The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hey everyone, it's me Hide Shinyama.
Sorry for the late release. I was distracted by several things, such as the job hunt, paper work after returning from Ireland and the addiction of reading four Chinese manhuas from beginning till the latest chapter.
Sorry for that. At least this chapter is longer…
Now, Issei had just rescued Kasumi, but the two of them are not safe yet. How will they escape their pursuers?
Find out in…
Chapter 32 – Stealth Mission
23rd of September, Monday, 7:15 pm – out on the streets, Nerima
"Who... who are you? And what are you doing next to me?" Kasumi asked cautiously, making sure to keep a distance from Issei on the bench.
Issei held his hands up defensively. "H-hey… uh… Don't worry. I didn't try to do anything suspicious. In fact, I saved you from the actual bad guys who were doing bad things to you. You were just unconscious all this time… I'm a classmate of Sanma's by the way…" Issei managed to explain nervously.
Kasumi brushed her hair for a bit and had a confused look on her face. Seeing this, Issei realized he had to go more into detail.
"Look, it all started after you left your house. I was there, if you remember, seeing you fight with your dad. Anyway, after you left, your boyfriend put you into some kind of hypnotized state and kidnapped you. Sanma tried to stop him but that boyfriend of yours hurt him badly. Sanma managed to get back to your house, and I went out to find you because your father asked me to. I managed to get into the place where you were held, sneak in, rescue you from your kidnappers and get out. I carried you all the way here and then you woke up. I didn't do anything suspicious to you," Issei finished his rushed summary of the events that had transpired. He just hoped that would be enough.
Kasumi didn't speak. She looked down to the ground in thought. She remembered when he told her to take of her clothes and how rough he had talked to her. His demeanor felt so out of character that she thought she had fainted, but… this? This… she couldn't believe it, but…
"You're saying Yona did this… right?" Kasumi asked sadly.
Issei noticed this and felt sorry for her. Nobody ought to be betrayed like that, especially not a maiden like her. Nevertheless, she still needed to know the truth and nodded.
Kasumi didn't say a word. She just stared at the ground for a time and then… she started to sob.
"Why…?" the light-haired brunette asked with a tear running from her left eye.
Issei was a bit surprised by her reaction, though perhaps it was expected.
'She really must be hurting after the crap that Yona pulled… How could anybody do such a thing?' Issei thought angrily.
Kasumi turned to face Issei.
"Why would he do something like this to me? I have to know…" Kasumi begged Issei with tearful eyes.
Issei felt the words stuck in his throat. He knew the truth to why it all happened, but didn't want her to know about it.
Organized crime… prostitution… maybe even trafficking… To be fair, even for Issei, who wasn't betrayed and kidnapped it was hard to take in. But should he tell her? Issei mulled over it for a few seconds before speaking.
"It's… because he's a criminal. And criminals will do whatever it takes to get what they want… even hurting others…" Issei answered, being as vague as possible with his answer. He did not want to horrify the emotional young woman when she was already emotionally vulnerable.
Kasumi continued sobbing. She wiped her tears away with her hands, while Issei looked away to avoid being awkward around her. Poor woman…
And something clicked within the young brown-haired teen. There was something he needed to know.
"Say… Tengu-san?" Issei asked cautiously and looked at her.
Kasumi turned to face Issei in response, while wiping the tears from her eyes.
"What do you know… about your boyfriend. Tell me everything you know about him," Issei asked her urgently.
Kasumi stopped her crying and was looking at Issei with a sad but confused face.
"Wh-why… *sob*?" she asked.
"Because this guy is obviously a criminal and I need to know whom I'm dealing with. Any information could be helpful, so plea-" Issei was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
Upon seeing who was coming, Issei widened his eyes. Three of the hooded Stray Exorcists from the warehouse were coming towards them with weapons of different kinds in their hands. One had a sword; another had a gun and another had a whip.
'Dang it! I was so engrossed in the moment that I completely forgot about them!' Issei cursed mentally.
"There she is!" the one with the sword cried and pointed at Kasumi.
"Who is the guy next to her?" asked the one with the whip.
"Probably the guy who took our little bird from under our noses. I will deal with him," said the Stray Exorcist with the gun to the man with the with, before turning to his comrade with the sword. "You and Joseph will take care of her."
Both men nodded and together approached Issei and Kasumi. Kausmi looked at them in dread, cowering on the bench, as the men approached her.
"Enjoying the night air, baby?" Joseph mockingly asked Kasumi.
Kasumi said nothing out of fear. The other man with the sword grabbed her arm and yanked her up.
"Well, you're going back. Can't have a girl like you out at night like this. Who knows what dangerous people might be out?" said the Stray Exorcist with the sword mockingly with deliberate irony.
Issei wanted to stop him but the man with the gun pointed the barrel of his gun at Issei's head.
"Don't you move a muscle or you're dead," the man threatened Issei coldly.
Issei looked at the gun in shock. It was a sawn-off double-barreled shotgun with a finger on the trigger. Issei was fearful and complied with the man's threat.
"So, you were the one who broke into our hideout and took our girl, huh? Well, you messed with the wrong people, kid. Normally, I would just shoot you here and there, but first, I want to know…" the man with the gun moved his face closer to Issei's face. "What's your name?"
Issei remained defiant and said nothing. He merely looked back with fearlessness – or as well as he could at least.
While the man with the gun kept his gun trained on Issei, the other two men were having their way with Kasumi.
"KYA!" Kasumi yelped as one of the two men grabbed her breasts from behind. The other man was holding both her arms to prevent her from lashing out.
"What are you two doing!?" the man with the gun barked to the two obviously perverted men.
"Continuing where we left off. She's so soft…" said Joseph said a lecherous grin, his hands feeling her ample breasts.
"Well, you can do that later when we get back!" the Stray Exorcist with the gun told the two men angrily.
Suddenly, time seemed to slow for Issei upon realizing something. That man… he was distracted… now was the chance…
Issei moved… It felt like he was in slow-motion because of how risky his move was going to be… but he needed to do this… it was now or never… and when he did so, memories of one of his training sessions from two days ago flooded his mind…
Flashback: 21st of September, Saturday, 7:15 am – Hikarigaoka Park, Nerima
Issei was training with Matsuda, Motohama and Ryuga. Currently, they were going through what Ddraig had called an "dodging course". As the name implied, it involved dodging while doing it properly and speedily. And Issei was the first one to try…
[DODGE!]
"ARGH! WAH!" Issei cried out, as he jumped out of the way of speeding bullets, scrambling away on the ground as best as he could.
{Target locked! Fire!} Phoebe's monotonous voice sounded, as the Chopping Board Type 2 fired on Issei once more.
The reason for this, was because Ddraig had this crazy idea of having them learn how to dodge bullets. Why? Just in case…
"DDRAIG! WHAT THE HECK!" Issei cried out in shock and outrage.
[Alright, Phoebe. You may cease fire] Ddraig ordered the A. I.
{Yes, I understand. Ceasing fire} Phoebe announced, as the miniature chopper ceased shooting.
