Rias moved another piece on the board. As always, Rias's fingers glided across the board with precise movements. Nothing was wasted. Every single action was calculated. She wasn't going to lend anything to chance. This was her victory day. She couldn't help but let a small smile light up her face.

Sona's counter attack was swift and merciless.

Rias frowned as she looked at the chess board, "Why is it that no matter what I do in this game, you keep surprising me?"

Sona shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a chess master."

Sona Sitri and Rias Gremory. The two owners of the Kuoh territory and little sisters of two of the Mau's, two of the strongest devils alive and rulers of the Underworld. Said sisters were of course taking their time in the new world not just to study it, but to gain new peerage members. It seemed that this territory was rife with raw powerful beings. Thanks to their siblings, securing this place had been a boon.

It also helped that it had a lot of otaku joints Rias would flock to. In disguise of course. No one had to know that Rias Gremory was a massive weeb. She wanted to keep it that way, thank you very much.

"So," Sona said as she waited for her best friend to make another move. The two of them were currently sitting in Rias's ORC club room, which was rather fancy and wealthy looking. "I heard that you have your eye on someone."

Rias quirked an eyebrow, "Whoever could you be talking about?"

"Issei Hyoudou, of course." Sona Sitri answered, "There's something about him that I've noticed too. It's why I haven't expelled him yet, although I'm really tempted to do that to his friends."

Rias chuckled, "Let's not go that far. I need him to stay here. If we leave him alone, he might try and go to another school to be with his friends. Besides, those three are harmless." She made a move and gave a delighted 'yes'.

"You have a strange definition of 'harmless'," Sona stated. "They are frequently found doing perverted acts, peeking on girls left and right."

"And have they ever forced themselves on a girl?" Rias lifted a finger, "Harmed anyone? Or done anything to really affect them aside from momentary embarrassment."

Sona huffed. Her friend was right in a way. It had never gotten physical, at least not on their end. "Not everyone is fine with being in the nude, Rias."

"Funny given how your family are-"

"WE DO NOT STRIP!" Sona shouted with a blush, "I'VE NEVER USED THAT POWER!"

Rias put a hand over her mouth, "Oh come on~ It'd be fun. Think of all the things you could do with that gift."

Sona huffed, doing her best to ignore her friends teasing. "Just because my ancestor was a famous stripper and tended to set up people while they were naked, doesn't mean I will be lenient on their actions."

"Just so long as you don't kick them out, then we'll be fine." Rias said. She was well aware of the pervert trio's actions. Normally, they'd be expelled but given that one of them had great potential, they didn't know what at the moment, they were kept in. She pouted as Sona made a move. "Geez, at this rate I'll never win."

"That's because you lack foresight," Sona smirked, "Now are you going to offer him a chance this semester?"

Rias nodded, "Soon enough. I just have to wait for the right opportunity."

"You do know that you could just tell him he'd get to fondle some boobs, right?" Sona deadpanned, "He'd let you make him a devil in a heartbeat."

Rias sighed, "I know but that's not fair. I want to make it happen… somehow?" She shrugged, "Look, I don't to force the issue anyways. I'll find a good spot sometime this year." She quirked an eyebrow as she moved a piece, "You aren't thinking of taking him, are you?"

Sona pulled a face as if she had been offered rotten fruit, "I would rather walk around in a magical girl dress then take him."

Rias grinned, "Now that I'd love to see."

Sona snorted, "I thought you were more into shonen manga."

"I like all genres," Rias stated. Then Sona moved her piece and said 'checkmate'. Rias threw her arms up into the air, "Come on!"

"Then what will we do about this 'Theo'?" Sona stated, "He's not normal. I could tell you that just from looking at him."

"Koneko told me he smelled funny," Rias rubbed her chin, "Not human. Well, sort of but there was something else. I told her to watch him. It helps he seems to think she's cute so that should be easy."

"Boys are easy to manipulate."

