Disclaimer: I do not own High School DxD or any other elements included.

Sorry for the wait, but I was a bit occupied in writing other fanfics. But I focused a lot of my efforts into this as well. So yay.

Start the story!


Chapter 3: The Tamer

(Home - Bedroom)

Takeshi narrowed his eyes in concentration as he shuffled through the various papers around him on the floor of his bedroom. He was currently trying to come up with a plan on how to take down four Fallen Angels while taking them alive to Azazel. Clearly, he knew that this is no easy accomplishment for him. And it didn't help that his magic isn't much for offense. But if he planned it right, he can use it correctly to help him in battle.

"Alright...From what Azazel told me, they're all located at the abandoned Church of this town." Takeshi muttered to himself, drawing a circle around the map he is working on. "Their location is known, but I don't know about their numbers. There are four Fallen Angels, but something tells me they are working with more. They couldn't do this all by themselves." Takeshi mused as he scratched his chin.

"If that's the case, then perhaps draw them out and take them down one by one? No, that wouldn't work. They'll most likely work in groups." Takeshi muttered. He then closed his eyes in thought while crossing his arms. "If I remember correctly from war tactics and history books, there is a strategy where one guy is able to take down a squadron thanks his own traps and stealth." Takeshi said to himself, before he noticed the small forest near the Church.

"Ideally, the perfect location is for me to use this area for ambush. But there lies another problem, since they probably know their surroundings while I have to adapt quickly..." Takeshi pointed out to himself. He then sighed as he scratched the back of his head.

"Honestly, this is a situation where I will not win easily." Takeshi muttered to himself. His ears picked up a soft meow, and turned to see his Blair crawling up to him while softly meowing at him. Takeshi gave a sigh as he petted his cat on the head.

"Hey Blair. Looks like your owner is having a bit of trouble on his hands, huh?" Takeshi said while giving a slight chuckle, setting a bit of stress off of him. Blair simply meowed at him, purring as it was being petted.

*Ding Dong*

He heard the doorbell ring in his house, and raised an eyebrow to see that someone is approaching his house. Takeshi stood up and left his room and made his way towards the front door of his house. Grabbing the door knob, he turned it and opened the door to see who it is.

When he opened it, he was greeted with the sight of a female teenager around his age. She had short bright red-orange hair and turquoise green eyes, and a facial expression the seemed to give out the impression that she is a lively girl. She currently wore a short casual one piece pink shirt with a short white jacket that stopped at her waist. She wore blue jeans along with it, and casual heels.

Takeshi simply blinked at the girl, while the girl meanwhile squinted her eyes, as if she is trying to recognize him.

"Let's see..." the girl muttered. "Short black hair, brown eyes, and glasses...you're Takeshi Fuyushima, are you?" the girl asked.

"That would be me, yes." Takeshi confirmed, before he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you with something?"

The woman in turn gave a sly smirk at him.

"Oh? I was given the order that I was supposed to help you, Takeshi-kun." the girl said with a sly tone. Takeshi paused for a moment, taking in the girl's words, before he blinked in realization on what she just said.

"Wait...are you...?" Takeshi said with realization. The girl smiled at him, as she made her way into his home. Takeshi closed the door, and turned to see the girl sprouting out black wings out of her back.

"You earn a prize! For guessing correctly, you now earn the help and support of a Fallen Angel! Congrats!" the girl said joked while she gave a mock bow. Takeshi simply titled his head at this.

"I didn't expect Azazel to send help so soon..." Takeshi commented as he folded his arms. The girl merely snorted at this.

"Well, Azazel is a man with a lot of free time on his hands, and almost everyone in the Grigori knows this. It shouldn't be a surprise when he just waltzed in and asked me for some mission. I was a bit bored, so I accepted. But I didn't expect myself in a top secret mission that involved helping a Magician against four Fallen Angels. Ah well, this certainly brings excitement." the girl said while waving it off.

"Excitement wouldn't exactly fit the situation I'm currently thinking of." Takeshi said, before he sighed. "Well, at least help is here. I should be thankful for that." Takeshi said, before he held out his hand towards her.

"Well, since we're going to work together temporarily, I suppose introductions are in order. Takeshi Fuyushima, novice Magician who's only proficient in Enchanter Magic. Hope we work well together." Takeshi introduced himself. The girl in turn returned the hand shake.

"Erika Chiba. two winged Fallen Angel and your partner in crime in this little operation. Hope you can keep up. Oh, and Chiba is just a last name I have when I'm in the human world." the girl, now known as Erika, said as she shook his hand.


(Lower Level)

"*Whistle*...this is one big training hall." Erika whistle in an impressed tone as she looked around the underground floor of his home. "Granted, the Grigori has large training facilities, but you have a big one for an average home in the suburbs." Erika commented.

"Well, my dad knew earth magic, and has utilized it to create this underground floor. So yeah, saves up a lot of money when you can make this sort of thing." Takeshi said while looking through a few maps and graphs on a table.