Matsuda and Motohama shuddered in fear at what they saw.
"Ddraig… do we really have to do this?" Motohama asked, as he felt the chill of fear down his spine.
"Yeah, and why use Phoebe? Better question, how did you get her to obey you?" Matsuda asked with concern at Phoebe's cooperation with his A. I.
[To the first question: There is no better way to learn how to dodge bullets than through her. None of us have a gun and while supernatural foes normally don't use guns, there are many others who do. Thus, it is useful to learn how to deal with them. As I like to say, if you can dodge a bullet, you can also dodge magic projectiles, blasts, orbs and beams] Ddraig answered Matsuda.
Everyone nodded in understanding. OK, makes sense…
"And… the second question…?" Matsuda asked again.
[Oh that? I just have my ways…] Ddraig simply answered.
""THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING!"" Matsuda and Motohama yelled in unison.
Issei got off the ground and dusted the grass off his clothes.
"Hey, you all right?" Ryuga went up to Issei to check on him.
"Yeah… I'm fine…" Issei said, as he let out an exhausted sigh.
Ryuga turned his face down to Issei's Boosted Gear and said, "Hey, Ddraig. If these three are going to learn dodging, can you let me do it? I think I could do a better job at it."
[What's wrong with my way of teaching?] Ddraig asked offended.
"All you're doing is making them dodge anyway and anyhow without showing them how to do it smartly. Here's what I propose…" Ryuga explained his ideas for the exercise and after a few minutes, the exercise was set up accordingly.
Issei was now standing in front of a hovering Chopping Board Type 2 with turrets ready to shoot – at close range at a distance of less than a meter.
That did not assuage Issei's nerves, who was cowering in fear. Nor did it help relieve Matsuda and Motohama either, who were trembling for their turn.
"R-R-Ryuga… I thought we were not going to use the helicopter…" Issei stuttered while fearfully complaining to Ryuga.
"I never said that. I only suggested we do something different from what Ddraig had in mind. I don't have any problems using the helicopter to train you…" Ryuga replied nonchalantly, as if what they were doing was about as dangerous as throwing a dodgeball at someone.
'Ddraig and Ryuga are crazy… They've got to be!' Issei thought panicked.
After a few seconds of waiting Ryuga started the exercise. "OK. Let's start with some explanations. As you know, I've fought many foes. Martial artists, thugs, kidnappers, yandere girls, wrestling pigs and giant snapping turtles. So, trust me when I say that I know how to dodge a bullet."
"The first three things I can understand. But what is with the last three?" Matsuda looked at Motohama in confusion.
"I don't know. Maybe he just had… a really bad day?" Motohama answered Matsuda with an uncertain shrug.
'Somehow, I feel like there is a pretty long story behind the last three things…' Issei dropped a sweat from how awkward that sounded, his tension temporarily relieved.
"Obviously when dodging a bullet, it's next to impossible to dodge it at point blank," Ryuga continued, ignoring the commentary coming from the sidelines. "I tried doing so, and it hurt – badly. Which is why the only way to dodge a bullet, is to anticipate at what angle the bullet is coming from and when the trigger is pulled. Better yet, if you can stop the enemy from shooting altogether and disarm him, it's an even bigger win for you. So, let us begin with that first, before we start firing bullets. So, Matsuda. If you could call off Phoebe for now."
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama let out a collective sigh of relief. Thank goodness, they weren't going to face the bullets just yet…
Matsuda ordered Phoebe to stand down and the loyal chopper flew to Matsuda's side and landed next to him.
Ryuga came and stood face to face of Issei in order to give a demonstration.
"Normally, bullets come from far away, but today I want to show you how to deal with a guy with a gun held at you at close range. Issei? Pretend like you're holding a gun. This is what you do…"
Flashback end: 23rd of September, Monday, 7:20 pm – out in the streets, Nerima
Isse made his first move, as Ryuga's instructions resounded, as though he was helping him on the scene.
None of the men saw it coming, as they were caught off guard as Issei moved forward, keeping his head down to avoid the gun's aim and into the Stray Exorcist's immediate proximity.
"First, when you move forward to grab the gun, make sure that the gun isn't pointed at any part of your body. Keep your body as low as possible or move sideways, while moving forward – whichever you can do best. Normally, in a hold-up, the best way to do this kind of move is when the opponent is distracted. It may be for just a second, but that is more than enough."
"What the…!" the Stray Exorcist exclaimed in shock, as Issei seized his arms from below, starting what in a normal situation be a prolonged struggle for control. The exorcist tried to regain control of the situation and used his strength as the older stronger man to get Issei off him.
"Hey!" shouted the man with the sword holding Kasumi and rushed to help his comrade, while the other man with the whip, named Joseph, stayed with Kasumi.
"Ddraig!" Issei called out and with a green flash, the Boosted Gear appeared, causing both the man with the gun and the man with the sword to flinch from the brightness.
[Boost!] Issei's power doubled.
"Next, you and your opponent will engage in a struggle of some sort, whether it be to restrain the other, getting the gun or even both. In a life-or-death situation where every second matters, you want to finish this quickly. That's why I suggest that you not merely wrestle with your opponent, but also punch him or kick him. Heck, even headbutting works. The goal is to catch the enemy by surprise in a hand-to-hand combat."
Issei used the moment of surprise and increase in power to throw a karate chop to the man's throat with his gauntleted arm, making him fall backwards and gasping for breath in pain. The man dropped his sawn-off shot gun, which Issei kicked away backwards so that it skidded under the bench he was previously sitting on (that was to make sure the gun was out of reach).
"WHAT!?" the man with the sword yelled in surprise upon seeing Issei's Boosted Gear. It seemed like he wasn't expecting Issei to be a Sacred Gear user.
Issei rushed to take the Stray Exorcist on ready to fight. The man reacted quickly enough to swing his sword sideways. Issei jumped back just in time to avoid the slash. The perverted Stray Exorcist readied for a downward slash, which was a bad move.
For Issei blocked the sword attack with his Boosted Gear.
[Boost!] Issei's power doubled again.
The swordsman lashed out with a kick, partially catching Issei off guard. The kick hurt his stomach, but Issei endured it. Issei caught the man's leg with his right arm and started swinging him by using his enhanced strength.
"WHOAWHOAWHAAAAA!" the swordsman screamed, as he was tossed to his colleague, smashing into his colleague's face headfirst. The swordsman fell to the ground unconscious, but the man with the whip wasn't, yet he was clutching his bleeding nose in pain.
Kasumi used this moment to get away from the fight.
Seeing her run, Issei was relieved that she alright (physically at least).
However, she had been violated… And the ones who were responsible for it…
Issei glared at the injured conscious opponent with a cold stare.
The Stray Exorcist looked back in fright. He reached for his whip and lashed it out at Issei, hoping to deter him.
To his horror, Issei caught the whip with his Boosted Gear, the whip wrapping itself around Issei's arm. Normally, it would be to Issei's disadvantage because in theory, his opponent would yank Issei to him with his superior strength.
