Chapter 8

Issei felt a bit awkward walking with Shigure, he’s been used to her alone if last Friday and on Monday was any indication. This one felt different as if the air felt heavier as they walked to who knows where. She didn’t say where they were going as she had not said a word to him nor a glance in his direction. Renka’s parting words of trying to survive were of no help and echoed in his skull like a death sentence. He was lucky that Shigure wore a trench coat over her usual outfit, but it didn’t do much to hide her figure.

'I really messed up in that spar… she was disappointed.' Issei thought.

He could not help but look at his sensei, her eyes remained forward, but she knew that he was looking at her. He just slumped his shoulders as he walked along with his sensei. Tōchūmaru had jumped from Shigure’s head to Issei’s head and patted him on the head in comfort.Full novel: High School DxD: A Fighting Chance — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠

"Shigure‑sensei… are you mad at me?" He asked as the silence was suffocating.

They had been walking for some time now and she hadn’t said a word, a part of him was willing to just go home. In the past, his perverted mind would believe that this was part of a porno and a beautiful woman would take him somewhere so they could have sex. He knew Shigure was not that type of woman in the very short time that he has talked with her. So while he just wanted to go home, a part of him was still curious about where she was leading him.

She still said nothing and didn’t answer the question, the silent treatment was enough to tell him that she was mad.

'She's mad. Definitely mad. This is the same silent treatment kaa‑san gives tou‑san when he screws up.' Issei had been observant in those situations, but he just shrugged his shoulders and kept walking as he looked for an escape.

He sighed and kept walking.

'Why bother being somewhere you don't belong…'

He saw an alleyway coming up and gave a side glance at Shigure, she was still looking forward. Seeing his shot, he bolted, taking off down the alleyway or at least as fast as his bruised body could take him. Tōchūmaru squeaked in panic on top of his head and gripping his hair like reins as if trying to get him to brake.

"Sorry, Tōchūmaru… but I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted." Issei yelled up to the mouse.

Tōchūmaru still squeaked, but the squeaking became a little high pitched, more frantic as Issei heard a whistling sound cut through the air. His instincts told him to duck or at least move, so he did by moving to his left. However, he wasn’t fast enough as a chain wrapped around his right ankle. He stopped moving to prevent himself from tripping as he looked back to where the chain came from, he stiffened. Looking back, he saw Shigure standing at the alley entrance, chain in hand, expression unchanged. He knew he had two choices, take the easy way and walk back to her or the hard way and try to keep running.

He was not an idiot, well not as much as before and decided that he was going to take the easy way and walk back to the attractive black-haired woman. He saw her tilt her head, as if mildly surprised he didn't try running again. He just looked at her and put his wrists forward, which caused her to raise an eyebrow.

Issei sighed and held out his wrists. "I'm just making it easier. So you don't have to use the chain again. I don’t get why you want me to keep walking with you if you’re just going to shun me. Did I do something in the spar against Ukita-senpai? If so, I’m sorry, I never meant to upset you in any way."

Shigure blinked as a tiny sound escaped her lips. "Uh…" She regained her composure. "I'm not mad. I just… usually walk alone. I'm not… used to someone walking with me."

Issei blinked. "Oh. I thought it was about the spar."

"Somewhat."

"You didn't give me your critique. You usually do on Mondays and Fridays." Issei pointed out to her.

"Oh, right... well, you made... an opening... for yourself… so that’s good."

"Oh, okay... well, thanks," He had hoped for more, but he learned that Shigure was a woman of few words. "I was trying to be like you, you know. You always keep your cool. I usually get caught up in my anger, which would make me lose because I would exert more of my energy."

"Really?" She didn't think that Issei would look up to her.

Issei nodded. "Yeah, I kind of told myself to “keep it cool like Shigure-sensei”. I can only hope to have eyes like you one day."

Shigure glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, in my book... they talk of the eyes of a warrior. You seem to have them as you show no fear and know how to not let your emotions interfere." He explained.

"It's about balance." She clarified for him.

"I get that." Issei huffed. "I nearly lost myself as I put my anger into my fists, but it was just frustrating. I mean I just hate being called a pervert and... I know that I will be stuck with that, but it still hurts, you know? Actually, I don’t think you will, but then again... I don’t know anything about you to really judge. It might not have been a stigma like pervert like mine is, but it could have been something."

Shigure hummed to herself but said nothing as she continued walking. Issei didn't push further as he followed, but there was a point where Shigure faltered in her walking speed. This allowed her to be slightly behind Issei, but he never noticed and in her maternal instinct, she raised her hand as if to pat his head. However, she stopped herself and placed her hand back down. They continued in silence until she stopped in front of a building.

"We're here." Shigure announced.

"A clinic? Won't I need health insurance or something?" Issei asked.

"No. I'll vouch for you. Come inside." She said as Tōchūmaru hopped back onto her head as she entered.

Issei followed her into the clinic, he was surprised by the interior, he noticed some Buddha statues around. There were also inscriptions on the wall that were finely written. The place also looked clean and it was simple looking, which he didn’t mind.

"Wait here." Shigure told him and she disappeared into the back.

Issei looked at her quizzically, but shrugged his shoulders and stayed in the lobby and sat down. He noticed how there weren't any magazines or something to keep him entertained. He called his mother to let her know where he’s at, so she wouldn’t worry too much.

"Hello, Ise? Is everything alright?" Miki answered.

"I'm a bit stiff, kaa‑san. I'm at a clinic."

"What!? Are you hurt? What happened? Which clinic? I'll come right away!"

"Nothing happened, but I won my spar, so I’ll be learning a new fighting style on Monday. Like I said, my body is stiff, so my sensei brought me here to heal up and I don’t know what clinic. We had walked for quite a while, so maybe it's on the edge of Kuoh but don’t worry, my senpais said that my body will be good as new, which means I can train a little more. I’ll ask on payment before I let them do anything."

"So you don't need me there?" Miki asked, which Issei praised Kami for giving him such a caring mother, despite his flaws.

Even if some of those flaws came from her in the first place.

"No, I'll be fine. I'll come home after." Issei informed her.

"…Alright." Miki sighed, trusting her son. "Just come home, when you can, alright?"

"I will." Issei nodded. "Love you, kaa‑san."

"I love you, too." Miki replied back.

He let out a sigh and smiled, it felt good that he had loving parents as they put up with him. He knew that not many people had the luxury that he had of that. There’s probably some with divorced parents or worse, no parents. They all had their secrets, just like his of not having siblings. He believed that the gods felt that his parents weren’t good enough to be actual parents. Despite his previous behavior, he felt that they did what they could, he just didn’t listen to the fullest.

He was either playing with Shidou or enjoying the time he had with his grandparents. It was fun seeing his grandmother chase his grandfather because of his perversion. He remembered telling Shidou how he would like that relationship, having a woman keep him in check. His mother had told him that behind every great man is an even greater woman because a wife supports her husband. He chuckled as he could understand that as his mother and grandmother have dealt with his father and grandfather and their perversions.

He chuckled softly, then he was brought out of his mind. When something caught his eye that was off to the side, it was a lump of clay.

"Whoa…" He touched it. "Nice, it’s soft, I can mold something out of this."

He hadn't built something in a while, since he built up his Gundam models. He looked around for something of inspiration to mold this clay out and he settled on the Buddha statues. It would allow it to blend in, since it would be like the others. He sat down in front of the clay and began to mold it. He kept looking at the Buddha statues for references and making sure to replicate it properly.

"And there... I think it looks alright, huh?" Issei said, giving some appreciation at his work and then he heard footsteps approaching.

He scrambled back to his original seat, just as Shigure emerged with an older man sporting black hair and a mustache.

"This is him, Akisame." She informed the man.

Akisame studied him with a gentle smile, hands folded behind his back.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you. Shigure told me your body has taken quite a beating from training." Akisame spoke softly but was stern.

"Ah, yes, sir. My name is Hyoudou Issei." He clasped his left hand over his right fist and bowed, just as Renka had taught him.

Akisame chuckled. "I see you're well‑mannered. I am Kōetsuji Akisame." He had taken note that Kensei, Raichi, and Renka did similar bows, so he knows Renka has educated the boy.

Of course, Issei could have just done a traditional Japanese bow than a Chinese one.

"Kōetsuji? I didn't know Shigure‑sensei was married."

Akisame blinked. "Hmm? What makes you say that?" Although it was no surprise, since he did view Shigure as a daughter.

"Well… her surname is Kōsaka and yours is Kōetsuji. I thought maybe you were her father. Or older brother." Issei explained.

"And why do you believe we're related?" Akisame asked.

"Because of your lightning brows. Shigure‑sensei's have that extra zigzag, though. Makes hers look cooler." Issei answered.

Akisame burst into laughter and it sounded deep, warm, and amused. He would have expected the answer of them having black hair, but if Issei wasn't looking at Shigure's breasts, he was looking at her eyebrows. It made him wonder if Shigure spent time to stylize them like that, since he knew that girls would take a while to get ready. A part of him didn't feel like that was the case because Shigure didn't really act like a traditional woman or seem to really care about her looks.

"Haha! I've never heard that one nor thought of it, but please come to the back and bring your stuff with you." Akisame said.

"Okay." Issei gathered his belongings and followed, but then he noticed Shigure hanging back slightly. "I'm not going to run away again, you know."

She gave him a nod, but still followed closely behind him as Akisame instructed where he could place his school briefcase on a small table and guided him to a medical bed.

"If I may ask… why did you run from Shigure earlier?" Akisame asked, while Issei prepped himself.

He had seen Kenichi try something similar back when they first started training him.

Issei sighed. "Honestly? I'd just finished a spar. She told me we were going somewhere but didn't say where. She usually gives me analysis on Mondays and Fridays. And… well… any guy would be thrilled to be alone with a beautiful woman like Shigure‑sensei, but I know she's not like that." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I could only deduce that she was going to kill me," Akisame listened, while Issei continued speaking. "I was or still am considered the school pervert, so I know she wouldn’t like to be stuck with me. Hence why I believed she would kill me. Though I didn’t leer at her or anything, I actually haven’t leered at anyone, I’ve been so focused on my training for this tournament coming up."

Shigure's eyes flicked toward him, unreadable, but even she doesn't try to kill Kensei, when he does his own peeping. She didn't realize that she sometimes scared Issei because of her stoic persona. Of course, Issei understood that she was socially awkward, having learned said information from Kenichi. It also surprisingly made her easier to talk to, when they were alone.

"What styles do you practice?" Akisame continued to ask questions, getting more information out of the boy.

"Well, I work on boxing with my senpai in the morning, then I do Chinese kenpo in the afternoon with another senpai, I do sometimes get some lessons on karate, plus I do a little kenjutsu training. Starting next week, another of my senpai is going to teach me some taekwondo." Issei stretched his legs a little. "I did learn some kicking techniques, while training in Chinese kenpo, but I am a little stiff in my lower body. I hope to stretch out my legs this weekend, so I can have them loose and ready."

"That is quite a lot. Have you considered jujutsu?" Akisame asked him.

