PLEASE READ FOR POLL RESULTS.
When I asked for 200... I didn't think you guys would get it up to 218. I'm flattered. Thanks so much! In any case, welcome back, my fellow readers. How's our Easter been? And how long has it been since last update?... December of last year? Crappy year, but let's hope 2021 will be much better. Now before we get the Excalibur fights, there is this one original side story we have to get through first. It's relatively short, but it does give a few more insights about Anthony's past. This side story is also gonna span a few chapters, so it'll be some time before the second half of Season NEW comes to a close... and then the meeting of a certain white dragon occurs.
The polls coming across nicely, but... believe it or not, its currently a tie between Anthony and Rias getting steamy. Not sure why, figured most of you would love a lemon scene, but maybe that's because its not an official poll on the profile. So to help me out, I've added an ACTUAL poll to my profile, so hopefully that should settle things. If you've already voted on the verbal poll, go ahead an vote again on this one and I'll just add those results to this new one when I close it. THAT should resolve this issue.
So I'll ask once more: Should our Italian Dragon fertilize the eggs of a Devil? Be sure to go to the poll and cast your vote!
From Jez1996:
I think I understand the hole dream things and the whole connect with the rest of them it's eather a part of issie soul came back with the gear and gave him the life force he needed when he was a baby and there all feeling it because there all connected to him
Bakuganman: An excellent theory you got there. Is this true? I can't say right now, but it will be addressed in the final chapter of Season NEW in an interesting way.
From Weebshitt:
Good chapter and happy new year!
Bakuganman: I like your name and description of yourself. Thanks for the praise and you have a happy new year as well (enough though this response is a bit late). Let's hope 2021 will be a better year.
Season NEW - Chapter 13: Moving on Up, with a Blast from the Past
"He fell asleep in class again?" Asked Rias as she and Asia were making breakfast this morning, mainly because Anthony wasn't up early enough... again. Of course, she knew the reason why since she followed Anthony that night and then he told her the truth. However, that was a few days ago, so was he still working on that side project? Whatever the case was, he was reported to have been falling asleep during homeroom, but then would be fine for the rest of the day. It was still gonna tarnish his record though if this kept up.
Asia nodded. "I'm starting to get worried. He always pushes himself for everyone else's sake but never gives himself a chance" said the former nun, which Rias agreed with her. She's seen that side of Anthony on more than one occasion. "You don't think he's sick, do you?"
Rias understood Asia's concern. "I'm sure he's fine," she said, covering for him. The last time she caught him, he forced her to promise him she would NOT to tell anyone else. It was meant to be a surprise. "Anthony's tough. He puts up with us" Rias then made a small joke, which got Asia to smile and forget about her worries for now. Speaking of Anthony being tough, Rias couldn't help but think back to the day they first met. When they woke up together, he took her status as a Devil surprisingly well. One would think one would have so many questions, or at very least panic to some degree. It made her wonder what else had he experienced before meeting her that fateful day...
-TIME BREAK-
Anthony found himself in a room of some kind, but didn't know where it was. Looking around, all he saw was a table and pillows around it, so it was a sitting area of some kind. "... Another lucid dream, eh?" He asked himself, not that anyone would answer. What new crazy thing was he gonna see this time?
CREAK!
Anthony looked in the direction of the sound, seeing Akeno had starting coming into this room via a sliding door. She was dressed in shrine maiden's clothing, which suited her very well. She looked beautiful in them. "Hey, Akeno. What are you...?" Anthony was asking, but then saw someone coming in behind her, and it was none other than that perverted kid again. The one that had Ddraig for some reason. What was his name again?... Oh right, Issei.
Of course, he got no response from either of them, and Akeno's body ended up walking through his own... he shivered. He will never get used to that, no matter how many times he visits this dreamland.
"So, you came to this temple with him to do magic on the sword?" Issei asked Akeno as they sat down at the table. Anthony listened carefully. Sword? Him? What were they talking about?
"Yes. We conducted a ceremony that tailored Ascalon's specifications to you." Said Akeno, kindly. She also pushed Issei a drink over to him after pouring it. Her tea, most likely. What was that about Ascalon though? Wasn't that a special sword used by a saint or something, Anthony couldn't fully recall the story, but he was sure it was a dragon-slaying sword. If Issei had Ddraig inside him, wouldn't that harm him in some capacity?
'Oh, that's probably what the tailoring was for,' Anthony thought, assuming that's what they were talking about.
"Akeno, can I ask you about the other day?" Issei asked.
"What about the other day?" Akeno asked him.
"... When we were fighting Kokabiel, he said something to you." Issei said. This got a noticeable reaction from Akeno, and even Anthony's ears perked upon hearing Issei mentioning that. Wasn't Kokabiel the one Xenovia and Irina were after, the one who stole the Holy Swords? And what did he say to Akeno? "Who's this Baraqiel?" Issei continued his question. While this got Akeno's expression to darken, she still answered Issei honestly.
"... My father," Akeno said, which got Anthony surprised. She had daddy issues? She didn't seem like the kind of girl who would. She then continued on, saying she was a half-breed from a Fallen and human, which didn't make any sense to Anthony at all. Weren't the Fallen the evil ones? And if she was one, she didn't have feathered wings at all. Anthony's seen her Devil wings numerous times.
FLAP!
Both Anthony and Issei were wide-eyed at what happened next. Akeno had stood up, turned her back, pulled down her robes... revealing a single Fallen Angel wing and a Devil one right next to it. How the hell did she hide something like that? He's heard Devil's can change appearances with magic, but thought that only applied to age! It must also mean a person can change themselves in the literal sense. Akeno then continued to speak, saying how she began to hate her Fallen half and the second Rias offered her the chance, she took it and became a Devil. The result: was this. Anthony genuinely felt sorry for her, bottling up all that hatred wasn't healthy, yet she never showed any signs of it as long as he knew her.
"The truth is, I wanted to tell you for such a long time... but you hate Fallen Angels..." Akeno said, and Anthony's first instinct was to cut her off with 'No! That's not true! How could I hate you?' True he wasn't exactly the biggest fan of one in particular, but that didn't mean he hated her! HELL! Akeno was one of the sweetest girls he's ever met... if a bit suggestive... But she wasn't talking to him, she was talking to this Issei guy, who had a similar reaction to himself.
