Roses are red, violets are blue.
Doritos and Mountain Dew.
I don't own DxD, so please don't sue.
Summary: Expositions and shit.
Hello. Sorry for the long wait. University assignments happened. And you know you can't spell assignments without "ASS" as in PAIN IN THE ASS.
Thank you for the 319 followers. ;v; I didn't realize this story had passed the 300 milestones since last chapter. Thank you very much. It thrills me to know people are enjoying my works.
Also thank you for the success of "Lucifer". It's been doing far above my expectations, and honestly, I'd never thought it was possible. So thanks guys, you're all cool.
Of course thank you lots for the reviews, the follows and the favorites! And welcome to all the new followers and favorites. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Thank you too for the suggestions! They're always welcomed.
-RevansStories
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This is a long one—thatswhatshesaid—because I just can't cut all of this into another chapter since it'll be weird if I do. I mean... it's been 5 chapters including this one, and a single day still hasn't passed. While I do mean it, I just didn't expect it to take multiple chapters, but oh well.
Anyway, I also want to wrap everything up and brace the people. Summer is coming.
So, buckle up, it's going to be a long, long, breather chapter, sprinkled with character developments and hints of what to come.
Enjoy!
Death's Journey: Smokes and Shadows
Chapter 35.1
||Break||
Akame woke up with a slow start.
Groaning, uncomfortably shifting over the strange, outlandish, soft and plump thing beneath her that she could only guess as a mattress, her deep crimson eyes fluttered open to the weak light. It took her a moment to recognize it was a white ceiling she was staring at, and not a trick her mind was playing. It took her longer to realize she was rested on a bed.
Not just some cardboard splayed over a pavement, or a bench that had to make do, but an actual springy and softly padded bed, with a thick and irresistibly soft pillow encasing her head and a blanket from her neck down. It was yellow, like the yellow of a soft boiled egg or a fledgling duckling, and it was as fluffy as it appeared to be.
Blinking once, Akame pulled the fleecy fabric, drawing a whiff. She expected it would be moldy, stained with blood and sweat, or dusty. But it was nowhere near, and the pronounced flowery fragrance of a detergent agent was the most pleasant scent, and the fluffiness was much appreciated.
Basing from that, she deduced either she wasn't here long, or whoever took care for her had been actively changing the sheets after several days. For all she knew, she might've been in a coma. She let off a few winces as she could feel the all too familiar discomfort of her muscles, bringing back memories she'd rather forget.
She gasped as the memoirs rushed in. "LEONE!" Her muscles screamed in protest and a headache split her head as Akame bolted upright, but she dismissed all of it as she frantically searched around the dimly-lit room.
And there she was, tucked in a single bed at the opposite end of hers. Her sun-kissed hair was too distinctive to be mistaken to be someone else's even in the shadowy room. Leone's eyes were relaxed shut, deep in slumber as the bedspread covering her chest rose and fell in such a way.
Finding her partner, Akame's tense expression mellowed.
"Leone..." the assassin with the red eyes mumbled, voice was hoarse. Her breaths fell off between her dry and cracked lips, and Akame could feel the lack of food in her stomach after who-knows how many days she had spent out cold. Theoretically, she shouldn't been out long. Or, she had been out long and was returned from months-stay at some sort of hospital.
Scary thought.
But to be awake before her was something else. It meant several things. First, her wounds were less severe, and Leone's was much graver. Second, Leone could had woken up earlier and was just sleeping, which could mean whoever was housing them was benevolent enough to let them stay. Or, Leone had found a cozy place to live and killed its resident.
However, Akame quickly shook her last deduction away. Unless a miracle happened, Leone couldn't have beaten that man alone. Knowing her enemy was vital, and Akame knew Kokabiel was far beyond their ability and could've easily and willingly killed them both.
So why were they still alive?
Losing her consciousness was not something she was and never wanted to get accustomed with, as losing it was the same as losing her life; something she had learned far too early in her life. As a matter of fact, she had only lost it twice, and both during the same week, and both times due to a Supernatural being.
The first time she got lucky, she supposed. Leone mentioned the Devils somehow agreed to let them go after their botched night raid.
A rumble cut off her thoughts.
Glancing down to her upset belly, Akame then realized she's wearing a shirt that wasn't hers. She's unsure what material it was as she never really had that many article of clothes to wear, but it's light and soft. She wouldn't mind having it as hers, but having it would be a waste as it won't be wearable whenever she's doing her job.
Other than that, it's also fresh. Smelled like soap, and she wouldn't be far off if she guessed someone else had changed it for her. Maybe it was Leone? She did recover faster than her last time. She did faint when Leone was still on her feet, fighting that wretched Fallen Angel despite being grievously bruised and cut.
That particular memory sent a cold shudder down her spine, and Akame instinctively hugged herself. It had been long since she last experienced that helpless. She thought becoming an assassin would erase every fear, but she's wrong. Days ago, she was reminded how terrifying the notion of losing someone could do to her.
"Hey..."
A voice broke her haunting reverie, and Akame darted her eyes to the source. She didn't feel her presence until now, and that could either be good or horribly bad.
Slowly, a figure emerged from the shadows of the room until the soft light touched her light skin. She's a teenager, as young as her perhaps. A hand was holding her elbow, and she would appear nervous if Akame could tell.
And as Akame adjusted her sight, squinting slightly at the girl, she took in her features. Her ponytailed brown hair appeared darker in the dim room, and so were her russet eyes. But none rang a bell.
"...Who..." Akame cleared her throat, "Who are you?"
The girl paused, a look of surprise on her face, but was quickly replaced by one of slight sadness that went above Akame's subtleties in reading emotions.
"Well, I guess you won't recognize me... haha..." Asuka said, smiling bitterly. Her hair was longer and she was taller than she last saw her—but it appeared her chest sucked in most of the nutrient she received during her 2 years with him. "Uhm... We used to work together?"
Her eyes narrowed as Akame lightly titled her head as if a new angle would help her in recognizing the girl.
Knowing the assassin recalled nothing, Asuka added her points. "I'm "The Girl Who Lived"—I mean, "The Girl without a Name". Or just Kunoichi for some people."
Distant memories came back as fast as her reminiscences of her last battle, worsening the headache. Staring at one supposed and believed to be dead, her eyes widened as she rasped out a gasp, "Y...You're...!"
"Yeah. That's me." she said quietly, ill at ease. "I'm Asuka now. Kujikawa Asuka."
"Asuka...?" Akame repeated, as if to have a taste at the name.
"Uh-huh." Asuka nodded, "Nice to meet you again." she cleared her throat afterwards. "Uh... how are you feeling? Do you want something to drink? Or eat? You must be hungry."
