*Bell Rings*

It was now lunch time. All of the students that finished their gym period were now going back to their homeroom class for lunch. Unfortunately for Richie, he did not bring a lunch with him on his first day. His only decision was to only lay low and chill under the big tree near the school only to ponder about everything that has happened from the day he arrived to now. But no matter what he had thought about, his stomach kept on growling for every minute. Even the big breakfast that earlier wasn't enough to keep him well til' after school.

[10 Minutes Later]

"Damn, I really wish I had my wallet right now." Richie thought to himself. "There was a vending machine I saw from the school entrance that has those amazing snacks! I wonder what they would taste like here in this world. Probably taste so much better than my old school's. No doubt about that."

Richie closed his eyes and sighed into both boredom and starvation. "This sucks. I've should've known better to bring my own lunch to school." He said. "Oh how I crave dad's infamous family carne asada burritos with extra green onions, gooey cheese, lots of beans and his signature spicy green sauce. And how could I forget mom's small, but incredibly delicious snickerdoodle cookies sandwiched between her homemade buttercream filling. Man, I sure miss home."

"Richie?"

His daydream came to a halt when he was interrupted from by someone calling his name. He scrunched his eyes for a second until he notice from his opened eyes that Asia was standing there right beside him to his left.

"A-Asia!" He shouted. "Man, you startled me for a second there."

Asia bowed for forgiveness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. If it's a bad time I'll come back later." she said to him as she turned around to go.

"N-No. It's alright. Anyways, what are you doing here?"

"Issei told me you were here all alone. You look kind of upset. Is everything okay?"

"If by okay, you mean weird?" He thought. "Yeah, everything's cool. No need to worry. It's just...the first day of school has been so overwhelming for me. I figured that I need to take a breather to relax here before I head to class after lunch."

"Well, okay. I just wanted to check and see how you were doing. Oh, I almost forgot! I bought something along for you. I hope you like it." Asia said.

She reached into her book bag to pull out a small box wrapped around in a blue cloth with white swirls. "Here. I thought you might enjoy it."

"What is it?" he asked being handed him the box.

"Go ahead open it."

Richie unravels the cloth by untying the knot from the top. Inside reveals a black colored box. He lifts up the top and to his surprise was food inside.

"Woah!" astonished Richie.

"I don't know if they have stuff like this from where you live, but here we often bring lunch from home in these bento boxes."

"The food. It all looks great! What's in it?"

"There's chicken teriyaki with white rice, a mixed vegetable salad, dumplings and sushi. I made it all by myself. Just for you." she smiled.

"California rolls! I thought I recognized it. All sounds very delicious. I appreciate your offer Asia, but I…"

*Stomach Growls*

He look down holding his stomach. Richie was about to finish off by saying he wasn't hungry at the moment but his stomach began to growl very loudly. So loud that Asia can even hear it for herself.

"But what? Please don't say that you're not hungry. I know the first day can sometimes go on a tough start but that doesn't mean you have to skip lunch. Please Richie, you gotta have something in your stomach at least." she pleased.

Richie turned to Asia and began to look at her face. He noticed a worried look on her. One that would be hard to say no to a face like that. She came all the way from the school building to give him free food that she prepared. Saying no would be wrong to say after all she did.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'll eat what's inside."

Asia smiled at Richie. "That sounds great! You'll love the food I made." she said reaching into her bookbag and pulling out a pair of wooden chopsticks. "Here, you'll definitely need these. Can't eat without them." she chuckled.

Asia handed the chopsticks over to Richie. He became quite peculiar with handling chopsticks. Normally, he's used to eating food regularly with a fork and spoon, but chopsticks were merely not his forte. He began, in attempt, to hold the chopsticks with his dominant right hand. This was a first for him as he began to have certain difficulty holding chopsticks in the best way possible. He became very disgruntled.

"Do you need any help?" Asia asked.

"Please! I never knew handling chopsticks would be this hard. Usually I just eat california rolls with my fingers" Richie replied bluntly.

"Don't worry, it's real easy. Let me show you. Take one chopstick. All you have to do put the end of the chopstick on your ring finger and hold it tight with the bottom of your index and thumb."

