A/N: Hello everyone, welcome to my first true story. I admit writing this story is so much easier with the muse coming so easily than my "W Familiar of Zero". Once again, please do apologize that English is not my first language even if I used it so much and the grammar check was done by myself. Please enjoy the story.
Life 01: Impressions and Encounter
The school life at Kuoh Academy was interesting, so to say. The private school was used to be an all girl school until the new dean changed the student admission policy which now allowed boys to enroll here. This was where the problem started. For some kind of odd and unexplainable reason, the girls who schooled in Kuoh were all attractive and beautiful even drop dead gorgeous. The boys used this as a chance to get themselves a girlfriend, but unfortunately they chose to listen to their hormones instead of their logic. As the result, the girls branded most of their male counterpart as perverts save for select few that didn't act like the rest of their peers.
One such example was this boy, around 17 years old around 175 cm high with short brown hair and black eyes. He wears the standard issued male variant uniform which consisted of white buttoned up shirt with black trims and black tie-ribbon on the collars underneath of white trimmed black blazer and black pants with silver-buckled black leather belt and white-on-red sneakers. As an addition, a red scarf with small black bat wings and crescent moon insignia on the ends was wrapped loosely around his neck and he was carrying a black briefcase-styled school bag in one hand and a brown violin case in another hand.
He walked slightly faster and tilted his head down as he walked through the gate leading into the school ground proper, sincerely hoping that no one would notice him. The school complex was huge with several buildings inside and the main school building was obviously the largest with Victorian era style and the courtyard was also equally large. The teen's hope went unheard as he heard girls called out for him.
"Look over there! It is Kurenai-kun!"
"Aww, he is so shy, but that's just makes him so cute!"
"And the scarf makes him so adorable!"
"Mou! I wanted to cuddle him up!"
"Look! He's bringing his violin with him!"
"Aahh~, I wish can hear him playing it!"
The boy's only response to blush and walked even faster, causing the girls to giggle and some even squealed, proclaiming he will be the father of their children.
His name was Takeru Kurenai, a second-year student of Kuoh Academy High School Division and one of the school idols in the girls' point of view. At first, the brunette was not as famous with the fairer gender as he was nowadays because Takeru was shy, reclusive, and tended to avoid crowds which he did a very good job on it. Hell, he even prepared to be an outcast since he entered Kuoh for his first year!
That changed during the second semester of his first year. Takeru often practiced playing violin after the school period ended and all students went home. He inherited his violinist talent from his great grandfather which pretty much inherited by every Kurenai men. The reason he often played his violin when he was alone was because of his inherent shyness, said to be inherited from his grandfather, and because he was nervous when people watched him played. One day when he was practicing, a girl and her friend who was picking her book which she accidentally left behind and heard the song he was practicing. Takeru, being absorbed on his practice, didn't notice he had an audience and only noticed them as he finished his practice. After hastily packing up and awkwardly answering the girls' questions, he left for home and found out on the next morning the news that he was a violinist was spread. From there, Takeru's fame started to went around and he quickly gained many new admirers.
Since then, there will be some girls tailed him around after school waiting for him to practice his violin. Some failed and some succeeded even recorded his practice and spread it to her friends. Needless to say Takeru never had any kind of privacy for a while, until someone lent a helping hand.
"Ara, good morning, Kurenai-kun," greeted a melodious voice. The owner of the voice was a beautiful girl, wearing the standard issued female variant of the uniform which consisted of pin-striped white blouse with black ribbon-tie on the collar, white trimmed black shoulder cape and corset, a magenta skirt with white accents, white socks and brown loafers. Her hair was black and very, very long tied into ponytail with a big orange ribbon while two strands stuck out from her hair, like a pair of antennae. Her eyes were beautiful shade of violet while her figure was fairly athletic, healthy, and proportional that would make the most beautiful model envy.
"Ah, good morning, Himejima-senpai," Takeru greeted back, smiling shyly as he did so.
This person was Akeno Himejima, third-year student of Kuoh High School Division, one of the two Great Ladies of Kuoh thanks to her beauty and friendly personality. She was the one who helped him with his privacy issue with his relentless admirers. The black-haired beauty never told him how she did it, but Takeru was grateful for her help and shyly offered he played a song for her trouble. They've become friends since then and Akeno would accompany him in his practices.
"Are you practicing your violin again today afterschool?" asked Akeno as she saw the violin case on his hand.
"Yes, I am," answered Takeru before he shifted shyly. "Um, sorry to bother you senpai, but will you help me again? I know you must be busy with something…"
Akeno chuckled softly at his request. "Ufufufu, I told you before, Kurenai-kun. You don't have to hesitate to ask for my help. And besides…" here she smiled at the shy brunette beatifically. "…I wouldn't miss my cute kohai's practice for anything."
"Arigatou, Himejima-senpai!" Takeru beamed. He was overjoyed with her acceptance. While he was nervous playing in front of other people, he was fine when he played in front of Akeno after several times. There was something about the black haired senior that made him comfortable and felt so assured. He dared to say that he developed a crush on her, but he quickly pushed the notion aside because of his…circumstances. Besides, what were his chances to get a gorgeous girl like Akeno as his girlfriend anyway?
"Saa, shall we be on our way? Classes are going to start soon."
With Takeru and Akeno left for their respective classes, the chatter that followed their wake was inevitable.
"Mou~! Ever since Akeno-senpai helped Kurenai-kun, I never found him practicing again!"
"Akeno-senpai is really lucky for being able to hear Kurenai-kun plays!"
"Now I'm sure Akeno-senpai and Kurenai-kun are dating!"
"Eeeehhh!? Really!? No way!"
"I mean, seriously! A boyfriend played a song for his girlfriend with a violin on hand, alone together in an empty classroom, with the sun setting on the background…"
"Kyaaaaa~! it's so romantic!"