"I see..." Erika said, before she looked at the graphs with a curious look. "Watcha got there?" Erika asked as she leaned in a bit to see the papers.

"Currently, I'm trying to figure out a way on how to take down the Fallen Angels at the abandoned Church. I've come up with at least 50 possible scenarios on which situations could follow up to." Takeshi said while looking through each paper. Erika blinked when she was told a certain fact about his planning.

"Wait, you thought up of 50 possible scenarios for encountering the Fallen Angels and thereon?" Erika asked in surprise. Takeshi laughed a bit as he scratched the back of his head.

"I know, it's not that impressive. I've yet to create more, and I still haven't thought about the situations further on." Takeshi said while seeing how it is nothing.

"It's noth-It's not nothing!" Erika exclaimed in surprise, making Takeshi blink upon her reaction.

"What do you mean?" Takeshi asked.

"You've actually managed to predict at least 50 possible scenarios, and-" Erika picked up one of the papers and looked through it. "-it all seems plausible! How could you not say it is not impressive!? Better yet, how were you able to in the first place!?" Erika asked him in surprise. Takeshi blinked at her as he simply adjusted his glasses. He looked down with a thoughtful look.

"...During my free time, other then training and studying magic, I like to read books. A lot of books." Takeshi told her.

"So...reading books make you smarter?" Erika asked with a skeptical tone.

"Technically, yes. But I'm considered a special case." Takeshi told her, before he folded his arms behind his back and leaned back in a relaxing position. "As you would imagine, I read many many books. History, politics, science, theory, mathematics, you name it. I've covered a lot of subjects in a fast rate and able to memorize it without any limit. I simply took war tactics and strategies from a few books I read a long time ago and applied it in this situation." Takeshi explained to her, all the while not telling her about his abilities with books.

Erika kept staring at him with incredulity, before she shook her head and gave out a small smirk.

"Well, aren't you that smart one? Should I start calling you the bookworm?" Erika asked with a sly and teasing tone.

"Well, with the rate I'm going with, I might as well be considered one." Takeshi said with an accepting smile. Erika faltered a bit when she heard his response.

"I didn't expect you to accept it so easily..." Erika muttered. Takeshi clasped his hands together while giving his usual carefree smile.

"In any case, now that you are here, this makes things a lot more easier." Takeshi said.

"That is what the job pays me for." Erika responded. "So, now that I'm here, care to let me into your plans?" Erika asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, right. Now that you're here, I can add in more variables." Takeshi said as he drew out a new piece of paper to write on.

This is going to be a long night for him and Erika.


(The Next Day - Kuoh Academy Library)

"So if you manage to use this formula, and then use this..." Takeshi said while pointing to a few pictures on a book. "And after a simple calculation, you finally reached your answer." Takeshi said to a female classmate next to him.

"Ah! So that's how you figured it out! I can't believe I didn't notice it." the female classmate said with realization, and gave an appreciatve look towards Takeshi. "Thank you Fuyushima-san! I wouldn't have solved it without you!"

"Ah, it's not problem. Happy to help." Takeshi said with his carefree smile. It was then the female classmate looked down to her watch and realized the time.

"Oh, perfect timing! I better get going now or else I'd miss meeting up with my friends." the female classmate said as she quickly cleaned up stuff. She then hurriedly left.

"Take care!" Takeshi said his goodbye to his classmate, and gave a content sigh as she looked back to his own stuff. "That makes the 12th classmate that asked me to help them today..." Takeshi quietly said to himself.

Let it be known that while Takeshi isn't that famous and popular in Kuoh Academy, he did manage to make an identity. Asides from his infamous reputation of almost being late to school almost every time, which students just see it as a quirk of his, he also has another reputation.

Due to him having the power to easily understand and memorize the contents of a book he comes into contact with, it's only natural that he exceeds well in his classes. In fact, his ranking within the school board always rivals Sona. Time to time, their rankings and testing scores always go against each other for the #1 spot. Sometimes, Sona is #1 in the rankings. Then other times, he gets #1. It's a cycle the goes on between the two. Takeshi, however, doesn't seem to take this mind and just goes with it in stride.

And because of his rivaling rankings with Sona, some of the students came to him for academic help, to which he happily accepted their requests and helped them with their problems. And due to his carefree and friendly personality, it makes him approachable by many students. He also gained a small reputation within the library, a place where he sometimes spends at by reading the books there (even if it isn't necessary). His status managed to earn the admiration and affections of those bookworm girls in the library.

As stated before, his reputation isn't that big. It only gave him an identity in school. Even if he knew, he wouldn't really care or mind.

With that in mind, Takeshi begun packing up his stuff and planned on leaving the school and back to his home where he can plan strategies with Erika. As he left the library and walked alone through school grounds, his ear picked up some rustling. Turning his head, he blinked a bit in surprise when he saw Issei leaning a tree while shuddering about something.