But Issei had much more power thanks to the Boosted Gear and suddenly pulled the man up and towards him. The perverted Stray Exorcist named Joseph practically flew towards him and…
[BAM!]
…was promptly knocked out cold by Issei's fist.
Issei gave one last glare at his opponent before turning his attention elsewhere.
Granted, he may have been a pervert and thus not really in a position to judge both the man with the whip and the man with the sword for ogling Kasumi. But… being rapists who practiced human trafficking and prostitution? Even Issei had standards… and what those men did was clearly wrong.
With that said, Issei needed to do two more things here.
"Make sure that before you declare victory you do two things. One, is to make sure the gun is secured. Two, make sure your enemy won't threaten you again or won't get backup."
Issei briskly walked over to the opponent with the gun. The man was getting up after getting karate-chopped by Issei and just as he was about to stand…
"HRGH!"
…the man was yanked up by the hair, courtesy of Issei.
"Please! Don't!" the previously gun-wielding exorcist begged Issei.
"Hey, what's your name?" Issei asked coldly.
The man looked confused for a moment, but decided to go along with it.
"Edwin! My name is Edwin Egbert! Are you going to let me go!?" the man cried hysterically, his tears welling up in his eyes out of fear, while hoping for mercy.
But Issei would give him none.
"Did you let me or Tengu-san go, scum…?" Issei asked coldly, to the man's horror.
[SMASH!]
The man's nose broke upon impact by Issei's gauntlet. The Stray Exorcist fell down face-first with a thud and a bleeding nose to the ground.
Issei looked at his downed opponent. He wasn't going to move for the time being… and neither were any of his buddies… Issei glanced at the gun and wondered whether he should take it…
In the end, Issei did not. He did not know how to use it. But still, he went and pulled out from under the bench. He held it tightly in his hand with the Boosted Gear…
[CRACK!]
…and broke it, its components breaking into many pieces. Issei did that to make sure it won't be used against them in case those men woke up.
Issei was thankful for Ryuga for training him. He really was a good trainer. Issei knew including him as their instructor was worth it. Who knows what he would have done without his advice? Probably, to dodge bullets and learn as he went along like Ddraig had intended (something that still caused shivers to go down Issei's spine) …
Anyway…
Now that that was over with… Issei looked around to look for Kasumi… Where was she?
[Partner, she must have run away] Ddraig spoke up.
Issei clicked his tongue. Figures… She got involved in the Supernatural World and the world of crime with no intention to be in it or preparation for it. It was normal to be afraid. But given the fact that there were multiple pursuers, including two Fallen Angels, after them, he needed to hurry.
Issei used his dragonized nose to trace her location. It was a good thing he memorized her scent beforehand. Issei ran down the road and down to the left, hoping to get to her before anybody else could.
What Issei failed to notice, was that just five minutes after his departure, five more Stray Exorcists came to the area and saw the pathetic sight.
"Look! It's Joseph, Arnold and Edwin!" one of the Stray Exorcists cried out, while pointing at the unconscious men in question.
The five Stray Exorcists ran to check up on them. The three men were injured and unconscious. They would recover but for now, they were out of the count and would not get up until tomorrow at earliest.
"Who do you think could have done this?" one of the men asked.
"I don't know. But if I were to bet 200 yen on it, I would say that it was the intruder's doing…" mused another Stray Exorcist.
His comrades gave him a confused look.
"Why 200 yen? Are you trying to get a quick buck or something?" asked a third man.
"Hey, it's not like we get much anyway. Might as well make the most out of it!" the second man reasoned nonchalantly.
The others just shook their heads, but spoke no more of the matter.
"Whatever the case, Yuda is pissed off. He wants that Kasumi chick back pronto. And whether it was her or someone else who took down our guys, either way it means that we have to take serious countermeasures to get her back…" said a fourth Stray Exorcist ominously.
It was then that all of them raised their arms in front of them in unison. Five flashes of light came forth and suddenly Sacred Gears appeared on their arms.
"I always knew that relying on handheld weapons alone sucked…" a fifth one said dryly.
They all marched forwards as one…
23rd of September, Monday, 7:28 pm – out in the streets, Nerima
"Kasumi-san!" Issei called out, while running.
He had been looking for the brunette for a few minutes already and could not find her. A part of him hoped that she made it home safely, but another part of him told him that that's wishful thinking.
He came to a junction and looked left and right to find her. He spotted Kasumi at the distance, leaning against a building and catching her breath. Issei sighed in relief and went up to her. He looked left and right to see if any cars were coming his way. He crossed over upon seeing that there were none.
'Come to think of it,' Issei realized. 'Why are there no cars on the street anyway? It's not that late in the night, so how come there none? Even funnier is the fact there seem to be no pedestrians either. Where is everybody?'
It was bizarre, even unsettling. It was as if the rapture had come to take all human life away to kingdom come.
But Issei had other things to worry about. He put these thoughts aside for a moment and focused on the mission before him.
Upon reaching Kasumi, Issei noticed that not only was she tired, as indicated by her heavy breathing, but also shocked. Her wide-opened eyes gave that impression. She did get raped and threatened by those thugs after all… Heck, maybe even the violence she saw him dish out on them played a role. It was only normal for her to be shocked after experiencing these sorts of things.
Issei slowed down and approached her cautiously. He stood there for a while, unsure on how to approach or address her. He then decided to address her cautiously.
"Tengu-san?" Issei asked.
To his shock, Kasumi whirled around in fright, her terrified face meeting his.
Issei instinctively raised his hands up to calm her down.
"Easy! Easy! I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not like those other guys," Issei said quickly.
Thankfully, Kasumi calmed down and relaxed. However, now she fell on her knees on the stone-cold pavement and cried.
Issei became worried and sought to comfort her.
"Hey, hey… It's going to be all right…" Issei tried his best to assure her, but to no avail.
"Why…? Why is this happening to me…? *sob*" the light-haired brunette wept.
"Huh?" Issei voiced out in confusion, before Kasumi continued her lament.
"All I ever wanted was to find a man who would love me… *sob* Someone who would whisk me away from the family dojo and my father's failure to take care of our family. Father always spoke about honor and duty, but he never practiced it… *sniff* I did everything to keep our family running ever since mother died… playing the ideal housewife for everyone for so many years… *sob* I sacrificed so much just to maintain the Tengu family honor… *sniff* And what does father do in return? No-nothing… *sob* When I met Yona, I felt… *sniff* felt happiness… happiness that I had forgotten so long ago… We went on dates; we shared our dreams… I… I loved being with him… *sob* I… really wanted to share the rest of my life with him… I even was willing to leave everything behind just for Yona… And the one time I managed to say no to father and leave… Yona betrays me… *sob* *sniff*" Kasumi let it out, while sobbing and wailing.
Issei didn't know what to say. At the same time, he had the feeling that all the sadness she was letting out, might tell him more about what he needed to know about this Fallen Angel named Yona, so he let her speak.
"And for what…? Just so that he could use me as a prostitute… *sob* *sniff* Have all these disgusting men fondle me for money… *sniff* And all… because I wanted to pursue my dreams… *sob*" Kasumi wailed in despair at all the misery that had built up in her life.
