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Chapter 4
Since the day he presented Viser to his parents, Issei didn't have that much free time anymore. It was always either training his ass off or studying till his head hurt him. Leaving him exhausted.
And because of that, said boy didn't have time to go practicing certain activities with his two friends Matsuda and Motohama. Naturally, they questioned him about it every time he would turn them down. And his excuse was always the same. Saying that he learned his lesson when he was forced to clean the entire library as a punishment when he was caught. His answer left them skeptical but in the end they left him.
He was aware that his recent change in attitude attracted quite the attention but he couldn't care less. He already had enough on his plate.
And on top of that, his father wanted him to begin training on using a sword. Saying that it would be of a great help since he didn't really know how to fight.
That was why he was currently begging the captain of the Kuoh's Kendo Club for her assistance.
" Please Murayama! I need your help in this!" The teen implored. He knew that her chances of accepting were slim. Really slim. But other than her, he didn't know anyone else that knew how to use a sword efficiently. Her friend Katase could be of some help but if Murayama refused, then he doubted the pink-haired girl would accept.
" And why exactly would I help you Hyoudou?" She questioned his bowing form while her beautiful brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. " Since when were you interested in Kendo to begin with?"
Issei redressed himself. Looking at her directly in the eyes. From her perspective, that was a major change.
" You see, I got into a bit of trouble lately. And I realized that other than running away, my only choice if faced against danger would be to beg for my life." He explained with an awkward smile plastered on his face. He was not entirely lying, just not telling the whole truth.
The beauty rose an eyebrow in curiosity.
" What kind of trouble exactly?"
" The kind that would make me eat my pride and seek for help." He answered seriously. And for once in her life, Murayama saw him more like any other human being than the perverted Horndog Of Kuoh.
She released a heavy breath. She knew that he felt sincere at least.
" Just let me think about it. I'll see if can let you join the Kendo Club."
Hearing her say it, his face beamed and a stupid grin split it.
" Calm yourself, it's not like I have already said yes."
" Yeah, just couldn't help myself. Thanks in advance Murayama. I owe you big."
The girl he was talking to was not entirely sure about what she was doing, after all, he was the first male that would be entering her club. Add to the fact that he was a pervert, she didn't really know what to do. But seeing his face right now, she decided to give him a chance. Plus, it would give her the occasion to get back a him for all the times when he peeked at her and her friends.
" I will see you after lunch then."
She waved on her shoulder as she went away with her friends to have their usual talk.
Issei however, was tackled to the ground rapidly by his friends who then proceeded to strangle him to death.
" Issei! How could you? So all this time you refused to peek with us was just to get to integrate the Kendo Club!?" Motohama said
" To think that you planned all this without us. You traitor!" Said 'traitor' had now enough of their game. And with a little effort. He threw them off himself. This didn't go unnoticed by the other two.
" Wa~ Calm down Issei! Just kidding, just kidding!"
The bald one quickly made his excuses. No point in getting a beat down just because of a joke.
" I know. It's just that." He sighted. Trying to find the right words to use. "Just let it be guys. I'm not really in the mood for that right now."
His two friends looked at each others.
" You know, you can tell us if you're in trouble. I doubt we could do much but I am just saying. We're your friends right?"
His statement brought a smile on Issei's face. These were the rare times when he realized that even though they treated each other like trash sometimes, they were still caring for each others.
" Thanks guys. But right now, I think I just need to rest." He apologized, then brought his backpack on the table and began resting his eyes. His friends arced a brow in curiosity but did as told.
*Later that day*
" Oh come on man" lamented Matsuda "we know that you want this as much as we do. Just this time."
" I told you, I can't. Even if the envy took me, I doubt it will be a good idea. If they catch us, Murayama will surely kill me. And she will hate my guts for the rest of her life."
He tried his best to make them understand his motives. He had many reasons for refusing. One of them was Murayama who just accepted him into the Kendo club. Her decision surprised him, but in the end, he made up an excuse to skip training for the day. He was really tired. Since a week and a few days now, he trained non-stop. And he needed a little break from all that, which made his friends' offer all the more enticing. Sadly, he now no longer had it in him.
" Really guys, I appreciate but I'll pass." He turned them down with a sad smile before making his way home. "See you tomorrow!"
" Yea."
Getting home didn't really appeal him. When he got there, it was going to be training again. Which was why he was currently sitting in a bench in the park which slowly emptied itself.
