It was already the third day of their trip to Kyoto, but Issei didn't want it to end.

From entering the Heavenly Temple and exploring a beautiful garden to witnessing a spectacular dragon statue and traversing bamboo paths on a rickshaw, touring Mt. Arashi and the surrounding district had been an amazing time.

Kunou was on hand to guide him and his classmates, and she regaled them with so much history that his head was starting to spin. He was quite grateful that she was willing to give them a real tour, considering everything... the sooner she was reunited with her mother, the better.

They broke for lunch at Kunou's favourite tofu spot, and once he got served, Issei stuffed himself with fresh, fragrant tofu. It was delicious, so delicious it made the store-bought tofu back home taste like paper. The only downside was that it needed to be eaten straight away. Would he eat tofu everyday? Probably not, but it was still really tasty.

He wasn't the only one who was enjoying their lunch; Asia, Irina and Xenovia were into this slice of Kyoto life almost as much as he was. Maybe more, actually.

"Where did you go last night, Issei?" Irina asked.

Issei gulped, thankful that the tofu he swallowed didn't go down the wrong pipe. Since his childhood friend was sitting directly across from him, he couldn't ignore her even if he wanted to.

"I did some shopping. Nothing fancy."

"You didn't say Issei went shopping, Asia," Xenovia said, next to her partner in faith. "I – we – could have gone with him."

"Issei already made plans, Xenovia," Asia said, seated at his side. "It wouldn't be fair if we forced him to accommodate us."

He grinned to himself. Asia was way too good to him. Way too good for him, too.

"Aww, I hate it when you're right, Asia," Irina said. "It's such a shame, I was really looking forward to playing cards with you, Issei." They made eye contact, but she immediately looked away. "And the others!"

Issei was saved from having to respond when Kunou put another piece of tofu on his plate.

"Are you seeing this shit, bro?" Matsuda asked Motohama.

"How can I not?" Motohama adjusted his glasses. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Issei! How is shopping more important than spending time with these fine ladies?"

It was more important when he was shopping with a fine lady who all but asked him out. But he wouldn't dare say that.

… Why couldn't he just be honest for once?

"Half off on the latest Gundam figurines, and they were selling out fast," he said, mouth full. Both of his friends immediately understood. He swallowed his food. "Anyway, enough about me. Did you guys enjoy yourselves?"

Asia smiled. "We had a great time."

"Perhaps you can all play these card games together!" Kunou said.

Kiryuu shrugged. "Eh, why not." She snapped her fingers, suddenly excited. "You should come join us, Kunou!"

Kunou frowned. "I cannot. My retainers would be quite worried if I was not safe at home."

For good reason.

"Another time, then," Issei said. "How 'bout you, Asia? You up for some card games?"

Issei checked Asia out, and he was glad to see that her smile hadn't wavered.

"Always."

That settled that. Not only would he get to make up for turning Asia down last night, it'd also give Matsuda and Motohama the chance to try their luck with Irina and Xenovia. They definitely needed a shot after getting caught peeking at the women's baths, so they could stop doing that.

Matsuda, Motohoma, neither of them had changed all that much. Then again, neither had he. The only difference was they weren't as lucky as him: they got 'disciplined' by the student council, he got counselling from a hot teacher.

If Matsuda or Motohama had been transformed into devils, if they had a powerful Sacred Gear, he was pretty sure they'd be in the same position he was right now, give or take some minor differences. Luck was the only thing that separated them, and the price he paid for that luck was baggage. Trauma.

At any rate, everyone else was on board for card games – blackjack, Uno, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and definitely not strip poker – and if they managed to rescue Yasaka beforehand, that would be the icing on the cake, the perfect way to celebrate their last night in Kyoto.

With bellies full of tofu, Issei and his friends kept on touring Kyoto, meeting up with Kiba and a few of his classmates on the way. They stopped at a bar to see Azazel get wasted in the middle of the afternoon. Rossweisse was watching him, dressed to the nines in her snazzy navy suit.

"It's way too early for day drinking, ain't it, Azazel?" Issei asked.

Rossweisse agreed with him, giving Azazel the third degree for being so irresponsible. A stubborn man, she called him. But Azazel wasn't impressed, and after calling her a buzzkill, he decided he was going to cut Rossweisse down to size.

"You need to learn how to unwind a little bit," Azazel said. "This is why you can't find yourself a man."

Issei scowled. Now that was going too far. He was about to go and defend Rossweisse's honour before he heard a fist slam against the bar counter.

"You have no right to talk about my love life!" Rossweisse shouted. The veins in her forehead were bulging. "Give me that!"

