Hello, everyone! This is your author in-progress, SecretArtLotus here! Sorry for the long delay, I had to prepare for a test these past few weeks.
But now, I would like to say Thank You for all of you new readers for your favorites and follows lately. Anyway, I'm here to bring the new sequel of A Problem Devil, New. A Problem Devil, Born~
This series will continue from the previous one which you all like I presumed due to the increase of the favorites, follows and reviews. So, I hope that you all will like it or love it. Also, Thank You for your reviews as of this week. It really made my day when I read about it.
Also, I decided to make this section in the early part of the fanfic. So, I hope you don't mind!
~Daily's Answers~
JMK2: You'll see about their apparent meeting later on. How Kunou and Yasaka met Izayoi for the first time. And hopefully, I'll explain it with more depth.
WeeDevil: Thanks for the review!
Enigma95: It's been a long time, but I'm still going. :) And Thank You for your review!
Slog13: Thanks for the review and your enthusiasm of reading it!
Ahsoei: I will get to Izayoi and Gabriel's meeting soon. In the meantime, look forward to the awkward moment.
Misterfn: Yes. Really. You should read Chapter 31 on why she called him. It's short but I'll explain the details of it soon with how they met too.
2015 Lewamus Prime: Thanks for the review! Drama, comedy, action and even romance! I'm surprise that you list it, but I appreciate it nonetheless, Thank you. I hope you'll find out about Izayoi soon enough.
Oml: This is the next update, and I hope you will like it. Thank you for reading my fanfic!
Okay, enough of the info and without further ado, I present to you, ~A Problem Devil, Born~
Before that, I wish to send my thanks to all of you readers for reading A Problem Devil and A Problem Devil, New. I appreciate it so much. J THANK YOU!
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 35: Past Relived
~Human World~
Morning
Walking through the neighbourhood, Issei did nothing but look down with a thoughtful look. After leaving his home with Asia at first, they begin to travel towards Kuoh Academy but Asia had asked him that she wanted to walk with Xenovia to which she chose to walk towards Xenovia's house. Issei declined to follow her and continued on his way towards Kuoh Academy, leaving a frowning Asia.
A frown appeared at the corner of his lips as Issei stopped walking and recalled the turn of events that had suddenly past by in a blur. All of it was related to that day, the day where he thought it was over—but it was just the beginning.
"Oi, partner." Ddraig called out as Issei stood at the center of the bridge that was headed towards the entrance of Kuoh Academy. Then, several students walked past him with happy smiles on their face, to which it was noticed by Issei. Gritting his teeth, Issei couldn't help but feel anger running into his veins at the sight of the smiles of the students when they didn't know anything about the dangers of the world they were in. "Are you okay, partner?" Ddraig asked, feeling the anger of his host was directed at the students that were walking past him. He then sensed that he was angered by the sight of the smiles on each of the students' faces.
Suddenly, Issei sighed as he looks down at the ground, knowing that feeling anger towards the students wouldn't help him bring back his senior.
"Ne, Ddraig. Can I be as strong as him? As Izayoi-senpai?" Issei asked in mind as Ddraig felt slightly surprised by his question.
"Why are you asking that again, partner? Didn't you already know the answer to it?"
"I know… But if he could sacrifice himself to save Buchou, would I be able to do the same thing? I mean, would I be able to protect anyone?" Issei asked as Ddraig's eyes soften.
"That depends entirely on you. Your senior sacrificed his life to save his wife and that Satan Girl, because they are the ones he loves. If you ask me, I think you can do the same thing. To the ones you love."
Instead of answering, Issei remained silent.
"Partner?"
"Ne, Ddraig. Would I be able to protect everyone if Izayoi-senpai isn't here?"
"If you want to find the answer, you have to find it yourself unfortunately." Ddraig answered before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. "I already gave you the answer to the question." He thought lastly before finally drifting to sleep.
"Find it myself…" Issei mutters before he felt a tap on his shoulder, to which he look up and was greeted by Kiba's smiling face.
"Why the long face, Issei?" Kiba asked as Issei smiled a reassuring smile at him, to which Kiba wasn't convinced by the smile at all. But the two of them was unaware of the two figures that were watching from afar.
Near Kuoh Academy…
"So…What do you think of him?"
The taller figure asked looking down at his rival, while the other figure continued to look at Kuoh Academy without any expression.
Above the roof of a building, there are two figures standing next to each other, overseeing the nearby streets and Kuoh Academy. One of the figures was Vali, who stood next to the other figure that was shorter than him in terms of appearance. He had his right hand pocketed while his left freely rested on his thigh. The shorter one of the two looked to the Kuoh Academy from a distance while Vali looked to the other way, seeing the civilians passing by the nearby streets. The taller one then focused his attention at the shorter one but he didn't look at her, instead he look down at the entrance of Kuoh Academy, spotting a certain brown haired student walking past the bridge that was connected to the academy.
"Who?" The shorter one asked. She had the appearance of a cute young girl with flowing black hair until her hips and grey eyes. Her attire consists of a black Gothic Lolita fashion.
"You know who."
"The Red Dragon Emperor? He's alright." The girl responded as Vali look at her in slight confusion.
"What kind of answer is that?"
"I am not going to interfere between you and your rival's business, Vali. Anyway, I like to discuss something very interesting I found. If what I heard is true, he must be pretty strong..." The girl let out a smirk to curve at the corner of her cheek as Vali look at her with a raised eyebrow before he focus his attention elsewhere by staring at the sky in front of him.
"Really? Then, why didn't you meet him or her already? If possible, I wouldn't be surprised if you make him or her join. But as long as they don't get in my way." Vali replied as the girl smiled.
"It isn't as easy as you say it is. I mean, you're already meet him before and he almost destroyed you if he wasn't so generous to let you live."
"What? Since when?! I've never—" His eyes widen as he realized the person she was talking about. His eyes narrowed before he looked the other way. "He wasn't supposed to interfere with the battle in the first place. He wasn't even supposed to be here… I can beat-"
"Don't say that. It's apparently a given you've lost to him."
"What did you say?" Vali asked in mild anger before he scoffed and looked the other way. "He's nothing but trouble."
"He's anything but trouble. Also, if he could defeat Great Red easily without any injury, then I'm sure I'm going to meet him personally. Who would have thought someone could beat Red in the Dimensional Gap without dying?" Ophis said casually while Vali's eyes widen in shock.
"Impossible!" Vali thought with shock.
"Vali, is what she said is true?" Elbion asked with a surprise tone in his voice.
Sensing his shock, the girl raised her eyebrows in curiosity while keeping a smile visible on her small face.
"You don't know? Isn't that awful? I thought you would hear the rumours already." The girl mocked as Vali glared at her for a moment before assuming to look at the old building with a frown.
"How do you know that's true, Ophis? For all you know, there isn't any single evidence that he defeated Great Red." Vali explained.