The boy sighed, remarking he did that a lot these times.
"I really need a break." He stared at the peoples who went on their daily lives, a pensive look on his face.
He was broken out of his thoughts when he heard his name getting called. He turned his head in the source of the voice and there, he saw a dark haired girl waving at him while making a nervous walk towards him and his breath hitched. She was beautiful, that was sure. Her hair was long and silky, going down to her hips. She had the body of a mannequin, while not that tall, since she was shorter than him. Like Murayama if he had to make a comparison. Her attire consisted of a revealing school uniform. Quite similar with Kuoh's, which consisted of a dark red jacket with the letter "P" embroidered in gold, a white undershirt, a red bow, and a green skirt with a thin white strip around the lower end of it.
" I-I am s-sorry to bother you but are you H-Hyoudou Issei?" She addressed him. He arced a brow when he heard her stuttering.
" That would be me." He answered. Praising himself mentally for keeping his calm. "What did you want?"
The girl gained a furious blush upon hearing it. She bowed rapidly as if to hide it, not that she really cared.
" I-I am Amano Y-Yuma. Pleasegooutwithme!" The way she worded it all was as if he was being confessed to. He had a blank expression plastered on his face. Blinking several times. He gulped, a hopeful look on his face.
" C-can you say that again. I think I misheard you." He cursed his voice for failing him on such a crucial time. Ddraig was laughing at his misery internally.
" Mou~ Issei-kun, making me say such embarrassing things." She said with a cute pout that threatened to make him faint. She slowly redressed herself, giving him a view of her chest. "Hmm..Would you please be my boyfriend?"
This time he heard her correctly. His heart skipped more than one beat upon hearing the words she uttered. His mouth slightly agape made the girl giggle cutely. Melting his heart.
"Y-yeah that would be great Y-Yuma-chan." You could not really blame him for stuttering. It was already a miracle that he didn't die of heart attack. He could not really believe what was happening. For a second, the image of his first encounter with Viser came to his head but he rapidly banished it in favor of hearing what she had to say.
"Really!? Thank you!"
She squealed in joy and made a move to hug him before running away in full sprint. Leaving the dumbfounded teen to gather his bearings.
It took Issei some time to totally process what had occurred. When he did, he threw his hands in the air and let out a shout of pure joy in the park. Thankfully, no one was there to see him, no one other than a certain white-haired devil.
Ddraig didn't feel like breaking his mood right away. Tell the boy that his new and probably first girlfriend was most likely a fallen would really depress him. So he let the human have his moment of glory and stayed silent as his wielder walked happily home with a stupid grin on his face. Not that he could see it.
*Line Break*
"So tell me Issei, what happened to get you into such a mood?" Inquired Viser as she watched a magical circle appear in the palm of his hand.
Her question made him loose focus. On his face, an eternal smile that didn't falter, not even once since he got home.
"You can't tell?" His asked with mirth in his voice." I just got a girlfriend!"
The devil looked at him with a blank stare.
"Is that so?"
"Hmhm!"
He nodded eagerly. His declaration bugged questions in her head but in the end, she just let him be. Not need to fret over such matters.
After all, even if he has many defaults, he still had qualities, at least, that's what she thought.
"Just get back to your training."
That's what said teen did. They were training on mana transformation. Mostly, producing fire with his mana.
So far, the most he managed to make a ball of fire. They were making progress but they needed to go faster.
"I think that we can call this a day now. I'm tired and I doubt you will learn more things today. So get out of my room so I can sleep."
Issei let his hand fall and stood up. Today was an ecstatic day he decided. He got a girlfriend, managed to get some time off and Murayama even agreed to help him out.
"We'll start training in its uses tomorrow. For now, I'm tired so go celebrate elsewhere." Viser urged him out of her room. "Oh, and don't forget to practice reinforcement." She added as he made his way out of her room.
Issei stopped at her door, and before she closed it, he thanked her. She paused for a second before closing it. Not answering to his words, she made her way to her bed.
" What are you so happy at?" She whispered quietly.
*The next day*
"I don't believe it!"
"What is she doing with that pervert?"
"This is some kind of joke right?"
On and on went the not so discrete whispers of the students as they saw Issei Hyoudou, the infamous Horndog of Kuoh walk along a black haired beauty with what seemed like an animated discussion as the girl was giggling at something he said, probably a joke.