"Mou~! I really envied Akeno-senpai now! She has a cute boyfriend with a musical talent like Kurenai-kun!
Takeru was dutifully taking his notes as his teacher continued with the lesson while some of his classmates were nodding off or daydreaming about God-knew-what. Soon the bell rang, ending the lesson and signaling the start of lunch period.
"Alright class, that's it for today. As for your assignment, please read from page 60 to page 66. I will quiz you all on the next lesson," with his piece said, the teacher left the classroom.
As his classmates prepared for their lunch, Takeru brought out a lunch box wrapped in a green cloth from his bag and stored away his violin case. As he was about to left his seat, a girl approached him with a boxed lunch on her hands.
"Ano, Kurenai-kun? Will you join me and my friends for lunch?" asked the girl timidly.
Takeru looked surprised at her offer before he answered, "Um, I like to, but I already promised to spend the lunch with someone else. I'm sorry."
The girl looked disheartened at his polite rejection. "Oh, I see. I guess I shouldn't make Akeno-senpai waiting for you then."
"Eh? What do you mean? What does Himejima-senpai got anything to do with this?" Takeru looked genuinely puzzled at her reply.
Now it was the girl's turn to look confused. "Aren't you and Akeno-senpai seeing each other?"
The brunette blushed furiously at her accuse. "No! I-I mean, I'm not seeing anyone right now, much less Himejima-senpai! W-We're just friends, that's all!"
"Really? Is that so? Thank God, I still have a chance," replied the girl, looking relieved.
There was an awkward silence between them before Takeru broke it. "U-Um, I should be going now. I don't want to make that person waiting for me any longer, s-so please excuse me."
Takeru then left his classroom carrying the wrapped lunch box with him as the girls in the classroom chattered about this bit of information, no doubt a new rumor will spreading soon.
It took the brunette a while to found the person he was looking for. To be honest, looking for a single person in the massive complex of Kuoh Academy was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but thankfully the person he was looking for had rather unique features that made her stood out in the crowd.
Sitting on one of the bench in Kuoh's courtyard was a girl with petite body which made her looked younger than she actually was. Her hair was silvery white and short with two longer bangs on the front and black cat hairpin on each side. Her eyes were amber-like gold and her skin was slightly pale while her face was set to expressionless look. She was wearing the female variant of Kuoh uniform sans the shoulder cape. On her lap was a box of unopened bento.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Koneko-chan," Takeru called out to the girl and she turned to him, her expression was still neutral but there was a hint of annoyance in her eyes.
"Takeru-senpai, you're late," she replied as Takeru approached her.
This girl was Koneko Toujou, a first year student of high school division, also known as 'the Mascot of Kuoh' because of her cuteness despite her usual expressionless look.
"I'm sorry. A girl asked me to have lunch with her and her friends," the brunette admitted as he sat next to her. "And well…when I rejected her offer, she thought me and Himejima-senpai are dating."
A single arched white silver eyebrow was her response.
"I guess that's really hard to believe, right?" Takeru chuckled weakly as he opened the cloth wrapping, revealing a small bento box and a larger one. "Here you go," the brunette handed the smaller box to Koneko which she accepted silently and put it aside.
Takeru and Koneko met a month ago during the lunch period like today. The shy violinist was trying to find a place for him to enjoy his lunch in peace when he saw her sitting in one of the bench, looking upset. Apparently she lost her lunch when the Pervert Trio of Kuoh ran into her as they tried to escape from the angered Kendo club. Takeru, being a Good Samaritan he was, offered the snacks he brought with him to her. Since then, they sometimes spend the lunch together and Takeru would bring snacks with him and gave it to her.
"I really don't understand why they got conclusion I was dating Himejima-senpai," said Takeru as he took a bite from his lunch.
"…You spend a lot of time together with Akeno-senpai," replied Koneko after she swallowed.
"S-She was just helping me so I can practice alone. A-Although, I did played for her a few times," refuted the violinist before he looked a little depressed. "…Besides, what is my chance to date her? I mean, she can choose any boy she wants."
The first year just stared blankly at Takeru who fidgeted under her stare before she turned away and munched on her lunch. Though, he swore Koneko muttered something about 'Senpai is so dense' or something along that line. The brunette looked confused at her before returning to his lunch.
There was an awkward silence between them as they continued their lunch without anyone saying anything. That awkwardness was broken as they heard familiar frightened cries and indignant shouts coming from the Kendo Club's dojo. Running away from the angry girls clad in kendo gi and hakama were three boys widely known as Pervert Trio which consisted of: Matsuda, a boy with very short gray hair known as 'Pervert Baldy; Motohama', a boy with glasses known as 'Ero Scouter'; and Issei Hyoudou, a spiky haired brunette with no known title but the impression he gave was a dimwitted hentai who wanted to create a harem of his own.
"…They're at it again?" asked Takeru with disbelief as he shook his head. "I can't believe people like them truly exist."
"…They're idiots…" muttered Koneko darkly as she glared at the three who were running for their life. She didn't forgive them after they made her lost her lunch, even if she met Takeru thanks to them.
They watched as the trio stumbled on their own feet and landed painfully on the ground. The girls caught up with them and began to administer 'Heavenly Punishment' upon them after they made a short speech and a very short moment for the trio to say their defense.
"I thought they would give up after beaten up like that so many times," Takeru sweatdropped as the Pervert Trio screamed in pain.
"…Stubborn idots…harder to kill than a cockroach…" commented Koneko as she continued to enjoy her lunch as if nothing happened.
"That's so harsh of you, Koneko-chan," replied Takeru as their pained scream gained another pitch. The brunette looked worried, "Shouldn't we report this to a teacher? Those girls looked really wanted to kill them."