Being concerned about his fellow classmate, Takeshi approached Issei from behind and merely tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me-" Takeshi said to get his attention.

"NO MIL-TAN! I DON'T WANT TO...!" Issei shouted with a horrified tone as he sharply turned to see who it was. "...O-Oh. It's only you." Issei said with relief while wiping the sweat off of his forehead.

"Urm, you okay?" Takeshi said, a bit lost and unsure what made Issei react so jumpy like that. However, whoever this Mil-tan is clearly horrified Issei.

"You could say that..." Issei said while his eyebrow was twitching.

"Well, alright then. Just wanted to check on you if you were alright after what happened that night." Takeshi said, making Issei blink in confusion on what he said.

"What do you mean?" Issei asked. Takeshi raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you remember? I saw you...wait, you weren't aware I was there that night when the Fallen Angel attacked you." Takeshi said as he remembered the event, with Issei mostly lying on the floor dying from impalement.

Issei's eyes widened in shock as he heard him say that. "Wait, you saw what happened to me that night!?" Issei asked in shock.

"I sure did. It didn't help that the Fallen Angel tried to kill me afterwards." Takeshi said while scratching his cheek.

"Wait, you managed to survive her attack!?" Issei exclaimed in surprise.

"With pure luck and time on my side." Takeshi admitted.

"H-How!?" Issei asked in shock.

"Oh, didn't Gremory-senpai tell you? I'm a Magician." Takeshi told Issei, making the perverted teenager look confused.

"W-Wait, you mean like one of those people who pull bunnies out of those hats?" Issei asked with a confused tone.

"I wish..." Takeshi slightly pouted. Pulling a bunny out of a hat is one of the most simplest tricks to all the Magicians. He has trouble pulling it off with even a doll bunny. He then shook his head.

"No no, think of me more like a...sorcerer of sorts. Like I can cast fireballs and all that other types, even though I can't really do that." Takeshi explained to Issei, making the brunette go "ah" and nod at him.

"O-Oh. I guess that's what a Magician is..." Issei said while he looked like he was trying to take in the information that was given to him.

"Pretty much."

It was then two voices were made.

"Yo, Issei!"

"Issei!"

Takeshi and Issei turned their heads towards the source of the voices, and found both Matsuda and Motohama walking towards them while waving their arms towards them. As soon as they approached the two, the two members of the Perverted Trio looked sharply at him.

"Oh, and this is...?" Motohama said while adjusting his glasses.

"A new member for our group?" Matsuda said with an interested tone.

Takeshi offered an apologetic grin towards them. "Sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to turn down your offer. I'd rather not have the female population beat me up like what they do to you guys." Takeshi said while politely declining their offer.

"Pah! Mere words from a cowardly man who doesn't embrace his side!" Matsuda exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Motohama said while nodding, before he squinted his eyes when he noticed something. "Wait a moment, I recognize you." Motohama said with realization entering his tone.

"You do?" Takeshi asked curiously.

"Yeah. Aren't you that guy that always comes to school late?" Motohama asked.

"Almost late." Takeshi corrected him.

"Yeah, whatever. But there is one crucial detail about you..." Motohama quietly said while gaining this somewhat serious look to him.

"Yeah, and I recently remembered as well..." Matsuda said.

Takeshi simply blinked at their strange actions as he patiently watched them do something. It was then the two pointed at him in some dramatic fashion.

[You're the guy who is close to the captain of the tennis team!] both shouted with an accusing tone. However, Takeshi didn't really take in their strange and dramatic fashion as he simply went along with it. Instead, he just noticed what they said.

"Oh, you mean Kiyome-chan?" Takeshi gave a small smile of recognition while wanting to confirm with the two.

"Daaaaaaaamn iiiiiiit! Someone like you has such a close relationship with the hottest chicks asides from the Two Ladies of Kuoh Academy! Hooooow!?" Matsuda shouted with envy.

"Yeah! How is someone like you be so close to her while calling her that affectionate honorfic!" Motohama exclaimed in jealousy.

"It's simple really. We're childhood friends, of course I would call her that!" Takeshi responded with an upbeat manner, not really noticing the offensive statements.

This only served to agitate the two even further, while Issei looked at his two friends with a twitching eyebrow.

"Y-You guys..." Issei said with a strained tone. Even he of all people knew that the two were freaking out over something that isn't that big of an issue, even though he is envious of Takeshi that he has a close relationship with Kiyome.

"Damn it! You're that childhood friend that automatically gets close to the female! But still...!" Matsuda exclaimed.

"Yeah! What does she see in you anyways!? All you do is just get good grades!" Motohama followed up.

Before Takeshi could ask what they meant by that, the one-sided argument was soon ended when a voice spoke up.

"Takeshi-kun!" spoke out a voice. Takeshi blinked when he felt his arm being cushioned between two soft mounds. He turned around, only to see Kiyome looking at him with a stern look.