Asia grabbed his hand to fix his hand position of the one chopstick in the correct way.

"Then take the end second chopstick and place it on your ring finger, making sure that both the tips of the thumb and index finger are holding it. Now squeeze and lift by using your index and middle finger."

Richie had to choose which food he was going to eat first. This would be a first for him to try an Asian lunch. He wasn't afraid to try new things so he decided to go for the dumplings. To him, the dumplings looked to be cooked to perfection. He starts to pick up one of the pieces of dumplings first. He soon realized that it was all thanks to science for holding these chopsticks.

"Oh, now I get the picture. I'm basically using my thumb as a fulcrum and both my index and middle finger to move them." He said taking a bite of the dumpling. "And these dumplings are so good. I think I now get the hang of using these chopsticks. Thanks so much, Asia!"

"You're welcome. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. I'm pretty much a phone call away." She giggled. "When you're done eating, you can keep the bento box. It's all yours, including the chopsticks. I hope you like it."

"Trust me, it sure is welcoming. This food is absolutely magnificent. The vegetables still look crisp, the chicken taste juicy, and these California rolls you made are fantastic! Probably the best I've had ever! " Richie said taking a big bite out of the sushi roll for the first time.

Asia was touched by the compliments from her new fellow devil friend to know that her food was delicious. She placed her hand over her blushing cheeks. "Stop it now, you're making me blush. I'm so very flattered to know that." Asia giggled.

Richie began to question. "By the way Asia, why did you decide to bring me lunch?"

Asia looked down. "It's because, well after what you did back at the church. How you saved my life? I figured I would pay you back somehow. So while you and Issei were asleep, I began preparing a special lunch for you. It's my way of saying thank you for what you did. Anyways, I better get back inside with Issei. I'll let you continue eating on your own, okay? I'll see you later."

Asia was about to go back inside class to meet with Issei throughout the remainder of lunch, until Richie called her back. "Asia, wait a second!"

"Huh? Yeah?"

Richie spoke with his head held down."If it's n-not too much trouble, w-w-would it be okay if I had some company. J-Just this once." He told her. "I mean after my first day being a bit tough today, I figured I need a friend right now."

"Sure." Asia affirmed with a smile. "I'll just let Issei know that I'm going to be eating with you just for the time being."

Asia pulls out her cell phone as she starts to text Issei. Letting her know that she would be hanging out with Richie for lunch. As Richie continued to eat, he can't help be feel a bit relieved. After everything that has happened in regards to the arcane magic inside, he thought cooling things down by himself would wash the worries away, but he figured out deeper that a lot of thoughts relating to the magic would pile up in his mind resulting in making this day more stressful than it was. Having a friend to just talk and eat would eventually clear his mind over the more concerning things and more so focus on the positives not relating to his current dilemma. The two sat down together as they began to eat more of their lunch before the bell would ring.

*BELL RINGS*

Twenty minutes after lunch was over, Asia and Riche enjoyed their meals and said their goodbyes until the school was over. They all went back to their normal classes when it began. With only a few more periods to go, it would be a breeze for him. But as time went along, we mind was still thinking about the incident involved inside the girls locker. He couldn't get it out of his head no matter how hard he tried. It was bothering him like no tomorrow. He made a decision. He will tell Rias about what happened, aside from being trapped inside the girls locker room. To him, he thinks it would be the right thing to do to inform his master about all of this. Before he went to his final period class, his cell phone begins to vibrate. He reaches out and noticed that Rias was the one that sent a text message. He opens the text message and it read…

"Richie, I'd like to know about your living arrangements. I was going to ask you directly at lunch but I had my hands tied with a member of the School Council. Have you made your decision yet?"

Richie realized that he doesn't have a place to stay until he gets back to his world. He then realized what Aeris said about the living situation.

*FLASHBACK*

["And as for your master's request on your living arrangements, I'd prefer to sleep in the same room with the Red Dragon Emperor."]

Richie quickly responds to Rias text fast before he heads back to his class to give his immediate answer, also explaining on why he chose that particular location. He sits down to his designated desk until then receiving another text from her.

"It's totally fine. I'll refer it to Akeno right away."