"Don't bother, Takeru-senpai. They won't die so easily like that," said Koneko as she put her empty bento box aside and took the one Takeru gave to her.
The brunette did a double take by how fast his kohai eat. He was nowhere halfway with his own lunch and she already finished hers? How did she do it? Where did it go?
Koneko proceeded to demolish the snacks Takeru gave her with terrifying speed albeit she was doing it so daintily before she noticed her senior watched her with incredulous look.
"…Do you want some? It's not polite to stare at a girl while she was eating," she offered with her usual deadpan stare.
"S-Sorry, Koneko-chan! I-It's just…" Takeru stammered while mentally he was screaming in disbelief. 'How did you eat so fast!? Where all of those foods had gone to!? There's no way someone as small as you can eat that much!'
The white haired junior just stared at him while she kept eating the snacks and Takeru was getting nervous while beating himself inside his mind for staring at her and forgetting the advice his sister figure gave him: "Do not stare at a lady no matter how improbable or impossible things they did!"
Then a proverbial bulb lighted up on his mind. He just hoped this one wouldn't backfire on him. "Say, Koneko-chan. A-Are you busy after school today?"
Koneko seemed to think about it for a moment before she answered."…A meeting in Occult Research Club, but it won't be long. Why did you ask, Takeru-senpai?"
Takeru recalled Akeno was also a member of the Occult like Koneko here which was quite coincidence. He steeled himself up. "W-Well, would you like to watch me practicing violin? I-I already asked Himejima-senpai this morning…and uh, she always helped me to find a place where I can practice without my…admirers following me everywhere I go."
"…Why?" asked Koneko as she tilted her head to the side. She knew what he was talking about and as much as the white haired girl didn't want to admit it, she was a bit jealous of Akeno for being able to hear Takeru practicing. The brunette was a good violinist, that she knew and the rumors flying around was actually singing praises for his talent. She thought it was only an overstatement from his admirers, but after seeing Akeno coming back from his practice glowing with myriads of emotion made Koneko curious.
"I-I want to apologize for staring at you a-and…I guess wanted to change a little…" answered Takeru with low voice as he dipped his head low.
"…You want to…change?" repeated Koneko.
"I wanted people to listen to my music, Koneko-chan," replied Takeru softly as he stared at nothing particular in the distance "But whenever I played in front of a big crowd, especially strangers, I got nervous and played horribly. I…I wanted to change that. When I played in front of Himejima-senpai for the first time, I was very nervous but I managed to play like usual." Here the brunette violinist paused for a moment. "I don't really could explain it to you, Koneko-chan, I really wished I could. There was something about Himejima-senpai that made me at ease around her." He then turned toward her and smiled shyly. "…And I felt that around you too, Koneko-chan."
The petite first year was surprised at his admission and felt heat rising on her cheeks so she turned away to hide her face. Takeru was befuddled with her sudden action and got a little depressed, thinking she was mad at him.
"…Why…?" she asked quietly.
"Huh?"
"Why did you are at ease around me?"
"…Because I thought you to be my friend, Koneko-chan," answered Takeru as quiet as she was. "I…I thought that if I could play in front of my friends, I could achieve my dream someday. B-But if you don't want to come, then it's fine. I won't force you…"
"I'll come," said Koneko suddenly and firmly, surprising the shy violinist. "I'll watch Takeru-senpai practicing his violin."
"Y-You will?" replied Takeru, surprised by her apparent sudden change of heart. "You're not mad at me?"
"Why did I have to be mad at senpai?"
"I mean, uh, your face is suddenly red and you turned the other way. I thought you must be angry at me or something."
Koneko stared blankly at Takeru for a moment, one of her eyebrow twitched before she said her line with deadpan tone.
"Takeru-senpai is so dense."
"Eh? What do you mean?" asked Takeru, confusion was etched in his face.
Koneko didn't reply, opting to finish what was left from the snacks her senpai gave her. She then closed the empty lunchbox and gave it to him.
"Thank you for the snacks, Takeru-senpai. I'll see you again afterschool," with that, Koneko left the brunette alone in the bench.
Takeru stared confusedly at her retreating figure. Girls were so confusing!
Meanwhile in the background, the Pervert Trio was reduced into nothing more than pitiful, moaning lump of flesh after the Kendo club girls were done with them, seemingly forgotten by the brunette or anyone.
The Occult Research Club was known as one of the illusory clubs in Kuoh Academy as it has many students would apply to join the club, but they were rejected by the club president. What they didn't know was this club was only a front to mask their real activity as they were devils that served under Rias Gremory, one of the most popular girls in Kuoh and the other Great Lady to the most of student body in the academy. Her true identity was the heiress to Gremory clan of the Underworld's original 72 Pillars with the rank of Baron and known also as 'The Crimson-Haired Princess of Ruin'.
Rias definitely lived up to her title judging from her looks with her waist-length red hair with a single ahoge stuck out on the top of her head, blue green eye, and gorgeous body that models would kill to get. She was wearing the female version of the academy's uniform like Akeno. She was sitting on one of the couch with a cup of tea nursed in her hand.
Standing next to her was Akeno with a serving tray clasped with her hand while Koneko was enjoying a plate of youkan in another couch. The only boy in the room was standing behind the petite first year and his name was Yuuto Kiba, the most famous boy in Kuoh with his blonde hair, gray eyes, bishonen looks, and wearing the male uniform variant.
"Alright everyone, that's it for today. With our familiars spreading the flyers and we will wait for our client when they decided to summon us," said Rias as she concluded the club's activity for the day and placed her tea cup on the desk.
"Ara, I guess Kurenai-kun won't have to wait long for me then," said Akeno as she put the tray back at the pantry.
