Issei needed to calm himself down as he wanted to watch Raichi in action, since he had never seen her spar before. Considering that he had a chance to face her, he decided to go see what he could potentially going up against. Issei forced himself to breathe evenly as he walked toward the second‑year mats. As he walked, he turned and waved at his parents again, he was grateful that they were there supporting him. Their smiles grounded him and he felt that he had made them proud for once, plus they were able to witness his growth.
While in the stands, those of the Fūrinji clan gave a little sigh of relief.
"His ki has calmed down." Saiga sighed.
"It may be a good match, but... it may not be the ending that both want." Hayato informed them.
"Kisara's right. Taichi's lucky he's a year behind us." Miu nodded.
"Why does he call you a monster, Miu?" Saiga asked his daughter.
"Because I kicked his crew's butts when they tried to jump Kenichi and me. One of them actually groped me. Between the two of them, I’d say Issei is better than Taichi. Issei is more of a chivalrous pervert. He may be overly perverted, but he only thinks of his fantasies. Taichi, on the other hand, would force himself upon a girl. Issei might have gone down that path if Kenichi didn't step in." She answered.
"You've changed your tune about the boy." Hayato noted, raising his eyebrow in amusement.
"Yeah, after what Akisame said and what Renka said... I decided to take a minute and talk to him. I didn’t know that he could cook, he made a delicious lunch. I could see why he loses his patience in the school as I already told you of how he was accused of stealing a girl’s underwear. He already lost faith in the student council, so eventually, he may lash out. Who would have thought that underneath the perversion was a reckless rage."
She glanced at her father and Saiga smiled knowingly, after all, he was the one that said this could happen.
"What do you think, Shigure?" Hayato asked the weapons mistress.
"I think that... he'll be fine… he's still growing." Shigure answered as she kept her eyes on Issei.
"Yes. He is." Saiga nodded.
"You know... maybe you should bring Apachai to train with him after school." Hayato mused, while stroking his beard.
"What!? Why him?" Miu exclaimed in shock.
"Just trust me on this." He informed his granddaughter.
"Wouldn't Sakaki be better for anger and ki control?" Miu asked.
"No, he has Mitsurugi to be able to handle that. Apachai will teach him something else. Something new..." Saiga shook his head.
"Muay Thai…" Miu whispered, understanding what her father meant.
"Correct and then… he’ll be more intune in… utilizing more of his body and… that way, he can master it." Shigure added.
"That's right." Hayato nodded. "He didn't use elbows or knees in that fight."
"And likely that he won't yet." Saiga stated firmly.
"Not too bad on the fist strikes. I think he will use more palm strikes next." Hayato wondered out loud.
"I think so, too." Saiga said.
Meanwhile, Issei watched as Raichi stood on the mat. Her stance surprised him but also confused him as she had one leg raised that was up was bent at the knee and he was impressed by her balance as she effortlessly stood on one leg. It was likely that she could use that raised leg to keep her opponent back. It wasn't a stance that Renka had shown him. So, he figured that Raichi learned another type of Chinese kenpo, different from what he learned. He genuinely wondered what she could do in that stance, it just seemed like it was… unpredictable.
Her opponent was average, similar to Hiro, who he faced earlier. Her opponent looked relieved as he was thinking something to those guys that he heard earlier. The guy was thinking that just because Raichi was a girl, he would have an easy win, but Issei knew better. After all, he had gotten his butt kicked by the kendo club when he tried to peep, then on the regular, getting his butt kicked by Renka and Kisara, when he trained with them. If Raichi had beaten Kisara before, then this guy was in for a rude awakening.
The whistle blew as Issei saw the guy smirk and decided to bull rush Raichi, aiming to force her that way out of the circle to score an easy point.
Issei was surprised when Raichi put her leg down and then jumped, flipping clean over the guy.
"Wha...?" Issei looked on in surprise.
In the process of the flip, Raichi used her heel to clip her opponent in the back of the head. Her opponent stumbled as his momentum made him fall forward. He fell to the mat, just shy of the edge of the circle. He steadily pushed himself up but...
Thwack!
Raichi kicked him in the butt, sending him stumbling out of the circle. The referee announced that Raichi received the first point.
Taichi's group seemed to have shown up again and Issei could hear them jeering loudly, mocking the guy for losing to a girl. Issei just looked at them because he knew that Taichi had lost to Miu before, so he didn't understand why the guy was laughing off at Raichi's opponent. Raichi's opponent flipped them off before returning to the mat for the second round.
The whistle blew and he charged again, but stopping short as to prepare himself, in case she jumped again. She didn't, instead, she kicked him in the side of his knee with her right leg.
It made him stumble as he saw Raichi coming in with fist strike, so he went to block it. However, he saw Raichi smirk as she pulled back, hitting the guy with a roundhouse kick with her left leg. Issei was amazed by her flexibility as she hit her opponent in the jaw. It made Issei remember what Kisara was talking to him about facing taller opponents, so he would need to get his leg up on them.
When Raichi's heel cracked against her opponent's jaw, Issei swore he could see the spit fly from his mouth as his head got whipped to the side. Despite her petite size, Raichi had the strength to simply grab her opponent and toss him out of the circle, winning her match. She then turned and flashed Issei a cheeky smile and Issei realized that she was holding back.
He swallowed. 'Just how good are you, Raichi?'
She jogged over. "So? How was that?"
"You were holding back, weren't you?"
"Oh? You noticed, huh?" She smirked.
"Yeah." Issei nodded.
"Well, I can’t show you everything." Raichi patted him on the back. "I can’t let you try to figure out ways to counter me, if we fight."
"When we fight." Issei corrected.
Raichi grinned. "You've got a plan for Taichi and his buddy." Looking over at the jeering boys.
"Probably the same one you have for his other buddy."
"Oh really? That simple, huh?" She knew that Issei was thinking along the same lines as her.
"Oh yeah." Issei nodded.
"Beat them down and put them out." Speaking together as they fist‑bumped.
They had heard the announcer call out Renka and Kenichi’s names, indicating that the two had matches to go for.
"So who're you gonna watch?" Raichi asked.
"That’s a good question, but... considering that you were holding back. I think I will go see how much Renka has been holding back on me." Issei answered.
"Got it. I'll tell you how Kenichi does."
"I’m already certain that he will win this thing for Kuoh Academy. However, Tanimoto may be a close second." Issei deduced as he could feel how strong the blonde Chinese kenpo student was.
"I’m with you on that prediction." Raichi nodded.
"Let's go see our senpai." Issei pumped his fist, he was also realizing the adrenaline that he had, the excitement. 'This is way more fun than peeping, that's for sure.'
"Oh yeah!" Raichi agreed as they headed off to the respective mats that their senpais would be at.
When Issei got to Renka’s mat, she was already irritated, her arms were crossed underneath her bountiful chest as she tapped her foot. Issei gulped because her posture emphasized her chest and he tended to find her annoyed look as attractive. Of course, only when that annoyed look wasn't focused on him. This time, the annoyed look on her face was for waiting on her opponent. Issei wondered what she was thinking, believing that maybe she was disappointed that she couldn't see Kenichi fight.
Considering that she was his first crush, Issei wished that she was thinking about him like that. He hoped that there was a girl out there that desired to see him, unaware that he made a girl in another country sneeze. Upon said sneeze, she began to daydream of her childhood friend was thinking about her. The prospect did make Issei rub his nose to stave off his own sneeze, when Renka's opponent finally arrived.
He was a muscular guy with a cocky grin and began to speak. "My, my, what a beauty to behold. How about we go out after this, huh? My name is…"
"Iori Miyamura. Or Miyamura Iori, if we're using Japanese order." Renka spoke in annoyance.
"Ah, so you've heard of me?"
"They said your name on the intercom, you dumbass." A vein was beginning to show Renka's head.
Issei winced as he knew that Renka was about punctuality, so the fact her opponent took his time didn't please her. Although, her anger reminded Issei of Chi-Chi, which added to his crush on her. Unlike the second-year students that required them to score two points, for the third-year students, it was one and done. Not only that, the guy was trying to flirt with Renka, but it was to be expected. Renka was good looking, Issei figured that her parents had good genes to pass down to her.
"To hear my name from such an exotic beauty." Iori sighed. "What a moment, perhaps I could hear it more."
At this, Issei was a bit confused, overlooking the sexual innuendo that Iori was referring to. While he was a pervert, he could still be a little dense, so he did not know what Iori meant. However, from Renka's reaction, Issei could tell that she was not having it if her glare was anything to go by as she got into a stance with her arms over her head. Iori simply chuckled as he got into his stance and waited for the whistle to blow, but he was wishing that it didn't.
"Yousou Ha!" Renka called out, once the whistle blew.
Renka swung her arms down and charging towards her opponent with such speed that Issei’s eyes widened as did Iori’s.
'So fast!' Issei thought, understanding that Renka had indeed been holding back on him.
Iori barely registered her movement before she was in front of him and he looked down in shock as he felt her place a hand on his chest. Renka layered her other hand over the one on Iori’s chest.
"Tanpa." She used the momentum in her rush and a pulse of force erupted from her hands.
'What was that?' Issei thought when he felt it.
He got somewhat of an answer as the force of the pulse blasted Iori off the stage that they were on and falling to the ground. Iori landing flat on his back and laid there. His eyes were staring at the ceiling, still in shock of what happened.
The whistle blew as Renka was given the victory as she huffed, placing her hand on her hip as she stared down her former opponent, who was still dazed. Sensing someone's eyes on her, she turned around and she locked eyes with Issei, who was looking back at her. A part of her feared that he would run away but given his shocked expression that wasn't going to be the case. Actually, he was looking at her in shock and awe.
'Why couldn't Kenichi look at me like that.' Renka sighed, understanding that Issei was fascinated by her prowess and she kind of liked it.
Nevertheless, she still ran over to him to see how he was doing.
"Sorry you had to see that." Renka chuckled nervously.
Issei stared at her for a few moments before he asked. "How long?"
"Huh?"
"How long are you going to keep holding back on me?"
"Oh. Yeah… I have been. Sorry." Renka deflated a little, feeling that Issei would turn on her now.
"And that pulse I felt... what was that?"
Renka stiffened. 'He felt my ki?'
"You never used such a move on me nor have you used such speed. Oh man..." Issei groaned.
"What is it?" Renka asked, wondering about his change of emotions.
"My training… feels like it's for nothing." Issei deflated.
Renka's eyes widened. "What!?"
Issei exhaled shakily. "Fuck, I thought I was building ground, but... I don’t think I’m a fourth as good as you. Man, I wish I could be half as good as you are, then maybe…" He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "…Nevermind."
He shook his head, never noticing the faint blush dusting Renka's cheeks as a memory of something Kenichi once told her. She chuckled to herself and pulled him into an one-armed hug, rubbing his shoulders. She even pressed her breasts to his side as a means to show that she appreciated what he said. He blushed at the contact, but his thoughts were interrupted as the intercom announced his name for his next fight.
"Second‑year match: Hyoudou Issei vs. Makoto Suda. Please report to Mat 3."
He didn’t recognize the name of his opponent, but they knew him.
A few meters away, Taichi grinned. "Well, would you look at that, Makoto. You get Kisara's little pupil."
"Heh. This is going to be fun. Hey, babe, if I win, you get to flash those tits of yours." Makoto leered at Renka, who had pulled away from Issei.
"That's all you want?" Taichi laughed.
"You're right. You should let me feel you up." Makoto answered, raising the bet.
"You could have done better. When I beat him, I want her to spend a night with me." Taichi winked.
"We can tag‑team her with a body like that." Makoto laughed.
They laughed with their other teammate, who was in Raichi's pool and they walked off.
Issei's arms twitched and his breath hitched. Visions of Matsuda and Motohama came through his head. Taichi's group, laughing, only reminded Issei of those two laughing at him as he got beaten up. They never came to help him, they only filmed it and posted for all to see as he had become a further laughingstock in school. The laughing reminded him of other students that laughed behind his back, joyful in seeing his demise.
His ki trembled as Kisara and Mizunuma rushed over, having seen the delinquents walk away and sensing the buildup in Issei's ki.
"They didn't cause trouble, did they?" Mizunuma asked.
"No." Renka shook her head as she answered.
"What did they want?" Kisara growled as she stared at the laughing trio.
"Issei has a match with one of them next." Renka answered the taekwondo specialist.
"What!? Damn it! I want to see that match, but mine's coming up too!" Kisara answered, grabbing her head in frustration.
"Ise, are you okay?" Mizunuma asked.
Issei didn't answer. He just stood there, shaking, eyes unfocused, expression hollow.
"Mizunuma." Kisara placed her hand on his shoulder.
"What?"
"Allow me." She stepped in front of Issei, grabbed his cheeks, and clapped her hands against them. "Oi. Ise."
"Huh?" Issei's eyes refocused, he was a bit confused why he was looking into Kisara's mischievous eyes.
"There we go." Kisara puffed her chest in pride.
She would not admit it, but she like that she had some sort of power over Issei. It was something that she learned while training him, as evident when she simulates scenarios for him.
"What did they say to him?" Mizunuma asked Renka.
Renka clicked her tongue. "Tch, they saw me as a prize. Said if they beat Ise, they'd get to feel me up. Or I spend the night with them. No wonder he's like this. He sees himself in Taichi and sees the pervert he used to be. And he knows he could've become a delinquent if he kept hanging around those two idiots that were his friends."
"Oh yeah... that’s right, I forgot about Taichi’s dream for a second there." Kisara thought out loud and turning back to Issei with a hardened expression. "Alright, listen up. I’m not going to give you some long speech. Just kick his ass and show him why he’s not on your level. There’s still much for you to learn as you saw with Renka’s match."
"Which we will teach you because there’s a lot more for you to know." Renka reassured him.
Issei blinked. 'More to know? Sounds similar to what Setsuka-obachan told me.'
Issei nodded and walked away toward his mat, just as Raichi and Kenichi arrived.
"What's going on?" Kenichi asked.
"Ise’s got a match against one of Taichi’s lackeys." Renka answered.
"Oh no. That's bad. We better try to calm him down." Raichi noted as she looked back to where Issei was walking towards.
Kenichi nodded in agreement. "Yeah… that look on his face wasn't good."
The Fūrinji clan watched Issei approach the mat and couldn't help but sigh as they knew that Issei was not right in his mind right now.
"Not good." Saiga noted, calmly.
"What is it?" Miu wondered why her father looked disappointed.
"He's about to lose a point." Hayato answered, his expression was neutral.
Shigure sighed softly, disappointment in her eyes.
Tōchūmaru squeaked sadly atop her head. Neither of them wanted to see Issei lose just yet, but they could tell that Issei was not in his right mind. Scouting the competition, frankly only Raichi was above him in their opinion. Taichi and his lackeys only had a shot by playing their mental games on Issei. The club had seen Issei put in the work over the weeks. The exception was this past week as he was on an excused absence.
They weren't the only ones as Ikki and the others noticed too.
"That's not good." Ikki frowned.
"But Issei can kick his ass." Ukita pointed out.
"Not while he's like that." Ikki pointed at Issei, whose eyes were dead, aura unstable. "You know those boxing matches that I told you about?"
"Yeah?" Ukita nodded.
"Well, when he's like this, the dude isn't seeing properly and usually gets his shit kicked in, worse than normal. It's like he's out of flux."
"That’s not good at all. He needs to get out of his funk or he’s going to lose this match." Kaname told her boyfriend, who could only nod, but there wasn't much they could do.
A cheerful voice suddenly chimed behind them. "La‑la‑laaa~ Ah, it seems we've arrived late."
Ikki, Ukita, and Kaname turned to see three familiar figures.
"So Kenichi invited you three." Kaname smirked.
"Actually, he invited these two. I intercepted the message and tagged along." A teen with black hair and pointed ears smirked, his name was Niijima Haruo, the Governor-General of the Shinpaku Alliance.
"Typical of you, Niijima." Ukita rolled his eyes at the pointy eared teen.
"How've you been, Hibiki? Chiaki?" Ikki asked the other two.
The tall, heavy‑set man with sideburns that was Yūma Chiaki grinned. "Haha! Great! I get to teach sumo now. How's Kenichi been doing?"
Like Ikki and the others, he was once part of the former group, Ragnarok and was formerly codenamed 'Thor' before he distanced himself after his defeat to Kenichi.
The long‑haired silver man laughed musically. "Ra‑ra‑raaa~ it’s been marvelous, traveling to hear all kinds of music all over the world. It’s quite a dream come true." He was the singer named Kugenin Hibiki.
Haruo adjusted his collar. "I still can’t believe you all transferred and disbanded the Shinpaku Alliance. Nevertheless, this tournament of ragtags should be easy enough for Kenichi and the others, wait... who’s that? When did Kenichi get younger?" He pointed at Issei.
"That's Issei." Ikki told him.
"Hmm. I never knew Kenichi had a younger brother. I better put that in the database." Haruo said as he brought out a handheld device and started making notes.
"He's not his brother. He's his student." Ukita told them.
"Student?" Chiaki asked in wonder.
"Yeah. Mine too." Ikki chuckled. "And Kisara's. Renka's. And Mizunuma's when he can. Oh! Hikari!"
He waved the receptionist over, when he spotted her.
Hikari blushed. "Uh… hey, Ikki."
Kaname narrowed her eyes. "So this is the girl you're flirting with."
Hikari felt afraid under the stern gaze of Kaname. She couldn't understand why Ikki would even consider flirting with her, when he had a babe like Kaname as his woman.
"No, no! Well, yeah, but she’s with Mizunuma now and I haven’t talked to her like that, since Issei told me that it was a bad idea." Ikki waved his hands in denial.
Kaname narrowed her eyes as she looked back at Hikari. "Is that true?"
"Y‑Yes…" Hikari answered, still nervous under Kaname's gaze.
"Well, it’s nice to meet you." Kaname said and then she smiled. "Treat Mizunuma right."
"Yes, ma'am." Hikari nodded.
"What is he doing here!?" Haruo's voice cracked in panic as he spotted Hayato. "Oh no… not her too!"
Shigure blinked, feeling someone's stare. "Hm?" She turned, spotting Haruo frozen in fear. "Look, Miu… your friends… are here."
"Huh?" Miu turned as well, she had been so focused on the matches that she never locked in on their ki. "Oh! Hey, guys!"
Her wave and yell drew attention from the nearby parents.
"Look, dear, it's Miu!" Saori noticed the blonde girl, when she called out to the others.
"Oh! You're right!" Mototsugu smiled.
"Who is she?" Miki asked as she was confused about this girl.
"She’s our boy’s girlfriend, of course." Mototsugu answered, proud of son pulling a girl like Miu.
"Who's she waving to?" Gorou pondered as he followed Miu's line of sight.
"Oh! That's Takeda‑san. The one who drives Ise." Miki said, when she saw who Miu was waving to. "I gave him some gas money for his contribution to taking our boy to the gym and to school."
Gorou nodded because he would have suggested that they gave the teenager some money. It seems that his wife was way ahead of the curve and handled that.
"They're Kenichi's friends. We've met them before at a few other tournaments." Saori nodded as she understood how the Hyoudou knew the group.
"We should say hi. Oi! Miu‑chan!" Mototsugu said as they went to introduce the Hyoudou to their son's girlfriend.
They intercepted her before she reached Ikki's group.
"Huh? Oh, Ojii‑sama! Otou‑sama! It's Kenichi's parents!" Miu called out as she noticed the parents coming her way.
"Hmm, how could we forget that they would be here, too." Saiga replied.
"Who are they with?" Hayato questioned as he looked at the Hyoudou.
