Chapter 1 : A Hyoudou Issei Tries to Avoid a Bad End
"We're going to be together forever, right 'Taru-kun?"
[Kansai Region, Japan]
This entire universe seemed to be in need of the touch of a magical girl. Someone to spread light and cheer and hope. Someone who had the inner strength to smile and extend a gentle hand when others would have shouted in anger. Someone to share the love and friendship to a world that has forgotten their power.
In the darkness, the lone candle shines the brightest.
And these were dark times indeed.
The entire country of Japan was reeling in shock and disbelief. From the Okinawa islands in the south, to the snowy northern tip of Hokkaido, the nation mourned as one following the tragic events that occured while they were all asleep just that morning.
There was a cloud of gloom and sorrow that hung over the Kiyoraha prefecture.
Every news station, both television and radio, spoke of the event, and the tragic tone of their words echoed through the cities of Japan. Headlines and one-liners streamed from every television and radio as the horrified Japanese public was held as a captive audience to their words. From a hundred speakers both big and small, the tinny voices of news anchors and talk show hosts sounded out.
"Hyoudou Issei will be forever remembered as the perpetrator of one of the worst murders in the history of Japan..."
"... Will live on in infamy as the Kansai Butcher whose horrific actions shook the nation..."
"The youth, barely sixteen years of age, was known to be a delinquent… sexually harassing his fellow schoolmates..."
"An anonymous informer claims to have witnessed the Kansai Butcher gambling in the seedy underbelly of Kiyoraha's red light district just days prior..."
"...Yakuza spokespersons all firmly deny any connection to the Kansai Butcher and publicly denounce his heinous crimes…"
"The Kansai Butcher's grave will remain unmarked to avoid desecration..."
"...A public outcry from the concerned Japanese public for better guidance counseling for our youth…"
"...Tricked his school, tricked his family, tricked his friends… there were only so many warning signs one could attribute to 'youthful indiscretion' before people are guilty of criminal negligence..."
"Kansai International Academy is currently cooperating with authorities including the nation's Ministry of Education to effect a change in the nation's…"
"Hyoudou Issei's parents refused all requests for interviews..."
"Mourning students from Kansai International Academy and the surrounding schools are hosting a candlelight vigil tonight at the site of the tragedy…"
"The tragic and unfortunate story of one Akane Amamiya…"
But the question that was on everyone's lips was:
How could such a thing even have happened?
[Almost one week ago]
Issei Hyoudou laid curled up on the asphalt in the most pain in his entire life.
"I- I've done it now…" He grunted in pain, curled up clutching his abdomen for what he just knew were some burst internal organs. "I wish I could see some naked oppai before I go…"
This was how he was going to die: right after pushing that little boy out of the path of that truck- even though it meant that he'd be taking the kid's place. It was a braver and more gruesome death than an ordinary Japanese high schooler like himself had expected. But as he curled up in agony on the hard black road- his earth brown hair obscuring his vision, a warm light began to shine down on him- like the soft rays of an early morning sun but a million times more gentle- and washed all the pain away.
The Heavens have come for him, it seems.
But instead of floating into the sky as he expected to; a choir of feminine voices, youthful but humming with depthless power, simply echoed from all around him as they all spoke to him in chorus.
'It is not yet your time to perish. Accept my gift and use it to awaken the true power within your mortal soul.'
And just like that... Issei Hyoudou simply got up to his feet, not a scratch on his body as evidence of what had transpired. No pain- not even a scratch, only some slight dirt on his uniform from lying on the road. His standing up startled the concerned people who were running over to check on what they expected to be his corpse.
Looking to the side, he found the child that he pushed out of the way only had minor scrapes, and the truck driver was incredibly apologetic- the middle-aged man repeatedly bowing parallel to the ground and promising to pay back any hospital bill that he incurred.
Issei only waved off the deeply bowing truck driver, saying that he should apologise to the child more than he. But just as he was about to check on the child, time seemed to stop and all the colours of the downtown city area seemed to fade into a dull monotone grey. The red brick sidewalks, the shirts of the gawking passersby, the sky itself- everything turned black and white.
But before Issei could panic, a translucent window reminiscent of video games projected in his vision.
== T ==
Congratulations!
You, out of the countless billions, have been selected as the bearer of this power known as
THE GAMER SYSTEM
The Gamer System is a magical framework made to parse potentially Infinite Power into a form that is both convenient and easy-to-understand by mortal minds. With regular use of the Gamer System, You- the Gamer- will grow more and more powerful until you surpass even the Gods themselves.
== T ==
Issei's silver eyes widened in recognition: It's like one of those isekai light novels like "Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?" or the slime isekai!
Even though he was far from the most passionate fan of anime (he preferred hentai), he had casually read enough to recognize the tropes. He glanced around at the truck that killed him- should have killed him.
Was he going to get isekai'ed now or was he to stay on Earth?
World already set to "Highschool DxD"
Highschool DxD? He had never heard of that LN or anime before. But more importantly, did that mean that he was already living in an anime world to begin with?! His heart began to race at the thought;he was living in a world where there was a secret society of espers, or super powered tournaments all happening in the background of his day-to-day life. Another thought hit him, maybe his world was like a slice-of-life instead or maybe even an erotic garuge?
Name preset to "Issei Hyoudou"
Race preset to [?]
He wasn't human?! That immediately made him worried. He didn't know what kind of LN or anime Highschool DxD was, but now he knew for certain that there were elements of the supernatural in this world. But maybe, he was a shounen protagonist?
== T ==
STATUS:
Issei Hyoudou
Title: The Protagonist
Level - 0
Class - [Locked]
Race - ?
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - Neutral Good
HP - 150
MP - 150
SP - 150
STR - 10
END - 10
DEX - 10
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 10
LCK - 10
Available points: 10
== T ==
Granted to him by that mysterious Goddess, this power strongly reminded him of the video games that he would play. But just before he was able to assign them, the world gained colour and time seemed to move again.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sor-" the truck driver continued to bow and apologise to him and the little boy and the crowd that gathered to gawk at the accident murmured audibly in the background. Confused, Issei checked his watch and noticed that he was going to be late.
"Eeeeeh…. Just drive more carefully next time, Ojiji!" Issei waved to the driver and bolted for school- weaving through the crowd as he headed for school.
Forget about the Gamer System for now, today was really important too! Oppai was at stake here!
He had been planning on transferring to the Kuoh Academy that was only recently made into a co-ed school, and today was going to be the day that he was going to consult with the staff for advice on how to go about it. It was a lot of work for him to do, but the fact that Kuoh Academy's girl-boy ratio being heavily skewed in favour of the girls only spurred his desires on- he could feel himself drool at the thought of being surrounded by so many oppai.
His current school: Kansai International Academy was a fairly large school, and closer to home too, but the girl-boy ratio had been too normal for him. But now?
Now, he could opt not to transfer to Kuoh!
Because with this Gamer System, he could have any girl he wanted right where he was! He could start his Quest for having a harem right here in Kansai International Academy.
A ruby-red blush spread across his cheeks as he mentally cycled through all the amazing and beautiful girls in his school. They had a lot of foreign exchange students too- it was one of the reasons why he studied so hard to get in.
"Ah, I want a harem so bad!" He psyched himself up as he charged past the gates and into the gym building to hide in the safety of the boy's bathroom, which was empty during that time. In the privacy of one of the toilet stalls, Issei tried to figure out how to assign points.
"Er… Status?" He whispered and the translucent window popped up; this time though, there were no signs pointing that time slowed down..
