Oh boy. This was probably the hardest chapter for me to write so far. Anyways, for the Rias x Issei fans out there, this one's for ya'll. I still support Issei x Harem though.
Chapter 9: Red and Crimson
Issei was relieved that Akeno was no longer exhibiting severe yandere traits. She stopped stalking him and was giving him personal space. The odd thing was that she wasn't going "ufufufufu" anymore or "ara ara" either. It looked like she wasn't truly back to normal yet.
Issei was currently about to leave for school but he caught sight of Rias looking at him. Her eyes were full of longing but also reluctance. Her blue/green eyes were staring intently at him but he saw her clutching her left breast. (Rias has blue eyes in the Light Novel and Green in the Anime so take your pick by preference.)
This gesture made Issei kind of uneasy. He hadn't had close contact with his girlfriend in awhile actually. He was so caught up with the other girls that he had been unable to make time for her. Asia's constant demands didn't help either. She was contantly trying to hog him whenever she could.
In the end, Issei knew that the girls were merely acting on their feelings for him so he didn't mind their antics in particular.
Class was boring in Issei's opinion. The teacher just lectured and rambled on and didn't do much, in Issei's opinion.
Walking to home from school, Issei walked out of the gate entrance and turned to his right after seeing something from out of the corner of his eye. His guess correct, he saw Rias Gremory standing by the entrance onto the school campus. Her official graduation ceremony was coming soon so things distance was going to happen in their day-to-day lives from now on.
"Rias?" Issei looked at her with a quizzical, albeit, happy expression.
She turned to look at him and give him a bright smile that would've made his mind explode. She looked so radiant and warm that Issei wanted to jump in her arms. He hadn't spent too much time with her except for dinner and bedtime so he missed her quite a bit...okay he missed her a lot. He missed her presence, her scent, her touch, her warmth, and most of all...her oppai! The soft and tenderness of her bust simply made Issei desparate to be in her arms so that he could snuggle up to her well-endowed assets.
Realizing that his thoughts were going to leak into reality, Issei regained his composure and made a straight face. He slowly walked over to her, with Rias eyeing him gently as he approached.
Holding out his hand silently towards her, Rias happily skipped forward and took hold of his hand.
Issei was wondering about what caused such an unusual and carefree action but he put that thought aside.
"I was waiting, Issei." Rias smiled brightly at him as she let go of his hand and wrapped an arm around his elbow. She closed in and gave Issei a soft smooch on the cheek.
Issei blushed heavily in reaction as he saw how cute Rias could be. Normally she was elegant, proud, and outright beautiful but now, she was being cute.
"Were you waiting long?"
Rias slowly shook her head and snuggled onto Issei's shoulder. She giggled happily in relaxation as the two ventured home.
On the way, however, the atmosphere changed around halfway trough the trip.
Rias's eyes widened and immediately backed away from Issei in timidity. She looked away with a heavy blush and apologized.
"I'm sorry, Issei-kun. That was too...close for manners." She muttered out.
Issei's first thought was:
"She's sooo cute!" He shouted in his mind as his consciousness took a hit from the sheer force of Rias's newfound shyness.
Issei merely shook his head.
"No no, it's fine." He dismissed her worries as the two resumed walking.
Issei, glanced down at his watch and it was activating again.
"I wonder what's going to happen now." Issei mused to himself as he tried to prepare himself for what might come.
A new effect of the Personality Ray, was that personality changes could switch from one type of personality to another. Thankfully, Azazel was working on finding a cure for the Personality Ray since it was taking too long for the effects to wear off.
Asia was still demanding. Koneko was still cuddling up to him. Xenovia confiscated all of his dirty material. Irina was flaunting her body at him and was saying very lewd things to him too. (I'll leave what she says up to you.) Ravel was on full-on workaholic mode. Rossweisse got clingy again. And finally, Akeno...she got clingy too and she got extremely possessive and sometimes violent whenever people interrupted her time with him. She even gives vicious glares to anyone that would try to hit on Issei.
Pushing these thoughts aside, the pair arrived home and walked in. Issei wasn't even inside the house for more than a very few amount of seconds until a wall smashed into him. It wasn't just any wall either. It was a bouncy and soft wall of boobs. They belonged to none other than...Akeno.