Considering that Gorou had changed up his hairstyle, letting it grow out a little and his own twin tufts that he once shared with his son were gone. Thus it would be a little difficult to know that they were Issei's parents. However, Hayato could see similar facial structures in Miki's face.
"I'm not sure." Miu said as she looked confused.
"Hmm." Shigure shifting her gaze from Issei to the parents.
Saori hugged Miu warmly. "How are you, dear?"
"I'm great!" Miu answered as she reciprocated the hug.
Mototsugu shook hands with Saiga. "Good to see you again."
"Likewise. And these two?" Saiga gestured to the Hyoudou couple.
"Hyoudou Gorou. This is my wife, Miki. Nice to meet you." Gorou answered, giving a bow to the man.
He could tell that Saiga had this air of an authority that showed that he needed to be respected.
"Hyoudou…? Oh! You're Issei's parents!" Miu noted as she recognized the surname and put two and two together.
Miki nodded. "Yes."
Hayato grinned. "Your son has potential that he's beginning to show. However, he's barely scratched the surface of what can do and who he can become."
"Really?" Gorou looked back at his son in surprise.
"I suppose he'll need to, if he wants to be one of the strongest fighters." Miki sighed as she remembered Issei spoke about his new dream.
"Haha! I'd like to see him try." Hayato laughed, excited for the next generation to evolve themselves. "I'm Fūrinji Hayato, Miu's grandfather."
The Hyoudous were in shock because of how well built the man was. He was built like a mountain.
"And I am Fūrinji Saiga, Miu's father." Saiga introduced himself, giving a bow as well, showing that he wasn't above Gorou.
Hayato gestured toward Shigure. "And this is Kōsaka Shigure—your son's big‑sister figure."
Shigure froze and there seemed to be a crack in her stoic expression. "…Hngh. Uh… hi."
She had not expected that introduction. She knew that Issei had shifted his view of her to indicate that he would have liked her as his sister. However, he never called her by the title because he wasn't sure how she would respond to it. Miki and Gorou eyed the woman up and down and part of them wondered if the 'big sister' was some sort of roleplay. They stemmed those perverted thoughts, amazed that their son was with such a gorgeous woman.
"It's an honor. Ise always wanted siblings…" Miki smiled, but then she looked away in sadness. "But we couldn't give him any." She was remembering the words of what her doctor had told her after Issei was born.
"We were lucky to have him at all. I had to wish on a prayer for us to be even given Issei himself." Gorou informed them as he placed a hand on his wife's shoulder as he knew she was reminiscing on those haunting words that they were told.
Ikki and the others hurried over and broke the somber atmosphere that was in the air after Miki's words.
"Hyoudou‑san!" Ikki yelled out in surprise upon seeing his protege's parents.
"Ah, Takeda, is it? Thank you for helping out with our son." Gorou said, holding out his hand to the bronze teenager.
"It's no problem." Ikki chuckled as he shook the man's hand.
The Hyoudous were introduced to everyone including Kaname, Chiaki, Hibiki, Haruo, who were intrigued to meet Issei for their own personal reasons. Of course, for Haruo, by having Issei on his side, he got that tidbit of the boy seeing Shigure as a sister, thus it may keep the kunoichi off his own back.
The Hyoudou did explain about the perversion and they were grateful to those that were able to overlook that part of him and bring out his other interests. They were aware of his former antics at school and they did explain his loneliness after Shidou had left and their thoughts about Matsuda and Motohama, but they were just happy that he had gotten friends, it was just unfortunate that they were the wrong kind of friends.
Hayato nodded knowingly. "A bad friend can still be a friend… but those two weren't friends at all."
Hayato had remembered that Kenichi had complained about Haruo before and had explained that a bad friend was still a friend. He did not see the same with Matsuda and Motohama as they were never really friends. He knew that Haruo may have used Kenichi for his own benefits at times and Kenichi would have his back. The pervert duo deliberately betrayed Issei's trust and humiliated him with that video that was online.
Said video was brought up among the newcomers and they noted that Kenichi and the others did a good job in building Issei's confidence back up.
While they talked, Elize and Yu-Mi listened in.
Elize pouted. "Big sister figure, huh…?" Feeling a little jealous that Shigure was being called that.
Yu‑Mi sighed. "Calm down. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have opened up to her at all. And did you see her reaction?"
"What about it?"
"She was not prepared to be introduced that way and Ise has never spoken to us about her like that, she’s his teacher."
Elize huffed. "I have to admit, she is kind of banging, I wonder who has a bigger rack, you or her?" She was already considering a possible threesome between the kunoichi and the Korean.
"I'd like to think that some of Ise's perversion was rubbing off on you, but I know better as you've always had a fascination with my chest."
"Damn straight. I've always talked about your chest like this before we met our dear little brother. It helps me get through the day, just thinking about them."
Yu-Mi rolled eyes. "Go figure… You’re so laid back that I should have expected it."
Elize glanced at the floor. "However, what do you think is up with Ise? He looks a bit out of it."
"I don't know, I've never seen this side of him before, so we'll see."
Down on the stadium floor, Issei had reached his mat where he was going to fight. Of course, Makoto was already there waiting for him, giving him a mocking smile that brought back those thoughts. His eyebrow was twitching as he was beginning to see red, he was just itching for the whistle to go off.
"Haha! This'll be easy!" Taichi jeered, seeing that Issei wasn't focused enough and turned towards Renka, ignoring Kisara's presence. "Get ready, toots!" It only made Renka growl in annoyance.
"Ise! Chill for a second!" Raichi called out to him, but unfortunately, he didn't hear her. She had an understanding that when Issei entered that zone and had tunnel vision, words barely reached him. "Damn it… I'll make this quick."
Raichi couldn’t do much as her name was called, so she had to go face off against the other girl that was in the tournament. The girl was currently third in Raichi’s pool. The ones below her were the guys that the girl, Taichi’s other lackey, and Raichi had already faced.
"Good luck." Kenichi told her as she nodded in response.
Renka watched Issei's posture and her expression tightened. "Damn. He's in that zone and can't think straight."
"Any way to snap him out?" Kenichi asked.
"Nope." Renka answered, shaking her head. "He'll have to take the L on this round. He always does when he gets like this. Kisara's smack to his cheeks was only temporary, so he's gotta take a beating."
"He spars like this with you?" Mizunuma asked.
"Yeah. He goes wild and becomes uncoordinated. Then during breaks, he snaps back to reality and analyzes everything, seeing the fault in his mistakes."
"Well, right now? He's definitely angry enough to be reckless, when that whistle blows." Kenichi told her.
"Exactly." Renka nodded. "He'll be reckless and that's why I said he's taking the L, the first point is going to go to Taichi's little buddy and you know how they're going to react."
Tanimoto approached. "What's going on?"
"Ooh! Aniki is about to fight!" Honoka cheered, however, her name for Issei made them all look at her in surprise.
After all, she didn't really know Issei that long, but in the short time, she had already made her decision. Since her brother had said that Issei didn't have siblings, she would take it upon herself to fill that role. She was also certain that she could use that to her own benefit.
"Aniki?" Mizunuma asked.
"Well, yeah. He could totally pass as our cousin." Honoka nodded, going with that as her excuse for Issei's new title.
Tanimoto smirked. "Looks like you gained another one."
"According to Akisame, he sees us as older siblings. So it fits." Kenichi told him.
"But he looks… clouded. You do know that he's going to lose. I've had that look before, when…" Tanimoto said as he stopped himself as he remembered the memory of his little sister had died, along with losing his adopted father to unknown causes, his stepmom was considered the primary suspect of the murder of his adopted father.
Renka pointed at Taichi. "That jerk thinks I'm a prize. Said he'd spend the night with me if he wins by beating Ise."
Kenichi clenched his jaw. "No wonder Ise snapped. He values his friends. We're not trophies in his eyes. He doesn't even look at girls the same way. They're not pieces of meat in his eyes."
"I think anyone of us would feel the same way. But we can control it, since we have experience that he doesn't." Mizunuma informed them.
The whistle blew.
"Oh no…" Kenichi groaned.
Issei charged in, trying to brutalize Makoto, who was chuckling as he dodged each blow. Issei growled as he kept throwing lefts and rights, but in his anger, it was making it easy for Makoto to move out of the way.
Makoto ducked under a right hook from Issei and punched him in the gut, making him grunt in some pain.
Makoto laughed as he circled Issei. "Haha! This is too easy."
"Yeah! He's just another scrub!" Taichi continued to mock Issei from the sidelines.
Makoto went on the offensive, faking a left cross, but nailed Issei with a kick to the ribs. It slightly shocked Issei, grunting as he aimed to pin the leg and keep Makoto on one leg to beat him down. However, the left cross that Makoto faked earlier, he followed through on it this time. It caused Issei's head to snap to his left and slightly disoriented him.
Makoto kicked Issei's hamstring multiple times, before kicking at his knee, causing him to drop down on it. While hunched over, Makoto kneed Issei in the head and began to knee him in the ribs on Issei's right side. It knocked the breath of Issei, who was panting, wincing as he sucked in air.
"Hey! He's like a dog!" Taichi pointed at the downed Issei, who was trying to get his bearings, but he still heard the insults.
"Maybe he'll be a good boy and listen to his masters." Makoto added on.
Issei swiped weakly, but Makoto easily dodged.
Makoto ran back and gave a vicious kick to Issei’s head, causing him to drop completely. It forced the referee to back up Makoto and he was going to signal for medical assistance until he saw Issei trying to get back up, struggling on his hands and knees. They could see his body shaking, while he struggled.
Makoto moved past the referee and stomped on Issei’s back to force him back down.
"Bad dog! Haha!"
Makoto continued to stomp down on Issei, when he saw the brunette try to get back up, but every stomp put him flat on his stomach. Issei attempted to block another stomp with his forearm, but it opened his stomach for Makoto to kick. It caused Issei to gasp in agony as he dropped down again.
"Where's all that bravado now!?" Taichi called out.
"He never had any!" Makoto said back and then sent another kick into Issei's midsection.
Issei was gritting his teeth and clutching his stomach, his eyes began to water. He was trying to will his body to get up, which was done forcefully as Makoto grabbed Issei by his small ponytail and punched him in the jaw. The blow made Issei stagger back as he was beginning to get back to his senses, slowing losing his tunnel vision. Unfortunately, just as he came to, Makoto forced him to stand and booted him in the chest.
The kick had sent him rolling backwards and he could see that he was looking at the ceiling. e blinked the tears away the tears that were forming and slightly shook his head and then he heard a dreaded sound. He heard the whistle blow and turned his head begrudgingly to see that he was off the mat and outside of the circle.
'I… lost…' Issei thought in disappointment.
He groaned as he sat up, clutching his stomach, breath ragged. He was wincing as he took deep breaths. He ran his other hand through his hair and clenched his fist. He knew that he wasn't perfect, but of all the people that he lost his first match, it just had to be a reminder of what he could have been. For him, it was like a part of his old self beat the new version that he was trying to be and that stung.
"Hey! Aniki!" Honoka called out, trying to get his attention.
Issei blinked. "Huh…?" He recognized Honoka's voice, but he wasn't sure that she was addressing him.
"Get your head out of the clouds! Those guys making fun of you!" Honoka pointed at Makoto, who was laughing with Taichi and their other friend.
"What?" Issei shook his head to focus on where he was at.
He began to massage the areas that Makoto had hit him, especially the hamstrings.
"Ise! You good to go?" Kenichi came to check on him.
"Kenichi… senpai?" Issei was still in a daze about his first loss.
"Your anger made you lose yourself." Kenichi pointed out to him with a sigh, he understood because something similar had happened to him in the past.
"But..."
"We know." Renka stopped whatever counterargument Issei may have had. "And you seriously think I can't kick that dumbass?"
Issei looked down. "I just…"
"I get it. You were trying to defend me. I know. And thank you. But you can't lose your cool." Renka bent down to flick him in the forehead, making him slightly blush.
"It’s nice to know that you value us so highly that you would go out and fight for us." Kenichi told him.
"Yeah." Renka nodded. "But don't forget, we can defend ourselves. I understand why you're pissed and that idiot thinking he can 'win' me by beating you? What a troll." She and Kenichi helped him up. "Besides what luck does he have against the master, if he can't beat the student again."
"Now go kick his butt like you did the other guy! You got this, aniki!" Honoka ordered him.
"A‑Aniki…?" He shook his head, clearing the fog.
He had a bit of a headache and he rubbed his sore ribs and jaw as he slowly took deep breaths and walked back into the circle.
He didn't want to get yelled at by the referee for taking too long. He shook his leg and rolled his shoulders and for some reason, he could see clearly as he looked at Makoto, his vision wasn't shrouded in red anymore.
He gave a nod to the referee and swallowed his saliva and got into his stance.
In the stands, the two blonde men of Saiga and Hayato chuckled to themselves as they could see that things were stabilized.
"Ah, there he is." Hayato said.
"There's who?" Miu asked as the others were slightly confused, if he was talking about someone else.
"Mitsurugi." Saiga answered, as he was seeing for the first time the influence that the ronin has placed on Issei.
The determination and stubbornness that Issei always had, whether it was still going to peep after getting beaten up by the kendo club or having to re-do his sword stances from the beginning, when he screwed up slightly.
Makoto sneered. "Back for more?"
"Put his ass away, so we can claim our prize!" Taichi laughed, figuring that this would be easy.
Issei's eyes sharpened. "You really think he's your friend?" Deciding to follow their lead and start the psychological battle.
Makoto blinked. "Huh?"
"I asked if you think he's your friend."
"Of course."
"Would he still be your friend when you lose?"
Makoto hesitated. "What?"
"I lost sight of you because of how much you pissed me off. Talking about my friend like she's a prize." Issei shook his head as he had similar thoughts, when he believed that he could be harem king and it reminded him of that yakitori's words.
Makoto scoffed. "So?"
"It reminded me of two bastards I thought were my friends, along with someone else that I had recently. They helped ruined my judgment of things."
"What are you even talking about?"
"You see, they're not here right now. So I'm going to do to you what I wish I could do to them. And since this is a tournament… I can let loose a little." Issei cracked his neck and flexed his hands.
"Who gives a shit." Makoto glared.
Issei's eyes narrowed. "You should. And one more thing. I'm not a dog. I'm a soldier. You'll have to kill me to put me down."
"Soldiers are just dogs for the country." Makoto retorted back.
"Better than being a no‑good delinquent." Issei sighed.
"Fuck you!" Makoto exclaimed, but Issei shrugged.
That little conversation gave Issei some more recovery time as his aching muscles soothed themselves with the little time that he had. He was using his breathing to test how much pain that he could take and if he had any restrictions. Similar exercises that he had learned with Setsuka, who was smirking as she knew what Issei was doing.
The whistle blew.
Makoto tensed as Issei twitched, expecting Issei to go in for the attack like last time. Issei held back because he felt his hamstring a little tight, when he shook his leg. Due to this, he wasn't sure of his speed, so he calmly advanced towards Makoto.
"Idiot." Makoto snorted, thinking how stupid Issei was for advancing towards him.
He decided that he was going to try and do more damage to Issei, since he believed him to be slow. Issei was just trying to remember how Mitsurugi told him to put his anger into his fist, but he also needed to think clearly. He had just gotten these friends and he didn't like seeing any of them be treated as a piece of meat as he once viewed them, despite wanting a loving relationship.
He already knew that these guys were representatives of his past self in a way. He had to accept that part of him as it was still him like he told Akeno. Of course, he would do his best to limit those thoughts as he understood that he's not some saint.
Makoto was going in for another fake strike, but it would be a fake kick, but throwing in a punch. However, he expected Issei to try and block the kick, so he could hit him with his left fist. He did not anticipate Issei to not block and just attack as Issei used his left leg to strike Makoto's right side. This ruined Makoto's plan because his right side would be open as he was going in for the real strike.
As a result, Issei's kick connected first because his leg's range was farther than Makoto's fist. It stopped Makoto's fist, but Issei dealt another three kicks to Makoto's right side, thanks to that reload speed.
Thwack—Thwack—Thwack
The three kicks were hammered into Makoto's ribs, making him grunt in pain. When Makoto twisted to protect his right side. Unfortunately, Issei switched to his right leg and crashed it into Makoto’s unguarded left side.
Smack
"Agh!" Makoto roared, stumbling slightly.
"Hey! That's Kisara's move!" Taichi's eyes widened, considering that he had once been under Kisara's leadership before.
He turned to his former leader and could see her smirking at him with predatory glee, which ticked him off. He did not like that she was using this nobody as a means to mock him, not only her, but Ikki and Ukita as well. Of course, Taichi shouldn't have any reason to be mad at them, since he was the one that betrayed them first.
Issei didn't care as he stepped in and drove a palm strike into Makoto's chest.
Makoto stumbled further back and landed on his butt. "Ah, fuck."
"Hey, get up, you dumbass!" Taichi yelled at him, his face getting red.
"Shut up!" Makoto yelled back.
He pushed himself up but Issei kicked him back down.
"Wow. You're such a good dog. Listening to your master." Issei said, however, those that could feel ki, felt a shift in Issei.
"I'm not his dog!" Makoto retorted back.
"Then you can be my dog and stay down." Issei ordered coldly.
"I'm not yours either! AARRGGHH!" Makoto roared, but there was something in him that felt some fear in how Issei ordered him.
The roles from the first round were now reversed.
Issei could dodge, but he leveled his blows into Makoto's ribs every time he dodged. To be more specific, he aimed for the left side as the kick with his right leg was stronger than the kicks he gave to Makoto on Makoto's right side.
He would dodge any of Makoto's strikes and strike him in the side that Makoto would use. In the process, Issei's hamstring seemed to get better as he was moving a little better.
Then his eyes shifted slightly as he noticed that Makoto was leaning more to his left and realized that was the weaker of the two sides. From his experience with his spar with Ukita, Issei had found a weak point and he decided that he needed to make Makoto strike with that side, exploit that weakness.
He punched Makoto hard in the right shoulder. Makoto winced and took a step back, but Issei just followed again with another strike to that same shoulder.
"Argh!" Makoto yelled as he then lunged with his left side, playing into what Issei wanted.
Issei sidestepped towards Makoto's left side and hammered in a strike to Makoto’s ribs again.
"Ah! Ha!" Makoto clutched his left side. "Hngh!" He winced.
Issei gave a palm strike to Makoto's right side from behind, which made Makoto shift. However before Makoto could turn around to face Issei, Issei gave a kick into Makoto's injured left side.
"AH!" Makoto dropped to a knee, but then Issei tackled him from behind, pinning Makoto on his stomach. "Hey!"
There was some fear in Makoto's voice.
Issei pinned Makoto's right arm with his knee and grabbed Makoto's left arm and pulled it away from his injured left side.
"What are you… AAAHHH!" Makoto began to ask before Issei began to hammer blow after blow into those exposed ribs.
Makoto's screams made people nearby stop to look, the referee held his ground because Makoto did not submit. So until the delinquent gave up, Issei had full right to do as he pleased based on the rulebook. Makoto continued to scream and seemed to be reaching out for something.
He couldn't do much, when Issei drove a final blow into his ribs until something was heard that even the referee heard.
Crack.
The referee knew that was it and blew his whistle and ran to pull Issei off Makoto as he still laid blows into the now cracked ribs of Makoto, possibly even broke one. Makoto's mouth was open in a silent scream with tears in his eyes as he wiggled slightly on the ground. The referee knew that it was a decisive win for Issei as despite Makoto scoring the first point, he would not be fighting with potentially broken ribs and was likely done for the day.
The referee called for medical assistance to the silent delinquent that was writhing in agony from the pain of his ribs.