"Girls too," Rias waggled a finger, "Let's just admit it, shall we~"

Sona narrowed her eyes, "Very well. Perhaps I'll look into him too but he doesn't really seem worth the effort. At least not right now. I don't have any important affairs going on that warrant a new member in my peerage."

"I got it," Rias waved her concern off, "I got it. I've got plenty of time to worry about that. Now, let's play again."

"Shall we go over the Fallen sightings?"

"The Fallen aren't like the Vampires or werewolves," Rias said as she put the pieces back into place, "We've dealt with the sightings already with some memory spells, but I very much doubt they will go around killing people on our territory. It's probably just another scout of Azazel's for his research."

"That would be rather stupid on their part if they tried to kill someone during peace time," Sona nodded, "Unless of course, they offer a good explanation."

Rias scowled as she clutched a chess piece, "There is rarely a good explanation when it comes to murder."

"Quite right. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Theo sat alone underneath a tree. He scarfed down his sandwich but honestly, he didn't feel all that hungry. Not today. In fact, he was more so voraciously tearing into the pb&a sandwich like he wanted to murder it. He felt frustrated. With Issei and his friends. Himself. The school.

'Why did I shout that to that girl? Why the bloody hell did I think that was a good idea?'

To be truthful, spying on girls taking a bath never appealed to him. It wasn't because of chivalry, although yes it was rude. It was because of his mother's stories. She would often tell him of the tales of Artemis, a god that his family prayed to. She would kill, torture, and mutate men that dared to gaze upon her or her girls bathing. Yes his mother said he was different, but just thinking about it made him shiver.

So he decided to do the best thing after and ask once Issei told him to.

Then he got that 'stare'. That stare of disappointment from those girls and he felt bad. He'd rather they hit him honestly.

"Awww, poor Theo. So consumed by your petty desires~"

He growled and ate another bite. He made a mental note to never include mocking inner voices in his novel. They were annoying to deal with. Unless of course he hated a character, then he'd be all for subjecting him to those inner hateful voices.

"So," Issei's spoke up beside him as he sat down. "How's my new bud doing?"

"Angry."

"Eh?" Issei looked at him curiously, "They didn't beat you up so what are you angry about?"

"..." Theo looked away and ate the last of his sandwich. He gulped down some water before turning to his new friend, "That was humiliating. I said…" He put his hands over his face, "Why can't I talk normally to people?"

"You gotta cut loose," Issei pointed out. "You'll have to if you want some girls."

"I'm not good with cutting loose," Theo snorted, "In fact, I still feel awkward with you around."

"Your shoulders do seem tense," Issei said.

"Ugh, now my shoulders are bad." Theo groaned, "Coming here was a mistake."

"Hey," Issei shouted, "That's quitter talk. Are you a quitter?"

"Yes," Theo deadpanned. "Quitting Is easier than getting hurt."

"But what about your dream?" Issei said. "Don't you want to make it a reality?"

"Being a famous artist?" Theo swirled a finger around in the air, "Getting a bunch of cute girls to like me? Dreams, yes. Reality? No."

"Okay, dude." Issei sighed, "You are really being pessimistic. Just because your dream looks like one you can't reach, doesn't mean you should give up on it." He turned a thumb towards himself, "I dream to one day become the Harem King. To be surrounded by girls who will let me do echi things to their boobs."

"That's…" Theo tapped his chin as he really tried to put to words what he thought about that without being rude, "That's an interesting dream."

"Yep."

"But... " Theo sighed, "I don't think dreams always come true."

"Then you have to make it come true."

Theo stood up and growled, "But I'm a coward. Cowards don't get to do that. Tartarus, most people don't get to achieve their dreams. It's reality. Like getting rich or being an astronaut. Most people don't get to do that even if they wanted to."

Issei stood up, "So you're just going to give up? After one failure?"

"It's not like things will just work out," Theo held out his arms, "It's not like I can just wish to catch the most beautiful girl in the school in my arms and it works."

At that moment, Koneko fell into his arms with a slight eep.