"Why on earth are you interacting with people like them!? For goodness sake, I don't want you to become their level! You're as troublesome enough as it is!" Kiyome scolded him as she begun dragging him away from the Perverted Trio.

"Hey, I have you know that I'm the good kind of troublesome, and I know you like it!" Takeshi retorted, making Kiyome's cheeks go slightly pink in embarrassment.

"D-Don't put words in my mouth! Who said I like that troublesome side of you!" Kiyome asked heatedly. Takeshi noticed her pink blush and merely chuckled.

"Ha ha ha! Aw, you're blushing! It's been a while since I've seen you blush like that. Reminds me of the time when-" Takeshi said while reminiscing about a certain incident in the past, but was soon cut off as he felt a stronger pull on his arm, making him wince upon it.

"Don't you date mention that incident! I'm still try to wash away the shame!" Kiyome exclaimed while red is starting to come onto her face.

"Oh come on! It was rather endearing!"

"It is not!"

It was then the two childhood friends went onto their usual banter, with the two walking away from the Perverted Trio. Their arguments tuned out two members screaming out "lucky bastard" to him.


(Tennis Court)

After their banter that went on for a short while, it resulted in Kiyome huffing while stomping away from him while Takeshi tried to calm her done. However, it ended with no avail. Eventually, she just told him to wait here in the tennis court while she had to take care of something important. So the young Magician in training found himself standing alone in the tennis court while whistling.

"I wonder what Kiyome-chan wanted me to be here for..." Takeshi quietly said to himself in wonder.

He noticed that the past few days, Kiyome has been a bit quiet and acted strangely. He wondered why his childhood friend was acting a bit strange, but he figured that she may be going through some things that he wouldn't exactly understand. His late father did tell him that understanding woman takes a long time to learn, even with his mental abilities.

His pondering was soon cut off when he loud noises, and turned his head around to see what the source of noise was. However, he couldn't exactly see anyone or anything in sight. However, it soon came to him when he noticed the shadows around him are forming into a different shape. Looking up, his eyes widened when he saw a certain someone in the air, along with some screaming.

"AAAAAHHH!" screamed a panicked voice of a familiar friend, with Kiyome screaming in panic as she was being carried by some sort of gorilla-like monster with snow white fur. The beast landed at the other side of the tennis court while giving out a growl, and it turned to look at him with a aggressive look.

"Kiyome-chan!" Takeshi cried out in alarm as he saw his childhood friend being held hostage by some gorilla monster.

"What is this gorilla!? It just came out of nowhere and picked me up!" Kiyome cried out in panic as she tried to squirm her way out of it, but couldn't due to the immense strength it possesses. It was then the gorilla lets out a large breath of white air, traveling throughout the area and going past Takeshi. Takeshi's whole body shivered upon feeling its cold breath.

"W-What the...!? It's breath is so cold...!" Takeshi said with surprise. The gorilla then lets our a feril growl as it turned around and put its hand on the steel tennis court fence, showing it was going to leave. When Takeshi saw this, he saw that this gorilla was going to run off with his friend.

'It's going to run off with Kiyome-chan! I'm going to have to stop it!' Takeshi thought, before his eyes widened upon realization. 'W-Wait. Then that would mean that I have to use my magic...' Takeshi reminded himself, as he wanted to keep magic a secret.

However, at this point, with some gorilla that could breath a chilling air out of its mouth, along with the fact that it had snow white fur of all things, it something that screamed out of the ordinary. But the most crucial fact of all was the fact that this gorilla was going to take off with his childhood friend.

'I'll cross the bridge later! Right now, it's time to save her!' Takeshi thought while he went into a focused look. Going into no hesitation, be sprung into action. Holding his hand out, he channeled magic. A flash soon appeared before him, and his trusty staff came before him.

It was a good thing he was able utilize Storage Magic to store his staff. However, with his abilities alone, he could only handle it up to a couple items at most, and one item is trouble enough to deal with. Be decided to bring his staff with him wherever he goes now due to the incident with the Fallen Angel, rather than carelessly leave it at home and think everything is going to be safe.

"Astral Bind!" Takeshi soon cast magical threads to come out of the ground and wrap themselves around the monster's limbs, halting its movements. The white fur gorilla looked at the threads and tugged on them, but the magical threads didn't budge. Growling, it soon set off to the ground and tried to pull of the threads. Unfortunately for the gorilla, it seems to have done good work.

"T-Takeshi-kun!" Kiyome exclaimed in surprise as she saw what happened before her.

"Hold on Kiyome-chan! Everything is going to be fine! Just stay calm!" Takeshi told her, before he focused on the gorilla before him and narrowed his eyes.

'This gorilla before me isn't normal. It possess snow white fur, something that a gorilla couldn't possess unless its genetic mutation. There is also the fact it breaths out such a chilly breath. Chances are that it could do much more than that. So it possesses strength that could break my bones, and an ice breath that covers its range. Range isn't its issue. It's mind, on the other hand...' Takeshi analyzed, before he raised his staff.