== T ==
STATUS:
Issei Hyoudou
Title: The Protagonist
Level - 0
Class - [Locked]
Race - ?
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - Neutral Good
HP - 150
MP - 150
SP - 150
STR - 10
END - 10
DEX - 10
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 10
LCK - 10
Available points: 10
PERKS:
Observe Lvl 1: (Active) Let's you see the some info about other entities up to three levels above yours
== T ==
"So it was a one time thing." Issei sighed with a hint of disappointment, "Putting up the menu won't stop everything."
Being able to stop time whenever he so wished, it definitely would've been handy in seeing oppai.
"I think I know most of these, but is it possible to get a more detailed explanation?" Issei muttered as he eyed the various stats. Would increasing STR give him bigger muscles or would CHA do that? If he focused on CHA, would he become a bishounen? Or even a Trap?
He shuddered at the thought.
"CHA? Charisma? Explain CHA?" He tried each combination until the last made the window pop up.
Charisma: Increases the impact of your personality, and the effectiveness of your persuasiveness (May include physical changes that impact your aesthetic appeal)
And he was sold on that stat already. Anything to help him get a girlfriend!
"Explain STR, Explain CON, Explain DEX!" he eagerly blurted out one after the other.
Strength: Increases your physical prowess (The changes may or may not be visible). Grants +5 HP, +5 SP for each STR point.
Constitution: Increases your health, stamina, and overall physical fortitude. Grants +10 HP, +10 SP for each CON point.
Dexterity: measures hand-eye coordination, agility, reflexes, and balance.
Those all sounded great. He felt like a shounen protagonist already! But above all else, what kind of guy would he be if he didn't immediately jump on the chance to get the ladies? So he placed most of his starting points into charisma, and marveled at how good-looking he became.
He could feel himself grow an entire two inches- his pant legs stretching to accommodate as the floor seemed suddenly farther just by a tiny bit. He brought his hands up and saw that his skin gained a healthy glow. What little fat he had around his waist and arms simply evaporated and left behind nothing but well-defined muscles.
"Maybe this will get girls to notice me now?" he muttered to himself. "Status."
== T ==
STATUS:
Issei Hyoudou
Title: The Protagonist
Level - 0
Class - [Locked]
Race - ?
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - Neutral Good
HP - 100-165
MP - 150
SP - 100-165
STR - 10-11
END - 10-11
DEX - 10-11
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 10-17
LCK - 10
Available points: 0
PERKS:
(CHA 15) Easy Approach: You find it much easier to approach people, and vice versa.
Observe Lvl 1: (Active) Let's you see the some info about other entities up to three levels above yours
== T ==
Exiting the restroom stall, Issei admired himself as he passed the bathroom mirrors: Taller, fitter and generally more handsome. He even had abs! He nodded to himself as he flashed a confident grin at his reflection.
"Alright! The new and improved Hyoudou Issei is ready to make an appearance in class." he psyched himself up as he pushed past the restroom door and out into the hallway. He felt so much more confident as he strided to his classroom.
Girls weren't swooning over him left and right, but there was no look of disgust that they usually shot him. He even earned a blush or two as some girls eyed his physique before their eyes flicked up to his face- as if they were in disbelief in who the body belonged to.
And that was already a big improvement in his opinion! Even just the fact that they were no longer shooting him judging stares for peeping on them in the lockers was a big plus, but to have girls blush because of his looks? It was more than he could have ever hoped.
At this rate, he felt like he could have any girl in the school now!
And just as he approached his homeroom, he heard one of the Two Jewels of Kansai International Academy addressing the rest of his class.
Every school had them. Girls who were a league above the rest in brains and beauty and sophistication; and the entire student body couldn't help but worship and be protective about them. The student body of those schools were usually the ones to give them titles like "The Four Flowers of Tokyo Highschool" or "The Six Treasures of Osaka University" or "Two Great Ladies of Kuoh Academy."
But for Kansai International Academy, they had their own: "The Two Jewels of Kansai International."
Two top-scoring 2nd year students with the beauty and oppai to match their brains, and they were both in his class. He had felt so lucky when he first found out- just by being able to sit in the same room as them and admire their oppai day in and day out.
And now with his Gamer System, he had a chance to get either of them: He truly was blessed.
"Once again, I'd like to thank Akane-chan's amazing vocal performance at the school festival. With her win, our class won the trip to tour the cultural sights of Kyoto from the comfort of a small hotsprings resort that we have all to ourselves!" An energetic girlish voice announced loud enough for him to hear through the doors. "Let's give her a round of applause, everyone!"
Issei grinned at the thought of joining in the applause. And just as he pushed the door open, he couldn't help but smile as he was greeted with a beautiful sight that stood in the center of the classroom.
The kind Akane Amamiya, the refined cool beauty of the school and their class representative, waved at the rest of the class with a gentle smile as she gracefully accepted their applause.
The first of the Two Jewels of Kansai International, Akane had exotic ruby-red eyes and long flowing black hair that cascaded down her back and to her shapely rear… and most importantly to Issei, a generous C-cup oppai. She apparently also had a smug, teasing side that she usually reserved for people she knew; and the rare sound of her graceful voice purring in a smug tease was the stuff of many a fantasy for everyone who heard it. Half of the school's population, both male and female, held a crush for her- including himself.
"I can't have all the credit." Akane-senpai's melodious voice- the same one that won them the contest- rang through the classroom as she politely smiled, "Saeko-san financed the resort reservations."
The cheerful Saeko Shiraishi, the energetic friend of the entire school and their class vice-representative simply grinned bashfully as she scratched the back of her head at the attention.
The second of the two Jewels of Kansai International. Bright pink eyes and soft pink hair that reached the small of her back, and a cheerful smile that never left her pretty face… and again, most importantly to Issei, a generous DD-cup oppai that he swore was pushing F-cup. She may have been a close second to the number of people crushing on her compared to Amamiya-senpai, but her open and always positive disposition made her much more approachable of the two.
"Mou~ You can call me without the honorifics…" the class vice-representative pouted cutely with her soft pink lips. But she trailed off as she noticed Issei walking around the back of the room- her bright pink eyes lit up in delight as their eyes met.
"Oh! Good morning, Ise-kun! Didn't see you there- you're just in time, actually!" Saeko-san greeted him with a smile and a playful wave.
"Ehe, good morning, Saeko-san." Issei nervously waved back as everyone's eyes were drawn to him, including the bright red of Amamiya-senpai.
"Hyoudou-san, please don't cut it too close next time- Saeko and I worked hard to try and get everyone to have perfect attendance this year." Akane reminded him gently.
"Sorry for being almost late, Amamiya-senpai." he apologised sheepishly as he took his seat by the window.
"This is the reason why I wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, especially you 'kane-chan~!" She announced, throwing her arms around the other girl and rubbing her cheek against hers. "You need to unwind too."
Issei tried to look away from how Saeko's soft body contrasted with Amamiya's gracefully slender one. Then he mentally slapped himself for thinking of looking away and continued to stare unabashedly- especially how Saeko-san's chest would press lightly against Amamiya-senpai's.
"As for me financing the resort, someone had to and it wasn't going to be the school. The principal was being cheap and didn't want to shell out for our victory." Saeko whined dramatically to the rest of the class as she detached from the other girl and pouted- throwing her arms up in the air, "I mean… Who wants to stay in five cheap hotel rooms each tightly packed with eight people?"
