and learn some more sewing techniques. He headed downstairs to enjoy another family meal, something that was quite wholesome to him and something he cherished deeply lately. He wished that he could do the same with his own possible family in the future someday.

It was now Monday morning as he was heading to school with Ikki as they had finished the morning training session. Issei was massaging his thighs and calves, sore from his taekwondo training with Kisara.

"Still feeling sore?" Ikki asked as they headed to school.

"Yeah… but Kisara-senpai's doing what's best for me. I can only hope to be on either one of your levels one day." Issei groaned.

"You kidding? I have seen that left hook of yours. It’s similar to my own, but yours is like a cobra strike. It’s quick and nasty but really packs a punch that can leave someone stunned."

"You think so?" Issei had doubts about the praise that he received.

"Dude, the guys I line up for you are hating your left hook and cobra fists of yours. Are you sure your left side isn't your dominant side? It's almost as good as my Illusive Left. Be proud of how far you've come." Ikki told him, trying to instill more confidence into Issei.

Issei smiled. "Thanks."

It meant a lot to hear that from his senpai, considering that he wasn't good standings before that incident. Honestly, the pain that he endured from the guys at the gym hurt more than the beatdown from either the kendo club or those guys. It did make Issei wonder about quitting, but he didn't want to because he knew this was a better path than his previous one.

"Oh, and I want you to meet Kaname this weekend. She'll be at the tournament." Ikki noted.

"Really?" Issei was surprised that his senpai wanted him to meet his girlfriend.

Considering his past altercation with Ukita, along with those guys that beat him down. He was certain that no guy wanted him near their girlfriend. The exceptions were Ukita and Kenichi, primarily because Kisara and Miu can handle themselves respectively and Issei was sure that Kaname was the same way. She had to be, since Kisara had told him that Kaname was her mentor before.

Ikki smirked. "Speaking of women… anyone catch your eye?"

"Uh… no. Not really." Issei blushed as he remembered, but wasn't sure about Yuuma asking him out.

"Really? I thought you were hanging out with that Yuuma chick. She doesn't catch your eye?"

"Well… she's attractive. I’m not going to lie and there’s also Akeno-senpai…"

"Oh? Hanging out with one of the Onee-samas?" Ikki began to tease.

It was just Issei had thought about Ikki, the third year was the cool, older brother that was popular with the ladies and Issei wished that he had Ikki's confidence. The problem is no one in Kuoh was aware of Ikki's past reputation as a delinquent like they knew about Issei's past antics.

"Not really. I've only spoken with her a few times and I think she's related to Yuuma. I don't want to cause family drama. And now that I think about it… Shigure-sensei might be related to them too." Issei told the boxer.

"Huh. You might be right." Ikki agreed as he thought about their advisor.

Shigure did have the same black hair and 'assets' as the two hybrids, but for Issei's sake, she did not have the same teasing as those two. Of course, Ikki knew that Akeno and Yuuma were hybrids, but Yuuma was a pure fallen angel, prior to her reincarnation. So, if Shigure was related to either of those two, it would be more Akeno than Yuuma.

Issei continued, "I thought the same thing with Fūrinji-senpai and Kiba-san. They even have a mole in the same spot under their left eyes."

"No way!" Ikki was surprised by that but didn't think it was possible.

"However, Fūrinji-senpai is Japanese. Kiba is... there's something different about him. Though they look similar and blonde hair is not common, Fūrinji-senpai looks more authentic than Kiba does."

"You think he's a gaijin?" Ikki asked.

"Maybe. I mean I talked with Raichi and she also noted about him being European. Wouldn't surprise me. Of course, his club is full of people of European descent. The only one that seems to be Japanese is Akeno-senpai and maybe Toujou-chan, but I don't know her that well to really give a verdict." Issei answered.

"Oh yeah, I heard you made her cry." Ikki replied. "Akeno, I mean."

"Let me guess. Renka-senpai told you."

"You guessed right." Ikki chuckled. "So is she in your sights?"

"Renka-senpai? I don't know. I'd like to think so… but her eye's on Kenichi-senpai. Why fight a losing battle?" Issei told him.

Ikki raised an eyebrow because Issei actually admitted to liking Renka. It was only a matter if the Chinese girl knew it and if she did, she never showed it. The boxer also knew that Issei was right, since Renka did like Kenichi and back in the day, he would have preferred if Kenichi had chosen Renka. That was because he had a crush on Miu, but it dissipated over time and funny enough, Kaname was crushing on Ukita back then, but the judo specialist had his eyes on Kisara.

"Fair enough. So let's see… we got the possible lookalikes..." Ikki noted as he was making a mental list of girls that he may try to persuade to talk to the improving version of Issei.

"Who?" Issei asked.

"Sorry, that’s what I’m calling the Yuuma chick and Akeno."

"You can tell the difference in their facial expressions." Issei pointed out. "Yuuma can look... a bit sadistic, when she smiles. While Akeno-senpai has a softer expression."

Issei slightly shivered as he was sure that Yuuma would have him tied up because of how she acts. There was also an inkling that he got the same feeling from Akeno as he did feel that there was something darker lurking underneath her smile.

"Hold up, I just realized, but when did you get on a first-name basis with Akeno?" Ikki smirked.

"Only last week. Sometimes I would want to call her 'Himejima-senpai', but I have been getting this feeling that makes my hair stand on edge, if I call her that. It’s been happening to me, ever since she requested that I call her 'Akeno'." Issei answered and he did so without blushing.

"Maybe she's watching you." Ikki teased, which Issei immediately shuddered.

"God, I hope not." He hugged himself, afraid of the prospect of someone like her watching him. 'I really don't want to deal with her fucking fanbase. Why can't she watch one of them? I'm sure they wouldn't mind being the apple of her eye. They're probably one of those people that wouldn't mind her stepping on them.'

Ikki laughed as he pulled into the school parking lot. "Alright, man. See ya."

"Thanks." Issei said, when he calmed down from the dread.

"By the way, I have to ask... what's with the bento boxes?" Ikki looked at the extra bento boxes.

Issei deadpanned. "Since you have seen me give Renka a massage, which she now declares me as her masseuse. Raichi took it upon herself to make me her chef, but I kind of duped myself a little." He finished with a facepalm wondering how he got himself into this situation.

Before he would have been glad that he was getting attention from girls, but they would be doing things for him and not the other way around. There wasn't really anything that he could do now, since it did help for him to get a second opinion on his skills other than his parents. Although his mother was rather blunt, when he had started cooking with her and he could remember each time that she had retched into the trash before he made something decent under her supervision.

"Hahaha! I gotta try your cooking sometime." Ikki laughed.

