Cleaning up the huge mess Kokabiel made wasn't much of a problem for the student council. They did such a good job that if he wasn't involved, Issei never would have guessed that anyone had fought on school grounds, let alone fought to prevent an all-out war from happening. After that, things returned to normal, because the world didn't stop spinning for anyone, anywhere.

It didn't mean that he'd forget what happened, not when the ramifications were still being felt days after that fateful night.

Marietta was still being treated by Sona's crew, and according to Vali, Azazel had fallen into a coma. Both of them might survive their injuries and wake up, but it was just as likely that they didn't, ending up dead because Kokabiel wanted to use their deaths to fulfill his twisted agenda.

Sariel, on the other hand, was pretty much dead, and the only reason why he didn't fade into the void was because an archangel thought that all the effort he put into becoming a better person was worthy of his empathy. If a fallen angel could improve himself that much, then maybe there was hope for him.

Not many people got a second chance at life, but he was one of the lucky ones. He was surrounded by amazing people who saw something worthwhile in him, and that something had nothing to do with his Sacred Gear. It was because of them that he got to make good on that chance.

However, Issei knew for a fact that he could do more. He'd wanted his own harem, but if he wanted that dream to be anything other than a fantasy, he had to start somewhere. If he could risk his life for his friends and swear at people who could kill him without breaking a sweat, then he could definitely go on one date. Life went on, so he might as well move forward instead of letting the past chain him down.

So he set one up, and now, after school ended, he was waiting for his date to arrive at the park with that big fountain. A lot of thoughts ran through his mind, and unfortunately, most of them were negative. Two things kept him from bailing out. The first was that he wasn't going to die on this date, so it couldn't possibly go worse than his date with Raynare.

The second was the photo he got the day before. In fact, he was looking at it when his date arrived. She was dressed in a black t-shirt with a multi-coloured butterfly emblazoned on it and tight high-waist jeans that exposed her calves, a pair of black flats completing her outfit.

When he looked at her face, she was smiling pretty coyly.

"Like what you see?" Akeno asked.

He nodded, kicking himself out of his stupor. "Of course. You look great, Akeno."

"Thank you." She gave him a once-over, and her violet eyes dilated, her gaze growing hungrier. "You're looking pretty good, too, Issei."

Issei smiled, blushing a little bit. "Thanks."

He'd cleaned up for the date, and dressed himself in a sky blue short-sleeved dress shirt and a dark blue pair of jeans. While he might have gotten away with a more casual look, he wanted to put his best foot forward. So far, it looked like things were going his way. He couldn't get his hopes up just yet, though, because the date hadn't even begun.

He locked his phone and put it in his pocket, only to see Akeno staring at it.

"You really liked that photo I sent you, huh?"

Issei rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, yeah. It's my first time getting one of those, you know?"

Her cheeks turned pink. "It was my first time taking one. I'm really glad you liked it."

Akeno had sent him a photo of her in a very risque red-and-blue bikini, and it was so hot that he'd nearly short-circuited from the shock of seeing it. Then, he felt like a king for getting it, and it gave him the boost of confidence he needed to ask Akeno out in the first place.

"Let me show you how much I appreciate it," he said.

He'd wanted to keep things simple on this date, seeing as how he'd tried too hard on his date with Raynare. Luckily, he got along with Akeno pretty well, so he didn't need to do something crazy just to impress her. He planned on taking her out for lunch, and talk to her about almost anything that came to mind. Not everything, of course, because he had to have some tact.

It was going really well: Akeno listened to everything he had to say, and he did the same for her, leading to a very engaging conversation. If it got quiet, he still felt comfortable with Akeno at his side. Issei was enjoying himself so much that he began to forget about his fear that something might have gone wrong, or would go wrong before the end of the date. Maybe it really was all in his head.

Before long, their date was starting to wind down. They ate some food at a local ramen stand – Sasuke actually recommended the place to him – and did some window shopping, but he barely had to make any grand gestures to get Akeno's attention, because he already had it.

By the time they returned to the park, they were holding hands, and when he let go, Issei's insecurities came back with a vengeance. He hoped that he didn't screw up somewhere. If something went wrong, at least nobody was around to take pity on him.

"Thanks again for coming with me," Issei said.

Akeno smiled. "It's my pleasure, Issei. I had a great time."

His heart began to race, spurred on by hope.

"You really mean that?"

"Mmhmm." Her eyes were almost glittering. "I didn't expect you to ask me out, so when you did, I was overcome with joy."

He grinned. "I'm happy you actually came with me. I had a lot of fun today." His grin slipped a bit as his next question reached the tip of his tongue. "But why wouldn't I ask you out?"

Akeno pressed her thumbs into her jean pockets. "I assumed you were going to let someone ask you out first. Also, I thought that you wouldn't be as willing to spend time with me, now that you know where I... come from."

Iseei chuckled. "Well, you got me there with that first point."

Asia had to ask him out for him to get a clue, and while he did spend time with her that counted as a date, he decided to get his head straight before he tried anything with her. Akeno, on the other hand, didn't bring the same level of risk, so he was a little bit more willing to see where things went.

