CHAPTER 28

Issei woke up from his night sleep, feeling a little sore due to his deadly spar with his two tenants.

A week went by since the events at the church.

Ever since then, things had been slow, Supernatural-wise. Even school-wise.

At his home, however, things were completely opposite.

Due to his own insistence, Asia and Raynare now lived under the same roof as himself and his parents, with both parties being more than happy at the arrangement, all for their own reasons.

Sona and Rias were in agreement of this arrangement, because, that way, they could keep a close eye on the female Fallen Angel, since the latter was rogue and, therefore, vulnerable to every other Supernatural being but themselves and Issei.

Akane was more than a little enthused by the prospect of having two 'daughters' to dote on, who could become real daughters-in-law and give her as many grandbabies to spoil as they could.

Issei didn't even attempt to break his mother from her daydream, being equal parts bewildered and amused by how fast she accepted two new people in their home. The same could be said for his father, who congratulated his son for starting his harem at such an early age, much to the latter's exasperation.

Funny thing, though, was that Asia was equally embarrassed and determined to become one of Issei's wives. Especially when his own mother suggest-no, demanded so.

Raynare's response was straight to the point. She agreed with his mother without a second thought or even a tiny spec of hesitation, which was followed by her eyeing him like a delectable piece of meat.

Ddraig's explanation to this strange, for the brunet, development was that all Supernatural beings were attracted to power. Either seeking for enemies, or lovers, it didn't matter.

The fact of the matter was that power attracts power,in more ways than one.

Anyway.

Asia attended Kuoh Academy, with Sona placing her in Issei's class, much to the joy of both the brunet and the blonde.

Although, Issei could have done without the blatant oggling from the Perverted Duo, who upon trying to ask if Asia was single, cursed his existence with the most vigor he had ever seen and heard from them, when the italian girl announced in front of the whole class that she was living with him, his parents and an older girl.

Said older girl had opted to stay in her true appearance, albeit wearing proper clothes inside his house.

Speaking of clothes, Issei had given Raynare half of his remaining money for the girls to go shopping, with Asia being her usual cute and shy self about it and Raynare almost jumping him on the spot.

On a side note, much to Issei's pleasant surprise, the female Fallen Angel was totally respectful towards him and his parents, with Asia following her footsteps like a cute little puppy.

Raynare, on her own volition, opted to stay at his home and not have a job, in order to protect his parents, especially Akane. She never told him that it was mostly out of gratefulness for saving her life in the first place.

Unsurprisingly, both Akane and Gorou were fine with Raynare's decision. Issei too, but on a smaller scale than his parents. Akane liked Raynare's company and vice-versa, with the latter taking lessons about housework from the former.

Asia was in the same boat as Raynare in all terms, apart from the fact that she had to attend Kuoh Academy.

Speaking of the establishment, Issei was internaly happy that his blonde friend was able to make several friends in her first few days at school. Including, but not limited to, Kiryuu Aika, Murayama and Katase, with the first continuously teasing Asia about her relationship with Issei.

The brunet didn't mind. In fact, he appreciated that Aika was friendly towards Asia, even if it was in a slightly bizzare way.

The Perverted Duo were off-limits, though. It was the only thing he was adamant about and, thankfully, he had the support from all the girls in his class, if not the entire school.

On a totally different note, since Asia was a Devil under Rias Gremory, she subsequently became a member of the ORC, where she was very easily accepted from all the Devils. The fact that she could spend more time with Issei and make even more friends in the process was just a pleasant bonus for the blonde italian girl.

She didn't have a hard time to adapt in her life as a Devil. Rias had even praised her that she handed out her leaflets in just two days and nights. As if that wasn't enough, Asia performed her first contract in her third night, perfectly at that, getting praise from her client, much to Rias' pride and Asia's joyful embarrassment.

Rias' and her Peerage's heads could have been even better, if Asia stopped trying to pray out of habit, something that amused Issei every time he whitnessed that happening.

All in all, it was a peaceful week for Issei, which was a pleasant change of pace and helped him relax considerably.

That is, apart from the few hours he got to sleep at nights. Ddraig and Zangetsu didn't relent on their deadly spars at all. In fact, since he had attained Balance Breaker, both had become even more ruthless in their spars, forcing him to fight in it.

That said, Issei didn't mind. In his mind, these two, for the time being, were the only ones that could fight him in equal grounds, even if he was handicapped and couldn't use his Dragon Slaying abilities.

So, the brunet opted to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet for as long as they lasted.

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It was a slightly chilly Saturday night, with Issei and Asia being at the ORC.

Well, Issei and Rias were alone there. All the others were out, performing their contracts.

The brunet had closed his eyes and relaxed on the couch, his back and head leaning comfortably at the back of said furniture.

Rias was overviewing the last of her paperwork, signing some of the papers whenever it was needed.

If Issei had payed attention to her, he would have seen Rias wearing black framed glasses, making her look more mature and sexy than she already was.

On a side note, the brunet had never payed attention to the redhead, whenever the latter was doing her paperwork.

Once Rias reached the final paper for the night, she blinked in surprise at its context, which turned to worry mid-reading. "Ise?" she called out to the brunet in question as she looked at him with a worried gaze. When she got an acknowledging hum, she spoke again. "There is a contract meant specifically for you." she elaborated, making some of her worry apparent by her voice.

Issei frowned slightly as he turned to face her finally with his eyes open. Momentarily, he blinked in surprise upon seeing her in glasses, but knew better than to address this now. "How come?" he asked curiously. "Isn't that a little uncommon even for reknown Devils?"

