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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
High School DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD Series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK.
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Chapter 10: Unforeseen Study Session
There's just something interesting when you wake up in the morning and you can tell right as you open your eyes that bad things are soon to happen.
Kuroka had to leave early in the morning as Azazel had given her a job that was meant to last a few days in Europe, and Ophis had told me that she was going to pass by for the day. Just as I was done with breakfast, I noticed her head already peering from beyond the couch. So, after I was done cleaning the empty dishes, I sat down and enjoyed that early part of the day with her. I could afford it considering I dealt with my paperwork after lunch and Issei and co. had yet to make a call to set up more study group sessions.
It's been a few days now since I spoke with Sona, and, as I had expected, Reya had struggled to come up with an apology for both boys. Saji was easier to convince, but Issei? I couldn't blame him for taking that 'betrayal' the extra step. Despite how bold he was at times, the brunet was still a guy with a weak mindset towards those that could hurt him like that. I could tell that while I had purged the unhealthy bit of perversion he got, he still had that stinging memory that was Irina leaving without telling him where she was going and why.
Hence why I had to make a call to Azazel about this matter. He was relieved when I said that any possible problem had been solved about Issei's chances of going berserk anytime soon, but I recommended for him to be trained ASAP. The answer I got from that was... concerning. And quite unexpected.
"I can't send anyone to train him."
I frowned back then, confused by this admission of inability from someone that should have the resources to pull that off. "But why?"
"I'm afraid I would say too much about it but... I believe Issei is being watched closely by Devils. Sirzechs has already begun speaking of some nice additions to his sister's peerage, which means she is currently setting him up to be given that offer. If we have to get him, it has to be through you."
Which was fucked up, but, if I have to be honest, not a wrong move from Azazel. And thus that's where I was left. With three friends struggling to get together, with me now saddling the duty of getting Ise and Saji both interested to join Grigori, and Ophis sitting happily on my lap as she normally would during her visits.
But as I was slowly thinking of ways to get Issei to know what was up without going too in-depth on the matter, I found my attention stolen away by the front door's bell. Someone was visiting and it wasn't someone I had expected to come by. Ophis was slightly annoyed by the noise and what it meant, but shifted off my lap as soon as I patted her head, gesturing to her I had to go and check who was annoying our quality time together.
Humming quietly, I wandered up to the door and checked through the peephole first. And yep, I could say my gut feeling about this day in particular being sucky wasn't wrong. I saw a red ahoge and I saw a sadist. Yes, I mean I saw Rias and Akeno standing outside my door. Just the two of them. No Koneko/Shirone, no Kiba. I slowly opened the door, not fully, but enough for me to peek my face out.
"Yes?"
"Are you John Bukharin, Grigori representative?" The redhead inquired with a smug look, while her queen regaled me with quite the irritated look veiled by a pretty smile.
I had this distinct feeling that Sona may have been pressured into telling Rias half-the-truth. Just a feeling, and the fact it was the only viable way she could have possibly known about my identity. Was it bad? Yes. Especially when it came to the fact there were treaties which forced my hand in case this was a serious situation which required diplomacy. And yeah sure, I wasn't officially a representative to the organization, but I was the highest-ranking guy that was within Kuoh. So, by technicality alone, I was the Grigori representative until Azazel sent someone that outranked me.
"Perhaps."
"Oh, there's a chance you are not then?" Akeno replied, her gentle tone hinting to an unexpected amount of sarcasm.
So, I returned comedy with comedy.
"Right now I'm John Bukharin, enjoyer of my days off work."
Rias' lips twitched in brief amusement, not something mirrored by Akeno.
"Now, I understand you're surprised we are visiting," The Gremory heiress pointed out politely.
"In part, yes."
"Well, I would like to engage in a diplomatic meeting regarding a clash between claims tied to Grigori and the Underworld."
...Fuck, they are after Ise.
