Hey there, DxD Fandom.

So sorry about about this chapter's delay, I might start getting a bit slower considering that part of the steam pushing this fic around is ceasing, but still, I still broke a record with so many updates, maybe all the steam is still around! I'm actually having fun with this story, and writing this chapter was a blast too. I'm sorry about my abandomnet from the other stories, but I promise I'll also update them eventually, but for now, just this chapter. Heheheh, I'll try my best too!

As always, dxd doesnt belong to me.


"..."

"Nhac, nhac, nhac..."

And here we are again, in this same situation from before, only this time with only Lilith-san eating the snacks as we share another moment of silence, somehow this time being even more awkward than before without Kunou-san. Nee-chan is still shopping for food so we're the only ones here, eating rice crackers while we watch One Piece. All things considered, this is a scenario I always dreamt of, but never expected to fulfill, in my lifetime. Only never imagined such to also include dragons, foxes, divine armaments and supernatural terrorists…

"Ah. Finished, snacks." I snap back when Lilith-san also blinked back, noticing the vanishing rice crackers on the empty bowl that I just brought to us. With still a bit of crumbs all over her mouth, she licks her lips and sits back on the sofa, turning her head back to the television. I smiled back at her, standing up to pick more snacks for us/her from the kitchen. Upon returning, she resumed her attack on the candy on display, still watching Luffy kicking some marines off.

"Uh… Lilith-san, if it's not rude to ask, why did you want to come here to my apartment?" I ask her, and she halts her hunger mid-bite to turn to me, her brown orbs blinking a few times in curiosity. I scratch my cheek for the sudden attention, deviating my eyes to a different direction, trying to come up with a follow-up to that question. "I mean, it was so sudden and surprising, It kinda scared me for a bit. And you said that Kunou-san was busy with her mother?"

"Umuh. Kunou-chan, helping her mama with a funeral. Tough thing. Didn't want me to hang around." A shiver ran down my spine, and cold sweat forms on my forehead. Man, this is really morbid, almost makes me feel bad for asking, not to mention I myself witnessed a massacre not long ago. Wonder if this is a norm for youkai around, after all, they are creatures of fear and haunting, although all I've seen so far don't seem all that bad. Lilith-san pouted, taking another bite out of her rice cracker. "Muh, party-pooper. Lilith-san wouldn't ruin it. Sounds fun."

"Heheh… Heheheh… I… Don't think so, Lilith-san." I forced another smile so I wouldn't upset her but also shine some sympathy for the deceased, whoever that one is. "Still, you didn't answer me, Lilith-san: why did you want to come here?"

"Because Takumi is nice. Because you are Lilith's friend. Also, snacks." She simply says, and for that, I was taken back by the sheer bluntness of her words. So she really likes me in some way, and that's a bit relieving, even if it is like a friend. Maybe it's her direct contact and speech what drove me to fall in love with her. Also, she's nice and beautiful, and she got big breasts, no wonder she's one of Kuoh's Madonnas. "Just this. Just that. Takumi is nice. Makes Lilith happy and satisfied. You, remembers Lilith of Issei."

"Issei, eh? I'm glad to hear that, I think…?" I trailed off a bit, biting my lower lips a bit to her dull orbs now shining some light. I keep hearing that name again and again, from all those people I just met and who has some connection to the supernatural world, yet I have no basic idea who this man supposed to be besides being a hero, and it seriously makes me feel like I'm missing a big chunk of history of her world. Is this Issei and Lisa-san's Issei even the same person? I turn closer to her and so finally decided to ask: "But, uh, Lilith-san, if you don't mind me asking, who this Issei person supposed to be? You keep hearing about him, but I can't catch who he is. I bet he's someone important, so… Yeah."

"Uh? You don't know? Takumi. Really a dummy, eh?" She looks at me and hides behind her hand a muffled scoff at me, and another nervous laugh escapes mine. Yes, her bluntness and direct approach is really charming, but sometimes it can hurt a bit too, somehow I'm getting used to it though. She licks her fingers a few times to get rid of the crumbs on it, then turns to me with a sharp glare. "Issei. Phi-chan's papa. The champion of the Underworld. Super strong with his Sacred Gear. Dragon part, just like Lilith."

