"Koneko-chan... Even though I have a legendary dragon in my body, I can't do everything... If I had been stronger in those times for Asia and Buchou, if I had sacrificed my whole body for more power, they would not have had such sad experiences... I am a useless and pitiful demon. Even when the previous Sekiryuuteis reached Balance Breaker in a short time, I don't know how many months it will take for me... I am clear about what a disappointment I am to everyone, to Ddraig, to Buchou. I know it from the beginning. Such power is a waste in me because I am useless... That's why I can't do everything for you, Koneko-chan... But, despite all that, I will be your shield... If you lose control of your Nekomata power, I will stop you, even if I die in vain or in the attempt. Since I cannot use this power for myself, even if I do not wish to do so, I can give it to my friends. Even if your sister returns, I will do my best to save you. Just remember that whenever you need me, I'll be there..."
Koneko Toujou opened her eyes, showing small tears that soon disappeared with the sheet that covered her. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed how everyone looked exhausted, even sleeping standing up. She got up from the couch, quickly realizing that she had fallen asleep at some point and someone was kind enough to watch over her...
"I'm so tired..." Mumbled a small blonde-haired girl walking towards the sofa after appearing in a magic circle, at a sluggish pace and shuffling her feet until she crashed into it. "Issei-san..." Rambled as she quickly fell asleep with her face slowly sinking into the seat.
The Nekomata blushes. Not to be ignored, since she recognizes that was caught in the same way Asia slept several times by the boy who invaded her thoughts in the past few days...
"Ufu, fu~... Even though he can now go from the magic circles, he still prefers to go on foot~... I wonder how much punishment he can endure until he begs me for mercy~." Akeno unveils modestly and wickedly while serving tea elegantly, managing to revive Rias, who was falling asleep at her desk, wiped off the trace of saliva and hurriedly exclaimed.
"A-Akeno! Issei is mine!" The redhead scolded her with a blush, apparently going through an imaginative process that was not favored by the girl's comments.
Despite the scolding, she laughs and dismisses the situation. Kiba smiles in amusement, denoting being very exhausted by nodding his head several times, but which by his mettle and gentlemanly bearing he never lets on as he sits in the armchairs waiting for any possible order from Rias; Xenovia, on the other hand, snores noisily in the other part of the room, overwhelming little Gasper who occasionally fears that she will wake up and blame him for the noise.
"If you lose control of your power Nekomata, I will stop you, even if I die in vain or in the attempt. Since I cannot use this power for myself, even if I do not wish to, I can give it to my friends. Even if your sister returns, I will do my best to save you. Just remember that whenever you need me, I'll be there..."
Koneko can't help but remember those words suddenly and inevitably blushes as her heart feels just as it did at that moment, which unleashes in her that unbridled passion that has been overwhelming her since the past few days.
And just as her heart ravishes, her expression lights up when the front door opens and from the hallway of the club she hears the voice of a Don Juan approaching...
"For fuck sake! The chain broke! REMIND ME NOT TO BIKE ON STORM WEEK!"
What a Don Juan by the way...
The girl even loses interest, despite the fact that she finds it embarrassing and hilarious how her companion makes his way into the room and all eyes go to him.
"Hey, guys. The contract went well and so... Um... Yeah, this is the report..."
The guy had come in several ways: One, soaking wet. Two, angry. Three, shirtless and full of grease on his arms and face. Four, with a strange grease in his hands that appeared to be what was once a report of a splendid service by a contractor...
No doubt Issei has strange habits when it comes to going about fulfilling his contra-. Oh, he has a splendid body...
Koneko shrank in place as her embarrassed gaze sidelong met that of her companions, who were a bit more and blinded by the boy. Akeno was licking her lips as her teapot shook from a flick of the wrist that Koneko knew must refer to some masochistic act of the kind the hybrid was so fond of; Rias looked like she would fall off her desk as she stood practically on top of him while looking at the boy with dedication and deep analysis.
She wasn't even going to describe how she saw him, because she didn't feel ready to even think about it right now.