"You're accompanying Kurenai-kun again, Akeno?" asked the red head. She was aware that Akeno would help Takeru to get himself a private place for him to practice, away from his so-called admirers because it was her who sent Akeno to help him in the first place. Rias usually wouldn't do something like that much less to a stranger, but she saw how distressed the poor boy was and how intrusive those girls could be, so she decided to help him a little. Besides, Takeru had caught her interest as he was nothing like most of the boys in the school.
"I still don't understand why you haven't made a contract with him, senpai," said Yuuto.
"Actually, that was what I planned when Buchou asked me to help him for the first time. But after hearing Kurenai-kun played for the first time…It became the last thing I had in mind." The black haired beauty's confession surprised everyone, even Rias herself.
"Oh? Why is that?" asked the Gremory heiress, curious.
Akeno seemed to think it over before she shook her head. "It's not something I can explain to anyone or even you, Rias, because you have to experience it yourself." A smile then graced her face. "I don't I think I will ever regret becoming Kurenai-kun's friend than him becoming my client."
Rias saw the smile on her best friend's face and had to wonder what Takeru Kurenai had done to her. The smile on Akeno's face wasn't one of her teasing smile or her usual friendly smile which became her façade in public or that smile. It was an honest and genuine smile, one that Rias hasn't seen on her for a long time. Now she was really interested in Takeru Kurenai because he made Akeno smiled like that.
"I better go now. I don't want to make my cute kohai waits any longer," Akeno then made her way toward the door and she was surprised Koneko followed her. "Ara, Koneko-chan?"
"Takeru-senpai invited me to his practice," replied Koneko.
"Is that so? We should be on our way then."
"Akeno, Koneko," Rias suddenly called out to her servants as they were about to walk. "Kurenai-kun is looking for a place where he can practice in peace, right? Why don't you take him to one of the empty classroom here?"
"Oh? What's with the sudden generosity, Buchou?" asked Akeno. Knowing her red haired friend, she must be planning something revolving around a certain shy brunette.
"Nothing, I'm just curious about Kurenai-kun's talent with violin," answered Rias with a certain smile. "I'm also wanted to know what kind of person Takeru Kurenai is since he is a friend of my two adorable servants."
Akeno just looked at her master-slash-best-friend also with a certain smile before she asked for confirmation, "Is that all, Buchou?"
"That is all, Akeno."
"I understand. But a fair warning though, you should show yourself after he finished his practice. Kurenai-kun is so shy and gets nervous around strangers."
"So I've heard. I'll keep it in mind, Akeno," replied Rias as Akeno and Koneko left the clubroom to find Takeru.
"Is it alright for taking Kurenai-kun here, Buchou?" asked Yuuto.
"It is. Like I said I'm curious about Kurenai-kun. I've heard rumors and hearsays about him, but I wanted to confirm them for myself," answered Rias with a smile as she thought to herself. 'He may become a good addition to my Peerage.'
"So this is the Old School Building…It really looks old," commented Takeru as Akeno and Koneko led him through the old school building.
Like its name stated, the Old School Building was the building where the main school building used to be before Kuoh became co-ed school. Its old look was reinforced by the fact that this building used wood for its construction instead of concrete like the New School Building. As this place was practically abandoned save for the Occult Research Club taking one of the classrooms as its clubroom, it was a perfect place for his practice. He mentally berated himself for forgetting this little fact.
"Well, here we are," said Akeno as she opened the door. The classroom was empty save for a single desk and two chairs not far from it. A long unused chalkboard was on the far side wall while the evening sunlight was filtered through the windows. Still, for a place that mostly had been abandoned, the Old School Building was well cared.
Takeru got the impression that Akeno and Koneko already prepared for this, but he wasn't going to complain. He set his school bag on the floor and his case on the desk and opened it, revealing the violin rested inside the case. He took it and the bow while his senpai and kohai sat on the chairs.
"Thank you again for your help, Himejima-senpai, Koneko-chan," said Takeru.
"Ara, ara, its alright, Kurenai-kun. I really enjoyed your practices so far," replied Akeno as she smiled. What she said was true; she really enjoyed Takeru's performance. While her job as a devil was usually helping people relaxing using messages and other methods, she also ended up a little stressed afterward. But after befriending Takeru, she found a new way to relax herself: listening to her kohai's musical performance. She wouldn't call herself a big fan of classical music, but she found Takeru's performance never failed to soothe her body and mind. It was as if Takeru had performed a musical therapy for her.
Koneko just nodded at him, hiding the eagerness she felt very well. This will be her first time listening to Takeru's practice.
Takeru took a deep breath as if he was steeling his nerves before he raised his violin to his neck and placed his chin into its chinrest. He closed his eyes, focusing on the image on his mind, and began to play.
Akeno closed her eyes as the melody played from Takeru's expert strokes. It was so beautiful, haunting, and melancholic. In her mind eyes, she saw her younger self with her mother and even her father, something that even surprised her. They were sitting together in the patio of their house during particularly warm summer midday with Akeno sitting on her mother's lap as she gently brushed her daughter's hair while her father was next to them with a bottle of chilled sake held in his hand. They just sat there together in silence, watching as small white clouds lazily drifting on the sky and a gentle breeze ruffled the grasses and leaves, but the happiness the small family felt was unmistaken. It was as if the music her kohai played took her back into those innocent days, where everything was so simple and clean. She could feel tears were already forming in her eyes.
Koneko also saw the image on her mind. She was together with her sister and she looked younger than she was now, so did her sister who looked younger than she should be. They were on a great plain with green grasses as long as her eye could see with a mountain looming on the distance. In her mind eye, she saw she played together with her sister with a nay care to the world or anything else. Just them, sisters who only have each other and they were fine with it. Tears were flowing freely from her amber eyes as the longing look was very visible on her usually indifferent face.