Issei coldly glared down at him. 'You should have listened to your master and stayed down, don't ever talk about my friends like that again.'
The referee raised Issei's hand quickly before going to check on the injuries that Makoto sustained. The movement made Issei did wince a little as he had some damage of his own from Makoto.
"Damn it! Fucking idiot!" Taichi snorted, not even bothering to check on Makoto.
Issei walked past the downed Makoto. "Some friend."
The statement made Taichi stop slightly as he turned back towards Issei to see him looking right back at him. Taichi snorted again and walked off in frustration and annoyance, he needed to think of a way to put Issei down himself.
Miki and Gorou exhaled in relief. The others cheered, but they did know that something had been off with Issei in the first round. However, in the second, they had exchanged uneasy glances as something had pushed Issei too far. It was also nice to see Taichi look upset to Ikki, Ukita, and Kisara’s enjoyment.
"It seems that he's regained his clarity and got his head on right, however..." Saiga started off.
"Yes. There is something dark in his soul and now he has an objective. Mitsurugi is certainly crafting him for something." Hayato pondered.
"Yes, the tournament doesn’t matter anymore to young Hyoudou. That delinquent will need to prepare himself." Saiga said.
Miu folded her arms. "Let him. It'll be good to see Issei take down Taichi."
Hayato chuckled. "Now, now. His time will come, just have patience. But he needs to work on using his knees and elbows."
He watched Taichi leave the arena without even glancing at his injured lackey.
Down below, Issei was greeted like a returning warrior as he exorcised one of his demons.
Kenichi and Mizunuma bumped fists with him, Raichi performed their elaborate handshake, and Honoka slapped him a high‑five. Renka pulled him into a tight hug and then shoved him towards Kisara, who grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a noogie.
"Thanks… for pulling me out of that funk." Issei said as he struggled to get out of Kisara's grip.
"It's not a problem, for one, it is my job as your club president." Kenichi told him. "Besides it's what I warned you about. Your anger can blind you."
"But it looks like you still need to get some more of that aggression out." Tanimoto smirked, seeing the look that Isse had given Taichi.
"Who cares! You already know he’s going to kick Taichi’s ass! You even used the Pandal Chagi! I told you, just have to drive those hips!" Kisara told Issei, while also coaching him.
"You finally used your palm strikes too." Renka smiled.
"I told you, aniki! You knocked him right out of the tournament!" Honoka pumped her fist, she was used to the violence from seeing Kenichi and others fight.
Issei bowed deeply. "I'm loyal to my friends. You all gave me a new perspective. I’m not going to let anyone talk about you guys like that. I treasure you guys for all that you have done for me… so thank you for helping this pervert."
Tanimoto raised an eyebrow. "Pervert?"
"Ah, sorry. You're not from our school. I have a bad reputation. They call me the Perverted Beast at my school because I boasted about my desire to be harem king and then that shifted to peeping on girls. After an incident early in the year, Kenichi‑senpai gave me another path… and I took it. With help from Elize‑sensei, our school nurse." Issei scratched the back of his head.
"Hmm. I never noticed perversion. But your desire for violence does make you a beast in some aspects. You likely broke a rib or two on that guy." Tanimoto pointed out.
"I wanted to break the whole rib cage…" Issei frowned as he turned back to the medical team escorting Makoto and sighed. "I guess a rib or two will do for now. At least now he will know not to talk about my friends. I mean I can understand, I used to talk about girls in a perverse way and Renka-senpai told me to exorcize my demons. Makoto was a start, but Taichi... he will be my finish."
In his statement, it did affirm to the others that Issei had been in charge of himself, so despite the shift that they had felt, it was still Issei there.
"Speaking of that little runt, where'd he go?" Kisara asked as she looked around.
"He left." Kenichi told her with a frown, he was also wondering what Taichi was planning.
He knew that the guy was usually out for his revenge on something and Issei was likely his target now, since Raichi was in another pool.
Issei sighed. "Hopefully, Makoto makes a better decision about who his friends are. I made that same mistake with Motohama and Matsuda. My parents tried to warn me, but... I didn’t listen. Maybe this was his lesson."
Honoka tilted her head. "If you both made the same mistake… do you think you could be friends?"
"Unless he apologizes to Renka‑senpai? No." Issei answered Honoka's question which Renka nodded in agreement, having been standing by his side. "After that, then maybe... unless he changes his attitude like I did."
"Got it!" Honoka understood and wasn't going to force the issue any further.
"Another thing, what's up with the aniki thing?" Issei asked the middle schooler, although he wasn't really complaining.
This meant that he had a little sister figure and as he remembered that if he had elder siblings, he probably wouldn't have turned out the way he did. So if Honoka was okay with it, he'd hope that she wouldn't make the same mistakes as him, of course, he doubted that she would start peeping on guys.
Kenichi answered Issei's question. "She wants to try your cooking and maybe you can teach her something. She’s not really that good in that department."
"Hey! I'm better than you at it!" Honoka countered back at her big brother.
Hearing about the cooking made Raichi chime in. "And Ise already cooks for me."
"What? Why her?" Honoka turned to Issei for an answer.
Issei opened his mouth to answer, but Raichi beat him to the punch.
"Because I'm his best friend." Raichi pointed a thumb at herself.
"Self-proclaimed" Issei deadpanned.
Honoka puffed her chest proudly. "Well, I'm your little cousin!"
"Eh. Also self‑proclaimed." Issei was surprised by her proclamation.
Kisara blinked. "Huh, I didn’t know you could cook?"
"He's not bad." Raichi pointed out.
"Oh, I was supposed to give a recipe to Miu-senpai." Issei remembered that he never gave his senpai the recipe that his mother taught him.
Renka snorted. "She actually talked with you. I gotta admit, I didn’t think the blonde bimbo had it in her."
"Oi. You're a bimbo too, you know." Honoka had a smug expression on her face.
A vein popped on Renka's forehead. "What did you say, pipsqueak?"
Issei raised a hand. "Hey, hey, let her be. If you don’t harm her, I’ll give you a full back massage."
Renka froze. "Really?" She turned back to him with a sparkle in her eyes.
Raichi pouted. "What about me?"
"As if you need one." Renka scoffed.
"You're just jealous that he would cook and massage me too." Raichi smirked, she just loved getting under her seniors' skin, primarily Renka and Kisara.
"What!? Ise! That's our thing!" Renka glared at him.
"I never gave her a massage and because you brought it up, she's now going to annoy me about it." Issei groaned and rubbed his forehead.
Initially, his past self would have enjoyed two girls fighting over him as he had seen in several harem anime, but now that he was experiencing it. He was kind of seeing the hindrance of a harem and it made him wonder if he couldn't handle two girls, how could he have ever handled a harem. If only his past self could see this, so he could change their former dream earlier than when he did.
Kisara smirked. "Huh, I heard you have been teaching Ikki, so it’s no surprise that you have been helping out with Kōzō too." Since she was the beneficiary of those lessons.
"You think you teach me sometime?" Mizunuma asked.
"Ah, yes... you want to please your dear gym receptionist." Kisara teased.
The others snickered, while Issei smiled. "Yeah, I can do that. Ukita-senpai taught me some judo in exchange for that and you've taught me some karate already."
"Yeah, those judo lessons, which you used on Hiro. Not bad." Kenichi nodded at Issei's growth in learning several styles.
"Figured this was the perfect place to try them out, first time doing that." Issei answered as he turned to wave at his parents to show that he was alright and then winced.
"What's wrong?" Kenichi asked.
"Need some ice…"
"I can..." Raichi began to say, but her name was called. "I guess not."
"I'll get it. So stay put." Renka volunteered before she jogged off to the medical station.
"At least we can chill for a bit." Kisara sighed.
"Can't. I have another match." Tanimoto spoke, giving a wave as he walked off before his name was announced.
"Could I see?" Issei asked as he wanted to see how Tanimoto fought.
"You should wait here, until Renka gets back and…" Kenichi spoke, but stopped when he saw that Raichi had returned. "What happened?"
"The guy forfeited. He was Taichi's other lackey. He went with Makoto to the hospital." Raichi pouted as she sat down next to her stuff.
She wanted to put her own beating on him, thus it would leave Taichi alone to fend for himself.
Issei frowned. "At least he stayed by his friend's side…" Remembering how Matsuda and Motohama stayed by each other's side, but would toss him to the wind to save their own skin.
He lay back, staring at the ceiling and he saw it clearly now.
He and Taichi were not fully the same.
He found it ironic that while he saw similarities between his former self and Taichi, but also the differences. While the school considered him the leader of the perverted trio, he wasn't a leader like Taichi was, it was more that he was the lackey of Matsuda and Motohama. They would abandon him like Taichi would or rather had done right now. He knew that Taichi would not be visiting Makoto in the hospital.
He had also come to a revelation that he would have visited either Matsuda or Motohama, if they got hurt and they would not visit him. He was beginning to see more similarities between him and Makoto.
He pondered back to what Makoto was taunting about being a dog and he could see that he was right. He was a dog in his past self, whenever Matsuda and Motohama told him to come go peeping with them, he would follow. When they spoke about going to watch porn, he would follow.
His thoughts were interrupted by a cold sensation touching his ribs as he looked down to see that Renka had returned and placed the bag of ice near his ribs.
"You were spacing out. What were you thinking about?" She asked, while keeping her eyes on where she placed the ice.
"Those delinquents…" Issei sighed.
"You shouldn’t worry about them." Raichi reassured him.
Renka studied his expression. "You're thinking about how you were similar to them, aren't you?"
Issei nodded. "Yeah. I thought I was like Taichi… but I’m more like Makoto. He was right, in a way."
"Right about what?" Renka turned her attention to his face as he took the ice from her.
Issei exhaled. "I was a dog. And my masters were Matsuda and Motohama."
"Those two perverts?" Raichi questioned.
"Everyone's a pervert in their own way, Raichi. You literally told me you taunt Kisara‑senpai by groping your own chest, you baka." Issei deadpanned, which only made Raichi laugh.
"Oops. I forgot about that." Raichi was not offended by the "idiot" insult and changed it up. "Alright, then those two morons."
"Can't really call them morons either, remember we were able to get into Kuoh Academy. That entrance exams aren't a joke, you know."
"Yeah, can't argue with that." Raichi chuckled.
He winced as he adjusted the ice.
"Take it easy. Try to get as much rest as possible. Anyway, I have to get going, my match is coming up. Look after him for me, will you, Raichi?" Renka asked her fellow Chinese woman.
"Got it." Raichi gave a thumbs up.
"Good luck." Issei said.
"Thanks." Renka waved as she walked off.
Issei watched her go, she was still attractive and he was sure that other guys were checking his senpai as she walked until he noticed Raichi smirking at him.
"What now?" Issei groaned and blushing at being caught, checking out his senpai.
Raichi was aware that Issei had begun to develop a crush on Renka and she also knew that he wouldn't act on it because he believed that she liked Kenichi. She couldn't help but wonder if Renka was shifting her affection to Issei now. Of course, Renka was wondering if Kenichi would lash out for her like Issei had done or if that was only for Miu.
"I’m just curious if those guys said anything about any of us. Would you have acted the same way? Or is it just Renka-senpa…" Raichi asked.
"Yes." Issei answered with no hesitation.
"Huh?" Raichi blinked at how quickly he answered. "To which part?"
"Both."
Raichi tilted her head with interest. "Explain."
Issei took a deep breath before he spoke. "I would have acted that way if they spoke about any of you guys. I mean it’s you guys that I look up to. If it's boxing, I got Ikki‑senpai. For karate, there's Kenichi‑senpai and Mizunuma‑senpai. And as you know with taekwondo, Kisara‑senpai's in my corner."
"You definitely made her proud when you connected successfully with a kick." Raichi chuckled.
"Well, that's what I'm aiming to do, make my seniors proud with my progress. Now, moving on to Chinese kenpo, it’s you and Renka-senpai. My training with weapons or rather my bokken is Mitsurugi-shishou, Setsuka-obasan, and Shigure-sensei.
"And those other skills you've been hiding?" Raichi asked.
"When it comes to sewing, it’s my Obaa-chan and Setsuka-san. When it comes to cooking, it’s my kaa-san and Mizuki-obachan, she’s Shidou’s mom." He paused and remembered something that his father told him. "My tou-san named me “Issei”, so that I could live an honest life. I probably look up to him the most as he has it all, a wife, a job, and a family to go to and come home to. I was trying to live up to my jii-san through my perversion and become a harem king, but I wouldn’t achieve the success that my father has."
Raichi listened quietly.
"My perversion deterred girls away from me as you've seen. Despite getting into Kuoh, my grades have dropped after getting in, which I have to give credit to Elize-sensei and Yu-Mi-sensei for helping me get back on track academically. Before them, I was hitting rock bottom or I was heading there. I talked to you about how my perversion was reignited and I didn’t make friends until middle school. And even then… I followed Matsuda and Motohama like a dog." He looked at her. "Well, that's what I meant by I am more like Makoto than Taichi. I would listen to those two at every whim because they became friends with me and I felt like I had a loyalty to them. Before you ask, yes, you guys saved me and I feel like I have a loyalty to you as well."
The comment made Raichi blush a little, she understood the sense of loyalty as it was her relationship to her father.
There were times where he may be a ruthless man, but there are those times that he is caring. He wanted her to be the best and to strive for it and she followed his instruction. Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.
"So what you're saying… is true, huh?" Raichi sighed, after she had listened to all of that.
Issei nodded. "It's kind of in my name."
Raichi exhaled slowly, her expression shifting into something more serious than Issei had ever seen from her. "Then… maybe I should be honest with you a little."
"Hmm?"
She looked down at her hands for a moment, gathering herself. "You know how I told you my father trained me when I was young? There's… more to it. When we came to Japan years ago, we were poor. Really poor. And I did everything I could to help pay for my family."
"You got a job? That's child labor." Issei pointed out.
"No." She chuckled and looked at him. "Something worse. And I'm not proud of it."
Issei blinked, confused and Raichi decided to continue speaking.
"Remember how I told you that one of things that I don’t like is losing?"
Issei nodded. "I guess we’re the same in that regard, mine was thanks to Mitsurugi-shishou. He drilled that into me and he’s right. I cannot lose if I want to be one of the strongest warriors ever."
Raichi shook her head. "My father taught me that too. But there was something else I hated even more." She swallowed and turned towards him. "...and that was killing people."
Issei's breath caught. "What does... wait. No, you didn't…?"
Raichi nodded once. "Yeah. I took on assassination missions to help pay for my family." She looked down in disappointment in what she has done and worse, sometimes what she still does.
She figured that she should be honest about her past a little as Issei had been honest with her from the moment they became friends. Raichi braced herself for disgust, fear, rejection as she heard the gasp and figured that it was the end of their friendship, but it may impact Issei’s relationship with the others as they knew of her past.
"…Well, shit." Issei breathed out.
Raichi sighed. "Yeah, I'm..."
"I'm screwed." Issei pouted as he was putting things together in his head.
"Huh!?" Raichi was bewildered by his attitude.
"What?" He turned to look at her.
"What do you mean you're screwed!?"
Issei sighed dramatically. "Well, it means that when I face you, I’m done for. However, I still want to face you. At least it will give me an understanding of how far the gap is between us and how far away I am to achieving my dream."
Raichi stared. "But… I was an assassin."
"So?" Issei scoffed without a care. "It's part of you. You can't change it. You embrace it. Honestly, it's kinda cool having a best friend who used to be an assassin. If you still liked killing people, maybe I could've sicced you on Matsuda and Motohama." He laughed. "Actually, nah, that's a bit too dark, but it would be nice to give them a taste of their own medicine."
Raichi's eyes widened. "So you're not..."
"Going to judge you? Nah. I told Akeno‑senpai the same thing. I'm the last person who should judge anyone. I've been judged the majority of my life, remember? Why would I do that to you?" He tapped his chest. "And don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
Raichi scratched her cheek. "Well… actually… you're the last one in the club to know."
"NANI!?"
Raichi burst out laughing. "We all knew each other before coming to Kuoh a couple of years ago. Everyone already knew."
"Oh thank goodness." Issei breathed out a sigh of relief. "Here I was thinking I was a bad best friend for being the last to know your secret."
"It’s all good. And… thanks, Ise. For not judging me."
Issei held out his fist. "It's what best friends do."
She bumped it. "You know that means, right? You've accepted your role."
Issei rolled his eyes as he pulled out his phone to respond to some text messages that he had seen.
"Parents checking in?" Raichi asked.
"Nope. Kiba. He’s watching the tournament and asked if I’m alright. I’m telling him that he should have looked at the other guy."
""Oh?" Raichi blushed and Issei noticed instantly.
His eyes sparkled. "Ohoho~"
"What?"
"You're just like every girl. You've got a crush on Kiba, don't you?"
"Not really." Raichi shrugged as her blush diminished, but being an assassin, she could mask her emotions relatively well.
"I would have said that it’s to be expected if you said yes, since he’s good looking and charismatic."
"It's not about looks. Don't sell yourself short, my dude. You see how many people try to alter themselves to look good? For Kiba, I'd say he's… helpful. And I think he partners with me sometimes because I don't flock to him like the other girls, so I'm not going to be swooning over him as we work on an assignment. He seems more relaxed around me."
"Probably the stress of having so many girls clinging onto him and being drowned in attention, but that’s nice. My tou-san used to tell me that was what he enjoyed the most about coming home to my kaa-san because she gave him that sense of peace."
Raichi smiled softly. "That's nice. But keep in mind... he, like you, reminds me of why I like Kenichi."
"But he has Miu‑senpai."
"Yeah. I kinda had to push her to make a move or I would've. But I think Kenichi was already pursuing her. She was one of the first girls who talked to him."
"I can understand that."
Before they could continue, the intercom called their names.
Issei groaned. "Not Taichi? Seriously?"
However, it meant that Taichi would be his final opponent.
Raichi was facing the friend of the first guy that she faced in the first round. Thanks to the forfeit from earlier, this would be her last fight and her perfect record would still be intact. She could still face Issei as all he had to do was beat his next two opponents, which included Taichi, who was first in Issei's pool because he had a perfect record. Of course, Taichi would have had to face Makoto, but that was not likely.
Issei gingerly stood up and stretched his muscles to know his pain tolerance from his match with Makoto. He took a drink of water, feeling refreshed, and stretched his legs a little. In the stands, Gorou had gotten off the phone with his mother, inquiring about Issei, to which he had assured her that he was alright. Miki was doing the same, but it was for Mizuki, who was indeed watching the tournament from her office in her restaurant.
Issei stepped onto the platform and was contemplating how he would go about this. He considered forfeiting, just so he could get to Taichi faster and also get some reprieve. Of course, forfeiting meant losing the pool as it would be a penalty reduction that was slightly greater than just losing. Even if he beat Taichi afterward, he'd still place second.
Since he had lost that first round to Makoto, he grimaced because that meant that he wouldn't be able to face Raichi. His opponent approached the mat, and they seemed nervous about something.
Up in the stands, Hayato and Saiga were intrigued about what was about to transpire.
"Oh? It seems like we will be getting what we came for." Hayato said as he eyed the other boy.
"It seems so." Saiga nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Miu asked.
"Look at Issei's opponent. He's terrified and nervous." Hayato informed them.
"No surprise. You saw what mini Kenichi did to that other boy." Haruo said as he made his notes.
"He's going to forfeit." Saiga said.
"Are you sure?" Gorou asked.
"Of course. After all, he just saw your son break another boy’s ribs." Hayato told Gorou. 'That final blow was also amplified by his ki. Shigure was smart to stop his attack against Ukita, but this time, it's stronger than before. You really have forced your will on this boy, Mitsurugi.'