She stole Azazel's sake cup, poised to drink, but then she noticed them watching her, and stared straight into Issei's soul.

He wasn't sure if he was terrified or turned on.

The moment was broken when she set the sake cup down. Azazel immediately grabbed it.

"On second thought, I won't humiliate you in front of your students. I know I can find a man, a good one, but you'll still be an incorrigible drunk! Do you even have a woman in your life, huh, Azazel?"

"I've loved and lost. How about we drink a little and I tell you all about it?"

Any trace of humour had been wiped off Azazel's face, and it stunned Rossweisse out of her tirade.

"Will you stop drinking if I say yes? Seriously, you're worse than my old boss."

A wry smile crossed his mouth. "As long as you listen."

Rossweisse looked around, finding him. Then she took a seat. "In that case, I'm all ears. But if you take ONE sip of alcohol –"

"You have nothing to worry about."

Azazel shot Issei a wink. Much like Rossweisse's soulful stare, he didn't know how to take it. In any case, the Togetsukyou bridge was calling them. He'd get to see Rossweisse later on, and they could finish –

Damn it all, he was so busy trying to please his friends that he forgot all about their date! He didn't even need to be so secretive: didn't matter how many dates he went on, he'd still be a hopeless virgin because he couldn't seal the deal when it counted.

"Dude, what was going on with Ms. Rossweisse?" Matsuda asked, once they stepped foot on the bridge. "She was about to get her drink on and then she did a full 360."

"Beats me," Motohama said. "I definitely would've got it on camera, though. You think she can hold her liquor?"

"Of course she can," Kiryuu chimed in. "Try running after an old weirdo like Azazel all day and see if you wouldn't be driven to drink."

Azazel was way more than some old weirdo, but Kiryuu wasn't exactly wrong, either. He'd been really mean to Rossweisse for no reason, and what made it worse was that seeing her be mocked for her boyfriend troubles wouldn't have fazed him at all if if he hadn't bonded with her.

In fact, he would've used it to put her down a peg if she ticked him off. She'd been through a lot of struggles, and not just in love. From what he knew, her old boss Odin was a lecherous old perv who drank up a storm, and poor Rossweisse got the short end of the stick for being his personal assistant.

Although, she was pretty cute when she got flustered... wait, what was he thinking? There were other ways to tease her. Gah, even worse. He had to control himself.

"Don't you agree, Issei?"

Issei nodded. "Uh, yeah, totally."

What the hell did Kiryuu say?

"What were we talking about?"

When Kiryuu glanced at him, ice-cold shivers crawled down his spine. Those glasses could see everything.

"Rossweisse deserves a good, sweet, dependable guy," Asia said. She grabbed onto his arm, pressing her breasts against his jacket sleeve. "We all do."

"Right," Issei said. In a lower voice, he said, "Thanks for the save."

Asia squeezed his bicep. "Any time."

At that moment, Kiryuu went on about the legends surrounding the Togetsukyou bridge. She gleefully took a shot at his smarts, and told everyone that couples who looked back would fall apart. Asia's response was to cling even tighter to his arm, running her fingers along his sleeve, feeling his muscles.

Man, her body felt really good against his, and once again, he was glad he worked out and put some actual meat on his bones. But try as he might, he couldn't get that stare out of his mind, the sheer yearning in her green eyes. She could find a man, huh? Well, what about him?

Yeah, right. Rossweisse could do better, and he was getting too distracted thinking about her. The last thing she needed was to get caught up in whatever the hell was going on between him and the girls in the Gremory family.

The last thing she needed was a guy who was just as depraved as Odin to be her man.

It had been a long day, and considering everything that happened, Issei was grateful that he could relax before he took part in the rest of the night's... activities. Dinner was an eclectic mix of diverse cuisines that settled his stomach, while the bath soothed his aching muscles.

Nobody was trying to peek on him as he soaked in the spring, and it made him realize what a tool he'd been, trying to get his rocks off at the expense of innocent girls and women. He was glad Rossweisse knocked some sense into him.

What a woman. His mind wandered to the conversation they had after they visited Nijou Castle, a place they'd be returning to very soon.

"Hey, it's the hero of the Togetsukyou bridge!" he'd said.

Rossweisse's cheeks had burned. "Stop it, please."

Even as she said that, she couldn't suppress her smile.

"If you say so. You really were amazing back there."

"I was only trying to protect you... all. All of you."

"And I can't thank you enough."

She'd saved their asses from a horrific beatdown at the hands of powerful heroes. Now, they were alone, together, after she helped him find his lost phone at the castle. She was also the reason why his phone had been lost in the first place, but he'd been in on this little caper.

"Anyway, what's up?"

