Chapter 11

Early morning sunlight filtered through the gym windows, painting long streaks of gold across the mats. The rhythmic thud of Issei's kicks echoed through the room.

"That's right, keep it up!" Kisara instructed.

Her sharp voice cut through the air as she watched him hammer the heavy bag with relentless force. Thanks to Raichi's dance lessons, his hips moved more fluidly now as he felt looser, smoother, more controlled. Even during his 'suspension', he practiced alone in his room or in the back of the shop. He had explained the situation to Setsuka on Monday and since Mitsurugi wasn’t there and she didn’t mind the company. It allowed him to work during the school hours after training in the morning.Full novel: High School DxD: A Fighting Chance — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠

Then he would come back home, check for an email from his teacher about the homework for the next day. He would teach himself, do the homework and then scan it back to the teacher, so he didn’t have to worry about it the next day. The only downside was that he didn’t have Yu-Mi to check his work and he didn’t have her number either. So far, he was getting at least 80 to 85% correct on his work, so he wasn’t doing too bad. It wasn't perfect, but it was solid and showed improvement from his average scores from before. His days had become a cycle of train work study train again.

"Get your leg higher!" Kisara ordered.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Issei emphasized each kick.

Each kick sent a shock through his obliques. He could feel the muscles tightening, strengthening.

"Hit it with the roundhouse kick! Now, again!" Kisara continued to order his moveset.

He spun, striking with the opposite leg.

"He's going on the offense!" She simulated a fight scenario, tapping the bag like an advancing opponent. "He's aiming for your right side!"

Issei sidestepped to his left and backwards to keep distance from his imaginary opponent.

"He’s advancing! He’s aiming for your head!" Kisara continued to provide commentary of an imaginary fight, testing Issei's reflexes.

Issei ducked down low and did a leg sweep on the opponent that was real in his head. With said opponent, Issei went for an axe kick as he was strictly sticking with kicks. Otherwise, he would have straddled the opponent and wailed down blows to the imaginary opponent.

"He's getting back up! Disorient him!" She further ordered.

Issei rushed towards the bag, giving it two swift kicks at the waist level, as if the opponent’s head was there, while they were getting up.

"Alright! Put him down with the Pandal Chagi!" Kisara pumped her fist, giving the execution order.

"Ha!" Issei performed the kick as he had seen, mustering all of his force for a rib shot to his imaginary opponent.

Smack.

The sound wasn’t as thunderous as Kisara’s kick, but it could still do some damage.

"Alright! Haha, way to go, kid!" Kisara cheered, not caring for the small crowd that they gathered.

The crowd began to dissipate, now that the show was over.

"Do you have to keep calling me 'kid'?" Issei asked.

"Well, what do you want me to call you?" She asked him.

"How about Ise? My friends call me that." Issei answered.

"Ah, like Ikki does."

"I have other friends like Raichi and…"

"Grrrr." Kisara growled.

Her growl at Raichi's name made him flinch.

"Sorry, Kisara‑senpai." He apologized.

"Don't worry about it. It's between her and me." Kisara answered.

"You're not going to hurt her, are you?" Issei knew that he didn't want to get in between the beef of the two girls, but Raichi was his friend.

"No, why would you…" She stopped and Shigure's warning echoed in her mind about Issei defending his friends.

Looking over at him, she could see that he was analyzing her as if preparing to make a move if he had to.

Kisara sighed, smirked, and ruffled his hair. "Nah, it’s banter between us. But nothing physical, okay?" She kept ruffling his hair, soothing him like an older sister.

"Okay… but you can stop messing up my hair." Issei tried to swat her hand away.

Kisara chuckled. "Nuh uh, the ruffling gives you an edge. Making you look a little tough."

"I guess, but I don’t like messy hair." He complained.

"Hey, I can’t have you looking like a wimp, now, can I?" She also remembered how Issei described her, each member did, but they kept it as a secret until Issei himself told them.

She was also like Issei, an only child. So, the prospect of being considered a big sister was appealing to her. In big sister fashion, she took it upon herself to continuously ruffle his hair any chance she got.

Issei eventually knocked her hand away. "Alright, I get it."

It made her smile because he hadn’t said it, but Issei was acting like a little brother to her. It’s exactly like how Ikki said it would happen.

"Now there’s something I want to ask you." Kisara stared at him.

He asked. "What is it?"

"Why'd you take the punishment when you were innocent?"

"I just wanted to get away, you know? Not have to deal with the whispers and stares and just focus on me before the tournament." Issei answered.

"Well, you’re the talk of the school, but not for the reasons that you’re expecting." Kisara informed him.

"What do you mean?"

"A part of it, you have to thank the blonde cow for, but also the culprit was your former friend. You know, the one with the glasses. I think he got a longer suspension like two or three weeks, since this was his second offense. There’s rumors that the girl who accused you is considering apologizing to you, so are some of the guys that beat you up." Kisara told him.

"It doesn't matter." Issei shrugged.

"You think so?"

"I know so, there’s still going to be doubts among others. I even apologized for peeping, I just want to stick to myself and hang out with you guys and train, so I can keep learning and be half as skilled as you guys as I make my way to becoming one of the strongest fighters." Issei explained to her.

"Haha, I'm sure you will." She reached for his hair again, but he caught her hand.

"Nuh uh. Not this time, senpai."

"Oh?" She smirked.

That smirk. He knew bad things were to come with that smirk, either from her or Renka. It could only mean one thing. Danger.

Issei froze. "What?"

He let out a slight gasp, but then realized that he was holding her hand on to be more specific, her wrist. He could see that she was looking at their hands as well. He had no choice but to let go, so he could get some distance from her, but when he let go, she grabbed onto his wrist. Now he was in her grasp and could not move to get some distance.

"Gotcha." She yanked him into a chokehold and gave him a vicious noogie.

"Ah! Senpai! Knock it off!" Issei complained.

"Nope! Hahaha!" Kisara laughed, she enjoyed giving him the noogie of a lifetime.

Ikki, who had finished up a spar, chuckled at their antics and took a picture of the two. He also sent it to Ukita, showcasing how he was right about Kisara and Issei taking to each other like siblings. Ukita replied about how he knew not to doubt his best friend, especially after his loss to Issei and Ikki’s confidence in him. There were some laughing emojis attached.

After his bout with Issei, Ukita had come around to the brunette. Ukita did prove to Issei that all was good between the two of them, even if Issei was wary. However, Issei began to settle in more and got some tips from Ukita about possibly performing a judo throw.

He tried adding it to his repertoire in his spars against Renka, but she always knew it was coming and always flipped out of them. Other occasions, she would use Issei’s momentum against and cause him to get planted on his head. Issei didn’t mind because he was given a second of bliss by having his head in between her legs before the moment was short lived from landing on his head. To Issei, the pervert in him believed to be a blessing and that it would be the only times where his head would ever be between a woman’s legs. The fighter in him considered them a tactical failure and began to reassess how he could pin down Renka because he never was able to.

"Oi, you two! Quit horsing around!" Ikki called out with a laugh.

"Oh? Our kohai here thought he could stop me from ruffling his hair. Now, what do you prefer?" Kisara asked Issei. "The ruffling or this?"

She continued to give him a noogie, smooshing her first onto his head.

"The ruffling! The ruffling!" Issei cried out.

She let him go, satisfied. "I thought so."

"Oh yeah... Ikki‑senpai, how did you return my bokken?" Issei asked as he tried to fix his hair.

"Uh… I didn't. Wait, you have it?" Ikki answered, but he had to question how he got it back.

"Yeah. I figured you dropped it off and my mom put it in my room." Issei answered his senpai's question.

Ikki and Kisara exchanged a look. 'Shigure‑sensei.'

Of course. They were aware of Shigure's prowess as a kunoichi, she could get in and out of places with ease. Issei was not fully aware of how skilled his sensei was but knew she had to be extremely capable. The woman had trained a mouse that was quite intelligent and could understand human speech. He did not know that she snuck into his room after his supposed suspension.

Speaking of said suspension, it was not really a suspension as Kisara had noted. The reason for this was for Zeoticus to hope that Issei would join his daughter’s peerage and be in his good graces. Unfortunately, he was not aware of Issei’s disdain with Takeshi. He could tell that the boy didn’t like Genshirou, so he believed that Issei would be more inclined to join Rias. He also allowed it as Issei seemed adamant in leaving the school anyway, so he gave him an excused absence, while the real culprit got the suspension. Issei also did not know that Motohama’s mother had called Miki to apologize and wished that Motohama did what Issei was doing and to begin reforming his life before it was too late.

"Anyway, I gotta get going. I have to head to work." Issei informed his seniors.

"I can give you a ride." Ikki volunteered.

"No, I got here on my bike. It's all good, but thanks." Issei shook his head.

"Alright, I’ll see you Friday and then we can see what you do this weekend, alright?" Kisara told him.

"Yes ma'am." Issei gave her a salute.

"And one more thing..." Kisara drawled on.

"Huh? Oi!" Issei had no time to react as Kisara lunged forward and dragged him into another merciless noogie. "Not again, senpai!"

Ikki and Kisara burst into laughter, the former making no attempt to save him. Issei had a sinking feeling that this would be his life from now on. Getting noogies from Kisara, Ikki, maybe even Ukita if he wasn't careful.

"Oh yeah, don’t forget, you owe Renka a lot of massages. She’s been quite cranky, when she doesn’t get one from you" Kisara reminded him as she finally released him.

"Why can't one of you do it?" Issei groaned as he held his head.

"Better to receive from the master himself." Ikki chuckled.

"I’m not that good. I just follow what I learned off the internet, but never really got into massage therapy. Maybe Kenichi-senpai can help her, she likes him, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind it."

"Unless you want to see war between the two bimbos. I don’t think it would be a good idea." Kisara warned him.

"Bimb... oh." Issei realized she meant Miu and Renka and he sighed. 'Seriously, senpai… just accept your harem like Takeshi did.'

The sigh was not out of jealousy, but pure exasperation.

"Yeah, and no one likes a cranky Renka." Ikki noted.

"I don't think anyone likes being cranky, senpai." Issei informed him.

"He’s not wrong about that." Kisara nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, I gotta go. Thanks for the help today." Issei bowed.

"See ya!" Ikki called out.

"Later." Kisara gave a small wave.

Issei waved goodbye and began to head toward the exit. He made sure not to make eye contact with Hikari. He was very wary of the receptionist, but he was glad that Mizunuma-senpai had caught her interest. He hoped that maybe his senpai could probably knock some of that smugness off of her. Though this was hypocritical on Issei's part as he was judging her without knowing her.

"Have a great day!" Hikari called out to him.

Issei nodded politely, but never looked in her direction, which did surprise Hikari. The interaction was seen by Kisara and Ikki, who snickered as they knew exactly why he avoided eye contact. The girl was wary because of Issei’s perverted past, which was understandable. As a result, Issei was wary of her like he usually was of people he didn’t really know.

"He'll come around." Ikki told her as he walked up to the desk.

"Huh?" Hikari turned to him.

"Remember how you acted when I told you he was a pervert?"

"Yeah…" She nodded.

"Well, he’s wary of you, you judged him without trying to know him. While it was understandable for your reasons, you didn’t give him a chance." Ikki said. "Though, he's also acting like a hypocrite as he's also judging you, too."

"…I see." Hikari nodded in understanding.

"You coming to the tournament this weekend?" Ikki asked.

"Yeah. Mizunuma invited me." Hikari answered.

"Oh? So you're the one Mizunuma's infatuated with." Kisara came up to the desk, seeing the girl that had her fellow club member talking.

"This is Kisara. She'll be in the tournament." Ikki introduced the taekwondo specialist to Hikari.

"And you’re training him? Issei, I mean." Hikari asked Kisara.

"Yep. Why? You got a problem with that?" Kisara raised an eyebrow.

"No, I just… I've been watching you two. You seem to get along." Hikari said.

"That’s what happens when you take the time to get to know someone, instead of just looking at them from the surface level. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of people still view him like you do. Just a pervert, but he’s also a nerd."

"Really?" Hikari was shocked at this revelation.

"Yeah, he’s a bit like Mizunuma in that sense." Ikki nodded with a chuckle.

Kisara began speaking. "We’re still learning about him, too. I mean we have found out that he can sing, cook, and sculpt."

"Don’t forget sewing, that headband that is tied to his left wrist. It’s one of the first things that he made. His childhood friend has another, but he said theirs is colored differently, instead of red, they have yellow and purple. Thanks to the help from his boss, since his grandmother lives in the countryside, he was able to enhance the headband." Ikki interjected.

"How do you know all that?" Kisara turned towards the boxer in curiosity because she didn't know that yet.

"Come on, Kisara... I pick him up to come here and then take him to school. You think we have silent car rides? Get real." Ikki shrugged with a chuckle.

"I see... Well, I’ll try to be nicer to him, when I see him at the tournament." Hikari noted.

Kisara asked. "Why not here?"

"Because he'll think I'm only being nice because it's my job." Hikari answered.

"Fair enough." Kisara shrugged. "Well, I’m out of here. Some of us don’t have free period like you do."

"You gotta love it, but I also have to go. More time to spend with Kaname." Ikki flashed a cheeky grin and headed off to get his gear.

Kisara rolled her eyes. "He's whipped."

Hikari chuckled. "I bet."

"Later." Kisara waved as she left.