Anthony then opened his eyes, glancing around. He was back in his bedroom, in the real world. He finally started to get up. As he did, he stretched out his muscles to try and wake up the rest of his body... and seriously? Akeno? A Fallen Angel? Like THAT was ever gonna happen. "Ugggggh... mi sento una merda" he groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
[Maybe if you didn't get home at 4 in the morning...] said Ddraig.
"You know why," said Anthony, climbing out of bed fully and grabbed his cell phone from his desk before leaving the bedroom, making his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
[Listen, not that I don't think you helping Xenovia and Irina investigate is a bad idea, but are you sure you can keep this up? You still have your education to deal with] Ddraig said, concerned for his masters academics record.
Anthony just got in the bathroom and got the toothpaste before putting it on his toothbrush. "Oh, please. I wasn't in school for half my life," he said, not finding it THAT big of a deal, then stuck the brush in his mouth and began to clean, his voice muffled from the movements of the brush while he continued to talk. "Beshides; mits mot rike shcool's actushilly gonna melp min ma mong run. My would I parcake in manipulative learning men I man mhange shushciety by gaming?"
[Oh, really?] Ddraig asked in an assumed tone. [I wonder how Yukitsuki will take that one...]
Anthony's eyes widened at the mention of that name, then spit out in a comedic fashion before having coughing fit. "... You were there?" He asked his inner dragon, raising his left arm to look at it after recovering from his cough attack.
[I live. In your arm.] Ddraig stated. So that was a yes.
"And you couldn't help? The poor loli had to sacrifice herself for our future!" Anthony said... at least, that's how he read the situation at the time. It's been a few years since then and so far, the future the little girl described to them didn't seem to happen. She also kept talking about doors and keys for some strange reason.
[What'd you want me to do? Take her to a land of art?] Ddraig responded.
*Vibrate, vibrate. Vibrate, vibrate.*
Before Anthony could answer, he heard/felt his phone ringing in his boxers pocket. He got it out of his pocket and looked at the contact info. It was an old friend he hasn't seen in awhile, so he immediately answered. "Yukiha?" He asked in shock.
"Wow... didn't think you still had my number," said a friendly voice on the other end of the line, apparently his name was Yukiha.
"H-How've ya been, bro? What's been going on with you and your harem?" Anthony said, also making a small joke. Yukiha actually had attracted allot of female attention back in the day: his close friend, his childhood friend he met in Russia, a girl who Anthony called 'The Man-Eater' (despite claiming she hated men), and even the school nurse... who just happened to be his older sister. They weren't exactly blood-related, but still...
"Very funny," Yukiha said. "I don't think its ever gonna stop. Even after making my choice, they STILL keep it up," he told Anthony, then his tone changed. "But enough about mine... what about yours?"
That made Anthony choke again. "*Ahem* Uh... w-what are ya talking about?" He asked, nervously.
Yukiha laughed. AT him. "Don't play dumb. Kuoh Academy wasn't THAT far away from our school."
Anthony was surprised. How did Yukiha find out? "How did...?"
"Kazuhide."
"Certamente..." Anthony groaned in annoyance, while pinching his noses bridge again, closing his eyes, and shaking his head. Of course it was him. That kid didn't know when to shut his mouth, which is why 'The Man-Eater' constantly beat him up. If it was one thing he was good at though, it was getting information, no matter how sensitive or secretive it was.
"So, what's the story? You dating Rias or what?" Asked Yukiha, wanting to know more. "Poor Kazuhide's been having a meltdown ever since he found out..."
"WE'RE NOT DATING!" Shouted Anthony, hoping wherever the girls were, they didn't hear him. If Asia heard that word, 'Dating'; she'd get upset since she's so attached to Anthony. And if Rias heard it, she was gonna have more ammo to tease him with. He then sighed. "Dude, your about to be in college. Why ya snooping around someone else's life?
"Like how you always snooped on campus when Lezaza wasn't around, and only before homeroom and during lunch so you were never caught?" Yukiha quipped.
"..." Anthony didn't respond for several seconds, having a blank yet annoyed facial expression. "... fair enough." He said, finally getting to cleaning up the mess he made from the first coughing fit.
[I've always liked this kid. Why couldn't he be my master?] Ddraig thought.
'Butt out.' Anthony thought back. "In all seriousness, did ya really call to bust my balls, or was there an actual reason?" He then asked his old friend.
"What? I can't check up on our Italian Stallion?" Asked Yukiha in a humorous tone.
"This is coming from the same guy who gets 'checked up' by his older sister..." Anthony fired back at him, washing his hands and using a towel to dry them while his phone was pressed between his shoulder and head. Once he was done with the towel and put it back neatly, he held the phone back in his hand and added: "Regularly."
Yukiha released a laugh. Anthony got him there. "Ok, ok. I just wanted to congratulate you for finally getting into school," he admitted. "And you said school wasn't your thing."
"It's still not," Anthony said, leaving the bathroom and going down the hall. Then he thought about all the good times he's had since he started: meeting the ORC, the activities they've done, the old friends he became reacquainted with, and all the crazy shenanigans they've gotten themselves into. "But... it's been alright." He admitted with a smile. All in all, it wasn't so bad. Things could have been worse. He could have never enrolled and never had his life changed this way.
"Good. Now you know there's more to life than making pizza's all day." Yukiha joked again.
"That's racist, you siscon" said Anthony, feigning offense as he went downstairs. Both boys laughed at their jabs with each other.
"Alright, I gotta get going. You stay sharp for anymore blasts from the past, alright? Talk to ya later" said Yukiha.
Anthony paused, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. He didn't tell Yukiha about his former meetings with his past friends that came back into is life. "What's that supposed to...?"
*Click!*
The call was ended by the other person. Anthony didn't find it rude though, Yukiha was a busy guy... no seriously, he was. He was studying to be a doctor the last time Anthony saw him, so maybe him ending the call had something to do with that. And maybe Kazuhide was the one to spill about him meeting Asia and Irina, despite Anthony keeping his past a secret to most other people. While he was never enrolled at their school, some diva-like girls there that came across him found him mysterious that way... which translated to hot in their opinion.
Shrugging it off and thinking nothing of it, he joined Rias and Asia for breakfast.