"Oh no, but I noticed that while I swing my bokken in a downward manner, it’s similar to throwing someone over my shoulder. I try to visualize that because a person would be heavier than my bokken, so I increase the force of my swing." Issei told the man.

'He is correct in that regard, as throwing someone over one’s shoulder is similar to swinging a sword, so this is Kenichi’s disciple, I’d say he is slightly ahead of Kenichi himself, when he first came to us.' Akisame's eyes gleamed in thought as he responded back. "You also say that your legs are a bit stiff? I also dabble in making contraptions, I have one that can make you do the splits. That should help loosen up your legs."

"Oh, cool, that’d be awesome! When should I come by and get it?" Not knowing that somewhere, Kenichi shivered as if he knew what the contraption was.

"No need. I'll have Shigure bring it on Monday." Akisame said, not knowing that Shigure wasn't allowing that either.

"Thank you so much, Kōetsuji‑san!"

"It's no problem. You said you're focused on training. Why is that?" Akisame changed the subject.

Issei's expression softened. "Well, I want to be one of the strongest warriors, so I can make my senpais proud. My life was going into a shitter at the start of this school year. People that I thought were my friends stabbed me in the back and put it all out for everyone to see. It changed how I looked at things. It was sort of an epiphany."

"Epiphanies come in all shapes and sizes." Akisame sagely noted.

"Yeah…" Issei nodded in agreement.

"Please remove your shirt. I'm going to fix your body." Akisame instructed.

"Huh?"

"I’m going to fix the compressed nerves that are in your body, it’s what is limiting you." Akisame explained.

"O‑okay…" Issei glanced over at Shigure, who gave him a nod to comply and thus he removed his shirt.

Akisame could see the newly formed bruises from the spar against Ukita, as well as other bruises from his time with Renka and Ikki as well. ‘Hmm, to think that he has been training like this is outstanding, it’s not surprising that his body can be stiff.’ Akisame sighed. "What do you do to heal from these bruises?"

"Oh, well, Renka-senpai has me take ice baths, which I do take cold showers in the morning and sometimes, a hot one after training. I also hang with the nurse at school. She gives me some creams to help with the bruises. She’s really cool, probably one of the only people in the school administration that I think actually cares about me." Issei answered.

"Because of your perversion?" Akisame deduced.

"Yeah, I got beat up on school grounds, but the student council didn’t do anything about those students and yet there’s video evidence with their faces. The reason that I got beaten up for, I didn’t even do the crime, it was the people that I thought were my friends. They were the ones that actually peeped. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to, but hearing those guys and realizing that some of those girls had boyfriends, I bailed. I may be a pervert, but I have some morals. I couldn’t look at another man’s woman."

Akisame nodded knowingly. ‘I know Kensei wouldn’t care about that, seeing as how he still takes pictures of Miu, despite her being with Kenichi now. Of course, he only gives those pictures to Kenichi and never keeps them himself.’

"You know there was this girl at school, she’s in an arranged marriage with this womanizer. Not sure if it’s a European thing where your fiancé can just make out with another girl in front of them and they don’t care? Just doesn’t feel right, but she kept persisting that she didn’t want to marry him, but she would be with a guy that also does the same thing." Issei clenched his fist. "He plays with a girl’s heart and then he moves on from her to the next. I’m not going to lie, a part of me wanted to face the guy. The fiancé, I mean because well, he felt like a credible challenger."

"A credible challenger?" Akisame's eyes slightly narrowed.

"Yeah." Issei nodded. "I can’t be a strong warrior if I don’t face strong opponents, that includes my senpais as well. It was irritating that this yakitori sent a little girl after me, but I was able to dispatch her, but he called her his weakest servant."

"A… yakitori?" Akisame looked quizzically at the boy.

"The dude said his family name was phoenix. A phoenix is a firebird. Yakitori is grilled firebird. Same thing." Issei shrugged. "Anyways, he told me that I should join Gremory-senpai, I don’t know in what exactly, but I declined."

"Why so? Did you like the girl, perhaps?"

"No, but I would have liked to face the guy, he just rubbed me the wrong way. Actually, the whole club does and so does our student council. I may get in trouble because I did punch one of the club’s members. He was pissing me off, claiming that I idolized a womanizer." Issei exhaled sharply. "I told him as well as Gremory-senpai that they shouldn’t judge others from what’s on the outside and maybe that they should sit down and talk with someone for a minute, sadly, that damn school is superficial, it’s all about looks. At least I don’t have to deal with that in the dojo."

Akisame smiled at that as it was true. While the members were still teenagers and had their gossip from time to time, they never talked much about looks and just focused on their training. Although the members were attractive in their own rights, but those compliments never deterred them.

"So you train for your senpais and friends. To become stronger for them." Akisame was enjoying, digging into the mindset of Issei.

"Oh yeah, some may complain about training and look for shortcuts, but it’s worthwhile, I’ve seen it in animes. I was missing out on a lot of stuff because of my perversion, but so far, I’m enjoying my time, it did take me a while to open up to some of them, but it’s been getting easier as the days go by, like training. It may be repetitive to learn the same exercise, but it gets easier the more you do it." He chuckled. "I would know, I have this master that is teaching me how to wield my bokken. He told me to swing it in proper form 100 times, if I screwed up, I had to start over and then do it 100 times in the opposite direction. Shigure-sensei helped me tone up my stance, so I could swing my bokken faster, too."

"Haha. Sounds like you enjoy what you do."

"I do. And I get to show it in two weeks." Issei perked up, excited about the tournament.

"That should be fun to see," Akisame stepped behind him. "Now… prepare yourself. This will hurt quite a bit."

For some reason, Issei wished that his mother was there to hold his hand, so he looked for the next best thing, which was Shigure. However, Shigure quietly slipped out of the room as she had no interest in watching what came next. Her departure made a chill go down Issei's spine.

Akisame placed his hands on Issei's back. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah..." The rest of his sentence dissolved into a scream. "AaaAARGHHH!"

A violent surge of pain detonated through his left arm and shoulder like something inside had ruptured, burst, and reformed all at once. His vision blurred. His teeth ground together as he forced himself not to thrash. Then, out of nowhere, the pain vanished.

'Huh? What the…?' Issei rotated his shoulder and felt that there was no stiffness or resistance.

"Impressive, isn't it? Despite resting, you still have clumps of nerves in your shoulder and arm that restrained you. I simply relieved you of those nerves."

"It's like I have a whole new arm." Issei looked on in awe, completely forgetting that he had been in pain moments ago.

"I essentially broke down your arm and rebuilt it." Akisame explained to him.

"Molded like a lump of clay." Issei said, still in awe.

Akisame smiled. "Correct." He couldn't help thinking as he was impressed by the comparisons. 'He's sharper than people give him credit for.'

"Can you do the rest of my body?" Issei asked.

"Can you endure the pain?" Akisame responded back.

"I have to. Otherwise, I won't get stronger."

"Very well. Let us continue." Akisame was hoping that Issei would ask for this, it reminded him of his sessions with Kenichi.

Outside, Shigure just listened to Issei’s screams of pain as Akisame continued to break down the nerves in his body. She patted Tōchūmaru, who squeaked in worry of Issei. After all, her mouse liked Issei, since Issei would bring him food and snacks for him to enjoy. Although Shigure didn’t show it, she was a bit worried about Issei, since he was her student.

She could compare Issei to Kenichi, they were very similar to each other. Both were earnest, stubborn, and determined. However, Kenichi did not like weapons, while Issei did like to learn to use weapons, or rather a sword, but he was intrigued about otherweaponry. He had expressed interest in her chain and sickle and her kunais. Right now, she was focused on refining his craft in wielding his bokken. She could see that his stance in kenjutsu was improving.

She had heard him speak about wanting to face Riser, but she knew that at his level, he could not. She was aware that Riser is a high-class devil and that Issei was not on that level. He could be if he improved his martial arts skill and control of his ki. She was sure that he could take on a low-class devil or at least a human his age that was recently reincarnated. For the next hour, the screams diminished to grunts as Issei was slowly overcoming the pain that was erupting in his body.

Tōchūmaru tugged her hair. "Hmm?" Looking up at him.

Tōchūmaru was pointing inside the room as if telling Shigure that something was wrong because the room had gotten quiet. However, before she could do anything, the door opened up and Akisame greeted them.

"Ah, you’re still here? Well, you can come in and see him."

Tōchūmaru leapt off her head and scurried inside.

Shigure remained indifferent as she walked inside and nearly sweatdropped at what she saw. She wasn’t surprised to find Issei doing air squats and testing his muscles with childlike excitement. She could see that he had bandages around his ribcage. He had Tōchūmaru perched proudly on his head, squeaking in delight. She assumed it was most likely because his food supplier was okay.

As if sensing she was there, Issei turned his head and ran up to her. "Shigure-sensei! he healed me! Like my body feels brand new, I’m ready to train! So what are we going to work on? My sword slashing speed? My stance? How to switch my grip?"

Akisame had to chuckle himself because he knew that he and the other masters could possibly put Issei through the ringer. He was like Kenichi in his determination, but unlike Kenichi, it seemed Issei was more enthusiastic for training. He wondered if that enthusiasm would still remain if they could take Issei under their wing.

"No." She poked him in the forehead. "Go home… and rest."

"But I feel fine! I can still train for toni... AH! That hurt, Shigure‑sensei!"

She poked him sharply in the ribs. "Not healed. Go rest."

Issei pouted like a scolded child.

"Hahaha." Akisame laughed.

"What's… so funny?" Shigure turned her attention to the other master.

"Well, I must agree with Shigure, Issei. You’re not fully healed and a student should listen to their masters, but you two look like a brother and sister quarreling." The jujutsu master answered.

At that statement, Issei deflated as he remembered the talk with his mother about his unborn siblings. His two siblings never made it and that he only existed because of a prayer from his father. He wondered how his life could have been if those siblings were in his life, it made him feel depressed a bit.

Akisame blinked, noticing the sudden shift. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's… well…" Issei trailed off and let out a long, heavy sigh and sat on the bed. "Is there… like a doctor‑patient confidentiality thing?"

He knew that he could not lie, it would go against his namesake, but this was kind of a heavy subject for him.

"Of course, do you want Shigure to step out of the room?" Akisame offered.

"No." Issei declined. "I'd probably tell her anyway." This made Shigure raised an eyebrow.

Akisame pulled up a chair. "So what seems to be the issue?" This was going to help him gain more insight and he didn't mind using his profession as a means to get it.

Issei stared at the floor. "Your comment about us looking like siblings arguing… It reminded me that I don't have any."

Akisame opened his mouth, "Well, I'm sure your parents can..."

Issei cut him off. "No! I don’t think they can, my mother told me that before me, they had two miscarriages. I was only conceived because my father prayed to the gods for them to succeed and it makes me wonder sometimes, if I was just meant to be alone." His voice trembled. "I wish I could have met my older siblings... maybe then one of them could have been perverted and I could learn from their mistakes and be better or they would do anything to make sure that I never fell down that path of perversion. I think my parents let me be because they feared if they interfered, I would just die and that would tell that they were never meant to be parents, but they are. Maybe my parents wouldn't have been so scared to discipline me."