Rias who was standing outside the classroom where Takeru was practicing, planned to observe the budding violinist to sate her curiosity. But as Takeru played his violin, she found herself lost in the enchanting melody. She saw herself, much younger than she was now and was together with her parents, her brother, and her sister-in-law in one of the Gremory vacation home. She remembered this as one of her happiest memories, her first summer in human world. Her brother's antics, her sister-in-law's attempts to set him straight, her father and her mother's smiles as she enjoyed her time in human world. She also remembered she visited her first summer festival with her family and saw the fireworks on the end of the day. The fact that Rias had her family with her that day was a memory she always treasured. Her cyan eyes were glassy and wistful smile curved on her lip as she lost herself in the nostalgia.
Yuuto who was escorting his master was also lost in his own memories. Those days in the orphanage with his brothers and sisters were not easy, but doubtless was the happiest part of his memories before that happened. It also reminded him what his goal truly was, but surely the chance will present itself later. For now, all he wanted was to lose himself in his happiest memories.
Takeru was immersed in his own song and continued to play for about five minutes before he ended his song with the trademark Kurenai-style chord plucking and two last strokes. He opened his eyes as he lowered his violin and to his side. He was surprised when saw the tears on the corners of Akeno's eyes and Koneko's tearful face and was surprised to see his music actually drove them into tears.
"Himejima-senpai? Koneko-chan? What's wrong? D-Did I play so bad?" asked Takeru worriedly.
"Ufufufu, it was just so wonderful, Kurenai-kun. So wonderful," replied Akeno with a soft chuckle as she wiped her tears.
"…Takeru-senpai…what was that?" asked Koneko as she wiped her own tears with her forearms.
"Ah, that was 'Precious Treasure', a song composed by my grandfather," answered Takeru as he took out his handkerchief from his blazer and handed it to his audience. "Here you go senpai."
"Thank you, Kurenai-kun," said Akeno as she took his handkerchief to dry her tears before she handed it to Koneko. "Precious Treasure…I wonder what inspired your grandfather to compose that song, Kurenai-kun?"
Takeru has a faraway look on his face as he told his audience. "My grandfather lived his youth mostly alone and treated as an outcast. It wasn't until a fateful chain of events later he gained people he called friends and family. They are his precious treasure, especially his own family. My father's birth was his inspiration because he completed his family."
"Your grandfather must be a special person for treasuring his family like that," replied Akeno wistfully as Koneko nodded next to her.
Just then Rias entered the classroom with Yuuto following behind her.
"Good afternoon, Takeru Kurenai-kun," greeted Rias.
"G-Gremory-senpai! G-Good afternoon!" Takeru stuttered before he bowed at her. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you!"
"It's quite alright, Kurenai-kun. I enjoyed your performance earlier," the red haired girl waved off his apology and smiled at the shy brunette. "It looks like the rumors are true, if not understated. You truly are a talented musician."
"T-Thank you, senpai. But I'm sure you're exaggerating," replied Takeru bashfully.
"It's not an exaggeration, Kurenai-kun. You're a good musician. I don't think I will be ever got bored listening to your music," encouraged Akeno.
"Although I only listened to your performance once, I agree with Akeno," added Rias.
"…Takeru-senpai is very good," said Koneko.
"It is an honor to listen to such a beautiful music," said Yuuto for the first time since he walked into the classroom.
Takeru blushed from the praises he got. Mustering his newly gained courage, he made a request to his audience.
"May I play another song for you all? That is if it is okay to you and provided you have time."
"You may, Kurenai-kun. We have all the time in the world," Rias smiled as she stood next to Akeno while Yuuto stood behind Koneko.
Takeru smiled back at her as he raised his violin to his neck and began to play. The small audience listened to the song and found themselves once more captivated by the beautiful melody. The budding violinist ended up played two more songs, with each song was just as beautiful as the last one. The aspiring violinist took a minute break in-between the songs and asked for his audience's feedback, which was glowingly positive.
The bashful brunette ended his last song with chord plucking before he lowered his violin and bow to his side and bowed to his audience which clapped in appreciation.
"That was so beautiful, Kurenai-kun!" Akeno beamed at her kohai.
"…Really amazing, Takeru-senpai," added Koneko with a slight smile.
"Most impressive, Kurenai-kun. I don't think anyone has the talent quite like yours," commented Rias with an approving smile.
"I wish I was half as talented as you with musical instrument," admitted Yuuto honestly.
"Thank you very much for listening, everyone," replied Takeru with glowing expression as he packed up his violin. It looked as if some of his burden was lifted from his shoulder. "Thank you again for letting me borrowing this place for my practice."
"Ufufufu, it's quite alright, Kurenai-kun. Listening to your songs is really worth of it," replied Akeno with a slight giggle.
"The rumors really didn't do justice on how good you are, Kurenai-kun," said Rias with a genuine smile. "Please feel free to visit the Old School Building if you needed to practice your violin."
"Eh? Is it really okay, Gremory-senpai?" asked the shy boy.
"It is. Besides, I think it will live up this place more," replied the red haired girl.
"Thank you so much for your help, senpai!" replied Takeru as he bowed to her. "I'll be going home now. I'll see you tomorrow, everyone."
"See you tomorrow, Kurenai-kun," said Akeno as Takeru left the classroom.
When Takeru was beyond the earshot, the raven haired beauty turned to her master. "Well? Do you understand what I mean, Rias?"
"I do, Akeno," replied Rias as she crossed her arms under her breasts. "Kurenai-kun's music…it's so pure with his emotion and desire. I don't think I will ever forget that feeling."
Akeno smiled as she closed her eyes and placed her hand over her heart. "Whenever Kurenai-kun played his song, he showed me part of him he won't show to anyone else but those who he trusted. I don't think I can take advantage from him like that. That's why I will not regret my choice to be his friend."