The perks of having rich parents herself were that like Ikki, she also had a car. So she did not have to worry much about getting from one place to another.

Meanwhile, Issei had biked home, entering the house to find his mother cooking breakfast.

"Hey, kaa‑san!" Issei greeted as he entered.

"Hello, dear. How was the workout?"

"It was good, not too bad. I just need to get ready for work." Issei answered.

"You know you shouldn’t overwork yourself, especially before your tournament this weekend." Miki warned him.

"I know. I guess I got the jitters, it’s my first tournament."

"I know, but you can hurt yourself at the rate that you’re going."

Issei nodded. "I understand."

"Good, now go get ready and come down and eat. At least you shouldn’t rush yourself with school not being a factor for the week."

"I know and thanks for looking over my work."

"Of course!"

She wasn't Yu‑Mi‑level smart, despite being a housewife but she was still sharp enough to help him. It also showed Issei's own intelligence as he utilized the resources available to him.

As he got ready, he also sent in the homework that would be due today to his teacher via email, so he wouldn’t worry about it. He came down and ate breakfast with his parents. He knew that he didn't have to rush, since he had time now due to his excused absence.

"I guess we’ll see you later tonight, huh, sport." Gorou asked his son as he came back down.

"Yes sir. I'll be back before you." Issei answered his father.

"I figured." Gorou laughed. "Well, travel safe and look both ways."

"I always do." Issei hugged his father.

"And be sure to call obaa-san." Miki called out to him.

"Yes ma'am." He kissed her cheek and he got on his bike and rode to the Shishi-Oh.

"I swear that boy can be quite forgetful." Miki sighed.

"I guess he gets that from me." Gorou chuckled.

"I suppose so, you have a wonderful day at work." Miki told him.

"Thank you, I’ll see you for dinner. Hmm, you know... I think we should have a date night one of these days, since Issei has grown." Gorou suggested.

"He’s still growing." Miki countered because as a mother, she would always see him as her little boy.

"Yes, but he’s not our little boy anymore. He’s not caught up in his perversion either." Gorou told her.

"You’re right." Miki sighed. "Oh, and how long do we plan to send him away for his break?"

Gorou pondered about the question before answering. "Hmm, I was thinking for maybe a week?"

Miki nodded in agreement. "That sounds about right, but he will have to learn English."

"Ah, yeah, I can teach him a little and then go from there." Gorou suggested.

"That’s true. Mizuki and Touji can help out when he gets there." Miki said.

"You’re right, well, I’m off." Gorou gave his wife a kiss. "Have a good day!"

"You too!" Miki waved him goodbye as she went to carry about her day, until her boys came back.

Issei made it to the Shishi-Oh, locking his bike up and entered the shop to find no one there. He figured that Setsuka was somewhere in the back, since the shop was open. However, when he got there, the blonde woman was nowhere to be found.

"Hello? Setsuka‑sensei?" He called out.

He decided to head to the training ground, where he found her sitting cross legged with her eyes closed, perfectly still.

Without opening her eyes, she greeted him. "Good morning, Issei."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Because other than my husband and those other few that were here... you’re the only one that really knows of this place. Plus, I had been expecting you. Remember? You asked to work during the week." Setsuka reminded him.

"Right… um, what are you doing?" He asked.

"Meditating, why?"

"Well, someone could rob the store and…"

"I would know if they entered like how I know that you entered and then wandered in the backroom looking for me, until you came here."

"Whoa… you can sense me?" Issei was marveled that she could do that.

"Of course. Have you ever tried meditating before?"

"One time, but I wasn't really feeling it." Issei told her.

"Because you were not really focused on what you were trying to find. You see... meditation creates a space between feeling an impulse and acting on it. And you my dear boy, act so much on your impulses, but that is instinctive of you."

"I see."

"Come. Sit with me." Setsuka patted the ground next to her without ever opening her eyes.

"But what about…" He hesitated then remembered Mitsurugi's words: "Listen more than you talk and be teachable."

"Okay." Issei nodded as he sat beside her and closed his eyes.

"Calm yourself. You remember how you must be patient with sewing?" Setsuka asked him.

"Yeah?"

"It’s the same thing with meditating. Have patience." Setsuka advised.

"Okay." Issei nodded, listening to her instructions.

Breathing slowly, he listened to the sounds around him, the water in the pond rippling, the tipping of the bamboo. He breathed to calm his heart rate down and still himself. He never noticed Setsuka open her eyes and smirk at him as he could learn to feel the ki within himself.

Setsuka got up and began to walk away to attend to the store as she sensed a customer walk in. Issei continued to feel his surroundings, until he felt that emptiness, there was a coldness that made him feel alone. Opening his eyes, he saw that Setsuka was not there and he quickly got up to find Setsuka at the counter.

"You finally picked it up?" Setsuka asked without turning towards him.

"How long was I sitting there?" He asked.

"About thirty minutes."

"Thirty minutes!? Oh no!"

"Ah, ah, ah, you learned something though. You felt my presence wasn’t near you, correct?"

"Yeah, I felt…"

"Cold as if no one was around?" Setsuka interjected.

"Yeah." Issei nodded at that assessment.

"Good."

"Good?" Issei looked quizzically at her.

"Yes, you’re learning to sense things. In time, you will continue to learn more about yourself."

Issei nodded, still processing the strange new awareness he'd felt. "I guess that makes sense, um…"

"Now then, what do you think of this design?" She held up a sketch of a new yukata. Dark colors, sharp lines, elegant but masculine.

"Whoa… that's cool. Considering the colors, I assume this is for a male?"

"Correct. You think females are the only ones that like to look good?"

"I guess not… but I don't really focus on that. Looks are superficial."

"Oh? And how do you plan to get a girl with that mindset?"

"I’m… I’m not really focused on the romance aspect of my life." Issei scratched the back of his head.

"Why's that?"

"I mean I just want to focus on my training."

"Well, you have that one girl that you said offered you sexual favors."

"Oh, you mean Yuuma? She can be too promiscuous, but I think she settled that down, since she had started hanging out with me and Raichi."

"Raichi and me, my dear. Use proper grammar." Setsuka corrected him.

"Ah, sorry, Setsuka‑sensei."

"That makes me feel old. How about 'obasan' instead?"

"Really? It's been a while since I called someone my aunt."

"Who was the last?"

"My friend Shidou's mom. She was my second mother figure."

"Haha, well, I have taught you more sewing techniques than most aunts."

"Yeah… maybe I can upgrade Shidou's headband when I see him. Like you did for mine."

"Good idea. Anyway, I'll be sewing. You can work the counter. Maybe that suspension of yours was a blessing in disguise."

"You think so?"

"Yes. I appreciate your company, Issei. You're like the son I never had."

Issei blinked, stunned. "Really?"

Setsuka nodded. "Yes, you can be goofy... considering that you like to compete with me and who’s abs look better."

"I'm almost catching up."

Setsuka laughed. "Maybe. We'll see in a few weeks." She headed toward the back. "And maybe when you’re done, we can do some training, but I am more about speed, not just in your swings, but your feet as well. You need to stay fleet footed to dodge strikes, so that is what you will do, dodging."

"Seems simple enough."

"With no equipment." Setsuka finished.

"Wait, what!?" Issei looked at her in bewilderment.

"That’s right. No bokken or anything, you will have to dodge my attacks with nothing but your feet and body. You remember how you sensed that my presence wasn’t there?"

"Yeah?"

"As you progress in your sensory capability, you can be able to sense the possibility of where your opponent would try to strike you."

"Oh, like predicting their moves."

Setsuka nodded. "That is correct."

"That sounds awesome. But how do people do that?"

"We all have something inside us. Something that very few have awakened. You know how you feel a little more powerful, when you put your anger into your strikes."

"Yeah?"

"That's your ki."

"Ki?" Issei was surprised because he had only heard that term in Dragon Ball.

"Yes, the thing that people are able to sense in one another if you focus on it."

"So, your ki is what I felt, when I didn’t feel your presence?" Issei asked.

"Yes, but unlike you, I have a mastery of my ki. I can suppress it to the point that I could have still sat by you, and you would still believe that I had left. You would have to watch out for people that can do that as they can sneak up on you without notice."

"That makes sense…" As he wondered. 'Maybe that's why Renka and Raichi are able to sneak up on me.'

"Now, I’ll leave you be. If you want, you are more than welcome to also sew something or read or something to pass the time."

"You got it." Issei gave a salute to his boss.

"And if you need me, you know where to find me."

"Will do. I'm going to check the stock on the floor."

"Alright." She nodded before disappearing to the training grounds.

Issei wandered the store, mind still spinning. 'Hmm, so ki, huh, guess that explains what meditation can do. Maybe I can use it to determine why I feel uneasy around people from the student council and ORC, maybe their ki is evil or something.'

He had gone to look at the bokken and shinai, it reminded him of possibly having another bokken on hand. It also reminded him of having friends over like if Shidou was still around, they could spar and work on their techniques. It also reminded him of Kiba offering his services to spar as well and considering that everyone in the MMA club didn’t use weapons, he could only rely on Shigure or Mitsurugi to learn his weapons training from. It would be nice to spar with someone of his own age.

‘Maybe I’ll try to get to know Kiba a little better, I wonder how skilled he is with a sword. It wouldn’t be so bad, maybe I can set something up with him, so I can keep my weapons training up with my martial arts training. I also have to remember what Mitsurugi-shishou said about utilizing what I have, not restricting myself to one thing. I guess that is why Kenichi-senpai has learned multiple fighting styles to remain diverse against his opponent.’

Seeing how the bokken and shinai were stocked, he moved onto the kimonos and yukatas.

‘It also would be nice to go to a fireworks festival in one of these, maybe Setsuka-obasan was right. Haha, it feels more natural to call her that than sensei. But who would I go with? Raichi and I would have fun, but I don’t think anything romantic would come of it, we hang out at lunch and there’s been no sexual tension between us, even in the dance lessons. There might be with Yuuma, which I do think she will drag me off somewhere, but I’m not looking for that. I’d like the chemistry to build, maybe Renka-senpai, she looks great in a Chinese dress, now I am curious how she would look in a kimono. Oh! Akeno-senpai is a Yamato Nadeshiko, she would look great in one of these, but then again, she wouldn’t go out with me.' Issei sighed. 'I’m still uneasy about Akeno-senpai and Yuuma, though, but I guess it’s getting better with the two.’

He moved to the accessories, seeing that they were low on athletic tape and bandages, which was not surprising. Many people from different sports would come in for athletic gear. He headed to the backroom to get some more, he didn’t want to disturb Setsuka, but remembered that she could sense him as she had done before.

"Need something?" Setsuka spoke without ever looking in his direction.

"Uh, yeah. Just getting some more bandages and athletic tape, we’re low out front."

"Alright."

Issei noticed how she never looked in his direction, so he gave a nod and went to gather what he needed. ‘I wonder what business that Mitsurugi-shishou had to do.’

Night had fallen over Kuoh but on the outskirts in another area that was away from the Gremory summer home, the forest was anything but quiet. There were several bodies lay scattered across the moss and dirt. Fallen angels with crushed ribs, broken wings, and deep slash marks littered the clearing. The air reeked of ozone, blood, and burnt feathers. Those with slash marks were not breathing, while others with deep fists in dents were unconscious.

At the center of the carnage stood five men, they were all humans. Yet the aura they emitted was anything but ordinary. One of them was bloodied but unfazed as he wiped his blade clean with a flick.

Kensei shook his head. "You never change, do you, Mitsurugi?"

Mitsurugi snorted. "Oh, that’s right. The people from your dojo don’t kill, even if they're supernatural beings."

"Only when killing becomes the only option." Akisame sighed, remembering what had caused them to tweak their philosophies.

"Hmph. Pretty sure this qualifies." Mitsurugi swung his katana in a clean arc. A crescent of fiery ki shot forward.

A fallen angel screamed as the wave bisected him cleanly.

Sakaki grunted. "I hate to say it, Akisame, but he has a point. These fallen angels are Kokabiel’s, not Azazel’s, but then again... if they could betray their leader for a war then who knows what else they can do."

"Apa apa apa!" Apachai slammed ki‑infused fists into several angels, sending them flying into trees. The impacts shook the forest. "But so many of them are weak apa."

"He's right. These fallen angels either have one pair or two pairs of wings… all weaklings." Kensei sighed.

"Most likely they promised an advancement in position or power or some sort." Akisame used touki to coat his hand as he dodged a light spear, caught it, spun it, and hurled it back. The fallen angel shrieked as it pierced his shoulder.

"Say tell us about that Issei kid, Mitsurugi. You’re training him, aren’t you?" Sakaki asked as he beat down multiple fallen angels that got within the range of his karate expertise.

Mitsurugi parried a desperate angel's strike and decapitated him in one smooth motion. "What of him?"

"Is he really so determined as we were informed?" Sakaki asked.

"Yes, he is." Mitsurugi had pressed Issei on getting his kenjutsu stances right multiple times and the boy never quit.

"I hear you passed your dream onto him. Dangerous thing to do, that could get him in trouble." Kensei noted.

Mitsurugi laughed. "Ha, if that was the case, he would have seeked out fighting that high class devil. But he wouldn’t have won. I commend him for backing out as he has only begun to utilize his ki."

Sakaki retorted. "Oh? I’d like to show him how to use it to intimidate others, and make him a badass."

"I don’t think you could do that." Akisame said as he knocked another angel unconscious with a palm strike.