"It would be more of my kaa-san’s cooking. She finds recipes and teaches them to me, it’s how we got to bonding with each other again, you know, now that my perversion is out of the way. I’ve also gotten back into fishing with my tou-san, too."

"Nice!" Ikki was proud about Issei's development because he was improving his relationship with his parents, too. "Well, I’ll see you around, man!"

"Take care!" Issei waved goodbye as Ikki took off.

He started heading towards the dojo as he usually would head there to put away his bokken or simply hand it off to Shigure. That was if he found her before entering the locker room. Luckily for him, Ikki chose to drive to the parking lot that was at the back of the school. He has begun to do that, ever since the incident where the perverted duo nearly trashed his poster gifts. He suddenly stopped walking and realized something about the bento boxes he had been carrying.

"Ah, shoot… I brought three bento boxes. Yuuma said she wouldn't be here. Damn, guess I'll give them to Elize-sensei and Yu-Mi-sensei." Issei sighed with another facepalm.

In the past week, when Yuuma started to hang out with Raichi and Issei, Raichi told, or rather ordered him, to bring more food for Yuuma to try. He was thankful that Yuuma kept her mouth shut about his developing cooking skills. She gave him props for that and noted that would explain the physical growth of his body. It wasn’t just his workouts and training, but also a good diet.

Issei figured that his mother had thought of this beforehand and he knew that she always made great dinners. However, his former self would indulge in junk food and stay up playing video games. Compared to his current self, who would go to bed and wake up at four in the morning to get some training in, which energizes him for the day.

He continued his way to the dojo to check if it was unlocked, if it was, then Shigure was there. When he checked it, it was unlocked and he breathed a sigh of relief because he knew that his bokken would be guarded. When he entered the dojo, the first thing he did was look up because for some reason, Shigure had a knack for being on the ceiling. He was sure that she could walk on the ceiling or something because she could remain hanging upside down without feeling the rush of blood to her head.

"Morning, Shigure-sensei." He greeted.

Shigure had already sensed him approaching because his ki was growing sharper by the day, so her eyes were fixed on the doorway before he even stepped inside.

"Good morning… Issei. Dropping your… bokken off?" Shigure greeted.

Shigure flipped down from the ceiling with effortless grace, Tōchūmaru perched atop her head, sniffing curiously.

"Good morning, Tōchūmaru, and yes, I find it easier with you looking after it. The last thing I need is for the kendo club to start accusing me of stealing equipment from them." He handed the bokken over.

She took the bokken and inspected it, while he stood there, watching her or more specifically, her eyes. He was not afraid to admit that Shigure was probably the most attractive woman that he had seen. She had it all, the looks to the muscle tone of her body, the curves. However, Issei’s view of her was a teacher, but also a badass older sister.

He just wasn’t sure how she would feel about that, so he never called her “Shigure-nee” or anything that had big sis in the title. He really did mean what he said about her in Akisame’s clinic. He truly believed that he would have been better off with her as someone to learn from as a role model. It’s why it still saddened him to lose out on two potential older siblings. Just then, her eyes flickered towards him and he jumped back on instinct, sensing danger from the look in her eyes.

The reason why he jumped back is because she slashed at him with his bokken. It was a lesson from her for him to always be vigilant and to stay on his toes. She relaxed and stood back up, while Issei smiled as he dodged her strike.

"Good. You dodged it… mostly." Shigure said as she stared at him, unnerved.

"Huh? Mostly?" Issei asked.

RIP.

He felt a little breeze on his chest as he looked down to find a tear in his crimson shirt. He had to gasp as he could have sworn that he dodged it completely, but he wasn’t fast enough. It also told him that Shigure was not kidding, when she told him that anything in her hand could be considered a weapon and cut whatever she pleased, even with something like a wooden blade.

"Oh man…" He set his bentos down and buttoned his school shirt over the tear. "I thought I had it."

"The faster you get… the faster I strike." Shigure commented.

"Wait, you can strike faster than... WHA!" He looked back up, she was right in front of him, making him stumble backwards.

His heart was pounding from the shock. He was amazed by her speed, it was unreal. She literally cleared the distance between them in a blink of an eye. He was in awe as he knew that she had been holding back on him, but this was something else. He scrambled to grab his bento before Tōchūmaru could get to it and begin eating his lunch.

Luckily for the mouse, Issei had made a mini lunch for him, which he brought out of his briefcase. The exception was that he did not have any meat in Tōchūmaru’s lunch so as to not get in trouble with Shigure. He wasn't suicidal.

"Here you go, Tōchūmaru. I didn't forget about you." Issei handed the mini-lunch and the mouse squeaked happily. "I'll see you later, Shigure‑sensei."

However, what came next was surprising to both of them as Issei moved without thinking because he stepped forward and hugged her. It was a quick, instinctive embrace as he just went with the flow in his eyes. To him, it really felt like he was saying goodbye to his older sister like he had done with Yu-Mi.

He pulled away immediately, face red, and hurried out of the dojo. He couldn't believe that he just did that, furthermore, he was shocked by the feeling of her breasts pressed against him. That was part of the reason why he pulled away quickly because he didn't want her to feel like he only hugged her to feel her breasts. If he'd looked back, he would've seen a slight shift in Shigure's expression.

There was faint smile on Shigure's lips as she whispered. "Otouto… baka."

Meanwhile, Issei went to his class, ignoring the whispers from others as he went to his seat. He let out a sigh as he looked out the window, if he could skip school, it would be to go training with Shigure or working to get some more pay, then train with Setsuka. However, he had to keep up with his studies and get good grades to make his parents and Yu-Mi proud. Sadly, he didn't get the peace that he wanted.

"What're you smiling about, Hyoudou?" Matsuda retorted, interrupting his thoughts.

"What do you want?" Issei frowned.

These two killed whatever mood he'd had.

"Nothing." Motohama shrugged. "Just wondering what you're doing for lunch."

"That would be none of your concern." Issei said in annoyance.

"Now, now, no need to get cold with us. I mean we’re friends after all." Motohama smiled, which was unsettling to Issei.

"You seriously think we’re friends? You’re more delusional than I thought, just leave me alone." Issei hissed.

"Alright, alright, we're going." They backed off.

He exhaled in relief, glad that they were gone until he noticed the kendo duo glaring at him.

'Great. They probably thought the perverted trio was back together. Not only that, but those two guys have to be planning something with those smiles. It's best that I avoid them.' Issei groaned.

He also saw Aika smirking at him and he wished that Asia was still here to distract her.

He texted Raichi: Lunch? Need to get out of this classroom before I lose brain cells.