"Excellent work, Issei. You can rest." Complimented the redhead with a perhaps too innocent smile as her gaze screamed something else towards the brown who smiled as if it was nothing and decided to rest.
"Oh, okay... I'll go to sleep for a while, let me know when we're leaving." Asked the boy who walked calmly towards the section of curtains they had made to rest.
"Okay. Thank you, Koneko-chan."
And she can't help but smile at the sight of him pleased by her kindness, a little quizzical at when he looked at her full of fear at the wake-up call.
Now that he thought about it, this had never been new and, except with Asia or Rias, Issei had often been... Terrified? Afraid? For some reason she didn't understand, he was always afraid when he was called or asked for something, as long as it was a woman, of course.
It was more than clear that there was something wrong with him in front of women. He always used to be lewd and even a jerk, but she never expected to believe that this had any great significance.
Then an epiphany came over her as she remembered the black feathers flying over a tearful Issei and the regret that Asia had died...
Koneko pauses, horrified. Her mistress explained to her that a fallen one had taunted him before killing him, the same one she remembered seeing long ago, but she had never set the example of what that fallen had done before that... Why... How...
Issei can and could have it all with his power and the title of Sekiryuttei. Even in the face of possible requests for indecent acts with every woman there is, he has never laid a finger on anyone... Even Asia, whom he adores and takes care of...
He... He is afraid of women? That was her conclusion that he demonstrated at least emotionally. The clear example of this would be the fact that he could never accept and let go of what happened to him with Raynare.
He despises Asia as his sister, even though she does everything that one wouldn't do, and he always adores Rias as his master and as a woman, even though she doesn't want that excessive adoration from him and seeks to have a relationship for more.
She doesn't even remember when she got to the bathroom, but it doesn't take her long to grab two towels as her expression of deep shock continues to accompany her until she turns back to him. She doesn't even care that Rias, Akeno and even Gasper noticed her expression.
Pulling back the curtains and poorly observing the place, Koneko understands that her master created this place in order to rest with Issei to always have a romantic moment... A moment that never came due to the boy's ignorance and the fact that she made it clear that everyone could use it. The only time she saw Issei and Kiba inside, she swore they were both able to see the intentions of the place for a moment and never crossed words inside again.
So, Issei understood everything and feigned ignorance (or even pressed it in his mind to not give attention to it) in order to not perceive what the women around him were doing so he wouldn't be mortified of any possible rejection that would hurt him again.
Koneko is greatly saddened to see the quiet dragon snoring on the couch as if nothing bad happened, the case being true, except for his state of mind which before her finally opens up to understand the boy's problems...
"Issei-sempai..." She murmurs sadly as her Nekomata ears flop forward, denoting her state of mind, approaching and kneeling on the couch beside him, drying the boy's hair with dedication. "You've been in so much pain..."
He had given so much for others, only to forget himself. If that didn't show how humble and kind he was, despite having power beyond imagination, then one was totally blind.
Her disappointment at the realization that no one has noticed the boy's problem is what hits her the hardest. He has been able to conceal it and she only realized it by finally relating a frightened look that he has been learning to conceal...
And by the time she realizes it, she falls asleep in his lap, promising in small tears to be the one to take care of him until he can take the necessary step...
...
[ A month later. ]
Koneko opens her eyes, noticing that she is in her room. She smiles at the sun beating down on her face, knowing perfectly well that the slight discomfort it was causing her was nothing as the day would be excellent.
Somehow she doesn't hear any chaos in the hallway, which of course is the fault of Rias and Akeno fighting over Issei... But for that she is responsible, of course.
And just as she expected, Issei was on his way to the bathroom after running away from the fights between the two of them. Asia, to her good fortune, had gone to a pillamada with her friends, something that solved the main hindrance of her day to day life.
"Issei-nya. Good morning..." She greets appearing behind him, making him smile slightly as he notices her by habit.
"Koneko-chan... Good morning. I hope Akeno-san and Buchou didn't wake you up with their fights..." He murmurs between relieved and worried.
She smiles and approaches him, invading his personal space and taking his arm calmly as she guides him to the bathroom.