"I made Kenichi into one!" Sakaki countered.

"Apachai wants to train him too, apa!" The muay thai spoke, while he slammed two angels into the ground so hard the earth cracked.

"We all trained Kenichi, in case you all forget. And this boy… he has similar qualities to Kenichi, when he first started out. The Elder and Saiga are interested. I hope he becomes a fine sculptor too. I hear he's excellent with his hands. Isn't that right, Kensei?" Akisame questioned.

"Why are you asking me?" Kensei was confused about being singled out.

"He gives your daughter massages. I thought…" Akisame answered calmly.

"Agh! Don’t remind me!" Kensei grabbed his hat and forced it over his ears. "I almost thought they were having sex by how she sounded, thanks to my listening device in one of her bells! Thank goodness he was so focused on his work!"

"Hahaha! Looks like you've got a son‑in‑law." Sakaki laughed.

"Nonsense! Renka is still very much high on Kenichi! If only that boy becomes like his sensei and obtains his harem before he gets bald!" Kensei cried in the anime tears.

"Kenichi is too well‑mannered for that." Akisame sighed.

"Issei seems to be as well, but..." Mitsurugi spoke, stopping to slice the head off a fallen angel.

"What!? I thought he was a pervert beforehand!" Sakaki exclaimed.

"He was, but I hear my wife and him talk sometimes. His harem king dream, while it was admirable for his grandfather, but he seems to want that one girl." Mitsurugi informed them. "Problem is... he is bonding to multiple females more than he has previously that he may not know who to choose from. He has already resisted a fallen angel’s charms... if he didn’t, he wouldn’t still be a virgin, but despite being a pervert, my wife thinks he can be a romantic."

"I expected as much. He has a softer side that he doesn’t often show. I remember how Kenichi and the others said that it took some time for him to open up." Akisame noted.

"He is like any boy his age. But when you break past the perverted exterior, you find an average boy who can be molded into anything." Mitsurugi said. "That's what my wife has noted, which I also agree with, considering that he could have quit learning how to use a sword. Hell, he even resisted a fallen angel's charms. If he hadn't, he wouldn't still be a virgin. Setsuka says that he can be somewhat of a romantic."

"Renka complained about that for weeks. The opening up, I mean." Kensei grunted as he remembered Renka's fury about Issei dodging her and avoiding.

It made Kensei chuckle sometimes because Renka could act like her mother. The masters were aware that Issei had trust issue because if his former friends could stab him in the back than who knows who else could. With Kenichi's group being like family and Issei's assessment of them, they only hoped that the brunette would continue to trust them as they guided him.

"However, under my tutelage, the harem aspect is not on his mind. I've had him focused on other necessities." Mitsurugi informed them.

Akisame suddenly grabbed a fallen angel by the collar, lifting him effortlessly. "Now then… what are Kokabiel's plans?"

"I—I don't know! I'm just a grunt! We were promised whatever we wanted!" The fallen angel spoke in fear.

"I’m assuming that meant riches and women, correct?" Akisame replied.

"Y‑yes!" The fallen angel answered in fright.

"But if you start trouble, there’s no guarantee that you would survive it. Considering that you’re trying to invade a devil’s territory."

"Yeah, Kokabiel-sama wants to start the holy war again! We can get all the devil women that we want! we could have won the previous one, but that bastard Azazel pulled us out!" Another injured fallen angel retorted to them.

The masters and Mitsurugi exchanged glances.

"Holy war? That means the Church is involved." Sakaki noted.

"But how so? The church in Kuoh has been abandoned for years." Kensei pointed out.

"What do you intend to do with the Church?" Akisame asked the fallen angel, while tightening his grip.

"I—I don't know!" The fallen angel spoke, fearful of their life.

"None of us do, we’re just here to help Kokabiel-sama win and maybe get some devil women." Another one spoke, also afraid.

However, several of their colleagues had different things to say as they let their lustful thoughts be broadcasted.

"Too bad the Gremory heiress is getting married. I hear she and her queen are packing." Another grunted, while trying to get up.

"Yeah, I hear the Sitri heiress ain't that bad looking and has some good pieces too. Maybe we can break them in." Said another that was holding their arm.

"One of you has a daughter, right? Maybe we'll try her out after we lay you in. Damn, if she's anything like the devil women, I probably wouldn't mind her jumping up and down on my dick." Another laughed, not caring about the pain, while he had a sick smile on his face.

"Same with that guy's wife... hah... argh..."

SHLICK.

That fallen angel could no longer speak as his head rolled across the ground, it made the others that had been mocking them go silent instantly. The ones that were already afraid were secretly trying to sneak off and escape. Unfortunately, they didn't get far as a barrier erupted around the clearing, sealing them in.

"Uh oh. You just had to say it." Sakaki's eyes glowed white, while he cracked his knuckles.

"Apa." Apachai was in a similar state as his aura surged.

"W‑what's happening!?" The one that Akisame had been holding asked, their fear rising.

"It seems your colleagues have irritated several of my own." Akisame sighed. "But may I ask you something? How many other outposts do you have?"

"Uh… uh…" The fallen angels darted to the others that were slowing advancing on his colleagues and was fearing his own fate.

"There's th‑three more! One to the east about 6 or so miles, there's another to the west that is about 8 miles, th-the furthest is the southern one on the other side of the city!"

Akisame nodded. "Do you know the numbers of those that are stationed at said outposts?"

"N… no, I… I don’t." The fallen angel shook their head as best as they could.

"Good." Akisame knocked the angel out gently, then summoned a magic circle. "Hello, Saiga."

"What is it?" Saiga spoke through the communication circle.

"We'll have to exterminate several of these fallen angels. They provoked Kensei and Mitsurugi. While the Elder forbade us from killing, unless forced, otherwise we would be no better than Yami." Akisame sighed. "However, you know that our hand has been forced, since dealing with supernatural beings and you know how Sakaki and Apachai get, when they can let off some steam."

An exhale came through the circle before Saiga responded.

"Keep the ones that surrender willingly alive for Azazel." Saiga instructed. "I'll speak with my father about what has happened and why you had to do what you must."

"That can be arranged." Akisame ended the call and relayed the instructions to the rest of them. "He said try to keep one alive."

At the statement, many of the rogue fallen angels paled. These humans made them scared and there was nothing that they could do and because they listened to a deceitful leader, their lives would be forfeit.

"That's fine by me." Mitsurugi spoke as fire ignited along his blade.

"Oh yeah. Time to let loose." Sakaki had a maniacal grin as his touki flared.

"Apa!" Chunks of earth formed around Apachai's fists.

"Hmph." Kensei glared as mini‑tornadoes swirled around him.

"They can use magic!?" A fallen angel was stunned because before the masters and Mitsurugi were only using ki.

"Let us begin." Akisame spoke as the water from the stream nearby began to swirl around him into a whip-like state.

Akisame's water whip lashed out, dragging a fallen angel toward him. He flipped the man over his shoulder and crushed his chest with a ki‑infused strike.

Apachai hurled rock‑fists at blinding speed, pulverizing fallen angels into red mist, if they tried to fight back. Those that were trying to surrender would get injured, but they would be spared from Apachai's onslaught.

Sakaki's touki‑enhanced blows shattered bones and sent bodies flying, similar to Apachai, he relented against those that gave in. They would live, but they would have broken bones to remember what someone who they looked down on had done to them.

Kensei's tornadoes would force fallen angels to be stuck in place and use the blades made from the wind to slice through wings and hearts with surgical precision. Like the other masters, if they surrendered, they would be spared with cuts and if not, well, they would be dismembered.

Mitsurugi's fire magic constructed tigers roared across the battlefield, burning and tearing through enemies while he carved through others with flaming sword arcs. Unlike the masters, he didn't have the same morals, thus anyone that encountered him suffered the same fate.

The forest became a canvas of screams, fire, and blood. No one on the outside would hear the screams, thanks to the barrier. The massacre that was happening would not be discovered by anyone, unless Kokabiel came by himself to report with his troops.

The only ones that survived the onslaught were the ones that surrendered and rendered unconscious. They would have the scars of this fight and the blood of their stubborn comrades on their conscience for a long time. They were learning a cold reality, they were not above those that they considered weak.

Akisame sighed and opened another magic circle. "Azazel."

"What's up?" Azazel's voice came through the communication circle.

"We found some of your former colleagues north of Kuoh. I’m sorry to say, but there is an estimate of only fifteen alive for you to take back for questioning. However, we do know that Kokabiel wants to start a war, among the three Biblical factions, but we do not know how the Church is involved yet." Akisame informed the cadre.

"The Church? Hmm, I don’t know how he would get them involved since the church has been abandoned in Kuoh and has been for the past twelve years, according to Yuuma's intel." Azazel responded, while he was in thought.

"Furthermore, they split themselves up into quadrants. There are three other outposts directly east, west, and south of the city. Thankfully, they don't seem to be near where the Gremory are training." Akisame stated. "We shall be heading towards those outposts after some rest. It has been a while since we have used magic."

"Understood. I'll send Penemue to clean up at your current location. So leave a marker, so I have a lock on where to send her. I'll see what Yuuma knows."

"I'm not sure if you're aware, but we also have someone that will be acting as a liaison, we'll have her get in contact with Amano-san, when she arrives." Akisame told the cadre.

"In that case, I'll hold off from speaking with Yuuma directly and speak with Sona, she should know about the Church's possible involvement, if Yuuma hasn't told her anything yet."

"Then I'll leave you to that." Akisame closed the magic circle with a soft hum, the faint glow fading from his fingertips and turned to the others. "Azazel will send a cleanup unit. I think we should split up as well and handle the three separate outposts."

Sakaki stretched his arms overhead, joints cracking like distant thunder. "Works for me. So that leaves the question of how're we splitting this?"

Mitsurugi pointed westward without hesitation. "I'll take the western outpost. Fewer signatures there. One of us will have to go solo anyway."

Kensei nodded thoughtfully. "That seems sufficient, since you, Akisame, and Sakaki have worked together. You can head south, while Apachai and I go east."

"Apa!" Apachai pumped his fists, eager for round two.

"Works for me. I'll grab some beer on the way. Hydration is important." Sakaki grinned.

"Then it's settled." Mitsurugi spoke.

Akisame surveyed the battlefield of fallen angels strewn across the ground, scorch marks, shattered trees. "We should rest first. We can't jump straight into another fight after… this."

Kensei brightened. "I know a wonderful spa that we can go to."

Mitsurugi sheathed his sword and began walking away. "You do what you want. I'm heading to my sector."

Akisame sighed as he created a location marker. "We don't have time for any spas, Kensei. We'll regroup after all outposts are cleared. Let's move."

The five masters dispersed into the forest, their auras fading into the night.

Nearly 45 minutes had passed after they had left the area. A magic circle flared to life, illuminating the ruined clearing. A tall woman stepped out as she had long purple hair cascading down her back, five pairs of black wings unfurling behind her. Her figure was voluptuous, her expression exhausted.

"Good grief… Azazel, who exactly did you hire?" She surveyed the battlefield of the fallen angels that were either unconscious or slain, the ground torn apart by ki and magic.

She summoned a communication circle with a flick of her wrist.

"Send two cleanup units to my location. And make sure they're adept with water magic."

"Right away, Penemue-sama." A voice replied back and the circle vanished.

Penemue rubbed her temples. "I need a drink. Looks like I’ll be enjoying the night here and at the Black Dog Bar…" She raised her hand, water magic swirling around her as she began cleaning the area. "Seriously, Kokabiel… we finally got a moment of some peace, and you decided to pull this shit. Unbelievable."

It was Friday night and at the Hyoudou residence, Issei was getting anxious, since the tournament was tomorrow. It was going to be a small batch, but he could test himself against them. He had trained all week from morning sessions with Kisara, sparring with Ikki, footwork drills with Setsuka.

However, all three had told him that he shouldn’t overdo it. Especially Setsuka, he had no idea that she was also utilizing her ki to heal his body from its soreness. Otherwise, it would have been tough to go into this tournament with a sore body and possibly pull a muscle or worse.

Now, here he sat at his desk after another day of work and exhaled slowly, staring at his phone. There was one thing he still hadn't done. If he didn't call, his mother would absolutely scold him. He dialed and heard the ringing on the other side.

"Hello?" An elderly female voice asked.

"Hi, baa‑chan." Issei replied.

"Oh? Ise‑chan?" His grandmother, Hyoudou Hotaru, responded in surprise.

Issei groaned. "Please don't call me that…"

She laughed warmly, the sound instantly easing his nerves. "Oh, come now, I'm your grandmother, but don't worry, I know that you're not a little boy anymore."

"Yeah, but I probably still would have been if I stuck to my former path."

"Ah, yes, I heard about that. You have strayed from your perversion and your grandfather's dream. I wonder if that friend of yours did as well. I mean your grandfather was quite influential on both of you, when you were young."

"Ah, you're talking about Shidou, right? I mean probably, remember his family was a part of the church." Issei sighed. "I don’t think they would have taken too kindly to our perversion, but I think it was because of my perversion that they left."

"Ha! Nonsense! If you're talking about when you spoke about big breasts back then, you were a child and children are always curious about things. For you, it was the female's chest and your friend, Shidou, was amused by your curiosity. You do realize that their parents were never offended either, if that was the case, you wouldn't have had your sleepovers." Hotaru reminded him.