Issei sighed sadly. He handed her a tissue from his pocket, which she took and blew her nose with it.
It seemed like he wouldn't be able to find out about Yona like this. Hearing her story, he knew he was a jerk and all, but nothing much about his identity. But he did have other questions for.
"Tengu-san. I understand your pain, I really do. But you must tell me. Is Yona the only Fallen Angel you know?" Issei asked her upfront.
Kasumi stopped sobbing and looked at Issei with a confused look.
"Fallen… Angels?" Kasumi asked, seemingly unsure about Issei was talking about.
"So, you didn't know he was one?" Issei asked her.
Kasumi shook her head, while wiping her tears away.
Issei was about to tell her about what Fallen Angels were until Ddraig stopped him from doing so.
[Partner. Telling her about Fallen Angels and their backstory now would take too long. Ask her instead about Yuda's accomplices] Ddraig advised his host.
Issei nodded internally and repeated the question to Kasumi.
"His… accomplices? I don't know any of the people he knows really… although wait…" Kasumi paused to think.
Issei gave her a strange look. "What is it?"
"I… do remember seeing a girl hugging Yona the other day… I saw them at the place where Yona and I were supposed to meet up for a date… she and Yona seemed awfully familiar with each other, but I don't know if she and Yona were in that kind of relationship," Kasumi told Issei in a subdued voice.
'OK… This seems to go somewhere…' Issei thought, before asking Kasumi the next question. "What else do you know about her?"
"She was blonde and short… wore a nice red coat… and had twin-tails… she even had this voice of an energetic girl, though she also seemed quite seductive in how she spoke… I… managed to get close enough… listen in on what they were saying… they didn't notice me though… I heard Yona call her Yuki… they were talking about… achieving goals of some kind… mentioned the names of people I didn't know… I even forgot those names, too… They also said something about… 'the Grigori'…" Kasumi described as best as she could.
For Issei, hearing the name and the description of the girl was more than enough to widen his eyes in shock. He never saw her, but he realized that he had encountered her before. Back at the factory in that corridor, he heard her girly voice along with that of the Fallen Angel named Yuda.
No doubt about it. She was a Fallen Angel or at least a close associate of the Grigori. Kasumi's words were proof enough. Though, hold on…
Something didn't add up…
"Say, Tengu-san? Have you heard of…? No wait, let me rephrase that… Do you know someone by the name of Yuda?" Issei asked Kasumi.
Kasumi shook her head at first, but then froze in shock when she remembered something. Something from that day when she saw Yona and Yuki together right before Yuki departed.
"I love you, Yuda-kun!"
Issei noticed how shocked she looked and addressed her.
"Tengu-san? Is something wrong?" Issei asked her.
"She called him… Yuda…" Kasumi whispered quietly.
"Huh? Who?" Issei asked again.
"That girl. She called Yona by that name… Yuda…" Kasumi said a bit louder.
"What!?" Issei voiced in shock.
"She said she loved him… I couldn't believe it… I… thought she was just fooling around… but now when I think about it… I…" Kasumi started to laugh bitterly. "I was so stupid… All the signs were there… our relationship was based on a lie and yet… I tried to deny it… I was so…"
Kasumi started to cry again. Issei gave her another tissue, which she accepted. While she wiped her tears and cleaned her nose, Issei was having a conversation with Ddraig.
'What do you think Ddraig?' Issei asked his partner internally. Issei had some thoughts about what Kasumi revealed to him, but wanted Ddraig's opinion on it.
[There is no doubt about it. That boyfriend of hers named Yona and the Fallen Angel Yuda are one and the same person] Ddraig concluded.
'Yeah, but why?' Issei wondered.
[Sometimes Fallen Angels take aliases to hide their identity. They use fake names to blend themselves in human society] Ddraig explained to him.
'Just like Souna-kaichou and Gremory-senpai did, right?' Issei asked.
[Exactly] Ddraig confirmed.
'But there's something I don't get. Why would Fallen Angels go out of their way just to turn women into prostitutes?' Issei asked.
[Fallen Angels are creatures of desire. They would want it to gather men and women together for their sexual fantasies. Who knows? Maybe they even want to make a profit out of it, too] Ddraig guessed.
Issei nodded and exhaled. These Fallen Angels… despicable creatures… By the way Ddraig was describing them, they seemed quite horny, too. Had he not known of this matter; he would have been glad to get to know them up close and check the boob sizes of Female ones or something.
But Issei was no fool. A pretty girl with a nice face and boobs doing these kinds of vile things was still a villain. They had to be dealt with, no matter how hot she was.
Looking around him, Issei remembered that he had another question for Ddraig.
'Ddraig? Something feels off. Ever since we got out of that warehouse, I could not help but notice the lack of people and cars…' Issei told Ddraig, simultaneously looking in all directions.
[I understand where you getting at, Partner] Ddraig replied. [I never thought that they would use something like that here.]
'Use what here?' Issei asked.
[Partner, you must be very careful – and quiet. The Fallen Angels and Stray Exorcists have cast a powerful barrier over this place. This barrier specializes in keeping people out. It's a rather costly in term of magic usage, especially over an area as big as this, yet an effective tool to trap people in and isolate them] Ddraig explained cautiously.
'And people don't notice this?' Issei wondered with some fascination.
[The barrier has illusionary powers that influences all that come near it from the outside. Ordinary people would unconsciously turn away and fail to notice the barrier, unless they focus hard and strong or they have supernatural sensing skills. It's a effective to keep most ordinary humans away, which is why it so useful] Ddraig explained.
'What do I do?' Issei asked with a bit of worry.
[Take Kasumi and find the edge of the barrier. Once you get there, you can blast your way out of there. But be careful of the Fallen Angels and Stray Exorcists. They should be in here searching for you as we spea-] Ddraig interrupted his explanation when both he and Issei sensed something. [Partner! I sense something flying overhead! Hide!]
Issei ran to Kasumi and grabbed Kasumi's arm.
"Wha…?" she yelped.
"No time! Quick now!" Issei urged her.
He led her into a small alleyway just around the corner. Once he got there, he and Kasumi hid behind a trash container and ducked.
The sound of rushing overhead could be heard and then the silhouette of two humanoid beings flying just above them.
Kasumi and Issei flinched at the sight. Kasumi was frightened of the shadows in the sky, while Issei narrowed his eyes.
No doubt. That had to be the two Fallen Angels from earlier.
This was going to be harder than he expected…
Issei went out of hiding and went back towards the street. He looked left and right to see if the coast was clear. It was.
"This way. Tengu-san. I'll take you home," Issei said to the frightened young woman.
"Home!?" Kasumi voiced in surprise. "Why should I go back there?"
"What do you mean?" Issei asked confused at Kasumi's outburst.
"I told you, didn't I? I left that house because I couldn't stand it. I'm tired of being treated like a housemaid. I'm tired of not being able to live my own life and make my own choices. If you could let me stay at your place it's fine, but…" Kasumi argued, but fell awkwardly silent towards the end.