"I’m just worried about what his parents may think." Miki sighed.
"You shouldn’t have to think too much. if he follows Taichi, he’s likely a delinquent. however, Issei might have set him straight, so maybe he’ll think otherwise." Ukita said.
"Let's hope so." Saori said as she impatiently tapped her arm, she also checked the standings as Kenichi was still first and undefeated amongst the third years.
As Issei watched his opponent walk up to the referee and speak something to him. He saw the referee look at his opponent as if to ask if he was sure to which Issei saw his opponent nod. The referee blew his whistle and waved his hands and headed over to the other officials, while his opponent walked towards him.
"What's going on?" Issei asked, confused about the whole situation.
The boy approached Issei. "Um… hi. I'm Nakamura Takumi. I don't want to upset you, but… after what you did to that guy, I'd like to be able to kiss my girlfriend when it’s all said and done."
"Huh?" Issei wondered about the boy was trying to say.
"I’m telling you that I forfeited. My girlfriend and I weren’t winning as we’re both third in our respective pools. So I'm cool with letting this one slide." Takumi chuckled.
Issei realized that the girl that Takumi was referring to was one of Raichi’s opponents. "Oh."
"Good luck to you." He shook Issei's hand, gave a bow and then left the mat.
Issei watched him go before he turned and approached the referee, who was speaking to the other officials.
"Excuse me?" Issei asked.
"Yes?" The one that would have been his referee for his match against Takumi asked.
"Since he forfeited… can I just get my final opponent and have my last match?"
All of the officials looked at each other before nodding and the same one answered. "I don’t see why not. Considering how the next people that were supposed to fight. You sent that guy’s opponent to the hospital, and he’s supposed to be your final opponent."
"Thank you." Issei smiled as he headed back to the mat with the referee in tow as a shiver ran through him, anger and excitement mixing.
He scanned the gym, while briefly glancing at Raichi's match. He could see that Raichi used some move that allowed her to strike her opponent in the face and chest with her fist and foot. He turned back towards the gym, while he did some of the others coming forward, he didn't face them.
Unknowingly, Issei was also tapping into his ki to scout for his opponent, or in this case, his target. Trying to get a bead on him and in the process, he saw the others coming to see the match. He briefly glanced at them, but he kept looking for the spiky haircut and then he felt something and looked in that direction. It was there that he saw it, the spiky hair, the annoyed and smug face, and the best part, he was alone.
"TAICHI!" Issei called out.
Taichi turned, irritated. "What!?"
Issei smirked and inhaled and prepared to quote one of his favorite characters from one of his favorite fighting games.
"Get over here!"
His roar echoed across the gymnasium like a battle cry ripped straight from an arcade cabinet.
Taichi froze mid-stride and he had been fully prepared to ignore Issei and just wait things out.
He just glared at Issei until he heard the monotone voice of the announcer called out: "Next match: Hyoudou Issei versus Koga Taichi."
He now knew that he had no choice in the matter and clicked his tongue. There was no escaping it now. He figured that he might as well get some payback, but not for Makoto, but for himself.
Makoto was in the hospital. Tsubashi, his other lackey, had opted to forfeit and dropped out to escort him. It annoyed Taichi because Tsubashi could have at least done some damage to Raichi before he faced her. He was that confident in winning his pool, the only good thing was that Makoto's forfeit benefited him. But overall, his perfect bracket was ruined.
And the one responsible was standing on the mat, glaring at him. Taichi marched forward, sneering at Kenichi's group as he passed. His eyes slid over Renka and Kisara with a disgusting leer.
"When I’m done fucking your boy up, I’ll send you my contact details, sweetheart. You can come to my place, and we can go all night. Don’t worry, Kisara, you can join in, if Ukita ain’t tapping that ass, I will." Taichi snickered as he remembered how he beat Ukita.
Raichi also heard the comments as she had just finished her match as well. She whistled in amusement because she knew that she was going to get a show. Taichi gave a mocking wink to Ukita to rile him up.
Ukita lunged forward, wanting to get out of the stands, but Ikki, Chiaki, and Hibiki grabbed him to hold him back. "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE...!"
Saori wanted to scold him for his language, but Mototsugu stopped her and also Ukita didn't care. Taichi clearly didn't care as he ignored Ukita's threats.
Issei watched Taichi's mouth move, watched the filth spill out and something inside him clicked. 'Just as vulgar as Matsuda, well... at least he is not yelling about raping girls in his head, but then again, he probably thinks about it. Regardless, I only thought about feeling breasts, not so much about sex, just the feeling of breasts. Oh man, I may have been perverted, but I’m still a beginner in the language of sex, fuck.' Issei thought.
His thoughts were interrupted by his senpai, who made it to the railing.
"Issei! I know we didn’t start off on the right but kick his fucking ass! You hear me!"
There was another call from Saori about language, since Honoka was right there, but Ukita didn’t really care. Issei was a bit surprised, but he remembered stories about Taichi from Ikki. He already knew that he didn’t like the guy and he could tell that Ukita didn’t, since this guy had tried to break his arm. Nonetheless, he had expected Ikki or Kisara to tell him something, but not Ukita. He hadn't expected Ukita of all people to yell that.
Issei looked at Ukita, but he didn’t say anything to him, nor did he give a nod of acknowledgement. The look said it all for Ukita, who gave a nod and went back to his seat. As the look that Issei gave him had given him three words of confirmation that Issei was already thinking as well.
'I intend to.'
Issei stepped forward, settling into a modified takusousho stance with his fists were closed. However, Issei still had the capabilities of switching to an open palm if he wanted to.
Taichi scoffed. "You know now I know why your name sounds familiar. You’re friends with my cousin. Motohama."
Issei's eye twitched. 'Guess that explains the resemblance.' Seeing that Taichi's hair was spiked up, rather than down similar to Motohama's.
"You're a pervert like me. Let's call a truce. You're close to that pink‑haired chick... we could double date. I'll go easy on her in the match against the pool winners."
Issei said nothing as the whistle blew to signify the start of the round, but neither of them moved.
Issei had seen glimpses of Taichi's fights in the tournament. From the stories that Ukita and Ikki told him, they were right. When they worked together under Kisara, Ukita was known as The Thrower, Ikki was the Puncher, and Taichi was known as the Kicker. So, he was well aware that Taichi used taekwondo like Kisara or at least a similar style, but he was nowhere near her level. If he was, he wouldn't have been her subordinate and would have been her equal, but he could tell from Kisara's attitude that wasn't the case. However, the legs had more range than the arms, so Taichi had a slight advantage.
Taichi smirked and dashed forward and threw a kick towards Issei’s thigh as this would keep Issei from possibly catching the kick. This kick would make Issei have to dodge. Taichi was slightly familiar with the stance, thanks to his bouts with Kenichi. Issei had shifted to try and lay a hit into Taichi's side, however…
CRACK!
Taichi jumped up and gave a spinning kick to Issei's jaw.
"Guh—!" Issei grunted as his head turned to his left.
"Haha, I’m going to enjoy kicking your ass, as a matter of fact..." Taichi said as he dished out a kick that slammed into Issei's midsection, forcing him back. "I'm gonna beat you like those guys did."
Taichi sent an emphatic kick right into the ribs that were still healing from his match with Makoto.
"Hngh!" Issei's eyes bugged out a little.
Taichi gave him several kicks to his legs, aiming at Issei's hamstrings and knees. A similar strategy to what Makoto had done, but Issei didn't fall down to a knee.
He had to dodge to the side because he knew that if he dodged backwards, he would only get closer to the edge of the circle.
Even worse, Taichi's kicks were faster than Makoto's, but they were about the same strength. Taichi just had more precision, since he had more training in this style.
The smile on Taichi's face did piss Issei off, but it was a kick to Issei's hamstring that caused him to lower his guard. Taichi used that to kick Issei in the face and then behind the knee, making it buckle. Issei dropped down onto a knee.
However, since Makoto had done this before, Issei anticipated the next kick and ducked Taichi's kick. He caught the leg on his other shoulder from where Taichi had aimed for.
"Got you." Issei said as Taichi's eyes widened slightly.
Similar to his match with Hiro, Issei began to lift Taichi up and powerbombed Taichi down onto the mat.
SLAM!
Taichi hit the mat hard, pain shooting up his back.
"Gah—!" Taichi winced as he gritted his teeth.
He opened his eyes to see Issei about to pounce on him, so he quickly rolled out of the way. He heard the smack as Issei’s fist made contact with the mat and gulped, since that is where his head would have been. Issei remained on the offense, so he went to pounce again, forcing Taichi to keep rolling. Due to Issei trying to pounce him, it gave Taichi such little time to try and get up from the mat.
Taichi decided that he was going to take advantage of Issei's over aggressiveness and continued to roll towards the circle. However, Issei had glanced at what he was doing, so he continued to let Taichi think he was in control. When Taichi got closer, he aimed to heave Issei out of bounds with his legs to pick up the first point.
Taichi reached the boundary and smirked, ready to heave Issei out with a leg sweep.
Instead, Issei grabbed his leg and Taichi was frightened as Issei dragged him back to the center of the mat.
"W‑wait...!" As panic seeped into Taichi's voice.
Taichi tried to scramble away, but Issei pounced on him and put him in a chokehold. Taichi struggled in Issei's grasp as Issei knew that he could get a point from submission. Taichi knew that submitting was even more embarrassing than a knockout.
The crowd gasped as Taichi thrashed, humiliated because Issei had him facing the others, which made it worse for Taichi. he knew that they would enjoy seeing him tap out and feel humiliated. He could feel their smirks, even though that was just him hallucinating from lack of air as the others weren’t smirking at all.
Due to him trying to get air, he was imagining their smirks and their laughter. He felt like he could see Kisara's grin. Ukita's satisfaction with his tap out. Kenichi's calm stare. The humiliation that was all in his head, it made Taichi incensed with his own anger as he would not give the satisfaction to those that he betrayed.
In his struggle, Taichi was reaching inside his short sleeve jacket as if searching for something and when he did, he never took his hand out. Instead, Taichi then started making a punching motion. The punches were aimed at Issei's bruising ribs and after a few punches, Issei let go of Taichi as he called out in pain.
"Gah!" Issei cried as he grabbed his ribs, wincing through clenched teeth.
Taichi was coughing violently, trying his breath as he took his hand out of his jacket to clutch his throat as he took deep breaths. Issei was wincing and rubbing his ribs gingerly. He was trying to catch his breath because something wasn't right with those punches.
'That wasn't flesh, that was metal, what the hell?' Issei thought, while in pain.
The others also wondered why Issei had let go of Taichi, but knowing the damage to his ribs, they figured that might have been the case. However, Saiga, Shigure, and Hayato felt that something was up. They knew that Issei was more resilient and that a few punches to the ribs would not have made him let go of his chokehold on Taichi.
WHAM!
As Issei was beginning to get up, his head got whipped to the left due to a vicious kick from Taichi.
"Urgh!"
Next, Taichi stomped on Issei’s right hand next, which made Issei clutch it to his chest. His head got rocked backwards from a kick to the face. Issei's instincts flared as he rolled out of the way from another kick. However, this time, Taichi grabbed him and threw him, making him land on his ribs and his momentum made him roll out of the circle.
FWEEEET!
The whistle blew giving Taichi the first point, while Issei went to the wall to pull himself up.
Issei stretched his right hand to reduce the pain from the stomp that Taichi gave him. He opened his gi and checked where Taichi had hit him, while in the chokehold. Of course, it did show off his physique, so several bystanders got an eyeful of his abs. On his ribs, there were some indentations. Issei knew was not from Taichi’s fist but from something hard.
'I should've known that a delinquent would cheat.' Issei winced but also growled at himself for that negligence on his part as he felt the marks on his ribs and tied his gi again.
He gave a nod to the others to signify that he was alright and stretched his torso, wincing on the pain on his ribs. He stretched his shoulders as well, taking deep breaths as he walked back to the mat. His legs were not bad, and quickly stretched them while giving a nod to the referee. He saw Taichi smirk as he felt that this was over.
'Breathe. Breathe.' Issei took deep breaths, his lungs expanding against his ribs. It made him wince, but he continued to control his breathing.
He went from quick breathing to heavy breaths, his pain tolerance was helping him before he gave the referee a nod.
FWEEEET!
The whistle blew.
Issei began to dodge kicks as Taichi charged at him, he held his ribs on the left side as he did so.
Up in the stands, both Hayato and Saiga could see that Issei needed to adjust and they were amused by how he was adapting. This is what they expected out of training with the ronin.
"Haha!" Hayato laughed. "The boy's going to have to figure out a new pattern in those kicks."
Saiga's eyes narrowed. "Yes… it seems Issei is picking up on it. He'll find the opening soon." As he followed every twitch of Issei's muscles.
Down by the mat, Kenichi leaned forward, whispering under his breath. "That's it… you almost got it."
"Got what?" Raichi asked.
"The timing of Taichi's kicks. Issei’s clearly got more muscle, but Taichi is hiding something." Kisara answered.
"Ah, you're right. Those indents on his ribs weren't from a fist. Taichi didn't have the momentum to be able to damage Ise from that distance." Raichi noted.
"He's tiring out." Renka pointed out.
"As expected. Ise's stamina is leagues above Taichi's. He's sparred with Renka, Kisara, and Ikki." Kenichi sighed. "Other than Raichi, Taichi probably thought that he had this tournament, so he didn't bother training and got lazy."
"Oh yeah. Here comes the kill shot." Kisara snickered as she would get to see Taichi get put down from their training.
The same training that he neglected would be the exact thing that would be his downfall.
True to what they said, Taichi was slightly slowing down and Issei was picking up on his speed, despite his own injuries. He shifted his stance slightly and Taichi expected Issei to go for a body blow.
So Taichi adjusted his stance and used his right leg, aiming to kick Issei on his left side. However, he was wrong about Issei going for a body blow.
Issei struck the oncoming leg of Taichi with his right fist, which caused Taichi to look a little stunned.
CRACK!
The force caused his leg to go straight down, which made him stumble forward.
He didn't have the defense to stop Issei's left fist from driving into his stomach and causing him to cough up some spit.
"Ack—!" Taichi coughed.
Issei sent a palm strike into Taichi's chest, making him stumble backwards and trip over his own feet.
WHAM!
He never had time to process as he received a kick into his jaw. Issei then jumped on the downed delinquent and began to pummel Taichi, who had to cover up his face. Taichi winced as Issei laid down heavy blows to his forearms.
Taichi gave a quick look at the angle that the referee was at and took his chances by giving Issei a crotch shot.
"AH—!" Issei recoiled, clutching the inside of his thigh.
The crowd erupted in outrage, mostly from the MMA club.
"That's illegal!" Ikki yelled.
"Ref, are you blind!?" Ukita also called out.
Those in the audience were furious as the crotch shot was still an illegal hit. Thus Issei should have been given a point for the round, but unfortunately, the referee didn't see it.
Issei rubbed his thigh or at least that is what most people thought he rubbed. Taichi shook off the blows and he went to charge at Issei, who anticipated this as he groaned from the pain in his balls.
Taichi had gotten close, believing that Issei was still recovering from the crotch shot. He did not anticipate Issei flipping him over his shoulder and while in the air, Issei punched him in the jaw.
BAM!
Taichi hit the mat hard and landed in a heap on the mat, dazed by the blow. He felt himself getting grabbed, but he didn't know by whom. A part of him was hoping that it was the referee checking on him, but that was not the case.
It was Issei, on pure adrenaline, showing off his strength, wincing from the pain in his ribs and groin, and threw Taichi out of the circle like a sack of trash.
Taichi groaned again, landing hard, wincing due to his elbow hitting the ground as he grabbed his arm. Issei collapsed down on the ground with a heavy sigh, looking at Taichi, discretely having to massage his groin from the crotch shot.
There were cheers now that it was all evened up as both gained a point, so the winner would be decided in the next round. Issei gingerly got up from the mat and walked around to keep his legs fresh, and began to clench and unclench his fists, flexing his hands. Issei paced slowly, he pumped his fist once, but his expression remained cold as he kept his eyes on Taichi, who glared back at him.
'You're going to be my message to Motohama and Matsuda, if they're watching. You're going to feel everything I wanted to do to them for never helping me. I should have stuck to myself, when I entered middle school, kept my claims of being harem king to myself or rather, I should have focused more on the anime that I liked instead. After all, I did inspire to be like those shounen protagonists at one point in my life.'
"Haha! Not bad." Hayato chuckled.
"Yes… but something is amiss." Saiga narrowed his eyes.
"Indeed." Hayato nodded. "Those indents on his ribs weren't normal."
"He may be hiding weapons on him." Saiga said, which surprised the others and only made them glare at Taichi for his cheating tactics.
Ikki and Ukita should have known that Taichi wouldn't fight fair, they remembered how Taichi had ambushed them in the past. He couldn't do it on his own, so he got some former gang members to assist him and only when Ukita was down, Taichi attacked and broke Ukita's arm then.
"Likely brass knuckles. But Issei will need to put him down to advance." Hayato informed them.
"Correct. However, even if Issei wins the next point, Taichi still has the advantage. He got full points for Makoto's forfeit, whereas Issei lost a round to same opponent. Taichi needs to be disqualified for the weapons that he is hiding." Saiga sighed.
Ikki's jaw dropped. "So you’re saying that even if Ise gets another point, he’ll still lose?"
"That's right. Taichi only lost a point, but he has the tiebreaker for having beaten a common opponent. That opponent being Makoto, even if Issei didn't injure him, I believe that Makoto would have still forfeited to Taichi to give him that advantage." Hayato spoke, while stroking his beard.
"And that bastard is using weapons!" Ukita growled.
"That’s not an issue, Issei can take it." Saiga spoke dismissively.
"What do you mean!?" Miki spoke, annoyed with how the blond man didn't seem to care about her son's safety.
"They should stop the match and search that boy!" Gorou exclaimed.
"Well, look at how calm his teacher is." Hayato spoke as he pointed at Shigure.
All eyes turned to Shigure. She stood perfectly still, arms folded, expression unreadable.
When she trained with Issei, they did use weapons, not live ones, but weapons such as shinai. Considering that she was much faster than Issei, he would have welts from the blow that she dealt. In addition, his training with Mitsurugi and Setsuka, who also beat Issei in his training, he was capable of taking the hits.
The issue was that his left side of his ribs had taken quite the damage from the matches with Makoto and Taichi so far.
Miki and Gorou looked at Shigure, she was very passive, so they weren't sure if she cared. Considering that when Issei won a match or lost a round, she made no response, but that wasn't the case.
When Issei lost the round to Makoto, Shigure did frown and when he won, she would have a sigh of relief.
Miki and Gorou decided to take Hayato's word, they had a feeling that he knew what he was talking about. Their sentiments were mirrored by the others, who looked at Shigure, who noticed the stares on her as she turned to them.
"…What?" Shigure asked as she blinked in confusion.
"Nothing!" Everyone except Hayato and Saiga snapped their heads back to the match.
Shigure was just confused by their reaction and began to wonder if there was something wrong on her and began to inspect herself to see if anything was out of place.
Taichi gritted his teeth as his perfect record was now ruined because he lost the point. He also knew that Issei would be more aware of the boundaries, so he could not drive towards a boundary.
He had no choice but to put Issei down for the count. However, he did know that he had the point advantage, since Issei lost a round to Makoto. So he could have walked into the circle, let the round begin and walk out as he would still advance. As he knew of the advantage that he had against Issei.
His pride, on the other hand, would not let Issei walk away that easily.
Unfortunately for him, Issei's expression made it clear on his intentions. Issei would not be letting Taichi walk away either. Taichi looked back and watched as Issei was pacing, he saw that cold look on Issei's face. He had full intention of putting Issei face down on the mat.