He let her know of the situation and how frustrating his classroom is because he had no one to talk to. The teacher walked in for the class to begin as Issei took out notes and let the man drone on and on until the lunch bell rang.

Once it did, he checked his phone to see if Raichi ever responded to his text about lunch.

She replied quickly: Roof. You need fresh air, not dirt.

He snorted but knew what she was getting at. She figured that he wanted to be outside for some sense of peace rather than in a garden. She was right, surprising him how she was filling that role as his new best friend. He texted back that he needed to make a stop at the nurse’s office real quick, so he grabbed his bentos and took off. However as he left, something didn’t feel right and his instincts were warning him about something feeling... off.

When he got to Elize’s office, he forgot about knocking and waltzed in. Normally, he would knock a specific knock to let her know that it was him.

"Hey, Elize‑sen... sei?" He froze as Yu‑Mi jerked away from Elize.

He knew that they were kissing as he was aware that they were together, so seeing the public affection between the two was new to him. Normally, he thought seeing two girls kiss would have been hot as he did in the former porn that he used to watch. However, these were two women that he viewed as older sisters, hence it made it uncomfortable for him.

He turned bright red. "I—I'm sorry! I should've knocked!"

"Relax, Issei. Thank goodness it was just you." Elize waved her hand dismissively, not caring that he had caught them.

"We didn't expect you. You've been hanging out with new friends lately... which is good." Yu-Mi spoke with her face slightly flushed, while making sure her clothes were proper.

"You're not old! And no, I ended up making an extra bento and wanted to give it to you two to try." Issei shook his head.

"Would you look at that, Yu-Mi? He can cook as well." Elize clapped her hands, making Issei blush at her teasing.

After all, she was the one that started him on this path to trying new things. It all started with her getting him to rat out the hiding spots and seal them up, along with getting him to join Kenichi's club.

"What did you make?" Yu-Mi asked the brunette.

"It’s a honey chipotle steak bowl. Nothing too fancy" Issei answered as he handed it over to Yu-Mi.

"Thank you." Yu-Mi accepted the bento.

"Got any plans? Or are you hanging out with us?" Elize asked.

"Actually, I’m going to hang out with Raich. I just figured that I should give the extra bento to you, since I don’t think you have ever tried my cooking before." Issei told them.

"Has this Raichi tried it?"

"Yeah. She didn't believe I could cook. Told me to prove it. Now she's made me her chef…" He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Elize began laughing. "Hahaha! How’d you get yourself in that situation??"

"She found out that I could sing and I wanted to figure out where she heard that from. Of course, I figured out where she heard it from, but I had already made the deal. I’ve shared lunch with her in the past week, along with Yuuma, another girl from her class…"

"Ahh, young love." Elize teased.

"It's not like that!" Issei retorted.

Elize continued chuckling. "Whatever you say."

"Elize, stop teasing him." Yu-Mi said and then smiled at Issei. "You better get going. Your friends are waiting."

"It's just one friend. Yuuma’s not here, she did swing by my job with her father, who I guess knows my boss. That’s how she was able to talk to me and tell me she would be away for a while." Issei explained to them.

"I see. Well, we'll tell you what we think later. For now, go see your friend and enjoy your lunch."

"Thanks, Yu‑Mi‑nee..." He paused and realized what he just said. "S‑sorry! I didn't mean..."

Yu-Mi held up her hand. "It's okay, Issei. I don't mind."

"Really?" Issei was shocked at this revelation.

"Of course." Yu-Mi nodded.

"Yeah, we’ve been talking about it. If you like, you can use the 'nee' suffix with us in private but keep the 'sensei' suffix for the public." Elize chuckled as she explained it to him.

Of course, she didn't really care if he did call her 'big sis' in public as well. She knew that he was likely to slip up on that, but she wasn't going to scold him about it. Neither was Yu-Mi as they already agreed that because Issei reminded them of someone from their past, who they felt like they may need to contact at some point.

Issei's eyes softened. "I, um, thank you. I mean as I got to know you, I kind of saw you as the older siblings that I never had and have been helping me get better with the mistakes in my life."

"Then go, little brother." Elize waved him goodbye.

"It's not 'kiddo' anymore?" Issei blinked in surprise.

"Keep stalling and I’ll switch it to brat or gaki, if you don’t get a move on."

"Yes ma'am!" Issei saluted.

Yu-Mi waved. "Bye, Issei."

"Ise." He corrected. "Call me Ise, I prefer it when those close to me call me that."

"Very well. Then enjoy your lunch, Ise." Yu-Mi nodded.

"Thanks, you two enjoy yours as well." He waved.

"Oh, we will." Elize laughed, waiting as the door closed to ensure that he was gone. "You know... We should get him something."

"You're right. Hmm, maybe we could get him his favorite Gundam." Yu-Mi suggested.

"You're right. What did he say it was?"

"I believe it was Astray Red Dragon or something along those lines."

"Then we better start looking. But first…" Elize plucked the bento from Yu‑Mi's hands, opened it, and swallowed her saliva as a rich, smoky aroma drifted out. Elize sniffed and exhaled. "…well, damn."

"Wow. That smells amazing." Yu-Mi also smelled the food.

"I was going to get back to kissing, but that can wait." Elize licking her lips in anticipation of eating the food.

"Agreed." Yu-Mi nodded.

They grabbed their chopsticks like predators preparing to feast. They were very thankful to Issei's mother for developing this skill.

When Issei stepped out of the nurse's office and he nearly collided with Miu.

"Hyoudou‑san? What were you doing in there?" She asked.

"Ah, sorry, Fūrinji‑senpai. I didn't see you there. Um… where's Kenichi‑senpai?" As Issei looked around for his senpai's boyfriend.

"Having lunch, I had stayed behind to help out with something." Miu answered and realized that Issei didn't answer her question. "So why were you in the nurse’s office? Are you hurt or something?"

Issei shook his head. "No, no, I just hang out with her. Since she doesn’t judge me like most people in this place. I’m just going to hang out with Raichi."

He didn't notice Miu wince mentally, when he mentioned people being judgmental as she was one of those people, along with others in the club. However, those judgments had subsided over time because this wasn't the same person at the start of the school year and he spoke less perverted comments. If he did, he kept them to himself rather than boasting them out loud for all to hear like his harem king aspirations, which were also no more.

"Really? I guess you won’t mind if I join you then." She said it casually as Renka's advice was echoing in her mind and would use this opportunity to get to know the brunette like the others did.

She wanted to more after learning about his assessment of her and realized that if she had known all of this. She would have lent out a helping hand earlier, but his attitude back then reminded her too much of Kensei to approach him at that time, when she and the others transferred here.