He laughed weakly. "Did they do a good job with me? Maybe not to most people, but they gave me a roof over my head, they put up with me as I fell down a bad path, but they were there. It would have been cool to have those older siblings, then maybe I would have turned out better."

Akisame and Shigure exchanged a silent thought. 'He's like Miu.' They knew the blonde girl had similar issues and it was why she had taken a liking to Kenichi's sister.

Issei continued. "Sometimes, I think of my senpai as older siblings because before I only had Shidou, he was my true friend. I may have talked about big boobs, but Shidou remained my friend."

A tear slid down his cheek. "He was my only friend, until he left. Even though my doubt has decreased... I still have the inkling feeling that he left because of me." He wiped his eyes. "I was alone, I met this old man that spouted about big boobs, which reinvigorated my perversion as I had calmed it down, finding other interests, after my grandfather died. He was very perverted, but he was my grandfather." He shook his head. "I decided to pursue his dream of being a harem king, but... certain events made me see that dream as rather tasteless."

Akisame and Shigure remained silent, letting him speak.

"Like I said, I met the old man and the perversion came back, but my parents didn’t stop me for fear of losing me. I didn’t meet Matsuda and Motohama until middle school, so from when I was seven to when I turned 14, I was alone. But I guess that loneliness made me desperate, so I latched on to those two. Now looking back on it, I can see that I wasn’t really their friend, but their scapegoat." Issei shrugged. "I didn’t know it because I’m a bit of a blockhead but I thought they were my friends, so I stayed loyal to them. Seeing that they weren’t, I dropped them, figuratively and literally, when they messed with my stuff."

Akisame and Shigure still listened in as Issei’s mood began to uplift.

"Though a small part of me will thank them as the beating that they caused me to endure gave me an enlightenment, so to speak. I got to meet Kenichi-senpai, who invited me to his club, give me something that could make me be somebody in this world. As a plus, it gave me people that I would want them to be able to depend on me, if they needed anything."

He smiled softly as he began a rundown of his club members. "Like Ikki-senpai is like that cool older brother, that ladies like him and he tries for his little brother to be cool, too. I haven’t talked with Kisara-senpai much but she could be like that tough, cool chick type of sister that is down to play rough house and make sure that I can grow to be tough and not a wimp. Renka-senpai is the fun type of girl, she can tease, but she doesn’t do it malevolently. She can also be tough, but I know she wants the best for me in my growth as a fighter. Raichi-san is the only friend that I have in my grade now, she’s like Renka-senpai as she's a nice and cool sister type, too. She also doesn’t judge me like many people do and actually took time to talk with me about things. I’m not really friends with Fūrinji-senpai, if I had to document her, I’d say she could like that sister that seems bratty because her younger sibling annoys her, but at the same time, she’s still nice and caring." He chuckled. "She also gives off this aura as she is definitely someone that I hope that I can surpass one day, not just her, but her father as well. I also have Elize-sensei and Yu-Mi-sensei, they’re not part of the club, however…"

Akisame raised his eyebrow, but Shigure was still neutral as she already knew who he was talking about.

Akisame folded his arms, studying the boy with gentle curiosity. "And who are these two, Hyoudou‑san?" Akisame questioned.

Issei brightened a little. "Well... they are probably the closest thing that I ever had to big sisters, Elize-sensei took care of me after I got beaten up by those guys. After I punched those two ex-friends of mine, I was given detention and asked her if she could be the staff member to watch over me. She agreed and I met Yu-Mi-sensei, who is a physics teacher at the university."

He smiled faintly. "Elize-sensei usually heals me and gives me creams for the aches and pains. Yu-Mi-sensei tutors me and checks my schoolwork to make sure that I’m doing things right and educates me on things for lessons ahead. She also helps me understand the meanings in this samurai book that I read to help stabilize my emotions." He rubbed his arm sheepishly. "Though… I did lose control in my spar with Ukita‑senpai. I think Shigure‑sensei was mad about that too."

Shigure didn't react outwardly, but her eyes flicked toward him and Akisame noticed.

"What sort of things do you learn from this book?" Akisame wanted to know what Issei was learning to change his philosophy as it was clear that Issei was becoming more self-aware of his actions.

"Well, there’s this quote that resonated with me, it goes: “in the dojo of life, the greatest battles are fought within. Master yourself, and you’ll conquer any adversary”, it’s kind of funny because Shigure-sensei told me something similar, which was that I needed to master myself or my body. Otherwise, how could I master a weapon, when it’s an extension of my body?"

Shigure nodded. For her, that was paractically a smile because while she didn’t show it, but she was a little happy that her advice resonated with Issei and he took it to heart. Akisame saw her nod, so he knew that Issei was not lying.

"It’s part of why I want to focus hard on the tasks of training ahead because they will help me in mastering myself. This includes my perversion that seems to be inherited, according to my parents. Since they as well as my grandparents had some perversion to them, but before me, my grandfather was the worst." Issei chuckled awkwardly. "Going back to the sibling talk, it would have been cool, if Shigure-sensei was my big sister, then maybe I could do the cool ninja stuff that she can do."

Shigure blinked once and while she wouldn't show it, but she was interested in what he had to say.

"Remember how I told you how I was afraid about where she was taking me, so I ran away? She used a chain to capture me." Issei laughed. "I wish I had that skill. Oh! And she has the eyes of a warrior, which makes her a badass! I’m glad she is able to coach me when she can."

Akisame laughed quietly. He remembered Kenichi trying to run away countless times and Shigure always caught him. He spared a glance at Shigure to see her reaction. She wasn't showing it but she was happy on the inside and fantasize about taking Issei on her trips to train him. She was also realizing that while he may be the club's little brother, it also meant that he could be her little brother and she could guide him.

"Oh! And none of this would've been possible without Kenichi‑senpai." Issei spoke as if hearing Akisame's thoughts about his senpai. "He didn’t have to help me, no one in the school would have cared if the Perverted Beast was beaten up or dead. He still helped me to Elize-sensei’s office."

His expression softened. "Otherwise, my stupid self would have ran back to Matsuda and Motohama, thinking that they didn’t rat me out to the boyfriends of the girls that they were peeping on. I’m just glad to have heard them because I would have broken my morals of looking at another man’s woman. Though just peeping in general is wrong." He shook his head. "But it was Kenichi-senpai that was there for me, he gave me the opportunity to meet all of those people at the club and Elize-sensei also offered me similar advice as well to drop the other two perverts and do something new. I knew that I was interested in martial arts because I’m a fan of Dragon Ball, oh, and Super Sentai and Gundam, but my perversion blinded me from the interests that I had developed with Shidou and for myself."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe when I achieve my dream of becoming a strong warrior, he can achieve his dream of becoming a Naoki award winning author if he writes about me haha."

Akisame also smiled. He was a complete stranger to Issei, but the boy was opening up and getting things off his chest. Of course, Issei was in the belief that these things would be said in confidence that he wouldn’t tell anyone. Akisame would uphold that promise, however Issei forgot that Shigure wasn't bound by doctor‑patient confidentiality… but she wasn't the type to gossip either.

"A part of me thinks that... if I did have a sibling, maybe Kenichi-senpai was that brother that I never had." Issei said.

"It’s understandable that he would be caring. He has a little sister of his own." Akisame noted, remembering Kenichi's sister that comes to visit them.

"Oh, I didn’t know that... I could only hope that I had one, but I understand my parents don’t want to go through the pain of losing another child again. Two miscarriages were already too much and there was the possibility of three, but my father’s prayers pulled through." Issei looked down at his hands. "It’s funny because my friend, Shidou, had said good things come when you pray. It happened for my father, even though I didn’t pan out properly, but I am making a turnaround and intend to live an honest life like he wanted me to, hence my name."

He exhaled deeply. "I guess my prayers were also being answered because I have surrounded myself with people that will take time to sit down and talk with me, rather than just judge me forever as a pervert and I’m grateful for that."

"That was quite a compelling tale. You should tell these people how you feel about them." Akisame suggested to Issei.

"I guess you're right. Oh, wait... how much do I owe you for the treatment?" Issei asked.

"Considering Shigure brought you, this one is on the house. Your confession was payment enough. I do hope you are able to overcome the battles within yourself. If you are able to express yourself more to those people that you care about, you’ll grow more confident as well." Akisame gave his advice.

"Thank you for the advice, Kōetsuji‑shishou." Issei slipped his shirt back on, careful not to disturb Tōchūmaru.

Akisame raised an eyebrow, when he saw Shigure walk to the boy, his instincts flared as he quickly moved away. He still wasn’t quick enough as Shigure clamped a hand on his shoulder.

"Shigure‑sensei?"

Without a word, she turned him around, gathered a clump of his hair, which were the two little tufts that stuck out. Her fingers moved with quiet precision as she tied them together with a red string, forming a small ponytail.

"Samurais tend to tie… their hair back, so do ninjas… So now, we have something… in common." She answered.

Her voice was soft, almost gentle. Issei tensed up, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. Being this close, he caught her scent, which was like fresh spring water with a hint of lavender.

"Uh… th‑thank you, Shigure‑sensei."

"Mhm." She stepped back, as Tōchūmaru hopped from Issei's head to hers with a cheerful squeak.

Akisame cleared his throat. "I suggest you head home. Your parents may be worried."

"Ah, you're right. Thank you again for healing me." He bowed deeply, then followed Akisame out to retrieve his belongings. "Um… is it possible that you take insurance or something? In case I need to come back?"

"I just usually give a standard bill, my colleague could have provided you with an acupuncture treatment, but he’s not here at the moment." Akisame answered.

"Ah, Renka-senpai told me that her father had one of those, I hope he doesn’t think that I am trying to get with his daughter or something. Raichi already teases me about that, since Renka-senpai trains me outside on the track." Issei said, not knowing that Akisame's partner was Kensei. "She checks my forms, makes me run and do things to build my back and leg muscles, then we spar. It’s not a fling or anything like that, nothing inappropriate. I don’t think learning Chinese kenpo is inappropriate, is it?"

"No, it’s not." Akisame agreed. "But it will help you in your dreams of becoming a strong warrior, I’m sure of it. Along with the other styles that you learn."

"Cool. Okay, oh, and here you go, Tōchūmaru." He opened his briefcase and handed Shigure a small bag of bread and cheese. The mouse squealed in delight at the treat.

"Try not to spoil… him too much." Shigure warned.

"I'll try. And thanks for the new look." Issei told her, unaware that she had tied it similar to her own as Shigure nodded. "Oh, Kōetsuji-shishou, I hope it was not too much trouble. But I was playing around with your clay that you keep over there. If you don’t like it, you can always mush it down. Anyways, see you on Monday, Shigure-sensei! Tōchūmaru!" He waved, grabbed his things, and sprinted out of the clinic.

Akisame waved politely after him. Once Issei left, he figured that he would need to mush down whatever Issei built out of the clay. However, when he walked toward the clay table to inspect the clay, he let out a small gasp. This alerted Shigure, who was by his side almost instantly.

"Oh… my." Akisame's eyebrows raised in amusement.