He looked at the others, who blankly stared at him, he just sneered at them. The exception was that Mizunuma had left for his own match.
"Got nothing to say?" Taichi snorted at them.
"There's no need to." Kenichi shook his head.
"Just get your ass back in the circle, so Ise can put you down!" Kisara retorted back.
"We'll see about that." Taichi growled, he did not like how they were condemning him.
"Well, aren't you arrogant." Renka scoffed.
"Haha, babe, you don't know a thing about me. But maybe you will… in the sack."
Renka folded her arms, chin raised with confidence. "Sorry, but Ise has a better chance than you. And yes, we know about his perversion in our school. We've already fixed that."
"Oh yeah! And he's also less of a douchebag, can't say the same for you." Raichi added in.
Taichi clicked his tongue. "When I win this and then beat you, I might be getting a two for one special."
He was incensed in seeing the Chinese women crumble before him and he would take great pleasure in breaking their psyche. He might even call up some former gang members to have some fun with them as well. Of course, he would offer them at a price and goes to show how low that he had fallen.
"Whatever you say." Raichi rolled her eyes and chuckled.
Taichi smirked, misinterpreting her chuckle, he knew that he had the brass knuckles, but he didn't know that they were aware of it. They just didn't say anything as it didn't matter, whatever damage that he did to Issei, he was still going to lose.
For Taichi, despite having been under Kisara's teaching before, he never unlocked his ki. Whereas Issei's ki was slowly building because he was still reigning in his anger. The MMA club also knew about Issei's pain tolerance as he has faced fighters better than Taichi and while he still lost, he was learning. Taichi only faced thugs with street smarts, against a fighter like Kenichi, he lost.
Taichi shrugged them as he got up and stretched his muscles, he wiped his mouth and noticed that he was bleeding a little. If Issei was going to make him bleed, then he was going to do the same. He looked down at his feet with a brief glance and smirked.
Taichi walked into the ring and kept that smirk as he and Issei faced each other. Taichi gave a nod to the referee, who looked between the both of them, gave them a nod and blew the whistle.
FWEEEET!
Both Taichi and Issei charged towards each other as both had the intention to finish this. Issei went with palm strikes and punches, while Taichi went with his kicks.
Feet slammed against forearms. Fists clashed against shins.
They were going back and forth as they were both losing stamina. Issei was thankful that Taichi had stopped to talk to the others as it had given him more recovery time. Issei was using his palm strikes to deflect Taichi's kick. They had become evenly matched for the most part, but something about Taichi's smirk did not settle with Issei.
The group watching them cheered as the two second‑years fought like seasoned competitors.
The thing about Issei was that his instincts never failed him and he was right as when he dodged one of Taichi's kicks, there was a cut on his gi. Looking down, he had seen the tear on his right side.
However, he did not really have time to inspect it, but he did wince. The cut slowed Issei down, but only a few people had been able to see it. In Taichi's shoes, there were small retractable blades and not only did it cut Issei's gi, but it also cut Issei, who winced, feeling the cut.
Unfortunately, Issei's gi was black, so no one could really see the blood that was dripping from the cut. Issei did not feel it as much because he was on adrenaline, in addition to his pain tolerance and because he didn't see the blade, he could not fully process it.
Taichi took advantage of those winces to put Issei on the defense, but that was becoming an issue. As getting close to Issei meant that Taichi could not use his legs so well.
This was proven true as Issei caught his leg and thanks to his low stance, he headbutted Taichi in the stomach.
"Oomph!" Taichi grunted from the blow.
It was such an unorthodox move that Mitsurugi would have likely laughed if he was watching because it was something that he did to Issei, when he didn't expect it in their own spars.
Issei used the momentum to tackle Taichi to the mat and the impact toppled him. Issei took that chance to get on top and began raining his fists down on Taichi's face. Taichi tried to defend himself as his lip was bleeding again and one of Issei's fists got him in the eye, causing it to start swelling.
Taichi decided to go for the crotch shot again, but Issei deflected it as he learned from the last round. Seeing that it did not work, Taichi reached into his jacket pocket with the brass knuckles and punched Issei in the gut where his cut was.
"Agh!" Issei staggered back, breath catching.
Taichi smirked but to Taichi's dismay, Issei recovered and stomped on the jacket-covered hand. Even worse, Taichi hadn't let go of the brass knuckles, so when Issei stomped the hand, he stomped the knuckles into Taichi's hand.
"A‑agh!" Taichi screamed.
Issei stomped the hand three times before Taichi was able to roll away from the onslaught. The brass knuckles in his pocket had crushed some fingers on Taichi's hand as he moaned in pain.
Issei did not let up and kicked Taichi hard in the ribs, which sent him near the edge of the circle. Taichi groaned in pain from that kick and looked at where he was at. He considered that some relief as he could still advance, if he were to retreat. He knew the advantage was in favor and was about to turn out and fight another match.
Sadly, Issei grabbed him and dragged him back to center, who continued to beat down Taichi. Some began to notice the blood on Taichi's jacket, but it was not his blood, but rather Issei's from the cut on his gi. The referee saw this and went to pull Issei off of Taichi.
However, when the referee intervened, Taichi removed his hand from his jacket to see that some of his fingers were bent awkwardly. He did not see the referee and saw red, so when the referee came to check up on him after keeping Issei at bay. He used his good hand to his benefit and shoved the referee off and into Issei.
With Issei distracted from trying to catch the referee, Taichi advanced on Issei and gave a spinning roundhouse kick to Issei. Issei had to move the referee away and barely leaned back to dodge the kick heading his way.
Unfortunately, Taichi still had tricks up his sleeve by unsheathing a small blade at the tip of his shoe. The blade clipped Issei which gave him a cut to the side of his head.
It was located on the corner of his left eyebrow and was about three inches in length and it was bleeding profusely.
The referee was trying to get his bearings as was Issei, so he could not defend from the next kick that gave Issei another cut on his right side. Issei winced as he went to grab his side, but Taichi was on the offense. Seeing the referee focus back on the match, Taichi put the blade away in his shoe and kicked Issei in the gut and elbowed Issei right on the cut on his head.
"Ah!" Issei dropped to a knee.
"You know what? I could have tolerated you kicking my cousin's butt, but after you cut me…" Taichi wiped the blood from his lip. "I figured that I should do the same."
Taichi moved at an angle where the referee wouldn't see him pull out the brass knuckles from his jacket pocket. When the referee went to check on Issei, Taichi pushed him again and punched Issei in the face, cutting his cheek and putting the knuckles away before the referee saw them.
"You cheating fuck! I'm going to kick your ass!" Kisara roared as she was about to interfere with the match, but was stopped by Kenichi.
"Kisara! Don't! A master doesn't interfere in their disciple's matches!" Kenichi reminded her as he had learned this lesson, coincidentally, when he first encountered Taichi's gang.
"Oh, bullshit!" Renka countered back, but was restrained by Tanimoto, who kept his eyes on the match.
Raichi, however, was humming to herself and watched calmly. "He's fine."
"Huh!?" Kisara and Renka looked at their kohai as if she grew a second head.
"Look at him. He's running on adrenaline. He doesn't even realize he's bleeding." Raichi pointed at Issei.
When they looked back, it was true, Issei was glaring at Taichi, it never occurred to him that half of his face was red from the blood. His gaze was unwavering, not even blinking as his blood dripped on the mat.
His parents were wondering why they didn't stop the match, while Kenichi's parents were trying to calm them down. Hayato simply looked at them, while Saiga smiled as he watched the match that was transpiring.
Hayato simply smiled. "It's over."
"Your boy truly lives up to his surname." Saiga mused in interest.
"Huh?" Gorou and Miki snapped out of their panic to look at Saiga about what he meant.
The other third years were confused, but they could sense that Issei's ki had slightly manifested.
The referee raised his whistle to stop the match, but Issei barked at him.
"I'm fine! Don't you dare stop this match! Don't you take this from me!"
Taichi scoffed. "Yeah, right" He kicked Issei in the ribs again.
Issei grunted from the pain but turned back with a glare that made Taichi's confidence slightly waver.
Taichi scoffed and kicked Issei again, this time in the head, which made a small blood spatter, but Issei turned back.
"What the?" Taichi shook his head and kicked Issei again in the ribs, which made him slightly wince, but maintained his glare.
"I said that I would kick your ass. That's a promise that I intend to keep." Issei growled at his opponent, feeling the taste of his own blood in his mouth.
Taichi's confidence continues to crack. "Fuck you!" He went for another kick, but Issei caught it. "What the fuck! What the fuck are you!?"
Issei's grip tightened. "Right now? I'm your worst nightmare."
He yanked Taichi forward and drove an uppercut straight into his jaw.
"Argh!" Taichi's jaw snapped shut with a sharp grunt as Issei's uppercut connected.
The delinquent staggered, teeth clacking together, vision rattling.
Issei pushed his kneeling body to stand himself back up, towering over Taichi as he straightened himself. When Taichi turned towards Issei, he was met by Issei's fist.
He couldn't really slump over as Issei held him upright by his collar, before he let go, letting Taichi stagger forward. It made Taichi look like a bumbling drunk, but he composed himself.
Taichi tried to swat Issei away with his uninjured hand, but Issei grabbed and stomped on his bad hand again.
"AAAHHH!!!!! Whoa..." Issei didn't stop as he hoisted Taichi up and dropped him onto his shoulder. "Ah!"
Taichi winced from the impact, but to his shock, Issei lifted him again and slammed down on the same shoulder. The impact shook the mat.
"Shit!" Taichi gasped, feeling something up with his shoulder.
Then a sudden stomp to Taichi's ankle forced him to curl inward.
"D‑damn it—!" Groaning from the pain on his ankle.
That was only a diversion as while it made Taichi focus on his ankle, Issei lifted him back up and slam on his shoulder again. Due to his injuries, Issei's breath was ragged as he was huffing and puffing. The strain of lifting Taichi up three times was making his body tremble.
The referee hesitated and wanted to call the match, he even raised the whistle halfway. However, he was frightened by Issei’s glare and afraid that Issei would turn on him. Taichi saw the referee's hesitation and took his chance to get away, since Issei had switched his focus. However, when he did, Issei turned his focus back to him and viciously stomped on the ankle that he had stomped before.
"AAhmmph!" Taichi's cry was muffled as Issei covered his mouth and rolled him over.
"I'm not done with you. I think… I'm going to enjoy this."
Issei turned Taichi over onto his back and Taichi felt fear again, the same fear that he had from when he had lost to Kenichi in the past. The fear of feeling pain, when he never cared about the physical pain that he had dished onto others. A tear escaped his eye as he watched Issei's fist come down on him in slow motion.
Issei began striking down with control, he was focused and each blow fueled by everything he'd held back. A faint shimmer of ki flickered around his fists every now and then, unnoticed by Issei but seen by the masters watching.
The referee blew the whistle repeatedly, trying to intervene, when he saw that Issei's fist and Taichi's face had been bloodied. Issei shoved him aside without looking, he didn't want to be interfered in releasing his wrath.
Kenichi and Tanimoto rushed in, sensing something dark in Issei's ki and grabbed Issei by the arms and pulled him back. Issei, in his struggle, still managed one last kick, which caused Taichi's head to whip to the side and a bloody tooth fell out.
Kenichi and Tanimoto had managed to pull Issei away from the mat and pinned him against the wall.
Taichi slumped on the mat, unconscious with a bloodied face and a missing tooth, his blood was dribbling out of his mouth.
"Check his gear!" Kisara shouted, pointing at Taichi.
The referee, shaken, finally snapped out of it. He was going to disqualify Issei for excessive violence, but it was Renka yelling at him to do as Kisara said.
"Do it!" Renka said, seeing the referee's hesitation, while she looked over at Issei, who was glaring at Taichi's fallen body.
This snapped the referee out of his stupor and he searched Taichi's jacket and froze.
Two metal objects clattered, one fell into his hand and the other fell to his mat.
"Brass knuckles… in both pockets…" The referee noted.
Kisara went and ripped Taichi’s shoes off and she began to inspect them. In the process, she nearly cut herself as the small blade popped out. The referee's face paled as he had seen the blade and knew that she did not plant them in Taichi’s shoes, given how she reacted and knew he was going to take them from here.
"May I see those?" The referee asked her as he picked up the other brass knuckle.
"Why?" Kisara retorted.
"I need to confiscate them, along with these." The referee showed her the brass knuckles that he had picked up.
He also signaled for the medical team to come and assist with Taichi's body, since he was unconscious.
"Who’s the winner of the match?" Renka asked, while Kisara handed over the shoes.
"Under normal circumstances, this would be a no‑contest due to excessive force."
"WHAT!?" Kisara and Renka exclaimed.
"The contestant, Hyoudou Issei, was beating him unconscious..."
"And he did so for good reason, besides your pussy ass just stood there anyways!" Kisara shouted at the referee, who blushed in embarrassment at being afraid of a teenager.
"Yes, I'm aware of my own negligence. As I said, this would have been a no-contest. However, using concealed weapons results in immediate disqualification. Therefore, Koga Taichi is disqualified. Considering that there's the possibility that he has been using these from the start. All his points are rescinded. I'll have to put a notice out because this and there will likely be a ban issued."
Renka's eyes widened. "So that means..."
"Hyoudou Issei is the winner of this match and the winner of Pool B." The referee announced. "But I doubt he can continue."
The girls turned toward Issei and their breath caught.
Kenichi and Tanimoto held him upright against the wall. However, it wasn't to restrain him, but rather to support him. The fire in his eyes had vanished, replaced by exhaustion. The "beast" that awakened had returned to its slumber. All that was left was a wounded soldier with blood streaking his face and side, his breathing shallow.
His parents rushed down from the stands, panic in their voices. Elize and Yu‑Mi followed close behind.
"Move! Out of the way! Let me through!" Elize pushed forward, getting to Issei, before a part of the medical team that was attending to Taichi could.
"Who are you to tell me..." Miki spoke, getting annoyed at not being able to get to her son.
"She's the school nurse, Hyoudou-san!" Ikki told the worried mother, recognizing the green hair that moved past him.
"Please… help him." Gorou requested, moving out of her way, but also holding Miki out of the way.
Elize knelt beside Issei, already pulling out supplies. "Told you this would be useful." Giving Yu-Mi a brief glance. "Does anyone have a bottle of water?"
"I'm on it!" Raichi said, already heading to get some.
"Elize… nee?" Issei breathed out shallow, thinking that he was hallucinating her being there.
"Hey, kiddo. You did good. Definitely kicked his ass. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm going to need you to open your mouth." Elize requested as she put on a glove and Issei obeyed weakly, while she removed his mouthguard and set it aside. "Good thing, you had this."
Raichi sprinted over with a water bottle. "Here you go!"
"Thanks." Elize used the water to clean the cut on his brow and winced as she looked at the cut but also noticed the blood on his midsection as well and sighed, "Ooh, not good."
"What is it?" Miki asked.
"He’s definitely going to need stitches." Elize assessed.
"Stitches!?" Miki exclaimed as she looked like she was about to faint.
"You should open up his gi and check his side. He was cut there as well." Hayato pointed out.
"Oh, right, don't want to forget about that." Elize opened his gi and found the slashes. "Definitely explains how his suit got ripped."
"He's definitely going to need a hospital." Yu-Mi informed them.
"Or…" Elize pointed out as she placed some gauze on the cut near Issei's eye.
"Elize." Yu-Mi growled, kind of annoyed at Elize's laid back attitude.
"What? I mean I could stitch him up myself. I just don't have the supplies here on me."
"Akisame may have returned. He can treat him." Saiga said.
"Who's that?" Gorou asked.
"He's… a doctor friend. I took… Issei there before." Shigure answered.
"We can direct you there, if you like." Miu told the Hyoudou.
"That would be nice, thank you." Gorou said as Saori assisted with Miki, so he helped Issei stand. "Come on, son."
"Wait… did I win…?" Issei asked.
"Yeah, it looks like it." Kisara said, coming over with Renka after speaking with the referee.
"The ref almost called it a no‑contest, since Ise used excessive violence. However, due to Taichi's weapons, he should have been disqualified from the start. Ref's going to speak with the officials about issuing a ban on Taichi as well." Renka told them.
Issei exhaled, relieved and finally allowed himself to lean on his father.
Ikki looked on, eyes wide. "So Ise is the winner?"
Renka nodded, arms crossed. "That's what the referee is going to report."
Issei perked up despite the blood drying on his face. "So that means… I can face Raichi now."
Three voices answered instantly. "You forfeit." Elize, Yu-Mi, and Shigure said, shutting down his ambitions.
"Huh!?" Issei was gobsmacked by the response of what he would consider his big sisters in different ways.
Elize pointed at him with the exasperation of an older sibling and the authority of a medic. "Look at yourself, kiddo."
"With the cuts you have, you’re just going to bleed all over again." Yu-Mi told him.
Issei turned to Shigure, desperate. "But I can take it, right, Shigure‑sensei?"
Shigure said nothing and simply stepped forward and pressed a finger gently into the wound on his side.
"GAAAH!" Issei cried out in pain.
Shigure sighed. "Does that… answer your question?"
Issei winced, clutching his side. "But… this is my chance. I need to know how far the gap is between us."
Miki stepped in, voice trembling. "Ise, sweetheart… please don't hurt yourself more. I know you want to be a strong warrior and prove yourself, but not like this."
Gorou placed a steady hand on his son's shoulder. "Your mother is right, son. Let’s get you healed up first and then you can get back out there and fight again."
Kenichi smiled gently. "Yeah, Ise. Recover up and we’ll see you at the dojo, okay?"
Issei lowered his head, frustration simmering.
Kisara clapped him on the back gently, for once. "Hey, don’t be so down on yourself. Chin up. You made us proud."
Ikki grinned. "That’s right! You didn’t get last place and held up your end of the bargain."
Renka added. "In terms of ranking and points, you would be fourth. There was another in Raichi’s pool that had more points than you. The excessive violence deducted you as well, but with Taichi’s disqualification, you’re likely to place third."
Issei blinked. "Oh... top three?"
"I think you're going to get deducted on the excessive violence." Renka reminded him. "If they take that into account, so not quite, but top five isn't that bad, right?"
Ukita gave him a thumbs‑up. "Not too bad for your first showing, man, and way to use those judo moves."
"Thanks…" Issei breathed out.
A deep, booming laugh echoed. "Well done, young man. I hope to see more of you."
Issei blinked at the towering figure. "Um… who are you? Wait... Are you Miu‑senpai's uncle?"
Miu shook her head. "Actually, he's my grandfather."
"Oh… OH! Ah!" Issei jerked in surprise, immediately regretting it as pain shot through his ribs.
"Easy, kiddo. You’re not out of the woods yet." Elize warned him.
Kenichi waved as he backed away. "We’ll see you on Monday, Ise."
Honoka beamed. "Way to kick his butt, aniki!"
"Why am I called that again…?" Issei processed as he was sure that Honoka explained it to him.
Saori quickly covered Honoka's mouth. "Don't worry about it."
Tanimoto crossed his arms. "He should be checked for a concussion." Knowing of the impact that Issei must have faced with Taichi's kicks to his head.
"That would be wise. Alright, come on, you big lug." Elize nodded.
As she and Gorou helped Issei toward the exit, Miki followed behind them and Yu-Mi went to pack Issei’s things with Raichi and Shigure’s help. Miu and Saiga were going to follow, but Yu-Mi stopped them.
"We’ll take him to our apartment, Elize has the supplies there to numb him and stitch him up. She has medical expertise, so there won’t be a need for the hospital." Deciding to agree with Elize's decision of her stitching him up because she knew that Elize could do it.