Though she would gladly accept the offer, the shock was still too great for her stomach to handle any food, as appetizing as it sound— actually it could. She had to confirm this girl was really her, the girl in her mind, and not just some Shapeshifter that used a person of the past against her.
But there's no valid way to test her identity. Clashing swords was the best and the only option she knew, but she was too spent to even move a single muscle without cringing.
"You're... you're really her... right...?"
"I knew you'd ask that..." Asuka smiled half to herself as she continued. "Don't know if this'll convince you but... We met seven years ago. I think it was before New Year?"
Akame said nothing, staring at her intently.
"Well, anyway..." the Kunoichi rubbed her neck, telling stories were never her specialty. Especially if it's her story, even if she had past experience sharing it. "We uh... butted to each other when you were scuffing some pile of garbage, and we kinda fight a little bit. I think it was... French fries, maybe?" at this, she paused to look at her response.
Nothing. Despite it played like a moving pictures in her head, replaying themselves. Counting the number of winters she had endured alone after years she spent trying to forget them. Sending her back to a time where she was starved more than she eat, where even a stray glance could mean trouble she'd best avoid. Despite so, Akame showed nothing but a thin line on her dry lips.
So Asuka continued. "So... somehow, we ended up together to... you know, get warm and stuffs like that... And after some more time, an old guy found us at the same winter and brought us in to some kind of a dojo... and... trained us for a couple of years before he... Died..."
Her eyes narrowed, flashing anger for a split second, but Asuka calmed herself down. It's the past she had made peace with. It shouldn't affect her now, and it shouldn't affect her tomorrow.
"Anyway, we're back to the streets again. Then met another weird guy, I guess, saying he knew our master, and offered us "jobs". And we both agreed... and we somehow become assassins, apparently."
Pausing after an inelegant laughter, Asuka glanced at her long-lost friend again, checking for any reaction. Akame had her stare on her lap, deep in thought. Her uneven bangs veiled her eyes.
The harsh years had rendered both of them emotionless, stoic at best—but not to each other. It's just been loss and losses after another. Had Asuka hadn't prepared herself, maybe she would've been angry or even shed a tear of angst or two to remember her past.
Well, she did, but that was two years ago.
"...It is you..." a coarse whisper broke the silence as Akame raised her head to meet Asuka's eyes. She had the same expression whenever she returned from an assignment no matter how life-threatening it was; relieved.
It's relieving to know some things stayed timeless. "...So it is you... I thought... I thought... I thought you were dead?"
And then Asuka would play the same soft smile whenever she welcomed her. "Well... I was, almost, but not completely dead." she said, retaining the smile. "Do you remember being at a cabin in the wood, somewhere at a mountain? I was there, lost in the forest after all the running. I don't remember much else, but Shinji-san found me."
Akame had a questioning look.
"Oh, uh... Shinji-san's the same person you met at that cabin. And he...uh... he and... Well, let's just say he took care of me, Just like Hattori-san." She smiled, hiding her pain. "I've been living with him for two years now."
Akame was silent, unsure on what to say.
Asuka, too, felt the same way, except with a pang of guilt.
"I'm...sorry, for not looking for you... or send anything to let you know I'm still alive..." her smile turned bitter, apologetic. "I didn't know how to. I thought of going back but... I don't know how to do that without letting anyone know I'm not dead."
Akame shook her head lightly. "No it's okay... I understand..." she said. Of course she would.
"So... No hard feelings?" The assassin shook her head again, leading to Asuka's sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness. I was worried you'd hate me or worse." Asuka giggled, "So then... are you... are you still working with them...?"
Akame paused, and looked at Asuka as her stoic guise continued to decay. "...I failed a mission..."
The Kunoichi froze. "Oh..."
Those people had always been too harsh. There're reasons why they have so limited members compared to the competitors and paid a five-times the standard rate for just a single mission. First reason being the requirements to join was insane, and the second being their "succeed or death" policy. Cruel, but in that kind of world, it was perhaps a requirement.
"...Even you, huh..." Asuka sighed. "But! Let's not worry about that. What matters is that you and I meet again, Akame-chan~ and you're alive."
While it's no surprise that she knew her name already, seeing a bright toothy smile and hearing a bubbly tune chiming from her was... most unexpected.
"What's with that face? Come on, let's not get sappy here." Asuka tittered, "Well I guess I'm not really the same person you knew, but I'm proud of it though."
Akame blinked, wide-eyed, still in disbelief, and slightly confused.
Asuka wrinkled her nose and pouted. "Eeeeh— Come onnn! It's really me!" she insisted. Though it was hard to believe; even Asuka didn't believe it was really her, the same girl she'd spent years bickering and growing together with. The world could be surprisingly small at times.
"...Or do I have to show a little bit of my old-self so you can believe me...?"
At that disturbingly mischievous grin, Akame immediately covered her chest with a tiny gasp, wincing afterwards as she felt a sting near her ribs.
After a while of light giggling to herself, Asuka toned down her grin to a fond smile. Seeing that nearly made the Assassin eased down a little.
"Well... I'm glad to see you again."
"...U...Un..." Akame bobbed her head. "Me too..."
Then the table lamp shook as the entire room rumbled.
Akame scanned the room, vigilant. "Earthquake?!"
"Naw." Asuka assured, "Just some... um... Well you don't have to worry about it. It's nothing to worry about." If she could, she would.
That cloaked figure couldn't be anyone else than her surrogate father/brother. He was the only person missing from the flock of Devils spectating the brutal fight at least a hundred yards away from the house, and also the only she knew could possess such power without having to see his face.
While worry was present, she just couldn't think of him losing a fight, more so when he had just sent a person with armor similar to Issei's but white skidding away from a single punch. She's surprised, sure, but after learning the Tiamat he defeated was the Tiamat, Asuka had expected the outcome.
Akame just nodded in acknowledgement. She had never been the speaker, and it seemed she still was. Asuka won't blame her, though. It's almost needless to know anyone more than an acquaintance or even strictly as clients when people kept dying left and right.
"Anyway... I think they're about done." Asuka said, rubbing her neck. "Welp~! You can go sleep some more or you can go out and have something for your tummy." A playful grin smeared her face. "I haven't gotten anything to eat either... And I can't cook still," that grin faded momentarily "but there's some leftover pasta. Asia-chan is a great chef; I'll introduce you to her later."
A low gurgle rumbled.
Her smile widened.
"And then we're taking a bath afterwards~!" Asuka giggled at the still deadpanned Akame, almost as if she's not acting dumb. "You know, you haven't taken any since yesterday."
"...Yesterday...?" Akame made a face. "How long was I asleep?"