-TIME BREAK-
Hours later at school, Anthony was in class, and thankfully he hasn't fallen asleep today. He was just sitting at his desk, taking a test like the rest of the students when there was a knock at the classroom door.
"It's open," said the female teacher, not interested in the slightest for she was just sitting at her desk playing on her phone. Anthony called that: "professional". With the okay given; she nor the rest of the class, Anthony included, expected to see Rias Gremory standing in the open doorway. Of course this caused a majority of the students to cheer and fawn over her from their desks.
"Rias Gremory? What a pleasant surprise" said the teacher, though her mood wasn't uplifted despite who was entering her class while the cheering was still going on.
'Your just jealous she has bigger tits than you,' Anthony thought to himself. While the teacher in this classroom could be identified as MILF material, the business-like suit she wore was a bit of a turn-off for him. Her rack was decent, not that he was looking, but the student easily surpassed the teacher in that department.
"Sorry for the intrusion," Rias respectfully apologized. "It'll only be a minute."
"Make it quick," said the teacher, granting Rias permission to do whatever is was to do what she came her for. Though seeing as only one of her club members were in her class, she already had a decent idea. Rias walked over to Anthony's desk, which got the few boys stationed here to glare at the Italian with hatred and/or jealously. If there was one good thing about this, its that Tweedle-hama and Tweedle-suda didn't share this class with him. That didn't mean they won't somehow find out and hammer him about it later on, since it involved a hot chick.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to enjoy my test" Anthony jokingly feigned annoyance, looking up at Rias and gesturing to the paper on his desk with both hands.
"And I'm sure you are," Rias sarcastically agreed with him with an equally sarcastic smile. "But you and me need to go to principal's office. He wants to talk to us."
"OOOOOH!" The students said, making Anthony feel like he was in an American cartoon. He looked around at them of course, finding it weird. This is one of the reasons he didn't want to enroll in any school, the constant childish behavior of his fellow 'young adult' peers.
"Why?" He asked out of genuine curiosity. He never did anything wrong, at least nothing seriously wrong... ok... there were a few times he had to defend himself when he first started at this academy; and he DID beat up the Perverted Duo unprovoked a few times, but they were asking for it!
"No idea. He asked me to get you first" Rias said.
"I thought you were supposed to be the smart one" he continued to quip.
Rias appeared to ignore that last remark, or just didn't feel the need to respond to it. "Come on. Let's get this over with."
Anthony went back to his paper, pretending to go back to work. "Just let me finish these last few questions. I'm sure he'll understa..."
GRAB! PULL!
"OW! OW, OW, OW, OW, OW!" Anthony was then pulled up by his ear by an annoyed Rias.
"Come on! Let's go!" She said, able to control her annoyed tone though it was clear to Anthony, now pulling him out of class by that very same ear as he kept whining about it. The entire classroom just stared, not having seen that side of one of the Kuoh Queens' before.
"OW, OK! OK, OW, OW! OW, OK, OH-KAY!" Anthony said as he tried to get Rias to let him go by attempting to remove her arm away from his ear. Whether he was successful or Rias just figured he had enough was unclear, for he was let go the moment they got out of the classroom and into the halls of Kuoh Academy. "Ugh, fammi diventare sordo, perché non tu?" Anthony asked as he rubbed his ear.
"If you just came willingly, I wouldn't have had too" Rias said. She and Anthony became yo take off to the main offices.
"Well, now that we're alone, what's the deal with the principal?" Anthony asked as they walked down the hall together.
"I seriously don't have a clue. He calls me from my class, asked him if there was a good reason, but then tells me to fetch you" said Rias, sounding genuine.
"Oh... so it's not you trying to spend time alone with your favorite Pawn?" Anthony asked, jokingly.
"Maybe later," she winked at him with a smile, then her look changed to concern. "Asia's been worried about you and your late nights."
"I figured that. You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Said Anthony, then wanted to be sure Rias kept what she found out a secret. He didn't think she would spill anything, but still wanted to ask.
"Not a soul" Rias assured him.
"Good... I feel bad keeping it anyway from everyone, but its the only way its gonna work" said Anthony, sighing in relief, then admitted he hated keeping this secret. It was for the best though. That also included the most recent secret; how he's been sneaking out with Irina, Xenovia, Koneko and Kiba everyone night; patrolling the city in search of the Holy Swords.
"How much longer?" She asked him.
"Couple of days. Then everything'll well be ready." Said Anthony, then gave Rias a silly smile. "So after we pay head-honcho a visit, THEN we sneak off to the clubroom?"
Rias smiled, joining the flirtation by taking a finger and tracing it down from the top of his shoulder, and down his left arm which she was beside. "If your a good boy."
"Hey. Careful. That's my good arm."
"I can't wait to see how well you use it."
"I don't know... it gets pretty rough and hard sometimes."
Rias got a little closer to Anthony, locking her arm with his and pulled herself closer, also making sure to get close enough so one side of her was pressed into him, which including her breast. "How is it now?" She asked, glancing into his eyes with a low, lust-filled tone; continuing to flirt with him.
"We can find out if you want..." he responded back, making eye contact and using the same type of tone, but slightly deeper.
Keeping the smile, Rias then backed off. "We can't. Not here anyway," she said as she continued walking down and making Anthony pause.
"You say that like you don't wanna get caught," he said as he then sped up to caught back up to her.
"I'd like some privacy." Rias stated.
"Says the demon who dragged me around after our one night stand, AND fought Ruri to the death over another one" Anthony commented, mentioning the first day they met, then the shared night with Asia. They continued to walk down the empty hallway, heading to the main office to meet the principal. They passed by the restrooms, which neither of them noticed the boys one slightly opened. On the other side of it; were the crying, growling, angry, and jealous faces of Tweedle-hama and Tweedle-suda. Also shaking their fists.
Motohama and Matsuda: Why's it always him?!
-TIME BREAK-
The two friends opened the door to the principal's office, seeing the man go over some paperwork before looking at who disturbed him. "Ah. Miss Gremory and Mister Messuri. Have a seat" he said in a tone void of any emotion, gesturing to 2 seats in front of his desk. Both of them did as requested.