"He broke Red's horn, and he brought it to his wedding as a wedding gift from the dragon. What a privileged he must have." The girl named Ophis stated with an amused smile and a satisfied look. She was satisfied to hear that the giant red dragon had lost one of his body parts and importantly, what makes him a dragon, to which she knows that every dragon has a horn that makes each of them who they are. Unfortunately, her arch-enemy doesn't have one now because it had just became a wedding gift, much to her happiness and amusement.
Looking at the old building, she let out a smile. "That's what you get for staying in my home, Red." Ophis thought before she looked at Vali, who held a shocked look.
"So, if you were to fight with him, the difference between you and him is—non-existent." Ophis smirked as Vali clenched his fist tightly and glared at her again before proceeding to look at his rival walking past the entrance gates of Kuoh Academy. After a while, Vali loosen his fist before deciding to ask a question.
"If you wanted to meet him personally before, why haven't you already, Ophis?"
A smile crossed her face as she look down at Kuoh Academy that was in her far range of sight.
"Highness, wait for me!" A girl's voice shouted simultaneously breaking both Ophis and Vali's thoughts. Vali then look down at the black haired girl reached out her hand towards the white haired boy that was walking casually ahead of her. Vali watches as the little girl caught up with him and smiled at him while holding onto the vanilla ice cream cone in her right hand.
"What nuisance." Vali scoffed at the two children but Ophis had caught something out of ordinary from the black haired girl. Her eyes trailed down at her petite body before spotting a set of blades over her thighs. At first glance, people would wave it off as toy blades and not real ones. But she knew that they were real blades since she could see the reflected light from the blades themselves whenever the sun shines directly at the steel blades.
Ophis then narrowed her eyes at the little girl's companion; the white haired boy. Upon looking at him, she knew something was wrong about his presence. There was just something not right about him, much to her confusion and curiosity. Then, her thoughts were broken as the white haired kid stopped in his track, much to the black haired girl's confusion.
"Did he sense us?" Ophis thought as she looks down at the white haired kid, who turns his head to face the black haired girl.
"Rin, did you pay for that ice cream yet?" Highness asked as Rin looked at him before looking down at her ice cream. Then, realization struck her as she look back at the direction where the ice cream vendor was. She was about to go, but then she stopped and look back at His Highness.
"The ice cream's free! The Ice cream man gave it to me for free because I'm his hundredth customer this month!" Rin replied happily as His Highness nodded in understanding before smiling.
"Then, let's get back to exploring. We've just arrived at this city after all." His Highness stated to her as Rin nodded happily. Then, he walked away with Rin following next to him.
"Children…" Vali scoffed while Ophis look at the white haired boy for a moment. One thought passed over her mind as she looked upon the kid's back.
"Is he from this world?"
~Kuoh Academy~
Evening
"Hey, Issei, what happened to you? You aren't your usual self." Matsuda said with a frown seeing as his friend held a deep frown on his face. He observed for the past few days that his friend was in a deep end of depression and he wondered why. He recalled earlier when the art teacher had asked Issei to sculpt something wonderful like the last time to which he made a sculpture of Asia, who at that time blushes from seeing a sculpture of her which was a naked version of her. But this time, Issei had excuse himself to the bathroom, much to his and everyone's confusion. And today, he recalled Issei being scolded by the teacher for not paying attention to when he was teaching and as a respond, Issei shrugged his shoulders before apologizing, all with a frown on his face. He admit that it was a not a refreshing memory to recall but he can't help but worry about his friend.
Suddenly, Matsuda watches as a frowning Issei stood up from his seat and walked past him with cold shoulders.
"Leave me alone, okay?" Issei asked them before he walked out of the classroom, leaving Matsuda and Motohama to look at him in surprise, not expecting Issei's new behaviour.
Meanwhile, Asia and Xenovia saw the scene beforehand and they sympathized with Issei, seeing as they couldn't hide their sadness long enough as they expected it would be in the beginning. The two of them could tell how hard it was for everyone including them when they received the news of Izayoi's condition from Sirzechs earlier that very night when the Meeting between the Three Factions had been interrupted and the Underworld was in grave danger.
Xenovia clenched her fist shut as she grit her teeth while Asia comforted her by putting a calming hand on her right shoulder, knowing that she was in agony as did the same with Akeno, Irina and Koneko. In fact, everyone was after knowing what happened to Izayoi, much to her sadness.
Meanwhile, Asia squeezed her shoulder in assurance as Xenovia slowly look up at her with a small frown. Looking at her, Asia could see the hue of sadness that was visible in Xenovia's eyes.
Recalling Sirzechs's last words to her and the others, Asia smiled a reassuring smile as she look at Xenovia.
"Izayoi-senpai will come back. He always is." Asia begins before continuing. "If he can come back to Rias-sama, then he will come back to us." Asia stated adding her fair share of encouragement as a smile appeared on Xenovia's face.
"…Thanks, Asia."
"Don't forget. We can pray now for his safe recovery right?" Asia asked with a happy smile as Xenovia smile wide, recalling that she and Asia could pray again by a request from Izayoi. They didn't how he could make a request but they were taken by surprise as a strange individual appear before them. They couldn't believe it at first as Izayoi had informed them of her death… And it started after the Angel, Gabriel, appear…
Flashback…
"We can't interfere, Gabriel. His body isn't compatible being revived as an Angel." Michael informed to Gabriel, who frowned at him. Everyone who was gathered in front of them watches as they had a heated conversation.
"But he'll die if we don't do something!" Gabriel yelled as Michael was taken back by her raising voice. "You know it, I know it! But he didn't deserve to know!" She shouted desperately as tears could be seen at the corner of her eyes.
"Gabriel…" Michale mutters as he looked down sympathetically at Gabriel's face.
Looking down, Gabriel closed her eyes as tears started to fall down her eyes to the ground. "Not now…He doesn't deserve to know…" She stated as she bit her lips while Irina raised her eyebrow at the mention of reviving someone.
"Michael-sama, who are you reviving as an Angel?" She asked as Michael look at her in slight sadness before he went to answer. But before he could, a tiny ball of light appeared, floating above the sky before it slowly travelled down towards Gabriel and Michael. The action didn't went unnoticed by the Occult Research Club as they look on at the ball of light reached the two Angels, who watches the small ball of light in curiosity.
Suddenly, the ball of light engulfed the two Angels, much to their surprise before the light died down and everyone looked to the direction of the ball of light. Once they look, their eyes widen at the occupant standing where the ball of light was floating in mid-air. Her whole body was made up out of light, much to their surprise.
Meanwhile, Gabriel's eyes travelled up to the face of the occupant, shock written all over face.
A small smile played on the occupant's face as she noticed the shock look on Gabriel's face, followed by everyone. Even if she wasn't here physically, she loved to be the center of attention sometimes.
"Hello, Gabriel. Nice to meet you again. How have you been?" The occupant asked as tears of happiness flow down Gabriel's face at seeing the familiar smile that was on the occupant's face.