"It sounds like he is a little too trusting, though," commented Yuuto which Koneko refuted as she shook her head.
"Takeru-senpai wanted people to listen to his music. It was his dream."
"He really is such an interesting person. Maybe I should extend an invitation to him," said Rias with a bemused smile before she shook her head and turned to her Peerage. "But that's for later. We have received an order from Onii-sama to hunt for a Stray Devil in the harbor's abandoned warehouse district."
The Servants of Rias nodded as they went to prepare themselves for the hunt.
The moon shone silently as Rias and her Peerage arrived in the abandoned warehouse district on the harbor via magic circle teleportation and they immediately set out to find the Stray Devil they supposed to hunt. They explored the district, looking for a hint of their target while keeping their ears and eyes open for potential ambush. After exploring for about fifteen minutes, the Gremory heiress frowned as she was unable to detect the presence of the Stray she and her Peerage supposed to hunt.
"This is weird. I can't feel that Stray Devil's presence anywhere," she muttered before she turned to Koneko. "Koneko, can you tell where the Stray is?"
The petite white-haired girl concentrated her senses to find their target, or at least trying to find any of its signs. She concentrated some more before she shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Buchou. I couldn't tell where he is," Koneko apologized to her master.
"Ara, ara, such a troublesome devil, hiding himself like that," commented Akneo as she also looked for their target.
"This is weird, Buchou. According to report, this Stray Devil isn't supposed to hide himself like this," said Yuuto with a frown.
"That's true. But I suppose he possessed an item that let him to cloak his presence and it slipped away from the report," replied Rias as she also frowned when she realized the implications. How unusual, the intelligence provided by her brother's servants was definitely true and nothing should have slipped away from them, unless…There was a third party involved.
"Stay sharp, everyone. I believe we have an unexpected guess here," Rias ordered and the group nodded as they prepared themselves for anything.
With a third party involved and especially if it was either the church or Fallen Angels, complication will surely arise. And if it was neither of them, then complication too will arise. It was this unpredictability Rias hated so much.
The group walked for some more until a voice called out to them.
"Oh, is this for real? Today must be my lucky day! Tasty, delicious little devils that are all mine! Hyahahahahaha!"
"Who goes there!? Show yourself!" demanded Rias as she flared her Youki and her Peerage prepared themselves for fight.
From the shadowed alley between two warehouses, a figure walked into their line of sight. The figure was an adult man, wearing gray jump suit which was stained with dirt with a hint of white shirt underneath. His hair was messy black and his dark eyes were gleaming with bloodlust, matching the manic expression on his face.
"Who are you? What happened to the devil in this area?" asked Rias warily at the…creature before her. He looked like human, but he was anything but a human, Whatever he truly was, the feeling she got from him wasn't one of the creatures she knew. For comparison, the closest match she found was from a vampire, but this creature's was several magnitudes higher than a vampire.
"That guy from before? He was quite tasty, I admit. I wonder if any of you tasted as good as he was? Is every devil tasty?" he leered at the peerage as he licked his lips. The hunger and madness radiating from him was palpable.
Akeno's eyes widened in alarm. The fate of their supposed target was blatantly implicated by the creature before them.
"You…ate him?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes," he answered nonchalantly with demented grin as his face gained stained glass markings. "You too, will become my food…Bon appetite."
The man transformed before their eyes. His body was mostly humanoid, but his head was vaguely horse like and his feet was five-toed instead of hooves. His arms and legs were slightly bulkier than human's, hiding the strength they possessed. A pair of fins extended upward from each of his shoulders and curved slightly backward. Stained-glass markings covered a portion of his head, shoulders, arms, chest, and legs.
The Peerage looked alarmed with the monstrous transformation. Yuuto drew out his sword and Koneko settled into a fighting stance while Akeno's expression tightened as sparks danced on her palms and Rias flared more of her Youki.
"What are you?" asked Rias with dangerous tone.
"Ha! I don't need to answer my morsels!" the horse monster jeered as he smashed his fist to his chest, letting glass shards fell. The shards then formed into a sword at the monster's feet before he kicked it up and caught it with his hand. "But if you decided to fight…then don't make it boring! The best foods are the one who struggle the most!"
The monster charged at the peerage, his intent was as clear as day. Yuuto and Koneko moved to intercept the monster, only for a black and red blur blindsided the monster and attacked it rapidly. The blur then slammed forcefully to the monster one last time, staggering it.
"Argh! Who dares to interrupt my meal!?"
"My, my, such a rude fellow. And very greedy too, no wonder you were ordered to be eliminated."
The blur was a cartoonish looking mechanical bat with black and red-trimmed, roundish body and a face with big yellow eyes and small triangular green gem on the forehead that fused into his body. He had a pair of triangular ears on the top of his head and red-trimmed black wings with white lines resembling membrane on each side. His small leg was located under his mouth which has four pointy fangs.
"YOU!" bellowed the monster with a mixture of anger, surprise, and hint of fear.
"Yep! Kivat-bat V at your service," the now introduced Kivat folded one of his wings in front of his face, giving the impression he was bowing.
The sounds of footsteps caught the attention of everyone present save for Kivat as a person walked from another darkened alley between warehouses. The person's clothing was consisted of brown jacket with red shirt underneath, blue jean pants with silver-buckled black leather belt, and white-on-red sneakers. A very familiar red scarf with black bat wings and crescent moon insignia was looped loosely around his neck. As the person walked out of the shadow, the Gremory peerage couldn't hide their surprise as he was revealed to be a person they knew.
"Kurenai-kun?" whispered Akeno in no small amount of surprise.
"Takeru-senpai?" asked Koneko, shocked to saw her senpai was here.
"Kurenai-kun? What is he doing here?" muttered Rias as she saw the boy who caught her attention standing before her.