"We have to finish our date. Meet me after dinner; I think we can squeeze in an hour together before we have to prepare for our upcoming battle."

He'd frowned. His bad habits were really biting him in the behind, to put it lightly. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I said I'd play cards with Asia and the others, and I –"

Rossweisse had suddenly frowned. His hands shot up high from pure reflex.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd really like to date you –"

Her face had suddenly began to shine bright crimson. That wasn't exactly what he'd meant, but he'd be a real moron if he went and said that.

"I mean, finish our date. Since it's on hold."

"It's okay, I understand. I don't want you to choose between me and your friends." She gave him a soft smile. "We'll just have to finish our date some other time."

He managed to smile. "I'll count down every minute."

Now that he thought of it, that last line felt kind of lame. And desperate. However, it wasn't all bad: Rossweisse took his 'rejection' well, and she was still interested in finishing their date. The problem was what would probably come after that. She was so incredible in lots of different ways. He was just... Issei.

Enough beating himself up. There were bigger things to worry about. And yet, he couldn't help but think about her. The possibility of them. Rossweisse knew about his trauma and accepted him anyway.

When these card games had finished, after they won the battle waiting for them, if he lived to tell the tale, he was going to finish that date.

Once Issei finished bathing, he went to Matsuda and Motohama's room, determined to have as much fun as he could with his pals. They played cards with the girls, looked at photos of their trip. Matsuda and Motohama even took their shot with Irina and Xenovia... it didn't work out, but they'd be fine.

Rejection wasn't the same as heartbreak.

Then it was time to rescue Kunou's mother from the Hero Faction, a team of humans descended from legendary heroes. They were seriously tough, and their leader Cao Cao was the most dangerous one of them all.

Issei and his friends were pushed to the brink, but by the end, they found a way to succeed, thanks to a magic crystal in his pocket. It was the embodiment of his hedonistic, perverted desires. He might not have been as strong as his predecessors, but he did have one advantage.

Possibilities, and the passion to make them reality. Breasts were the way he tapped into that passion, and they were still the most incredible asset known to man, but this trip to Kyoto had made him a little bit more considerate... it led him to connect with Rossweisse.

That was why he wasn't going to summon his 'exclusive' breasts, because they weren't his to fondle. There was another way to the possibility his predecessors promised, but how would he get there? Rage wasn't the path to domination he needed if he meant he'd lose his mind. Fear and self-loathing would only lead him to a grave he managed to avoid through sheer, dumb luck.

What was he going to do? If he couldn't protect his friends, his loved ones, then he had no right to call himself the Red Dragon Emperor, the Grabbing Dragon, or a man of Rias Gremory's peerage.

No more running. Right now, he needed to stand tall and face his demons. It was time to make them his bitch.

Issei drowned himself in his anguish, his fears, his anger, and channelled it into the crystal in his hand. It was tough, wallowing in his pain. Ddraig, the legendary dragon that called his soul home, helped him focus. The crystal began to shine, responding to his wish, so he focused on the virtues that drove him to greater and greater heights.

Passion was his hallmark, bolstered by devotion to his loved ones, the courage to fight for them at any cost, and the hope that he'd find a way forward in his time of need, no matter what.

This was his way forward to a new plateau of power.

A crimson circle surrounded him, shrouding him in red light consumed his armour, his body and his soul, transforming him. When the light faded, he felt different. Stronger. He instantly turned the tide against the Hero Faction, and when reinforcements arrived, they forced Cao Cao and his team to retreat, saving Yasaka from a gruesome fate.

His work wasn't done, as Yasaka was still trapped in her nine-tailed fox form. Through his ability to hear breasts talk, along with some helpful advice from the original Sun Wukong, Issei managed to connect Kunou and Yasaka's hearts. Mother and daughter were reunited.

Mission complete.

Everyone he cared about had survived, and he'd unlocked a new way to fight. The Illegal Move Triana felt great, it really did, but he still had a long way to go before he maximized its potential. People like Cao Cao or the original Sun Wukong were proof of that.

Before Sun Wukong left with his comrade the Jade Dragon, he told Issei to continue developing his newfound power, protect the girls in his life and make sure they never shed a single tear. There was one girl in particular he wanted to protect right now... one woman.

Rossweisse had been so powerful and majestic on that bridge, wielding city-destroying magic like it was a deck of cards. Unfortunately, it hadn't been enough to defeat Heracles of the Hero Faction, and the sight of her battered, bloody body made him see red, red like blood, the deepest, brightest crimson.

Issei smashed Heracles' face in. He didn't go down.