"It's nice to meet you again…Canaria." Gabriel stated with a smile as Canaria nodded in appreciation before she look behind her, looking at the remaining members of the Occult Research Club. She then spotted Xenovia, who look at her in return with a confused look.
"Care to tell me who are Xenovia and Asia?" Canaria asked walking towards Xenovia, who stare at her in surprise.
"…I'm Xenovia." Xenovia pointed to herself before she looked at Asia, who was standing next to Issei, who stood beside Kiba. "That's Asia. Can you tell me why you ask of us…Ma'am?" She asked as Canaria hugged her suddenly, surprising her completely along with everyone that was watching the scene.
"Ma'am?" Xenovia asked in embarrassment as she looked at everyone who was watching her.
Pulling back from the hug, Canaria looked at Xenovia and smiled.
"I'm guessing you're one of Izayoi's girls, am I right?" Canaria asked as Xenovia blushed from her statement.
"Y-Yes...W-Why do you ask?" Xenovia asked as she avoided Canaria's stare nervously, causing the Canaria's smile to grew.
"I'm going to go out on a limb here but I can't help but spy on my son when I left him during our two-year trip. I recalled seeing you and…" Canaria's eyes travelled to the remaining Research Club members before her eyes landed on Irina. "…her. Yes! I remember seeing you two with Izayoi-chan, all those years ago. I can't imagine how he could meet you two. Was it coincidentally? Accidentally? Or my favourite, fate." She smiled amusingly at the last part as Irina step forward to stand next to Xenovia.
"You know Izayoi-kun, Ma'am?" Irina asked as Canaria smiled before Akeno's eyes widen in realization, piecing the puzzle together. The resemblance of him and Canaria were uncanny, but she could already the slight resemblance between them such as their blonde hair, the mirth that was hidden in their pair of eyes and when she caught Canaria at first sight, she immediately thought about Izayoi, much to her surprise. But she knew without a doubt that the woman in front of her is related to Izayoi.
"You're Izayoi-kun's mother…" Akeno said as everyone stared at her in shock, except Gabriel. Both Xenovia and Irina stare at Canaria in shock, while she looked at Akeno in interest.
"You're quick. Also, I'm guessing you're one of Izayoi's girls?" She asked as Akeno smiled at her before nodding her head.
"Yes. Although, I don't know how you could have known, Canaria-san." She stated as Canaria look at her chest before nodding her head in acknowledgment.
"Izayoi-chan, you're really attracted wondrous girls." She thought glancing at Xenovia and Irina's chests before she focus on Akeno.
"Call me Canaria. That honorific makes me feel old. As for your question, I have a woman's intuition sort to say in those kinds of things." She said with an amused smile as Akeno nodded in understanding. "Anyway…" Canaria looked at Michael standing across from Gabriel. "Izayoi-chan ask me to give Michael a message or request per say." She stated as Michael step forward, wanting to hear the message requested of Izayoi. Assuming him as Michael, Canaria continued to pass the message from her son.
"He said that you should let Xenovia and Asia to pray to God. He'd think that'll make them happy, assuming that they are nuns before they were Devils, correct?" She looked at both Xenovia and Asia with mirth in her eyes. Both Xenovia and Asia couldn't help but showed their shock faces at Canaria's statement and discovery.
"How could she have known all about this?" Azazel asked in thought looking at the amused looking Canaria. "More importantly, when did she know?" He asked seeing as both Xenovia and Asia didn't show any signs of being a Devil, so he was kind of surprise that she managed to crack the mystery. A smirk appeared on his face as Azazel put his hand under his chin, admitting that she was interesting as does her son. "Like mother and son, eh? They really know how to impress and get people's attention on things." Azazel thought with interest. Like Izayoi, he was too strong to be a normal human and his powers weren't ordinary power that only relies on strength and speed. It's power was above his and anyone's understanding. That fact made him interesting and gained him, Sirzechs and Michael's attention on him for a couple of years. But since he knew that the boy wouldn't be compatible being revived as a Fallen Angel, Devil or an Angel, he knew that he'll still be interesting to him.
Turning to the shocked Xenovia and Asia, Michael decided to ask the question that had running to their minds now.
"Do you want to pray to God? Xenovia? Asia?" He asked breaking both of their shocked stupor before they focused at him and replayed his question in their heads.
"Can we?" Asia asked as Michael smiled.
"I don't see a problem that you shouldn't. It's your choice."
"Yes. If praying makes you happy, I don't see why Izayoi-chan would request it at first, correct? He wanted to make you happy, after all." Canaria explained with a smile as Asia and Xenovia looked at each other before they answer.
"Yes, we want to pray to God." Xenovia and Asia answered together as Michael nodded at their answer.
"Then, you will pray." He stated as Xenovia and Asia wore smiles on their face and they started to pray.
"O'God, I'm happy that—Ah?!" Xenovia held her head in pain, followed by Asia.
"But first, I have to change the system." He smiled as Xenovia and Asia nodded in understanding, while Canaria smiled at the two girls before she sigh, thinking about someone she wanted to meet.
"I hope to meet Kuroka for once. But I think my luck wasn't on my timing." Canaria stated with a shake of her head surprising Koneko, who was surprised that she knew her sister. Shrugging her shoulders, Canaria looked at the Research Club members. "Oh well, I hope she's alright. That girl knows how to tease, but not enough as Izayoi-chan and me. Even if our first meeting wasn't awkward enough as it is. But that's what makes it all the worthwhile of meeting her." Canaria chuckled before she focuses onto the members, who looked at her hand that was slowly disappearing. Noticing their stares, she look down and she sighs, much to her disappointment.
"I guess time isn't my friend here. It always is. Sadly." Canaria look down with a sad smile before she looked at Akeno, Xenovia and Irina. "I hope you can take care of my troublesome son. I can tell you he can sure be a handful whenever he's bored." She explained causing the three girls to smile.
"We can relate to that very much." Akeno smiled as Xenovia and Irina nodded.
"That's just the way he is. And that's one of the things we worry and love about him at the same time…" Xenovia trailed off blushing as Irina nudge her shoulder happily for her statement.
"Yeah, but he's fun that way! Even though we may not spend as much time together but we will always loves him." Irina said before she realizes what she said and promptly blushes. Recalling what she said, both Xenovia and Akeno smiled, followed by Canaria.
"If that's the case, I gave you my blessings. That shouldn't be your concern, right?" Canaria tilted her head with a smile playing on her lips as the three girls blush at her saying.
"No. No it's not." Akeno managed to answer back with a small smile.
"Good." Canaria stated before she glance at Sona's direction, to which Sona noticed her stare. She then sent a smile at her before she mouthed something, much to Sona concentration of lip-synching her words. Then, a blush spread across her cheeks after she understood what she had said to her.