Saiga raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?"
"Absolutely. She could've been a doctor if she wanted to." However, Yu-Mi was thinking. 'Well, she was one for West Genetics, but something tells me that they shouldn't know about that.'
Miu hesitated. "But… shouldn't..." Saiga held up his hand to stop her from talking as he looked warily at the Korean woman, which she also noticed, but averted the discussion.
"Stay and enjoy the rest of the tournament. I see that you are recording it?" Yu-Mi asked.
"Yes…" Miu nodded.
"If you recorded any of Issei’s matches, I’m sure he would like them and also be able to see the rest of his seniors' fights. Plus you should support your boyfriend." Yu-Mi reasoned.
Miu flushed. "I…"
"I might have said that a little out of context because it sounded like you were ditching your boyfriend for another man, sorry." Yu-Mi chuckled. "I understand that you want to be a better friend and senpai to him. That's good."
"Yeah, I was a pretty harsh critic of him." Miu nodded.
"And you had every right to be. I'm sure that he would tell you the same. Elize and I have been working on him and reflecting on his actions of his peeping." Yu-Mi understood the female resentment towards Issei.
Miu exhaled softly. "He really is a good guy… once you get past the perversion. He actually does remind me of Kenichi. I know that Kenichi has his perversion, he doesn't show it as much as Issei does, but I know about them. I also spent lunch with Issei before, and he was right about his assessment of me. I just hope that I can be a good senpai for him and guide him."
"Well said. Besides, Ise would feel guilty if you left because of him. Elize and I only came for Ise and since he's done, we can go. So stay and cheer for Kenichi."
"Will do, but if I may ask, what is your relationship to him?" Miu asked.
"I tutor him, check his work, when he stops by Elize's office during lunch and coach him up. Similar to your black haired friend over there…" Yu-Mi nodded towards Shigure. "He sees us as older sisters like he does with his club mates, siblings, who are there to correct him from his ways and allow him to grow to be a better person."
"That makes sense." Miu nodded.
"You have safe travels getting back to Kuoh." Saiga said.
"Thank you." Yu-Mi said as the two blondes headed back to their seats and she turned to leave.
Miu and Saiga nodded and returned to their seats, alongside Shigure, who was sure that Issei was in good hands.
Yu‑Mi caught up with the Hyoudou family and Elize.
"What took so long?" Elize asked.
"We're taking Ise to our apartment. You can stitch him up there." Yu-Mi told her as Elize's lit up.
"Are you sure?" Gorou asked.
"Yes. And it'll save you a fortune." Elize answered. "I could have been a doctor, you know."
"You ride with the Hyoudou. I'll bring our car." Yu-Mi told Elize and turned to Miki. "Where did you park?"
"Over there." Miki pointed.
"We’re parked near the exit." Yu-Mi informed them, but she was grateful that they chose to drive rather than take the train.
"Then you can ride with us and we can drop you off at your car." Gorou said.
"Very well." Yu-Mi agreed.
The group moved quickly, guiding Issei towards the car that Hyoudou came with. He didn't say anything as he was battered and tired. He didn't feel victorious, not even on the chance of winning his pool.
Elize was supporting Issei as he leaned heavily against her.
"He needs to lie down. He's running on fumes." Elize told them, feeling that Issei was going to pass out soon.
"Our car has three rows. He can stretch out." Miki told her as she began opening the doors to arrange the seats for her son to lay down.
"Allow me to assist you." Yu-Mi said as she began to help move things around to clear up space.
"Thank you." Miki said as she stepped aside for Gorou and Elize to help Issei get inside.
Miki checked her phone and saw that she had two new messages.
Saori: "Please update us when you reach the destination. We're worried."
Mizuki: "Issei-kun… is he alright? His face looked terrible on camera."
Miki sighed softly. Of course, Mizuki would be panicking as she treated Issei like her own son. So Miki understood her worry, being a mother and seeing your child like that and being unable to do anything. She knew the feeling, since she had to witness it in person.
In addition, Gorou’s phone was buzzing nonstop and Miki knew that was likely Hotaru questioning Issei’s condition as well.
"Hotaru-obaa-chan again?" Miki asked her husband, already knowing that it was her mother-in-law.
"Five missed calls and counting. She's worried sick." Gorou sighed, making sure that the ladies and his son were seated before he got in the driver's seat.
Miki exhaled as she knew that she would be doing a lot of reassurance on the way to the apartment to ease several maternal minds.
As they began driving towards Elize and Yu-Mi's vehicle, an ambulance pulled up to the venue and believing that the officials called for it. The Hyoudou parents exchanged a look, along with Yu-Mi. Elize was too focused on checking on Issei's condition to really care about it.
"That must be for the boy Ise fought." Gorou said.
"Considering he used weapons… I can't say I feel too sorry for him." Miki sighed.
They both looked at their son, who was injured, but alive and being tended to by Elize to make sure that he didn't bleed over the seats. When they reached the two women's car, Yu-Mi got out, so she could direct them to their place.
"Thank goodness he's okay. It could've been so much worse." Miki said as Gorou nodded.
He made a mental note to speak with Mototsugu about if this is what he had to deal with from Kenichi fighting.
At the Gremory summer mansion, Akeno and Yuuto continued to watch the broadcast of the second‑year matches, however, it wasn't just the second year, they also looked at the others from the MMA club. After all, they still supported those that went to their school, so whenever Raichi and Issei were not fighting, they changed to either Kenichi, Renka, or Kisara. They were intrigued by the blonde teenager that was usually near them.
Akeno licked her lips thoughtfully. "He really does endure pain well…" After they finished watching Issei's match with Taichi.
Yuuto nodded. "And he protects the people he cares about. That's valuable."
However, what they did not know was that Rias was also watching the broadcast after she spotted them watching it and she surprised them, by opening the door to open behind them.
"He could be a valuable rook." Rias spoke as she had been watching the broadcast as well.
While she didn't have time to gather more pieces to take on Riser, she still wanted to achieve her dream. So she also looked at those that were from the MMA club, she noted about Akeno's information about them avoiding both her and the student council. She knew that Sona was also scouting, but in actuality, Sona was working on the issue of Kokabiel that had come to Kuoh.
Meanwhile, Yuuto and Akeno were surprised by Rias' appearance.
"Buchou…" Yuuto said as he stood up.
"You were watching too?" Akeno asked.
Rias crossed her arms. "He's strong. Rough, but strong. And he didn't embarrass the school. I'm sure that Sona is relieved about that."
While Yuuto and Akeno didn't show it, they didn't like the tone that she had used about Issei. When she said how he didn't embarrass the school, it was rather condescending. Of course, they knew that it was also the stress of facing Riser. They also understood that Rias was prideful of the school's image. While they wouldn't have minded Issei in the peerage, they were having doubts, not about him, but how the rest of them would treat him.
"Well, I'm sorry that I failed in recruiting him, so we will have to do this rating game without him." Akeno bowed.
"No need to apologize, Akeno. We get through tonight, then we may still have a chance." Rias assured her queen.
Takeshi entered behind her, arms folded. "So he can fight, huh? I gotta say, not bad."
"Yes." Yuuto nodded. "And I'd like to test his swordsmanship someday."
Rias tapped her chin. "A swordsman with value as a rook and a close‑combat fighter with potential as a knight. Interesting. Let's not forget that he is capable of ki, which by the way, I'm sure that is what Renka Ma used in her match. I don't think that was magic to force her opponent out."
"It's very rare for humans to unlock their ki, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire MMA club was capable of it. Maybe that is why they're wary of us." Akeno said.
"Indeed. Likely from whoever is training him." Rias nodded. "However, that is another matter that we can worry about later."
Takeshi waved a hand dismissively. "She's right. We have a rating game in a few hours and I don’t intend to lose, not to that yaki… sorry, but that bastard and we won't lose tonight."
"He's correct, but still, it was a decent showing." Rias said.
She gave a nod and left with Takeshi to finalize their strategy, while Akeno and Yuuto couldn't help but smile, since Takeshi had restrained himself from calling Riser by the nickname given to him by Issei.
Yuuto sat back down and leaned back. "You know… I heard Issei is a good cook."
Akeno perked up. "Ara~? Really?"
"That pink haired girl in my class, Raichi. Pink hair, hard to miss. She says he cooks lunch for her sometimes. I guess that is who he chooses to spend his lunch."
"Seems so and no, but they hung out with each other during lunch. I worked with her on a few class assignments. It's such a relief to work with someone that doesn't fawn over you. She always looks forward to lunch made by him. I think she doesn't come to school with lunch, unless she knows that he won't be there like this past week, that's what Kusaka-san says." Yuuto chuckled as he knew that Akeno didn't sound jealous on the matter, almost like she knew something, but he wasn't going to pry.
"Hmm, I wonder…" Akeno spotted blonde hair in the hallway. "Asia-chan!"
Asia blinked. "Yes, Akeno-san?"
"You're in Issei's class, right? What do you think of him?"
Asia tilted her head. "People call him a pervert… but I have never seen him really do anything as such. He usually sits there and looks out the window, he seems to take notes as he answers when the teacher calls on him."
Yuuto smiled faintly. "He really is trying to change. It will be a good sign."
Akeno leaned in. "Asia-chan, could you do me a favor?"
"Um… yes? What is it?" The former nun asked.
"When we get back to school, could you trade lunches with Issei."
"Erm, okay, but why?" Asia found the request strange and she was sure that Issei would if she asked him.
Yuuto raised his hand. "That is my fault, Asia-san. I had told her that I was informed that Hyoudou-kun was a decent cook and that a classmate of mine enjoys his food, so I am guessing that Akeno-san would like to try his cooking herself."
Asia looked at Akeno's pleading smile and melted instantly. She could practically feel Akeno begging her to do this and due to her nice nature, she felt the need to comply.
"O‑Okay… I suppose I can ask him."
"Wonderful~! Now come, we need to review spells before the rating game. Think of this as repayment for your services." Akeno practically dragged Asia away.
Yuuto chuckled until a quiet voice spoke behind him.
"I don’t get why you two seem to tolerate him."
Yuuto jumped. "Koneko-chan! I didn’t see you there."
"I came when Akeno was begging Asia. I heard everything. Of course, with her kinks I think I can understand why."
Yuuto shrugged. "Everyone has perversions. Even me."
Koneko blinked. "You?"
"There are girls who can be quite bold and press against me all the time asking for dates. And sometimes, I may have looked at their cleavages. Although they were accidental as I was looking at their lips and they would be right there underneath."
Koneko choked on air. "I… see."
"Don't act like you don't have your own… moments. I'm sure they manifest when you go into heat, considering that…"
Koneko turned red and stormed out.
Yuuto chuckled to himself as she left. Koneko couldn't deny that he was wrong as it did also prove Issei was right. Everyone had their perversion, the exception of this case seemed to be Asia, who was innocent in practically everything.
It also made Koneko wonder about the kendo club and if they had a secret fetish about being peeped on considering how they never fixed that hole that led to their changing room and beat up on the perverted trio to be scapegoats and used as a means to hide their secret.
"Issei really did open some eyes today." Yuuto sighed.
He did hear Koneko grumble something about going off to train before she left the room, knowing that she had nothing else to say about his claim. Yuuto maintained his smile as he felt like Issei had opened some of their eyes about themselves a little.
It was understandable as he could tell that Issei was fed up with being judged, only because he was more vocal about his perversions. He was sure that there were other guys in the school that fantasized and possibly jerked off to either Rias or Akeno, but they kept their dirty thoughts to themselves. Or they would gossip about it in class.
He could see how Issei felt that the school was rather hypocritical; he hoped he could talk with Issei more about his other thoughts.
However, he could not do anything at the moment, so he pulled out his phone and typed a message to the brunette.
"Are you okay? That looked rough."
Yuuto consideredthe blood that Issei had spilled on that mat between him and his opponent and hoped Issei would see the message soon.
In an abandoned factory that was away from Kuoh, Yuuma's boots clicked against the concrete as she entered the dim warehouse. She knew that this is where Freed had instructed her to come here and meet his employer. Of course, she already knew that it was Kokabiel and she just needed to know what his plans for war were.
She was now wearing a tight black biker suit with shoulder and thigh plating.
Looking around, she saw no one, but she sensed bloodlust and lust in general as she heard a whistle.
"Damn, you're lookin' good. Did your chest get bigger?" Freed said as he made an obscene gesture in grabbing at his crotch.
Yuuma rolled her eyes. "Fallen angel women tend to be well‑endowed. It's our lustful bodies that can make a human like you fall for our whims." She snorted. "Of course, there are exceptions like Mittelt, but you know that there are those that fancy little girls or her body type, which the Japanese call 'lolis' or even if a girl's body is matured, if she's still young, she would be sexualized and lusted after by those older than her, regardless of her age, typical sexual predators, almost as bad as you."
Freed cackled, not caring for her insults as he rested a strange sword on his shoulder. It radiated holy energy, but it was twisted and corrupted.
"You got a new toy?" Yuuma asked with a chuckle.
"Like it?" He smirked.
"Considering the holy power coming from it, It's rather tempting… but since you're holding it, it feels rotten." Yuuma returned a sinister smile back at him.
"Still the same bitch, even under a devil's leash. You waiting for a chance to kill her?" Freed cackled.
"Are you sure that your employer can help me?"
A deep voice echoed from above. "That is correct."
Yuuma looked up to see a fallen angel with five pairs of wings, a cadre, he had red eyes with slick black hair and pointy ears.
Yuuma immediately dropped to one knee. "Kokabiel-sama." Bowing her head, while he came down from the rafters of the warehouse.
"My, my… Raynare. Is it true you've been bound to a devil's peerage?"
"Unfortunately, yes. By Azazel's orders, as compensation for my… actions." She looked up at him.
Kokabiel smiled darkly and the air grew colder.
Kokabiel's grin widened, sharp and amused. "And what exactly was your crime?"
Yuuma bowed her head again, voice steady. "I eliminated humans with Sacred Gears. Those who could oppose us. I acted for the good of our faction."
Kokabiel laughed, loud and cruel. "And Azazel punished you for that? Hah! Foolish as ever, just like during the war. Tell me, Raynare… how did you escape your mistress?"
Yuuma smirked. "I should be grateful that the Sitri clan is resourceful. Some perverts wanted a piece, but I wasn’t going to give them any, which got me suspended. It only made it easier to meet up with Freed, but also to find some books that could block the signal of my reincarnated pieces. It was a technique that was actually used against me. When Freed gave me the out that I was looking for, I could not pass up on the opportunity. Knowing that you are his employer makes all that much better."
"Good." Kokabiel nodded, satisfied with her answer and never realizing she was lying through her teeth.
Thanks to Vali reporting on Freed's whereabouts, it made it easier for her to enact her plan and with Sona and Serafall's help, they had arranged a meeting to have Ajuka, the Maou Beelzebub and creator of the evil pieces, block her own and utilize a seal that would work as a decoy. So whatever Freed had reported to Kokabiel, it would corroborate with what she said.
"If I may ask, why give Freed a holy weapon? Aren't you preparing for war with the devils?"
"Oh, we are. And that weapon..." Kokabiel gestured lazily toward Freed. "Is Excalibur. Or at least, part of it."
Yuuma's eyes widened. "Excalibur!? Then the Church..."
"Will be involved. Correct, we are starting the holy war again. Only this time, I will be in charge."
Yuuma folded her arms. "So, I'm assuming Freed kills the heiresses, the devils retaliate against the church, and the Church would counter their attacks. Then the fallen swoop in and handle the scraps?"
"Not quite. You see... According to my source, the Church is sending three exorcists. One of them is coming solo and each one of them has an Excalibur fragment."
"So you'll kill them here, in devil territory… and frame the devils. I guess that is somewhat of the reverse that I said. We would still run the risk of them realizing that you orchestrated this and they may join together to go against our faction."
"Hmm, ah, yes, you're right." Kokabiel nodded in a direction. "Valper? Could you please step forward?"
Yuuma turned as a short, bespectacled elderly man with gray hair, a mustache, and black eyes, wearing a priest outfit, appeared.
"Yes, Kokabiel-sama?" He asked the cadre.
"Valper. When do the exorcists arrive?"
"The one coming in alone will be here within next week and the other two will be arriving by the end of next week."
"A scout, then. That's pretty ballsy of the church." Yuuma said.
"Correct. They seem arrogant, how callous of them." Kokabiel laughed.
"In addition, we will be receiving help from another as she blends in at school. Considering that she is human, the devils or demons as I prefer to call them, would not suspect her." Valper informed them.
Kokabiel smirked. "Good. We will have a spy on the insidee."
He didn't know Valper had been deceived by Saiga, which was who Valper contacted as Saiga utilized his alias of being part of Yami.
Yuuma tilted her head. "I am guessing that you would like Freed to hunt down the solo exorcist when they arrive?"
Freed slid behind her, hands wandering, groping her body and popping out one of her breasts, when he unzipped part of her suit.
"Heh... maybe you can come with me. Damn, you did get bigger. We can have fun with the corpse afterward." Freed leered.
Unlike before, Yuuma wasn't his superior. It was possible that they were either on equal terms or he was the superior, so Freed knew that he could do this and if she retaliated, he could just kill her. He was certain that Kokabiel wouldn't mind as he did lust for Yuuma and offered to help her if she had sex with him. Now, he could just do so, but he wasn't going to push his luck just yet.
Yuuma removed his hand with a cold smile. "Tempting. But I have another request." She turned to Kokabiel. "Kokabiel-sama, I ask that I be trained by you."
"Oh?" Kokabiel was intrigued by this because he knew that Raynare/Yuuma had looked up to Azazel and Shemhazai.
However, he felt that this would benefit him, since it was Azazel's betrayal that made her turn towards him. He also felt that Azazel may have gotten soft and would likely allow Raynare back in the fold and possibly Kokabiel could use her to eliminate him.
"As you can see..." Yuuma summoned a light spear and its edges were jagged and unstable. "My spears are crude. Yours are refined. If I don't improve, my mistress will grow suspicious."
"Hmm… the Sitri heiress is sharp."Kokabiel mused. "Very well. I suppose I have the time to spare, but what of the Gremory heiress?"
"Preparing for her rating game. She's been absent for the past two weeks and it is likely happening tonight. If she loses, she will be dragged back to the Underworld with her fiancé." Yuuma answered him.
"We can't have that. If she were to depart, then I can't face Sirzechs, when I enact my plan and attack the shared territory. So we root for her victory." Kokabiel nodded, not caring about about who Rias was bethrothed to.
"Considering that she has the Sekiryuutei, she should be alright. Although he has not gone to the next level." Yuuma noted.
Kokabiel laughed. "Then he won't be a problem. Freed! Go with Valper. Track the solo exorcist. See when he or she arrives. Ambush them if possible. And Freed, don’t try to kill Valper like you tried to do with your former master."
He would not show it, but inwardly, Kokabiel breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Takeshi had not gone to the next level. By having this information, it would lower his guard and allow for the masters to continue doing their thing.
"Yeah, yeah. He doesn't have a blade worth stealing anyway." Freed snorted.
"So that's why you were excommunicated?" Yuuma asked.
"Heh. Just one of the many reasons. After many allegations, taking him on was the final straw for the church. Pretty sure he died later. Shame I never found his sword, it's one of the few that doesn't have a requirement like the Excalibur fragments." Freed scoffed as he walked off with Valper.
"How interesting..." Yuuma wondered as she wasn't familiar on all of the holy swords.
Kokabiel summoned two massive light broadswords with a sinister smile. "Now then, Raynare… let's begin your training."