"I see, I see." I nod at her, finally putting the pieces together about all the things I'm hearing about this Issei guy. So the one I'm hearing from Lisa-san and the one I'm hearing from Lilith-san are the same person, the hero of the underworld who has a Sacred Gear just like me, with a dragon in it no less, whose rival is Lisa-san's own master. So he's not only a boasted figure from her head and imagination, he indeed has that title of a Hero. Interesting, yet a bit frightening. But if Lisa-san and Lilith-san both respect him, so he can't be a bad person. "You must really admire him if you talk to him so highly, Lilith-san."

"Umuh. He. Super cool. Super strong. Very nice too. Adopted Lilith and Phi-chan. Hyoudou Lilith now." She puffs her chest up and flexes her arms in a powering pose, which makes me crack a smile about how cute it was. So his name is 'Hyoudou Issei', now I know from where she got that surname, since it doesn't make sense like Kunou-san's. Still, I feel like I heard that name somewhere, although I can't remember where. I was also kinda right, he's a really nice person for adopting Lilith-san and that 'Phi-chan' person, considering no many people would adopt a dragon. Heheh, it's a bit funny to think about it. "Kunou-chan. Also loves him. Marry him someday."

"…"

"…?"

Eh…?

Wait, wait. I think I'm hearing things. Did she just say thar Kunou-san… Wants to marry Issei?

"Uh, Lilith-san, about Kunou-san… Marrying this Issei person… Is that…?"

"Uh-huh. Kunou-chan. Loves Issei. Wants to marry him in the future. Even marked him." And then it stopped. My world just stopped. I wasn't hearing things, Lilith-san did say Kunou-san wants to marry this Issei person, and I don't know why, something inside my chest just… Snapped. I can feel my eye itching a little, and the metallic taste of blood invades my senses, I grew so unsettled that I bit my tongue a bit too much. I looked back at Lilith-san, and she blinks once, twice, looking at me. She then points at her own lips. "Takumi. Bleeding. Mouth. Sick?"

"Ah… It's… Nothing." I mumble, returning to normal to clean up the drops of blood running from my mouth. My tongue still hurts a bit, but at least the wound will close soon enough. I laughed it off despite still bleeding a bit, but then Lilith-san dropped her rice cracker and came closer to me. Close, too close" I can feel her perfume from here! We look stares, and from there, I start to sweat coldly. "Uh… Lilith-san…?"

"Hurt. Takumi. Don't move." She says, coming even closer to me, so much I can feel her breath touch my lips, her cold yet soothing aura clashing with mine, that's how close she was! She blinks, I blink, and then she comes even closer.

"H-Hey, Lilith-san…! You're a bit too clu-hhhhh…!" And before I could finish my sentence, she kisses me! She just kissed me, on the lips! Why, why does this keep happening?! It's not that I don't like it, but it makes me so confused! Not just that, she also sticks her tongue out to inside my mouth, her cold and slippery tongue is French kissing me, and my world kicks into overdrive, spinning so fast I think I'm getting dizzy by the simple contact. When I could think on my two feet again, also fight against the hard-on I was getting, I noticed that she was… Licking my wound? Really, she was just concentrated about that one part that I bit during a moment of frustration, feeling her lick the wound with gentle caresses, until… It wasn't hurting anymore? She stopped with the kiss, a small string of saliva separating us two, and when I reached for that part, I felt that it didn't hurt anymore. No more blood, no more wound, no more pain, there was nothing there. I turned back to Lilith-san, but reason pierced my head again, and I blushed, turning away. "Uhhh… So… L-L-Lilith-san, about this… Uh… Why?"

"You. Hurt. Used a bit of Lilith's flesh to cure it. Dragon God. Can do almost anything." And she again puffs her chest in pride which contrasts with her usually stoic face, but now I can't help but to feel a bit freaked out. I touch that part of my tongue just to notice that there were no more wounds there, I was completely healed. "Takumi. Okay?"

"Uh… Yeah, I am, kinda. I'm just really surprised, that's all." I said, lowering my head a little. She did it again, she helped me without any apparent reason, and while I'm grateful and all, I still feel a bit guilty and confused, we barely know each other, and yet she keeps getting more and more intimate with me, the mark on my chest being the ultimate proof of such. This is throwing me into a spiral of confusion, and now that I know about Kunou-san and Issei-san, I can't… Think straight enough. I turn to her again. "Uh… Thank you, Lilith-san. But you already did so much for me; you don't need force yourself to do all of that…"

"Why?" She asks without a filter, and I could only scratch the back of my head. Again, her direct approach is charming, but a bit hard to deal with.