"Be sure to take care of Izayoi, alright? You're one of his lovers too, right?"
Not knowing what to do, Sona simply nodded at her without even realizing it herself before she adjusted her glass with a tiny bush on her cheeks.
By the time Sona nodded, the lower part of Canaria's body had disappeared, much to everyone's sadness. They knew that she had been a kind person so far, not to mention a loving caring mother of Izayoi. They knew she would be a great person to meet with, if the fact that she wasn't disappearing forever from their life would upset them.
Suddenly, Asia step forward to stand across Canaria, who look down at her in wonder. She then bows her head down at her.
"Thank you, Canaria!" She said before she lifted her head up and looked at Canaria, who smiled in amusement.
"For what exactly?"
"Taking care of Izayoi-senpai when he was little, and our club will take care of him for you. He's a good senpai to be with. He took good care of me and Issei-san as his juniors." She said as she smiled along with Issei, who stood behind her.
"Yeah. Izayoi-senpai helped me a lot. Without his words, I don't think I'd be so determined to prove myself to be strong." Issei explained as Canaria smiled. "He's quite a senpai." Issei chuckled.
Nodding with him, Asia smiled up at Canaria, "So, I would like to thank you for making him as he is now." She explained as Canaria couldn't help but smile at she had said.
"No, thank you." Canaria replied. "You're the ones who made him what he is now. It isn't entirely me." She stated before she look at Asia and Issei. "You have good juniors, Izayoi-chan." She thought before she looked at the Occult Research Club members. "And good people are with you. Not to mention your girls. All of them are with you, changing you for the better. I guess my job here is done, then. Ha…Izayoi-chan…Never abandon your friends because they are with you, and you are with them. They are the only ones you got that will follow you willingly like a leader…" Canaria thought as she raised her head to the sky. "Your journey won't end here even if you're not breathing. So, pull through it. Because you're the only one that can defeat it, you were born to fulfill your fate and break the curse of destruction in Little Garden. I can see it, so I hope you can see it as good as mine, my son…"
By the time she finished her thought, a smile graced her features before Canaria disappeared, leaving a tiny ball of light in her absent.
Taking a step forward, Gabriel took a step forward and put her hands under the ball of light. Smiling down at it, she glances at Michael, who nodded at her. Nodding in return, light engulfed her whole body before she disappeared in a burst of light while taking the ball of light with her.
Meanwhile, everyone looked at where they left with a smile, knowing that she was going to go to a better place now.
~Present~
Smiling at the flashback, Xenovia look ahead at the old building which is their club and she walked inside, followed by Asia.
"O'God, I hope you're guiding Canaria to the right path of both relaxation and comfort." Xenovia thought with closed eyes while she kept her hands in a praying position. This action wasn't unnoticed by Asia, who stopped to look at her and she smiled, knowing exactly who she was praying for. After a while, Xenovia open her eyes and she was greeted with a smile on Asia's face, to which she replied it with a smile of her own.
"Let's go." Asia stated as she grabbed Xenovia's hand and led her towards the club room. Knocking a couple of time, Asia opens the club room's door and walk inside together with Xenovia.
"Hello, you both." Akeno greeted with a smile.
"It's nice to see you both in good spirit." Kiba commented smiling at them from the wall.
"Hello, Xenovia-san, Asia-san." Gasper greeted them from the box while he plays game.
Asia smiled and nodded her head in appreciation at their greetings before she surveyed around and noticed a few people missing. Noticing the growing frown on her face, Xenovia look around at the room and notices the two members that were supposed to be in the club room at recess time, which was now.
"Where's Issei-san and Koneko-chan?" Asia asked as Akeno frown.
"I don't know about Issei, but I didn't see Koneko anywhere in school. Lately, she's been acting distracted ever since that night." She explained as Asia frown.
"Distracted about what?"
"About her sister." Akeno answered as Asia quirked an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Why? Why is it involves Koneko's sister? Did something happen between them?" Asia asked sadly.
"I don't know about her past, but Rias does." Akeno started as everyone listen in on her, even Gasper stopped playing his game to listen. "Koneko's sister…She is a Stray Devil." She said as Asia gasp and covered her mouth in shock while everyone narrowed their eyes at the word Stray Devil, except Gasper, who hid himself inside his box in pure fear. "She's not just an ordinary Stray Devil. She's an SS-Class Stray Devil. The entire Underworld is sent to chase her down and killed her. They even put up a bounty for her death if anyone ever found her." She explained.
"Why is she a Stray Devil?" Asia asked slowly as Akeno sips on her tea before putting it back on the saucer.
"I heard she killed her own Master after she lost control of her powers."
"What?" Xenovia stated in surprise while Asia stared at Akeno in shock.
"But I didn't know if this is the truth or not. It's not my part to say, even Koneko's." Akeno exclaimed as she sip on her tea before continuing. "The only one to know the true story is her elder sister." She finishes as Asia look down with a frown.
"Poor Koneko-chan…Maybe the thought of her sister's crime in her head…" She mutters.
"…is eating away at her." Xenovia finishes with a frown.
"But how did Izayoi-senpai knows her sister?" Kiba asked suddenly as everyone look at him before they thought about his saying.
"Maybe Izayoi-kun might encounter her briefly in the past." Akeno guessed looking at Kiba, who looked up with a calculating look before he sighs, dropping the subject after knowing that it was a dead-end subject that wouldn't be finish without the last piece of puzzle to piece it together. "But knowing Izayoi-kun, he might charm his way through her heart as he did with us." Akeno smiled knowingly as Kiba shook his head in amusement.
"Maybe."
"He has his charms, after all." Xenovia said avoiding eye contact while a tiny blush could be seen on her cheeks.
"He's one of a kind." Akeno mutters with a ghostly smile.
"Kiba-san, have you seen Issei-san anywhere? We saw him walking out of our classroom but we couldn't find him while we walk towards the clubroom." Asia explained as Kiba look up at the ceiling with a thoughtful look.
"I don't think I saw him either on my way here."
"He looked gloomy." Asia stated as everyone look at her.
"Issei-senpai looked gloomy? But he's Issei-senpai!" Gasper stated in surprise from his box.
"We can't blame him. We couldn't do anything at that time." Akeno mutters. "Issei must be blaming himself for not helping Izayoi-kun at his time."
"But Issei-san could have been killed!" Asia exclaimed with a surprise look.
"Yes, but he didn't realized it yet at that time, where the Underworld is in trouble. It came so suddenly. We hadn't any time to comprehend what happen in the Underworld because we were busy fighting a horde of Magicians lead by one of the descendant of Leviathan. But what could we expect? The Underworld is not one world that can easily be destroyed or wreaked havoc upon it. I don't know any beings that are powerful than Great Red. But this Three-Headed Dragon is on another level than Great Red or even the beings in our world." Akeno explained. "But as Pest said, that Three-Headed Dragon is one of the beings in her world. The difference of strength and power between our world and theirs are greatly proven and shown. If one of the beings in their world can beat Izayoi-kun, how will we fare against the others if they decided to come here?" She asked as silence engulfed the clubroom.