Speaking of tightly packed, Issei preferred Saeko-san to Amamiya-senpai for the sheer fact that Saeko-san had bigger boobs- the largest in the academy in fact: Saeko's DDs bordered Fs. Round, soft and perky underneath the white blouse of her uniform that seemed to barely contain them- the fabric stretched taut over her plain white bra. And if it was anything like the rest of Saeko-san's skin, then her bouncy oppai had a creamy smooth texture too.
A Follower of the Oppai like himself could only do so much to resist falling to his knees in worship of that glorious pair.
"But now, we get three-to-four people per room AND we get an onsen to relax in!" She victoriously announced- the rest of the class cheering with her- as she did a little dance where she hopped from foot to foot. And it didn't help the tightness of his pants at how Saeko-san liked to skip and wiggle when she was excited. One of Saeko's habits that was much to the exasperation of Amamiya-senpai and the envy of all the girls, but to the not-so-secret joy of every guy in class.
That feeling of joy (and lust) in him was only further inflamed by the thought of peeping on them in the onsen in the upcoming class outing.
Issei couldn't help but drool slightly.
The thought of so many bare oppai laid bare like a grand feast for the eyes, maybe he'll get lucky and finally catch a glimpse of the twin holy grails that were Saeko-san's and Amamiya-senpai's bare oppai. They were sadly in the majority of girls in Kansai International that he hadn't peeped on in the changing room. But this outing might be his chance.
He could feel a smile grow on his face.
"Yeah, maybe I just need a break and some oppai." he muttered softly to himself, and now that he had this Gamer System, that was only the start.
"Alright, class… Settle down…" their substitute homeroom teacher said as he walked in- a balding middle-aged man whose name Issei didn't bother to learn because he didn't have great oppai like the class representative.
Both girls at front promptly sat down at the substitute's say-so, their chairs right at the front.
The substitute teacher was going over some changes in school policy, but Issei had more important things to do like figure out how to use his new power. Issei particularly liked the look of [Observe].
'Let's you see some info about other entities up to three levels above yours' sounded like an overpowered secret technique in real life, but how much information would it give him? For that matter, he wondered how we was supposed to activate it. Maybe it was through speech?
"[Observe]" Issei whispered while staring at his graceful class representative who was seated in front beside Saeko-san.
Akane Amamiya - Lvl 1 Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Highest Stat: INT
Current thoughts About You: Thinks you look lonely at times. Hopes that the class outing will help you make friends.
Reputation: 5 (Neutral)
...
Issei gripped his pen tight enough to make his knuckles turn white as he tried to hold back tears of gratitude.
Amamiya-senpai was so kind. Issei was aware how much he tended to creep out girls, because of his worship of Oppai. And he honestly thought that it was no different with Amamiya-Senpai, in how he creeped her out from how much he stared at her oppai, but to think that she would still be thinking of his own sake. The class rep was truly a good person. Not only was she smart, beautiful and had amazing oppai, she also had a kind heart.
He wanted her to be his girlfriend even more now.
QUEST Added - [Melt the Ice]
Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to be your girlfriend (0/75 Affection)
Rewards: XP (Massive x5), CHA Stat doubled, Girlfriend: (Akane Amamiya)
His eyes lit up like he beheld a big pile of wrapped presents just for him, and he could only barely hold himself back.
A Quest! Just like in the video games!
And even better than how cool it already was, the objective was something that he really could get into. He was going to try his best to make her his girlfriend, but now he's really committed! Who cares about Kuoh Academy? He'd bet his hentai collection that 'The Two Great Ladies of Kuoh Academy' didn't even have the beauty (read:oppai) that could match their 'Two Jewels of Kansai International'.
However, he glanced at the requirements and couldn't help but wince slightly.
75 Affection was super high- he had to gain a total of 100 Reputation before it became Affection, right? And after that, he had to reach 75 Affection to complete the Quest and make her his girlfriend… But it shouldn't matter in the long run. With his Gamer System, he can just grind CHA and Amamiya-senpai will be swooning in his arms and pressing her firm oppai against him in no time.
Then a sudden crippling indecision wracked his brain- triggered by one thought: Saeko-san had bigger and bouncier oppai.
But Amamiya-senpai already had a big oppai, and she was really, really kind. But Saeko-san's was even bigger. And it was a really good argument in his head. Then it hit him: Of course! How can he call himself the Harem King with just one girl? He should have two at least.
And he knew precisely which two girls he'd prefer...Issei looked over to where Saeko was seated beside Akane, his thoughts were immediately tainted by the mental image of them topless, soft and bouncy oppai pressed against one another.
A trickle of blood left dripped from his nostril at the mental image.
… Yes. He has seen the Light now: they will be the first two heroines in his harem.
Idly, he wondered what Saeko-san thought about him. If Amamiya-senpai was a kind, Neutral Good heroine, does that mean that Saeko-san was more of an energetic, Chaotic Good? Only one way to find out in his opinion.
"[Observe]" Issei whispered under his breath again.
Saeko Shiraishi - Lvl 3 Human
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Highest Stat: STR
Current thoughts About You: Doesn't mind acting like friends, so long as you don't get in her way.
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
"No way…" Issei couldn't help but mutter under his breath, making the substitute old-fart narrow his eyes at him; but he had more important concerns.
Saeko-san was evil?
And not just evil, but Chaotic Evil: The type of evil who lived by the proverb "The strong should eat the weak." But how could that be? She was the friendliest and most positive person he knew in the entire school. She even liked helping people: her tutoring was the only reason he passed first-year statistics.
The strength part didn't surprise him. Issei knew that Saeko-san was strong; after all, she easily won gold in the National Collegiate Weightlifting competition for the last two years. But to have her be level three? Everyone that he had used [Observe] on had only been a Level 1. Had he been living in a shonen world all this time?
And why is she so high leveled? How did she even level up?
QUEST Added - [Behind the Smile]
Objective - Find the truth about Saeko Shiraishi before the class outing
Bonus Objective - Don't let Saeko find out about your attempts
Rewards: XP (Large), Observe Lvl 2, +2 CHA
Bonus Rewards: +2 DEX, +2 CHA, +2 LCK
Issei winced, his mouth drawn in a thin line. It sounded dangerous; and after all, he could just ignore it- Let Saeko-san just be Saeko-san. But maybe it's because she has a dark past like in animes? Sometimes in shounen, there was a heroine that was skirting the line between good and evil. Maybe Saeko-san was one of those?
For a few long minutes, Issei was wracked with indecision.
He looked down to the front row of the classroom- right at the back of Saeko's head. Soft pink hair flowed down past her shoulders as she happily wiggled in her seat to a song that played only in her own mind. Even from his seat a few rows behind her, Issei could see the ever present cheerful smile that she had on.
"[Observe]" Issei whispered under his breath again.
[Observe] has a thirty-minute cooldown for each person. Level up [Observe] to lower the cooldown.
A thirty minute cooldown was annoying, but since it didn't cost him anything to cast, it shouldn't be a problem.
Still… to know that Saeko-san could be or is evil? In his mind's eye, Issei tried to reconcile the image of the typical blood-thirsty Chaotic-Evil demon in manga and anime with the always smiling and positive Saeko-san.
The same Saeko-san who would sometimes press her glorious oppai against his arm, the same Saeko-san that almost made him bleed out from a nosebleed when he saw her in a swimsuit, the same Saeko-san whose holy cleavage he'd sometimes see when the buttons of her uniform would sometimes snap under the strain of trying to contain her amazing chest.
No, he couldn't reconcile the notion of Chaotic-Evil with Saeko-san. He refused to accept it- but even then he made his decision.
'I will find out more about you, Saeko-san.' Issei stared at Saeko's slender back as he promised, 'After all, what kind of harem king would I be if I didn't bother to learn more about his harem's members?'