Issei raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I mean… that would leave Renka‑senpai alone with Kenichi‑senpai."

A vein bulged on Miu's forehead. "In a relationship, you have to trust your partner. And I trust Kenichi not to jeopardize ours." Her voice strained at the edges.

"Uh… okay." He simply turned and started walking.

"H‑hey, wait up!" She caught up instantly. "So what are you and Raichi going to do?"

"She's going to critique my cooking. Like she's been doing all week." He lifted the bento boxes to emphasize his point.

"I didn’t know you could cook." Miu said in surprise, which was to be expected.

"Yeah. When I started letting go of my perversion, I bonded with my mom through cooking. She taught me."

"I see. Wait a minute... where are you going?" She asked, seeing him head in a direction that shouldn't have be accessible to students.

"Um, the roof. Raichi told me to meet her there."

"But you could get in trouble."

"Are you going to say something?" Issei challenged his senpai as he did know that sometimes, she can be a goody two-shoes.

"…I guess not. Alright. Lead the way." Miu gestured for him to continue leading on.

They continued their trek to the rooftop in silence as Miu didn't have many more questions for Issei.

When they got there, Raichi was already waiting, arms crossed. "What took you so long... oh, hey, Miu‑senpai."

"Hi, Raichi. I just followed Hyoudou‑san." Miu greeted.

"She saw me coming out of the nurse’s office and chose to tag along." Issei explained to the pink haired girl.

"I hope you don't mind." Miu bowed.

"Not at all. Now... what'd you bring me this time?" Raichi waved it and then she held out her hands eagerly like a child wanting a piece of candy.

Issei handed her the bento before she snatched it from his hands, which she was capable of doing.

"Oh wow…" Raichi exclaimed as she opened up the bento. "What is it?"

"Honey chipotle steak bowl." Issei answered.

Miu questioned. "You made that?"

"Yeah. With kaa-san's help. Might be a little cold now." Issei sighed in disappointment because the food was better warm.

"Who cares? Time to enjoy!" Raichi grabbed her chopsticks and dug in immediately. "Try some, Miu‑senpai!"

"O‑okay." Miu took her own chopsticks and took a bite of the food. When she did, her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh… wow."

Raichi chuckled. "I know, right? That's my best friend for ya."

Of course, it made Issei blush as he still was getting used to the best friend label as it has been a long while. Not even Matsuda nor Motohama had ever called him their best friend. The only one that had done so was Shidou and now Raichi was doing it.

"Do you think you could give me your recipe for this?" Miu asked.

Since she was the chef back at home, she figured that the masters would enjoy this. Although she also wouldn't mind the assistance in the kitchen as well.

"Uh… sure." Issei nodded.

Raichi asked. "But more importantly, what did those two boneheads do now?"

"They were acting like we were friends and asking what I was doing for lunch." He sighed.

"Did you tell them?" Raichi raised an eyebrow, suspicious about what they planned.

"No, but they probably were going to go peep or something. I can’t believe I suckered myself into that." Issei sighed.

Ever since he started hanging with Kenichi's club, he usually found himself looking forward to something. Unlike before, it was just wake up and go to school to look at girls. He could admit that the girls that he was hanging out with were prettier, but they were also people that he wanted to surpass. As the people around him had told him that he needed to look at things from a different perspective and currently, the perspective that he was seeing things through was his master's.

"If only Kensei could follow your example." Miu noted as she ate.

"Who?" Issei asked, and he was sure that he heard the name before.

"Kensei. Renka's father." Miu answered.

"Oh, I think that was mentioned by both her and Kenichi-senpai. It’s probably why I was paired with Renka for training because she has dealt with her perverted father." Issei understood that may have been the case for Renka being the one to teach him first.

"He may be a pervert, but he is still a master in all styles of Chinese martial arts." Miu reminded him.

"I figured. Since Renka is proficient at it, maybe I can learn from him, so I can contend with Raichi." Issei nodded at his plan to overcome the pink-haired girl.

"Ha! I look forward to it." Raichi laughed while she ate.

"Maybe. But there's the possibility of leaving your parents." Miu noted to Issei.

"Leaving my parents?" He asked his senpai.

"Yes." Miu nodded. "You see... Kenichi became a resident disciple and began to live with his masters, one of which included my grandfather."

"So he lived with you?" Issei began to fantasize of the possibility of living with Mitsurugi whereas before he would have thought of living with a pretty girl like Miu.

If only, he knew the truth about his childhood friend. With how often that he was at their house, he could have been considered living with them because he enjoyed spending time with his first best friend.

"Uh huh, so the masters could train him. But you already train with one or two, I guess and both are masters in weaponry." Miu told him.

"You mean Mitsurugi-shishou and Setsuka-sensei?" Issei asked.

Miu's eyes widened slightly. "It’s three? I was referring to Shigure, but I didn't know about Setsuka."

"She’s Mitsurugi-shishou’s wife." Issei informed her. "And I guess you’re right, since I’m with Shigure-sensei twice a week."

"That’s probably more training than Kenichi ever got from her." Miu sighed. "He was never a fan of weapons."

"So I’ve heard, but going back to what you said, I couldn’t do what Kenichi did.."

"Why not?" Of course, Miu already suspected the answer.

"Well, I never said this except to a few people, but my parents had two miscarriages before me. It didn’t help with my perversion moving forward, but I am finally bonding with them again. So that kind of makes it difficult to leave, when I'm building something with them again." He smiled faintly. "My kaa-san is the one that usually finds the recipes, and then we make dinner together or I find recipes myself to make, usually after training to help feed this one."

He thumbed toward Raichi. "I also have gone fishing with my tou-san again, it was something that we used to do, but when I was young, I broke his fishing rod, I blamed myself and stopped doing it."

"That's understandable. Especially being an only child." Miu nodded in understanding.

Issei nodded. "Kind of wish I could've met them, you know?"

"Your older siblings?" Raichi asked, pausing in between bites.

"Yeah, then maybe I could have learned from them."

"What would you have learned?" Miu asked.

"I don’t know. I guess they could have been the perverted one, causing my parents stress and I could have learned not to be like I was." Issei answered.

"Well… you’re proving that it’s not too late to change." Miu told him, satisfied with his answer as he was learning from his mistakes.

"Thanks." He was grateful that she accepted his answer and knew that thanks to Yu-Mi, he was getting better at speaking.

It wasn't just with females, but it was in general.

Raichi checked the time. "We better head back. Lunch is almost over."

"You’re right about that. Let’s go and thanks for the meal, Issei." Miu gave a nod to him.