"Well, that's simple. We fight back." A new voice breaks the silence as everyone look up at the smiling Asuka, standing in front of the door. "If Izayoi-kun can't fight, we will have to fight in his place." She smiled as Asia smiled, followed by a nod from Kiba. "During that time, without Izayoi-kun's help, we would have no time to evacuate the remaining civilians that were stuck in their homes fast enough. Yes, we rely on him and we know the consequences that will affect him…...Even if we were worried at that time, but we know that'll he pull through somehow. And now, I know that baka will pull through this one." Asuka smiled as Akeno nodded in agreement.
"That is true. He always pulls through. We just have to hold onto the rope of hope, because it's still hanging." Akeno smiled as everyone smiled at her.
Then, the front door of the clubroom opens up, catching everyone's attention as they saw Leticia and Sala walked through the door and stood before them; in Kuoh Academy's school uniform.
"Leticia-san? Sala-san?" Asia asked looking at their uniforms which are the same as hers. "When did you start attending Kuoh Academy?
"We started today, unfortunately. I thought we should be together when Izayoi-sama is recuperating. Also, I thought I get to enjoy a school life for once." Leticia explained with a small smile as everyone look at the object on top of her head that hid her forehead.
"I thought I enjoy it as her. While it was fun with history, the other subjects are kind of hard to understand." Sala stated folding her arms with a small frown, causing everyone to smile.
"Anyway, both Leticia and Sala are in my class, I was pretty surprised that they suddenly came in the classroom from the second period." Akeno said to everyone. "But the real surprise is when they introduced themselves to the class. It was amusing to say the least." She stated as everyone look at her before they look at blushing Leticia and Sala. "But I think we can hear that story at another time." She finishes as Leticia sigh in relief, followed by Sala.
Meanwhile, Xenovia look at the object on top of Leticia's head, "Leticia, why are you wearing a hat in the middle of summer?" Xenovia asked looking at the hat that covered Leticia's face from being hit by the sun.
"I can't be exposed to the sun. This world is different from Little Garden. In my world, we, vampires can roam free under the sun light." Leticia stated as Gasper look up from his box.
"You're a vampire, too?!" He stated surprised as Leticia look at him.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"I'm a vampire too." Gasper said as Leticia quirked her eyebrow in curiosity before she let out a small smile.
"But we're different. Although we're from the same species, but the two of us originates from two different worlds. And since you've been revived as a Devil, you can walk in the sun for as long as you like. Unfortunately for me, I'm not so lucky." Leticia exclaimed having to learn about Devils and their traits, from Shirayuki-Hime and Asuka.
"Oh, I'm sorry…" Gasper apologized as Leticia shook her head.
"Don't be. I'm perfectly fine with that. Although, the teacher isn't fond of me wearing a hat in class, but fortunately, we've reached to an agreement." Leticia stated as Akeno stifle a laugh, recalling the event in her head. Leticia then tilted her hat up, exposing her face for a better view, since the sun doesn't hit her face when she's inside the clubroom.
"Get over here! You're not going anywhere! It's your club after all!" Shouting voices could be heard from outside the clubroom as everyone look at the door. Then, the door opens up with a burst of black wind as everyone look to the figure walking through the door with a white haired girl in tow.
"Pest-san? You attend Kuoh Academy too?" Asia asked looking at the annoyed looking Pest adorning the Kuoh Academy's school uniform.
"I had to." Pest answered annoyed before she glances at Leticia, who smiled at her. "By someone." She finishes before she look behind her. "Anyway, when I'm on my way here, I came across her." She stated as she tug on her left hand, dragging the dragged person inside the clubroom. "She was walking away from the building before I persuade her to go inside." A small smirk appeared on her face as she said that.
"Persuade?" Kiba asked with a sweatdrop. Then, everyone got a good look of the person Pest dragged and their eyes look upon Koneko, who avoided their stare.
"Koneko-chan? Where did you go?" Asia asked looking at Koneko, who still avoided eye contact. Noticing her behaviour, Asia frowned and tried to approach her but to her surprise, Koneko back away slightly. "Koneko-chan?"
Annoyed, Pest grabbed onto Koneko's right hand and pulled her towards Asia, much to her surprise. Once she reaches to her, Pest let her grip go as she step back and watches as Koneko blankly look down while Asia tried to speak to her. Crossing her arms, Pest narrowed her eyes.
"We haven't got all time, you know?" She asked directing the question towards the unmoving Koneko.
"Koneko—" Asia was cut off as Koneko slowly bows her head down at her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Koneko started as Asia let out a small smile.
But then, the door to the clubroom opens up, interrupting the moment between the two. Glaring at the newly-arrived person, Pest spread her left hand out, causing a burst of black wind to escape from her hand and immediately head towards the said person.
"What?!" The person yelled before he was blown away from the clubroom.
"Continue." Pest said to Asia and Koneko, the former smiled at her for her consideration. Then, Asia focused her attention on the still bowing Koneko.
"You can lift your head back, Koneko-chan. I forgive you." Asia kindly stated as Koneko slowly lift her head up and stared at her.
"You are?"
"Yes, we're friends after all, right?" Asia asked as Koneko stare at her for a while before she slowly nodded in return. "So, where did you go? And why are you avoiding us?" She asked with a small frown.
Deciding to answer, Koneko casted her gaze down on the floor before she speak.
"I need time to myself." She responded which caused a smile to appear on Xenovia and Asia.
"Why don't you say so?" Xenovia smiled as Koneko look up at her and Asia. "We understand, you know? Why you didn't come to the clubroom like usual. Akeno has already told us a little about it." She said as Koneko look at Akeno, who smiled at her from her place on the couch.
"We know that it's involves with your past, and we don't mean to pry into it. But we were worried about you." Asia said in concern as Koneko look back at her before she look back down at the ground again. Clenching her fist, Koneko tried to control her feelings about the mention of her past but seeing as the her friends were worried about her, she couldn't help but blame herself for reminding herself about the past with her elder sister.
"Sorry…" Koneko mutters as Asia shook her head with a smile.
"Don't be. We're glad that you came back, that's all." She stated as a small smile slipped onto Koneko's face, grateful that she has friends who were so forgiving of her.
"Thank you." Koneko thought with closed eyes.
"Looks like the midget can smile after all. I thought that was impossible since you were so quiet." Pest mocked with a smirk before she received an immediate glare from Koneko, who glanced at her from behind her shoulder. "Oops, did I say something wrong?" She asked with a mocked tone before she stood beside her.
Turning to face her, Koneko clenched her fist from the urge of punching the red haired right there and then.
"Did I offend you somehow, midget?" Pest smirked.
"You're a midget too, midget." Koneko stated as Pest smirk turned into a small frown.