"So, uh... good morning, chief" said Anthony, a bit nervous to be honest. While he's been before authority before, it wasn't like this. Not even back in the states when he was younger was he ever called to the leader's domain. The closest he's gotten to was the nurses office which was right next door. Rias elbowed him, rather hard, for calling the principal a title that wasn't his own, which Anthony recoiled from and looked at Rias in confusion, mouthing an 'ow' and 'what'd I do?' She responded the same way, mouthing: 'shut your big mouth'. This guy must be that big of a deal if Rias was acting wary of him.
Thankfully for them both, the principal didn't take offense to Anthony's response in any way. That, or he really didn't care much. He just went back to signing something on his desk... probably finishing something up. Anthony glanced around at this time, taking in the surrounding area. The office was a decent size, plenty of elbow room (irony not intended), and there were a few pictures along the walls of people, either the principal's family or something. The desk itself was shiny and well-taken care of, and had a desk plate with the man's name: Haruto Misaki.
Anthony could joke about what ninja that sounded like, but refrained himself.
"You two get along well, I see," said Haruto in a dry tone while not looking up at them yet, still finishing whatever he was focused on. He did finally complete it a full minute later, now looking at both students with them both wondering why they were called in the first place. "I'll cut to the chase. I'm sure your both busy, being the Crimson Princess and Red Dragon..."
Both teens felt their bodies tense up... did this human just...?
"Uh... w-w-what ya talking about?" Asked Anthony. Even Rias was surprised.
The principal just smiled at them with folded hands on his desk. "It's alright, my friends. You can drop the act with me."
Anthony didn't know what to say or do, but knew that they had to get out of this conversation. "L-Listen, man; I don't know what they slipped in your tea in the teacher's lounge, but..."
FLAP!
"JESUS!" Anthony reeled back, hands up and almost falling backward out of his seat, also saying a trigger word for Devils out of shock. It didn't appear to effect Rias, either from her not registering the incoming headache or her own shock. The man before them... had a pair of bat-like wings. He was a Devil. The teens calmed down, the shock slowly leaving them. This explained how he knew of their secret identities at least.
"It's ok. I'm one of you." Haruto said, friendly.
"Yeah, but I'm not." Said Anthony, slowly sitting back down. So the leader of the ship was a Devil like Rias? Who knew?
"So... your a Devil too?" Asked Rias.
"I'd sure hope so," Haruto joked.
"But... were you reborn recently? My father runs this entire school and..." Rias began, but then her mouth was covered by Anthony's hand quickly.
"Huh?" He asked with an open mouth and cocked eyebrow.
"What?" Rias asked, her voice muffled due to Anthony's hand still over her mouth.
"Your dad runs this place?" He asked, genuinely surprised at that bit of information. He knew Rias had connections, but not those deep of connections! It was Rias' turn to cock an eyebrow. He's been going here for months, and honestly didn't know?... Actually, nevermind. Game, strategy and cooking smart? Sure. But when it came to ANYTHING academically...
"You should know this!" Rias said, gently removing Anthony's hand away from her face.
"Well why didn't you tell me the leaf village Hokage was keeping tabs on us?!" The Italian asked, leaning over and whispering to her.
"I didn't know either!" Rias responded honestly, also leaning towards him to answer. While they were keeping their tones low, it wasn't doing anything to prevent the amused principal from hearing.
Anthony: How could you not? Your dad owns the joint!
Rias: I didn't think he was involved (gestures toward the principal with sight head movement), only the school nurse was!
Anthony: Her too? Fantastic! Anyone else I should know about?!
Rias: No and even if I did, why are you making a big deal about it?
Anthony: (cups a hand over a side of his mouth) Cause its the type of stuff you share with your future Queen and the one you shack with!
POKE!
"ARGH!" Rias poked Anthony in one of his eyes, though she was going for a slap. While she didn't care about sleeping with him, that didn't mean it wasn't embarrassing to bring up in front of the principal of all people! She then looked at the principal, who was still looking amused. In his point of view, this was actually pretty funny.
"Um, did you hear that?" She asked, though it obvious that he did.
Haruto's smile got a bit wider. "Hear what?" Rias was thankful of that. "If the newlyweds are done bickering, there is a reason I called you both over" he continued, making a joke at their expense. Both teen glanced away from each other, a very faint flush on their cheeks. They of course knew he was joking, but still. "Messuri?" He then addressed Anthony.
"Y-Yes, sir?" He answered.
With his smile not having gone away, Haruto got something from out of one of his desk drawers. "I want you to read this." He said, handing Anthony a sheet of paper that had writing on it. From the angle they were sitting at, it was hard for either teen to read, though on the top of its in big letters was the same font that Kuoh Academy documents used. Anthony didn't take it right away, not knowing what to think. What was this all about? Why drag him and Rias all the way up to his office, learn this man was a Devil, all of it for a sheet of paper? He eventually slowly reached for it and took it from the man.
"Dear, Legal Parent or Guardian of Messuri Anthony... oh, this must be for my father" said Anthony, reading whom it was addressed too and assumed it was for Azazel, but Haruto insisted him to go on, something even Rias was confused about. He dragged them out of their classes for this? Still, she looked at Anthony as he read over what this meeting was all about.
"After reevaluating the special circumstances of your child's enrollment into our lovely Kuoh Academy," Anthony began to read. 'Yeah... special and lovely alright,' he thought before continuing, as those weren't exactly the words he'd use. "We've concluded that your child has been improperly placed in our academic program..." He paused, and Rias felt her heart stop. The way that was worded sounded negative. "Wait... so I'm out? I'm getting defenestrated?!" He asked in panic. Sure school wasn't his thing, but he didn't want to leave Rias or the club behind either! Rias looked just as shocked by this. Her Anthony... being expelled?... No! It can't be! Maybe she could pull a few strings, have her father...
"Keep reading." Was all Haruto said, but the smile still hadn't gone away. Though confused and concerned, Anthony slowly went back to it after clearing his throat, with Rias watching.
"*Ahem*... In our academic program. So after much deliberation, we concluded the only logical solution would be to place him in a more fitting environment," He read in a shaky voice. "We suggest moving him/her as soon as possible to a upper class to properly continue their education," It was at this point Anthony's shaking voice left and was replaced by confusion. Rias also felt the oxygen leave her body for a second, slowly realizing what this letter was actually saying (though she was still in shock). The principal himself just continued to smile and watch Anthony just as he finished: "By signing the doted line below, you hereby authorize your child to advance to the next grade level, effective immediately. With warmest regards... Kuoh Academy Administration..."