'Right. It's the only chance I got.' Takeshi thought with a focused look. He then watched the gorilla plop Kiyome onto the ground, while Kiyome sat on the ground while looking at the scene with shock on her eyes. The gorilla then used its strength to move towards Takeshi, however, with its movements restricted with Astral Bind, its agile movements were cut off.

Seeing the situation in his advantage, Takeshi began to work with what he has got.

"Cast On Beat!" Takeshi reinforced himself with the spell he has, allowing himself to cast spells at a more faster rate. It was then electricity sparked at the end of his staff.

"Electrical Fuzz!" Takeshi then shot forth multiple balls of electricity towards the gorilla. The gorilla held up its arms to guard against the attack, allowing multiple small balls of electricity impact with it. It didn't look affected at the slightest as it lowered its arm and just shrugged off the attack. Instead, it looked rather annoyed by the sparks of electricity that just floated around it. Electricity soon sparked at the end of his staff, this time with more energy gathered.

"Mind Bolt!" Takeshi shot forth pale phosphorous lightning at his target, the lightning being shot forth. The gorilla raised up its one arm to guard itself one more time, allowing the spell to hit it. As soon as it did, it made a mistake.

When the lightning bolt impacted with the gorilla, it soon gave out a roar as it held its head. And Takeshi knew the reason why.

Mind Bolt is a spell that not only deals physical damage, but also mental damage. It deals both of these, but the only trade off is that its power is relatively weak compared to a regular lightning bolt spell. But with mental damage, it was all that Takeshi needed.

The monster was soon gone into confusion with multiple balls of lightning floating around its head and interfering with its sight, as well as having mental damage to make it gone into further confusion. With its blind confusion, the monster only lets out another breath of chilly air, this time powerful enough to leave chill marks around the area. Seeing this, Takeshi raised a magic barrier in front of him to block the attack. He found himself gritting his teeth when he struggled to shield himself against the icy breath.

When the attack ended, Takeshi soon found the gorilla monster soon violently tugging at the magical threads, this time breathing ice onto it. He noticed that Astral Bind is becoming weakened with the monster's strength. Seeing that his only advantage in this battle is going to be broken up soon, Takeshi knew that he had to end this battle quickly.

"One more time!" Takeshi exclaimed as he cast another Astral Bind spell, this time having the magical threads focus on its wrists and ankles. The threads soon tightened around it, making the beast restrained. Seeing this, Takeshi soon broke out into a spring towards the gorilla monster.

The beast, not knowing what is going on, simple lets out another icy breath once more. Takeshi soon raised a barrier as he ran, this time putting a lot of power into it. The breath soon impacted, engulfing him and the around him in a white cold mist.

"Takeshi-kun!" Kiyome cried out in alarm.

Silence passed through the area as the gorilla, occupied by the electrical balls and threads, didn't notice that the end of the staff was right in front of it.

"Astral Hypno."

Those simple words determined the outcome of this battle. A soft greenish-white light glowed at the end of the staff, and the beast simply stared right at it point blank. Soon, the gorilla soon fell limp as its movement ceased. The threads around it soon dissipated, allowing the gorilla to collapse on the ground.

Takeshi panted slightly as he looked down at the down beast, with a bit of sweat breaking out of his forehead.

'...It worked.' Takeshi thought to himself, a bit surprised on the outcome of the battle. 'It really worked.'

It seems that his strategy came into fruition.

He knew there was no way that he could beat such a supernatural beast with his level of magic. Sure, his Enchanter magic played greatly to turn the tides in his favor, but it didn't necessarily guarantee him victory.

Instead, he had to focus on beating the beast mentally. So with Astral Bind keeping it in place, Electrical Fuzz blinding its sight as well as delivering damage over time, and Mind Bolt giving it mental damage and have the beast easily go into confusion, they were all set up to have Takeshi deliver the finishing blow.

Astral Hypno. It's an Enchanter spell that can put an enemy to sleep. This type of spell is rather strong, as it can easily put many foes to sleep, unless they had strong mental resistance to it. For the beast, it was more than enough. However, the trade off was that it could only put the monster into sleep for a short period of time. But with Takeshi casting the spell point blank, it would increase the time period longer.

More than enough time for him and Kiyome to get to safety, and perhaps get help from Rias and Sona and their Peerages.

Takeshi soon made his way past the beast and made his way towards Kiyome, who simply sat there while looking at the battle with widened eyes. He then knelled down towards her.

"C'mon Kiyome-chan. I don't know how long that sleeping spell will last, but we better get out of here before it wakes up!" Takeshi said while grabbing her shoulders and shook her to get her out of her shocked state.

"Y-You...Y-You're..." Kiyome stuttered with shock, making Takeshi's eyes widened when he realized it too.