"What!?" Issei almost shouted, remembering just in time to keep his voice down and whisper. "First off, keep quiet. You don't know if those men can hear us. Two, living at my place? I mean… it wouldn't be too bad, but… don't you have any friends you hang out with whom you can crash in with?"
Kasumi looked down sadly. "I… haven't had much contact with them in years since leaving school…"
Issei raised his eyebrows at that. "How long ago was that?" he asked.
Kasumi was silent. She hesitated to answer the question for a moment. And then she did.
"Three years…" Kasumi said while looking away.
Issei widened his eyes.
'Three years? She was basically friendless for three years!?' Issei thought incredulously.
"It's… not like I don't have any friends," Kasumi tried to clarify hastily. "There are my sisters and Sanma… and I get along with their friends, too. I also know this wonderful doctor who takes care of the people in the neighborhood… but aside from my sisters and Sanma, I'm not very close to anyone outside the house…"
Her mood fell once more.
"…and that's why you were thinking of crashing out at my place?" Issei asked Kasumi.
"Yes, I… I promise I won't stay long. I'll even make sure to make myself useful. I can cook, I can clean, go shop for essentials… anything… I can even get a part-time job, too…" Kasumi tried to convince Issei of her capabilities, but Issei paid her no heed.
As Kasumi spoke on about her capabilities, Issei was feeling strangely happy after hearing all these things. Currently, he was even having weird fantasies about Kasumi wearing an apron, doing all the housework for him and his buddies. He was imagining him coming home from school, greeted by Kasumi saying the generic "Do you want a bath, dinner or me" greeting and giving him a kiss on the cheek. Then they would make love on the bed, while Issei fondles her nice boobs…
Issei was starting to drool… but then he realized that in such a situation… Matsuda and Motohama would want a piece of the action, too… he could just think of all the fights he would be getting into…
Oh, well! It's not like it was a situation he couldn't manage…
But then something else came to mind.
What if Masumi's father came in, demanding that his eldest daughter come back to him? What if her sisters did the same? What about Sanma, too? Issei would never hear the end of it. It would be way too much stress for him.
And for what? Because of a family dispute that didn't involve him? Was Issei really willing to interfere in a family rift between Kasumi and the others?
No, the question should be formulated differently.
"Do you really want to end things between you and your family this way…?" Issei mumbled to himself.
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kasumi asked Issei, stopping her monologue, which caught Issei by surprise.
"Oh, umm… no… ahahaha…" Issei laughed nervously, before he inhaled and exhaled with a deep breath. Then he mustered his courage to speak. "Actually, there is something I need to ask."
"Umm… what is it?" Kasumi asked.
"Are you… really willing to end things with your family like this?" Issei asked her seriously.
Kasumi looked at Issei in surprise. Then she frowned a bit.
"What do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.
"I mean… they are your family, aren't they? Isn't it normal for a family to have arguments and then make up?" Issei asked of her.
Kasumi did not like where this was heading.
"I told you. I don't want to go back," Kasumi declared with more force. "I'm tired of being used as a housemaid with no-"
"I heard you!" Issei interrupted her in a tone louder than he intended to take. "And I understand you. But I don't think crashing into my house – or anyone's house for that matter – will solve your problems. Not this way."
"Oh? And why?" Kasumi challenged Issei and put her hands on her hips.
By now, both Issei and Kasumi forgot about the precarious situation they were in and engrossed themselves in a tense conversation.
"For one, you crashing in my house would cause… too many complications…" Issei started off.
"And what might those be?" Kasumi asked again.
"It's too complicated!" Issei blurted out, not wanting to reveal his sexual fantasy scenario and the problems that could arise in such a scenario. "The point is, it's impossible. It would case me and my housemates a lot of problems – and you, too!"
"Well, then tell your parents to…" Kasumi started to argue.
"My parents are dead!" Issei angrily shouted back at her.
There was silence between the two of them. Issei widened his eyes in surprise at how loud he was. Kasumi widened her eyes in shock and disbelief at what she just heard.
Embarrassed, Issei averted his eyes from looking at her face. He never thought he would have to say something like that to a complete stranger and yet he did – out of frustration no less.
After a few seconds, Issei glanced back and caught a glimpse of Kasumi staring at him in shock.
Issei quickly turned away again. Why did he have to yell at her like that? And about that no less? Issei's shoulders slumped upon remembering his parents. He still missed them. If he had the opportunity, he would do anything to get them back.
But he can't.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" Issei heard Kasumi apologize from behind him.
Issei looked back at her. Kasumi's eyes were reflecting shame. She really didn't mean to offend him like that.
Issei sighed and went towards her. He stood right in front of her face to face.
Kasumi blushed at how close Issei was to her. She now realized that she was only a bit shorter than Issei was. But she also noticed that Issei was looking at her seriously. He wasn't angry, just… serious.
"I understand. I accept your apology, but… let me say this…" Issei started to speak.
Kasumi nodded and after a moment, Issei had this to say.
"The reason why I said that you shouldn't end things with your family just like that is… because your family still cares for you… and you should never take things for granted. I don't know if I could ever understand about your family situation. Maybe, you are right. Maybe it is stifling. Maybe your dad does keep you as a housewife for your late mom. Yet… for me at least, it's better to have a family like that than to have no one…" Issei told her somberly.
Kasumi remained silent, though she turned her face away ashamed.
"Never take your family for granted – especially when you can still talk things out with them. As I have said before, I can't take you in. The best thing to do – and I don't like saying it – is to return home," Issei finished speaking to Kasumi.
For a long time, nobody said a word. Both of them stood there in silence.
It was Kasumi, who broke the silence.
"How did they… pass away, if I may ask?"
"A criminal with a gun killed them – on the same night," Issei said, his eyes showing much sadness.
"I'm sorry…" Kasumi said in consolation.
"It's OK… if I can help many people like yourself from trouble and tragedy…" Issei said, as he gave her a cheerful toothy smile. "…maybe… just maybe… my situation would have been worth it…"
Kasumi smiled in return. "You're a nice person. You know that?"
"Thanks…" Issei said appreciatively.
It was as if something had changed. Even though, the weather was still cool, dark and cloudy and the streets desolate and haunted, for Issei and Kasumi, it felt much brighter and warmer.
"Let's go…" Kasumi said quietly and took her first steps out of the alleyway.
Issei nodded and followed quietly.
But then suddenly, Issei sensed something – something dangerous!
"There they are!"
"DIE!"
He saw several blurs coming at him from all sides! Kasumi screamed and Issei jumped in front of her and…
[Boost!] The Boosted Gear rang.
[CLANG!] The clashing of two swords hit Issei's Boosted Gear first.
Issei saw that they were wielded by two Stray Exorcists with evil grins.
But that wasn't all. Three more Stray Exorcists came from the side and were going to run Issei through.
"Dang it!" Issei cursed, as the other two Exorcists swung their swords at him again.
He moved backwards and narrowly avoided the five sword strikes, which all met each other.
[CLANG!] the swords' metallic sounds resounded.
Issei instinctively grabbed Kasumi, threw her over his shoulder like a bag of rice and…
[Boost!]