"Uh, um... thanks." He was surprised she used his first name.

They packed up their things and were beginning to head to their respective classrooms. Since Issei’s classroom would have been the first one that they stopped at, they headed there. Surprisingly, Issei’s homeroom teacher seemed to be waiting for them and called him over.

"Ah, Hyoudou‑san. Please come with me." The teacher noted, which left them in confusion.

"Did I do something wrong, sensei?" Issei asked.

"Actually… it's what you didn't do." As he looked the two girls that were with him, which made Issei blink in confusion, the teacher continued. "I’m to instruct you to head to the principal’s office. It appears that someone took some girl’s underwear and is... framing you for it."

"WHAT!" The three teenagers exclaimed.

"Yes. They found it in your briefcase. But… considering you were with these two, I don't believe it was you." The teacher explained.

"It had to have happened during lunch, but it couldn’t have been him. I saw him leaving the nurse’s office and then we met up with Raichi." Miu noted to the teacher.

"Hmm… that's the complete opposite direction of the locker rooms. I suggest you two follow him." The teacher rubbed his chin as he thought out loud.

"Can I at least get my stuff? Just in case." Issei asked, his hair shadowed his eyes.

A quiet storm was brewing inside of him as he was clicking the dots.

"I'm not sure that's wise. They were mocking you in there." The teacher advised.

Miu volunteered. "I'll go with him."

"Alright, since you are also alibis for him. I’ll go inform your teachers of your own absences." He gave Issei a small, encouraging nod.

He appreciated the boy as he worked to get better on his grades and was doing better than he did the year before.

The moment Issei stepped inside the classroom, the whispers hit him like a wave.

"The pervert's back."

"Why's Miu‑senpai with him?"

"Can you believe what he did?"

Issei kept his head down, he was trying to keep his cool and lash out. If anyone could look closely, they would have seen that he was shaking a little. Only Miu could see it, not just because of her trained eye, but also because she had a hand rested gently on his shoulder. The whispers still continued, until one person decided to speak.

"Miu‑senpai, why are you with that pervert? Did you hear what he did?" Katase asked.

"Yeah! He stole a girl’s underwear and saw him jump out of the window. She searched the briefcases and the teacher came in, when she found them. She was pissed off and went to report the perv to the principal, so it’s bye bye, loser!" Murayama ridiculed.

Laughter erupted, it's no surprised that they were his biggest opposition, so of course, they would believe any lies spread about him.

The only one that didn't laugh was Aika, who watched silently, eyes sharp.

Aika could see the two perverts in the back give each other a fist bump as they snickered. She wasn’t the only one as Miu saw it, too, but not only that, there was a small twig sticking out of Motohama’s hair. So now, she knew who the culprits were, they really couldn’t leave Issei alone.

'So that's how they did it.' Miu thought as she saw something else near Motohama, hidden from view.

She understood their resentment towards Issei, he was actually talking to girls and they weren't. Thus they were jealous and through that jealousy, they had gotten petty. They were feeling like they were getting left behind. However, instead of changing their ways and trying something new like Issei, they fell back on the jealousy to appease themselves, sink his name to make themselves feel better about their own whimsical lives.

"I’m here to support my friend, who was wrongly accused of stealing some girl’s underwear, since I was with him during lunch." Miu informed her juniors.

This caused many in the class to stop talking, especially the perverted duo as they didn’t think that Issei would have an alibi. They gulped nervously because with this new information, Issei could walk off scot free. They really just thought he was a loner and had no one to hang out with, since he ditched them earlier in the year. Others were just shocked that she said that Issei was her friend.

"No way he's your friend." Katase asked, she was stunned.

"Why not?" Miu looked at the girl, raising an eyebrow, daring the kendo girl to challenge her.

"He's a pervert and..." Murayama tried to step in for her friend.

"And what?" Miu's glare shut Murayama up instantly.

"Hey, we informed his boss of what he was like and got fired him. Now we can shop in peace." Katase tried a different angle.

"Is that what you think?" Issei's voice came out through the silence.

Katase blinked, noticing a change in his voice as he continued.

"I hate to break it to you, but I still work there. Setsuka-sensei just lets me wait it out in the back or allow me to go to lunch early, so I don’t have to interact with you." He stepped forward, collected his things, then stood before the class and he bowed to his classmates. "Another thing and this goes to not only you, but also you, Murayama-san, along with your teammates, and any other girl that was peeped on by me or my former friends, I’m sorry."

Silence as the class looked around, while Matsuda and Motohama didn't like what was happening, Issei maintained composure and kept on his apology.

"I don't expect forgiveness. But it's the least I can do. I stopped acting perverted outright, whatever thoughts I may have, I keep those to myself like most guys do. I stopped associating with Matsuda and Motohama. If you think we were having a friendly conversation earlier this morning, that was false. The perverted trio are not getting back together by any means. I blocked their numbers. As I've been trying to change and I don't need people that can hold me back." He straightened up. "I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day and sorry for causing you trouble."

He proceeded to leave the classroom, not giving a chance for anyone to speak up. While this was going down, Aika was recording it as this would bring a new scoop to the school. She had started recording when the kendo duo were accusing Issei, so she got the part where Miu acknowledged Issei as her friend.

Before leaving the classroom, Miu turned to the stunned kendo duo. "You know, it’s kind of funny how you complain about being peeped on, but yet you never did anything about that hole or look for any other peep spots, he did. It’s as if you wanted to get peeped on or looked at by the boys of this school." Their jaws dropped. "seriously, Issei is not the only pervert in this school. He was just more vocal than the other boys here, for all we know, he could’ve had a crush on you, if he was looking at you. But don’t worry, he won’t need to look at you anymore."

Miu's eyes hardened. "Pretty on the outside doesn't mean anything if you're ugly on the inside."

That statement made them put their heads down because Miu was highly regarded, not as much as Rias and Akeno, but still a top girl at the school. It wasn't just them, but others as well as Miu walked out.

Issei and Raichi were waiting.

"You didn't have to do that." Issei voiced his concern, more for Miu's reputation plummeting for defending him as they began walking to the principal's office.

Miu shook her head. "No, I did. I was like them before and didn’t give you the benefit of the doubt, but you have shown me otherwise." She smiled gently. "After some self-reflection, you looked at yourself objectively to understand your place. You’re not as talentless as people think you are. For example, you can cook pretty decently, along with singing. I heard you when you were with Renka, so I already knew that secret. You also can sculpt, Akisame brought in the statue that you made when Shigure took you to the clinic. He’s one of the masters."

"You also can sew, as evident on your wrist." Raichi quipped.

