Issei had done everything as usual, just like always. His day had been far more boring than normal, especially when considering everything the boy had already been through in his life. His classmates had nothing interesting to talk about today, no exciting gossip, no fun conversations. Because of that, he headed straight to the Occult Research Club after changing his clothes and putting on his blindfold.
"I hope there’s something good today." (Issei)
"I think there will be… or we’ll die of boredom." (Qin)
"A truly horrifying way to die, if you ask me." (Issei)
"There is no worse death than that." (Qin)
Issei entered the clubroom and arrived later than everyone else. It always took him longer to change and make his way to the club. By the time he arrived, everyone else was already there, wearing their usual outfits.
"Was your day boring?" (Issei)
As he spoke, Issei casually placed his head on Akeno’s lap. He didn’t care about how the others reacted. They were already used to this kind of behavior from him. He was clearly very bored.
"Ours was pretty normal." (Akeno)
"Mine was normal too." (Kiba)
"Same here." (Koneko)
Rias, however, was lost in thought. She was thinking about something her brother had told her earlier, something Akeno already knew about, but Issei did not.
"Issei…" (Rias)
The moment he heard her tone, Issei knew it was serious. Because of that, he focused his attention on the crimson-haired devil, curious about what she was about to say. Maybe it would finally break his boredom.
"The Angels want to meet with you before the three factions officially gather. It will be a private meeting. Akeno will guide you there." (Rias)
The moment he heard that, Issei felt genuinely happy. Angels meeting him personally? That alone was enough to spark his interest. At the very least, it would kill his boredom—and maybe something fun would happen.
"Keep an eye on him, Akeno." (Rias)
"I’ll monitor him very closely." (Akeno)
After that, Akeno and Issei left the club together. Their destination was the shrine where Himejima, the senpai of the Occult Research Club, lived. The structure of the place looked like a traditional Shinto shrine, the kind where Japanese people offered their prayers to the Kami.
"This place is really beautiful." (Issei)
"I asked Rias to have it built for me. It was made specifically for my sake." (Akeno)
"It really is beautiful… but it also feels kind of empty." (Issei)
Those words made Akeno feel slightly sad. That shrine truly was empty. That was an undeniable truth. There was nothing there besides silence, melancholy, and lingering sadness.
"It was designed to be a special place for me." (Akeno)
"I see…" (Issei)
Seeing Akeno in that rare state of sadness, Issei decided not to push the conversation any further. She was always playful, teasing, or gentle. Seeing her like this—quiet and fragile—made him realize she needed time.
…
…
They waited for a while.
Suddenly, a powerful light enveloped the area. From the center of that overwhelming glow emerged a blond man with piercing blue eyes. He wore red garments adorned with gold details and beautiful white fabric. Large, magnificent wings extended from his back.
"I am Michael, the Leader of Heaven." (Michael)
He introduced himself as the leader of the Archangels and Heaven itself. His face and voice carried an incredible calmness, a peaceful presence that seemed to wash over everything.
Michael and Issei entered the shrine, which also served as Akeno’s home. Inside, the two sat facing each other, preparing for a private conversation.
"It is a pleasure to speak with you. To what do I owe the honor of my presence being requested?" (Issei)
Issei spoke respectfully. As a king and a noble, he knew when respect was deserved—and the man in front of him was certainly someone worthy of it.
"I wished to meet the man who defeated Kokabiel… the current user of the Boosted Gear." (Michael)
Michael returned that respect naturally. The two spoke to each other with a mutual sense of reverence.
"To be honest, I felt a bit disappointed. He had the power of someone who was on the verge of reaching the supreme-class of devils. But his arrogance wasted all of that potential." (Issei)
Michael was visibly surprised. He had heard rumors that the current Boosted Gear user was arrogant and full of himself. Instead, he heard calm analysis.
"I know how to recognize people… and enemies. I won’t underestimate them, but I also won’t overestimate them either." (Issei)
Michael laughed softly.