"As much as I would say 'I am not in the mood, come back never', I can tell you're not up to taking that as an answer," I remarked, which Akeno finally smiled at.
"Nope."
I sighed. "Well, then come in. Only warning I can give is that I'm not alone right now and she isn't part of Grigori... and technically can listen to this kind of stuff."
I really don't have much of an idea on how to break down the news that I had Ophis in my house at the moment, but they sure got an idea that the little girl that was now half-glaring at them for interrupting things like that wasn't exactly a nice or weak individual. Nonetheless, Ophis was receptive when we all sat down by the table in the kitchen and reinforced her current 'control' by once more sitting on my lap.
Rias was the one being most at ease, blue eyes looking around, almost endeared by the homely nature of my house while Akeno kept on looking at me with a mixture of disdain and unease. They both sat close to each other, definitely keeping up that 'united front' pattern they were going for. The 'King' spoke first, and she made the situation clear for the rest.
"I seek to gain Hyoudou Issei as part of my Peerage, but I believe you have already claimed him as a possible agent of Grigori."
I slowly nodded. "That sounds about right."
"We believe that it would be best for him to be given a chance to serve in the Underworld."
"Why?" I inquired calmly and the girls nodded at my valid general question.
"First, as a member of my peerage, he would receive funds for advanced education, a position within my family's business to work once he has completed his studies, and access to funds to live a happy life. Second, I wouldn't treat him as a slave as many Devils would do with their peerage's members."
"Well, that sounds fancy and all, but still there's the issue of the bound a Master has for his Pieces," I argued calmly, forcing Rias to frown at me on that topic. "And while that sounds insignificant with how you put out that you wouldn't treat him as a slave, they still are bound to follow your orders when you demand. That's not something that means a little."
"I-"
"And yes, I'm not accusing you of any mistreatment, but there will be a situation where you may force someone to do something they feel strongly against. And while you can remark that those cases aren't as common or as serious as one would imagine, I'm quite aware that Himejima-san here didn't exactly here out of personal interest.
"I wasn't ordered-"
"But you did so because your boss needed help. You thought of her as your boss first and your friend next. That's the kind of bond many have in a chief-subordinate relationship, no matter how friendly that is," I interrupted, leaving the Queen to think a bit about what I just said before shifting my focus elsewhere. "Hence why I believe Grigori offers Issei greater opportunities as, yes, he would be given jobs that may take him around, but none would put him in dangers that are beyond his current combat capacity. He would be provided with monthly-renewed funds, he would be provided access to numerous illustrious schools if he so decided, and he would be trained by the top instructors in Grigori. Plus, the chance to explore the world in case of research expeditions which add to his growing cultural experience."
The redhead looked surprised at the sheer amount of benefits that contract came with, but I guess not many in the underworld were told about this kind of 'competitive contracts'. Well, those that were as sheltered as Rias definitely didn't know this much, but I had this distinct feeling some of the older generations were aware how clever Azazel's lawyers were in styling a contract like this one. It was within Grigori's own might due to it being the first largest group favored by rich humans, closely followed by the underworld's own economic might.
"So, that would favor your side more than mine but... what if I could offer a price to counterbalance the matter?" She inquired, her eyes glinting an unpleasant light. She soon reached for one of the upper buttons of her shirt and pulled it off. "Would it be possible to make an... exchange?"
Another button and I could see some of her cleavage in the process. Now, I can tell what Rias was trying to get and... I was not dying of pussy or, in this case, boobs. So this tactic, within all respect I can muster through the matter, was infantile at best.
"Look, Gremory-san," I said with a serious tone. "I'm not going to accept any form of bribery from you through some form of bodily sight. I'm aware of your beauty as much as everyone that can see you will honestly tell."
"But?" Rias inquired, surprised by the clear refusal.
"But I believe you should be a bit more clever to use your body in such a manner. Especially since I know that you are not that kind of individual with strangers," I remarked without hesitation, reaching out to pat Ophis as I could tell she was a bit unnerved by the bribery effort. "I mean, aren't you literally upset for being in an arranged marriage with the third child of the Phenex Clan."