"You're really ask for a death wish, huh, midget?
"You're the one who started it, flat-chest."
"What did you call me?!"
"Flat…chest."
Black wind started to furiously circle around Pest as both she and Koneko glared at each other with intensity.
"Now you're going to get it, midget!" Pest yelled.
"Woah, woah! There's no need to destroy the clubroom while I'm in charge." Azazel said appearing before the two with his hands held out in front of him. He was wearing a teacher's uniform which consist of a red jacket.
"Shut it, Fallen bird." Pest responded while glaring ferociously at Koneko.
"I agree with her." She replied before readying herself to fight.
"So much for reasoning..." Azazel thought with a sigh. "I don't know if I made the right decision to be a supervisor for this club if I had to babysit these children-" Azazel was cut off as he flew back immediately, flying through the front doors and into the hallway where he crashed into the wall between the windows of the old building.
"Who are you calling children, Fallen Bird?" Pest asked with a frown holding her right hand out in front of her after blasting Azazel out from the clubroom with her black wind.
"Yeah, we're not children anymore." Koneko stated holding her right fist out after she simultaneously punched Azazel with Pest's wind strike at the same time, which sends Azazel through the front door and into the hallway where he cracked the wall of the hallway behind him.
"Tatatata..." Azazel repeated wincing at the slight pain he felt at his stomach from both of Pest and Koneko's combined strike. Over the past days of being the supervisor of the Occult Research Club, he thought it would be less violence in the clubroom but it seems he was wrong, much to his slight sadness. "Why didn't they focus on fighting? This is more painful than just watching them from the first place. But barging in earlier was a wrong action from me." He thought recalling when he first walked through the door before he was sent flying away by Pest's black wind earlier. Sighing, he stood up from the crater and dusted off his clothes before he surveyed the crater, commenting that the strike was indeed stronger than he expected. "At least they know how to work together on something and obtain results." He let out a smile before he walked through the front doors.
"Are you alright, Azazel-san?" Asia asked with a slight concern look.
Offering a reassuring smile, Azazel waved his hand at her in dismissal. "I'm alright." He stated as Akeno stifle a laugh.
"I think you deserved that one, Azazel." She said as everyone held smiles on their face with humor while Azazel smiled along.
"I think I did deserve that." Azazel stated as Pest crossed her arms.
"What did you expect? We're not children, mind you. We can think clearly, okay?" Pest asked in annoyance as Koneko nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Sorry." Azazel apologizes to the two of them before he walk in front of Rias's desk, catching everyone's attention. He then leaned his back at the edge of the desk as he faces everyone. "Anyway, onto the matter at—" He was cut off by the sound of the clubroom's door opening.
"Oops, am I late?" Irina stated with a sheepish smile as she stood before everyone.
"No, you're just in time." A voice stated with amusement as Irina look around at her right and her eyes spotted Xenovia standing next to Asia. "But you could have been a few seconds early though."
Smiling at Xenovia, Irina walked over to stand next to her. "For your information, I've just enrolled into Kuoh Academy." She said before she frowned. "And I have to take extra home works than the rest of you. That's not fair…" She trailed off as Xenovia smiled.
"It's the teacher's decision. Unfortunately, you just picked a bad time to come in at that time. The teacher was preparing to give extra lesson for our homework, and since you joined our class, you have to be treated with the same treatment as all of us." Xenovia laughed as Irina glared at her lightly.
Crossing her arms above her chest, Irina pouted. "But it's still not fair…" She mutters as Xenovia smile along with Asia. But then both Xenovia and Asia spotted the letter 'A' printed on right hand, much to their confusion.
"Since everyone is present." Azazel stated catching Irina, Xenovia and Asia's attention, including everyone. "We can start now." He said as he looked at everyone. "The reason that I've asked all of you to gather here is because I've talked about something with Sirzechs over the last couple of hours while you're all learning." Azazel said to everyone, who listened in on his speech.
"About what?" Issei asked as Azazel look at him with a smile.
"We've talked about everyone going to the Underworld to train themselves in their own aspect of power. In short, you'll train your powers while you're in the Underworld. To some of you, you'll train your Holy Swords and some, train with your Sacred Gears. The others like Asuka, Pest, Leticia and Sala over here will form a group to train together since I don't know what kind of training you should train with. Understood?" He asked as Asuka nodded in understanding, followed by Sala, Leticia and Pest before everyone nodded along.
"Hai!" Every member said except Pest, who annoyingly said the word.
Smiling at their answer, he was about to tell them to get ready to leave for the Underworld before a red magic circle made itself known behind him. He turns to face it before stepping a few steps back, not wanting to get in the way of the magic circle. After he stopped, he looked up at the appearing hologram of Sirzechs above the magic circle, much to his and everyone's surprise.
"Is everyone here already?" A hologram of Sirzechs appeared above the magic circle as he monitored the whole clubroom and everyone who was present. A small frown appeared on his face as he noticed someone missing from the peers. "Where's the dragon boy?"
"He's—" Asia was cut off by a voice from the clubroom's door.
"I'm here." Issei greeted with a raised hand before stepping forward to stand next to Asia, who look at him in surprise.
"Issei-san?" She asked as Issei look at her and sent her an apologetic smile.
"Sorry for being late, Asia."
After counting present people in the clubroom, Sirzechs begin to talk.
"Anyway, following the event of the destruction of the Gremory Clan Territory, I regret to inform you that I didn't receive any word from Rias yet." After he said that, everyone held a frown on their faces, except Azazel, who was focused on listening. "Or even Serafall for that matter. I've tried to locate where they are but it seems that something is disrupting my search for some reason." Sirzechs said with a frown, knowing that he was giving them bad news rather than good. But he knew that it was the sore truth, seeing as he failed to locate the whereabouts of his sister and fellow Satan.
It had taken him quite a lot of time to use every way possible to locate them, but he can't seem to get a signal. Even if he send a message, the message would just phase out of existence as it didn't reached through like he hoped it would. It was almost four days since the disaster of the Three-Headed Dragon that almost destroyed the Gremory Clan Territory, and he or his mother didn't received any call or message from Rias, much to their worry. But his mother assured him that he has to be patient before asking him to continue his duty as a Satan by helping rebuilding the Gremory Clan Territory, to which he did after his wife gave him a strict order to continue for hours on rebuilding the buildings with the other lower Devils, much to his fatigue. And so, for the entire four days straight, the Territory of the Gremory's was almost finished being rebuild. But after that, he knew that he had to tell the members of the Occult Research Club about any news regarding Rias and the others. And now, he wished that he could tell them good news if there was any, much to his regret.
Looking at the gathered people, he can't help but feel sympathetic towards them, knowing that they've been waiting for four days without any news that might help relieve their worry of a certain blonde.
"So, there's nothing to report, huh…" Issei mutters with a frown as Asia comforted him by wrapping her arms around him, much to his slight happiness.