"You have a very grounded view of the world." (Michael)
"Let us move on to the main topic. I wished to give you something." (Michael)
With a wave of his hand, Michael materialized five finger protectors. They were adorned with golden dragon designs. Their appearance reminded Issei strongly of the equipment Qin, his master, used.
"I wish to give you these. They are not ordinary items. I believe they will be extremely useful for your martial arts." (Michael)
Issei’s expression brightened instantly. He had once considered buying similar protectors, but they always broke during combat. Because of that, he had given up on the idea.
"I’m really happy." (Issei)
He put the finger protectors on immediately, already imagining how much stronger his piercing strikes would become. He liked the idea of resembling his master even more.
"I like you." (Michael)
The two continued talking for a long time. When Michael finally left, both of them seemed genuinely satisfied with the meeting.
…
…
Issei lost track of time while admiring the finger protectors on his hands. He didn’t even notice when a black-haired woman wearing shrine maiden clothes approached him.
"They’re beautiful." (Akeno)
"They really are." (Issei)
He wasn’t startled by her presence, but he noticed something strange. The sadness was still there in her voice.
"Is something wrong?" (Issei)
This time, he decided to ask directly.
"What do you think about Fallen Angels?" (Akeno)
She stared straight into his eyes. She wanted the honest opinion of someone who had almost been killed by one—and nearly killed again in an ambush.
"I think they’re just normal people. They can be good or bad." (Issei)
"Normal?" (Akeno)
"Fallen Angels, devils, and humans are all the same to me. Every race has good people and bad people. The Fallen Angels I met were bad, but that doesn’t mean good ones don’t exist." (Issei)
Akeno hesitated.
"If I were a Fallen Angel… would I be good or bad?" (Akeno)
"A good one. You might have sadistic tendencies, but the kindness in your heart is undeniable." (Issei)
She turned around and removed the upper part of her clothes. Issei didn’t react because of his blindfold. From her back, something painful emerged—black wings.
"Looks like you’re a Fallen Angel." (Issei)
He didn’t care. Race meant nothing to him.
"I was born from the love between a Fallen Angel and a human…" (Akeno)
She told him everything. About her parents. About her birth. About her pain.
"So that means I’ve already met a kind Fallen Angel." (Issei)
"What?" (Akeno)
"You." (Issei)
Her self-hatred spilled out. Her anger. Her pain. Her grief.
"You are not defined by your race." (Issei)
He held her hand.
"I’ll help you. I’ll be your pillar." (Issei)
Lightning faded.
Tears followed.
And for the first time, Akeno felt safe.
Akeno’s emotions poured out all at once. Hatred, grief, guilt, and self-loathing mixed together violently. Lightning crackled around her body as her control slipped away.
"I am Fallen… a sinful angel who fell from the Lord’s grace. I am not a good person!" (Akeno)
"You are a good person." (Issei)
His voice was firm.
"It’s not some damn race that defines who you are. Or should Rias be considered evil just because she’s a devil?" (Issei)
Those words struck her deeply. Devils were supposed to be evil by nature, yet Rias, Sirzechs, Grayfia, and so many others were incredibly kind. That contradiction shattered her argument.
"Why do you hate the Fallen Angels so much?" (Issei)
He needed to understand. If he didn’t, Akeno would never be able to move forward. She would continue hating her blood, hating her existence.
"The Himejima Clan considered me an impurity." (Akeno)
Her voice trembled.
"They considered my mother an impurity as well. They tried to kill us. My father wasn’t there at the time… and my mother ended up dying." (Akeno)
Her calm expression vanished completely. Rage twisted her face, but it was mixed with overwhelming sadness.
"My father failed to protect my mother! This blood of mine caused everything! These wings caused everything! It’s all my fault… and my father’s fault!" (Akeno)
Her lightning intensified as her emotions spiraled out of control. She was drowning in hatred—toward the Fallen Angels, toward her father, and toward herself.
"Let me help you overcome this." (Issei)
He reached out and grabbed her hand despite the lightning surrounding her. Her power surged, but he didn’t let go.