"And there’s probably more to you than we know. Well, besides your love for manga and anime like Kenichi-kun." Miu noted.

"Well… I don't mind the dance lessons Raichi gives me. They help keep my hips loose." Issei figuring that he should agree with them.

"Told you so." Raichi clapped him on the back.

"Maybe you'll survive Akisame's contraptions." Miu noted, she had remembered that Akisame was trying to give one to Shigure to bring, but Shigure declined it.

"What do they do?" Issei asked.

"Well, a lot of things, but they can be painful, if you mess up." Miu said, reminiscing when Kenichi had to endure them.

"They must've helped Kenichi-senpai though, right?" Issei spoke.

"They had to have." Raichi nodded in agreement.

Miu sighed, "They certainly did."

"Well… time to face the music." Issei sighed.

They reached the principal’s office and he knocked on the door.

"Come in." A voice called to them and they proceeded to enter and were a little surprised to see the crowd that they had. Waiting for them was Elize, who was confused about the ordeal, Sona was present and composed as ever. Unlike her, Genshirou and Tsubasa were looking a little smug, but that smugness changed when they saw Miu and Raichi.

There was some girl that Issei didn't know, but considering that she was present, Issei deduced that this was his accuser. Sitting at the desk was a man with red hair and a goatee, he eerily reminded the three that walked in of Rias Gremory. Off to the side was Issei's teacher, who was neutral but hopeful for the outcome. After all, he had been the one that Issei would send out to make sure that Renka wasn't waiting for him.

"Ah, you must be Issei. Please come, take a seat and who might you two be?" The red haired man spoke.

"We're his alibis." Miu answered.

The unknown black‑haired girl looks on in shock. "Alibi?"

"Yep! I’m guessing you’re the girl that got her underwear stolen." Raichi noted, coming to the same conclusion as Issei.

"Er, yeah. Hayashi Suzuki." the black haired girl spoke.

"Whatever." Raichi snorted as Suzuki was appalled by the behavior.

"Now, now. Let's all settle down. I am Zeoticus Gremory, administrator of this school." The man at the desk addressed himself.

"Okay." Issei nodded but his eyes were blank and emotionless.

"Suzuki-chan, please tell us what you saw." Zeoticus asked.

Suzuki stepped forward, nervous, but stated her story. "Right, um... I was finishing changing and noticed that my underwear was missing. When I looked out of the locker room, I heard some giggling. I called out to them, which caused them to start running. Kind of hard for me to chase them, when you have no underwear on and the length of these skirts. Anyway, I heard some commotion, which was in classroom 2-B. I caught a glimpse of Hyoudou-san going out of the window, but I figured to check the briefcases. Just in case, he hid my underwear and lo and behold, there it was. Sazaki-sensei caught me as I was putting them on."

"Sazaki-san, is that true?" Zeoticus looked towards the teacher.

"Yes, I caught her dressing in the classroom, which I thought it was inappropriate misconduct. Then she asked who sat at the desk, where she found her underwear and I told her. She ranted off as she left the classroom." Sazaki informed the administrator.

"I see. So... Hyoudou Issei, what do you have to say for yourself?" Zeoticus looked towards the brunette.

Issei exhaled. "Does it matter?"

"Excuse me?" Zeoticus raised an eyebrow.

"I've been through this enough times. No matter what I say, most of you will still think I'm a pervert. Except maybe four people in this room." He turned to Suzuki. "This happened during lunch, right?"

"Y‑yeah." She answered.

Issei began to recount the events of what happened from his point of view. "Well, I left my classroom to go see Elize-sensei real quick before heading off to see Raichi here. As I left her office, I ran into Fūrinji-senpai and we headed off to meet Raichi together."

"Elize-san?" Zeoticus asked the nurse.

"That he came to see me? Yeah, he normally does when he can." Elize shrugged as she glared at Suzuki, making the girl uncomfortable.

"I hope you’re not insinuating an inappropriate relationship with a student." Zeoticus noted.

Issei shook his head. "No. I usually hung out with her because I didn’t really have any friends back then. She tended to me, after I was beaten up by some students who believed that I was peeping on their girlfriends. I wasn't, I mean I was with those that got a look, but I never saw anything. I got jumped and beaten, thanks to those guys. Had an epiphany, thanks to a senpai for helping me out and moved on from them." He sighed. "When I got detention from Kaichou-san, I requested for it to be during lunch, so I could be able to attend my club sessions after school."

"I can confirm that statement." Sona pointed out.

"And I'm guessing Elize-san was the staff member supervising you, correct?" Zeoticus asked.

Issei answered. "That is correct, so usually I tend to hang out in her office during lunch."

"You noted that he was there today, Elize-san?" Zeoticus nodded as Suzuki could see her story falling apart.

"Oh yeah, he made an extra bento and offered it to me to try his cooking and I must say… chef’s kiss! Good job, kiddo!" Elize ruffled his hair, making him blush.

"Hmm… when did he arrive?" Zeoticus asked.

"A few minutes after the lunch bell."

"And was he with you all of the lunch period?"

"Nope, you’re going to have to ask his buddies on that one." Elize pointed at Miu and Raichi.

"I caught Issei leaving Elize-sensei’s office. He had told me that he was meeting up with Raichi." Miu interjected.

"Yep! I even have the text messages to prove it." Raichi taken out her phone and handed it to Zeoticus for him to see the messages between her and Issei.

"So then he was with you two for the remainder of the lunch period? Zeoticus asked as he looked through the texts.

Miu answered. "That’s correct."

"And where were you?" Zeoticus knew the answer, thanks to the texts, but he wanted to hear them say it.

"The rooftop, I usually go there to clear my head." Issei answered truthfully as Sona gritted her teeth.

"Even though you're not supposed to." Zeoticus as he handed the phone back to Raichi.

"Yeah, I was irritated with Matsuda and Motohama talking to me as if we were still friends, which we are not, not since they were the ones that told those boyfriends that I was the one peeping on his girlfriends. But like I said, I don’t care, so just give me my punishment because at the end of the day, people will still view me as the Perverted Beast." Issei's voice was flat. "Whoever did this, targeted me because no one would care what happens, so can you just get it over with, so I can go." His aura leaked out from the anger, exhaustion, resignation.

It surprised the others and even made Genshirou and Tsubasa stiffened. This was definitely not the same Issei from the beginning of the school year. The devils had to admit that there was a sense of danger that came from Issei and it was only a matter of time before they truly learned who his master was.

"Well… I mean I was going to give a suspension, but…" Zeoticus started off.

"Good. Thanks. Now can I go?" Issei asked, it was clear that he was done.