Yuuma zipped her suit back up, summoned twin spears, and charged. Her smile matched his, which was sharp, hungry, and determined.
She would grow stronger, knowing this training would be beneficial for Sona. But also, for herself and her own ambitions.
When the Hyoudou family arrived at Elize and Yu-Mi's apartment, they got Issei to lay on the couch, as he was numbed and bandaged. Of course, they did get some skeptical looks, who wouldn't when you're helping an injured teenager into an apartment.
She could see that he had two lacerations on his right side. They were not bad as they were about two inches in length, one was underneath his right pectoral and the other was on his stomach, near the hip.
It was the cut on the side of his left eye that was a bit of an issue as it was about 3 to 4 inches in length. She was currently working on it, while he had towels around his head, so he wouldn't bleed on the couch.
While she was working on him, Yu-Mi was talking with his parents at the dining table.
"So you’re the one that has been tutoring him?" Miki asked after some relief that her son would be okay with Elize working on him.
"Yes, I’m a physics professor at the university. I usually swing by during lunch hours to see Elize and sometimes Ise would stop by, where he has me check his work that is either due later on in the day or for the next day." Yu-Mi answered.
"Ah, well, thank you for helping our son very much." Gorou bowed.
"He's like a little brother to us. He spends more time with us than most students do with their teachers."
Elize snipped the final stitch. "Oh yeah. Had to push him out of our office eventually. Start hanging with kids his own age. Can't have him spending lunch with two old ladies forever."
"You're not old, Elize‑nee…" Issei breathed out, hearing the last part of her statement.
"Whatever you say, kiddo." She wiped the stitched area with alcohol. "Alright, you should keep those in for about two weeks, then you can come see me to get them removed."
She had him sit up, so she could wrap his stomach and head in bandage after placing gauze on the stitches.
"Okay." Issei nodded at her instructions.
"And no strenuous work. Otherwise, you may rip the stitches down here." Elize pointed at the right side of his stomach.
"I have work tomorrow, but... I guess I can’t train now, can I?" Issei slumped his shoulders.
Of course, there were other ways to train and Setsuka was already working on it. His boss knew how he operated, primarily because she knew how her husband operated.
"Sorry, kiddo." Elize patted his back. "Maybe after a week, we’ll see how your lower stitches are doing. Do you do anything strenuous at work?"
"Alright…" Issei begrudgingly agreed, disappointed in not being able to train for some time. "And no, not really."
"I suppose you should be fine, but I am not your doctor." Elize reminded him. "So you would have to get an actual doctor’s note. I’m just a school nurse, so I could give a notice for you not to train for a week until further notice."
Issei merely nodded, still a little disappointed about not being able to train, so he could get better.
Yu‑Mi smiled and walked over with a package. "Hey, cheer up. We actually got you something. Lucky for us, it came in today."
Miki glanced around the apartment. "What is it? I also could not help that you have similar posters to Ise."
"Yeah, he got us into it. When we started talking more about what else he liked other than breasts." Elize answered as she was cleaning up her makeshift workstation that she created to stitch Issei up.
"Really?" Gorou looked on in wonder.
"Mm. Once you get past the perverted exterior, he's just an average high school boy with interests. The perversions were exaggerated because of the environment that he was in." Yu-Mi answered with a neutral look.
Gorou and Miki exchanged a look as both were half embarrassed, half relieved.
"They also know about the miscarriages, tou‑san." Issei spoke weakly.
Miki paused, then nodded softly. "Oh, well..."
"Don't worry. We understand." Elize reassured her. "And hey, manga and anime are a nice escape from reality. It's not just Dragon Ball and Gundam, there are many genres to tap into."
Issei finished opening the package, eyes widening.
Yu‑Mi smiled softly as she watched Issei open the package.
"It's refreshing, honestly. Having him in our lives… it..." Yu-Mi began to speak but was interrupted by Issei's exclamation.
"Whoa! Ah!" Issei jerked forward in excitement, tugging at his stitches.
"Easy! Don't make me stitch you twice." Elize warned him.
Miki leaned in. "What is it? A Gundam? It looks… customized."
Gorou squinted. "Looks like a samurai."
Yu‑Mi nodded. "Exactly. We found it on a Gundam site. And since Ise reads that samurai book all the time…"
"It's from my boss." Issei spoke up. "He gave it to me on the house. I thought I told you."
"Oh! Right. You read it in the kitchen sometimes." Miki said as she remembered how he would stop to read, while they waited for things to cook.
Issei hugged both women tightly, burying his face into their shoulders.
"Thank you, Elize‑nee… Yu‑Mi‑nee."
"You're welcome, otouto." Yu-Mi patted him on the back.
"You're only going up from here, kiddo." Elize joked, considering his reputation and inferiority complex, he was at rock bottom in self-esteem.
Gorou and Miki exchanged a warm smile. Seeing their son surrounded by people who genuinely cared for him eased something heavy in their hearts. They could see a little bit of why their son looked up to these two women. They were helping him learn while he was in school. It made them feel some relief of the people that he hung out with when he stepped out of the house now.
"Thank you for helping Ise out with his wounds." Gorou said to Elize.
"Perhaps you could press charges, you know." Elize said. "I mean this was a tournament where weapons were not allowed. He was seeking bodily harm on Ise."
"We'll have to get into contact with the tournament officials, I know that Kisara or Renka mentioned a ban was in his future." Gorou told her.
"He said he was Motohama's cousin." Issei informed them as he remembered Taichi's words.
"I still have his mother's number. I’ll be speaking with her." Miki sighed.
"And your grandmother has been calling me. Make sure you call her back, so she can hear from you that you're okay." Gorou instructed his son.
"I will," Issei nodded. "On the way home."
Miki hugged both women. "Thank you for inviting us into your home. And please… keep looking after him."
"Of course. That's what big sisters do." Yu-Mi ruffled his hair.
Issei flushed. "Knock it off, Yu‑Mi‑nee…" Pouting as he gingerly moved her hand from his head.
Everyone laughed as Issei was feeling embarrassed by his “big sister” acting so affectionate around him.
"We'll head home. Thank you again." Gorou shook hands with both women and gave them a bow.
"Anytime." Elize chuckled.
Issei picked up his torn gi top with a sigh and mumbled. "What am I gonna tell Setsuka‑obasan about this…? I'll deal with it tomorrow."
"Ise! Put your top on so we can go." Miki ordered as she prepared for them to go.
"Coming!" He carefully slipped on the top, fearing his mother's wrath, and turned to his big sisters. "Thanks again, Elize‑nee, Yu‑Mi‑nee."
"Anytime." Elize gently hugged him. "And remember, no sudden movements."
"Take care of yourself." Yu-Mi leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
Issei blushed. "I will."
Gathering his gift from them and followed his parents out, who waved at the two women.
Outside, Miki exhaled. "They were lovely."
"You've got good people watching over you, Ise." Gorou patted his son on the shoulder.
"Yeah…" Issei nodded.
"And they make a cute couple." Miki noted.
"Huh?" Issei turned towards his mother.
"You were out cold, but Elize told us about her relationship with Yu‑Mi." Gorou told his son as they were exiting the apartment complex.
"And you're okay with it?" Issei asked, rather surprised by his parents' calmness about his surrogate older sisters.
"Of course. We were judged for our own perversions once, which were unfortunately passed down to you. Why judge others for who they love?"
"Exactly." Gorou agreed with his wife.
It made Issei smile as he knew where his stance came from as he knew to accept himself. However, he also knew that he had to grow out of his perverted shell to bring light to this new version of him. Or rather, it was his old self that he had shrouded behind his perversion.
Seeing him smile made her smile as Miki wrapped her arm around her son as the family went to their vehicle to drive home.
In the Underworld, a rating game was taking place. However, one side was not pleased about the news that he heard.
Riser was beside himself, he was in shock as he heard words that he did not expect to hear. His queen, Yubelluna, had been eliminated from the game, he did not think it was possible. From what he knew was that the majority of his pieces had been eliminated, while only Rias lost her rook. He gritted his teeth as he looked in front of him at his opponent. His biggest problem was in the sky above him, she pissed him off the most.
And above him, floating in the storm‑lit sky, was the woman he hated facing most.
Wearing a silver and black kimono, a red sash fluttering, black leggings and black sleeves was Akeno. While she wasn’t wearing her priestess outfit, the biggest shock was her showcasing her fallen angel wings. Thunder rumbled in the sky and at her fingerprints, ready to rain down on her opponent at her call.
'She hated that side of herself… didn't she?' Riser thought in horror because of the amusement that was on Akeno's face.
Below, Rias raised her voice.
"It's over, Riser!"
It made Riser snap back to reality and turn to the Gremory heiress.
"We'll see about that."
Akeno smiled sweetly. "Ara~ ara~… I wonder. Do you scream like your queen?"
Riser snarled. "I'm surprised you're showing those wings."
"Let's just say that I know this will always be a part of me and someone told me that I need to accept it like they have about themselves." Akeno summoned two crackling yellow light spears.
Riser clicked his tongue. "Oh, really?"
On the ground, Takeshi dragged a battered girl with drill‑shaped pigtails forward. "Give up, Riser. Or she gets hurt."
Parts of the girl’s dress were ripped, similar to how some of Rias’ clothes were ripped, but Riser’s eyes widened in shock.
Riser's eyes widened. "Ravel!"
"Onii…sama…" Ravel breathed out, she was injured, but not enough to take her out of the game.
Takeshi had captured her as a ditch effort, since he did know that Riser would do things for his family. So for Ravel's safety, he was hoping that Riser would concede because he didn't really want to hurt the girl anymore.
Flames erupted around Riser. "You bastard!"
"Get ready!" Rias ordered Yuuto, who got into a defensive stance.
However, Yuuto was trying to keep his thoughts in check, while Takeshi helped him out with taking out the remainder of Riser's pieces, he couldn't get out what the knight, Carlamine, had told him. She had encountered a holy sword wielder, but since she was eliminated, there wasn't much he could do.
Ravel had escaped the combined attack of Takeshi and Yuuto by flying away, but Akeno had shot her down with a precise light spear.
After that, Takeshi proceeded to beat her, but Akeno stopped him as she could be used against Riser. It didn't help that Ravel kept mocking Takeshi about how Issei clocked him. It wasn't just her, but every single one of Riser's pieces, even the one that also lost to Issei, they all mocked him. So he took his rage out on them in the gymnasium.
Unfortunately, Koneko had to sacrifice herself for his stupidity by taking the hit from Yubelluna. Of course, while Yubelluna was monologuing, she had been hit by one of those light spears from Akeno.
Akeno was the one that told him to go and he went to help Yuuto, he used the claws of his gauntlet to rip at Riser's girls, but also amplified his magic to beat them down. Some were humiliated, when they lost portions of their clothes and they were also bruised, which made him laugh at them and then beat them while they tried to cover themselves.
It started with the rook, Isabella, Takeshi had wound up ripping her shirt, which she had to cover her breasts. When she looked up, Takeshi clocked her in the face, not caring about her nudity and began to pummel her.
He let them all know how he felt after Issei clocked him that day. He had found a vial of water on Ravel, but he threw it away, so she couldn't use it as he believed that it was holy water.
Akeno had produced the same one, claiming she got it from Riser's queen and gave it to Rias. He then remembered that it was a phoenix tear that Ravel had, but he threw it away. At least he had Asia there to heal him and Yuuto, while Akeno rained down light spears, eliminating the remainders of Riser's pieces, leaving just Riser and Ravel.
The storm crackled as Akeno raised her spears.
Riser roared and the final clash began. Riser's fury reached its peak. His sister, Ravel, had been beaten, humiliated, and nearly eliminated. And he knew exactly who did it.
"Burn!"
Riser formed a massive fireball and slammed it into the ground.
BOOM!
The smoke from the explosion prevented Akeno from seeing anything, but she was not Riser's target as he dashed into smoke. He knew where his target would be, he remembered seeing her cower in fear behind Rias.
"HAAAAAA!" Riser slammed a fire covered fist toward Asia, who screamed, getting the attention of the others.
"Kyaaa!" She tried to put up a defensive magic circle, but it wasn't enough.
Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, and Takeshi all screamed her name. "Asia!"
Riser threw a fireball in the direction of where she flew, both Yuuto and Takeshi raced towards her. Seeing that, Riser threw a fireball at Yuuto's feet, making him trip over his feet, thus he could not use speed to get to her.
Riser mouthed to Ravel to "go" as he tackled Takeshi and held him down to make him see her demise. "You watch!"
"NO!" Takeshi cried out as the fireball engulfed Asia.
Grayfia's voice echoed across the arena:
"Bishop of the Gremory clan has been withdrawn."
'Withdrawn?' Riser thought and he looked towards Rias and glared. 'Ah, so I forced her hand.'
Takeshi's eyes widened in horror, not seeing that Rias had to force Asia out of the game to prevent her from getting hurt. However, the fireball still did singe Asia, so she did receive several burns, but nothing life threatening.
"You bastard!" Takeshi roared, seeing his loved one go down.
"BOOST!" Ddraig's voice rang out.
Riser snarled. "After what you did to my sister? I'm not the only bastard here." He sensed something and dodged as Yuuto came through with an ice sword.
"Takeshi-kun! Are you alright?" Yuuto helped Takeshi.
"Yeah… but damn it! She's gone!"
They both turned to see that Ravel was gone from where Takeshi had left her before Riser tackled him.
"Ravel escaped." Yuuto said. "However, she’s not the priority and not much she can do anyways."
"Right…" Takeshi nodded.
Rias flew through the smoke. "Takeshi-kun! Yuuto-kun! Are you alright?"
"We're fine, Buchou." Yuuto answered his president.
"Come on, we need to help Akeno!" She pointed toward the sky, where Akeno's lightning and spears rained down as Riser dodged.
Takeshi spread his wings. "Leave it to me. I'll make him pay for what he did to Asia."
"Wait, Take..." Yuuto tried to warn Takeshi.
"Leave him, Yuuto. Riser has to pay. This has gone on long enough."
Yuuto glared at her. "Then Takeshi should pay for what he did to Ravel, I understand why his anger is warranted, but Takeshi caused what happened to Asia for his actions against Ravel."
Rias sighed. "I'm… aware, but for now, let's use this fuel to assure our victory. I will speak with Takeshi after this."
Yuuto nodded, he understood why Riser did what he had to, despite his arrogance, Riser still had care for his family.
Yuuto had seen the same thing with Issei earlier in the tournament that he watched. It was the same similarity that Takeshi had when Asia was attacked. While Yuuto was also mad about Asia's defeat, he knew that Riser targeted her because she was either the weakest or he knew that Takeshi would lose his cool.
Just like Issei had fought for his friends earlier. Just like Takeshi fought for Asia. Just like how they were fighting for Rias. The parallels were unmistakable.
"Let's go, Buchou." Yuuto took off.
Rias nodded as she followed after him, she was a little shaken by his glare, but she understood his position. However, she was unaware of the anger that was building up her knight because of what Carlamine had told him. She sent a blast of magic towards Riser, who had to block it and got his suit torn from Akeno and Takeshi's attacks.
Seeing himself surrounded, Riser glared at them, while they glared back, but more specifically, Riser glared at Takeshi. If he were to lose, he would make sure that Takeshi went down with him.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Flames erupted from Riser's wings.
Not wanting to make his target so obvious, he went after Yuuto.
Of course, he was anticipating two things and both of them happened. The first was for Yuuto to dodge, not surprising as he had a knight's speed boost. And the other…
"No you don't!" Takeshi intercepted him. "Demon Blast!"
A beam of red energy shot forward.
"Phoenix Strike!"
Riser sent fire in the shape of a bird at Takeshi, which detonated upon contact with the red beam causing another explosion.
BOOM!
The shockwave sent Yuuto flying backwards, while Riser flew into the smoke. Akeno saw what Riser planned to do, understanding the third son's tactics and called to her teammate, while firing a light spear.
"Takeshi! Look out!"
Takeshi dodged her spear, but it gave Riser the heads up to dodge as well and foiling the sneak attack.
"Got you!" Riser sent a flaming fist slammed into Takeshi's gut.
"Ugh!" Takeshi grunted in pain, his uniform getting burned from the fire.
"Takeshi!" Rias called out.
"I'm… Agh!" Takeshi began to speak, but needed to block as Riser remained on the offense.
He pummeled Takeshi with blazing fists and kicks. "I'll make you pay for what you did to my family!"
Akeno's breath hitched as, like Yuuto she remembered something similar and instead of seeing Riser, she saw Issei fighting Issei.
Takeshi was fighting for Asia and Rias, while Riser was fighting for Ravel, just like Issei was fighting for his friends' honor earlier. The parallels between the three struck her like the lightning that she commanded.
Rias's voice cut through the chaos. "Akeno!"
Akeno blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Yes? What is it?"
"We’re going to need a combined attack to take down Riser. Yuuto! Try to separate them!"
She knew that with Akeno's power that would affect Riser's regeneration capabilities, which would allow for her own power to burn him. Takeshi was already aware that Riser would be incensed with targeting him, so he was willing to be the distraction. Rias just didn't want to sacrifice her pieces, hence why she wanted Yuuto to get Takeshi out of the crossfire, when she and Akeno had charged up their magic.
"Hai, Buchou!" Yuuto called out.
He dashed forward as Riser was still hammering Takeshi, though Takeshi was throwing punches of his own, it was like two wild beasts locked in a personal war. They were so lost in their own fight that they didn't notice Rias and Akeno charging up their magic.
Akeno's lightning crackled with holy energy. Rias's Power of Destruction swirled like a crimson storm.
Yuuto tried to go for a sneak attack, but Riser sensed it and grabbed Yuuto's wrist that held the sword and gave him a kick.
It caused Yuuto to let go of the sword, while he was forced away and Riser grabbed the sword before it could fall.
"Your fight is with me!" Takeshi tried getting Riser's attention back on him and not notice what Rias and Akeno were doing.
"BOOST! … EXPLOSION!"
Takeshi's fist detonated against Riser's ribs.
"GAAAH!" Riser staggered in the air, grabbing at where Takeshi hit him as his regeneration came into play.
"Takeshi! Get away!" Rias called out, seeing Riser momentarily stunned.
"On it!" Takeshi adjusted his wings to begin flying back.
"Akeno, ready?" Rias asked her queen without looking at her, keeping her eyes on Riser.
"Hai, Rias!"
"FIRE!" Rias cried out as the combined blast of crimson destruction and holy lightning roared toward Riser like a divine judgment.
Riser barely recovered to see the blast, but he turned and with the sword, he set ablaze and sliced Takeshi in the side.
"Argh!"
"I'm taking you with me!"
He grabbed Takeshi, dragging him close as the blast closed in.
Just as the blast reached them, Riser was able to get two punches into Takeshi's face, bruising the teen's face. Unfortunately for the phoenix, it was his back facing the blast thus he would get the brunt of it. In addition, Takeshi got in his own licks, while doing his best to use Riser as a shield before he was booted out.
When Riser turned to his right, he saw Ravel, she was good as new, thanks to her regeneration. She had also found the phoenix tear that Takeshi took from her and threw away.
Ravel could only watch helplessly as her brother would be consumed by a great blast of energy as she saw Yuuto use his speed to try and save Takeshi, but Riser grabbed Takeshi and they brawled briefly in the blast before Riser wound up throwing him towards a building as his world exploded.
Before it did, Riser sent a smile in Ravel's direction, knowing that she was alright and chuckled to himself. He was not a siscon like the two Maous, but he cared for his family, so he could understand why the Maou Lucifer would try to protect his sister.
