The next morning, Asia suddenly approached him. Twirling her fingers, she suddenly asked something of Issei out of the blue.
"Um, Issei-san. Can you escort me to the Japanese Course's place?"
Issei actually surprised. This was so sudden, Issei hadn't even washed his face and Asia already approached him. Because of that, Issei can only mutter one word.
"Huh?"
Asia's face turned into a shade of red. She shyly looked away, the twirling did not stop. "I-I mean if you don't have the time to, it's okay I guess…"
"Um, well, if you can wait for a while, then I can do it," he scratched his head. "Wait for a while okay?"
Issei quickly washed his face, changed his clothes, and then both he and Asia went to have breakfast. Issei actually was still on punishment, and didn't get any breakfast from his parent, but because Asia asked nicely, they gave him his portion of breakfast.
He should have asked Asia to ask them for breakfast.
It has been two days since he managed to avoid the disastrous situation with Raynare and Seekvaira. In that time, he'd gone to Motohama's house, and did not meet with the two at all. Issei was actually kind of glad that he did not. His life had too much than it could manage.
"So," Issei tried to start a conversation as they headed towards Asia's Japanese Course's place, "Why are you asking me this?"
Asia made an embarrassed expression. "I'm sorry if this bothers you, Issei-san."
"No, no!" Issei waved his hands, "I'm free, and my suspension only ends tomorrow. And besides, I think I have not spent enough time to talk with you like this."
Issei then realized his words and the implication that followed.
"Ah…"
He and Asia turned their faces onto the opposite way, avoiding each other's glances in embarrassment.
"I mean, in order for you to progress with you Japanese, you need a lot of conversation with me, right?" Issei tried to diffuse the situation. It seemed that Asia found that better since she smiled back and nodded at his question.
"Yes, you are right, Issei-san," then the smile vanished and replaced with worry. Asia's eyes moved left and right, as if trying to search something.
"Something wrong, Asia-san?"
Asia did not answer for a while, like she was contemplating what to say to Issei. "Um… There is a reason why I want you to escort me like this… ehehe," she stopped with an awkward laugh. But Issei did not find this matter laughable. No, from the sound of it, it sounded like it was a serious problem.
Issei motioned for Asia to go on, and she nodded. "Since several days ago, I've felt like someone is watching me, but I don't know who or where because I never find the person."
So someone has been following Asia for several days and she was afraid the person would do it again today, so she asked him to escort her on the way?
"It was so scary…" Asia trailed as she hugged her own body to emphasize the scariness.
"Well, you don't have to worry," Issei put a hand on her shoulder as they continued walking, "I am here, after all. I promise you I'll protect you," the promise was not only for her, but also for Dulio Gesualdo, who had helped him save Asia before.
"Thank you, Issei-san."
"Speaking of which, Asia-san. Do you have friends there?"
"Ohh, umm," Asia stuttered, and began twirling her finger, "I… talked to people there…"
"Come on, Asia-san. You have to make friends," Issei nudged Asia as they walked.
However, for some reason Issei felt something. He felt that someone was glaring at his back. On instinct, Issei turned his head to see behind him, but found no one.
"Issei-san…"
"Don't worry, Asia-san."
They continued walking. But Issei could not shake the feeling that someone was watching him like a predator watching their prey. Issei did not like the tense sensation one bit. However, he would endure it. If Asia can endure it, then so can he.
Finally, they arrived at the place.
"Well, this is it. Try to make some friends, Asia-san."
She nodded, "I'll try, Issei-san."
With that, she entered the building. And instantly after she left his gaze, the feeling that someone was glaring at his back came back.
It held little to no difference with the feeling he felt four days ago when being terrorized by Anthony van Toorje. In fact, the feeling he felt four days ago was more terrifying than this. Wait, when he thought about it again, it wasn't normal for him to just dismiss this kind of feeling just because it wasn't as intense as the one from Anthony van Toorje.
Issei went inside a nearby convenience store just to make himself lose the eye of the watcher.
After a few minutes, he left the convenience store after buying only a canned coffee.
Good. He did not fell the eye watching him anymore. With that, he messaged Motohama and went to his house. It was his last day of suspension, after all. He would exploit it as much as he could.