He revealed his magic powers right in front of Kiyome. His secret of being a Magician is no longer being kept in the dark.

"Listen Kiyome-chan, I can explain...!" Takeshi said with a slightly panicked and worried tone.

"Y-You're...Y-You're..." Kiyome stuttered once more as she looked down towards the ground and having her hair shadow her eyes.

"I know this is a lot to take in, but please bear with me." Takeshi told her while giving a pleading look towards her.

"Y-You're..." Kiyome repeated.

"I can explain this later, but we need to-" Takeshi said, but he soon heard the most unexpected noise to escape from his childhood friend's mouth.

"...P-Pft...!"

Did he just hear a suppressed laugh coming from her?

"...Eh?"

It was the only response he could give upon hearing this.

He continued to watch in surprise and shock as his busty childhood friend tried to suppress down her giggle, only to fail miserably at it. And soon enough, she soon clamped her mouth from outright laughing. However, despite laughing, she managed to say it out loud.

"Y-You're such a gullible idiot!" Kiyome managed to say, before she went into a mad fit of giggles.

"...Huh!?" Takeshi made a shocked noise.

Now he was definitely lost here.


(Later - Benches)

Takeshi and Kiyome sat together on the bench, with Takeshi looking absolutely lost at the end while Kiyome sat next to him with a content smile on her face. Takeshi asked if it was alright to sit there with the asleep gorilla nearby, but she reassured him that everything is fine.

"So...do you mind if you explain what is gong on?" Takeshi asked. Kiyome simply sighed as she placed her leg above her other leg.

"Well now, where to begin?" Kiyome said, before she looked at Takeshi. "I suppose I should start that I discovered that you're a Magician already. You can thank Sitri for that."

Takeshi blinked upon her answer.

"Wait, Kaichou told you? But why...?" Takeshi asked while looking puzzled, before his eyes widened in realization upon something. "...You're aware of the supernatural."

"Correct. As expected from that smart mind of yours. It always did help me out with my homework." Kiyome complimented while nodding in content.

"I see..." Takeshi quietly said while taking this all in. Kiyome noticed this and gave him a small smirk.

"That's the exact same reaction I had when I discovered that you're a Magician. Honestly, it's surprising when you discover that your closest friend has special powers." Kiyome commented, making Takeshi turn to her with a curious look.

"Then what are you Kiyome-chan?" Takeshi asked.

His friend in turn simply gave a proud smile.

"I am a Beast Tamer." Kiyome answered.

"A Beast Tamer..." Takeshi quietly said, before he snapped his fingers. "Wait, you mean...as in a Beast Tamer, where you tame supernatural monsters?" Takeshi asked. Kiyome simply nodded at him.

"Yes. I am a member of the monster tamer household with a long history behind us. Naturally, I was born with the gift of taming monsters and having them serve me." Kiyome said with a proud tone.

"I see..." Takeshi quietly said while processing this newfound information, before he turned to her with a questioning look. "Wait, if you're a Monster Tamer, then why did this gorilla-"

"It's called a Yuki-onna." Kiyome corrected him, making Takeshi blink upon what he heard.

"Wait, the Yuki-onna? You mean those beautiful snow yokai that live in the snowy mountains and kill whoever comes into their domain?" Takeshi asked as he wanted to confirm it.

"You're mostly correct. However, the true appereance of a Yuki-onna is actually the gorilla you fought. It is true that they appear as young woman, but only when they are at a young stage. Once they mature, they change into an beast-like appearance." Kiyome explained to him as she gestured to the now known Yuki-onna before them.

Takeshi turned to the Yuki-onna, who was still sound asleep, with an owlish look. After blinking a few times, his body slumped. "...Huh. That sure breaks a lot of common views about them as beautiful snow woman." Takeshi commented.

"You're taking this a lot well than others do." Kiyome commented with a raised eyebrow. He simply shrugged.

"Well, I see Yuki-onna as dangerous monsters to begin with. They do pretty horrible things to the travelers in the mountains. Why on earth would I be attracted to a yokai that wants to kill people? At the very least, seeing this Yuki-Onna in this form actually relieves me. I don't have to worry about getting seduced." Takeshi said while chuckling at the thought, which also made Kiyome laugh at the thought at as well.

However, it was then Takeshi realized something as he turned to his childhood friend with a puzzled look.

"Wait, hold on then. There is something that I'm missing here. If you're a monster tamer, then why did the Yuki-Onna attack you? Did you fail in trying to tame it?" Takeshi asked, making Kiyome huff indigently at him as if he insulted her pride.

"Hmph. You underestimate my skills in taming monsters Takeshi-kun." Kiyome said as she folded her arms, unknowingly letting her bust rise because of it. She then sighed as she gave off a look of understanding. "Well, I suppose you deserve an explanation."

She then looked him straight in the eye.