Shigure appeared beside him instantly. "What… is it?"

"That boy..." Akisame chuckled. "And they say he has no talent. Then how do you explain this?" He pointed at the miniature clay Buddha statue.

Shigure blinked. "Huh?"

"This is well done. Not perfect as there are a few minor aesthetic issues, but they are hardly an issue. It seems that we have a future sculptor on our hands." He lifted the statue carefully. "I think I will take this back to the kiln at the estate, so it can be hardened and then I’ll put it out on display."

Shigure gave a small hum of approval as she saw the statue for the first time.

"Kenichi found a good specimen to be a disciple." Akisame assessed. "He is like this clay, just waiting to be molded. Mitsurugi is putting him under pressure, but we learned quite a bit about him. I think we should speak about it tomorrow night, when the others come for dinner. I think they would enjoy hearing about their kohai and how much they mean to him."

Shigure nodded, unaware that Akisame had just roped her into sharing Issei's confessions so he wouldn't break confidentiality himself.

Meanwhile Issei rushed home, at first, he thought of heading to the temple, but he didn’t want to disturb Akeno and show up unannounced. While he would have liked to pray, he didn’t want to disturb her peace. When he arrived, he was scolded by his mother as he had forgotten to inform her that he was coming back.

"Where have you been, young man!? Your dinner is cold!" Miki scolded her son, when he had arrived.

"Sorry, kaa‑san, but look..." He flexed, rotating his shoulders. "My stiffness is gone. The clinic healed me."

"Healed you!? So quickly!? Did they give you steroids!?" Miki accused.

"What!? No! He gave me a complex massage into my tissues which broke down the bunches of nerves that remained. So while it looked like my arm would be fine on the outside, the muscles on the inside were not."

"A massage? Oh, that's nice. I remember when you used to give me those."

"I owe you a lot of them for putting up with my perversion." Issei admitted. "I know the stress of dealing with the embarrassment that you and tou-san had to put up with because of me."

"Pretty sure we agreed it was inherited from us. But we're moving forward as a family." Gorou interjected. "And we're still on for fishing tomorrow night, right?"

"Yeah. After work and some training."

Miki sighed. "Just don’t give me more stress as I am already dealing with the stress of worrying about where you were tonight."

"I understand. I'm sorry, kaa‑san." He bowed.

"I know. Now go put away your things and go eat." Miki ordered her son.

"Yes, kaa‑san." He headed upstairs.

Gorou leaned back on the couch. "He's changed a lot since joining that club."

"Yes, our wrinkles have been reducing each day." Miki nodded in agreement.

Gorou laughed. "Haha, the guys at the office are intrigued, they’re surprised that we haven’t heard any complaints from the school."

"You’re right. Although, I hope we can meet these new friends of his. After all, Matsuda and Motohama are lecherous students, so it’s obvious that they were a bad influence for Ise. I don’t want them to enter this house anymore and I’m glad that Ise feels the same way." Miki huffed, not wanting to deal with those boys again.

"You’re right," Gorou nodded. "Plus he has a job, so he is showing responsibility and making some income. He doesn’t have to rely on us for money."

Miki took a seat next to her husband. "I just hope he doesn’t overwork himself with all the training that he is doing."

"It’s why this nighttime fishing by the pier will be good for him. It will help him relax and calm his mind a bit."

"I hope you're right." She kissed him on the cheek and stood. "I’m going to re-heat his dinner. At least while two are away, I can prepare for my next round of interviews."

"Sounds good." Gorou leaned back and watched the news on TV.

Things had been shaping up nicely for the Hyoudou family.

It was Saturday evening, while Issei was finishing up his training with Mitsurugi. The others of the mixed martial arts club were at the estate for a meal. They all lived together, but they didn't always have dinner together, but this was a toast for the contestants that would be participating in the upcoming tournament. Those contestants would be Kenichi, Kisara, Renka, Mizunuma and Raichi. The first four were for the third years, while Raichi was in for the second years, along with Issei.

However, a surprising piece to the table was the miniature Buddha statue that was in the middle of the table. No one knew what it was for, only believing it to be a decorative piece. Only Akisame and Shigure knew that this was the statue that Issei made. Ukita, Ikki, and Kaname were showing support for their friends. Ikki and Ukita didn’t really participate in these types of tournaments, while Kaname was a college student, so she was ineligible.

Saiga raised his glass. "Thank you all for staying with us in our humble abode. I know that we don't often spend time together, since you are teenagers and you can be rebellious. However, tonight, we’d like to celebrate those that will be competing in your upcoming tournament."

"Hahaha! I'm sure they'll win." The Elder laughed, not worried about those in the MMA club.

"It'd be a shame if they lost." Sakaki teased as he drank his booze.

"They'll be fine." Akisame said, taking a sip of his tea.

"Apa." Apachai agreed with his fellow masters.

Sakaki pointed at the statue. "Hey, Akisame, what's with your Buddha doll?"

"Oh, it's not mine."

"Then whose is it?" Kensei asked, slightly surprised.

Akisame pointed at the students. "Their kōhai's."

Kenichi blinked. "Our kōhai?"

"Who? Raichi?" Miu looked confused at the pink haired girl, who shook her head in denial.

"No way!" Ikki exclaimed as his eyes widened upon realization.

Ukita laughed. "Haha! That dude really is hiding a lot about himself."

Kenichi blinked in disbelief. "Issei made that?"

Akisame nodded. "Correct."

Miu leaned forward, eyes wide. "Wow… I didn't know he could make something like this."

Kisara crossed her arms, smirking. "Huh. This'll be interesting. I want to see how he does on Monday. Oi, Ikki! I'm joining you at the gym."

"If you say so." The boxer shrugged.

Kaname inspected the statue and asked, "How long did it take him to make this?"

"Minutes." Shigure answered as she ate.

"Eh!? Minutes!? To make that?" Renka exclaimed.

Akisame shook his head and corrected. "The clay was soft, so he didn't need to chisel it like I usually do."

Raichi giggled. "Wow, I wonder what else he can make. I know he can sew."

Ikki stretched his shoulders. "Shouldn't be surprised. The dude knows how to use his hands. My shoulders feel great."

Renka whipped around. "What!? He gave you a massage too!?"

"Of course. After one of our boxing sessions, he ponied up, when I asked. Though, he should be the one that should be getting a massage."

Akisame nodded sagely. "Not to worry. I released all the clumped nerves in his body. He was feeling quite fresh."

Kaname raised a brow and turned to Ikki. "I’m guessing he’s the one that gave you tips for the massages that you have given me?"

"You bet. Hey, Ukita, maybe he can teach you something." Ikki answered.

Ukita laughed. "I'll ask him. I gave him a hard time when we first met, and he kicked my ass for it."

Kenichi frowned. "You didn't need to flip him. He didn't do anything to you."

"Maybe not to me personally, but the dude was bad news. You know it, Kenichi."

Renka smirked. "Can't be bad news anymore, can he?"

Ukita shrugged. "You should take credit for teaching him, Renka."

Renka puffed her cheeks. "Yeah, but I guess he didn’t want to give me more massages, since that was what would have happened. I would’ve had my own personal masseuse."

Raichi stifled a laugh. 'Oh, he'd definitely wouldn't have minded getting his hands on that body.' She knew that Issei was developing a crush on her fellow Chinese woman.

"But it’s alright," Renka shrugged. "Kenichi and I can try some things out."

'And that's why he won't do anything. Too bad, Kenichi doesn't want more girls.' Raichi frowned, since like Renka, she had a crush on Kenichi.

However, Raichi wondered if Renka would actually turn her attention towards Issei as she had a feeling that someone would take their chances and claim him. Since Issei was trying to follow in Kenichi's footsteps, then it may be tough for another girl to show their own interest, if the first girl is anything like Miu.

"Absolutely not!" Miu shouted, sensing Renka's mischief.

Renka grinned wickedly. "What's wrong? Scared I'll steal him from you?"

Miu's face turned crimson.

Kensei chuckled. "Now, now, Renka. Remember what I told you. Happiness doesn't always come easily."

Renka pouted and Raichi could sympathize with her on that.

Apachai raised a hand. "When can Apachai train with him? Apa?"

Akisame stroked his chin. "Hopefully soon. Unlike Kenichi, he seems eager to train. I doubt he'd mind our methods."

The masters' eyes gleamed ominously.

Kenichi shivered. 'I knew I sensed something wrong earlier, maybe I shouldn't have told them about Issei.'

"Ha! That was the fun part of training Kenichi." Sakaki noted.

Akisame turned to Ikki. "Ikki-san, when do you usually go to the gym?"

"We go at five in the morning. Ise's usually up at four."

Miu blinked. "Ise?"

Renka smirked. "Only his friends call him that. I told you to talk to him."

"I did talk to him." Miu insisted. "When I was looking for Kenichi. He knew that I wore fake glasses, too. I was also surprised that he didn’t take me lightly either, it’s weird how his instincts... can just pick things up."

Akisame tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Kenichi answered for her. "Ise sensed Miu was trained. He wants to surpass her too."

Saiga chuckled. "A diamond in the rough, perhaps."

Shigure spoke quietly. "Not surprising… since he wants… to surpass you all. He even… encountered a high‑class devil."

"What!?" Kenichi shouted.

Sakaki sobered up somewhat. "When was this?"

"Earlier this week... The Gremory heiress's… fiancé came. Issei walked… out fine, but… he seemed agitated… I think they… insulted him about… his perversion." Shigure answered without looking in Sakaki's direction.

Kensei smirked. "I bet they are jealous that he has good taste."

Schick.

A kunai embedded itself in his plate.

Shigure's eyes narrowed. "No… He doesn't want… to go down that… path. He said he'd … disappoint his siblings… if he did."

Kisara blinked. "Siblings?"

"He never told me about any siblings." Ikki looked intrigued as he turned to Renka, if she knew something.

Renka shook her head. "He didn't tell me anything."

"Same here." Raichi put her hand to her chin.

"He never told Elize-sensei either." Kenichi wondered out loud.

Shigure shook her head. "I mean you… He has… no siblings by blood... He sees his senpais… as potential siblings… His parents were… unlucky."

Miu's expression softened. "Unlucky… how?"

"Miscarriages." Shigure answered.

Renka's eyes widened. "Huh?"

"His parents... had miscarriages... before he was born. Sometimes he questions… his own existence… because he was born thanks… to his father's prayers… He wonders what it… would've been like… to have siblings to learn from."

Kenichi lowered his gaze. "I didn't know."

"Of course not. It's a heavy thing to share." Akisame noted.

Miu frowned. "Why didn't you say anything, Akisame?"

"Because unlike Shigure, I have doctor‑patient confidentiality. I was waiting for her to speak so I wouldn't have to." Akisame smirked.

Shigure's eyes widened slightly, realizing what she had done. She turned and glared at the jujustu master and then at the rest of them, pretty much telling them that Issei didn't need to know that they learned it from her. At the same time, she didn't want them to show him pity because she knew that isn't what Issei would want and that they continue to treat him the same.

Ikki leaned forward. "So what did he say?"

"About?" Akisame wanted him to be more specific.