"Ehh... not that long... Maybe almost a day? Ah, anyway, I'll tell you more while we eat." Asuka smiled brightly. "Can you walk?"
Akame nodded, leaving the fluffy blanket then gingerly swinging her feet to the floor. The cold stung her soles a little, but getting up without grimacing was the hardest part. But with Asuka's help and the determination of stuffing up food in her mouth, Akame managed to leave the room quietly, while Leone kept pretending to be sleeping.
-Break-
"Ngh... yeah... just keep on it like that..." his low groans, slightly muffled by the pillowcase, seeped out almost as if he's in pain while he was experiencing nothing else than a relieving pleasure. "...Mmm... You really are good at this, Akeno."
Her trademark giggles soon followed. "Fufu~ thank you Shinjiro-kun."
Kuroka's black tails slapped the rug floorings back and forth, swatting the air as her ember eyes alighted with jealousy. He wasn't her possession; she knew. But seeing another woman touching him while she's presently in a heated state was infuriating if not enraging. All the more with his unnecessary grunts and groans that made her wanted to have a jump on him.
He reached for a spot on his back. "Ah- can you get up a little bit more, Koneko?"
"...Here?"
Seifer exuded a grunt of blissful contentment.
It didn't help that her own sister was also taking part of it, right in front of her, sitting on his bare back.
"Ara~ it must have been tiring wasn't it, Shinjiro-kun?" Akeno hummed, her eyes tracing the bumps of his arm muscles as she moved her hands along, giving him a firm squeeze. "Your arms are so~ stiff~ ufufu~"
Kuroka's right eyelid twitched.
"A man's got to do what he has to do to keep his home safe." Seifer replied, yawning.
"Just your home, huh." the black-tailed Nekoshou snarked.
"Uh... and you guys too, I guess..."
After a brief moment of silence, someone finally pointed out the black markings that had been bothering her for some time arched on his broad back—which surprisingly lacked any scars. A bit of a disappointment for Akeno.
"Shinjiro-kun, what does these words mean?" Akeno asked, not even bothering to pronounce the foreign language.
Curious, Kuroka leaned forward, taking a peek on his chiseled back. It's hard for her to ignore the heat piling up inside her chest, but she managed. It's the only reason it wasn't her who's sitting on his back.
OREDINT DUM METUANT
The alphabet set of letterings read as so, burnt to his skin in black ink color. And it wasn't there yesterday or back at the bathroom when he's showering. Must be something related to him using his power she betted. Or he somehow drew it.
"Hm? Oh that's just some stupid thing I got..." Seifer huffed, not particularly interested in saying much of it. "Used to think tattoos are cool; they're not. So there you go."
Akeno hummed a tune. "Hmm~ but it is cool to me." a sly smile appeared as Akeno's violet eyes trailed at an antsy Kuroka, and then back to his tattoo. "Can I touch it?"
"..." Seifer shifted a little off his pillow to look at Akeno with one eye, and at Kuroka, and then at the playful Devil, and said, "Be my guest."
Being the daring Devil she was, Akeno paused her treatment and splayed her fingers over his back, delicately feeling the sturdiness of his back while the Nekoshou sisters glared at him for being so offhanded.
She's being bullied. She's being obviously bullied. Kuroka did not like being bullied. A hypocrite, she was. "Alright you Sakyubasu. Don't make me bite you nyan."
"Ara~ how scary ufufu~" she knew she crossed the line, but Akeno didn't go further, and withdrew her hand to continue the massage. She liked to live dangerously, but not at the cost of a bond.
Seifer just huffed, amused, and buried his face back on the pillow, ignoring Kuroka for the time being. He did say he's going to cook her some fried rice, but his back hurt like hell when he's grabbing the pan, and decided not to risk a permanent injury and sought help instead.
Still, Kuroka's not amused.
Aside from her, there was another person who was equally as livid. Said person was staring over by the living room, enviously watching the man being serviced by two girls, one's his school's buxom idol and the other the cute petite mascot – but he knew better to ever mention 'petite' to Koneko.
He's too focused on his jealousy that he had forgotten the fact that there were plenty more wonders around him. There's the Pure Devil, the platinum blonde haired Leanne, donning a dangerous low-cut green tank top and shorts, a fitting outfit in the nearing summer heat. She's presently seated at the dining table, waiting for Asia and Raynare to be done with cooking.
Next to her seat was the snowy-skinned, human-formed Dragon King that had nothing on her but a white shirt that covered down her thighs. The same she had always been since the morning where he came to visit.
But this was the first time Issei actually saw her in the flesh. Though, knowing that grumpy old lizard did piss her off some times ago, Issei could understand why he's been avoided.
Well, she might have avoided him just because of his perverse tendencies as did many others do, specifically around 99% population of females in his school, including the teachers and staffs, but Issei didn't want to be disheartened and rather stay positive.
And then there's the Fallen Angel cooking in the kitchen along with the blonde beauty. Raynare, if he's not mistaken. His past encounters with her kind were at best, undesirable. One even resulted with his death. But that didn't shake the fact that she's a stunner. Taller than average, bustier than average, and more seductive than average. The last part was just his wishful thinking, but was there any harm for being wishful?
But the icing on the cake was the fact that some of them wore nothing beneath their shirt.
"Ise-kun..." And of course, his own girlfriend of scarlet hair, wearing her usual yellow camisole and shorts, leaving much of her flesh to be seen. And she was sitting right next to him, frowning a little. "Are you feeling okay?"
Expecting getting chastised, Issei didn't expect receiving a troubled look from the youngest Gremory. And not that sincere question either.
"Uh... yeah, I think so?" He's not sure what she's asking about, though. "I mean... I bet it's nice to be Shinji-san..."
How wouldn't it be? His playful senpai was kneading his arm and his quiet kouhai was giving him a back walking massage. Akeno even looked like she's enjoying it.
Hold on a minute. Wasn't he being inconsiderate with her? Smashed by another late realization, Issei panicked. "W-wait, Mio-chan, I didn't mean that—"
His heart nearly popped upon seeing her disheartened look. "I think so too..." Mio muttered. Her voice was soft, and was nearly drowned by the sound of the movie that was only being watched by Kojiro. "Well... I used to think like that, but not anymore."
Something told him that they're not reading the same page. Did Mio wanted a harem too? No. He doubted she wanted that. Although... what would he do if she did want to be surrounded by men...?
That was a scary thought, and Issei decided to not think about it.
"Uh... What do you mean, Mio-chan?"
"Shinjiro-san's strong, isn't he?"
"...Yeah..." Issei nodded, still a bit confused.
"Well... I just... I used to think it'd be nice to be strong..." Mio admitted with a somber look.
Yep. Definitely not on the same page. Issei goddamned himself.