At that moment, all he wanted to do was break that so-called hero in half. The only reason why he didn't was because he remembered the terror of the Juggernaut Drive and tempered his fury. He didn't want anyone to see him like that again, especially Rossweisse.

After the battle ended, Rossweisse woke up, worn down yet still alive, and the relief he felt at her survival was so tangible that he could taste it, touch it. It meant he'd get to spend more time with her, hear her laugh or see her smile.

Getting to spend his last night in Kyoto with Rossweisse would've been awesome, but then, he never expected this night would turn out the way it did.

He wouldn't change it for the world.

Issei was so drained from the battle at Nijou Castle that he fell asleep the second he hit his bed and didn't dream at all.

When he woke up, the sun was already shining bright. That meant he was late. Before he could even get dressed, he heard a knock on the door. Rossweisse was on the other side. He leaped all over to make himself decent, and once he was done, he let her in.

"You're awake," she said. Her suit was immaculate, not a hair out of place. "How are you doing?"

Issei smiled. "Oh, you know, same old, same old. I should be asking you that question."

Rossweisse covered her mouth, stifling a yawn. "I'd take a nap if I could get away with it."

His smile grew strained. "Last night was pretty intense, wasn't it?"

"It was." She took in a breath. "That's part of the reason why I'm here."

She closed the door behind her. This wasn't a problem, he wanted to see her anyway. It didn't stop his heart from hammering in his chest, or his palms from getting sweaty.

"Asia told me about what you did to Heracles," she said.

Of course she did. She was busy healing their fallen friends, but she still saw everything he did.

"I couldn't stand what that jerk did to you. Nobody does that to any of my friends and gets away with it!"

"Friends, huh?" She smiled, stemming his worries before they could explode. "I almost had him, you know, but I underestimated his tenacity. And yet, you almost took him down with one punch. You're truly something special, I can't believe I didn't see it."

His face was burning from the heat searing his cheeks. 'It's nothing,' he wanted to say, but man, he didn't have to be so bashful.

"Thanks, Rossweisse."

"Thank you, Issei."

Rossweisse made eye contact with him. Just then, Issei noticed that they were standing really close to each other. He felt a slight spike of fear, but he could handle it. Yeah, he could do this.

"So, you wanted to tell me something?"

"That's right. This... relationship we have. I don't want it to end here in Kyoto. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

He gulped. "You mean you want to go on more dates back home?"

She nodded, smile broadening. "Exactly. You've been so wonderful to me these past few days. And just between you and me... I wouldn't mind having a boyfriend to do perverted things with."

His heart skipped a beat. Was this... actually happening? To him? All he had to do was think about it for a couple of seconds and the answer presented itself. He just needed to make sure his hunch was right.

"Really? What about that old geezer Odin?"

Rossweisse scoffed. "Lord Odin chooses to act like a starving dog. You've learned how to behave. Besides, you're a great guy, Issei. I'd love to keep on dating you."

Issei couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face. Well, until he realized exactly what she was asking. Damn it, why did he have to make this so complicated? Rossweisse liked him, actually liked him. He felt the same way. She wanted to do perverted things with him. The feeling was mutual.

Unfortunately, using his demons to fuel his evolution didn't transform him into some ladies man like Kiba.

"Can you give me some time to think about it? I'm not saying no, but..."

Thankfully, she hadn't run out of his room. "I understand, completely. To be honest, I'm seconds away from having a panic attack. Imagine being in your shoes."

He chuckled. "You don't know the half of it. Wait, actually, you kinda do."

They both started laughing, easing the tension that filled the air. He felt a warmth blooming in his chest, the same kind of warmth he felt for Rias and Asia... he had a crush on Rossweisse. A real one.

Awesome.

Thanks to Rossweisse, he wasn't late, and he got to see Kyoto Tower pressure-free. Buy some souvenirs. Boy, it was an incredible sight, and he was sure glad he wasn't alone. Rossweisse was supervising him and his friends, acting like everything was normal, and her presence was both comforting and anxiety-inducing.

He didn't want to screw up his relationship with her, and the idea of breaking her heart made him sick to his stomach. At the same time, he didn't want to reject her just because it was the safe choice. She wanted to do perverted things with him, and imagining her slammin' bod in all its glory made his blood race.

More than that, she deserved a good man that would make her forget she ever had love troubles. If he was going to do this, he couldn't screw it up. He had to be better than the best boyfriend he could possibly be. If only it were that simple.

After clearing up some loose ends, his trip to Kyoto had finally come to an end. Issei said goodbye to Kunou and Yasaka, cherished their gratitude. However, he was so preoccupied by the idea of seeing Rossweisse's bodacious boobs that he forgot to ask that foxy mama if he could get a little reward.