Nodding to himself, Issei But that still left him with so many questions.
Issei glanced at his phone's calendar. He had time- it was only Wednesday. He'll use the rest of the week to ask around for information about Saeko-san. They were supposed to leave for the resort on Sunday afternoon and spend the next week's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday touring Kyoto.
So he had a lot of time to investigate and most importantly, play around with the Gamer System. He eyed the Quest in his vision. More than any other Quest, that was the one that he wanted to focus on first.
QUEST Added - [Melt the Ice]
Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to be your girlfriend (0/75 Affection)
Rewards: XP (Massive x5), CHA Stat doubled, (Girlfriend: Akane Amamiya)
Hyoudou Issei will take the first few steps in melting the ice around his Amamiya-senpai's heart!
And he had just the plan to do it!
[Thursday]
There weren't many places where a minor could sneak in to gamble.
But Issei was grateful that he didn't have any difficulty finding the ones that did.
In a smoky gambling den in the Kiyoraha's Red Light district, Issei was using his [Observe] to great effect- winning handily in one of the smaller stake poker tables. He wasn't that good- having learned poker just over night. But the ability to read thoughts using his [Observe] was just enough of an edge that he saw his pile of chips steadily grow over the course of five hours.
"Ise-san takes the pot." The dapperly-dressed dealer with the black vest and white button down called out- letting Issei rake in the mountain of chips with a big bear hug, and called it a night. A very profitable night in more ways than one.
QUEST COMPLETED - [Card Hustler Lvl 1]
[?] Objective - Win 200,000 Yen while gambling with cards (204,922/200,000 Yen)
[X] Bonus Objective - Don't Use [Observe]
Rewards: XP (Medium), +3 Luck
Bonus Rewards: -
For most gambling dens, that much money was small change, but for a poor student like him that was running off allowance? He had struck gold.
Issei couldn't stop the wide silly grin on his lips as he cashed in his chips straight to a shiny new bank account. He had never seen his bank account have that many zeroes before! He thought about all the porn magazines and hentai that he could buy with this money. And this was only Card Hustler Level 1!
"This was a brilliant plan! Being a Gamer is amazing!" Issei announced. "I can't wait until my [Observe] levels up."
But before he splurged money on himself and on his secret weapon to melt the ice around Amamiya-senpai's heart, he wanted to do something he had been planning to do once he got money.
He headed into a popular restaurant in town to pick up his gift. The entire ride home had him in excited jitters- shifting his weight from foot to foot as the train carried him home with his bounty.
The astonished look of his parents as he carried home the fruits of his labour/winning was something that he'll treasure for the rest of his life. He called them over to sit around the dining table- both his parents like cautious animals as if they did not recognise him or understand what he was doing.
Issei only grinned victoriously.
"Kaa-san, Tou-san." He bowed politely to his parents as he laid out his bento feast onto the dining table, the gobsmacked expressions still on his parents as he sat down across them, "Please allow me to repay your kindness in raising me even just a little with this feast."
"How did you afford to pay for all this, Issei?" His father muttered as his bespectacled eyes dragged over the sight of the near-dozen black lacquer bento boxes laid out.
A third of the bento boxes were filled with perfectly fried and crispy golden tempura, in another third of the bento boxes were glistening fresh yakiniku made of the tender Kobe beef, Kurobuta pork; and in the last third were pristine white rice topped with black sesame. All of it was of the highest quality that could be found in the city.
"That's… a secret?" Issei reasoned to his father, who looked at him doubtfully at first for a moment before the doubt gave way to a dawning look of understanding, and finally a calm accepting smile.
"Ah, I understand completely, Issei." His father replied giving him a thumbs up- making Issei feel completely out of the loop.
"[Observe]" Issei whispered, now curious as to what his father thought.
Gouro Hyoudou - Lvl 1 Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Highest Stat: INT
Current thoughts About You: Believes that you did a part-time job just to treat them and show that you're capable of being responsible. And that strategy is working.
Affection: 100 (Unconditional Paternal Love)
"Oh, Gouro… " his mother cried dramatically- her shoulder length brown hair as she sniffled happily into his father's shoulder. "Our son is finally growing up!"
"That he is! Let's eat!" his father replied as he began serving himself some rice and temperature- tearing into a high quality Japanese cuisine with fervor. Just the feast alone cost over 30,000 yen, but it was a nice feeling to treat his parents for once.
But what they did not know was that the food was not the only thing he picked up in Kiyoraha downtown, Issei felt determination rising in his chest as he looked at the rest of his purchase that he had sat in the corner of the house' entrance- to the components for his secret weapon.
After dinner, he will assemble his secret weapon and tomorrow, move onto his main goal: Thawing Akane Amamiya's icy heart!
[Friday]
The time has finally come- his secret weapon was deployed and all he had to do was wait.
In the meantime, Issei distracted himself on the second floor of the entrance hall by looking out and enjoying the view.
It was the real reason why his attendance had been perfect. Watching the parade of his classmates (and their oppai) that marched, skipped and strolled through along the entrance as they chatted with friends or basked in the April morning sunshine.
Oppai!
Small ones, medium ones, those that rivaled Amamiya-senpai's in size… Some of them were still wrapped in warm sweaters to form nice perky sweater puppies, while others were let free in the Spring-variant of their uniforms- barely contained by the white fabric of their Seifuku.
He will never get tired of that view- it was a motivating sight in the morning. But this was the first time that he had seen it in mid-April… just when the Sakura trees blossomed. Their campus had a row of Sakura trees lining the path that led from the main gate to the entrance of the main building…
So when his target and future-girlfriend-to-be, Amamiya-senpai disembarked from a black sedan with Saeko-san and walked onto the campus as her long flowing black hair fluttered in the breeze, sakura petals falling all around her- she looked like something out of an anime.
Even Saeko-san's world-class bust bouncing and jiggling as she skipped and wiggled beside her was only mildly distracting for Issei. With her long pink hair and pink eyes, she practically blended into the background of Sakura blossoms.
Issei basked in the sight of the Two Jewels of Kansai International until his Amamiya-senpai eventually reached her shoe locker, and Issei's heart seemed like it was about to beat right out his chest as he spotted the flash of surprise momentarily shining in her ruby-red eyes.
"Ara?" He heard Amamiya-senpai's voice in mild surprise as she opened her shoe locker. "A box of chocolates and a letter."
Beside her, Saeko was the first to hear and react. Her bright pink eyes widening in recognition as she squished against her friend in a display of soft DD-cup oppai pressing against Akane's back that would never get old for Issei's eyes.
"I know that brand!" Saeko exclaimed in a cry of joy, peering over Akane's shoulder as a giddy sort of amazement colouring her voice, "They're a really good artisan chocolate brand from Hokkaido and they're pretty hard to get: Someone went out of their way to get you top-shelf chocolates, 'kane-chan!"
There was an excited murmur amongst the gaggle of girls as they awed over his gift and love letter to Amamiya-senpai, and Issei couldn't help the satisfied smirk on his lips as he listened in.
"But it's dark chocolates…" Akane murmured suspiciously as her blood red eye scanned the chocolate's labelling, "Someone is taunting me by gifting me a really good chocolate brand, but with the one type of chocolate that I can't stand…"
Immediately after, she turned to the bubbly pink-haired vice-rep half-skipping alongside her and gave her a look of exasperation as she wearily asked, "This isn't your doing again, is it, Saeko?"
At that comment, Issei had to kick mentally kick himself. Did she not like dark chocolate? But the internet said that women liked either. Maybe he should have asked around first instead of buying straight away...