...
...
...
He didn't know what to say. Or for that matter, what to think. He slowly lowered the letter so his gobsmacked expression can be seen. He was about to call out Rias, now that he learned her dad owns the school, but already saw she was just as caught off guard as he was, not to mention she had no idea Haruto was a fellow Devil himself. He looked at the principal, who was still smiling. "So then... I'm not getting kicked to the curb?" The Italian asked, mainly out of shock.
The principals smile just got warmer. "Congratulations, Mister Messuri," He said. "Once you get that signed, you'll be going from second-year, to third-year! Or if you prefer, we can call him through a magic circle right now!"
"... F... For real?" Anthony repeated, making sure he heard this correctly.
"As real as these are," Haruto quipped while pointing to his wings and shaking them a bit. Anthony was surprised, but also relieved. He wasn't being tossed out, but being boosted up! Rias herself felt oxygen come back into her body. Her Pawn wasn't being thrown away, but being promoted academically?... She couldn't be happier for him, and it sounds like they might start having classes together! What a stroke of luck! All that Fallen Angel had to do was sign this paper, and Anthony and her would be in the same class!
Despite this terrific news, Anthony looked indecisive, which got Haruto to cock an eyebrow. Most students would love getting this kind of news.
"I-It's... not that I don't appreciate it, Mister Haru. But..." Anthony said. While this was great news, their was allot to consider. For one thing, this didn't seem fair. He was up for climbing the ranks, but only if he earned it. If he did this, then what's the point of trying to better himself? This kinda reflected his goal of finally being able to promote into a Queen, but why try to achieve such a thing if it was just handed to him? It also reminded him of this one show he watched as a kid, with this one ninja who was manipulated by a 5000-year-old spirit trapped in a box promised him anything, but the only reason he did it was cause his teacher didn't promote him to apprentice level unlike the rest of his team. After sealing that spirit away, the teacher offered the rank increase, but the ninja refused and wanted to earn it properly. Bottom line: the ninja learned his lesson, and he did eventually reach that level along with everyone else.
In Anthony's case: he needed to worry of a certain trio of perverts would try and manipulate a certain former nun in the same way if he wasn't there.
"You need some time?" Asked Haruto. Anthony didn't give a verbal answer, but the adult could tell that was the case. "Tell you what; it'll take a week for the paperwork to go through. So in the meantime, I could arrange for you to have a few classes with your King. You won't need any credits from it, but you'll be able to see for yourself if its something you want to do, sound good?" He offered, which sounded like a good idea. If he didn't need any credits, then it was basically a week of free periods. All he had to do was show up.
"Uh, sure. That'd be alright." Anthony said.
"Excellent!" Said Haruto. "So, starting tomorrow, you'll be reporting to Miss Gremory's homeroom. Her teacher will provide you a temporary schedule. If you have any questions or concerns, my doors always open." He continued, wishing Anthony luck and offering his assistance should it be needed. "Your both dismissed. Have a nice day."
-TIME BREAK-
After exiting the offices, both Anthony and Rias felt the tension they felt dissipate. "Well... that was a wild emotional ride," Anthony joked, though it wasn't untrue what he said. They then began walking back to their classes, walking down the hall together. "And now I'm getting classes with two of the fairest in the land! Isn't that something?" He added, not being entirely serious.
"Look, don't get a big head just cause your moving up early," said Rias, happy for him but not giving him the satisfaction.
"Your right. Some of the girls'll start staring at it," he joked again.
She kinda walked into that one, Rias had to admit. "Look, while your in my classes, try not to do anything stupid" she said.
"When have I ever done something stupid?" Asked Anthony, which got Rias to pause and stop moving. Anthony had to turn back to face her, to see she was folding her arms.
"You want a list? Or a graph?" She said with sass. She got him there.
"Alright. I'll watch my mouth," Anthony promised. Giving him a smile that said 'thank you', they continued down the hall. "Besides; it's only gonna be a week. Me, you and Akeno; together in a room full of normal humans. We'll be fine! What's the worst that can happen?" He asked, then they joked with each other as they walked side-by-side.
Rias: (smirks) Well, you could loose to a girl at a game of cards again.
Anthony: (points an index finger at her) Hey. Quello non contava. You cheated!
Rias: Like how you cheated by throwing water on a bird so it can't fly?
Anthony: ... (stops dead in his tracks as Rias continues to walk, then walks quickly to catch up to her) That was different.
-TIME BREAK-
The next day, as agreed with Haruto, Anthony went to Rias' homeroom instead of his own. While most of the kids didn't bat an eye at this, either not caring or not paying too much attention, there were a few that did and were murmuring amongst themselves over it. Rias walked in with him, which was the first thing that set people off, and Anthony's presence alone. Akeno, who noticed them as she was talking to some girls in a small group and upon noticing her fellow club members, she told the group she'll catch up with them later and walked towards the duo.
Then there was a third girl, who was by herself at her desk. She looked up, noticed the commotion when Rias and Anthony walked in. This girl had a slim body type, not very busty but did have a cute butt if anyone was looking. She was pretty, just as pretty as Rias or Akeno, having a fair complexion and large purple eyes. She had short pink hair, straightened with several locks sticking out, along with thick forelocks resting above her bangs. In her hair was a light melon-colored headband, matching her hair ribbon on the left side of her head. She also wore the Kuoh Academy uniform like everyone else, but it included long pink ribbons on her arms, probably for fashion reasons.
Her eyes did slightly widen and her mouth opened a bit in shock upon noticing Anthony...
"Oh, hey Rias. Why'd you drag Anthony here?" Akeno asked as she approached him and Rias. She then leaned closer to Anthony, smiling right in his face. "Hmmm... unless someones skipping class to spy on the big girls?" She teased.
"Nope. Just you" Anthony said with a smirk.
"Ara, Ara" Akeno giggled. Anthony was going to answer with another joke, but didn't get too right away; because when he looked at Akeno, he couldn't help but flash back to what he saw in that dream... how depressed the poor girl was... "Anthony? What's wrong?" Asked the Queen, her and Rias seeing Anthony start to space out and were genuinely concerned. Was he ok?