"I-"
"Just be more mindful that behavior has to match expectations from the people, or you are either going to be called out in case it's a bluff, or teased if you mean it. Also I'm not that kind of person."
Akeno snorted in false amusement, and that was the last straw for me.
"Himejima-san, I understand you are absolutely livid when it comes to dealing with my organization, but I can assure you that I had no contacts with your father or anyone tied to that. Heck, the only one I speak with nowadays is Azazel himself."
"It's not the point," Akeno remarked angrily, much to Rias' growing chagrin. "Grigori was the organization behind that attack."
"It was not," I rebuked firmly.
"The attack was-"
"Directed by members of the Himejima family who wanted both you and your mother dead," I interrupted calmly. "That and much worse within the clan. Hence why the old guard was killed off a while ago and now your cousin Suzaku is now in charge."
Her mouth opened, but remembrance glowed in her violet eyes. "S-Suzaku? Suzaku is-"
"The current clan leader. And someone that was really pissed at Baraqiel for what happened to your mother. I don't need to explain she took her as her role model, and in a way I can tell she really took a lot after her mindset and philosophy after others," I admitted, frowning a bit at the table. "Maybe a bit too much on the sadistic note though..."
For the first time since this visit, she cracked a brief smile. "S-Still, Grigori-"
"Dear Pizza, no. We weren't involved in attacking your mother, that group had it against Baraqiel for other reasons. So, they struck when they knew your dad was busy with work and couldn't get you two to help."
Her mouth opened and then closed, and I used this chance to press more. "Look, I'm sure that Sirzechs-sama should know more on the matter. Just ask him, I'm sure you can rely on him if he says something in that regard that corroborates what I just said, right?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"Then do that rather than expecting my words to hold an inch of truth. If he said I'm correct, then I'm correct."
...
She lowered her head in brief shame at that and I sighed. Rias looked uneasy too and ready to leave any moment now.
"Well, with this situation solved I think we could go now and leave you back to your day off-"
"I believe not," I muttered, surprising both with that comment. "After all, from what I can tell, you two have skipped school and are planning to not return to it to go through the rest of the lessons, right?"
"Yes but-"
"Are you going to spend the rest of the day doing stuff that isn't studying?"
Rias looked nervous, like a little kid that had gotten caught stealing from the cookie jar. "Y-yes?"
"...Pick up your books and put them on the table. It would seem like I would have to take on the fact I am dealing with two girls skipping school."
"You- You don't have any right to-"
"Call the school and alert them that you two are skipping school?" I interrupted flatly.
Rias' attempt was easily disrupted, with Akeno letting out a quick giggle before shaking her head in defeat together with the redhead. After all, she too was soon subjected to an unplanned study session and... not gonna lie, these two were easy to pry into being in their most honest behavior during the session.
I let them off the hook just after lunch, but I ended up dragging the study session some more when I ended up triggering a wave of curiosity from Ophis in further exploring this kind of knowledge. Sure, it wasn't something she normally would do, but when I gave her a piece of paper, pencil, a pen and an eraser, she just started to doodle while also doing some work related to geometry.
Seems like I may have unlocked a new hobby for the girl as the Infinity Dragon was just taken by the need to draw as much as she could and, after some practice, she really got good at it too. She learned fast and I think the 'good work = praises + headpats' formula may have boosted her interest to an absolutely adorable level.
Ah yes, that day sure was an interesting day...
And also the awkward beginning of these two passing by whenever they needed help with their homework.
AN
Poor Ise is going to get a mini-stroke when he gets told of this situation. Maybe not as strongly when he is told that he has a Sacred Gear and what that is.
REVIEW Q&A!
Scyfly: Vali is no 'stray' tho. She was already assigned a job and Azzie is checking on her closely since she has been getting uppity at this stage of the story.
Wacko12: Maybe.