Pawn
A High School DxD Fanfiction
After deleting the Fantasy Paradise Boing Boing Heaven and throwing out the disc, to hell with his wasted money, Motohama went and bought a newly release eroge titled 'A Night with my Beloved Slave.' They hadn't played it yet, as yesterday they were finishing Fantasy Paradise Boing Boing Heaven's hidden routes. That was why he, Motohama, and Matsuda promised to play it and finish it today. Unlike Fantasy Paradise Boing Boing Heaven which needs a long playtime, A Night with my Beloved Slave only has a short playtime.
"Heya, Ise!" Motohama greeted him after Issei arrived at his house. After spending much times in each other's house, each of their parents just let them go inside as they please, "Matsuda's already waiting."
Issei went in after he took off his shoes. He immediately went to Motohama's room. Inside, Matsuda was already in front of Motohama's PC waiting earnestly.
"Yo."
"Yo, Ise," Matsuda replied back.
Minutes later, Motohama entered the room and they played the game in excitement.
Twenty minutes into the game, Matsuda threw a fit.
"So we're the slaaaaveeee?! What the hell is wrong with the game we bought?!"
"Actually, the title is not misleading at all, unlike Fantasy Paradise Boing Boing Heaven. It's just that we interpreted it in a different way than the developer."
"That's still misleading dammit! The cover did not have any girl or guy!"
"I see nothing wrong with this game," Motohama fixed his glasses, "in fact, this makes the game even better."
"The hell, you like being the slave?! The hell is wrong with you?!"
"Calm down, Matsuda," Issei tried to diffuse the situation. "What matters is the girl has big boobs. Does it matter what role we play?"
"Big boobs this big boobs that, not being a loli means she has no worth in my eyes!"
"Shut up you lolicon!"
"I don't want to hear that from a masochist!"
"I'm not a masochist dammit! I just like that we play as the slave, because it means we can try the harem end, you stupid!"
"Wait, Motohama, what?" Issei's ears picked up the word 'harem'.
"I mean, if we're the master, there is definitely a harem end, right? Then, if we're the slave, there is no guarantee for a harem end, but considering the developer is the same one who make 'Haremette', the legendary game, I'm saying that there is hidden harem route with all the other slaves and our master."
"So that's why we're the only male slave in the game!" Matsuda realized one important fact.
"I see…" Issei nodded, agreeing with Motohama's assessment. "Let's try to finish the game, then. I want my harem route."
"By the way, don't you kinda feel bad that we did not invite Sakurazuki-san here?" Issei suddenly changed the topic. They did not invite Rena to play with them, for obvious reason, but Issei just can't help but feel like they are singling out Rena.
"Idiot, you want her to see the H-scene and become disgusted with us?" Motohama quickly replied.
"But I just kinda feel bad," Issei replied back.
"I know what you mean," Matsuda agreed with Issei. "There's just something… I don't know, different ever since we became her friends."
"Nah, man. There is nothing different. I think it's only you. What I mean is maybe Sakurazuki-san is worried about us."
Motohama seemed to be in a deep thought. "At first, I'm not so sure, but when I think about it again, you may be right, Ise."
"That's what I mean by something different," Matsuda complained. "We never thought about anything else like this before we became her friends, right?"
The three of them paused the game. Matsuda was right. They had never thought about anything else other than themselves before they became friends with her. They only thought about each other, and never minding other people. Whether their reputation was good or not, they did not care.
So why was it that Motohama was afraid she would become disgusted with them? So why was it that Issei was thinking about her? So why was it that Matsuda felt something different?
They did not know. They did not know the answer.
But.
One thing was clear for them.
"I don't dislike it," Matsuda said.
"Same for me," Issei responded. "Don't you just feel happy when you saw her stand up for us one week ago?"
"I was more baffled than happy. There's no reason for her to do it, but she did it anyway."
"It warmed my heart," was Matsuda's short reply. The other two stared at him. "Never mind, just forget it."
Issei and Motohama stared at each other. "Don't tell me you have a crush on her!" Issei shouted at him.
"I-I do not!"
"That red face seems to tell us otherwise," Motohama stared sharply at him.
"Wh-Whose face is red?! I'm not!"
Issei and Motohama might inclined to agree with him if only he was not covering his face.