"Don't worry, Issei-san. We'll just have to wait more and don't forget that I'm here waiting with you." Asia assured with her smile, to which Issei smiled back.
"Then, why are you reporting now instead of later? I mean, when you really got any news about the reckless blonde." Pest stated with annoyance as Sirzechs held out his right hand before him. Suddenly, a screen appeared and an image appeared inside the screen. The image showed that they were surrounded by destroyed buildings.
"What is this?" Asia asked.
"It's the destruction of the Three-Headed Dragon. This is the damages that one of the towns inflicted." Sirzechs informed them as everyone look to the screen.
"Onee-sama!" A shout could be heard as everyone noticed that it was coming from them.
"Who is this?" Akeno asked in curiosity.
"This is one of the girls that had been safely evacuated in time. We asked her to share her memory about what happen while she was in the town. This is her point of view. But after we have obtained her memory, we've decided to erase it. But she insisted on keeping it. Even though it was…" Sirzechs trailed off but he didn't finish his sentence. Then, everyone in the clubroom watches as a dark figure strode towards her with loud thumping noises.
"Wha—" Issei exclaimed in shock.
"That's—" Asia's eyes widen in shock.
"The Three-Headed Dragon." Leticia stated with clenched fist as she and the others look at the Three-Headed Dragon stop to stand in front of them, presumably the girl. They then watches as the dragon raised its claw in an attempt to crush the girl.
"He wouldn't!" Issei took a step forward with gritted teeth while Asia gasped.
Everyone then saw two figures flying to their sight of line before they stood in front of them. With their backside exposed to them, they already knew who was who.
"Buchou!" Issei shouted.
"Serafall-sama." Akeno mutters.
Suddenly, the screen moved upwards and got a closer look up towards the Three-Headed Dragon, to which everyone knew that the girl was being lifted off the ground by someone. They then watched as the dragon looked down at them with its six ruby eyes, much to Issei's slight fear.
"You will not harm her!" Rias shouted to the dragon as she stretched her arms out to protect the girl. But their eyes widen as the dragon's claw that was aimed to strike the girl, was already nearing Rias and the others.
"Buchou!" Issei shouted again with wide eyes.
"—away, you three—!"
A voice shouted as everyone looked to the figure appearing in front of them.
"Izayoi-kun?!" Xenovia's eyes widen before Akeno covered her mouth in shock.
Everyone watches as blood sprayed the side of the screen, to which the blood belonged to none other than Izayoi.
"A-Are you kidding me? Izayoi-kun..." Irina's breath hitched as she and everyone saw Izayoi being pierced through by the dragon's claw, ripping open his abdomen and puncturing his organs.
"Iza-yoi-kun…" Rias whispered as everyone held a shocked look, including Azazel.
Asuka closed her mouth as she felt the air being sucked out from her mouth, while Pest held a shocked look, not expecting what she saw in front of her eyes. Meanwhile, Sala grimly look down in shame as she suppressed the tears that were threaten to come out from watching the claw pierced Izayoi, even though she could've stop it from happening. She then glanced at Leticia and a frown appeared on her lips at seeing Leticia bit her lips as she clenched her fist.
"That shouldn't have happen…" Leticia thought trying her best not to let the guilt engulfed her from not rescuing Izayoi in the first place. "But if I rescued him, the four of them would've…" Leticia thought with gritted teeth, knowing that she couldn't or meant to rescue Izayoi in the first place. If she did, she knew Rias and the others would have paid with their lives, much to her guilt.
"…Izayoi-kun…nya…"
Koneko's eyes widen at the voice, the familiar voice of her sister's. But then, Koneko was snapped out from her thoughts by a shout.
"…Run! Get them…away from her, Leticia! Sala!"
After he shouted, Koneko watches as both Leticia and Sala made themselves known as they landed behind Rias, Serafall and the kid's carrier.
Suddenly, the view of the screen changed, followed by the scenery, much to everyone's confusion.
Noticing the confused expression, Sirzechs begins to enlighten their confusion.
"We've changed the girl's point of view to Leticia's view. She volunteered herself to share her memory with all of you." Sirzechs explained as everyone look at Leticia before they focused their attention onto the screen in front of them. Once the screen clears up and they could see clearly, Koneko's eyes widen in shock, seeing a black haired woman holding a little girl in her arms. She has two black cat ears and two black cat tails behind her back. Everyone saw that they were holding onto the black haired woman's hand and their action caused the woman to snap back into reality.
"That's…" Akeno trailed off as she looked at Koneko, who stared at the black haired woman that was stained in blood from her head to the upper top of her kimono.
"Onee-sama…" Koneko mutters under her breath with wide eyes as she saw how terrified her sister was, much to her surprise. She looked at her elder's sister's face which showed full of concern and worry, including sadness that was visible in her pair of eyes.
"All of you get away from here now…I'll be the one to delay it…!"
Everyone heard Izayoi's statement and they knew that he had decided to continue to battle the Three-Headed Dragon alone, much to their sadness.
"Onii-sama!" A shout from Rias caught everyone's attention as they saw she was grabbed by her brother and flew away to the sky. They saw how she reached her hand out to Izayoi. "Izayoi-kun!" She shouted to Izayoi, who sees her and forced out a smile with a pained expression as he gave a light shake of his head.
"—Sorry, about the promise to come back. But I don't think I can come back after this."
When everyone heard that, they immediately frowned, knowing that he was giving his last goodbyes to her. A tear slipped from Akeno's eyes as she tighten her right arm around her hip while her left covered her mouth, trying to hold in her other tears that were threaten to come out. Meanwhile, Irina let out a sob as Xenovia comforted her by holding onto her shoulders, calming her down.
"Izayoi-kun…Hic! Don't…" Irina said in between her sobs as tears started to appear at the corner of Xenovia's eyes.
"Izayoi-senpai…" Asia mutters with teary eyes while Issei gritted his teeth and tried to hold in his tears that were suddenly appeared in his eyes.
Suddenly, the screen changes to that of the little girl's point of view.
"Izayoi-kun, I won't go without you!" Serafall's voice could be heard from the side lines. "No! I don't want to go! You can't make me!" There were thrashing sounds as everyone expected that she was trying to let go of the hold of the person that was holding onto her.
"Serafall, you can't help him." A voice told her.
"You should go. I don't want to risk your life if Sona… is waiting for you…" Izayoi's voice stated as everyone frowned, knowing that his statement was true, seeing as Sona was waiting for her sister's return at that time.
"Onii-sama, let go of me! We can't leave Izayoi-kun alone! He'll die!" Rias's voice suddenly made itself known as everyone heard the pure desperation in her voice.
Hearing her voice, Sirzechs frowned, knowing that he was the one that took her away from Izayoi for her apparent safety. But he brushed the thought away as he recalled that his sister was safe from harm. But he can't help the guilt when he heard her desperate voice at that time. It made him guilty inside for taking her away but he knew that it was for her sake that he did it. Looking up at the screen, Sirzechs heard the sound of Rias's voice.