"It wasn't like that this time. Issei-nya motivates me to wake up every day." She confesses happily, embarrassing the boy.
"Again with that." He commented nervously, between a worried and dismissive tone. "Koneko-chan, I seriously wonder if these jokes aren't going a bit far..."
"It's not a joke. I love you, Issei-nya... Thanks to you I accepted my nature and learned to accept you as you are. A kind and caring pervert." She declares seriously, getting him to look her in the eye with every sentence, totally embarrassing him. "No matter how many times I have to repeat it, I will always remind you. I know that only then will you be able to stop looking at me in any other way than as a companion or a friend."
"Y-You don't need to do that..."
The words embarrass the boy and he averts his gaze as she smiles to see that he is no longer struggling to deny her feelings or even to try to persuade them to romance someone else to be her promised Prince Charming.
First, because she assured him that she already had him. Secondly, because he wasn't blue, he was red; Issei was so embarrassed that he couldn't talk to her for two hours without his smile hurting to modulate.
"Emm... W-Well, while we're at it. I guess I should..." He tries, nervous of how to deal with the situation.
"Shall we take a bath together? Nyan~" She interrupts, knocking the wind out of him as she tries to explain that he wanted the opposite, letting her use the bathroom so as not to inconvenience or annoy her.
"W-Wait, Koneko-chan! I'm not supposed to see you!" He exclaims as he is pushed and covers his eyes as he sees her undressing.
"Nonsense~! Look at me all you want~!" she denied with complete assurance, smiling in amusement.
To put in context, Koneko has been aware of Issei's emotional problem and devoted herself to studying him and helping him ever since, being by his side.
Results? She discovered that Asia ended up being his emotional shield to the traumas he had and that she was, apart from Rias, of the girls he fell in love with.
It was easy to become closer to the blonde and for her to tell her insecurities, something that Koneko knew how to take advantage of to strengthen herself so she could become closer to the boy (except for the breasts, but that would grow fortunately if she strengthened her power and managed to mature). It seemed that the blonde sensed about Raynare as she also seemed to have that thorn still in his heart. That made her realize that both of them had suffered a lot because of her and Issei paid the highest price by blocking his concept of love from his brain. A price enough to be able to avenge Asia and bring her back from the dead...
Since that moment, Koneko has dedicated herself effusively to be the second shield that Issei needed and thus be able to repair his broken heart, which she had slowly achieved.
Then she discovered the most beautiful side of the boy: He was an awkward lover with a thousand dreams so honeyed and sweet that if he let out, not even those in the Kendo club could endure without surrendering to the boy's kindly treats.
"Issei-nya, you've been taking better care of yourself. Your hair has stopped being greasy and I saw that you used the conditioner I left for you." She said as she scrubbed her soapy fingers through the boy's hair who let himself be done with a blush and creamy shyness.
"I saw that you were trying so hard to take care of it for me that I didn't want your effort to be in vain..." He confessed chagrined, not realizing that her goal was that he could acquire healthy habits for his health.
"So you noticed that I cared about your hair~." She commented amused, getting him to cover his face with his hands out of embarrassment. This made her smile, glad for her undertaking.
These small steps had been what brought her to this point...
...
Breakfast is one of the most calm and peaceful times to be had in the Hyoudou household. Issei smiled happily as he watched his parents converse and joke with Rias and Akeno, embarrassing them as much as possible at the suggestive jokes about their relationship with him. Koneko smiles as she notices that, taking advantage of everyone's moment of distraction.
"Issei-nya, here. You've got something."
"Hmm? Did I get dirty again?"
And when she least expects it, a shocked expression adorns the red of Issei's cheeks as she sees how Koneko kissed the corner of her lips, quickly pulling away as she smiles happily and fondly at him.
"I already cleaned it~."
God, this guy will die soon and he thanks you that you were so kind and caring for bringing him the one responsible for it.
...
"Then... We'll be going. Thank you for everything."