Issei was currently having a really enjoyable conversation with his new 'girlfriend'. School was over, and he was pleasantly surprised to see that she had waited for him even though they didn't attend to the same Highschool.
She observed him and remarked that he had some bruises, notably on his hands.
" What happened to you Ise? You look beat up." She asked, her brows furrowed in concern. He laughed nervously at her and scratched the back of his head.
" Well, I had a little spar with some fellow Kendo Club Members." Her eyebrow arced, curious.
" They handed my ass to me."
She laughed at his face. She was a bit surprised to discover that he was practicing Kendo. But everyone has their quirks right?
" I just began yesterday."
" And you spared with a number of them? Also, didn't they give you equipments?"
" Yep. But they hit hard. Really hard. Tough love they said. What doesn't kill you make you stronger they said. Just wanted to get back to me I said."
" Ise-kun, you know, you should report them if they're abusing you." Her voice seemed sincere, and he didn't doubt it.
" Thanks Yuma-chan! But I kinda deserve it." Without thinking about it, he blurted out something he shouldn't have said.
" How so? Why would you deserve a beat down?"
She tilted her head to the side cutely. He was really tempted to just hold her there and kiss her. But sadly, he didn't have the nerve to do so.
" N-nothing!"
She grinned.
" You have something to hide~ tell me!"
" It's nothing."
" Really? You know that I will find out sooner or later about it. Better spill now." She was right, he knew it. But that didn't make it easier.
She enjoyed the conflicted expression on his face. She already had an idea about it. But these were rare moments where her chore was slightly enjoyable.
" Well, I don't really think you will like it." His head hung low. His eyes looking at everything but hers.
She released a deep breath.
" It's okay."
He met her eyes quickly.
" What?!" Surprise evident in his voice.
" I said it was okay. If you don't wanna tell me, then it's alright." Her chipper mood was gone. In place of the joyful smile she had was now a somewhat sad one. He felt a pang on his chest, surely, it was guilt.
But he didn't want to tell her. What if she found him repulsive if he was to tell her that he spied on them when they were changing? He already knew from long lived experience that most if not all girls hated perverts. He could always lie. But again, he didn't want to lie to her. He was so focused on his inner conflict that he didn't see the subtle smile she had. A smile that didn't belong to someone with her personality.
" So, I think that I'll be going then. My home's still far. Goodbye Ise-kun!" She smiled before hugging his chest briefly. Then she walked away, leaving him.
" Goodbye...Yuma-chan!"
He was really tempted to just bask his head against the ground. He would have if the results of such an action wouldn't do him more harm than good.
So he decided to just continue his walk towards his home. Albeit more hurriedly than before.
[Do not fret over it partner.] Ddraig advised him wisely.
'Yea' He answered weakly. Not really feeling like talking to the dragon at the moment.
Once he got home, he greeted his mother who immediately took notice of his state.
" What's wrong Ise? You look bruised and .. down."
He looked at her and gave a smile. One he hoped would make her stop her interrogation. His hopes were crushed when she just stared at him.
" You're in trouble?"
He quickly tried to wave her concerns off. " I just had a tiring day. Practicing Kendo isn't easy."
" Ise-kun, I'm your mom. I have lived with you for years. And I would be damned if I would not recognize you when you're lying. Yes you had a tiring practice, but that's not all."
He sighed. Knowing her, she would not let go.
" As you already know, I have been asked out by a girl. But, today, I made a mistake and, you know, I am afraid she will leave me." He turned to look at her face. Hoping she had an advice that would help him out. Past experience told him that when he told her about his problems, she would probably blame him before helping out. That's why he was usually reluctant to tell her about them.
" Listen Ise, if you made an error, you can always apologize. We are not angels, we're humans. We are doomed to make mistakes. And if she doesn't accept your apology, it's not like it is the end of the world. You can always pass on to something else." The mother told her son casually. She gave him a last look over before patting his shoulder. Surprising the teen.
" Now go take a bath. You stink." She told him playfully. In the end, it was all he needed to regain a small smile.
" Thanks Mom! And, where's Dad?"
" He still hasn't come back. He said something about a weapon for you. Don't worry about him. He knows how to take care of himself."
The teen smiled before going up to his room. He considered skipping training but he steeled his resolve. Strength didn't come without efforts. He knew that one can only get results when he strives to get them.