"... Oh! My innocence!" Anthony recovered, holding his heart dramatically with one hand and clutching it tightly. This just got Akeno to giggle even more, and Rias couldn't help but smile. Looks like he was fine.
"Down boy," Rias teased, then explained to Akeno why Anthony was here. "He's being moved up, so he's gonna be in our class for a few days."
"Oh really?" Akeno asked, her smile telling Rias she was about to fire another tease. "Playing the system, aren't ya? Who'd you have to sleep with?"
"As long as she comes home to me, that's fine" Anthony added to the joke, earning an elbow attack from Rias.
The bell then rang, signaling class was starting. The teacher, a male this time, walked in with a blinder in his arms. "Alright, alright. Fun's over. To your seats." He ordered, to which the class complied with immediately. As Rias and Akeno went to their own, the teacher locked eyes with Anthony and gestured with his index finger for the Italian to come over to him. Of course, now that the class was all seated, the rest of them noticed Anthony and wondered why an underclassmen was here.
'*Sigh*... It was just a dream. It was just a dream' Anthony reminded himself as he got closer to the teacher's desk. The girl with the melon headband however, didn't take her eyes off Anthony. Not even once...
"Unless your a bunch of Baka's, we have another new student with us this week," said the teacher, gesturing to Anthony. The entire room was focused on the Italian now. The teacher then tossed Anthony a piece of chalk, whom caught it flawlessly. "Go ahead and write your name and introduce yourself... if you think you can" the teacher continued, which could be interpreted as a challenge. Doing as he was asked, Anthony wrote his name on the board.
He actually wrote it in English, Italian, Kanji and Katakana to prove a point; underlining his work once he was done, turning to face the class and blowing on the chalk before tossing it behind him and into the metal sheet below the board itself. "What else? Need me to insegnare la tua classe too?" He joked, using some Italian so the teacher couldn't understand him. Rias and Akeno of course did, having the gift of understanding all languages. The rest of the class themselves found interesting. They didn't speak Italian, so they had no idea what Anthony just said, but they did hear plenty of rumors about Anthony. Seeing him act this way was another.
"..." The teacher was silent... at first. "Io parlo ventinove lingue differenti." He responded dryly, but with a smile. The students laughed at this, seeing as he matched Anthony at his own game, which Anthony took like a good sport, but couldn't help but humorously think: 'aw shit.' The only student who didn't laugh was that pink haired girl. She still kept a close eye on Anthony. "Please speak one language so the rest of your fellow millennials can understand you" the teacher added.
"R-Right," Anthony said to the teacher in normal Japanese, a little embarrassed at the turn of events, but shook it off. The teacher got him good, he respected that. He turned back to the class. "Name's Anthony. Just some American nobody whose fresh off the boat," he introduced himself. "Not sure what to really expect in this class, but might as well make it fun and try to get along, eh?"
"Thank you. Take that empty seat right there across from Miss Asaka, another transfer student" said the teacher, gesturing with his hand to an empty spot that was behind another girl, yet across the pink haired girl, who was still staring at Anthony. When he looked her way however, she changed her face to a neutral expression, not wanting to get caught. Thankfully for her, Anthony didn't notice she was staring. Anthony made eye contact with her though, then the girl that was in front of the seat the instructor told him to take. She smiled at him friendly.
"Nice. A seat between two beauties," he commented, which got the nameless girl to blush, but the pink haired one's eyes slightly widened again. Rias and Akeno couldn't help but roll their eyes. He just HAD to have the last word. "But why not that gorgeous window seat over there?" Anthony asked, mentioning another empty seat that was in front of another girl, having a slim body as well but with long chestnut hair, though not as long or in twin tails like Irina's. This girl, not using to being called out, also blushed. "Or a seat next to her?" He motioned to another girl, having shorter hair and was a dirty blond color. "How about that handsome guy in the back?" He asked, using a deeper tone and pointed to a boy towards the back. He then took his shirt collar and pulled it to the side, fanning himself a bit as if to let out steam.
Anthony then gave a dog-like growl. The kid he picked out seemed to share his sense of humor cause he released a wolf-like howl, causing the class to laugh again. Even the pink haired girl couldn't help but giggle though she did try to hold it in. Akeno and Rias joined in on the laughs of course and while Rias was concerned yesterday, she began to relax a bit. The class appeared to like him already, as if he's been here for months. Maybe him transferring here to this grade level wasn't a bad idea after all.
"Alright, alright, funny man. Pick wherever ya what" said the teacher. While his face remained professional, he couldn't deny this American didn't have a bad sense of humor. It was a little funny honestly. Anthony got through the entire class normally till it was time to switch for next period. Akeno and Rias had to admit, it really wasn't so bad having Anthony in the same class as them. They wondered how this was gonna go for the next week. While everyone including Anthony was gathering their stuff...
"Anthony."
He heard his name called, but it wasn't from the male teacher. It was feminine, but it didn't belong to Akeno or Rias either. He looked up from getting his stuff to see Asaka, the pink haired girl standing before him that the teacher mentioned before. She was an inch or inch and a half shorter than himself, and she was kinda cute, he wasn't gonna lie. "Oh, hey," He said in a friendly voice, though the girls expression didn't change from its neutral position. "You a class rep or something? I see your ribbons. Ya got a good sense of style" he kindly commented, trying to make conversation. Still no change. "So uh, I heard you transferred too."
Still. Nothing.
[Is she oka...?] Ddraig said, then sensed something about her. Her aura felt familiar. [Anthony, that's...!]
Anthony: You from another city or...
It was too late.
HUG.
Anthony was completely caught off guard by this random girl suddenly hugging him. He didn't hug her back, but that didn't stop her from pulling herself in and squeezing him firmly, yet gently. While she didn't have much of a rack, it was still noticeable, but it didn't appear like that was her intent. While hugging him, her eyes were closed, and her body was relaxed as if she was at peace.
That's the opposite reaction of what the class had. Upon seeing the public display of affection, everyone either blushed (though mainly the girls) or froze and stared, obviously not expecting to see it either. Even Rias and Akeno were a bit surprised. Akeno put a hand over her mouth, and she glanced over at Rias... then saw a faint aura of her Destruction magic that flared around her 2 seconds later. Despite that; her frown turned into a smile, but not the positive kind.