"Because… Well, we barely know each other, and despite you thinking us as friends, I still think what you do to me sometimes is too much…" Really, she already slept with me just to heal me from an attack when she and Kunou-san could only leave me to die since I wouldn't make a difference, not to mention going in and out to talk to me and trying to have a moment with me. I feel a bit guilty about it all, doing nothing to repay her for all those favours and services. I also hate to admit, but she letting herself to do so much for my sake makes me shines a new light on her, making me think she'll do that to anyone. I look back at her, and now… She's frowning? That's a new one!

"Dummy Takumi. It is never too much to help friends. Lilith would do it again and again. Friends. No need to thank me or return the favour. Happy to help. Lilith strong. Helps others because Lilith can." She again flexes her arms and shines her eyes with pure determination at me, and for that, I think I'm feeling a bit better regarding all those revelations at once. In the end, she calms down to look on me yet again. "No need to feel bad. Takumi. Nice. Good enough."

"Being nice… Is good enough." I scratch my head to that statement, more confused than ever. I don't know why, but just hearing those words, I somehow feel unsuited, in more ways than another. 'Being nice is good enough', 'being nice is good enough', I could just take those and live with it, considering it came from Lilith-san of all people, but why do I feel actually worse just thinking about doing it? I'm torn between being satisfied and hollow at the same time, and I can't think of something out of it. For now, I should sigh and smile for her in order to avoid making her mad at me. "I guess that's okay by me. I wish I could do more though. It'd be nice to help you and Kunou-san, but as you could see… I still have a long way to go! Heheheh."

"Oh? Oh. Ooooh~." She tilts her head to a side, and then looks at the small bandage on her hand, and nods in realization. Yeah, if my Sacred Gear cannot be controlled at all and is suspect of that, I shouldn't hang around them that much even if they are offering to train me. I found myself a master of those anyway, although it'd be nice to hang around them more often. Lilith-san pouts a little, crossing her arms under her enormous bosom. "Dummy. Takumi. Just because you hurt Lilith. Thinks is hot shot. Lilith just let her guard down. Not such luck next time."

"I wasn't… Okay, I guess." I don't even have to counter that one, better let that one sink up before she gets mad at me for no reason. This is how I've been doing with everyone that wants a piece of me or my friends during one of our panties raids, better keep it that way to avoid trouble. In the end, we shared a moment of levity when I cracked a laugh and she muffled a small stoic giggle. 'Being Nice is good enough'… Why do I feel so heavy? I turn back to her, opening but then closing my mouth like a fish would, but she noticed my small action, so I had no other choice. I took a deep breath, and asked: "But what you said is true? Kunou-san wants to Marry Issei?"

"Yep. Kunou-chan. Already marked him. Blessed by her mama. Romantic." Her eyes shone a bright light, but those words weighted on me like boulders. In the end I couldn't help but to expect something like that: Kunou-san is a fox spirit and for what they are all saying, she is an important figure of her pantheon, helping her mother and whatnot about those important events, of course she would be arranged with someone of equal importance, how silly of me to think I had a chance. Even before knowing all of this stuff, I had nothing from the start. And for that, I feel a bit guilty, making her sleep with me. Lilith-san apparently notes my unsettled state. "Why? Why?"

"N-No reason, it's surprising, that's all." I lie, and as expected, her innocent and naïve self falling for that and returning to munch of snacks. After a while, I decided to turn around to her yet again. I know I don't want to know the answer of that, not at all, but the curiosity will kill me if I don't ask. "Hey Lilith-san… How about you? Do you… Love Issei? Are also arranged to marry him? I mean…"

"…" She stops to look at me, and for that my heart stops on track as well. Anticipation yet fear grows inside my soul, and she looks down as if she's thinking about something, facing her own navel in silence contemplation. I both want and don't want to hear her response as soon as possible, but after a few seconds that looked like hours, she blinks back at me, and blushes a little, already giving me a bad feeling of what's to come. "Lilith. Loves Issei. He's Phi-chan's papa. So Lilith's papa too. Very happy with him."

"I-I see." I sigh, heavily this time. Of course she would. I feel a cold breeze on my face, so I snort a little, feeling an itch on my eyes as I wait for those words to fall into my system, and waiting for my head to accept them. I bit my tongue so nothing else could be said, and silently accepted things as they are. I guess this is okay, being just this close to them is the best I've ever been anyway, so I shouldn't mind it too much. I turn back to her, and bowed my head slowly for her, making her blink in surprise. "Speaking of which… I don't think I've ever thanked you properly since you saved me from the Gashadokuro the other day. Everything has been happening so fast, I keep forgetting to thank you and Kunou-san for what you've done for me, all things considered. So… Lilith-san, thank you for everything that you've done for me so far."