"Issei-kun, welcome home!" She pressed her chest into his face as Issei absorbed the sensation of her soft and bouncy bosom. Out of all of the girls he met, Akeno may have one of if not the largest breasts that he ever came across. Now all that's left or him to do is to poke them! (I'm kinda starting to understand how Issei felt when there's Oppai dragon gossip.)
"I'm back." Issei tried to speak but his voice was muffled by Akeno's excited behavior.
She quickly took his hand and led him away from the door.
Rias raised her hand up to try and object but she didn't find the will to start a fight. Akeno was one of her best friends. She couldn't exactly raise her voice either. By all accounts...it was strange. Rias would've normally fought back against Akeno and arguments would've ensued. A blast of lightning there and a blast of destruction there, and voila, done, the fight would be over.
Now, Rias was timid, shy, yet still gentle and regal.
Graduation was nearing and she wanted to spend as much time as she could with Issei before University kicked in and their time would lessen.
At dinner, Rias and Issei shot looks at one another and it was clear that each missed the other's touch. Silence enveloped the two and they were merely waiting for bedtime in order to spend some intimacy together.
In bed, Issei was surrounded by his lovers, but to his relief, Rias had chosen to sleep next to him instead of being in her own room. Still, Issei was a little disappointed that she was fully clothed in a pinkish-purple night gown. What happened to not being able to sleep unless nude?
Rias turned around in her sleep and faced Issei, who was still awake while everyone else was asleep.
"Issei." She muttered in her sleep as her hands reached out to find her desired partner. Grabbing hold of Issei's shirt, she pulled him closer to her as Issei gracefully took hold of her in his arms. Behind him, however, Akeno sensed that her beloved was gone and began to wander around the bed in a subconscious effort to find him.
Still, Issei was thinking about Rias.
'I missed being close to her. For the past few months, I haven't been able to spend time with you ever since I got pre-occupied with the other girls. I'll make it up to you though. I promise.' Not being able to keep his eyes open any longer, Issei drifted into sleep.
Awaking the next morning, he found that Rias had disappeared from the bed. He sat up and looked around his magnificent bed and saw that everyone else was still sleeping soundly.
Having gotten enough rest, Issei moved out of bed and prepared himself for the day.
With breakfast over for the morning, Issei set about on planning for a date with Rias.
Rias was a japanophile so maybe a traditional japanese thing would work.
Having lined up his thoughts on where to go in what order, Issei decided to get himself ready and then he'd pop the question on Rias.
He found her sitting in her room, writing in a notebook.
He knocked on the door, which made Rias jump in shocked surprise. She quickly grabbed the book and threw it into a drawer.
She turned around and granted permission.
"Rias, are you busy Saturday?" Issei casually came in, although he had a slight blush spreading on his face.
Rias mere shook her head.
"Well, I was wondering i-if you wanted to go on a date with me?" Issei was met with bright enthusiasm.
Rias stood motionless for a few seconds and gave him an excited and happy reply.
"Of course!" She wanted to jump up in delight but she restrained herself. She didn't need to try and seduce him at every chance.
Issei was truly happy when she accepted with so much enthusiasm.
"Alright. We'll leave at 8 in the morning this Saturday, then." Issei gave her a kiss on the cheek as he left.
Originally, he would have never been so daring, but falling in love with 7 other women had made him bolder and more confident.
Within a blink of an eye, Saturday came and the two were dressed in casual clothes and were more than ready to head out.
Using a magic circle, the two transported themselves to the first destination on their list, Kiyomizu-dera.
Rias's eyes lit up when she saw the historic landmark. The Buddhist temple was a sight to behold for Rias. She loved japan and anything related to it.
They ventured inside and outside of it and saw the small waterfalls that was fed from the river outside.
Rias was excited to drink the water that was said to have therapeutic properties. The water was supposed to bless with longevity, good health, and success in studies.
Taking a metal cup and catching some water, Rias took a graceful sip and smiled in delight.
"How do you feel?" Issei was nervous about whether or not she liked the place that he had taken her to.
"Blessed." Rias had meant that in more than one way. She felt that being with Issei and having met him was a blessing to her and in her opinion, the effects of the water didn't mean that much.