"But seriously, Matsuda. If you really like her, then yeah, we're going to support you," Issei put a hand on Matsuda's shoulder.
"Just don't forget about us, and our vow."
"To always treasure her more than we treasure our porn stash."
The three nodded at each other, and continued playing the game.
When Sakurazuki Rena arrived home, she decided that it was a bad day. Not only did she forgot to bring her Japanese History homework, she also got caught sleeping in class. The final thing that nailed that it was a bad day for her, was happening in front of her.
"Please sit, Rena."
Her mother motioned for her to sit on the opposite of her in the living room. She had just arrived home, she had not even changed her clothes, and now her mother seemed like she wanted to have a serious talk with her.
"I heard you're involving yourself with some delinquents. When and why did you do it? Your performance in school is also dropping quite a bit this week."
"They are not delinquents, Mother. They are just misunderstood."
"So you say. I want you to stop associating yourself with those delinquents."
"But–"
"No buts. They are bad influence. Your performance is the evidence."
She hated this. She hated when her parents were like this. They always demanded for her to do her best. Well, she was one of the best in the class except for English! And now her mother demanded her to stop being friends with those three?
"No…"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"No! I'm not doing it, Mother. I won't stop being friends with them just because you say so!" Rena shouted at her mother. This was actually the first time she did so, but it would not deter her. "They are not delinquents! They are just misguided! That's why I'm trying to guide them onto the better path!"
Her mother stared sharply onto her eyes. The ice cold gaze made her feel chilled.
"I will accept your words, then," the ice cold gaze transformed into soft warm gaze, "now, have you planned on where you would enter high school? You are on your last year of middle school. It's important that you choose the best high school."
"…I actually haven't thought about it, Mother."
"Great. I want you to enter the prestigious Kuoh Academy."
That school, huh? The all-girl private school with western style architecture was infamous because of the high quality of teaching. She actually once considered entering there, but she was afraid she would fail so she put that out of her thoughts.
"Why?"
"It's a proof that whatever you call your mingling with the delinquents did not affect your performance in the slightest."
"I…" she did not know if she could enter it. "I need time to think."
"If you insist that your mingling is not influencing you in a bad way, then you can accept it, right? I don't want to threaten you by saying things like 'you can't be friends with them if you don't enter' or something like that."
It was true, her mother did not threaten her at all. But she cleverly used her own words to strike at her. Well, if her mother wanted it then so be it. She would enter Kuoh Academy to prove that her friendship with the three did not influence her in a bad way.
But, Kuoh Academy was an all-girl school. If she entered it, then she would part ways with the three. Come to think about it, she did not know what school they would try to enter. The next time she saw them, she would definitely ask them.
"I accept."
Well, if the worst case happened, they could always hang out after school was over.
"Good, I expect you to enter the school."
It would be hard, Mother. She wanted to say that, but she did not. Arguing further with her mother would not bring this anywhere. All she could do now was to try her best.
She then went back to her room after she was dismissed by her mother. She wondered how the three of them was faring now. She hoped they weren't doing anything dangerous or stupid.
Issei arrived home with a grin on his face. The eroge was short, like it suggested. But the story was good, borderline masterpiece for an eroge. The three of them thought that the story would be simple, but actually they had to see the story as whole and not as a separate route, and the final true route (not the harem route) was so freaking good. No, it was not a tearjerker or anything, but the way the protagonist's Master sacrificed herself for her slaves was so heartwarming.
"I'm home," Issei greeted the home. When Issei asked his mother who was making dinner, turned out Asia hadn't come back from her Japanese Course. So that was why when he came back, it felt unusual. Usually, Asia would greet him once he arrived, and they talked after that.
It meant that Asia was integrating with the family nicely, if even he thought it was strange when Asia wasn't there.
Turning on the television, Issei did not know what to do. Tomorrow he was going back to school. And he was enjoying his suspension too, why did it have to end now of all time? Searching for a good show, Issei did not notice when Asia greeted him.
"Issei-san, good evening."
"Uh? Oh, Asia-san. Good evening. How was your day?"
"It was great. Aside from the scary feeling I told you about this morning, it was a great day. I made a friend too, he also came from Italy!"
"Oh? Good for you, having a fellow Italian in that place."