"It wasn't me, 'kane-chan. I learned my lesson the first time." Saeko defended herself with a playful whine. "If I wanted to 'prank' you with food- I'd do it with something you can at least give to your mother… But even she doesn't like dark chocolate."
"Then it's likely from someone who doesn't know me very well." Akane surmised as she handed the box of chocolates to her bubbly pink-haired friend who seemed interested in reading the labels herself.
"You think it's someone from another school?" Saeko guessed in a contemplative tone as her curious pink eyes looked over the box, "Maybe a visitor to the festival who heard your singing?"
"Likely so…" Akane conceded, accepting the likely explanation as her slender fingers untied the card that came with the chocolate.
'She's going to read it!' Issei hyped to himself. His brown eyes watched intently as she opened the expensive parchment paper. He wasn't that big with words, so he settled for complimenting her beauty, her voice and her work as the class rep. It took him most of the night to think up all the words!
He even signed the letter with a single stylised 'I' like a true, mysterious and attractive secret admirer.
Issei could see it now, she'd keep that letter close to her heart (And by that, he meant her seifuku's breast pocket). And when he revealed himself to be the one that had gifted that chocolate and card, her icy heart would melt instantly for him and she'd turn into a blushing DereDere pressing her soft C-cup oppai against him as she embraced him out of gratitude.
"What does the card say?" Saeko curiously chirped, and Issei couldn't help but feel proud of himself. He wanted to include something about her oppai, but even he wasn't that uncouth.
"It… waxes poetics about my- I quote- 'oppai'." Akane groaned with exasperation.
Okay, maybe he may have mentioned something about her amazing body there. But in his defense, he included a lot of the good points in her personality in there as well!
"Let me read, please!?" Saeko begged for the card, which the darker haired girl indulged- almost flicking it to her in an attempt to get it away from her as fast as she could.
"You're as amazing as the perkiness of your oppai… The sight of your back as we try to follow in the example you've made is as inspiring as the view of the edges of your oppai from behind… And… And… Buahahahaha!" Saeko mumbled through most of it, but said the ones that interested her the most- until she couldn't contain herself and she burst out laughing.
Issei blushed in shame. Okay, maybe he got a bit too excited and distracted while writing the card that he practically gushed about her oppai every sentence.
"It's definitely a joke by someone who knows you." Saeko eventually managed to control her laughter long enough to ask Akane the question, "Maybe a late April Fools' joke? Do you know anyone that would do that?"
"Just one." Akane retorted in a deadpan, her single red eye resting on her pink-haired friend.
"But 'kane-chan…" Saeko half-whined as she defended herself, "I already told you it wasn't me~"
Okay, he couldn't take it anymore. The secret weapon was a failure. Maybe he should save his efforts in making his Amamiya-senpai his girlfriend when he has the CHA to back it up. Still, he wondered if they suspected that it was him.
"[Observe]" Issei whispered as he eyed Akane from a distance.
Akane Amamiya - Lvl 1 Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Highest Stat: INT
Current thoughts About You: Thinks you're a possible suspect behind the chocolates and cards. Wants to reserve judgement because it would be unfair to you otherwise.
Reputation: 5 (Neutral)
So his reputation as an oppai loving pervert was preceding him again, and that was not a problem. But Amamiya-senpai once again showed how kind she was by not immediately pointing fingers, even if he really was the one behind that box of chocolates and card. Her kindness only reinforced how much he wanted her to be his girlfriend
"[Observe]" he whispered again, this time looking at Saeko-san's back… and her shapely rear end hinted at by the constant swaying of her navy blue skirt.
Saeko Shiraishi - Lvl 3 Human
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Highest Stat: STR
Current thoughts About You: Highly suspects you to be the culprit behind the chocolates and cards, and will keep an eye on you.
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
Issei felt that he should really do her quest now.
He had a day and a half which he thought would be more than enough. After all, he only needed to use his newfound CHA to talk to people and ask about Saeko-san. [Easy Approach] was going to make it all smooth sailing. And when he is done with her Quest, maybe it will help him with his Amamiya-senpai's capture Quest.
QUEST Added - [Behind the Smile]
Objective - Find the truth about Saeko Shiraishi before the class outing
Bonus Objective - Don't let Saeko find out about your attempts
Rewards: XP (Large), Observe Lvl 2, +2 CHA
Bonus Rewards: +2 DEX, +2 CHA, +2 LCK
Easy.
[Saturday] [Kyoto Gyoen National Garden]
This was not going as planned.
Deciding to rest his feet in a nearby park to clear his head, Issei slumped down on a park bench.
He was out of his uniform now and in his warm casual clothes of a warm button down sweater over an orange-white tank paired with black pants- it was comfy for him, but not comfy enough to make long hours of walking around trying to find people who knew a lot about Saeko more bearable.
"Status." Issei groaned out tiredly- he had severely underestimated how difficult Saeko's Quest was compared to all the other Quests that he had received so far.
== T ==
STATUS:
Issei Hyoudou
Title: The Protagonist
Level - 1
Class - [Locked]
Race - ?
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - Neutral Good
HP - 165-180
MP - 150
SP - 165-180
STR - 11-12
END - 11-12
DEX - 11-12
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 17
LCK - 13-14
Available points: 0
PERKS:
(CHA 15) Easy Approach: You find it much easier to approach people, and vice versa.
Observe Lvl 1: (Active) Let's you see the some info about other entities up to three levels above yours
== T ==
So far, he had completed three quests: [Helping around the House], [Meeting New People], and worse of all, [Cold Turkey]
The first was to finish all the chores in the house, the second was to talk to get acquainted with five people who he did not know before, and the last was… to play no eroge or watch no hentai. The first two only gave him small amounts of XP and the last one gave him a +1 to Endurance which was completely accurate with the challenge.
He didn't let the Quest take over his life though. He was enjoying the ability of [Observe] too much. His bank account was the biggest that it had ever been, and the amount of figurines and anime that he bought… well, he definitely needs a bigger room now.
But that didn't change the fact that he hadn't found out anything about Saeko-san!
"Ugh, I thought it would be easier than this." Issei helplessly groaned out to himself, "Saeko-chan is a surprisingly private person."
He had asked almost everyone in class. And all of them replied with pretty much the same thing, most people that he asked thought that he was yet another boy who was going to ask Saeko out, and they pitied him as they thought that it would only end with his heart getting crushed like everyone else who had tried.
He even took a bike and tried to go to her house in that posh neighborhood in the uptown area. It was a luxurious looking Western-style mansion… with high walls and a solid steel gate like everyone else in that neighborhood. He wasn't going to be sneaking in anytime soon.
No one had useful information aside from "Ask Amamiya-senpai." He would, but he was sure that she would tell Saeko and make him lose out on the bonus objective.
"I'm ready to just give up on it and just enjoy the class outing next week." He groaned out- massaging his temple, "Maybe I really should just ask Amamiya-senpai?"
"Ask me what, Hyoudou-san?" A familiar melodic voice rang through the cool air of early-spring. Looking up, he saw a beautiful angel dressed in a luxurious red coat with fur lining, her ruby-red eyes peering down at him as the black button-down she wore strained against her oppai- at that, he recognised her immediately.
"Ah, Amamiya-senpai!" Issei yelped as he jolted from the park bench and up to his feet.
"No need to stand, Hyoudou-san. I could have sat down with you." she said with a smile just as she daintily sat down on the bench. Red eyes looked up at him expectantly as she waited for him to join her on the bench.
"Ah, right." He promptly sat down next to the beautiful class representative.