Leaving Kiyomuza-Dera, they ventured around Kyoto and enjoyed each other's company as well as the sights.
Desiring something sweet, Issei and Rias stopped by a shop along the streets of Kyoto and enjoyed some Wagashi. (Japanese sweets that are made with plant ingedients, fruit, and mochi.)
They munhed on their snacks and looked around at the other tall attractions of Kyoto and they knew that they had visited all of them already. Far from done, Issei was already anxious about getting to their next destination.
"Issei...do you want to try this one?" Issei was brought out of his trance when Rias held up a piece of confectionary to him.
She looked timid, that alone told Issei that her personality change had come in.
Accepting her gift, Issei opened his mouth as Rias slowly put it in his mouth with a smiling blush.
"It tastes even better when its Rias feeding me." Issei bluntly spoke out, making Rias sputter in a frenzy.
"Wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha- !" Issei calmed her down when he offered a piece of his Monaka (Crispy Japanase sweet that is crispy on the outside and has different fillings like ice cream or red-bean paste.)
"How is it?" Issei managed to break her out of her stuttering but now she was silently chewing on the confection as she tried to get her words back.
"It's great, especially since Issei's feeding me." She decided to return the comment to see Issei's reaction.
She was disappointed when Issei merely chuckled and laughed. She pouted with puffy cheeks and a groan. She had really wanted to make him flustered.
Issei got up and took Rias's hand and slowly walked over to a more quiet place so that they could go to their next destination in Japan.
In a flash of light, their surroundings changed to reveal Himeji Castle. A historic and long-standing location of Japanese history. Enduring through times of war, Himeji Castle was a dazzling example of excellent Japanese Architect. Rias just couldn't withhold her excitement as her Japanophile side came into play.
She immediately grabbed Issei's hand impulsively and dragged him off to get a closer look at the castle. Being close to one of the most historic landmarks of her favorite country made her elated.
After exiting the large castle, Issei proceeded to take Rias around to several other different locations. He took her to see the Great Buddha of Kamakura and the Todaiji Temple. They spent a good amount of time just relaxing around different spots while enjoying each other's company.
For quite some time, unfortunately, Issei was paying attention to Rias's chest. Whenever she ran or bent forward, he could see them jumping and jiggling.
'This date is well worth anything that comes at me!' Issei courageously declared out to the world silently as the pair arrived at their second-to-last stop, Mount Fuji.
Rias and Issei marveled at the sight of Japan's largest volcano. It was intimidating yet, there was a strange connected feeling with it. Maybe it was because of Issei's descent and Rias's love for the country and it's locations that made them feel connected with the land.
"Rias, how did you feel about our date today?" Issei turned to her nervously.
He hadn't intended for the date to be just some simple tour or history lesson. He had originally intended for the date to be involved with something that Rias loved and so he came up with this idea.
They ventured around Japan to see famous and historical attractions. They visited different parks and shops, and even got to taste some delicacies while they were at it. In his book, that was an ok date, but he didn't know what Rias thought of it though.
Rias was blushing like crazy now that Issei brought up the topic of dating.
"U-u-um, well...mmm...I think that it was a great date." Rias shyly spoke, though she was barely audible.
Issei saw ho cute she was right now and decided that he'd tease her for a bit.
"How? I mean what made it great?" Issei played coy and smiled in anticipation to watch her blush even more.
"Well...you thought about how much I love Japan and you took me wherever I wanted and you always stayed right next to me. We also had fun too and I felt really happy. So I think this date was...really fun and nice." She had turned around to hide her blush as she tried to understand why she was getting flustered for no reason.
Issei smiled and rejoiced as he crept behind her. He slyly placed his arms around her waist and drew her to him. Their body heat transmitted between them as the winter cold disappeared and they were left in a comfortable embrace.
"It makes me happy that you had fun. I'm sorry that I haven't spent any time with you lately. Were you lonely?" Issei pulled her closer to him as he could feel some uneasiness in her.
Rias gently nodded her head as she returned back to normal for a moment.
"I know that you still want to be Harem King and I know that a lot of women will flock to you. I know I can't exactly always be number one in your heart so I understood that I had to share you with the other girls. I'm perfectly fine with being one of your lovers instead of the only lover." Rias turned around and flashed him a warm and happy smile.