"His name is Diodora, and he said he is here because he is sightseeing Japanese."
"I see, I see. He sounds like a good person."
"All the other girls seem to be sick when he is there, there was this one girl who fainted when Diodora smiled at her, I wonder why."
"Then he's a freaking handsome guy! I take back what I said, he's horrible! He is a horrible person!"
"Hm?" Asia cutely titled her face because she didn't understand Issei.
"No, never mind."
"Okay then. Oh! Also, the instructor gave me full marks on my latest homework!"
"And I see your Japanese is progressing nicely, good work, Asia-san." On instinct, Issei patted her head.
"Ehehehe," Asia smiled nicely and let Issei pat her.
It was a minute later that Issei realized what he had done.
"Um, I think I'll go to my room, see you later," Issei hurriedly said with a red face.
"Uhm, yeah…"
Asia touched the place where Issei patted her, before she placed her hand on her chest. A small red spot was visible on her cheeks.
"Huwaa~"
She covered her embarrassed face with her hand. Why did she let him do it? That was so embarrassing. But why did she feel so happy now?
The next day, Issei, Motohama, and Matsuda was in the school because their suspension had ended. Issei sighed as he leisurely sat on his desk. Matsuda hadn't arrived yet, and Motohama was watching the girl, as he was trying to perfect his three size scouter.
Occassionally mumbling things, Motohama wrote his assessment on a note.
"Shimamura Eiri, 78-55-80."
"Oi, Motohama," Issei called him.
"Hm? What is it, Ise?"
"What are you going to do with the notes?" Issei took several pieces of paper, and took a look at it. There were names paired with their measurement. "Wait, is this accurate? Last time I checked, your three size scouter was still in its alpha version."
"Fufu, do you think I'm merely playing games with you and Matsuda on our suspension? No. I'm developing my three size scouter!"
"I can see that, there are corrections on each girl's measurement. How accurate do you think your three size scouter is now?"
Fixing his glasses, he smirked at Issei. "The old version was deceived by many kinds of brasserie they wore for the bust size, but now, my eyes transcend past that! I now can visualize them in my mind without any bras!"
"Uwoh!" Issei was excited. "So that's why Shimamura-san's bust is reduced from 80 to 78?!"
Motohama nodded. "I am not deceived by the push up bra she wears this time! I'm sure of it!"
"And Mutsuki-san's bust went up from 75 to 79?!"
"I should have expected that our athletic Mutsuki-san would wear a sports bra."
They continued talking, with Issei listing the girls Motohama observed, and Motohama's justification of the corrections. They did not realize that they are gathering the class' attention. The girl whose name was mentioned made a motion of covering their breast as they heard the perverts talking about them.
How? Just how a nice atmosphere like last week could go to hell before the class even began by them? And they were having a good week too last week when the perverts were on suspension.
It was not until Sakurazuki Rena entered that the two of them stopped, and greeted her. Interesting thing was, they noticed, the perverts did not mention Sakurazuki's name, or hadn't yet.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Nothing important, I am perfecting my three size scouter and Ise is amazed by me."
Rena just forced a smile, "I don't think I want to know what is the three size scouter."
"It's a skill that Motohama is developing. It can see and detect a girl's three size immediately when used."
"I said I don't want to hear that, didn't I? Anyway, how are you two?"
"Us?" Issei pointed at himself. "Well, I'm fine. A little bored though since now I have to go here again."
"I'm okay," Motohama replied. "Speaking of which, Ise. Thank you for the Gunpla. I will pay for it later as my saving has been dented by buying A Night with my Beloved Slave. Oh, that reminds me. How can you buy Fantasy Paradise Boing Boing Heaven Limited Ritsuko Edition and then buy a Gunpla for me?"
Issei scratched his cheek, "Well, the truth is… I… did not buy any ero magazine because of my situation, you remember? And when I checked on it one day, it suddenly had become so big."
"Now you have to treat me for a meal, Hyoudou-kun," Rena said with a joking tone.
Issei and Motohama stared at each other. "Yeah, sure, maybe later, Sakurazuki-san."
"That reminds me, you two. Have you thought about where you would go for high school?"