"I guess." Issei answered.

"Let's not forget, you also had those other interests of yours. You did enjoy robots and spaceships. Even if that perverted husband of mine kept talking to you about harems, it's a shame that he died. I know how you felt, but then you began talking about this old man that reinvigorated your perverted curiosity."

"Which made me want to achieve the dream that jii-san and tou-san could not do."

"You have dropped that dream now, I heard. Actually, I hear that you all made a new family pact." Hotaru reminded Issei.

"Yeah, time to break that family curse! I’m going to be one of the strongest warriors, I mean our last name does mean 'soldier'."

"Indeed, but that doesn't mean that you should go around beating up people to prove yourself either."

"I won't. Ah, that reminds me about why I was calling you, but, um… I have a tournament tomorrow. Which I'm kind of nervous about... Oh! Do you have a pen and paper?" Issei asked.

"Just a minute, dear." Hotaru placed the phone down, which Issei heard as she shuffled around until she picked her landline back up. "Okay, now what is it that you would like me to write down?"

"It’s the streaming link to watch the tournament tomorrow, maybe they’ll show my fights, there’s not much second years, but who knows." Issei told her.

He would repeat certain letters carefully to be sure that his grandmother had the right link. He had an inkling in the back of his head that he thought his mother had given his grandmother the link. Now he wondered what his mother needed the link for as his parents were taking him to the school.

"Alright, I have it. Now tell me... do you do what I asked you to do?" Hotaru asked her grandson.

"You mean by jotting down what I am grateful for? Yes, I have been every night."

"Good boy. So, tell me... now that you've left your perversion behind, what have you been doing? Other than these martial arts because I know that you're not stupid enough to get into a martial arts tournament without any training."

Issei chuckled. "Oi! Well, I'll have you know that I'm getting back into manga and anime…"

"Typical." Hotaru laughed. "You wouldn't stop talking about those Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series that you and Ir- er… Shidou would watch."

"Um, yeah, something like." Issei wondered about her pause, but ignored it as he continued on. "I also have a job, where I get some additional training… ah, cooking with kaa‑san…"

"I was definitely surprised when your mother told me that." Hotaru laughed. "For you to be cooking with her."

"Uh huh, it’s been helpful. I got a friend, she didn’t think I could, but she seems to enjoy what I make." Issei was feeling proud of how far he had come in learning how to cook.

"Her? Shidou might get jealous." Hotaru said, trying to hint of his childhood friend's gender but she underestimated how dense her grandson could be despite his growing intelligence.

"Jealous? Of me? Nah, he’ll probably have a girlfriend before me and I don’t have any romantic feelings for the girl, but she does help me with dancing."

"Dancing?" Hotaru laughed. "The hits just keep on coming. You certainly are surprising me."

"It's for my hips. I have to keep them loose, it helps with my kicks. I also have to deal with some of the guys asking tips for massages." Issei replied.

"Ah, I remember you used to do that for me and your parents to help us relax. You were very determined to make sure that we were at ease. Actually, you were always so determined to help others." Hotaru noted as she began to reminisce about how he was in his younger years.

Of course, he was still perverted back then, but she knew that it was on them as the perversion was hereditary and stemming from her late husband more than her.

Issei paused, guilt flickering across his face. "Yeah… but my perversion never helped, did it? I didn't realize it until recently."

"You were a child and you still are. Children are curious. Don't be too hard on yourself. You forget that I had to deal with your grandfather." Hotaru reminded him. "It was different for your parents."

Issei nodded in understanding. "I suppose. I mean kaa-san has been looking younger, since I have moved away from that perversion. Even tou-san is looking better, but that could be because he is hitting the gym himself. I never really thought of the stress that I had put on every one of you."

"Ah! There it is again. You were always so jovial. You shouldn't be so down on yourself. Look at yourself now, you're becoming a better cook, I assume, and you've become more responsible, since you have a job and you're not taking it lightly. You also seem to be capable of handling your schedule." Hotaru informed him.

Issei swallowed. "Thank you, baa-chan, but... even so, my past still follows me. nothing I can really do about it."

Hotaru exhaled and leaned back in the chair that she was sitting on. "I’m guessing this has to do with your excused absence?"

"Somewhat, considering that I also apologized to the class, but you know what? I have to face it and just take it on the chin."

"Could you explain what you mean by that?"

Issei leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "You see my boss, he’s like a samurai and he has told me that to be a warrior, it’s not really about being fearless, it’s about facing my fears head on and pushing through the storm within. So, I just have to take the ridicule, I took the punishment as a means to get away and focus on the tournament. But after that, whatever BS comes..." He refrained himself from cursing. "I won’t shy away from it like I still have been doing."

There was a pause.

"A warrior stands ready, not because fear is absent, but because courage to face it is present." Hotaru spoke up, giving her grandson some sagely advice.

Issei blinked. "You know samurai teachings too, baa-chan!?"

"I wouldn’t say that." Hotaru laughed. "But your great grandfathers had joked about marriage between your grandfather and I, which would have been me weathering your grandfather’s perversion. Similar to me, weathering your father’s perversion and telling the same thing to your mother and now they were weathering your perversion and now you are weathering the backlash that your perversion has caused." Her voice softened. "Just remember that you have people that love and support you."

She omitted that she had given a similar talk to his childhood friend because she didn't want to shock him just yet on that revelation.

Issei smiled faintly. "Yeah… I have you, kaa‑san, tou‑san… my friends in the MMA club… maybe Shidou…"

"Especially your friend, Shidou." Hotaru chuckled knowingly.

Issei blinked. 'Why'd she say it like that…?' He shook it off. "I guess his parents as well. After all, they were my second set of parent figures behind my own."

"Of course, they adored you or perhaps that you forgot that you made a promise to that auntie of yours."

Issei leaned back in his chair. "I did? Huh, I wonder what it was, but it's not just them. My boss, I kind of see the same way... she’s been helping me with my training and also my sewing has improved. I got to help with designing some of the kimonos that she makes.

"Your boss is a female?" Hotaru asked.

"It’s actually a couple as it was her husband that hired me." Issei clarified. "He told me that it was admirable that I wanted to honor jii-san’s dream but was going about it the wrong way. He helps with my training in kenjutsu, but so does my sensei in the club. She's really cool, she’s like a ninja. Although she can be very stoic, I’ve never seen her smile."

"I hope you don’t get distracted by her." Hotaru joked, thinking of a busty kunoichi and not realizing that she was right in Shigure's looks without ever meeting the woman.

"No, which is surprising because I know my boss is married, so despite her beauty and chest size, I wouldn’t look at her like that. I did look once and I will admit that I have snuck a few glances. Just not at her chest, it was more at her abs as I kind of have my own little competition with her on having better abs. As for my sensei, she is probably one of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen, but I see her like a big sister." Issei hesitated. "I think you already know about kaa‑san's miscarriages, huh?"

Hotaru's voice softened, carrying the weight of memories long buried. "Yes… I remember. Your mother was devastated after the first miscarriage. And when the second happened… your parents were broken. Then years later, she was pregnant with you and she was terrified. She kept asking the doctors if you would have any defects, if something was wrong, if you would… die like the other two. She was afraid to love you too much, in case she lost you."

Hotaru remembered Miki's panic and fear throughout her pregnancy with Issei. While she was delighted that her grandson as was Miki. Unfortunately, bad news followed good news as they were informed that damage caused by the previous miscarriages, Miki could not have any more children. It was a reason why they were delighted, when the Shidou family came along because for both families, they saw the children as extensions of their own families.

Issei lowered his gaze, the truth settling heavily in his chest. "It explains why she is such a worrywart for me. She even knew where I had kept my secret porn and that was sold, too. We sold everything and it really has been a breath of fresh air. My grades are doing better, that is also thanks to a university professor. She helps me and is another big sister figure of mine, I got her into Gundam. Her partner, the school nurse, she’s another big sister of mine. I got her into Dragon Ball and they tend to borrow my manga."

Hotaru chuckled warmly. "My, my. Two big sisters, hm? And did you say partner? As in… together?"

"Yeah. They're a couple."

"I bet you wouldn't have minded catching them kissing." Hotaru teased, showing her own perversion a little.

Issei turned slightly green. "Oh, gross, baa-chan! No! Maybe in the past, but with how I view them now... it kind of makes me feel like a kid and having to see my sisters kiss and just think 'ew, cooties'." He shivered at the memory, when he had walked in on them last week and how awkward he felt.

Hotaru burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you certainly have changed. And you're still a kid... at least to me."

"I meant a little kid." Issei retorted.

"I know what you meant, boy."

Issei chuckled. "Just checking."

Hotaru's tone softened again. "You should get some rest, Ise. You have a big day tomorrow. Thank you for calling me."

"I should be thanking you, baa-chan. You helped calm my nerves, I feel a lot better going tomorrow and I’ll be sure to call you more often."

"You don't need to force yourself to do that." Hotaru chuckled.

"I'm not. I enjoy our talks. You know I still wear the headband that you helped me sew. I got it a bit upgraded."

"I'd like to see it one day. Now get some rest, my grandson."

"You too, baa‑chan. I love you."

"I love you too, Ise. Good night."

The call ended with a soft click as Hotaru set her phone down and chuckled to herself.

She took a sip of her tea and got up from her chair with the paper in hand and placed it near her computer. She then went to her shelf, where there were several framed photographs. One picture in particular caught her eye. She picked up said picture that showcases two kids with their arms around each other’s shoulders and smiling at the camera.

Both children were brunettes, one was a chestnut color and the other had more of a burnt orange tint. The chestnut haired child had a wide smile and his eyes were closed. The burnt orange haired child also had a wide smile and their head was tilted to the chestnut haired child’s shoulder. Their eyes were also closed, but Hotaru remembered where the orange haired brunette was looking before they closed their eyes. They had been looking at the chestnut haired brunette with affection.

Hotaru traced the frame with her thumb. "I still can't believe he thinks you're a boy. Not surprising, with how you acted back then. I hope you've grown enough to show him otherwise. Then again… maybe this wouldn't have happened if he'd let you finish saying your name." She laughed softly. "But he was so excited in gaining a friend, he just couldn’t help himself. You were also excited in gaining a new friend as well. I hope you still keep him in your heart as he is trying to walk a better path like I’m sure you have as well. Well, until next time, maybe you’ll come visit your baa-chan, huh, Irina-chan?"

She placed the picture back and returned to her chair, finishing her tea. 'The same goes for you, Ise. I wouldn’t mind you coming to visit, but until then, I wish you the best and stay safe. I’ll be sure to watch your tournament, I could use some excitement.'

Meanwhile, Issei stared at his phone after ending the call with his grandmother. He had a smile on his face as he felt much better, of course, he knew that he would have to deal with the wrath of Renka tomorrow as well. He also remembered that Yuuto and Akeno had their own competition, so he decided to wish them luck as well.

He opened his messages and typed:

Issei: Hey, just wanted to wish you and Himejima‑senpai good luck in your competition.

He felt like he didn’t need to call Akeno by her name to Yuuto as he didn’t want Yuuto to get confused like he had been when Yuuto encountered him and Renka in that shop. He then heard his phone go off to signify that he had received a text.

Yuuto: Thank you, Hyoudou‑san. I'll let her know. If I may ask… do you mind if we watch your tournament?

Issei was surprised by the request, but responded nonetheless.

Issei: Sure. Am I able to watch yours?

Yuuto: Cool, and no, I’m sorry. It’s a private matter, you know, considering that it is for Buchou’s freedom.

Issei: Buchou? Oh, you mean Gremory-senpai, right? I nearly forgot that was why the competition is happening. She’s marrying that blondie or the yakitori.

Yuuto: Haha. You've seen to have taken to that nickname, but yes. And don't worry, we have a plan.

Issei: That’s good to hear. If I may ask, did you know Himejima-senpai could fight? She told me that she could, I didn’t know that.

Yuuto: She can. Just not in the way you're imagining.

Issei: What? Then how does she fight?

Yuuto: You’ll have to talk with her on that one.

Issei grimaced at the thought of doing so, it’s not that he had anything against Akeno. It’s just that he had this feeling of being a bit uneasy around her... well, pretty much anyone associated with her club. That included Yuuto and those that belonged in the student council. Even with Yuuma hanging out with him and Raichi, he still had that uneasy feeling. Giving a shrug, he replied back to Yuuto, but also decided to ask him something as well that he had been thinking of.

Issei: Alright, I guess I’ll have to at some point and if you don’t mind me asking, but you think we can spar with some shinai. NOT those real swords that I have seen you with.

Yuuto: Really? You don’t mind?

Issei didn't know it, but Yuuto was genuinely surprised by the request. He'd probably laugh if he could see the shock on Yuuto's face that he wasn't aware that he caused.

Issei: I mean if you have Muzai-san or someone else that you spar with, I was just thinking it would be good for me to spar with someone my age.

Yuuto: Of course, I don’t mind. Takeshi-kun also doesn’t like using weapons, it’s not his type of thing. So it would be nice to train with someone that has similar interests like me.

Issei raised an eyebrow at the response as he didn't think that he had anything in common with the 'prince' of Kuoh Academy.

Issei: Cool, we can set something up after you guys return from wherever it is you went off to and I’ll try to fit into my schedule.

Yuuto: Alright.

Issei: Talk to you later, Kiba. I gotta get some rest and good luck to you tomorrow.