"NO! Onii-sama!" Rias shouted again. "Izayoi-kun!" She shouted his name before she gone quiet, as everyone thought sadly that she had already left with Sirzechs, who took her away.
Suddenly, the view changes slightly as everyone could see a glimpse of Izayoi's back. Then they watched as Izayoi glance his head to look at them, presumably the person who carried the little girl.
"Nice to meet you again… Kuroka…"
At that moment, Koneko's eyes widen as her mind registered to what Izayoi called the person carrying the little girl. The name he called was without a doubt her sister's name and she was certain that she wasn't seeing things because she knew that the black haired woman was undeniably her elder sister, Kuroka.
"Onee-sama." Koneko thought.
"Izayoi-kun…" Kuroka whispered.
"Sorry you couldn't stay long with me…And I know you didn't leave without a reason…" Izayoi said confusing everyone about how did they meet and what kind of relationship they have.
"Izayoi-kun, I—" Kuroka was about to finish her sentence but she was cut off by Izayoi.
"I accept your apology… But now, you have to go… I'll deal with this myself." He stated as Koneko eyes widen in surprise, seeing tears falling from above the screen.
"Onee-sama…is crying?" Koneko thought in surprise of the discovery. In all of her life of knowing her sister, Koneko never saw her sister cried even once but now she saw the falling tears that were from her sister. At first, it was hard to believe but she was convinced that her sister was the one that carried the little girl in her arms from the time she saw her in Leticia's view point.
"Please… Don't die Izayoi-kun, nya…" Kuroka said before the screen black out, much to everyone's surprise.
"That's everything that we can get before the little girl was safely returned in the arms of her sister." Sirzechs stated.
"How did she return her?" Koneko asked as Sirzechs looked at her, followed by everyone.
"She returned her by publicly appearing before the crowd of Devils that were gathered at the other side of the forest, away from the Three-Headed Dragon."
"She did that?"
"Yes, but she disappear right after that." Sirzechs said causing Koneko to held a thoughtful look, much to everyone's confusion. They were confused on why she questioned about the black haired woman without even knowing her in person.
"…" Koneko look down on the ground with a thoughtful look. Recalling the last sentence her sister had said, she could honestly sense the immense sadness that was evident in her voice. A small frown made its way on her lips as she felt a strange feeling of sympathy towards her sister, much to her surprise. She thought it was impossible for her to feel this way but when she saw the tears and heard the sincere words, she couldn't help but felt an ounce of sympathy towards her sister.
Looking down, Issei look at Koneko, who held her head down, much to his confusion. He then saw she was clenching her fist tightly, adding confusion to his already confused mind.
"Is it something related to Izayoi-senpai?" Issei asked in thought guessing that she was overwhelmed by the fact of seeing her senior being hurt badly. "I could never do that…" He concluded thinking that sacrificing his body just like Izayoi was too intense to handle and he couldn't even imagine the immense amount of pain that came with it. Even though he had experienced pain directly from him, but he knew it couldn't be compare to the pain that Izayoi felt. The difference between the pain he experienced and Izayoi's pain was he is a Devil, where Izayoi is a human that has limited life than him. Being a Devil he knew he could heal himself because it is one of the traits of a Devil. Also, he has thousands of years left until he died but he didn't know how many years was left for his senior, Izayoi. So, he thought the question why? Why did he risk his life if he knew himself that he was a human? Then, the answer made itself known to him as he recalled that Rias was amongst the ones that he loves and so is, Serafall. He knew that the both of them were one of his loved ones as mention by Ddraig. And from that solely truth, he knew that Izayoi did it was because he loves them, and the both of them were saved because of him, because of his willing sacrifice.
Also, he thought about the fact that Izayoi still went to fight the Three-Headed Dragon after receiving the fatal wound, much to his shock. He knew that he couldn't imagine himself standing, walking or even running if he was pierced in the abdomen and adorning the same wound as his senior. From that point on, he knew he could never compare himself to Izayoi, who would truly sacrifice his life to protect those that he loves. Even if Ddraig had told him that it entirely depends on him, he wasn't so sure of himself right now. "In time… Would I be able to do that…?" Issei thought before he looked at Koneko. A frown appeared on his face as he stared down at Koneko with worry, unaware of the words that were mumbled from her mouth earlier.
"Onee-sama…Is this true…? Why?"
~Kyoto~
Night
A sigh escaped from her mouth as Shiroyasha look down at her work which was still in progress. She stared down at the deep red dried blood that slightly covered his blond hair before she look down at the dried blood that covered his fists and abdomen.
"You really have to fight that Demon Lord of a Dragon, huh, kid? Well, I can't blame you. But you sure took a beating." Shiroyasha sighed as she scans over his body. "Although, I never expected to find that his body is similar to hers…" She thought deeply having to know that Izayoi's body type wasn't originally what she had expected. At first, she had expected he had been gifted with an extremely durable body but now she had found that his body was similar to that of one of the beings she knew in Little Garden. A rather powerful being if she could say so herself.
Shaking her head slowly, a small smile was visible on her lips, seeing the resemblance between him and a certain blonde haired woman.
"It's a good thing she brought something if something like this ever happens and she was right, it did happen. I don't know how she does it, but you're lucky you've known her like you did. She was special even if she was a human like you." She spoke as she scanned at his body more thoroughly, admiring her work before she stood up and stretched herself, cracking her back into place.
"Anyway, now it's your turn to wake up from this ordeal of a conscious. You've been living by yourself ever since she died right? So, if it's not too simple of a request…wake up. You've really have no idea how everybody is feeling right now. So, don't make them wait." Shiroyasha said to the unconscious Izayoi. Sighing, she step over to the sliding door and stood in front of it. "This is crazy that I'm talking alone. But I hope you listen well enough, boy. Canaria would want you to wake up too." She stated before she opens the door and closes it to sleep for the night, leaving the unconscious Izayoi to himself.
"If you're smart as I know you are, you know that they're waiting for you." Shiroyasha finishes before she walk away towards her room, leaving the dark lit room where Izayoi was.
Just as the sound of her footsteps faded away, she was unaware of the pair of purple eyes weakly opening up, its dark colour glowing amidst the dark room.
A soundless breath escaped from his mouth before he closes his eyes to the darkness…
To Be Continued…
That's the end of Chapter 35 or Chapter 1 of A Problem Devil, Born~
If it's not a bother to you, I'll ask today's questions:
1. How was the chapter overall? The Drama and overall suspense at the end?
2. How was the appearance of Ophis? You didn't expect that, did you?
2.5 How was the beginning? Was it a good beginning to begin with?
3. How was everyone reaction to the replay of Izayoi's sacrifice? Did I go overboard?
4. Last but not the least, what will happen to Izayoi? Will he make it through?