*BELL RINGS*

Finally, the last bell had rung for today at Kuoh Acadamy. Richie gave a big sighed. He felt glad that the entire class was over. So far nothing weird pertaining to his sacred gear had happened so far. In the last few classes, he felt nervous. Hoping in vain that his new powers would go off again. He walked out of the classroom doors to make his way down to the main gate. Most of the students stayed behind due to various school club activities. His phone vibrated. This time it was Issei that messaged him. The message read…

"Don't go to the club room when your done with class! Meet me at the front of the gates."

Richie understood Issei's words and decides to follow them. He walks outside to the main school entrance going through the hug runway to the large gate. Issei waves his left hand high in the air to signal Richie. He sees Issei from afar and hurries toward him until they meet up.

"Sweet, you made it. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, but I thought we'd usually be meeting at the clubroom?"

"We were, but I got a text from Rias before class was over." Issei said. "She'll be meeting us at my house for some reason. Asia and Koneko will be with Akeno at the clubroom waiting for us later on. Let's go home."

Richie had a wild suspicion about what Issei said. Why would Rias invite Issei and him and not Asia or Koneko? Was it relating to their sacred gears of the two related dragons. Did she find more information about Aeris and Ddraig? To Richie, it would make sense, but if it were up to Rias she'd normally have the intel ready for all of the club members and not just the two. Richie would have to wait later until they made it back to his house.

As soon as they made it home, Issei opened the door to view inside a four stacks of five small moving boxes sitting next to the stairwell where Richie and Issei can see them.

"Issei, what's with all the moving boxes? Are you already moving out of your house?" Richie asked him.

"Issei, Richie! Right on time." Rias exclaimed while sitting down on the couch drinking her tea.

"Rias?" Richie asked. "Hey, what's going on here?"

"Yeah, and what's with the boxes sitting downstairs? What the heck is going on here?" Issei asked her closing the door.

"I'm surprised the two of you don't this already." she smiled while getting up. "You see, during class me and Richie had a little discussion about where he'd like to live. He liked staying here with us for one night, the first thing he told me in his response was that he'd like to stay over in your room."

"Wait, hold the hell on for a second! Listen, I'd appreciate on Richie staying here for the night but don't you think it's a bit crowded to have one more guest to stay over."

"C'mon, don't be such a whiner. I already asked the boarding committee and they said that your room was the perfect fit him." Rias told him

"Richie, out of all the houses you had to pick why my house?" Issei questioned him with a deadpan look on his face.

"Hey, don't look at me!" Richie said then pointing to his right arm. "Ask Aeris! She was the one that decided it in the first place. I mean I can't go wrong on the empress' orders you know."

"Then it's settled. Richie will be rooming along with Issei, while I be rooming with Asia in her room." Rias confirmed as she clapped her hands. "I told Akeno to order the basics of essentials including various amounts of clothes, underwear, pajamas, socks and shoes. She pretty much gathered as much stuff as possible until your quest for the empress is complete. You're gonna feel exactly right at home. I guarantee it."

"Could this day get any worse." Issei thought.

All three heard the front door open from behind them. A middle aged couple entered inside shouting both Rias' and Issei's name.

"Issei! Rias! We're...home." the wife shouted before calming her voice down as soon as she saw an unexpected third person in their household.

"Issei, we didn't expect you or Rias having company over when we came back." the husband said.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hyoudou! Welcome back so soon! How was your vacation?" Rias asked.

"The trip was great. Thanks for asking, Rias. Issei, mind introducing to your new friend and care for me to explain on what's with all the boxes around here?" the husband told him raising his eyebrow.

"Aaaand, now it has." Issei thought.

Issei's parents began to do discuss together which gives Richie an opportunity to ask her a question.

"Rias, what are we going to do now?" whispered Richie.

"Don't worry just leave it all to me." Rias whispered back. "Mr and Mrs Hyoudou, this is all my doing. I would like to apologize for not telling you two further. If I may, I would like to continue this discussion alone. Issei?"

"Yeah?"

"Take Richie upstairs with you while me and your parents have a slight discussion."

Issei turned his head toward her and got real curious about Rias talking to his parents. What was she going to say? Or for that, what's she going to do?"

"Go on you two. You both don't have to worry about a thing." she said.