Theo didn't move for a moment. He was trying to process what had just happened. When he did, his face broke out into a huge blush. "I… I…"

"Yo, what's up?" Koneko gave Theo a two-fingered peace sign.

Issei started to look around with his own arms outstretched, "Most beautiful girl in the school, come to papa~"

Theo shakily stood there. He was holding Koneko in his arms. The real Koneko. Just like a bride…

/Koneko was there in his arms, wearing a lovely white dress as people threw petals at them. She was smiling up at him with outstretched arms.

"I'll love you forever, Theo."/

Theo almost choked as that image came to mind.

Koneko snapped her fingers in front of his face. She was slightly agitated, mostly just because Issei didn't think she was the most beautiful girl in the school. Now Koneko wasn't vain in the slightest and honestly, she wouldn't want to be caught in that pervert's arms. She was still a girl and that was a low blow. She thankfully decided to show him mercy. For now at least. "Hey, you can let me go now."

"Sorry!" Theo quickly put her down.

Koneko nodded and stared off.

Theo didn't know what to do. Should he talk to her? Speak. What? So he did the next best thing. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a bag of fruity chewy candy. "Here!"

Koneko turned around and looked at the candy for a moment. Then she walked over and took it, "Thank you, Theo."

'She said my name~' Theo wanted to faint from happiness as he watched her go. He turned to see Issei with an amused stare.

"Is reality that disappointing or what?"

Theo smiled, "I guess a dream can come true."

Theo couldn't help but smile as he hummed on his way to the car. He had such a good day. Thankfully, yesterday's incident wasn't really talked about. There were more antics by the pervert trio that got notice then that. He was grateful for that. Still, he got to hold Koneko today. Even if it was by accident. He almost skipped on his way to the car.

That's when, as he made his way over a bridge, he met her. She was a blonde girl with twin pigtails hair that was held in black bow ties. Her school uniform seemed to blow softly in the wind as she dramatically looked off into the distance.

Theo gulped as he blushed, looking at her petite but really cute build. "Ummm…" While he did like looking at her, he did want to go home. Unfortunately, he wasn't good at asking people to move aside. "Umm…."

The girl looked back at him, "Ah, you've arrived." She elegantly started to walk towards him, causing his heart to speed up. "I so wanted to- GWA HA!"

The girl tripped and tumbled to the ground. Before he couldn't help her, she jumped back to her feet. "Damn bridge. I'll destroy you after this."

"Are you alright?"

"Just a trip," the girl waved it off before blushing, "Ummm, by the way. Are you single?"

"Yes," Theo said simply, trying his best not to let his sourness about that fact get to him.

"Would you… WOuld you like to be my boyfriend?"

Theo just blinked. He blinked a few more times, slowly. "What?"

"I've seen you from afar and you seem really good and cute," the girl said with a bright smile, "So I want to date you."

Theo knew he had to be dreaming. There was no way any girl would ask him to go out on a date. No way in Tartarus. If this was true, then he would have to take it. She was cute and she seemed to like him. It was the perfect opportunity to get a girlfriend.

'But what about Koneko?'

Theo tried to think about it, but realized they didn't really know each other. They'd just met a few days ago and he doubted Koneko would ever agree on a date. He wasn't worthy of that much cuteness. But here? This was…

Theo tried not to cry as he nodded, "Yes. Yes I'll do it."

"That's so great!" The girl smiled, "You won't regret it. We'll go out tomorrow." She turned to leave.

"But I didn't get your name."

"Oh it's Mittelt…" She stamped a foot into the ground, "I mean, Mitty Teller. Yeah. Mitty Teller. That's my name." She laughed nervously.

Most people would notice how nervous the girl was or how suspicious this whole event was. However, one could see the smitten look on his face as he nodded, "Yep."

"Great," Mitty Teller smiled as she walked off, "See you tomorrow after school."

"Yeah…" He waited for her to be out of his sight before he truly started to skip to the car, happy about today.