"Take care of yourselves! And have a nice day!" Issei's mother says goodbye in response to Rias' words. All paying attention to her allows Koneko to take Issei's little finger between her little finger and Issei struggles not to blush or smile with unabashed happiness at those things he likes so much.
"Hey, Mom. Don't you think Issei and Koneko-chan are pretty much together?" Issei's father murmurs vaguely as he reads the newspaper, seemingly attentive to the gesture he didn't even seem to be able to have seen.
"She a while back asked me where it was that Issei left his scrapbook can. It seems she found out about it by talking to him..." She said mysteriously, causing the man to smile quietly as he closed his eyes wistfully.
"I see..." Understood this one as he removed his glasses, rubbing his fingers against his eyes, left the newspaper on the table and stood up from the seat, looking at the wall with a soft smile as he remembered himself in many similar steps. "It seems that pure loves still exist nowadays..."
"Issei has made some very good friends. That's a fact." She confirmed as she glanced sideways at a picture on the wall reminiscent of the couple's wedding.
A tin of clippings was what was in charge of hiding the loving dreams of the Hyodo family that for generations was always like this.
The fact that Koneko knew about it said too much about their relationship.
...
Issei yawned noisily as he wiped small tears from his eyes. The classes were really boring, but he was making the utmost effort not to fall asleep. He had promised Koneko and thanks to her he was getting better at studying.
He reached into his bag for his bento, blinking twice when he noticed that it was nowhere to be found inside. Desperation embraced him and he began to search more frantically, becoming noticeably overwhelmed as he realized he had forgotten it.
As he watched everyone going to the cafeteria or settling in for lunch, he began to panic as he recognized that he must be going to the club with nothing. Koneko had prepared that bento for him and reminded him at every turn not to forget it.
He covered his face with both arms as he hid in his desk. Koneko would find out what happened and be angry. Most likely she would not forgive such a thing and would rage, humiliate him to finally declare that she would hate him and never love him-.
"Issei-sempai..."
He looked up, denoting his sick look from stress and fear, meeting an earnest Koneko who had in front of him a package.
"The bento..." He acknowledged as he wiped tears and sweat from his face.
"You forgot it at home." She reminded him, saddened by his appearance. "Even when I told you repeatedly... I should have expected that you might forget. I'm sorry, Issei-sempai."
As the people present were thrown off by Koneko's statement at the apparent friendship with the boy, Xenovia approached earnestly.
"If you forgot your bento, we could share mine, Issei. You can ask me for whatever you need anytime."
"T-Thank you, Xenovia, Koneko-chan..." He thanked with some feigned calmness that the white-haired one knew to notice.
"So... Koneko-chan?" Kiryuu suddenly commented next to the three of them, managing to make them notice everyone's gazes on them. "Do you two have a relationship that you haven't confirmed to the others?"
Issei swallows deeply at not being able to explain the situation, even though he doesn't have much of an explanation that favors his position either. The two of you have been acting a lot like a couple...
He looks at the girl and she looks at him. They both seem to understand each other and when he least expects it, she reaches out her hand towards him and takes it.
"W-Wait, Koneko-chan!" He manages to exclaim before being swiftly dragged away, forcing him to hold his bento tightly as Koneko guides him. "Wait a minute, where are we going!"
"To a place where it's just the two of us!"
Tears escape his eyes at that statement. Tears he doesn't understand.
"Wait! Wait!" He manages to wiggle out of her grip, looking at her with concern. The hallway is empty, but in the distance, onlookers are several who notice the situation. "Why are you doing this, Koneko-chan! Y-You said you l-love me! But I don't understand! How?! Why?! I could never be with someone like Rias... Like Akeno... With someone... Then why do you claim that... How could you fall in love with me?! I... Koneko, please, if this is for pity, I beg you to end it! All of this... I like it! But I don't deserve it! I'm just a perverted, useless boy! Because... Because that's what she said..." He snapped as he cried disconsolately, kneeling on the ground.