For a moment, Mio glanced around as if she's checking who's going to hear her next words. Kuroka, Akeno, and Koneko seemed busied with Shinjiro, and so were Asia and Raynare at the kitchen, preparing the lunch while Tiamat and Leanne was chatting with each other. The rest were in their rooms, she supposed.
The only person in the same room with them was Kojiro, and he looked deeply absorbed in the movie to care.
Lastly were the Familiars and Narina, that were a little bit shook from the whole tremors from earlier, but had went back to their afternoon nap in their disclosed pet area at a corner of this floor.
After ensuring no one but Issei could hear her, Mio continued with a small sigh. "I used to think that... being strong is nice... And well, it is important thing in the Rating Game with all the violence."
Issei nodded, putting on his thoughtful face. This seemed to be a deep topic.
"I'm not strong, Ise-kun." Mio continued, "I'm not as good as Onee-chan or Akeno-chan in magic. I'm not that good in being a leader. I can't stay even-minded like her whenever there's trouble, and I'm just... I'm just... weak."
"Mio-chan..." Issei frowned. It gutted him hard to know she's been seeing herself like this, and that he didn't know anything of it.
"No, no, it's okay." yet, Mio smiled to her and him. "I don't mean that I'm jealous of my sister or anyone. It's nothing like that. I just thought it'd be nice to be stronger, you know? To be able to protect someone... be relied on, instead of always relying to someone else..."
"But... I don't know if I'm even ready to have that kind of power." she sighed, "I don't even think I want to have that kind of thing."
Issei furrowed his brows, confused. He's horrible at these kinds of thing, but that won't stop him from trying to be a better boyfriend for her.
Mio gazed down at the cushion she's hugging, squeezing it.
"I don't really know how much, and I can't begin to imagine how many is Shinji-san's responsibilities" she muttered. "I don't know why he helped us back at the Familiar Forest, but I think he did it because he knows he can, because Shinji-san knows he's the only one who can stop Venetia-san... Maybe it's the same reason why he fought Kokabiel alone... and maybe even the same thing before."
Issei couldn't say anything. That thought never crossed him. Not even once. He always thought that guy, that friendly neighbor of his, just liked playing the hero—which, though hadn't been denied yet, it might be far off. That man was too enigmatic for his own good.
"I don't know if I should be feeling this, but I feel... bad for Shinji-san. Maybe he's thinking he can't rely on anyone else." Issei followed her eyes as Mio brought her gaze to the far left, at the lounge, where she could spot Koneko just over the edge of the sofa. "But I... I don't know... what if he was forced to be that strong?"
And nearly emotionless when he fired a round to a guy's head. This particular scene disturbed him so that Issei had tried not to think of it much. He's in a world where the people almost have no trouble of killing, after all. It horrified him to imagine he'll have to kill someone – a person.
Mio shifted back to Issei, cerise eyes looking at him with concern. Issei would've jumped when she placed her palm above his hand if she didn't look so sad.
"Anyway... I'm not saying I don't want you to become stronger... I'm very happy for you, Ise-kun." Mio smiled faintly, but that smile was quick to fade. "But... when I replaced him with you... it's just... scary."
"What do you mean, Mio-chan?" Issei doubted he could beat the hell out of his rival – which he just now learned to be his rival – as easily like he did.
"You're the Sekiryuutei, Ise-kun." she replied, "You have the Longinus, and like Onee-chan said, you have great potential." Flattered, but Issei wasn't smiling. "One day, I'm sure you'll learn how to use your Sacred Gear and master it. One day you'll become even stronger than you are now. And there will be a day when you start getting recognized... you'll start facing strong people... maybe in the Rating Games. Eventually, you'll get promoted to be a High-Class Devil and have a peerage of your own."
A peerage of his own... a peerage full of sexy ladies that will attend to his needs whenever he wanted to. His dreamed harem... his long time goal... What a day it would be.
He didn't make his daydreaming subtle as Mio giggled lightly, pinching his cheek to bring him back to earth.
"O-ow— right... sorry..."
"It's okay." Mio smiled, "I like that you can still fantasize even if it's serious. It can be a little frustrating sometimes, but I like that part of you too. It helps ease the tension."
Issei's face turned red in an instant. He wanted to hug her. Badly. What had he done to deserve such a wonderful girlfriend like her?
"Ahh— Mio-chan, you're soo kind... I feel like crying."
Mio giggled. "It's the least I can do." Still with that kind smile, Mio pulled him into her embrace before he could leap on her, furthering the blush on his face as he could feel the warmth and the softness of her bust directly on his chest. He secretly wished their clothes were inexistent.
Touched, but not quite used to this close affection quite yet, Issei did his best to return the hug, putting too much thought on how much pressure he should give as he wrapped his arms around her.
She's sweet, and her crimson hair smelled like she just had a bath with flowers. How she managed to retain such a lovely smell he didn't know, but Issei didn't really care.
With her head on his shoulder, her whispers felt like words that brushed his ear softly.
"So... Though I can't be strong like you... and that you might have to protect me more than you already have... I want you to know that, even if only a little, like a hug like this, you can rely on me... Ise-kun."
Mio then paused, and gave him a quick smack to his cheek with her lips. "I love you."
Issei was close on bursting into tears at that moment, and had to swallow a bump in his throat.
"M-me too..." he said, tightening his hug a bit. "I-I love you too, Mio-chan."
And they parted, rather unwillingly. Each longed for the other, and already Issei felt the loss of her warmth. And just then Mio's blood pooled by her cheeks, made worse as they realized the end credits were already rolling, and Kojiro was staring at them the whole time, saying nothing with a look similar to the one when his brother told a clever subtle joke that went flying over his head as plenty of other jokes had.
"Are you going to kiss now? If you are, I can just, I don't know. Leave?"
The two's face reddened quickly, Kojiro thought they would implode.
"...I-I'm going to Nee-chan's room." And with that excuse, a flustered Mio fled to the stairs with her twin-tails waving behind her flushed cheeks.
Kojiro was even more taken aback by Mio's retreat than Issei. "...Did I... I didn't say something wrong, did I?"
"Aaaaggh— "Issei sighed loudly, running his hands through his thick hair in frustration. "...Hey, Kou-san... how much did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
He looked oblivious enough. Either he's smart at acting, or he's just genuinely ignorant. Issei settled on the last. "...Nevermind."
-Break-
Rias nearly spilled her tea over her files when Mio entered their new bedroom abruptly. Rias glanced over her desk—installed specially for her—Shutting the door behind her, Mio laid her back against the hard wood as she slowly slid down. Face in her palms, she exhaled loudly as she sat on the floor.