"Well, I was originally going to reveal myself to you normally as a Beast Tamer normally. I was going to call you here and reveal one of my monsters to you and introduce myself as a Beast Tamer." Kiyome explained, making Takeshi blink at this.

"Really?" Takeshi asked with a perplexed tone. Kiyome nodded at him.

"However, I've decided to change a few things. First being is that although you have been keeping a secret of being a Magician, which is acceptable since we didn't know each other truly, you always kept on keeping me in the dark and get me worried for nothing. Every time I ask you, you always give vague answers. It always leads me to think you're doing uncivilized activities." Kiyome explained as she held up one finger.

"Can't argue there." Takeshi admitted.

"Second, you sometimes keep yourself distant away from me some times. I figured that you were busy in your studies of being a Magician, but it is no excuse to give effort in spending more time with me." Kiyome pointed out while holding up a second finger. This made Takeshi flinch.

"I-I'm sorry. I probably wasn't a good friend because of that." Takeshi apologized.

"You are forgiven. Besides, I too was busy with my Beast Tamer training, so you aren't the only one to blame in this." Kiyome said with understanding.

"Right, the whole family business thing." Takeshi said while scratching the back of his head, before he gave her a curious look. "Wait, what do any of these reasons have to do with-"

"I was about to finish." Kiyome cut him off, this time tone sounding serous, before she gave a serious look towards Takeshi. "There is the third and final reason for this. You see Takeshi-kun, I pretended to to be held captive by my Yuki-Onna and trick you into thinking I'm in danger is for one important reason." Kiyome said.

"A-And what would that be?" Takeshi asked, getting a bit off put by the serious air from her.

It was then she gave out a full blown glare.

"It is the fact that you keep holding that shameful incident over me for years!" Kiyome exclaimed while her face was going a bit red because of the anger within her.

"H-Huh!?" Takeshi looked surprised upon her final reasoning while backing a bit away from her.

"You heard me! For so many years, you've kept on teasing me relentless about about that incident and I can't stand it!" Kiyome told him heatedly. "At the very least, I considered this payback for you holding it over my head!"

"To be honest, that incident was quite memorable between the two of us." Takeshi blurted out.

"Silence!" Kiyome told him heatedly. "See what I mean!? You may find it funny, but I find it quite shameful!" Kiyome exclaimed, before she huffed and folded her arms.

"It may sound immature of me, but this is the least I could to if I wanted payback from you." Kiyome told him, making Takeshi frown at her.

"I'm sorry Kiyome-chan. I didn't realize that incident and my teasings were that unbearable to you." Takeshi apologized once more, before he shook his head. "But not only that, but please don't do something like that Kiyome-chan. You had me worried sick about you when I thought the Yuki-Onna attack you." Takeshi told her with concern.

Kiyome's cheeks went pink a bit when she heard his last sentence, before she shook her head and sighed.

"I suppose my prank has gone a bit too far. But promise me that you won't keep teasing me over that incident any more." Kiyome told him.

"I promise." Takeshi said while raising up his hand in a lazy manner.

"Good. Now then, since we now who we are now, we're going to have to be more honest with each other, alright? No more hiding your Magician Powers, just as I will not hide me being a Beast Tamer." Kiyome told him.

"Sounds about fair." Takeshi said with a nod.

"If that's the case..." Kiyome said, before she looked at him with a questioning look. "Now, tell me what is going on."

"I'm sorry?" Takeshi said, perplexed by her sudden demand. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Sitri has told me what happened that night. About a Fallen Angel trying to kill you." Kiyome told him, making Takeshi realize what she meant.

"Oh right, that event." Takeshi said as he adjusted his glasses. "Well, there nothing more to it. She tried to kill me and I defended myself. I managed to escape without a scratch with pure luck and time on my side." Takeshi answered.

"That may be so, but there is something going on." Kiyome told him, making Takeshi look at her with a confused look.

"What do you mean?" Takeshi asked.

"Do not play dumb here Takeshi-kun, I know you pretty well. Whenever something serious comes to mind or your conflicted about something, you're always in this pondering state. I saw you do it in class, during lunch time, and even when you're walking on your own. You always look like you're in deep thought about something." Kiyome told him with a knowing tone.

'D-Do I really do that?' Takeshi thought to himself while surprised by his friend's keen sight on his behavior. "W-Well, I wouldn't make it such a big deal..." Takeshi said nervously, forcing himself to smile like its nothing.

All Kiyome did was give him a deadpanned look.

Seeing that she didn't buy his weak excuse, he could only laugh weakly and nervously, before he caved into her stern state. So he hesitantly told her what happened to him over the past few days, and eventually reached the point where he struck a deal with the Governor of the Grigori himself.

When he told her that particular part of his story, the results were rather expected.

"What?! You made a deal with Governor of the Grigori himself!?" Kiyome shouted in shock.