Renka crossed her arms. "What did he say about us?"

Shigure recited calmly and fluently. "'Ikki‑senpai is like a cool older brother and ladies like him, and he tries to help his little brother be cool too. Kisara‑senpai could be like a tough, cool sister who'd roughhouse with me and help me grow stronger and not be a wimp. Renka‑senpai is the fun type, she teases, but not maliciously. She can also be tough, but I know she wants the best for me in my growth as a fighter. Raichi‑san is my only friend in my grade, she's like Renka‑senpai, a nice and cool sister type. She also doesn’t judge me like many people do and actually took time to talk with me about things. Fūrinji‑senpai… she's like a sister who acts bratty because her younger sibling annoys her, but she's still nice and caring. She has an aura I want to surpass one day... her and her father.'"

For those mentioned, they couldn’t help but smile at the praise, Miu was quite shocked by what Issei thought of her. He didn’t badmouth her like she had done before to him. However, she remembered something as some people were not mentioned.

Then she blinked. "Wait… what about Kenichi? He wasn't mentioned."

Akisame smiled. "He said that Kenichi gave him hope and an opportunity to change. When others gave up on him, you didn’t, Kenichi. For that, he has expressed his gratitude. You all helped him revitalize a piece of himself that he had locked up due to his perversion. A part of himself that he hadn’t shown since his friend, Shidou, left him."

Renka nodded. "England. That's where Shidou went."

Akisame continued. "From age seven to thirteen or fourteen, he was alone."

Kenichi's eyes widened. "No way…"

"He didn't meet… those other two… until middle school." Shigure pointed out to them.

Akisame folded his arms. "At some point, he mentioned meeting some old man, which reinvigorated his perversion. The man reminded him of his grandfather that was perverted, but it wasn’t as bad. The miscarriages affected his parents as they didn’t discipline him enough for the fear of losing him like they did with their other two children that were never born."

Hayato stroked his beard. "Hmm, it seems that he wants to build something as well."

Saiga nodded. "But he also needs to be built up."

Akisame chuckled. "Indeed, I must say that he can take quite a beating like Kenichi here and was capable of still fighting. It makes me wonder what his training is like."

Shigure answered plainly. "He trains in boxing… Monday through Friday in the mornings with Ikki… Chinese martial arts in the afternoon… on those same days with Renka… The weekend and... Tuesday and Thursday... evenings in kenjutsu... training with Mitsurugi… I critique him on Monday... and Friday evenings… and additional training."

Renka blinked. "Uh… yeah."

Even she didn't realize Shigure had been watching that closely.

Kisara stretched her arms behind her head, grinning as she declared. "Well, I’ll be taking over his taekwondo training every other day in the mornings."

Akisame nodded thoughtfully. "He also seemed interested in jujutsu."

Renka groaned. "Ugh, he should just stick to one discipline. He's like Kenichi."

"Yes, but more offensively minded, considering the styles he's learning." Akisame pointed out.

Kenichi raised his hand. "He also does a little karate with Mizunuma and me in the afternoons."

Sakaki cracked his knuckles. "I could add a little more juice to his training."

Akisame chuckled. "He might actually like that. While I was decompressing the nerves in his body, he was also releasing his ki as he endured the pain. I actually think you could help him bring out his ki like you do, Sakaki."

Saiga nodded. "That is a good idea. Issei’s ki is derived from his anger, which works with Sakaki’s bloodlust in how he harnesses it. It would be beneficial if Issei comes across supernatural beings, if they aim to strike him."

Shigure's eyes narrowed. "He already has… and I don't like it."

Akisame smirked. "You're acting like a protective big sister. And you turned him down."

Kensei perked up. "Oh? He asked out Shigure? That poor boy."

Akisame waved a hand. "No, no. When I healed him, he wanted to train, but Shigure sent him home to rest. He even noted that he wished that he had someone like her as a big sister, so he could have learned all of her tricks and have her eyes."

Miu blinked. "Her eyes?"

"He said that she had the eyes of a warrior, which does fit into his dream. By the way, Kenichi, he added that when he achieves his dream, you can write about his journey, and you might win that award." Akisame answered her question.

Kenichi laughed. "Honestly, it doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Shigure spoke quietly. "He did… have my eyes… in the spar."

Kenichi turned to her. "Is that why you stopped the match?"

"Yes." She looked at Ukita. "He would have… severely injured you. That last punch… it had ki in it."

Ikki whistled. "Damn. He was going for the killshot."

Akisame chuckled. "And that's probably why he thought you were disappointed in him. Well... congratulations, Shigure."

Shigure tilted her head. "For what?"

"You've got yourself a kid brother now." He could see it in Issei's eyes that he didn't want to disappoint the kunoichi and complied to her wishes of resting without argument.

Sakaki burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I can't wait to meet this kid."

"Apachai wants to meet him too! Apa!"

Kensei raised a hand. "First, was the spar recorded?"

Miu lifted her phone. "Yes. I recorded it."

Hayato grinned. "Excellent. Let’s finish off here and then head to the living room to watch."

The masters' intrigue was palpable. They finished eating quickly, eager to see Issei's performance firsthand. It meant they could critique him before the tournament and pass their advice down through Kenichi and the others.

After the dinner, the members of MMA club, plus Miu convened with each other to discuss what they learned about their new club member.

Ikki leaned back, arms behind his head. "You really think he said all that?"

Kenichi blinked. "Said all of what?"

"Ise. You think he meant what he said? About us being like his older siblings? I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind having a little brother."

Ukita shrugged. "He didn't say anything about me, but I expected that. I can see why you've got confidence in him."

Kisara smirked. "I'll see what he's made of on Monday. He seems like a fun kid."

Raichi grinned mischievously. "Oh? Maybe you’ll get along because you’re both flat. But then again, his pecs have grown, so he may be bigger than you."

Kisara twitched. "What was that?"

Raichi grabbed her own budding chest. "You heard me, ironing board."

"We're the same size, you bitch!"

Ukita quickly held his girlfriend back.

Raichi stuck out her tongue. "Not so sure about that."

Kenichi sighed. "What about you, Miu?"

Miu blinked. "What?"

"What do you think about what Ise said?"

Miu hesitated. "I… don't know."

Renka rolled her eyes. "Please. You complain about not having siblings, and when you get the chance to adopt one, you back out?"

"I didn't say that..." Miu tried to protest.

"Renka, please…" Kenichi warned the Chinese specialist.

Renka crossed her arms. "I’m just saying for a so-called pervert, he has some respect for you. Even if you don’t respect him. This is why I told you to sit down and talk with him, you blonde bimbo."

"Renka!" Kenichi called out as he didn't like his girlfriend being insulted.

Kaname was inspecting her staff. "I think she has a point. I only know him from what Ikki tells me."

Raichi nodded. "Same here, I only know him from what the school says. Then what you guys say about him, so I talked with him. Sometimes, we have lunch together, it feels nice talking to someone that is in my grade. I never thought he liked robots and spaceships growing up."

Miu blinked. "Really?"

Renka nodded. "Yeah. And he can sing..." She gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Sing?" Ikki looked at her in question.

Renka deflated. "Oh no… now he's gonna hate me. There go my massages…"

Kenichi chuckled. "I don't think he'll hate you."

Miu nodded. "He does have an adequate voice, it's decent enough that you can listen to it."

Raichi's eyes widened. "You heard him?"

Kenichi smiled. "We both did. His first day back at the club. He was opening up. That's why I went to Elize-sensei's office, to learn more." He sighed softly. "Even more, that story of the miscarriages and wanting someone to follow. It makes sense why he wants to make us proud and sees us as older siblings."

Renka softened. "He can really be a kid sometimes, but when you’re alone for so long... that desperation of wanting friends can take hold, it explains how he got associated with those two other perverts."

Ikki nodded. "He’s also got a sense of loyalty. How else do you explain why he stuck with them for so long?"

Kaname smiled faintly. "I’d say that’s a good sign as he would be loyal to your club."

Ukita agreed. "That's true."

Kenichi frowned. "Yeah, but last week, Shigure noted that the devils at school are looking to recruit him potentially."

Raichi raised her hand. "That Yuuma girl in my class has some interest in him."

Miu raised an eyebrow. "Isn't she part of the student council?"

Renka scoffed. "Well, he certainly doesn’t trust them. I already told you guys about how he got Akeno a piece of artwork. It looks like he gave it to her, since I haven’t seen it around in the latter half of the week."

Ukita shrugged. "Haven't heard anything about him being rejected."

Renka shook her head. "It wasn’t a means to ask her out, it was just an apology gift. He told me on our lunch break today that was when he confronted Gremory's future husband. Apparently, he put the 'dark prince' in his place and called him a hypocrite. Said everyone has perverted thoughts, so judging him was stupid as we're not saints." Then she smirked. "And when the guy claimed Ise idolized the Gremory's fiancé… Ise decked him."

"He likely used his ki." Kenichi theorized as he knew that using ki allowed them to fight the supernatural.

"Man, I wish I'd seen that." Kisara sighed.

Renka crossed her arms proudly. "Not only that, but the fiancé sent one of his pawns to attack Ise. It was a girl. Ise was ecstatic and was showing me how he deflected her staff and pushed her back into her people. He was quite proud of showing the skills that he learned."

Raichi hid a smile. 'He was sooo trying to impress you.'

Kenichi nodded thoughtfully. "Must've been a lower‑class devil. If he learns to control his ki, he could take on a middle‑class one… assuming they can't fight."

Kaname dried her hands. "Well, let's see what your masters think."

Kenichi nodded. "Right."

The teenagers finished their cleaning and straightened out the kitchen and headed to the living room. The camera was already connected to the TV, and the masters were already waiting for them with eager eyes. They sat down amongst the adults, while Miu was in charge of the remote.

"Okay… starting the video."

She pressed play.

The room fell silent as Ukita and Issei appeared on screen, stepping into their stances. The first thing that they noticed was that Issei was prepared to switch. They watched his eyes as he was searching for a weak spot on Ukita. They noticed how Ukita was trying to rile him up, it did the trick.

"He has the advantage in speed." Hayato surmised, watching Issei charge.

"Indeed." Saiga nodded in agreement.

Kensei leaned forward. "What the...? You showed him a feint attack?"

"No! I didn’t even tell him about feint attacks!" Renka denied the accusation.

Akisame stroked his chin. "He's fighting instinctively. He forced Ukita to give him an opening and took it."

Sakaki laughed. "Unlike Miu, I doubt you were trying to give him an opening, huh, Ukita?"

"No, sir." Ukita answered.

"Apa! If it was Apachai, Apachai would've kneed you in the face."

Sakaki smirked. "Maybe you'll get your chance after he learns taekwondo."

"Apa…" Apachai drooped, disappointed that he would still have to wait.

They continued to watch as Ukita flipped Issei and continue to kick him, while he was down. However, Issei just wouldn’t stay down, it’s like he was willing himself to keep going.

"This explains the rib damage. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing." Akisame noted as he remembered the bruising near Issei's ribs.

"He can take a beating. Just like you, Kenichi." Sakaki clapped Kenichi on the back.