"O-okay, c'mon Richie let's go."

"Right behind you." He said as he followed Issei up to his bedroom.

Minutes Later…

The two boys waited up to their room as they were told to by their president. Both were silent while Issei was throwing a baseball up near the ceiling. Richie wondered what Rias meant, "leave it all to me." Issei was lying on his bed as Richie sat on the computer chair until finally he spoke.

"This is what I'm afraid of. What's gonna happen if your parents say no? What do you think Rias is saying to your parents right now?" Richie asked.

"Eh, I'm she's probably working on some plan for you staying here. If anyone can solve this it's Rias, so I wouldn't worry too much." Issei said. "Richie, I wanna ask. Why did you pick my room of all places?"

"See, the original idea was to live on my own in an apartment that's either close to the clubroom or near your house. I've wanted to see what would it be like to live under one roof all by myself, but when Aeris told me she wanted to live here, her orders sorta supersede my decision."

"What made her decide here?"

"Easy, the Red Dragon Emperor."

"Ddraig?"

"I have a theory that her and Ddraig were so close back in the ancient times. Once they got seperated, they've probably missed each other."

"That does make sense. Listen, what I said earlier. About you picking my room as a place to stay. I didn't mean to put you down like that earlier on."

"Nah, don't worry about. After all, we got powers of the twin dragons in the palm of our hands. We both got this. Sure, I may have a quest to do, but that doesn't mean I have to go alone on this, Issei. As long as we have the gremory household behind each others back, nothing can stop us."

"You got that right."

"Issei! Richie! Can you come down please?!" Rias shouted.

"Here we go. The ultimate decision." said Richie.

The two exited out of their bedroom to climb downstairs toward the living area. Issei and Richie soon met up with Rias and Issei's parents as all three were sitting down on their sofa."

"You needed to see us?" Issei said.

"Yes. After a much needed conversation with Rias, your father and I have come to an executive decision. Richie, you're more than welcome to stay along in Issei's room as much as you like." Issei's mom said.

"Really?!" excited Richie.

"That's awesome! Mom, what made you want to have Richie stay?"

"Thanks to Rias, we feel that with Richie around he'll be an excellent of help around the house along with her and Asia. I'm sure Richie wouldn't mind, now would he." Mrs. Hyoudou nicely said.

"Absolutely! If I were to work hard here in this house in exchange to stay, I would be much obliged by your kindness Mr. and Mrs Hyoudou! I'm truly grateful by your decision, You won't regret it one bit." Richie bowed to give thanks.

"Now, that's what I love to hear outta you! I'm beginning to like this kid already." Mr. Hyoudou said. "Issei, now you make sure you treat this kid well. He's in your hands now. Treat him as if he was the little brother you never had or another son we've always wanted."

"L-little brother?" puzzled Issei.

"Well, we better get going. Richie will unpack his things once we're back from our club meeting." Rias said to them looking at her watch. "Issei, Richie, let's go."

"Coming!" Both said in unison.

All three devils went out the door to make their way to the old school building. Richie wanted to know how Rias convinced Issei parents to let them stay. He rushed to Rias' side to ask.

"Rias, how'd did you persuade Issei's parents to have me stay in his house?"

"It was a little tough at first. In their minds, they wouldn't know what to say at first if we added you in Issei's house. But with a little gremory magic, I've managed to convince them otherwise. You can thank me later." She said. "We better hurry up, Akeno and the rest are waiting for us."

"Gremory magic? In their minds? Did she do something with their heads or what?" RIchie paused to think until Issei stood by to check on him.

"C'mon you slowpokes! You two coming or what!" Rias yelled as they saw both Richie and Issei way behind her.

"Richie, you okay?" Issei said before Richie began to ponder then laughed. "What's so funny?

"Oh, it's nothing...big brother." Richie smiled telling Issei as he dashed along with Rias to the clubroom first."

"What you say?! Hey, wait up!" Issei exclaimed as he chased him down the sidewalk.

Hey guys. I know this chapter is really super duper short, but I needed this chapter to be done so I can get the 11th chapter, which is already in progress, uploaded probably around the new year or so. But overall I want to thank the people that have favored this, you all been great! See ya'll next year!