Yuuto: Sounds good. Good luck tomorrow, Hyoudou-kun.

Issei: Thanks. G'night.

Issei put his phone away on its charger and got ready for bed as he looked forward to seeing how far he had come with all of his training.

Elsewhere, off in a forest that had a lake was the Gremory mansion and in one of the rooms was Yuuto Kiba. The Gremory group was unaware of the massacre of rogue fallen angels that was happening. Yuuto had a smile on his face as Issei was willing to talk to him again and reach out to him about sparring. As the last time they communicated was for Issei to hand off that artwork to Akeno.

He was intrigued by Akeno’s interest in her kohai, but it felt like he had made a new friend. Of course, he felt if Issei was still the same as he was before, there was still a chance that they could have been friends. Yuuto would just have to distract Issei from thinking about breasts but still felt that he was a genuine guy.

Of course, he knew Takeshi and Koneko may give Issei some trouble so that he might retaliate, but Yuuto was certain that Issei would turn a new leaf at some point. He was also glad that Issei had distanced himself from the two perverts of the school and branching out on his own. Yuuto respected that and felt that Issei’s perversion might have been what he used to hide himself and to cope.

It’s why he felt that they could be friends, once you get past Issei's perverted exterior and like Issei had said in the clubroom you just have to sit down and talk with him and dig into his interests that were not perverted. Of course, that was easier said than done and now even more as this Issei was a little more guarded, since he did not have the perverted exterior to protect himself with.

Yuuto let out a sigh and put down his phone and he figured that he could go grab a little snack and do some more training. He was glad that their rating game would be at night, so when it was all said and done, he could relax. He just hoped that they could win this one out and help Rias with her dream.

If so, they could still try to recruit Issei to the peerage and that would benefit him as he would have someone that he could talk to, since Takeshi spent most of his time with Rias and Asia. As he was exiting his room, he nearly bumped into Akeno, who was reading a manga of all things.

"Oh, Akeno-san. Good evening." Yuuto greeted her.

"Ara? Good evening, Yuuto-kun."

"What are you reading?" He looked quizzically at the manga in her hand.

Akeno lifted the cover with a serene smile. "Oh, this? Well, it’s Dragon Ball."

"Dragon Ball?" Yuuto tilted his head in confusion.

"Mm. I can see why Issei-kun is into martial arts."

Yuuto blinked. "Issei-kun? I didn't know you two were on a first-name basis."

"Mhm. It happened before I left Kuoh." Akeno answered, though it wasn't something that she broadcasted.

"Strange. He kept calling you 'Himejima-senpai.' So, I guess it’s a shock to me." Yuuto remembered his text conversation with Issei and inadvertently out the brunette on notice.

Akeno's smile sharpened. "Ara~ ara~… I'll have to punish him for forgetting our budding friendship."

Yuuto shivered. "R-right… so you bought that manga because Hyoudou-kun likes it?"

"Uh huh, I got it on my way out of leaving Kuoh Academy. I had seen one of the posters that his former friends were trying to trash. It has also given me some ideas as well, look at this..." She raised her hand and sphere of holy lightning crackled to life in her palm.

Yuuto looked on in awe. "Impressive."

Akeno closed her hand, letting the sphere of holy lightning dissipate with a soft crackle. "Thank you. I took inspiration from this manga… and from watching Lord Sirzechs and Rias use the Power of Destruction. A pity Issei‑kun won't be able to see it."

"Oh, that reminds me. He wished us good luck. And he said we can watch his tournament tomorrow."

Akeno blinked. "Hmm? You contacted him?"

"Well, he contacted me, but yes. We exchanged numbers. He wanted me to deliver the artwork he bought for you, but I told him it would be more meaningful if he gave it to you himself. So we swapped numbers so I could tell him when it was okay to visit."

Akeno's hair shadowed her eyes for a moment. "…Oh?" Then she returned to her usual serene smile. "That was kind of him. I suppose I should have done the same when I asked him to house‑sit."

"You asked him to house‑sit?" Yuuto found that to be quite ballsy on Akeno's part.

Not only that, but he was aware about Akeno's issues with men, and she was entrusting one that she did not fully know to house-sit for her. Considering how guarded Issei is, Yuuto was sure that the boy wouldn't try anything perverted. If that is what Akeno was expecting, she was going to be rather disappointed.

"Yes, since he had stopped by and prayed at the temple." Akeno informed him.

True to his word, Issei had gone to the temple three times a week after his shift at work to make sure that Akeno’s place was tidy.

"I suppose you should have asked then, he even asked to spar with me." Yuuto informed her.

Akeno clicked her tongue so quietly that Yuuto didn't hear. She didn't need to be reminded that she didn't exchange numbers with the brunette to learn more about him and what else could make him tick.

"Really? That must make you feel good, since none of us use any weapons. Only you do, thanks to your Sacred Gear."

"Yeah… I'm looking forward to it." Yuuto smiled.

"I’m sure you would, considering that Takeshi-kun doesn’t like weapons and prefers bashing renegades with his fists, since he was a boxer." Akeno remembered that about the 'dark prince'. "Of course, he is doing well with his magic, which helps cover his flaws in long range combat."

Yuuto chuckled. "You know… I think I could've been friends with the old Issei. Once you get past the perverted exterior he built up."

Akeno tilted her head. "Perverted exterior?"

"Uh huh, figuring out his other interests like that Dragon Ball manga you’re holding." Yuuto pointed at the aforementioned manga. "It's a shield, I think. Now that it's gone, you can see the real him."

Akeno giggled softly. "I suppose you're right." Whether it was her sadism coming to surface, she was certainly intrigued about the brunette and his self-hatred about said perversion.

"Anyway, I'm going to grab a snack and train some more."

"Alright, try not to overwork yourself. You are the ace of the group with the most kills." Akeno informed him.

Although, it would have been her with the most kills, but she got off on the pain that the strays felt, when they encountered her. This resulted in Rias ordering Yuuto to put them out of their misery.

"That would've been you if you didn't… play with your opponents so much." Yuuto sweatdropped. "I don't think Hyoudou‑kun would like that part of you."

Akeno's smile softened. "Actually… he said he'd still be my friend even if others didn't like that part of me."

Yuuto blinked. "Oh. Sorry for misjudging. But… what made you interested in him, Akeno‑san?"

Akeno closed her manga, her expression thoughtful. "You know... I think it was when I met him on the rooftop. I expected him to leer at me, which he looked at my chest a few times… but he reined himself in. I had a feeling that he was different from who he was and I was right. His ki awakening only confirmed it. I thought he'd be a good piece for Rias. Someone who could help us win this Rating Game… and then go on to help Rias reach her dream."

"Her dream to become Queen of the Rating Games." Yuuto reaffirmed.

"Yes. I should have realized how guarded he was and I would have seen why. But now that you explained his 'perverted exterior,' I understand and see what you mean. It was a shield. Quite an impressive one I'll add, since despite the flak he received, he still persevered about being harem king. And now that it's gone… he's opening up himself, but only to those that he trusts. His perversion clouded who he really was and from all of us."

Yuuto nodded slowly. "Yeah…"

"I was even surprised when he told me that while he would hate it, he accepted that his perversion was a part of him and he would be honest with himself. It struck something in me and these wings." Akeno unfurled her fallen angel wings and letting them stretch in the moonlight. "He told me not to see them as 'dirty wings' and he’s right, they’re a part of me and I must accept them. It’s true to what Riser said as well, this power will give us the advantage to win, which does tie into what Issei-kun told me that by not being honest with myself. I could harm the ones that I care about. By not using this power, Rias could wind up marrying someone she doesn’t love, so I’m going to take Issei-kun’s advice and use everything I have."

Yuuto remained silent, which Akeno took that as a reason to continue speaking.

She smiled faintly. "I also know that Issei-kun won’t judge me because he has been judged himself. It’s why he laid into us that everyone has perverted thoughts and he’s right. I have my fantasies, so that would make me a pervert as well, wouldn’t it?"

Yuuto nodded in agreement. "You got a point there. It’s like he said he was just more vocal about it than anyone. I’m sure the girls of the school have their fantasies about Takeshi-kun and I."

"I’m sure they do, there are plenty of guys that have those thoughts about me, too. It's the same with Rias, Sona, and Tsubaki." Akeno noted, showing that she was aware of her suitors and fan club.

"You think Hyoudou‑kun still has those thoughts?"

"Hard to say, maybe not right now. But if he's anything like this Goku character, he's going to be more upbeat and strict with his training, rather than his focus on breasts." Akeno gestured to the manga she was holding.

Yuuto laughed. "Oh, right... speaking of training, I got my own training to do. Have a good evening, Akeno-senpai."

"You as well, and Yuuto-kun... please be sure to send me the link to watch the tournament."

"Will do." Yuuto waved.

They parted ways, Akeno returning to her manga, flipping through pages to see if she could adapt any techniques for the Rating Game.

It was the next morning, the day of the tournament. Issei was dressed in the gear that was gifted to him by Setsuka. He liked how Setsuka had his pants tapered at his ankles, it made the pants have a less baggy and gave them a sleek, martial look. His nerves were riled up in both nervousness and excitement.

He sat cross‑legged on the floor, meditating like Setsuka taught him. She also told him that it would help with his jitters, if he felt any, which he did. He did hate having to leave her to handle the store for herself. However, he did not think that Mitsurugi-shishou would have to leave so quickly for something out of town.

A knock came at his door.

"Ready to go, sport?" Gorou called from the other side of the door.

"Huh? Oh, just a second, tou‑san." Issei stood up from the ground and grabbed his training bag and opened the door. "Morning." Issei greeted.

"Morning. How're you feeling?" Gorou asked.

"Alright." Issei answered as he checked his phone and saw that he had two texts, one from Yuuto and another, surprisingly, from an unknown number, which turned out to be Yuuma.

Yuuto: Good luck today, Hyoudou‑kun.

Yuuma: Hey, it's Yuuma. Got your number from Raichi. Wishing you both luck in your tournament!

Issei blinked. 'Huh. That explains that.' As he never remembered giving out his number to Yuuma at all.

He walked out of his room and headed downstairs to find his mother had made him a light breakfast. He was grateful for that and quickly ate and thanked his mother. He was a little suspicious that his mother was ready and wondered why she needed the streaming link, but he didn’t want to worry about it and lose focus.

"Ready to go?" Miki asked.

"Yeah. By the way, I talked to baa‑chan yesterday." Issei answered.

"That's good." Miki nodded, glad that he was continuing his streak in listening to her more.

"Then I guess it’s time for us to head out. Your mother and I already ate, while you were still upstairs." Gorou informed his son.

Issei replied, "I figured. I heard the shuffling around, while I was doing breathing exercises and meditating, so I’m ready."

"The outfit looks good on you. Your boss' wife knows her stuff." Miki admired his gear.

"Thanks, and yeah, she does. Now come on, I need to be there to sign the waivers." Issei finished up his breakfast.

"Then get your shoes on, so we can go." Gorou chuckled. "While taking the train may be faster, if something happens... it'd be pretty weird lugging around your bruised body."

"Haha, yeah, that would be weird, but the place shouldn't be too far from Kuoh." Issei chuckled and slipped on his shoes.

They got into the car and began the drive to the neutral‑site venue in the next city.

His parents began to chat excitedly about seeing a new place. He would have been excited about leaving Kuoh, but his anxiety crept up again. He needed to calm down, so he closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly. He felt like he had Setsuka in his mind. She was guiding him again through his breathing exercises mentally as he heard her voice.

"Stay upright, breathe in for five seconds, hold it for two seconds and then exhale for eight to ten seconds. Remember, breathe in through your nose and out through the mouth. You should feel your chest expand as you inhale and your stomach should expand as you exhale."

'Hai…' He followed her instructions as the world began to fade away. The voices of his parents began to become muted. As time passed, the only sound that he was focused on was his breathing.

Miki glanced back. "Wow… he's really in the zone."

"Yeah. You know… I think it was a sign all those years ago." Gorou remarked.

"What do you mean?" Miki asked.

"How he watched all of those anime. It was a sign that we ignored, but think about it, he likes robots and spaceships."

"He got those interests from his Gundam manga, always fascinated about mechas." Miki interrupted. "Now it's martial arts from those Dragon Ball manga. We should've signed him up for lessons early."

"Maybe. But then the Shidous left… and things changed." Gorou sighed. "We still bought him those Gundam kits for him to build, but then after tou-san died..."

"Yes, he came home preaching about breasts, and we just let it slide." Miki sighed.

"Hey, hey... he knows why we let it slide. He got his wake‑up call. Let's just be glad we're part of his journey." Gorou assured her.

"And this is a start." Miki exhaled. "Now I'm nervous."

"Why's that?"

"I mean I can handle him talking about breasts... but to see him potentially get beaten up worries me."

"It’s probably the same thing that those other parents feel, but like him... we have to be tough and mentally prepare ourselves."

Miki squeezed her husband's hand, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. "Mhm…"

They held each other's hands tightly as the two parents silently praying for their child's safety.

When the Hyoudou family arrived, Miki and Gorou were quite surprised by the venue, it seemed like a cross between a stadium and gymnasium. It wasn't too grand, but it was larger than what the two parents anticipated.

"Oh wow… quite an impressive stadium. It is a stadium, right?" Gorou asked, unsure at what he was looking at.

"Maybe it's a gym." Miki turned around and nudged Issei's knee gently. "Issei, dear, we're here."