She quickly pecked his lips and soon the two began to share a passionate display of love. They had finally released each other after a powerful desire for air came over them.
"I want you to know that I love all of you. I love everyone at home and you too, Rias-buchou." Issei cupped both sides of her face as he gave her another kiss.
Rias smiled at him brightly as she leaned forward to give him a kiss on one of his cheeks.
"I'll still be the legal wife though." She playfully smirked at him and jogged off to explore the region around Mount Fuji.
Issei looked at the time and it was around 4:00 pm so there was still some time left to do the very last thing on Issei's list.
"Rias! It's time to go." Issei called out to her as he quickly walked over to her. In truth, he was excited about where it was that he was going to take her.
"Issei, where are we going?" She looked at him with a strong blush. He made it sound like Mount Fuji was their last stop before heading home.
"It's a secret." Issei took hold of her hand as they magically transported themselves to a different scenery.
Rias was amazed to see a forest of cherry blossoms while standing on a grassy hill that had a large tree overlooking the forest under the hill. The petals of the numerous trees were already falling everywhere as if it were spring. Strangely, Cherry Blossom trees shouldn't even be blooming and yet, here it was happening. The environment hadn't been bothered by Winter either. There was no snow and the climate was like Spring.
"Issei, what is this place?" Rias had traveled to many places but she had never been to such a place like this before.
"Azazel-sensei told me a story about a place in the Human World, where there's a forest that only has Spring occur instead of Winter, Summer, and Fall. So, I spent a few weeks trying to find this place. I heard that this place embodied one of the most loved Japanese sights. The Cherry Blossom Trees." Issei felt like he had just harvested a great fruit from his labors.
Rias was touched that he had spent so much time trying to make her happy. She had seen him look over maps in his room when he was alone and he was constantly doing research online, mostly pertaining to supernatural locations. She evn heard him talking to Grayfia about looking for some Cherry Blossom trees.
Rias pulled Issei into a tight embrace and snuggled up to him. His chest had gotten broad and muscled ever since she first met him. She felt so warm and protected that she ould just let everything go and spend the now with him.
"Issei, thank you so much for working so hard for me. I love you." Rias looked up and gave Issei a nice long and passionate kiss with her boyfriend. Sharing such a tender moment made both of their hearts run at storming power. They embraed each other tightly as they savored their long awaited time together.
Suddenly, a soft step could be heard. The couple broke apart and looked at the source of the sound and saw a once in a life-time sight. A three horned shining white creature with four legs and a horse-like neck and tail had appeared. A kirin was standing a few feet away from them. It had appeared from nowhere and regarded and bowed to them with acknowledgement and then walked away slowly.
Rias and Issei merely smiled at each other as they knew that seeing and being close to a kirin meant good fortune.
Issei saw the sun going down and decided that it was time to eat.
Issei summoned a magic circle and brought out a soft picnic blanket and laid it down on the soft grassy earth.
"Well, it's getting late so how about we eat?"
Rias was wondering about what he meant when she didn't see any food lying around except for fruits and vegetables.
Issei used a piece of paper that had a magic circle engraved onto it and focused a little bit of demonic energy to summon a large array of different japanese dishes. There was soba, onigiri, curry rice, yakisoba, chazuke, sushi, and other types of dishes.
"Issei, where'd you get all of this?" Rias was amazed by the mass of delectable dishes that he had brought forth.
"Well, I cooked a few dishes after I asked my mom to teach me and then I had some help with learning how to cook from Asia and Akeno-san. I hope it doesn't taste bad though." Issei was nervous since cooking wasn't his forte.
Rias had suddenly started to feel bashful, yet happy.
"Y-you didn't have to go through all of this trouble." She stuttered as she could barely withhold how happy she was.
Issei gestured for her to sit next to him as he patted a spot next to him. His watch activated and it indicated that Rias was behaving differently so this was a chance to mess with Rias.
She awkwardly walked toward him and gingerly sat down next to him.
Issei picked up a piece of fried fish and held it up to Rias.
She closed her eyes and was about to eat it until she bit down and felt nothing.
She opened her eyes and saw Issei snake his chopsticks away and stick the fish in his mouth.