"Anthony." She called him, which he turned his neck to her and saw that smile, knowing exactly what kind of mood she was in. Her mother and Tiffany were one thing, but was she really this level of a jealous type? "What exactly are you doing?" She asked as she approached the hugging humans. Who did that girl think she was, putting her human hands around her property? It also didn't help the fact that while this girl wasn't as well-endowed as herself or Akeno, she was what many would consider as 'hot'.
"Trying out for a dakimakura!" Anthony responded to his King. "Listen; your cute and all, but can ya take me to dinner first?" He then looked back down at the girl hugging him, also trying to get out of her grasp. While she didn't let go, she did loosen her grip, but only so she could look up at him.
"Anthony... did you forget about me?" She asked him innocently, her violet eyes locked into his.
"F-Forget? What are you tal...?" Asked Anthony, but then got a better look at her. As he was looking into her face, a transparent image of a slightly younger-looking version of her manifested before replacing her actual face for a second. Instead of her current Kuoh uniform, she was now wearing a button-down white and black shirt, accented with light red, with a black undershirt. She also wore a grey plaid skirt with it. 'I... I know her...' he then thought to himself, blinking a few times. He also thought back to what his friend Yukiha said the other day. Was this what he meant by blast from the past?
[That's what I was trying to tell you,] Ddraig said, who was able to sense whom this girl was.
"... Yukitsuki?" He asked, wanting to be sure he wasn't mistaken. She smiled up at him and her eyes brightened. She nodded quickly a few times in response. "... ha... W-What are you doing here? How've you been?" He asked her with a laugh, happy to see an old friend.
"Yeah. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" She said, glad Anthony finally recognized her.
"Ahem!" Said a voice that caused the old friends to look in its direction. It was Rias, her energy now dispelled, and her arms were folded and tapping her fingers on one of those arms with an annoyed 'what the hell is going on' expression. This got both Anthony and Yukitsuki to realize they were still close together so both of them ended it. The instigator of the hug gave an embarrassed smile and nervous giggle. Anthony just rubbed the back of his neck, also with an embarrassed smile. "Honestly, right in front of people. Is something wrong with you two?" Rias questioned them. She then felt a little bad asking if something was wrong with them, seeing as Anthony had a few problems he was working on fixing such as promoting properly, but it didn't matter right now. These two, whether it was one-sided or not, just showed a public display of affection, and she didn't find the close contact appropriate... at least, as she wasn't the one doing it.
Anthony's response was: "... I mean, I have high cholesterol..." he could have pointed out her hypocrisy, but decided that wasn't going to help the situation seeing she was still in her mood.
Yukitsuki snapped her head in his direction, looking concerned. "Still? You haven't done anything to lower it?" She scolded him.
"It's genetic!" Anthony excused.
"AND your diet! What about your triglycerides? You eat too many carbs!" Yukitsuki added, dropping another hidden fact about Anthony, though this wasn't totally surprising due to his nationality and what he ate and cooked.
"First of all, you and Haya kept making those delicious boxed lunches!" Anthony said, shifting the blame. "Second of all, your entire country eats noodles with every damn dish!"
Rias just watched the both of them continue to argue, though it appeared to have gotten playful as it went on. The next thing they 'argued' over was someone called: "The Man-Eater", then about how Yukitsuki should have been more strict when it came to Anthony's upbringing since he called her a doctor. Rias closed her eyes and grew a vein over her head as they progressed with the conversation. How dare this girl argue with him playfully? That's HER job!
Yukitsuki was the one to notice this. "Oh, I'm sorry. Does this bother you?" She asked Rias in a friendly tone.
"No." Rias lied, turning her head away with a pout.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. This is actually normal between us" Yukitsuki said, detecting Rias' lie.
"NORMAL?!" Rias said, now getting ticked off. "How do you even know him anyway? You've only been here 2 days and he's not even from here!" She said, not having paid attention to the fact Anthony called this girl by name. She was just unable to believe this girl somehow knew Anthony. Not only was the school big, but this girl's only been enrolled for 2 days. The only possible way she'd hear about Anthony was via rumors or if they knew each other from America, which was a VERY big if considering the way she talked and dressed.
"Oh that's easy. We went to school together." Yukitsuki said.
Rias smirked then. This girl was one of those types, eh? A liar that wants to start drama. Even if she DID met Anthony previously, the fact she didn't know one important fact about him made her story unbelievable. "Well, that's interesting..." She began. "Considering he's never gone to ANY school in Japan until this year."
"I know. That's why he snuck in during lunch hours." Yukitsuki stated as soon as Rias made her comment. She still thought Yukitsuki was lying, but noticed she didn't hesitate in answering the next question. Even skilled lawyers, demon or human or otherwise, would pause when thinking of a lie. That's just how brains operated. So either Yukitsuki was telling the truth, or was skilled liar; so much so, that she convinced herself of her own lie.
"Anthony. Please tell her you never went to school at all," Rias said with a smirk, folding her arms again and closing her eyes, awaiting her Pawn to carry out the request and call this girl out on her bluff.
...
...
...
...
No response. Rias opened one eye to look at him, and was surprised to see him with a nervous smile and scratching one of his cheeks while chuckling. "Ixnay on the sneak in-stay..." he muttered in the lowest tone possible. That's when Rias got closer to him, some more of her power flaring though it still wasn't detectable by mortal kind, and looking quite aggravated at what this meant.
"You lied to me?" She asked directly in a flat tone, trying her hardest not to growl at him. How could he lie to her? That wasn't like him at all, and it really made her upset.
"N-N-No! I just... didn't think it was necessary," he admitted. "I was never enrolled, just showed up a couple of times during lunch breaks. That's it" he said, defending himself, but that wasn't the point. He still never told Rias this side of his backstory. Why? She had no idea, but it bothered her. Did he not trust her enough with that information? Because he shared his tragic past with herself before anyone else in the ORC club, so it didn't make any sense. Why would he keep this from her?
"And before homeroom," added Yukitsuki.
"And before homeroom." Anthony corrected.
"And in-between classes," Yukitsuki added again.
"And in-between classes." Anthony repeated, sounding exhausted from the additions Yukitsuki was making, however true they were.
"And during P.E., before and after we changed," Yukitsuki added once more.