"If you let me finish, I was going to say that the stories clear you from being the suspect, so I’m not going to punish you." Zeoticus tried to inform him.

"No. Just give me the suspension." Issei spoke as shock rippled through the room. "I’m just done and frankly, I’d like to get away from it all. If anything, I’m sorry, Hayashi-san for your underwear being stolen. I would recommend that the school get a better security system to prevent something like this from happening again. Hell, if they had one before, I probably would have never peeped in the first place. Now may I go?" His voice was steady, but his eyes were defiant.

For Sona and Zeoticus, they could feel his ki leaking out, but it was clear that Issei was fed up with the tactics against him. Sona could see it, she could see his change, but with Yuuma not here... her goal to bring Issei to her side was greatly reduced. However, thanks to some luck, Akeno and Yuuto were not here and they had vouched for Issei to join the ORC, noting his other interests. This was during meetings between the two peerages of potential members. Asia had also given some support for Issei as well, noting how he keeps to himself in class and would usually stay behind to talk to the teacher. This only made the others laugh, believing that he needed help and was failing.

However, that was far from the truth as Sazaki could point out another reason why he liked the boy, not only for his improving grades, but also his drive. He would take those minutes to stay behind and ask questions about the homework, which sometimes Issei would do in class, so he didn’t have to do it later. That way, he would have Sazaki check his work ahead of time and he would make those corrections after he finished his training that day. Zeoticus was wondering if this was the same boy that his daughter wanted in her peerage, he felt that he would butt heads with Rias as well.

"Are you sure?" Zeoticus asked.

"This won’t impact me from weekend activities for the school, right?" Issei responded with a question of his own.

"No, but it would be on your school record." Zeoticus answered, while thinking, 'Not as a suspension, but as an excused absence.'

"Whatever, just watch the reactions and you’ll see that I’m right, I’m done with this. I have other things to focus on."

The fire in his eyes never dissipated. He was planning something, his own training schedule and he could focus on his training for the tournament.

Zeoticus sighed. "…Very well." He was confused that an innocent student would want the punishment that he did not do.

"Thank you." Issei stood and turned to leave.

"What?" Elize stood up. "You're innocent. You don't need to take this."

"It's fine, Elize-sensei."

"Alright. Whatever you say" She sighed, she understood he was thinking of something. "Let me walk you out of the building then."

"Thank you." Issei gave her a bow and as they began to leave the office, but Sazaki stopped them.

"Hyoudou-san." Sazaki called out as Issei paused, "I don’t want you to think of this as a free vacation. So I will email you the work that you need to do, and you can email me back the completed work before the end of the day on each day."

"Will do, Sazaki-sensei." Issei nodded and proceeded to leave with Elize, Miu, and Raichi. The latter two needed to get back to their own classes.

"…He didn't do it, did he?" Suzuki asked after several moments had passed of Issei leaving.

Sona sighed in annoyance. "No, but I have a feeling of who might."

"Who?" Zeoticus asked.

"Sazaki-sensei, could you return to your classroom and have Motohama and Matsuda be sent down here, please?" Sona directed as Genshirou and Tsubasa could see a vein bulge on their mistress' head.

"Certainly." The teacher replied as he left to go back to his classroom.

"Those two want to bring Hyoudou-san back down to their level. They started those rumors about Yuuma and Hyoudou-san." Sona grumbled.

"Oh, I heard about those, but... I heard she cleared them up." Suzuki pointed out.

"She did and it is likely that they did the same here. you looked slightly confused when Hyoudou-san walked in." Sona noted.

"Yeah, I guess you’re right. I was trying to remember, and the build didn’t seem right and the hair was darker. I have heard rumors that his loner schtick was just a ruse to make us think he wasn’t perverted, but after seeing it firsthand, I think those rumors are false." Suzuki bit her lip.

She was a little bit afraid that Issei may come after her for falsely accusing him. Of course, Issei wasn't thinking anything about revenge against her. As he said, he had other things to focus on, and this only gave him the opportunity and opening that he needed to focus on his training and get his body right for the tournament.

"You're not wrong about that. If anything, he's a loner in his classroom" Genshirou pointed out, but his fist was clenched.

After all, he had been wrong about Issei and this crime as well, completely forgetting that the former friends could be rather arrogant. They could accuse Issei of anything, and anyone would just listen to them, neglecting that it was one pervert's word against another. It's not like those two were innocent in their own matters because they were not. As a result, Genshirou was unsure of how he could apologize to the departing brunette, since he abused his power in the student council and maybe allow his mistress to reincarnate him. He certainly wasn’t setting a great example for his younger siblings either.

"But he is right. It is time to invest in some new security features." Zeoticus pointed out.

"We should have done it when he was first accused." Sona pointed out. "Actually, we should have done that before we even became co-ed. This used to be an all-girls school. We didn't expect boys to peep. But they did. I don't believe that those three are the only ones that do it, they're just the only ones that get caught. Elize-sensei even showed me every hiding place she and Hyoudou-san sealed."

"So he was telling the truth." Tsubasa softly spoke up.

"We should have expected that. After all, it is his namesake." Zeoticus told her as he had taken some interest in learning Japanese names, thanks to his daughter's love about the Japanese culture.

"Indeed." Sona responded, leaning back as they waited for the perverted duo to arrive.

For Issei, Miu, Raichi and Elize, they had gotten down the hallway and out of earshot, while those in the office were conversing. He was currently getting berated by Raichi and Miu, but it was mostly Miu. Since it was at this moment that Raichi made her move to the amusement of Elize and the embarrassment of Miu.

Raichi had Issei by the shoulders, shaking him violently. "What were you thinking!? You could've walked away freely! Why take the punishment!?"

For a petite girl, she certainly had some strength in her body, it made Issei contemplate what her training was.

"Yeah, I don't get it." Miu was also confused by Issei's decision.

"It gives me time to myself, no outside distractions." Issei answered, holding off Raichi, so he could speak clearly.

"For your tournament?" Elize asked.

Issei nodded. "Yeah."

"So you’re going to use your time to train?" Miu asked.

She had to admit that it was pretty smart on Issei's part to take that gamble. She was now understanding why he asked those questions because he was working his schedule around in his head. He wanted to ensure that he was able to participate in this tournament, but have an adequate amount of training and rest as well.

"Pretty much and take on shifts at Shishi-Oh, get some extra money." Issei noted, shifting his fingers as if he had yen in them.

"Ugh! There go my delicious lunches!" Raichi exasperated.

'Of course, she would be sad about the food.' Issei sweatdropped.

"That's what you're upset about!?" Miu exclaimed, voicing Issei's thoughts.