…hightails out of here with the speed of the wind!
Meanwhile, the other five Exorcists were disputing amongst themselves with their swords still crossed with each other.
"Hey! Watch it!" said one of the five.
"You watch it! You almost killed me!" said the man opposite him.
"What was that? How could dodge our attacks?" asked another one about Issei's speedy reflexes.
"Must be his Sacred Gear. It must be quite a good one, if he could pull off something like that," a fourth one mused.
"What are you idiots doing! After them!" a fifth one shouted and pointed in the direction Issei fled.
23rd of September, Monday, 7:46 pm – with Issei just the road ahead, Nerima
"How could I have been so stupid? I was so engrossed in conversation back there that I forgot we're in a life-and-death situation…" Issei cursed, as he ran with Kasumi over his shoulders.
At the same time, Issei had to blush and drool when he realized that Kasumi's butt felt… rather nice and soft…
"Wha- What are you doing!" Kasumi demanded from Issei, clearly not feeling comfortable being touched by a stranger.
"We're getting away from our pursuers! Too many of them to fight all at once! We'll find a way to get out of this barrier and get you back home!" Issei hastily explained.
"Barrier? What do you mea-?" Kasumi asked, but was interrupted by voices coming from behind them.
"After them!" "Get the girl! Kill that jerk!" the Stray Exorcists shouted from behind them.
"Crap baskets!" Issei cursed and picked up speed.
[Partner! I sense a doubling of power from behind them! Be careful] Ddraig warned Issei.
"A doubling of power?" Issei repeated confused.
He looked behind him and saw the Stray Exorcists speeding towards him.
"WHAT!?" Issei yelped with widened eyes upon seeing them pick up speed.
[Partner! Look at the gauntlets on their arms!] Ddraig pointed out.
Issei looked and indeed there were red gauntlets.
Wait. Red gauntlets? Could it be…?
[You need not worry, Partner. These are only the Sacred Gears Twice Criticals. Unlike the Boosted Gear, they only allow their users to boost their power up by two times. They cannot boost themselves infinitely. Thus, they are not your match] Ddraig assured his host.
Issei almost sighed in relief, if it wasn't for the fact that he was still being chased with a beauty on him.
Thankfully, he had a solution for this…
[Boost!]
…run even faster!
"DAMN YOU!" "HE'S GETTING AWAY!" the fading yells of his pursuers were heard behind them.
Issei smirked. Ddraig was right. These Twice Critical users weren't his match after all.
Just when he thought the worst part was over…
[Partner! I can sense the Fallen Angels up ahead! Turn to the left!] Ddraig told him.
Issei looked left and saw an empty alleyway. He didn't bother to question Ddraig, since he trusted him to tell the truth in serious situations and turned left.
[Get over the fence and inside that storage!] Ddraig commanded.
Issei leapt over the fence with Kasumi over his shoulders. He landed on his feet with Kasumi yelping and ran into the semi-opened storage. Judging by the "Bonsai Mart" sign he saw just now, this area had to belong to a supermarket or something like that. Issei didn't know whether it was out of forgetfulness or something else, but whatever the reason, both of them could rush into it…
23rd of September, Monday, 7:48 pm – inside the Bonsai Mart storage, Nerima
Issei and Kasumi were resting behind some boxes and catching their breath. The storage was a huge room, similar in size to the one where the Stray Exorcists had made their lair. The only differences were that there were boxes and crates full of food and drink and that this was not a criminal hideout.
"Tengu-san. Are you alright?" Issei asked of her.
Kasumi put a hand to her forehead.
"I'm fine, just… a bit dizzy…" she replied.
"That's good to know," Issei answered with a smile.
After a minute or so, Kasumi asked a question.
"Why did you bring me in here?" Kasumi asked.
"I… had a hunch… I figured it would be best to hide out somewhere where those thugs couldn't pursue us. Then we can leave once the coast is clear," Issei answered and took the initiative to peer over the boxes.
Good. None of them here or anywhere near here. They probably ran straight forward, not thinking that he would…
"Are you positive they went in here?" a voice suddenly came from outside the storage room.
"Absolutely. Yuda-sama sensed their presence nearby here. It could have been here or elsewhere, but it's best if we check here first. We should split up and search the area," said another.
Issei saw the five men from earlier enter the big store room. Issei quickly ducked down.
"Crap! They know we're here!" Issei whispered to Kasumi.
"Wh-what should we do?" Kasumi spoke fearfully.
Issei was silent. He cautiously peered over the boxes. The five crooks were moving around and searching for them.
The situation was not looking good. At this rate, they would be found within a matter of time. Issei had to do something. There had to be a door leading to the store somewhere…
He found it! But it was blocked off by a Stray Exorcist, looking nearby.
How was he going to get out of this? Issei pondered hard about it and then… he had a plan.
"Tengu-san. I need you to keep hidden as good as possible," Issei told her.
"Hm?" Kasumi wondered about what he was saying when Issei pointed at a certain area near the wall, covered well with some big and small crates.
"Hide there and don't make a sound. OK?" Issei instructed her.
"OK… But what about you?" Kasumi whispered with worry.
"Don't worry about me. I'll take them out. Until then. Stay hidden, no matter what. Also, if I go down, try to find a way out for yourself," Issei told her, before he headed out.
'Trying to get to the door at the other end of the storage is plain suicide. They'll see me and alert those Fallen Angels nearby. I need to take out those thugs quietly, before I can escape. Any suspicious noises and it's all over…' Issei thought.
He then activated his watch and summoned his special glasses.
'Haven't used you in a while… Now, let's switch to thermal mode…' Issei adjusted his glasses and was now able to see the heat signatures of his enemies, no matter where they were.
The first one was approaching his position on the other side of the row of boxes, he was hiding behind.
Issei had to wait patiently… Wait for it… the guy is walking towards Issei's side of the row and was just around the corner…
"MPFH!" the sound of muffling came from the Stray Exorcist the moment Issei seized him from behind and strangled him into unconsciousness.
The man dropped almost lifelessly to the floor. Issei felt really bad for doing this and hoped he wasn't dead. However, this man was a thug who was willing to kill Issei and make Kasumi's life a living hell. He got what was coming to him and thus Issei could not afford to spare any pity towards the man.
To the next one…
The next closest man was on the other side of the row just a good distance off. Issei needed to the other side of the boxes and take him out.
Thankfully, nobody was aware that their comrade was knocked out by Issei.
Issei snuck past the second man, keeping himself hidden by the rows of boxes, as the man walked the opposite direction. Issei stealthily climbed over the boxes and snuck towards the man quietly before making the kill.
"MPFH!" Again, the same procedure. The man was seized from behind, prevented from making any noises and strangled into unconsciousness. This time, Issei had to make sure that nobody would notice the second man by dragging him to where nobody would find him.
Issei found a niche between three boxes nearby where the man could be hidden from his comrades. Issei left him there propped up and went to look for the next kill.
Three more left…
Issei turned around and realized in the nick of time that the third one was coming just around the corner.