"And your not helping!" Anthony told Yukitsuki though gritted teeth, resisting to urge to speak Italian that time, and shaking his head back and forth as he spoke but kept his eyes glued to Rias. Rias sighed, still looking peeved. "What? I'm sorry! I didn't think it was a big deal!" Anthony tried to apologize, seeing that Rias' feelings were hurt.
"Oh no, it's fine," she claimed, despite it being evident that this clearly bothered her. "It's nice to know you run around, sneaking off to spy on girls during gym."
"That's not..." Anthony said before stopping himself with a facepalm. What that ALL this spoiled Devil heard of the entire conversation? That wasn't exactly what went on back then, it was actually a bit more serious. He could tell her, but he wasn't sure she'd believe him because the context of it was crazy and outlandish. Even he had trouble believing it really happened sometimes, despite the fact he lived through it. "Rias..."
"No, its ok. You don't have to explain," Rias still insisted. "I'm sure it was fun running around with her, sharing so much about yourself as you ate lunch together." She ranted on, mentioning how he had trouble opening up with her but based on the interaction with this Yukitsuki girl, he appeared to have no issues with it at all. To Rias, it didn't seem fair.
"It's not like that, Rias! It was a long time ago!" Anthony tried to reason with her.
Yukitsuki watched the interaction between Anthony and Rias very closely as they continued to argue. To her, it was obvious they were pretty close. Honestly, she never heard a single rumor about Anthony, mainly because she stayed away from them due to rumors she spread back in the past... they weren't exactly friendly ones either, which is why when she heard gossip nowadays, she did her best to stay away from it. Meeting Anthony and his group of friends helped change her life for the better, despite all the issues she caused them numerous times.
But there was something she sensed from Rias... she wasn't being honest with herself, kind of how she was when she was dealing with her own mental problems. Yukitsuki's eyes gave off some kind of faint flash as her sight was directed towards Rias. "Excuse me? Rias?" Yukitsuki asked in a friendly voice, which got both Devil and human to stop arguing and look at her. "Do you have a problem with me talking to Anthony?" She asked directly, still in her soft tone.
Rias didn't speak at first. What an odd question for her to ask. She didn't have a problem, did she?... nah. It was mainly Anthony's stupidity... that's what she told herself anyway. "No. No I don't."
"Then why are you getting so defensive?" Yukitsuki asked again, which got Rias' full attention. The girls tone didn't exactly change... its just the way she asked it that got Rias. "If he didn't want to tell you anything, then you have no room to complain. It's his choice."
"... excuse me?" Rias asked, calmly but held in her boiling ire. Who did this slim, smart-ass think she was? "I understand that. But it would've been nice if someone would share." She added, throwing a bit of shade at Anthony. Before he could respond to it, Yukitsuki beat him too it.
Yukitsuki smiled then. "You must really care about him then."
Rias cocked an eyebrow. Something wasn't right with this chick, what's with all the questions all of a sudden? "Of course I do. He's a respected member of my club and a good friend." She said.
Yukitsuki smiled again, a bit bigger this time. "I've heard. The Occult Research Club. That would make you the President then?" She asked the Devil.
"Yeaaaaah?" Rias said, now confused.
Just like Rias, Anthony also questioned Yukitsuki's actions. The only time she asked questions was when... '... oh no...' he thought, realizing what Yukitsuki was doing. If there was one thing that could be said about her, its that she's smart. Like seriously smart. She was able to read people to a scarily accurate degree. She could also get plenty of info from the smallest bit of dialog. And if you lied to her or try to keep something from her, she'd be able to pick up on it almost instantly! If you let one thing slip, even the tiiiiiiiiiiiniest detail, she could very easily figure the rest out on her own; and if not, she could manipulate you into doing it for her. We're talking like if you drop 1%... she'll finish the other 99% by herself!
Yukitsuki's smile got even brighter. "That doesn't make you his President," she stated, which got Rias on the verge of exploding, but she held most of it in. She was still VERY tempted to blast this girl with a Destruction fireball right now. "If you know him so well, you'll know he's also kinda sensitive despite him acting so tough. It's not your business."
THAT... got Rias' eyes to fill with crimson fire. Not his President? Not her business? Of course he was her business! Anthony was her prized servant! This slim bitch had asked for it!
"Rias, don-!" Anthony tried to warn her, but it was too late. The redhead Devil had already went off.
"Excuse me?! I'll have you know it IS my business!" Rias proclaimed, her pride having been struck. Of course, the other students who were watching the whole time didn't find this staggering information. Even without the rumors involving Rias and Anthony, it was clear they were very close from how they acted around each other. Even if they have been seen holding hands on one occasion, and they did eat lunches together sometimes, none of that exactly proved anything of actual merit. "After all we've been through, how we helped each other when we were suffering, and considering the fact we're living together...!"
Anthony reacted the second the words "living together" were used, his face freaked out and his expression literally screamed: "noooooo!" Rias didn't even get to finish that sentence because...
"HUH?!"
"WHAT?!"
"FOR REAL?!"
That was all said at the exact same time by all the students that stayed behind to watch the exchange, some of the reactions and responses were a bit delayed due to the shock of hearing that bit of information. Up until this point, the student body had no idea Rias and Anthony were actually going that far. Walking home and to/from school? Maybe. But not something that serious. They heard all the rumors numerous times, but whether or not Anthony and Rias were romantically involved were inconspicuous.
To the students... this outright solidified them.
Rias' face froze the moment she realized what she had just done, looking mortally embarrassed with her face red and mouth hanging open with no sounds coming out, though still staring at Yukitsuki. The girl in question had a smile on her face the whole time, having gotten what she wanted, and more. Without another word, she walked past Rias, the still-shocked Devil's gaze and head following her out as she stood frozen in place.
Akeno?... She covered her mouth and giggled at Rias' expense.
Rias felt a hand pat her on the head, then slowly continue to pat her. "Glad you did nothing stupid" was all Anthony had to say.
Anthony's Italian Dictionary:
1) Mi Sento una Merda: means "I feel like shit".
2) Certamente: means "of course".
3) Fammi Diventare Sordo, Perché Non Tu: means "make me go deaf, why don't you".
4) Quello Non Contava: means "that did not/didn't count".
5) Insegnare La Tua Classe: means "teach your class."
6) Io Parlo Ventinove Lingue Differenti: means "I speak 29 different languages".