QUEST Added - [A Friend in Need]
Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to tell you more about Saeko
Bonus Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to tell you more about herself
Rewards: XP (Medium), +2 CHA, +2 LCK
Bonus Rewards: XP (Medium), +4 CHA
Wait… Brown eyes lit up as he looked at the screen that was in front of Amamiya-senpai's face. She didn't see it, but this might be exactly what he needed. He can make progress in both Quests: he could find out information about Saeko and he can grow closer to Amamiya-senpai at the same time. He could kiss her right now!
"I didn't know you liked walks in the park too, Hyoudou-san." She remarked as she leaned back and closed her eyes. A soft sigh leaving her soft pink lips and looking every bit of an angel in Issei's eyes as she drank in the cool air of early spring.
Issei tried his hardest not to get distracted by her oppai as she leaned back against the bench.
"Eh, I usually don't." He suddenly remembered to reply, "I was going around doing errands."
"Errands?" She questioned with an amused tone as if he told an amusing joke, her bright-red eyes opening and looking at him intently. It didn't really help him think on the spot when she was being distracting like that.
"Yeah… errands like…" Issei lamely tried to fumble for an explanation.
[Fail! (CHA 18/25) Req. to lie Akane Amamiya that you were doing something else]
"...Like trying to find out more about Saeko-chan so that you can date her?" Akane offered nonchalantly as she stared up at the clear blue sky.
Now Issei felt that he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He didn't really want to date Saeko, not just yet at least. What he was really after was the information, but he also could use the dating excuse to get Amamiya to give him info… In the end, he made the decision to stick with it.
"Uh… okay, you caught me. How did you know?" Issei conceded as he laid back against the bench as well.
[Success! (CHA 18/12) Req. to convince Akane Amamiya that you don't have ill-intentions towards Saeko]
+1 Reputation with Akane Amamiya for coming clean to her (6/100)
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She teased airily with an airy tone - showing a side of her that Issei had only seen a few times before: the Smug side of Akane Amamiya. He felt honoured to have it directed at him. A shiver went down his spine at the thought of Amamiya-senpai queening him- she had the look and disposition for it.
Did he just trigger a flag?
"Eh? Did you just call her 'Saeko-chan?' I thought you didn't call her that." He asked, remembering the many, many times that Saeko would act melodramatic about it.
"I only call her that when she's not being overly affectionate." She said with a sly grin- like she was making someone (Saeko) the butt of an elaborate joke, "She knows that I don't like overly affectionate people- even though I had years to build up a resistance to her antics. So, it's a game we- I play on her."
With that tone of voice, Issei concluded that Amamiya-senpai was born to be smug and likely to dom as well. The smug curl of her pink lips coupled with her expressive thin eyebrow was enough to get a 'reaction' from him. He didn't even have that fetish before! But now he certainly did.
"You've been friends for a while then?" Issei questioned- trying to keep his voice steady and his increasingly tented pants hidden as he tried his hand in asking for information directly from Akane.
"We've known each other since Primary." She replied with a casual shrug, the resulting jiggle distracting him momentarily. Issei had to kick himself when recalled just now that one of the Quests he got was to make her his girlfriend.
But internally, Issei cheered.
He finally made some progress in asking for information about both Saeko and herself. Maybe his luck was finally turning. Doing a little mental dance, he decided to keep going and push for more information. "Amamiya-senpai, can you tell me more about Saeko-san?"
At that, the smug expression receded from her features- leaving behind the usual gentle expression that won her the title of the school's cool beauty- a perfect mix of beauty, calm and confidence.
"Can you tell me something first, Hyoudou-san?" Akane questioned him in a wondering tone, "Saeko barely knows you outside school and you barely know Saeko… so, why do you want to date her?"
Inwardly, Issei winced at how he was caught in his lie. He just needed the information, he didn't want to date Saeko just yet. But if he was going to be honest, it was really because of her really big oppai that always bounced and swayed.
"Is it because she has big breasts?" She said in a flat tone and judging stare of her ruby-red eyes as she hit the nail on the head.
"Yes. I mean, No!" he floundered unconvincingly as he tried to deny his own nature.
[Fail! (CHA 18/20) Req. to lie to Akane Amamiya that you're not breast-obsessed]
-15 Reputation with Akane Amamiya for being so shallow about her best friend (-9/100)
That took all the reputation that he had with Amamiya-senpai and sunk him straight into the negatives. That was so unfair! What did she have against breasts anyway? Amamiya-senpai herself had a great pair! But more than that, he was losing control of the conversation.
"I mean, I have other reasons to like Saeko-san!" Issei desperately squawked, clutching at straws to somehow salvage the conversation and his reputation with Akane.
Akane blinked at that, leaning back and seemingly mollified by that, "Oh? Meaningful ones?"
"Yes!" he replied with an eager nod. He could list how she was always nice, how her cheerful energy was infectious and how she helped him a few times. Wait, those don't sound so meaningful.
"And how substantial could those reasons be when you're the one asking me to tell you more about her?" she rhetorically asked. "It's going to be something like 'She helped me with my homework a few times' or 'She's nice, energetic and cheerful', isn't it?"
"Urgk."
His Amamiya-senpai mercilessly and accurately hit the nail on the head. He forgot that her top attribute is intelligence. Or maybe it was just because his own INT score was his lowest stat.
Either way, he had screwed up and now he felt really bad.
[Fail! (CHA 18/30) Req. to lie to Akane Amamiya about Saeko's good qualities]
-15 Reputation with Akane Amamiya for lying to her (-24/100)
And now even his kind senpai looked disappointed.
Somehow, the knowledge- the certainty- that she was indeed disappointed with him only made his heart ache even worse. Why did he ever think that lying to his crush would be a good idea?
"Saeko-chan wouldn't be interested anyway, Hyoudou-san…" Akane gave a small sigh as she tucked her hands in her red coat's pockets- her blood red eyes locking onto his own brown ones. "So, please save yourself the heartache of being rejected."
He had nothing to say to that. He failed the quest, didn't he?
QUEST FAILED - [A Friend in Need]
[X] Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to tell you more about Saeko
[X] Bonus Objective - Convince Akane Amamiya to tell you more about herself
Rewards: -
"But Saeko-chan is a good person, maybe too good..." She confided to him as she stood up from the bench, and patted down her red coat.
'No, she's not- I've seen her alignment.' Issei wanted to say. But even he is not sure if the Gamer System was right or if it made a mistake. But if she was pure evil, then he needed to make sure. He didn't want to wrongly accuse someone of being evil after all.
"...And if you're serious about dating her.. or any girl, you have to commit every fibre of your being to the effort. Not like this. You'll need that strength of will and character when the time comes; and you have to strike while the iron is hot." She concluded, giving him one last parting advice.
Issei didn't really get it. He thought it was vague, but he appreciated everything his senpai gave him all the same. Especially now since he didn't deserve it.
"Thanks for the advice… take care, Amamiya-senpai." He waved with a bitter smile- their conversation not having gone the way he would have hoped. But at least he got to spend time with her.
"I will… Goodbye, Hyoudou-san." She waved back as she turned and walked away- her long, flowing black hair waving in the April breeze.
Issei could only sigh at his own inability to understand and talk to women.
Reputation reset with Akane Amamiya because she still has faith in you (0/100)
'What?'
Blinking, he glanced at the direction that she went and found her glancing back with a pitying smile on her lips.
'Why?'
Seeing that she was about to turn a corner, Issei acted quickly, her bright red coat about to disappear from view, but before it did, he managed to mutter "[Observe]!"