"Wha-!" She cried indignantly as she pouted. Here she was, expecting to be fed and all of a sudden, her boyfriend refused to feed her.
"Hmm! Stupid Issei!" She huffed as she refused to eat anything. She was hungry but she wanted Issei to beg for her apology first.
Issei held up a spiced meatball up to her but she turned away.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Will you forgive me?" Issei wasn't expecting such a quick apology to work and he was right.
Rias regarded him for a moment and her willpower would've crumbled but she willed herself to remain stubborn.
Issei wondered if she was really angry with him but he knew that she was merely messing with him.
"Alright, fine. I guess I'll eat all of this delicious Japanese food by myself." Issei smiled slyly as he was about to eat the meatball caught by his chopsticks.
Before he got the chance, however, Rias dove forward and ate it before he could complete the deed.
Issei broke out into a laugh when he made her drop her act.
"Stupid Issei. You've been really cheeky lately." Rias pouted as she clung onto him.
Without further delay, the dug right into the food.
When the main part of dinner was over, Rias saw her chance to make Issei flustered.
She crept closer to his face as she noticed a little bit of sauce close to his lips.
"Buchou?" Issei thought she was going in for a kiss but she did something that he did not expect.
She put her lips on said area and licked it clean in a very seductive manner. Issei could feel her tongue roaming his lips and cheek as he could only sit there and take it.
Issei felt his consciousness fly away at the suggestive action.
"Wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-!" Issei's face turned as red as his Boosted Gear as he tried to regain and form his composure.
"Teehee. Got you." She smiled mischeviously with a strong blush.
Issei stammered for a few more minutes, flabbergasted while Rias turned around.
She held her hands up to her cheeks as she made a cute embarassed reaction to what she just did.
'Why did I do that?! What's wrong with me?! A proper woman shouldn't be doing something like this!' Rias managed to calm herself down in due time as Issei brought out dessert.
"Here you go." Issei gently handed her a bowl of cream anmitsu. (Japanese dessert of a bowl of agar jelly, white jelly, fruit, red bean paste, boiled peas, and ice cream.)
Rias gingerly took hold of the dessert and ate while staring at the starry night sky. The moon was full tonight and it gave a magic glow to the landscape.
"Rias, if I become independant one day, will we still be able to be like this?"
Rias looked at him in surprise since they knew he would do that but they had never reall talked about it much if at all.
Rias sighed and gave her answer.
"I don't know, Issei. In all honesty, I don't want to lose this but I want you to accomplish your dreams too. I think that if we try our best, we'll always be able to be like this. You leaving my peerage doesn't mean you'll leave my life and vice versa." Rias caressed Issei's face as he gently held it to his cheek.
'She's right. Looks like I was making a big deal out of nothing.' Issei threw away is unnecessary worries and continued to spend time with her.
"I love you, Rias."
"I love you, Issei."
The two shared a passionate kiss as they solidified their vow to always do their best to beat time and fate in order to remain together.
As the night grew even later, at 10:00 pm, the two jumped though a magic circle and returned home.
The two came home refreshed, happy, and closer than ever. Still, Issei had remembering catching an odd sight before he and Rias left the Spring Forest. He remembered seeing a white feather on the ground before leaving. Issei wondered if there had been another supernatural creature besides a kirin there.
Deciding that it was pointless to worry about something he didn't know enough about, he decided to get to bed since he was probably going to have full day with the others tomorrow.
Snuggling into his bed with Rias and Akeno next to him on both sides, Issei fell into a relaxing and happy sleep.
Outside in the sky, however, was a twelve-winged angel, staring at the Hyoudou Residence or more specifically, Issei.
She had curly blonde hair and a very voluptuous figure. In her eyes, was confliction, confusion, and longing.
"Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei. Why does looking at you make my heartbeat so quick?" Gabriel began to wonder why she had started to think of nothing but him ever since he helped protect Heaven and why her heart ached when she watched him with other women.
Her answer was to arrive soon...in time, anyways.
I know it's been a few weeks since I uploaded anything but I decided to give myself a break. I had school and life to take care of so sorry for the delay. Anyways, what do you guys think of the story so far? Satisfying? I have to think about what to do with Gabriel since I've used up most of my choices about how to approach someone in the harem. Anyways, reply and leave a review and I'll make sure to read it.