"…"

"…"

"Lilith-san…?"

Takumi. No need to thank Lilith." She says, her voice actually too close for my taste, making me lift my head up to look up at her. Instead, I'm presented with her face up too close to mine! I jump in surprise, losing my balance and falling on the couch I was. What a scare, she has to stop doing this for the sake of my heart! When I calmed down, I turned back to her, her stare returning to its usual stoic one, and she bend over me, making a 'shhh' sign, a finger in front of her lips. "Takumi. Lilith's friend. Care and help. Always."

"Y-Yeah… I think it's okay." I try to turn my eyes elsewhere, but then a cold finger makes me turn back at her. Again, she's too close, I can feel her cool breath brushing on my lips, and my heart is at the same time bumping out of my mouth yet controlled for some reason. I turn my eyes to her, and sigh. "I'm sorry, Lilith-san. I just like you so much, it hurts a bit. I… I wish… It's nothing. I'm glad for you to be my friend, but… I am not worth to have someone like you."

"Takumi. Same thing. The other perverted kings?" She asks, now sitting on me, her legs blocking my own while her butt sits on my lap. Again, close, too close. But her question… If I'm worth to have friends like Ryou-chan, Issan and Touya? Is that what she's asking? Well, they are my childhood friends, i met them, or rather they talked to me when I moved to Kuoh with Ryuuko-nee, and since then… They've become brothers to me. Always so supportive, always so nice to me, even when I couldn't get used to them up until recently. Even when puberty hit, they were always so close and so cool with everything I'd do, so I could only accompany them with those cray antics of them. I wish I could do show how much I love them, how much they mean to me, yet I can only stay close and be their friends. I wonder if they know how much? I sigh, looking back at her.

"I… I don't know. I wish I could say a definitive 'yes', but I… I don't know." I honestly say, and she pouts once again. Oh no, did I upset her again? Instead of saying anything else, she simply leans forward and hugs me, again burying me in the valley of her breasts. There is so much thing inside my head, but what can I say? I'm between the tits of one of the girls I like the most, so it's not that bad, it just… Hurts a little.

"Takumi. Thinks too much. Thinks bad. Just be happy. Between Lilith's tits." She says in a soothing voice while passing her cold and soft hand across my hair, and seriously, I feel a bit better now. Maybe she's right, I can just let myself be a little in those little moments and enjoy the fact she's so innocent and naïve she let me be so close of her breasts without any caution. Heheh… Heheheheh, it feels nice. In the end, she pushes me away to stand up and pat my shoulders a few times. "Nice. Takumi. Nice. Good friends."

"Thanks." And then silence, she just calms down and sits back of the sofa, now munching on her rice crackers again. It took a few seconds for me to realize what just transpired, and then I started to hyperventilate, my whole body being engulfed in flames and steam start to come out of my ears. W-W-What was that all about?! Lilith-san was so close, and she became so intimate with me! I think I could hear her heartbeat when she hugged me, not to mention her skin is so smooth and silky and cold! Ah, if only I could see what kind of panties she's wearing today too~… I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts, looking back at her, now that she's eyeing me with such confused eyes. "Uhh… Lilith-san… About all of that…?"

"So worry not. Lilith. Protect and support Takumi." But I couldn't even talk it out when suddenly she bumped her hand on her chest in a silly salute and puffed a prideful smoke out of her mouth, her tone stoic as always, but having quite a confident and serious tone into it. "Takumi. Someone who Lilith likes. So protect and care for him. Just like Kunou-chan and Tosca-chan. Dragon Promise."

"Lilith-san…" I could only dreamily gasp for her determination, her words firm and bold as her breasts. She's just as dreamful and perfect as I've always imagined her, and hearing those words coming from her, I can only be mesmerized by her figure. I wish I could be as reliable and radiant as her. Even if I'm just me. Wait, maybe I can. Maybe I can! I mimic her own movements, and even with my trembling voice, I try to say the same. "Me too… Me too! Even if I'm useless, even if I'm unreliable, even if I can't control my Sacred Gear that much… I'll train hard and reciprocate all of your efforts… And do even more. Because you're also… Someone I like. Uh, human promise…?"