"Don’t hate the Fallen Angels. Don’t hate your father. And don’t hate yourself." (Issei)
His grip was firm. His hands were rough and hardened from constant training.
"It doesn’t suit someone as kind as you to live like this." (Issei)
Her lightning slowly weakened.
"Kind…?" (Akeno)
"You’re incredibly kind." (Issei)
"You taught me magic from zero during our training. You always helped me whenever I needed something at the club. There’s no way someone like that can be evil just because of their blood." (Issei)
Her breathing steadied little by little. She wasn’t fully reconciled with her blood yet, but the hatred no longer consumed her completely.
"I’ll help you overcome this however you need." (Issei)
"I’ll be your shoulder when you need to cry. And I’ll be your pillar, so nothing can ever destroy you again." (Issei)
Akeno froze.
That arrogant boy—no, that man—was offering to be her pillar. He wanted nothing in return. He simply wanted her to be okay.
"I won’t need to be afraid of anything anymore?" (Akeno)
"No." (Issei)
"This King never breaks his word." (Issei)
At that moment, the Queen of the Gremory Clan saw him in an entirely new light. The boy she once knew had grown into a man.
Her cheeks flushed red.
Without another word, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
"I’m so happy!" (Akeno)
"I’m surprised." (Issei)
He truly hadn’t expected it. He had always believed that Akeno didn’t feel that way about him, which was why he never made a move.
"Akeno…" (Issei)
"Issei…" (Akeno)
They stared into each other’s eyes for a brief moment before kissing again. This time, it was deeper—tongues intertwining as emotions overflowed.
After a moment, Issei gently pulled away, startling her.
"I want to continue this… but I want to do it when you’re in a mentally healthier state." (Issei)
"How gentle…" (Akeno)
She was deeply touched. He stopped not because he didn’t want her, but because he respected her condition.
"Have you thought about forgiving your father?" (Issei)
"I don’t know… I don’t know anything…" (Akeno)
"I think you should forgive him." (Issei)
"You know it’s not his fault. But you’re not ready to face your past yet, so you hesitate." (Issei)
She clenched her teeth slightly, anger and frustration surfacing—but she knew he was right.
"But I’ll be here when you decide to face it." (Issei)
"I’ll be the courage you need when that time comes." (Issei)
Akeno fell deeply, completely in love. He truly wanted to be her pillar. He truly wanted her to be happy and to reconcile with her family and her blood.
"I’m so happy about that!" (Akeno)
They spent a long time talking after that. Akeno spoke about her childhood, about Shuri, and about Barakiel. Issei listened to everything without interrupting.
Later, Issei sent a message to Rias, telling her he would be sleeping at the shrine that night.
Not long after, he was surprised to see Rias and Asia arriving, carrying bedding with them.
"I won’t leave you alone." (Rias)
"I can’t sleep anymore without Issei-san." (Asia)
"It seems my kouhai has become the pillar of many people." (Akeno)
The three girls laughed when they realized it was true. Issei had become the pillar of everyone in the Occult Research Club—and even some people outside of it.
…
…
…
Five days later, the day of the three-faction meeting finally arrived.
Issei and Gasper had been training intensely during that time. Meanwhile, Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Xenovia were constantly competing for Issei’s attention inside the clubroom.
"Let’s leave Gasper with Koneko." (Rias)
"Gasper is a real man now." (Issei)
"Koneko-chan is really strong." (Issei)
Hearing Issei’s praise filled Gasper with motivation. Koneko also felt pleased by the words spoken about her.
Soon after, the rest of the group said their goodbyes and stepped into the magic circle that would take them to the meeting of the three factions.
"I’m excited about this." (Issei)
"So am I. I’ve never seen anything like this before." (Qin)
"My days are getting more and more fun." (Issei)
"Our days." (Qin)
"I can’t wait for summer vacation. I can’t improve my Balance Breaker just by training normally." (Issei)
"Everything in its own time." (Qin)
"You’re already very strong." (Qin)