"Perhaps, he has something to do with the monster," said Yuuto as he kept a pair of watchful eyes toward the boy.
Takeru made no gesture that he acknowledged the presence of Gremory Peerage as his attention focused on the horse monster before him who took a step back at seeing him.
"Galloping Gluttony of Shining Plains Realm," he called out with firm and authority-laced voice, a contrast to the bashful persona he was known in Kuoh Academy. "You have been endangering the safety of all Fangire race by feeding on humans, a devil, and attempted to feed on heiress of Gremory family. How do you plea?"
The fact that Takeru knew who Rias was surprising to the red head and her peerage. It meant he knew more than he appeared to be. And there was the race he said, Fangire. Rias swore she had heard about that name before, but it slipped past her mind.
"Endangering!? All I've done is getting my meal! The ones who endangered the race are the Checkmate Four!" snarled the Horse Fangire as the image of his human persona appeared on his chest. "They supposed to protect the whole Race, but all they do are endangering us by starving us! Especially King! He, his father, and grandfather are the one at fault! Those human loving fools!"
"The law decreed by King and his predecessors made it clear you can not feed on human with a few exceptions. You have overstepped into the boundary of devils' territory and endangering the Fangire race as a whole for the possibility involving them in a war with devils by feeding on them," replied the brunette.
"Because I am hungry and I wanted to eat! That's final!" Horse Fangire retorted in anger as the image of his human persona faded.
Takeru closed his eyes and sighed. "So you decided to follow your own greed instead of ensuring the safety of your race. You truly lived up your name, you hypocrite," he opened his eyes and glared at the Horse Fangire. Takeru raised his right hand above his head and called out, "Kivat!"
"Understood. Shall we begin then?" answered Kivat as he fluttered around Takeru and he was caught by the brunette.
He lowered his hand while bringing his free hand to Kivat who opened his mouth and let him bit his hand.
"GABU!"
Takeru did not flinch as the fangs sunk into his skin. Stained-glass marking appeared on his face as hypnotic sonar noise resounded and ghastly chains wrapped around his waist before shattering, revealing a red belt with a perch on the buckle and three slots containing whistle-like devices on each side. The whistles mostly transparent, but they have different colored highlights such as red and gold on the right side and blue, green, and purple on the left side. These devices were called Fuestle. Takeru pushed the hand that caught Kivat forward before he muttered a single phrase.
"Henshin."
He let Kivat hung upside down on the perch as quicksilver covered his figure before shattering, revealing his new form. His head was covered with black helmet with red trimmed yellow lenses that shaped into bat wings and small green gem encrusted on the red bat head crest in the forehead. His mouth plate was silver trimmed with black fangs and silver jaw guard. Over his black body suit was a silver armor styled into high-collar jacket with red breastplate that mimicked masculine human torso muscle. His shoulder armor styled into a pair of silver folded bat wings restricted by a silver chain each and his arms were bare save for a pair of silver bracelets and armored red gloves. His left leg also bare save for a simple silver knee guard, anklet, and black shoes, but his right leg was covered by armored silver boots with chains wrapped tightly on it, as if they were holding back something.
The Gremory peerage looked surprised by Takeru's transformation while the Horse Fangire snarled in anger and trepidation.
"Kiva…You bastard!"
Kiva settled into fighting stance as Horse Fangire charged at him with a challenging roar. He dodged and weaved between the wild slashes before kicking the Fangire in the chest as he overreached an attack. Kiva disarmed the Horse Fangire with another kick and let loose barrage of punches on his abdomen before sending the Fangire sprawling with a brutal haymaker to the face. Just as the armored warrior decided to push his advantage, the Horse Fangire recovered quickly before smashed his chest once more and this time, the glass shards hovered in the hair before they emitted bright flash.
Kiva covered his eyes with his hand as Kivat cursed from his perch.
"Gah! That crafty little—!"
Horse Fangire recovered his sword and struck at the stunned Kiva. He slashed his chest twice before bringing up his sword for an overhead slash.
"DIE, KIVA!" the Fangire roared as he brought his sword down, but Kiva caught his sword with both of his hands. "What!?"
Kiva grunted as he struggled to push the sword away before he kicked the Horse Fangire in the chest, pushing him away. He threw the sword away before charging at his enemy and struck him with a spinning kick followed by another one. Kiva then lashed a solid uppercut to the chin followed by rapid jabs to the face before sending the Horse Fangire tumbling away with a straight kick to the chest. The Horse Fangire tried to recover, but Kiva wouldn't have any of it as he unleashed a powerful snap kick to his chin, lifting him off the ground before a kick to the gut sent the Fangire crashing into stacks of barrel.
"Time to pull the curtain down, Takeru!" ordered Kivat.
Kiva nodded before taking a Fuestle from his right slot, one with red bat wings, and slipped it into Kivat's lips.
"WAKE UP!"
Mysterious tune then suddenly played as Kiva brought his arms to the side with his knees bended before crossing them in front of his face with one leg in front of another. A magical phenomenon took over, surprising the Gremory Peerage, as the moon suddenly become bigger, glowing eerily with pale yellow light and becoming full moon which rapidly shifting into crescent moon. Kiva kicked up his armored right leg and Kivat flew from his perch and fluttering around the right leg as he played four particular tunes from the Fuestle on his mouth, shattering the chains on it and revealed bat wings with red inner parts with three red gems encircled with thin gold rings, two on the shins and one on the feet. His left foot flexed as he jumped into amazing heights and he back flipped on the apex of his jump before coming down with his right leg extended and his left leg tucked.
"Darkness Moon Break!"