Her room was the master's bedroom at the guest floor, equipped with an air conditioner and even furnished similarly like her own bedroom at the Gremory's mansion. It's almost as if her stay here was planned... Didn't Kawamura say her brother designed this house...?
But nonetheless, the Heiress abandoned her study and glass of tea momentarily, shutting the compendium and closing his files, and placed her faux-glasses on the table. She got up, and passed the king-sized bed.
"Is something wrong, Mio?"
Her twin-tails swished as Mio shook her head. "N-no I'm fine..."
"Are you sure? You look... red... Oh, it's Ise isn't it?"
"I'm fine!" Mio insisted, patting her cheeks as if to hide her blush, and then stood up. For a moment, Rias stared at her, unconvinced, making her uneasy as she glanced around the room. She noted the pile of papers and a book that was as thick as an encyclopedia on her desk.
She walked towards it, eyes on the book. "Are you still studying the Excalibur, Nee-chan?"
"More or less." Rias said smoothly as she followed her sister. She had to make sure he's that monster first. The mask he wore was a strong proof, but could be coincidental. She'd rather not make false accusations like she did to Kuroka.
Mio opened the well-preserved book, bounded in smooth cobalt blue leather as if it wasn't aged for centuries. The thick volume smelled of faint pine, a bit old. It reminded her of the Great Library at her home city, a place she often visited when she's young. Though, she ran around more than she studied.
Its vellums were limp and soft, falling easily as she browsed through the pages, not quite reading the texts written in the old language. She looked at the hand drawn pictures of mythical creatures, legendary weapons, histories of the wars that had occurred in the Underworld. She wasn't much invested in history, but it's wrong to say Mio wasn't fascinated by the grandeurs of her home.
Mio stopped, and the book showed a drawing of Familiars Forest' map. It's not far in the book, somewhat at the early sections; the 'notable places' as Rias liked to describe.
Noting her sudden sullen look, Rias held her from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. "What's wrong, Mio?"
"Onee-chan?"
"Mmm?" Rias hummed soothingly. Her sister's voice sounded like a whisper. The sad toned kind of whisper.
The corners of her lips tugged down as she saw Mio's frown. "...Do you miss home?"
Rias paused. "Of course I do." she whispered, warming her embrace. "That's also why we're coming home next week." Well, training aside, it's also a month long vacation for their peerages.
"No, not that... I mean, the Underworld." Mio said, flipping another page. "Like when we were young."
She furrowed her crimson brows. "Hmm?"
"I guess I should've asked 'do you miss being young'." Mio smiled wryly. "When we just play around with Sona-neetan, only worrying of getting scolded if we got home late." a giggle slipped in. "When we don't... have to be stronger..."
"Oh, Mio... you sounded like father." With a soft smile, Rias squeezed her little sister, "Do you remember? When he's suddenly told us to not look back and live in the past?"
"Yeah..." Mio pressed her lips. A bit disappointed that she failed to be aware of the matter that bugged her the most, but decided not to bother her more. "That was boring."
The two shared a giggle. "But he also has a point." Rias said, "We have responsibilities now, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun anymore. Why don't we visit the Familiars Forest when we get back there? Maybe I can invite Sona too." she tittered. "I'm sure Nana will be thrilled."
Mio smiled. It didn't reach her eyes. "You're right. I can't wait."
"Mhmm~" Rias squeezed her once more before letting go. "Now then, Nee-chan wants to study a little bit more."
"Okay." Mio complied, and after hugging her sister, she headed towards the bed. Maybe she's just being oversensitive. A little nap perhaps could make her feel better and clear her head of these meddling thoughts, she hoped.
As Rias retook her seat, wearing her glasses, Mio made herself comfortable on the bed, lying on her side with a bolster in her hug. She looked at her sister as Rias began to focus on the papers, flipping through the pages to get back to where she was before – at the entries of the Deicide.
She had always admired her sister's interest in learning. Even when they were young, Rias had always spared a time to study more things whenever she could. When she thought Rias just didn't want to lose to Sona, Mio gave way to a soft giggle, earning a glance and a smile from Rias. As Mio rested her eyes, and buried half of her face on the bolster, drowsiness slowly drew her into sleep's embrace.
-Break-
It was fun while it lasted, was exactly what he thought when the massage physiotherapy ended. While beating the hell out of that white-armored guy did relieve his stress, it did horribly bad in relieving his stressed muscles. But, at least he got the massage he wanted.
As much as he despised the heat, summer was the perfect season to laze about doing nothing, even if it was not official until a few more days.
Not really feeling the urge of taking another shower yet, or join the others for a brunch, a now shirted Seifer slouched a bit more at the lounge, head on the lap of a Kuroka in heat, staring directly at the swelling of her shirt and the cute little nubs that were poking out.
Being close to her, her scent was strong and lustrously sweet. Downright erotic and highly tempting, and would be best to be kept away from Issei. Not that he's worried about the boy jumping on her; she'll swat the living out of him. He's worried the boy might jump on someone else.
The way she was now, her fidgets, her soundly breathing as she stared at him with a defiant look but unable to keep a straight face made him feel like he's torturing her. And in a way, he was. He's clearly enjoying it despite he's not wearing his standard smirk-smile. Maybe it was due to the battle that he's feeling a little cruel.
But with the possibility of a war breaking out at the other side of this World anytime soon, he'd like to spend some time with her.
Seifer just knew that the closest thing to nothing would be lying in wait until he eventually got recalled, or joined in. Whichever comes first, he had to make sure other businesses had been taken care of. While he could wipe the slate clean and focus his entirety in combat, he would rather come home knowing there's nothing else to be done.
First in his mind was Azazel.
With the General Governor's untimely death, the planned peace and coalition treaty might had, if not had, suffered a major setback. He could only do so little as the only Fallen Angel he knew was the Playboy and Raynare. And also Akeno. But she didn't seem to be a plausible option to reestablish his connections with the Grigori.
She's somebody he'd like to consider more than acquaintances like most of the Devils to him. Though, even if she was, he would rather not force her do something she wouldn't do willingly.
Then there's Raynare, the Fallen Angel that fell to his front yard.
Though it was a misjudgment, she was still an outcast—the scapegoat. From her wounds, they seemed to hurt her more than Kokabiel did.
Putting politics aside, he supposed she's close to Azazel as the girl hadn't laugh as often like the first time they met, and his death might gutted her as much as it did to him. How she could still put up a front when she's with Asia was admirable, but she could use a talk.
Coming in the second place were the girls from the church. He considered asking them about Kokabiel and what was his goal of coming here. He seemed arrogant enough to convey his plan to his enemy just for the satisfaction. The Fused Excalibur could be the key to gain favor from the Holy Institute, though the problem was how subtly he could play his cards without fussing the Devils. Sirzechs did request him to ensure his sisters' safety.