Issei and Motohama shrugged. "While it's true that we are on our last year of middle school and on our last term too, it's not like graduation is upon us. There's still time to think about it," Motohama explained.
"And well, I think my parents just want me to enter a high school, that's it. They don't care where I go. What about it?"
"Oh no, nothing. It's just that my mother forced me to enter Kuoh Academy, you know that famous all-girl private school. She doesn't even think that it would be hard for me to enter it," Rena sighed as she took a seat in front of Hyoudou's desk. "Sometimes, I wish my parents are as lax as yours, you know."
"Eh? My parents are not lax in the slightest. What do you mean by that?"
"Don't you think your parents let you be this kind of loser? My strict parents would never let me be like you."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
Both Issei and Motohama said at the same time. Rena just giggled at their reactions. "But seriously, if I somehow managed to enter, that means we will go to different school. I kinda like you guys' company, you know. You always entertain me like just now."
"Eh? So what?"
Motohama agreed with Issei, "Yeah. So what if we go to different school? We can just hang out after school."
"You don't have to worry," Issei finished.
"You guys…"
"Oh yeah, Ise! Speaking about after school, want to go play at the arcade after school?"
"Why don't we just ditch school and go there now?"
"It's Tuesday you idiot, that means the arcade's guards are those annoying smartasses."
"…You're right. I thought today was Monday."
"How about it, Sakurazuki-san. Do you want to join us?"
Before Rena could utter her reply, the classroom's door was slammed by a figure. Instantly, everyone's attention was to the figure behind the door. That was why everyone felt disappointed when they saw Matsuda the pervert buddy of Issei and Motohama there.
"Breaking news, Motohama, Ise!"
Matsuda ran towards Issei's desk while waving a paper on his hand. Without losing a breath, he put the paper on Issei's desk.
"What is it?"
"Breaking news! The all-girl school Kuoh Academy as of today changes its policy and now becomes a co-ed school!"
"WHAT!"
The entire class shouted, Issei, Motohama, and Rena was no exception.
"You know what this means, right?! Right?!" Matsuda shouted to a similarly excited Motohama.
"I know! You know what this means, right?! Right?!" Motohama shouted to a similarly excited Issei.
"I know! You know what this means, right?! Right?!" Issei shouted to a beaming Rena.
"I know! You guys can enter it together with me!"
"That's not it!"
"That's not it!"
"That's not it!"
The three shouted to Rena at the same time.
"Wha?"
"It means that," Motohama started.
"The amount of boys will be smaller than the girl, and thus," continued Matsuda.
"Maybe we can get a girlfriend!" finished Issei.
"Not to mention all those beautiful girl waiting for my three size scouter.
"And the cute elementary school girls!"
"You lolicon! You should look upwards and see the gracious Onee-san with big boobs in the university, you idiot!"
Rena just sighed.
"You guys are the worst."
The three stopped and looked at Rena before they laughed sheepishly.
"But you are the best worst friends ever."
The three blushed from her words.
"There's a problem though. You said it as if you are certain you will be able to enter. I'm not being arrogant, but even with my above average grade, it would still be hard for me to enter."
"Haha, why are you seeing this pessimistically?" Issei crossed his arms, "If there's a will, there must be a way to get it!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah! Believe us. How do you think we can enter this middle school despite our bad records?" Motohama fixed his glasses
"I don't know, cheating?"
"That's a rhetorical question! You don't have to answer it!" Matsuda cut her off.
"That said, Sakurazuki-san," Issei said catching her attention, "Please tutor us!" He put his palm together in a begging motion which was followed by the two others. Honestly, these guys.
"Okay, okay. Let's have a study session then, where would you like it?"
The three looked at each other.
"Not in our house please."
"Not in our house please."
"Not in our house please."
Rena just massaged her temple. She bet they did not want her to enter their room. "Sigh… okay. Let's do it in nearby fast food or my house if my mother allows it. The things I do for you…"
"Thank you!"
"We really appreciate it!"
"Thank you so much!"
Their conversation ended as the teacher entered the room.
After school, Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama went to the arcade, Rena did not join because she said she would try earnestly to enter Kuoh. They were on their last term of school, so there were no club activities. That was why Matsuda who was on the baseball club was able to skip school with Issei and Motohama in the go home club. Rena herself did not join any club because her parents said no. Rena also would try to ask her mother if they can do a group study session at her home.