Issei's eyes fluttered open. He blinked, letting his vision adjust, and then he scanned the surroundings.

"Whoa…" Issei spoke as he looked at the building.

Of course, it was to be expected, since he remembered that Kenichi said that other schools would be participating. His nerves surged again, but he swallowed them down. Gorou found a parking spot and they stepped out of the car.

"Guess a lot of third years will be competing…" Issei noted.

"Third years!? You're going against third years!?" Miki asked, surprised.

"No, no, but a few lucky second years are competing. Raichi and I are the only second year students in the club, so we’re representing our school for the small bunch of us."

A voice called out behind them. "That's correct. And looking good, Issei."

The Hyoudou family turned and found themselves face‑to‑face with another family of brunettes.

The father was well built for his age, however, he had black hair that seemed to shine as if it was dark blue. Not to say that Gorou was no slouch as he began his own workouts a little after Issei did, so he could keep up with his son. Actually, the whole Hyoudou family had gotten into shape as a means to move away from the perversion that had cursed their family. So, Gorou’s build was similar to the man’s.

"Kenichi‑senpai?" Issei was surprised at seeing his senior.

"Yo!" Kenichi greeted. "Good to see you still working hard even during your… 'absence.' Nice outfit, too! Now, you look like a real martial artist."

"Well, you've got the sleeveless look that makes you look way more badass than me…" Issei scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

Another voice chimed in. "Oh! Gorou-san!?"

Gorou blinked. "Mototsugu-san!? So it was your son who helped mine." As Gorou spoke to Kenichi's father.

The man laughed heartily. "Clearly! Your boy's looking good. Nice to meet you, I'm Shirahama Mototsugu."

"Hyoudou Issei. Nice to meet you. But… how do you know my tou‑san?" Issei introduced himself.

"We work at the same company." Gorou answered.

Mototsugu replied. "Yep! Your father talks about you a lot. He felt bad that his perversion rubbed off on you."

Issei's face flushed crimson with embarrassment as his hair shadowed his eyes.

Gorou frowned, while Mototsugu laughed, Issei understood how bad his perverted antics troubled his parents. It got to the point that his father had to vent about it, but Issei was too selfish to care. Miki frowned as well as she knew about the struggles that her husband had to tolerate from hearing about Issei’s antics back then. The laughter was shortly interrupted by smack as the Hyoudous turned to see a brunette woman with a steaming fist.

"Sorry about him. He didn't mean to embarrass you… isn't that right, sweetie?" This brunette woman spoke.

"Argh... r‑right…" Mototsugu remarked in pain and fear.

Kenichi and the young girl beside him sweatdropped at their parent's antics.

The woman smiled warmly. "Kenichi's talked about you. I'm Shirahama Saori."

"Hyoudou Miki. Nice to meet you." Miki introduced herself to the other mother.

The mothers shook hands.

"You're looking well." Saori complimented.

"Thank you. You too. What's your secret?" Miki asked.

Kenichi’s mom was looking for her age, but Miki was on par with her. Saori had a more defined bust from what Miki could see.

Saori chuckled. "Housework. These kids kept me busy."

From that statement, Issei noticed how Kenichi and the girl resembled their mother more than their father. Not just in the hairstyle, but also in facial features.

"I had to get back in shape to keep up with my son." Miki answered back.

"Tell me about it. Ever since Kenichi started training and then Honoka-chan started following him. I've been running around nonstop, not just with them, but this big lug." Saori sighed as she gestured to her husband.

"Ah, I usually cook with my son, but soon I'll be going back to work." Miki commented.

"You're going back to work?" Mototsugu asked, while rubbing his head.

"Yep. She's going to be my secretary again." Gorou answered as he wrapped an arm around his wife.

Mototsugu clapped his hands and cheered. "Haha! The lovebirds return!"

"Oh? So that's how you two met." Saori spoke in astonishment.

Kenichi coughed loudly. "Uh... let's go get registered, huh, Issei?"

"Right." Issei nodded in agreement.

The two boys escaped before their parents could dive deeper into embarrassing stories of how they met. Something that no child wanted to listen to.

"Wait for me, Onii-chan!" The girl beside Kenichi ran up to them with a bright smile.

"Honoka! Stay with kaa-san and tou-san!" Kenichi groaned in annoyance.

"No way! Not when they're getting lovey‑dovey! Hi! Nice to meet you, my name's Honoka!" Honoka retorted and then introduced herself to Issei.

Issei blinked. "Uh… hi. I didn't know you had a little sister, senpai."

"He never talks about me." Honoka crossed her arms.

"Because you're a pain in the neck." Kenichi informed her, the annoyance was clear in his tone.

"Hey! That's not nice!" Honoka puffed her cheeks.

"It's true." Kenichi exasperated.

Issei watched the Shirahama siblings bicker with each other, it gave him a sad smile. It was something that Kenichi noticed as he remembered what Shigure had said.

"Anyway! My brother said you were a pervert. Was that true?" Honoka moved off from her argument to address Issei.

"Honoka!" Kenichi looked at her in bewilderment, not expecting her to say something like that.

Actually, a part of him feared that she would, since Honoka had a tendency to speak her mind.

"Yeah. It's true." Issei nodded, surprising both siblings that he answered the question.

"Issei…" Kenichi looked at his kohai.

"It's true. I'm not going to lie. It's not in my nature."

"So what'd you do?" Honoka asked, tilting her head.

"A lot of bad stuff. I collected… naughty things. Peeped on girls at school. At least the ones that I was sure were single, which was a good number, since the school used to be an all girls school." Visit novelping . com for the full chapter.

"Really? You could've fooled me." Honoka raised an eyebrow.

"No, it's true. Here, let me show you." Issei pulled out his phone and went to a bookmarked page and showed it to her.

"Whoa… is that you!?" Honoka's eyes widened as she watched the video of Issei being beaten up.

"Yeah. Those two guys laughing in the background and recording this… I thought they were my friends." He exhaled slowly. "When I was younger than you, I had a best friend. His name was Shidou. We did everything together, play, have sleepovers, I even went to mass at the church that was here."

"There was a church here in this town?" Honoka was surprised by that revelation.

"Yeah. It was abandoned probably around the time you were born, I think. I was around the age of six to seven. Which is the age Shidou left around then too. I always wondered if it was because of my perversion… my grandfather was overly perverted. It kind of runs in the family." He laughed weakly.

"Oh wow…" Honoka was shocked because the person who he was then wasn't the person standing in front of her.

"Yeah, my grandmother assured me that as a child, I was fascinated about things... in my case, it was big breasts. My grandmother believes that my grandfather has rubbed off on Shidou, but if he had any perversion, the church would likely snuff it out."

"And then?" Honoka interrogated, wanting to learn more.

"Then Shidou left and I was alone again. I met this old man in the park that reignited my perversion and it was kind of downhill from there. That video that you’re watching, I met the two guys that were laughing in the background, when I was fourteen and in middle school. They are also perverts and still are, but that beating there was my epiphany. They’re the ones that actually got me into peeping, making me more perverted than I was before." Issei answered.

"You sure didn’t have good luck with picking friends, huh?" Honoka giggled.

"No, I did not, except with Shidou." Issei shook his head and chuckled. "But thanks to your big brother, he helped me that day and I got out."

"Let me guess, he beat up the guys that were beating you up? No surprise there, that’s my big brother for ya!" Honoka looked at her brother, who, to her surprise, shook his head in denial.

"Actually, no. He came after the beatdown and helped me get to the infirmary. Along the way, he opened my eyes that those two guys were never really my friends." Issei shook his head and pointed at the video. "I already told you that they got me into peeping... well, that day, who we were peeping on. At the time, I didn’t know, but they were peeping on girls that had boyfriends. I may be a pervert, but I have some morals and why peep on a girl where another man has her heart? I could understand if someone were to do that if I had a girl, her body should be for my eyes only."

Honoka nodded slowly, processing the information, and letting Issei continue speaking.

"So when I heard the boyfriends I left so as to not get in more trouble than I already was. Those two guys told the boyfriends that it was me and they tracked me down. After that, along with your brother helping me, the nurse and I covered all the peep holes that could be found and made sure that they couldn’t be peeped on again. However, I don’t know if those two found any new spots, after that day, I stopped hanging out with them. I even punched them, when they tried to act like they didn’t do anything wrong, when they’re the ones that uploaded that video that you saw."

"Well... you certainly built yourself up to take on those guys if they mess with you again. You're strong now." Honoka tapped his leg, testing the muscle.

She was completely unfazed by his story and wasn't judging him at all. She appreciated the effort that he did to working on himself, it was similar to Kenichi and even if she didn't always show it. She did look up to her big brother at times.

"Thanks. Like I said that was thanks to your brother after he told me about his club and the nurse agreed with me that I should take it. I also remembered that my favorite anime character, Goku, was a martial artist, so I decided why not?" Issei smiled. "I think I've made better friends. And new fighting styles. Like Chinese kenpo."

"You know Chinese kenpo?" Honoka's eyes lit up. "I do too! I learned from Natsu Tanimoto, but he’s still teaching me. Of course, he chose not to follow my brother and his friends to Kuoh a couple of years ago."

"Oh, well… I learned from Renka Ma." As Issei wondered, 'Natsu Tanimoto? Who's that?'

Honoka puffed her cheeks. "Oh, her. She has a huge crush on my brother. Just like that blonde bimbo."

"Honoka!" Kenichi exclaimed.

Issei burst into laughter. "It's fine, senpai." This wasn't the first time that he had heard Miu be called a 'bimbo', since Kisara also called her that for different reasons.

"Not when she insults my girlfriend." Kenichi pointed out.

"She's just protective of you. You've got an awesome sister for that." Issei shrugged and then paused, a faint sigh slipping out before he turned away. "Hey, senpai… registration is over this way, right?"

"Uh... yeah." Kenichi nodded as he watched Issei walk ahead.

Honoka blinked. "What was that about?"

Kenichi exhaled softly. "Issei is like Miu, he’s an only child. However, he would have had two older siblings... people that could have helped guide him, but…"

"But what?" Honoka tilted her head again.

"It’s not my story to tell you. In fact, Issei hasn’t even told us what he only told Akisame and Shigure." Kenichi told his sister. "Shigure told us of how he viewed us as siblings."

"Well, he does look like he could be our cousin. What's the big deal?" Honoka shrugged.

"I'm already shocked he opened up to you so easily about his perversion."

"That's because anyone can talk to me." Honoka puffed her chest and pointed at herself with pride.

"Maybe you can talk to him or his mom about giving you cooking lessons." Kenichi grunted back.

"Hey! And that’s right! His mom did say that they cook together, I wonder what he can do?" Honoka pondered.

"According to Raichi, he's pretty decent. But he says his mother is on another level."

"We definitely have to invite him over, I want to try some of his cooking."

"Maybe after the tournament, you can ask him. Now come on." Kenichi urged her to get a move on as they followed after Issei.

Kenichi did not realize that he had given Honoka another purpose, which she was going to integrate Issei into her family. This was going to wind up being beneficial for both of them. As by having her present, it would also give Issei another sense of responsibility. Thus, taking the role that those potential older siblings of his would have done for him.

Meanwhile, Issei was signing the waivers at the registration desk, a typical thing about waivers. He wasn’t sure who was a second-year student that he could possibly be facing. As he glanced around, he was determining the skill levels of his potential opponents. Some competitors looked tough. Others not so much, but Issei learned that looks can be deceiving. He did overhear some guys talk about it would be easy going up against a girl opponent, which let Issei know that intergender fights were possible.

'Please let them fight Kisara-senpai…' Issei secretly thought.

To him, from what he has experienced, it didn’t matter if you were a girl or guy as long as you got the skill to back it up. Issei knew this from experience working with Renka and Kisara. Hence why he was hoping that his female seniors would be matched up against one of those boys and show them up. He finished and went over to a corner with his stuff as he was given a schedule for the second-year students participating.

Thanks to the small number, he could be done and then watch his senpai in action and see just how much they were holding back on him. Since there were two mats that would be used for the second year students, his stuff was set up there. He was amazed by how wide the gymnasium was as there were multiple mats that were spaced out for multiple fights to be occurring at the same time. Looking at the schedule, he saw that he would be going up third, he could also see the cameras. He was thankful that the second year students would have their separate stream, while the third year students had theirs. It would make it easier for his parents, if they were too far away in the stands to be able to see him and watch his fight.

Luckily, he saw that they were still talking to Kenichi's parents, so he was glad that they were making friends. He began to tape his hands, but was glad that his shoes, which were kung fu slippers, were allowed. Others had light or thin running shoes or kung fu slippers themselves. However, he still taped his ankles and walked over to wave at his parents.

"Tou‑san! Kaa‑san!" He called out.

"Look, dear, there he is. Ise's calling us." Gorou pointed out.

"Good luck, Ise!" Miki cheered.

"We'll be watching!" Gorou offered his words of encouragement.

Issei gave a nod and headed back to his things as he could see that more and more participants were flooding in. In his pack, he took out a clear, thin mouthguard. He had made sure that it was fitted two nights ago as Setsuka warned him about having protection and getting hit in the mouth, which would be expected.

A familiar voice chimed behind him. "Camping out over here, I see."

"Oh, hey, Raichi." Issei greeted the girl that was his self-proclaimed best friend.

She set her bag down beside him. She was wearing a short sleeve dark pink body suit that went to her knees and a white karate gi over it.