Speaking of which, Rias hadn't lump her poky questions on him yet. Not that he'd complain. He's often played the role of the interrogator, not the interrogatee. But still, though she's not so clever at hiding her emotions, she's been looking at him with suspicion since the fight.
Moving on, the Assassins. Who they were or what they wanted didn't matter much for him. He's fairly certain they won't dare do anything funny as they weren't in their best of conditions. Moreover, Asuka seemed to know Akame more than just friends. Co-workers if he had to guess.
He had several pinpoint guesses, but asking what organization they're from was still a must. Being visited by men in black was not his highest of interest right now.
Last were those people from earlier; Vali and his buddies. He had never heard of Vali—or any of them, really—but he did meet their ancestors long time ago. Kuroka clearly knew them too, so learning a thing or two about them shouldn't be too difficult, unless she didn't want to talk about them. This wasn't as urgent like the rest, though.
"H-hey..." The girl in question whined, taking him off his musings. Eyes glazed as she looked at him pleadingly, placing her hand on his chest, and then scrunching his shirt. "How long are you gonna stay here nyan...?"
"Hmm?" Seifer quirked an eyebrow teasingly, "Didn't you say you were hungry?"
"Fuck that, I'm horny nyan."
Seifer deadpanned. "Oh." Maybe he went too far. That one was unexpectedly brazen, even for her, but maybe he should've expected it. He should give more credit for this 'mating season' of hers.
"Come on... We can do it here..."
"Right. Let's not." He snubbed, clearing his throat as he sat up, much to her relief. "Let's take a bath while we're at it."
"M'kay." Kuroka obediently nodded; just glad he's listening to her.
As the two headed for their bedroom, with Kuroka clinging on his arm tightly, Seifer caught a glimpse of another familiar raven tress, donned in yet another of Asuka's brightly-colored clothes just like Raynare, contrasting much with her black hair and overall melancholic air.
Accompanied with the brunette, the red-eyed assassin carefully treaded down the stairs, and her arrival easily gained attention from everyone present—including the house dogs that scrambled to greet her. Seifer could distinctly hear Narina's scream from where he's standing despite being three rooms apart.
"I should talk to her for a minute."
"..." Kuroka's whine of complaint escalated, tugging on his shirt hard and frowned at him. And that was not because the girl tried to kill her once.
"It won't be long. Promise." he said, gently untangling her hand off him. "You go on ahead. Fill the bathtub. I'll be quick to come—like you."
Though reluctant, Kuroka went inside without further protest, disregarding his teasing smirk that stated he's proud of that joke.
"Koro-chan, Yuki-chan, down!"
Both puppers ignored the human, continuously sniffing on the new face as if she hid a treat in one of her shorts' pockets.
Akame was calm on the surface. Like a duck swimming smoothly on the water, but paddling like hell underwater. Calm was underlining it, though. Akame was frozen solid. She's trained to kill beasts, not tend beasts and do nothing while they're violating her personal space.
Additionally, she had never seen any breed of a wolf-like dog that had a knife-like blade sticking out its snout, or anything that was blue and white furred with red horse-like mane on its head.
Then a voice came from the TV room located at the center. "Oi, Koromaru, leave the girl alone!"
Again, the command was ignored, and the Hellhound and the Gerberian Shepsky continued on poking their snouts.
"And you're supposed to be Koro-chan's owner..." Asuka huffed, "It's okay Akame-chan, they won't bite." she confidently said, "They just want to be friends! That's all!"
"Y-Yeah..." the Assassin replied stiffly while the other Supernaturals did nothing and watched, eating their meal with an amused look.
It was until a sharp whistle rang the pooches diverted their attention, looking right at the source as they then rushed the incoming young male, with Narina screaming again. In a relaxed gait, Seifer walked into the scene as the dogs flanked his sides, following him close by.
Akame eyed the little woman as she fluttered away, holding on to her tiny head, retreating to the dining room while making dizzied noises of complaints.
"Sit." He firmly said, and the two pups sat on their hind legs, tails sweeping the floor tiles as the duo watched at him with open mouth, eagerly waiting. Then Seifer pointed at his brother who's presently watching his show in peace, paying no attention to his surroundings as always, and commanded in a firm tone; "Kiss."
The two bolted to the TV room. And soon, Kojiro's scream of complaint was then heard.
With the canines out of the way, he returned his attention to the two girls.
She and Asuka shared the same after-shower smell, and he betted the two just had a bath together. Good to know they're close. Although, the girl looked a little bit tired. So he supposed he could ask her another time regarding her works.
After staring at Akame for a time, but not long enough to make the silence uncomfortable, he spoke up. "How are you feeling? Better?"
"Yes... thank you for your hospitality..." she said in a quiet voice, nodding politely, but also timidly. To be fair with her, she's in someone else's house; surrounded by Devils and people she's a stranger with and might be considered hostile to some.
Not for him, though. She's just like any other guests.
"Have you eaten yet?"
"Yes..." Akame nodded again. "It was delicious, thank you very much..."
"Thank the cooks, not me." Seifer smiled, sparing a glance at Asia and Akeno at the dining room, chatting with Raynare. "There's still more if you want." he pointed at the dining table with a nudge of his head, "Don't be shy. Ask Asuka if you need anything."
Again, Akame nodded. "Y-Yes... thank you very much."
"Yeah, just leave it to me~!" Asuka chirped, just at the same time when her Familiar flew over, perching atop of her head. "A-chan~!" she greeted, brushing the fowl's nape with a finger.
Akame looked uneasy by the feathered fiend as the two exchanged glances. She winced in surprise and horror as Aleta chirped, ruffling her grey plumes, getting comfy on Asuka's brown locks.
Sniggering, Seifer then decided to tend the Nekoshou. "Well then, just make yourself at home." Like before, Akame nodded, and quietly said her gratitude.
As he was about to walk away, Asuka spoke out as she remembered why she went down here. "Oh! Nii-san, can I ask you something?"
Seifer paused, and turned around. "Yeah, sure. What is it?"
Asuka stole a glance at her friend, then at him again. Then she opened her mouth, but then closed it, as if she's unsure on what to say or if it's okay to ask it.
Not wanting to stand for so long, Seifer reassured her. "Just ask, Asuka."
"Huh? Oh right..." Asuka muttered. She looked nervous. It's like she's about to request something grand with a very low chance of approval. Her indecision reminded him when his daughter wanted a new coloring book, or asking permission to play out in the snow.
"Can uh..." she continued, slowly panning at his eyes with a pleading look. "Can she... can she stay for a while...?"