"Nice. Promise." And then she nods and extends her arm to me, pinky finger pointing out. I look at it, a bit confused, but then she nods again, as if she's hurrying me to do something. "Takumi. Promise. Pinky finger. Seal of a promise."

"Oh… Oh!" I get it, she wants to make a pinky promise! Isn't that a bit childish for us, since we're already high-schoolers? No matter, no matter, being able to do that with Lilith-san is something I could never imagine! Without losing any second, I also extended my pinky finger to her, and then we crossed them in a small hook around each other. That settles it, a promise worth keeping. "Okay, pinky promise. If one of us breaks it, it'll have to swallow a hundred needles!"

"…"

"…" Wow, I was so into it, didn't even notice that one slip. This is too childish even for a pinky promise. I laughed it off a bit in order to distract her from the fool in front of her I've made myself to be, but in the end, her eyes started to shine yet again.

"Hundred needles. Easy for Lilith. A million needles!" She nods the sentence a bit more, and again I was taken back by her boldness. So that settles it, a hundred needles for me, and a million ones for her. Like any of us would do that, but knowing Lilith-san, I'm quite sure she would do it, no doubt. Don't do it, Lilith-san! "Promise, then. Settled."

"Yeah." I nod back, looking back at my hand, then gripping the scar on my chest. Huh, it feels nice somehow. Getting closer to her in this way, this takes me back. Maybe this kind of situation won't be so bad. Suddenly, I hear an electronic ring around, a ringtone I don't ever remember downloading, but then Lilith-san pulls from her pocket a small smartphone to look at it. Wait, what? A dragon like her, carrying around a cellphone? I know it's not much from everything I've seen so far, but is kinda surprising nonetheless. She pouts seeing something on the screen, then returns it to her pocket.

"Sorry. Duty calls. Lilith has to go. Bummer." Lilith-san claims as she stands from her seat and stretches herself here and there. Oh, makes sense, considering that she hangs around Kunou-san, she has those kinds of appointments, but it makes me curious: what kind of duties does a fragment of a Dragon God has to do anyway? I should ask her own of those days, but not today, maybe later. "Sorry. Duty calls. Maybe next time. Takumi."

"Ah, okay." I said as I followed her to the entrance door, wrapping some rice crackers and other candy on a bag for her to take. This is the least of hospitality I can offer her as a goodbye, anyway. "Here, take some. I don't eat that much candy, but the old lady from the store always offers me because she has too much, and I feel bad if I just throw it away. You can have it if you like."

"Hoh~. Super nice. Takumi. Thank you." And she takes said bag and in another smooth move she comes closer to give me a little peck on the cheek. My whole face burns the moment her lips touch my skin, and out of instinct, I take a jump backwards from her. Now this is starting to freak me out, her attitude towards everything is nice and charming, but damned it be if it isn't good for my heart! In the end, I calmed down enough to stay proper in front of her as she puts on her shoes and turns to me. Even from here, is that a ghost of a smile I see? "Can Lilith come back? For candy? For Luffy and the crew? For Takumi?"

"Eh…?" Status: frozen. Wait, what? Is she really asking if she can come back for more One Piece and candy?! This is too much to think about! I think I'm having a small stroke for thinking too much! But of course she can come back! Man, I would feel bad and unhospitable if she ever didn't want come back. So I did a great job with this all host thing. Snapping back to reality noticing she was waiting quietly there for quite a few minutes, I politely bowed to her. "Of course you can… You can… You can come back here, Lilith-san. You can always come back for more One Piece and snacks! Just… Say so, so I can prepare things better…"

"Right. Nice. Thanks." She nods one more time, and then one more goodbye wave before going out, finally leaving my house, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my thoughts alone. But before going out, she poked her head from the door one more time, and winked at me. "Oh. Lilith."

"Eh…?"

"Friends now. Just Lilith. No '-san'."

"Okay… Lilith."

"Huh." And then out she goes, leaving me alone.

Finally alone. I sigh under my breath, what was all of that about? All of those roll coasters of emotions and reactions, and while it wasn't all that bad, I can't shake this feeling of tiredness. In the end, I think I finally got what I wanted, Lilith-san now thinks of me as a friend, and that's nice and all, but all things considered, would she be this close to me if it wasn't for my Sacred Gear? Or for what happened the other day? I walked to the living room and sat on the sofa thinking about that.