He knew he'd have to deal with her parentage at some point, and since she was bringing it up on her own, it was time for him to take the plunge.

"Is there a reason why you kept your dad's identity a secret?"

Akeno licked her lips, glossy from the pink lipstick adorning them. "I didn't want you to think less of me, especially after everything that monster Raynare did to you."

Issei frowned. "I'd never think less of you. You're amazing, Akeno, and besides, who your dad is is none of my business."

She gave him a rather sad smile. "You're right, he isn't. You can't imagine how grateful I am that he's no longer part of my life. I despise everything about that man, and this burden that he left me with. I can't forget where I came from, no matter how hard I want to forget, but that doesn't mean my problems have to be yours."

His hand tightened into a fist, and he stuffed it into his pocket. "You really hate your dad that much?"

"I do."

She didn't go on, but that was fine with him. It really ate away at her to even mention her father, so he wouldn't force Akeno to tell her tale.

"If your dad is such a bastard, I guess seeing Marietta and her dad must have been pretty uncomfortable, huh?"

Akeno frowned. "You have no idea. I thought I'd come to terms with that part of my life, but seeing a girl like me have a caring father woke up something awful in me. I'm glad that you were there to stop me."

Issei smiled, tenderly. "We're friends. If you need me for anything, anything at all, I'll come running. Doesn't matter if you're a fallen angel or not."

A small smile returned to grace her face. "I'll remember that."

"Awesome."

It looked like this date was a success. Now, all he had to do was wrap things up. Before he could, Akeno grabbed his wrist and pulled out his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"I'd like to do this again. Just you and me, together on our own."

He breathed in, forcing his nerves to settle, and looked Akeno in the eye. "I'd like that, too. You've done so much for me over these past couple of weeks, and I really enjoy spending time with you, too, so I'd have to be an idiot to turn you down. But I'm gonna be honest, I don't know if I'm ready to take things to the next level, and I don't want to let you down."

Akeno's hand squeezed his. "Don't worry, we can keep things casual."

Issei grinned, relief passing through him in a storm of waves. "Thanks a lot, Akeno."

"You're welcome." She let go of his hand, then pulled him in close and looped her arms around his neck. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting."

His cheeks started to grow hot, burning up from the heat swirling inside and out. "What about Rias? Aren't you worried about what she'll do?"

It still felt kind of weird to call the president by her name, but he'd already gotten a feel for it. Besides, Rias liked it, too, so there was no reason for him to go back to how things were just to keep his distance.

"She knows what I want, but now that I know you want me, too, I won't give up on you."

They were so close that anything could happen, and nobody would interrupt them. To prove him right, Akeno planted a kiss on his lips. It only lasted a couple of seconds, but he immediately wanted more. Instead, he settled for hugging her back, feeling her hot body in his arms. Eventually, Akeno let go, and so did he, a goofy smile on his face.

"I'll see you around, Issei."

"See you, Akeno."

Akeno went her own way, and Issei stood there, thinking about everything that transpired. Triumph surged through his veins. He did it. Not only did he go on an actual date with a hot girl he liked, he did well enough that she wanted more. Actually dating her was another story, but right now, he was glad that he'd faced his fears, because it paid off.

And it felt so damn good.

Issei met up with Sasuke at his hotel room, not sure why he was asked to come around. Sasuke clearly didn't need him to know more about the supernatural world. Maybe he wanted to hang out? That wouldn't be so bad, except for the fact that he asked Issei to return the copy of Icha Icha Paradise he lent him, which came with its own set of implications.

"Here's your book," Issei said, once Sasuke opened the door.

Sasuke took the book and put it in one of his so-called sealing scrolls. His first-ever client was clad in that beige cloak he'd worn the first time they met, and from what he could see, his hotel room was spotless.

"What did you think of it?" Sasuke asked, after guiding him into the living room.

Issei shrugged. "It was pretty neat, I guess. This story feels pretty different from other stories in its genre. A lot of the stuff that happens feels like the writer really experienced it, or knew someone who did. I kinda wished he built up the romance a bit more, since the plot isn't an excuse to get to the good stuff. The lewd parts were pretty lewd, though, so I'll give him that."

Sasuke shook his head. "I see. I asked because a friend of mine lent me the book. He thought it was pretty boring, but our sensei liked it, so he thought I'd like it, too."

"I can see why. Outside of the lewd stuff and the action scenes, everything else was written kind of plainly."

"I wouldn't know; I only read the first chapter."

Issei rubbed his nose. "Well, I can tell you more about it, if you like."

A smirk crossed his face. "I'll take your word for it." His smirk disappeared. "Anyway, I'll be leaving, so I thought I'd say goodbye face-to-face."

Both of Issei's eyebrows rose. "Really? Why's that?"

"I've done what I came here to do. I'll investigate the leads I found, but if nothing comes up, then I'll go home."

He nodded. It made sense, since Sasuke was searching for that divine tree. A story like that would probably be insane if he'd heard about it the first time they met, but after everything he'd seen Sasuke do, it sort of brought everything together.

In fact...

"When you say home, you don't mean Japan, do you?"