As Akame stared at her, eyes widened, Seifer raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to on side. Judging from her reaction, Asuka must've asked this without her knowing.
"Stay?" Seifer resaid, rubbing his stubbles with his knuckles.
Before Asuka could explain, Akame made her quite voice heard. "No... I can't." she said, much to Asuka's disappointment. "I... thank you very much for the offer, but I have to refuse."
She's still on the run. He thought as much.
"Why not?!" Asuka clenched her palms, and Seifer could see the frustration growing in her eyes. "Then just for today. Just today's fine right? I mean... you just woke up... your friend's still asleep too..."
Akame couldn't refute that, and stayed silent as her eyes veered down.
"Well..." Seifer said, trying to lift the mood. "Why don't you stay here until your friend wakes up? You must still be tired too. Try not to think of it too much, and take it easy for a while."
Despite Asuka was staring at her with hopeful eyes, Akame still looked unsure. In the meantime, Seifer noted that Asuka's pretty short. As a matter of fact, she's the second shortest girl in this house, tied with Asia.
"Besides," Seifer offered a smile. A reassuring and slightly smug kind of smile. "It's not like this place isn't safe. I'm sure you two are already knew each other. There's even a Dragon here."
As if on cue, a drowsy Sprite Dragon then flew behind his head, flapping his tiny dragonic wings as he made its way towards Asia.
"Dragons, actually." Seifer corrected, popping Akame's stare of surprise and regaining her attention. "Two of them. The other one has very pretty eyelashes."
"...Eyelashes...?"
"Yep." With that flippant remark, Seifer walked away, leaving the stupefied Assassin with a giggling Ninja.
"Well you heard him!" Asuka piped, gesturing Akame to join the feast. "Come on. I'll introduce you to Tia-san and Anna-chan."
"...Huh...?"
"She's a Dragon King, and Anna-chan's... mom, I guess?" Asuka added. "What's wrong Akame-chan? You don't look so good..."
Walking away, it's a relief to know she's not the "all I know is kill" kind of person and leaned more towards reserved and perhaps "I'm awkward at talking" like that blonde Knight. If his guess was right, that she and Asuka used to be workmates, then it was expected. Those people had always been too harsh.
"S-Shinjiro-san!"
Swiveling around, another black-haired girl approached him from the dining room.
"Yes?" Like Asuka, Raynare stumbled on her words, reluctant to say what she wanted. "Just say what you have in mind." he said as he casually plucked a rice beside her lips, startling her. He showed her the fried yellow grain, "Rice." and then tossed it away with his thumb. Hopefully, Yuki or Koromaru or even Aleta will pick them up for him.
Raynare gawked at him, driven speechless by his nonchalance. She shouldn't have forgotten he's not the type to avoid physical contact or think much of it. Quite the gentleman he was, if not dangerous.
She paused, mouth agape, slightly blushing. Then she blinked and continued. "Is it... Is it alright? Me being here, I mean..."
Did he ever make a rule that nobody could stay in his house or something? "'Course you are." Seifer said, brushing his sarcastic thought. "Why? Did someone bully you? Akeno, maybe?"
"What? N-no! Everyone's nice... Her too." she hadn't talked much to anyone other than Asia and him, but she assumed no one hated her. If any, they didn't seem to care of her presence. "The pets here are very cute too. I've never seen an actual Dragon let alone one as a Familiar..."
Seifer studied the change in her expressions as she folded her hands. "You must've taken care of her nicely... Thank you Shinjiro-san."
"Nah it's fine. Before it became this ridiculous mansion, she's the only one reliable to handle the house when I'm away."
Raynare giggled. "Is that so? Fufu~ she is quite mature for her age..." she was forced to be; Raynare knew. "...She won't be this happy without you. I don't know what would've happened if you weren't there that night..."
"Hey now, what's passed has passed." He said, attempting to scrub away the gloomy mood. "She's here now, and so are you."
Rubbing her arms, she continued. "I just don't want to impose you... You seem pretty busy already, having to take care this many people."
Seifer waved a hand. "Just Yuki and this house." And maybe Kuroka's sexual needs, but she did not need to know that. "And the food, but there's more than just Asia who can cook now." Having those Devils did come in pretty handy...
"Yeah, but...Still, I don't want to be a freeloader..."
"A freeloader?" he repeated, cocking an eyebrow. "You're Asia's friend, here to spend some time with her." Seifer smiled easily, amused by her reaction. "No one's telling you to leave and you can stay here as long as you want."
A grateful smile graced her lips.
"Maybe help out clean the place once in a while. I can really, really use some help." he looked surprisingly distressed. She supposed having a big, multi-floored house had its drawbacks too. "After you feel better, of course."
She smiled bitterly. Being treated this nice after those things that happened felt... odd. Maybe he's only being considerate for her loss or for the past events that befell her, but to her, right now, it was a kindness she'd never refuse.
Slowly, she nodded, giggling lightly. "You know Shinji-san... You're so different with your brother."
That seemed to be a start for a compliment. He won't mind any compliments. "How so?"
"Well... first is your hair..."
"Oh."
"It used to be brown, right?"
"I accidentally poured bleach on it."
"What?! How?!"
"I don't know. Accidents happen." He said with an easy tightlipped smile that barely reached his half-lidded eyes.
Raynare sighed. "You're joking aren't you?" the young man shrugged innocently. "...Other than that, you don't get flustered as easily... How long have they been together?"
"You figured it out eh?"
"Well... it's pretty easy to tell right away. Truthfully, it's kinda painful to watch."
He chuckled. That one's inarguable. "Can be annoying too. They dated a few days ago, probably?" Seifer glanced at Kojiro's direction, behind a room separator made of stone in the middle of the floor, where the TV latched on the other side. "It was like a soap opera."
Raynare giggled. He certainly had his way with words. "I can only imagine. He gives off the 'bad boy' vibe, but he's pretty pure."
"Pure?" Seifer gave her a look. "Really."
"What? I daresay he is pure compared to you." Raynare giggled, smiling provocatively.
"Won't that make everyone pure then?"
She raised her eyebrow, confronting his risen one. "Oh~? Are you saying you're that bad, Shinjir0-san?"
"Very." He nodded proudly.
"Of course. How can I forget about that, fufu~" Raynare tittered.
As she calmed down, a smile was leftover on her lips. "I still can't believe you two are brothers. I don't think anyone can tell from the get-go either."
"You think so?" Seifer said, rubbing his chin absently. She quietly wondered why his facial hair was still dark brown while his hair's white. "I'd say we're pretty similar."
"Really? How come?"
He gave her a lighthearted smirk. "We both love our Dad."
"Whaa— that's so cheesy." Raynare giggled heartily. Out of all answers, that one must be the last of the last. "I mean in a good way, of course..."