"Yeah…" Kenichi blushed, remembering his own beatings at his masters' hands.

Kensei's eyes widened. "Oh? The takushosou stance. So you taught him that. Not bad form. He listens well, Renka. I'm proud."

"Thank you, father."

Sakaki whistled. "He even took the blow to bait Ukita in."

They listened to Issei’s words about being a different kind of beast, making the master smile. They could see that he would not quit, it was in his DNA to not give up. They watched as he hammered into Ukita’s restrained leg with multiple blows. Each blow more precise than the last as they could see the grimace, but they noticed how one punch was different from the others.

"He used his ki. It is definitely linked to his anger and continues to push himself." Hayato said, acknowledging what Saiga had told him.

"And now there's blood in the water. How's the leg, Ukita?" The karate master asked the sunglasses wearing student.

"Still bruised… but good enough to walk." Ukita answered. "I had to use a small amount of ki, but he still broke through it."

"It’s game over. He made a weak spot and a critical one for a big man like you, Ukita." Akisame informed.

Ukita nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

They continued to watch as Issei apologized and made his declaration on winning the spar. The masters could tell that this was Issei’s match now, despite him wincing with every breath from the pain in his ribs. They could see Issei looking at Ukita’s leg, switching his glances between his face. He was challenging Ukita to do what he wanted to do.

They saw Issei begin to give body shots into Ukita, weakening his defenses and making him vulnerable. When Ukita got close, he gave himself some space or tried to, but he received the palm uppercut.

"Did you teach him that, Renka?" Kensei questioned his daughter.

"Yes." She put her head down. "I even told him the consequences of trying it on an opponent with a weak neck."

"Good, just checking." Kensei nodded, knowing that it was a good thing that Ukita had bulk to his neck.

Sakaki whistled. "Damn, what a left hook."

They saw Shigure stop the fight and they looked to her for an explanation.

"He had ki… stored up. He was going… for the kill shot." She answered.

Akisame nodded. "He did have your eyes when he did it."

Kensei chuckled. "I must say that his Chinese kenpo is not bad, still could use some work. Maybe I should come to the dojo, you know, for research purposes."

Renka glared. "Oh no you don't. You're not getting near him until after the tournament."

"But I could teach him the double palm thrust." Kensei whined to his daughter.

"Kenichi or I can handle that. You just want to sneak peeks at the high school girls. Even worse is people knowing that my father is a pervert!" She retorted back to her father.

Kensei smirked. "You have a surrogate brother who's a pervert, and a crush on someone who's a pervert. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Renka blushed, but so did Kenichi as he remembered the albums that he got from Kensei with pictures of Miu.

Hayato cleared his throat. "Well, let’s not spook him like we did with Kenichi, but I am impressed for such a rookie. You all have done well in the beginning of a mold of something. From what I can see, Akisame is correct about him being offensive minded. He will look into Muay Thai and Karate, since his big sister mentioned those to him."

Shigure had to glare as she did not like the notion of being called a big sister so early. However, she didn't deny it as she knew that if Issei did start calling her that, she probably wouldn’t have minded. After all, he never had a problem with Tōchūmaru, so that was a plus for her.

Saiga folded his arms. "The more he grows, the more devils will want him. I expect that they will make one last push for him. Oh, before I forget, something is going down with the fallen angels."

"Now the fallen angels are getting involved?" Kenichi looked at the man.

"Yes, but we should get some information soon. For now, let’s get some rest and Renka?"

"Hmm?" The Chinese specialist looked at the Fūrinji heir.

"Do you know when Issei finishes his training today?"

"It would be around this time, but he may train more because Shigure refused to train him yesterday."

Shigure made a mental note that she will make sure that Issei listens to her instructions. After all, she was making sure that his body didn’t break down more than it would have.

Shigure's right eye twitched. 'Baka.'

For Issei, he had finished his training and shift at the store, he also got to see some new designs that Setsuka made. As a bonus, Setsuka fabricated his remaining headband with the silk used for kimonos. It was still black and red, but the red had a flame design to them. She had told him that he has the fire and desire to train, hence why she chose that design.

"You have fire in you, Issei. Keep it burning and be the warrior that you want to be." Setsuka handed the headband to him.

He thanked her for it and wore the headband tied around his wrist. He couldn't help but remember Shidou’s mom and what she had done for him, when he was young. She would take Shidou and him to the department store or to a hero show. She was the second mother figure to him, but Setsuka always looks out for him. She made sure that the kendo duo or anyone from their club didn't disturb him and if they jeered at him, she moved him from the situation. He did make sure not to be late like the first day.

The best part was he was beginning to be able to swing a sword, thanks to both Shigure’s help and Mitsurugi’s training. The power of his swings were doing better but nowhere on the level that Mitsurugi showed on the first day. Sometimes Setsuka would assist, but unfortunately, he could not beat Mitsurugi and his master was holding back immensely. Mitsurugi was more than willing to throw him into the fire and they got to sparring. Now, he had biked home and was changing into something a little more comfortable for fishing.

"Ready to go?" Gorou asked his son.

"Yeah." He turned to his mother. "Kaa‑san, we'll be back soon."

Gorou kissed his wife. "We'll see you in a couple hours."

"You two stay safe. Come here, Ise." Miki instructed her son as she opened her arms.

Issei went and hugged his mother, but he could not but feel a little envious of his parents’ affections towards each other. He could only hope that he could find that type of love one day. He was snapped out of his thoughts, when his father clamped him on the shoulder.

Gorou clapped his shoulder. "Come on, sport. We gotta go."

"Right." Issei nodded.

While the night drive was silent, Gorou could tell something was on his son’s mind.

Gorou glanced over. "You doing alright, son?"

"Yeah, I… no."

Gorou waited. "What's the matter?"

Issei stared out the window. "Just… how affectionate you and kaa‑san were before we left."

Gorou chuckled softly as he drove, the streetlights sliding across the windshield. "We're always like that."

Issei slumped back in his seat. "Yeah… but I can't help wondering if there's a girl out there for me, you know?"

Gorou hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I'm sure there's a girl at your school who..."

"No, tou‑san. They all know my reputation."

Gorou winced as he remembered about that. "What about in your club?"

"Either they're with someone, or they like someone else. I'm not going to try and woo someone when their heart belongs to another."

"I see… well, your friend Shidou..."

"He probably found himself an English girlfriend by now. Meanwhile I'm stuck here with the stigma of being a pervert."

Gorou resisted the urge to smack his own forehead. 'Great job, Gorou. Bring up the kid who moved overseas. Brilliant.'

Gorou almost wanted to smack himself, but he decided that he would try to contact churches in England and see if his friend, Touji, still worked for them. It would also give him some insight on if their daughter was seeing anyone and maybe even plan to send Issei there for a visit. The students would be going on break, so maybe he could pull enough funds for Issei to go to England. He would also be able to enjoy some time alone with Miki as well, but right now, his son needed confidence for his self-esteem.

"Look, we talked about this. Don't listen to outside noise. It'll only drag you down." Gorou advised his son.

"I know… it just sucks. I want what you and kaa‑san have. But with my reputation, I don't know if that's possible."

"Don't worry about that. You've got a tournament in two weeks. Show them what you can do."

Issei sighed. "I don’t know about that... Raichi's on a different level than me. I have yet to surpass her."

Gorou raised a brow. "Her? So you've already got a crush on someone?"

"No, no, no! She's in my grade, but she’s the first true friend that I’ve had since Shidou left. She also is crushing on my senpai, and I don’t see her in a romantic way. More like a rival and someone I have to beat if I want to be a strong warrior one day."

Gorou laughed. "You can be one physically. But you won’t be one mentally, if you keep letting the outside noise get to you."

"You’re right. Sorry, Mitsurugi-shishou said the same thing. I need to have a better mental fortitude. I can have my anger, but I should not release it erratically. It needs to be focused, so I can harness it, and use it to my advantage."

Gorou nodded. "That is true because if you let your anger cloud your mind, then it will make you predictable because you would have a one-track mind."

"That's true."

"Well, here we are." Gorou parked near the pier.

The two got out, but something made Issei’s instincts prickled like static crawling up his spine as they got the gear out and began walking the pier. As they were walking, Issei could see that there was someone there already. A lone figure stood at the edge of the pier, fishing rod in hand.

"Looks like someone beat us here." Gorou called out, cheerful as ever. "Hello there!"

"Oh, hey!" The man turned.

He had black hair streaked with blonde highlights and a relaxed smile. Issei's eyes narrowed as he studied the man, determining if he was a threat.

"Seems we're not the only ones who thought of night fishing." Gorou informed the man.

"Seems like it."

"I'm Gorou." He extended a hand.

"Azazel." The man said as he shook it.

Issei stiffened. 'Azazel? I know I heard that name from somewhere.'

"This is my son, Issei." Gorou introduced him to the man.

"Hi." Issei didn't extend his hand.

Something about this man felt… wrong. He was lucky that his father was too busy setting up their fishing gear to not notice. New chapters come out on g.com first.

"Hello. I have a son about your age." Azazel told him.

"Oh yeah? What does he do?" Issei asked.

"He likes to fight." Azazel answered.

Issei perked up. "Really? Is he strong?"

"I'd say so." Azazel nodded.

"What's his style?" Issei continued his questions.

Azazel blinked. "His… style?"

"Yeah. Martial arts? Or is he a street fighter?"

"I'd say that he's a bit more refined than a street fighter… but close."

"I see." As he set down his gear.

"Why the questions?" Azazel asked Gorou.

Gorou sighed. "Issei's in the mixed martial arts club at his school." Then he turned to Issei. "Please don't tell me you're trying to start a fight."

"I'm not! I'm just gauging a possible opponent." Issei looked at Azazel. "What's your son's name?"

"Vali."

"Vali? It doesn’t sound Japanese like yours doesn’t. I guess you’re not from here, despite the hair." Issei deduced, but he couldn't really Azazel's face properly.

Azazel blinked again. "My… hair?"

"Yeah, I see it at conventions. some people like to cosplay and dye their hair colors to the anime character that they are cosplaying as. Although you look a little old to be a cosplayer." Issei said.

Azazel burst out laughing. "You're right. I'm not."

"Well, I know that there isn’t a Vali in my school or at least none that I know of."

"Oh, he'd stand out. You wouldn't miss him."

"I see." Issei went to help his father.

Azazel studied him quietly. ‘Hmm, there’s a presence of something in this boy... not a sacred gear, but it is something.’

"So your son doesn't go to Kuoh Academy?" Gorou questioned Azazel.

"Oh no. He's more of a... freelancer."

"So what brings you to Kuoh?"

"Oh well, I have a belief that a... colleague of mine may be interested in setting up shop here."

"Not much for business. It is a small town, but growing." Issei shrugged.

"I can see that, but it can flourish, when you bring in the right pieces." Azazel tilted his head. "If I may ask... Issei, right?"

"Yes?" Issei looked back at him.

"What's your dream?"

Issei paused. "It constantly changes. At the beginning of the school year, it was to be a harem king, then I wanted to be the best fighter of my grade, but that still felt a little shallow. So I want to be a strong warrior. Of course, I’d still like a job and family."