Wait a second, would Rossweisse hate him if Yasaka let him see her knockers? Ah, well, it was a moot point, now.

He spent the whole train ride thinking about Kyoto, about the time he spent there with his friends and Asia and most of all, Rossweisse. It had been incredible, but now he was going home to Kuoh Academy and his friends there, his parents. Rias.

Shit.

There was no running from his King.

At the huge mansion he called home, Rias, Akeno and Koneko gave him and his friends the third degree for not calling them. The only consolation was that they looked really nice in their new clothes, because he wasn't taking their scrutiny like a champ. What was his excuse gonna be, he had a lot on his mind? He played a lot of card games? So lame.

Thankfully, Gasper saved his ass. Then Azazel leaned back on the couch and opened his fat mouth.

"Don't be so hard on the kid," he said. "Issei had his hands full with a fine woman. Sharp as a tack, that one."

"You really love the sound of your voice, don't you, Azazel?" Issei snapped. Inside, he was about to collapse. This couldn't be happening.

The old weirdo was smiling like a fox. "Most people do."

Rossweisse had stiffened in her seat. Wait a second. Wait. A. Second. It couldn't be.

"You're in luck, Issei," Azazel said, because he still hadn't stopped talking. "One day, that little fox princess will definitely become as blessed as her mother. Imagine that."

Issei scowled. "You are so gross, dude."

Azazel just laughed. Meanwhile, Rossweisse had relaxed. If Azazel knew... then he just did him a solid. For real.

So when Azazel kept on running his mouth, he breathed in a sigh of relief. He could keep his time with Rossweisse under wraps for the time being. Once he got his marching orders to train for their upcoming Rating Game, Issei was ready to head back to his room, but life always had some curveball ready to smack him in the head.

"Before you go, Issei, you'll have to tell me all about your new power-up," Rias said. Her sultry voice was like a siren call. "I'm really impressed that you managed to pull it off on your own."

He smiled. She wasn't the only one who was impressed. Ddraig was over the moon that he found a dignified way to obtain more power.

"Thanks, Prez."

The president of their research club twitched. What, did he say something wrong?

"Feeling left out, Rias?" Akeno said. She wasn't exactly smiling, but her violet eyes were gleaming.

Rias crossed her arms, pouting. "I'm just glad Issei's found a different way to boost his strength."

"Don't care," Koneko said. "I heard Issei plays a mean game of Uno. I call dibs."

"I'll join you," Akeno said. "We can learn all about Issei's new paramour."

Not on his watch.

"I play alone. Go sulk with Rias."

Rias scoffed. "Afraid of competition, Koneko?"

Koneko scowled. "Course not. You're just mad Issei won't get to poke your funbags."

Ouch. This was getting too hot for the proverbial kitchen. His phone buzzed with a new message. At the same time, Rossweisse stood up and walked away.

Come to my room.

Four of the most exciting words he read all day. Time to head out.

"I'd love to spend time with all of you," Issei said, "but it's been a long trip and I want to get some sleep."

One sentence was all it took to stop them in their tracks. Or so he thought. Rias asked to accompany him, then Xenovia got involved and Asia tried to keep the peace and –

"You ladies ever thought about drawing up a schedule?" Azazel asked.

"These 'ladies' know the pecking order," Rias said. "I don't need to put it in writing."

Somehow, Azazel had drawn everyone's attention, allowing Issei to make his exit. Kiba was watching him, but he just gave Issei a short smile before sitting back to watch the fireworks.

Bro code. Gotta love it.

Issei booked it to Rossweisse's room, making sure he wasn't followed. She was waiting for him inside.

"I thought you could use a break," she said.

He smiled. "I appreciate it."

All things considered, her room was pretty plain. Besides the necessities, there were lots of books, a desk stacked with stationery and test papers, bins for recyclables and reusables. Some of her souvenirs from Kyoto were lying on her night stand.

Rossweisse let him look around, ever patient, but he knew couldn't keep her waiting forever. Fortunately, he knew what he wanted. There was no reason to beat around the bush.

"You want to be my girlfriend, Rossweisse?" Issei asked, in a low voice. Never knew who was listening in.

Rossweisse beamed. "Yes!"

She threw her arms around his neck, and he hugged her waist, pulling her close, soaking in the moment. She still smelled fresh, like a warm Kyoto night. Their time together wouldn't be some fond memory, a wistful what-if.

He wasn't naive, though. This relationship of theirs could go any way, good or bad, but he knew one thing. The future was now, and if he wasn't prepared, if he let his fear defeat him, it would pass him by and leave him covered in its dust.