In the end, I should be considered lucky, right? I mean, even if they've met and talked to just because of my Sacred Gear and apparent easier link with the supernatural, it wouldn't matter because I got to meet and talk to them up close, two of the most beautiful girls in the school, plus Tosca-san. Also, I made a promise to Lilith-san that I would be just as reliable as her, and since she's a dragon god, those are some shoes to fill. Wonder if she really think me as friend, considering how her head apparently works. At least things are working pretty good on my side? Maybe I can make a name out of myself with this sacred gear and Lisa-san's training, do something quite extraordinary and maybe they would fall for me like a light novel protagonist. Heheh, that would be nice, stealing them from that Issei person. Just kidding, I wouldn't do something like that… It's not like… It's not like…

'Kunou-chan. Also loves him. Marry him someday.'

'Uh-huh. Kunou-chan. Loves Issei. Wants to marry him in the future. Even marked him.'

'Lilith. Loves Issei. He's Phi-chan's papa. Lilith's papa too. Very happy with him.'

*DRIP… DRIP…*

No, don't struggle, Takumi. This is the way it should be. Kunou-san is a fox spirit, Lilith…-san is a dragon God, of course you didn't have a chance from the start. Who are you compared to the hero of the Underworld? A perverted, good-for-nothing high-schooler not even your parents wanted, who ruined the life of your own sister for being so weak, plain, useless. I have to keep telling myself that, this is the way it should be, so please… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'Why can't you be like your sister, Takumi? Why are you so useless?'

Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'Why do I have to be with that little twerp? It is not my fault you wanted another child!'

Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'Whatever! I will keep Ryuuko while you stay with him! You already got money, no need for her in your life!'

Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'Ah, sure. Like being with him won't ruin everything else! I'd pay you to stay with him instead!'

Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'I didn't want a child like him, y'know!'

'Well, neither did I!'

Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go… Stop breaking. Don't struggle, just let it go…

'I don't want him!'

'And neither do I!'

"Takumi, I'm home! I've brought groceries and guess what! The market had a Katsudon sale today! We're gonna eat like royalty today!"

"…"

"Takumi? Hey bro, are you okay?"

"…"

"…"

"Yeah. Yeah nee-chan, everything is fine. Don't sweat it."

"Oh… Okay."

Stop breaking…

Don't struggle…

Just let it go…

… And just moving forward, like nee-chan said what makes you special.

Even if it hurts…

Just…

Keep moving forward.


'He's all alone today. Thank goodness its just one of them today, feel like I can breath without feeling their stench…'

'I heard the rest of the kings were suspended because of the brawl from the other day. They should've been sent to jail instead!'

'We should just mess with this one and then we'll be free from those molesters.'

'Nah, he's so pathetic being all alone and gloomy, just let him be. I'm sure he'll rot like shit if we just leave him alone. Just… Keep distance from him.'

Another day in Kuoh, another barrage of cruel and mean words by my back from the girls. Today however, things went a little heavier since I'm the only one of my group here since they've been suspended from the other day's brawl, apparently for a couple of days. So here I am, the perverted snake king, having lunch all by myself all being avoided by practically all the other classmates of mine. Man, I just forgot how lonely I am without Ryou-chan, Issan and Touya around to talk about tits and asses and share another plan of assault.

I also just remembered that my circle of friends is just limited to those three, and even if they call me such, Kunou-san and Lilith-san are probably too busy with their stuff, so I shouldn't bother them just to eat lunch with me. Even so, I think I've never been so alone during school periods, even during detention back in kindergarten. Oh well, at least the rest of yesterday's katsudon festival left plenty of leftovers for me to have a nutritious lunch with. A bit too much… I don't think I can finish this lunchbox today…

"Hey, Takumi-kun."

"Huh…?" I turn my head to the direction that known voice called for me, and was surprised by the view of golden hair pulled in a sportsman ponytail and bright eyes looking at me with a grin. A little taken back for her sudden presence, I questioned my sanity again as she pulled a chair for herself from Ryou-chan empty seat to sit in front of me. "Oh, Kiba-san. What brings you here? Does Kunou-san need to… talk to me yet again?"

"Nah, she's too busy with a… Special occasion to come to school today. Lil-… Risu-san is also training somewhere in her house for some reason, something about 'not being looked down by him' or something." She declares, and while I can understand the circumstances regarding Kunou-san and the possible requiem mass, I couldn't help but to scratch the back of my head for Lilith-san's explanation, since apparently I'm part of it. "But all things considered, nope, I'm here by my own willing, and since none of your stupid friends are around I can come closer to you without them calling me names. Sorry to disappoint you."