"Sooo…" She plopped down next to him. "How are we feeling?"

"I'm alright." Issei answered.

"You're not nervous?" Raichi asked.

"Nervous? Yes, but I’m just good at hiding it."

"Right, right." Raichi nodded at the answer because she had hidden her ki to get the drop on him. "So, are you going to see the others fight?"

"After my match." Issei told her. "If any of them are fighting, then yeah, I will."

"Looks like we got the short end of the stick."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, some of these guys or rather most of them are newbies."

"Not him." Issei pointed at a short‑haired boy with a delinquent aura.

"Yeah, not him. He's in your pool. Looks a little like a delinquent." However, she thought. 'Wait, is that…?'

"I see." Issei spoke, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"So… you gonna do that warrior stuff and face Renka?"

Issei visibly shivered. "Uh… well… yeah."

"You seem nervous."

"Renka‑senpai can be… scary." Issei grimaced, which made Raichi laugh.

Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life, announcing names and which station that they will be fighting on.

"Looks like it's starting." Issei looked around to see other participants moving around.

"Who do you think will win?" Raichi asked him.

"Kenichi-senpai, but I kind of wonder how Miu-senpai would fare." Issei wondered.

"Hmm?" Raichi was surprised that Issei realized that Miu was a martial artist.

"Hey, Raichi, how strong is she? Miu-senpai, I mean. You hung out with them longer than I have."

Raichi crossed her arms. "Oh, right, well... I don’t know how to explain it, but I think she could challenge Kenichi for the title if she wanted to."

"She's that strong?" Issei was surprised, he knew that she was strong, but he never expected her on Kenichi's level.

"Yeah, and considering who she lives with..." Raichi sighed. "It wouldn’t be a surprise why she and Kenichi are that tough."

"I see." Issei nodded as he remembered the aura that her father exuded that day.

They watched the first four fighters of the second-year students step onto the mats.

The rules were simple, they could knock their opponents until they were knocked out of the circle on the mat and they were wide circles. The other option would be that the opponent can submit or referee stoppage, which would most likely occur from an injury or if your opponent gets knocked out. It seemed simple enough for those to understand and mentally, Issei felt that he could let loose a little. He just needed to remember all that he would need to keep his composure.

For the second-year students, since it was a small portion, they have to win the best of three against their opponent. So if one person wins the first two rounds, they receive points. Those with the highest amount of points from the two pools would face each other.

Issei watched the fighters go at it, the ones from his pool seemed to have average speed. He watched their strikes as they went back and forth, neither was pushing the other back towards the edge of the circle. It was then Issei remembered something that he decided to ask Raichi.

"Hey, Raichi?" Issei asked, turning to the pink haired girl, who was also watching.

"What's up?" Her eyes never stopped watching the match.

"You gave Yuuma my number?"

"Uh huh."

"Why?"

"She asked and I said sure, considering that you had gone off to your class." Raichi answered dismissively.

A whistle blew to signify that someone got a point in the match, so they only needed one more to win.

"I see. You could've told me." Issei huffed.

"Uh… surprise? But I gotta ask, how'd you find out anyways?" Raichi shrugged.

"She texted me this morning. Along with Kiba."

"Ah, that explains it. So, what did she say?"

"She just told me good luck."

"Same as me then." Raichi noted, but she was a little disappointed as she expected the hybrid to send something raunchier to the brunette.

She wouldn't have been surprised if Yuuma started sending Issei nudes as a means to rile him up. Raichi knew that Yuuma was limiting herself on her advances, but she thought Yuuma would go all out by having Issei's number. Of course, she did not realize that if she told Yuuma this, then Yuuma would carry it out. However, Yuuma didn't want Issei to be turned away from her by coming on too strong.

"Easy for you, since you’re both in the same class..." He was interrupted by consecutive whistles. "Looks like the match is over."

He nodded over at one ring, where one opponent had his hand raised and the other was taking deep breaths, sitting on the mat.

"Hmm, stamina looks to be low, considering that it’s the first tournament... I’m sure some of these guys are beginners like you." Raichi observed.

"Looks like it's just you and one other girl for the second-year students. How do you feel about intergender tournaments?"

"Not bad. Honestly, it's kinda funny hearing guys whine about getting their butts kicked by a girl."

"I’m sure Kisara-senpai is going to have a field day. I had heard some guys talking about going against a girl, thinking it would be easy."

"Ha! Good luck to them." Raichi laughed.

Before Issei could respond, the announcer's voice boomed through the gym.

"Second‑year division, Match Three! Hyoudou Issei versus Tanaka Hiro! Please report to Mat B!"

Issei inhaled sharply. "That's my cue." He stood.

Raichi held out her fist. "You got this."

"Thanks." Issei nodded as he bumped fists with her.

Something shifted in his expression. It was subtle, but unmistakable.

Raichi blinked. 'That look… that's not the usual Ise.'

In the stands,Miki and Gorou perked up immediately, when they heard their son's name being called.

"They called him! Let's get closer!" Miki called out as she began to pull her husband.

"Right behind you." Gorou told her as she dragged him along.

Mototsugu and Saori followed, curious to see the boy their son spoke of and how Issei fought.

Nearby, there were several third-year students that also came to support their friends that were in the tournament. So their interest was piqued, when they also heard the announcement of who was fighting next.

"Looks like your boy's up, Ikki." Ukita pointed out.

"Haha, I've been waiting for this." Ikki laughed as he rubbed his hands.

"So this is the kid you helped train." Kaname asked.

"Bingo, babe. Surprised he's up this early."

"Too bad he has to deal with Raichi later." Ukita chuckled.

"Yeah..." Ikki paused.

They never looked at the list of second year students. Otherwise, they would have seen a name that was familiar to them.

A green‑haired woman and her brunette partner squeezed into the crowd.

"Man, this is just like those tournaments in Dragon Ball. But with multiple stages, not just one!" Elize pointed out as she began wandering.

"Good thing we got here in time. They just called Ise's name." Yu-Mi informed her partner.

"Oh? Then we better make sure that we have a good spot!" Elize cheered on.

"You don't seem to have much faith in him, though." Yu-Mi looked at her quizzically.

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"You brought your medical supplies or at least what you can carry." Yu-Mi deadpanned.

"Hey, you never know! Something could happen! I'm just being prepared!"

"Whatever you say… oh, nice threads." Yu-Mi noted as she saw Issei step up onto the mat.

"He’s also got the ponytail thing going on. Those twin tufts have been growing longer." Elize noted, when her eyes caught sight of him.

"Think he needs a haircut?" Yu-Mi asked.

"Nah. Let him roll with it."

Their conversation drifted to the ears of four people nearby. They were three blondes and one black‑haired swordswoman with a mouse perched on her head.

"Oh wow… he has a proper uniform this time." Miu noted as she saw Issei step up for his match.

"It looks like the girls followed your example of a bodysuit underneath a karate gi." Saiga said as he saw the other club members converging to watch.

"It’s the most practical." Miu shrugged.

"Oh? Look at the look on his face, remind you of anyone?" Hayato pointed at the boy's face.

"He kind of reminds me of… Shigure." Miu gasped as she glanced at the silent woman beside her.

"Like sister, like brother." Saiga chuckled, knowing how people had begun to tease Shigure about her new title.

Shigure said nothing as she already knew that Issei would have liked to have been related to her. He literally confessed this to her and Shigure and unlike Kensei or since the first time that they had met each other, Issei has not looked at her pervertedly. She believed that this was thanks to him becoming familiar with older women around him such as the school nurse and the university professor.

But she felt it in Issei's ki with how calm and focused he was. She also didn't dislike the sentiment. For the moment, 'big sister' was proud of her 'little brother'.

Raichi was joined by the others that were participating in the tournament, since there were more third years, they didn't have their matches yet.

"Looks like we made it just in time." Mizunuma spoke as they walked up to Raichi, who was stretching.

Kisara scoffed. "Oh yeah. He's got this."

Kenichi's eyes narrowed. "His face…"

"What about it?" Kisara asked as she raised an eyebrow.

Raichi's eyes widened. "No way…" She had stopped stretching to see what was happening.

"It's like when I mimicked my masters." Kenichi nodded.

"It's like Shigure‑sensei's… but also..." Raichi looked over towards Renka, who was calmly watching.

A new voice cut in. "So this is your student, huh?"

A blonde teen approached, Honoka perched on his shoulders.

Kenichi addressed him. "That's right, Tanimoto."

"Yeah, but don't let his looks fool you." Honoka pumped her fist.

"Why's that?" Tanimoto asked.

"Because he..." Honoka began to speak.

"He can speak for himself, Honoka." Kenichi interrupted her.

Honoka puffed her cheeks but in a rare instance, she listened to her brother. She wanted to try his cooking, if given the chance. So that gave him bonus points in her books, and he was genuine about what he had done. She didn't want to put his business out there without his permission, so she kept quiet. The action didn't go unnoticed by Tanimoto, who turned to back to the impending match.

Nearby, Renka leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes locked on Issei before her eyes shifted to his opponent.

"Not going to say anything." Raichi asked as she saddled up next to her fellow Chinese woman.

As noted before, the girls did have similar bodysuits, but in different colors, but the same karate gi tops. Kisara’s was a dark green like her eyes. However, she modified it by cutting the right leg sleeve to reach midthigh, while the left went to her knee. Renka’s was a dark red as it matched her Chinese dresses that she usually wears.

Renka merely shook her head, she didn't need to say anything as she sighed, waiting for the match to begin. Raichi did a one over, but shrugged as she wasn't going to pry any further, when she normally would. They both wanted to see what Issei had done during his excused absence.

Elsewhere, Hotaru sat at her computer, tea in hand, ready to watch her grandson's first tournament. She was intrigued at what he would do and she was momentarily surprised at how much he changed, since she last saw him.

At Shishi‑Oh, Setsuka looked at the screen, where she watched the tournament while handling the shop. She knew that there were some customers, who went to his school, but she didn't want them to see what he could just yet.

'Good. He's doing the breathing exercises.' Setsuka smirked and she was glad that it was a slow day, allowing her to watch his match uninterrupted.

In the Gremory mansion, Yuuto and Akeno sat before their own screen on a laptop.

"Let's see how strong you've gotten, Issei‑kun." Akeno spoke as Yuuto nodded.

They were unaware that their club mates and student council were also watching in as they were scouting themselves. Of course, it was also to pass time before their rating game that would occur later in the night.

Issei faced his opponent, Hiro Tanaka. He scanned him as those that taught him had done to him, when he started training. He almost gave a sigh of relief as Hiro had an average build like himself. So he gave a bow of respect to his opponent.

Renka's lips twitched upward as did the others who were watching. He always bowed before sparring with her.

Hiro blinked, confused, and looked at the referee, but he merely shrugged.

When Issei stood back up, the two got into their stances as the ref blew a whistle for the match to begin. Both of them stiffened, Hiro, more so than Issei, waiting for the other to attack.

Those that had seen Issei’s spar with Ukita knew that he was looking for a weak spot as they could see his eyes were scanning, calculating, and searching for a weakness on Hiro’s body. Those same eyes that used to roam over a woman’s body perversely had changed to a new role in scanning an opponent over his months with the MMA club. Seeing as how Issei wasn’t going to move, Hiro decided to charge in.

Those with a keen eye could see Issei’s shift ever so slightly and they knew that he had found a target. Hiro was slightly a little impatient, so after a few moments, he charged first, throwing a right cross. In doing so, it would have left his right side open. Issei's eyes widened slightly and needed to shift his stance again to prepare for the oncoming punch and aimed for the right side of Hiro's ribs. However, Hiro suddenly pulled back his fist to shift his stance and send a kick with his left leg.

‘Damn it. A feign, but then again, I did something similar to Ukita-senpai, wait a second…’ Issei thought and then he remembered Ukita's specialty.

Issei shifted his stance to appear like he was going to block the kick, but then he ducked down and leaned forward. Instead of making contact with the calf of the leg, he caught Hiro by his thigh. Hiro was surprised by the action as his balance faltered. That was all Issei needed as he yelled out, "Haaah!"

Issei lifted Hiro by the thigh and flipped him clean over his shoulder.

Hiro hit the mat face‑first with a loud thud. "AAAHHH! O–OH!" Hiro winced as the impact disoriented him, his arms scrambling for balance.

As he was trying to recover, Issei was already on him. This was something that he learned from Mitsurugi: "Don't give your opponent a chance to breathe."

Issei was striking but not in a means to incapacitate Hiro, but pushing, he was forcing Hiro backward toward the edge of the circle with an array of kicks and palm strikes.

Hiro took a brief glance of his surroundings and barely stopped himself from stepping out of the circle. He shifted his stance to stop himself from stepping out and sighed. But that hesitation cost him.

Thud!

A sharp kick from Issei slammed into Hiro's ribs, which made him lose his balance as he was knocked sideways. He caught himself on his hands, coughing a bit.

"Guh—!" Hiro coughed out in shock.

Unfortunately for Hiro, Issei was right there and didn't let him breathe. Issei stepped in and hammered in his fist into Hiro’s stomach.

"O–OH!" Hiro folded, stumbling back and past the edge of the circle.

FWEEEET!

The whistle blew.

Point: Hyoudou Issei.