"Yes." Rias nodded in confirmation. "Which is why this has me worried. Especially since it isn't widely known that you're my contracted magician, who can perform contracts on occasion." she added in an explanatory tone, her expression turning serious.

That had Issei on alert as well, but hid it well under a mask of curiousity. "Where does the client want to meet?" he asked.

Rias glanced at the paper to ensure that she hadn't read the information wrong. "At the client's house, which is in a remote area, almost at the edge of Kuoh." she informed him as she looked back at him. "The request also says that you can take your time going there, since there's no rush." she added as an afterthought, which became alertness and her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Catching on why the redhead was suddenly on edge, Issei reassured her in a calm voice. "Don't worry, Rias-san. The client most likely suggests that I can go there, after I finish whatever business I could have tonight."

Rias wasn't convinced. "Ise, I have reported your motion sickness to the Underworld. So, if you add the fact that the client requested you specifically, there's a high possibility that your client is someone from the Supernatural." she explained her case seriously.

The brunet internally gave her credit for the sharpness of her mind. "Even if that's the case, it would be rude of me to not at least appear there. Not to mention the negativity it could bring to your name." he argued calmly, having acknowledged the possibility for his client to be of the Supernatural.

"I don't care about my name, when the safety of my Peerage and my contracted magician is in jeopardy." Rias responded strongly, trully believing in her own words. She didn't know it, but, at that moment, Issei's respect for her rose even more. "That said, you do have a point. It would be rude to not appear there." she conceded with a thoughtful look. "Worst case scenario, you leave from there and you don't sign a contract." she finished with a careless shrug of her shoulders.

Issei stood up from the couch and took the paper from the redhead's hand, once she offered it to him to get a look at it himself.

"Quick question before I go, Rias-san." the brunet said calmly as he read the paper. At her questioning hum, he asked in the same manner. "Does Asia-chan have another contract for tonight?"

"Not that I know of." Rias shook her head as she responded, before her gaze turned curious. "Why though?" she asked.

Issei looked at her as he explained his reason for such a question. "Because I don't know how long this contract will take. If possible, I would like me and Asia-chan to return home at the same time. If, by any chance, my contract lasts longer than hers, I would have to ask you to escort her to my house. After all, I wouldn't like for something unexpected to happen to her, while I'm busy and unable to help her."

Rias hid the pang of jealousy she felt for her Bishop to have a person such as Issei under an understanding smile. "Of course, Ise. You can count on me." she affirmed, hiding her wish for him to spend the same amount of attention he spent on Asia and Raynare.

With a kind smile and a grateful nod at her words, which made her heart skip a beat, Issei turned around and went towards the door, in his usual noiseless manner.

Once he was out of the room, Rias took off her glasses and turned them slightly, in order for the room's dim light make it so she could see her own reflection on the lenses.

There, she saw a very determined redhead, who wanted nothing more than to come close to a certain brunet Sekiryuutei. Especially after her personal problem would be resolved one way or another. Because, after whitnessing first hand what said Sekiryuutei was capable of, she didn't have any doupt that he would be the ace she needed for her situation to turn on her favor.

She smirked in satisfaction with herself that she found such an excellent ally.

Now, if only she could become close to the person of her thoughts, that would make her a very happy woman.

Rias schooled her features just as she felt her Queen returning from her contract. She didn't want Akeno to tease her about her thoughts on a certain brunet.

"I'm back, Rias." Akeno announced her return softly.

"Welcome back, Akeno." the redhead greeted her best friend.

The brunette blinked in surprise when she wasn't greeted by more than one person. "Ara, where are the others?" she asked curiously as she glanced around the room.

"Koneko, Asia and Yuuto haven't returned from their contracts." Rias explained with a smile.

"What about Ise-kun?" Akeno asked in both curiousity and interest.

The latter irked Rias, but held herself back from questioning her Queen as to why she was so interested in the brunet. She would have to take a number, it seemed, since Sona was obviously interested on Issei as well. Dammit, she would have to act fast. And behind the backs of all interested parties, including Asia and -ugh- Raynare. Especially since the older woman and -ugh- Fallen Angel had the approval of the Hyoudou matriarch, according to her Bishop, who also shared that approval from the afforementioned human woman.

The redhead didn't show any of her thoughts as she calmly responded to her Queen's question. "Ise just left a few minutes ago for his own contract. In fact, it was a contract specifically for him."

Akeno blinked in momentary surprise, before her eyes narrowed in suspicion, coming to the same conclusion as her King did a few minutes ago.

"My thoughts exactly." Rias read her friend like an open book, her expression turning serious. "However, Ise insisted on going out of respect to the client's request." she explained.

Akeno's expression softened a little at that. "Well, at the very least, if worse comes to worst, Ise-kun is very capable of handling himself, from what we have seen." she tried to sound reassuring for both herself and her King.

"True." Rias agreed with a nod of her head and a small smile. "But we both agreed that, should the situation turn risky, he would flee immediately." she informed her friend in a calm tone.

The brunette breathed a small sigh in relief at that, hoping that the Sekiryuutei wouldn't run into trouble trying to perform a contract.

Again.

"Let's just hope that, whoever Ise-kun meets tonight, they will be a peaceful individual, like your brother, instead of Sona's sister."

While not overly fond of the mere idea her contracted magician meeting her brother so early and without being notified properly, Rias conceded her Queen's point.

Better Sirzechs Lucifer, who had Grayfia keeping him in line, than Serafall Leviathan, who went around all alone and wouldn't hesitate to flash-freeze whoever came close to Sona without her permission first.

Rias had to suppress a shiver as she nodded in agreement at Akeno's words. "Yes, let's..."

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