"Not really, I'm just curious. Also, sorry about them." I said with a small blush on my cheeks, taking a bite off the katsudon one more time. Tosca-san smiles one more time, supporting her chin with her hands and her elbows on my table. This is awkward, wonder what she wants to do now? absentmindedly, I pushed my lunchbox towards her and handed another pair of disposable chopsticks. "If you want, you can have some of my lunch. I've brought too much this time, I'm full."

"Oh, if you insist." And she didn't even mind picking up to have a taste on it. This is so weird too, Kiba-san doesn't seem someone who would eat such cheap katsudon, but again, everything is news nowadays. I, who can only look at her eating so delightfully in front of me, could only stare, nothing to say or do in this situation. Unless I try to whisper now.

"Hey, Kiba-san. Is it true that Kunou-san is engaged to Issei?"

"…!" And then she stopped, so abruptly she almost chokes on rice and vegetables, making me wave my arms in concern. When she stopped coughing, before I could say anything else, she turned to me with a bit of concern, punching her chest a few times, taking a deep breath and then sighing. "Who… Who told you?"

"Lilith-san."

"Of course." And then she rolled her eyes, as if it was an obvious answer she just missed. She turns back to me. "Well, no point in hiding then: Yep, Kunou-san, the princess of the Youkai Faction, is engaged to one of the strongest devils around, the Hero of the Underworld and the current holder of the Boosted Gear, the gauntlet of the Red Dragon Emperor: Hyoudou Issei."

"I see, I see."

"Sorry to say that." She sighs and taps my hand a few times in a comforting manner. However, I just shrug it off and leaned on my own chair taking a small sip from my juicebox.

"No, it's okay, really. I mean, it was just to put a close on the rejection for good. I'm just so stubborn sometimes, I just need a little shake-up to wake up for reality. But thanks for your concern." I muttered a bit lower, turning back to her with a relieved smile. Yes, even all of that, I'm still feeling a bit relieved that it is over, that I didn't have a chance to begin with rather that being (only) a side of myself that they didn't like. Kiba-san eyes me a bit concerned, but I waved it off. "No need to worry about me, Kiba-san. It's not the first time someone has ever rejected me, and besides, it's not like we can't be friends, right? So it's not all that bad, at least."

"That's actually quite a mature decision coming from you. I'm impressed." She chuckles, now returning to eat my lunchbox but not before clapping a few times for whatever reason. Mature? Maybe. It's not that I like very much, but at least is the best I can come up with without resorting to something awful. "Doesn't mean we won't keep an eye for you or your Sacred Gear, Takumi-kun. Not because we think you're dangerous or anything, but because some other… Less friendly factions might take an interest on you. So marking you as our affiliate, those pesky things might stay away from you."

"D-Don't scare me like that, Kiba-san." I laughed nervously with a forced grin, as she chuckled again with my display of hopelessness. I blink when I realized something: For once, I'm actually having a sorta normal conversation with someone outside my own circle of friends, and I'm actually really excited about that, for even for the smallest of contact. Maybe my days alone won't be so lonely after all, if that makes any sense.

"It's just a little safety measure, nothing to worry about. Just do what you normally do without much commotion and the dust around you will settle itself. Then whenever you want to join our group and learn more from us, is up to you." She grins. "By the way, are you sure you don't want to join us now? I know you think it's dangerous, but those two have faced worst things, a little more adrenaline with a berserker Sacred Gear won't be much of an issue all things considered."

"And again, I'm sorry Kiba-san, but I don't think I'm ready to join you all." I said back, with a little more clarity and confidence this time. I know [GOSPEL JESTER] is a dangerous weapon and all, and even with those comforting and reassuring words I still don't have much faith put into it after what happened the other day, so my only hope lies on Lisa-san, who clearly has shown she's able to stop me on the moment. Also, during the wedding, I could save someone even with this disaster of a holy weapon, so it means maybe, just maybe, I can be useful to at least keep my promise with Lilith-san and by extension Kunou-san and Kiba-san. "But when I'm done training about how to control this Sacred Gear of mine, I will turn to you guys and then we can talk it out more. I just… Wanna some time to prepare myself so I can be as reliable as you."

"…"

"…?"