"What are you good with?" Azazel started his own questioning.

"Well, I take after my old man here." Issei pointed in Gorou's direction. "So I’m okay with computers and video editing."

"Going to be a streamer?"

Gorou groaned. "I hope not."

"No." Issei shook his head. "I said I would like a job, sometimes streamers don’t make it because of the audience that they cater to. If you don’t get a good audience, the pay won’t be as much."

Azazel raised a brow. "You're surprisingly analytical."

"Are you an anime fan, Azazel-san?"

"I dabble a little bit."

"Alright. Here’s an example, the manga, Dragon Ball, it sells, so the anime keeps going. They have a great audience, but I would not suggest getting caught up in the fandom. Some anime have fandoms that are toxic and they never appreciate the way things are. Do you know that there are some anime that are left unfinished because the sales of the manga that it is derived from is not doing so well?

Azazel shook his head. "No, I’m not really aware of that."

"It’s the same with streamers. If you’re not playing a game that the audience likes, you’re not going to get much revenue in return. Similar to manga sales to keep an anime going. There are some anime that are finished but things get cut up because they don’t have the time to insert that moment in the anime. It’s why I tend to stick to the source material because it shows the author’s vision. Of course, you got some instances, where the author adds to anime because of time constraints on the manga." Issei explained. "And my vision is not to be a streamer. Maybe I’ll do some unboxing videos to new technology, but that will be for later. You know when I have more money to buy said technology. I could get big and have tech companies sponsor me, but like I said it’s not easy to be a streamer, it’s a hit or a miss."

Azazel chuckled. "That’s an interesting correlation that you made there. So since you got the job thing panned out... what about the family part? Got a girl?"

"No, I don't have a girl." Issei deflated slightly. "It’s not likely that she’ll be from here either."

"Why's that?" Azazel raised an eyebrow, he could see that the kid wasn't bad looking.

Gorou sighed. "Issei can be a bit too honest about himself."

"Meaning?" Azazel raised an eyebrow.

Issei exhaled. "Well… emember my dream of wanting to be harem king? It’s not very flattering to the opposite sex. Even worse is that I used to peep on girls with my former friends, so I got the reputation of the Perverted Beast and the stigma of a pervert."

Azazel chuckled, casting his line back into the dark water. "Ha. Most people are perverted. Not everyone's a saint."

Issei let out a long breath. "I said that to someone earlier... but it doesn’t matter. No matter how much I try, I’ll always be a pervert. So I’ll look elsewhere. Maybe I'll go abroad and find my wife there, but I will be honest with her and explain my past and what I did. If she still loves me after that, then I’ll be grateful and aim to keep her."

Azazel smirked. "Your son's a bit of a romantic, huh, Gorou?"

"Nothing wrong with that." Gorou answered, his rod suddenly bent. "Oh, I got one!"

"Well, reel it in." Azazel told him.

"There we go…" He pulled up a shimmering fish. "A milkfish. Pretty common around here."

Azazel's rod jerked next. "Whoa!"

"Probably another milkfish. They swim in schools." Gorou informed him.

Azazel reeled it in and it was another milkfish. "Looks like you were right, haha."

"What about you, sport?" Gorou turned to Isse.

Issei reeled in his own catch. "Same as you, tou‑san."

"Guess we stumbled on a school of them." Gorou dispatched his fish cleanly and placed it in the cooler. "We better make the most of it." Issei followed suit.

Azazel simply just unhooked his fish and threw it back into the water, while shrugging. "Have at it. I'm not really a fish guy. I just do it to pass the time."

"I see. Issei and I used to do this, but we stopped after a while because he had broken one of my fishing rods and felt bad about it, so he quit. As a result, I quit, too. This is our first time doing this again." Gorou said.

"Is that right? Well, if you want, I can also be your fishing partner." Azazel suggested. "It was nice talking to you."

"Sure. Maybe bring your son next time. I'm sure Issei would like someone his age to talk to." Gorou replied.

Azazel laughed. "I'm not sure he'd enjoy it. Fishing isn't really his scene."

Issei remained quiet as Azazel continued to talk with his father, they continued on for another half hour. Issei just simply fished, he was thinking about what he would learn from Kisara. He had done a little research and knew that he needed to stretch his legs or be nimbler. They caught about six fish in the next half hour, since it was nighttime. They didn’t want to stay out too late. Issei packed up and went to put the cooler in the car, while Azazel and Gorou continued to talk.

"Let me give you my number. So we can keep in touch." Azazel suggested.

"Of course. Not very often that I run into a fellow fisherman." Gorou gave a smile. "I had another buddy, who I went fishing with. We’d leave the kids with our wives and just go."

Azazel raised a brow. "Oh? You have more than one kid?"

"No, it’s just Issei, and he had a daughter. But I don’t think Issei knew that." Gorou snickered.

Azazel tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Well, she acted like a tomboy. We almost thought she was a boy like Issei does, but he told us that she was a girl." Gorou chuckled. "Issei was so excited about gaining a new friend that she never got to finish introducing herself."

"So he never learned her name?" Azazel wondered out loud.

"He learned her surname because it’s common to introduce yourself by your surname first in Japan." Gorou clarified. "We kind of don’t do that, since I never told you my last name and in return, you did not tell me yours."

"I see." Azazel slowly nodded.

"Yeah, still to this day, he still thinks her name is Shidou. I swear she was head over heels for that boy."

Azazel's grin sharpened. "Oh really?"

"Oh yeah, we as parents could see it." Gorou shook his head at the density of his son. "I don’t think he knows it, if she’s still single maybe there’s a chance, but who knows. Her mother even told him that her daughter would be looked after by Issei in the future. I don’t think he realizes the implications of that."

"Hoho… boy's got a girlfriend and doesn't even know it." Azazel laughed.

"But that's if she's still single. My wife and I are planning to send him to England to see them during the next school break." Gorou told him.

Azazel's eyes gleamed. "Really now?" He now had a way in to gain the trust of the Hyoudou to further understand what it is that he sensed from Gorou's son.

"That won’t be for some time, so we have a while to save up."

"Well, I hope she's still single. For his sake." Azazel nodded.

"Tell me about it. He was a bit mopey on the ride here because he doesn’t feel like any girl would want him. He just doesn’t know that he met her twelve years ago, but she was a good influence on him... unlike his former friends here. He wants to do right by her, so he is moving away from his perversion and wanting to be something more."

Azazel nodded. "I think he can be."

"As do I…"

"Tou‑san!" Issei called out as he jogged back toward them. "We're all set. Can we go now?"

"Of course." Gorou turned to Azazel. "Maybe we'll see you again."

"I hope so." He shook Gorou's hand.

What Issei did not tell Gorou is that he saw a blue flash and then a flash of someone with silver hair. His instincts told him that they should get out of there. He already got that uneasy feeling from Azazel, so whatever he saw, he figured that Azazel could handle himself. Deep down, he was willing to fight whatever it was. But he had a feeling that he would lose, so he forced himself to make a tactical retreat. It was something that made him grit his teeth as he didn’t have the confidence that he could win this fight, but maybe in the future he would.

"See ya around, Issei." Azazel waved, while Issei gave him a nod in return.

Issei did not notice, but Azazel saw him shift his eyes over to the side that it almost made him smirk. He waved goodbye to the Hyoudou father and son as they walked to their car. Gorou waved back, while Issei trudged his father along and urging him into the car.

Azazel watched them go, amused. 'I wonder if he spotted one of them.'

Once the Hyoudou car was far enough down the road, Azazel straightened, eyes narrowing toward the shadows at the end of the pier.

He called out to his guests. "Alright… you can come out now."

Azazel exhaled softly, eyes drifting toward the dark stretch of pier behind him. From the shadows, two figures emerged, one a silver‑haired teenager with an icy stare, the other a black‑haired young woman wearing a scowl.

"So that's your boyfriend, huh, Raynare?" The silver haired one asked.

"It's Yuuma. He likes that name better."

"Whatever." The silver haired teen rolled his eyes.

Azazel chuckled. "Now, now, Vali. Don't tease her too much." He turned to Yuuma. "So? Any word on what Freed's been saying?"

Yuuma crossed her arms. "No. I haven't met with him yet. I'm hoping to once the Gremory leaves for their training. The Sitri didn't believe me when I told them about the Gremory's time off."

"Continue your surveillance." Azazel ordered.

Yuuma clicked her tongue. "Why do I have to be part of her peerage to do that?"

"Because it's your punishment for trying to kill Sacred Gear users."

Yuuma glared. "I was doing something for our faction."

"Then you would have observed them like I told you to, not kill them." He gave her a stern glaze. "I appreciate what you were doing for the good of the faction, but that was not the way. So I had to mark you as a rogue, when Sirzechs gave me the call."

Vali smirked. "So you think Kokabiel is behind this?"

"I'm certain. He's the only cadre who still wants a war." Azazel answered.

Vali shrugged. "I think I’ll let him do his thing."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Because I want to see how strong my rival is."

Azazel laughed. "Typical of you." He shifted his gaze to Yuuma. "Oh, and Raynare…"

"What?" She snapped, knowing that she wasn't fond of the name, even if it was her actual name.

"I found something interesting about that boyfriend of yours."

Yuuma stiffened. "What is it?"

"You've got more competition. This time from far away."

Yuuma's eyes twitched. "You got to be shitting me. I already have to deal with the blue haired chick that he’s always hanging around with and also the fucking cow tits of Baraqiel’s daughter."

Azazel shrugged. "Well, you know what they say. Love ain't easy."

Vali snorted. "What do you know about love?"

"Plenty. I could teach you, if you'd let me."

"I don’t give a damn about your harem advice. As far as I know, sticking your dick in someone ain’t love."

"It can be, depending on how you look at it." Azazel smirked.

"Whatever." Vali shrugged.

Azazel tapped his chin. "I wonder which one of you he spotted."

Yuuma blinked. "Who?"

"Your boyfriend, of course. Or at least the one you're jilling yourself off to in your apartment."

Yuuma's face went crimson. "You put cameras in my apartment!?" She was offended that he was watching her, when it was his call that put her in this position.

Azazel burst into laughter. "Hahaha, no. But your reaction just confirmed what you do in your private time."

Vali smirked. "So what about him?" Wondering if he was someone that he could fight.

Although he really didn't think much of Issei either, so unless Azazel got something. Then Vali wasn't interested.

Azazel regained his composure. "He was looking over in the direction that you were in. It makes me wonder which one he spotted."

Vali scoffed. "Probably this horndog. Her jaw dropped when she saw him."

"Shut up!" Yuuma retorted as if her blush couldn't go any deeper.

Azazel laughed again. "Haha, besides I don’t see what the issue is, Raynare." Saying the name to annoy her. "Just share him, I’m sure he’ll be in for a good time. Although I am curious why Baraqiel’s daughter is interested in him?"

Vali waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. What matters is how strong my rival is."

Yuuma rolled her eyes. "Tch. Not strong enough."

Azazel raised a brow. "Oh? And what do you know?"