Issei used the opportunity to ambush the Stray Exorcist. The latter did not see it coming, as he too was grabbed in a chokehold from behind and a hand over his mouth, before falling down unconscious.
Two more…
"Hey! Any sign of them?" One of the two remaining Stray Exorcists calling out to his comrades in the hope that they could hear them.
"Nope! No sign! Keep looking!" the other man answered back.
That almost gave Issei a heart attack. For a second, he thought he was caught. Thankfully, this wasn't so. Issei would make sure of that…
Issei walked a bit faster. He was getting used to sneaking now, making sure his footsteps wouldn't be heard… He went around boxes and crates and waited for the fourth man to come near his position.
"Wh- Hmph! Hrm!" the man muffled, as Issei took him out of commission, too.
One more left…
Issei decided to try something different this time.
Issei took off the Stray Exorcist's cloak and put it on.
He walked towards the last man and made sure his face stayed hidden under the hood.
His plan succeeded for the fifth man thought Issei was his comrade and walked up to him.
"What gi- HMPH!" the man was silenced by Issei's quick silencing method, which is the same method he used for all the other Stray Exorcists.
All were down…
Issei sighed in relief. Now, all the thugs were down. He could now get Kasumi and…
But then Issei's heat signature mode caught something that he almost overlooked.
More Stray Exorcists. And it looks like, they were waiting outside the storage grounds. Some of them even had guns!
Issei clicked his tongue. Going back the way they came in definitely won't work. They had to go out through the store itself.
"Tengu-san!" Issei called out quietly.
Kasumi came out of hiding and gasped in shock upon seeing Issei. Issei quickly raised a hand up.
"Easy! It's me!" Issei called out to her and took off his special glasses and the cloak. "I merely used it as a disguise. Anyway, let's get out of here!"
Kasumi nodded and followed Issei to the door. That was when they came across another problem.
"Drat!" Issei cursed.
"What's wrong?" Kasumi asked concerned.
"The door is locked. I can't open it and it's the only way out of here without getting caught," Issei explained with an undertone betraying worry.
"Why don't we go out the way we came?" Kasumi asked, looking towards the entrance.
"There are more men over there. Who knows how many?" Issei said.
Issei rattled at the doorknob some more, hoping in vain to open it. No use.
However, there was something about that door that could help them. It had a glass window and that was the key out of here.
"Tengu-san, I have an idea," Issei said to Kasumi.
"What is it?" Kasumi asked.
Issei didn't say his plan, instead he shattered the window with the Boosted Gear carefully, hoping that none of the thugs outside heard it.
However, that was too good to be true.
"Hey! What was that?"
"Did any of those bozos do something?"
Issei looked behind him and then to Kasumi.
"Quick! Get through the window!" Issei urged her.
"What?" Kasumi voiced confused.
Issei started to get panicky at the approaching threat from outside and Kasumi's indecisiveness. He needed to act fast.
Within three seconds, he climbed through the window, fell down on the other side of the door with a thud (it was miracle, he did not cut himself on the fallen glass) and scrambled back up.
Issei reached with his hands through the window.
"Tengu-san! Grab on!" Issei told her, seeing the men now in the courtyard and getting closer to the storage entrance.
Kasumi looked back, then clasped Issei's hands. She blushed for a moment, only to then yelp as Issei yanked her through the window. In what seemed to be a miracle, Issei quickly caught her after dragging her halfway through the window before she fell on the glass on the floor.
For a second, Issei felt her nice cleavage on his face and felt like he was in heaven.
'Concentrate, Issei. You don't have time for this…' Issei thought to himself.
He half-carried half-dragged Kasumi away from the door and set her on her feet a few meters away.
"Come on! Let's go!" Issei gestured with his hand.
Kasumi recovered from her surprise and was running right behind him.
They came to what seemed to be aisles of sweets and bread. It seemed like they were into the store itself. They ran past the aisles and towards the exit.
There they saw a glass door, which Issei simply smashed through, shards of glass shattering everywhere.
Kasumi looked worried for a moment. "Umm… Is that really necessary?" she asked.
"I don't see any other way out. Besides, even if the police did catch us, it's still better than being caught by the Fallen Angels and those thugs, right?" Issei said to Kasumi.
Kasumi nodded, seeing his reasoning. She yelped, as Issei slung her over her shoulders and ran out of the store.
23rd of September, Monday, 7:53 pm – back inside the Bonsai Mart storage, Nerima
"Are you good for nothing failures good for anything!?" the Fallen Angel Yuda angrily demanded from one of his subordinates whom he held by the collar.
He and Yuki had just arrived at the warehouse after being informed by his Stray Exorcists about the whereabouts of Kasumi. At first, he was happy that his little bird had been caught.
Yuda and Yuki came as quickly as possible, only to find that not only was Kasumi absent, but that five of his men were knocked out. While some of the men took care of the injured, others looked around the storage room for Issei and Kasumi.
"Yuda-sama, please understand! From what I heard. the boy had a Sacred Gear – and a quite powerful one at that, too! We were taken by surprise! Please!" the subordinate begged his superior.
Thankfully, Yuda just threw him aside, causing the poor Stray Exorcist to crash and fall into some boxes.
"To think these Stray Exorcists would be such a colossal failure… Maybe we should have hired former professional soldiers instead…" Yuki mused with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Be quiet, Yuki," Yuda grumpily silenced Yuki. "They couldn't have gotten far..."
"Yuda-sama, you must come see this!" a Stray Exorcist called out to him.
"Hmm?" Yuda grunted and went over to the door leading to the shopping area where one of his subordinates was.
"Speak," Yuda ordered the man.
"Sir, I found the glass of the door broken and scattered on the floor in the other room," the man pointed out.
This piqued Yuda's interest. He checked and saw that it was indeed so.
"I see… Search this area," Yuda commanded his men, before destroying the door with a blast of fire.
He walked through and checked the store, Yuki and his men following right behind him.
That was when he saw a broken glass door.
"My sweet Kasumi… you won't get away… no matter where you run…" Yuda licked his lips.
23rd of September, Monday, 7:55 pm – a good distance away, Nerima
"Tell me something! How are you doing this?" Kasumi asked, while being carried by Issei, who was running at seemingly impossible speeds. She spoke loudly because the wind made it hard to hear each other.
"What do you mean?" Issei asked back.
"Running like this! That shouldn't be possible!" Kasumi answered.
"It's my Boosted Gear! Allows me to double my powers, including my running speed!" Issei answered.
'That and Ddraig made me run a sprint with this thing…' Issei thought, as he remembered those agonizing running sessions.
Sprinting was really tough. And with enhanced speed, he had to be careful not to trip over his feet or else, he would hurt himself (and that sucked!).
[I told you it was worth it!] Ddraig told Issei triumphantly.
'Yeah, yeah… whatever…' Issei dismissed Ddraig.
Issei ran straight ahead until…
"OOF!" "KYA!"
…Issei hit an invisible wall of some kind, causing him and Kasumi to fall backwards.