Kiva hit the Horse Fangire with massive force, creating bat wings and crescent moon shaped crater on the ground. The Fangire's body crystallized before shattering into tiny shards, revealing a light ball which quickly fled while chains wrapped on his right leg, closing it once more. He looked at the fleeing light ball, which was the soul of Horse Fangire before he took another Fuestle, a one with red castle and dragon's head, from his belt's right slot and gave it to Kivat who blew it.
"CASTLE DORAN!"
Several seconds later, giant wing beats and draconic roar was heard. Rias and her servants turned around to the source of the roar and saw something they would never forget and would never believe if they hadn't seen it. Flying in the magically manipulated night sky was some short of Dragon/Castle hybrid creature. Its main body was a gray castle with smooth stone walls with two watch towers in the front corners. From where the main entrance supposed to be, a dragon head complete with its neck poked out with purple scale on the head and the upper part of its neck and white scales on its lower jaws and neck underside. From each lower parts of the castle's corners were stocky purple legs bound by golden manacles and short yet powerful purple leathery wings came out from the upper floors of the castle. The dragon's tail was on the backside of the castle tipped with another watch tower. A small clock platform was placed above the entrance of the castle and a door leading into castle interior was placed on the far side of the roof top.
"Is that a dragon or a castle?" asked a puzzled Rias.
"I think it's both, Buchou," answered Akeno before she turned her attention to the armored Takeru. Just who in the world her kohai was? First the transformation and now the dragon/castle hybrid he apparently controlled.
Castle Doran let out another roar as it chased the fleeing Fangire soul. The soul tried to escape Doran's snapping jaws before it was devoured by the great wyvern with an audible gulp before it landed with great rumble and belched loudly.
"Hey, hey, that's not very polite of you, you know?" commented Kivat as he apparently returned to his perch sometime ago.
Kiva turned to the Gremory Peerage whom was watching him warily as the phenomenon receded, the night sky turned normal. He didn't blame them for being wary of him. He did came out of nowhere and proceeded to destroy that Fangire.
"Kivat," he called to his partner.
"Are you sure about this, Takeru?" asked the mechanical bat, knowing what he wanted to do.
"I trust them…and they are my friends," the relationship between him and the rest of Occult Research Club was somewhat fledgling and he didn't want to damage his on-going friendship with Akeno and Koneko by breaching their trust on him by hiding things from them.
"You're just too trusting, Takeru, but this is your choice," replied Kivat as he flew off from the perch and floated next to his partner.
Kiva's armor turned into quicksilver and shattered, revealing Takeru who was calmly gazing back at the Occult Research Club members with Castle Doran looming on the distance.
"Good evening, Gremory-senpai, everyone," greeted Takeru with a hint of his usual self.
"Good evening, Kurenai-kun," replied Rias amiably with a smile on her face. "It's quite a surprise to see you here…and it looks like you know who I am."
"…I have my suspicions when I heard your name, but after you flared your aura like that my suspicions were confirmed," replied Takeru with a sigh.
"I see, so this isn't first time you encountered a devil," said Rias, but Takeru didn't reply. His lack of answer didn't deter the red head to get her answers and she decided to change her approach. "On the behalf of my Peerage, I thank you for your help tonight."
"Ah, it's quite alright, Senpai," Takeru was blushing slightly by her gratitude, showing more of his usual personality. "I've been hunting for that rogue Fangire for a while also…"
There was that race again. Fangire. A race that apparently related to Takeru. Rias decided to press on.
"Now that you know I am a devil and so are my servants here, you must be aware that this city is under my jurisdiction, correct?"
Takeru apparently saw through her and replied. "I'm aware of that, Gremory-senpai. If you are seeking for answers on what happened tonight, I'll gladly give them to you but not tonight. It is late and has been an eventful night for all of us. I promise to answer all of your questions tomorrow."
Rias seemed to ponder upon his offer and she felt a hand on her shoulder. She saw Akeno nodding her head, signaling to accept his offer.
"Very well, Kurenai-kun. I will save for my questions for tomorrow," answered Rias with a sigh.
"Are you alright, Kurenai-kun? That horse monster managed to land some hits on you," asked Akeno, showing a hint of worry for her kohai.
"I'm alright, Himejima-senpai. The armor managed to take the most of the damage," replied Takeru with a smile.
"You have to give Takeru some credit, Ojou-san. He is stronger than he looks, you know?" Kivat chimed in.
"Ara, ara, I'm aware of that. I have to look after for my cute Kohai, after all," replied the black haired girl with a slight giggle and Kivat grinned knowingly at her.
The usually shy brunette shifted in the place he stood, a little uncomfortable and nervous from the exchange between his senpai and partner.
"…Um, thank you so much for your understanding, Senpai, everyone. I'll be taking my leave now. Goodnight," he bowed as he bid the Peerage farewell.
Doran seemed to be aware of its master wish and spat out an orange energy orb which encased Takeru and Kivat. The orb then floated back at the castle/dragon hybrid and was swallowed by it before Castle Doran took flight and disappeared into night sky.
"It seems Kurenai-kun is really more than meets the eye," commented Rias as looked at the direction where Castle Doran had disappeared.
"My kohai is really an interesting person. He is also rather dashing in that armor too," replied Akeno as she placed her hands on her flushing cheeks.
Yuuto noticed Koneko looked lost in thought. "What's wrong, Koneko-chan?"
"…Nothing, Kiba-senpai," answered Koneko.
Rias gave her white haired servant one last look before she announced to her servants. "Alright everyone, we're done here. Let's go back and get some rest. We have an important meeting tomorrow."
The Gremory peerage then left the harbor via magic circle teleportation. Before they teleported away, a single thought passed on Rias' mind.
'I look forward learning more of you, Kurenai-kun…and having you in my peerage.'
A/N: That is all for the first chapter of "High School Kiva DxD". Please leave a review on your way out, but no flame, please? That is from me for now and please have a nice day.