After they were tired of playing at the arcade that day, they went to a nearby riverbank to relax. Motohama and Matsuda was sleeping when Issei decided to climb a tree. Heh, it has been a long time since he last climbed a tree. Somehow he felt refreshed at doing something so childish yet so satisfying.
So when Issei saw something that suspiciously seemed like a crow's feather floating on the river which reminded him of Fallen Angels, he felt a little reluctant to go down. Wait, this was not the time for that.
He jumped down and approached riverside. From there, he could see better the feather lookalike, and indeed, it was a feather. A black feather was stuck between a branches, so it seemed like floating when it was pushed by torrents of water. Normally, he would ignore it. However, the feather was too big for a simple crow feather, and there was one person he knew who had similar features on her.
Issei traced the riverside following the flow of the river, the feather tucked in his pocket. If his intuition was right, then Raynare was somewhere along the river. Having her feather plucked meant that either she did it willingly and threw it to the river which seemed unlikely, or she was wounded or unconscious, and then thrown to the river. The latter seemed likely to him. That was why he scanned the river for a sign of her.
After fifteen minutes of fighting his way through the riverside, finally he saw it. He saw something seemed like a clump of black hair floating on the river. No, in fact, it did not seem like hairs at all. If he was not searching for any sign of life, he would miss it either. Rolling up his uniform's pants and sleeves, he entered the body of water. The river was not too deep, Issei knew it because when he was little, he and Irina loved to play there. However, Issei did not expect for the place where he saw the black hair to be a little deeper than the rest. The river completely made his lower body up to his stomach wet.
When Issei caught the clump of black hair, Issei pulled it, and true to his intuition, it was somebody's hair. Issei swam towards the shore because it was hard walking while pulling the body. Either it was Raynare or not, a floating body on a river meant something dangerous. After he arrived at the shore, he laid the body down on the ground.
Long black hair that was slightly dirtied by the river, the face, and the black wings from her back signified that it was Raynare the Fallen Angel. Issei checked the pulse and the breathing, and he found both. So she was still alive then. What kind of situation had Issei found himself in? Observing the body, Issei found several burnt wounds.
Anyone who can hurt a Fallen Angel, was probably also from the supernatural side. Goddamn, after the incident with Anthony van Toorje and now this, it would not be incorrect for him to say that he hated his luck. It always landed him in a situation like this.
He could not bring her to his house, as there was Asia, and he did not know what kind of reaction Asia would have since Raynare was... taking advantages of her back then. Hm, where was she living again she said? The church? Yes, that was probably the best idea for now.
Issei picked her and carried her piggyback style to the church. He ignored the whispers of the pedestrian as he made his way there. When he arrived there, he put her on a sofa, and prepared himself for possibly a long night.
Really, when could he catch a break?
In under one month, he got caught up in three supernatural incidents, and this might possibly the fourth.
Ddraig was right, Dragons tended to attract people, both good and bad, both right and wrong, both strong and weak.
And he hadn't practiced the training method that he devised for himself too!
"O Goddess of Breasts that I worship with all my heart, why do you have to test me so?"
Chapter XI
Back to the Routine
A/N: This chapter is beta-ed by Bigreader in the Omniverse. Thank you for your work. So this is the latest chapter, how was it? This is the transition between the slice of life and the plot. So I name this arc... Asia's Stalker arc. We got a mysterious guy stalking Asia, and at the same time, Raynare was found washed up in the river. Hmm, who is this mysterious guy? And what's his/her connection to Raynare's condition?
Recently, I began reading Spice and Wolf's Light Novel, and was blown up by how entertaining it is compared to the anime. Sure, the anime do the LN justice, but reading the LN for me is more entertaining than the anime. I also finished Aria, and truly moved by its ending. I can surely say that Aria is one of the best adaptation. Now I can't wait for Amanchu this summer. With the same director, I kinda hoped for a similar feeling even though I know Aria and Amanchu are two different series.
Well, now I shut my laptop down while praying that chapter 14 will be finished soon.
- KurobaraIto
P.S. I'm running out of ideas for the slice of life bits. If anyone have ideas, then I would be grateful.