Issei rubbed his forehead in pain, while Kasumi scraped her arms a bit on the asphalt.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch…" Issei grunted in pain. "Are you all right?" he asked Kasumi.
"I'm fine, though I scraped my arms a bit… though it's nothing serious…" Kasumi answered, as she massaged her arms.
"Good…" Issei said and stood up. "Now, what the heck was that?"
[Partner, it has to be the barrier!] Ddraig said. [Destroy it with a Dragon Shot and it will be gone!]
"Good to know…" Issei smirked and started boosting.
[Before you start, Partner…] Ddraig spoke up, causing Issei to stop what he was doing and listen to what Ddraig had to say. […point the Boosted Gear upwards. That way, we will avoid civilian casualties.]
"Good point," Issei stated and went right to work. "Tengu-san, it's best if you stand back."
Kasumi nodded, stood up and moved away.
[Boost!]
Issei took a steady stance and took his aim.
[Boost!]
Issei's Boosted Gear charged more power.
Kasumi looked in awe, as Issei demonstrated his abilities.
[Boost!]
[Partner! Just one more!] Ddraig told him.
"Good!" Issei was readying himself…
[Boost!]
[Now!] Ddraig called out.
[Dragon Shot!]
The shot left Issei's arm and fired upwards. It impacted the shield. It resisted for a while, but then…
[Crack!] [KABOOM!]
…it shattered, causing the whole sky to seemingly crumble and wind to blow over Issei and Kasumi.
Kasumi and Issei closed their eyes and braced themselves and the wind blew strongly for a few seconds and then subsided.
They opened their eyes and saw that they were in the middle of the street, filled with people and cars. It felt surreal, since they weren't there just a moment ago.
"What? Where did…?" Kasumi looked around confused at the people around them.
"We were in a barrier and now I broke it, hence we are out. I'll explain it on the way…" Issei said to her and offered her a hand.
Kasumi nodded and accepted it.
It all felt surreal, not only because of the supernatural occurrences.
Just a few hours earlier, she was feeling angry and miserable because of her family situation, then sad and in despair because of Yona's betrayal and now… full of hope and optimism because of this young man.
Just who was he…?
"Is something wrong? You're not hurt, are you?" Issei asked of her.
"No, not at all… it's just… I don't know your name, that's all…" Kasumi said embarrassed.
Issei gave her a toothy grin. "I'm Issei Hide. Nice to meet you."
Kasumi smiled back and gave Issei a lovely expression that made his heart flutter.
"Kasumi Tengu. Pleased to meet you, too," she answered politely.
Issei and Kasumi looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity, not caring for the people and cars passing by until they felt like it.
"Let's bring you home," Issei said to her.
Kasumi nodded and followed him, still holding each other's hands.
Neither of them said a word, since it the atmosphere became rather awkward between them. But at the same time, they didn't let go of each other either.
It was funny… for Kasumi… the end of a relationship led to the start of what seemed to be another relationship…
23rd of September, Monday, 8:05 pm – somewhere over Nerima
"Curses! The barrier has been destroyed! How is that possible?" Yuda seethed in anger, as he and Yuki were flying over Nerima.
Ever since Issei broke the barrier that kept them all in, Yuda realized that his plan to capture Kasumi and her mysterious rescuer had failed. The previously desolate streets were now filled with people, which made it hard for Yuda to find her.
Things were not going well for him. If his colleagues found out about this, he would become a laughing stock in the Grigori.
"Calm down! We'll find her. We know where she lives, so we can go snag her," Yuki soothed her lover, pressing her boobs against his arm.
"It's not so simple. First of all, she has a bad relationship with her family and she told me that she had run away from home. She could be anywhere. Secondly, even if she was back at her house – and there is the likelihood that she is there – we can't just barge in there like that," Yuda explained angrily.
"Oh? How so?" Yuki asked and tilted her head.
"There are several martial artists in the Tengu dojo. I fought one such martial artist earlier today. He put up a good fight, but he was still easy to beat. But if there were several like him in there, it might be a problem," Yuda said grimly.
"Do you think he was the one who took that Kasumi girl?" Yuki asked again.
"No, he was badly injured," Yuda said, shaking his head. "And as far as I know, the Tengu family only has daughters. Our mysterious assailant is a boy, probably a family friend or something."
"Ooooh…" Yuki voiced with playful interest. "…sounds like a pretty interesting person to me. I can't wait to meet him."
"Indeed. I will head out to scout the Tengu dojo. Tell the men to get ready. We storm the place at 1 am," Yuda told Yuki.
"Yes, Yuda-kun…" Yuki said with a seductive smile and flew downwards.
Yuda remained in the sky, brooding over this mysterious nemesis who had defied the Grigori.
"You just wait, boy. Sacred Gear user or not, no one gets away from humiliating me…" Yuda muttered darkly and flew across Nerima.
And that was Chapter 32 of the Lone Vigilante Issei.
That really was a long one!
I wanted to focus on having Issei sneak into the villain's hideout, get Kasumi out and get her home all by himself (with support from Ddraig, but still!). But then I realized that Kasumi with her family problems would not go home so easily, so I had to create a conversation between Issei and Kasumi to give her a reason to home.
I also ended up creating a potential romance route between the two, which I didn't plan at first, but decided to go with it. They have pretty good chemistry here.
I also ended up throwing the combat scene and the predator scene in order to give Issei more of a challenge in how he fights his opponents with his inventory and skills. That, and I also wanted to delve a bit deeper into his training sessions and its results.
The next chapter will (hopefully) wrap up this particular arc and be released faster.
Finally, there is something I need to address.
There are some of you who said they wanted a crossover with another universe and our heroes to go there. Well, unfortunately I cannot do that, since it would complicate the story by too much.
However, this does give me an idea for future chapters to come. I already dealt with dimension travelling with the characters from Doki Doki Literature Club in this story, so why not with others?
As for what I have in store, well here is a sneak-peak.
23rd of September, Monday, 8:15 pm – back at the Bonsai Mart storage, Nerima
The inside of the storage had remained pretty much the same ever since Issei, Kasumi, the Stray Exorcists and Yuda had left the place. The only exception to it all were the boxes that had fallen down in a mess because of Yuda. Those were the same boxes he had shoved one of his subordinates into earlier.
As a result, the boxes were strewn on the floor in a disorderly fashion. One of them even broke during the fall and had spilled out its contents on the floor.
The owners were not going to be happy with this…
But what was also noticeable was that the broken box had the wrong address on it. It was not meant to be sent to the Bonsai Mart, but to someplace else. Moreover, the only content in it was a green oval egg. It was about as large as that of an ostrich. And most certainly did not look like the kind one would find in a supermarket.
Suddenly, the egg started to shake… then crack… then hatch!
Out of it came a mysterious green creature that resembled a jellyfish except with three red spherical innards. What's more, it seemed to float in the air and headed right out of the storage and into the wide-open world…
And that was the sneak-peak.
What did you think of this chapter? Did you like it? Please read and review. I would like to hear from you.
And I promise to work faster on my stories, if not then read my profile for updates.
And as always, I hope to see you next time.
Until then.
Hide Shinyama