Akane Amamiya - Lvl 1 Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Highest Stat: INT
Current thoughts About You: Thinks your perverted antics are really annoying to deal with, but still has a feeling that you're a decent person at heart. Believes that you still can be that person.
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
But worshipping oppai was natural…
And the thought of him believing otherwise? Issei didn't think he could do that. Not even for a girl who he had a crush on. But the thought still ate at him.
Even after all the things that he did, she still believed in him?
Even after coming off as a pervert to her… Even after convincing her that he was only after Saeko-san's body… Even after he lied to her so blatantly to try and save his own rear... she was still willing to believe in him to be a better person?
Issei, for the life of him, couldn't grasp that.
He didn't know how long he sat there on the park bench as he stared at the zero, only that he could only come to a single conclusion: Akane Amamiya was the kindest person he had ever known.
"What if Amamiya-senpai is right?" He sighed helplessly, completely torn about the whole thing, "Maybe I do need to grow up a bit more..."
Standing up from the park bench, the thought clung to him as he seriously considered it and it simply never left.
It clung to his mind as he took the train home, and the thought stayed with him all throughout the hours that night as well, his porn magazine and his hentai doujins laying untouched as he lay in bed staring at his ceiling until sleep finally came to him.
[Sunday] [Kansai International Academy]
It was late afternoon at the Kansai International Academy campus as Issei and the rest of his class gathered to go to the resort.
And Issei could only sigh as a window that only he could see popped up in front of him.
QUEST FAILED - [Behind the Smile]
[X] Objective - Find the truth about Saeko Shiraishi before the class outing
[X] Bonus Objective - Don't let Saeko find out about your attempts
Rewards: -
"Whatever…" He muttered to himself as he waited with the others on the sidewalk. If Saeko-san really was as evil as the Gamer System made her out to be, things could be really dangerous: The resort was out in the countryside- away from civilization. It sounded like it was one of those bad ends in those visual novels where a murderer picks them off one by one. But she wouldn't do something bad with 41 students around, would she?
After all, maybe she was just selfish and manipulative, not murderous.
Whatever the case may be, it was no longer a problem for him. Hyoudou Issei had moved on from being nervous about being stuck in the countryside with Saeko-san, and had decided that he was going to just relax at the onsen, maybe do his best to peep on the girls and get a glimpse of oppai...
But for some reason every time he tried to think that, the image of Akane's pitying smile right before she disappeared from view flashed in his mind. Even after he lied to her face, even after he all but admitted that he was after her best friend for her body… Akane was kind enough to look past that and believe in him to be a better person.
He worshipped oppai, but to go back to his old ways… it felt like he was stabbing her in the back- like he was spitting on her kindness and throwing it back into her face. And he couldn't do that, not to someone who has only been kind to him, because despite how much he worshipped oppai, despite how Hyoudou Issei may have been many things: a massive pervert, a peeper on girl's locker rooms, a worshipper of oppai… a cruel or ungrateful person, he was not.
So maybe he shouldn't peep, and just take the time to relax like everyone else. Hopefully, the onsen will clear his head. But right now, he just had to wait for the bus to arrive.
Thankfully, he and the rest of the class didn't have to wait long at all.
A big cross-country bus had come to pick them up, painted a cheerful lime green and right on time as it stopped beside the curb. And after stowing their luggage easily enough, the class of 42 waited inside for the late-comers. Issei himself settled in near the back by his lonesome.
But as the time for departure passed by and their late-comers didn't show up, the murmurs and whispers of rumour and speculation were already filling up the interior.
After all, while almost the entire class was gathered...
... neither Saeko-san nor Amamiya-senpai weren't there.
Issei furrowed his brows in worry as he looked out into the city as it was painted a soft orange by the setting sun. Was the Gamer System right? Did Saeko-san do something bad to Amamiya-senpai? His heart wouldn't be able to take it if Amamiya-senpai was hurt.
But at the same time, he really didn't know if Saeko-san was really evil.
"Saeko-san is here!" A girl from their class called out from the front of the bus- rousing everyone in their seats. Meanwhile, Issei's mind was racing. Saeko? Not Saeko-san and Amamiya-senpai? Something was very wrong.
Rising from his seat, he leaned on the window and looked in the direction his classmate was pointing out and was just in time to see Saeko disembarking from her car.
"[Observe]" He whispered- wondering if Saeko-san's thoughts had anything to clue him in as to what was wrong.
Saeko Shiraishi - Lvl 3 Human
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Highest Stat: STR
Current thoughts About You: Thinks you're just another clueless victim, would enjoy killing you if you're in the way.
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
Issei's brown eyes widened in shock at Saeko's current thoughts. Now there can be no doubt as to whether or not Saeko was pure evil. She was willing to kill people. But even more worrying though was how it said 'another clueless victim' emphasis on the 'another.'
"Everyone!" Saeko's firm voice barked out as she climbed into the bus- her usual smile nowhere to be found and her bright pink eyes focused into sharp edges. She wasn't tall at all, but the way she stood up straight made her look like she was a colossus.
Their vice-representative was very, very serious. And the blood of everyone in the bus went cold at that- Saeko never acted like that before.
For his part, Issei tensed in his seat- he couldn't help but think that she was lying about Amamiya-senpai and she was after them next. But even then, he was more worried about Akane. He glanced around, looking for a weapon that he could use. No.. that's jumping the gun- she could do anything with so many people here- even if she was a level 3.
"I have news: Akane-chan...Her father was in a car accident last night and she's in the hospital with him right now. And as much as she regrets saying it- she isn't coming along with us."
Immediately, people started chattering as the class seemed to rally to the idea of postponing the class outing so that their Amamiya-senpai would have time to properly mourn without obligation. Plans like chipping in to pay for the bus and such were floated around.
"Everyone, please…" Saeko continued over the chatter, "Akane-chan would prefer it if all of you just went ahead."
And what was just chatter and muttering turned more vocal shouts of protest.
'But Akane could be dead right now and it could have been because of you, Saeko!' Issei wanted to shout over the inane chatter. They- he needed to find out if she was even still alive. His brown eyes glanced over to Saeko, and a deep rage welled up in his belly. If Saeko hurt her…
No, he can't think that- he needed to prioritize Akane.
Issei prayed that his CHA was high enough.
"Can you call her so that we can talk to her, Saeko-san?" Issei's voice shouted over the chatter of his classmates at Saeko, "And give her our reassurances?"
Everyone seemed to calm down as they considered the idea, Saeko included.
[Success! (CHA 18/10) Req. to convince Saeko to call Akane and put her on speaker]
"Good idea, Issei." Saeko responded, nodding. "I think it'll help her if she hears how much you all cared."
She pulled out her phone with the white bunny protector and called Akane's number - a luxury that very few people had. A few rings later, the other end was picked up and Saeko brought the phone to her ear. The entire bus was silent to let Saeko have her conversation with Akane- a conversation that they were only privy to one side of.
"..."
"Hello, Akane-chan…"
"..."
"Yes, I'm with everyone right now..."
"..."
"Yeah, you were right: They want to postpone it because of you..."
"..."
"Okay, I'll put you on speaker."
Saeko held out her phone- the screen facing them to show a cutely-drawn smiling chibi of Akane.
"I'm really sorry, everyone." Their class representative's apologetic voice rang out of the phone's tinny speaker. "I need to take a few days off, but I will try to meet you on Wednesday if I can. But please continue with the outing without me. I don't want to be a burden."