Raichi scoffed. "Oh, don't act like you didn't enjoy it too."

"Ah, I still need to send you the recipe." Issei addressed Miu.

"You can do that later, but I guess we won’t see you until the tournament."

"Yeah... it's best to get away from here and clear my mind. I’ll have to ask Ikki-senpai to bring my bokken from Shigure-sensei, since when you’re suspended, you can’t be on the school grounds." Issei remembered that rule in his school handbook, something that was drilled into his head by Yu-Mi.

"That's right." Elize sighed.

"And… thank you. All of you. For having my back in there. I know that because of my reputation, I always cause trouble for others." Issei bowed.

"Don't worry about it, kiddo." Elize ruffled his hair.

Miu shrugged. "It's not a problem."

"Yeah! Best friends gotta look out for each other!" Raichi told him.

She and Issei clapped hands, then brought it back, slapped the back of their hands together before turning their hands into fists, placed their fists on one another twice before ending it with a fist bump. It was a ridiculous, perfect handshake.

Miu looked perplexed. "You even have a handshake?"

Raichi rolled her eyes. "Duh. It's what best friends do."

'It took so many lunch breaks for me to get it right.' Issei sweatdropped, remembering the breaks that Raichi had him take during their dancing practices.

Miu sweatdropped. "But you know that you’ll probably be against each other in the tournament."

Raichi exclaimed. "Best friends make better enemies!"

"You don't have to say it like that…" Issei groaned, while thinking, 'She's definitely going to try and kill me, so I better give it all I got. Like shishou said, hold nothing back.'

He sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "But I may be suspended, I know that I can still stay together with everyone, so thanks again. Oh and another thing, you’ve been calling me by my name, Fūrinji-senpai."

"Well, it seems you’re going to be hanging with us in the long run. So, I figure that I might as well call you by your name." Miu told him.

Raichi leaned in and whispered, loud enough for Issei to hear. "She's just jealous we get to call you Ise and she doesn't."

Issei nodded at the faux explanation, already knowing that Raichi was trying to diss their senpai.

Miu's eyes narrowed. "What did she say?"

"She said you're jealous the others get to call me 'Ise.'" Issei answered and Raichi snickered.

Miu shook her head. "I'm not jealous. You're my boyfriend's protégé, so we might as well get used to calling each other by name. Call me Miu." She held out her hand.

"Alright then… Miu‑senpai."

They shook hands. Miu nodded once and headed off back to her class.

"See you this weekend." Raichi waved.

"Will do." Issei replied back, giving another fist bump before she went off to her class, leaving just Issei and Elize.

"Come here, kiddo." Elize pulled him into a warm hug. "I figured you had a plan as to why you would take the punishment. Just focus on your tournament, Yu-Mi and I will be there to see you kick some ass, so make us proud. Maybe we’ll see you do some moves from Dragon Ball."

"I'm not that good, Elize‑nee… but thank you. I'll see you then." He reciprocated her hug, then stepped away and walked out of the building.

As he walked home, he stopped for a second and looked around as a prickle ran down his spine.

'Someone's watching me…?' He thought as he turned to scan the rooftops but saw nothing. He exhaled and continued walking. 'That's odd.'

However, if he had looked towards the rooftops, there would have been a possibility that he might have seen Shigure.

Shigure tilted her head, violet eyes narrowing in quiet confusion.

'Why is he leaving school?' Shigure wondered and scanned the area.

But she sensed no danger as there were no stray devils or any supernatural entities. So, she believed that he would be okay.

Issei did make it safely back home, which proved that Shigure was right in her assessment as his mother was surprised by his appearance. She came over to greet him as she had gotten off the phone.

"Hello, dear. What happened?" Miki spoke, looking to see him enter.

"I got suspended."

"Really? Well, I just got off the phone with your principal. Or at least someone from the school's board. He told me you have an excused absence for the rest of the week." Miki said, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh?" Issei was thrown off as he took off his shoes.

"Yeah, he explained how you were taking the brunt for something that you didn’t do. Let me guess, it was your former friends." Miki explained to her son.

"Most likely." Issei sighed.

"What did they do this time?" Miki was exasperated, knowing how those boys were bad influences on her son.

"Stole some girl’s underwear and put it in my briefcase, while I was out for lunch."

He was unaware that the reason why he had an excused absence was from Sona's influence and allowing for things to cool down. Sona did not need Issei lashing out and possibly putting someone in the hospital by getting under his nerves. It didn't matter whether it was Matsuda or Motohama, she just didn't need violence to overrun her school. It was also Zeoticus' influence to be in the boy's good graces and possibly request a favor from him down the line.

"Ah… I see. I'm sorry, sweetheart." Miki expressed her sorrow for her son.

"It’s fine. It gives me time to train for the tournament. I gave you the link for it."

"Yes, I saw." Miki nodded.

"Why did you need it anyway?" He was confused on why his mother would need it, when she would be present at the event.

"Ah, no reason." She laughed nervously.

Issei squinted at her. "…Okay?"

"Did you call your grandmother yet?" Miki asked, changing the subject.

"No." Issei shook his head in denial. "Not yet. But I will."

"Good, so other than training... what else will you do to keep busy?" Miki asked.

"I’ll head to the shop and ask for some more hours and work those days. Sensei said that he would email what I need to do for homework and I should email back what would be due that day by the end of the school day, I presume." Issei answered.

"I see. Well, since you're home, I guess we can work on dinner together." Miki offered as a way for her son to get some peace of mind.

"Sure. Guess I can also get some culinary training. But I need to do my afternoon training too."

"You know that I won't go easy on you."

"You've been going easy on me for more than a decade, so I'd be disappointed if you didn't." Issei laughed.

"Duly noted." Miki chuckled as he headed upstairs to drop off his things.

He would check his phone later, he could use the week to better his craft and make a little money. He saw it as a win-win, let those people think what they want, he had other things to focus on. It was not just him, but others as well, those that were preparing for the tournament and those preparing for a competition. He took a couple of deep breaths as he didn’t have to deal with the drama at school. It was like Mitsurugi told him, silence is better than unnecessary drama and that’s what those rumors were, along with the accusation.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror. A boy who was no longer hiding behind perversion. Or rather, he had it subsided. A boy who was building himself from the ground up.

"It's just you and me, old friend."

The anticipation to begin training was creeping into him, he was shaking a little in excitement of the tournament, too.

But for now, he will go help his mother prep ingredients for their dinner tonight and then set off to do his evening training. He'd have to speak with Setsuka and Mitsurugi, if possible, about the situation.

His plan was already in motion. Of course, some adjustments would be made, thanks to free time that he now had.