"Clearly."
"...Well if you say so, daddy's boy~" Raynare tittered some more, knowing he's not one to take offense that easily. "I'll make sure I make myself useful here."
"Mhmm. You do that." Seifer said. "If you need someone to talk to, about him or that sacred thing, I'm usually available at the balcony for night counseling."
"Night counseling?" She laughed again, heartily. "Fufu~ okay. Balcony. Got it. I'll keep that in mind." before he left, Raynare gave him a thankful smile. "Thanks, Shinjiro-san."
"Don't mention it." Her returned the smile, and nodded once as he went back on track. Raynare stared at his broad back for a while, watching as he entered his bedroom. Her smile faltered, and then she returned to the dining room, joining the others as well as the pets to finish her meal.
Some moments later, Raynare learned that she was, in fact, not the only person outside the Kawamura household and that there were several others that 'stumbled upon' prior to her, Akame included.
In short, after she compiled the recent information, she asked in a monotonous tone. "Is Shinjiro-san that nice, or does he has no problem with letting random people stay in his house?"
It drove the topic rather easily. "Ara~ that's an interesting question... fufufu~" Akeno giggled, and after considering it for a while, she added, "Maybe because they're all girls?"
Several glances were exchanged at that answer.
"Well... I mean... He did let Kuroka-chan stay out of nowhere..." Asuka pointed. Sitting beside Asia, Raynare noted the petite girl's shy frown forming. "And now those Church girls and Akame-chan and Leone-san. And Tia-san and Anna-chan as well... so..."
"Are you implying he's done it with ill-intentions...? He's no such man." Tilting her head, in a somewhat menacing way, the woman with the beautiful blue hair joined the conversation after she finished her fourth plate of the 'weird stringy rubbers' that we all knew as spaghetti.
The room temperature climbed down a few degrees—which were much appreciated. But nonetheless, the back-tingling chill she sent was very apparent, and Raynare noted the woman was not one to mess with.
"Whaa— no no no! Of course not!" Asuka blubbered, "I'm just pointing out the fact!" she ended with a nervous laughter, all the while Akame looked uneasy but ready.
Tiamat rested her eyes, folding her hands in front of her absolute cleavage. "I'm well aware of that. I was merely fooling around."
"...That's not cool." Asuka groaned, while the others giggled at her expense—blatantly ignoring the play on words. "But anyway, Nii-san is that nice..." She spoke on experience, but no one but Akame knew that fact. "...Or maybe because Buchou asked him to?"
She turned to Akeno, who simply tittered with a nod, confirming the guess. Asuka pouted, dejected. "Awh."
"Even so, he's willing to spare rooms for strangers. Fufufu~ that's nice of him, no?"
Several heads nodded.
"Shinji-san also takes care of me when he didn't have to..." Asia added. She was next to her seat, and at the moment cuddling the sleeping baby Sprite Dragon. "And, and he didn't ask me anything about it either."
"Well, that's because Nii-san already knew anyway."
Akeno glanced at Asuka. "Ara...? Asuka-chan, you haven't been reincarnated back then, didn't you?"
"Ah." The Kunoichi realized the slip of her tongue. She forgot how acute her Senpai was. "Well... yeah... I guess I kinda knew already too."
While Asia stared at her sister with wonder, Akeno only tittered, as if satisfied on her observation.
"Oh! Actually, not all of them are girls." Asuka exclaimed with a bright smile on her face. "There's Kou-san too!"
"Ara? Isn't Kou-san his brother?"
"Yeah, but Kou-san's pretty much the only freeloader here; all he does is watch the TV or watch the dishes!" and the Kunoichi burst into laughter, igniting several others, disturbing her Familiar that was perched on her hair to flap away.
Playful barks the filled the room as the canines chased after Aleta, disgruntling the Sprite Dragon from his slumber. Fortunately, Asia was there to lull him back to sleep in her gentle cradle.
Raynare didn't talk much afterwards, other than a few quips about her ex-nun friend's newfound relationship while landing a jibe at Asuka and her apparentness of not wanting to start any. She also got the chance to get to know the animals better, as they were still as curious towards as they were towards the other black haired human girl. She was even a much less talker than her, opting to reply with a nod or a quietly muttered "no" to any questions.
"Ah—!"
"..."
"Ahn! Ah- Shinjiro!"
"Ara~" Akeno smiled, blushing lightly.
Eventually, as they could hear the very distinct sound of a woman coming from the house owner's room, they left the dining table with an awkward look on their faces. She would've helped with the dishes if Asia didn't tell her to get some rest, but she understood it was what she needed after a full belly. After climbing the stairs, reaching the empty floor above, her mask began to fade away.
Her eyelids felt heavy, warning her of the imminent tears as she paced her way to her bedroom. The warmth she received was warmer than the incoming summer, and she was thankful for the pleasantries. But still, that wasn't enough to steer her mind completely off him.
She saw his face on other people. She heard his voice when it was Shinjiro's genial chuckles. She saw his goddamn smile when it wasn't his to begin with, and she felt she's spiraling down to insanity.
"Oh, heya~!"
Upset, she walked faster to her room, not even bothering to give a reply at the woman who had greeted her. Raynare then buried her face to the pillow, and cried herself to sleep.
Chapter Ends
Hi. :B
More hints about Seifer's past and more hints of the criminal underworld. Asuka and Akame's histories are much, much more than that, but I'm keeping it for when the timing is right, rather than shoving expositions down your throat in one go.
Mio's such a sweetheart, I tell you. I was told by my beta that she's her favorite character in the story it got me wondering, who's yours so far?
Hope I didn't make her and Issei's scene too cheesy though. I'm pretty bad at "innocent" teenage romance. If you have pointers, then please do be kind and share. :B
By the way, I made a small list of the measurements of the girls in this story, including the OCs, since I was bored mid-studying. And, according to my experienced deduction, realistically, Akeno is a J-cup or K-cup. Most likely a K.
J for Jesus Christ, or K for Kill me by suffocation pls.
As we avid DxD followers know, she has the largest pair among the casts, reigning over Rias and Kuroka by a few centimeters and quite possibly by one whole cup. She must have the softest pair too I bet.
Why am I telling you this? Well... why not? This is important stuff. This is vital knowledge. I'm sorry my girl-readers (if there's any) if you are disgusted by the topic, but do realize this is a serious topic and a very serious discussion that I take on seriously, like a math class—except this one is less boring and more boing. Catch my drift?
Anyhow, thank you for reading! Sorry if there's mistakes, and if you can be so kind, do point them out.
Have a nice day! And to those facing the hurricanes, I hope this can brighten your day a little bit, and stay safe!