Predictably, there was a flurry of chatter exploding in the bus in protest of that. Everyone seemed to insist that they held off the class outing until she was feeling better. While everyone was pleading to postpone things for her, Issei's brown eyes were focused and determined. Hearing her voice meant that Akane was alive, right?
No, it was still not a guarantee; after all, it could just be that it was a recording or an accomplice with a voice changer and Saeko had already murdered Akane. His heart clenched at the thought, but he just didn't know. But did he have a way to check if it was her?
Then it hit him. Yes, he did.
"Amamiya-senpai!" Issei shouted from across the bus, "Please cheer up soon- we all miss you! Also thank you for the advice the other day!"
'Please let her still be alive… Don't let bad things happen to good people… Not to this one... Akane is too kind of a person to die like that.' Issei prayed to whatever god that listened.
+5 Reputation with Akane Amamiya for caring and listening to her advice (5/100)
"Hah... you don't need to shout, Hyoudou-san." She seemed to sigh but it was with a fond tone where he could hear the weak smile in her voice, "I'm… I'm getting there, I just need some time. And you're welcome."
Issei released a deep sigh of relief that he didn't know he had been holding; and he didn't bother to try and stop the relieved trembling of his fists. It was good to know that Akane was truly alive. The reputation increase in the Gamer System couldn't be faked.
"Okay, Akane-chan. I can handle things from here." Saeko promised in a gentle tone, "Please keep Amamiya Oji-san company. And don't forget to rest too."
And with a soft "Boop" that Saeko said out loud, she disconnected the call. She turned the pink orbs of her eyes to the rest of them in the bus.
"Anyway, her word is final." Saeko maintained- her usually playful voice now in a tone that brook no argument, "She won't be coming along, but the trip won't be postponed. If you all want to help make Akane feel better, you'll humbly accept the reward that she worked hard to win you all. You will do that for Akane-chan."
Cowed by how scary serious-Saeko could be, everyone could only nod in agreement: a rising murmur of "Do it for Amamiya-senpai." floated around the interior of the bus. But Issei was focused on something else.
"Us?" Issei asked out loud, "Saeko-san, are you not coming as well?"
To that, Saeko simply nodded, "I will, but two days from now. After all, I have to make sure Akane-chan has someone there with her."
== T ==
MAIN QUEST Added
[The Powers of Love and Friendship]
Objective - Stop the murder(s) that Saeko Shiraishi is planning
Sub-Objectives: ?
Secret Objective(s): ?
Rewards: XP (Massive x2), Observe Lvl 2, +5 All Stats
Sub-Rewards: ?
FAILURE: [Bad End - Sacrifice]
== T ==
Issei's whole body froze in shock at the big window that flashed into his vision.
This was a Main Quest. In video games, that usually meant that it was integral to the main character's story- which in this game of life would mean him, Hyoudou Issei. A Quest that was of the highest importance in his life.
And everything seemed to click for him.
The timing of the Main Quest being added, Saeko's thoughts of 'Another clueless victim.' Saeko's desire to be close to Akane. The all-too-well-timed accident of Akane's father that left Akane isolated from everyone else she knew.
Saeko was indeed going to murder Akane!
He can't let that happen!
Taking a deep breath, Hyoudou Issei stood up from his seat and out into the little footpath that led up and down the bus, his brown eyes meeting Saeko's bright pink ones, "Saeko-san, please permit me to come with you and help Amamiya-senpai feel better."
At his declaration, all around him, he could hear the muttering of his classmates.
"He's using her father's condition to get close to Amamiya-senpai." "Has he no shame?" "How scummy..."
-10 Reputation with the Kansai International Student Body for being insensitive to Akane (-13/100)
Issei gritted his teeth as his fists clenched at his sides. He knew that her father was gravely injured. But her life was at stake, he couldn't let Saeko kill her!
For her part, Akane's would-be murderer looked at him unimpressed; not hostile, but put off all the same- like a stranger had butt into a conversation between friends. Her pouty lips were pursed and her graceful brows were furrowed as she asked him, "Honestly, Issei. Akane-chan and her family barely know you, why would I take you along?"
"Because-"
"Oh! Are you going to proclaim your love for 'kane-chan like in some manga?!" She exclaimed incredulously, and for a moment, the Saeko that they knew and loved had come back.
She promptly turned around- facing her back to Issei and the rest of them as she apparently tried to calm herself down- taking deep breaths and fixing her sundress- acting like she was the one who Issei was about to proclaim his love to.
"Okay, give me your best shot, Issei." She cheered for him just before she turned to face him again- an encouraging smile on her lips, "Tell me why your love is strong enough."
"[Observe]" Issei whispered- disguising it as a sigh.
Saeko Shiraishi - Lvl 3 Human
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Highest Stat: STR
Current thoughts About You: Thinks that your reasons for liking Akane will be as sad, shallow and ultimately predictable like everyone else's had been.
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
Brown eyes narrowed at that.
Despite her honest-sounding request, Issei knew that she was belittling him. All around him, the mocking grins of his classmates sprouted. None of them truly understood. And Issei couldn't help but feel something hot rise up from his gut: it wasn't quite like rage, nor was it like a feeling of superiority, but a steely mixture of both.
And it told him to sweep them all aside as he strode forth.
"I can't say that I love her." He firmly denied as he took a step forward, "But I can say that I do owe her for her kindness."
"Even when I didn't deserve it, especially when I didn't deserve it." He attested- his brown eyes locked with Saeko's bright pink ones- neither of them flinched as he took another step closer to her, "She showed me kindness."
And so far, Saeko has not budged.
"I owe her enough to be there for her." He freely admitted, before his tone turned steely, "After all the kindness she had given, my conscience won't rest if I wasn't there for her when she needed some in turn."
Issei reached her. Barely one step apart, as he stood face to face with the person who aspired to be the murderer of the only person who had ever believed in him. And if need be, he was ready to beat her down right then and there to stop her from stabbing Akane in the back. His fists clenched by his sides- ready to hammer into the smiling face before him.
But he wasn't done speaking- leaning into her personal space, he swore to her, "So, even if I have to push you aside, march out there and check every hospital in the city just to make sure that she is safe. There is nothing you can do to stop me."
+40 Reputation with the Kansai International Student Body for being so determined and sincere (27/100 - Liked)
"I underestimated you, Ise-kun." Saeko grinned widely, completely unbothered by his angry sneer just inches from her own face.
"I'm just following the advice Akane told me." He growled out- his brown eyes still locked resolutely on Saeko's pink ones.
[Success! (CHA 18+?/40) Req. to convince Saeko to take you to Akane]
+25 Reputation with Saeko Shiraishi for being so determined for Akane (25/100)
+2 CHA for succeeding in a Stat Check that has a requirement that is 2x your base stat!
"Is that so?" Saeko beamed as her slender hand shot out to grab onto his, "Come with me, I'll give you a ride to the hospital myself."
She tugged on his hand as she led him off the bus. A cheerful smile on her face as she turned to the portly bus driver and grinned, "Alright, Driver-ojisan! Please deliver my classmates safely to the resort!"
And with that, Saeko dragged him off the bus and over to black executive sedan parked in front- a serious-looking man in a suit opening the rear door for them to reveal the plush cream-coloured leather seats and lacquered wood panelling inside.
"Alright, get in the car, Ise-kun." Saeko's slender hand patted him on the back, "The hospital is on the other side of the city, but at least, we're traveling first class to Akane-chan!"
What?
Why was Saeko, the would-be murderer, helping him!?
- Chapter 1 End -
Chapter 2 : A Hyoudou Issei Learns the True Meaning of Sacrifice scheduled for posting right now
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