Issei exhaled slowly, relief washing over him as he scored the first point of the match. He did not exhaust as much energy, which he felt good about as he'd need it later. The referee guideded Issei to the other side of the circle and then helped Hiro gingerly return to his starting point, since Hiro had charged to Issei’s original half. Issei did not hear the applause from whoever was cheering for hims as he settled into his stance again. His focus narrowing, his breathing steady, while he waited for the whistle to be blown again.

Hiro took several deep breaths before he felt comfortable enough and then lifted a thumbs up to the referee to show that he was ready and the referee nodded.

For those such as Saiga and Hayato, they simply smiled as they knew that it was over. They were sure that Issei had seen Hiro flash his left hand down to his stomach, where Issei had hit him to force him out of the circle.

"He wasn't much of a challenge for Issei." Saiga smiled.

"No. And if the boy is anything like Mitsurugi, he'll be frustrated by that." Hayato noted.

"I’d say that would be a good thing, he will make a mistake, and we shall see how he corrects himself." Saiga said. "After all, mistakes lead to growth."

"Indeed."

Miu said nothing as she continued to record, even though she could get the recording later from those broadcasting the event. She wanted to have her own copy, which she could hand to Issei and the others so they could study themselves and where they made their own mistakes.

Everyone except the parents, Elize, and Yu‑Mi knew what would happen next when the whistle blew, Issei would go on the attack now. Unfortunately for Hiro, he still had some labored breathing, which meant that his reaction time would be slower. It was a small tell, but it was something that Issei learned from his own bouts with Renka that he could exploit. Even worse, he still was holding his rib, which meant that Issei had a target as well.

That was exactly what happened as when the whistle blew, Issei exploded forward and gave two rapid kicks into Hiro’s injured side. The same side that he had struck with his fist. Somewhere to the side, he heard Kisara whoop loudly as it was what she had taught him with the reload speed of his kicks.

"THAT'S IT! RELOAD SPEED, BABY!" Kisara cheered on.

Hiro groaned, stumbling backwards, he couldn't defend himself and the pain in his ribs, so he could not deflect the next pair of strikes. He gave a right cross but dropped Hiro with a left hook or his "cobra fists" as Ikki likes to call them. Hiro collapsed down outside of the circle.

FWEEEET!

The whistle blew as the referee went to check on Hiro, who groaned on the ground. The match was over with Issei being able to score his second consecutive point.

There was some medical assistance that came up to help Hiro off the mat as he was extremely dazed but not seriously hurt. However, if he had enough rest, he would not have to forfeit his place in the tournament. Hopefully, his next match wouldn't be for a while. While the medical team attended to Hiro, the referee raised Issei’s hand in victory, which then the sound came back for Issei, which took him by surprise as he blinked.

Issei blinked again, startled by the volume.

Looking up and around, a part of him was processing what had occurred. He saw his parents cheering for him in the stands as they waved wildly at his success. He also saw big sister figures, Elize and Yu-Mi clapping for him, along with Ikki and Ukita, who were grinning proudly. He deduced that the short haired female next to Ikki was Kaname, who had gave him a small smile.

He wasn’t sure what Shigure was thinking, but she did give him a nod, which was approval in her quiet way. He saw Miu give him a cheer by pumping her fist. Issei noticed Saiga give him a smirk, but then his eyes met the towering figure of the man with long blonde hair, similar to Miu. He had never felt anything like it before as he looked on.

A chill ran down Issei's spine. 'That aura… it's stronger than Mitsurugi‑shishou's. Maybe even Saiga‑san's… No, it is!'

Hayato raised a brow and then he grinned. 'Oh? He sensed me. So they have taught him to begin sensing others, eh?'

Issei stepped off the mat, still in a stunned daze about the aura that he felt and was immediately caught in a chokehold.

"Haha! That’s what I told you about reload speed! Keep that up and your kicks will be as fast as your fists!" Kisara congratulated him, while ruffling his hair.

"Thanks, Kisara-senpai, but… could you… let me go?" Issei struggled to get out of her grasp.

Kenichi approached, smiling. "Not a bad start."

"Thank you, senpai."

A blonde teen stepped forward with Honoka perched on his shoulders. "So, you're Kenichi's student. Not bad."

Issei blinked. 'He looks like Kiba… if Kiba grew out his hair. Wait a minute, I get an uneasy feeling with this guy, but different... His aura...' He then realized that he didn't get this guy's name. "Um… who are you?"

"This is Tanimoto Natsu. He’s my best friend and rival, believe it or not." Kenichi introduced the teen to Issei.

"Tch." Tanimoto had an annoyed look on his face on being called Kenichi's best friend, but he didn't deny it.

"He's the one teaching me Chinese martial arts!" Honoka told Issei, which made a flash of realization cross Issei's face.

"Oh, like Renka‑senpai and Raichi." Issei thought out loud.

"Yep!" Raichi came up to him and she and Issei performed their handshake.

Issei extended his hand to Tanimoto. "Nice to meet you."

Tanimoto's eyes sharpened to something fierce and predatory. "I look forward to our match one day."

Issei froze for a moment, stunned at the change from Tanimoto's nice guy persona. Kenichi was also aware of Tanimoto's change to this one and it triggered something in Issei. It was something that made him smile, which surprised Kenichi but made Saiga and Hayato's eyes narrow slightly. The two blonde men knew that the seeds were being planted in Issei by his master. This smile wasn't just any smile. This was the smile of a strong warrior like his senpai, it was someone that he wanted to beat and prove himself. To clarify, it was Mitsurugi's smile.

"I look forward to it." Issei told the teenager in front of him. 'I'll get to your level, just you wait.'

Tanimoto chuckled. "You've got a long way to go."

"Only a few more matches left before we get started." Mizunuma noted as he looked at the time.

A voice cut through the crowd. "Wow. So this is who you're working with now."

The dark‑haired teen that Issei and Raichi were watching earlier walk up with his hands in pockets, smirk plastered on his face. Though his comment wasn’t directed at Issei as he approached.

"YOU!" Kisara exclaimed.

She lunged, but Mizunuma held her back.

"What do you want, Taichi?" Kenichi glared at him

Issei's eyes narrowed. 'Taichi… so this is him. The one who Ikki-senpai talked about, but he also reminds me of someone else…'

'Ah, that's why he looked so familiar.' Raichi thought as she tapped her chin, she really didn't care as she could easily defeat Taichi, but he wasn't in her pool.

Taichi grinned. "Whoa, Kenichi. Been a while, huh? Still with that big‑forehead monster?"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" Kisara yelled at him.

"Hey, calm down, Kisara. Kenichi and I are having a little chat." Taichi shrugged.

Issei raised his hand to ask a question. "Are you talking about Miu‑senpai?"

Taichi looked at him and replied. "You know her too? She's a monster, isn't she? That big‑boobed blonde."

Issei nodded. "She’s kind of nice, when you get to know her."

"Ha! I doubt it." Taichi laughed.

"Well, yeah, I mean she badmouthed me for good reason, but she’s not that bad." Issei countered back.

"Oh? And what'd she badmouth you for?" Taichi looked interested in what he had to say.

"Well… I was a pervert. Always spouting about wanting a harem..." Issei began to speak.

Taichi interrupted. "You want a harem? Haha! So do I! You should link up with me." He pointed at himself.

"No thanks." Issei shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.

"Come on, it'd be fun. Unless you're with that pink‑haired chick. Or better yet, that big‑boobed bluenette behind you." Taichi pointed out to the two girls near Issei.

Raichi raised an eyebrow, but she was relatively calm. While Renka both twitched violently and was fuming at this guy.

"No. They're my friends." Issei said.

Taichi smirked. "So you’re a single guy, huh? Or maybe you’re banging Kisara on the side?" Remembering how Kisara had pulled the brunette into that headlock.

"WHAT!? LET ME GO, MIZUNUMA!" Kisara yelled.

"No. She's with Ukita‑senpai." Issei answered.

Everyone stared, it was rather surprising to see how calm Issei was, when dealing with Taichi, who merely snickered. However, that was the problem, Issei was too calm whereas everyone else wanted to punch Taichi's face in. Tanimoto didn't care as he watched the interaction between the two and he got his answer.

'Hmph. You're going to lose, Taichi.' Tanimoto thought.

"If you say so. Anyway, I'll be seeing you at some point." Taichi gave a small wave.

He walked off with two lackeys trailing behind him.

"I'll be seeing you, cutie." The first spoke as he winked at Raichi.

Raichi merely sighed as she deadpanned. 'You can't even beat me, dude.'

"You're in my pool, dude." The second one said as he pointed at Issei.

Issei's eyes scanned him as they chuckled, disappearing into the crowd.

'Damn, I didn't get anything on him besides that he's arrogant. However, nonetheless, he's going to be my opponent.' Issei's eyes narrowed on where his next target last stood. 'But still…'

Kisara clicked her tongue. "Tch. That bastard's lucky he's not in our grade. I don't know how you talked to him so calmly, Issei."

"Kisara…" Kenichi warned.

"What!?" She asked.

"He's not calm." Tanimoto spoke and pointed at Issei.

"Huh?"

Renka stepped forward, placing a hand on Issei's shoulder. "Ise…?"

She could tell he was shaking and his ki had been building up and wavering unsteadily.

Issei's voice cracked slightly as he spoke. "Was I really like that?"

"What do you mean?" Mizunuma questioned.

"Yeah, what's going on?" Kisara asked as she raised an eyebrow at him.

Issei clenched his jaw. "When I spouted nonsense with those jackasses… about wanting a harem… you've all heard it. Or seen it. Don't you see?" He ran both hands through his hair. "That was me. That was..."

Silence fell, but they knew what he was getting at or what he was trying to say, even Tanimoto had an understanding about what Issei was referring to. Only Honoka seemed a little clueless on the matter. They snapped out of their thoughts as they heard Issei growl in frustration, running his hands through his hair and stepped away from them. He was walking back to the corner where his and Raichi's bags were. He sat down, shoulders slumped, staring at the floor.

Renka sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I'll talk to him."

"Are you sure?" Raichi asked as she knew of Renka's temper and attitude and wasn't sure if Issei needed that right now.

"Yeah." Renka nodded as she walked toward Issei.

Behind her, Kenichi checked the schedule.

"We gotta head back. Kisara, your match is coming up." Kenichi informed the others. "You can use that to blow off some steam."

"Right." Kisara nodded before she took one last glance at Issei, who didn’t seem responsive and was staring blanky to whatever Renka was saying. "At least I can take my anger out on something." She snorted in anger.

She marched over to where her match would be, seeing as how Taichi’s appearance pissed her off.

"Come on, let's go cheer her on." Kenichi waved the others over.

"Can't, I think I'm up soon too." Raichi shook her head.

She pointed at the other mat for second year students, where the fourth match ended.

"Good luck." Kenichi told her and watched her head off to the mat where she would be fighting.

Tanimoto folded his arms. "You think he'll be alright?"

"His ki is… out of flux." Kenichi answered.

"Good because I want to be the one to put him down, so train him properly, yeah?" Tanimoto told him as Kenichi deadpanned.

"We should probably worry about Kisara's opponent." Mizunuma spoke as he slightly sweated at Tanimoto's remarks.

"That too…" Kenichi groaned in fear of what Kisara would do.

"You coming, Renka?" Mizunuma called out.

"Give me a second!" Renka called back before she turned back to Issei and crouched in front of him, making him meet her eyes, since he was unresponsive to her earlier words. "Look. Don't let his words get to you."

"It's not his words. It's him. That could've been me. A perverted delinquent. That's my problem." Issei groaned in annoyance.

Renka flicked his forehead. "Then exorcize your demons."

"Huh?"

"You have to beat yourself. You’re saying that is all you see, when you see Taichi, right? You’re seeing that same pervert that not many people like, correct?"

"…Yeah."

"Then beat him. Or rather... beat yourself." As she poked his forehead again. "If you do, you'll owe me fewer massages."

"What?" Issei looked at her like she was insane.

"Don’t think I didn’t forget about you taking your chance to get away for a week. My back has been stiff, and it certainly will be after this tournament." Renka informed him.

Issei pouted, while Renka smirked. She knew that she had brought him back, even if it was just a little bit.

"I'm not your masseuse." Issei snorted, annoyed at her claim.

"Oh, you are." She spoke in a voice that made Issei actually feels some fear, but before he could do anything, she strokeed his hair. "But seriously, just like your first match. Drop him. And when he tries to get back up? Pummel him."

"I'll try." Issei shrugged.

"No. You will." She commanded as she stood back up. "Raichi's match is starting. You better go watch her and maybe determine the gap between you two."

"…Okay." His eyes warily watching his senpai, he could appreciate her body in the outfit that she was wearing.

The dark red did remind him of the Chinese dress that he had seen her wear at her workplace. However, this commanding side of her would always prevent him from seeing her in any perverted light.

"Good, now I gotta go. We’ll talk later, okay?" She gave him no room for argument and only to accept her terms.

"Yeah, okay." Issei nodded as she turned and headed back to the third year student area.

Issei watched her leave, definitely wary of her. He lifted his hand to fix the hair that she ruffled and let out an angry exhale. He knew that he needed to breathe, to calm down, otherwise he would be exposed in a match for not being able to control his emotions properly.

'I could have been like you, Taichi. I would have been undesirable, but... when our match happens, I won’t be denied from kicking your ass. Exorcise my demons? I'll make sure of it.' Issei clenched his trembling fist, waiting in anticipation for his name to be called again.