"Sh! Sh! Sh! Not so loud Kiyome-chan!" Takeshi said while trying to shush her. He then held up his hands in a placating manner. "Look, let us calm down and-"

"You've made a deal with the leader of the Grigori! I'm not going to be calm about this at all!" Kiyome protested. "Fallen Angels are known to be aggressive and manipulative towards humanity, yet you choose to strike a deal with them anyways! What on earth are you thinking!?" Kiyome told him angrily.

"W-Well, Azazel was the one who taught humanity how to make weapons and jewelry rather than harming them. And Azazel did fall out of heaven due to lust. So I don't exactly think he is the type to lie..." Takeshi answered with his smile faltering.

"But you made a deal with him to stop the four Fallen Angels doing who knows what in this town. Stopping four Fallen Angels and then bringing them back alive. And seeing your skills, I'm sorry Takeshi-kun, but you stand no chance against them! I even had my Yuki-onna hold back when it fought against you!" Kiyome told him with a stern glare and tone.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Azazel sent me assistance, so I'm not doing it alone." Takeshi brought up a good part that he has, hoping that it would lessen the anger she has on him.

Unfortunately, her disapproving look said otherwise.

"Honestly Takeshi-kun...That kindness of yours will get you the best of you." Kiyome said while shacking her head, and soon gave him a concerned look.

"Look, Takeshi-kun, why did you even accept this in the first place? This kind of situation is way over your head. Why not just leave to those Devils?" Kiyome asked. Hearing that question, he grew a resolute look on his face.

"It's because I can't sleep well, knowing that the Fallen Angels will hurt innocents in the area. Just like what they did to Issei." Takeshi said with a focused tone.

"If Fallen Angels continue to harm everyone, then it won't make them happy. Family and friends might lose their loved ones because of them. I know it might be childish to say that, but I remember what my dad taught me." Takeshi said, getting a surprised look on his face.

"You exist for two things. To make others happy, and make yourself happy with the life you have. My dad fulfilled his role of taking me in as his son and taught me the art of magic, and he was happy to fulfill such a parental role. Now it's my turn to take on that role. When I manage to fulfill in seeing others happy, I'm happy in return." Takeshi told his childhood friend.

Kiyome just gave an incredulous stare at his response, before he sighed and shook her head.

"I would honestly say that this ideal of yours sounds so childish..." Kiyome commented.

"I know." Takeshi admitted with a smile.

"But...it's honestly noble and admirable." Kiyome admitted. "Takeshi-kun, I understand your want to keep others happy, but you shouldn't push yourself to this extreme. At this rate, you're going to get yourself killed." Kiyome warned him.

"I know." Takeshi admitted. "Don't worry Kiyome-chan. I'm well aware of my ideals. I won't do anything too reckless that won't end up hurting me. I prefer it that way. But I can't stand aside and let this happen" Takeshi told her with a a reassuring tone.

Upon hearing his answer, Kiyome lets out a soft defeated sigh, as if she knew that type of answer that is going to beat her.

"I knew you were going to say that. If it's one thing I know about you Takeshi-kun, is that once you set your mind onto something, you'll never stop." Kiyome said with a knowing tone. It was then she gave him a concerned look.

"Look Takeshi-kun. Whatever you're doing is something you could stop at any time. But if you continue to do so...please, do not get yourself hurt over this. Alright?" Kiyome told him.

"Can't hold any promises there Kiyome-chan, but I'll try." Takeshi replied with a carefree smile. The drilled haired girl merely sighed upon his answer.

"I suppose that is the best I can get out of you."


And that's a wrap to this chapter!

In all honesty, I found myself liking this story more and more as I continued to write this. I easily made myself an interesting plot, and I think I'm going to invest a lot of time in trying to write this compared to my other fics.


(Erika Chiba)

The person I picked to help Takeshi is Erika Chiba, known from one of the lesser known anime series/Light Novel to date, "The Irregular in Magic High School".

Here is what I usually like about choosing anime/manga/game characters and putting them into the story. I've noticed that whenever a DxD fanfic author inserts a character into the story, it is usually mainstream and popular characters. Examples include Mirajane and Erza from Fairy Tail & characters from Sekirei.

I usually like to break out of this usual trend and try to make it look unique. So I look deep and hard to find the characters I'm looking for. Eventually, I found a few. I chose Erika because...why not? I honestly like her personality and her looks.


(Takeshi's Ideal)

Alright, I know a lot of you are seeing the similarities between Takeshi's ideals and the ideals shown in Fate/Stay Night, and yes, I can acknowledge that.

However, my late grand uncle held that ideal and has told me this directly:

"You exist to make others happy, and become content with the life you choose to live with."

So taking inspiration from his ideal, I've decided to mold it as Takeshi's ideal in memory of my late grand uncle.

Plus, Shirou Emiya's ideal is to become a "hero of justice" and "save everyone". Takeshi simply wants to make everyone happy, and become happy with the life he is going with. He isn't trying to aim to become a hero of justice or save everyone. He just wants the people around him to be happy. That's simply it.


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