"It's not like that, Issei-nya!" she declared firmly as she hugs him and notices him pressing his forehead against the ground hard as he is unable to accept it. "You are a kind, caring man. Your heart is pure gold and you have such a pure and beautiful concept of love that day by day makes me to be striving to be able to get together with you... I love you, Issei. It may not be as strong as the love that Asia-san, Rias-sama or Akeno-san have for you... But I know it's true love. I'm not wrong about it..." She expressed as she stood beside him and forced him to stare at her, denoting her unaligned and deplorable appearance. "She still won't let me cross isn't it... Raynare..."
Would you die for me...?
Issei lets out a loud uncontainable sob. Memories of her shake his mind with pain and strength, with Koneko's grip being what keeps him from meeting the ground again.
"I... I don't deserve this..." He declared bitterly.
A dirty low-class demon doesn't deserve to tell me something...
"I'm boring, a hopeless pervert... A fool..."
Hahahaha! You're right! It was an amazing date! It's because you were on it that it was so boring!
"I... I really tried my best to make our date perfect..." He sobbed as Koneko laid her head under his and listened to him as tears dripped onto her white hair. "I really wanted a future with her and I even imagined it... I don't want that to happen to me again! I couldn't resist it! I don't want to suffer this anymore..."
"I see..." She understood perfectly as it finally tied up the loose ends. "But I'm not her, Issei-nya."
"I know!" He exclaimed unable to contain himself, clinging to her to stop crying, burying his face against her hair in order to calm himself. "I know... But, I'm afraid..."
"I have it too. Him not being any more than Rias-sama or Asia, whom you love too much..."
"I..." He tried to say while a thousand times in his head replayed the black feathers that wandered in the dark church where Raynare died. He closed his eyes tightly, filling himself with courage to avoid losing the girl in his arms. "You don't need to be more or less, Koneko-chan... Because I love you like I love them..."
And that comment opened hers who couldn't help but cling to him tightly. It was when Koneko saw that behind the boy's back, many people were watching everything and Azazel was approaching at a fast pace and worried face towards them.
"I felt Issei's energy wander slightly into a dark one a few moments ago, what happened, are you all right?" He consulted as he managed to get closer and make the onlookers move away.
Koneko smiled reassuringly as she wiped the small tears from her eyes and continued to stroke the boy's back who had calmed down.
"Now we are..." She expressed calmly. "And what happened, is that he forgot his Bento."
Azazel's expression was to be amused for generations. After all, there's no need for everyone to know about what had really happened, it was something private that only Issei should tell if he was willing...
"Sensei, may I ask you to bring our things later and excuse us? We're out of here for today..." She asked as she gave use of her extreme strength to lift the boy who didn't even hesitate to rearrange himself after wiping his face with the arm of his clothes, still with his back to the fallen angel.
"Hmm? And that?" He inquired curious of such a rebellious action never thought of on Koneko's part.
"We'll explain later. Let's go, Issei-nya."
And as Azazel was about to look at them, he noticed how the boy squeezed his hand with hers and followed her without hesitation. As he looked at the floor, he noticed between dampness and a break in one of the flagstones that made him intrigued as to what had happened.
He obviously didn't think the Bento thing was Issei's problem, and noticing the patterns, it was something more emotional... Shame tackles him when he realizes that the boy was probably still invading his head with Raynare. He had to make it clear to the boy how bad that woman had been, so that he would understand that she had done everything out of total desire and pleasure and not because of someone's request or threat or something similar.
He looked to the front with seriousness, where Issei and Koneko were running holding hands, to smile slightly to see them so happy. It seemed that it was no longer necessary to intervene... For now, at least.
Hey, a little experiment with Highschool DXD. I just watched the whole anime today and I'm catching up on the novels (because there's no manga). Koneko is not my favorite, but I just found out that Issei and Koneko's seiyu are married, which comes in handy for this One-Shot that rushes the events of chapter 10 of the novel to the beginning of chapter 6. An interesting change that could have done a lot to Issei or so I think.
Nothing more, I hope you like it and if it appeals to you I'll keep bringing from this anime. Do you have suggestions of other anime to watch? I read them.
By the way, I got in trouble for not studying for important exams and it almost ended in a tragedy xd