Yuuma smirked. "I know Issei clocked his ass when he claimed Issei idolized the Phenex clan's third son for having a harem."

Vali's eyes narrowed. "Your boyfriend is just a human. How could he hurt a devil, even a low‑class one?"

Yuuma folded her arms, chin tilted defiantly. "He used ki."

Azazel's eyes gleamed with interest. "So that's what I felt inside him, huh? If he trains hard enough, he could materialize it into touki."

Vali scoffed. "So?"

"So… you'd better polish your hand‑to‑hand combat, Vali." Azazel teased.

"I don't need to. Not against a human."

Azazel chuckled. "Only time will tell."

Yuuma tapped her foot impatiently. "Are we done here? I don’t want Freed to know that I’m missing if he’s staking my apartment out."

Vali shrugged. "There were no presences around when I showed up. At least none that were different from the others that she lives with."

"Then take her back. We’ll just have to wait and see what Kokabiel has planned, it must be something big. If things don’t go as planned, then Vali... I will call you to handle it. Kokabiel may be strong, but his arrogance will be his downfall. He will underestimate you and that is how he will lose." Azazel ordered the two teenagers.

Vali smirked. "That's what I'm expecting."

Azazel turned to Yuuma. "Raynare, when you learn something... I suggest you inform your mistress. The last thing we need is for the devils to think that you were a spy for us and that Kokabiel was carrying out some order from me. If need be, you can schedule an audience between me and her. It will show that we are not involved with Kokabiel’s plan."

"Understood." Yuuma nodded.

"Just remember that you should only do it, when you figure out what Freed knows." He reminded her.

"Got it." She responded in an agitated tone.

"Good. You two may go. I'd like to keep fishing."

Vali rolled his eyes and summoned a magic circle beneath his feet. "Whatever."

Light enveloped the two teenagers as he teleported Yuuma back to her apartment before heading off on his own place.

Once they were gone, silence returned to the pier. Azazel cast his line again, the moonlight reflecting off the water. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

'That's an interesting one you've got there, Saiga. The kid's got potential.' Azazel's expression darkened. ‘But don’t think that I have forgotten about that Cross Times Kiss team of yours. You may have been able to hide the other members, but Mitsuya is a danger. I hope you are aware of that. I know the devils do not trust your group either, you’re lucky that Grigori only deems Mitsuya as a problem, so it makes me wonder what will become of Issei, he seems kind hearted enough, but…’ His eyes narrowed toward the empty pier. 'Power poisons the heart.'

The Hyoudou car pulled into the driveway. Gorou glanced at his son. "You seemed to be in a hurry."

Issei exhaled, still tense. "Yeah. That Azazel guy can take care of himself, but… I saw like a bluish flash and then something silver. We weren’t alone." He lifted the cooler from the trunk.

"If you say so." Gorou chuckled, chalking it up to imagination as he grabbed the fishing rods.

Inside, Miki sat at her computer in her nightwear, her reading glasses perched on her nose. She turned as the door opened.

"How was it?" Miki asked when she saw them.

"Tou‑san made a new friend. But we caught six fish." Issei answered as he headed to the kitchen to store them.

"Yeah, he wasn't bad. Said he had a son around Ise's age, but the kid's not into fishing." Gorou added on.

"Oh? Ise could've made a new friend." Miki was excited about Issei making new friends.

"You know how teenagers are. They go through rebellious phases." Gorou answered.

"Or perverted ones." Miki pointed out, since it happened with their son.

"Almost the same. But that one's on us. We should've been stricter. Still, he's doing alright." He stored the rods away.

"Times are changing. So who's your new friend?" Miki asked.

"His name’s Azazel, we had a good talk. Apparently, Ise is a bit jealous of the affection that we have for each other." Gorou informed his wife.

"Oh no…" Miki gasped.

"Yeah, I talked to Azazel about it and mentioned a little miss Shidou that Ise believes is still a boy."

"Oh?"

"I told him that we planned to send Ise to England to see them. I’m going to see if I can look into some churches. Maybe Touji will be working at one and talk to him about sending Ise over."

"That's a wonderful idea. Though it'll be awkward if she's dating." Miki looked worried as she didn't want to give her son hope, only for it to shatter in his face.

"I hope not. Maybe Ise will finally see someone actually loves him, perverted or not." Gorou sighed, knowing that despite their son's flaws, that girl still stuck by his side.

"You're right. Oh, and I have an announcement." Miki said.

"What is it?" Gorou asked.

"Ise, come here!" She called out to her son.

Issei had finished packing up the fish in the freezer and was washing out the cooler.

He walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands with a towel, seeing his parents in each other’s arms. "Yeah?"

"Come here." Miki disengaged an arm from Gorou and waving Issei over into the hug, forming a family hug, which Issei felt a little uncomfortable in.

"So? What's the news?" Gorou asked his wife.

"Well, I was just informed that the other candidate dropped out, so…" Miki left that statement open for them to figure out the rest.

Gorou's eyes widened upon realization. "You got your job back!"

"Yes!"

Gorou hugged them both tighter. "This is great!"

"I won't start for two months, though."

"That's great, kaa‑san." Still feeling awkward of the closeness of his parents hugging him.

"Which means I have two months to make sure you can take care of yourself, mister." She told her son.

She knew that he was growing up and wanted him to be prepared as much as she could in the short time that she had with him.

"Oh, that’s right... it means you will be coming back with tou-san later, so I will be in charge of dinner." Issei realized.

"Only on the days that you don’t stay late. I know you are taking on extra hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evening after practice. If there are other days, just let us know and we can pick something on the way back home as well, so you don’t need to overwork yourself." Miki told him, showing her concern as she didn't want him to burnout.

Issei raised an eyebrow. "Overwork myself?"

"Ise, you work and train on the weekends, or it’s train, school, train, on the weekdays. Find a day and have a little fun, you’re a teenager." Miki reminded him. "Get out and hang with your friends."

"She's right. And if you need peace of mind, you can always come fishing with your old man. If not, I'll hit up Azazel." Gorou chuckled.

Issei rolled his eyes. "Already talking like he's your best friend, huh?"

"I just want you to be happy, son."

"I'll try. I just want to be good enough for the tournament."

"In two weeks, right?" Miki asked, she wanted to make sure that it was on the schedule.

"Yeah." Issei nodded.

"We'll be there to support you. We’d like to see all of that hard work you put in, come to fruition." Miki cheered him on.

"Thanks, well, I gotta go to bed. You know... work tomorrow."

"Good night, Ise." She hugged him.

"Good night, kaa‑san."

"We’ll see you tomorrow evening, I guess... if we don’t wake up." Gorou said.

Considering that Issei tended to leave earlier than normal and his parents usually slept in on the weekends.

"Maybe. Good night, tou‑san."

"Good night, sport." He pulled Issei into a firm, fatherly hug.

Issei nodded, offering a small smile before bounding up the stairs. His parents watched him disappear around the corner.

"Despite his perversion… we made a good kid." Gorou noted.

"Yes. It just took us a while to see that. Hopefully his school will too. You know, I got a call from his teacher."

Gorou raised a brow. "What did they say?"

"Ise’s grades have been improving from last year’s, especially from where he started off." Miki told him.

"Oh?"

"Last year he was average at best. Now he's scoring in the upper half of his grade."

"That's a good start. But you know he's going to aim for the top spot in his grade."

"I know. It seems his perversion really held him back. Now that he's let most of it go, he's finally moving forward."

"And he's moved on from those 'friends' of his."

"They were never his friends. You know what they say, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. They saw Ise as an enemy, so they used him to their advantage." She sighed in disdain. "Motohama’s mother had called about a rumor that they had spread about Ise. They claimed that he forced himself upon a girl."

"Oh no…" Gorou's eyes widened at that.

"It turns out that the girl attacked those two for the rumors and claimed that Ise was innocent. So Motohama's mother was apologizing for the stress that he and his friend caused our son."

"I see. I guess it didn't deter Ise. He'd probably beat them up now." Gorou said.

"Indeed, he has grown some muscle. Also did you notice that his twin tails were tied into a small ponytail now?" Miki asked him as she was aware of Issei trying a new look.

"I guess he's trying a new style. Nothing wrong with that." Gorou shrugged.

"Hey, since Ise will be at work... we can start calling churches tomorrow to find Touji." Miki suggested.

"Good idea, but we would need to start in the late afternoon, there’s a seven-hour time difference between here and there." Gorou informed her.

"Right." Miki nodded as she had almost forgotten about that.

Gorou offered his arm. "Shall we head to bed?"

"Yes, we may."

"Oh, and I can help you with the fish before we start doing our research. It’d be like the old days, when we were first married."

"I'd like that. Though I don't mind Ise as my sous‑chef. He's learning new skills every day, that boy." Miki shook her head.

"Well, he’s becoming more responsible. I’m just glad that we are able to witness the change as his parents and really watch him grow this year."

"So am I." Miki nodded in agreement.

They headed to their room, the house settling into a peaceful quiet.

While his parents had been conversing, Issei had finished up his nightly routine of writing in his journal, thanking all those that he was grateful for. He said a prayer as well and flipped through his samurai book. There was a note that he saw, which spoke of mastering the art of resilience and acceptance. He always goes back to it because he knows people will still call him a pervert.

He has already accepted that he was one. He’s a teenager, nobody’s perfect. He would need to continue resisting the taunts, he knows he didn’t do a good job against Takeshi but improved against Ukita. The note stated that because they have mastered those arts, they could be a true warrior, something that Issei was striving to be.

With his nightly routine done, he went to wash his face and change into his sleepwear. Once in bed, he undid the red string that Shigure gave him for his ponytail. He noticed his twin tails no longer jutted outward but rather drooped gently towards the back of his neck. He put on some headphones and looked for a tune to listen to and go to sleep on.

"When it comes to me don't know why I'm such a hater

Should I skip lunch or should I throw it up later?

This hoodie's too big but it make me feel safer…

We got every crutch, every drug, every medicine

But there ain't no pill for comparison…

All these pretty people wear me thin

'Cause I purge myself to look like them…"

The lyrics washed over him like a quiet confession.

It was a reminder to Issei to not compare himself to others and be true to himself. He wondered why the girls in his school try to be like the “Onee-samas” of the school and go after the “princes” of the school. He was sure that there were capable guys in his school. He deduced that they weren’t confident enough and they wanted to be someone else. This was the lesson that he learned about acceptance, he accepted who he was and would not compare himself. He would only compare himself to others in the club, but that is only to assess where he could grow as a fighter. In regard to other aspects, he would only compare himself to himself.

The Issei that people knew at the beginning of the school and years before was mostly gone. He was no longer the scrawny, desperate, perverted boy as before as the two perverts that still continue to spread rumors about him. He knows that his former self is mostly gone because he is still a teenager. He likes that he was able to look in the mirror and correct himself from the pervert that he was. Maybe the others in his school will stop being superficial and just be themselves rather than try to be someone else. He understands that people want to be somebody. But they shouldn’t be somebody else, just be themselves. With that final thought, he closed his eyes, looking forward to his work and training. He would be taking his path to be a strong warrior for his friends and family, but most importantly, for himself.