"Stop. Just stop. Those words coming from one of the perverted kings of Kuoh academy are making me uneasy. They are certainly unsettling coming from you, and honestly, I feel a bit hurt." She blocks her own vision with her hand on her eyes, and jokingly say those words with a falsetto I can't even discern from her natural voice. Oh, maybe I said too much? She's right, saying all of that and not doing anything to back those up is a bit too weird. She turns back to with to peek on me with one eye, and dropping the act, she again grins. "But this is a bit better than I expected from you. Well done, Takumi-kun. Maybe some other girl might fall in love with you faster than you expect."

"Heheheh… Really?" I so sheepishly scratch the back of my head, blushing a little from her statement as she laughs with me. Man, if this one of my visual novels, that would be a flag, but that's just my imagination. Still, just like Lilith-san and Lisa-san, Kiba-san does know how to cheer me up. Ah, am I falling for her too? I hope not. Speaking of which, maybe I can enter this conversation as well. "How about you, Kiba-san? Is there anyone you're interested in? Just asking?"

"Oh-hoh? What kind of question is that out the sudden? Indeed, you're so full of energy today, Takumi." She says, and again those words make me blush. Hah, was I too direct, too intrusive? I was expecting her to grow upset of me, but in the end, she blushes as well and opens a warm and calm smile, which I only now notice how bright and welcoming it was. "But no, as for now, I don't have a lover to call my own. It might sound a bit strange, but I guess it's because I am, despite my appearance, way older than my peers on my class."

"I see." I get it, she might look like a girl around my age, but in fact she's a bit older because of her sacred gear. Still, makes me wonder why she doesn't a boyfriend of a sorts, considering that Kunou-san is engaged and Lilith-san has a crush on her adoptive dad(?).

"But maybe you might be able to change that, one day." And then she winks at me. *PUF!*, my cheeks explode in deep crimson.

"Huuuh~…!"

"Just kidding, of course."

"You're… You're a bit too cruel sometimes, Kiba-san."

"Hahahah. You might be right, Takumi-kun." She smiles but the pink cheeks still decorating her soft expressions, while I so nervously take another sip from my juicebox. Those girls from the supernatural world sure are too dangerous, and my only response to that… is to get just as dangerous. Kiba-san turns her eyes to the outside, looking outside of the clean sky, and putting her chopsticks down and lunchbox towards me, she smiles so dreamily. I turn to the same direction, to the clean blue sky, to the clouds, to the shining sun. "So, summer is here, huh?"

"Y-Yeah, I guess." I respond, looking at that same scenario with her.

So, this is it, huh? The summer of my new life. Well, my only response to that is… To keep moving forward.

*BAM!*

"…?!" And I shoot myself up from my chair when I saw it. I don't know how, I don't know why, but I saw a glimpse of something up in the sky, almost blocking the Sun! It was… Large, and scary, it looked more like a google-eyed dougu, but it was too fast for me to catch a better view of. Even so, my chest starts to burn a little, but soon it died down. What was that all about? I turn back to Kiba-san, and she was eyeing me so curiously.

"Takumi-kun, is something to matter?" She also stands up, coming closer to me to whisper something to me. "Did you see something? Is there an enemy you can feel or anything?"

"No… No, it's… Nothing." I shake my head to the sides, taking a deep sigh while returning to my seat. Kiba-san shots me another concerned look, but in the end, she also looked around and noticed nothing. We exchanged glances one more time, and then she also sat down. "Maybe… Maybe all this information I've gathering the past days has been messing with my head. Ugh~… Maybe I'm starting to see things."

"Even so, we should be alert." She warns me with another whisper, looking outside yet again, but this time, her eyes become sharper and devoid of any quips. As expected from what I can only assume is Kunou-san and Lilith-san's bodyguard and friend.

I looked at the sky one more time, and even with the clarity and beauty from this typical scenario, I sense of dread grows inside me, trying yet failing to locate what was that about?

Really, what was that? I should ask Lisa-san later.

I have the feeling this might be a long summer, after all...


Yeah, maybe this chapter was a bit repetitive, and all the themes wwre repeated all the way, but i tried my best to portrait Takumi's own struggles and despair with all the things he faced this chapter, and honestly, I hope I came up with a solid and satisfatory conclusion to his small character arc considering the crush on both of them. Now, maybe we can move on with the proper plot. It also has been a while since last I wrote a mental breakdown, so I was specially careful while handling that. Hope I did a good job on the development and reaction department. :3

Sorry about the false promise about lemons, maybe I wasn't in the right mood for them this chapter, although i could make one in the future chapters for old time's sake, no promises tho. Just kidding. I hope you all had a good read and until next chapter.

Greetings~.