"Perhaps."

"You said that the tree you were looking for was planted by a bunch of interdimensional travellers, right? If they can do that, then wouldn't that mean you're from another dimension, too?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"If you were from another dimension, it explains a lot about you." Issei flicked out his hand, starting to count the reasons with his fingers. "You look Japanese, but the dialect you speak isn't like anything I've ever heard. Hell, that book you gave me has some kanji combinations I've never seen before. It's kinda old-school, but not really, and it seems like the writer assumed his readers would know what they meant without having to explain it."

"I could be from Osaka. Their accent is different from a Tokyo native's."

"Yeah, I guess, but you don't sound like you're from Kansai. Also, there's your eyes. I'm pretty sure you get some powers from them. How else did you know about my Sacred Gear just by looking at my hand?"

He frowned. "Anything else?"

"I don't know if you know, but there's a dragon sealed within my Sacred Gear, and he told me that you have no attachment to this world. I thought he was speaking in riddles, but when I thought about it, I'm pretty sure he was being literal. And it's because you're from another dimension."

Sasuke had gone still, putting on a poker face. It wouldn't give away any of his tells, if he had any to speak of. But the fact that he was using a poker face at all was kind of a tell in itself.

Then, he smiled, an actual smile. "You're right. I didn't expect you to figure it out."

Issei smiled, proud that he was right and relieved that he wasn't wrong. "I wouldn't have, but honestly, I think that spending time with you made me a smarter person. I'd only think outside the box when I needed to, but you forced me to do it just to keep up with you, and it started to become a habit."

"You aren't a total fool, if that's what you're implying."

He froze, smile quickly becoming strained. "Come on, man. I was trying to compliment you."

"I know. If anything, I've been forced to learn how to consider my words properly, thanks to you and Kiba."

Sasuke did have a point, and him openly admitting that helped Issei loosen up.

"Speaking of Kiba, does he know you're leaving?"

"Yes. We said our goodbyes before you came."

Issei smiled. "Cool."

The day before, he'd gone out with Kiba and his friends from school for some karaoke. It was cool to catch up with Matsuda and Motohama, and after talking to Kiba, he was pretty confident that Kiba counted him as a friend, which was pretty great.

"I want to thank you for helping out Kiba. I did my best, but I know for a fact that having a guy who understood him did a whole lot to set him straight."

Sasuke nodded. "Like I said, I wanted to give him the help I should have had, before he made a mistake that he'd always regret. He's very fortunate to have friends like you and the rest of your group."

"I'm glad we were there to help him. But it's not like you didn't have friends. There's that girl who chased after you, and that friend who you fought."

His stare turned pensive, melancholy. "I did, but it took them time to figure out the best way to get through to me, and it took a lot for me to open up and start listening. That's why I won't forget what I learned. That fight made me come to my senses."

"I can imagine." Issei shook his hand, and let it drop to his side. "Man, this friend of yours must really be something if he could make you lose an arm. You really think I remind you of him?"

"The main trait you two share is that you'll fight for your friends with everything they have, and give them the support they need to become better people. Other than that, you're pretty different. If you were more like my friend, you probably would have fought Kiba instead of helping him destroy Excalibur."

He imagined it, and while it might have been cool to finally slug Kiba's pretty face in, it wouldn't have been right. Kiba wouldn't learn a thing if he was forced into complying. But Sasuke's friend had gotten through to him in the end, so that was what counted, even if their methods weren't the same.

"What's his name?"

"Naruto."

It was an interesting name... he was pretty sure that the cook from One Piece was named Naruto, too. Must have been a coincidence.

"Well, tell Naruto and that girl friend of yours – "

"Sakura."

"Yeah, tell Naruto and Sakura that Issei Hyoudou thanks them for being good friends."

Sasuke smiled, again. "I will." He was about to turn, but he stopped himself. "I'll admit, you were right about one thing."

"What's that?"

"I could have killed Kokabiel much earlier that I did, had I been able to take the information I needed. I didn't, because I made a choice that mattered more in that moment. And even if it took me longer than I thought to reach this point, that doesn't mean that everything that happened wasn't worthwhile."

Issei's smile grew. "Exactly. You can make mistakes, and bad things can happen to you, but it's how you bounce back that really counts."

"Exactly." He raised his right hand – his only hand – for a handshake. "I appreciate all the help you've given me, Issei."

Issei shook Sasuke's hand firmly. "Not a problem, Sasuke. Come and visit us whenever you're around, okay?"

"Sure. Until next time."

Sasuke opened a violet portal and stepped through it. Once he was on the other side, the portal winked out of sight, leaving Issei alone in Sasuke's former hotel room. He made his way out and closed the door behind him. As he walked out of the hotel, Issei reflected on how this journey with Sasuke started only because he was hungry to get a new client.

In the process, he ended up getting two pretty powerful clients, and learned a lot of things. While he was technically back to zero clients, it was thanks to meeting Sasuke that he was certain he'd get many more. His dream of becoming harem king wasn't out of reach, but even if he tried to pursue a different dream, he knew one thing was true...

He'd fight to achieve it with everything he had.

The End