Those were his last thoughts as he was consumed by the blast sent by Rias and Akeno. However, he got his wish as the explosion blew up the building that he sent Takeshi into, thus eliminating him as well. The holy aspect of Akeno's lightning was slowing down his healing rate tremendously and also paralyzing him.
This was what he had feared about Akeno and why he had kept tabs on her. He was wary of Sona's new pawn, who was also a fallen angel, and knew that Sona would have tried to help Rias, if Rias couldn't have figured out another way. Riser collapsed in the rubble as the building crumbled down on him.
"Pawn of the Gremory clan has been eliminated." Grayfia's voice announced.
They knew that Takeshi couldn't have survived that explosion and Rias tried to force his withdrawal, but she couldn't while concentrating on the trajectory of her blast.
Rias, Akeno, and Yuuto braced themselves, expecting Riser to burst from the smoke again as he seemed to enjoy using smoke as a screen to hide his movements.
However, Riser was just laying in the rubble, his body twitching as the building caved in on him and he smirked as he remembered something.
'Riser appreciates you rooting for him… but sorry… I lost. Damn… I never expected your queen to accept the blood in her veins… Rias… I'm… impressed.'
Remembering what that human had said to him as he closed his eyes, the holy lightning crippled his regeneration, while the power of destruction could eat at him and the pain of it became too much.
He knew that he could not fight in these conditions and let himself fall into unconsciousness.
"Riser Phenex of the Phenex clan has been eliminated! As a result, the Phenex peerage is no longer able to battle. Therefore, the winner of this match is Rias Gremory of the Gremory clan!" Grayfia's voice called out, her stoic voice softened with a rare smile.
Rias gasped. "We… won? We won! We won!" Tears began to stream down her face, a part of her was believing that it was a dream.
"Congratulations, Buchou. You're free." Yuuto said with a sigh of relief.
"Mhm. Congratulations, Rias." Akeno nodded to her best friend, glad that she won her freedom.
"Thank you, Akeno… Yuuto… and thank you, Koneko, Asia, Takeshi…" Rias spoke for those that helped fight for her freedom.
Akeno wiped her eyes. 'Thank you, Issei-kun. You were right, if I didn’t use this power... Rias might have lost. I would have hurt someone that I cared about because I held myself back... so thank you.'
Of course, said brunette would never understand the impact that he had. He was merely speaking his piece, while he was trying to accept himself to improve himself as a person.
Yuuto and Akeno were pulled into a group hug by Rias to celebrate their victory as it was over. The curse hanging over Rias's future had finally shattered for the moment. But there were new dangers that lay ahead beyond this victory.
The three were transported back to the waiting room, where Rias was immediately embraced by her family, specifically her father and brother, who always doted on her. Sona and Tsubaki went to congratulate Yuuto and Akeno.
"Well done. She's free now." Sona congratulated the two.
"Yes. She is." Akeno nodded.
"I see you chose to use the power you once hated." Sona noted, knowing that she would need Yuuma to step up to contend against Akeno's power, if she were to face Rias in a rating game.
"Someone told me it was part of me… and that if I didn't accept it, I'd keep hurting the people I care about. And I suppose that your new pawn had a little help in accomplishing my desire to help my friend."
"I see." Sona nodded, she had a feeling that it would have Issei and Yuuma, since Yuuma reported to her about the tail end of Akeno's conversation as he was accepting himself.
Tsubaki turned to Yuuto. "Congratulations, Kiba-kun."
"Thank you. But I was too late to help Takeshi-kun. Riser grabbed him before I could." Yuuto said guiltily for not being fast enough to help his comrade.
"He'll be fine. We'll take care of him." Tsubaki placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.
"Again, thank you." Nodding at her gesture and placing his hand over hers, smiling gently.
Tsubaki blushed at the contact, but she smiled in return.
Rias went to hug Sona and Tsubaki in her happiness drawing them in, while annoying Sona, but she still smiled for her childhood friend.
Sirzechs approached. "Congratulations, you two."
"Thank you, Maou Lucifer." Akeno and Yuuto bowed to the Devil King.
"Rest up and get yourselves looked at and enjoy the rest of your weekend. I see you chose to use the power within you, Akeno." Sirzechs noted as he looked at his sister's queen piece.
"Yes, Maou-sama, but only part of it as it is a part of me. There’s still more that I need to conquer." Akeno said, but she also frowned.
It was because deep down, she knew that in order to conquer this power, she would have to speak with the one that she hated. A part of her certainly wasn't ready for that conversation just yet.
"I'm sure you will." Sirzechs nodded. "And Kiba-kun, good work coordinating with Takeshi-kun to eliminate most of Riser's pieces."
"Thank you, Maou-sama." Yuuto bowed, remembering how he and Takeshi had gone back to back to take on Riser's pieces.
They were lucky the knight pieces were willing to honor Yuuto's request that he faced them, since Takeshi could handle the magic users in close range combat.
Sirzechs left to congratulate his sister again, who was talking with Sona and Tsubaki, leaving Akeno and Yuuto standing together in the quiet afterglow of victory.
"Hey, Akeno‑san." Yuuto said to his senior.
"Yes?" Akeno raised an eyebrow about what the blonde knight needed.
"We should go see how Hyoudou-kun is doing?"
Akeno blinked, then nodded. "You're right. He took some damage in that final fight. By the way, Yuuto?"
"Hm?" Yuuto turned back towards her.
"When those two were fighting… Riser and Takeshi, it reminded me of Issei, when he fought those two delinquents. In this case, it was Takeshi fighting to avenge Asia, while still fighting for Rias. Riser fighting for his sister. It was quite interesting, it felt like watching two versions of Issei collide."
Kiba gave a soft, knowing exhale. "Yeah… I saw it too. His loyalty to his friends is why I feel that he could be a decent piece for our peerage and Buchou's dream. Guess that's what happens when someone fights for the people they care about. "
"Indeed, even Riser has a heart." She let out a long breath in relief for Rias, and for herself.
Akeno wondered how she could thank Issei for his help. He probably didn't even realize how much his words had helped her. She also looked at her outfit, inspecting the torn sleeves and frayed cuffs from her fight with Yubelluna.
'I'll need to ask that blonde seamstress how to repair this… I'd do it myself with magic, but something feels different about this material.'
For now, she was just going to relax the night away with a long, quiet bath. Of course, that would happen after she checked on Koneko, Takeshi, and Asia. She could see Yuuto already speaking with Tsubaki again, while Rias was talking and laughing with Sona and Sirzechs.
Akeno smiled faintly and walked toward the Gremory family to excuse herself to see Koneko, Takeshi, and Asia. 'A nice long bath would do.'
While night settled over Japan, in England, it was the late afternoon and was entering early evening.
Mizuki was ordering her staff as they handled the dinner rush that was picking up. She felt relieved to hear that her surrogate son would be alright, after acquiring stitches. However, Miki noted that Issei was bummed about not being able to train. It made her worried that he would end up hurting himself.
'That boy is stubborn. He'll try to train anyway… Miki will have to keep her eyes open, but this time, he won't be talking about big breasts as much.' Mizuki thought as she chuckled to herself.
As she was working, her husband, Touji Shidou, entered her office. He had a slightly strained expression on his face, but he let out a nervous chuckle.
"What is it?" Mizuki called out as she watched his face.
"Well, it seems that things have... sped up and not for the better."
"Huh?" Before she could ask any further, the office door swung open.
In came two figures, one walking faster than the other, they were both female. While one had a happy look on her face, the other had one of cool indifference as she entered. The cheerful girl had orange-brown hair that was styled in twin tails as she ran up to Mizuki’s desk. The other girl had short blue hair that had a green fringe on the front and a mature, composed aura.
"Mother! Guess what?" The cheerful one exclaimed.
"What is it, Irina?" Mizuki asked, looking at her daughter.
It was almost like looking at a younger version of herself, the difference is that Irina had her father's hair color, compared to Mizuki's black hair.
Irina beamed. "We're going to Kuoh!"
Mizuki stiffened before she collected herself. "What did you say?"
The blue‑haired girl said as she crossed her arms over her well developed bust. "It's not a vacation, Irina."
"I know that, Xenovia! It's just... It's been so long!" Irina protested.
"You mean you can't wait to see your boob‑loving friend again." Xenovia rolled her eyes.
She never knew what Irina saw in her perverted friend.
"H‑Hey!"
"After that stray devil mission, you said how he was the opposite of it because that stray spoke about small breasts and he speaks about big breasts. You wouldn't stop worrying about your chest shrinking, when you got some of that gunk on you. I bet you thought he wouldn't like you anymore, if they did."
Irina's face turned crimson at the accusation. "T‑That's not—! Xenovia!"
"Regardless, this mission is important to the Church. We need to prepare ourselves thoroughly."
Mizuki rubbed her temples. "What mission is it this time?"
Touji stepped forward. "The Excalibur fragments were stolen. These two and one more are being sent to retrieve them."
Mizuki's expression hardened. "And they believe the fragments are in Kuoh? Are you certain?"
"Yes. That's what Caesar told me of what was sent by the Vatican."
Mizuki looked at her husband, she was usually worried about her daughter going on these missions. "Oh, dear, but they’re so young, shouldn’t they send someone more experienced? Are you going with them?"
"No, and I thought the same." Touji shook his head. "The three of them are capable of wielding fragments themselves."
"So the Church believes only a fragment wielder can fight another fragment wielder?" Mizuki sighed.
"I suppose so. But I still think they should send more people. However…" He hesitated.
"What is it?"
"It's still the same as it was back then."
"Meaning? I don’t understand." Mizuki pressed on.
"Kuoh is still under devil management." Touji informed his wife and this made Xenovia and Irina frown about entering devil territory for different reasons.
Mizuki sighed heavily. "Do they at least have somewhere to stay?"
"We'll stay in the church." Xenovia spoke up, answering the question.
"That won't do. I hear that it has still been abandoned, since we left." Mizuki said, knowing this because Miki had told her.
"I expected as much." Touji sighed.
"We'll figure it out after our ally scouts the area." Xenovia waved her hand dismissively.
"The third exorcist leaves earlier to investigate." Touji said, seeing his wife's look of confusion.
It gave Mizuki the indication that while her daughter would be traveling with her partner, the other exorcist would be traveling separately.
"Hmm…" Mizuki pondered as she looked at her phone, she knew that she needed to warn Miki about Irina's arrival.
"I wonder if he remembers me." Irina said absentmindedly, coming out of her little world to look at her right wrist.
Tied around it was a headband that was similar to Issei's except instead of it being black and red.
This one was white with the accent colors being purple and yellow-orange. It was a gift that was made for her when she was young by Issei with the help of his grandmother.
She remembered how many bandages he had on his fingers because he pricked himself so many times while making hers and his own, or at least attempting to.
Her smile softened as the threads of fate were pulling them all back to Kuoh.
Mizuki hesitated, then let out a nervous chuckle. "About that…"
Irina tilted her head. "What is it, Mother?"
Mizuki scratched the back of her head, a trait that Issei had picked up from her. It usually made her laugh and she believed that Issei was her surrogate son.
"I’ve been told that he thinks your name is Shidou... and that you’re a boy." Mizuki admitted.
"WHAT!? Ohhhh!" Irina's face puffed up in outrage. "Mou! You're the one who told me to introduce myself properly!"
"Hm?" Xenovia was confused by how that was a problem.
Irina turned to her partner. "Oh, that’s right, Xenovia. You’re from Italy, not Japan, so you wouldn’t know. In Japan, when we greet someone, we say our surname first and then our first name. Speaking of which, we have to coach you up on your Japanese as well."
"I see… So you introduced yourself as Shidou Irina, correct?" Xenovia deduced.
"Not quite," Irina blushed. "I only got out "Shidou", but Ise-kun was so excited to play that I never thought to correct him."
Xenovia raised an eyebrow. "How did he not know you were a girl?"
Mizuki sighed fondly. "Irina was quite a tomboy and she kept her hair short. Always roughhousing and playing pranks. So you couldn’t tell the difference unless we had told you."
"Really?" Xenovia stared at Irina, who was now blushing furiously.
"Even Ise's parents thought she was a boy until we told them." Touji spoke in laughter.
"Here's a picture." Mizuki pulled out a photo from her desk and showing it to Xenovia. "See?"
It was an image of a young Issei and Irina, both grinning, both scraped up from playing too hard in the park.
"Huh. I see it now." Xenovia nodded as she examined the picture. "So why didn't you ever tell him you were a girl?"
"I… don't know." Irina answered. "We had such a fun time together. He would go to mass with us, and we would have sleepovers at each other’s houses. I guess it just... slipped my mind."
"So Ise is the name of the so‑called harem king." Xenovia mused, knowing the name of Irina's childhood friend.
"Actually, his name is Issei. Unless you’re close to him, you can call him 'Ise'. And the harem king thing… that was his grandfather's dream, so you can thank him for that." Mizuki explained.
"He was very perverted." Irina sighed, remembering when she had met his grandparents.
The Hyoudou were rather open and pretty much became her second family for the time that they had spent together.
"And that's where Irina got her perversion from!" Touji laughed as Irina turned beet red.
Of course, it was a combination of that, along with Mizuki and himself pestering her about grandchildren and Issei.
"That explains it." Xenovia deadpanned. "No wonder you like him. Though the Church suppressed your perversion."
"If it hadn't, and we stayed in Japan, we might've been grandparents by now." Touji sighed, a little disappointed in himself.
Primarily because it was his fault that they had to move to England in the first place. Irina shrieked and hid in the corner, mortified by her parents constantly teasing her about her childhood crush.
Mizuki sighed. "Well… you may not need to worry about that anymore. If she does see him."
"Did something happen?" Xenovia asked.
Mizuki's expression darkened. "Yes, you can say that."
She remembered the video Miki had sent. The video of where Issei had been beaten up. In addition, she remembered when she last saw him on her screen after his last fight. He was bloodied, beaten, barely standing. And the photos of his stitched wounds that Miki sent.
Xenovia looked over and could see Touji's face mirrored Mizuki's concern.
He didn't watch the tournament, but he did know about the beating that his surrogate nephew dealt. It did add to his guilt because he also had a feeling that he might not have gone down this path if he stayed in Kuoh with his family.
Irina sensing the silence, turned from her corner. She looked at her parents' faces and a sense of dread kicked in.
"What? What is it?" Irina's voice trembled.
Mizuki took a breath. "Irina… That perverted boy you knew... the one you may still love... I'm not sure if he's there anymore."
"W‑What…?" Tears welled in Irina's eyes. "Is he… is he… d‑dead? Please don't tell me he's dead! If he's in danger, I'll go save him! Amen!"
"No, no! He's not dead!" Mizuki said as she realized her wording. "Sorry for scaring you."
Her statement made Irina nearly collapse in relief. 'He's okay. Thank you, Lord…'
Touji stepped in gently. "What we mean is we're just not sure what you'll find if you are able to visit him."
Irina lowered her gaze. "Oh… okay."
She knew Issei's perversion was part of his charm. It was silly and sometimes embarrassing, but he was honest about himself. It was something that she appreciated about him.
It's how her crush on him formed, of course, she was teased by her parents about it and it made her wonder how things could have been if she had been able to stay in Japan.
Possibly being able to guide him from it and just maybe….
She shook her head, changing her mindset as she wondered now of what he'd become without it.
"You'll have to ask him if you got the time to, but you girls should go prepare. You need as much time to teach Xenovia how to speak proper Japanese and understand it." Mizuki informed her daughter.
"It would be suitable for conversing with the locals, we may be able to pick up a lead." Xenovia said.
"Right." Irina nodded in agreement and then addressed her mother. "I understand."
"Now go prepare what you may need, so that packing will be quick, when the time comes for you to leave and then get some dinner, I need to finish up here." Mizuki waved the two girls off.
"Yes, ma'am." The two girls said and then left the office under the Shidou matriarch's instructions.
The reason why Xenovia was in England, rather than in Italy was because she had been advised to stay with the Shidou family by her guardian, Griselda. It would keep her close to her partner as Griselda had seen Xenovia begin to open up during their three-year partnership from what she had seen on missions, when she came to assist them. Thanks to this, Xenovia had learned some Japanese from the Shidou, but not enough to be fluent like they were.
As they walked down the hall, Xenovia decided to ask Irina more about her friend.
"So… besides big breasts, what else did he like?"
"Oh! We used to watch Super Sentai together. But they call it Power Rangers here. Mother took us to shows when they came to town. If he wasn't thinking about breasts, he was thinking about robots and space battleships or Goku or how to get back at me, but that was rare." Irina answered.
"And what sinful things did you think about? Before the Church saved you."
"I… well…" Irina began to wonder about the pranks that she used to pull.
"So I was right back in there. You thought of having big breasts to appease your suitor." Xenovia deduced once again about her partner.
"Y‑Yeah…" Irina slumped in defeat.
She wasn't sure how Issei had changed, but she did want him to like her.
"Yeah, no surprise there." Xenovia deadpanned, still speaking with indifference about her partner's childhood crush.
"Mou, Xenovia! Don't tease me about that!" Irina exclaimed, she already had to deal with her parents about her crush on Issei.
She didn't want Xenovia teasing her as well. Of course, Xenovia wasn't really aware that she was teasing as she was speaking bluntly as usual.
Meanwhile back in the office, her parents were conversing about this new development, but also for their daughter's safety.
"You think we should have told her about the video?" Touji asked.
"No, she would have to hear it from Ise himself, otherwise she would go on pitying him and Ise wouldn’t like that. She might even try to 'save' him from his perversion." Mizuki answered as they both chuckled.
They knew it was true because Irina would always preach about 'saving' her childhood friend like those heroes do. She would be his and he would fall in love with her. At least that is what Irina was fantasizing about as she usually went into her own little world, a trait inherited by her father.
"Yeah… she would." Touji sighed, after he finished laughing.
He knew how deep the childhood friendship between the two was.
"I forgot to tell her that Ise has been praying because she told him that good things come to those who pray." Mizuki said, remembering how Miki told her about that.
It was quite a shock, since she knew that Issei wasn't all that religious before. Even so, he still went to mass with them, so he could still be with his best friend, which was Irina.
Touji smiled softly. "That is wonderful news, but I think you’re hiding something."
Mizuki nodded. "Yes, when I said something happened... but I wasn’t referring to that video."
Touji stiffened. "What then?"
"Ise was in a fight." Mizuki sighed. "A real one. He could've been killed. He's lucky he only needed stitches."
"Oh no…"
"He's fine but it's going to be a matter of keeping him down."
"You mean like both of them, Irina was also a bit stubborn." Touji reminded his wife of his daughter's antics.
"Yes, they were my little troublemakers." Mizuki sighed, remembering all the times that Issei and Irina got themselves into trouble, when they were young and how they would laugh it off.
"Well, I'll let you finish off here, it's a pity that we won't be able to see the reunion." Touji said.
"We'll see it if he comes to visit, although it won't be the same, it's been about eleven to twelve years."
"Yes, well, only time will tell." Touji kissed her cheek and proceeded to leave. "I'll see you at home. Take care."
"Thank you, dear and you too."
She watched as he left the office and waited for a few moments, so she could be sure he was gone.
It was then that she grabbed her phone to text Miki, who was likely asleep due to the time difference. Things were coming ahead, so she wanted to let her friend know that her daughter would be there.
'Touji was right. It's a shame we won't see their reunion. But if something happens to Irina… Will Ise remember what I told him and what he promised? Will he rise up like he did for his friends in the tournament? I suppose we'll see.' Mizuki thought.
She chuckled to herself as she put her phone away back in her desk. She grabbed her apron that was hanging from the door and straightened it out. She locked up her office and headed downstairs to help her chefs. The dinner rush awaited.